Destination floor registration system and control method

Abstract

To provide a destination floor registration system with an improved configuration. [Solution] The destination floor registration system (100) includes a destination floor registration device (4), a first group control device (1A) that manages elevators (3), and a second group control device (1B) which is a substitute device for the first group control device. The destination floor registration device transmits assignment requests to both the first group control device and the second group control device. The first group control device and the second group control device can switch between an execution mode in which assignments can be performed and a non-execution mode in which assignments are not performed. Only one of the first group control device or the second group control device is set to execution mode, and the one set to execution mode assigns an elevator unit to the assignment request.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a destination floor registration system including a plurality of group management control devices, and a control method for the destination floor registration system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, in a system provided with a group management control device that manages elevators, there have been cases where a main group management control device and a backup group management control device exist. In such a system, the main group management control device performs allocation during normal operation, and when the main group management control device cannot perform allocation, such as when the main group management control device malfunctions, the backup group management control device performs allocation instead (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The system including the main group management control device and the backup group management control device as described above still has room for improvement.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention aims to provide a destination floor registration system having a further improved configuration.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] To solve the above problems, a destination floor registration system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls of users using an elevator, a first group management control device for managing the elevator, and a second group management control device which is a substitute device for the first group management control device. The destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group management control device and the second group management control device requesting the assignment of an elevator unit to a user's destination floor call. The first group management control device and the second group management control device can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform the assignment. Only one of the first group management control device and the second group management control device is set to the execution mode, and the one of the first group management control device and the second group management control device set to the execution mode assigns an elevator unit to the received assignment 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 including a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls of users using an elevator, a first group management control device for managing the elevator, and a second group management control device which is a substitute device for the first group management control device, wherein the method includes: a transmission step in which the destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group management control device and the second group management control device requesting the assignment of an elevator unit to a user's destination floor call; and an assignment step in which the first group management control device and the second group management control device, whichever is set to an execution mode for receiving the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device, assigns an elevator unit to the received assignment request, wherein the first group management control device and the second group management control device can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform the assignment, and only one of the first group management control device and the second group management control device is set to the execution mode.

[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, a destination floor registration system having a more improved configuration can be provided. [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 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system. [Figure 3] This is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] [Embodiment 1] <Overview of Destination Floor Registration System 100> One embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the destination floor registration system 100 comprises a first group management control device 1A, a second group management control device 1B, an elevator control device 2, an elevator 3, and a destination floor registration device 4. The destination floor registration system 100 is a system that assigns floors based on user input to the destination floor registration device 4 using either the first group management control device 1A or the second group management control device 1B. Hereinafter, when the first group management control device 1A and the second group management control device 1B are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "group management control device 1".

[0012] The destination floor registration device 4 is a device that registers the destination floor calls of users using elevator 3. Based on the user's input, it sends an assignment request to both the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, requesting the assignment of elevator unit 3 to the user's destination floor call.

[0013] The first group control device 1A manages elevator 3 and assigns elevator unit 3 to users calling for their destination floor based on assignment requests from the destination floor registration device 4. The second group control device 1B is a replacement for the first group control device 1A. Like the first group control device 1A, the second group control device 1B manages elevator 3 and can assign elevator unit 3 to users calling for their destination floor based on assignment requests from the destination floor registration device 4. Furthermore, both the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform assignments based on assignment requests transmitted from the destination floor registration device 4 and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform assignments. Only one of the first group control device 1A or the second group control device 1B is set to execution mode.

[0014] When an assignment request is transmitted from the destination floor registration device 4, the one of the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B that is set to execution mode assigns elevator unit 3 to the received assignment request.

[0015] <Destination Floor Registration Device 4> The destination floor registration device 4 is a device used by users to register their destination floor requests. The destination floor registration device 4 requests the group control device 1 to register the destination floor request in response to user input. As shown in Figure 1, the destination floor registration device 4 comprises an input unit 41 and a display unit 42, and is connected to the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B. The input unit 41 and the display unit 42 may be separate devices housed in a single housing, or they may be configured as a single integrated device. In this embodiment, the configuration in which the input unit 41 and the display unit 42 are separate devices and housed in a single housing will be used as an example for explanation. The destination floor registration device 4 may be installed on each floor of the building where the elevator 3 is installed. Furthermore, multiple destination floor registration devices 4 may be installed on a single floor.

