Elevator control device, elevator control method and program

Abstract

To provide an elevator control device that improves operational efficiency.SOLUTION: An elevator control device according to an embodiment comprises: multiple destination floor display units that each display a destination floor of a car that moves in hoistway; a door open display unit that displays instructions for opening a door of the car; multiple destination floor sensor units that are provided in association with the multiple destination floor display units and detect in a non-contact manner the operation on the predetermined destination floor display unit by a user; a door open sensor unit that is provided in association with the door open display unit and detects in a non-contact manner the operation on the door open display unit by the user; an operation panel that is provided with the multiple destination floor display units and the door open sensor unit; and a control unit that causes an output unit to output warning when one or more destination floor sensor units of the multiple destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected almost simultaneously and when the detected state lasts for a first threshold time.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] An embodiment of the present invention relates to an elevator control device, an elevator control method, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] There is a known technology for making contactless calls to destination floors or landings in elevator cars or at landings. For example, there is a method in which multiple sensors that detect the user's fingers without contact are installed on the control panel in the car, and the sensor units are used to make destination floor calls. In particular, to avoid coronavirus infection, this method of making calls by contactless detection is becoming widespread.

[0003] In the case of such an operating panel that makes a call by non-contact detection, a technique is conventionally known that outputs a warning sound and invalidates the call registration when a user leans against the operating panel and multiple sensors for destination floors that specify the destination floor of the car non-contactly detect the same. Also, a technique is conventionally known that invalidates the door opening function of the door opening button after an announcement is made to users to warn them when it is detected that the door opening button has been pressed for more than a predetermined time, so that operation is not stopped when the door opening button has an ON failure. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Patent No. 6724936 [Patent Document 2] JP 2005-194049 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] In this way, in a system where a call is made by a non-contact sensor unit, compared to a push button, there is a risk of unexpected overdetection due to leaning on the sensor or holding up luggage, so the simultaneous detection of multiple sensors at the destination floor is invalidated, but the sensor unit for opening the doors is not equipped with a function to disable it for safety reasons.However, from the perspective of improving operation efficiency, it is desirable to be able to avoid situations where the sensor unit for opening the doors is suspected to be overdetecting as quickly as possible while still taking safety into consideration. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] An elevator control device according to an embodiment includes a plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving in a hoistway, a door open display unit displaying an instruction to open a door of the car, a plurality of destination floor sensor units provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detecting an operation on a predetermined destination floor display unit by a user in a non-contact manner, a door open sensor unit provided corresponding to the door open display units and detecting an operation on the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner, an operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door open sensor unit are provided, and a control unit that outputs a warning to an output unit when one or more of the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time. The control unit further causes the output unit to output the warning when the door opening sensor unit detects the door opening and the detection state of only the door opening sensor unit continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time. . [Brief description of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the inside of a car according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a functional configuration of the elevator control system according to the first embodiment. As illustrated in FIG. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram showing an example of the configuration of the wheelchair operation panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of the sensor unit and the push button according to the first embodiment as viewed from the side and the detection range of the sensor unit. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the elevator control process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6A] FIG. 6A is a diagram illustrating an example of a time chart of a detection state of a sensor unit and a warning output in the first embodiment. [Figure 6B] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing another example of a time chart of the detection state of the sensor unit and the warning output in the first embodiment. [Figure 6C] FIG. 6C is a diagram showing another example of a time chart of the detection state of the sensor unit and the warning output in the first embodiment. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a warning displayed on the liquid crystal display unit in the first embodiment. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an elevator control process according to the second embodiment. [Figure 9A] FIG. 9A is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an elevator control process according to the third embodiment. [Figure 9B] FIG. 9B is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the elevator control process (continued) according to the third embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart of the detection state of the sensor unit and the warning output in the third embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wheelchair operation panel according to the first modification. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an elevator control system according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a diagram illustrating an example of a configuration of a main control panel according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of a main control panel according to the second modification. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0008] Hereinafter, the embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

[0009] [First embodiment] (Interior structure of the car) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing the inside of a car 1 according to the first embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator car 1 is provided with a main operation panel 318A and two wheelchair operation panels 318B.

[0010] The main operation panel 318A is used by the user to mainly perform operations such as opening and closing the door 401 of the car 1 and specifying the destination floor, etc. The main operation panel 318A is installed near the door 401, for example, approximately near the center of the front wall surface next to the door 401.

[0011] Each of the two wheelchair operation panels 318B is primarily intended for a wheelchair user to operate to open and close the door 401 of the car 1, specify the destination floor, etc. The wheelchair operation panels 318B are provided on both the left and right side walls of the car 1 in Fig. 1. The wheelchair operation panels 318B are provided at a lower height than the main operation panel 318A so that a wheelchair user can operate them.

[0012] Here, the height position lower than the main operation panel 318A may be a height at which it partially overlaps with the main operation panel 318A, and the positions of push buttons 312B, 315B and sensor units 311B, 319B described later on the wheelchair operation panel 318B may be lower than the height positions of at least a portion of push buttons 312A, 315A and sensor units 311A, 319A described later on the main operation panel 318A.

[0013] (Example of elevator control system configuration) Next, an elevator control system 100 including the destination floor call device 30 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 2, the elevator control system 100 includes a control panel 10 and a destination floor call device 30. The elevator controlled by the elevator control system 100 includes a car 1, a drive device 2, a counterweight 3, a rope 4, etc.

[0015] The car 1 ascends and descends in a hoistway (not shown) to transport passengers who board the car 1 at landings provided on each floor to other floors. The car 1 and counterweight 3 are connected by a rope 4. The rope 4 is stretched across a drive device 2. The drive device 2 is, for example, a hoist, and is driven to cause the car 1 to travel up and down in the hoistway.

[0016] The control panel 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13, and controls the entire elevator. The control panel 10 is connected to the drive unit 2 by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals. The control panel 10 is also connected to a destination floor call device 30 installed, for example, in the car 1, so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals. The control panel 10 and the destination floor call device 30 may be connected by a network such as wire or wireless. The control panel 10 is also connected to a hall call device (not shown) installed at the hall by wire or wirelessly so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals.

[0017] The control unit 11 performs call registration when a destination floor call is made by a user in the elevator 1, or when a platform call is made by a user at a platform, etc. The control unit 11 may store the contents of the call registration in the memory unit 13.

[0018] Here, a destination floor call is an operation performed by a user in the car 1 to move the car 1 to a desired destination floor. Also, a platform call is an operation performed by a user at a platform to make the car 1, heading in either the up or down direction, arrive at the platform.

[0019] Moreover, the destination floor call is a call registration request received from the destination floor call device 30 via the communication unit 12. The hall call is a call registration request received from a hall call device (not shown) via the communication unit 12.

[0020] The control unit 11 drives the drive unit 2 according to the contents of the call registration, and causes the car 1 to respond to a destination floor call or a hall call. In addition, when the car 1 arrives at a specified floor, the control unit 11 issues instructions to open and close the doors of the car 1 and the hall.

[0021] Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a destination floor call from the destination floor call device 30, it sends a command to brightly light the indicator light 313B to the destination floor call device 30 that sent the destination floor call via the communication unit 12, causing the indicator light 313B to be brightly lighted. Furthermore, when the control unit 11 receives a platform call from a platform call device, it sends a command to brightly light the indicator light to the platform call device via the communication unit 12, causing the indicator light to be brightly lighted.

[0022] When a user in the car 1 calls for a destination floor, or when a user at a platform calls for a platform, the communication unit 12 acquires the information from a destination floor call device and a platform call device (not shown), etc. Also, the communication unit 12 transmits various commands, etc. from the control unit 11 to the car 1, etc.

[0023] The storage unit 13 stores various programs for causing the control panel 10 to control the elevator. As described above, the storage unit 13 may store destination floor call registrations, hall call registrations, and the like.

