Mobile interoperability system, method, and program
The system addresses passenger stress during elevator congestion by detecting stress levels and prioritizing elevator dispatch, effectively reducing waiting times and anxiety through targeted notification.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC BUILDING SOLUTIONS CORP
- Filing Date
- 2025-02-06
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
During congestion, passengers experience long waiting times and increased stress due to inability to board elevators, leading to anxiety and repetitive button pressing.
A system that detects specific operations on elevator buttons to determine stress levels of waiting passengers, prioritizing elevator dispatch to high-stress passengers and providing guidance through notification units to reduce stress.
Reduces passenger stress during peak hours by accurately identifying and addressing the stress levels of waiting individuals, thereby shortening their waiting time and providing informative guidance.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present disclosure relates to a mobile body cooperation system, method, and program.
Background Art
[0002] Patent Document 1 below discloses an elevator apparatus provided with a plurality of elevators that serve between multiple floors, and provided with means for causing any elevator to serve only at a plurality of specific floors in response to a planned state.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0003]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] At the time of congestion, there is a problem that passengers who cannot board the car occur, the waiting time becomes long, and the stress of waiting passengers increases.
[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above problems. An object of the present disclosure is to provide a mobile body cooperation system, method, and program that can reduce the stress of waiting passengers who are users at the time of congestion with a simple configuration.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0006] The mobile body cooperation system according to the present disclosure includes a receiving unit that receives information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when detecting a specific operation of the waiting passenger that can be distinguished from the landing call operation for the operation button of the landing call device of the elevator, and a transmitting unit that transmits an operation command to a mobile body using the elevator or a mobile body existing around the elevator according to the stress level of the waiting passenger received by the receiving unit. The method relating to this disclosure comprises a receiving step of receiving information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when a specific operation of a waiting passenger that can be distinguished from a landing call operation is detected in response to an operation button of an elevator landing call device, and a transmitting step of transmitting an operation command to a moving object using the elevator or a moving object present in the vicinity of the elevator, according to the stress level of the waiting passenger received by the receiving unit. The program relating to this disclosure causes a computer to perform a receiving step of receiving information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when it detects a specific operation by a waiting passenger that can be distinguished from a landing call operation in response to an operation button of an elevator landing call device, and a transmitting step of transmitting an operation command to a moving object that uses the elevator or a moving object present in the vicinity of the elevator, according to the stress level of the waiting passenger received by the receiving unit. [Effects of the Invention]
[0007] According to this disclosure, it is possible to provide a mobile communication system, method, and program that can reduce the stress on users (waiting customers) during peak hours with a simple configuration. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0008] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing the system configuration according to Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This diagram illustrates a method in which an operation detection unit detects a specific operation and a stress detection unit determines the level of stress. [Figure 3] This diagram illustrates another method in which an operation detection unit detects a specific operation and a stress detection unit determines the stress level. [Figure 4] This diagram illustrates another method in which an operation detection unit detects a specific operation and a stress detection unit determines the stress level. [Figure 5] This diagram illustrates another method in which an operation detection unit detects a specific operation and a stress detection unit determines the stress level. [Figure 6]This diagram illustrates another method in which an operation detection unit detects a specific operation and a stress detection unit determines the stress level. [Figure 7] This flowchart shows an example of the control operation in Embodiment 1. [Figure 8] A flowchart shows another example of the control operation in Embodiment 1. [Figure 9] A flowchart shows another example of the control operation in Embodiment 1. [Figure 10] This figure shows an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of the operation detection unit, stress detection unit, control unit, or mobile device cooperation system in Embodiment 1. [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 with multiple technical ideas described in this disclosure. 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 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the system according to Embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 1 of this embodiment includes a landing call button 2, an operation detection unit 3, a stress detection unit 4, and a control unit 6. The landing call button 2 is an operation button for a landing call device provided at the landing of the elevator 5.