[0016] (Input section 41) The input unit 41 is a device such as a touch panel and accepts input operations from the user. The input unit 41 can accept input specifying the destination floor for registering a destination floor call. When the input unit 41 receives input from the user for a destination floor call, it sends an assignment request to the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, requesting that elevator unit 3 be assigned to the user's destination floor call based on the input. The assignment request sent by the input unit 41 includes the identification information of the input unit 41 and information indicating the destination floor entered by the user.

[0017] As a result, the first group management control device 1A and the second group management control device 1B, whichever is set to execution mode, can receive an assignment request from the destination floor registration device 4 and perform the assignment in response to the assignment request. In addition, after the input unit 41 sends an assignment request, it sends information to the display unit 42 indicating that the assignment request has been sent.

[0018] (Display section 42) The display unit 42 is a display device such as a display capable of displaying various screens, and when receiving assignment result information for an assignment request, displays a screen including the relevant assignment result information. Upon receiving the assignment result information, the display unit 42 displays a screen indicating the assigned car number assigned to the assignment request, which is included in the assignment result information. Further, the display unit 42 may further display information indicating the destination floor of the user who has registered the destination floor call. Note that if the display unit 42 does not receive the assignment result information within a predetermined time after the input unit 41 transmits the assignment request, the display unit 42 may display an error screen indicating that the assignment for the assignment request has not been performed.

[0019] <First group management control device 1A> The first group management control device 1A is a device that manages elevators 3. The first group management control device 1A is capable of receiving an assignment request, which is information for requesting registration of a destination floor call, from the destination floor registration device 4. When the first group management control device 1A receives an assignment request and is capable of assigning an elevator 3 car to the user's destination floor call based on the assignment request, it performs assignment for the relevant assignment request.

[0020] As shown in Figure 1, the first group management control device 1A includes a control unit 11A, a storage unit 12A, and an input / output interface 13A. The control unit 11A includes a setting unit 111A, an assignment unit 112A, and a registration unit 113A. The input / output interface 13A is a communication module for the first group management control device 1A to communicate with the second group management control device 1B, the elevator control device 2, and the destination floor registration device 4 to exchange information. The storage unit 12A stores mode information 121A. The mode information 121A is information indicating the control mode of the first group management control device 1A, and indicates an execution mode in which assignment based on an assignment request can be performed, or a non-execution mode in which assignment based on an assignment request is not performed.

[0021] When the control mode is the execution mode, the first group management control device 1A transmits a signal (alive signal) indicating that it is in the execution mode to the second group management control device 1B at predetermined time intervals. On the other hand, when the control mode is the non-execution mode, the first group management control device 1A stops transmitting the alive signal.

[0022] (Setting unit 111A) The setting unit 111A sets the control mode of the first group management control device 1A according to the state of the first group management control device 1A. When the first group management control device 1A operates normally, the first group management control device 1A can normally receive an allocation request from the destination floor registration device 4 and perform allocation based on the allocation request. When the first group management control device 1A is in such a state, the setting unit 111A sets the control mode of the first group management control device 1A to the execution mode.

[0023] When an abnormality occurs in the first group management control device 1A and the first group management control device 1A enters a state where it cannot perform allocation, the setting unit 111A switches the control mode of the first group management control device 1A from the execution mode to the non-execution mode. The state where the first group management control device 1A cannot perform allocation is, for example, a case where the first group management control device 1A has failed, or a case where the first group management control device 1A is under maintenance. In such a case, even if the first group management control device 1A receives an allocation request from the destination floor registration device 4, it cannot perform control for allocation. When the first group management control device 1A is in such a state, the setting unit 111A sets the control mode of the first group management control device 1A to the non-execution mode.

[0024] Furthermore, the communication function of the first group control device 1A may be impaired due to malfunction or maintenance. In such cases, the first group control device 1A cannot receive the assignment request from the destination floor registration device 4, or the first group control device 1A cannot transmit the assignment result based on the assignment request to the destination floor registration device 4. Thus, even if the first group control device 1A itself is in a state where it can operate normally, if it is unable to notify the destination floor registration device 4 of the assignment result from the first group control device 1A, the setting unit 111A sets the control mode of the first group control device 1A to non-execution mode.

[0025] Alternatively, if the setting unit 111A receives a signal from an input device (not shown) connected to the first group control device 1A or from an input unit (not shown) of the first group control device 1A that instructs it to set the control mode to non-execution mode, the setting unit 111A may set the control mode of the first group control device 1A to non-execution mode.

[0026] When the control mode of the first group control device 1A enters the non-execution mode, the alive signal transmitted from the first group control device 1A to the second group control device 1B is stopped. As a result of the stopping of the alive signal, the control mode of the second group control device 1B enters the execution mode.

