Elevator system
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING SOLUTIONS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2023-05-31
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
Smart Images
Figure 0007859388000001 
Figure 0007859388000002 
Figure 0007859388000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system.
Background Art
[0002] In Patent Document 1 below, in an elevator control system that receives a car call request from a mobile terminal and transmits an elevator control command based on the car call request to a control device that controls an elevator, a receiving unit that receives an in-car image of the elevator, a call storage unit that stores call information created from the car call request, and a transmission unit that refers to the call information stored in the call storage unit and notifies the mobile terminal of forgotten items in the elevator when no person is detected in the in-car image and an item is detected are disclosed.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] Elementary school students have a lot of things to take to school on Monday. For example, indoor shoes, gym clothes, school lunch clothes, water bottles, chopsticks, masks, etc. However, when in a hurry in the morning, they may go out forgetting something. In that case, a situation may occur where parents have to deliver it, and there is a possibility of being late for work or a meeting, etc.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems. The object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator system that is advantageous in preventing forgetting something at home and going out.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The elevator system relating to this disclosure includes an imaging means for capturing images of users inside the elevator car, and a warning means for alerting users to check if they have left anything behind at home based on the images captured by the imaging means. The system includes a schoolbag determination means that determines whether or not the user is using a schoolbag from the image captured by the imaging means, and if it is determined that the user is using a schoolbag, the warning means issues a warning. That is the case. The elevator system disclosed herein includes an imaging means for capturing images of users inside the elevator car, and a warning means for alerting users to check if they have left anything behind at home based on the images captured by the imaging means. When a warning is issued, the elevator doors open at a slower speed than usual when opening on the first floor. The elevator system disclosed herein comprises an imaging means for capturing images of users inside the elevator car, a warning means for reminding users to check if they have left anything behind at home based on the images captured by the imaging means, and an item determination means for determining whether the user possesses pre-registered items based on the images captured by the imaging means. If the user does not possess the items, the warning means notifies the user's guardian. The elevator system disclosed herein includes an imaging means for capturing images of users inside the elevator car, a warning means for reminding users to check if they have left anything behind at home based on the images captured by the imaging means, and an item determination means for determining whether the user is carrying a pre-registered item based on the images captured by the imaging means. If the user is not carrying the item, the warning means issues a warning, and the elevator car is operated to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors, at which point the doors are opened. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] This disclosure makes it possible to provide an elevator system that is advantageous in preventing people from leaving their belongings at home when they go out. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This figure shows an example of an elevator system in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a diagram illustrating the functions of an elevator system. [Figure 3] This figure shows an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of the elevator control board and the video display device in Embodiment 1. [Figure 4] Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the function of the elevator system according to Embodiment 2. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0009] Embodiments will be described below with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and their descriptions are simplified or omitted. The configurations shown in the embodiments below are examples of the technical ideas related to this disclosure and can be combined with other known technologies, or multiple technical ideas described in this disclosure can be combined. Furthermore, it is possible to omit or modify parts of the configuration without departing from the gist of this disclosure.
[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 shows an example of an elevator system in Embodiment 1. The elevator system shown in Figure 1 comprises a car 1 and a counterweight 2. The car 1 moves up and down in the 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 the opposite direction to the direction in which the car 1 moves.
[0011] The rope 4 is wound around the hoisting machine 5. The hoisting machine 5 drives the elevator car 1. The elevator control board 6 controls the hoisting machine 5. In other words, the movement of the elevator car 1 is controlled by the elevator control board 6. The elevator control board 6 also controls the equipment installed in the elevator car 1. Figure 1 shows an example in which the hoisting machine 5 and the elevator control board 6 are installed in the machine room 7 above the hoistway 3. The hoisting machine 5 and the elevator control board 6 may also be installed in the hoistway 3.
[0012] Figure 1 shows the elevator car 1 stopped at landing 8. The elevator car 1 comprises a car compartment 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 elevator 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. That is, 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 separate device from elevator control board 6. For example, the door control device may be installed on top of the elevator car 1.