[0011] The operation detection unit 3 has the function of detecting operations performed by waiting passengers on the landing call button 2. The operation detection unit 3 is capable of detecting specific operations that can be distinguished from normal landing call operations. The stress detection unit 4 has the function of determining the stress level of waiting passengers when the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation. The control unit 6 has the function of dispatching elevator cars 5 according to the determination result of the stress detection unit 4.
[0012] If a user is waiting for elevator car 5 and it overshoots their floor instead of stopping there, the user may not understand why it didn't stop, leading to anxiety, stress, and impatience. This can cause them to repeatedly press the landing call button 2, which may already be pressed. This also occurs if the waiting time is long or if the user lets elevator car 5 pass by. In this embodiment, the stress level of such waiting users can be determined, and an appropriate elevator can be assigned, thereby reducing user stress.
[0013] The operation detection unit 3 can detect at least one of the following specific operations: pressing the landing call button 2 within a predetermined time after the door closes; pressing the landing call button 2 repeatedly; pressing and holding the landing call button 2; pressing multiple landing call buttons 2 on the same floor; and pressing the priority call button for wheelchairs in addition to the landing call button 2. This makes it possible to accurately detect the level of stress on waiting passengers.
[0014] Figure 2 is a diagram illustrating how the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation and the stress detection unit 4 determines the level of stress. In the example in Figure 2, the landing call button 2, which had been turned off after the elevator car 5 arrived, is pressed within a predetermined time after the doors closed, causing it to light up. In this case, it is thought that the user was unable to board the car and had to wait for it to pass, so the stress detection unit 4 can determine that the user, i.e., the waiting passenger, has a high level of stress.
[0015] FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining another method in which the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation and the stress detection unit 4 determines the degree of stress. In the example of FIG. 3, it is the case where the boarding call button 2 is lit and is repeatedly pressed several times. In this case, since it is considered that the waiting passenger is irritated, the stress detection unit 4 can determine that the degree of stress of the waiting passenger is high.
[0016] FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining another method in which the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation and the stress detection unit 4 determines the degree of stress. In the example of FIG. 4, it is the case where the boarding call button 2 is lit and is further long-pressed. In this case, since it is considered that the waiting passenger is irritated, the stress detection unit 4 can determine that the degree of stress of the waiting passenger is high.
[0017] FIG. 5 is a diagram for explaining another method in which the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation and the stress detection unit 4 determines the degree of stress. In the example of FIG. 5, it is the case where the boarding call button 2 is lit and the priority call button is pressed superimposed. In this case, since it is considered that the waiting passenger is irritated, the stress detection unit 4 can determine that the degree of stress of the waiting passenger is high.
[0018] FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining another method in which the operation detection unit 3 detects a specific operation and the stress detection unit 4 determines the degree of stress. In the example of FIG. 6, it is the case where the boarding call button 2 is lit and another boarding call button 2 on the same floor is pressed superimposed. In this case, since it is considered that the waiting passenger is irritated, the stress detection unit 4 can determine that the degree of stress of the waiting passenger is high.
[0019] As shown in FIGS. 3 to 6, the stress detection unit 4 may determine the degree of stress according to the lighting state of the boarding call button 2. Thereby, the degree of stress can be accurately determined.
[0020] Furthermore, the stress detection unit 4 may use machine learning to determine the level of stress. That is, the stress detection unit 4 may generate a trained model for inferring the stress level of waiting passengers based on the passengers' actions on the boarding area call button 2, and use this trained model to infer the stress level of waiting passengers. The learning algorithm used by the stress detection unit 4 may be a known algorithm such as supervised learning, unsupervised learning, or reinforcement learning.
[0021] If the stress detection unit 4 determines that a waiting passenger is experiencing high stress levels, the control unit 6 may prioritize dispatching a bus to the floor where the waiting passenger is located. Prioritizing dispatch means that the bus does not respond to calls for boarding on other floors, but instead proceeds directly to the disembarking floor and then directly to the floor where the high-stress waiting passenger is located. By doing so, the waiting time for high-stress waiting passengers can be shortened, thereby reducing the stress on waiting passengers.
