Wireless control device, wireless control method, and elevator control system
The wireless control device and method improve elevator communication reliability by using multiple paths and intelligent switching to adapt to transmission quality and passenger presence, addressing instability during frequency or channel changes.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Patents
- Current Assignee / Owner
- HITACHI LTD
- Filing Date
- 2023-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-11
Smart Images
Figure 0007873212000001 
Figure 0007873212000002 
Figure 0007873212000003
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] The present invention relates to a wireless control device, a wireless control method, and an elevator control system. In particular, the present invention relates to a wireless control device and the like that can be suitably used when performing wireless communication between elevator cars.
Background Art
[0002] For example, in a building having multiple floors such as an apartment building, an elevator may be used to move between these multiple floors. Conventionally, it is common to perform communication between elevator cars by wired communication. On the other hand, attempts have been made to perform this communication by wireless communication instead of wired communication. In this case, in order to ensure the reliability of wireless communication, communication may be performed multiplexedly.
[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a wireless transmission configuration of an elevator. In this wireless transmission configuration of the elevator, the wireless signal control unit includes a position acquisition unit that discretely acquires the moving position of a moving body, a transmission quality collection unit that collects the transmission quality during transmission at a plurality of prepared transmission frequencies or transmission channels on N wireless transmission paths, and based on the moving position of the moving body acquired by the position acquisition unit and the transmission quality at each transmission frequency or each transmission channel on each wireless transmission path collected by the transmission quality collection unit, a combination setting unit that sets an optimal transmission frequency or transmission channel on the N wireless transmission paths.
Prior Art Documents
Patent Documents
[0004]
Patent Document 1
Summary of the Invention
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0005] However, after setting the optimal transmission frequency and channel on a wireless transmission path, when actually switching, at least some of the wireless transmission paths will be unavailable during the switching process. In this case, a problem arises in which the reliability of wireless communication is reduced. The present invention aims to provide a wireless control device, a wireless control method, and an elevator control system that facilitate the assurance of wireless communication reliability when switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. [Means for solving the problem]
[0006] To solve the above problems, the present invention provides a wireless control device that controls wireless communication with a moving object, which is multiplexed by using multiple wireless transmission paths, and comprises: a position acquisition unit that acquires the moving position of the moving object; a transmission quality acquisition unit that collects the relationship between the moving position and the transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths; a combination setting unit that sets a combination of a wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters based on the transmission quality; and a switching unit that determines the timing for switching the parameters set by the combination setting unit in the wireless transmission path set by the combination setting unit, and switches the parameters set by the combination setting unit at that timing.
[0007] Here, the switching unit can switch parameters one by one. In this case, it becomes easier to ensure reliability during switching. Furthermore, the switching unit can be configured to switch sequentially, starting with the wireless transmission path with the lowest transmission quality. In this case, it becomes easier to ensure reliability during switching. Furthermore, the switching mechanism can be configured to switch parameters during times when there are fewer passengers. In this case, it becomes easier to perform the switch when there are no passengers. Furthermore, the switching unit can be configured to switch the transmission frequency after confirming that there are no passengers in the elevator car. In this case, passenger safety can be ensured. Furthermore, the switching mechanism can determine times with fewer users by using machine learning on past usage data. In this case, it becomes easier to determine times with fewer users. Furthermore, the moving element is an elevator car, and the switching unit can move the car to a floor with good transmission quality before switching the parameters. In this case, reliability during switching can be further ensured. Furthermore, the parameter can be limited to one of the following: frequency, time, or code. In this case, the wireless transmission path can be multiplexed more easily.
[0008] Furthermore, the present invention provides a wireless control method for controlling wireless communication with a mobile object, which is multiplexed using multiple wireless transmission paths, and which involves a processor executing a program stored in memory to acquire the mobile object's position, collect the relationship between the mobile object's position and transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths, set a combination of a wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters based on the transmission quality, determine the timing for switching the set parameters in the set wireless transmission path, and switch the set parameters at that timing.