[0027] Furthermore, if the first group control device 1A loses power, the setting unit 111A may be unable to perform the control to switch the control mode. In such cases, the first group control device 1A is unable to perform assignments and is therefore effectively considered to be in non-execution mode. Also, in such cases, the transmission of the alive signal from the first group control device 1A stops, so the control mode of the second group control device 1B becomes execution mode.

[0028] When the first group control device 1A recovers from a malfunction or maintenance and becomes capable of normal assignment, the setting unit 111A switches the control mode of the first group control device 1A from non-execution mode to execution mode. As a result, the transmission of the alive signal from the first group control device 1A to the second group control device 1B resumes, and the control mode of the second group control device 1B returns to non-execution mode.

[0029] (Allocation section 112A) The allocation unit 112A assigns elevators to users' destination floor calls based on allocation requests received from the destination floor registration device 4. An allocation request is information for requesting the allocation of elevator unit 3 to a user's destination floor call, and includes identification information of the input unit 41, which is the source of the allocation request, and information indicating the destination floor entered by the user.

[0030] In the destination floor registration system 100, an assignment request is sent to all group control devices 1. Then, among the multiple group control devices 1, the group control device 1 whose control mode is set to execution mode performs the assignment. When the assignment unit 112A of the first group control device 1A receives an assignment request, it determines whether or not to perform the assignment based on the assignment request. First, the assignment unit 112A refers to the control mode of the first group control device 1A stored in the storage unit 12A. If the control mode of the first group control device 1A is set to non-execution mode, the assignment unit 112A terminates processing without performing the assignment.

[0031] When the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is set to execution mode, the user's departure floor is identified based on the assignment request. The assignment unit 112A refers to the storage unit 12A based on the identification information of the input unit 41 included in the assignment request and identifies the floor on which the destination floor registration device 4 equipped with the input unit 41 is installed. The assignment unit 112A identifies the identified floor as the user's departure floor. If it is not possible to make an assignment based on the user's departure floor and destination floor, the assignment unit 112A terminates processing. Situations in which it is not possible to make an assignment based on the user's departure floor and destination floor include, for example, when the user mistakenly enters the floor on which the destination floor registration device 4 is installed as the destination floor, or when a floor that is not a service floor of the elevator 3 is entered as the destination floor.

[0032] If it is possible to assign elevators based on the user's departure and destination floors, the assignment unit 112A assigns elevator unit 3 to the received assignment request based on the user's departure and destination floors. When the assignment unit 112A has made an assignment in response to an assignment request, it outputs information indicating the result of the assignment to the registration unit 113A. This information includes information indicating the assigned elevator unit and information indicating the user's departure and destination floors.

[0033] (Registration Section 113A) The registration unit 113A registers the user's destination floor call based on the result of the allocation in response to the allocation request. When the allocation unit 112A makes an allocation in response to the allocation request, the registration unit 113A obtains information from the allocation unit 112A indicating the result of the allocation. Upon obtaining this information, the registration unit 113A registers information indicating the user's departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator unit in the storage unit 12A based on the obtained information. After registering the user's destination floor call, the registration unit 113A transmits the registered information regarding the destination floor call to the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned elevator unit. This information includes information indicating the user's departure floor and destination floor.

[0034] Then, the registration unit 113A transmits the assignment result information for the assignment request to the display unit 42 of the destination floor registration device 4, which is the source of the assignment request. Specifically, when the registration unit 113A registers the user's destination floor call, it refers to the storage unit 12A based on the identification information of the input unit 41 included in the assignment request and identifies the display unit 42 of the destination floor registration device 4, which is the source of the assignment request. The registration unit 113A transmits the assignment result information, which includes information indicating the assigned elevator number and the user's destination floor, to the identified display unit 42.

[0035] <Group 2 Control Device 1B> The second group control device 1B is a replacement for the first group control device 1A and, like the first group control device 1A, can receive assignment requests transmitted from the destination floor registration device 4. When the second group control device 1B receives an assignment request and it is possible to assign elevator unit 3 to the user's destination floor call based on the assignment request, it performs the assignment for the assignment request.

[0036] As shown in Figure 1, the second group control device 1B comprises a control unit 11B, a storage unit 12B, and an input / output interface 13B. The control unit 11B comprises a setting unit 111B, an assignment unit 112B, and a registration unit 113B. The input / output interface 13B is a communication module for the second group control device 1B to communicate with the first group control device 1A, the elevator control device 2, and the destination floor registration device 4 to exchange information.

