Elevator system

Abstract

This system allows users to register elevator calls using their own terminals, and provides a system that further improves the convenience of requesting an elevator call. [Solution] An elevator system comprising a terminal (1) for a user of an elevator (4) and an elevator control device (3), wherein the terminal includes a display control unit (111) that simultaneously displays departure floor information, destination floor information, a request operation unit that accepts an operation to request a call to a destination floor, and a shunting operation unit that accepts a shunting operation to change the elevator on a display unit (13), and when a shunting operation is accepted, the display control unit simultaneously displays departure floor information indicating the departure floor after the shunt, destination floor information indicating the destination floor after the shunt, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit on the display unit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator system that requests a destination floor call using a terminal device.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, there has been known a system that performs elevator call registration using a user's personal mobile terminal, and controls the operation of an elevator based on input to the personal mobile terminal (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Literature

Patent Literature

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] In the system as described above, there is room for improvement in convenience when a user requests call registration using a terminal.

[0005] An object of one aspect of the present invention is to provide a system for performing elevator call registration using a user's terminal, which further improves convenience when requesting call registration.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0006] To solve the above problems, an elevator system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of the elevator, and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that simultaneously displays on a display unit the following: departure floor information indicating a selected departure floor, destination floor information indicating a selected destination floor, a request operation unit that receives an operation to request a destination floor call including the selected departure floor and destination floor, and a switching operation unit that receives a switching operation to switch the currently selected departure floor and destination floor, and the display control unit switches to a state in which the departure floor information indicating the departure floor after the switch, the destination floor information indicating the destination floor after the switch, the request operation unit, and the switching operation unit are simultaneously displayed on the display unit when the switching operation is received by the switching operation unit.

[0007] To solve the above problems, an elevator system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of the elevator and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that displays floor information showing the service floors of the elevator in a list format on a scrollable display unit, and a reception unit that receives a scroll operation on the floor information, a first operation to select a first floor which is one of the departure floor and the destination floor from the service floors, and a second operation to select a second floor which is the other, and the display control unit continues to display the selected first floor on the display unit from the time the reception unit receives the first operation until the reception unit receives the second operation, regardless of whether the scroll operation has been performed or not.

[0008] To solve the above problems, an elevator system according to one aspect of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of an elevator, and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that displays departure floor information indicating a selected departure floor and destination floor information indicating a selected destination floor on a display unit, and a reception unit that receives a first release operation to release the selection of the departure floor by operating an area that displays the departure floor information, and a second release operation to release the selection of the destination floor by operating an area that displays the destination floor information, wherein when the reception unit receives the first release operation, it becomes capable of receiving a first selection operation to select a departure floor from among the service floors of the elevator, and when the reception unit receives the second release operation, it becomes capable of receiving a second selection operation to select a destination floor from among the service floors.

[0009] Each aspect of the present invention may be implemented by a computer, in which case the elevator system control program that enables the implementation of the elevator system by a computer, by operating the computer as each part (software element) of the elevator system, and the computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention. [Effects of the Invention]

[0010] According to one aspect of the present invention, a system for registering elevator calls using a user's terminal can be provided that further improves the convenience of requesting an elevator call. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0011] [Figure 1] This is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. [Figure 2] This figure shows an example of a user database. [Figure 3] This is a diagram showing an example of the start screen. [Figure 4] It is a diagram showing an example of an elevator ID input screen. [Figure 5] It is a diagram showing an example of a departure floor selection screen (floor selection screen). [Figure 6] It is a diagram showing an example of a destination floor selection screen (floor selection screen). [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing another example of a departure floor selection screen (floor selection screen). [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing an example of a call request screen. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing an example of a standby screen. [Figure 10] It is a diagram showing an example of a registration completion screen. [Figure 11] It is a diagram showing an example of a second error screen. [Figure 12] It is a diagram showing another example of a destination floor selection screen (floor selection screen). [Figure 13] It is a diagram showing another example of a call request screen. [Figure 14] It is a diagram showing an example of an elevator selection screen. [Figure 15] It is a diagram showing still another example of a call request screen. [Figure 16] It is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for displaying a floor selection screen or a call request screen. [Figure 17] It is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for changing an elevator selection. [Figure 18] It is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for requesting a destination floor call. [Figure 19] It is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for requesting a destination floor call. [Figure 20] It is a flow chart showing an example of the process flow for requesting a normal call or a wheelchair call. Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0012] Embodiment 1 The following describes in detail one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator system 100 according to Embodiment 1 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator system 100 comprises a terminal device 1, an elevator server 2, and a plurality of elevator control devices 3. In the elevator system 100, the terminal device 1 and the elevator server 2 are connected to each other via a communication network. The elevator server 2 and the elevator control devices 3 are connected to each other via a communication network. The terminal device 1 is a terminal device that requests registration of destination floor calls and is a terminal device (for example, a smartphone) used by users of the elevator 4.

[0013] <Elevator Server 2> The elevator server 2 is a device that manages information related to destination floor calls. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator server 2 comprises a control unit 21 and a storage unit 22.

[0014] (Storage unit 22) The memory unit 22 stores the elevator DB 221 and the user DB 222.

[0015] The elevator DB221 is a database that stores identification information and elevator information for each elevator 4, associating them with each elevator 4. The elevator information stored in the elevator DB221 includes, for example, floor information indicating the service floor of elevator 4, and wheelchair information indicating whether or not elevator 4 is a wheelchair-accessible unit.

[0016] Figure 2 shows an example of the user DB222. The user DB222 is a database that stores information regarding destination floor calls requested by terminal device 1.

[0017] As shown by reference numerals 201 and 202 in Figure 2, the user DB 222 associates the user's identification information (user ID) with the identification information (elevator ID) of the elevator 4 previously used by that user when making a destination floor call using terminal device 1.

[0018] User DB222 stores list information indicating the list of elevators 4 that a user will use.

[0019] As shown by reference numeral 202 in Figure 2, the user DB 222 stores a list of elevator IDs of elevators 4 that a user has previously used when calling a destination floor using terminal device 1. In Figure 2, elevator IDs associated with the same user ID represent list information corresponding to a single user identified by that user ID.

