Information provision system

Abstract

Provides elevator users with information regarding the operating status of the elevator car assigned to them. [Solution] The information providing system (100) includes a data transmission system (400) that, in response to a request from the terminal device of an authenticated user, who is a user authenticated based on user information acquired by a reader device (303) from the terminal device (9) of a user of an elevator (1), acquires operation information of an assigned elevator from an elevator control device (2) that controls an assigned elevator assigned to an authenticated user by a group management control device (200), and transmits the acquired operation information to the terminal device.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an information providing system for providing information to elevator users. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, there are known techniques for providing elevator users with information about elevator allocation. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for displaying the destination floor and the assigned elevator number on a gate display when an elevator number is assigned to a user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2016-160095 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional technology has a problem in that after an elevator car is assigned to a user, the user may not be able to grasp the operating status of the assigned elevator car.

[0005] An aspect of the present invention aims to provide an elevator user with information regarding the operating status of an elevator car assigned to the user. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, an information providing system according to one embodiment of the present invention is an information providing system that provides operation information regarding the operating status of a front end machine of an elevator having multiple machines installed in a building with multiple floors, and includes a data transmission system that, in response to a request from a terminal device of an authenticated user who is authenticated based on user information identifying the user obtained by a reader device from the terminal device of the elevator user, obtains the operation information of the assigned machine from an elevator control device that controls an assigned machine assigned to the authenticated user by a group management control device that controls the operation of the multiple machines, and transmits the obtained operation information to the terminal device.

[0007] The information provision system according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer. In this case, the control program of the information provision system that realizes the information provision system on a computer by causing the computer to operate as each part (software element) of the information provision system, and the computer-readable recording medium on which it is recorded, also fall within the scope of the present invention. Effect of the Invention

[0008] According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to provide an elevator user with information regarding the operating status of an elevator car assigned to the user. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information providing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 2] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a user DB. [Diagram 3] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an example of a device DB. [Figure 4] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of an allocation DB. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator DB. [Figure 6] FIG. 11 is a sequence diagram showing a process flow relating to authentication and call registration. [Figure 7] 13 is a sequence illustrating an example of a data flow based on an initial use of an API. [Figure 8] 13 is a sequence showing an example of a data flow based on the second or subsequent use of the API after switching to a transmission mode. [Figure 9] 13 is a sequence showing an example of a data flow when an API has not been used for a predetermined period of time. [Figure 10] FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information processing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0010] [Embodiment 1] [Outline of the information provision system] An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an information provision system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in Fig. 1, the information provision system 100 includes a group management control device 200, a security system 300, and a data transmission system 400. The information provision system 100 according to the present invention is a system that provides operation information related to the operating status of an elevator 1 having multiple units installed in a building having multiple floors.

[0011] The security system 300 includes a reader device 303 capable of reading user information identifying a user of the elevator 1 from the user's terminal device 9. The security system 300 also includes a security server 301 (authentication device) that authenticates the user based on the user's identification information (user information) acquired by the reader device 303. Hereinafter, a user authenticated based on the user information is referred to as an "authenticated user." As an example, in this embodiment, a user who is authenticated to pass through a security gate 302 installed between the building entrance and the elevator 1 landing based on the user information is considered to be an authenticated user.

[0012] The group management control device 200 is a device that controls the operation of multiple elevators 1, registers calls of authenticated users, and assigns elevators 1 to the authenticated users. Hereinafter, the elevators 1 assigned to the authenticated users will be referred to as "assigned elevators."

[0013] In response to a request from the terminal device 9 of the authenticated user, the data transmission system 400 acquires operation information of the assigned elevator from the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned elevator, and transmits the acquired operation information to the terminal device 9.

[0014] According to the above configuration, the information providing system 100 can provide information on the operating status of the assigned machine allocated to the authenticated user via the terminal device 9. This allows the authenticated user to grasp in real time the operating status of the assigned machine that he or she plans to use.

[0015] <Security system> The security system 300 is a system that carries a terminal device 9, authenticates a user who uses the elevator 1, and requests the authenticated user to register a call. As shown in FIG. 1, the security system 300 includes a security server 301, a security gate 302, a reader device 303, and a display device 304.

[0016] Security gate 302 is a gate device provided between the entrance of a building in which elevator 1 is installed and the landing of elevator 1. As an example, one or more security gates 302 are provided on the first floor of a certain building. Also, one or more security gates 302 may be provided on each of multiple floors of a certain building.

[0017] Security gate 302 is a device equipped with a flapper that can be opened and closed. For example, if a user is authenticated by security server 301, security gate 302 receives a signal instructing it to open the flapper. On the other hand, if a user is not authenticated by security server 301, security gate 302 receives a signal instructing it to close the flapper. When security gate 302 receives a signal from security server 301, it opens and closes the flapper based on the received signal.

[0018] The reader device 303 is a device capable of performing short-distance wireless communication with the terminal device 9 and acquiring identification information of the user for authenticating the user from the terminal device 9, and is installed alongside the security gate 302. The reader device 303 transmits the acquired identification information of the user (personal ID) and identification information (input device ID) identifying the own device to the security server 301. When the user is authenticated by the security server 301, the reader device 303 acquires information indicating the assigned elevator assigned to the authenticated user, the identification number of the assigned elevator, and the destination floor of the authenticated user, and notifies the terminal device 9 of the authenticated user of this information.

[0019] Display device 304 is a device such as a display, and is provided alongside security gate 302. Display device 304 displays a screen based on a signal received from security server 301. For example, if the user is not authenticated by security server 301, display device 304 receives an error signal indicating that authentication of the user has failed. Upon receiving the error signal, display device 304 displays a screen indicating that authentication has failed.

[0020] The security server 301 is a server device communicatively connected to the group management control device 200, security gate 302, reader device 303, and display device 304, and performs user authentication. When the information provision system 100 includes multiple security gates 302, reader devices 303, and display devices 304, the security server 301 is connected to each of these devices. The security server 301 stores a user DB and a device DB.

[0021] The user DB is a database that stores information about people who are permitted to pass through security gate 302 and use elevator 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the user DB. As shown in Fig. 2, the user DB stores therein identification information (personal ID) of a user that has been registered in advance, in association with information indicating destination floors to which the user can travel using elevator 1.

[0022] The device DB is a database that stores information related to the security gate 302, the reader device 303, and the display device 304. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the device DB. As shown in Fig. 3, the device DB stores, in association with each other, identification information (gate ID) of the security gate 302, identification information (input device ID) of the reader device 303, identification information (output device ID) of the display device 304, and information indicating the floor on which the security gate 302 is installed.

[0023] When the security server 301 receives the "input device ID" and "personal ID" from the reader device 303, it temporarily stores the received "input device ID" and "personal ID." Based on the input device ID, the security server 301 identifies the security gate 302 and display device 304 corresponding to the reader device 303, as well as the floor on which the reader device 303 is installed. Specifically, the security server 301 refers to the device DB and acquires information indicating the "installation floor," "gate ID," and "output device ID" linked to the received "input device ID."

[0024] Furthermore, security server 301 authenticates the user. Specifically, security server 301 searches the user DB using the received "personal ID." If the "personal ID" is registered in the user DB, the user is authenticated. If the user is authenticated, security server 301 outputs a signal to the gate ID to instruct the opening of a flapper. This opens the flapper at security gate 302, allowing the authenticated user to pass through security gate 302.

[0025] Furthermore, when the user is authenticated, the security server 301 makes a call registration request for the authenticated user. Specifically, the security server 301 refers to the user DB and acquires information indicating the destination floor corresponding to the "personal ID." As an example, as shown in FIG. 2, when a user with personal ID "PID5001" is authenticated, the destination floor of the user is the 10th floor. Note that the user DB may associate a plurality of sets of information indicating the departure floor and the destination floor with the user's personal ID. In this case, the security server 301 identifies the destination floor of the authenticated user based on the departure floor of the authenticated user.

[0026] When the security server 301 acquires information indicating the destination floor of the authenticated user, it transmits a call request to the group management control device 200. The call request includes the "personal ID," "departure floor," "destination floor," and "input device ID." Since the authenticated user is located on the floor where the reader device 303 used for authentication is installed, the installation floor where the reader device 303 is installed matches the departure floor of the authenticated user. Therefore, the security server 301 sets the "installation floor" linked to the "input device ID" as the departure floor of the authenticated user.

[0027] Furthermore, the security server 301 receives allocation result information from the group management control device 200. The allocation result information includes information indicating the assigned car number that is the car number assigned to the authenticated user, information indicating the "identification number" of the assigned car number, and information indicating the "destination floor" of the authenticated user. When the security server 301 receives the allocation result information, it transmits to the input device ID information indicating the assigned elevator, information indicating the "identification number" of the assigned elevator, and information indicating the "destination floor" of the authenticated user.

