elevator system

Abstract

To provide an elevator system advantageous in allowing a user to avoid going out without wearing a mask.SOLUTION: An elevator system according to the present disclosure includes: imaging means configured to image a user in a car; mask determination means configured to determine whether or not the user wears a mask from an image captured by the imaging means; and mask recommendation means configured to recommend the user to wear the mask upon determining that the user does not wear the mask. It may be configured that the imaging means images the user, and the mask determination means determines whether or not the user wears the mask when a call to a first floor is registered by an operation panel in the car.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator systems. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 listed below discloses an elevator control method including the steps of: acquiring information on passengers detected by a camera installed outside the elevator car using a communication unit; determining the passenger's body temperature and whether they are wearing splash protection equipment using a determination unit based on the acquired information; and determining whether the passenger is allowed to board the elevator car based on the results of the determination of the passenger's body temperature and whether they are wearing splash protection equipment, and outputting a control command to the elevator control panel. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2022-121795 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Due to the influence of the new coronavirus, wearing a mask when going out has become a necessity. However, when you are in a hurry, such as when going to work in the morning, you may forget to put on your mask and realize it after you have left the house. If you have to go back to get your mask, time will be lost, and you may be late for work or a meeting. Also, if you get on public transportation without realizing it, people around you may point it out to you.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator system that is advantageous in avoiding people going out without wearing a mask. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] The elevator system according to the present disclosure includes an imaging means for capturing images of passengers inside the car, a mask determination means for determining whether or not the passenger is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means, and a mask recommendation means for recommending that the passenger wear a mask if it is determined that the passenger is not wearing a mask. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an elevator system that is advantageous in avoiding people going out without wearing a mask. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0008] [Figure 1] 1 is a diagram illustrating an example of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the function of an elevator system. [Figure 3] 2 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of an elevator control board and a video display device in the first embodiment. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples of the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies, or multiple technical ideas described in the present disclosure may be combined. Furthermore, it is also possible to omit or modify part of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1 FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. The elevator system shown in FIG. 1 includes a car 1 and a counterweight 2. The car 1 moves up and down in a hoistway 3. The car 1 and the counterweight 2 are suspended from the hoistway 3 by a rope 4. The counterweight 2 moves up and down in the hoistway 3 in a direction opposite to the direction in which the car 1 moves.

[0011] The rope 4 is wound around a hoisting machine 5. The hoisting machine 5 drives the car 1. An elevator control board 6 controls the hoisting machine 5. That is, the movement of the car 1 is controlled by the elevator control board 6. The elevator control board 6 also controls the equipment provided in the car 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the hoisting machine 5 and the elevator control board 6 are provided in a machine room 7 above the hoistway 3. The hoisting machine 5 and the elevator control board 6 may also be provided in the hoistway 3.

[0012] 1 shows a state in which a car 1 is stopped at a certain landing 8. The car 1 includes a car room 11, a door 12, a motor 13, a camera 14, and a weighing device 15.

[0013] Door 12 opens and closes the entrance to the car. Door 12 is driven by motor 13. Motor 13 is controlled by elevator control board 6. Elevator control board 6 controls the opening and closing of door 12. In other words, elevator control board 6 has the function of a door control device that controls the opening and closing of door 12. The door control device may be provided as a device separate from elevator control board 6. For example, the door control device may be provided on car 1.

[0014] The camera 14 photographs the interior of the car 1. If a user is present in the car 1, the user is photographed by the camera 14. The camera 14 is an example of an imaging means for photographing a user in the car 1. The weighing device 15 measures the load on the car 1. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the weighing device 15 is provided below the car room 11. As another example, the weighing device 15 may be provided at the end of the rope 4.

[0015] Fig. 2 is a diagram illustrating the functions of the elevator system. As shown in Fig. 2, car 1 is equipped with a video display device 16. Video display device 16 has the function of displaying images on a display 17 inside car room 11. Display 17 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device provided on the side wall of car 1, or a projector that displays images on a screen provided on door 12. Video display device 16 also has the function of outputting audio from an intercom 19 inside car room 11 via intercom board 18.