[0022] The method according to this embodiment comprises: an operation detection step for detecting a waiting passenger's operation of the landing call button 2 of the elevator landing call device 5; a stress detection step for determining the stress level of the waiting passenger when a specific operation that can be distinguished from a landing call operation is detected in the operation detection step; and a dispatch step for dispatching an elevator car according to the determination result of the stress detection step.
[0023] The program according to this embodiment is a program that causes a computer to execute an operation detection step to detect a waiting passenger's operation of the landing call button 2 of the elevator landing call device 5; a stress detection step to determine the stress level of the waiting passenger when a specific operation that can be distinguished from a landing call operation is detected in the operation detection step; and a dispatch step to dispatch an elevator car according to the determination result of the stress detection step.
[0024] According to the method or program described above, it is possible to detect the stress level of waiting customers with a simple configuration and reliably reduce their stress.
[0025] As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 1 may further include a notification unit 7. The notification unit 7 has the function of providing guidance to waiting passengers according to the determination result of the stress detection unit 4. The notification unit 7 may include at least one of a speaker 8 and an image display device 9 such as a display or projector, which are installed at the landing. The notification unit 7 may be capable of broadcasting at least one of the following: information regarding the elevator's operating status, information regarding the reason why elevator 5 is crowded, an apology for the long waiting time, and information recommending the use of stairs, elevators on other banks, or escalators if it would be faster. By broadcasting such information, the notification unit 7 can reduce the stress of waiting passengers. Information regarding the elevator's operating status may include, for example, information that priority is being given to the elevator, or information regarding the estimated time of arrival. Reasons why elevator 5 is crowded may include, for example, that there are many priority users, or that a robot is using elevator 5.
[0026] Furthermore, the stress detection unit 4 may determine the level of stress according to the elevator's operating status. For example, if a passenger is aware that the elevator 5 has passed their landing floor, and it is expected that the passenger's stress level will increase in relation to the elevator 5's operating status, the stress detection unit 4 may determine that the stress factor is due to the elevator 5's operating status and provide appropriate guidance regarding the expected stress factor from the notification unit 7. For example, a message such as, "We will go to the 1st floor first, then proceed to your landing floor with priority dispatch." In this way, the notification unit 7 may provide guidance according to the identified cause of stress. This makes it possible to more reliably reduce the stress of waiting passengers.
[0027] When prioritizing the dispatch of a bus to a floor where there are passengers experiencing high levels of stress, the notification unit 7 may also notify the passengers accordingly. By informing waiting passengers that priority dispatch is being made, the unpleasantness caused by not being able to board a bus can be alleviated, and the anxiety that they may not be able to board even with the next dispatch can be eliminated, thereby reducing the stress on waiting passengers.
[0028] When a bus is given priority for boarding, the bus's internal notification system may inform passengers that it will proceed directly to the disembarking floor without responding to boarding requests from other floors. This reduces passenger stress by preventing them from feeling awkward when the doors open before they can board.
[0029] As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 1 may further include a mobile body coordination system 10. The mobile body coordination system 10 has functions for coordination between the elevator 5 and mobile bodies 11 that use the elevator 5 or mobile bodies 11 present in the vicinity of the elevator 5. The mobile body 11 is an autonomously moving robot, drone, or other mobile device. The mobile body 11 has a sensor 12 and a notification unit 13.
[0030] The mobile device coordination system 10 includes a receiving unit that receives information on the stress levels of waiting passengers at the elevator landing 5 from the elevator system 1, and a transmitting unit that transmits operation commands to mobile devices 11 that will use the elevator 5 or mobile devices 11 located around the elevator 5, according to the stress levels of waiting passengers received by the receiving unit.
[0031] The mobile device coordination system 10 may request the mobile device 11 to take action according to the determination result of the stress detection unit 4. Such action may be, for example, the following: The mobile unit 11's notification unit 13 will also notify waiting customers who are experiencing high levels of stress, with the same information as that provided by notification unit 7. • When there are customers waiting who are highly stressed, the mobile unit 11 will not board the elevator car 5 (it will see them off). • For waiting passengers experiencing high levels of stress, the mobile device 11 provides an explanation of the elevator 5's status (such as the estimated time until arrival). • To reduce stress levels among waiting customers, mobile vehicle 11 will also apologize. • Distract highly stressed waiting customers with performances or small talk.