[0009] Furthermore, the present invention relates to an elevator control system having a car and a control device for controlling the operation of the car, wherein the control device is multiplexed by using a plurality of wireless transmission paths and includes a wireless control device for controlling wireless communication with the car, the wireless control device comprising: a position acquisition unit for acquiring the moving position of the car; a transmission quality acquisition unit for collecting the relationship between the moving position and transmission quality for each of the plurality of wireless transmission paths; a combination setting unit for setting a combination of a wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters based on the transmission quality; and a switching unit for determining the timing to switch the parameters set by the combination setting unit in the wireless transmission path set by the combination setting unit, and switching the parameters set by the combination setting unit at that timing. In this case, an elevator control system can be provided that makes it easier to ensure the reliability of wireless communication when switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. [Effects of the Invention]
[0010] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a wireless control device, a wireless control method, and an elevator control system that make it easier to ensure the reliability of wireless communication when switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. [Brief explanation of the drawing]
[0011] [Figure 1] Figures (a) and (b) illustrate the configuration of communication between the elevator control device and the elevator car. [Figure 2] This is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the elevator control system to which this embodiment is applied. [Figure 3] This diagram shows the hardware configuration of the control unit. [Figure 4] (a) is a diagram showing the wireless transmission path used in this embodiment. (b) is a diagram showing the signal quality (transmission quality) of wireless communication. [Figure 5] (a) is a diagram showing the case where the transmission frequency used for the wireless transmission path is changed from that shown in Figure 4(a). (b) is a diagram showing the signal quality (transmission quality) of wireless communication in the case of (a). [Figure 6] This flowchart explains how to set the combination of wireless transmission path and transmission frequency. [Figure 7] This is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed in the wireless signal control unit of the control device and the wireless signal control unit of the elevator car. [Figure 8] Figure 7 is a flowchart that provides a detailed explanation of the process in S701. [Figure 9] This is a flowchart that provides a detailed explanation of the process in S605 shown in Figure 6. [Figure 10] This flowchart explains the process when the switching unit switches the transmission frequency. [Modes for carrying out the invention]
[0012] The embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the attached drawings.
[0013] <Overall description of the elevator control system 1> Figs. 1(a) to (b) are diagrams showing a form of communication between the elevator control device 100 and the car 200. Among these, Fig. 1(a) shows a conventional method and depicts the case of performing wired communication between the elevator control device 100 and the car 200. As shown in Fig. 1(a), the control device 100 and the car 200 are connected by a tail cord Tc, and signals are exchanged via the tail cord Tc. In contrast, Fig. 1(b) shows a method to which the present embodiment is applied and depicts the case of performing wireless communication between the elevator control device 100 and the car 200. As shown in Fig. 1(b), an antenna 130 and an antenna 230 are respectively installed on the control device 100 side and the car 200, and signals are exchanged by wireless communication between the antenna 130 and the antenna 230. As actual signals, the control device 100 transmits to the car 200 control information for ascending and descending, instruction information for the floor where a call has been made, display control information on a display, etc. The car 200 transmits to the control device 100 operation information of buttons operated by the elevator users, etc.
[0014] In the wired communication of Fig. 1(a), especially in high-rise buildings, the tail cord Tc becomes long, increasing the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost. In contrast, in wireless communication as shown in Fig. 1(b), the tail cord Tc can be eliminated, reducing the manufacturing cost and maintenance cost. However, in an elevator, it is necessary to perform wireless communication within the hoistway where the car 200 ascends and descends. When performing wireless communication within the hoistway, the wireless communication may become unstable due to reflection of radio waves within the hoistway, etc. Therefore, in the present embodiment, multiplexing using a plurality of wireless transmission paths is performed to reduce this problem.
