Content output system and elevator system

Abstract

The present invention provides a content output system for an elevator and an elevator system that can more promote use of an optional service introduced to an elevator. A content output system (14) comprises an acquisition unit (22) and a selection unit (23). The acquisition unit (22) acquires a use situation of the optional service for an elevator (1). The optional service is provided to a user of the elevator (1) and relates to use of the elevator (1). The selection unit (23) selects a PR content for promoting the use of the optional service as a content to be output by an output device (15) provided to the elevator (1) according to the use situation of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit (22).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a content output system and an elevator system.

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an example of a system for a call registration service that registers an elevator call. In this system, a user's mobile terminal transmits information on the departure floor and the destination floor. Based on the information received from the mobile terminal, the server registers a call for the elevator to move from the departure floor to the destination floor.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the system of Patent Document 1, in order for a user of an elevator such as an elevator to receive the call registration service, settings such as installation of software corresponding to the mobile terminal are required. On the other hand, elevator users who are unaware that they can receive optional services such as the call registration service cannot receive the optional service because they have not made the necessary settings. For this reason, the optional service introduced in the elevator may not be fully utilized, and the effect of introducing the optional service may not be fully obtained.

[0005] The present disclosure relates to solving such problems. The present disclosure provides an elevator content output system and an elevator system that can more effectively promote the use of optional services introduced in elevators.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] The content output system according to the present disclosure includes, for an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an optional service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to users of the elevator, and a selection unit that selects, as content to be output to an output device provided in the elevator, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service according to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit. , the elevator is an escalator, and the optional service is a call registration service that causes the elevator to register the call represented by the request information when the request information representing the user's call is transmitted from the portable terminal possessed by the user. The acquisition unit acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, the call request frequency by the call registration service based on the reception of the request information. The selection unit selects the PR content when the call request frequency by the call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold value. 。 The content output system according to the present disclosure includes, for an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an optional service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to the users of the elevator, and a selection unit that selects, as content to be output to an output device provided in the elevator, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service according to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit. The elevator is an escalator, and the optional service is a call registration service that causes the elevator to register the call represented by the request information when the request information representing the user's call is transmitted from the portable terminal possessed by the user. The acquisition unit acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, whether or not the call registered in the elevator is a call by the call registration service. The selection unit selects the PR content when the call registered in the elevator is not a call by the call registration service. The content output system according to the present disclosure includes, for an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an optional service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to the users of the elevator, and a selection unit that selects, as content to be output to an output device provided in the elevator, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service according to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit. The optional service is an information presentation service that presents the operation status of the elevator to the information terminal when the inquiry information representing the inquiry from the user is transmitted from the information terminal used by the user.

[0007] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes an elevator provided with an output device that outputs content, and the above-described content output system. The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes an elevator provided with an output device that outputs content, a mobile terminal held by a user of the elevator, and the above-described content output system.

Advantages of the Invention

[0008] According to the content output system or elevator system according to the present disclosure, the use of the optional service introduced in the elevator is further promoted.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0009]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Figure 6

Figure 7

Figure 8

Figure 9

Figure 10

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0010] The embodiments for carrying out the subject matter of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each figure, the same or corresponding parts are denoted by the same reference numerals, and duplicate descriptions are appropriately simplified or omitted. Note that the subject matter of the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and within the scope not departing from the gist of the present disclosure, deformation of any component of the embodiment or omission of any component of the embodiment is possible.

[0011] Embodiment 1. FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram of the elevator 1 according to Embodiment 1.

[0012] In this example, the elevator 1 is an elevator. The elevator 1 is applied to, for example, a building having a plurality of floors. In the building, an elevator shaft 2 of the elevator 1 is provided. The elevator shaft 2 is a vertically long space extending over a plurality of floors. On each floor of the building, a landing 3 of the elevator 1 is provided. The landing 3 is a place communicating with the elevator shaft 2. On the landing 3 of each floor, a landing operation panel 4 is provided. The landing operation panel 4 is a device that receives operations of landing calls. The elevator 1 includes a hoist 5, a main rope 6, a car 7, a counterweight 8, and a control panel 9.

[0013] The hoisting machine 5 is arranged, for example, at the upper part or the lower part of the hoistway 2. For example, when the machine room of the elevator 1 is provided above the hoistway 2 or the like, the hoisting machine 5 may be arranged in the machine room. The hoisting machine 5 includes a motor that generates a driving force and a sheave that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor.