[0032] The stress detection unit 4 may also determine the stress level in cooperation with the sensors 12 of the mobile body 11 via the mobile body cooperation system 10. For example, by acquiring the movement, gaze information, attribute information, etc. of waiting customers using sensors 12 such as a camera or LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) mounted on the mobile body 11, and integrating this with the information from the stress detection unit 4 to determine the stress level, it becomes possible to determine the stress level with higher accuracy. For example, even among waiting customers who repeatedly press the call button, it becomes possible to determine that the waiting customer who moves around a lot is more stressed than the waiting customer who moves around less.
[0033] Furthermore, the stress detection unit 4 may also work in conjunction with the sensors 12 of the mobile unit 11 via the mobile unit cooperation system 10 to identify the cause of stress for waiting passengers. That is, by acquiring the movement, gaze information, attribute information, etc. of waiting passengers using sensors 12 such as cameras or LiDAR mounted on the mobile unit 11, and integrating this with the information from the stress detection unit 4 to identify the cause of stress, it becomes possible to provide more appropriate guidance. For example, when the elevator car 5 passes by, it is thought that the waiting passenger's gaze follows the movement of the elevator car 5, so by detecting such gaze, it is possible to detect that the cause of stress lies in the operating status of the elevator 5.
[0034] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing an example of the control operation in Embodiment 1. When the landing call button 2 is pressed in step S1 of Figure 7, the elevator car 5 arrives in step S2. In step S3, it is determined whether a user has boarded the car. If a user has boarded, boarding is completed in step S4 and the flowchart process ends. On the other hand, if a user is unable to board the car, the process proceeds to step S5, where, after the doors close, the waiting user presses the landing call button 2.
[0035] In step S6, it is determined whether the time from door closing to pressing the landing call button 2 is within a predetermined time. If the time from door closing to pressing the landing call button 2 is longer than the predetermined time, the stress detection unit 4 determines that the user's stress level is low, and the process proceeds to step S7, where the control unit 6 dispatches the elevator car as usual. Then, in step S8, the elevator car 5 arrives, and when the user boards, boarding is complete (step S9).
[0036] On the other hand, if the time from door closing to pressing the landing call button 2 is within a predetermined time, the stress detection unit 4 determines that the user's stress level is high, so the process proceeds to step S10, and the control unit 6 prioritizes dispatching a car. Then, in step S11, when the elevator car 5 arrives and the user boards, boarding is complete (step S12).
[0037] Figure 8 is a flowchart showing another example of the control operation of Embodiment 1. In Figure 8, the same reference numerals are used for the same steps as in Figure 7, and their explanations are omitted. In step S10 of Figure 8, when the control unit 6 prioritizes dispatching the elevator car, the process proceeds to step S13, where the operation detection unit 3 determines whether it has detected a high-stress pressing method for the landing call button 2. A high-stress pressing method is one of the pressing methods described in Figures 4 to 6. If a high-stress pressing method is not detected, the process proceeds to step S14, and when the elevator car 5 arrives and a user boards, boarding is completed (step S15).
[0038] If a high-stress pressing method is detected, the process proceeds to step S16, where the notification unit 7 of elevator 5 explains the situation and apologizes to the waiting passenger. Then, in step S17, the elevator car of elevator 5 arrives, and once the passenger boards, boarding is complete (step S18).
[0039] Figure 9 is a flowchart showing another example of the control operation of Embodiment 1. In Figure 9, the same reference numerals are used for steps that are the same as in Figures 7 and 8, and their descriptions are omitted. If a high-stress pushing method is detected in step S13 of Figure 9, the process proceeds to step S19, where it is determined whether the robot, i.e., the mobile body 11, is waiting to board. If the robot, i.e., the mobile body 11, is not waiting to board, the process proceeds to step S20, where the notification unit 7 of the elevator 5 explains the situation and apologizes to the waiting passenger. Then, in step S21, the elevator car of the elevator 5 arrives, and when the user boards, boarding is complete (step S22).
