Elevator control system

Abstract

To obtain an elevator control system that can improve the efficiency of passenger transport. [Solution] In the elevator control system, the button operation detection unit 54 distinguishes and detects multiple types of button operations that differ from each other depending on how the buttons are operated for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743. The data acquisition unit 51 can collect button operation data that includes information identifying the operation detection button that was operated and information identifying the type of button operation. The storage unit 52 stores accumulated data that associates multiple button operation data with date and time information. The prediction setting unit 53 learns a first operation pattern and a second operation pattern based on the accumulated data, and outputs setting data that includes information identifying the standby floor, standby period, and standby floor door open time, respectively, based on the first operation pattern and the second operation pattern.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator control system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator control device that obtains a traffic demand trend from traffic demand collected based on the number of hall calls, the number of car calls, the load inside the car, etc., predicts future traffic demand from the obtained trend, and controls elevator operation based on this prediction.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the conventional elevator control device as described above, the information for obtaining the traffic demand trend includes the number of hall calls, the number of car calls, the load inside the car, and the like. For this reason, for example, when a person carrying a heavy object or a light-weight child uses the elevator, an error is likely to occur in grasping the number of passengers in the car, and an error is likely to occur in grasping the traffic demand. As a result, the control of the elevator operation may become control different from the actually required control. Accordingly, the waiting time of passengers at the landing may become long, and the transportation efficiency of transporting passengers by the elevator may be reduced.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to obtain an elevator control system capable of improving the transportation efficiency of passengers.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The elevator control system according to this disclosure comprises a control unit for controlling the operation of an elevator, which has multiple landing buttons provided on multiple floors, and door open buttons, door close buttons, and multiple destination floor buttons provided on each car, each of which are push buttons, and an information processing unit. The information processing unit detects when a push button is pressed as an operation detection button, and has a button operation detection unit that distinguishes and detects multiple types of button operations for each of the landing buttons, door open buttons, and door close buttons. The information processing unit also comprises a data collection unit capable of collecting button operation data including information that identifies the operation detection button and information that identifies the type of button operation, and stores the button operation data in association with date and time information, thereby collecting multiple button operation data. The system includes a storage unit that stores accumulated data associated with date and time information in conjunction with the operation of the elevator, and a prediction setting unit that learns, based on the accumulated data, a first operation pattern indicating which type of button operation is performed and when for each landing button, door open button, and door close button, and a second operation pattern indicating when each destination floor button is operated. Based on the first and second operation patterns, the system also outputs setting data that includes information specifying the standby floor where the elevator car will wait, the standby period during which the elevator car will wait on the standby floor, and the standby floor door open time during which the elevator car entrance / exit will remain open on the standby floor. Based on the setting data, the control unit controls the elevator car to wait on the standby floor during the standby period and sets the duration of the open state of the elevator car entrance / exit on the standby floor as the standby floor door open time. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to improve the efficiency of transporting passengers. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic partial diagram showing an elevator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the elevator control system according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 3]Figure 2 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the information processing unit. [Figure 4] This is a schematic partial diagram showing another example of the elevator according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 5] This is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the information processing unit according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 6] This is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the information processing unit according to Embodiment 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of this disclosure will be described with reference to the attached figures. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are simplified or omitted as appropriate. The subject matter of this disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any modification of any component of the embodiments or omission of any component of the embodiments is possible without departing from the spirit of this disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a schematic partial diagram showing an elevator according to Embodiment 1. In the figure, a hoistway 1 is provided in the building along the height direction of the building. A machine room 2 is provided above the hoistway 1. The machine room 2 is equipped with a hoisting machine 3, a deflector wheel 4, and a main control device 5.

[0011] The hoisting machine 3 comprises a hoisting machine body 31 and a drive sheave 32. The drive sheave 32 is rotatably mounted on the hoisting machine body 31. The hoisting machine body 31 has a motor. The motor of the hoisting machine body 31 generates a driving force to rotate the drive sheave 32. The deflector wheel 4 is positioned away from the drive sheave 32.

[0012] A suspension system 6 is wrapped around the drive sheave 32 and the deflector wheel 4. The suspension system 6 is made up of multiple ropes or multiple belts.