[0020] Each elevator ID included in the list information may be associated with information (code 203) indicating the name of the elevator 4 identified by that elevator ID. The name of elevator 4 may be assigned by the user when they register a call for a destination floor.

[0021] Furthermore, each elevator ID included in the list information is associated with floor information (code 204) that indicates the service floor (floor level) of elevator 4 identified by that elevator ID.

[0022] The user DB222 stores the departure and destination floors of the most recent destination floor call made for each of the elevators 4 indicated in the list information. As shown in Figure 2, the elevator ID included in the list information is associated with the most recent departure floor information (code 205) and the most recent destination floor information (code 206). The most recent departure floor information and the most recent destination floor information indicate the departure and destination floors of the most recent destination floor call made by the user using the terminal device 1 to the elevator 4 indicated by the elevator ID to which the most recent departure floor information and the most recent destination floor information are associated.

[0023] Furthermore, in User DB222, each elevator ID included in the list information is associated with wheelchair information (code 207) indicating whether or not the elevator identified by that elevator ID is a wheelchair-accessible unit.

[0024] User DB222 stores elevator information for each of the four elevators. For example, floor information (code 204) and wheelchair information (code 207) are considered elevator information.

[0025] Furthermore, the user database 222 stores recent information for each user, indicating the elevator 4 that was most recently called to the destination floor.

[0026] As shown in Figure 2, each elevator ID included in the list information is associated with information (code 208) indicating whether the elevator 4 identified by that elevator ID is the elevator 4 most recently used by the user. The elevator 4 most recently used by the user is the elevator 4 selected by the user when they called for a destination floor using the terminal device 1.

[0027] Among the elevator IDs included in the list information, the elevator ID of elevator 4 that the user most recently used is associated with a flag of "1", indicating that it is the elevator 4 for which the destination floor call was most recently made. Among the elevator IDs included in the list information, the elevator ID of elevator 4 that the user has not most recently used is associated with a flag of "0", indicating that it is not the elevator 4 for which the destination floor call was most recently made. In the user DB222, the flag indicating that it is the elevator 4 for which the destination floor call was most recently made, i.e., "1" in Figure 2, represents the most recent information.

[0028] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 2, the user DB 222 stores the most recent information in association with the departure floor (reference numeral 205) and destination floor (reference numeral 206) of the most recent destination floor call made to the elevator 4 indicated by that recent information.

[0029] (Control Unit 21) The control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 performs processing to provide elevator information, list information, and recent information to the terminal device 1.

[0030] When the control unit 21 receives a first request, a second request, or a third request from the terminal device 1, it extracts elevator information based on the first request, second request, or third request and provides it to the terminal device 1. The first request is information requesting the provision of information about elevator 4 to which the most recent information is associated, and includes the user ID. The second request is information requesting the provision of elevator information for elevator 4 identified by the elevator ID, and includes the user ID and the elevator ID. The third request is information requesting the provision of information about elevator 4 selected by the user from among the elevator 4 included in the list information, and includes the user ID and the elevator ID.

[0031] When the control unit 21 receives a first request from the terminal device 1, it refers to the user database 222 and searches for a user ID that matches the user ID included in the first request. In the user database 222, it identifies the elevator ID to which the user ID is associated with the most recent information. The control unit 21 extracts information indicating the name of elevator 4, floor information, most recent departure floor information, most recent destination floor information, and wheelchair information associated with the identified elevator ID. The control unit 21 also extracts a list of elevator IDs to which the user ID is associated, i.e., list information corresponding to the user. The control unit 21 generates first user information by associating the elevator ID, the information extracted based on the elevator ID, and the list information, and transmits it to the terminal device 1, which was the source of the first request.

[0032] If no user ID matching the user ID included in the first request exists in the user database 222, the control unit 21 sends an unregistered signal to the terminal device 1, the source of the first request, indicating that no list information associated with the user ID exists. The case where no user ID matching the user ID included in the first request exists occurs, for example, when a user makes a destination floor call using the terminal device 1 for the first time. In this case, no information about the user is stored in the user database 222.

[0033] When the control unit 21 receives a second request from the terminal device 1, it refers to the elevator database 221 and searches for an elevator ID that matches the elevator ID included in the second request. If an elevator ID matching the elevator ID included in the second request exists in the elevator database 221, the control unit 21 extracts floor information and wheelchair information associated with that elevator ID. The control unit 21 generates second user information that associates the elevator ID with the floor information and wheelchair information extracted based on that elevator ID, and transmits it to the terminal device 1, which was the source of the second request.

[0034] If the elevator ID entered by the user into terminal device 1 is incorrect, or for other reasons, there may be no elevator ID in elevator DB 221 that matches the elevator ID included in the second request. In this case, control unit 21 sends a first error signal to terminal device 1, the source of the second request, indicating that elevator 4 could not be identified.

[0035] When the control unit 21 receives a third request from the terminal device 1, it refers to the user database 222 and searches for information where an elevator ID matching the elevator ID included in the third request is associated with a user ID that matches the user ID included in the third request. When the control unit 21 identifies the elevator ID associated with the user ID, it extracts information indicating the name of the elevator 4 associated with the identified elevator ID, floor information, nearest departure floor information, nearest destination floor information, and wheelchair information. The control unit 21 generates third user information by associating the elevator ID with each piece of information extracted based on the elevator ID, and transmits it to the terminal device 1, which was the source of the third request.

[0036] Furthermore, the control unit 21 processes a request from the terminal device 1 to request the elevator control device 3 to register a destination floor call. When the terminal device 1 transmits a request for a destination floor call, the control unit 21 receives request information from the terminal device 1. The request information is the information used in the destination floor call. The request information includes the elevator ID of the elevator 4 used by the user in the destination floor call, the user ID, departure floor information indicating the departure floor in the destination floor call, and destination floor information indicating the destination floor in the destination floor call. The request information may also include information indicating whether or not the user wishes to operate the elevator 4 in wheelchair mode.

[0037] When the control unit 21 receives request information, it generates a call request based on that information. The call request includes the user ID, departure floor information, and destination floor information. The control unit 21 transmits the generated call request to the elevator 4 identified by the elevator ID included in the request information.