[0015] Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of the elevator control system 1 to which the present embodiment is applied. The elevator control system 1 comprises a control device 100 that controls the entire elevator control system 1, and an elevator car 200, which is an example of a moving object. The control device 100 and the elevator car 200 communicate wirelessly, as explained in Figure 1(b).
[0016] The control device 100 primarily controls the operation of the elevator car 200 and wireless communication. The control device 100 comprises an elevator control unit 110 and a wireless signal control unit 120.
[0017] The elevator control unit 110 controls the operation of the elevator car 200. Specifically, when a user calls, it moves the elevator car 200 to the floor where the call was made. Also, when a user presses the button for their destination floor inside the elevator car 200, it moves the elevator car 200 to the destination floor. The wireless signal control unit 120 is an example of a wireless control device and controls wireless communication between it and the elevator car 200. In this embodiment, wireless communication is multiplexed by using multiple wireless transmission paths. Each wireless transmission path is formed by a set of antennas. As will be described in detail later, one antenna installed on the control device 100 side and one antenna installed on the elevator car 200 form a set of antennas, and wireless communication is performed by forming a wireless transmission path between them. In this embodiment, four wireless transmission paths are formed by four sets of antennas, and multiplexing is achieved by exchanging the same information.
[0018] The wireless signal control unit 120 includes a position acquisition unit 121, a transmission quality collection unit 122, a combination setting unit 123, a switching unit 124, and an input / output unit 125. The position acquisition unit 121 acquires the movement position of the elevator car 200. The movement position of the elevator car 200 does not need to be determined continuously; in this embodiment, it is discrete. The discrete movement position can be the position of the floor where the elevator car 200 stopped.
[0019] The transmission quality collection unit 122 collects the relationship between the moving position and the transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths. In this embodiment, for example, it collects the relationship between the position of the floor where the elevator car 200 stopped and the transmission quality.
[0020] The combination setting unit 123 sets the combination of the wireless transmission path and the means used to multiplex wireless communication based on the transmission quality. The means used for multiplexing differs depending on the multiplexing method. For example, in frequency division multiplexing, the frequency is changed for multiplexing, so it is the frequency. In time division multiplexing, the time is changed for multiplexing, so it is the time. Furthermore, in code division multiplexing, the code is changed for multiplexing, so it is the code. Since the combination setting unit 123 sets the means used to multiplex the wireless transmission path, it sets the combination of parameters to switch between the wireless transmission path and the means used for multiplexing. In this case, the parameter is one of frequency, time, or code. In this embodiment, the means used for multiplexing is frequency multiplexing, and the parameter to switch is the transmission frequency. In this embodiment, wireless communication is multiplexed by changing the transmission frequency in each wireless transmission path. That is, the means used for multiplexing is the transmission frequency. Therefore, the combination setting unit 123 sets the combination of wireless transmission path and transmission frequency based on the transmission quality. Alternatively, the channel can also be changed in each wireless transmission path to multiplex wireless communication. In this case, it can also be said that the means used for multiplexing is the channel.
[0021] The switching unit 124 determines the timing for switching the set parameter. In this embodiment, the parameter to be switched is the transmission frequency, so the switching unit 124 switches the transmission frequency in each wireless transmission path at this timing. This can also be described as the switching unit 124 changing to the transmission frequency assigned to each wireless transmission path according to the set combination at the determined timing. The timing to be determined is the date and time for switching the transmission frequency. As will be described in more detail later, the switching unit 124, for example, determines the time when there are no elevator users and switches the transmission frequency at this time.
[0022] The input / output unit 125 performs information input and output with the elevator car 200 via wireless communication. As described above, the information is transmitted and received in a multiplexed manner.
[0023] The elevator car 200 includes an elevator car-side control unit 210 and a wireless signal control unit 220. The car-side control unit 210 controls the exchange of information with the control device 100. When a user presses a button for their destination floor in the elevator car 200, the car-side control unit 210 sends this operation information to the control device 100. The car-side control unit 210 can also send floor information, which is information about the floor where the elevator stopped, to the control device 100. The wireless signal control unit 220 controls the wireless communication between it and the control device 100.
