Elevator system, elevator system control method and program

Abstract

To provide an elevator system that can provide users with a realistic experience in accordance with various video contents by utilizing a car. [Solution] The elevator system includes a car arranged in a hoistway so that it can rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. The control device performs a first control that applies an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and applies a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and a second control that applies a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and applies an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system, a control method for an elevator system, and a program. [Background technology]

[0002] An elevator is known that includes a car with doors that open and close and accommodates passengers, a drive means for raising and lowering the car, and a control device for controlling the operation of the drive means.The elevator is provided with a video playback device that displays a video playback screen on the inner wall of the car, the image displayed on the screen includes the scenery that would be visible to passengers on the car as it rises or falls, the video playback device includes circuit means that connects to the control device that controls the operation of the drive means, and the circuit means includes means for synchronizing at least the start of the video playback device with the start of the car's rise or fall (see, for example, Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 01-313082 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, in the technology shown in Patent Document 1, the elevator car is limited in its movement to within the hoistway, which poses a problem in that only limited video content can be provided to users, such as the scenery that passengers would be able to see while on board.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve such problems, and its purpose is to provide an elevator system, an elevator system control method, and a program that can provide users with a realistic experience based on various video content by utilizing an elevator car whose movement is limited to within the hoistway. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, wherein the control device performs a first control of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint rises in the image displayed on the display device and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint falls in the image displayed on the display device, and a second control of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint rises in the image displayed on the display device and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint falls in the image displayed on the display device. and, based on information about the image displayed on the display device, specifying the highest position and the lowest position of the car when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device, and determining to perform the first control when the distance from the specified highest position to the upper end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the specified lowest position to the lower end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance. do.

[0007] Alternatively, an elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, wherein the control device performs a first control of raising the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and a second control of lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and raises the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. and, based on information about the image displayed on the display device, specifying the highest position and the lowest position of the car when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device, and determining to perform the first control when the distance from the specified highest position to the upper end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the specified lowest position to the lower end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance. do.

[0008] Alternatively, an elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, and the control device controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. The device performs a first control in which an upward acceleration is applied to the car when the car is rising, and a downward acceleration is applied to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, and a second control in which a downward acceleration is applied to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and an upward acceleration is applied to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, and based on information related to the image displayed on the display device and information related to the position of the car within the elevator shaft, it determines to perform the second control if, when the image is displayed on the display device, the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft is less than a predetermined reference distance. Alternatively, an elevator system according to the present disclosure includes a car arranged to be able to rise and fall within a hoistway, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, wherein the control device performs a first control of raising the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and a second control of lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and raises the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and determines to perform the second control based on information related to the image displayed on the display device and information related to the position of the car within the hoistway if the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the hoistway is less than a predetermined reference distance when the image is displayed on the display device.

[0009] The control method for an elevator system according to the present disclosure is a control method for an elevator system including a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, the control method including a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint rises in the image displayed on the display device, and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint falls in the image displayed on the display device; and a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint rises in the image displayed on the display device, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint falls in the image displayed on the display device. a step of identifying the highest and lowest positions of the elevator car when the first control step is performed based on information about the image displayed on the display device, and a step of deciding to perform the first control step when the distance from the identified highest position to the top end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the bottom end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance; Equipped with.

[0010] Alternatively, a control method for an elevator system according to the present disclosure is a control method for an elevator system including a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, the control method including a first control step of raising the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and a second control step of lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and raises the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, a step of identifying the highest and lowest positions of the elevator car when the first control step is performed based on information about the image displayed on the display device, and a step of deciding to perform the first control step when the distance from the identified highest position to the top end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the bottom end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance; Equipped with.

[0011] Alternatively, the present disclosure provides a control method for an elevator system including a car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car, and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control system includes a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the car rises and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a step of determining to implement the second control step based on information related to the image displayed on the display device and information related to the position of the car within the elevator shaft if the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft is less than a predetermined reference distance when the image is displayed on the display device. Alternatively, a control method for an elevator system according to the present disclosure is a control method for an elevator system including: a car arranged to be able to rise and fall in a hoistway; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the car; and a control device that controls the raising and lowering of the car in accordance with movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, the control method including: a first control step of raising the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of lowering the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and raising the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a step of determining, based on information related to the image displayed on the display device and information related to the position of the car in the hoistway, to execute the second control step if, when the image is displayed on the display device, the distance from the car to the upper end or the lower end of the hoistway is less than a predetermined reference distance.