[0013] In the hoistway 1, the elevator car 7 and counterweight 8 are suspended by a suspension system 6. In this embodiment, one end of the suspension system 6 is connected to the elevator car 7, and the other end of the suspension system 6 is connected to the counterweight 8. Thus, in this embodiment, the suspension method of the elevator car 7 and counterweight 8 by the suspension system 6 is a 1:1 roping method. The elevator car 7 and counterweight 8 move vertically in the hoistway 1 by the rotation of the drive sheave 32. The main control device 5 controls the vertical movement of the elevator car 7 by controlling the hoisting machine 3.

[0014] The elevator car 7 consists of a car body 71 and a car door 72. The car body 71 is provided with a car entrance / exit 73. The car door 72 opens and closes the car entrance / exit 73. A car top controller 9 is provided at the top of the elevator car 7. The car top controller 9 controls the opening and closing operation of the car door 72, that is, the opening and closing operation of the car door 72.

[0015] Each of the multiple floors in the building is provided with a landing entrance 11. On each floor, the elevator shaft 1 is open to the landing 12 through the landing entrance 11. Each floor is provided with a landing door 13 that can open and close the landing entrance 11. On floors where the elevator car 7 is stopped, the landing door 13 opens and closes the landing entrance 11 in conjunction with the elevator car door 72. In other words, on floors where the elevator car 7 is stopped, the opening and closing operation of the landing door 13 is performed in conjunction with the elevator car door 72.

[0016] Each landing 12 on each floor is equipped with a landing control panel 14. Each landing control panel 14 has one or two landing buttons 141. Each landing button 141 is a push button used to call the elevator car 7. When a landing button 141 is pressed, a landing call registration is made to the main control device 5, which moves the elevator car 7 to the landing call floor, the floor on which the landing button 141 was pressed.

[0017] When the car 7 stops at any of the plurality of floors, the car entrance / exit 73 is automatically opened by the opening operation of the car door 72 under the control of the car controller 9. The car controller 9 continues the open state of the car entrance / exit 73 for a preset reference door opening time, and then starts the closing operation of the car door 72. When the car entrance / exit 73 is closed, a signal detecting that the car entrance / exit 73 is closed is sent to the main controller 5, and the movement of the car 7 is controlled by the main controller 5.

[0018] On the floor where the car 7 is stopped, if the hall button 141 is operated while the car entrance / exit 73 is in the open state, the open state of the car entrance / exit 73 is continued under the control of the car controller 9. Accordingly, when the hall button 141 is operated on the floor where the car 7 is stopped, the time during which the open state of the car entrance / exit 73 continues, that is, the door opening duration time of the car entrance / exit 73, becomes longer than the reference door opening time. At this time, the door opening duration time of the car entrance / exit 73 is a time corresponding to the duration of the operation of the hall button 141 on the floor where the car 7 is stopped.

[0019] A car operation panel 74 is provided inside the car body 71. The car operation panel 74 has a plurality of destination floor buttons 741, a door open button 742, and a door close button 743.

[0020] Each destination floor button 741 is a push button operated to specify the destination of movement of the car 7 as a destination floor. When the destination floor button 741 is pressed, a destination floor call registration for moving the car 7 to the floor corresponding to the operated destination floor button 741, that is, the destination floor, is performed to the main controller 5.

[0021] The door open button 742 is a push button operated to maintain the open state of the car entrance 73. When the door open button 742 is pressed while the car entrance 73 is open, the open state of the car entrance 73 is maintained by the control of the car upper controller 9. Therefore, when the door open button 742 is pressed, the duration for which the car entrance 73 remains open becomes longer than the standard door open time. In this case, the duration for which the car entrance 73 remains open is determined by the duration for which the door open button 742 is pressed.

[0022] The door close button 743 is a push button operated to forcibly close the car entrance 73 from an open state. When the door close button 743 is pressed while the car entrance 73 is open, the closing operation of the car door 72 is initiated by the car upper controller 9, even before the door open reference time has elapsed. Therefore, when the door close button 743 is pressed while the car entrance 73 is open, the duration of the car entrance 73's open state becomes shorter than the door open reference time.

[0023] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an elevator control system according to Embodiment 1. The elevator control system includes a landing control panel 14, a car control panel 74, a control unit 30, and an information processing unit 40. The control unit 30 includes a main control device 5 and a car-top controller 9. The control unit 30 controls the operation of the elevator based on information regarding the operation of each landing button 141, each destination floor button 741, the door open button 742, and the door close button 743.