[0024] Next, the destination floor call device 30 will be described. The destination floor call device 30 is a device that controls each part of the wheelchair operation panel 318B (see Figs. 1 and 2), accepts a destination floor call from a user, and processes the user's operation. The destination floor call device 30 also controls the opening and closing of the door 401 of the car 1 according to instructions from the control unit 11 of the control panel 10 and the wheelchair operation panel 318B. Here, opening the door 401 of the car 1 is referred to as door opening, and closing the door 401 of the car 1 is referred to as door closing. The destination floor call device 30 constitutes an elevator control device.

[0025] The destination floor call device 30 includes an object detection unit 31B, sensor units 311B (311Ba, 311Bb, 311Bc...), 319B (319Ba, 319Bb), a press detection unit 32B, push buttons 312B (312Ba, 312Bb, 312Bc...), 315B (315Ba, 315Bb), indicator lights 313B (313Ba, 313Bb, 313Bc...), 321B (321Ba, 321Bb), a liquid crystal display unit 317B, a speaker 320B and a communication unit 34, and receives destination floor calls and instructions to open or close the door 401 from users of the car 1. Of the destination floor call device 30, at least the sensor units 311B, 319B, the push buttons 312B, 315B, and the indicator lights 313B, 321B are provided in the car 1. The entire destination floor call device 30 may be provided in the car 1.

[0026] The sensor unit 311B (311Ba, 311Bb, 311Bc...) is a non-contact sensor for indicating a destination floor and is an example of a destination floor sensor unit. The sensor unit 311B (311Ba, 311Bb, 311Bc...) is provided in the car 1 corresponding to each of a plurality of destination floors (destination targets) of the car 1. When a user who wishes to make a specific destination floor call holds a finger or the like over the corresponding sensor unit 311B, the sensor unit 311B detects an object such as the user's finger. The sensor unit 311B may be referred to as the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor.

[0027] The sensor unit 319B (319Ba, 319Bb) is provided in the car 1 corresponding to the opening and closing of the door 401 of the car 1, respectively. The sensor unit 319Ba is a non-contact sensor for instructing the opening of the door 401, and is an example of a door opening sensor unit. The sensor unit 319Bb is a non-contact sensor for instructing the closing of the door 401. When a user holds a finger or the like over the sensor unit 319Ba corresponding to opening and the sensor unit 319Bb corresponding to closing, the sensor units 319Ba, 319Bb detect an object such as the user's finger. The sensor unit 319Ba may be referred to as the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening.

[0028] The push buttons 312B (312Ba, 312Bb, 312Bc...) are used to specify a destination floor when pressed. The push buttons 312B (312Ba, 312Bb, 312Bc...) are provided in the car 1 so as to correspond to a plurality of destination floors of the car 1, respectively. The push buttons 312B are configured so that a user who wishes to make a specific destination floor call can press the push button 312B corresponding to the destination floor.

[0029] The push buttons 315B (315Ba, 315Bb) are provided in the car 1 corresponding to the opening and closing of the door 401 of the car 1, respectively. That is, the push button 315Ba is a push button for instructing the door 401 to be opened. The push button 315Bb is a non-contact sensor for instructing the door 401 to be closed. The push buttons 315B are configured so that a user can press the corresponding push button 315B corresponding to the opening or closing.

[0030] The indicator lights 313B (313Ba, 313Bb, 313Bc, . . . ) are provided in the car 1 corresponding to each of a plurality of destination floors of the car 1. When a user who wishes to make a call for a specific destination floor places a finger or the like over the corresponding sensor unit 311B or presses the corresponding push button 312B, the indicator light 313B corresponding to that destination floor lights up in a specific manner.

[0031] The indicator lights 321B (321Ba, 321Bb, 313Bc) are provided in the car 1 corresponding to the open and closed state of the door 401 of the car 1, respectively. When a user places a finger or the like over the sensor unit 319B corresponding to open or close, or presses the push button 315B corresponding to open or close, the indicator light 321B corresponding to the open or close lights up in a predetermined manner.

[0032] The speaker 320B outputs various sounds under the control of the control unit 31Bb of the object detection unit 31B, etc. The liquid crystal display unit 317B displays various information under the control of the control unit 31Bb of the object detection unit 31B, etc. The speaker 320B and the liquid crystal display unit 317B are examples of an output unit.

[0033] The object detection unit 31B includes a timing unit 31Ba and a control unit 31Bb. The timekeeping unit 31Ba includes a first timer, a second timer, and a third timer. The first timer, the second timer, and the third timer each perform timekeeping. Specifically, when the door-opening sensor unit 319B that instructs the door 401 to open is detected, the second timer starts timekeeping from the time when the door-opening sensor unit 319B is detected. When the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B are detected substantially simultaneously, the first timer starts timekeeping from the time when the sensor units are detected substantially simultaneously. The third timer can start timekeeping from the time when a warning is output.

[0034] When one or more of the sensor units 311B for multiple destination floors and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for the first threshold time, the control unit 31Bb outputs a warning to the speaker 320B and the liquid crystal display unit 317B.

[0035] The case where the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B are detected substantially simultaneously includes the case where the detection timing of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B are completely the same, as well as the case where the detection timing is shifted. That is, the case where the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba detects first and then the destination floor sensor unit 311B detects, and the case where the destination floor sensor unit 311B detects first and then the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba detects are both included in the case of substantially simultaneous detection. The interval between the detection timing of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B is within a time period that is commonly recognized as being the same, and may be set at any interval within a range that assumes a scene where overdetection is likely to occur.

[0036] In other words, as an interval between such detection timings, when the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor is detected before the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening, the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is also detected between the time when the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor is detected and the time when the door is closed and operation is started.

[0037] For example, in the case of the main operation panel 318A, when a user faces the main operation panel 318A and places his / her finger over the sensor section and is detected, the user immediately moves away from the main operation panel 318A to maintain a certain distance, so that overdetection or erroneous detection is unlikely to occur. However, in the case of the wheelchair operation panel 318B as in this embodiment, even if the user places his / her finger over the sensor section 311B, 319B and is detected, the user often does not move away from the wheelchair operation panel 318B immediately but leans on it, and the sensor section 311Bb, 319B often erroneously detects the user due to contact with the user's luggage or body itself. In addition, the sensor section 311B, 319B of the wheelchair operation panel 318B may be designed to register a call when the detection state of the sensor section 311B, 319B continues for a certain period of time, rather than registering a call when the user moves his / her finger away from the detection range of the sensor section 311B, 319B, in consideration of the event that the user is in a wheelchair. For this reason, depending on the layout of the sensor units 311B, 319B on the wheelchair operation panel 318B, the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor may detect only one and register a destination floor call, and then continue to detect and then the sensor unit 319Ba for opening the door may also detect one, which may result in an overdetection.

[0038] In this embodiment, in order to output a warning even in these cases as a situation that is presumed to be an overdetection, the detection timing interval can be determined so as to include the detection of the sensor unit 319Ba for opening the doors between the time when the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor is detected and the time when the doors are closed and operation begins.

[0039] In addition, as an interval between detection timings, when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is detected before the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor, the sensor unit 311Bb for the destination floor is detected during the period from when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is detected until the second threshold time has elapsed.

[0040] Here, the first timer of the timing unit 31Ba starts timing when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor detect the same thing at approximately the same time, but in the case of approximately simultaneous detection with a slight difference in the timing of the detection, the first timer starts timing at the point of the later detection by the sensor unit.

[0041] Furthermore, when only the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detected and this detection state continues for the second threshold time, the control unit 31Bb causes the speaker 320B and the liquid crystal display unit 317B to output a warning.

[0042] Here, examples of the warning include, but are not limited to, a warning sound, a warning message, a message to call attention, etc. Also, the control unit 31Bb may be configured to transmit the warning to a remote monitoring center connected to the destination floor call device 30 via a network. In this case, the remote monitoring center is an example of an output unit.

[0043] The control unit 31Bb stops outputting the warning when the destination floor sensor unit 311B in the detection state or the door-open sensor unit 319Ba in the detection state goes into non-detection.

