Destination floor registration device, destination floor registration device control method, and elevator

Abstract

To provide a destination floor registration device with a low failure rate.SOLUTION: A destination floor registration device is provided with an input unit to which sensor information acquired by a sensor is input, a detection unit that detects the motion to press a non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input from the input unit, and an output unit that outputs information for avoiding contact with the non-contact operation unit based on the detection of the motion to press the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention generally relates to a technique for contactlessly registering elevator destination floors. [Background technology]

[0002] As a preventative measure against infectious diseases such as COVID-19, elevators equipped with contactless call devices that can register elevator calls without contact by detecting hand movements have been introduced. However, there is a concern that users of these elevators may mistake the contactless call device for a regular contact call button (push button) and press it, causing the contactless call device to malfunction.

[0003] In this regard, an elevator push button failure detection device has been disclosed that, when the push button is continuously pressed, can determine whether the failure is due to a malfunction of the push button itself or an intentional pressing operation by an elevator user (see Patent Document 1). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2009-1383 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] Although the technology described in Patent Document 1 can distinguish the pressing of a push button, it cannot prevent a situation in which a contactless call device is mistaken for a push button and pressed.

[0006] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above points, and aims to propose a destination floor registration device etc. that is difficult to press on a non-contact operation unit that can register an elevator's destination floor without contact. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a destination floor registration device that includes a non-contact operation unit that allows elevator users to register the destination floor of the elevator without touching it, and a contact operation unit that allows elevator users to register the destination floor of the elevator by touching it, and that is provided with an input unit that inputs sensor information acquired by a sensor, a detection unit that detects the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input by the input unit, and an output unit that outputs information to avoid contact with the non-contact operation unit based on the detection by the detection unit of the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit.

[0008] According to the above configuration, for example, an announcement is made before the user touches the non-contact operation unit that the user should not touch the non-contact operation unit, thereby preventing the user from mistaking the non-contact operation unit for the contact operation unit and pressing it, which would cause the non-contact operation unit to malfunction. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to realize a destination floor registration device with a low failure rate. Problems, configurations, and effects other than those described above will become apparent from the following description of the embodiment. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0010] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevator according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an example of a contactless call registration process according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hall operating panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of a hall operating panel according to the first embodiment. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hall operating panel according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a hall operating panel according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011] (I) First embodiment An embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail below, but the present invention is not limited to the embodiment.

[0012] The destination floor registration device of this embodiment includes a non-contact operation unit and a contact operation unit. The destination floor registration device includes a detection unit that detects the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit and an output unit that can output various information. When the detection unit of the destination floor registration device detects the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit, the output unit announces to the user that the non-contact operation unit is being operated.

[0013] For example, the detection unit detects whether or not the user's hand has touched (entered) the detection range. Furthermore, for example, the detection unit may detect the distance between the non-contact operation unit and the user's hand. When the user is about to touch the non-contact operation unit, the output unit announces, for example, "Do not touch the non-contact operation unit" or "This is not a button."

[0014] According to the above configuration, for example, an announcement can be made before the user touches the non-contact operation unit, thereby avoiding a situation in which the user mistakes the non-contact operation unit for a contact operation unit and presses it, causing the non-contact operation unit to malfunction.

[0015] The designations "first," "second," "third," etc. in this specification are used to identify components and do not necessarily limit the number or order. Furthermore, numbers used to identify components are used in different contexts, and numbers used in one context do not necessarily indicate the same configuration in another context. Furthermore, this does not prevent a component identified by a certain number from also serving the function of a component identified by another number.

[0016] Next, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The following description and drawings are examples for explaining the present invention, and some omissions and simplifications have been made as appropriate for clarity of explanation. The present invention can be implemented in various other forms. Unless otherwise specified, each component may be singular or plural.

[0017] In the following description, identical elements in the drawings are given the same numbers, and descriptions thereof will be omitted where appropriate. When describing elements of the same type without distinction, the common portion (the portion excluding the branch number) of the reference sign including the branch number will be used, and when describing elements of the same type while distinguishing between them, the reference sign including the branch number may be used. For example, when describing contact call buttons without any particular distinction, they may be written as "contact call button 111," and when describing individual contact call buttons while distinguishing between them, they may be written as "upper contact call button 111-1," "lower contact call button 111-2," etc.

[0018] In FIG. 1, 100 generally indicates an elevator according to a first embodiment.

