Facility system, facility control device, facility control method, and facility control program
The facility system optimizes elevator efficiency by reserving space for priority users and ensuring space for other passengers through strategic boarding commands, addressing the inefficiency caused by prioritizing users with mobility aids in existing systems.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2024093710
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2024-06-10
- Publication Date
- 2025-04-30
- Estimated Expiration
- 2044-06-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing elevator systems that prioritize users with mobility aids disable call registration from the current floor to the departure floor, reducing elevator efficiency for general users.
A facility system and control method that acquire operation information when a priority call is registered, allowing a mobile body to occupy space in the elevator car, reserving disembarkation until the car reaches the departure floor, and ensuring space for other users by outputting boarding commands on other floors before arrival.
This solution enables easier access for priority users while maintaining elevator efficiency for general users by securing space within the elevator car and optimizing passenger flow.
Smart Images

Figure 0007670207000001_ABST
Abstract
Description
[Technical field]
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an equipment system, an equipment control device, an equipment control method, and an equipment control program. [Background technology]
[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of an elevator system. In this system, a sensor is provided to detect whether or not a specific user, such as a wheelchair user, is present at the landing. When a priority call is registered to allow a specific user to use the car on a priority basis, if the sensor detects a specific user at the landing of the departure floor, the elevator control device performs priority operation to give priority to the specific user. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]
[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2015-51853 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]
[0004] However, in the system of Patent Document 1, when priority operation is performed, the call registration from the current floor of the car to the departure floor of a specific user is invalidated, which may reduce the efficiency of elevator use by general users.
[0005] The present disclosure is directed to solving such problems. The present disclosure provides an elevator system, an elevator control device, an elevator control method, and an elevator control program that make it easier for specific users to board the elevator car while suppressing a decrease in the efficiency of elevator use by general users. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] The equipment system of the present disclosure comprises an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including the position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using an elevator is registered, one or more moving bodies that occupy the space inside the car when riding alone, leaving at least space for other users to ride, and a command unit that outputs a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car as a reserved moving body at another floor of the departure floor before the car arrives at the departure floor where the specific user is to board, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, and reserves the output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.
[0007] The equipment control device disclosed herein comprises an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including the position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using an elevator is registered, and a command unit that, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, outputs a boarding command to cause at least one of one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the car, leaving space for at least other users to board when riding in the car alone, to board the car at another floor of the departure floor, and withholds output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.
[0008] The equipment control method of the present disclosure is a method in which a computer acquires operating information including the position of a car responding to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using an elevator is registered, and based on the acquired operating information, outputs a boarding command to cause at least one of one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the car when riding alone in the car, leaving space for at least other users to board, to board the car at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body before the car arrives at a departure floor where the specific user is to board, and withholds output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor.
[0009] The equipment control program of the present disclosure causes a computer to, when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using an elevator is registered, acquire operating information including the position of a car that responds to the priority call, and based on the acquired operating information, output a boarding command to cause at least one of one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the car when the specific user boards the car alone, leaving space for at least other users to board, to board the car at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body, before the car arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, and withhold output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor. Effect of the Invention
[0010] According to the facility system, facility control device, facility control method, or facility control program disclosed herein, it becomes easier for specific users to board the elevator car while minimizing any decline in the efficiency of elevator use by general users. [Brief description of the drawings]
[0011] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facility system according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is an external view of a landing at an intermediate floor where a securing mobile body boards in the facility system of embodiment 1. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is an external view of a landing at an intermediate floor where a securing mobile body boards in the facility system of embodiment 1. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elevator car according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 5] 2 is an external view of a boarding area at a departure floor where a specific user boards in the facility system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 6] 2 is an external view of a boarding area at a departure floor where a specific user boards in the facility system according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 7]FIG. 1 is a plan view of an elevator car according to a first embodiment. [Figure 8] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the facility system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 9] 1 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of a facility system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 10] 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the facility system according to the second embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an external view of a boarding area at an intermediate floor where a securing mobile body boards in the facility system of embodiment 3. [Figure 12] FIG. 13 is an external view of a boarding area at an intermediate floor where a securing mobile body boards in the facility system of embodiment 4. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a facility system according to a fifth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0012] The embodiments for carrying out the subject of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, the same or corresponding parts are given the same reference numerals, and duplicated descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any component of the embodiment may be modified or omitted within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure.
[0013] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of a facility system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0014] The facility system 1 is a system that provides services to users 3 of the facility 2 by equipment operating in the facility 2. The facility 2 includes, for example, one or more buildings. The facility 2 may be part or all of a building. The facility 2 may include one or both of an outdoor portion and an indoor portion of a building. The facility 2 may be, for example, a commercial facility, an office building, an accommodation facility, a residential facility, a public facility, or other facility, or a complex of these. The facility system 1 includes, for example, one or more mobile objects 4 and an elevator 5 as equipment operating in the facility 2. In this example, the facility system 1 includes multiple mobile objects 4. It should be noted that the facility system 1 may include a single mobile object 4.
[0015] Each of the mobile objects 4 is a device capable of moving within the facility 2. The mobile object 4 is, for example, an autonomous mobile object that moves autonomously within the facility 2. The mobile object 4 may be, for example, a robot, an automatic driving vehicle, or other mobile device. Each of the mobile objects 4 is equipped with a wireless communication function so that information can be communicated between the mobile object 4 and an external device. Each of the mobile objects 4 communicates with an external device directly or indirectly via a communication network 6. The communication network 6 includes, for example, the Internet, a telephone line network, or an optical communication line network. The communication network 6 may include a local network such as a LAN (Local Area Network) within the facility 2, or may include industrial communication such as short-distance wireless communication. The communication network 6 may include a wired or wireless intranet. Some or all of the mobile objects 4 operating in the facility 2 may be devices within the facility system 1, or may be devices outside the system that cooperate with the facility system 1. A part or all of the mobile objects 4 operating in the facility 2 may be controlled by a device external to the mobile object 4, such as a mobile object control device. The mobile object control device is, for example, one or more server devices.
[0016] The elevator 5 is a device that transports users 3 who use the elevator 5 between multiple floors. A hoistway 7 for the elevator 5 is provided in the facility 2. The hoistway 7 is a long space in the vertical direction that spans multiple floors. A landing 8 for the elevator 5 is provided on each floor of the facility 2. The landing 8 is a place that leads to the hoistway 7. A landing door 9, a landing operating panel 10, a landing camera 11, and a landing speaker 12 are provided in each landing 8. The landing door 9 is a door that separates the landing 8 and the hoistway 7. The landing operating panel 10 is a device that accepts an operation to register a call for the elevator 5 at the landing 8. The landing camera 11 is a device that takes an image of the landing 8. The landing speaker 12 is a device that notifies information to users 3 of the elevator 5 at the landing 8 by voice. The landing speaker 12 is an example of an alarm device.