[0044] The control unit 31Bb determines that the system is normal if one or more sensor units 311B for destination floors and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening are detected substantially simultaneously, and if either the sensor unit 311B for destination floors or the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening change from a detection state to a non-detection state before the first threshold time has elapsed. Then, the control unit 31Bb performs control to open the door 401 and to make a call for the destination floor. Also, if only the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is detected, and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening changes from a detection state to a non-detection state before the second threshold time has elapsed, the control unit 31Bb determines that the system is normal, and performs control to open the door 401.

[0045] The first threshold time can be set arbitrarily. For example, the first threshold time can be set to 10 seconds. The second threshold time can be set arbitrarily as long as it is longer than the first threshold time. For example, when the first threshold time is set to 10 seconds, the second threshold time can be set to 20 seconds. However, the present invention is not limited to these.

[0046] The first threshold time and the second threshold time may be configured as parameter data that can be changed for each device, and may be configured to be adjusted for each device. For example, the first threshold time and the second threshold time may be configured to be adjusted by a dial in a box (not shown) provided at the bottom of the wheelchair operation panel 318B or the main operation panel 318A. Also, the first threshold time and the second threshold time may be configured to be adjusted for each destination floor call device 30 by a volume knob provided on the control panel 10.

[0047] Furthermore, when any of the sensor units 311B detects an object such as a user's finger, the control unit 31Bb identifies the target sensor unit 311B. That is, when a single sensor unit 311B detects an object such as a user's finger, the control unit 31Bb identifies the single sensor unit 311B as the target sensor unit 311B. When multiple sensor units 311B detect an object such as a user's finger at approximately the same time, the control unit 31Bb identifies the target sensor unit 311B from the multiple detected sensor units 311B according to a predetermined method, in other words, a predetermined detection state pattern.

[0048] The control unit 31Bb determines whether or not a destination floor call has been made based on the result of timing by the timer unit 31Ba, and when it determines that a destination floor call has been made, turns on the indicator lamp 313B in a predetermined manner and transmits the destination floor call to the control panel 10. The destination floor call corresponding to the sensor unit 311B detected by the control panel 10 is officially registered.

[0049] The press detection unit 32B includes a control unit 32Bb. When any of the push buttons 312B is pressed by a user, the control unit 32Bb determines that there is a call to the destination floor corresponding to the pressed push button 312B. Then, when the control unit 32Bb determines that there is a call to the destination floor, it notifies the control panel 10 via the communication unit 34 of a destination floor call to the destination floor corresponding to the pressed push button 312B. As a result, the control panel 10 officially registers the call to the destination floor corresponding to the pressed push button 312B, and the indicator light 313B corresponding to the pressed push button 312B is brightly lit.

[0050] The communication unit 34B is a communication interface (communication I / F), and when the object detection unit 31 or the press detection unit 32 determines that a call has been made to a specific destination floor, it transmits information about the destination floor registered call to the control panel 10.

[0051] In addition to the above, the destination floor call device 30 may be provided with various configurations for operation by the user of the car 1.

[0052] Next, a physical configuration of the elevator control system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described. The control panel 10 is configured as a computer including a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a RAM (Random Access Memory), a storage device, and the like.

[0053] The ROM stores various programs related to elevator control, such as a control program and a call registration program. These programs stored in the ROM are read out and expanded in the RAM, and the CPU 101 executes these programs, thereby realizing the function of the control panel 10 as an elevator control device.

[0054] By executing this call registration program by the CPU, the above-mentioned control unit 11, communication unit 12, storage unit 13, etc. are realized.

[0055] The destination floor call device 30 is configured as a computer including a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a storage device, and the like.

[0056] The ROM stores various programs, such as a control program for making a call based on detection by the sensor unit 311B, a control program for making a call based on pressing the push button 312A, etc. The control programs stored in the ROM are read out and expanded in the RAM, and executed by the CPU to realize the timer unit 31Ba of the object detection unit 31B, the control unit 31Bb, the control unit 32Bb of the press detection unit 32B, etc.

[0057] Here, the call registration program, each control program, etc. are a computer program product having a non-transitory computer readable recording medium including a plurality of instructions related to elevator control that can be executed by a computer. The call registration program, each control program, etc. are, for example, modular, and these modules are loaded onto the main storage device.

[0058] The call registration program, each control program, etc. are provided by being stored in a recording medium, etc., so that they can be read by a computer. The recording medium is, for example, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, or a flash memory. The call registration program, each control program, etc. may be provided by various other methods, such as being distributed by a server, etc., placed on a network, or being configured to be downloadable. The call registration program, each control program, etc. may also be configured to be provided or distributed via a network, such as the Internet.

[0059] An elevator control program executed by the elevator control system 100 is mainly composed of a call registration program executed by the control panel 10 and each control program executed by the destination floor call device 30.

[0060] (Example of wheelchair control panel configuration) Next, the configuration of the wheelchair operation panel 318B of this embodiment will be described. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wheelchair operation panel 318B according to the first embodiment. As shown in Fig. 3, the wheelchair operation panel 318B includes, for example, a destination floor display unit 310B, sensor units 311B, 319B, push buttons 312B, 315B, indicator lights 313B, 321B, an open / close display unit 314B, an emergency button 316B, a speaker 320B, and a liquid crystal display unit 317B.

[0061] The destination floor display unit 310B is, for example, a dial or the like showing the number of the destination floor of the car 1, and a plurality of them are arranged on the wheelchair operation panel 318B corresponding to the destination floors of the car 1. In the example of Fig. 3, 16 destination floor display units 310B are arranged in two rows in the horizontal direction corresponding to the 1st to 16th floors, which are the destination floors of the car 1. Note that in the example of Fig. 3, the display of some floors is omitted.

[0062] The sensor units 311B (311Ba, 311Bc, 311Bd, 311Be, . . . ) are non-contact sensors as described above, and are arranged in plurality in the vicinity of the corresponding destination floor display units 310B, respectively, in correspondence with the plurality of destination floor display units 310B.

[0063] As described above, the push buttons 312B (312Ba, 312Bc, 312Bd, 312Be, ...) are configured so that the user can press them with their fingers, etc., and are arranged in multiple numbers on the wheelchair operation panel 318B, integrally with the corresponding destination floor display units 310B, respectively corresponding to the multiple destination floor display units 310B.

[0064] The indicator lights 313B (313Ba, 313Bc, 313Bd, 313Be, ...) are configured to be able to emit light in a plurality of ways, and correspond to the plurality of destination floor display units 310B, respectively, and are integrated into the wheelchair operation panel 318B integrally with the corresponding destination floor display units 310B.

[0065] The open / close display unit 314B is, for example, a display panel that displays whether the door of the car 1 is open or closed, and is composed of an open / close display unit 314Ba that displays whether the door of the car 1 is open and an open / close display unit 314Bb that displays whether the door of the car 1 is closed. In the example of Fig. 3, the two open / close display units 314B are arranged side by side on the wheelchair operation panel 318B.

[0066] The sensor unit 319B (319Ba, 319Bb) is a non-contact sensor as described above. The sensor unit 319Ba corresponds to the open / closed display unit 314Ba that indicates the door open, and is arranged near the open / closed display unit 314Ba. The sensor unit 319Bb corresponds to the open / closed display unit 314Bb that indicates the door closed, and is arranged near the open / closed display unit 314Bb. Here, the open / closed display unit 314Ba is an example of a door open display unit.

[0067] The push button 315B (315Ba, 315Bb) is configured so that the user can press it with his / her finger or the like. The push button 315Ba corresponds to the open / close display unit 314Ba for opening the door, and is disposed integrally with the open / close display unit 314Ba on the wheelchair operation panel 318B. The push button 315Ba corresponds to the open / close display unit 314Bb for closing the door, and is disposed integrally with the open / close display unit 314Bb on the wheelchair operation panel 318B. Two indicator lights 321Ba, 321Bb are built into the wheelchair operation panel 318B integrally with the corresponding open / close display units 314Ba, 314Bb, respectively, corresponding to the two open / close display units 314Ba, 314Bb.