[0038] If the request information received from terminal device 1 includes information indicating that the user wishes to operate elevator 4 in wheelchair mode, the call request will include an instruction to operate in wheelchair mode. Hereinafter, a destination floor call that does not include an instruction to operate in wheelchair mode will also be referred to as a "normal call," and a destination floor call that includes an instruction to operate in wheelchair mode will also be referred to as a "wheelchair call."

[0039] When elevator 4 is operating in wheelchair mode, the elevator control device 3 that controls elevator 4 controls the operation of elevator 4, for example, by extending the door opening time more than usual.

[0040] When a destination floor call is registered in the elevator control device 3, the control unit 21 receives registration completion information from the elevator control device 3 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed. Upon receiving the registration completion information from the elevator control device 3, the control unit 21 transmits the registration completion information to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the request information.

[0041] If the destination floor call is not registered in the elevator control device 3, the control unit 21 receives a registration failure signal from the elevator control device 3 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call failed. When the control unit 21 receives a registration failure signal from the elevator control device 3, it sends a second error signal to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the request information, indicating that the destination floor call was not registered. Alternatively, if the control unit 21 has not received either registration completion information or a registration failure signal for a predetermined period of time or longer since sending the request information to the elevator control device 3, it sends a second error signal to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the request information.

[0042] The control unit 21 may determine whether or not to accept a request for a destination floor call based on the request information. In this case, the request information includes location information indicating the location of the terminal device 1. For example, if the location of the terminal device 1 indicated in the location information is within a predetermined range (for example, within a radius of 500m) from the elevator 4 indicated in the identification information, the control unit 21 determines that a request for a destination floor call is possible. If it is determined that a request for a destination floor call is possible, the control unit 21 sends a call request to the elevator control device 3 and requests registration of the destination floor call.

[0043] On the other hand, if the location of terminal device 1, indicated by the location information, is outside a predetermined range from the elevator 4 that the user indicated by the elevator ID intends to use, the control unit 21 determines that a call to the destination floor cannot be requested. If it determines that a call to the destination floor cannot be requested, the control unit 21 does not send a call request to the elevator control device 3. In this case, the control unit 21 may send a third error signal to terminal device 1, the source of the request information, indicating that it was not possible to register a call to the destination floor.

[0044] <Elevator control device 3 and elevator 4> Elevator 4 is a facility that transports users to their destination floor. Elevator 4 consists of a car, doors, hoistway, hoisting machine, etc. There may be wheelchair-accessible units and non-wheelchair-accessible units of Elevator 4. Wheelchair-accessible Elevator 4 is equipped with a control panel for wheelchair users and has a longer door opening and closing time than usual.

[0045] When the elevator control device 3 receives a call request from the elevator server 2, it registers the destination floor call based on the request and controls the operation of the elevator 4. As shown in Figure 1, the elevator control device 3 comprises a control unit 31 and a storage unit 32, and is communicated with the elevator server 2.

[0046] When a destination floor call request is transmitted by terminal device 1, the control unit 31 of the elevator control device 3, which is the recipient of the destination floor call request, receives the call request from elevator server 2, which includes user identification information, departure floor information, and destination floor information. Upon receiving the call request, control unit 31 registers the destination floor call based on the request. If the registration of the destination floor call is successful, control unit 31 transmits registration completion information to elevator server 2 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed. The registration completion information includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor in the destination floor call.

[0047] The control unit 31 controls the operation of elevator unit 4 based on the registered destination floor call. For example, when the control unit 31 registers a destination floor call, it registers a landing call based on that destination floor call. Then, when the elevator car arrives at the departure floor based on the landing call and a user blocks the photoelectric sensor on the car door as they board the car (or when the car door has finished opening), the control unit 31 registers a car call based on the destination floor call and moves the car to the destination floor for that car call.

[0048] Furthermore, if the request includes an instruction to operate the elevator in wheelchair mode, the control unit 31 operates the elevator 4 in wheelchair mode. If the request does not include an instruction to operate the elevator in wheelchair mode, the control unit 31 operates the elevator 4 in normal mode.

[0049] If the control unit 31 is unable to register the destination floor call, it sends a registration failure signal to the elevator server 2 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call failed.

[0050] For example, if elevator 4 is unable to respond to a call for a destination floor, the control unit 31 cannot register the call for a destination floor based on the call request. Situations in which elevator 4 is unable to respond to a call for a destination floor include, for example, when elevator 4 is malfunctioning, or when elevator 4 has stopped operating due to the detection of an earthquake, flooding, fire, etc., in the building where elevator 4 is installed. Also, if elevator 4 is undergoing maintenance, elevator 4 cannot respond to a call for a destination floor.

[0051] Alternatively, there may be situations where some of the service floors of elevator 4 are temporarily unavailable as departure and destination floors. If the departure or destination floor included in the call request is a floor that is unavailable as a departure or destination floor in a destination floor call, elevator 4 cannot respond to the destination floor call based on that call request. Therefore, in the above case as well, the control unit 31 cannot register the destination floor call based on the call request.

[0052] <Terminal device 1> Terminal device 1 is a device used by users who request registration of a destination floor call. Terminal device 1 may be, for example, a smartphone or tablet device owned by the user. As shown in Figure 1, terminal device 1 comprises a control unit 11, an input unit 12, a display unit 13, and a storage unit 14. Terminal device 1 is connected to elevator server 2 via a communication network for communication. Control unit 11 comprises a display control unit 111, a reception unit 112, an acquisition unit 113, and a transmission unit 114.

[0053] The input unit 12 is an input device such as a touch panel or keyboard provided by the terminal device 1. The input unit 12 receives input operations performed by the user and outputs information indicating the content of the received input operations to the control unit 11. The display unit 13 is a display or the like capable of displaying various screens according to the control of the control unit 11. The storage unit 14 stores programs and data necessary for the operation of the terminal device 1.

[0054] (Display control unit 111) The display control unit 111 controls the display content of the display unit 13. The display control unit 111 obtains information from the elevator server 2 via the acquisition unit 113 and controls the display on the display unit 13 based on that information. The display control unit 111 also controls the display on the display unit 13 in response to input operations received by the reception unit 112.