[0024] The information processing unit 40 is capable of receiving information from each of the landing buttons 141, each destination floor button 741, the door open button 742, and the door close button 743 via the control unit 30. The information processing unit 40 processes information related to the operation of each of the landing buttons 141, each destination floor button 741, the door open button 742, and the door close button 743. The information processing unit 40 is located in the machine room 2. However, the information processing unit 40 may be located in a location other than the machine room 2, for example, in a location far from the elevator. The information processing unit 40 includes a data collection unit 41, a storage unit 42, and a prediction setting unit 43.

[0025] The data collection unit 41 includes a button operation detection unit 44. When at least one of the push buttons, such as the platform buttons 141, destination floor buttons 741, door open button 742, and door close button 743, is operated, the button operation detection unit 44 detects the operated push button as an operation detection button.

[0026] Furthermore, the button operation detection unit 44 is capable of distinguishing and detecting multiple types of button operations that differ from each other depending on how the buttons are operated, for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743. The button operation detection unit 44 distinguishes the type of button operation for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743 by comparing the time and number of times the buttons are pressed with a preset pressing time.

[0027] In this embodiment, the button operation detection unit 44 is capable of distinguishing and detecting three types of button operations: normal press, long press, and rapid press. The button operation detection unit 44 detects a button operation as a normal press when the push button is pressed only once within a set press time. The button operation detection unit 44 detects a button operation as a long press when the push button is pressed for a longer period than the set press time. The button operation detection unit 44 detects a button operation as rapid press when the push button is pressed multiple times within a set press time.

[0028] The data collection unit 41 is capable of collecting button operation data, including the detection results of the button operation detection unit 44. Therefore, when the button operation detection unit 44 detects at least one of the landing buttons 141, destination floor buttons 741, door open button 742, and door close button 743 as an operation detection button, the data collection unit 41 includes information identifying the operation detection button in the button operation data. In addition, when the data collection unit 41 detects an operation detection button, it detects the type of button operation of the operation detection button and includes information identifying the type of button operation in the button operation data in association with the operation detection button. As a result, the button operation data that the data collection unit 41 can collect includes information identifying the operation detection button and information identifying the type of button operation.

[0029] Furthermore, when the button operation detection unit 44 detects that at least one of the landing button 141 or the door open button 742 has been pressed for an extended period, the data collection unit 41 includes information identifying the extended press operation in the button operation data, associated with the duration of the extended press operation.

[0030] The storage unit 42 stores the button operation data collected by the data acquisition unit 41, associating it with date and time information. As a result, the storage unit 42 accumulates stored data in which multiple button operation data are associated with date and time information as the elevator is operated. The date and time information includes year, month, day, day of the week, public holidays, and time. The storage unit 42 increases the number of button operation data in the stored data as it stores additional button operation data as the elevator is operated.

[0031] The prediction setting unit 43 learns the time-series patterns of button operations for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743 as a first operation pattern, based on the stored data accumulated in the memory unit 42. The prediction setting unit 43 also learns the time-series patterns of button operations for each destination floor button 741 as a second operation pattern, based on the stored data accumulated in the memory unit 42. The prediction setting unit 43 has, for example, a machine learning learner, and learns the first and second operation patterns using the learner.

[0032] The first operation pattern is an operation pattern that indicates what type of button operation is performed and when for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743. Therefore, in the first operation pattern, for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743, the button operation associated with the type of operation is identified according to the date and time information. In addition, the first operation pattern indicates the long-press operation of each of the landing buttons 141 and door open buttons 742 in relation to the duration of the long-press operation. The first operation pattern is obtained from the relationship between the information that identifies the operation detection button and the type of button operation for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743 from the accumulated data, and the date and time information.

[0033] For example, if the accumulated data reveals a tendency for the landing button 141 on the first floor to be pressed normally every Monday between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, then the operation pattern of pressing the landing button 141 on the first floor every Monday between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM can be identified as the first operation pattern. Similarly, if the accumulated data reveals a tendency for the door open button 742 to be pressed for a long time every Sunday between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM, then the operation pattern of pressing the door open button 742 every Sunday between 1:00 PM and 2:00 PM can be identified as the first operation pattern.

