Elevator system and elevator control method

Abstract

To perform appropriate non-touch operation while preventing touching a display panel, as an elevator having an operation panel enabling register of a destination floor by touch operation of the display panel.SOLUTION: An elevator system includes, as an operation panel, an input determination part for outputting operation sound from a voice device when detecting approach of an object to a display panel. The input determination part changes display of a button displayed in a part where approach of the object to the display panel is detected when continuously detecting approach of the object for a predetermined time, and a registered floor display processing part displays a destination floor allocated to a button as a registered floor on the display panel when the input determination part does not detect approach of the object.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator system and an elevator control method. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, elevator cars have operation panels with stop floor registration buttons corresponding to floors where the elevator can stop, and passengers who get into the car press the stop floor registration button for their destination floor. For example, when the destination floor is the 10th floor, the passenger presses the stop floor registration button for the 10th floor from among the many stop floor registration buttons arranged corresponding to floors where the elevator can stop. When the stop floor registration button for the 10th floor is pressed, the display color of the pressed stop floor registration button for the 10th floor changes to a more conspicuous color, making it clear that the 10th floor has been registered as a stop floor.

[0003] As an improvement over the conventional floor registration buttons, it has been proposed to place a touch panel with a display function inside the car as an operation panel. In addition, as a measure against infectious diseases in recent years, it has been proposed to make the touch panel a non-contact panel. A non-contact panel is operated by the user bringing their finger close to the button displayed on the display panel.

[0004] Patent document 1 describes a technology in which the control panel inside the elevator car is configured as a non-contact control panel, and when a non-contact operation in which a finger or the like is brought close to a button is performed continuously for a certain period of time, the button that has been approached is lit up, the floor corresponding to the approached non-contact button is registered as the destination floor, and a registration sound is output. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0005] [Patent Document 1] JP 2019-142686 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] In the case of the technology described in Patent Document 1, when a finger or the like is continuously brought close to a button for a certain period of time (first threshold time), the button lights up and the floor assigned to the button is registered. By lighting up the button and registering it when a finger or the like is continuously brought close to the button for a certain period of time in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration when an object such as a finger accidentally comes close to the button for a short period of time.

[0007] However, if it takes a long time for the button to light up after starting a non-contact operation, the user will not know whether the operation panel has detected the non-contact operation, and will end up continuing to bring their finger close to the button, increasing the possibility that the finger will touch the button. With a non-contact type operation panel, it is not desirable for fingers to touch buttons, etc. In this manner, when a configuration is used in which non-contact operation is performed, it is difficult for the operator to intuitively determine how close to the panel the finger should be, which ultimately makes it difficult to perform non-contact operation.

[0008] The present invention aims to provide an elevator system and an elevator control method that, when equipped with an operation panel that allows destination floors to be registered using a display panel that allows contactless operation, enables appropriate operation while preventing contact with the display panel by fingers or other objects. [Means for solving the problem]

[0009] In order to solve the above problems, for example, the configurations described in the claims are adopted. The present application includes a plurality of means for solving the above problems. One example of such means is a device equipped with an operation panel that allows destination floors to be registered. The destination floor is registered by the user's touch operation or non-contact operation of the destination floor button displayed on the display panel, The elevator control device sets the floor where the destination floor has been registered as a registered floor where the elevator will stop, controls the operation of the elevator, and displays the registered floor in a registered floor display area of ​​the display panel. Elevator Systems And, The operation panel is an input determination unit that detects a non-contact operation in which an object approaches a display panel; Based on the operation detected by the input judgment section For destination floor registration an input information transmitting unit that transmits information to the elevator control device; a registered floor display processing unit that displays the registered floor received from the elevator control device on a display panel; The operation panel is an input judgment section. to areas where non-contact operation is possible. An input determination unit that outputs an operation sound from an audio device when the approach of an object is detected. to areas where non-contact operation is possible. When the approach of an object is continuously detected for a predetermined period of time, a message is displayed at the location where the approach of the object to the display panel is detected. Destination floor Button Visibility form of Before approach detection The registered floor display processing unit changes the input to areas where non-contact operation is possible. When the system no longer detects the approach of an object, Destination floor The destination floor assigned to the button is displayed on the display panel. Registration floor display area will be displayed as the registered floor. Effect of the Invention

[0010] According to the present invention, when an object of a predetermined size or smaller is detected as approaching during a non-contact operation to set a registered floor, an operation sound is output, so the operator is notified clearly that an approach of a finger or the like has been detected, and the button lights up and the registered floor is displayed, so that the operator can be sure that the destination floor has been registered. Therefore, it is possible to properly operate the destination floor registration while preventing contact with the display panel by fingers or the like. Problems, configurations and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0011] [Figure 1] 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 2] 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a hardware configuration of a destination floor registration device of an elevator system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a display panel arrangement in a passenger car according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 4]1A to 1C are diagrams showing examples of displays and changes of the displays on a display panel according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 5] 11A to 11C are diagrams illustrating an example of a display change during a non-contact operation according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 6] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an input process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] 5 is a flowchart showing an example (first half) of a destination floor registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 10 is a flowchart showing an example (second half) of a destination floor registration process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a registered floor display process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of an operation sound output process according to an embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a button lighting process according to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] An elevator system according to one embodiment of the present invention (hereinafter, referred to as "this embodiment") will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0013] [Elevator system configuration] FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the elevator system of this example. As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator system of this example includes an elevator control device 10 and a destination floor registration device 20. The destination floor registration device 20 is installed in the car. The configuration of the elevator control device 10 shown in Fig. 1 only shows the configuration related to setting the destination floor and the registered floor, and other configurations such as the running control of the car are omitted.