[0028] If the "personal ID" received from the reader device 303 is not registered in the user DB, the user is not authenticated and authentication fails. In this case, the security server 301 outputs a signal to the gate ID to instruct it to close the flapper. This closes the flapper at the security gate 302, and the unauthenticated user cannot pass through the security gate 302.

[0029] Furthermore, the security server 301 outputs an error signal to the output device ID, which causes a screen indicating that authentication has failed to be displayed on the display device 304, allowing the unauthenticated user to understand that authentication has failed.

[0030] <Group management control device> The group management control device 200 is a device that performs processing related to calls of the elevator 1. As an example, the group management control device 200 according to this embodiment registers calls of authenticated users authenticated in the security system 300. The group management control device 200 stores an assignment DB and an elevator DB.

[0031] The allocation DB is a database that stores information about registered call requests. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of the allocation DB. As shown in Fig. 4, the allocation DB stores, in association with each other, the identification information (personal ID) of an authenticated user, the departure floor and the destination floor, the identification information (input device ID) of the reader device 303 used when authenticating the authenticated user, and information indicating the assigned car number (car number).

[0032] The elevator DB is a database that stores information about the elevators 1 managed by the group management control device 200. Fig. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the elevator DB. As shown in Fig. 5, the elevator DB stores information indicating the elevator 1 and an identification number indicating the elevator in association with each other.

[0033] When the user is authenticated by the security server 301, the group management control device 200 receives a call request from the security server 301, the call request including information indicating the authenticated user's "personal ID," "departure floor (installation floor)," "destination floor," and "input device ID."

[0034] When the group management control device 200 receives a call request, it determines an assigned car number to be assigned to the authenticated user based on the departure floor of the authenticated user, which is the floor (installation floor) where the reader device 303 is installed, and the destination floor previously associated with the authenticated user. For example, a method based on so-called selective collective operation may be used for the assignment of the car number. When the group management control device 200 determines the assigned car number to be assigned to the authenticated user, it stores information indicating the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned car number of the authenticated user in the assignment DB. Furthermore, when the group management control device 200 determines the assigned car number, it transmits information indicating the assignment result to the elevator control device 2 and instructs the elevator control device 2 to move the assigned car number to the departure floor and destination floor of the authenticated user. This causes the call of the authenticated user to be registered.

[0035] Next, the group management control device 200 refers to the elevator DB and obtains the identification number of the assigned car. The group management control device 200 transmits car information identifying the assigned car, for example, the identification number of the assigned car, to the terminal device 9 of the authenticated user to which the assigned car has been assigned, via the security server 301 that authenticates the authenticated user and the reader device 303. As an example, when car A of elevator 1 is assigned to the authenticated user, the elevator DB shown in Fig. 5 is referenced and "ELV1001", which is the identification number of car A, is obtained. In addition, the group management control device 200 transmits allocation result information to the security server 301, which includes information indicating the assigned car, the "identification number" of the assigned car, and the "destination floor" of the authenticated user.

[0036] <Data transmission system> The data transmission system 400 is a system that can acquire operation information of the assigned machine from the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned machine of the authenticated user in response to a request from the terminal device 9 of the authenticated user, and transmit the acquired operation information to the terminal device 9. The data transmission system 400 transmits the operation information of the assigned machine of the authenticated user to the terminal device 9, so that the user of the terminal device 9 can grasp the operation status of the assigned machine.

[0037] The operation information includes, for example, information on the occurrence of an abnormality in the elevator 1 and the operation status of the elevator 1. The information indicating the operation status may include, for example, information on the position of the car, the weight inside the car, and the opening and closing status of the doors. The operation information is associated with the identification information of the elevator 1. In addition to the operation information, the identification information of the elevator 1 may be associated with detailed information on the elevator 1, such as the model name of the elevator 1 and installation information of the elevator 1.

[0038] The operation information may include at least one of information indicating the latest moving direction of elevator 1, information indicating the latest floor on which the elevator is located, and information indicating the latest congestion status of the elevator.

[0039] The elevator 1 from which the operation information is to be acquired may be one or more. However, it is preferable that the operation information of the assigned elevator 1 of the elevator 1 assigned to the authenticated user is transmitted to the terminal device 9.

[0040] A user of the data transmission system 400 is an authenticated user whose passage through the security gate 302 has been authenticated. A user of the data transmission system 400 may be, for example, a manager of the elevator 1. A user of the data transmission system 400 may also be, for example, a maintenance worker who performs maintenance on the elevator 1. In this case, a monitoring device that monitors the operating status of the elevator 1 may be used as the terminal device 9.

[0041] In this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 1, the data transmission system 400 includes, for example, an elevator 1, an elevator control device 2, a communication device 3, a first server device 4, a second server device 5, a destination device 6, a storage device 7, a providing device 8, and a terminal device 9. As shown in the figure, the first server device 4, the second server device 5, the storage device 7, and the providing device 8 may be built on, for example, a virtual private cloud (VPC). Furthermore, a part or the whole of the destination device 6 may be built on the virtual private cloud.

[0042] The elevator control device 2 is communicatively connected to the elevator 1, and is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 1 and monitors the operating status of the elevator 1. The elevator control device 2 controls the operation of the elevator 1 based on the allocation result in the group management control device 200.

[0043] When a user's call is registered in the group management control device 200, the elevator control device 2 that controls the car assigned to that user receives allocation result information from the group management control device 200. The allocation result information includes information indicating that a call has been registered in which the car number of elevator 1, which is the object of control by the elevator control device 2, is the assigned car, and information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the user based on that call. Based on that information, the elevator control device 2 controls the movement of elevator 1 to the departure floor and destination floor, and controls the opening and closing of the doors of elevator 1 at the floor where it stops.

[0044] Furthermore, the elevator control device 2 is communicatively connected to the communication device 3, and transmits operation information of the elevator 1 controlled by the elevator control device 2 to the communication device 3. The elevator control device 2 may transmit detailed information of the elevator 1 to the communication device 3 together with the operation information.

[0045] The elevator control device 2 generates operation information in association with the identification information of the elevator 1, and transmits the operation information to the communication device 3 by method A described below. Furthermore, the elevator control device 2 may be capable of transmitting the operation information to the communication device 3 by method B described below. Note that method B is a method that has traditionally been adopted in many cases as a communication method between the elevator control device 2 and the communication device 3. Therefore, the data transmission system 400 may be constructed by adding method A to an existing system that adopts method B.

[0046] (Method A: Push type) The elevator control device 2 transmits operation information to the communication device 3 every time a change occurs in the operating status of the elevator 1. In this case, the elevator control device 2 transmits operation information to the communication device 3 every time it generates the operation information, via the first control line 101 connecting the elevator control device 2 and the communication device 3. In method A, the communication device 3 does not request the elevator control device 2 to transmit the operation information.

[0047] (Method B: Pull type) Upon receiving a transmission request for operation information from the communication device 3, the elevator control device 2 transmits the operation information to the communication device 3 as a response to the transmission request. In this case, the elevator control device 2 transmits the operation information to the communication device 3 via the second control line 102 connecting the elevator control device 2 and the communication device 3. A transmission request to the elevator control device 2 by method B is hereinafter referred to as a "transmission request each time."

[0048] The operating status of the elevator 1 may change from moment to moment. Therefore, the frequency of transmitting the operating information by the above method A is higher than the frequency of transmitting the operating information by the above method B. Therefore, it is preferable to adopt a communication standard for the first control line 101 that allows more frequent communication than the second control line 102. For example, the first control line 101 may be RS422, and the second control line 102 may be RS232C. However, the same communication standard as that of the first control line 101 may be adopted for the second control line 102.

[0049] The communication device 3 is communicatively connected to each of the first server device 4 and the second server device 5, and transmits and receives data between the first server device 4 and the second server device 5. For example, Soracom (registered trademark) can be used for communication between the communication device 3 and each of the first server device 4 and the second server device 5. Note that the communication network connecting the communication device 3 and the first server device 4 and the communication network connecting the communication device 3 and the second server device 5 may be physically the same or may be physically separate.

[0050] The communication device 3 transmits the operation information received from the elevator control device 2 by the above method A to the first server device 4. Specifically, the communication device 3 starts transmitting the operation information received from the elevator control device 2 by the above method A to the first server device 4 at a predetermined timing according to a publish / subscribe communication method, and stops transmitting the information to the first server device 4 at a predetermined timing. That is, the communication device 3 is a device capable of communicating with the first server device 4 according to the publish / subscribe communication method. The publish / subscribe communication method is hereinafter referred to as the "first communication method." A protocol used in the first communication method is preferably, for example, MQTT (Message Queuing Telemetry Transport). By using the MQTT protocol, the operation information can be transmitted from the communication device 3 to the first server device 4 at a high frequency. Therefore, the operation information transmitted from the elevator control device 2 to the communication device 3 at a high frequency according to the above method A is subsequently transmitted from the communication device 3 to the first server device 4 at a high frequency. That is, in the data transmission system 400, the operation information can be transmitted from the elevator control device 2 to the first server device 4 at high frequency.