[0014] The main rope 6 is wound around the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 supports the load of the car 7 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 supports the load of the counterweight 8 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5. The main rope 6 moves so as to be wound up by the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 or paid out from the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 by the driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 5.

[0015] The car 7 is a device that transports users of the elevator 1 or the like between multiple floors by traveling up and down in the hoistway 2. The car 7 includes a car operation panel 10. The car operation panel 10 is a device that receives operations of car calls. The counterweight 8 is a device that balances the loads applied to both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 5 with the car 7. The car 7 and the counterweight 8 travel in opposite directions in the vertical direction of the hoistway 2 in conjunction with the movement of the main rope 6.

[0016] The control panel 9 is a device that controls the operation of the elevator 1. The control panel 9 is arranged, for example, at the upper part or the lower part of the hoistway 2. For example, when the machine room of the elevator 1 is provided above the hoistway 2 or the like, the control panel 9 may be arranged in the machine room. The operations of the elevator 1 controlled by the control panel 9 include, for example, the traveling of the car 7. The control panel 9 is connected to the hoisting machine 5 and the car 7 so as to be able to output control signals of the elevator 1 and to be able to acquire information on the state of the elevator 1.

[0017] In elevator 1, a remote monitoring device 11 is applied. The remote monitoring device 11 is a device used for remotely monitoring the state of elevator 1. The remote monitoring device 11 is connected to the control panel 9 so as to be able to collect information on the state of elevator 1 and also output an external control signal to elevator 1. The information collected by the remote monitoring device 11 is transmitted to the central management device 13 through a communication network 12 such as the Internet or a telephone line. The central management device 13 is a device that collects and manages information on the state of elevator 1. The central management device 13 is provided at a base such as an information center. The central management device 13 is composed of, for example, one or a plurality of server devices. A part or all of the functions of the central management device 13 may be implemented by processing and storage resources on a cloud service.

[0018] In elevator 1, an optional service is provided to the users of elevator 1. The optional service is an additional service related to the use of elevator 1. In this example, the optional service does not include the transport service between floors by elevator 1 itself. The optional service is introduced into elevator 1 so that the users of elevator 1 can use it, for example, for the purpose of increasing the value of the building by improving the convenience of the users of elevator 1 by the owner or administrator of the building to which elevator 1 is applied.

[0019] In elevator 1, content output system 14 is applied. The content output system 14 is a system that outputs content provided to the users of elevator 1. The content is, for example, video or audio, or a combination thereof. The content output system 14 may be an internal system of elevator 1 or an external system externally applied to elevator 1. The content output system 14 may constitute an elevator system together with, for example, elevator 1 and other necessary devices. The content output system 14 includes an output device 15 and an output control unit 16. The output device 15 is a device that provides content to the user by, for example, video and audio. In this example, the output device 15 provides content to the user by displaying video. The output device 15 is, for example, a liquid crystal display panel. The output device 15 is provided inside car 7. The output device 15 may be provided integrally with car operation panel 10. The output control unit 16 is a part equipped with a function of controlling the output of the output device 15. The output control unit 16 is, for example, a display controller. The output control unit 16 is connected to, for example, control panel 9 or remote monitoring device 11.

[0020] In elevator 1, one or more transmitters 17 are provided. The transmitter 17 is a device that transmits a wireless signal. The transmitter 17 is, for example, a wireless beacon. The wireless signal transmitted by the transmitter 17 is a wireless signal such as short-range wireless communication. In this example, the transmitter 17 is arranged at the landing 3 of elevator 1 on each floor.

[0021] The user of elevator 1 carries a mobile terminal 18. The mobile terminal 18 is, for example, a portable general-purpose information processing terminal such as a smartphone. The mobile terminal 18 is an example of an information terminal used by the user. The mobile terminal 18 is connected to the communication network 12 by wireless communication. The mobile terminal 18 may be equipped with functions such as short-range wireless communication.

[0022] In elevator 1, a call registration service is provided to users. The call registration service is an example of an optional service introduced in elevator 1. The call registration service is a service that allows users to register their calls for elevator 1 through the mobile terminal 18 they possess. The call registration service is realized as follows, for example.