[0019] The elevator 100 includes a hall operating panel 110, a control panel 120, a car 130, and other components (wire ropes, counterweights, drive units, governors, etc.).

[0020] The hall operating panel 110 is an example of a destination floor registration device. The hall operating panel 110 is installed at the hall of each floor, accepts operations related to the destination floor, and calls the car 130 to the floor on which it is installed. The control panel 120 performs various controls related to the car 130. The car 130 is a structure for carrying people, objects, etc.

[0021] More specifically, the hall operating panel 110 includes a contact call button 111, a non-contact call device 112, a distance sensor 113, and an announcement device 114.

[0022] The contact call button 111 is a contact button that generates a signal indicating a call for the elevator car 130 (a call signal indicating an upward call or a call signal indicating a downward call) when the contact call button 111 is pressed by a user.

[0023] The non-contact call device 112 is a non-contact type device that registers a call when a predetermined action (call action) representing a call for the elevator car 130 is performed by a user. The predetermined action is an action that does not involve contact with the non-contact call device 112, such as an action in which the user's hand (for example, palm) moves upward (upward call action), an action in which the user's hand moves downward (downward call action), etc.

[0024] The non-contact call device 112 generates an upward call signal when it detects an upward call operation, and generates a downward call signal when it detects a downward call operation, and notifies the generated call signal to the control panel 120. Based on the call signal, the control panel 120 controls the car 130 and also controls the lighting, flashing, and extinguishing of the contact call button 111.

[0025] More specifically, the contactless call device 112 includes various sensors, a computer that processes information acquired by the sensors, and the like.

[0026] The various sensors include a motion sensor for optically detecting human movement, a pressure sensor 112A for detecting pressure using electrodes arranged in a grid pattern embedded in the non-contact call device 112, and the like.

[0027] The computer includes a processor, a memory, an interface, and the like. The functions of the non-contact call device 112 (such as the input unit 112B, the detection unit 112C, and the output unit 112D) may be implemented, for example, by a processor reading a program into memory and executing it (software), or by hardware such as a dedicated circuit, or by a combination of software and hardware. One function of the non-contact call device 112 may be divided into multiple functions, or multiple functions may be combined into one function. Some of the functions of the non-contact call device 112 may be provided as separate functions or may be included in other functions. Some of the functions of the non-contact call device 112 may be implemented by another computer (such as the control panel 120 or a computer not shown) capable of communicating with the non-contact call device 112.

[0028] Input unit 112B inputs sensor information acquired by distance sensor 113. Based on the sensor information input by input unit 112B, detection unit 112C detects a movement of pressing down non-contact call device 112. Output unit 112D outputs information for avoiding contact with non-contact call device 112 based on the detection by detection unit 112C of a movement of pressing down non-contact call device 112.

[0029] The distance sensor 113 is an infrared sensor, a LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), an ultrasonic sensor, a camera, etc. The distance sensor 113 may be configured to include multiple types of sensors, and there is no restriction on the type of the distance sensor 113. The announcement device 114 is a speaker, a display, etc.

[0030] It should be noted that the hall operating panel 110 is not limited to the configuration described above. For example, at least one of the distance sensor 113 and the announcement device 114 may be included in the non-contact call device 112. Furthermore, for example, at least one of the distance sensor 113 and the announcement device 114 may be connected to the control panel 120 so as to be able to communicate with the control panel 120. Furthermore, for example, the announcement device 114 may be connected to the distance sensor 113. Additionally, the pressure sensor 112A may be provided integrally with the non-contact call device 112, or may be provided separately from the non-contact call device 112.

[0031] Furthermore, for example, the non-contact call device 112, distance sensor 113, and announcement device 114 may be communicably connected to a predetermined computer, and the predetermined computer may include an input unit 112B, a detection unit 112C, and an output unit 112D.

[0032] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a process (contactless call registration process) related to call registration performed by the hall operating panel 110 in response to an operation on the contactless call device 112. The contactless call registration process is performed periodically.

[0033] In S201, the contactless call device 112 determines whether or not a call motion has been detected. If the contactless call device 112 determines that a call motion has been detected, it proceeds to S202. If the contactless call device 112 determines that a call motion has not been detected, it proceeds to S203. For example, the contactless call device 112 determines that a call motion has been detected when it detects, from sensor information acquired by a motion sensor, that a part of the user's body, such as the palm of the hand, is moving upward or that a part of the user's body, such as the palm of the hand, is moving downward. Note that the principle by which the contactless call device 112 identifies human motion is not particularly limited, and known techniques can be adopted as appropriate.