[0037] The storage unit 12B stores mode information 121B indicating the control mode of the second group control device 1B. The mode information 121B of the second group control device 1B is set to non-execution mode when the control mode of the first group control device 1A is execution mode, and set to execution mode when the control mode of the first group control device 1A is non-execution mode. Furthermore, when the control mode of the second group control device 1B is execution mode, it may or may not transmit an alive signal to the first group control device 1A at predetermined time intervals.

[0038] The setting unit 111B sets the control mode of the second group control device 1B. Here, the setting unit 111B sets the control mode of the second group control device 1B based on the reception status of the alive signal from the first group control device 1A. Specifically, the setting unit 111B sets the control mode of the second group control device 1B to non-execution mode while the second group control device 1B is receiving the alive signal from the first group control device 1A.

[0039] The setting unit 111B of the second group control device 1B switches to execution mode when it does not receive an alive signal from the first group control device 1A for a predetermined period of time or longer. As a result, the control mode of the first group control device 1A is switched from execution mode to non-execution mode, and if the transmission of the alive signal stops, the control mode of the second group control device 1B is switched from non-execution mode to execution mode.

[0040] During the period when the first group control device 1A is operating normally, the first group control device 1A is in execution mode and is capable of performing assignments based on assignment requests. When the first group control device 1A is in execution mode, the second group control device 1B receives an alive signal from the first group control device 1A. If the first group control device 1A fails, the transmission of the alive signal from the first group control device 1A to the second group control device 1B is interrupted, and after a predetermined time has elapsed since the interruption of the alive signal, the second group control device 1B switches to execution mode.

[0041] As described above, with the above configuration, the second group control device 1B recognizes that the first group control device 1A is unable to perform assignments when the alive signal from the first group control device 1A is interrupted, and switches from non-receiving mode to receiving mode. As a result, when the first group control device 1A fails, the second group control device 1B quickly switches to receiving mode, enabling the second group control device 1B to perform assignments based on assignment requests as needed.

[0042] The allocation unit 112B and the registration unit 113B perform the same control as the allocation unit 112A and the registration unit 113A of the first group management control device 1A. The allocation unit 112B decides whether or not to make an allocation based on the control mode of the second group management control device 1B. When the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is in execution mode, the control mode of the second group management control device 1B is in non-execution mode. If the control mode of the second group management control device 1B is in non-execution mode, the allocation unit 112B will not make an allocation even if it receives an allocation request from the destination floor registration device 4. On the other hand, when the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is in non-execution mode, the control mode of the second group management control device 1B is in execution mode. If the control mode of the second group management control device 1B is in execution mode, when the allocation unit 112B receives an allocation request from the destination floor registration device 4, it identifies the user's destination floor and determines whether or not it is possible to make an allocation. If it is possible to make an assignment, the assignment unit 112B makes an assignment in response to the assignment request and outputs information indicating the assignment result to the registration unit 113B.

[0043] When the registration unit 113B obtains information indicating the allocation result for an allocation request, it registers the user's destination floor call based on that information and transmits the registered destination floor call information to the elevator control device 2 that controls the allocated elevator. The registration unit 113B also transmits allocation result information, including information indicating the allocated elevator and the user's destination floor, to the display unit 42 of the destination floor registration device 4, which is the source of the allocation request.

[0044] As described above, in the destination floor registration system 100 according to this embodiment, only one of the first group management control device 1A and the second group management control device 1B is in execution mode, while the other is in non-execution mode. For example, when the first group management control device 1A is in execution mode, the second group management control device 1B is in non-execution mode. In this case, when an assignment request is transmitted from the destination floor registration device 4, only the first group management control device 1A can perform the assignment.

[0045] In the destination floor registration system 100, there may be situations where the first group control device 1A is unable to perform assignments. For example, if the first group control device 1A malfunctions or is undergoing maintenance, it cannot perform assignments. Also, if there is a problem with communication between the first group control device 1A and the destination floor registration device 4 and the communication is interrupted, the first group control device 1A cannot receive assignment requests and therefore cannot perform assignments.

[0046] If the above-described situation occurs in the first group control device 1A, the first group control device 1A enters non-execution mode. According to the above configuration, when the first group control device 1A enters non-execution mode, the second group control device 1B, which is a replacement device for the first group control device 1A, switches from non-execution mode to execution mode. As a result, even if the first group control device 1A is unable to perform allocations, the second group control device 1B can perform allocations based on allocation requests in place of the first group control device 1A.