[0068] In this embodiment, the sensor unit 311B and the push button 312B are integrated together, and the sensor unit 319B and the push button 315B are integrated together.

[0069] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of sensor units 311B, 319B and push buttons 312B, 315B according to the embodiment as viewed from the side and the detection ranges of the sensor units 311B, 319B. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 4, the sensor units 311B, 319B are attached to the back surfaces 3122 of the push buttons 312B, 315B.

[0070] As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor units 311B and 319B have a detection range 410 that is a predetermined distance away from the front surfaces 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B. As shown in Fig. 4, the sensor units 311B and 319B do not detect user operations in a first spatial region 405 from the sensor units 311B and 319B and the front surfaces 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B (i.e., the front surfaces 3121 of the destination floor display unit 310B and the opening / closing display unit 314B) to a position that is a first distance away. The detection range 410 corresponds to a second spatial region, which is a spatial region from a position that is a first distance away from the front surfaces 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B to a position that is a second distance away, and detects user operations in this spatial region. The first distance may be, for example, about 5 mm from the front surface 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B, and the second distance may be, for example, about 25 mm from the front surface 3121 of the push buttons 312 and 315B. However, the first distance and the second distance are not limited to these values. As shown in FIG. 4, the detection range 410 is in a mountain shape that narrows as it moves away from the front surface 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B. The entire detection range 401 is set at a position facing the front surface 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B. The detection range 410 is set at a position facing the front surface 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B. 4, the detection range 410 is set so as to be contained within the front surface 3121 of the push button 312 when viewed from a first direction D1 perpendicular to the front surface 3121, and so as to have its center overlap substantially with the center of the front surface 3121. As an example, the center of the detection range 410 and the center of the front surface 3121 coincide with each other when viewed from the first direction D1. In this way, the entire detection range 410 is set at a position facing the front surfaces 3121 of the push buttons 312B and 315B.

[0071] When registering a destination floor, the user advances his / her fingers 403 etc. toward push buttons 312B, 315B, and at this time, the fingertip enters detection range 410 of sensor units 311B, 319B, causing sensor units 311B, 319B to enter a detection state, and when the fingertip leaves detection range 410 and enters the first spatial region, sensor units 311B, 319B enter a non-detection state. The user further advances finger 403 and presses push buttons 312B, 315B.

[0072] Returning to FIG. 2, the emergency button 316B is a button for notifying an external party such as a management center of an emergency when pressed.

[0073] The liquid crystal display unit 317B is configured as a liquid crystal panel, and displays the vicinity of which floor and in which direction the car 1 is traveling. In the example of FIG. 3, an upward arrow and the character "3" are displayed. From this, it can be seen that the car 1 is traveling upward near the third floor. The liquid crystal display unit 317B is also capable of displaying warnings.

[0074] The speaker 320 is capable of outputting various sounds and warnings as described above, and is disposed below the liquid crystal display unit 317B of the wheelchair operation panel 318B, as shown in FIG.

[0075] The configuration of the wheelchair operation panel 318B and the arrangement of the various components are not limited to the example shown in FIG.

[0076] (Elevator control processing) Next, an elevator control process performed by the elevator control system 100 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described. FIG. 5 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of the elevator control process according to the first embodiment.

[0077] FIG. 6A is a diagram showing an example of a time chart of the detection state of the sensor units 311B, 319B and the warning output in the first embodiment. FIG. 6A(a) is a time chart when the sensor unit 319B for door opening and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor are detected substantially simultaneously. FIG. 6A(a) shows an example of a time chart when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening detects first, and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor detects immediately thereafter, so that both sensor units detect substantially simultaneously. FIG. 6A(b) is a time chart when only the sensor unit 319B for door opening is detected.

[0078] 6A(a) and 6A(b), the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the on / off state of the sensor units 311B and 319B, and the on / off state of the warning output. Here, the on state of the sensor units 311B and 319B indicates a detection state, and the off state indicates a non-detection state. In addition, the on state of the warning output indicates that a warning is being output, and the off state of the warning output indicates that a warning is not being output.

[0079] The control unit 31Bb of the object detection unit 31B judges whether the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detecting (on) or not (S11). If the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is not detecting (S11: No), it enters a state of waiting for detection. On the other hand, if the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detecting (S11: Yes), as shown in FIG. 6A(b), the second timer of the timing unit 31Ba starts timing (S13).

[0080] Next, the control unit 31Bb judges whether the time measured by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time (S15). If the time measured by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time (S15: Yes), the control unit 31Bb judges that an overdetection (which may also be called a false detection) has occurred, as shown in FIG. 6A(a), and outputs a warning to the speaker 320B and / or the liquid crystal display unit 317B (S19). Then, the process ends.

[0081] Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a warning message displayed on the liquid crystal display unit 317B in the first embodiment. For example, the control unit 31Bb causes the liquid crystal display unit 317B to display a warning message saying "Please move away for a moment" as shown in Fig. 7. Also, for example, the control unit 31Bb causes the speaker 320B to output the warning message saying "Please move away for a moment" as a voice warning. Also, the control unit 31Bb may transmit a warning of overdetection to a remote monitoring center.

[0082] In S15, if the time counted by the second timer is less than the second threshold time (S15: No), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is in a non-detection state (OFF) (S17). If the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is in a non-detection state (S17: Yes), the control unit 31Bb judges that the detection in S11 is normal and executes normal processing. Here, normal processing is processing to open the door 401.

[0083] In S17, if the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is not in a non-detection state (S17: No), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is detected (S25). That is, in this S25, the control unit 31Bb judges whether the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is detected (i.e., whether it is turned on) or not, or whether the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor has already been detected (i.e., whether it is already turned on or not). Here, the case where the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor has already been detected is, for example, a case where the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor has already been detected at the time of S11, and then the process reaches S25 in a very short time, such as No in S11, No in S15, and No in S17. Therefore, in other words, the judgment in S25 is whether the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor are detected substantially simultaneously or not.

[0084] In S25, if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is not detected (S25: No), only the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is detected, and the process proceeds to a determination process of whether or not the time measured by the second timer in S15 has reached or exceeded the second threshold time.

[0085] In S25, if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is detected (turned on), or if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor has already been detected (turned on) (S25: Yes), the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor are detected substantially simultaneously, and the first timer of the timing unit 31Ba starts timing (S27). In the example of this embodiment, as shown in Fig. 6A(a), it can be seen that the first timer starts timing at the time of detection of the latter sensor unit 311B for the destination floor, which is the substantially simultaneous timing.

[0086] Then, the control unit 31Bb judges whether the time measured by the first timer is equal to or greater than the first threshold time (S29). If the time measured by the first timer is equal to or greater than the first threshold time (S29: Yes), the control unit 31Bb judges that the substantially simultaneous detection by the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B is an overdetection, and outputs a warning (S31). The warning is output in the same manner as in S19.

[0087] In S29, if the time measured by the first timer is less than the first threshold time (S29: No), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the time measured by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time (S33). Here, the judgment in S33 is made for the following reason.

[0088] For example, the first threshold time, which is the criterion for judging the time counted by the first timer, is set to 5 s, and the second threshold time, which is the criterion for judging the time counted by the second timer, is set to 10 s (s indicates seconds). At this time, it is assumed that the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba detects the user leaning on the wheelchair operation panel 318B or the user's luggage first. In this case, when the second timer starts timing and a time less than the second threshold time and equal to or greater than the first threshold time (e.g., 8 s) has elapsed, the user's body or luggage that was leaning on it moves, and is further detected by the destination sensor unit 311B. At this detection point, the first timer starts timing, but when the timing time has elapsed for 2 s, the timing time of the second timer becomes the second threshold time of 10 s, and the timing time of the second timer passes the second threshold time (10 s) before the timing time of the first timer passes the first threshold time (5 s). For this reason, in S33, it is determined whether or not the time measured by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time.