[0017] The elevator 5 includes one or more units 13. In this example, the elevator 5 includes a plurality of units 13. The elevator 5 may include a single unit 13. Each unit 13 includes a hoist 14, a main rope 15, a car 16, a counterweight 17, and a control panel 18. The hoist 14 includes a motor that generates a driving torque, and a sheave that rotates by the driving torque generated by the motor. The hoist 14 is disposed, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 7. The main rope 15 is wound around the sheave of the hoist 14. The main rope 15 supports the load of the car 16 on one side of the sheave of the hoist 14. The main rope 15 supports the load of the counterweight 17 on the other side of the sheave of the hoist 14. The main rope 15 moves so that one side of the sheave of the hoist 14 is wound up when the sheave of the hoist 14 rotates. The car 16 and the counterweight 17 are disposed in the elevator shaft 7. When the main rope 15 is moved by the hoist 14, the car 16 and the counterweight 17 run in opposite directions in the vertical direction. The car 16 transports the passenger 3 riding in the car 16 between a plurality of floors by running in the vertical direction in the elevator shaft 7. The car 16 includes a car door 19, a car camera 20, and a car speaker 21. The car door 19 is a door that separates the inside and outside of the car 16. When the car 16 arrives at any floor, the car door 19 opens and closes in conjunction with a landing door 9 provided at the landing 8 of the floor so that the passenger 3 can board and disembark. The car camera 20 is a device that captures an image of the inside of the car 16. The car speaker 21 is a device that notifies the user 3 of the elevator 5 in the car 16 of information by voice. The car speaker 21 is an example of an alarm device. The control panel 18 is a device that controls the running of the car 16 through control of the hoist 14, etc. The control panel 18 is connected to the hoist 14 and the car 16, etc. so as to be able to obtain operation information including the position of the car 16, etc. The control panel 18 is disposed, for example, at the upper or lower part of the hoistway 7. When a machine room of the elevator 5, etc. is provided above the hoistway 7, the hoist 14 and the control panel 18 may be disposed in the machine room.
[0018] The elevator 5 includes a group control device 22. The group control device 22 is a device that controls the operation of each unit 13 of the elevator 5. The group control device 22 is connected to the control panel 18 of each unit 13 so as to collect information such as the position of the car 16. The group control device 22 is connected to each device, such as the hall operating panel 10, the hall camera 11, and the hall speaker 12, provided at the hall 8 so as to communicate information used to control the operation of the elevator 5. The group control device 22 accepts registration of a call from, for example, the hall operating panel 10. The group control device 22 assigns the call to one of the units 13. The group control device 22 notifies the control panel 18 of the assigned unit 13 of information about the call. The control panel 18 controls the running of the car 16 so as to respond to the call. Note that the elevator 5 does not need to include the group control device 22 when the elevator 5 includes a single unit 13.
[0019] A remote monitoring device 23 is applied to the elevator 5. The remote monitoring device 23 is a device that collects information about the elevator 5 so that the status of the elevator 5 can be monitored from a remote location or the like. The remote monitoring device 23 is directly or indirectly connected to the group management device 22 and the control panel 18 of each unit 13 so as to be able to collect operation information and the like. The remote monitoring device 23 is connected to the communication network 6 so as to be able to communicate the collected information. The remote monitoring device 23 transmits the collected information to, for example, an information center that manages information about the elevator 5.
[0020] Some of the users 3 of the elevator 5 are designated users. The designated users are, for example, users 3 who cannot or have difficulty moving between floors from a departure floor to a destination floor without using the elevator 5. The designated users are, for example, users 3 who need to use the elevator 5 to move between floors because they use a mobility aid or a transportation aid. The mobility aid is a device that assists the movement of the designated users. The mobility aid includes, for example, a wheelchair or a device with wheels such as a stroller. The transportation aid is a device that assists the transportation of luggage, etc. of the designated users. The transportation aid includes a device with wheels such as a shopping cart, a baggage cart, or other dolly. The designated users may include a caregiver who moves a wheelchair or a stroller, etc. The designated users get into the car 16 together with the mobility aid or transportation aid they use, and are less maneuverable than other general users 3, so they require a larger space in the car 16. For this reason, even if the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of a particular user, the particular user may decide not to board the car 16 because there is not enough space inside the car 16. To cope with such a case, the elevator 5 is equipped with a priority call function so that the particular user can use the elevator 5 on a priority basis.
[0021] The registration of the priority call is performed, for example, by operating a dedicated button for the priority call provided on the hall operating panel 10 of the departure floor of the specific user. When the group management device 22 accepts the registration of the priority call, it assigns the call to one of the units 13. The group management device 22 notifies the control panel 18 of the assigned unit 13 of the information of the call. The control panel 18 controls the running of the car 16 so as to respond to the call. Here, any of the moving bodies 4 operates to get into the car 16 so that the space in the car 16 that responds to the priority call can be secured until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. Here, the moving body 4 that gets into the car 16 so as to secure the space in the car 16 in response to the priority call of the specific user may be referred to as a secured moving body. In the facility system 1, a facility control device 24 is provided so as to realize such cooperation between the elevator 5 and the moving body 4.
[0022] The equipment control device 24 is equipped with a function for linking the moving object 4 and the elevator 5 that operate as equipment in the facility 2. The equipment control device 24 communicates with an external device via a communication network 6 or the like. A part or all of the equipment control device 24 may be a device within the equipment system 1, or may be a device outside the system that links with the equipment system 1. The equipment control device 24 is, for example, a computer system consisting of one or more server devices, or a device including the system. Here, a computer system consisting of one or more devices may simply be called a computer. The multiple server devices that constitute the equipment control device 24 may be located in different locations. At this time, the multiple server devices communicate information with each other, for example, through the communication network 6. A part or all of the equipment control device 24 may be located in the facility 2, or may be located outside the facility 2. A part or all of the functions of the equipment control device 24 may be implemented, for example, on a virtual machine on a cloud service, or may be implemented by processing or storage resources on the cloud service. A part or all of the functions of the equipment control device 24 may be installed in an elevator 5 device, such as the group management device 22 or the control panel 18. The equipment control device 24 may include, for example, devices of the elevator 5, such as the group management device 22 or the control panel 18. The equipment control device 24 includes a memory unit 25, an acquisition unit 26, a calculation unit 27, a selection unit 28, a command unit 29, a notification unit 30, and a determination unit 31.
[0023] The storage unit 25 is a part equipped with a function for storing information. The storage unit 25 stores information used for cooperation between the elevator 5 and the moving body 4 by storing, for example, a DB (DB: DataBase) or the like. The moving body DB 32 is stored in the storage unit 25. The moving body DB 32 is a DB that stores information on the moving bodies 4 operating in the facility 2. The moving body DB 32 stores, for example, an identifier, a current floor, a current position on the floor, a moving speed, a size, a weight, and other information for each moving body 4. Here, the weight of each moving body 4 is a weight that can be boarded in the cage 16. Furthermore, when each moving body 4 boards the cage 16 alone, it occupies a space in the cage 16 corresponding to the size of the moving body 4. The space occupied by each moving body 4 may be, for example, a range including the moving body 4 that is set in advance according to a movement function such as a turning radius of the moving body 4. Each moving body 4 does not occupy the entire space in the cage 16. Each moving body 4 can ride together with other users 3 in the cage 16. That is, when each moving body 4 rides alone in the cage 16, it occupies a space in the cage, leaving at least a space for other users 3 to ride.