[0034] The second operation pattern is an operation pattern that indicates when each button operation of each destination floor button 741 is performed. Therefore, in the second operation pattern, each button operation of each destination floor button 741 is identified according to the date and time information. The second operation pattern is obtained from the relationship between the information that identifies the operation detection button for each destination floor button 741 from the stored data and the date and time information.

[0035] For example, if the accumulated data reveals a tendency for the destination floor button 741 to be pressed to specify the 5th floor every Monday between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM, then the repeated operation pattern of pressing the destination floor button to specify the 5th floor every Monday between 8:00 AM and 9:00 AM can be identified as a second operation pattern.

[0036] The prediction setting unit 43 identifies the floor at which the elevator car 7 stops when the door open button 742 is pressed as the door open operation floor by arranging the button operations of each landing button 141, each destination floor button 741, and the door open button 742 in chronological order based on the first and second operation patterns. If the type of button operation of the door open button 742 at the floor where the elevator car 7 stops is a long press operation, the prediction setting unit 43 identifies the duration of the long press operation of the door open button 742. In addition, the prediction setting unit 43 identifies the floor at which the elevator car 7 stops when the door close button 743 is pressed as the door close operation floor by arranging the button operations of each landing button 141, each destination floor button 741, and the door close button 743 in chronological order based on the first and second operation patterns.

[0037] If the operation of the landing button 141 is a long press operation, it is presumed that the operation of the landing button 141 is an operation to keep the car entrance 73 open. Therefore, if the operation of the landing button 141 is a long press operation in the first operation pattern, the prediction setting unit 43 identifies the floor on which the landing button 141 is operated as the door opening operation floor, and also identifies the duration of the long press operation of the landing button 142.

[0038] Based on the first and second operation patterns, the prediction setting unit 43 outputs setting data as the processing result of the information processing unit 40, which includes information that identifies the standby floor, the standby period, the standby floor door opening time, and the automatically registered destination floor. The prediction setting unit 43 stores the setting data in the storage unit 42.

[0039] The standby floor is the floor on which the elevator car 7 is kept waiting. The prediction setting unit 43 sets the standby floor based on the operation pattern for the landing button 141 from the learned first operation pattern. The prediction setting unit 43 selects and sets the standby floor from among the floors on which the landing button 141 is operated in the first operation pattern. For example, if there is a time period in each hour in which the number of times the landing button 141 is operated exceeds the set standard number of times on a floor, the prediction setting unit 43 sets the floor on which the number of times the landing button 141 is operated exceeds the set standard number of times as the standby floor.

[0040] The standby period is the period during which elevator car 7 is kept waiting on a standby floor. The prediction setting unit 43 sets the period corresponding to the standby floor as the standby period in the operation pattern for pressing the landing button 141. For example, if there is a period within each hour in which the number of times the landing button 141 is pressed exceeds the set threshold number of times on a floor, the prediction setting unit 43 sets that period as the standby period.

[0041] The standby floor door open time is the time during which the elevator car entrance 73 remains open on the standby floor. The prediction setting unit 43 sets the standby floor door open time based on the first operation pattern and the second operation pattern.

[0042] If the prediction setting unit 43 determines that floors other than the door-opening and door-closing operation floors identified based on the first and second operation patterns are to be standby floors, it sets a preset door-opening reference time as the standby floor door-opening time.

[0043] Furthermore, if the prediction setting unit 43 determines that the door opening operation floor identified based on the first and second operation patterns is a standby floor, it sets a time longer than the door opening standard time as the standby floor door opening time. If at least one of the landing button 141 and the door opening button 742 on the standby floor is a long press operation, the prediction setting unit 43 sets a time corresponding to the duration of the long press operation as the standby floor door opening time.

[0044] If the door closing operation floor identified based on the first and second operation patterns is designated as a standby floor, the prediction setting unit 43 sets a time shorter than the door opening standard time as the standby floor door opening time. If the type of button operation of the door closing button 743 on the door closing operation floor designated as a standby floor is a long press operation or a rapid press operation, the prediction setting unit 43 sets the closing speed of the car door 72 to a door upper limit speed that is faster than the normal speed. If the type of button operation of the door closing button 743 is a long press operation or a rapid press operation, the prediction setting unit 43 sets the door upper limit speed in association with the standby floor door opening time.