[0047] Since the destination floor registration device 4 sends assignment requests to both the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, the group control device in execution mode can receive the assignment requests. Furthermore, because the destination floor registration device 4 sends assignment requests to both the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, there is no need to change the destination of the assignment request depending on the status of the group control device 1. Thus, with the above configuration, the appropriate group control device 1 can perform the assignment without the destination floor registration device 4 having to perform the complicated process of changing the destination of the assignment request when the first group control device 1A fails or when the first group control device 1A recovers.

[0048] <An example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100> Figure 2 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100. The processing flow performed by the destination floor registration system 100 will be explained below using Figure 2.

[0049] The input unit 41 of the destination floor registration device 4 waits for the user to input a destination floor. When a destination floor is registered in the input unit 41 by the user's input operation (S1), the input unit 41 sends an assignment request to the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B (S2: transmission step). The input unit 41 also sends information indicating that it has sent an assignment request to the display unit 42 corresponding to the input unit 41.

[0050] When the allocation unit 112A of the first group management control device 1A receives an allocation request (YES in S11), it refers to the mode information 121A in the storage unit 12A and determines whether the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is the execution mode (S12).

[0051] If the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is in execution mode (YES in S12), the allocation unit 112A identifies the user's departure floor and destination floor and determines whether it is possible to make an allocation based on the user's departure floor and destination floor. Specifically, the allocation unit 112A determines whether the user's departure floor and destination floor are included in the service floors of elevator 3 (S13). If the user's departure floor and destination floor are included in the service floors of elevator 3 (YES in S13), the allocation unit 112A allocates elevator unit 3 to the received allocation request (S14: allocation step) and outputs information indicating the allocation result to the registration unit 113A. Based on the acquired information, the registration unit 113A registers the user's destination floor call and transmits information regarding the registered destination floor call to the elevator control device 2 that controls the allocated elevator unit. The registration unit 113A also transmits information indicating the allocation result to the destination floor registration device 4, which is the source of the allocation request (S15).

[0052] If the control mode of the first group management control device 1A is in non-execution mode (NO in S12), or if at least one of the user's departure floor and destination floor is not included in the service floors of elevator 3 (NO in S13), the allocation unit 112A terminates processing without making an allocation.

[0053] When the allocation unit 112B of the second group management control device 1B receives an allocation request (YES in S21), it refers to the mode information 121B in the storage unit 12B and determines whether the control mode of the second group management control device 1B is the execution mode (S22).

[0054] If the control mode of the first group control device 1A is in non-execution mode, the control mode of the second group control device 1B is in execution mode. If the control mode of the second group control device 1B is in execution mode (YES in S22), the allocation unit 112B identifies the user's departure floor and destination floor and determines whether it is possible to make an allocation based on the user's departure floor and destination floor. Specifically, the allocation unit 112B determines whether the user's departure floor and destination floor are included in the service floors of elevator 3 (S23). If the user's departure floor and destination floor are included in the service floors of elevator 3 (YES in S23), the allocation unit 112B allocates elevator unit 3 to the received allocation request (S24: allocation step) and outputs information indicating the allocation result to the registration unit 113B. Based on the acquired information, the registration unit 113B registers the user's destination floor call and transmits the information regarding the registered destination floor call to the elevator control device 2 that controls the allocated elevator unit. Furthermore, the registration unit 113B transmits information indicating the assignment result to the destination floor registration device 4, which is the source of the assignment request (S25).

[0055] On the other hand, if the control mode of the first group control device 1A is the execution mode, the control mode of the second group control device 1B is the non-execution mode. If the control mode of the second group control device 1B is the non-execution mode (NO in S22), the allocation unit 112B terminates processing without making an allocation. Also, if at least one of the user's departure floor and destination floor is not included in the service floor of elevator 3 (NO in S23), the allocation unit 112B terminates processing without making an allocation.

[0056] The elevator control device 2 controls the operation of the elevator 3 based on information received from the first group control device 1A or the second group control device 1B.

[0057] When the display unit 42 of the destination floor registration device 4 receives information indicating the assignment result from the first group control device 1A or the second group control device 1B (YES in S3), it displays the received information indicating the assignment result, specifically the assigned machine number and information indicating the user's destination floor (S4). If the input unit 41 has sent an assignment request but has not received information indicating the assignment result (NO in S3) and a predetermined time has not elapsed since the transmission of the assignment request (NO in S5), the process returns to S3. If the input unit 41 has sent an assignment request but has not received information indicating the assignment result (NO in S3) and a predetermined time has elapsed since the transmission of the assignment request (YES in S5), the display unit 42 displays an error screen containing information indicating that the assignment was not made (S6).