[0055] The display control unit 111 causes the display unit 13 to display at least one of the elevator information acquired by the acquisition unit 113 in a selectable manner.

[0056] Figure 3 shows an example of the start screen. As shown in Figure 3, the start screen includes a window (reference numeral 301) for displaying the name or ID of elevator 4. As shown in Figure 3, the start screen may also include a wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) and a request operation unit (reference numeral 303). Note that the wheelchair button and the request operation unit are not selectable on the start screen.

[0057] When the series of processes for requesting registration of a destination floor call using the terminal device 1 are performed for the first time on the terminal device 1, the display control unit 111 displays the start screen shown in Figure 3 on the display unit 13.

[0058] Specifically, when the reception unit 112 receives a start operation, the elevator server 2 searches for the most recent information based on the user ID. The start operation is an input operation that instructs the start of a series of processes for requesting registration of a destination floor call using the terminal device 1, and may be a specific input operation on a predetermined screen of the terminal device 1.

[0059] When the series of processes for requesting registration of a destination floor call are performed for the first time on terminal device 1, the elevator server 2 does not store list information associated with the user ID of the user using terminal device 1. In this case, the acquisition unit 113 receives an unregistered signal from elevator server 2 and outputs it to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 receives the unregistered signal from acquisition unit 113, it displays the start screen on the display unit 13.

[0060] Figure 4 shows an example of an elevator ID input screen. The elevator ID input screen is a screen for receiving input of an elevator ID. As shown in Figure 4, it includes a window (reference numeral 301) and a keypad 401. The display control unit 111 displays the elevator ID entered by the user using the keypad in the window (reference numeral 301). When an elevator ID is entered while the elevator ID input screen is displayed, and the reception unit 112 receives an input operation to request the provision of elevator information, a second request is sent from the terminal device 1 to the elevator server 2.

[0061] If elevator 4 identified by the entered elevator ID does not exist, the display control unit 111 acquires a first error signal from the acquisition unit 113. When the display control unit 111 acquires a first error signal, it may display a first error screen on the display unit 13 indicating that elevator 4 corresponding to the entered elevator ID does not exist. After displaying the first error screen on the display unit 13 for a predetermined time, the display control unit 111 may display the elevator ID input screen.

[0062] The display control unit 111 can display a floor selection screen on the display unit 13. The floor selection screen is a screen for receiving first and second operations from the user. The first operation is an input operation to select the first floor, which is either the departure floor or the destination floor in a destination floor call, and the second operation is an input operation to select the second floor, which is the other floor.

[0063] The display control unit 111 displays either a departure floor selection screen or a destination floor selection screen on the display unit 13 as a floor selection screen. The departure floor selection screen is a screen for receiving a departure floor selection operation (first selection operation), which is an input operation to select a departure floor. The destination floor selection screen is a screen for receiving a destination floor selection operation (second selection operation), which is an input operation to select a destination floor.

[0064] Figure 5 shows an example of a departure floor selection screen as a floor selection screen. Figure 6 shows an example of a destination floor selection screen as a floor selection screen. Figure 7 shows another example of a departure floor selection screen as a floor selection screen. Figure 5 shows the departure floor selection screen when neither the departure floor nor the destination floor is selected. Figure 6 shows the destination floor selection screen when the departure floor is selected. Figure 7 shows the departure floor selection screen when the destination floor is selected.

[0065] When the display control unit 111 acquires second user information from the acquisition unit 113, it displays a floor selection screen including the floor information contained in the second user information on the display unit 13.

[0066] As shown in Figures 5 to 7, the floor selection screen includes floor information (reference numeral 501) that shows the service floors of elevator 4 in a list format. The display control unit 111 displays the floor information on the display unit 13 in a scrollable and selectable format.

[0067] Furthermore, when displaying floor information, the display control unit 111 may display markers near the lowest and highest service floors of the elevator 4 to indicate that they are end floors. For example, these markers may be double lines. In the example shown in Figure 5, while each floor in the floor information is indicated by a single line, a double line (reference numeral 502) is displayed directly below the 1st floor to indicate that the 1st floor is the lowest floor. Similarly, a double line may be displayed directly above the top floor.

[0068] If the wheelchair information included in the second user information indicates that elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible, the floor selection screen may include a wheelchair button (reference numeral 302). In this case, the display control unit 111 makes the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) selectable on the floor selection screen. On the other hand, if the wheelchair information included in the second user information indicates that elevator 4 is not wheelchair accessible, the floor selection screen does not include a wheelchair button (reference numeral 302).

[0069] When the reception unit 112 receives the first operation while the floor selection screen for receiving the first operation is displayed, the display control unit 111 displays the floor selection screen for receiving the second operation on the display unit 13.

[0070] For example, when the display control unit 111 acquires second user information from the acquisition unit 113, it displays a departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13 that can accept a departure floor selection operation as the first operation. In this case, the departure floor and destination floor are unknown at the time the display control unit 111 acquires the second user information. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5, the display control unit 111 displays a departure floor selection screen that does not include departure floor information indicating the selected departure floor or destination floor information indicating the selected destination floor.

[0071] When the reception unit 112 receives a departure floor selection operation while the departure floor selection screen is displayed, the display control unit 111 displays the destination floor selection screen, which allows the user to select a destination floor as a second operation.

[0072] The display control unit 111 displays departure floor information indicating the selected departure floor and destination floor information indicating the selected destination floor on the display unit 13. As shown in Figure 6, when the destination floor selection screen is displayed after the departure floor selection operation is performed, the destination floor selection screen includes floor information (reference numeral 501) and departure floor information (reference numeral 601) indicating the departure floor selected by the departure floor selection operation. In other words, when the reception unit 112 receives the departure floor selection operation as the first operation, the display control unit 111 displays the floor information with the departure floor selected.

[0073] If the reception unit 112 receives a first cancellation operation, which is an input operation to cancel the selection of the departure floor, while the destination floor selection screen, which is capable of accepting a second operation to select a destination floor, is displayed, the selection of the departure floor is canceled. In this case, the display control unit 111 transitions the screen displayed on the display unit 13 from the destination floor selection screen, which is capable of accepting a second operation to select a destination floor, to the departure floor selection screen, which is capable of accepting a first operation to select a departure floor.