[0089] In this example, the time from the first detection by the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba to the detection by the destination sensor unit 311B is described as 8 seconds, but any interval may be set within the interval between the detection timings of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the destination floor sensor unit 311B, as described above. Also, in this example, when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detected before the destination floor sensor unit 311Bb, the destination floor sensor unit 311Bb is detected during the period from the detection of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba until the second threshold time has elapsed, and such a case is judged in S33.

[0090] In S33, if the time counted by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time (S33: Yes), the control unit 31B determines that the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba has overdetected, and outputs a warning (S35). The warning is output in the same manner as in S19.

[0091] In S33, if the time counted by the second timer is less than the second threshold time (S33: No), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba has become non-detecting (OFF) or not (S37). If the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba has become non-detecting (S37: Yes), the timing unit 31Ba ends the timing by the first timer and the second timer (S39). Then, the control unit 31Bb executes normal processing (S41). The normal processing here is processing for opening the door 401 and calling the destination floor. Then, the processing ends.

[0092] If the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is not in a non-detection state in S37 (S37: No), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the destination floor sensor unit 311B is in a non-detection state (OFF) (S43). If the destination floor sensor unit 311B is in a non-detection state (S43: Yes), the timing unit 31Ba ends the timing by the first timer (S45). Then, the process proceeds to the judgment process of S15 of whether the time counted by the second timer is equal to or greater than the second threshold time.

[0093] In S43, if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is not in a non-detection state (S43: No), the process proceeds to a determination process of S29 as to whether or not the time measured by the first timer has reached or exceeded the first threshold time.

[0094] Here, as shown in Fig. 6A(a), when the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor, which was in a detection state, becomes a non-detection state (i.e., off), or when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening, which was in a detection state, becomes a non-detection state (i.e., off), the control unit 31Bb stops outputting the warning. Also, as shown in Fig. 6A(a), when the sensor unit 311 for the destination floor becomes a non-detection state first, the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening also becomes a non-detection state after a predetermined period of time has elapsed.

[0095] In this embodiment, when one or more of the sensor units 311B for multiple destination floors and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening are detected substantially simultaneously by the control unit 31Bb of the destination floor call device 30, and the detection state continues for the first threshold time, the control unit 31Bb outputs a warning to the speaker 320B and the LCD display unit 317B.

[0096] Therefore, according to this embodiment, when the door-opening sensor unit 319 and the down-floor sensor unit 311B detect the same condition at approximately the same time, it is determined that this is a situation that is likely to be an overdetection, and an alarm is output to notify the driver. This makes it possible to quickly avoid overdetection while still taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0097] In addition, in this embodiment, when the detection state of only the door-opening sensor unit 319 continues for a second threshold time that is longer than the first threshold time, the control unit 31Bb further causes the speaker 320B and the liquid crystal display unit 317B to output a warning.

[0098] For this reason, according to this embodiment, if the detection state of only the door-opening sensor unit 319 continues for a long period of time, it is determined to be an overdetection and a warning is output to notify the user. Therefore, even if only the door-opening sensor unit 319 overdetects, overdetection can be avoided as quickly as possible while still taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0099] In addition, in this embodiment, the control unit 31Bb stops outputting a warning when either the sensor unit 311B for the down floor in the detection state or the sensor unit 319Ba for the door opening in the detection state becomes non-detection. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the warning output in the case of overdetection can be stopped in conjunction with the transition of the sensor units 311B and 319Ba to non-detection.

[0100] In this embodiment, the control unit 31Bb detects the above-mentioned overdetection and outputs a warning to the sensor units 311B, 319Ba of the wheelchair operation panel 318B, which is provided at a height lower than the height of the main operation panel 318A provided near the door 401. Therefore, according to this embodiment, at a low height, overdetection often occurs when luggage, the user's body, or the like erroneously approaches the sensor units 311B, 319Ba, but even in such a case, overdetection can be avoided as early as possible while taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operation efficiency.

[0101] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor and the push button 312B for the destination floor are configured as an integrated unit, and the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the door-opening push button 315Ba are configured as an integrated unit. Therefore, in a situation where the door-opening sensor unit 319 formed integrally with the push button is suspected to have overdetected, overdetection can be avoided as quickly as possible while still taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0102] The example of the timing chart shown in FIG. 6A(a) shows a case where the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening detects first, and then the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor detects immediately thereafter, so that both sensor units detect at approximately the same time, but the approximately simultaneous detection is not limited to this.

[0103] FIG. 6B is a diagram showing an example of a timing chart in an embodiment in which the sensor unit 311 for the destination floor detects first, and then the sensor unit 3019Ba for door opening detects, so that both sensor units detect at approximately the same time. In the example of Fig. 6B, the destination floor sensor unit 311B is detected before the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detected, but in the flowchart of Fig. 5, the destination floor sensor unit 311B is detected (S25) at the time when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detected (S11), so the first timer starts timing almost simultaneously with the detection of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba. Therefore, the first timer can start timing in the same way as when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba is detected before the destination floor sensor unit 311B.

[0104] Fig. 6C is a diagram showing an example of a time chart in an embodiment in which the destination floor sensor unit 311 and the door-opening sensor unit 3019Ba detect at exactly the same timing, so that both sensor units detect almost simultaneously. In this case, as shown in Fig. 6C, the detection time of the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the detection time of the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba are exactly the same, and the timing unit 31Ba starts timing by the first timer at this point.

[0105] In addition, after the warning is output, the control unit 31Bb etc. can be configured to open the door 401 only on the first floor and ignore any subsequent detections by the door opening sensor unit 319Ba, i.e., not to open the door 401 a second or subsequent time.

[0106] In addition, the control unit 31Bb may be configured to perform the control of this embodiment not only when the car 1 is stopped, but also when the car 1 is traveling and the sensor unit 319Ba for opening the door is detected.

[0107] [Second embodiment] In the first embodiment, a warning is output when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the sensor unit 311B for any destination floor detect substantially simultaneously and this detection state continues for a first threshold time. In contrast, in the second embodiment, a warning is output when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba and the sensor unit 311B for a specific destination floor detect substantially simultaneously and this detection state continues for a first threshold time.

[0108] In the second embodiment, the configuration inside the elevator car 1, the configuration of the elevator control system 100, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the control panel 10, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the destination floor call device 30, and the configuration of the wheelchair operation panel 318B are all the same as in the first embodiment.

[0109] In the destination floor call device 30 of this embodiment, the function of the control unit 31Bb of the object detection unit 31B is different from that of the first embodiment.

[0110] In other words, when one or more of the multiple sensor units 311B for destination floors and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening are detected approximately simultaneously, the control unit 31Bb of this embodiment outputs a warning to the speaker 320B and the LCD display unit 317 if the distance between the detected sensor unit 311B for the destination floor and the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is less than a predetermined distance and the detection state continues for a first threshold time.

[0111] Here, the predetermined distance can be, for example, a distance equivalent to the width of a general human body type, because when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the sensor unit 311B within the predetermined distance from the sensor unit 319Ba detect the door opening at approximately the same time, it is determined that there is a high possibility that the user's body mistakenly approaches both the sensor units 311B and 319Ba at the same time.

[0112] Also, the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor within a predetermined distance from the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening may be determined in advance and registered in a memory unit or the like so as to be able to be referenced.

[0113] Next, an elevator control process performed by the elevator control system 100 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described. FIG. 8 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of an elevator control process according to the second embodiment.

[0114] The process (S11 to S25) from determining whether the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba has detected something to determining whether the destination floor sensor unit 311B has detected something is performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0115] In S25, if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor detects an abnormality (S25: Yes), it is determined whether the detected sensor unit 311B for the destination floor is a sensor unit located at a distance less than a predetermined distance from the sensor unit 319Ba for opening the door (S51).