[0051] On the other hand, the communication device 3 may transmit the operation information received from the elevator control device 2 by the above method B to the second server device 5 in accordance with a second communication method different from the first communication method. The second communication method does not need to be a publish / subscribe type, and may use, for example, a protocol based on TCP / IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol), or may use an independently defined protocol. The second communication method is a method that is often adopted as a communication method between existing elevator monitoring systems and the communication device 3.

[0052] In the above method B, the operation information to be transmitted by the elevator control device 2 to the communication device 3 as a response to the each-time transmission request may be the latest operation information at the time when the each-time transmission request is received from the communication device 3, or may be untransmitted operation information accumulated up to the time when the each-time transmission request is received. In the latter case, the elevator control device 2 may generate operation information every time a change occurs in the operation status of the elevator 1 and store the information in a storage unit (not shown) of the elevator control device 2. In this case, when the communication device 3 receives the each-time transmission request from the second server device 5, the communication device 3 may transmit the operation information stored in the storage unit (not shown) of the communication device 3 at that time to the second server device 5 as a response to the each-time transmission request.

[0053] The communication device 3 also receives a "transmission start request" of the operation information from the second server device 5 according to the second communication method. Upon receiving the transmission start request, the communication device 3 transmits the operation information to the first server device 4 according to the first communication method every time the communication device 3 receives operation information from the elevator control device 2. In other words, the transmission start request is a request to start real-time transmission of the operation information to the first server device 4. The communication device 3 also receives a "continue transmission request" of the operation information from the first server device 4 according to the first communication method. While the communication device 3 continues to receive the transmission continuation request, the communication device 3 continues to transmit the operation information received from the elevator control device 2 to the first server device 4. In other words, the transmission continuation request is a request to continue real-time transmission of the operation information to the first server device 4.

[0054] One elevator control device 2 and one communication device 3 are provided for each elevator 1. As described above, the data transmission system 400 may include one elevator 1 or multiple elevators 1. When the data transmission system 400 includes multiple elevators 1, one set of the elevator control device 2 and the communication device 3 is provided for each elevator 1.

[0055] The first server device 4 is a device that functions as a broker and is capable of communicating with the communication device 3 according to the first communication method. The data transmission system 400 may be a system that includes at least the first server device 4 as a broker and the communication device 3, which are capable of communicating with each other according to the first communication method. While receiving operation information from the communication device 3 according to the first communication method, the first server device 4 transmits the received operation information to the destination device 6 every time it receives operation information.

[0056] The first server device 4 is connected to be able to communicate with the second server device 5 and the providing device 8 according to the first communication method. The first server device 4 transmits a transmission continuation request received from the providing device 8 to the communication device 3 according to the first communication method, while transmitting a transmission start request received from the providing device 8 to the second server device 5 according to the second communication method.

[0057] The first server device 4 functions as a broker. Therefore, the communication device 3 subscribes to the first server device 4 so that the first server device 4 can transmit the transmission continuation request received from the providing device 8 to the communication device 3. This subscription will be described later as an explanation of a subscribing unit 313 of the communication device 3.

[0058] The second server device 5 transmits the transmission start request for the operation information received from the first server device 4 to the communication device 3 according to the second communication method. Furthermore, when the second server device 5 receives a transmission request for the operation information from the providing device 8, it may transmit the transmission request for the operation information to the communication device 3 according to the second communication method and receive the operation information as a response to the transmission request for the operation information. In this case, the second server device 5 executes a process for storing the received operation information in the storage device 7. In this embodiment, the second server device 5 directly stores the operation information in the storage device 7, but the operation information may be stored in the storage device 7 via a relay device.

[0059] The destination device 6 is a device that executes a process for storing the received operation information in the storage device 7 every time the destination device 6 receives operation information from the first server device 4. In this embodiment, the destination device 6 directly stores the operation information in the storage device 7, but may store the operation information in the storage device 7 via a relay device. The destination device 6 may be a device provided as a Web service platform such as AWS IoT Core. The storage device 7 is a device that stores the operation information, and includes, for example, a database. The database included in the storage device 7 is preferably a NoSQL such as a key-value type database that has excellent scalability in order to store the operation information transmitted at a high frequency. The database and the mechanism for storing the operation information in the database may be provided as a database cloud service.

[0060] As described above, the first server device 4 functions as a broker. Therefore, the destination device 6 subscribes to a predetermined first topic for the first server device 4 so that the first server device 4 can transmit the operation information received from the communication device 3 to the destination device 6. The first topic is a topic for receiving the operation information, and may be set to any value.

[0061] After receiving the transmission start request, the communication device 3 starts transmitting the operation information to the first server device 4. Therefore, in order for the first server device 4 to be able to transmit the operation information to the destination device 6 every time it receives it, the destination device 6 subscribes to the first topic for the first server device 4 before the first server device 4 starts receiving the operation information. In this embodiment, the destination device 6 subscribes to the first topic for the first server device 4 before the terminal device 9 uses (calls) an API (Application Programming Interface) 813.

[0062] The providing device 8 has a function for providing operation information of the assigned elevator 1 that is assigned to the authenticated user who owns the terminal device 9 and that is available to the terminal device 9. Hereinafter, the assigned elevator 1 that is the elevator 1 from which operation information is provided to the terminal device 9 and that is assigned to the authenticated user who owns the terminal device 9 is simply referred to as the "assigned elevator". In this embodiment, the providing device 8 is, for example, a Web server, and the function is provided by the API 813. The API 813 is a software interface that is available to a Web browser or application software (hereinafter, these are simply referred to as "terminal side software") executed in the terminal device 9, and that acquires operation information of the elevator 1 stored in the storage device 7 and transmits it to the terminal device 9. While the terminal device 9 is using the API 813, the providing device 8 sequentially acquires operation information of the assigned elevator from the storage device 7, and transmits the acquired operation information to the terminal device 9. "Terminal device 9 is using API 813" refers to a state in which terminal device 9 is executing terminal side software capable of using API 813 in order to obtain operation information of the assigned car.

[0063] When the API 813 is used from the terminal device 9 after a predetermined period has elapsed since the API 813 was last used from the terminal device 9, the providing device 8 executes processing for transmitting a transmission start request for operation information to the first server device 4. That is, when the terminal device 9 starts using the API 813, the providing device 8 transmits the transmission start request to the first server device 4. In this embodiment, the providing device 8 transmits the transmission start request directly to the first server device 4, but may transmit the transmission start request to the first server device 4 via a relay device.

[0064] At this time, the providing device 8 also receives designation information (e.g., identification information of the elevator 1) that designates the elevator 1 from which operation information is to be acquired. Therefore, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission start request including the received designation information to the first server device 4. Here, the elevator 1 designated by the designation information is the assigned elevator number assigned to the authenticated user, and the designation information is the identification information (identification number) of the assigned elevator number. This enables the first server device 4 to transmit the transmission start request to the communication device 3 provided for the assigned elevator number, and to receive operation information from the communication device 3.

[0065] Furthermore, while the terminal device 9 is using the API 813, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. The first server device 4 transmits the transmission continuation request to the communication device 3 provided for the assigned elevator, and therefore transmits designation information designating the elevator 1 to the communication device 3 together with the transmission continuation request.

[0066] The first server device 4 transmits and receives data to and from the communication device 3 according to the first communication method. For this purpose, the providing device 8 creates a second topic based on the identification information of the elevator 1, and publishes a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 using the created second topic. This enables the first server device 4 to transmit the transmission continuation request to the communication device 3 provided for the assigned elevator and subscribes to the second topic.

[0067] The terminal device 9 is a device capable of notifying a user of the operation information transmitted by the elevator control device 2. The terminal device 9 may be a device capable of notifying a user of detailed information transmitted by the elevator control device 2. In this embodiment, the terminal device 9 functions as a display device that displays various information. The terminal device 9 may also function as an input device that can accept an input operation by a user. The terminal device 9 may be capable of accepting an operation for an authenticated user to obtain operation information of an assigned elevator as an input operation by the user.

[0068] The terminal device 9 may be, for example, a smartphone, a tablet terminal, a notebook computer, etc., but is not limited thereto. The terminal device 9 may have at least a communication function and a function to display various information. The terminal device 9 may be one or more.