[0014] The elevator control device 10 controls the running (ascending and descending) of the car by the hoist, based on the operation of the car call button at the landing of each floor and the operation of registering the stop floors in the car. The destination floor registration device 20 is disposed in the elevator car, and controls the display on a display panel 41 (FIG. 3) with a non-contact input function that is disposed on an operation panel installed in the elevator car, and the voice output from the voice device 43. In addition, the destination floor registration device 20 detects a non-contact input by a finger or the like approaching the display panel 41, and sends an instruction to the elevator control device 10. The non-contact input is detected by a non-contact sensor 42. The display panel 41 has a destination floor registration area 41a and a registered floor display area 41b. In the following description, the input operation basically refers to a non-contact input operation, but may also include an operation of directly touching the surface of the display panel 41 with a finger.

[0015] The destination floor indicates the destination floor where a user who has boarded the elevator car will get off, and the registered floor indicates a floor registered in the elevator control device 10 as the destination floor. In other words, a user inputs the destination floor on the operation panel in the car and performs an operation to set the registered floor, whereby the registered floor is registered in the elevator control device 10, the display panel 41 displays the registered floor, and the car stops at the registered floor. However, the car may stop at a floor other than the registered floor due to a car call at the landing, etc.

[0016] Regarding the configuration of the destination floor registration device 20, the destination floor registration device 20 includes an input processing unit 21, an input judgment unit 22, an input information transmission unit 23, a registered floor display processing unit 24, a registered floor display area update unit 25, a screen mode judgment unit 26, a destination floor registration area update unit 27, and an audio output judgment unit 28.

[0017] The input processing unit 21 processes the input of information on the state of detection of a finger or the like that is not in contact with the display panel 41 by the non-contact sensor 42 . The input determination unit 22 acquires information on the detection state input and processed by the input processing unit 21, and determines which display portion of the display panel 41 has been approached by a finger or the like to perform a non-touch operation. The input information transmitting unit 23 performs an input information transmitting process for transmitting information on the non-contact operation determined by the input determining unit 22 to the elevator control device 10.

[0018] The registered floor display processing unit 24 receives information about the registered floors set in the elevator control device 10, and performs registered floor display processing to display the registered floors in floor order. The registered floor display area update unit 25 updates the display of the registered floor display area 41b of the display panel 41 based on the processing in the registered floor display processing unit 24.

[0019] The screen mode determination unit 26 determines whether the display screen mode of the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 is a floor selection mode or a numeric keypad input mode. Specific display examples of the floor selection mode and the numeric keypad input mode will be described later (FIG. 4). The mode determination in this screen mode determination unit 26 is performed based on an instruction from the elevator control device 10 and an input determination by the input determination unit 22. The destination floor registration area update unit 27 updates the display of the destination floor registration area 41 a on the display panel 41 to the mode determined by the screen mode determination unit 26 .

[0020] The voice output determination unit 28 determines whether or not it is the timing to output a voice, and when it determines that it is the timing to output a voice, outputs a voice from the voice device 43 arranged on the operation panel 40. The voices output by the voice device 43 include operation sounds indicating the detection of an operation, and various voice guidance to notify passengers in the car. The voice output determination unit 28 determines the timing to output a voice based on information from the elevator control device 10 and the status of the destination floor registration device 20. At least one of the frequency, volume, and tone of the notification sound such as the operation sound output by the audio device 43 can be changed, and these changes can be automatically performed according to preset conditions. For example, the audio device 43 can perform a process of changing at least one of the frequency, volume, and tone of the output operation sound depending on the time period.

[0021] The elevator control device 10 includes an initial setting display information storage unit 11, a display information processing unit 12, a display information transmission unit 13, and a destination floor registration / cancellation processing unit 14. The initial setting display information storage unit 11 stores initial setting information for the destination floor registration area 41 a of the display panel 41 . The display information processing unit 12 performs display information processing based on the initial information about the destination floors stored in the initial setting display information storage unit 11 to display the destination floors as destination floors or registered floors.

[0022] The display information obtained by the display information processing unit 12 is transmitted from the display information transmission unit 13 to the registered floor display processing unit 24 and the screen mode determination unit 26 of the destination floor registration device 20. Here, the display information transmission unit 13 is supplied with information on destination floor registration and cancellation from the destination floor registration / cancellation processing unit 14, and when a destination floor is registered or canceled, the display information transmitted by the display information transmission unit 13 reflects the corresponding registration or cancellation. The destination floor registration / cancellation processing unit 14 receives information from the input information transmitting unit 23 of the destination floor registration device 20, and determines the operation of registering or canceling a destination floor in the elevator.

[0023] [Example of hardware configuration for destination floor registration device] FIG. 2 shows an example of a hardware configuration in the case where the destination floor registration device 20 is configured as a computer. The destination floor registration device 20, which is configured as a computer device, includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 20a, a main memory unit 20b, a non-volatile storage 20c, a network interface 20d, an input unit 20e, and an output unit 20f, which are all connected to a bus.

[0024] The CPU 20a is an arithmetic processing unit that reads out program code of software that realizes the functions performed by the destination floor registration device 20 from the main storage unit 20b or the non-volatile storage 20c and executes it. The CPU 20a reads out the program code from the main memory 20b or the non-volatile storage 20c and executes the arithmetic processing in the work area of ​​the main memory 20b, thereby configuring various processing function units in the main memory 20b. That is, the main memory 20b is configured with various processing units such as the registered floor display processing unit 24 and the screen mode determination unit 26 shown in FIG. 1.

[0025] The non-volatile storage 20c may be, for example, a large-capacity information storage medium such as a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a memory card, etc. The non-volatile storage 20c stores software that realizes the functions of the destination floor registration device 20, data obtained by executing the program, and data required for display screen settings.

[0026] The network interface 20d is, for example, a network interface card (NIC), and transmits and receives data to and from other devices such as the elevator control device 10. The input unit 20e performs an input process of information relating to the detection state of the non-contact sensor . The output unit 20f supplies display data to the destination floor registration area 41a and the registered floor display area 41b of the display panel 41.

[0027] Note that the destination floor registration device 20 configured with the computer shown in Fig. 2 is just an example, and may be configured with other arithmetic processing devices other than a computer. For example, some or all of the functions performed by the destination floor registration device 20 may be realized by hardware such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC).