[0116] When the detected destination floor sensor unit 311B is a sensor unit located at a distance equal to or greater than a predetermined distance from the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba (S51: No), the process proceeds to S15.

[0117] On the other hand, in S51, if the detected destination floor sensor unit 311B is a sensor unit located at a distance less than the predetermined distance from the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba (S51: Yes), the process proceeds to S27, where the first timer starts timing (S27). Then, the subsequent processes are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0118] Thus, in this embodiment, when one or more of the multiple destination floor sensor units 311B and the door opening sensor unit 319Ba are detected substantially simultaneously, the control unit 31Bb of the destination floor call device 30 outputs a warning to the speaker 320B and the LCD display unit 317B if the distance between the detected destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door opening sensor unit 319Ba is less than a predetermined distance and the detection state continues for a first threshold time.

[0119] Therefore, according to this embodiment, it is possible to distinguish between a case where the user's body or the like is accidentally detected by the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba approaching each other almost simultaneously, and a case where the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba are apart by a predetermined distance or more and the user intentionally causes both sensors to detect the user. Therefore, according to this embodiment, the possibility of erroneously determining that the user's intended detection is an overdetection is reduced, and overdetection can be detected more accurately.

[0120] [Third embodiment] In the first embodiment, when the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba overdetects and outputs a warning, the warning is output until the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba or the destination floor sensor unit 311B goes into a non-detection state. In contrast, in the third embodiment, when a third threshold time has elapsed since the start of warning output, the sensor units 311B and 319Ba are forcibly shifted to a non-detection state and warning output is stopped.

[0121] In the third embodiment, the configuration inside the elevator car 1, the configuration of the elevator control system 100, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the control panel 10, the hardware configuration and functional configuration of the destination floor call device 30, and the configuration of the wheelchair operation panel 318B are all the same as in the first embodiment.

[0122] In the destination floor call device 30 of the present embodiment, the function of the timer unit 31Ba of the object detection unit 31B and the function of the control unit 31Bb are different from those of the first embodiment.

[0123] That is, the timer unit 31Ba of this embodiment has the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and in addition, the third timer starts measuring time from the time when the control unit 31Bb starts outputting a warning.

[0124] The control unit 31Bb has the same functions as those of the first embodiment, and in addition, when the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door opening sensor unit 319Ba detect substantially simultaneously, if the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door opening sensor unit 319Ba in the detection state do not become non-detection even after the third threshold time has elapsed from the start of the warning output, the control unit 31Bb changes the destination floor sensor unit 311B and the door opening sensor unit 319Ba in the detection state to the non-detection state and stops the output of the warning. In addition, in the case where only the door opening sensor unit 319Ba detects, if the door opening sensor unit 319Ba in the detection state does not become non-detection even after the third threshold time has elapsed from the start of the warning output, the control unit 31Bb changes the door opening sensor unit 319Ba in the detection state to the non-detection state and stops the output of the warning. Here, the third threshold time can be set arbitrarily. For example, the third threshold time can be set to one minute, but is not limited to this.

[0125] Next, an elevator control process performed by the elevator control system 100 according to this embodiment configured as above will be described. 9A and 9B are a flowchart showing an example of a procedure of an elevator control process according to the third embodiment.

[0126] Fig. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a time chart of the detection state of the sensor units 311B, 319Ba and the warning output in the third embodiment. Fig. 10(a) is a time chart when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor are detected almost simultaneously. Fig. 10(a) shows an example of a time chart when the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening detects first, and the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor detects immediately thereafter, so that both sensor units detect almost simultaneously. Fig. 10(b) is a time chart when only the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening is detected.

[0127] 10(a) and 10(b), the horizontal axis indicates time, and the vertical axis indicates the on / off state of the sensor units 311B and 319Ba, and the on / off state of the warning output. Here, the on state of the sensor units 311B and 319Ba indicates a detection state, and the off state indicates a non-detection state. In addition, the on state of the warning output indicates that a warning is being output, and the off state of the warning output indicates that a warning is not being output.

[0128] The processes from determining whether the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba has detected something (S11) to outputting a warning (S19, S31, S35) are performed in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0129] When the control unit 31Bb outputs a warning in S19, S31, or S35, the third timer of the timer unit 31Ba starts counting (S61). Next, the control unit 31Bb judges whether the time counted by the third timer is equal to or greater than the third threshold time (S63). Then, the control unit 31Bb waits until the third threshold time has elapsed (S63: No). When the time counted by the third timer is equal to or greater than the third threshold time (S63: Yes), the control unit 31Bb judges whether the detection state of the sensor unit 311B, 319Ba continues (S65). Specifically, the control unit 31Bb judges whether the detection state of the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening continues after the warning in S19, and whether the detection state of the sensor unit 319Ba for door opening and the detection state of the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor continue after the warning in S31 or S35.

[0130] If the above determination indicates that the detection state of each of the sensor units 311B, 319Ba is not continuing (S65: No), the process ends. Note that if the detection state is not continuing, the control unit 31Bb stops outputting the warning when the non-detection state is reached.

[0131] On the other hand, if the detection state of each sensor unit 311B, 319Ba continues in S65 (S65: Yes), as shown in Figures 10(a) and 10(b), the control unit 31Bb forcibly transitions the sensor units 311B, 319Ba to a non-detection state (S67) and stops outputting the warning (S69).

[0132] Thus, in this embodiment, if the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor and the sensor unit 319Ba for the door opening in the detection state do not become non-detected even after the third threshold time has elapsed, the control unit 31Bb of the destination floor call device 30 forcibly changes the sensor unit 311B for the destination floor and the sensor unit 319Ba for the door opening in the detection state to a non-detection state and stops outputting a warning.

[0133] Therefore, according to this embodiment, overdetection of the sensor units 311B and 319Ba can be avoided more quickly and reliably.

[0134] In this embodiment, the timer 31Ba starts timing the third threshold time from the time of the warning output, but may be configured to start timing the third threshold time from the time of detection by the sensor units 311B and 319Ba. In this case, the third threshold time needs to be set to a time longer than the first threshold time and the second threshold time.

[0135] [Variation 1] In the above embodiment, the sensor unit 311B and the push button 312B are integrated, and the sensor unit 319Ba and the push button 315Ba are integrated, but this is not limiting.

[0136] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a wheelchair operation panel 801B according to Modification 1. As shown in Fig. 11, the wheelchair operation panel 801B includes, for example, a destination floor display unit 810B, sensor units 811B, 819B, push buttons 812B, 815B, indicator lights (not shown), an open / close display unit 814B, an emergency button 316B, a speaker 320B, and a liquid crystal display unit 317B.

[0137] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, the sensor unit 811B for the destination floor and the push button 812B for the destination floor are configured separately, and the sensor unit 811B for the destination floor is disposed below the push button 812B for the destination floor.

[0138] Further, a sensor unit 819Ba for opening the door and a push button 815Ba for opening the door are configured separately, and the sensor unit 819Ba for opening the door is disposed below the push button 815Ba for opening the door.Similarly, a sensor unit 819Bb for closing the door and a push button 815Bb for closing the door are configured separately, and the sensor unit 819Bb for closing the door is disposed below the push button 815Bb for closing the door. The other configurations are similar to those of the first embodiment.

[0139] In this manner, in this modified example, the sensor unit 811B for the destination floor and the push button 812B for the destination floor are configured separately, and the sensor unit 819Ba for opening the doors and the push button 815Ba for opening the doors are configured separately. Therefore, in a situation in which it is suspected that the sensor unit formed separately from the push button may have overdetected, overdetection can be avoided as quickly as possible while still taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0140] [Fourth embodiment] In the first to third embodiments and the modified examples, the wheelchair operation panels 318B and 801B have been taken as examples of the operation panel, but the above-described embodiments can also be applied to the main operation panel 318A.