[0016] In this embodiment, when a person without a mask gets into elevator car 1, the elevator system plays a warning announcement and also displays a warning on the display so that the person realizes that they are not wearing a mask.

[0017] The elevator control board 6 determines the morning commute time from clock information. In addition, when the elevator control board 6 receives information that a call from a floor other than the first floor where the user resides to the first floor during the above-mentioned period is registered, it determines that the call is for boarding while going out. The call to the first floor may be a call from the control panel inside the car 1, or may be a call from a user terminal such as a smartphone.

[0018] Based on the above conditions, the elevator control board 6 determines that the passenger is boarding the elevator while going out, and instructs the image display device 16 to check whether the passenger is wearing a mask.

[0019] Upon receiving the instruction, the image display device 16 captures an image from the camera 14 inside the car 1. The image display device 16 uses known image recognition technology to analyze the captured image, detect a person from the image, and determine whether the person is wearing a mask. For example, the image display device 16 may recognize the person's face from the captured image, recognize feature points such as the eyes, nose, and mouth, and determine that the person is not wearing a mask if the feature points of the nose and mouth are recognized, but determine that the person is wearing a mask if the feature points of the nose and mouth are not recognized.

[0020] If the video display device 16 determines that a mask is not being worn, it displays an educational image on the display 17 saying, "Please wear a mask when going out." This makes it possible to visually alert the user. The video display device 16 also issues a command to the intercom board 18 on the elevator side, which then makes an announcement from the intercom 19 inside the car 1 saying, "Please wear a mask when going out." This makes it possible to auditorily alert the user.

[0021] In this embodiment, the image display device 16 corresponds to a mask determination means that determines whether or not a user is wearing a mask from an image captured by the camera 14. This configuration is not limiting, and the elevator control board 6 may determine whether or not a user is wearing a mask from an image of the user captured by the camera 14. Furthermore, the display 17 and the intercom 19 correspond to a mask recommendation means that recommends that the user wear a mask if it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask.

[0022] In this embodiment, employees can realize that they have forgotten to wear a mask before they leave the building, which reduces the time it takes to go back and get it, thereby reducing the risk of being late.

[0023] If it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask, the elevator control board 6 may open the doors at a slower speed than usual when opening them on the first floor. This will ensure that the user is aware that they are not wearing a mask.

[0024] Furthermore, when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask, the lights inside the car 1 may be made to blink. This makes it possible to reliably make the user aware that they are not wearing a mask.

[0025] In addition, if it is determined that a passenger is not wearing a mask, the car may operate to the passenger's boarding floor without opening the doors, and then open the doors at the boarding floor. This can reduce the time it takes to return to get the mask.

[0026] The elevator control board 6 may determine the number of passengers in the car 1 using the weighing device 15. Alternatively, the video display device 16 may determine the number of passengers in the car 1 from an image captured by the camera 14. Then, only when there is one passenger in the car 1, the elevator may execute a process to slow down the door opening speed at the first floor, a process to blink the lights in the car 1, or a process to return to the boarding floor without opening the door. This prevents any inconvenience to passengers in the car 1.

[0027] In the above-described embodiment, the process of determining whether a person is wearing a mask is executed only during the morning commute. This prevents people from going out without wearing a mask, especially during busy morning commute times. However, in the present disclosure, the process of determining whether a person is wearing a mask may be executed at times other than the morning commute.

[0028] There is a possibility that a user who is recommended to wear a mask by the image on display 17 or the announcement over intercom 19 may take a mask out of their pocket or bag and put it on. Therefore, after recommending wearing a mask by the image on display 17 or the announcement over intercom 19, image display device 16 may again capture an image from camera 14 to determine whether or not the user is wearing a mask before opening the door on the first floor. If it is determined that the user is wearing a mask, image display device 16 may stop displaying the image on display 17 and stop the announcement over intercom 19.