[0024] Figure 3 shows the hardware configuration of the control device 100. The illustrated control device 100 includes a processor 11 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that controls each part through program execution, an internal memory 12 for storing system data and internal data, an external memory 13 as an auxiliary storage device, and a communication module 14 used for communication with external devices.
[0025] Processor 11 executes programs such as the OS (operating system) and application software. In this embodiment, the internal memory 12 is a semiconductor memory. The internal memory 12 has a ROM (Read Only Memory) in which the BIOS (Basic Input Output System) and the like are stored, and a RAM (Random Access Memory) used as the main memory. The processor 11 uses the RAM as a workspace for the program. External memory 13 is a storage device such as an HDD (Hard Disk Drive) or SSD (Solid State Drive), and it stores firmware, application software, etc. The communication module 14 is a communication interface for communicating with the elevator car 200.
[0026] <Explanation of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd> Figure 4(a) shows the wireless transmission paths Da to Dd used in this embodiment. As described above, one antenna installed on the control device 100 and one antenna installed on the elevator car 200 form a pair of antennas, and a wireless transmission path is formed between them to perform wireless communication. In the diagram, the antenna installed on the control device 100 is shown as antennas 131 to 134, and the antenna installed on the elevator car 200 is shown as antennas 231 to 234. Antennas 131 to 134 are mounted, for example, on the ceiling of the elevator shaft. Antennas 231 to 234 are mounted on the top of the elevator car 200. As a result, antennas 131 to 134 and antennas 231 to 234 are positioned opposite each other within the elevator shaft. However, the mounting position of each antenna is not particularly limited as long as wireless communication is ensured. For example, antennas 131 to 134 may be mounted at the bottom of the elevator shaft, and antennas 231 to 234 may be mounted at the bottom of the elevator car 200.
[0027] In this case, antenna 131 and antenna 231 form wireless transmission path Da. Similarly, antenna 132 and antenna 232 form wireless transmission path Db. Furthermore, antenna 133 and antenna 233 form wireless transmission path Dc, and antenna 134 and antenna 234 form wireless transmission path Dd. Wireless transmission paths Da to Dd are multiplexed to exchange the same information. In other words, four wireless transmission paths are formed using four sets of antennas, and multiplexing is achieved by exchanging the same information.
[0028] In this embodiment, multiplexing is achieved by using different transmission frequencies for each of the wireless transmission lines Da to Dd. The wireless transmission lines Da to Dd use transmission frequencies of 2.4GHz, 5.2GHz, 5.3GHz, and 5.6GHz, respectively. In the figure, these are shown as W24, W52, W53, and W56. Here, we show the case where information is transmitted from the elevator car 200 to the control device 100 via the wireless transmission lines Da to Dd. Note that the wireless transmission lines Da to Dd are capable of bidirectional communication. Therefore, it is also possible to transmit information from the control device 100 to the elevator car 200 via the wireless transmission lines Da to Dd.
[0029] Figure 4(b) shows the signal quality (transmission quality) of wireless communication. In Figure 4(b), the horizontal axis represents the distance from the ceiling of the elevator shaft of car 200. This can also be considered as the distance between antennas 131-134 and antennas 231-234. The vertical axis represents signal quality, with a higher value indicating better signal quality. Signal quality can be expressed, for example, by received signal strength or the error rate of received data.
[0030] The diagram shows the signal quality for each of the wireless transmission paths Da to Dd. As illustrated, the signal quality decreases as the distance from the ceiling of the elevator shaft of car 200 increases. The signal quality is usually lowest on the lowest floor. On the other hand, there is a minimum signal quality required for wireless communication. In the diagram, this is shown as the required signal quality TH1. If there is a wireless transmission path that does not meet the required signal quality TH1, that wireless transmission path will not be used. In other words, the number of wireless transmission paths used for multiplexing will decrease, and reliability will decrease. That is, it is desirable that the signal quality of all wireless transmission paths Da to Dd on the lowest floor be at or above the required signal quality TH1. Also, it is desirable that the difference Δ between the signal quality of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and the required signal quality TH1 on the lowest floor be large.