[0141] (Example of elevator control system configuration) Fig. 12 is a block diagram showing an example of a functional configuration of an elevator control system 1100 according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in Fig. 12, the elevator control system 1100 includes a control panel 10, a first destination floor call device 30A, and a second destination floor call device 30B. The elevator controlled by the elevator control system 1100 includes a car 1, a drive device 2, a counterweight 3, a rope 4, etc.

[0142] Here, the car 1, the drive unit 2, the counterweight 3, and the ropes 4 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0143] The first destination floor call device 30A controls destination floor calls from the main operation panel 318A. The second destination floor call device 30A controls destination floor calls from the wheelchair operation panel 318B. The second destination floor call device 30A has the same functions and configurations as the destination floor call devices 30 of the first to third embodiments, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted.

[0144] In addition, the hardware configuration of the first destination floor call device 30A and the configuration, provision form, and distribution form of the various programs executed by the first destination floor call device 30A are also similar to those of the second destination floor call device 30B, i.e., the destination floor call device 30 of the first to third embodiments.

[0145] The first destination floor call device 30A and the second destination floor call device 30B constitute an elevator control device. Each part of the first destination floor call device 30A and the second destination floor call device 30B may be configured as one elevator control device.

[0146] The control panel 10 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a storage unit 13, and controls the entire elevator. The control panel 10 is connected to a first destination floor call device 30A and a second destination floor call device 30B installed in, for example, the car 1, etc., so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals. The control panel 10 and the first destination floor call device 30A and the second destination floor call device 30B may be connected by a wired or wireless network. The control panel 10 is also connected by wire or wireless to a landing call device (not shown) installed at the landing, etc., so as to be able to transmit and receive various signals.

[0147] The functions of the control unit 11, the communication unit 12, and the storage unit 13 are similar to those of the first embodiment. However, in this embodiment, a destination floor call is further received from the first destination floor call device 30A, and a call is registered.

[0148] The first destination floor call device 30A is a device that controls each part of the main operation panel 318A (see FIG. 13), accepts a destination floor call from a user, and processes the operation of the user. The first destination floor call device 30A also controls the opening and closing of the door 401 of the car 1 according to an instruction from the main operation panel 318A.

[0149] The first destination floor call device 30A includes an object detection unit 31A, sensor units 311A ​​(311Aa, 311Ab, 311Ac...), 319A (319Aa, 319Ab), a press detection unit 32A, push buttons 312A (312Aa, 312Ab, 312Ac...), 315A (315Aa, 315Ab), indicator lights 313A (313Aa, 313Ab, 313Ac...), 321A (321Aa, 321Ab), a liquid crystal display unit 317A, a speaker 320A and a communication unit 34A, and receives destination floor calls and instructions to open or close the door 401 from users of the car 1. Of the first destination floor call device 30A, at least the sensor units 311A ​​and 319A, the push buttons 312A and 315A, and the indicator lights 313A and 321A are provided in the car 1. The entire first destination floor call device 30A may be provided in the car 1.

[0150] Here, the object detection unit 31A, the push detection unit 32A and the communication unit 34A have the same functions and configurations as the second destination floor call device 30B with respect to the sensor units 311A ​​(311Aa, 311Ab, 311Ac···), 319A (319Aa, 319Ab), the push buttons 312A (312Aa, 312Ab, 312Ac···), 315A (315Aa, 315Ab), the indicator lights 313A (313Aa, 313Ab, 313Ac···), 321A (321Aa, 321Ab), the liquid crystal display unit 317A and the speaker 320A of the main operation panel 318A. Here, the control unit 31Ab of the object detection unit 31A is an example of a second control unit.

[0151] (Example of main operation panel configuration) Next, the configuration of the main control panel 318A of this embodiment will be described. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main operation panel 318A according to the fourth embodiment. As shown in FIG. 13, the main operation panel 318A includes, for example, a destination floor display unit 310A, sensor units 311A, 319A, push buttons 312A, 315A, indicator lights 313A, 321A, an open / close display unit 314A, a speaker 320A, and a liquid crystal display unit 317A. Here, the destination floor display unit 310A is an example of a second destination floor display unit. The sensor unit 311A ​​is an example of a second destination floor sensor unit. The sensor unit 319A is an example of a second door-opening sensor unit. The open / close display unit 314Aa is an example of a second door-opening display unit.

[0152] The destination floor display unit 310A, sensor unit 311A ​​(311Aa, 311Ab, 311Ac···), 319A (319Aa, 319Ab), push buttons 312A (312Aa, 312Ab, 312Ac···), 315A (315Aa, 315Ab), indicator lights 313A (313Aa, 313Ab, 313Ac···), 321A (321Aa, 321Ab), liquid crystal display unit 317A, and speaker 320A of the main operation panel 318A correspond to the destination floor display unit 310B, sensor unit 311B (31 They have the same functions and configurations as 1Ba, 311Bb, 311Bc···), 319B (319Ba, 319Bb), push buttons 312B (312Ba, 312Bb, 312Bc···), 315B (315Ba, 315Bb), indicator lights 313B (313Ba, 313Bb, 313Bc···), 321B (321Ba, 321Bb), LCD display unit 317B, and speaker 320B.

[0153] Moreover, the elevator control process by the first destination floor call device 30A is performed in the same manner as in the first to third embodiments and the first modified example, independently of the elevator control process by the second destination floor call device 30B.

[0154] For example, if the sensor unit 319Aa for door opening on the main control panel 318A and the sensor unit 311A ​​for the destination floor on the main control panel 318A are detected at approximately the same time and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, or if only the sensor unit 319Aa for door opening on the main control panel 318A is detected and the detection state continues for a second threshold time, the control unit 31Ab of the first destination floor call device 30A will output a warning to the speaker 320A and LCD display unit 317A of the main control panel 318A, such as ``Please move away from the main control panel for a moment.'' On the other hand, consider a case where, at the same time as such an operation, the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba of the wheelchair operation panel 318B and the destination floor sensor unit 311B of the wheelchair operation panel 318B are detected almost simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, or where only the door-opening sensor unit 319Ba of the wheelchair operation panel 318B is detected and the detection state continues for a second threshold time. Even in such a case, the control unit 31Bb of the second destination floor call device 30B outputs a warning such as "please move away from the wheelchair operation panel for a moment" to the speaker 320A and the liquid crystal display unit 317A of the wheelchair operation panel 318B, independently of the warning on the main operation panel 318A.

[0155] Thus, in this embodiment, the control unit 31Ab detects the above-mentioned overdetection for the sensor units 311A, 319Aa of the main operation panel 318A provided near the door 401, and outputs a warning independently of the wheelchair operation panel 318B. Therefore, according to this embodiment, in a situation in which it is suspected that the sensor units 311A, 319Aa of the main operation panel 318A are overdetecting, it is possible to quickly avoid overdetection while taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operation efficiency.

[0156] [Variation 2] In the fourth embodiment, the sensor unit 311A ​​and the push button 312A are integrated, and the sensor unit 319Aa and the push button 315Aa are integrated, but the present invention is not limited to this example.

[0157] Fig. 14 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a main operation panel 1318A according to Modification 2. As shown in Fig. 14, the wheelchair operation panel 1318A includes, for example, a destination floor display unit 1310A, sensor units 1311A, 1319A, push buttons 1312A, 1315A, an indicator lamp (not shown), an open / close display unit 1314A, a speaker 320A, and a liquid crystal display unit 317A.

[0158] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 14, the sensor unit 1311A for the destination floor and the push button 1312A for the destination floor are configured separately, and the sensor unit 1311A for the destination floor is disposed to the left of the push button 1312A for the destination floor.

[0159] Also, a sensor unit 1319Aa for opening the door and a push button 1315Aa for opening the door are configured separately, and the sensor unit 1319Aa for opening the door is disposed below the push button 1315Aa for opening the door. Similarly, a sensor unit 1319Ab for closing the door and a push button 1315Ab for closing the door are configured separately, and the sensor unit 1319Ab for closing the door is disposed below the push button 1315Ab for closing the door. The other configuration is similar to that of the fourth embodiment.