[0058] In the process described above, if NO is obtained in S13 or S23, each group control device 1 may send a signal to the destination floor registration device 4 indicating that at least one of the user's departure floor and destination floor is a non-service floor. If the display unit 42 of the destination floor registration device 4 receives the signal from all group control devices 1, it may perform the process in S6 without performing the processes in S3 and S5 and display an error screen. If a user inputs a floor that is not included in the service floors of the elevator 3 as the destination floor, for example, if the 50th floor is input as the destination floor in a 40-story building, all group control devices 1 will not be able to make an assignment. In such a case, the destination floor registration device 4 can receive a signal from all group control devices 1 indicating that it is a non-service floor and display an error screen without waiting for a predetermined time to elapse. This allows the user to be notified more quickly that the group control devices 1 have not made an assignment.

[0059] [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.

[0060] Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the destination floor registration system 100A according to Embodiment 2 of the present invention. The destination floor registration system 100A according to Embodiment 2 comprises multiple elevator groups (banks), and each elevator belongs to one of the multiple banks. Furthermore, elevators belonging to different banks are managed by different group control devices.

[0061] As shown in Figure 3, the destination floor registration system 100A comprises a first bank 10A, a second bank 10B, and a destination floor registration device 4A. The first bank 10A comprises a first elevator 3A belonging to the first bank 10A, a first elevator control device 2A that controls the first elevator 3A, and a first group control device 1A and a second group control device 1B that manage the first elevator 3A. The first elevator 3A and the first elevator control device 2A are the same as the elevator 3 and elevator control device 2 described in Embodiment 1, so their description is omitted here.

[0062] The second bank 10B comprises the second elevator 3B belonging to the second bank 10B, the second elevator control device 2B that controls the second elevator 3B, and the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D that manage the second elevator 3B. The second elevator 3B and the second elevator control device 2B have the same configuration as the first elevator 3A and the first elevator control device 2A, except that they belong to different banks. Hereafter, when the first elevator 3A and the second elevator 3B are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "elevator 3," and when the first elevator control device 2A and the second elevator control device 2B are not distinguished, they will be referred to as "elevator control device 2."

[0063] The third group control device 1C manages the second elevator 3B. The third group control device 1C is a group control device with the same configuration as the first group control device 1A, except that the object being managed is the second elevator 3B. The fourth group control device 1D is a replacement device for the third group control device 1C. The fourth group control device 1D is a group control device with the same configuration as the second group control device 1B, except that the object being managed is the second elevator 3B. When one of the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D is in execution mode, the other is in non-execution mode.

[0064] As shown in Figure 3, the destination floor registration device 4A includes an input unit 41A and a display unit 42A, and is connected to the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, as well as the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D. The input unit 41A transmits an assignment request to all group control devices 1 provided in the destination floor registration system 100A. Specifically, the input unit 41A transmits an assignment request to the first group control device 1A, the second group control device 1B, the third group control device 1C, and the fourth group control device 1D. When the display unit 42A receives information indicating the assignment result from any of the first group control device 1A, the second group control device 1B, the third group control device 1C, and the fourth group control device 1D, it displays that information.

[0065] In the destination floor registration system 100A, among the multiple group control devices 1, the group control device 1 that is in execution mode and manages the elevator 3 whose service floors include the user's departure floor and destination floor performs the assignment.

[0066] The assignment in the destination floor registration system 100A will be explained using the example where the service floors for the first elevator 3A are from the 1st to the 10th floor, and the service floors for the second elevator 3B are from the 1st and 10th to the 20th floor. The input unit 41A of the destination floor registration device 4A transmits an assignment request to the whole group management control device 1.

[0067] When the first group control device 1A, the second group control device 1B, the third group control device 1C, and the fourth group control device 1D receive an allocation request, they determine whether or not they are capable of making an allocation in response to the request, and if they are capable of making an allocation, they make the allocation.

[0068] As an example, let's consider the case where the user's departure floor is the 1st floor and their destination floor is the 5th floor. In this case, the first elevator 3A includes both the user's departure floor and destination floor as service floors. Therefore, of the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B that manage the first elevator 3A, if the first group control device 1A is in execution mode, the first group control device 1A can make an assignment in response to an assignment request. In the above case, when the first group control device 1A receives an assignment request, it makes an assignment based on the assignment request and registers the user's destination floor call, and transmits information indicating the assignment result to the destination floor registration device 4A, which is the source of the assignment request. On the other hand, when the first group control device 1A is in execution mode, the control mode of the second group control device 1B is non-execution mode. Therefore, even if the second group control device 1B receives an assignment request, it does not make an assignment.