[0023] In this example, the user registers the usage information of elevator 1 through the mobile terminal 18. The usage information includes information such as the destination floor of the user, for example. The registered usage information may be stored in the mobile terminal 18, or may be transmitted from the mobile terminal 18 to the central management device 13, etc. together with, for example, the identification information for identifying the user. At this time, the usage information is stored in the central management device 13 in association with, for example, the identification information for identifying the user. The identification information for identifying the user is, for example, pre-stored in the mobile terminal 18. The user may be identified by the identification information of the mobile terminal 18 that the user possesses.

[0024] When the mobile terminal 18 receives a wireless signal from the transmitter 17, for example, the mobile terminal 18 transmits request information representing the call requested by the user who possesses the mobile terminal 18 to the central management device 13. The mobile terminal 18 may transmit the request information of the call requested by the user to the central management device 13 based on, for example, the operation of the user. At this time, the central management device 13 acquires the call information based on the request information. The call information includes information such as the departure floor and destination floor of the user, for example. The call information may be included in the request information, or may be read from the registered usage information based on the identification information transmitted together with the request information by the mobile terminal 18. The central management device 13 outputs a control signal for registering the call requested by the user to the control panel 9 of elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11 based on the acquired call information. The control panel 9 registers the requested call based on the input control signal. The control panel 9 controls the running of the car 7, etc. to respond to the registered call.

[0025] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content output system 14 according to Embodiment 1.

[0026] The content output system 14 includes a content management unit 19, a user information storage unit 20, a call registration unit 21, an acquisition unit 22, and a selection unit 23. The content management unit 19, the user information storage unit 20, the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22, and the selection unit 23 are mounted on, for example, the central management device 13 or the like.

[0027] The content management unit 19 is a part equipped with a function of managing the content to be output to the output device 15. The content management unit 19 manages, for example, the information of the content as a content list. In this example, the content management unit 19 manages the information of each content itself on the content list. The content management unit 19 may manage the information of external resources such as the acquisition destination of each content itself on the content list. The content managed by the content management unit 19 includes PR content (PR: Public Relations). The PR content is content that promotes the use of the corresponding optional service.

[0028] The user information storage unit 20 is a part equipped with a function of storing information. The user information storage unit 20 stores, for example, the usage information of the users of the elevator 1 in association with the identification information of the users.

[0029] The call registration unit 21 is a part equipped with a function of outputting a control signal for registering a call requested by a user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1. The call registration unit 21 receives request information representing a call requested by the user from the mobile terminal 18 possessed by the user. When receiving the request information from the mobile terminal 18, the call registration unit 21 acquires the usage information of the user who requested the call represented by the request information. The call registration unit 21, for example, reads the identification information included in the request information. Using the read identification information as a key, the call registration unit 21 acquires the usage information stored in the user information storage unit 20 in association with the identification information. In the case where the request information includes the usage information of the user, the call registration unit 21 may read the usage information from the request information. When receiving the request information from the mobile terminal 18, the call registration unit 21 acquires the information of the call represented by the request information. The call registration unit 21, for example, acquires the call information using the usage information acquired based on the identification information included in the request information. Based on the acquired call information, the call registration unit 21 outputs a control signal for registering the call requested by the user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11.

[0030] The acquisition unit 22 is a part equipped with a function of acquiring the usage status of optional services related to the use of the elevator 1. The usage status of the optional service includes, for example, information such as whether the optional service has been used, the number of times or frequency of use of the optional service, and the success or failure of providing the optional service. The usage status of the optional service may include, for example, the time when the optional service was used and the information of the user who used the optional service. The acquisition unit 22 may acquire the information necessary for acquiring the usage status from the elevator 1 or the like through the remote monitoring device 11, for example.

[0031] The selection unit 23 is a part equipped with a function of selecting the content to be output to the output device 15. The selection unit 23 selects the content to be output to the output device 15 from among the plurality of contents managed by the content management unit 19. The selection unit 23 selects, as the content to be output to the output device 15, the PR content that promotes the use of the option service according to the usage status of the option service acquired by the acquisition unit 22. The selection unit 23 causes the output device 15 to output the selected content by transmitting the selected content to the output control unit 16.

[0032] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0033] The PR content is output as, for example, video by the output device 15. The PR content presents to the user, for example, the outline of the option service, the usage method of the option service, the effects obtained by the option service, and the like. The PR content may present to the user the acquisition source of the software for using the option service. The software is, for example, an application installed in the mobile terminal 18. The acquisition source of the software may be presented by an encoded image such as a two-dimensional code encoding the download URL (Uniform Resource Locator) of the software.