[0160] In this manner, in this modified example, the sensor unit 1311A for the destination floor and the push button 1312A for the destination floor are configured separately, and the sensor unit 1819Aa for opening the doors and the push button 1815Ba for opening the doors are configured separately. Therefore, in a situation in which it is suspected that the sensor unit formed separately from the push button in the main operation panel 318A has overdetected, overdetection can be avoided as quickly as possible while still taking safety into consideration, thereby improving operational efficiency.

[0161] [Variation 3] When configured to transmit a warning output to a remote monitoring center, the warning received by the remote monitoring center can be recorded together with the time when the warning was output for each destination floor call device 30. Then, the control unit 31Bb, etc. may be configured to transmit an instruction from the remote monitoring center to the corresponding destination floor call device 30 to output a warning message when the number of times that warnings are generated reaches a certain number or more, and to output a warning message or the like to the car 1 on the destination floor call device 30 side.

[0162] As a result, for example, if there have been many instances of overdetection around 9:00 in the past, a warning message will be output inside the elevator 1, causing users in the elevator 1 to move away from the main operation panel 318A and the wheelchair operation panel 318B in advance, thereby preventing overdetection by the sensor units 311A, 311B, 319Aa, and 319Ba.

[0163] Although some embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These novel embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included in the scope and spirit of the invention, and are included in the scope of the invention and its equivalents described in the claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0164] 1...car, 2...driving device, 3...counterweight, 4...rope, 10...control panel, 11...control unit, 12...communication unit, 13...storage unit, 30...destination floor call device, 30A...first destination floor call device, 30B...second destination floor call device, 31A, 31B...object detection unit, 31Aa, 31Ba...time measurement unit, 31Ab, 31Bb...control unit, 32A, 32B...press detection unit a sensor unit for detecting a destination floor, 311A, 311Aa to 311Ae, 311B, 311Ba to 311Be, 811B, 1311Aa to 1311Ae, a sensor unit for detecting a destination floor, 319Aa, 319Ba, 819Ba, 1319Aa, a sensor unit for detecting a door opening, 319Ab, 319Bb, 819Bb, 1319Ab...sensor unit for closing the door, 312A, 312Aa to 312Ae, 312B, 312Ba to 312Be, 812B, 1312A, 1312Aa to 1312Ae...push button for destination floor, 315Aa, 315Ba, 815Ba, 1315Aa...push button for opening the door, 315Ab, 315Bb ,815Bb,1315Ab...push button for closing the door, 313A,313Aa~313Ae,321Aa,321Ab,313B,313Ba~313Be,321Ba,321Bb...indicator lights, 320A,320B...speakers, 317A,317B...liquid crystal display, 318A,1318A...main operation panel, 318B,1318B,801B...wheelchair operation panel.

Claims

1. a plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving through the elevator; a door open display unit that displays an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of destination floor sensor units are provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A door open sensor unit provided in correspondence with the door open display unit and configured to detect an operation of the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; An operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door opening sensor unit are provided; a control unit that outputs a warning to an output unit when one or more of the destination floor sensor units among the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, The control unit further causes the output unit to output the warning when the door opening sensor unit is detected and a detection state of only the door opening sensor unit continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time. Elevator control device.

2. The control unit is when one or more of the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously, when a distance between the detected destination floor sensor unit and the door open sensor unit is less than a predetermined distance and when the detection state continues for the first threshold time, a warning is output to the output unit.

2. The elevator control device according to claim 1.

3. The control unit stops outputting the warning when at least one of the destination floor sensor unit in a detection state or the door opening sensor unit in a detection state becomes non-detection.

2. The elevator control device according to claim 1.

4. A plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving through an elevator; a door open display unit that displays an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of destination floor sensor units are provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A door open sensor unit provided in correspondence with the door open display unit and configured to detect an operation of the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; An operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door opening sensor unit are provided; a control unit that outputs a warning to an output unit when one or more of the destination floor sensor units among the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, When the destination floor sensor unit and the door opening sensor unit in the detection state do not become non-detected even after a third threshold time has elapsed, the control unit changes the destination floor sensor unit and the door opening sensor unit in the detection state to a non-detection state and stops outputting the warning. Elevator control device.

5. The operation panel is a wheelchair operation panel provided at a height lower than the height of a main operation panel provided near the door.

2. The elevator control device according to claim 1.

6. The control panel is a main control panel provided near the door.

2. The elevator control device according to claim 1.

7. An elevator control device, a plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving through the elevator; a door open display unit that displays an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of destination floor sensor units are provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A door open sensor unit provided in correspondence with the door open display unit and configured to detect an operation of the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; An operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door opening sensor unit are provided; a control unit that outputs a warning to an output unit when one or more of the destination floor sensor units among the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, The operation panel is a main operation panel provided near the door, The elevator control device includes: A plurality of second destination floor display units provided on the main operation panel and each displaying a destination floor of the elevator car; A second door open display unit provided on the main operation panel and displaying an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of second destination floor sensor units are provided in the main operation panel corresponding to the plurality of second destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the second destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A second door open sensor unit is provided in the main operation panel in correspondence with the second door open display unit and detects an operation of the second door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; a second control unit that, when one or more of the second destination floor sensor units among the plurality of second destination floor sensor units and the second door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for the first threshold time, outputs the warning to a second output unit independently of control by the control unit; The elevator control device further comprises:

8. The second control unit further outputs the warning to the second output unit independently of the control of the control unit when the second door opening sensor unit is detected and the detection state of only the second door opening sensor unit continues for a second threshold time. The elevator control device according to claim 7.

9. a plurality of destination floor push buttons provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, the plurality of destination floor push buttons being operable by the user to operate a predetermined one of the destination floor display units by pressing the destination floor push buttons; Further, a door open push button is provided corresponding to the door open display unit, and a user can operate the door open display unit by pressing the door open push button. Each of the plurality of destination floor sensor units is provided integrally with each of the plurality of destination floor push buttons, The door opening sensor unit is provided integrally with the door opening push button. The elevator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

10. a plurality of destination floor push buttons provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, the plurality of destination floor push buttons being operable by the user to operate a predetermined one of the destination floor display units by pressing the destination floor push buttons; Further, a door open push button is provided corresponding to the door open display unit, and a user can operate the door open display unit by pressing the door open push button. Each of the plurality of destination floor sensor units is provided separately from each of the plurality of destination floor push buttons, The door opening sensor unit is provided separately from the door opening push button. The elevator control device according to any one of claims 1 to 8.

11. An elevator control method executed by an elevator control device, comprising: The elevator control device includes: a plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving through the elevator; a door open display unit that displays an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of destination floor sensor units are provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A door open sensor unit provided in correspondence with the door open display unit and configured to detect an operation of the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; An operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door opening sensor unit are provided, A control step of outputting a warning to an output unit when one or more of the destination floor sensor units among the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time, The control step further includes outputting the warning to the output unit when the door opening sensor unit is detected and a detection state of only the door opening sensor unit continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time. An elevator control method.

12. A program to be executed by a computer of an elevator control device, The elevator control device includes: a plurality of destination floor display units each displaying a destination floor of a car moving through the elevator; a door open display unit that displays an instruction to open the car door; A plurality of destination floor sensor units are provided corresponding to the plurality of destination floor display units, respectively, and detect an operation by a user on a predetermined one of the destination floor display units in a non-contact manner; A door open sensor unit provided in correspondence with the door open display unit and configured to detect an operation of the door open display unit by a user in a non-contact manner; An operation panel on which the plurality of destination floor display units and the door opening sensor unit are provided, a control step of causing the computer to output a warning to an output unit when one or more of the plurality of destination floor sensor units and the door open sensor unit are detected substantially simultaneously and the detection state continues for a first threshold time; The control step further includes outputting the warning to the output unit when the door opening sensor unit is detected and a detection state of only the door opening sensor unit continues for a second threshold time longer than the first threshold time. program.

Images