[0012] The program according to the present disclosure is for causing the computer of the control device to execute the above-described elevator system control method. [Effects of the Invention]

[0013] The elevator system, elevator system control method, and program disclosed herein have the effect of providing users with a realistic experience based on various video content by utilizing the elevator car, which is limited in its movement within the hoistway. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an elevator of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration inside an elevator car according to the first embodiment. FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration inside the elevator car according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a control system of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 5] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 is a flowchart showing an example of the operation of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. [Figure 8] 1 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of a control device of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] Embodiments for implementing an elevator system, an elevator system control method, and a program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant explanations are appropriately simplified or omitted. For convenience, the following description may express the positional relationship of each structure based on the illustrated state. Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and any combination of the embodiments, any modification of any component of each embodiment, or any omission of any component of each embodiment are possible within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0016] Embodiment 1 A first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 8. Fig. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating the configuration of an elevator in an elevator system. Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration inside an elevator car. Fig. 3 is a diagram illustrating another example of the configuration inside an elevator car. Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating the configuration of a control system for an elevator system. Figs. 5 to 7 are each a flow chart illustrating an example of the operation of an elevator system. Fig. 8 is a diagram illustrating an example of the configuration for realizing the functions of a control device for an elevator system.

[0017] The elevator system according to this embodiment has an elevator equipped with one or more cars 105. A building in which the elevator is installed has the same number of hoistways 10 as the cars 105. However, the number of cars 105 and the hoistways 10 does not necessarily have to be the same. For example, in the case of a so-called one-shaft multi-car elevator in which two or more cars 105 are provided in one hoistway 10, the number of hoistways 10 will be less than the number of cars 105. As shown in FIG. 1 , the cars 105 are arranged in the hoistway 10 so that they can rise and fall. The cars 105 rise and fall in the hoistway 10, transporting passengers and the like boarding the cars 105 between multiple floors of the building. A landing 20 is provided at each floor at which the cars 105 can stop.

[0018] The elevator system includes a control device 30. The control device 30 is installed in the hoistway 10 as a control panel, for example, as shown in FIG. 1 . However, the installation location of the control device 30 is not limited to the hoistway 10. The control device 30 may also be installed in, for example, a machine room of the building in which the elevator is installed, or in a facility other than the building in which the elevator is installed. The control device 30 may also be built on the cloud. The control device 30 controls the overall operation of the elevator, including the operation of the car 105.

[0019] The elevator system according to this embodiment not only provides users 101 with the usual service of using an elevator as a means of transportation, but also can provide a service of viewing video content, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . That is, in the elevator system according to this embodiment, users 101 include both those who view video content and those who use the elevator as a means of ascending and descending without viewing video content. The elevator system according to this embodiment is particularly suitable for providing users 101 with video content such as mixed reality (MR) video, augmented reality (AR) video, and virtual reality (VR) video. However, the video content provided by the elevator system to users 101 is not limited to these so-called XR (Extended Reality / Cross Reality) contents.

[0020] 2 shows an example of a case where an image is displayed on a head-mounted display 41 worn by each user 101 in a car 105. In this example, a sensor 42 that detects the behavior of the head-mounted display 41 and the like is installed in the car 105. Then, the image displayed on the head-mounted display 41 of each user 101 is controlled according to the detection result of the behavior of the head-mounted display 41 of each user 101.

[0021] 3 shows an example in which each user 101 riding in the same elevator 105 watches an image on one display device. In this example, a projector 43 and a screen 44 are installed in the elevator 105. An image is projected from the projector 43 onto the screen 44, allowing the user 101 to watch the image.

[0022] Next, the functional configuration of the control system of the elevator system according to this embodiment will be described with reference to Fig. 4. As shown in the figure, the elevator system includes an input unit 102. The input unit 102 includes sensing equipment such as sensors, input devices that users can operate to input various information, and the like. The input devices also include devices that allow the user 101 to use this system as a normal elevator. That is, the input unit 102 includes a hall call registration button (not shown) installed at the hall 20, and an in-car operation panel (not shown) installed in the car 105. The in-car operation panel is provided with, for example, a destination floor button, a door open button, a door close button, and the like.

[0023] The input unit 102 may also include a sensor that detects the position, movement, etc. of the head, body, etc. of the user 101. Such sensors may include, for example, the sensor 42 installed in the car 105 described above, or a gaze sensor, head position sensor, acceleration sensor, etc. installed in the head-mounted display 41. Specific examples of the sensor 42 installed in the car 105 include a camera, an infrared sensor, a thermography camera, a stabilometer, etc. that detect the movement of the user 101 inside the car 105. The input unit 102 may also include a wearable sensor worn by the user 101. Specific examples of the wearable sensor include a glove-type sensor, a sole sensor, etc. that acquire the movement of fingers.

[0024] Furthermore, elevator-related information, video-related information, personal information of user 101, and the like may be input to input unit 102. Elevator-related information may include, for example, operation information for the hall call registration button and the car control panel described above, as well as operation information for a card key for using the elevator. Video-related information may include information about operations on video-related devices, such as commands to start, stop, or end playback of video content, or information about the timing of these operations. Personal information of user 101 may include, for example, past usage history information, information about the state of user 101 during past use, and, if this system is a fee-charging system, information for determining whether user 101 has reserved use of this system.

[0025] The elevator system further includes an elevator control unit 103. The elevator control unit 103 controls the operation of the car 105, such as running, stopping, door opening, and door closing. The elevator system according to this embodiment is capable of performing normal control and content-linked control. Normal control is a control in which the elevator is used as a means of transportation and the car 105 is operated to transport the user 101 to the desired floor. Content-linked control is a control in which the car 105 is operated in conjunction with content playback. The content-linked control will be described later.