[0069] When the terminal device 9 approaches the reader device 303 installed at the security gate 302, it starts communication with the reader device 303 via short-range wireless communication. When communication with the reader device 303 is established, the terminal device 9 transmits the user's identification information (personal ID) to the reader device 303. As a result, the user's identification information is transmitted from the reader device 303 to the security server 301, and the security server 301 authenticates the user. When the user is authenticated, a call of the authenticated user is registered in the group management control device 200. When the call of the authenticated user is registered, the terminal device 9 receives information indicating the assigned car of the authenticated user and the identification information of the assigned car from the group management control device 200 via the reader device 303.

[0070] By using the API 813, the terminal device 9 can cause the providing device 8 to issue a request to start transmitting and a request to continue transmitting operation information of the assigned machine, and can also receive the operation information from the providing device 8. When a call of an authenticated user is registered in the group management control device 200, the terminal device 9 receives information indicating the assigned machine and identification information of the assigned machine via the security system 300. This allows the terminal device 9 to transmit the above-mentioned designation information to the providing device 8 when using the API 813. By using the API 813, the terminal device 9 can cause the providing device 8 to issue a request to transmit operation information each time, and can also receive operation information of the assigned machine from the providing device 8.

[0071] When the terminal device 9 uses the API 813 for the first time, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission start request to the first server device 4, and thereafter, every time the terminal device 9 uses the API 813, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. Moreover, after the first use of the API 813, the terminal device 9 receives and displays the operation information acquired by the providing device 8 from the storage device 7 every time the API 813 is used. The terminal device 9 uses the API 813 at a predetermined frequency (for example, once every 10 seconds) while the above-mentioned terminal side software is running, for example.

[0072] Note that the API 813 is not limited to a form in which it passively provides the operation information to the terminal device 9 in response to a request from the terminal device 9, and may be a form in which it actively provides the operation information to the terminal device 9. For example, in a situation in which the terminal device 9 subscribes to a first topic to the providing device 8 and the providing device 8 subscribes to the first topic to the storage device 7, when a change occurs in the storage device 7's storage state of the operation information (when new operation information is stored in the storage device 7), the providing device 8 may publish the operation information stored in the storage device 7 to the terminal device 9.

[0073] <How to send a request to start sending> As described above, in the present embodiment, the first server device 4 is configured to transmit the transmission start request to the communication device 3 in the second communication method via the second server device 5, but the request may be transmitted directly to the communication device 3 in the first communication method without going through the second server device 5. In this case, however, for example, in order for the communication device 3 to monitor the reception of the transmission start request from the first server device 4, it becomes necessary to constantly connect the communication session between the communication device 3 and the first server device 4 and subscribe according to the first communication method.

[0074] Therefore, the first server device 4 is required to have a processing performance capable of withstanding the constant connection of the communication session. Moreover, the communication sessions must be kept valid for the number of communication devices 3, and since a large number of communication devices 3 are generally connected to the first server device 4, a high-performance first server device 4 is required to keep the communication sessions constantly connected. Furthermore, while the time during which real-time transmission of operation information is required is often limited, keeping the communication sessions constantly connected generates an extra communication load.

[0075] Therefore, in this embodiment, the transmission start request is transmitted to the communication device 3 via the second server device 5 in accordance with the second communication method, thereby realizing suppression of the processing load and communication load on the first server device 4.

[0076] <Purpose of the data transmission system> The data transmission system 400 of this embodiment includes a first server device 4 and a communication device 3 that can communicate with each other according to a first communication method, and a first control line 101. After the communication device 3 receives a request to start transmitting operation information, while the communication device 3 is continuously receiving a request to continue transmitting, the communication device 3 transmits operation information to the first server device 4 every time the operation status of the elevator 1 changes. Then, the first server device 4 stores the operation information in the storage device 7 every time it receives the operation information. As a result, in the data transmission system 400, the terminal device 9 can sequentially obtain the operation information stored in the storage device 7 during the period in which the terminal side software using the API 813 is being executed, and the user can visually recognize the operation status of the elevator 1, which may change from moment to moment, in real time. An example of specific functions and processes that realize such a data transmission system 400 will be described below.

[0077] [Details of the data transmission system] In the following, with reference to FIG. 1, an example of a specific configuration of the communication device 3, the first server device 4, and the providing device 8 will be mainly described.

[0078] <Communication Device> 1, the communication device 3 includes, for example, a first control unit 31 and a second control unit 32. The first control unit 31 includes, for example, a receiving unit 311, a publishing unit 312, and a subscribing unit 313. The second control unit 32 includes, for example, a transmitting / receiving unit 321.

[0079] The receiving unit 311 receives operation information from the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned car. The receiving unit 311 receives the operation information from the elevator control device 2 via the first control line 101 every time the operating status of the assigned car changes.

[0080] The publishing unit 312 controls transmission and reception of data with the first server device 4 in accordance with the first communication method, and switches the operation mode between a transmission mode in which the received operation information is published to the first server device 4 using a predetermined first topic every time the receiving unit 311 receives operation information, and a non-transmission mode in which the publishing is not performed. In this embodiment, the publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode to the transmission mode when the communication device 3 (the transmitting / receiving unit 321 of the second control unit 32) receives a request to start transmitting operation information. This allows the publishing unit 312 to publish the operation information to the first server device 4 at the timing when the transmitting / receiving unit 312 receives the request to start transmitting operation information.

[0081] Furthermore, if the publishing unit 312 receives a transmission continuation request before a predetermined period has elapsed since the communication device 3 last received a transmission continuation request for operation information during the transmission mode, the publishing unit 312 continues the transmission mode. On the other hand, if a predetermined period has elapsed since the communication device 3 last received a transmission continuation request without receiving a transmission continuation request, the publishing unit 312 switches to the non-transmission mode. The predetermined period may be longer than the reception interval of continuous transmission continuation requests. The reception interval may be equal to the interval at which the terminal device 9 uses the API 813.

[0082] The publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode depending on the reception status of the transmission continuation request, so that the publishing side can easily determine whether or not to continue the process of publishing the operation information according to the first communication method. Also, since the first server device 4 functions as a broker, it cannot actively obtain the operation information by monitoring the communication device 3. Therefore, the communication device 3 determines whether or not to transmit the operation information to the first server device 4 by monitoring the reception status of the transmission continuation request (i.e., by monitoring the first server device 4).

[0083] The subscribing unit 313 controls transmission and reception of data with the first server device 4 in accordance with the first communication method, and when the operation mode switches to the transmission mode, subscribes to a second topic created based on the identification information of the elevator 1 for the first server device 4. The second topic only needs to be created by the first control unit 31 so that the elevator 1 can be identified.

[0084] As described above, the providing device 8 publishes the transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 in the second topic created based on the identification information of the assigned elevator. Therefore, by subscribing to the second topic that can identify the elevator 1 to which the communication device 3 is connected to the first server device 4, the first server device 4 can transmit the transmission continuation request to the communication device 3 connected to the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned elevator.

[0085] The transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives the transmission start request from the second server device 5, and transmits a signal indicating that the transmission start request has been received, to the first control unit 31. As a result, at the timing when the transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives the transmission start request, the publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode to the transmission mode and publishes the operation information to the first server device 4, and the subscribing unit 313 subscribes to the second topic for the first server device 4.

[0086] <First server device> 1, the first server device 4 functioning as a broker includes, for example, a server control unit 41. The server control unit 41 controls the operation of the first server device 4, and includes, for example, a first transmission unit 411, a second transmission unit 412, and a server transmission unit 413.

[0087] The first transmitting unit 411 transmits the transmission continuation request published by the providing device 8 to the first server device 4 in the second topic to the communication device 3 that has subscribed to the second topic for the first server device 4. This enables the first server device 4 to transmit the transmission continuation request to the communication device 3 connected to the elevator control device 2 that controls the assigned elevator.

[0088] When the second transmitting unit 412 receives the operation information published from the publishing unit 312, it transmits the received operation information to the destination device 6 that has subscribed to the first topic for the first server device 4. This allows the destination device 6 to store the operation information of the assigned machine received by the first server device 4 in the storage device 7. Therefore, the providing device 8 can obtain the operation information from the storage device 7 and transmit it to the terminal device 9.

[0089] The server transmitting unit 413 transmits the transmission start request received from the providing device 8 to the second server device 5. This allows the first server device 4 to transmit the transmission start request to the communication device 3 via the second server device 5 (in accordance with the second communication method).

[0090] <Providing device> 1, the providing device 8 includes, for example, a providing control unit 81. The providing control unit 81 controls the operation of the providing device 8, and includes a providing unit 811, a providing publishing unit 812, and an API 813.

[0091] As described above, when the API 813 is used from the terminal device 9 after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the API 813 was last used from the terminal device 9, the providing unit 811 transmits a transmission start request to the first server device 4. In this embodiment, when the API 813 is used in a state in which the API 813 has not been used for a predetermined period of time, the providing unit 811 transmits a transmission start request to the first server device 4, including designation information that designates the assigned elevator 1 as the elevator 1 from which operation information is to be acquired.