[0045] The automatically registered destination floor is the destination of the elevator car 7 from the waiting floor. Based on the first and second operation patterns, the prediction setting unit 43 identifies the destination floor button 741 that will be pressed after the operation of the landing button 141 on the waiting floor as the destination floor button for automatic registration. The prediction setting unit 43 sets the floor specified by the destination floor button for automatic registration as the automatically registered destination floor.

[0046] The information processing unit 40 transmits the setting data stored in the storage unit 42 to the control unit 30. The transmission of setting data from the information processing unit 40 to the control unit 30 may be performed each time the predictive setting unit 43 outputs setting data, or it may be performed at regular intervals. When the standby period specified in the setting data arrives, the control unit 30 switches the elevator operation from normal operation to predictive operation. When performing normal operation, the control unit 30 controls the movement of the car 7 and the opening and closing of the car door 72 based on information regarding the operation of each of the buttons: each landing button 141, each destination floor button 741, the door open button 742, and the door close button 743.

[0047] When performing predictive operation, the control unit 30 controls the train car 7 to wait on the standby floor during the standby period based on the set data, and sets the duration of the car door opening at the standby floor to the standby floor door opening time. Also, when performing predictive operation, the control unit 30 controls the train car 7 to move from the standby floor to the automatically registered destination floor after closing the car door opening at the standby floor, based on the set data, and opens the car door opening at the automatically registered destination floor. The opening and closing operation of the car door 72 that opens and closes the car door opening at the car door opening at the standby floor is controlled by the car controller 9 based on a command from the main control unit 5. If the door upper limit speed is associated with the standby floor door opening time in the set data, the car controller 9 controls the closing speed of the car door 72 to the door upper limit speed when the car door opening at the standby floor closes.

[0048] Figure 3 is a flowchart showing the processing operation of the information processing unit 40 in Figure 2. In the data collection step S1, the data collection unit 41 collects button operation data from each of the landing buttons 141, each destination floor button 741, the door open button 742, and the door close button 743.

[0049] In data collection step S1, the button operation detection unit 44 detects the push buttons that have been operated as operation detection buttons, and also distinguishes and detects multiple types of button operations for each of the landing buttons 141, door open buttons 742, and door close buttons 743. As a result, the button operation data includes information that identifies the operation detection button and information that identifies the type of button operation.

[0050] Subsequently, in the data storage step S2, the memory unit 42 stores the button operation data collected by the data collection unit 41, associating it with date and time information. The data collection step S1, in which the data collection unit 41 collects the button operation data, and the data storage step S2, in which the memory unit 42 stores the button operation data, are repeated as the elevator is operated. As a result, the memory unit 42 accumulates data as the elevator is operated. In the accumulated data, multiple button operation data are associated with date and time information.

[0051] Subsequently, in prediction setting step S3, the prediction setting unit 43 learns a first operation pattern and a second operation pattern based on the stored data accumulated in the memory unit 42. The first operation pattern is an operation pattern that indicates when each type of button operation is performed for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743. The second operation pattern is an operation pattern that indicates when each button operation is performed for each destination floor button 741. In addition, in prediction setting step S3, the prediction setting unit 43 outputs setting data based on the first operation pattern and the second operation pattern. The setting data includes information that identifies the standby floor, standby period, standby floor door open time, and automatically registered destination floor as parameters used in predictive operation.

[0052] Subsequently, in the data saving step S4, the prediction setting unit 43 saves the setting data to the storage unit 42. In this way, the setting data is saved to the storage unit 42.

[0053] In such an elevator control system, the data collection unit 41 has a button operation detection unit 44. The button operation detection unit 44 detects push buttons that have been pressed as operation detection buttons. The button operation detection unit 44 also distinguishes and detects multiple types of button operations that differ from each other depending on how the buttons are pressed for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743. This allows the data collection unit 41 to collect button operation data that includes information identifying the operation detection button and information identifying the type of button operation. The storage unit 42 stores accumulated data, which associates multiple button operation data with date and time information, as the elevator operates. Based on the accumulated data, the prediction setting unit 43 learns a first operation pattern that indicates when each type of button operation will be performed for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743. The prediction setting unit 43 also learns a second operation pattern that indicates when each destination floor button 741 will be operated. The prediction setting unit 43 obtains setting data indicating the standby floor, standby period, and standby floor door open time based on the first operation pattern and the second operation pattern. Based on the setting data, the control unit 30 places the elevator car on the standby floor during the standby period and controls the elevator car entrance / exit 73 to remain open for the duration of the door opening time, which is set as the standby floor door open time.