[0014] Camera 14 photographs the interior of the elevator car 1. If there are passengers in the elevator car 1, they will be photographed by camera 14. Camera 14 is an example of an imaging device for capturing images of passengers inside the elevator car 1. The weighing device 15 measures the load capacity of the elevator car 1. Figure 1 shows an example where the weighing device 15 is installed below the elevator car compartment 11. In another example, the weighing device 15 may be installed at the end of the rope 4.
[0015] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the functions of the elevator system. As shown in FIG. 2, the car 1 includes a video display device 16. The video display device 16 has a function of displaying an image on the display 17 in the car compartment 11. The display 17 may be, for example, a liquid crystal display device or an organic EL display device provided on the side wall of the car 1, or a projector that displays an image on a screen provided on the door 12. Further, the video display device 16 has a function of outputting sound from the intercom 19 in the car compartment 11 via the intercom board 18.
[0016] In the elevator system of the present embodiment, when a primary school student rides in the elevator car 1 during the morning school commute time, an announcement for reminding to check for forgotten items is played, and a display for attracting attention is also shown on the display.
[0017] The elevator control board 6 determines the morning school commute time on Monday from the clock information. Further, when the elevator control board 6 receives information that a call for going from a floor other than the first floor where the user lives to the first floor is registered during the above school commute time, it determines that it is a ride during school commute. The call for going to the first floor may be a call from the operation panel in the car 1 or a call from a user terminal such as a smartphone.
[0018] Based on the above conditions, the elevator control board 6 that has determined that it is a ride during school commute issues an instruction to the video display device 16 to capture the image of the camera 14 and analyze the image.
[0019] Upon receiving the instruction, the video display device 16 captures the video from the camera 14 in the car 1. The video display device 16 detects a person from the captured image and determines whether the person is carrying a backpack. For example, the video display device 16 recognizes whether a person in the captured image is carrying something. If the characteristic points of a backpack can be recognized on what the person is carrying, it may be determined that a backpack is being used; if the characteristic points of the backpack cannot be recognized, it may be determined that a backpack is not being used. Also, if the height of the person in the captured image is below a predetermined value, the video display device 16 determines that the person is a primary school student and thus the likelihood of using a backpack is high; if the height exceeds the predetermined value, the video display device 16 determines that the person is not a primary school student but an adult and thus the likelihood of using a backpack is low. Further, the video display device 16 recognizes whether a person in the captured image is wearing a yellow hat. If the person is wearing a yellow hat, it may be determined that the person is considered a primary school student and thus the likelihood of using a backpack is high.
[0020] As a result of determining whether a backpack is being used, if the video display device 16 determines that a backpack is being used, it displays an enlightenment image "Is there anything left behind?" on the display 17. This can arouse the user's attention visually. Also, the video display device 16 sends a command to the elevator-side intercom board 18 and plays an announcement "Is there anything left behind?" from the intercom 19 in the car 1. This can arouse the user's attention aurally.
[0021] In the present embodiment, the video display device 16 corresponds to a backpack determination means for determining whether a user is using a backpack from the image captured by the camera 14. However, it is not limited to such a configuration, and the elevator control board 6 may determine whether a user is using a backpack from the image captured by the camera 14. Also, the display 17 and the intercom 19 correspond to an attention-arousing means for arousing the user's attention as to whether there is anything left at home.
[0022] In this embodiment, elementary school students can realize they've forgotten something before leaving the building, and by returning to retrieve it, the burden on their parents can be reduced.
[0023] Furthermore, if the system detects that a user is wearing a school bag, the elevator control board 6 may open the doors at a slower speed than usual when opening them on the first floor. This ensures that users are reminded to check if they have left anything behind.
[0024] Furthermore, if it is determined that the user is wearing a school bag, the light inside basket 1 may be flashed as a warning. This ensures that the user is sure to notice the warning about whether they have forgotten anything.
[0025] The elevator control board 6 may determine the number of passengers in the car 1 using a weighing device 15. Alternatively, the video display device 16 may determine the number of passengers in the car 1 from images captured by the camera 14. Furthermore, only when there is only one passenger in the car 1, the system may perform a process to slow down the door opening on the first floor, or a process to flicker the lights inside the car 1. This prevents causing inconvenience to passengers who are already in the car 1.