[0026] In normal control, for example, when the user 101 operates the aforementioned hall call registration button, the elevator control unit 103 registers a hall call for the specified direction (upward or downward). Then, in order to respond to the registered hall call, the elevator control unit 103 runs the car 105 to the floor where the user 101 who registered the hall call is waiting. When the car 105 arrives at the hall call registration floor, the elevator control unit 103 opens the doors of the car 105, and the user 101 boards the car 105. When the user 101 who has boarded the car 105 operates, for example, the desired destination floor button on the aforementioned in-car operating panel, the elevator control unit 103 registers a car call for the specified floor. Then, the elevator control unit 103 closes the doors of the car 105 and runs the car 105 to the destination floor. Note that the closing of the car 105 door and the registration of the car call by operating the car control panel may occur before or after this. When the car 105 arrives at the desired destination floor, the elevator control unit 103 opens the car 105 door, and the user 101 gets off the car 105. In this way, through a series of operations under normal control, the user 101 can use the elevator to move to the desired floor.

[0027] The elevator system further includes an elevator information storage unit 104. The elevator information storage unit 104 is a database that stores time-series data on the operation of the car 105. The elevator information storage unit 104 stores information such as the acceleration, speed, and position of the car 105. The elevator information storage unit 104 may also store the above-mentioned elevator-related information input to the input unit 102.

[0028] The elevator system further includes an environmental information management unit 109. The environmental information management unit 109 acquires the detection data of the various sensors, the elevator-related information, the video-related information, the personal information of the user 101, and the like input to the input unit 102, and manages the information to be used within the system. The environmental information storage unit 112 stores the various data input to the input unit 102 and managed by the environmental information management unit 109. As mentioned above, the elevator-related information may be stored in the elevator information storage unit 104.

[0029] The elevator system further includes a content information storage unit 111, a content control unit 106, a video information analysis unit 107, a video data generation unit 108, and an output unit 110. The content information storage unit 111 stores content data to be experienced by the user 101. The content information storage unit 111 may be provided in the control device 30 or may be built into the head-mounted display 41 described above. In the case of VR, specific examples of the content stored in the content information storage unit 111 include entertainment content that simulates the experience of space travel, flying through the sky on a magic broom, or plummeting on a roller coaster. In the case of AR, specific examples of the content stored in the content information storage unit 111 include maintenance and inspection content that displays an image of the inside of the car, an image of the other side of a panel inside the car, etc. superimposed on an image of the actual interior of the car 105 reflected in the user's field of vision.

[0030] The content control unit 106 is a control unit that serves as a hub for data control in this system. Triggered by input of operation information or the like to the input unit 102, the content control unit 106 acquires information from the environment information storage unit 112 and starts content playback processing. The content control unit 106 also generates instruction information for controlling the operation of the car 105 in conjunction with the content playback, and transmits the generated instruction information to the elevator control unit 103. The instruction information includes, for example, information such as the direction of movement (up, down, or stop) of the car 105, its speed, acceleration, start time of movement, and duration of movement.

[0031] The video information analysis unit 107 analyzes data related to the visual information of the content being played. The video information analysis unit 107 mainly extracts time-series data related to the speed and acceleration of the content's vertical movement. Here, the movement of the content refers to the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the video when the content includes a video of the field of view from a virtual viewpoint, i.e., a virtual viewpoint video. The virtual viewpoint generally refers to the viewpoint of a camera in three-dimensional computer graphics (3DCG). A virtual viewpoint video can be said to be a video captured by a hypothetical camera located at an arbitrary position in a virtual or augmented-reality three-dimensional space. In this case, the virtual viewpoint includes parameters such as the position, direction, attitude (tilt), and angle of view of the virtual camera that captured the virtual viewpoint video. Viewers of virtual viewpoint video can feel as if their own viewpoint is located at the virtual viewpoint in the three-dimensional space of the video. Virtual viewpoints can be broadly divided into subjective viewpoints (first-person viewpoints) and objective viewpoints (third-person viewpoints), and the sense of immersion in the video is generally higher with subjective viewpoint images than with objective viewpoint images.

[0032] The video information analysis unit 107 may analyze the features of the video itself, or may use remaining information such as camera data from the time the content was generated for analysis. The video information analysis unit 107 may analyze the entire content before the user begins using the content, or may employ a streaming method in which analysis of the next playback point is performed as needed while playback is in progress. The video information analysis unit 107 may also use both the pre-analysis method and the streaming method, for example, to analyze the next playback point of the content as much as possible before playback begins, and then switch to the streaming method after playback has started. The video information analysis unit 107 obtains information required for analysis from the content information storage unit 111 via the content control unit 106. The video information analysis unit 107 then sends the analysis results to the content control unit 106.