[0034] Subsequently, an example of the operation of the content output system 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. FIGS. 4 and 5 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the content output system 14 according to the first embodiment.

[0035] In FIG. 4, an example of the operation related to the acquisition of the usage status of the option service by the acquisition unit 22 is shown. In this example, the acquisition unit 22 acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, the call request frequency by the call registration service. The call request frequency by the call registration service is, for example, the number of calls requested through the call registration service during a unit period. The unit period is a preset period such as, for example, one day, one week, or one month. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired call request frequency by the call registration service.

[0036] In step S101, the content output system 14 determines whether the call registration unit 21 has received request information from the user's mobile terminal 18. If the determination result is No, the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S101. If the determination result is Yes, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S102.

[0037] In step S102, the call registration unit 21 outputs, based on the request information, a control signal for registering the call requested by the user to the control panel 9 of the elevator 1. Thereafter, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S103.

[0038] In step S103, the acquisition unit 22 updates the call request frequency by adding 1 to the number of calls requested through the call registration service during the unit period. Note that the acquisition unit 22 may update the call request frequency after receiving a notification from the control panel 9 that the call registration has been successful. At this time, the acquisition unit 22 does not have to update the call request frequency when receiving a notification from the control panel 9 that the call registration has failed. Thereafter, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0039] In FIG. 5, an example of an operation related to the selection of content by the selection unit 23 is shown. In this example, the selection unit 23 selects the content to be output to the output device 15 based on, as the usage status of the call registration service, the call request frequency by the call registration service and whether the call registered in the elevator 1 is a call by the call registration service.

[0040] In step S201, the acquisition unit 22 determines, based on information obtained from the elevator 1 through, for example, the remote monitoring device 11, whether car 7 has responded to a registered call and arrived at any floor. If the determination result is No, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S201 again. If the determination result is Yes, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S202.

[0041] In step S202, the acquisition unit 22 determines whether the call registered in the elevator 1 is a call made through the call registration service, as the usage status of the call registration service. For example, when the acquisition unit 22 acquires information on the type of the call responded by the car 7 from the elevator 1 through the remote monitoring device 11, the determination is made based on the information. The types of calls include, for example, calls made through the call registration service via the mobile terminal 18, landing calls made by the landing operation panel 4, or car calls made by the car operation panel 10. Further, the acquisition unit 22 may make a determination based on, for example, information on the call registered in the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21. When the call responded by the car 7 corresponds to the call registered in the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call is a call made through the call registration service. On the other hand, when the call responded by the car 7 does not correspond to the call registered in the elevator 1 by the call registration unit 21, the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call is not a call made through the call registration service. Here, each call may be identified by, for example, unique information for each call. When the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call responded by the car 7 is not a call made through the call registration service, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S203. On the other hand, when the acquisition unit 22 determines that the call responded by the car 7 is a call made through the call registration service, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S205.

[0042] In step S203, the selection unit 23 determines whether the request frequency of the call made through the call registration service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the first threshold value. The first threshold value is a threshold value for the request frequency preset for the call registration service. When the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the first threshold value, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, when the request frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is equal to or higher than the first threshold value, the processing of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S205.

[0043] In step S204, the selection unit 23 selects PR content that promotes the use of the call registration service as the content to be output to the output device 15. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected PR content to the output control unit 16. Thereafter, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0044] In step S205, the selection unit 23 selects general content as the content to be output to the output device 15. The general content is, for example, content that has no particular relevance to the optional service. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected general content to the output control unit 16. Thereafter, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0045] As described above, the elevator system according to Embodiment 1 includes an elevator 1, a mobile terminal 18, and a content output system 14. The content output system 14 includes an acquisition unit 22 and a selection unit 23. The acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage status of the optional service for the elevator 1. The optional service is a service related to the use of the elevator 1 provided to the users of the elevator 1. The selection unit 23 selects, according to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service as the content to be output to the output device 15 provided in the elevator 1.