[0034] In S202, the non-contact call device 112 generates a call signal indicating an upward call or a downward call, and notifies (registers) the generated call signal to the control panel 120. For example, the control panel 120 moves the car 130 or lights up the contact call button 111 depending on the direction of the call.

[0035] In S203, the non-contact call device 112 determines whether or not the user's hand touches the non-contact call device 112. For example, based on sensor information acquired by the distance sensor 113, the non-contact call device 112 determines whether or not the distance between the non-contact call device 112 and the user's hand is equal to or less than a predetermined distance.

[0036] For example, the distance sensor 113 emits infrared rays from a light-emitting element, collects reflected light that hits the user's hand on a light-receiving element, and outputs sensor information indicating that the user's hand is within a certain distance when the amount of light received by the second light-receiving element is greater than the amount of light received by the first light-receiving element. Note that the sensor information may be information indicating distance (for example, a measurement value indicating distance).

[0037] The configuration for determining whether or not the user's hand touches the non-contact call device 112 is not limited to the above. For example, the non-contact call device 112 may make the determination based on an image (sensor information) acquired by a camera, or based on whether or not infrared rays from an infrared sensor are blocked, or may have other configurations.

[0038] If the contactless call device 112 determines that the user's hand will touch the contactless call device 112, it shifts the process to S204, and if it determines that the user's hand will not touch the contactless call device 112, it shifts the process to S205.

[0039] In S204, the contactless call device 112 outputs announcement information to the announcement device 114 indicating that a first announcement will be made to urge the user not to touch the contactless call device 112. The announcement device 114 issues (video output, audio output, etc.) announcements such as "Do not touch the sensor," "This is not a button," "Press the button with the arrow on it," etc. The contactless call device 112 may also output announcement information to the control panel 120 indicating that an announcement (lighting up, flashing, etc.) will be made to urge the user to press the contactless call button 111.

[0040] In S205, the non-contact call device 112 determines whether the non-contact call device 112 is pressed or not based on the sensor information acquired by the pressure sensor 112A. If the non-contact call device 112 determines that the non-contact call device 112 is pressed, the process proceeds to S206, and if the non-contact call device 112 determines that the non-contact call device 112 is not pressed, the non-contact call registration process ends.

[0041] In S206, non-contact call device 112 outputs announcement information to announcement device 114 indicating that a second announcement will be made to urge the user to remove their hands from non-contact call device 112. Announcement device 114 issues (video output, audio output, etc.) announcements such as "Please remove your hands from the sensor" and "Do not press the sensor."

[0042] 3 and 4 are diagrams showing an example of the hall operating panel 110. FIG.

[0043] The hall operating panel 110 is provided with a recess 300. Within the recess 300, a distance sensor 113, a non-contact call device 112, an upward contact call button 111-1, and a downward contact call button 111-2 are arranged in this order from top to bottom. An announcement device 114 is also arranged above the recess 300. The hall operating panel 110 on the lowest floor is not provided with the downward contact call button 111-2. The hall operating panel 110 on the highest floor is not provided with the upward contact call button 111-1.

[0044] When a user's fingertip 401 (part of the hand) enters the inside of the detection range 400 (towards the non-contact call device 112) of the hall operating panel 110, the non-contact call device 112 detects that the user's fingertip 401 is touching the non-contact call device 112, and the announcement device 114 issues an announcement such as "This is not a button."

[0045] The distance sensor 113 is provided on the same front surface (bottom surface of the recessed portion 300) as the contact call button 111, but the arrangement is not limited to this. For example, the distance sensor 113 may be provided in a position not visible to users, on the left or right surface of the front surface (side surface of the recessed portion 300). In this case, the distance sensor 113 may be provided at the same height (horizontally) as the contactless call device 112. Additionally, the shape, size, range, etc. of each component of the hall operating panel 110 are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0046] Also, for example, the hall operating panel 110 does not have to have the recessed portion 300. For example, the hall operating panel 110 may have a convex portion instead of the recessed portion 300, and the contact call button 111 may be provided on the convex portion.

[0047] In this embodiment, the movement of a part of the user's hand touching the contactless call device is detected, and the announcement device issues a first announcement urging the user not to touch the contactless call device. This embodiment makes it possible to avoid a situation in which the user mistakenly recognizes the contactless call device as a contact call button and presses it, which would cause the contactless call device to malfunction.