[0069] On the other hand, the second elevator 3B does not include the user's destination floor as a service floor. Therefore, in the above case, the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D, which manage the second elevator 3B, cannot make an assignment request even if their control mode is in execution mode when they receive an assignment request. Consequently, in this case, the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D will not make an assignment even if they receive an assignment request.

[0070] As another example, if a user's departure floor is the 1st floor and their destination floor is the 12th floor, the second elevator 3B includes both the user's departure and destination floors as service floors, but the first elevator 3A does not include the user's destination floor as a service floor. Therefore, in this case, the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D, whose control mode is in execution mode, will perform the assignment. On the other hand, in the above case, the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B will not perform the assignment regardless of whether their control mode is in execution mode or not.

[0071] According to the above configuration, the destination floor registration device 4A sends an assignment request to all group control devices 1, and the group control device 1 of the first to fourth group control devices 1A to 1D that is set to execution reception mode performs the assignment based on the assignment request. For example, if the first group control device 1A is operating normally and the third group control device 1C is malfunctioning, the first group control device 1A and the fourth group control device 1D can perform the assignment based on the assignment request.

[0072] The service floors of the first elevator 3A, managed by the first group control device 1A and the second group control device 1B, and the service floors of the second elevator 3B, managed by the third group control device 1C and the fourth group control device 1D, may be the same or at least partially different. In the former case, the user can use elevator 3 when any of the group control devices 1 set to execution mode makes an assignment in response to the assignment request.

[0073] In the latter case, even if the group control device 1 that manages elevator 3 whose service floor does not include the user's departure or destination floor receives an allocation request, it cannot make an allocation in response to that request. On the other hand, the group control device 1 that manages elevator 3 whose service floor includes both the user's departure and destination floors can make an allocation in response to that allocation request.

[0074] The destination floor registration device 4A sends an assignment request to all group control devices 1. Therefore, with the above configuration, the destination floor registration device 4A can assign to the appropriate group control device 1 without having to perform complicated processing such as identifying which of the multiple group control devices 1 is capable of assigning to the assignment request. Specifically, when the destination floor registration device 4 sends an assignment request to all group control devices, the group control device 1 that is set to execution mode and manages elevator 3 whose service floors include the user's departure floor and destination floor can receive the assignment request and perform the assignment.

[0075] Furthermore, if the destination floor registration device 4A receives the assignment results for an assignment request from multiple group control devices 1, it may instruct all but one of the multiple group control devices 1 to cancel the assignment.

[0076] In some cases, among the group control devices 1 capable of receiving allocation requests, there may be multiple group control devices 1 that manage elevators 3 whose service floors include the user's departure and destination floors. In this case, allocation requests are made by multiple group control devices 1. Since a user can only ride one of the assigned elevators, calls to elevators that the user does not board are wasted.

[0077] According to the above configuration, when multiple group control devices 1 perform assignments and the destination floor registration device 4 receives assignment results from multiple group control devices 1, the destination floor registration device 4 instructs all but one of the group control devices 1 to cancel the assignment. As a result, only one elevator 3 responds to a user's call for a destination floor, thus reducing the possibility of wasted calls and a decrease in the operational efficiency of the elevator 3.

[0078] [Examples of implementation using software] The functions of the destination floor registration systems 100 and 100A (hereinafter referred to as "the system") are programs that cause a computer to function as the system, and these programs can be realized by programs that cause a computer to function as each control block of the system (particularly the control units 11A to 11D, input units 41 and 41A, and display units 42 and 42A).

[0079] 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.

[0080] 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 system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0081] 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.

[0082] 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).

[0083] 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.

[0084] 〔summary〕 A destination floor registration system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention includes a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls of users using an elevator, a first group control device for managing the elevator, and a second group control device which is a substitute device for the first group control device. The destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group control device and the second group control device requesting the assignment of an elevator unit to a user's destination floor call. The first group control device and the second group control device can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform the assignment. Only one of the first group control device or the second group control device is set to the execution mode, and the one of the first group control device or the second group control device set to the execution mode assigns an elevator unit to the received assignment request.

[0085] In the destination floor registration system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in aspect 1, the first group management control device transmits a signal indicating that it is in the execution mode to the second group management control device when it is in the execution mode, and stops transmitting the signal when it is in the non-execution mode. The second group management control device may switch to the execution mode if it does not receive the signal for a predetermined period of time or longer.