[0024] The acquisition unit 26 is a part equipped with a function for acquiring operation information of the elevator 5. The acquisition unit 26 acquires operation information from the group management device 22, the control panel 18, etc., for example, when a priority call of a specific user is registered. The operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26 includes information for identifying the car 16 that responds to the priority call and information on the location of the car 16, such as the floor. The acquisition unit 26 may receive a notification from, for example, the remote monitoring device 23, etc., when a priority call is registered. At this time, the acquisition unit 26 may acquire the operation information via, for example, the remote monitoring device 23, etc.
[0025] The calculation unit 27 is a part equipped with a function of calculating a required size, which is the size of the space inside the car 16 that is required when a specific user gets on the car 16. The required size of a specific user includes information such as the area, shape, or length of the space required by the specific user. The calculation unit 27 calculates the required size of the specific user based on, for example, an image of the specific user at the boarding hall 8 at the departure floor captured by the boarding hall camera 11. The calculation unit 27 may receive a notification from, for example, the remote monitoring device 23 when the priority call is registered. At this time, the acquisition unit 26 may acquire an image of the boarding hall 8 at the departure floor of the specific user who has registered the priority call through, for example, the remote monitoring device 23.
[0026] The selection unit 28 is a part equipped with a function of selecting a reserved moving body. For example, when the calculation unit 27 calculates the required size of a specific user, the selection unit 28 receives an output of the required size from the calculation unit 27. At this time, the selection unit 28 selects a reserved moving body to ride in the car 16 so as to reserve space in the car 16 based on the required size of the specific user calculated by the calculation unit 27. At this time, the selection unit 28 selects a reserved moving body from among the moving bodies 4 operating in the facility 2, for example, by referring to the moving body DB 32 or the like. For example, the selection unit 28 selects a moving body 4 occupying a space of a size equal to or larger than the required size as the reserved moving body. The selection unit 28 may select a reserved moving body based on the floor where the moving body 4 is currently located. For example, when there is an intermediate stopping floor at which the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, the selection unit 28 selects a reserved moving body from among the moving bodies 4 at the intermediate stopping floor. The intermediate stop floor is, for example, a departure floor or a destination floor of the user 3 at which the car 16 stops in response to a call from the other user 3. When there are multiple intermediate stop floors at which the car 16 stops before arriving at the departure floor, the selection unit 28 may preferentially select a moving body 4 located at a floor farther from the departure floor. The intermediate stop floor may be a floor at the upper end or lower end of the ascending or descending stroke of the car 16. Here, the floors at the upper end and lower end of the ascending or descending stroke may be referred to as the end floor. The end floor includes, for example, the lowest floor, the top floor, and an intermediate transfer floor of the facility 2.
[0027] The command unit 29 is a part equipped with a function of outputting commands to the moving body 4. The command unit 29 outputs commands to the moving body 4 through, for example, the communication network 6. When the moving body 4 operates under the control of a moving body control device or the like, the command unit 29 may output commands to the moving body 4 through the moving body control device. The command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to have the moving body 4 board the car 16 and a disembarking command to have the moving body 4 disembark from the car 16. For example, when the selection unit 28 selects a secured moving body, the command unit 29 receives information on the result of the selection from the selection unit 28. In addition, the command unit 29 refers to the operation information of the elevator 5 acquired by the acquisition unit 26. For example, the command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to have the selected secured moving body board the car 16 at an intermediate stop floor before the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards. Thereafter, the command unit 29 reserves the right to not output a disembarking command to the secured mobile body riding in the cage 16 until the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. As a result, the command unit 29 allows the secured mobile body riding in the cage 16 to continue riding without disembarking until the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. In this example, when the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user, the command unit 29 outputs a disembarking command to the secured mobile body to disembark from the cage 16.
[0028] The notification unit 30 is a part equipped with a function of making notification devices such as the hall speaker 12 and the car speaker 21 notify information. The notification unit 30 makes the notification device notify information by outputting the information to be notified. In this example, the notification unit 30 makes the notification device notify information that the secured moving body has secured space in the car 16 so that a specific user can board. The notification unit 30 makes the notification device notify the information at least at any timing between when the secured moving body boards the car 16 and when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. For example, when the secured moving body boards the car 16 from an intermediate stopping floor, that is, when the car 16 arrives at the intermediate stopping floor, the notification unit 30 makes the hall speaker 12 of the intermediate stopping floor and the car speaker 21 of the car 16 notify information. The notification unit 30, for example, when a secured mobile body disembarks from the cage 16 at the departure floor of a particular user, i.e., when the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor, notifies information to the landing speaker 12 at the departure floor and the cage speaker 21 of the cage 16.
[0029] The determination unit 31 is a part equipped with a function for determining the range in which a specific user is present. The determination unit 31, for example, determines whether or not the specific user is present in a boarding range. The boarding range is, for example, a range in which the specific user can board the car 16 from the departure floor when the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. When the specific user operates the registration of the priority call from the hall operating panel 10 of the departure floor, the boarding range is, for example, the hall 8 of the departure floor. The determination unit 31 determines whether or not the specific user is present in the boarding range, that is, the hall 8 of the departure floor, based on, for example, an image of the hall 8 of the departure floor photographed by the hall camera 11. When the priority call is registered, the determination unit 31 may receive a notification from, for example, the remote monitoring device 23. At this time, the determination unit 31 may acquire an image of the hall 8 of the departure floor through, for example, the remote monitoring device 23. The determination unit 31 may also refer to the operation information of the elevator 5 acquired by the acquisition unit 26. The determination unit 31 may continue to determine whether or not the specific user is within the boarding range until the car 16 responding to the priority call of the specific user arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. When the determination unit 31 determines that the specific user is not within the boarding range, it outputs the determination result to, for example, the command unit 29.
[0030] The command unit 29 may cancel the output of a boarding command to the secured mobile body when the judgment unit 31 judges that the specific user is not within the boarding range before the selected secured mobile body boards the car 16. At this time, the command unit 29 may cancel the output by not outputting the boarding command itself, or may cancel the output by outputting a cancellation command when the boarding command has already been output. In addition, the command unit 29 may output an alighting command to cause the secured mobile body to alight at an intermediate stopping floor before arriving at the departure floor when the judgment unit 31 judges that the specific user is not within the boarding range after the selected secured mobile body boards the car 16 and before the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user.
[0031] Next, an example of cooperation between the elevator 5 and the moving object 4 in the facility system 1 will be described with reference to Figs. 2 and 3 are external views of hall 8 at an intermediate floor where a securing mobile body boards in facility system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 4 is a plan view of car 16 of elevator 5 according to the first embodiment. 5 and 6 are external views of hall 8 on the departure floor where a specific user boards in facility system 1 according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of car 16 of elevator 5 according to the first embodiment.