[0074] In the example described, if neither the departure floor nor the destination floor is selected, the display control unit 111 displays the departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13, and the reception unit 112 is able to accept the departure floor selection operation as the first operation. However, the explanation is not limited to this configuration. When the display control unit 111 acquires second user information from the acquisition unit 113, it may display the destination floor selection screen on the display unit 13, which is ready to accept the destination floor selection operation as the first operation and in a state where neither the departure floor nor the destination floor is selected. When the reception unit 112 accepts the destination floor selection operation as the first operation, the display control unit 111 may display the departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13, which is ready to accept the departure floor selection operation as the second operation. As shown in Figure 7, the departure floor selection screen includes floor information (reference numeral 501) and destination floor information (reference numeral 701).

[0075] Figure 8 shows an example of a call request screen. The call request screen is used to request a call to the destination floor. When both the departure floor and the destination floor are selected, the display control unit 111 displays the call request screen on the display unit 13.

[0076] When the reception unit 112 receives a second operation while the departure floor or destination floor is selected, the display control unit 111 displays a call request screen on the display unit 13. For example, when the destination floor selection screen shown in Figure 6 is displayed, and the reception unit 112 receives a destination floor selection operation as the second operation, the display control unit 111 displays a call request screen on the display unit 13.

[0077] The display control unit 111 displays the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit 22 as the selected departure floor and destination floor, corresponding to the elevator 4 shown in the most recent information obtained from the storage unit 22 according to the user.

[0078] When the reception unit 112 receives a start operation, the elevator server 2 identifies the most recent information corresponding to the user ID of the user of the terminal device 1. The display control unit 111 obtains first user information, including the information associated with the most recent information, from the acquisition unit 113. When the display control unit 111 obtains first user information, it sets the floor indicated in the most recent departure floor information included in the first user information as the departure floor and the floor indicated in the most recent destination floor information as the destination floor, and displays a call request screen on the display unit 13.

[0079] The display control unit 111 displays the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit 22, corresponding to the elevator 4 selected from the list information of elevators 4 shown in the storage unit according to the user, on the display unit 13 as the selected departure floor and destination floor.

[0080] When the reception unit 112 receives an elevator selection operation to select elevator 4 from the list information, the elevator server 2 identifies information corresponding to the user ID of the terminal device 1 and the elevator ID of the selected elevator 4. The display control unit 111 obtains third user information, including the information associated with the user ID and elevator ID, from the acquisition unit 113. When the display control unit 111 obtains third user information, it sets the floor indicated in the nearest departure floor information included in the third user information as the departure floor and the floor indicated in the nearest destination floor information as the destination floor, and displays a call request screen on the display unit 13.

[0081] As shown in Figure 8, the display control unit 111 simultaneously displays on the display unit 13 the following on the call request screen: departure floor information (reference numeral 801) indicating the selected departure floor, destination floor information (reference numeral 802) indicating the selected destination floor, a request operation unit (reference numeral 303) that accepts an operation to request a call to a destination floor including the selected departure and destination floors, and a shunting operation unit (reference numeral 803) that accepts a shunting operation to swap the currently selected departure and destination floors. In Figure 8, the area where the departure floor information is displayed is also referred to as the first area, and the area where the destination floor information is displayed is also referred to as the second area.

[0082] As shown in Figure 8, the departure floor information includes, for example, a numerical value representing the floor and a string representing the departure floor (e.g., "Current"), and the destination floor information includes, for example, a numerical value representing the floor and a string representing the destination floor (e.g., "Destination"). The display control unit 111 displays the departure floor information of the currently selected departure floor in the first area of ​​the display unit 13, and displays the destination floor information of the currently selected destination floor in a second area of ​​the display unit 13 that is different from the first area. For example, the rectangular area containing the departure floor information (reference numeral 801) shown in Figure 8 may be the first area, and the rectangular area containing the destination floor information (reference numeral 802) may be the second area.

[0083] The display control unit 111 displays the shunting operation unit as an image. The image showing the shunting operation unit indicates at least one of the currently selected floors: which is the departure floor and which is the destination floor. For example, the image showing the shunting operation unit may include an arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information and an arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information, as shown by reference numeral 803 in Figure 8, with the arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information being more emphasized than the arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information. Emphasis here means, for example, increasing the size, making the lines thicker, or making the colors more prominent. With the above configuration, users can easily understand which of the currently selected floors is the departure floor or which is the destination floor by looking at the image of the shunting operation unit.

[0084] Furthermore, if the wheelchair information included in the first user information, second user information, or third user information indicates that elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible, the display control unit 111 may make the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) selectable on the call request screen.

[0085] While the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept a first cancellation operation, which is an input operation to cancel the selection of the departure floor, and a second cancellation operation, which is an input operation to cancel the selection of the destination floor.

[0086] If the reception unit 112 receives a first cancellation operation while the destination floor is selected, the display control unit 111 displays the floor information with the destination floor selected. If the reception unit 112 receives a second cancellation operation while the departure floor is selected, the display control unit 111 displays the floor information with the departure floor selected.

[0087] When the reception unit 112 receives a first cancellation operation while the call request screen is displayed, the selection of the departure floor is canceled. In this case, the display control unit 111 displays a departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13, which is capable of accepting a second operation to select a departure floor. In this case, since the destination floor is selected, the departure floor selection screen includes destination floor information and floor information. For example, the display control unit 111 displays a departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13 as shown in Figure 7.

[0088] If the reception unit 112 receives a second cancellation operation while the call request screen is displayed, the selection of the destination floor is canceled. In this case, the display control unit 111 displays a destination floor selection screen on the display unit 13 that can accept a destination floor selection operation as the second operation. In this case, since the departure floor is selected, the destination floor selection screen includes departure floor information and floor information. For example, the display control unit 111 displays a destination floor selection screen on the display unit 13 as shown in Figure 6.