[0046] With such a configuration, according to the usage status of the optional service introduced in the elevator 1, PR content for promoting the use of the optional service is output from the output device 15 in the elevator 1. Thereby, since the optional service is effectively made known to the user by the PR content, the optional service becomes easier to use. Thereby, the effect of introducing the optional service is further enhanced. The value of the elevator 1 is increased by the use of the optional service, and thereby the value of the building to which the elevator 1 is applied is further enhanced. Further, the PR content is output according to the usage status of the optional service. When the optional service is sufficiently recognized and already widely used, the effect of outputting the PR content becomes low. In such a case, by the selection unit 23 not selecting the PR content, the content output system 14 can provide general content that is more likely to attract the user's interest. Thereby, the user of the elevator 1 can spend the time during the use of the elevator 1 more comfortably.

[0047] Further, the elevator 1 is, for example, an elevator. At this time, the optional service may be a call registration service that registers the call represented by the request information in the elevator when the request information representing the user's call is transmitted from the portable terminal 18 held by the user.

[0048] With such a configuration, the use of the call registration service is further promoted. Thereby, the convenience of the user using the elevator 1 is further enhanced, and the value of the building is further enhanced.

[0049] Further, the acquisition unit 22 acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, the call request frequency by the call registration service based on the reception of the request information. The selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output to the output device 15 when the call request frequency by the call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold value.

[0050] With such a configuration, when the call request frequency by the call registration service is low, the PR content will be presented to the user. When the call registration service is not much used, the information of the service will be made known to the user, so the use of the call registration service will be further promoted.

[0051] Also, the acquisition unit 22 acquires whether the call registered in the elevator is a call by the call registration service as the usage status of the call registration service. When the call registered in the elevator is not a call by the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output to the output device 15.

[0052] With such a configuration, when a call that is not a call by the call registration service is registered, the PR content will be presented to the user. The information of the service will be made known to the users who do not use the call registration service, so the use of the call registration service will be further promoted.

[0053] Note that the elevator which is the lift 1 may be provided with a plurality of carriages 7. In each carriage 7, an output device 15 is provided. Also, the call of the user is assigned to any one of the carriages 7. The call assignment may be performed by, for example, the group management device of the elevator. When the call registered in the elevator is not a call by the call registration service, the selection unit 23 selects the PR content as the content to be output to the output device 15 provided in the carriage 7 that responds to the call among the plurality of carriages 7. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected PR content to the output control unit 16 corresponding to the output device 15 of the carriage 7 that responds to the call. Based on the information received from the selection unit 23, the output control unit 16 causes the output device 15 of the carriage 7 to which a call that is not a call by the call registration service is assigned to output the selected PR content.

[0054] With such a configuration, for users who do not use the call registration service, information on the service will be made known in the car 7 that the user rides in, so that the use of the call registration service will be further promoted.

[0055] In addition, the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 may be referable, for example, from an information terminal such as a personal computer through the communication network 12 by the owner or administrator of the building that introduces the optional service. As a result, the owner or administrator or the like can more specifically grasp the effect of introducing the optional service.

[0056] Also, some or all of the content management unit 19, user information storage unit 20, call registration unit 21, acquisition unit 22, and selection unit 23 in the content output system 14 may be mounted on the control panel 9, the remote monitoring device 11, or other devices of the elevator 1. Some or all of these of the content output system 14 may be provided integrally with the output control unit 16 or the output device 15.

[0057] Subsequently, with reference to FIG. 6, an example of the hardware configuration of the content output system 14 will be described. FIG. 6 is a hardware configuration diagram of the main part of the content output system 14 according to Embodiment 1.

[0058] Each function of the processing in the content output system 14 can be realized by a processing circuit. 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 together with the processor 100a and the memory 100b, or as an alternative thereto.

[0059] When the processing circuit includes the processor 100a and the memory 100b, each function of the content output system 14 is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and the firmware is described as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes each function of the content output system 14 by reading and executing the program stored in the memory 100b.

[0060] The processor 100a is also referred to as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a processing device, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is composed of, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM, a ROM, a flash memory, an EPROM, or an EEPROM.

[0061] When the processing circuit includes the dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit is realized by, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel-programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0062] Each function of the processing in the content output system 14 can be realized by the processing circuit respectively. Alternatively, each function of the content output system 14 can also be realized by the processing circuit collectively. For each function of the content output system 14, a part can be realized by the dedicated hardware 200 and the other part can be realized by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuit realizes each function of the content output system 14 by the dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

[0063] Embodiment 2. In Embodiment 2, differences from the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 will be described in detail. For features not described in Embodiment 2, any features of the example disclosed in Embodiment 1 may be adopted.