[0032] In this example, the specific user uses the elevator 5 to reach the destination floor from a floor other than the end floor. In this example, the specific user moves to a destination floor above the departure floor. At this time, the departure floor is a floor above the lowest floor of the elevator 5's up-down stroke. Note that even when the specific user moves to a destination floor below the departure floor, the elevator 5 and the moving body 4 are coordinated in the same way. The specific user operates the hall operating panel 10 at the hall 8 of the departure floor to register a priority call. At this time, the group control device 22 assigns the priority call to one of the units 13. The control panel 18 of the unit 13 to which the priority call is assigned runs the car 16 from below the departure floor of the specific user upward so that the car 16 responds to the priority call. The control panel 18 may stop the car 16 at an intermediate stop floor before traveling from the lowest floor to the departure floor, depending on other calls already registered and other calls to be newly registered. Note that the intermediate stop floor may include the lowest floor. Even after the moving object 4 has boarded the car 16 at an intermediate floor, the control panel 18 may stop the car 16 at another intermediate floor in response to another call.
[0033] The acquisition unit 26 acquires operation information of the elevator 5, for example, through the remote monitoring device 23. The calculation unit 27 calculates the required size of the specific user based on the image of the hall camera 11 at the departure floor, etc. The selection unit 28 selects a reserved moving body that reserves space so that the specific user can board the car 16, based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit 27 and information of the moving body DB 32, etc. The selection unit 28 may use information on the intermediate stopping floor of the car 16 of the unit 13 to which the priority call is assigned, for example, by referring to the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26, in selecting the reserved moving body. The selection unit 28 outputs information such as the identifier of the selected reserved moving body and the intermediate stopping floor to board, to the command unit 29. The selection unit 28 may output information such as the intermediate stopping floor to the notification unit 30.
[0034] 2, the mobile unit 4 selected as the reserved mobile unit moves to the hall 8 and waits there. In this example, the intermediate floor where the mobile unit 4 boards is a floor where the other user 3 stops in response to a normal call registered by the hall operating panel 10 or the like. The other user 3 waits at the hall 8 for the car 16 to arrive.
[0035] When the car 16 stops at an intermediate floor, the notification unit 30 causes notification devices such as the hall speaker 12 at the hall 8 at the intermediate floor and the car speaker 21 to notify that the moving body 4 is reserving space in the car 16 so that a specific user can board. The notification unit 30 causes the notification device to notify, for example, a message such as "A dedicated boarding space will be reserved. Please be careful as a robot will be boarding." The notification unit 30 may also cause the notification device to notify the message before the hall door 9 opens.
[0036] After that, as shown in FIG. 3, the car 16 arrives at the intermediate floor, and the landing door 9 opens in conjunction with the car door 19. At this time, the notification unit 30 notifies notification devices such as the landing speaker 12 and the car speaker 21 of the landing 8 of the intermediate floor that the moving body 4 has secured space in the car 16 so that the specific user can board, in the same manner as before the landing door 9 opens. The command unit 29 detects the arrival of the car 16 based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. When the car 16 arrives at the intermediate floor, the command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to the moving body 4. The moving body 4 that receives the boarding command boards the arriving car 16. The user 3 who has been waiting for the arrival of the car 16 may board the arriving car 16 together with the moving body 4. After that, the car 16 runs upward to the departure floor of the specific user.
[0037] FIG. 4 shows the situation inside the cage 16 when the moving body 4 is aboard. The command unit 29 reserves the disembarking command to the moving body 4 aboard the cage 16 and does not output it until the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. As a result, the moving body 4 remains aboard the cage 16 without disembarking until the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. During this time, other users 3 may board and disembark the cage 16 in which the moving body 4 is aboard. Since the moving body 4 is aboard the cage 16, the necessary size required for the specific user to board is secured inside the cage 16. In addition, since the moving body 4 does not occupy more space than necessary, other users 3 can also board the cage 16.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 5, a specific user 3a who has registered a priority call is waiting for the arrival of a car 16 at a boarding area 8 on the departure floor.
[0039] When the car 16 stops at the departure floor of the specific user, the notification unit 30 causes notification devices such as the hall speaker 12 at the hall 8 at the departure floor and the car speaker 21 to notify that the moving body 4 has secured space in the car 16 so that the specific user 3a can board. The notification unit 30 causes the notification device to issue a message such as, for example, "A dedicated boarding space has been secured. Please be careful as a robot will disembark." The notification unit 30 may also cause the notification device to issue a message before the hall door 9 opens.
[0040] Thereafter, as shown in Fig. 6, the car 16 arrives at the departure floor for the specific user 3a, and the landing door 9 opens in conjunction with the car door 19. At this time, the notification unit 30 causes notification devices such as the landing speaker 12 at the landing 8 at the departure floor and the car speaker 21 to notify the user that the moving body 4 has secured space in the car 16 so that the specific user can board, in the same manner as before the landing door 9 opens. The command unit 29 detects the arrival of the car 16 based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. When the car 16 arrives at the departure floor, the command unit 29 outputs a disembarking command to the moving body 4. The moving body 4 that has received the disembarking command disembarks from the arriving car 16.
[0041] 7 shows the situation inside the cage 16 after the moving body 4 gets off. When the moving body 4 gets off, the required size of space inside the cage 16 reserved by the moving body 4 becomes available. This allows the specific user 3a to board the cage 16 without having to see the arriving cage 16 off. After the specific user 3a gets on, the cage 16 travels upward to the destination floor of the specific user 3a. Even after the specific user 3a gets on the cage 16 at the departure floor, the control panel 18 may stop the cage 16 at another floor up to the destination floor in response to other calls already registered and other calls to be newly registered.
[0042] Next, an example of the operation of the facility system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the facility system 1 according to the first embodiment. 8 shows an example of the operation of one moving body 4. When referring to the one moving body 4 in particular and distinguishing it from other moving bodies 4, the one moving body 4 may be written as a moving body 4a. When the equipment system 1 includes a plurality of moving bodies 4, for example, the operation shown in FIG. 8 may be executed in parallel for each moving body 4.
[0043] In step S101, the equipment control device 24 determines whether or not a priority call of a specific user is registered, for example, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. If a priority call is registered, the equipment control device 24 selects a reserved mobile body to be loaded onto the car 16 that responds to the priority call, using the calculation unit 27 and the selection unit 28, etc. If the mobile body 4a is selected as the reserved mobile body for the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if a priority call is not registered or the mobile body 4a is not selected as the reserved mobile body for the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S101 again.
[0044] In step S102, the command unit 29 of the facility control device 24 outputs a boarding command to cause the moving body 4a to board the car 16 at an intermediate floor. After that, the processing of the facility system 1 proceeds to step S103.
[0045] In step S103, when the car 16 arrives at the intermediate stop floor where the moving object 4a is waiting, the moving object 4a gets into the arriving car 16. Then, the processing of the facility system 1 proceeds to step S104. Here, after the moving object 4a gets into the car 16, the command unit 29 of the facility control device 24 withholds output of a disembarking command until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of a specific user.