[0028] [Example of display panel layout inside a car] FIG. 3 shows an example in which a display panel 41 is installed inside a car 50 provided in the elevator system of this embodiment. 3 is a view of the vicinity of the door 51 of the car 50 as viewed from inside the car 50. Door side panels 52 and 53 are disposed on the left and right sides of the door 51. Here, the operation panel 40 is disposed on the door side panel 53 on the right side of the door 51.

[0029] The operation panel 40 is provided with a display panel 41, a non-contact sensor 42, and an audio device 43. The non-contact sensor 42 detects a finger approaching or touching the surface of the display panel 41. A card reader 32 is also provided below the display panel 41 of the operation panel 40. This card reader 32 is used, for example, to authenticate a card held by a passenger and to register a floor with security settings as a destination floor.

[0030] The display panel 41 is made up of a liquid crystal display panel or an organic electro-luminescence (EL) panel, and is arranged vertically with a size that fits within the width of the door side panel 53. The display panel 41 is capable of displaying letters, numbers, and various figures, as will be described in display examples below. The non-contact sensor 42 is made up of, for example, an infrared sensor, and is arranged at the left end of the display panel 41 to detect when a finger or the like approaches the surface of the display panel 41.

[0031] In the example of FIG. 3, the non-contact sensor 42 is disposed so as to protrude slightly from the surface of the display panel 41, and is capable of scanning the surface of the display panel 41 with infrared rays or the like. The non-contact sensor 42 detects when a finger approaches, for example, to within about several centimeters of the surface of the display panel 41. At this time, the non-contact sensor 42 also detects the coordinate position of which part of the display panel 41 the finger or the like approaches.

[0032] The audio device 43 is disposed, for example, above the display panel 41, and outputs operation sounds and various guidance voices from a built-in speaker. The arrangement of the audio device 43 on the operation panel 40 as shown in FIG. 3 is one example, and the audio device 43 may be disposed at other locations in the car 50. For example, the audio device 43 may be disposed on the ceiling of the car 50. In addition, as the audio device 43, a circuit unit that processes audio output and a speaker may be disposed separately, and the circuit unit may be disposed on the operation panel 40, and only the speaker may be disposed at an arbitrary position in the car. If there is no particular restriction on the installation space, it is desirable to install the device around the face position of the operator and set the volume at an appropriate level that the operator can hear. In order to realize the device at low cost, for example, when using a buzzer mounted on a printed board, it is desirable to provide a sound hole or the like near the buzzer installation location.

[0033] Note that using an infrared sensor as non-contact sensor 42 is just one example, and other sensors may be used to detect an object such as a finger approaching the surface of display panel 41. For example, non-contact sensor 42 may detect the approach of a finger from a capacitance value. The non-contact sensor that detects the capacitance value is integrated into display panel 41.

[0034] 3 shows a state in which the display panel 41 and the non-contact sensor 42 are installed as the operation panel 40, but for example, buttons for instructing to open or close the door and an emergency call button may be placed near the display panel 41. Alternatively, the buttons for instructing to open or close the door and the emergency call button may be displayed on the display panel 41.

[0035] Incidentally, arranging the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 on the door side panel 53 on the right side of the door 51 is just an example, and the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 may also be arranged on the door side panel 52 on the left side of the door 51. In this case, the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 may be arranged on either the left or right door side panel 52 or 53, or the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 may be arranged on both the left and right door side panels 52, 53. Furthermore, when the operation panel 40 and the display panel 41 are arranged on both the left and right door side panels 52, 53, one of the operation panels 40 may be provided with a touch panel or push button that detects touch operations by passengers.

[0036] [Display panel display format] Next, the display mode of the display panel 41 will be described with reference to FIGS. As already explained, the display panel 41 has a destination floor registration area 41a and a registered floor display area 41b. As shown in Fig. 4, the destination floor registration area 41a is arranged in the right region of the display panel 41, and the registered floor display area 41b is arranged in the left region of the display panel 41. The registered floor display area 41b is a relatively narrow region capable of displaying the numerical values ​​of registered floors in one vertical column (or two columns), and the remaining region is entirely the destination floor registration area 41a. The size of each of the areas 41a and 41b may be variable. Various display forms will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS.

[0037] In this example, the destination floor input mode includes a floor selection mode and a numeric keypad input mode. The displays shown in the upper left and upper right of Fig. 4 are examples of displays in floor selection mode. In this floor selection mode, buttons of destination floor candidates indicating floors are directly displayed in the destination floor registration area 41a, and the registered floors are directly set by operating the buttons.

[0038] That is, in the destination floor registration area 41a, a destination floor button 107 indicating a main floor of the building, a screen switching button 106, and an input guide 105 are displayed. 5, only buttons for the first floor (entrance floor), second floor (lobby floor), first basement floor (fourth parking lot), second basement floor (third parking lot), third basement floor (second parking lot), and fourth basement floor (first parking lot), which are major floors where the vehicle frequently stops, are displayed as destination floor buttons 107. When an input operation is performed with a finger or the like approaching these destination floor buttons 107, the floor displayed on the operated button is directly confirmed as the registered floor without performing a confirmation operation or the like.

[0039] The screen switching button 106 displays "To all floors" in both Japanese and English, and inputting information using this screen switching button 106 switches to a floor input mode display (lower part of FIG. 4) showing buttons such as a numeric keypad. The input guide 105 displays a message in Japanese urging the user to "enter the destination floor," and also displays a similar message in English, "please select a destination floor."

[0040] In the registered floor display area 41b, the registered floor column 111 is displayed in a vertical line as shown in the lower left of Fig. 4. In the example of the upper left or upper right of Fig. 4, nothing is displayed in the registered floor display area 41b, which indicates that no registered floors are registered. In the registered floor column 111, registered floors with smaller numerical values ​​are displayed in ascending order from the bottom based on the layout of floors in an actual building. Since the display of the registered floor column 111 is based on the layout of floors in an actual building, for basement floors, the numerical value of the floor increases the further down you go.