[0089] Figure 9 shows an example of a standby screen. As shown in Figure 9, the standby screen includes a message indicating that a call to the destination floor has been requested. When the reception unit 112 receives an input operation to the request operation unit while the call request screen is displayed, a request to call the destination floor is sent to the elevator server 2. When the display control unit 111 receives an input operation to the request operation unit from the reception unit 112, it causes the display unit 13 to display the standby screen.

[0090] Figure 10 shows an example of a registration completion screen. As shown in Figure 10, the registration completion screen includes a message indicating that the destination floor call has been registered, and information indicating the departure floor and destination floor for the destination floor call. After a destination floor call request is transmitted from the terminal device 1, if registration completion information indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed is obtained from the acquisition unit 113, the display control unit 111 causes the display unit 13 to display the registration completion screen.

[0091] Figure 11 shows an example of the second error screen. As shown in Figure 11, the second error screen includes a message indicating that the destination floor call could not be registered. If, after a destination floor call request is sent from the terminal device 1, a second error signal indicating that the destination floor call was not registered is received from the acquisition unit 113, the display control unit 111 causes the display unit 13 to display the second error screen. Alternatively, if, after a destination floor call request is sent from the terminal device 1, neither registration completion information nor the second error signal is received within a predetermined time (e.g., 10 seconds), the display control unit 111 causes the display unit 13 to display the second error screen.

[0092] Furthermore, if the terminal device 1 is located outside a predetermined range from the elevator 4 that the user intends to use, and the elevator server 2 determines that it is not possible to request a call to the destination floor, the terminal device 1 will acquire a third error signal from the acquisition unit 113. When the display control unit 111 acquires a third error signal, it may display a third error screen on the display unit 13, which includes a message indicating that it was not possible to request a call to the destination floor because the terminal device 1 was far from the elevator 4.

[0093] The display control unit 111 displays either the registration completion screen or the second error screen on the display unit 13, and then, if the reception unit 112 accepts an input operation for these screens, or if a predetermined time (for example, 5 seconds) has passed since the display of these screens, it terminates the display of these screens. After that, the display control unit 111 displays the call request screen that was displayed immediately before on the display unit 13 again.

[0094] Figure 12 shows yet another example of the floor selection screen. Figure 12 shows an example of the display when a scroll operation is performed on the target floor selection screen shown in Figure 6. When the reception unit 112 receives a scroll operation while the floor selection screen is displayed, the display control unit 111 scrolls and displays the floor information in the direction corresponding to the scroll operation.

[0095] As shown in Figures 6 and 12, the display control unit 111 continues to display the selected first floor (reference numeral 601) on the display unit 13, regardless of whether a scroll operation is performed, from the time the reception unit 112 receives the first operation until it receives the second operation. In other words, the display control unit 111 continues to display the selected first floor on the display unit 13 while the floor selection screen is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0096] With the above configuration, once the first floor is selected, it will continue to be displayed until the second floor is selected. This eliminates the problem where users may not be able to see which floor they selected as the first floor when they have selected the second floor.

[0097] Furthermore, the display control unit 111 continues to display that the first floor is selected at the position where it was displayed within the display area just before it disappeared, during the period when the first floor is not displayed within the display area due to scrolling the floor information while the first floor is selected. For example, if a scroll operation is performed while the second floor is selected as the first floor, normally the selected second floor may extend beyond the display area and disappear from view. In response to this, as shown in Figure 12, the display control unit 111 continues to display the departure floor information, which indicates the second floor, the starting floor, at the edge of the display area of ​​the floor information.

[0098] With the above configuration, even when scrolling through the floor information, the first floor will continue to be displayed at the position it was in just before it disappeared from view. This allows users to scroll through the floor information while always keeping track of the selected first floor.

[0099] Figure 13 shows another example of the call request screen. When the reception unit 112 receives a shunting operation while the call request screen shown in Figure 8 (hereinafter referred to as the "first call request screen") is displayed, the departure floor and destination floor are swapped, and the screen switches to the call request screen shown in Figure 13 (hereinafter referred to as the "second call request screen"). Conversely, when the reception unit 112 receives a shunting operation while the second call request screen is displayed, the departure floor and destination floor are swapped, and the screen switches to the first call request screen.

[0100] When the display control unit 111 receives a shunting operation request from the shunting operation unit while the display unit 13 is simultaneously displaying the departure floor information before the shunting, the destination floor information before the shunting, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit, it switches to a state where the display unit 13 simultaneously displays the departure floor information indicating the departure floor after the shunting, the destination floor information indicating the destination floor after the shunting, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit. Specifically, when a shunting operation request is received on the first call request screen shown in Figure 8, the display control unit 111 controls the display unit 13 so that the second call request screen shown in Figure 13 is displayed.

[0101] According to the above configuration, when a user requests registration of a destination floor using terminal device 1, if a shunting operation is performed while the departure floor and destination floor are selected, the selected departure floor and destination floor will be swapped. As a result, if the currently displayed departure floor and destination floor are the opposite of what the user desires, the user can swap the departure floor and destination floor simply by performing a shunting operation, eliminating the need to re-select the departure floor and destination floor from scratch and reducing the effort required for operation.

[0102] When a shunting operation is accepted, the display control unit 111 displays the departure floor information of the new departure floor in the second area and the destination floor information of the new destination floor in the first area. With this configuration, the numerical values ​​representing the floor numbers displayed in the first and second areas remain unchanged before and after the shunting, while the strings representing the departure and destination floors displayed in the first and second areas are swapped. This improves the visibility of the displayed content before and after the shunting.

[0103] As a specific example, as shown by reference numeral 1301 in Figure 13, on the second call request screen, the 4th floor as the departure floor after the swap ("4 Current") is displayed in the second area where the 4th floor as the destination floor ("4 Destination") was displayed on the first call request screen. Also, as shown by reference numeral 1302 in Figure 13, on the second call request screen, the 2nd floor as the destination floor after the swap ("2 Destination") is displayed in the first area where the 2nd floor as the departure floor ("2 Current") was displayed on the first call request screen.

[0104] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 13, in the second call request screen, the image showing the shunting operation unit (reference numeral 1303) may include an arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information and an arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information, with the arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information being more emphasized than the arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information.