[0031] Signal quality varies depending on the transmission frequency used in the wireless transmission path Da to Dd. Figure 5(a) shows the case where the transmission frequencies used in the wireless transmission paths Da to Dd are changed compared to Figure 4(a). This section shows the use of the 5.6GHz, 5.3GHz, 2.4GHz, and 5.2GHz bands for wireless transmission paths Da to Dd, respectively. In the diagram, these are shown as W56, W53, W24, and W52.
[0032] Figure 5(b) shows the signal quality (transmission quality) of wireless communication in the case of Figure 5(a). In Figure 4(b), the signal quality was worst for the wireless transmission path Dd using W56, while in Figure 5(b), the signal quality was worst for the wireless transmission path Db using W52. Thus, signal quality changes depending on the combination of the wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and the transmission frequency. Furthermore, signal quality also changes depending on the time of day and can change over time. Therefore, even if a predetermined combination of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and the transmission frequency is optimal at a given point in time, it is not guaranteed that this optimal combination will be maintained. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the combination of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and the transmission frequency is changed at predetermined intervals (for example, every day) or when the wireless communication signal quality deteriorates, in order to maintain the wireless communication signal quality.
[0033] <Explanation of how to set the combination of wireless transmission paths Da~Dd and transmission frequencies> Next, we will explain how to set the combination of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and transmission frequencies. Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating how to set the combination of wireless transmission paths Da to Dd and transmission frequencies. First, the elevator control unit 110 moves the elevator car 200 from the top floor to the bottom floor while measuring the signal quality (S601). At this time, the switching unit 124 changes the antenna / transmission frequency combination (S602). In other words, it changes the combination of the wireless transmission path Da~Dd and the transmission frequency. At this time, the position acquisition unit 121 acquires the moving position of the elevator car 200 (S603). Furthermore, at this time, the transmission quality collection unit 122 collects the relationship between the moving position and signal quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths (S604). This allows the wireless communication signal quality shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b) to be obtained. If the position of the elevator car 200 can only be obtained discretely, the relationship between the discretely obtained position of the elevator car 200 and the signal quality is interpolated. This allows a continuous relationship to be obtained, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b).
[0034] Then, the combination setting unit 123 determines an antenna / transmission frequency combination that satisfies the required signal quality TH1 (S605). That is, the combination setting unit 123 determines a combination of wireless transmission path and transmission frequency that satisfies the required signal quality TH1. Next, the switching unit 124 determines the timing for switching the transmission frequency based on the set combination (S606). Furthermore, the switching unit 124 switches to the transmission frequency used by each wireless transmission path Da to Dd at the determined timing (S607).
[0035] Figure 7 is a sequence diagram showing the processing performed by the wireless signal control unit 120 of the control device 100 and the wireless signal control unit 220 of the elevator car 200. The wireless signal control unit 120 captures the elevator signal and measures the signal quality while estimating the movement position of the elevator car 200 (S701). The elevator signal is a signal wirelessly transmitted from the elevator car 200 and includes a door zone signal. The door zone signal indicates that the elevator car 200 is located within a door zone where its doors can be opened as it moves up and down in the hoistway. The door zone signal provides information on the start and end times of the elevator car 200's movement. The wireless signal control unit 120 can also acquire floor information indicating the floor to which the elevator car 200 has moved. Then, the wireless signal control unit 120 determines, based on the position of the elevator car 200, that it has moved from the top floor to the bottom floor (S702). Furthermore, the wireless signal control unit 120 changes the antenna / transmission frequency combination (S703). In other words, it changes the combination of the wireless transmission path Da~Dd and the transmission frequency. Next, the wireless signal control unit 120 notifies the elevator car 200 of the change information as information about the antenna / transmission frequency combination (S704). The wireless signal control unit 220 changes the antenna / transmission frequency combination according to the change information (S705). This makes the antenna / transmission frequency combination the same for each wireless transmission path Da to Dd.