[0092] The providing and publishing unit 812 publishes the transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 in the second topic created based on the identification information of the assigned car, which is the specified elevator 1. In this embodiment, after the terminal device 9 uses the API 813 for the first time, the providing and publishing unit 812 publishes the transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 in the second topic every time the terminal device 9 uses the API 813. That is, the providing and publishing unit 812 publishes the transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 in the second topic while the operation information is provided from the providing device 8 to the terminal device 9 at a predetermined frequency by the terminal device 9 using the API 813. The second topic may be created so that the providing control unit 81 can identify the assigned car, which is the specified elevator 1. The predetermined frequency corresponds to the usage frequency of the API 813. When the API 813 actively provides the operation information to the terminal device 9, the predetermined frequency may be determined corresponding to the frequency at which a change occurs in the storage device 7.

[0093] As described above, the API 813 is an example of a function for providing operation information of the assigned elevator 1 designated as the target for obtaining operation information. When the terminal device 9 uses the API 813, the providing unit 811 can specify the assigned elevator as the elevator 1 designated as the target for obtaining operation information and transmit a transmission start request to the first server device 4. The providing and publishing unit 812 can also specify the assigned elevator as the elevator 1 designated as the target for obtaining operation information and transmit a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. Based on this transmission, the operation information of the assigned elevator is stored in the storage device 7. Therefore, while the terminal device 9 is using the API 813, the providing device 8 can sequentially obtain operation information of the assigned elevator from the storage device 7 and transmit the obtained operation information to the terminal device 9.

[0094] As described above, the information providing system 100 can sequentially provide the terminal device 9 with operation information of the assigned elevator, and the authenticated user who possesses the terminal device 9 can grasp the operation status of the assigned elevator that he / she plans to use in real time. For example, if there is a certain distance between the security gate 302 and the elevator hall of the elevator 1, the authenticated user can adjust his / her walking speed to arrive at the hall in time for the arrival of the assigned elevator. Even if a display showing the status of the elevator 1 is not installed at the hall, the authenticated user can grasp the status of the assigned elevator using the terminal device 9, which reduces the possibility of the authenticated user becoming dissatisfied because he / she does not know when the assigned elevator will arrive.

[0095] [Explanation of the processing performed in the information provision system] Hereinafter, the flow of processing performed in the information providing system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 6 to Fig. 9. Fig. 6 is a sequence diagram showing the flow of processing related to authentication and call registration performed in the information providing system 100. Fig. 7 to Fig. 9 are sequences showing the flow of data in the data transmission system 400 of the information providing system 100.

[0096] <Authentication process and call registration process> The following describes the process related to user authentication and the process related to call registration when the user is authenticated, which are carried out between the user terminal device 9, the security system 300, and the group management control device 200, with reference to FIG.

[0097] First, when a user brings his / her terminal device 9 close to the reader device 303 to pass through the security gate 302 and register a call for the elevator 1, communication is established between the reader device 303 and the terminal device 9 by short-range wireless communication. As a result, the reader device 303 starts communication with the terminal device 9 (S1), and waits for processing until it receives data including the user's identification information from the terminal device 9 (until YES is returned in S2).

[0098] When the terminal device 9 starts communication with the reader device 303, it transmits the user's identification information (personal ID) to the reader device 303. When the reader device 303 receives data including the user's identification information from the terminal device 9 (YES in S2), it transmits its own device's identification information (input device ID) together with the received personal ID to the security server 301 (S3).

[0099] When the security server 301 receives the "personal ID" of the user and the "input device ID" of the reader device 303, it temporarily stores the received information in a storage unit (not shown) (S11). Next, the security server 301 refers to the device DB and acquires the "installation floor," "gate ID," and "output device ID" linked to the "input device ID" (S12).

[0100] Next, the security server 301 authenticates the user. Specifically, the security server 301 searches the user DB based on the stored "personal ID" (S13), and determines whether the received "personal ID" is also registered in the user DB (S14).

[0101] If the received "personal ID" is not registered in the user DB (NO in S14), the user is not authenticated. In this case, the security server 301 outputs a signal to the gate ID associated with the input device ID to instruct the closing of the flapper (S15). When the security gate 302 corresponding to the gate ID receives the signal, it controls to close the flapper. As a result, the user who has not been authenticated cannot pass through the security gate 302. In addition, the security server 301 outputs an error signal to the output device ID associated with the input device ID (S16). When the display device 304 corresponding to the output device ID receives the error signal, it displays a screen indicating that the authentication has failed. As a result, the user who has not been authenticated can understand that the authentication has failed. After outputting the error signal, the security server 301 ends the process.

[0102] On the other hand, if the received "personal ID" is also registered in the user DB (YES in S14), security server 301 authenticates the user. In this case, security server 301 outputs a signal to the gate ID linked to the input device ID to instruct it to open the flapper (S17). When security gate 302 corresponding to the gate ID receives the signal, it controls to open the flapper. This allows the authenticated user to pass through security gate 302.

[0103] Furthermore, if the user is authenticated, the security server 301 makes a call registration request for the authenticated user. Specifically, the security server 301 acquires information indicating the destination floor of the authenticated user linked to the "personal ID" of the authenticated user. Next, the security server 301 sets the floor where the security gate 302 is installed as the departure floor of the user, and transmits a call registration request including the "personal ID", "departure floor", "destination floor" of the authenticated user, and the "input device ID" of the security gate 302 to the group management control device 200 (S18).

[0104] When the group management control device 200 receives a call registration request from the security server 301 (YES in S21), it registers the call of the authenticated user. The group management control device 200 determines the assigned car to be assigned to the authenticated user based on information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the authenticated user included in the call registration request, the allocation status of elevator 1 in the allocation DB, and the operating status of each car of elevator 1, etc. The group management control device 200 associates the determined assigned car with information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the authenticated user and registers them in the allocation DB (S22). This completes the registration of the call of the authenticated user.

[0105] Next, the group management control device 200 refers to the elevator DB and acquires an "identification number" associated with the elevator determined as the assigned elevator (S23). Next, the group management control device 200 transmits assignment result information including information indicating the input device ID of the reader device 303, the assigned elevator, the identification number of the assigned elevator, and the destination floor of the authenticated user to the security server 301 (S24).

[0106] When the security server 301 receives the allocation result information from the group management control device 200 (YES in S19), it transmits the allocation result information including information indicating the assigned car number, the identification number of the assigned car, and the destination floor of the authenticated user to the input device ID included in the allocation result information (S20).

[0107] The reader device 303 corresponding to the input device ID, i.e., the reader device 303 used by the authenticated user for authentication, receives the allocation result information from the security server 301 (YES in S4). The reader device 303 transmits information indicating the assigned car number, the identification number of the assigned car number, and the destination floor of the authenticated user to the terminal device 9 (S5). This allows the terminal device 9 of the authenticated user to obtain the assigned car number of the authenticated user and the identification information of the assigned car number.

[0108] In this manner, user authentication and call registration of the authenticated user are performed in the security system 300.

[0109] <Data transmission system processing> Next, the data flow between the devices included in the data transmission system 400 will be described with reference to Fig. 7 to Fig. 9. Fig. 7 is a sequence showing an example of the data flow based on the first use of the API 813. Fig. 8 is a sequence showing an example of the data flow based on the second or subsequent use of the API 813 after switching to the transmission mode. Fig. 9 is a sequence showing an example of the data flow when the API 813 has not been used for a predetermined period of time.

[0110] Fig. 8 shows an example of a sequence after the sequence of Fig. 7, and Fig. 9 shows an example of a sequence after the sequence of Fig. 8. In addition, in Fig. 7 to Fig. 9, it is assumed that the operation information is transmitted from the elevator control device 2 to the communication device 3 via the first control line 101 every time a change occurs in the operation status of the elevator 1.

[0111] 7, in this embodiment, the destination device 6 subscribes to the first topic for the first server device 4 (S31) before the terminal device 9 uses the API 813. This allows the first server device 4 to transmit the operation information to the destination device 6 at the timing when the communication device 3 receives a transmission start request from the second server device 5 and publishes the operation information to the first server device 4.

[0112] When the user is authenticated by the security system 300, the terminal device 9 receives allocation result information including the identification information of the assigned machine from the group management control device 200 via the security system 300. Upon receiving the allocation result information, the terminal device 9 uses the API 813 of the providing device 8 (S32). At this time, the terminal device 9 also transmits the identification information of the assigned machine to the providing device 8 as designation information for designating the assigned machine.