[0041] The example in the lower left of FIG. 4 shows a situation in which nine registered floors have been registered, and shows a registered floor row 111 in which the nine floors are displayed, using almost the entire registered floor display area 41b. In addition, when the number of registered floors is small, the registered floors are displayed from the bottom of the registered floor display area 41b. For example, when the registered floors are "6th floor" and "10th floor", "6" and "10" are displayed from the bottom in the registered floor display area 41b.

[0042] Also, when the number of registered floors decreases as a result of the elevator stopping at each floor, the remaining registered floors are displayed in the registered floor display area 41b, moving from the bottom up. However, displaying the registered floors from the bottom up is just one example, and the registered floors may be displayed together in the center, or may be displayed from the top up. The example of Fig. 5 described later shows a case where the registered floors are displayed in the center. The display of this registered floor display area 41b is the same in both the floor selection mode and the numeric keypad input mode.

[0043] The display examples at the bottom right and bottom left of Figure 4 are examples in numeric keypad input mode. The numeric keypad input mode is a mode in which the destination floor registration area 41a is displayed as a numeric keypad, and the user inputs a floor number using a numeric keypad. That is, the destination floor registration area 41a displays floor input buttons 101 consisting of ten number buttons 0, 1, 2, 3, ..., 9, a "B" button indicating the basement, a registration button 102, an input floor 103, a cancel button 104, an input guide 105, and a screen switching button 106. The example at the bottom left of FIG. 4 shows a state in which a finger approaches "1" and then "9" on floor input button 101, causing "19" to be displayed in the input floor 103 field.

[0044] The input guidance 105 displays a message in Japanese urging the user to "enter the destination floor," and also displays a similar message in English, "please select a destination floor." The input floor number 103 displays the number entered using the floor input button 101 or "B." When the "B" button is pressed followed by a number button, a display such as "B1" indicating a basement floor is displayed. Furthermore, even if a two-digit number or a number followed by "B" is entered, if a floor on which the elevator does not stop (a floor that does not exist in the building) is entered, the operation is invalidated and the entered floor is not displayed in Entered Floors 103.

[0045] The registration button 102 is a button for confirming the floor displayed in the input floor 103 as the registered floor. The cancel button 104 is a button for performing an operation to cancel the floor displayed in the input floor 103. This cancel button 104 may be displayed at all times, or may be displayed only when a floor has been input in the input floor 103 by operating the floor input button 101. The screen switching button 106 displays "To main floors" in both Japanese and English, and pressing this button switches the display to a floor selection mode in which the buttons for the main floors are displayed. The display in the registered floor display area 41b is the same as that in the floor selection mode.

[0046] Next, a description will be given of a display change in the destination floor registration area 41a shown in Fig. 4. The display change shown in Fig. 4 shows an example in which the screen mode is switched manually by an operator. For example, when the default screen is the display M11 of the floor selection mode shown in the upper left of Fig. 4, the destination floor button 107 of the main floor is displayed on the default screen. This initial screen is the screen when the door 51 of the car is opened, for example, in a state where no registered floors are set at all.

[0047] Here, assume that a finger or the like approaches the screen switching button 106 and the screen switching button 106 is selected on the default screen shown in display M11 on which destination floor buttons 107 for main floors are displayed as shown in the upper left of Fig. 4. At this time, the default screen changes to display M12 shown in the upper right of Fig. 4. In display M12, the display color of the screen switching button 106 that the finger or the like has approached changes, so that the user can know that the corresponding button has been operated. It is preferable that the display color be changed to a brighter color, for example, so that the corresponding button appears to be lit up. Note that, although the state where the screen switching button 106 is operated is shown here, the display form also changes in the same way when a finger or the like approaches a button other than the screen switching button 106.

[0048] When the screen switching button 106 is operated in the display M12 shown in the upper right of Figure 4, the destination floor registration area 41a changes to a numeric keypad input mode displaying the floor input button 101 and the registration button 102, as shown in the display M13 shown in the lower right of Figure 4. By registering a destination floor in this numeric keypad input mode, a registered floor column 111 is displayed in the registered floor display area 41b, as in display M14 shown in the lower left of FIG. Then, by operating the screen switching button 106 in the numeric keypad input mode, the destination floor registration area 41a changes to a floor selection mode of a display M11 shown in the upper left of FIG.

[0049] FIG. 5 shows a specific example of a display change when a passenger operates the display panel 41 in a non-contact manner. In the display M21 at the top left of Fig. 5, the destination floor registration area 41a is in floor selection mode, and the destination floor buttons 107 for four specific floors "B1, 10, 11, 12" are displayed. Also, since the display M21 displays the destination floors of the general floors, the screen switching button 106a displays the guidance "Switch to shared floor screen." The destination floor buttons 107 for the four floors "B1, 10, 11, 12" shown in display M21 are just an example, and destination floor buttons 107 for main floors such as display M11 in FIG. 4 may be displayed, or a numeric keypad input mode may be displayed.

[0050] First, it is assumed that a user (passenger) brings a finger h close to the display area of ​​the destination floor button 107 for floor "10." When the tip of the finger h comes within a certain distance (e.g., 3 cm) from the surface of the display panel 41, the input determination unit 22 detects the approach of an object. At the timing when the approach of the finger h is detected by the input determination unit 22, the audio device 43 outputs an approach operation sound 43a. As the operation sound 43a, for example, a short sound such as "ping" can be considered to be emitted.

[0051] Then, when a predetermined time (for example, 0.2 to 0.3 seconds) has elapsed while the tip of the finger h is brought close to the destination floor button 107 for floor "10," the display panel 41 changes to the display M22 shown in the upper right of FIG. In this display M22, the destination floor registration area update unit 27 changes the display brightness and display color of the destination floor button 107 for floor "10" that the finger h is close to, to make the destination floor button 107 for floor "10" look like it is lit. Note that the "lit" and "unlit" buttons displayed by the display panel 41 shown below also mean a display mode in which the button looks like it is lit or unlit.