[0033] The video data generation unit 108 generates video data in a format that can be played back by the output unit 110, which will be described later, in accordance with instructions from the content control unit 106. For example, in the case of VR video data, a stereoscopic image that conforms to the settings of the head-mounted display 41 is generated. The video data generation unit 108 also stores data used in data generation (for example, playback time from the start in the case of a movie, or time-series data such as the position and posture information of a virtual camera in the case of interactive content) in the content information storage unit 111. The data may be stored immediately after data generation or after all content has been played back. The video data generation unit 108 accesses the content information storage unit 111 via the content control unit 106.

[0034] The output unit 110 is a device that presents information to the user 101. The output unit 110 may include, for example, a display device, a light source, a speaker, a fan, etc. The display device may include, for example, a VR device such as the head-mounted display 41 described above, an AR device, the projector 43 and screen 44 described above, a liquid crystal display, an organic EL display, etc.

[0035] The output unit 110 includes a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator car 105. The head-mounted display 41 described above, or the projector 43 and screen 44 described above, are examples of such a display device.

[0036] In the configuration example shown in FIG. 4 , the elevator control unit 103, the elevator information storage unit 104, the content control unit 106, the video information analysis unit 107, the video data generation unit 108, the environmental information management unit 109, the content information storage unit 111, and the environmental information storage unit 112 are provided in the control device 30. However, some of these units may be provided outside the control device 30. For example, some or all of the elevator information storage unit 104, the content information storage unit 111, and the environmental information storage unit 112 may be provided in a server or the like outside the control device 30. In this case, the control device 30 and the server are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other via a communication line such as the Internet. Furthermore, instead of providing the elevator information storage unit 104, the content information storage unit 111, and the environmental information storage unit 112 separately, these units may be integrated into a single storage unit. Furthermore, some or all of the input unit 102, the content control unit 106, the video information analysis unit 107, the video data generation unit 108, the environmental information management unit 109, the content information storage unit 111, and the environmental information storage unit 112 may be provided in the car 105. In this case, these may be provided in the head-mounted display 41 and the projector 43 in the car 105, or in equipment installed on the upper part outside the car 105 (so-called "above the car") or inside the car 105.

[0037] Next, content-linked control, i.e., operation control of the car 105 linked to content playback, in the elevator system according to this embodiment will be described. The content control unit 106 generates instruction information for controlling the operation of the car 105 linked to content playback based on the analysis results of the video content by the video information analysis unit 107. This instruction information causes the car 105 to rise and fall in accordance with the movement of a virtual viewpoint in the video related to the content being played back, i.e., the video displayed on the display device. The elevator control unit 103 then controls the rise and fall of the car 105 based on the instruction information generated by the content control unit 106. In this way, the control device 30 controls the rise and fall of the car 105 in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the video displayed on the display device.

[0038] The control device 30 can perform first and second controls through the processing in the content control unit 106, the video information analysis unit 107, and the elevator control unit 103. The first control is a control for raising and lowering the car 105 as follows. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, acceleration in the upward direction is applied to the car 105. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, acceleration in the downward direction is applied to the car 105.

[0039] The second control is a control for raising and lowering the car 105 as follows. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, the elevator car 105 is accelerated downward. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, the elevator car 105 is accelerated in the upward direction.

[0040] Here, imparting acceleration in the upward direction to the car 105 includes operations such as accelerating the car 105 when the car 105 is rising and decelerating the car 105 when the car 105 is descending. Also, imparting acceleration in the downward direction to the car 105 includes operations such as accelerating the car 105 when the car 105 is descending and decelerating the car 105 when the car 105 is rising.

[0041] In this way, the first control is a control that imparts an inertial force to the user 101 in the car 105 such that the user 101 feels as if he or she is rising or falling in the same direction as the rising or falling direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. The second control is a control that imparts an inertial force to the user 101 in the car 105 such that the user 101 feels as if he or she is rising or falling in the opposite direction to the rising or falling direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device.

[0042] The content control unit 106 of the control device 30 determines, based on information about the video displayed on the display device, whether to perform the first control or the second control when the video is displayed on the display device. Here, the information about the video displayed on the display device includes time-series data about the speed, acceleration, etc. of the vertical movement of the content (movement of the virtual viewpoint) described above. The content control unit 106 then generates instruction information according to whether the first control or the second control is to be performed, and the elevator control unit 103 controls the elevation of the car 105 to perform either the first control or the second control based on the instruction information.

[0043] For example, the content control unit 106 determines to perform the first control when one or both of the following conditions are met, and determines to perform the second control when they are not met. In this case, it is even better to determine to perform the first control in a scene where one or both of the velocity and acceleration of the virtual viewpoint in the video are maximized. The speed of the virtual viewpoint in the video is above a certain speed. The acceleration of the virtual viewpoint in the video is above a certain level.

[0044] Alternatively, the content control unit 106 may determine whether to perform the first control or the second control depending on the level of excitement in a scene in the video content. In this case, for example, the content control unit 106 may determine to perform the first control when the scene is particularly exciting, and may determine to perform the second control otherwise.