[0046] In step S104, the judgment unit 31 of the equipment control device 24 judges whether the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor of the specific user based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. The judgment unit 31 judges that the car 16 is about to arrive when, for example, the control panel 18 makes a decision to stop at the departure floor. The timing when the control panel 18 makes a decision to stop at the departure floor is, for example, the timing when the car 16 starts decelerating so that the car 16 can be stopped at the departure floor. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor, the judgment unit 31 judges whether the specific user is at the boarding platform 8 of the departure floor, which is within the boarding range. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor and the specific user is not within the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when the car 16 is not about to arrive at the departure floor or the specific user is within the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S106.
[0047] In step S105, the moving body 4a riding in the car 16 finishes the operation of securing a space for the specific user to ride in and transitions to a standby operation. The standby operation performed by the moving body 4a is set in advance, for example, by the manager of the facility 2. The setting information is stored in advance, for example, in the storage unit 25. The standby operation performed by the moving body 4a is, for example, an operation of getting off at the floor where the car 16 stops and waiting there. Alternatively, the standby operation performed by the moving body 4a is, for example, an operation of continuing riding until the car 16 arrives at the end floor, getting off at the end floor and waiting there. Here, the end floor where the moving body 4a gets off may be, for example, a floor set in advance among the top floor or the bottom floor, or may be a floor of the top floor or the bottom floor that is closer to the car 16 at the time of transition to the standby operation, or may be a floor of the top floor or the bottom floor that is ahead in the running direction of the car 16 at the time of transition to the standby operation. For example, after disembarking from the car 16, the moving body 4a waits for the next boarding command at the floor where the moving body disembarked. Then, the processing of the facility system 1 ends. When a new priority call is registered, the selection unit 28 may select the moving body 4a already in the car 16 as the reserved moving body to move to the end floor in the waiting operation. At this time, the moving body 4a rides in the car 16 to the departure floor of the specific user who made the new priority call, and reserves space in the car 16 so that the specific user can board. In this case, the processing of the facility system 1 may proceed to, for example, step S104.
[0048] In step S106, the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has arrived at the departure floor of a specific user based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. If the car 16 has not arrived at the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if the car 16 has arrived at the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S107.
[0049] In step S107, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether there is sufficient space in the car 16, for example, based on an image captured by the car camera 20 of the car 16 in which the moving object 4a is riding. The command unit 29 determines that there is sufficient space in the car 16, for example, when there is space in the car 16 equivalent to the required size of a specific user even if the moving object 4a does not get off. When there is sufficient space in the car 16, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S105. On the other hand, when there is not enough space in the car 16, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S108.
[0050] In step S108, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a disembarking command to cause the moving object 4a riding in the car 16 to disembark from the car 16. Based on the disembarking command, the moving object 4 disembarks from the car 16 to the hall 8. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S109.
[0051] In step S109, the moving object 4a finishes the operation of reserving space for the specific user to board and transitions to a standby operation. The command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 determines whether or not to move the moving object 4a to the end floor and have it wait there, based on, for example, setting information set by the manager of the facility 2 pre-stored in the memory unit 25. If it is set to wait without moving to the end floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S110. On the other hand, if it is set to wait on the end floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S111.
[0052] In step S110, the moving object 4a waits for the next boarding command at the floor where the moving object 4a disembarked from the car 16. After that, the processing of the facility system 1 ends.
[0053] In step S111, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a boarding command to cause the moving body 4a to board the car 16 that arrives at the floor at which the moving body 4a disembarked from the car 16. The car 16 that arrives at the floor later may be a car 16 of the same unit 13 as the car 16 that arrived at the floor earlier and from which the moving body 4 disembarked, or may be a car 16 of a different unit 13. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S112.
[0054] In step S112, when a car 16 that the moving object 4a can board arrives at the floor where the moving object 4a got off, the moving object 4a boards the arriving car 16. Thereafter, the processing of the facility system 1 proceeds to step S113.
[0055] In step S113, the equipment control device 24 determines whether a new priority call has been registered, for example, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. If a priority call has been registered, the equipment control device 24 selects a reserved mobile object by the calculation unit 27, the selection unit 28, etc. If the mobile object 4a is selected as the reserved mobile object for the new priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S104. On the other hand, if a new priority call has not been registered or the mobile object 4a has not been selected as the reserved mobile object for the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S114.
[0056] In step S114, the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has arrived at the end floor based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. If the car 16 has not arrived at the end floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S113. On the other hand, if the car 16 has arrived at the end floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S115.
[0057] In step S115, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a disembarking command to cause the moving object 4a riding in the car 16 to disembark from the car 16. Based on the disembarking command, the moving object 4 disembarks from the car 16 to the hall 8. The moving object 4a waits for the next boarding command at the floor where the moving object 4a disembarked from the car 16. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 ends.
[0058] As described above, the facility system 1 according to the first embodiment includes one or more moving bodies 4 and a facility control device 24. When each moving body 4 gets into the car 16 of the elevator 5 alone, it occupies a space in the car 16, leaving at least a space for other users 3 to get in. The facility control device 24 includes an acquisition unit 26 and a command unit 29. When a priority call of a specific user is registered, the acquisition unit 26 acquires operation information including the position of the car 16 that responds to the priority call. Based on the operation information, the command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to cause any one of the moving bodies 4 to board the car 16 at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body before the car 16 arrives at the departure floor where the specific user gets on. The command unit 29 reserves the output of a disembarking command to cause the moving body 4 to disembark from the car 16 until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor.
[0059] With this configuration, the moving body 4 reserves space in the car 16 before the specific user boards. This makes it easier for the specific user to board the car 16 without having to see the car 16 off when it arrives at the departure floor. In addition, since the moving body 4 does not occupy more space than necessary, other users 3 can board the car 16 and use the elevator 5 while the moving body 4 is reserving space in the car 16. This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of use of the elevator 5 by general users 3.
[0060] Furthermore, when the cage 16 arrives at the departure floor, the command unit 29 outputs a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark at the departure floor. When the moving body 4 disembarks at the departure floor of the specific user, the space in the cage 16 reserved by the moving body 4 becomes available. This makes it easier for the specific user to board the cage 16. Note that, if there is sufficient space in the cage 16, the command unit 29 may allow the moving body 4 to continue boarding the cage 16 without outputting a disembarking command. This eliminates the need for the moving body 4 to disembark, allowing the specific user to board the cage 16 more quickly. At this time, the moving body 4 may subsequently disembark at the end floor or another floor.
[0061] The equipment control device 24 also includes a calculation unit 27 and a selection unit 28. The calculation unit 27 calculates the size required for a specific user to board the car 16. The selection unit 28 selects a reserved moving body from among the moving bodies 4 operating in the facility 2 based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit 27. The command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to the reserved moving body selected by the selection unit 28 to board the car 16 at another floor of the departure floor. With this configuration, the required space is secured according to the specific user, making it easier for the specific user to board the car 16. In addition, since the required space can be secured by the moving body 4, a decrease in the efficiency of use of the elevator 5 by general users 3 is further suppressed.
[0062] The facility control device 24 also includes a notification unit 30. The notification unit 30 causes the notification device to notify that the reserved moving body is reserving or has reserved space in the car 16 so that the specific user can board. The timing of the notification by the notification unit 30 is at least any timing between when the reserved moving body boards the car 16 and when the reserved moving body disembarks from the car 16. With this configuration, the user 3 is more likely to be aware of getting on and off the reserved moving body in the car 16, so that the user 3 can get on and off the car 16 more smoothly. In addition, it is prevented that other users 3 get on before the specific user without knowing that the space was reserved by the reserved moving body. This makes it easier for the specific user to get on the car 16.