[0086] A destination floor registration system according to aspect 3 of the present invention further includes, in aspect 1 or 2 above, an elevator belonging to a second bank different from the first bank to which the elevator belongs, a third group control device for managing the elevators belonging to the second bank, and a fourth group control device which is a substitute for the third group control device, wherein the destination floor registration device transmits the assignment request to the first group control device, the second group control device, the third group control device, and the fourth group control device, and the third group control device and the fourth group control device can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform the assignment, and only one of the third group control device and the fourth group control device may be set to the execution mode, and the one of the third group control device and the fourth group control device that is set to the execution mode may assign the elevator number to the received assignment request.

[0087] In the destination floor registration system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in aspect 3 above, if the destination floor registration device receives the assignment result for the assignment request from a plurality of group management control devices, it may instruct all but one of the plurality of group management control devices to cancel the assignment.

[0088] A control method according to aspect 5 of the present invention is a control method for a destination floor registration system including a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls of users using an elevator, a first group management control device for managing the elevator, and a second group management control device which is a substitute device for the first group management control device, comprising: a transmission step in which the destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group management control device and the second group management control device requesting the assignment of an elevator unit to a user's destination floor call; and an assignment step in which the first group management control device and the second group management control device, whichever is set to an execution mode for receiving the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device, assigns an elevator unit to the received assignment request, wherein the first group management control device and the second group management control device can switch between an execution mode in which they can perform the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which they do not perform the assignment, and only one of the first group management control device and the second group management control device is set to the execution mode. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0089] 100, 100A Destination Floor Registration System 10A Bank 1 10B Bank 2 1A Group 1 Control Unit 1B Second Group Control Device 1C Group 3 Control Unit 1D Group 4 Control Unit 3 Elevator 3A First Elevator (Elevator) 3B Second Elevator (Elevator) 4, 4A Destination Floor Registration Device S2 transmission step S14, S24 Assignment Steps

Claims

1. It includes a destination floor registration device for registering the destination floor requests of elevator users, a first group management control device for managing the elevator, and a second group management control device which is a replacement device for the first group management control device. The destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group control device and the second group control device, requesting the assignment of the elevator unit number to the user's destination floor call. The first group management control device and the second group management control device are capable of switching between an execution mode in which the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device is performed and a non-execution mode in which the assignment is not performed. Only one of the first group control device and the second group control device is set to the execution mode, The first group control device and the second group control device, whichever is set to the execution mode, will assign the elevator unit number to the received assignment request. Destination floor registration system.

2. The first group control device is: When in the aforementioned execution mode, a signal indicating that the execution mode is in place is transmitted to the second group management control device. In the aforementioned non-execution mode, the transmission of the signal is stopped. The second group management control device switches to the execution mode when it does not receive the signal for a predetermined period of time or longer. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

3. The system further includes an elevator belonging to a second bank different from the first bank to which the aforementioned elevator belongs, a third group control device for managing the elevators belonging to the second bank, and a fourth group control device which is a replacement for the third group control device. The destination floor registration device transmits the assignment request to the first group control device, the second group control device, the third group control device, and the fourth group control device. The third group management control device and the fourth group management control device are capable of switching between an execution mode in which the assignment can be performed based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device and a non-execution mode in which the assignment is not performed. Only one of the third group control device and the fourth group control device is set to the execution mode, The third group control device and the fourth group control device, whichever is set to the execution mode, will assign the elevator unit number to the received assignment request. The destination floor registration system according to claim 1.

4. When the destination floor registration device receives the assignment results for the assignment request from multiple group control devices, it instructs all but one of the multiple group control devices to cancel the assignment. The destination floor registration system according to claim 3.

5. A control method for a destination floor registration system, which includes a destination floor registration device for registering destination floor calls of elevator users, a first group management control device for managing the elevator, and a second group management control device which is a replacement device for the first group management control device, The destination floor registration device transmits an assignment request to both the first group control device and the second group control device requesting the assignment of the elevator unit number to the user's destination floor call, The first group management control device and the second group management control device, which are set to an execution mode for receiving an assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device, include an assignment step of assigning the elevator unit to the received assignment request, The first group management control device and the second group management control device are capable of switching between an execution mode in which the assignment based on the assignment request transmitted from the destination floor registration device is performed and a non-execution mode in which the assignment is not performed. Only one of the first group control device and the second group control device is set to the execution mode. Control method.

Images