[0026] In the embodiment described above, a process is executed to remind students to check for forgotten items only during the morning commute on Mondays. However, in this disclosure, the process may be executed to remind students to check for forgotten items not only on Mondays, but every morning during the commute.
[0027] Figure 3 shows an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 in Embodiment 1. Each function of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 is realized, for example, by 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 dedicated hardware 600, and the processing circuit may further include a processor 601 and a memory 602. In the example shown in Figure 3, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 600. Also, in the example shown in Figure 3, the processing circuit further includes a processor 601 and a memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.
[0028] Processing circuits that consist of at least one dedicated hardware 600 include, for example, single circuits, composite circuits, programmed processors, parallel programmed processors, ASICs, FPGAs, or combinations thereof.
[0029] If 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.
[0030] Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The processor 601 realizes the functions of each part 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. Examples of memory 602 include non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM and EEPROM, or magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, minidiscs and DVDs.
[0031] Thus, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Note that each function of the elevator control board 6 and the video display device 16 may be realized by the cooperation of multiple devices, 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.
[0032] Embodiment 2. Next, with reference to Figure 4, Embodiment 2 will be described, focusing on the differences from Embodiment 1 described above, and simplifying or omitting common explanations. Also, elements common to or corresponding to the elements described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals. Figure 4 is a diagram illustrating the function of the elevator system according to Embodiment 2.
[0033] The elevator system of this embodiment determines whether a user possesses an item that the user has registered in advance. By registering items that the user is likely to forget beforehand, the user can reliably prevent forgetting items.
[0034] As shown in Figure 2, the elevator control board 6 can communicate with the management server 21 via the communication network 20. A user terminal 22, such as a smartphone, owned by the user can communicate with the management server 21 via the communication network 23.
[0035] The user terminal 22 has an application installed that allows it to send a car call command to the management server 21. Upon receiving a car call command from the user terminal 22, the management server 21 creates a car call and sends it to the elevator control board 6. In this way, the user can use the user terminal 22 to call car 1 and board it.
[0036] The user registers items they want to be detected as lost with the management server 21 in advance using the user terminal 22. For example, the user sends an image of the item they want to be detected as lost with the management server 21. Such items may include, for example, indoor shoes, athletic wear, lunch uniform, water bottle, mask, umbrella, melodica, paint set, calligraphy set, etc. Such items may be something the user carries or wears. The management server 21 sends the image of the item to the elevator control board 6, linked to the user ID identified by the login information to the application, and the elevator control board 6 sends the image of the item to the video display device 16, linked to the user ID.
[0037] When a user terminal 22 registers a call from a floor other than the first floor where the user resides, and the user identified by the user ID boards elevator car 1, the elevator control board 6 instructs the video display device 16 to capture images from camera 14 and analyze those images.
[0038] Upon receiving instructions, the video display device 16 captures video from the camera 14 inside the elevator car 1. Using known image recognition technology, the video display device 16 analyzes the captured image to detect a person and determines whether that person is carrying a pre-registered item. For example, the video display device 16 compares an image of an item pre-registered and linked to a user ID with the image captured by the camera 14 to determine whether the user is carrying a pre-registered item. If it is determined that the user is not carrying a pre-registered item, an awareness image saying "Have you forgotten your XX?" is displayed on the display 17. XX is the name of the item. This serves to visually alert the user. The video display device 16 also sends a command to the intercom board 18 on the elevator side, and an announcement saying "Have you forgotten your XX?" is broadcast from the intercom 19 inside the elevator car 1. This serves to auditorily alert the user.
[0039] If a user does not possess a pre-registered item and a warning is issued, the elevator control board 6 may operate the elevator car to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors, and then open the doors at that floor. This reduces the time the user has to return to retrieve their forgotten item.
[0040] If a user does not possess an item that has been registered in advance, a notification to that effect may be sent to the user terminal 22. Furthermore, if a primary school student does not possess an item that has been registered in advance, a notification may be sent to the user terminal 22 of the user's parent or guardian. This allows the guardian to chase after the child with the forgotten item and return it to them.