[0052] In this example, even if the position where finger h is approaching is slightly away from the display coordinates of destination floor button 107 for floor "10," as long as the position where finger h is approaching is at least the coordinate position of the destination floor registration area 41a, destination floor button 107 for floor "10" will continue to be lit.

[0053] When the user confirms that the destination floor button 107 for floor "10" is lit in this display M22, he or she will remove the finger h from the display panel 41, recognizing that the button operation is complete. Display M23 at the bottom left of FIG. 5 shows the state when the tip of the finger h is released from the destination floor button 107 for floor "10." In this display M23, the floor "10" of the currently operated destination floor button 107 is confirmed as the registered floor, and the registered floor column 111 indicating the registered floor "10" is displayed approximately in the center of the registered floor display area 41b. Displaying the number of the registered floor column 111 approximately in the center of the registered floor display area 41b is just one example, and the number of the registered floor column 111 may be displayed at the top or bottom of the registered floor display area 41b.

[0054] In display M23 of Figure 5, since there are no registered floors before the operation, only "10" is displayed in registered floor example 111, but if another registered floor is displayed before the operation, "10" is added to the registered floor example 111 already displayed. When a new registered floor is added to the registered floor example 111, the registered floor example 111 is displayed in floor order. The number indicating the newly added registered floor in the registered floor display area 41b may be highlighted for a predetermined period of time more than the numbers of other registered floors already displayed. In addition, the destination floor button 107 for floor "10" from which the finger h has been released continues to be lit during this display M23, and is turned off after a short time (for example, about 0.5 to 1 second) has elapsed since the start of display M23.

[0055] Even if the destination floor registration area 41a changes from display M23 to another screen such as a main floor display, as in display M24 shown in the lower right of Fig. 5, the display of the registered floor example 111 in the registered floor display area 41b is maintained as it was before the change. However, the display of the registered floor example 111 in the registered floor display area 41b changes every time the elevator car 50 arrives at the displayed floor.

[0056] [Processing performed by the destination floor registration device] Next, a process performed by the destination floor registration device 20 in order for the display panel 41 to perform the displays described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the flow of the input determination process performed by the input determination unit 22 of the destination floor registration device 20.

[0057] The input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the non-contact sensor 42 detects an object (finger) approaching the destination floor registration area 41a of the display panel 41 in the input processing unit 21 (step S101). When the non-contact sensor 42 does not detect an object approaching the destination floor registration area 41a in step S101 (No in step S101), the input determination unit 22 ends the determination process.

[0058] Then, when an object is detected approaching the destination floor registration area 41a in step S101 (Yes in step S101), the input determination unit 22 determines whether the area where the approach is detected is an operation button in the destination floor registration area (step S102). If the detected area is not an operation button in step S102 (No in step S102), the input determination unit 22 waits until it detects approach to an operation button.

[0059] Then, in step S102, if the detected area is an operation button (Yes in step S102), the operation panel emits an operation sound (step S103), and the input determination unit 22 determines whether an object has been approaching for a predetermined time or more (step S104). The operation sound is emitted in step S103 as a short-time sound output to notify the user that the operation has been accepted. The operation sound is output in step S103 at a stage where the operation has not yet been confirmed, and is executed before the input information transmission unit 23 transmits information on the operation based on the approach detection to the elevator control device 10. Here, regarding the emission of the operation sound, if an instruction is given from the elevator control device 10, the response is delayed. Therefore, by executing the instruction from the input determination unit 22 at the voice output determination unit 28 of the destination floor registration device 20, the response of the voice output can be improved and the approach of the operator's finger to the button can be further suppressed. In step S104, when an object has not approached for a predetermined time or longer (No in step S104), input determination unit 22 repeats the determination in step S104. The predetermined time here is set as a minimum expected duration of operation with a finger or the like, such as 0.3 seconds, in order to eliminate cases where an object such as a finger approaches display panel 41 by mistake.

[0060] In step S104, when it is detected that an object is approaching for a predetermined time or longer (Yes in step S104), the destination floor registration device 20 changes the display brightness or display color of the corresponding button so that the button is turned on (step S105).

[0061] Thereafter, the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the removal of the object (finger) is detected (step S106). If the removal of the object is not detected in step S106 (No in step S106), the detection of the removal of the object is repeated. Then, when the departure of the object is detected in step S106 (Yes in step S106), the destination floor registration device 20 returns the luminance or color of the corresponding button to its original state so that the button is turned off (step S107). However, since the floor selection button is turned on when the button is registered, the button is turned off after a predetermined time has elapsed, so that the floor selection button can be continuously lit if the button is registered within the above-mentioned predetermined time.

[0062] After that, the input determination unit 22 determines whether the selected button that was turned on in step S105 is other than the screen switching button (step S108). When the selected button that was turned on in step S108 is other than the screen switching button (Yes in step S108), the input information transmission unit 23 transmits information on the selected button to the elevator control device 10 (step S109). Furthermore, in step S108, when the selected button that has been turned on is the screen switching button (No in step S108), the destination floor registration device 20 switches the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a (step S110).

[0063] 7 and 8 are flowcharts showing the flow of the destination floor registration process performed in the destination floor registration area update unit 27. "A" in FIG. 7 connects to "A" in FIG. First, the destination floor registration area update unit 27 judges whether the input destination floor is displayed (step S111). That is, the destination floor registration area update unit 27 judges whether the input floor 103 is displayed as in the display M14 of FIG. 4. In step S111, when the inputted destination floor is displayed (Yes in step S111), the destination floor registration area update unit 27 displays the cancel button 104 (FIG. 4) (step S112). Then, if the inputted destination floor is not displayed in step S111 (No in step S111), after displaying the cancel button 104 in step S112, the input judgment unit 22 judges whether or not it has detected the approach of an object (such as a finger) to the detection area in the destination floor registration area 41a (step S113).

[0064] When it is not detected in step S113 that an object is approaching the detection area (No in step S113), the destination floor registration device 20 ends the destination floor registration process. Then, when the approach of an object to the detection area is detected in step S113 (Yes in step S113), the input determination unit 22 judges whether the area where the approach of the object is detected is an operation button of the destination floor registration area (step S114). If the area is not an operation button of the destination floor registration area in step S114 (No in step S114), the destination floor registration area update unit 27 waits until an operation button of the destination floor registration area is detected.