[0036] Figure 8 is a flowchart that provides a detailed explanation of the process S701 in Figure 7. The wireless signal control unit 120 determines the start time and stop time of the elevator car 200 based on the door zone signal included in the elevator signal, and further estimates the floor from which the movement started and the floor from which the movement stopped based on the floor information (S801). Next, the wireless signal control unit 120 calculates the relationship between time and the position of the elevator car 200 from the elevator's movement characteristics (S802). The elevator's movement characteristics are, for example, the speed of the elevator car 200. The wireless signal control unit 120 can determine the position of the elevator car 200 by converting the speed of the elevator car 200 into distance. Furthermore, the wireless signal control unit 120 acquires time-signal quality information, which is information relating time and signal quality, and calculates the relationship between the moving position of the elevator car 200 and the signal quality (S803). In other words, the wireless signal control unit 120 extracts the moving position and signal quality corresponding to the same time and determines the relationship between the moving position of the elevator car 200 and the signal quality by relating the two.
[0037] Figure 9 is a flowchart that provides a detailed explanation of the process in S605 of Figure 6. First, the combination setting unit 123 obtains the relationship between the movement position of the elevator car 200 and the signal quality for all combinations of antenna / transmission frequency, and calculates the difference Δ from the required signal quality TH1 (S901). Next, the combination setting unit 123 extracts the case in which the difference Δ is minimized for all antenna / transmission frequency combinations (S902). As shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), this is usually the difference Δ at the lowest floor. On the other hand, there are also cases where the difference Δ is minimized at an intermediate floor. However, for the sake of simplicity, the following explanation will focus on the case where the difference Δ is minimized at the lowest floor. Furthermore, the combination setting unit 123 searches for the antenna / frequency transmission frequency combination that maximizes the difference Δ on the lowest floor (S903). The combination setting unit 123 then adopts this antenna / frequency combination and determines it as the final antenna / transmission frequency allocation (S904).
[0038] <Explanation of how to switch transmission frequencies based on the set combination> When the switching unit 124 switches transmission frequencies according to a set combination, it is necessary to perform the switch as safely as possible. In other words, during the switch, wireless communication becomes impossible on the target wireless transmission path, reducing the number of systems and decreasing the reliability of wireless communication. Therefore, it is necessary to perform the switch while minimizing the decrease in the reliability of wireless communication. Furthermore, for example, switching the transmission frequency while a user is using an elevator is undesirable because it would mean the user is using the elevator under conditions where the reliability of wireless communication is reduced. Therefore, in this embodiment, the transmission frequency is switched by employing at least one of the following methods (1) to (3).
[0039] (1) The switching unit 124 switches the transmission frequency one by one. When switching multiple transmission frequencies simultaneously, multiple wireless transmission paths become unusable during the switching process. For example, when switching the transmission frequencies of four wireless transmission paths Da to Dd simultaneously, wireless communication becomes completely unusable from the start time to the end time of the switch. Therefore, the switching unit 124 switches the transmission frequencies one at a time to minimize the decrease in the reliability of wireless communication. Furthermore, the switching unit 124 switches sequentially, starting with the wireless transmission path with the lowest signal quality. In other words, it is difficult to maintain wireless communication on wireless transmission paths with lower signal quality, but it is easier to maintain wireless communication on wireless transmission paths with higher signal quality. Therefore, by switching sequentially, starting with the wireless transmission path with the lowest signal quality, the switching unit 124 makes it easier to maintain wireless communication. In addition, it can sequentially switch wireless transmission paths with lower signal quality to a state with higher signal quality.