[0045] According to the elevator system configured as described above, the elevator car 105 is controlled to ascend and descend using the first control or the second control in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, thereby making the user 101 feel as if he or she is ascending and descending in the same direction as the image. Here, the second control is a control that applies an inertial force to the user 101 in the elevator car 105 so that the user 101 feels as if he or she is ascending and descending in the opposite direction to the ascending and descending direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. However, since the user 101 is greatly influenced by visual information, the user 101 can be given the illusion that he or she is ascending and descending in the same direction as the image. Therefore, by selectively using the first control and the second control, the elevator car 105 can ascend and descend in conjunction with the image displayed on the display device while reducing the range of movement of the elevator car 105. Therefore, by utilizing the elevator car 105, which is limited to movement within the hoistway 10, a realistic experience can be provided to the user 101 in accordance with a wide variety of video content.

[0046] If the content control unit 106 of the control device 30 determines to perform the first control when displaying the video on the display device, the content control unit 106 may determine to perform the preliminary control before performing the first control. The preliminary control is a control for adjusting the position of the car 105 in the elevator shaft 10. Specifically, for example, the preliminary control may move the car 105 to a position exactly midway between the upper end and the lower end of the elevator shaft 10. As another example, the preliminary control may move the car 105 to a position where the distance from the car 105 to the upper end or the lower end of the elevator shaft 10 is equal to or greater than a certain distance. In this case, for example, a second reference distance, which will be described later, may be used as the certain distance. When the content control unit 106 determines to perform the preliminary control before performing the first control, the content control unit 106 generates instruction information corresponding to the preliminary control. Then, the elevator control unit 103 performs the preliminary control based on the instruction information to control the elevation or descent of the car 105. In this way, when the control device 30 determines to perform the first control when the image is displayed on the display device, it performs a preliminary control to adjust the position of the car 105 in the elevator shaft 10 before performing the first control. This makes it possible to ensure a range in which the car 105 can ascend and descend by the first control according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device.

[0047] The content control unit 106 of the control device 30 may identify, based on information about an image displayed on the display device, the highest and lowest positions of the car 105 in the elevator shaft 10 when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device. Then, the content control unit 106 determines to perform the first control when the distance from the identified highest position of the car 105 to the top end of the elevator shaft 10 is equal to or greater than a first reference distance set in advance. Alternatively, the content control unit 106 determines to perform the first control when the distance from the identified lowest position of the car 105 to the bottom end of the elevator shaft 10 is equal to or greater than a first reference distance set in advance. This also ensures a range in which the car 105 can ascend and descend by the first control according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device.

[0048] Furthermore, the content control unit 106 of the control device 30 may determine whether to perform the first control or the second control when the video is displayed on the display device, further based on information regarding the position of the car 105 in the elevator shaft 10. The content control unit 106 can acquire information regarding the position of the car 105 in the elevator shaft 10 from the elevator control unit 103, the elevator information storage unit 104, etc. In this case, the content control unit 106 may determine to perform the second control when the distance from the car 105 to the upper end or the lower end of the elevator shaft 10 is less than a predetermined second reference distance. Then, the content control unit 106 may determine to perform the first control when the distance from the car 105 to the upper end or the lower end of the elevator shaft 10 is equal to or greater than the second reference distance. This also ensures a range in which the car 105 can ascend and descend by the first control according to the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the video displayed on the display device.

[0049] In the elevator system according to this embodiment, the control device 30 may be able to perform a third control through processing by the content control unit 106, the video information analysis unit 107, and the elevator control unit 103. The third control is a control for moving the car 105 up or down at an acceleration equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint in the video displayed on the display device stops. Furthermore, the control device 30 may perform the third control in the above-described preliminary control to move the car 105 to an intermediate position in the elevator shaft 10 prior to performing the first control. This allows the car 105 to be moved without causing discomfort to the user 101 who is watching video content in the car 105. By utilizing the elevator car 105, which is limited in its movement to within the range of the elevator shaft 10, a realistic experience can be provided to the user 101 in accordance with a wide variety of video content.

[0050] In the elevator system according to this embodiment, when the first control is not being performed, the control device 30 may insert an image corresponding to the ascent and descent of the car 105 into the image displayed on the display device and display the image on the display device. For example, if the second control or the backup control is performed and it becomes necessary to stop, descend, or the like of the car 105 even though the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device is ascending, the content control unit 106 may insert an image of the virtual viewpoint stopping or descending in response to the stopping or descending of the car 105 into the original image and display the image on the display device. Similarly, for example, when an instruction to switch the car 105 to the normal operation mode is received, or when the car 105 gets closer than expected to the top of the elevator shaft 10 and it becomes necessary to stop, decelerate, descend, or the like of the car 105, an image in which the movement of the virtual viewpoint differs from the original image and corresponds to the movement of the car 105 may be inserted and displayed on the display device. In this way, the car 105 can be moved without causing discomfort to the user 101 who is watching video content inside the car 105, and by utilizing the elevator car 105, which is limited in its movement to within the hoistway 10, a realistic experience can be provided to the user 101 according to a wide variety of video content.