[0064] FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the content output system 14 according to Embodiment 2.

[0065] In the elevator 1, an information presentation service is provided to the user. The information presentation service is an example of an optional service introduced into the elevator 1. The information presentation service is a service that presents the operating status of the elevator 1 to the user. The operating status of the elevator 1 may be, for example, the rest information of the elevator 1 or a scheduled stop due to maintenance inspection or the like. In this example, the information presentation service is implemented by an operation information management unit 24 mounted on, for example, a central management device 13.

[0066] The operation information management unit 24 is a part that manages the operating status of the elevator 1. The operation information management unit 24 obtains information necessary for obtaining the operating status from the elevator 1 through, for example, the remote monitoring device 11. The operation information management unit 24 stores the obtained operating status. When inquiry information indicating an inquiry about the operating status is transmitted from the user, the operation information management unit 24 presents the operating status of the elevator 1 to the user. The operation information management unit 24 is implemented by, for example, a web server. The inquiry information is transmitted from an information terminal such as a mobile terminal 18 or a personal computer used by the user. The inquiry information includes information for specifying the elevator 1 whose operating status is being inquired about. When receiving the inquiry information from the information terminal, the operation information management unit 24 returns the information on the operating status of the elevator 1 specified by the inquiry information to the information terminal.

[0067] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the PR content of the content output system 14 according to Embodiment 2.

[0068] The PR content is output as, for example, video by the output device 15. The PR content presents, for example, an overview of the optional service, how to use the optional service, the effects obtained by the optional service, etc. to the user. The PR content may also present to the user an access destination for using the optional service, etc. The access destination is information such as a URL for accessing a web server that presents the operating status of the elevator 1, for example. The access destination may be presented by an encoded image such as a two-dimensional code obtained by encoding the URL. Further, for example, when a sticker indicating the access destination is attached to the landing 3 of the elevator 1, etc., the PR content may present an image video of the sticker.

[0069] Subsequently, an example of the operation of the content output system 14 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10. FIGS. 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of the operation of the content output system 14 according to the second embodiment.

[0070] In FIG. 9, an example of the operation related to the acquisition of the usage status of the optional service by the acquisition unit 22 is shown. In this example, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the query frequency for the information presentation service as the usage status of the information presentation service. The query frequency for the information presentation service is, for example, the number of queries made to the information presentation service during a unit period. The unit period is a preset period such as one day, one week, or one month, for example. The acquisition unit 22 stores the acquired query frequency for the information presentation service.

[0071] In step S301, the content output system 14 determines whether the operation information management unit 24 has received query information from the user's information terminal. If the determination result is No, the process of the content output system 14 returns to step S301. If the determination result is Yes, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S302.

[0072] In step S302, the operation information management unit 24 presents the operation status of the elevator 1 to the information terminal based on the inquiry information from the information terminal. After that, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S303.

[0073] In step S303, the acquisition unit 22 updates the inquiry frequency by adding 1 to the number of inquiries made for the information presentation service during the unit period. After that, the process of the content output system 14 ends.

[0074] In FIG. 10, an example of the operation related to the selection of content by the selection unit 23 is shown. In this example, the selection unit 23 selects the content to be output to the output device 15 based on the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service as the usage status of the information presentation service.

[0075] In step S401, the selection unit 23 determines whether the car 7 has responded to a registered call and arrived at any floor based on information obtained from the elevator 1 through, for example, the remote monitoring device 11. If the determination result is No, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S401 again. If the determination result is Yes, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S402.

[0076] In step S402, the selection unit 23 determines whether the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than a second threshold value. The second threshold value is a threshold value for the inquiry frequency preset for the information presentation service. If the inquiry frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is lower than the second threshold value, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the inquiry frequency acquired by the acquisition unit 22 is equal to or higher than the second threshold value, the process of the content output system 14 proceeds to step S404.

[0077] In step S403, the selection unit 23 selects PR content that promotes the use of the information presentation service as the content to be output to the output device 15. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected PR content to the output control unit 16. Thereafter, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0078] In step S404, the selection unit 23 selects general content as the content to be output to the output device 15. The selection unit 23 transmits the selected general content to the output control unit 16. Thereafter, the processing of the content output system 14 ends.

[0079] As described above, in the elevator system according to the second embodiment, the optional service includes an information presentation service. The information presentation service is a service that presents the operation status of the elevator 1 to the information terminal when inquiry information representing an inquiry from the user is transmitted from the information terminal used by the user.