[0063] The equipment control device 24 also includes a determination unit 31. The determination unit 31 determines whether or not a specific user is present within a rideable range from the departure floor to the car 16 when the car 16 arrives at the departure floor. At this time, the command unit 29 may cancel the output of a boarding command to the secured moving body when the determination unit 31 determines that the specific user is not present within the rideable range before the secured moving body boards the car 16. The command unit 29 may also output an alighting command to cause the secured moving body to alight at another floor of the departure floor when the determination unit 31 determines that the specific user is not present within the rideable range after the secured moving body boards the car 16 and before the car 16 arrives at the departure floor. With this configuration, when the specific user does not board, the moving body 4 does not occupy more space in the car 16 than necessary, and the decrease in the utilization efficiency of the elevator 5 by general users 3 is further suppressed.
[0064] Furthermore, a specific user is, for example, a user 3 who uses a mobility aid or a transportation aid and therefore needs to use the elevator 5 to move between floors. Note that a specific user may also be a user 3 who, due to other circumstances, is unable or has difficulty moving between floors without using the elevator 5. In the facility system 1, necessary services are provided to the necessary user 3 according to the circumstances or situation of the user 3.
[0065] Furthermore, when no priority call is registered, the command unit 29 causes some or all of the moving bodies 4 to wait at the floor at the upper end or lower end of the ascending or descending stroke of the car 16. In general, a user 3 riding in the car 16 at the end floor disembarks at the end floor. This allows the moving body 4, which is a reserved moving body, to board the car 16 more reliably. This makes it easier for the specific user to board the car 16, as the space required by the specific user is more reliably reserved.
[0066] The elevator 5 is not limited to the traction type elevator exemplified here. The elevator 5 may be, for example, a hydraulic elevator in which the car 16 is moved by a hydraulic mechanism, or may be an elevator of another type. The notification device that the notification unit 30 causes to perform the notification may be, for example, a device that notifies information by images such as signage or text information.
[0067] Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the facility system 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 9 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the facility system 1 according to the first embodiment.
[0068] A processing circuit may be used to realize some or all of the functions of the equipment system 1. The processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in addition to or in place of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.
[0069] When the processing circuit includes the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the equipment system 1 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the equipment system 1 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b. The program may be a program package including multiple subprograms, modules, or libraries. The program may also be called a program product.
[0070] The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic device, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.
[0071] Where the processing circuitry comprises dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry may be implemented, for example, as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.
[0072] Each function of the equipment system 1 can be realized by a processing circuit. Alternatively, each function of the equipment system 1 can be realized collectively by a processing circuit. Some of the functions of the equipment system 1 may be realized by dedicated hardware 200, and the other parts may be realized by software or firmware. In this way, the processing circuit realizes each function of the equipment system 1 by dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.
[0073] Embodiment 2 In the second embodiment, differences from the example disclosed in the first embodiment will be described in particular detail. For features not described in the second embodiment, any of the features of the example disclosed in the first embodiment may be adopted.
[0074] In the second embodiment, the moving object 4 is placed in the car 16 and waits for a command from the command unit 29 .
[0075] FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the facility system 1 according to the second embodiment. 10 shows an example of the operation of one moving body 4. When referring to the one moving body 4 in particular and distinguishing it from other moving bodies 4, the one moving body 4 may be written as moving body 4a. When the equipment system 1 includes a plurality of moving bodies 4, for example, the operation shown in FIG. 10 may be executed in parallel for each moving body 4. In this example, the moving body 4a is riding in the car 16.
[0076] In step S201, the equipment control device 24 judges whether or not a priority call of a specific user is registered based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. When a priority call is registered, the equipment control device 24 selects a reserved moving body that reserves a space for the specific user to board in the car 16 that responds to the priority call by the calculation unit 27, the selection unit 28, etc. For example, when the moving body 4a is in the car 16 that responds to the priority call, the selection unit 28 selects the moving body 4a as a reserved moving body. When a priority call is not registered or the moving body 4a is not selected as a reserved moving body for the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the moving body 4a is selected as a reserved moving body for the priority call, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S203.
[0077] In step S202, the moving object 4a continues to ride in the car 16. The command unit 29 does not output a command to the moving object 4a to get off the car 16. Thereafter, the processing of the facility system 1 proceeds to step S201.
[0078] In step S203, the judgment unit 31 of the equipment control device 24 judges whether the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor of the specific user based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor, the judgment unit 31 judges whether the specific user is at the boarding platform 8 of the departure floor, which is within the boarding range. When the car 16 is about to arrive at the departure floor and the specific user is not within the boarding range, the moving body 4a ends the operation of securing a space for the specific user to board and transitions to a standby operation. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when the car 16 is not about to arrive at the departure floor or the specific user is within the boarding range, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S204. At this time, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 withholds the output of the disembarking command to the moving body 4a until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user.
[0079] In step S204, the equipment control device 24 determines whether the car 16 has arrived at the departure floor of a specific user based on, for example, the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit 26. If the car 16 has not arrived at the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, if the car 16 has arrived at the departure floor, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S205.
[0080] In step S205, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 judges whether there is sufficient space in the car 16 in which the moving object 4a is riding, for example, based on an image captured by the car camera 20 of the car 16. The command unit 29 judges that there is sufficient space in the car 16, for example, when there is space in the car 16 equivalent to the required size of a specific user even if the moving object 4a does not get off. When there is sufficient space in the car 16, the moving object 4a ends the operation of securing space for the specific user to ride and transitions to a standby operation. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, when there is not enough space in the car 16, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S206.
[0081] In step S206, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a disembarking command to cause the moving object 4a riding in the car 16 to disembark from the car 16. Based on the disembarking command, the moving object 4 disembarks from the car 16 to the hall 8. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S207.
[0082] In step S207, the command unit 29 of the equipment control device 24 outputs a boarding command to cause the moving body 4a to board the car 16 that arrives at the floor at which the moving body 4a disembarked from the car 16. The car 16 that arrives at the floor later may be a car 16 of the same unit 13 as the car 16 that arrived at the floor earlier and from which the moving body 4 disembarked, or may be a car 16 of another unit 13. Thereafter, the processing of the equipment system 1 proceeds to step S208.
[0083] In step S208, when a car 16 that the moving object 4a can board arrives at the floor where the moving object 4a got off, the moving object 4a gets on the arriving car 16. Thereafter, the processing of the facility system 1 proceeds to step S201.
[0084] As described above, the command unit 29 of the facility system 1 according to the second embodiment causes at least some of the moving bodies 4 to wait in the car 16 when no priority call is registered. With this configuration, the moving bodies 4 wait in a state where space in the car 16 is secured, so that specific users can more easily board the car 16. In addition, since the moving bodies 4 do not occupy more space than necessary, other users 3 can also board the car 16 and use the elevator 5. This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of use of the elevator 5 by general users 3. In addition, since the moving bodies 4 secure space in the car 16, when there is not enough space in the car 16, the moving bodies 4 can be disembarked to make the space in the car 16 available. This prevents a decrease in the efficiency of use of the elevator 5.