[0051] Next, an example of the operation of the elevator system configured as above will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 7. First, in step S101 of Figure 5, the input unit 102 acquires information input by the user 101. Specifically, for example, the input unit 102 acquires information on whether or not the call registration button at the hall 20 has been operated, whether or not the operation panel in the car has been operated, etc. In the following step S102, the input unit 102 acquires the detection results of the behavior of the user 101, for example, by the sensor 42, etc. After step S102, the control device 30 then performs the process of step S103.

[0052] In step S103, the content control unit 106 acquires content data from the content information storage unit 111. In the following step S104, the environmental information management unit 109 determines whether or not to perform content-linked control based on the information acquired in steps S101 and S102. If content-linked control is not to be performed, the control device 30 then performs the process of step S105. In step S105, the elevator control unit 103 transports the user 101 to the desired destination floor by normal elevator control, i.e., the normal control described above. After step S105, the control device 30 returns to step S104 and continues the process.

[0053] On the other hand, if content-linked control is to be performed in step S104, the control device 30 then performs the process of step S106. In step S106, the elevator control unit 103 performs content-linked control. After step S106, the control device 30 returns to step S104 and continues the process.

[0054] Note that the acquisition of the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. in step S102 may be constantly performed during the processing of each subsequent step, particularly during the content-linked control in step S106. The elevator control unit 103 may change the control details of the car 105 during the content-linked control as needed in accordance with the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. The content control unit 106 may also change the control details of content playback as needed in accordance with the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. In this case, for example, in step S102, the control device 30 starts a process for constantly monitoring and acquiring the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. Then, in step S106, the elevator control unit 103 controls the car 105 in accordance with the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. acquired by this monitoring and acquisition process. The content control unit 106 controls the playback of content in accordance with the detection results of the sensors 42, etc. acquired by the monitoring and acquisition process.

[0055] Furthermore, since content-linked control has a lower priority than normal elevator use, if there is an interrupt input from user 101 for normal use, the elevator may be switched to normal elevator operation mode even during content-linked control, unless a special operation mode is in effect. In other words, the determination in S104 may be always executed, and the process may proceed to S105 by an interrupt even during the execution of any step.

[0056] Fig. 6 shows details of the processing in step S106 in Fig. 5. First, in step S1061, the elevator control unit 103, in accordance with command information from the content control unit 106, performs first control or second control in conjunction with the timing at which it is desired to create the illusion of rising and falling for the user 101 in the car 105, in accordance with the rising and falling of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, thereby raising or lowering the car 105. In the following step S1062, the elevator control unit 103 determines whether or not preparatory control is being performed. If preparatory control is not being performed, the control device 30 then performs the processing of step S1063.

[0057] In step S1063, the content control unit 106 determines whether to perform the first control or the second control next. If the content control unit 106 determines to perform the first control next, it also determines whether to perform preliminary control before the first control. For example, if it has been determined that the first control, which involves a large amount of movement of the car 105, will be performed in the future and there has been no significant movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device recently, the content control unit 106 determines to perform preliminary control. For example, if the content being played is interactive and it is difficult to predict the future movement of the virtual viewpoint, the content control unit 106 may determine to perform preliminary control when the distance from the car 105 to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft 10 is less than the second reference distance. Furthermore, if it has been determined that the first control will be performed continuously or intermittently and there is not enough time to perform preliminary control, the content control unit 106 may change part of the first control to the second control. After step S1063, the control device 30 then performs the process of step S1064.

[0058] In step S1064, the elevator control unit 103 performs backup control as necessary in accordance with the decision made by the content control unit 106 in step S1063. If it is determined in step S1062 that backup control is being performed, the process proceeds directly from step S1062 to step S1064, giving priority to the performance of backup control.

[0059] 7 shows an example of operation control of the output unit 110 by the content control unit 106. Steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 7 are the same as steps S101 to S104 in FIG. 5, and therefore redundant description will be omitted. If it is determined in step S104 in FIG. 7 that content-linked control is to be performed, the control device 30 then performs processing in step S107. In step S107, the content control unit 106 controls the operation of the output unit 110 to present the content acquired in step S103 to the user 101. The presentation timing of the video, sound, etc. is linked to the movement of the car 105. After presenting the content to the user 101, information about the presented content and the reaction of the user 101 detected by the sensor 42 or the like are stored as feedback in the content information storage unit 111 or the environmental information storage unit 112.

[0060] On the other hand, if it is determined in step S104 of Fig. 7 that content-linked control is not to be performed, the control device 30 then performs the process of step S108. In step S108, the elevator control unit 103 displays the current position, direction of travel, destination floor, etc. of the car 105 to the regular elevator user 101. The content control unit 106 may also play, for example, an advertising video, a guide video for the building in which the elevator is installed, etc. to the regular elevator user 101. The display in step S108 may be performed at all times.

[0061] Next, a modified example of the first control and the second control in the elevator system according to this embodiment will be described. In this modified example, the first control is a control for raising and lowering the car 105 as follows. When the virtual viewpoint rises in the image displayed on the display device, the elevator car 105 is given an upward velocity, that is, the elevator car 105 is raised. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, a downward velocity is imparted to the car 105, that is, the car 105 is caused to descend.