[0040] (2) The switching unit 124 switches the transmission frequency during times when there are few passengers on the elevator car 200. If there are few users of the elevator car 200, it is easier to switch when there are no users. The switching unit 124 also checks that there are no users in the elevator car 200 and switches the transmission frequency. One way to check that there are no users in the elevator car 200 is to use a weight sensor that detects the weight of the elevator car 200. In addition, if there has been no operation of any buttons inside the elevator car 200 for a predetermined time (for example, 3 minutes) since the last time the elevator car 200 was used, the switching unit 124 can determine that there are no users in the elevator car 200. The switching unit 124 can determine times when there are fewer users by using machine learning on past usage data. In other words, the switching unit 124 uses machine learning to analyze the relationship between date and time and past usage data, and predicts when there are fewer users.
[0041] (3) The switching unit 124 moves the elevator car 200 to a floor with good signal quality, and then switches the transmission frequency. If the elevator car and the 200 are on floors with good transmission quality, a high level of reliability in wireless communication can be ensured. Furthermore, a reduction in switching time can be expected. The floor with the best transmission quality between the elevator car and the 200 is usually the top floor, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b). However, this is not the only option; if the transmission quality is best on an intermediate floor, the system will move to that floor and switch the transmission frequency.
[0042] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the process when the switching unit 124 switches the transmission frequency. Figure 10 can also be described as a flowchart that provides a detailed explanation of the process in S606 of Figure 6. First, the switching unit 124 selects the wireless transmission path with the lowest signal quality (S1001). Then, the switching unit 124 moves the elevator car 200 to the floor with the best signal quality using a wireless transmission path other than the selected wireless transmission path (S1002). Then, the switching unit 124 performs a transmission frequency switch for the selected wireless transmission path (S1003).
[0043] Next, the switching unit 124 determines whether or not there is a new call from an elevator user (S1004). As a result, if no new calls occur (NO in S1004), the switching unit 124 determines whether or not the switching of transmission frequencies has been completed for all wireless transmission paths Da to Dd (S1005). If the transmission frequency switching has not been completed for all wireless transmission paths (NO in S1005), then the wireless transmission path with the lowest signal quality is selected (S1006), and the process returns to S1003. Conversely, if the transmission frequency switching has been completed for all wireless transmission paths Da to Dd (YES in S1005), the series of processes is terminated.
[0044] Furthermore, if a new call occurs in S1004 (YES in S1004), the switching unit 124 determines whether or not a request to change the transmission frequency has already been sent to the elevator car 200 (S1007). As a result, if a change request has already been sent (YES in S1007), the user-initiated calling service is performed (S1008). In this case, the user-initiated calling service is performed at the changed transmission frequency. Then, the call service is completed (S1009), and the process moves to S1005.
[0045] Furthermore, if a change request has not yet been sent in S1006 (YES in S1007), the transmission frequency change operation is interrupted (S1010). Then, the user call service is performed (S1011). In this case, the user call service is performed at the transmission frequency before the change. Then, the call service is completed (S1012), and the process moves to S1003.
[0046] In the configuration described above, there was one elevator, but there may be multiple elevators. Also, there were four wireless transmission lines, but there may be any number of lines as long as there are multiple lines. Furthermore, although the above-described embodiment uses a train car 200 as the mobile body, the mobile body is not limited to this. In other words, it can be applied to any other mobile body that communicates wirelessly with a stationary device and a mobile body that moves along a predetermined route. For example, it can be applied when a transport device that moves along a fixed route within a warehouse communicates wirelessly with a transport device control device. Alternatively, for example, it can be applied to a railway vehicle as the mobile body and communicates wirelessly with a railway vehicle and a train control center.
[0047] According to the above configuration, it is possible to provide a wireless control device, wireless control method, and elevator control system that make it easier to ensure the reliability of wireless communication when switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. This makes it easier to ensure safety when switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, switching transmission frequencies, channels, etc. can be done automatically, eliminating the need for operators to manually search for suitable transmission frequencies, channels, etc. for each wireless transmission path Da to Dd.