[0029] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 in the first embodiment. Each function of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 is realized by, for example, a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 600. The processing circuit may include a processor 601 and a memory 602. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as the dedicated hardware 600, and the processing circuit may further include the processor 601 and the memory 602. In the example shown in FIG. 3, a part of the processing circuit is formed as the dedicated hardware 600. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 3, the processing circuit further includes the processor 601 and the memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.

[0030] The processing circuitry of which at least one portion is dedicated hardware 600 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.

[0031] When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, the functions of each part of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0032] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The processor 601 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 602. The processor 601 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 602 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisk, DVD, etc.

[0033] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 by using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Note that each function of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 may be realized by multiple devices working together, or by a single device. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 may be implemented on a server or the like on an external network.

[0034] Various aspects of the present disclosure are summarized below as appendices.

[0035] (Appendix 1) an imaging means for imaging a user in the car; a mask determination means for determining whether or not the user is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means; a mask recommendation means for recommending that the user wear a mask when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask; An elevator system comprising: (Appendix 2) An elevator system as described in Appendix 1, wherein when a call to the first floor is registered on the control panel inside the car, the imaging means images the user and the mask determination means determines whether the user is wearing a mask. (Appendix 3) 3. An elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the doors open at a slower speed than usual when opening on the first floor if it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask. (Appendix 4) 4. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when a call to the first floor is registered on an operation panel inside the car during the morning rush hour, the imaging means images the user, and the mask determination means determines whether the user is wearing a mask. (Appendix 5) 5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the mask recommendation means recommends wearing a mask by voice. (Appendix 6) 6. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the mask recommendation means displays an image recommending wearing a mask on a display. (Appendix 7) 7. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lighting inside the car is turned on and off if it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask. (Appendix 8) 3. An elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask, the elevator car operates to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors, and opens the doors at the boarding floor. [Explanation of symbols]

[0036] 1 car, 2 counterweight, 3 hoistway, 4 rope, 5 hoist, 6 elevator control board, 7 machine room, 8 landing, 11 car room, 12 door, 13 motor, 14 camera, 15 weighing device, 16 video display device, 17 display, 18 intercom board, 19 intercom, 600 dedicated hardware, 601 processor, 602 memory

Claims

1. an imaging means for imaging a user in the car; a mask determination means for determining whether or not the user is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means; a mask recommendation means for recommending that the user wear a mask when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask; Equipped with When a call to the first floor is registered, the imaging means images the user, and the mask determination means determines whether the user is wearing a mask.

2. An elevator system as described in claim 1, in which the doors open at a slower speed than usual when opening on the first floor if it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask.

3. An imaging means for imaging a user in a car; a mask determination means for determining whether or not the user is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means; a mask recommendation means for recommending that the user wear a mask when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask; Equipped with When the user is determined not to be wearing a mask, the elevator system opens the doors at a slower speed than usual when opening the doors on the first floor.

4. An imaging means for imaging a user in a car; a mask determination means for determining whether or not the user is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means; a mask recommendation means for recommending that the user wear a mask when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask; Equipped with When a call for the first floor is registered during the morning rush hour, the imaging means captures an image of the user, and the mask determination means determines whether the user is wearing a mask.

5. 5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the mask recommendation means recommends wearing a mask by voice.

6. 5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the mask recommendation means displays an image recommending wearing a mask on a display.

7. 5. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask, the lighting inside the car is turned on and off.

8. An imaging means for imaging a user in a car; a mask determination means for determining whether or not the user is wearing a mask from the image captured by the imaging means; a mask recommendation means for recommending that the user wear a mask when it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask; Equipped with When it is determined that the user is not wearing a mask, the elevator system operates the car to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors, and opens the doors at the boarding floor.

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