[0040] In contrast, if the robot, or mobile unit 11, is waiting to board, the process proceeds to step S23, where the notification unit 13 of the robot, or mobile unit 11, provides an explanation of the situation and an apology to the waiting passenger. Then, in step S24, the elevator car 5 arrives, and once the passenger boards, boarding is complete (step S25).
[0041] In the examples shown in Figures 7 to 9, the elevator car is prioritized for dispatch if the time from door closing to pressing the landing call button 2 is within a predetermined time. However, it may also be possible to prioritize dispatch the elevator car if the button is pressed in a stressful manner, as explained in Figures 4 to 6.
[0042] Figure 10 shows an example of a configuration that realizes the functions of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or mobile body cooperation system 10 in Embodiment 1. Each function of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or mobile body cooperation system 10 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 10, a part of the processing circuit is formed as dedicated hardware 600. Also, in the example shown in Figure 10, the processing circuit further includes a processor 601 and a memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.
[0043] 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.
[0044] If the processing circuit includes at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, the functions of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or each part of the mobile body cooperation system 10 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.
[0045] Software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The programs may also be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. 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.
[0046] Thus, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or mobile device cooperation system 10 through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Note that each function of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or mobile device cooperation system 10 may be realized by the cooperation of multiple devices or by a single device. Furthermore, at least a portion of each function of the operation detection unit 3, stress detection unit 4, control unit 6, or mobile device cooperation system 10 may be implemented on a server or the like on an external network. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0047] 1 Elevator system, 2 Landing call button, 3 Operation detection unit, 4 Stress detection unit, 5 Elevator, 6 Control unit, 7 Notification unit, 8 Speaker, 9 Video display device, 10 Mobile unit coordination system, 11 Mobile unit, 12 Sensor, 13 Notification unit, 600 Dedicated hardware, 601 Processor, 602 Memory
Claims
1. A receiving unit that receives information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when it detects a specific operation by a waiting passenger that can be distinguished from a regular elevator call operation in response to an operation button on the elevator landing call device, A transmitting unit transmits an operation command to a moving object using the elevator or a moving object in the vicinity of the elevator, according to the stress level of the waiting passengers received by the receiving unit. A mobile interoperability system equipped with [the following features].
2. The mobile device cooperation system according to claim 1, wherein the transmitting unit transmits an action command to the mobile device to guide the waiting customers according to the stress level.
3. The mobile body cooperation system according to claim 2, wherein the transmitting unit transmits to the mobile body an operation command for notification of at least one of the following: information regarding the operating status of the elevator, information regarding the reason why the elevator is crowded, an apology for the long waiting time, and information recommending the use of other means of lifting or lowering.
4. The mobile body cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving unit receives the stress level determined according to the operating status of the elevator.
5. The mobile body linkage system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving unit receives the stress level determined according to the lighting status of the elevator landing call device.
6. The mobile body collaboration system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the receiving unit receives the stress level determined by the stress detection unit in cooperation with the sensors of the mobile body.
7. The mobile body cooperation system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the transmitting unit transmits a notification operation command to the mobile body corresponding to the cause of stress identified by the stress detection unit in cooperation with the sensors of the mobile body.
8. A receiving step that receives information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when a specific operation of a waiting passenger that can be distinguished from a landing call operation is detected in response to an operation button of an elevator landing call device, A transmission step in which, according to the stress level of the waiting passengers received in the reception step, an operation command is transmitted to a moving object using the elevator or a moving object present in the vicinity of the elevator, A method for providing it.
9. On the computer, A receiving step that receives information on the stress level of a waiting passenger when a specific operation of a waiting passenger that can be distinguished from a landing call operation is detected in response to an operation button of an elevator landing call device, A transmission step in which, according to the stress level of the waiting passengers received in the reception step, an operation command is transmitted to a moving object using the elevator or a moving object present in the vicinity of the elevator, A program that executes the command.