[0080] With such a configuration, the use of the information presentation service is further promoted. As a result, information such as the operation status of the elevator 1 is surely presented to the user, so the convenience of the user using the elevator 1 is further enhanced, and the value of the building is further enhanced.

[0081] Further, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service based on the reception of the inquiry information as the usage status of the information presentation service. When the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service is lower than a preset second threshold value, the selection unit 23 selects PR content as the content to be output to the output device 15.

[0082] With such a configuration, when the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service is low, the PR content is presented to the user. When the information presentation service is not used very much, the information of the service becomes known to the user, so the use of the information presentation service is further promoted.

[0083] Note that multiple types of option services may be introduced into a single elevator 1. In this case, the acquisition unit 22 acquires the usage status for each option service. Further, the selection unit 23 selects the corresponding PR content based on the usage status of each option service.

[0084] Also, the elevator 1 may be an escalator. In this case, the output device 15 may be, for example, a display or a speaker arranged adjacent to the path along which users using the escalator move. The content may be audio content.

Industrial Applicability

[0085] The elevator system according to the present disclosure can be applied to a building having a plurality of floors. The content output system according to the present disclosure can be applied to the elevator system.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0086] 1 Elevator, 2 Hoistway, 3 Landing, 4 Landing Operation Panel, 5 Hoisting Machine, 6 Main Rope, 7 Car, 8 Counterweight, 9 Control Panel, 10 Car Operation Panel, 11 Remote Monitoring Device, 12 Communication Network, 13 Central Management Device, 14 Content Output System, 15 Output Device, 16 Output Control Unit, 17 Transmitter, 18 Mobile Terminal, 19 Content Management Unit, 20 User Information Storage Unit, 21 Call Registration Unit, 22 Acquisition Unit, 23 Selection Unit, 24 Operation Information Management Unit, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Dedicated Hardware

Claims

**Claim 1** For an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an option service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to users of the elevator; A selection unit that selects, as content, PR content for promoting the use of the option service to be output to an output device provided in the elevator according to the usage status of the option service acquired by the acquisition unit; Comprising: The elevator is an elevator; The option service is a call registration service for registering a call represented by request information in the elevator when the request information representing a user's call is transmitted from a portable terminal possessed by the user; The acquisition unit acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, the call request frequency by the call registration service based on the reception of request information; The selection unit selects the PR content when the call request frequency by the call registration service is lower than a preset first threshold value; Content output system. **Claim 2** For an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an option service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to users of the elevator; A selection unit that selects, as content, PR content for promoting the use of the option service to be output to an output device provided in the elevator according to the usage status of the option service acquired by the acquisition unit; Comprising: The elevator is an elevator; The option service is a call registration service for registering a call represented by request information in the elevator when the request information representing a user's call is transmitted from a portable terminal possessed by the user; The acquisition unit acquires, as the usage status of the call registration service, whether or not a call registered in the elevator is a call by the call registration service; The selection unit selects the PR content when the call registered in the elevator is not a call by the call registration service; Content output system. **Claim 3** The elevator includes a plurality of carriages; When the call registered in the elevator is not a call by the call registration service, the selection unit selects the PR content as content to be output to an output device provided in the carriage that responds to the call among the plurality of carriages; The content output system according to claim 2.

4. For an elevator, an acquisition unit that acquires the usage status of an optional service already introduced in the elevator regarding the use of the elevator provided to users of the elevator; A selection unit that selects, as content, PR content that promotes the use of the optional service to be output to an output device provided in the elevator according to the usage status of the optional service acquired by the acquisition unit; Comprising: The optional service is an information presentation service that presents the operation status of the elevator to the information terminal when inquiry information representing an inquiry from the user is transmitted from the information terminal used by the user. Content output system.

5. The acquisition unit acquires, as the usage status of the information presentation service, the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service based on the reception of inquiry information; The selection unit selects the PR content when the inquiry frequency for the information presentation service is lower than a preset second threshold value. The content output system according to claim 4.

6. An elevator provided with an output device that outputs content; The content output system according to any one of claims 1 to 5; Comprising an elevator system.

7. An elevator provided with an output device that outputs content; A mobile terminal possessed by a user of the elevator; The content output system according to any one of claims 1 to 3; Comprising an elevator system.

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