[0113] In the providing device 8, the providing unit 811 transmits a transmission start request including the designation information to the first server device 4 (S33). In the first server device 4, the server transmitting unit 413 transmits the transmission start request received from the providing device 8 to the second server device 5 (S34). The second server device 5 transmits the transmission start request received from the first server device 4 to the communication device 3 (S35).

[0114] In the communication device 3, the transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives a transmission start request from the second server device 5. In response to this reception, the publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode from the non-transmission mode to the transmission mode (S36). Then, the publishing unit 312 publishes the operation information received from the elevator control device 2 to the first server device 4 on the first topic (S38). Every time the publishing unit 312 receives operation information from the elevator control device 2, it publishes the information to the first server device 4 on the first topic.

[0115] Furthermore, in the communication device 3, when the transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives the transmission start request, the subscribing unit 313 subscribes to the second topic created based on the identification information of the elevator 1 to which the communication device 3 is connected, for the first server device 4 (S37). The processing of S37 may be performed before or simultaneously with the processing of S36, or may be performed at the start of or after the processing of S38, as long as it is performed after the communication device 3 receives the transmission start request in S35.

[0116] In S31, the destination device 6 subscribes to the first topic for the first server device 4. Therefore, in the first server device 4, the second transmitting unit 412 transmits the operation information of the assigned elevator as the specified elevator 1 published from the communication device 3 to the destination device 6 (S39). Every time the second transmitting unit 412 receives operation information from the communication device 3, it transmits the operation information to the destination device 6. Then, every time the destination device 6 receives operation information from the first server device 4, it stores the operation information in the storage device 7 (S40).

[0117] 8, the terminal device 9 uses the API 813 following the initial use of the API 813 (S41). In the providing device 8, the providing / publishing unit 812 publishes a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 using the second topic created based on the identification information of the elevator 1 (S42). This allows the first server device 4 to transmit the transmission continuation request published by the providing device 8 to the communication devices 3 that have subscribed to the same second topic as the second topic.

[0118] 7, the second topic created based on the identification information of the elevator 1 is subscribed to from the communication device 3 to the first server device 4. Therefore, in the first server device 4, the first transmitting unit 411 transmits the transmission continuation request published by the providing device 8 to the communication device 3 that has subscribed to the second topic created based on the identification information of the assigned elevator (S43).

[0119] Furthermore, in the providing device 8, the providing control unit 81 sequentially acquires operation information of the assigned elevator from the storage device 7 in response to the use of the API 813 in S41 (S44), and transmits it to the terminal device 9 (S45). The storage device 7 stores operation information that is generated every time a change occurs in the operational status of the elevator 1 after S40 in Fig. 7. Therefore, the terminal device 9 can notify the user of the operational status of the elevator 1 in real time by sequentially receiving the operation information from the providing device 8.

[0120] In the communication device 3, after the transmitting / receiving unit 321 receives the transmission start request in S35 of Fig. 7, the first control unit 31 starts clocking. Then, the publishing unit 312 judges whether or not a transmission continuation request is received before a predetermined period of time has elapsed after receiving the transmission start request. If the publishing unit 312 judges that the transmission continuation request transmitted in S43 has been received before the predetermined period of time has elapsed, the publishing unit 312 continues the transmission mode. Therefore, every time the publishing unit 312 receives operation information from the elevator control device 2, it continues publishing to the first server device 4 in the first topic (S46). The clocking by the first control unit 31 is reset when the publishing unit 312 receives a transmission continuation request or when a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0121] In the first server device 4, the second transmitting unit 412 transmits the operation information of the assigned machine to the destination device 6 every time the operation information is received from the communication device 3 (S47). Then, the destination device 6 stores the operation information in the storage device 7 every time the operation information is received from the first server device 4 (S48).

[0122] On the other hand, when the publishing unit 312 determines that a predetermined period of time has elapsed since receiving the transmission start request in S35 of Fig. 7, it switches the operation mode from the transmission mode to the non-transmission mode. During the non-transmission mode, the communication device 3 does not publish the operation information to the first server device 4 even if it receives the operation information from the elevator control device 2 every time the operation status of the elevator 1 changes. In other words, the communication device 3 stops transmitting the operation information to the first server device 4 by switching to the non-transmission mode.

[0123] When the terminal device 9 uses the API 813 following the previous use of the API 813 (S51), the providing device 8 publishes a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4 using a second topic created based on the identification information of the elevator 1 (S52). The first server device 4 transmits the transmission continuation request published by the providing device 8 to the communication devices 3 that have subscribed to the same second topic as the second topic (S53).

[0124] Furthermore, in the providing device 8, the providing control unit 81 sequentially acquires operation information of the assigned elevator from the storage device 7 in response to the use of the API 813 in S51 (S54), and transmits it to the terminal device 9 (S55). The storage device 7 continues to store operation information that is generated every time a change occurs in the operational status of the elevator 1 after S40 in FIG. 7. Therefore, the providing device 8 can continue to transmit operation information indicating the latest operational status of the elevator 1 to the terminal device 9. Therefore, the terminal device 9 can notify the user of the operational status of the elevator 1 in real time.

[0125] In the communication device 3, after receiving the transmission continuation request in S43, the first control unit 31 starts counting time again. Then, the publishing unit 312 judges whether or not the next transmission continuation request will be received within a predetermined period after receiving this transmission continuation request. That is, the publishing unit 312 judges whether or not the next transmission continuation request will be received before a predetermined period has elapsed since the last transmission continuation request was received. If the publishing unit 312 judges that the transmission continuation request transmitted in S53 has been received before the predetermined period has elapsed, the publishing unit 312 continues the transmission mode. Therefore, the publishing unit 312 continues publishing to the first server device 4 in the first topic every time it receives operation information from the elevator control device 2 (S56).

[0126] In the first server device 4, the second transmitting unit 412 transmits the operation information of the assigned machine to the destination device 6 every time the operation information is received from the communication device 3 (S57). Then, the destination device 6 stores the operation information in the storage device 7 every time the operation information is received from the first server device 4 (S58).

[0127] Similarly, when the API 813 is used by the terminal device 9 thereafter (S61), the provision publishing unit 812 of the providing device 8 publishes a transmission continuation request in the second topic (S62). After that, the first transmitting unit 411 of the first server device 4 transmits the transmission continuation request to the communication device 3 that has subscribed to the same second topic as the second topic (S63). In addition, the providing device 8 continues to obtain operation information from the storage device 7 (S64) and transmits it to the terminal device 9 (S65).

[0128] After receiving the transmission continuation request in S53, if the publishing unit 312 determines that the transmission continuation request transmitted in S63 has been received before the predetermined period has elapsed, the publishing unit 312 continues the transmission mode. Therefore, every time the publishing unit 312 receives operation information from the elevator control device 2, the publishing unit 312 continues publishing to the first server device 4 in the first topic (S66). Then, the second transmitting unit 412 of the first server device 4 transmits the operation information published from the communication device 3 to the transmission destination device 6 (S67), and the transmission destination device 6 continues to store the operation information in the storage device 7 (S68). The same applies to S71 to S78 shown in FIG. 9.

[0129] In this way, the publishing unit 312 continues to publish the operation information to the first server device 4 while the next transmission continuation request is received within a predetermined period of time after receiving the transmission continuation request (i.e., while the transmission continuation request is continuously received). Therefore, the providing device 8 can transmit the operation information indicating the latest operation status of the elevator 1 to the terminal device 9 while the terminal device 9 is continuously using the API 813.

[0130] On the other hand, if the publishing unit 312 determines that a predetermined period has passed since the last time a continuation transmission request was received without receiving a continuation transmission request, the publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode from the transmission mode to the non-transmission mode. As shown in Fig. 9, if the publishing unit 312 determines that a next continuation transmission request has not been received before a predetermined period has passed after receiving a continuation transmission request in S73, the publishing unit 312 switches the operation mode from the transmission mode to the non-transmission mode (S81).

[0131] As described above, the elevator control device 2 transmits operation information to the communication device 3 every time a change occurs in the operation status of the elevator 1 controlled by the elevator control device 2. However, in the communication device 3, after switching to the non-transmission mode, the publishing unit 312 does not publish the operation information to the first server device 4 even if the operation information is received. In other words, the communication device 3 stops transmitting the operation information to the first server device 4 by switching to the non-transmission mode.

[0132] Therefore, after receiving a transmission start request, the communication device 3 can transmit operation information to the first server device 4 only while the communication device 3 is continuously receiving a transmission continuation request. In other words, the communication device 3 can transmit operation information to the first server device 4 only while the API 813 is continuously used. Therefore, while the API 813 is being used, the terminal device 9 can notify the user of the operation status of the elevator 1 in real time. On the other hand, in a situation where the API 813 is not being used, a communication session according to the first communication method is not established between the communication device 3 and the first server device 4, and therefore unnecessary communication load can be suppressed.