[0085] Embodiment 3 In the third embodiment, differences from the examples disclosed in the first and second embodiments will be described in particular detail. For features not described in the third embodiment, any of the features of the examples disclosed in the first and second embodiments may be adopted.
[0086] FIG. 11 is an external view of a hall 8 at an intermediate floor where the secured moving body boards in the facility system 1 according to the third embodiment.
[0087] The selection unit 28 selects a plurality of secured moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit 27. For example, the selection unit 28 selects a combination of a plurality of moving bodies 4 such that the sum of the sizes of the spaces occupied by the individual moving bodies 4 is equal to or larger than the required size as the secured moving bodies. At this time, the command unit 29 outputs a boarding command to each of the secured moving bodies selected by the selection unit 28 to have them board the car 16 that responds to the priority call. After that, the command unit 29 reserves the disembarking command to each of the secured moving bodies boarded in the car 16 without outputting it until the car 16 arrives at the departure floor of the specific user. The selection unit 28 may select a combination of moving bodies 4 waiting at different floors as the secured moving bodies.
[0088] With this configuration, even if a mobile unit 4 capable of securing the required size by itself is unavailable, the required size for a specific user can be secured by multiple securing mobile units. This allows for greater freedom in the operation of the mobile units 4.
[0089] Embodiment 4 In the fourth embodiment, differences from the examples disclosed in the first to third embodiments will be described in particular detail. For features not described in the fourth embodiment, any of the features of the examples disclosed in the first to third embodiments may be adopted.
[0090] FIG. 12 is an external view of hall 8 at an intermediate floor where the secured moving body boards in facility system 1 according to the fourth embodiment.
[0091] Some or all of the moving bodies 4 operating in the facility 2 have a docking mechanism. The moving body 4 having the docking mechanism includes a main body 33 and a plurality of cover parts 34 of different sizes. In this example, the main body 33 is a part equipped with a function of wireless communication and a function of moving the moving body 4 itself. The docking mechanism of the moving body 4 is a mechanism for detachably docking the main body 33 and the cover part 34. The moving body 4 changes the size of the space occupied by the moving body 4 by selectively docking the cover parts 34 of different sizes with the main body 33 by the docking mechanism. The docking mechanism is an example of a scaling mechanism that changes the size of the space occupied by the moving body 4 in the car 16. Note that the plurality of cover parts 34 may be shared among the plurality of moving bodies 4. The plurality of cover parts 34 are arranged, for example, on a floor where the moving body 4 performs a standby operation, such as the end floor.
[0092] Some or all of the moving objects 4 operating in the facility 2 may have a mechanism other than a docking mechanism as a scaling mechanism. The moving objects 4 may have, as a scaling mechanism, a deformation mechanism that changes the size of the space occupied by the moving object 4 in the cage 16 by, for example, an extendable arm or other part.
[0093] When the secured moving body has a scaling mechanism, the command unit 29 outputs a command to the secured moving body to change the size of the space it occupies in the car 16 according to the required size calculated by the calculation unit 27. The command may be output together with a command to board the car 16. The moving body 4 having a docking mechanism as a scaling mechanism selects the cover unit 34 and docks it with the main body unit 33 according to a command from the command unit 29. The moving body 4 having a transformation mechanism as a scaling mechanism transforms the arm or other parts according to a command from the command unit 29. In this example, the moving body 4 boards the car 16 according to a boarding command after changing the size of the space it occupies by the scaling mechanism.
[0094] With this configuration, the size of the space occupied by the moving body 4 can be adjusted according to the required size, so that the space according to the required size can be secured without excess or deficiency. This makes it easier for specific users to board the car 16, and prevents a decrease in the efficiency of use of the elevator 5 by general users 3.
[0095] Embodiment 5. In the fifth embodiment, differences from the examples disclosed in the first to fourth embodiments will be described in particular detail. For features not described in the fifth embodiment, any of the features of the examples disclosed in the first to fourth embodiments may be adopted.
[0096] FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of a facility system 1 according to the fifth embodiment.
[0097] A user DB 35 is stored in the memory unit 25 of the equipment control device 24. The user DB 35 is a DB that stores information about users 3 who use the elevator 5 in the facility 2. The user DB 35 stores, for example, for each user 3, an identifier, a current floor, a current position on that floor, a size required when boarding the car 16 of the elevator 5, attributes, and other information.
[0098] A user 3 who uses the elevator 5 carries a mobile device 36. The mobile device 36 is a portable information processing device equipped with a wireless communication function. The mobile device 36 connects to the communication network 6 by wireless communication. The mobile device 36 may be a general-purpose device such as a smartphone, or a dedicated device such as a wireless tag. The mobile device 36 may be owned by the user 3, or may be loaned to the user 3 by an administrator of the facility 2, etc. The mobile device 36 may be a device within the facility system 1, or may be a device outside the system that cooperates with the facility system 1. The mobile device 36 may be equipped with a function to acquire a current location. For example, when the user 3 is in the facility 2, the mobile device 36 may provide the facility control device 24 with information on the current floor and current location of the user 3.
[0099] The user 3 may register a call via the mobile device 36. At this time, the call information is input to the group control device 22 or the like via the communication network 6 or the like. The group control device 22 assigns the call accepted from the mobile device 36 to one of the units 13.
[0100] In this example, the registration of the priority call is performed, for example, by operating the portable device 36 carried by the specific user. The portable device 36 outputs the call information, for example, by adding information indicating that it is a priority call. The portable device 36 may add an identifier for identifying the specific user, user 3, to the call information. When accepting the registration of the priority call, the group management device 22 assigns the call to one of the units 13. The calculation unit 27 calculates the required size of the specific user, for example, by referring to the user DB 35 using the identifier included in the call information as a key. The selection unit 28 selects the reserved mobile body based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit 27. In this way, the required size of the user 3 is calculated by referring to the preset user DB 35, so that the space in the car 16 required by the user 3 is more reliably reserved.