[0062] In this modified example, the second control is a control for raising and lowering the car 105 as follows. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, the car 105 is given a downward velocity, that is, the car 105 is caused to descend. When the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, the elevator car 105 is given an upward velocity, that is, the elevator car 105 is raised.

[0063] In this way, the first control in this modified example is a control that causes the user 101 in the car 105 to run the car 105 in the same direction as the ascending and descending direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. Also, the second control in this modified example is a control that causes the user 101 in the car 105 to run the car 105 in the opposite direction to the ascending and descending direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device.

[0064] The content control unit 106 of the control device 30 determines, based on information about the video to be displayed on the display device, whether to perform the first control or the second control when the video is displayed on the display device. The content control unit 106 then generates instruction information according to whether the first control or the second control is to be performed, and the elevator control unit 103 controls the elevation of the car 105 so as to perform either the first control or the second control based on the instruction information. In this modified example, the various processes in the content-linked control, including the determination of whether to perform the first control or the second control, are the same as those in the configuration examples of this embodiment described so far.

[0065] According to the modified elevator system configured as described above, similar to the configuration example of the present embodiment described above, the elevator car 105 is controlled to ascend and descend using the first control or the second control in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, allowing the user 101 to feel as if he or she is ascending and descending in the same way as the image. Note that the second control in this modified example causes the elevator car 105 to move in the opposite direction to the ascending and descending direction of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. However, since the user 101 is greatly influenced by visual information, the user 101 can be given the illusion that he or she is ascending and descending in the same way as the image. Therefore, by selectively using the first control and the second control, the elevator car 105 can ascend and descend in conjunction with the image displayed on the display device while narrowing the range of movement of the elevator car 105. Therefore, this modified example also makes it possible to provide the user 101 with a realistic experience in accordance with a wide variety of video content by utilizing the elevator car 105, which is limited to movement within the hoistway 10.

[0066] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the control device 30 in this embodiment. The functions of the control device 30 are realized, for example, by a processing circuit. The processing circuit may include a processor 31 and a memory 32. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 33. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as dedicated hardware 33, and the processing circuit may further include a processor 31 and a memory 32. In the example shown in the figure, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 33. Furthermore, in the example shown in the figure, the processing circuit further includes a processor 31 and a memory 32.

[0067] The processing circuit, part of which is at least one dedicated hardware 33, may be, for example, a single circuit, a multiple circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. If the processing circuit comprises at least one processor 31 and at least one memory 32, the functionality of the control device 30 may be realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0068] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 32. Processor 31 realizes the functions of each part by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 32. Processor 31 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. Examples of memory 32 include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, and EEPROM, as well as magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidisks, and DVDs.

[0069] In this way, the processing circuit of the control device 30 can realize each function of the control device 30 by hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. When the processing circuit of the control device 30 includes at least a processor 31 and a memory 32, the processor 31 executes a program stored in the memory 32 in the control device 30, and the hardware and software of the control device 30 work together to realize the functions of each part of the control device 30. Note that the elevator system is not limited to a configuration in which operation is controlled by a single control device 30. The operation of the elevator system may be controlled by cooperation between multiple devices.

[0070] The control method for an elevator system according to the present disclosure is a control method for an elevator system including a car 105 arranged in a hoistway 10 so as to be able to rise and fall, a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user inside the car 105, and a control device 30 that controls the rise and fall of the car 105 in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device. The control method includes a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying a downward acceleration to the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends, and a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends. Alternatively, it may include a first control step of raising the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and lowering the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls, and a second control step of lowering the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises and raising the car 105 when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. Alternatively, it may include a step of raising or lowering the car 105 at an acceleration equal to or less than a preset reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device stops.

[0071] The program according to the present disclosure is for causing the computer of the control device 30 to execute the elevator system control method described above. The recording medium according to the present disclosure stores such a program and is readable by the computer of the control device 30.