[0048] (II) Second embodiment The present embodiment differs from the first embodiment mainly in the arrangement of components in the destination floor registration device. In the present embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals and description thereof will be omitted.

[0049] 5 and 6 are diagrams showing an example of the hall operating panel 110. FIG.

[0050] The hall operating panel 110 is provided with a recess 500. A distance sensor 113 and a contactless call device 112 are disposed within the recess 500. In addition, an upward contact call button 111-1 and a downward contact call button 111-2 are disposed below the recess 500.

[0051] When a user's fingertip 601 (part of the hand) enters the inside of the detection range 600 (towards the non-contact call device 112) of the hall operating panel 110, the non-contact call device 112 detects that the user's fingertip 601 is touching the non-contact call device 112, and the announcement device 114 issues an alert such as "This is not a button."

[0052] In addition to the effects of the first embodiment, the present embodiment has at least the following effects: In the present embodiment, when a user operates the contact call button, the user's fingertips do not enter the detection range, so it is possible to avoid a situation in which the movement of pressing the contact call button is erroneously detected.

[0053] (III) Supplementary Note The above-described embodiment includes, for example, the following contents.

[0054] In the above-described embodiment, the present invention is described as being applied to a destination floor registration device, but the present invention is not limited to this and can be widely applied to various other systems, devices, methods, and programs.

[0055] In the above-described embodiments, the term "memory" refers to one or more memories, typically a primary storage device. At least one memory in the memory unit may be a volatile memory or a non-volatile memory. The memory may be a non-volatile storage device, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid state drive (SSD).

[0056] Furthermore, in the above-described embodiments, a "processor" refers to one or more processors. The at least one processor is typically a microprocessor such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). The at least one processor may be single-core or multi-core. The at least one processor may also be a processor in the broader sense, such as a hardware circuit (for example, an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) or an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit)) that performs part or all of the processing.

[0057] In the above-described embodiments, some or all of the programs may be installed from a program source into a device such as a computer that realizes the destination floor registration device. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution server connected via a network or a computer-readable recording medium (e.g., a non-transitory recording medium). In the above description, two or more programs may be realized as one program, or one program may be realized as two or more programs.

[0058] In the above-described embodiments, the output of information is not limited to audio output from a speaker. The output of information may be displayed on a display, output to a file, printed on paper or the like by a printer, projected onto a screen or the like by a projector, turned on and / or off a lighting device, a combination of these, or other modes.

[0059] The above-described embodiment has the following characteristic configurations, for example.

[0060] (1) A destination floor registration device (e.g., hall operating panel 110) is provided with a non-contact operation unit (e.g., non-contact call device 112) that allows a user of an elevator (e.g., elevator 100) to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the elevator, and a contact operation unit (e.g., contact call button 111) that allows a user of the elevator to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the elevator, and the device is provided with an input unit (e.g., input unit 112B) that inputs sensor information acquired by a sensor (e.g., distance sensor 113), a detection unit (e.g., detection unit 112C) that detects a movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input by the input unit, and an output unit (e.g., output unit 112D) that outputs information to avoid contact with the non-contact operation unit (e.g., announcement information urging the user not to touch the non-contact call device 112) based on the detection by the detection unit of the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit.

[0061] According to the above configuration, for example, an announcement is made before the user touches the non-contact operation unit that the user should not touch the non-contact operation unit, thereby preventing the user from mistaking the non-contact operation unit for the contact operation unit and pressing it, which would cause the non-contact operation unit to malfunction.

[0062] (2) The destination floor registration device includes a recess (recess 300, recess 500, etc.), and the non-contact operation unit and the sensor are provided in the recess.

[0063] In the above configuration, since the non-contact operation unit and the sensor are provided inside the recess, for example, movement outside the recess is not detected, and false detection can be reduced.

[0064] (3) The contact operation unit is provided in the recess, and the sensor, the non-contact operation unit, and the contact operation unit are arranged in this order.

[0065] In the above configuration, the distance between the sensor and the contact operation unit is longer than the distance between the sensor and the non-contact operation unit, so that it is possible to reduce the occurrence of false detection of a movement to press down on the contact operation unit, for example.

[0066] (4) The touch operation portion is provided outside the recess.

[0067] In the above configuration, since the non-contact operation unit is provided inside the recess and the contact operation unit is provided outside the recess, for example, the movement of pressing the contact operation unit is not detected, and erroneous detection can be reduced. Furthermore, with the above configuration, for example, a warning is issued based on the difference in appearance, and it is possible to reduce the situation where a user mistakenly presses the non-contact operation unit for the contact operation unit.