[0065] Then, in step S114, if the object detection area is the operation button of the destination floor registration area (Yes in step S114), the operation panel emits an operation sound (step S115), and the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not an object has been approaching for a predetermined time or more (step S116). In step S116, if an object has not been approaching for a predetermined time or more (No in step S116), the input determination unit 22 repeats the determination in step S116.

[0066] In step S116, when it is determined that an object has been approaching for a predetermined time or longer (Yes in step S116), the destination floor registration device 20 changes the light emission brightness or light emission color of the corresponding button so that the button is turned on (step S117).

[0067] 8, the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the removal of the object (finger) is detected (step S118). If the removal of the object is not detected in step S118 (No in step S118), the input determination unit 22 repeats the detection of the removal of the object. Then, when the departure of the object is detected in step S118 (Yes in step S118), the destination floor registration device 20 restores the light emission luminance or light emission color of the corresponding button to the original state so that the button is turned off (step S119).

[0068] After that, the input determination unit 22 determines whether the selected button that was lit in step S117 is other than the screen switching button (step S120). When the selected button is other than the screen switching button in step S120 (Yes in step S120), the destination floor registration device 20 displays the floor of the selected button on the input floor 103 (FIG. 4) (step S121). Furthermore, in step S120, when the selected button is the screen switching button (No in step S120), the destination floor registration device 20 switches the display mode of the destination floor registration area 41a (step S126).

[0069] Furthermore, after displaying the floor of the button selected in step S121, the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not an operation of the registration button 102 (FIG. 4) has been detected (step S122). When the operation of the registration button 102 is detected in step S122 (Yes in step S122), the input information transmitting unit 23 transmits information of the selected button to the elevator control device 10 (step S123). Thereafter, the destination floor registration device 20 erases the display of the input floor 103 (step S124).

[0070] Moreover, if the operation of the register button 102 is not detected in step S122 (No in step S122), the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the operation of the cancel button 104 (FIG. 4) is detected (step S125). When the operation of the cancel button 104 is detected in step S125 (Yes in step S125), the process proceeds to step S124, and the destination floor registration device 20 erases the display of the input floor 103. Furthermore, if the operation of the cancel button 104 is not detected in step S125 (No in step S125), the destination floor registration device 20 ends the process.

[0071] FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of updating the display of a registered floor. First, the registered floor display processing unit 24 receives information on the registered floor from the elevator control device 10 (step S131). At this time, the registered floor display area update unit 25 determines whether or not the registered floor received in step S131 has changed from the currently displayed registered floor (step S132). When it is determined in step S132 that there is no change in the received registered floor information (No in step S132), the registered floor display area update unit 25 returns to the reception process of the registered floor data in the registered floor display processing unit 24.

[0072] Then, when it is determined in step S132 that there has been a change in the received registered floor information (Yes in step S132), the registered floor display area update unit 25 rearranges the registered floors received by the registered floor display processing unit 24 in display order and updates the display in the registered floor display area 41b (step S133).

[0073] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the process of outputting an operation sound by the destination floor registration device 20 and the audio device 43. First, the input determination unit 22 of the destination floor registration device 20 determines whether or not an object is detected approaching the surface of the display panel 41 (step S141). If an object is not detected approaching the surface of the display panel 41 in step S141 (No in step S141), the audio device 43 ends the operation sound output process.

[0074] If the input determination unit 22 detects the approach of an object to the surface of the display panel 41 in step S141 (Yes in step S141), the input determination unit 22 determines whether the area where the approach is detected is an operable area having a display of a button or the like (step S142). If the input determination unit 22 determines in step S142 that the area is not an operable area (No in step S142), the audio device 43 ends the output process of the operation sound.

[0075] When it is determined in step S142 that the area is operable (Yes in step S142), the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not another operation in the same operation area is being detected (step S143). Here, "detecting another operation in the same operation area" refers to a situation in which, for example, when approaching the coordinate position of a certain button in the destination floor registration area 41a is detected, the coordinate position of another button in the destination floor registration area 41a is detected immediately before that. When it is determined in step S143 that another operation in the same operation area is being detected (No in step S143), the sound device 43 ends the output process of the operation sound. Here, the phrase "detecting another operation in the same operation area" is provided to prevent temporary erroneous detection, since there may be cases in which an area other than the operator's finger is temporarily detected while the operator is holding his / her finger over the area.

[0076] If another operation in the same operation area is not being detected in step S143 (Yes in step S143), the audio output determination unit 28 determines whether any sound is currently being output from the audio device 43 (step S144). If any sound is currently being output from the audio device 43 in step S144 (No in step S144), the audio device 43 ends the operation sound output process. This makes it possible to prevent unintended multiple operation sound outputs, such as multiple operation sound ringings for one operation performed by the user, which often occurs in non-contact detection due to finger shaking, depending on the characteristics of the operation sound output device and the operation sound output processing method.

[0077] If no sound is being output from the audio device 43 in step S144 (Yes in step S144), the input determination unit 22 determines whether the amount of change in the coordinate position of the object whose approach has been detected is within a predetermined value (step S145). The determination of whether the amount of change in the coordinate position is within a predetermined value is performed in order to consider that the state of operating the area approached in step S142 continues even if the position of the object (finger) that approached without contact changes slightly. In other words, this determination is made to consider that the same button is being operated even if the user's finger is slightly unsteady.

[0078] If the amount of change in the coordinate position is not within the predetermined value in step S145 (No in step S145), the audio output determination unit 28 determines that the operation is not a button operation. Then, the audio device 43 ends the output process of the operation sound. This is because a finger may be unsteady in a non-contact operation, so the coordinate position of the held-up finger is always slightly changing, and it is desirable to provide a tolerance for the change in the coordinate position. If the amount of change in the coordinate position is within a predetermined value (first threshold) in step S145 (Yes in step S145), the audio output determination unit 28 causes the audio device 43 to output a short operation sound such as a "ping" (step S146).