[0133] In the case where a common elevator 1 is assigned to each of a plurality of authenticated users who each own a plurality of terminal devices 9, when any of the terminal devices 9 uses the API 813, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission start request for the operation information of the elevator 1 to the first server device 4. Based on this transmission, the communication device 3 can switch the operation mode to the transmission mode.

[0134] As described above, when the communication device 3 receives a next transmission continuation request before a predetermined period of time has elapsed since receiving the previous transmission continuation request, the communication device 3 continues the transmission mode. When any of the terminal devices 9 is using the API 813, the providing device 8 transmits a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. Therefore, while any of the terminal devices 9 is using the API 813, the communication device 3 continues the transmission mode and continues to publish the operation information to the first server device 4.

[0135] On the other hand, when none of the terminal devices 9 use the API 813, the providing device 8 stops transmitting a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. In other words, when it is determined that none of the users are viewing the operation information of the assigned machine, the providing device 8 stops transmitting a transmission continuation request to the first server device 4. Therefore, when the communication device 3 does not receive a transmission continuation request within a predetermined period of time since it last received a transmission continuation request from the first server device 4 due to none of the terminal devices 9 using the API 813, the communication device 3 switches to the non-transmission mode. By switching to the non-transmission mode, the communication device 3 stops transmitting the operation information of the assigned machine to the first server device 4.

[0136] In this way, when multiple authenticated users are attempting to view the operation status of the assigned elevator assigned to each of them, the communication device 3 continues the switched transmission mode. This allows at least one of the multiple terminal devices 9 to notify the users of the operation status of the elevator 1 in real time. Then, only when none of the users are viewing the operation status of the assigned elevator, does the communication device 3 switch to the non-transmission mode and stop transmitting the operation information to the first server device 4.

[0137] [Embodiment 2] Another embodiment of the present invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, the same reference numerals are attached to components having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the explanations thereof will not be repeated. FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an information providing system 100A according to a second embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the information providing system 100A includes a group management control device 200, a security system 300, a reader device 501, a display device 502, and a data transmission system 400A. The data transmission system 400A differs from the data transmission system 400 in that it includes a terminal device 9A instead of the terminal device 9. The terminal device 9A can communicate not only with the reader device 303 but also with the reader device 501.

[0138] As shown in FIG. 10, the group management control device 200 is communicably connected to a destination floor registration device 500. The destination floor registration device 500 is a device that can be used by users to register a call. The destination floor registration device 500 may be installed on each floor of a building where the elevator 1 is installed. A user who does not have a terminal device 9A or a user whose personal ID is not registered in the user DB can register a call by performing an input operation such as inputting a destination floor into the destination floor registration device 500 and use the elevator 1. In addition, a user whose personal ID is registered in the user DB can also use the destination floor registration device 500 to move to a destination floor not registered in the user DB.

[0139] The reader device 501 and the display device 502 are connected to the security server 301 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The reader device 501 and the display device 502 are different from the reader device 303 and the display device 304 in that they are provided adjacent to the destination floor registration device 500. When a plurality of destination floor registration devices 500 are installed in a building in which the elevator 1 is provided, the reader device 501 and the display device 502 may also be provided adjacent to each of the plurality of destination floor registration devices 500. By using the terminal device 9A, a user can register a call via the reader device 303 provided adjacent to the security gate 302 or the reader device 501 provided adjacent to the destination floor registration device 500.

[0140] When a user registers a call via the reader device 501, the user does not need to pass through the security gate 302. Therefore, in this embodiment, in addition to users who have been authenticated to pass through the security gate 302, users whose personal IDs have been acquired by the reader device 501 and whose calls have been registered in the group management control device 200, i.e., users who have been authenticated to use the elevator 1, are also included in authenticated users.

[0141] When a user brings the terminal device 9A close to the reader device 501, communication is established between the terminal device 9A and the reader device 501. The reader device 501 acquires the user's personal ID from the user's terminal device 9A and transmits it to the security server 301. As a result, the security server 301 authenticates the user, and if the user is authenticated, the group management control device 200 registers the call of the authenticated user. If the user is not authenticated, the display device 502 corresponding to the reader device 501 that communicated with the terminal device 9A displays a screen indicating that the user has not been authenticated. The process performed after the user has been authenticated or not authenticated is the same as the process performed in the information providing system 100 according to the first embodiment, except that the opening and closing control of the security gate 302 is not performed, and therefore will not be described here.

[0142] As described above, in the information provision system 100A, a user can use the terminal device 9A to register a call via the reader device 501 attached to the destination floor registration device 500 or the reader device 303 attached to the security gate 302. Also, an authenticated user who has been authenticated to use the elevator 1 can grasp the operating status of the assigned elevator by using the terminal device 9A. Also, a user can register a call by performing an input operation on the destination floor registration device 500.

[0143] In this embodiment, the user DB may have a plurality of pieces of information corresponding to one personal ID, each pair of a departure floor and a destination floor. In this case, when the security server 301 receives the personal ID of the user, the floor on which the reader device 501 is installed is set as the departure floor of the user, and the destination floor of the user corresponding to the departure floor is identified. As an example, the personal ID of a certain user may be associated with a pair of the first floor as the departure floor and the fourth floor as the destination floor, and a pair of the fourth floor as the departure floor and the first floor as the destination floor. When the user uses the reader device 501 installed on the first floor, the security server 301 identifies the fourth floor, which is the destination floor corresponding to the first floor, which is the departure floor of the user, as the destination floor of the user. This allows the user to move to an appropriate floor as the destination floor according to the floor on which the reader device 501 used for the call registration is installed.

[0144] [Variation 1] In the above-described first and second embodiments, a configuration in which the security system 300 includes the security server 301 has been exemplified, but the configuration of the security system 300 is not limited to this. For example, in the security system 300, the group management control device 200 or the leader device 303 may also have the functions of the security server 301. For example, the leader device 303 may store a user DB and perform user authentication and call registration requests for authenticated users. Also, the group management control device 200 may store a user DB and perform user authentication and call registration for authenticated users.

[0145] [Modification 2] In the above-mentioned second embodiment, a configuration has been exemplified in which the information provision system 100A includes the security gate 302, the reader device 303 provided in the vicinity of the security gate 302, and the reader device 501 provided in the vicinity of the destination floor registration device 500. However, the information provision system 100 may include the reader device 501, but may not include the security gate 302 and the reader device 303. According to the above-mentioned configuration, a user can use the reader device 501 with the terminal device 9A to register a call for the elevator 1 and grasp the operating status of the assigned elevator.

[0146] [Modification 3] In the above-mentioned first and second embodiments, the group management control device 200 transmits allocation result information including information indicating the input device ID of the leader device 303, the assigned car, the identification number of the assigned car, and the destination floor of the authenticated user to the security server 301, and when the security server 301 receives the allocation result information from the group management control device 200, it transmits the allocation result information including information indicating the assigned car, the identification number of the assigned car, and the destination floor of the authenticated user to the input device ID included in the allocation result information, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the group management control device 200 may transmit the allocation result information including information indicating the assigned car, the identification number of the assigned car, and the destination floor of the authenticated user directly to the input device ID of the leader device 303.

[0147] [Software implementation example] The functions of the information provision systems 100, 100A (hereinafter referred to as the "systems") can be realized by programs for causing a computer to function as the systems, and for causing a computer to function as each control block of the systems (particularly the security system 300, the data transmission system 400, and each part included in the destination floor registration device 500).

[0148] 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., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The control device and storage device execute the program to realize each function described in each of the above embodiments.

[0149] The program may be non-transitory and may be recorded in one or more computer-readable recording media. The recording media may or may not be included in the device. In the latter case, the program may be provided to the system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0150] In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, the functions of each of the control blocks can be realized by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0151] Furthermore, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may be operated by the control device or may be operated by another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0152] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, 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.

[0153] 〔summary〕 The information providing system according to aspect 1 of the present invention is an information providing system that provides operation information regarding the operating status of a front end machine of an elevator having multiple machines installed in a building having multiple floors, and includes a data transmission system that, in response to a request from a terminal device of an authenticated user who is authenticated based on user information identifying the user obtained by a reader device from the terminal device of the elevator user, obtains the operation information of the assigned machine from an elevator control device that controls an assigned machine assigned to the authenticated user by a group management control device that controls the operation of the multiple machines, and transmits the obtained operation information to the terminal device.

[0154] An information provision system according to aspect 2 of the present invention is such that, in aspect 1, the reader device is installed adjacent to a security gate located between the entrance of the building and the elevator landing, and the authenticated user is the user who has been authenticated to pass through the security gate.