[0072] In the present disclosure, the embodiments, configuration examples, modifications, etc. may be combined in any manner without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. Examples of various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices. (Appendix 1) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that applies an acceleration in an upward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applies an acceleration in a downward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a second control that applies a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applies an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends. (Appendix 2) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that raises the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowers the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; An elevator system that implements a second control that lowers the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and raises the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends. (Appendix 3) The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the control device determines whether to perform the first control or the second control when the image is displayed on the display device, based on information about the image displayed on the display device. (Appendix 4) An elevator system as described in Appendix 3, wherein the control device determines whether to perform the first control or the second control when the image is displayed on the display device, further based on information regarding the position of the elevator car within the elevator shaft. (Appendix 5) The control device Based on information about the image displayed on the display device, a highest position and a lowest position of the elevator car when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device are identified; An elevator system as described in Appendix 4, which determines to perform the first control when the distance from the identified highest position to the upper end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the lower end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance. (Appendix 6) An elevator system as described in Appendix 4, wherein the control device determines to perform the second control when the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft is less than a predetermined reference distance. (Appendix 7) The elevator system described in Appendix 3, wherein the control device, when it decides to perform the first control when the image is displayed on the display device, performs a preliminary control to adjust the position of the car within the elevator shaft before performing the first control. (Appendix 8) The elevator system described in Appendix 7, wherein the control device, in the preliminary control, performs a third control in which the elevator car is raised or lowered at an acceleration equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device is stopped. (Appendix 9) An elevator system described in any one of Appendix 1 to Appendix 8, wherein when the control device is not performing the first control, the control device inserts an image corresponding to the ascent and descent of the elevator car into the image displayed on the display device and displays it on the display device. (Appendix 10) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device An elevator system that raises and lowers the elevator car at an acceleration equal to or less than a preset reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint is stopped in the image displayed on the display device. (Appendix 11) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends. (Appendix 12) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; A control method for an elevator system, comprising: a second control step of lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device descends. (Appendix 13) a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, A control method for an elevator system, comprising a step of raising and lowering the elevator car at an acceleration equal to or less than a predetermined reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint is stopped in the image displayed on the display device. (Appendix 14) A program for causing a computer of the control device to execute the elevator system control method described in any one of Supplementary Note 11 to Supplementary Note 13. [Explanation of symbols]

[0073] 10 Elevator Platform 20 30 Control device 31 processors 32 memory 33 Dedicated Hardware 41 Head-mounted display 42 sensors 43 Projector 44 screens 101 User 102 Input section 103 Elevator control unit 104 Elevator information storage unit 105 Car 106 Content control section 107 Video Information Analysis Unit 108 Video data generation unit 109 Environmental Information Management Department 110 Output section 111 Content information storage unit 112 Environmental information storage section

Claims

1. a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that applies an acceleration in an upward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applies an acceleration in a downward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a second control for applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. Based on information about the image displayed on the display device, a highest position and a lowest position of the elevator car when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device are identified; An elevator system that determines to perform the first control when the distance from the identified highest position to the top end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the bottom end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance.

2. a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that raises the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowers the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a second control for lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and for raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. Based on information about the image displayed on the display device, a highest position and a lowest position of the elevator car when the first control is performed when the image is displayed on the display device are identified; An elevator system that determines to perform the first control when the distance from the identified highest position to the top end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the bottom end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance.

3. A car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that applies an acceleration in an upward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applies an acceleration in a downward direction to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a second control for applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. An elevator system that determines to perform the second control if, based on information regarding the image displayed on the display device and information regarding the position of the car within the elevator shaft, the distance from the car to the top or bottom end of the elevator shaft when the image is displayed on the display device is less than a predetermined reference distance.

4. A car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the elevator car in accordance with the movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, The control device a first control that raises the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowers the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a second control for lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and for raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls. An elevator system that determines to perform the second control if, based on information regarding the image displayed on the display device and information regarding the position of the car within the elevator shaft, the distance from the car to the top or bottom end of the elevator shaft when the image is displayed on the display device is less than a predetermined reference distance.

5. The elevator system described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the control device, when deciding to perform the first control when the image is displayed on the display device, performs a preliminary control to adjust the position of the car in the elevator shaft before performing the first control.

6. The elevator system described in claim 5, wherein the control device, in the preliminary control, performs a third control in which the elevator car is raised or lowered at an acceleration equal to or lower than a predetermined reference acceleration when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device is stopped.

7. An elevator system as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein when the control device is not performing the first control, the control device inserts an image corresponding to the ascent and descent of the elevator car into the image displayed on the display device and displays it on the display device.

8. a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; A step of identifying the highest position and the lowest position of the elevator car when the first control step is performed based on information about the image displayed on the display device; and a step of deciding to implement the first control step when the distance from the identified highest position to the upper end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the lower end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance.

9. a car arranged in the elevator shaft so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; A step of identifying the highest position and the lowest position of the elevator car when the first control step is performed based on information about the image displayed on the display device; and a step of deciding to implement the first control step when the distance from the identified highest position to the upper end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than a predetermined reference distance, or when the distance from the identified lowest position to the lower end of the elevator shaft is equal to or greater than the reference distance.

10. A car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of applying a downward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and applying an upward acceleration to the car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a step of determining to execute the second control step if, based on information about the image displayed on the display device and information about the position of the car within the elevator shaft, the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft is less than a predetermined reference distance when the image is displayed on the display device.

11. A car arranged in a hoistway so as to be able to rise and fall; a display device that displays an image from a virtual viewpoint to a user in the elevator; a control device that controls the elevation of the car in accordance with a movement of the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device, a first control step of raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; a second control step of lowering the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device rises, and raising the elevator car when the virtual viewpoint in the image displayed on the display device falls; and a step of determining to execute the second control step if, based on information about the image displayed on the display device and information about the position of the car within the elevator shaft, the distance from the car to the upper end or lower end of the elevator shaft is less than a predetermined reference distance when the image is displayed on the display device.

12. A program for causing a computer of the control device to execute the elevator system control method according to any one of claims 8 to 11.

Images