[0105] Figure 14 shows an example of an elevator selection screen. The elevator selection screen is used by the user to select elevator 4 to use when calling for a destination floor.

[0106] The display control unit 111 displays information indicating elevator 4, which is shown in the list information obtained from the storage unit 22 according to the user, on the display unit 13 in a selectable manner.

[0107] When terminal device 1 sends a first request, terminal device 1 receives first user information from elevator server 2 as a response to the first request, which includes list information obtained according to the user's identification information (user ID).

[0108] When the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept elevator change operations. An elevator change operation is an input operation that instructs the user to change the elevator 4 to be used. For example, an elevator change operation may be an input operation to a window (reference numeral 301) on the floor selection screen or the call request screen.

[0109] When the reception unit 112 receives an elevator change operation, the display control unit 111 displays the elevator selection screen on the display unit 13. As shown in Figure 14, the display control unit 111 displays the list of elevators 4 (reference numeral 1401) indicated by the list information included in the first user information acquired by the acquisition unit 113 as a response to the first request, on the elevator selection screen, making them selectable.

[0110] Furthermore, if the display control unit 111 receives an input operation from the reception unit 112 instructing the display of the elevator ID input screen while the elevator selection screen is displayed, the display control unit 111 may display the elevator ID input screen shown in Figure 4 on the display unit 13. The input operation instructing the display of the elevator ID input screen may also be an input operation to select a window (reference numeral 301) on the elevator selection screen. This allows the user to input the elevator ID of an elevator 4 that they have never used before and make that elevator 4 the elevator 4 to use when calling for a destination floor.

[0111] Figure 15 shows yet another example of the call request screen. The call request screen shown in Figure 15 is an example of what happens when the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) is selected in the call request screen shown in Figure 8.

[0112] The reception unit 112 can accept input operations to select the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) when the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed. When the reception unit 112 accepts the above operation, the wheelchair call function is turned ON.

[0113] If a wheelchair call request is made while the wheelchair call function is ON, a wheelchair call request including an instruction to operate in wheelchair mode will be sent. On the other hand, if a wheelchair call request is made while the wheelchair call function is OFF, a normal call request will be sent.

[0114] In each screen shown in Figures 3 to 14, the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) is displayed in a manner indicating that wheelchair calling is OFF. When the reception unit 112 receives the above input operation and wheelchair calling is turned ON while wheelchair calling is OFF, the display control unit 111 changes the display of the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) to a manner indicating that wheelchair calling is ON, as shown in Figure 15. Also, when the reception unit 112 receives the above input operation and wheelchair calling is turned OFF while wheelchair calling is ON, the display control unit 111 changes the display of the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) to a manner indicating that wheelchair calling is OFF, as shown in Figure 8, etc.

[0115] This allows users to know whether the wheelchair call function is ON or OFF.

[0116] (Reception desk 112) The reception unit 112 receives various input operations from the user to the input unit 12. The reception unit 112 can receive a start operation, which is an input operation that instructs the start of processing related to destination floor calls.

[0117] The reception unit 112 accepts input specifying one of the multiple elevators 4. For example, if the elevator ID input screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept input of the identification information (elevator ID) of elevator 4.

[0118] According to the above configuration, users can identify the elevator 4 they intend to use by entering the elevator ID. Furthermore, even if it is an elevator 4 they are using for the first time, users can easily specify that elevator 4 by entering its elevator ID (identification information).

[0119] The reception unit 112 can receive a scroll operation for floor information, a first operation to select the first floor, which is either the departure floor or the destination floor, from among the service floors, and a second operation to select the second floor, which is the other of the service floors.

[0120] If the departure floor selection screen shown in Figure 5 is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept the departure floor selection operation as the first operation. If the destination floor selection screen shown in Figure 6 is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept the destination floor selection operation as the second operation. If the departure floor selection screen shown in Figure 7 is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept the departure floor selection operation as the second operation.

[0121] When the floor selection screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can receive scroll operations for floor information, and when the reception unit 112 receives a scroll operation, the floor information is scrolled and displayed. As a result, even if the elevator 4 has many service floors, users can easily select a floor by scrolling the floor information as needed.

[0122] The reception unit 112 receives a first cancellation operation, which cancels the selection of the departure floor by operating the area that displays the departure floor information, and a second cancellation operation, which cancels the selection of the destination floor by operating the area that displays the destination floor information. When the reception unit 112 receives the first cancellation operation, it becomes capable of receiving a departure floor selection operation, which selects a departure floor from among the service floors of the elevator 4. When the reception unit 112 receives the second cancellation operation, it becomes capable of receiving a destination floor selection operation, which selects a destination floor from among the service floors.

[0123] According to the above configuration, when the first deactivation operation is performed, the selection of the departure floor is deactivated, and the reception unit becomes ready to accept the first selection operation to select the departure floor. Similarly, when the second deactivation operation is performed, the selection of the destination floor is deactivated, and the reception unit becomes ready to accept the second selection operation to select the destination floor. As a result, users can deactivate the selection of the departure floor or destination floor and re-select it by performing the first or second deactivation operation as needed, thereby improving the convenience of calling a destination floor using the terminal device 1.

[0124] If the reception unit 112 receives a first cancellation operation while a destination floor is selected, the reception unit 112 becomes capable of accepting a departure floor selection operation, which involves selecting a departure floor from the service floors included in the floor information. If the reception unit 112 receives a second cancellation operation while a departure floor is selected, the reception unit 112 becomes capable of accepting a destination floor selection operation, which involves selecting a destination floor from the service floors included in the floor information.

[0125] According to the above configuration, when the first deselection operation is performed while the destination floor is selected, the departure floor becomes selectable while the destination floor selection is maintained. Similarly, when the second deselection operation is performed while the departure floor is selected, the destination floor becomes selectable while the departure floor selection is maintained. This allows users to maintain the selection of one of the departure or destination floors, which does not need to be changed, while only changing the other, thereby improving the convenience of calling destination floors using a terminal.