[0054] Therefore, it is possible to understand in more detail the operation of each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743 during normal elevator operation. This makes it possible to predict future control of the elevator operation more accurately. Consequently, it is possible to more appropriately predict the waiting floor and waiting period for the elevator car 7 to wait in advance before a landing call registration is made by pressing the landing button 141. This makes it possible to shorten the waiting time for passengers on the waiting floor. In addition, the duration for which the doors of the elevator car entrance 73 remain open on the waiting floor can be made more appropriate. This makes it possible to smoothly board and alight the elevator car 7 on the waiting floor. Consequently, it is possible to improve the efficiency of passenger transport by the elevator.

[0055] Furthermore, the button operation detection unit 44 detects multiple types of button operations, including normal presses, long presses, and rapid presses. This makes it easier to understand the type of button operation for each landing button 141, door open button 742, and door close button 743.

[0056] Furthermore, the button operation detection unit 44 is capable of detecting the duration of a long press operation if at least one of the landing button 141 and the door open button 742 is a long press operation. The first operation pattern shows the long press operation of the landing button 141 and the door open button 742 in relation to the duration of the long press operation. The prediction setting unit 43 sets the waiting floor door opening time to a time corresponding to the duration of the long press operation if at least one of the landing button 141 and the door open button 742 in the first operation pattern is a long press operation on the waiting floor. This makes it possible to further adjust the door opening time of the car entrance 73 on the waiting floor, and to make boarding and alighting of the car 7 on the waiting floor even smoother.

[0057] Furthermore, the prediction setting unit 43 includes in the setting data information that identifies the automatically registered destination floor, in addition to information that identifies the standby floor, standby period, and standby floor door opening time, based on the first and second operation patterns. Based on the setting data, the control unit 30 closes the car entrance 73 at the standby floor and then controls the car 7 to move from the standby floor to the automatically registered destination floor. As a result, even after passengers board the car 7, the car 7 can be automatically moved to the automatically registered destination floor that was predicted in advance, thereby reducing the burden on passengers who are on board the car 7.

[0058] In the above embodiment, the number of elevators controlled based on the setting data, which is the processing result of the information processing unit 40, is one. However, the number of elevators controlled based on the setting data, which is the processing result of the information processing unit 40, may be multiple. In this case, the data collection unit 41 collects button operation data for each elevator. In this case, the prediction setting unit 43 outputs setting data for each elevator. As a result, the storage unit 52 stores the setting data for each elevator. In this way, the waiting floor for each elevator car 7 can be set individually. This makes it possible to have multiple elevator cars waiting on a common floor where passengers are concentrated at the same time, or to have different elevator cars waiting separately on multiple floors where passengers are located at different times. Therefore, it is possible to further reduce the waiting time for passengers at the landing 12 and further improve the efficiency of transporting passengers by elevator.

[0059] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the prediction setting unit 43 may update the setting data each time button operation data is added to the stored data, or it may update the setting data at regular intervals such as one week.

[0060] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, information identifying the automatically registered destination floor is included in the setting data. However, the setting data does not necessarily have to include information identifying the automatically registered destination floor. Even in this case, it is possible to shorten the waiting time for passengers on the waiting floor and to facilitate the boarding and alighting of passengers from the elevator car 7 on the waiting floor. Therefore, it is possible to improve the efficiency of passenger transport by the elevator.

[0061] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the standby floor door opening time specified in the setting data is a time corresponding to the duration of the long-press operation. However, it is not limited to this, and the standby floor door opening time specified in the setting data may be a predetermined fixed time. In this case, the predetermined fixed time for the standby floor door opening time is set to be longer than the door opening reference time.

[0062] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the control system is applied to an elevator in which a machine room 2 is provided at the top of the hoistway 1. However, the control system may also be applied to a machine room-less elevator without a machine room 2. In this case, as shown in Figure 4, the suspension method of the car 7 and counterweight 8 by the suspension body 6 is a 2:1 roping method. Therefore, in this case, an upper fixed beam 15 supporting the hoisting machine 3 and a main control device 5 are fixed to the upper part of the hoistway 1. In this case, a first rope-stopping device (not shown) and a second rope-stopping device 16 are provided on the upper fixed beam 15. Furthermore, in this case, a pair of car suspension wheels 75 are provided at the bottom of the car body 71, and a counterweight suspension wheel 81 is provided at the top of the counterweight 8. One end of the suspension body 6 is connected to the first rope-stopping device, and the other end of the suspension body 6 is connected to the second rope-stopping device 16. The suspension system 6 that suspends the elevator car 7 and the counterweight 8 is wound around the first rope-fastening device in the following order: a pair of car suspension wheels 75, a drive sheave 32, and a counterweight suspension wheel 81, before reaching the second rope-fastening device 16. This configuration also improves the efficiency of passenger transport by the elevator.