[0048] <Explanation of wireless control method> The processing performed by the wireless signal control unit 120, as described above, is realized through the cooperation of software and hardware resources. Specifically, the processor inside the computer provided in the wireless signal control unit 120 loads the software that implements each of the above-mentioned functions into memory and executes it, thereby realizing each of these functions. Therefore, the processing performed by the wireless signal control unit 120 is multiplexed by using multiple wireless transmission paths and can be understood as a wireless control method that controls wireless communication with a mobile object, in which the processor executes a program stored in memory to acquire the mobile object's position, collects the relationship between the position and transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths, sets a combination of wireless transmission paths and predetermined parameters based on the transmission quality, determines the timing to switch the set parameters in the set wireless transmission paths, and switches the set parameters at that timing.
[0049] Although this embodiment has been described above, the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the scope described in the above embodiment. It is clear from the claims that various modifications or improvements made to the above embodiment are also included in the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of Symbols]
[0050] 1...Elevator control system, 100...Control device, 110...Elevator control unit, 120, 220...Wireless signal control unit, 121...Position acquisition unit, 122...Transmission quality collection unit, 123...Combination setting unit, 124...Switching unit, 125...Input / output unit, 131~134, 231~234...Antenna, 200...Elevator car, 210...Car-side control unit, Da~Dd...Wireless transmission path
Claims
1. A wireless control device that uses multiple wireless transmission lines to multiplex and controls wireless communication between the elevator car and the system, A position acquisition unit that acquires the moving position of the aforementioned elevator car, A transmission quality collection unit collects the relationship between the movement position and transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths, Based on the aforementioned transmission quality, a combination setting unit sets a combination of the wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters, A switching unit determines the timing for switching the parameters set in the combination setting unit in the wireless transmission path set in the combination setting unit, and switches the parameters set in the combination setting unit at that timing. A wireless control device equipped with the following features.
2. The wireless control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the parameters one by one.
3. The wireless control device according to claim 2, wherein the switching unit switches the wireless transmission lines in order from the wireless transmission line with the lowest transmission quality.
4. The wireless control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the parameters during times when there are few users of the elevator car.
5. The wireless control device according to claim 4, wherein the switching unit confirms that there is no user in the elevator car and switches the parameters.
6. The wireless control device according to claim 4, wherein the switching unit determines the time when there are few users by machine learning based on past usage data.
7. The wireless control device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit moves the elevator car to the floor with good transmission quality and then switches the parameters.
8. The wireless control device according to claim 1, wherein the parameter is one of frequency, time, or code.
9. A wireless control method that uses multiple wireless transmission paths to multiplex and controls wireless communication between the elevator car and the elevator, The processor executes the program stored in memory, The movement position of the aforementioned elevator car is obtained, For each of the multiple wireless transmission paths, the relationship between the moving position and the transmission quality is collected. Based on the aforementioned transmission quality, a combination of the wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters is set. In the configured wireless transmission path, determine the timing for switching the configured parameters, and switch the configured parameters at that timing. Wireless control method.
10. An elevator control system having a car and a control device for controlling the operation of the car, The control device is multiplexed by using multiple wireless transmission lines and includes a wireless control device that controls wireless communication with the elevator car. The aforementioned wireless control device is A position acquisition unit that acquires the moving position of the aforementioned elevator car, A transmission quality collection unit collects the relationship between the movement position and transmission quality for each of the multiple wireless transmission paths, Based on the aforementioned transmission quality, a combination setting unit sets a combination of the wireless transmission path and predetermined parameters, A switching unit determines the timing for switching the parameters set in the combination setting unit in the wireless transmission path set in the combination setting unit, and switches the parameters set in the combination setting unit at that timing. An elevator control system equipped with [this feature].