[0079] The operation sound output in step S146 is a sound in which at least one of the frequency, tone, and volume of the sound is variably set depending on the time period during which the elevator is in operation. For example, during the nighttime, the volume of the operation sound is reduced or the tone of the sound is changed so that the operation sound does not leak to the vicinity of the elevator in the building. Conversely, during the daytime, the volume of the operation sound is increased so that the operation sound can be reliably heard by passengers in the elevator even in a relatively noisy situation. Any of the frequency, tone, and volume of the sound may be changed, or, for example, only the volume may be changed. For example, the volume may be reduced at night in accommodation facilities or residences, and increased during work and lunch hours when the elevator is crowded, as in office buildings.

[0080] 11 is a flowchart showing the flow of processing for lighting up the operation buttons displayed on the display panel 41. The lighting processing here is processing for changing the display brightness and display color so that the operation buttons are lit up. First, the input determination unit 22 of the destination floor registration device 20 determines whether or not an object is detected approaching the surface of the display panel 41 (step S151). If an object is not detected approaching the surface of the display panel 41 in step S151 (No in step S151), the destination floor registration device 20 does not perform the lighting process, and proceeds to displaying the light off in step S158.

[0081] When the approach of an object to the surface of the display panel 41 is detected in step S151 (Yes in step S151), the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the area where the approach is detected is an operable area having a display of buttons, etc. (step S152). When the area is determined not to be an operable area in step S152 (No in step S152), the destination floor registration device 20 does not perform the lighting process, and proceeds to the display of the light being turned off in step S158.

[0082] If it is determined in step S152 that the area is operable (Yes in step S152), the audio output determination unit 28 determines whether or not an operation sound or the like is currently being output (step S153). If audio is being output in step S153 (Yes in step S153), the destination floor registration device 20 does not perform the lighting process, and proceeds to displaying the light off in step S158. If no sound is being output in step S153 (No in step S153), the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not proximity has been detected in the same operation area for a predetermined time or longer (for example, 0.2 to 0.3 seconds or longer) (step S154).

[0083] In step S154, if proximity has not been detected in the same operation area for a predetermined period of time or longer (No in step S154), the input determination unit 22 determines whether the amount of change in the coordinates at which the proximity was detected is within a predetermined value (step S155). In step S155, if the amount of change in coordinates is within the predetermined value (Yes in step S155), the input determination unit 22 returns to the determination in step S154. In step S155, if the change amount of the coordinates is not within the predetermined value (No in step S155), the destination floor registration device 20 does not perform the lighting process, and proceeds to the display with the lights turned off in step S158. This makes it possible to prevent detection that is not intended by the operator, such as erroneous detection of a different button while the finger is approaching the desired button, when the change amount of the coordinates is equal to or greater than the predetermined value.

[0084] In step S154, when proximity is detected in the same operation area for a predetermined period of time or longer (Yes in step S154), the destination floor registration area update unit 27 changes the display form of the button for which the proximity is detected to light up (step S156). Thereafter, the input determination unit 22 determines whether or not the approach is no longer detected from the same operation area (that is, the area of ​​the same button, etc.) (step S157). If approach is detected in step S157 (No in step S157), the input determination unit 22 waits until approach is no longer detected.

[0085] Then, when the input determination unit 22 no longer detects the approach in step S157 (Yes in step S157), the destination floor registration area update unit 27 changes the display form of the button for which the approach was detected to an off state (step S158). Here, by performing a process to confirm the selected button when the finger is released from the area of ​​the selected button, that is, a process to display the selected button in the numeric keypad input mode, it is possible to prevent unsteady fingers or erroneous detection of a different part of the hand during selection.

[0086] [Effects of this elevator system] According to the elevator system of this embodiment described above, when the display panel 41 of the operation panel 40 can be operated in a non-contact manner, appropriate non-contact operation becomes possible. That is, the destination floor registration device 20 immediately outputs an operation sound when it determines that an object such as a finger is approaching a button, so that the operator is clearly notified that the approach of a finger or the like has been detected. Therefore, the output of the operation sound lets the operator know that the finger or the like has been recognized, and the operator does not move the finger or the like any closer to the button, so that the finger or the like can be appropriately prevented from touching the display panel. In addition, following the output of the operation sound, the button changes to a lit state and the registered floor is displayed in the registered floor display area 42b, which indicates that the destination floor registration has been accepted correctly, and the user can be sure that the destination floor registration has been completed. Therefore, it is possible to properly perform the destination floor registration operation while preventing contact with the display panel by fingers or the like.

[0087] In this case, the output of the operation sound is executed before the input information transmitting unit 23 transmits information based on the detection of the approach of an object to the elevator control device 10, so that the output is performed simultaneously with the approach detection, enabling the output of a quick and responsive operation sound. In addition, at least one of the frequency, volume and tone of the operation sound output by the audio device 43 can be changed depending on the time of day, so that the operation sound can be reliably conveyed to passengers in relatively noisy situations such as daytime, and the operation sound can be prevented from leaking to the surroundings of the elevator in quiet situations such as nighttime.

[0088] In this example, the timing at which the destination floor assigned to the button is displayed as a registered floor on the display panel 41 is synchronized with the timing at which the button at the location where the approach of the display panel 41 is detected is changed to a lit display, as described in Fig. 5. This allows the user to see that the display change and registration are linked, improving operability. In addition, after the input determination unit 22 detects the approach of an object, if the amount of change in the coordinates at which the approach of the object to the display panel 41 is detected is within a first threshold value, the audio device 43 outputs an operation sound. This makes it possible to reliably know from the output of the operation sound that the operation has been accepted even if the finger is unsteady.