[0063] Furthermore, the functions of the information processing unit 40 according to the above embodiment are realized by a processing circuit. Figure 5 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the information processing unit 40 according to Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 100 in the first example is dedicated hardware.

[0064] Furthermore, the processing circuit 100 may include, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof.

[0065] Figure 6 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the information processing unit 40 according to Embodiment 1. The processing circuit 200 of the second example includes a processor 201 and a memory 202.

[0066] In the processing circuit 200, the functions of the information processing unit 40 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 202. The processor 201 realizes the functions of the information processing unit 40 by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 202.

[0067] A program stored in memory 202 can be said to cause the computer to execute the procedures or methods described above. Here, memory 202 refers to non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), and EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory). Magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs, DVDs, etc., also fall under the category of memory 202.

[0068] Furthermore, some of the functions of the information processing unit 40 described above may be implemented using dedicated hardware, while others may be implemented using software or firmware.

[0069] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the above-described functions of the information processing unit 40 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0070] The configurations shown in the embodiments described above are merely examples of the content of this disclosure. The embodiments can be combined with other known technologies. Some parts of the configurations of the embodiments can be omitted or modified without departing from the gist of this disclosure. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0071] 7 elevator car, 30 control unit, 40 information processing unit, 41 data collection unit, 42 memory unit, 43 prediction setting unit, 44 button operation detection unit, 73 elevator car entrance / exit, 141 landing button, 741 destination floor button, 742 door open button, 743 door close button.

Claims

1. A control unit that controls the operation of an elevator, which has multiple landing buttons on each of the multiple floors, and door open buttons, door close buttons, and multiple destination floor buttons on each of the elevator cars, all of which are push buttons. Information Processing Unit and Equipped with, The aforementioned information processing unit, The system includes a button operation detection unit that detects the push button that has been pressed as an operation detection button when the push button is pressed, and that distinguishes and detects multiple types of button operations for each of the landing buttons, door open buttons, and door close buttons, and a data collection unit that can collect button operation data including information that identifies the operation detection button and information that identifies the type of button operation, A storage unit stores the aforementioned button operation data in association with date and time information, thereby accumulating multiple sets of the aforementioned button operation data associated with date and time information in conjunction with the operation of the elevator. Based on the accumulated data, the predictive setting unit learns a first operation pattern indicating when each of the landing buttons, door open buttons, and door close buttons is operated, and a second operation pattern indicating when each of the destination floor buttons is operated. Based on the first and second operation patterns, the predictive setting unit outputs setting data that includes information specifying the waiting floor where the elevator car is to wait, the waiting period during which the elevator car waits on the waiting floor, and the waiting floor door open time during which the elevator car entrance remains open on the waiting floor. Equipped with, The control unit is an elevator control system that, based on the setting data, controls the elevator car to wait on the standby floor during the standby period, and sets the duration of the car entrance door opening on the standby floor to be the standby floor door opening time.

2. The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the aforementioned multiple types of button operations are normal pressing, long pressing, and rapid pressing.

3. The button operation detection unit is capable of detecting the duration of a long press operation if at least one of the landing button and the door open button is a long press operation. The first operation pattern shows the operation of pressing and holding the landing button and the door open button, respectively, in relation to the duration of the press and hold operation. The elevator control system according to claim 2, wherein the prediction setting unit determines that if the operation of at least one of the landing button and the door open button in the first operation pattern is a long press operation on the standby floor, the standby floor door open time is set to a time corresponding to the duration of the long press operation.

4. The prediction setting unit includes in the setting data information that identifies the destination of the elevator car from the standby floor as an automatically registered destination floor, based on the first operation pattern and the second operation pattern. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the control unit, based on the setting data, controls the movement of the elevator car from the standby floor to the automatically registered destination floor after closing the car entrance / exit on the standby floor.

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