[0041] In this embodiment, the video display device 16 corresponds to an item determination means that determines whether the user possesses a pre-registered item based on an image captured by the camera 14. In this disclosure, the management server 21 or the elevator control board 6 may function as the item determination means. That is, the management server 21 or the elevator control board 6 may perform a process to determine whether the user possesses a pre-registered item by comparing an image of the pre-registered item with an image captured by the camera 14.
[0042] The various aspects of this disclosure are summarized below as an appendix.
[0043] (Note 1) An imaging means for capturing images of users inside the car, A warning means that, based on the image captured by the imaging means, alerts the user to whether they have left anything behind at home, An elevator system equipped with [the following features]. (Note 2) The imaging means includes a backpack determination means that determines whether or not the user is using a backpack from the image captured by the imaging means, The elevator system described in Appendix 1, wherein the warning means issues the warning when it is determined that the user is using a school bag. (Note 3) The elevator system described in Appendix 2, in which, when a call to go to the first floor is registered on the control panel inside the elevator car during the morning school commuting hours, the imaging means captures an image of the user, and the backpack determination means determines whether or not the user is using a backpack. (Note 4) The aforementioned warning means is an elevator system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 3, which provides the warning by voice. (Note 5) The elevator system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 4, wherein the warning means displays the warning image on a display. (Note 6) When issuing the aforementioned warning, the elevator system described in any one of the appendices 1 to 5 opens the doors at a slower speed than usual when opening the doors on the first floor. (Note 7) An elevator system as described in any one of the appendices 1 to 6, wherein the lights inside the elevator car are flashed when the aforementioned warning is issued. (Note 8) The system includes an item determination means that determines whether the user possesses a pre-registered item based on the image captured by the imaging means, An elevator system according to any one of the appendices 1 to 7, wherein the warning means provides the warning if the user does not possess the item. (Note 9) The elevator system described in Appendix 8, which, if the user does not possess the item, operates the elevator car to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors and then opens the doors at the boarding floor. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0044] 1. Elevator car, 2. Counterweight, 3. Hoistway, 4. Rope, 5. Hoisting machine, 6. Elevator control board, 7. Machine room, 8. Landing, 11. Elevator car, 12. Door, 13. Motor, 14. Camera, 15. Weighing device, 16. Video display device, 17. Display, 18. Intercom board, 19. Intercom, 20. Communication network, 21. Management server, 22. User terminal, 23. Communication network, 600. Dedicated hardware, 601. Processor, 602. Memory
Claims
1. An imaging means for capturing images of users inside the car, A warning means that, based on the image captured by the imaging means, alerts the user to whether they have left anything behind at home, A backpack determination means that determines whether or not the user is using a backpack from the image captured by the imaging means, Equipped with, An elevator system in which the warning means issues a warning when it is determined that the user is using a school bag.
2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein when a call is registered during the morning school commuting time, the imaging means captures an image of the user, and the backpack determination means determines whether or not the user is using a backpack.
3. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein when a call to go to the first floor is registered, the imaging means captures an image of the user, and the backpack determination means determines whether or not the user is using a backpack.
4. The elevator system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the warning means provides the warning by voice.
5. The elevator system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the warning means displays the warning image on a display.
6. An imaging means for imaging a user inside the car, A warning means that, based on the image captured by the imaging means, alerts the user to whether they have left anything behind at home, Equipped with, When issuing the aforementioned warning, the elevator system opens the doors at a slower speed than usual when opening them on the first floor.
7. The elevator system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the lights inside the elevator car are flashed when the aforementioned warning is given.
8. An imaging means for imaging a user inside the cart, A warning means that, based on the image captured by the imaging means, alerts the user to whether they have left anything behind at home, A possession determination means that determines whether the user possesses a pre-registered item based on the image captured by the imaging means, Equipped with, An elevator system in which, if the user does not possess the item, the warning means notifies the user's guardian.
9. An imaging means for imaging a user inside the car, A warning means that, based on the image captured by the imaging means, alerts the user to whether they have left anything behind at home, A possession determination means that determines whether the user possesses a pre-registered item based on the image captured by the imaging means, Equipped with, An elevator system in which, if the user does not possess the item, the warning means issues a warning, and the elevator car is driven to the user's boarding floor without opening the doors, at which point the doors are opened.