[0101] To summarize the above explanation, possible configurations of the technology according to the present disclosure include the configurations listed below as appendices. (Appendix 1) an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered; One or more moving bodies that occupy a space in the car when riding alone, leaving at least a space for other users to ride; a command unit that outputs a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor as a reserved moving body before the car arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, and reserves the output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; An equipment system comprising: (Appendix 2) The command unit outputs a disembarking command to cause the securing mobile body to disembark at the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor. 2. The equipment system according to claim 1. (Appendix 3) A calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user gets on the car; a selection unit that selects the reserved moving body from the one or more moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit; Equipped with The command unit outputs a boarding command to the secured moving body selected by the selection unit to board the car at another floor of the departure floor. 10. An equipment system according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 4) The one or more moving bodies include a plurality of moving bodies, The selection unit selects a plurality of the reserved moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit. 1. An equipment system as described in appendix 3. (Appendix 5) A calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user gets on the car. Equipped with At least one of the one or more moving bodies has a scaling mechanism that changes the size of the space it occupies in the cage, the command unit outputs, when the securing mobile body has the scaling mechanism, a command to the securing mobile body to change the size of the space that the securing mobile body occupies in the car in accordance with the required size calculated by the calculation unit; 10. An equipment system according to claim 1 or 2. (Appendix 6) a notification unit that causes a notification device to notify that the reserved mobile body is reserving or has reserved space in the car so that the specific user can board at least at any timing between when the reserved mobile body gets on to the car and when the reserved mobile body gets off from the car; 6. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising: (Appendix 7) a determination unit that determines whether or not the specific user is present within a boarding range that allows the specific user to board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor; Equipped with the command unit cancels output of a boarding command to the secured mobile body when the determination unit determines that the specific user is not within the boarding possible range before the secured mobile body boards the car; 7. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 8) a determination unit that determines whether or not the specific user is present within a boarding range that allows the specific user to board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor; Equipped with The command unit outputs a disembarking command to cause the secured mobile body to disembark at another floor of the departure floor when the determination unit determines that the specific user is not within the boarding range after the secured mobile body gets on the elevator and before the elevator arrives at the departure floor. 7. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 6. (Appendix 9) The specific user is a user who uses a mobility aid or transportation aid and therefore needs to use an elevator to move between floors. 9. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 8. (Appendix 10) the command unit causes a part or all of the one or more moving bodies to wait at a floor at the upper end or lower end of the elevator car's ascending or descending stroke when the priority call is not registered; 10. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. (Appendix 11) the command unit causes a part or all of the one or more moving bodies to wait in the car when the priority call is not registered; 10. The equipment system according to any one of claims 1 to 9. (Appendix 12) an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered; a command unit that outputs, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, a boarding command to cause at least one of one or more moving bodies that would occupy the space inside the cage while leaving space for at least other users to board when the specific user boards the cage alone to board the cage at another floor of the departure floor, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, and that withholds output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the cage until the cage arrives at the departure floor; An equipment control device comprising: (Appendix 13) The computer When a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is acquired; Based on the acquired operation information, before the cage arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, outputting a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the cage when the specific user boards alone to board the cage at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body; Withholding output of an alighting command for disembarking the secured mobile body from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; The facility control method includes: (Appendix 14) On the computer, When a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is acquired; Based on the acquired operation information, before the cage arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, outputting a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the cage when the specific user boards alone to board the cage at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body; Withholding output of an alighting command for disembarking the secured mobile body from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; An equipment control program that executes the above. [Explanation of symbols]
[0102] 1 Facility system, 2 Facility, 3 User, 4 Moving object, 5 Elevator, 6 Communication network, 7 Hoistway, 8 Landing, 9 Landing door, 10 Landing operation panel, 11 Landing camera, 12 Landing speaker, 13 Unit, 14 Hoisting machine, 15 Main rope, 16 Cage, 17 Counterweight, 18 Control panel, 19 Cage door, 20 Cage camera, 21 Cage speaker, 22 Group management device, 23 Remote monitoring device, 24 Facility control device, 25 Memory unit, 26 Acquisition unit, 27 Calculation unit, 28 Selection unit, 29 Command unit, 30 Notification unit, 31 Determination unit, 32 Moving object DB, 33 Main body unit, 34 Cover unit, 35 user DB, 36 mobile device, 100a processor, 100b memory, 200 dedicated hardware
Claims
1. an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered; One or more moving bodies that occupy a space in the car when a single user rides in the car, leaving at least a space for other users to ride in the car; a command unit that outputs a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies to board the car at a floor other than the departure floor as a reserved moving body before the car arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, and reserves the output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; An equipment system comprising:
2. The command unit outputs a disembarking command to cause the securing mobile body to disembark at the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor. The facility system of claim 1 .
3. A calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user gets on the car; a selection unit that selects the reserved moving body from the one or more moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit; Equipped with The command unit outputs a boarding command to the secured moving body selected by the selection unit to board the car at another floor of the departure floor. The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
4. The one or more moving bodies include a plurality of moving bodies, The selection unit selects a plurality of the reserved moving bodies based on the required size calculated by the calculation unit. The facility system according to claim 3.
5. A calculation unit that calculates a required size when the specific user gets on the car. Equipped with At least one of the one or more moving bodies has a scaling mechanism that changes the size of the space it occupies in the cage; the command unit outputs, when the securing mobile body has the scaling mechanism, a command to the securing mobile body to change the size of the space that the securing mobile body occupies in the car in accordance with the required size calculated by the calculation unit; The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
6. a notification unit that causes a notification device to notify that the reserved mobile body is reserving or has reserved space in the car so that the specific user can board at least at any timing between when the reserved mobile body gets on to the car and when the reserved mobile body gets off from the car; The facility system according to claim 1 or 2, comprising:
7. a determination unit that determines whether or not the specific user is present within a boarding range that allows the specific user to board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor; Equipped with the command unit cancels output of a boarding command to the secured mobile body when the determination unit determines that the specific user is not within the boarding possible range before the secured mobile body boards the car; The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
8. a determination unit that determines whether or not the specific user is present within a boarding range that allows the specific user to board the car from the departure floor when the car arrives at the departure floor; Equipped with The command unit outputs a disembarking command to cause the secured mobile body to disembark at another floor of the departure floor when the determination unit determines that the specific user is not within the boarding range after the secured mobile body gets on the elevator and before the elevator arrives at the departure floor. The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
9. The specific user is a user who uses a mobility aid or transportation aid and therefore needs to use an elevator to move between floors. The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
10. the command unit causes a part or all of the one or more moving bodies to wait at a floor at an upper end or a lower end of an ascending or descending stroke of the car when the priority call is not registered; The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
11. the command unit causes a part or all of the one or more mobile bodies to wait in the car when the priority call is not registered. The facility system according to claim 1 or 2.
12. an acquisition unit that acquires operation information including a position of a car that responds to a priority call when a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered; a command unit that outputs, based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit, a boarding command to cause at least one of one or more moving bodies that would occupy the space in the car while leaving space for at least other users to board when the specific user boards the car alone to board the car at another floor of the departure floor based on the operation information acquired by the acquisition unit before the car arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, as a reserved moving body, and reserves the output of a disembarking command to cause the reserved moving body to disembark from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; An equipment control device comprising:
13. The computer When a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is acquired; Based on the acquired operation information, before the cage arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, outputting a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the cage when the specific user boards alone to board the cage at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body; Withholding output of an alighting command for disembarking the secured mobile body from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; The facility control method includes:
14. On the computer, When a priority call of a specific user who is given priority in using the elevator is registered, operation information including a position of a car that responds to the priority call is acquired; Based on the acquired operation information, before the cage arrives at the departure floor where the specific user boards, outputting a boarding command to cause at least one of the one or more moving bodies that occupy the space in the cage when the specific user boards alone to board the cage at another floor of the departure floor as a reserved moving body; Withholding output of an alighting command for disembarking the secured mobile body from the car until the car arrives at the departure floor; An equipment control program that executes the above.
Citation Information
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