[0155] An information provision system according to aspect 3 of the present invention may be such that, in aspect 1 or 2, the reader device is provided adjacent to a destination floor registration device of the elevator, and the authenticated user is the user who has been authenticated to use the elevator.

[0156] An information provision system according to a fourth aspect of the present invention is in any one of the first to third aspects, wherein the operation information includes information indicating the latest moving direction of the vehicle.

[0157] An information provision system according to a fifth aspect of the present invention is in any one of the first to fourth aspects, wherein the operation information includes information indicating the latest floor number on which the car is located.

[0158] An information provision system according to a sixth aspect of the present invention is in any one of the first to fifth aspects, wherein the operation information includes information indicating the latest congestion status of the car.

[0159] In the information provision system of aspect 7 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 6, the group management control device may determine the assigned car to be assigned to the authenticated user based on the floor on which the reader device is installed and a destination floor that is pre-associated with the authenticated user, and instruct the elevator control device to move the assigned car to the floor.

[0160] In an information provision system according to aspect 8 of the present invention, in any of aspects 1 to 7, the group management control device may transmit car number information identifying the assigned car to the terminal device of the authenticated user to which the assigned car has been assigned via an authentication device that authenticates the authenticated user and the reader device.

[0161] An information providing system according to a ninth aspect of the present invention is in any one of the first to eighth aspects, wherein the data transmission system includes a server device functioning as a broker, which are capable of communicating with each other using a publish / subscribe type communication method, one or more communication devices, and a providing device, wherein the communication device includes a receiving unit that receives the operation information of the elevator controlled by the elevator control device connected to the communication device so as to be able to communicate with the communication device itself, and a transmitting mode in which the receiving unit publishes the received operation information to the server device on a predetermined first topic each time the receiving unit receives the operation information, and a non-transmitting mode in which the publishing is not performed. and a publishing unit which switches the operation information published by the publishing unit, wherein when the server device receives the operation information published from the publishing unit, it transmits the received operation information to a destination device which has subscribed to the first topic for the server device, and each time the destination device receives the operation information from the server device, it executes a process for storing the received operation information in a storage device, and the providing device has a function for providing the operation information of the assigned machine which is usable by the terminal device of the user, and while the terminal device is using the function, it may sequentially obtain the operation information of the assigned machine from the storage device and transmit the obtained operation information to the terminal device.

[0162] In the information provision system of aspect 9, the elevator control device may transmit the operation information to the communication device each time a change occurs in the operation status of the elevator controlled by the elevator control device.

[0163] In an information providing system according to aspect 11 of the present invention, in aspect 9 or 10, when the function is used from the terminal device after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the function was last used from the terminal device, the providing device may execute a process for sending a request to start transmitting the operational information to the communication device, and when the communication device receives the request to start transmitting, the publishing unit may switch the operating mode to the transmission mode.

[0164] An information providing system according to aspect 12 of the present invention is such that, in aspect 11, when the communication device switches to the transmission mode, it is provided with a subscribing unit that subscribes to a second topic created for the server device based on unit number information identifying the assigned unit, and the server device transmits a request to continue transmitting the operation information published by the providing device to the server device on the second topic to the communication device that has subscribed to the second topic for the server device, and the publishing unit continues the transmission mode if, during the transmission mode, the communication device receives the continuation transmission request within the specified period since it last received the continuation transmission request, and switches to the non-transmission mode if the specified period has elapsed since the communication device last received the continuation transmission request without receiving the continuation transmission request.

[0165] In an information providing system of aspect 13 of the present invention, in aspect 12, the providing device may publish the transmission continuation request to the server device on the second topic created based on the machine information of the assigned machine while the operation information is provided from the providing device to the terminal device at a predetermined frequency by the terminal device utilizing the function.

[0166] In the information providing system according to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the ninth to thirteenth aspects, the function may be provided by an API (Application Programming Interface). [Explanation of symbols]

[0167] 1. Elevator 2 Elevator control device 3. Communications equipment 4. First server device (server device) 6 Destination device 7 Storage device 8 Providing device 9, 9A Terminal Equipment 100, 100A Information System 200 Group management control device 301 Security server (authentication device) 302 Security Gate 303, 501 Reader device 311 Receiving unit 312 Publishing Department 313 Subscriber Department 400, 400A Data Transmission System 411 First Transmission Unit 412 Second Transmission Unit 500 Destination floor registration device 813 API (Function)

Claims

1. An information providing system for providing operation information regarding the operation status of a front-signal machine of an elevator having a plurality of units installed in a building having a plurality of floors, a data transmission system for acquiring operation information of an assigned elevator from an elevator control device that controls an assigned elevator assigned to the authenticated user by a group management control device that controls the operation of the plurality of elevators in response to a request from a terminal device of the authenticated user, the user being authenticated based on user information identifying the user acquired by a reader device from the terminal device of the elevator user, and transmitting the acquired operation information to the terminal device; The group management control device includes: determining an assigned elevator to be assigned to the authenticated user based on a floor on which the reader device is installed and a destination floor previously associated with the authenticated user; Instruct the elevator control device to move the assigned elevator to the floor; transmitting machine number information for identifying the assigned machine to the terminal device of the authenticated user to which the assigned machine number has been assigned via an authentication device that authenticates the authenticated user and the reader device; Information provision system.

2. the reader device is provided adjacent to a security gate provided between an entrance to the building and an elevator landing, The authenticated user is the user who is authenticated to pass through the security gate. The information providing system according to claim 1 .

3. The reader device is provided in conjunction with a destination floor registration device of the elevator, The authenticated user is the user who is authenticated to use the elevator. The information providing system according to claim 1 .

4. The operation information includes information indicating the latest moving direction of the vehicle. The information providing system according to claim 1 .

5. The operation information includes information indicating the latest floor number on which the vehicle is located. The information providing system according to claim 1 .

6. The operation information includes information indicating the latest congestion status of the vehicle.

6. The information providing system according to claim 4 or 5.

7. An information providing system for providing operation information regarding the operation status of a front-signal machine of an elevator having a plurality of units installed in a building having a plurality of floors, a data transmission system for acquiring operation information of an assigned elevator from an elevator control device that controls an assigned elevator assigned to the authenticated user by a group management control device that controls the operation of the plurality of elevators in response to a request from a terminal device of the authenticated user, the user being authenticated based on user information identifying the user acquired by a reader device from the terminal device of the elevator user, and transmitting the acquired operation information to the terminal device; The data transmission system includes a server device functioning as a broker, one or more communication devices, and a providing device, which are capable of communicating with each other using a publish / subscribe type communication method; The communication device includes: A receiving unit that receives, from the elevator control device that is communicably connected to the elevator control device itself, the operation information of the elevator controlled by the elevator control device; a publishing unit that switches an operation mode between a sending mode in which the receiving unit publishes the received operation information to the server device using a predetermined first topic every time the receiving unit receives the operation information, and a non-transmission mode in which the publishing is not performed; The server device includes: When receiving the operational information published from the publishing unit, transmitting the received operational information to a destination device that has subscribed to the first topic with respect to the server device; The destination device is Each time the operation information is received from the server device, a process is executed for storing the received operation information in a storage device; The providing device comprises: a function for providing the operation information of the assigned machine, the function being usable by the terminal device of the user; While the terminal device is using the function, the operation information of the assigned machine is sequentially acquired from the storage device, and the acquired operation information is transmitted to the terminal device. Information provision system.

8. The elevator control device transmits the operation information to the communication device every time a change occurs in the operation status of the elevator controlled by the elevator control device. The information providing system according to claim 7.

9. The providing device comprises: executes a process for transmitting a request to start transmitting the operation information to the communication device when the function is used from the terminal device after a predetermined period of time has elapsed since the function was last used from the terminal device; When the communication device receives the transmission start request, the publishing unit switches the operation mode to the transmission mode. The information providing system according to claim 7.

10. the communication device includes a subscribing unit that, when switching to the transmission mode, subscribes to a second topic created based on machine number information that identifies the assigned machine, to the server device; the server device transmits a request for continuing transmission of the operation information, which is published by the providing device to the server device using the second topic, to the communication device that subscribes to the second topic with respect to the server device; The publishing unit, during the transmission mode, if the communication device receives the transmission continuation request within the predetermined period of time since the communication device last received the transmission continuation request, the communication device continues the transmission mode; if the predetermined period has elapsed since the communication device last received the transmission continuation request without receiving the transmission continuation request, switching to the non-transmission mode; The information providing system according to claim 9.

11. The providing device comprises: while the operation information is provided from the providing device to the terminal device at a predetermined frequency by the terminal device utilizing the function, the transmission continuation request is published to the server device using the second topic created based on the machine information of the assigned machine. The information providing system according to claim 10.

12. The function is provided by an API (Application Programming Interface), The information providing system according to any one of claims 7 to 11.

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