[0089] Furthermore, as explained in step S154 of FIG. 11, when the input determination unit 22 detects the approach of an object to an area of ​​the display panel 41 where non-touch operation is possible for a predetermined period of time or more continuously, the button is changed to a lit display, thereby preventing the button from lighting up due to the temporary approach of a finger or the like, thereby appropriately preventing malfunction. Furthermore, as explained in step S155 of FIG. 11, after the button is changed to display as lit, if the change in the coordinates of the object whose approach is detected by input determination unit 22 is within a predetermined value, the button is kept displayed as lit, so that it is possible to know that the operation has been accepted even if the finger is unsteady.

[0090] [Variations] It should be noted that the embodiment examples described so far have been described in detail in order to explain the present invention in an easily understandable manner, and are not necessarily limited to those having all of the configurations described. Moreover, the display examples shown in each drawing are merely preferred examples, and the present invention is not limited to these examples. For example, in the above embodiment, the default screen is set to display the buttons for the main floors, but the default screen may be set to the screen that displays the numeric keypad. Which of these screens is set to be the default screen may be changed depending on the floors where the elevator stops, the time of day, etc.

[0091] In addition, in the above-mentioned embodiment, an example was described in which the invention was applied to a display panel on an operating panel inside a car, but the same display may also be performed on a display panel located at a boarding area, for example.

[0092] In addition, in the configuration diagrams shown in Figures 1 and 2, only control lines and information lines that are considered necessary for explanation are shown, and not all control lines and information lines in the product are necessarily shown. In reality, it can be considered that almost all components are connected to each other. Furthermore, the process flows shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 6 to 11 are also examples, and so long as the process results are the same, the order of some processes may be changed or multiple processes may be executed simultaneously.

[0093] Furthermore, when the system described in this embodiment is configured with an information processing device such as a computer, the programs that realize each processing function may be prepared in non-volatile storage or memory within the computer device, or may be stored on a recording medium such as an external memory, an IC card, an SD card, or an optical disk, and then transferred. [Explanation of symbols]

[0094] 10... elevator control device, 11... initial setting display information storage unit, 12... display information processing unit, 13... display information transmission unit, 14... destination floor registration / cancellation processing unit, 20... destination floor registration device, 20a... CPU, 20b... main memory unit, 20c... non-volatile storage, 20d... network interface, 20e... input unit, 20f... output unit, 21... input processing unit, 22... input determination unit, 23... input information transmission unit, 24... registered floor display processing unit, 25... registered floor display area update unit, 26... display Floor mode determination unit, 27... destination floor registration area update unit, 28... voice output determination unit, 32... card reader 40... operation panel, 41... display panel, 41a... destination floor display area, 41b... registered floor display area, 42... non-contact sensor, 43... voice device, 51... door, 52, 53... door side panel, 101... floor input button, 102... registration button, 103... input floor, 104... cancel button, 105... input guidance, 106... screen switching button, 107... destination floor button, 111... registered floor

Claims

1. The device is provided with an operation panel that allows the user to register a destination floor on a display panel, and the user can register the destination floor by touching or non-touching the destination floor button displayed on the display panel, an elevator control device controls an elevator operation by setting the floor where the destination floor registration has been performed as a registered floor which is a floor for stopping, and displays the registered floor in a registered floor display area of ​​the display panel, The operation panel includes: an input determination unit that detects a non-contact operation in which an object approaches a display panel; an input information sending unit that sends information for destination floor registration based on the operation detected by the input determination unit to an elevator control device; a registered floor display processing unit that displays the registered floor received from the elevator control device on the display panel, the operation panel outputs an operation sound from an audio device when the input determination unit detects the approach of an object to the area where non-contact operation is possible, and when the input determination unit detects the approach of an object to the area where non-contact operation is possible for a predetermined continuous period of time, changes a display form of the destination floor button displayed at the location where the approach of the object to the display panel was detected from before the approach detection, The registered floor display processing unit displays the destination floor assigned to the destination floor button as a registered floor in a registered floor display area of ​​the display panel when the input determination unit no longer detects the approach of an object to the region where the non-touch operation is possible. Elevator system.

2. The output of the operation sound by the audio device is executed before the input information transmitting unit transmits information for destination floor registration based on the detection of the approach of an object.

2. The elevator system of claim 1.

3. At least one of the frequency, volume, and tone of the operation sound output by the audio device is changed depending on the time period during which the operation panel is operated.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

4. The timing at which the registered floor display processing unit displays the destination floor assigned to the destination floor button as a registered floor in the registered floor display area of ​​the display panel is synchronized with the timing at which the input determination unit changes the display form of the destination floor button at a position where the input determination unit detects the approach of an object to the display panel.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

5. When the input determination unit detects an object approaching the display panel in the region where the non-touch operation is possible, and a change amount of the coordinate at which the object's approach is detected is within a first threshold value, the audio device outputs an operation sound.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

6. When the input determination unit detects an object approaching a non-touchable operation area of ​​the display panel for a predetermined period of time or more, the destination floor button is changed to a lit display.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

7. After the destination floor button is changed to a lit display, if the change amount of the coordinates of the object the input determination unit detects approaching is within a predetermined value, the change display of the destination floor button is continued.

3. The elevator system of claim 2.

8. The destination floor is registered by the user by touching or non-touching the destination floor button displayed on the display panel on the operation panel. an elevator control device controls an elevator operation by setting the floor where the destination floor has been registered as a registered floor for stopping, and displays the registered floor in a registered floor display area of ​​the display panel, an input determination process for detecting a non-contact operation in which an object approaches the display panel; an input information transmission process for transmitting information for destination floor registration based on the operation detected in the input determination process to an elevator control device; A registered floor display process for displaying the registered floor received from the elevator control device on the display panel, When the input determination process detects the approach of an object to the area where non-touch operation is possible, an operation sound is output from an audio device, and when the input determination process detects the approach of an object to the area where non-touch operation is possible for a predetermined period of time, a display form of the destination floor button displayed at the location where the approach of the object to the display panel was detected is changed from before the approach detection, and when the input determination process no longer detects the approach of an object to the area where non-touch operation is possible, the registered floor display process displays the destination floor assigned to the destination floor button as a registered floor in a registered floor display area of ​​the display panel. Elevator control method.

Images