[0068] (5) The non-contact operation unit is configured to include a pressure sensor (e.g., pressure sensor 112A), and the detection unit detects pressure on the non-contact operation unit based on sensor information acquired by the pressure sensor (e.g., S205), and the output unit outputs information to stop pressure on the non-contact operation unit (e.g., announcement information urging the user to remove their hand from the non-contact call device 112) based on the detection of pressure on the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit (e.g., S206).

[0069] In the above configuration, when the non-contact operation unit is pressed, an announcement is made to advise the user to remove their hand from the non-contact operation unit, thereby reducing the risk of the non-contact operation unit being damaged, for example, by being pressed too hard.

[0070] Furthermore, the above-described configurations may be modified, rearranged, combined, or omitted as appropriate within the scope of the present invention.

[0071] It should be understood that items included in a list in the format "at least one of A, B, and C" can mean (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C). Similarly, items listed in the format "at least one of A, B, or C" can mean (A), (B), (C), (A and B), (A and C), (B and C), or (A, B, and C). [Explanation of symbols]

[0072] 100...Elevator, 110...Hall control panel, 111...Contact call button, 112...Non-contact call device, 113...Distance sensor, 114...Announcement device.

Claims

1. A destination floor registration device comprising: a non-contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the non-contact operation unit; and a contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the non-contact operation unit; an input unit for inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input by the input unit and determines whether or not a hand of a user of the elevator touches the non-contact operation unit; an output unit that outputs information urging the user not to touch the non-contact operation unit when the detection unit determines that the user's hand will touch the non-contact operation unit; A destination floor registration device comprising:

2. A recess is provided, The non-contact operation unit and the sensor are provided in the recess. The destination floor registration device according to claim 1.

3. A destination floor registration device comprising: a non-contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the elevator; and a contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the contact operation unit, an input unit for inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a pressing movement of the non-contact operation unit based on sensor information input by the input unit; an output unit that outputs information for avoiding contact with the non-contact operation unit based on the detection of the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit; A recessed portion and Equipped with The non-contact operation unit and the sensor are provided in the recess, The touch operation unit is provided in the recess, the sensor, the non-contact operation unit, and the contact operation unit are arranged in this order; Destination floor registration device.

4. A destination floor registration device comprising: a non-contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the elevator; and a contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the contact operation unit, an input unit for inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a pressing movement of the non-contact operation unit based on sensor information input by the input unit; an output unit that outputs information for avoiding contact with the non-contact operation unit based on the detection of the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit; A recessed portion and Equipped with The non-contact operation unit and the sensor are provided in the recess, The touch operation unit is provided outside the recess. Destination floor registration device.

5. A destination floor registration device comprising: a non-contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the elevator; and a contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the contact operation unit, an input unit for inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a pressing movement of the non-contact operation unit based on sensor information input by the input unit; an output unit that outputs information for avoiding contact with the non-contact operation unit based on the detection of the movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit; Equipped with the non-contact operation unit includes a pressure sensor, the detection unit detects a pressure on the non-contact operation unit based on sensor information acquired by the pressure sensor; the output unit outputs information for stopping the pressing of the non-contact operation unit based on the detection of the pressing of the non-contact operation unit by the detection unit. Destination floor registration device.

6. A control method for a destination floor registration device including a non-contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator without contacting the non-contact operation unit, and a contact operation unit that allows an elevator user to register a destination floor of the elevator by contacting the non-contact operation unit, an input unit inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input by the input unit, and determines whether or not the hand of the elevator user touches the non-contact operation unit; When the detection unit determines that the hand of the elevator user will touch the non-contact operation unit, an output unit outputs information urging the user not to touch the non-contact operation unit; A control method for a destination floor registration device including:

7. An elevator, a non-contact operation unit that allows a user of the elevator to register a destination floor of the elevator without contact; a touch operation unit that can be touched by a user of the elevator to register a destination floor of the elevator; an input unit for inputting sensor information acquired by a sensor; a detection unit that detects a movement of pressing the non-contact operation unit based on the sensor information input by the input unit and determines whether or not a hand of a user of the elevator touches the non-contact operation unit; an output unit that outputs information urging the user not to touch the non-contact operation unit when the detection unit determines that the user's hand will touch the non-contact operation unit; Elevator equipped with.

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