[0126] For example, if the first and second floors have been selected and the call request screen is displayed on the display unit 13, the reception unit 112 can accept the first and second cancellation operations. If the reception unit 112 accepts the first cancellation operation while the call request screen is displayed, the display unit 13 will display a departure floor selection screen including destination floor information and floor information, and the reception unit 112 will be able to accept the departure floor selection operation as the second operation. If the reception unit 112 accepts the second cancellation operation while the call request screen is displayed, the display unit 13 will display a destination floor selection screen including departure floor information and floor information, and the reception unit 112 will be able to accept the destination floor selection operation as the second operation.

[0127] Furthermore, if only the first floor has been selected and the floor selection screen is displayed on the display unit 13, the reception unit 112 can accept either the first or second cancellation operation.

[0128] For example, if the display unit 13 is showing a departure floor selection screen that includes destination floor information, the reception unit 112 can accept a second cancellation operation. When the reception unit 112 accepts a second cancellation operation while the departure floor selection screen that includes destination floor information is being displayed, both the departure floor and destination floor selections are canceled.

[0129] Furthermore, if the destination floor selection screen including departure floor information is displayed on the display unit 13, the reception unit 112 can accept the first cancellation operation. When the reception unit 112 accepts the first cancellation operation while the destination floor selection screen including departure floor information is displayed, both the departure floor and destination floor selections are canceled.

[0130] If both the departure floor and destination floor are deselected, the display unit 13 will show a floor selection screen including floor information, and the reception unit 112 will be able to accept the first operation, for example, the departure floor selection operation.

[0131] If the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept a call request operation to request a call to the destination floor. The call request operation may be, for example, an input operation to select the request operation unit (reference numeral 303) included in the call request screen. When the reception unit 112 accepts a call request operation, the transmission unit 114 transmits a request for a call to the destination floor based on the departure floor information, destination floor information, and whether wheelchair calling is ON or OFF at the time the call request operation was performed.

[0132] The reception unit 112 can receive input instructing the resend of a request after the transmission unit 114 has sent the request. After the transmission unit 114 has sent the request, the display unit 13 displays the same call request screen that was displayed immediately before, and the reception unit 112 can receive the call request operation. As a result, even if the destination floor call is not registered correctly, the user can easily resend the destination floor call request by performing the call request operation again.

[0133] If the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept an elevator change operation. When the reception unit 112 accepts an elevator change operation, the display unit 13 displays an elevator selection screen containing list information.

[0134] The reception unit 112 accepts input specifying one of several elevators 4. For example, when the elevator selection screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 accepts input by selecting information from the list of elevators displayed on the display unit 13. For example, the reception unit 112 can accept an elevator selection operation in which the user selects one of the elevators 4 included in the list information. This allows the user to easily select an elevator 4 they have used in the past from the list. When the reception unit 112 accepts an elevator selection operation, a third request based on the elevator ID of the selected elevator 4 is sent, and the elevator information acquired by the acquisition unit 113 in response to the third request is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0135] According to the above configuration, a user can specify the elevator 4 they intend to use, and elevator information related to that elevator 4 will be displayed on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 1. Furthermore, according to the above configuration, a user can identify the elevator 4 they will use by selecting the desired elevator 4 from the list of elevators 4 they will use.

[0136] Furthermore, if the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed and elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible, the display unit 13 will display a selectable wheelchair button (reference numeral 302). The reception unit 112 can receive input operations to select the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302). If the reception unit 112 receives the above operation while wheelchair call is OFF, wheelchair call will be turned ON, and if the reception unit 112 receives the above operation while wheelchair call is ON, wheelchair call will be turned OFF.

[0137] (Acquisition part 113) The acquisition unit 113 acquires various information from the elevator server 2. The acquisition unit 113 outputs the information acquired from the elevator server 2 to the display control unit 111.

[0138] The acquisition unit 113 acquires one or more elevator information items, which are information related to elevator 4. For example, the acquisition unit 113 acquires elevator information for a specified elevator 4.

[0139] When the reception unit 112 receives the input of identification information (elevator ID) for elevator 4, the acquisition unit 113 generates a second request including the input elevator ID of the elevator 4 and sends it to the elevator server 2. Then, as a response to the second request, the acquisition unit 113 receives second user information from the elevator server 2, which includes elevator information related to elevator 4 indicated by the elevator ID. In this way, the acquisition unit 113 obtains the elevator information for elevator 4 specified by the input elevator ID.

[0140] When the reception unit 112 receives an elevator selection operation, the acquisition unit 113 generates a third request including the user ID and the elevator ID of the elevator 4 selected by the elevator selection operation, and sends it to the elevator server 2. Then, as a response to the third request, the acquisition unit 113 receives third user information from the elevator server 2, which includes elevator information related to the elevator 4 indicated by the elevator ID. As a result, the acquisition unit 113 acquires the elevator information of the selected elevator 4.

[0141] Furthermore, the acquisition unit 113 acquires elevator information for elevator 4 indicated by the most recent information acquired from the storage unit 22 according to the user. When the reception unit 112 accepts the start operation, the acquisition unit 113 generates a first request including the user ID and sends it to the elevator server 2. Then, as a response to the first request, the acquisition unit 113 receives first user information from the elevator server 2, which includes elevator information for elevator 4 associated with the most recent information corresponding to the user ID. As a result, the acquisition unit 113 acquires elevator information for elevator 4 indicated by the most recent information.

[0142] According to the above configuration, elevator information for the elevator 4 most recently used by the user is acquired and displayed for selection, allowing the user to request an elevator to their destination floor using that elevator information.

[0143] After a destination floor call request is transmitted from terminal device 1, and the destination floor call is registered in elevator control device 3, acquisition unit 113 receives registration completion information from elevator server 2 indicating that the registration of the destination floor call has been completed. Upon acquiring the registration completion information, acquisition unit 113 outputs the registration completion information to display control unit 111. As a result, the registration completion screen is displayed on display unit 13.

[0144] Furthermore, when the acquisition unit 113 receives a first error signal, a second error signal, or a third error signal from the elevator server 2, it outputs the received signal to the display control unit 111. As a result, a predetermined error screen is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0145] (Transmitter 114) The transmitting unit 114 sends a request to call a destination floor to the elevator control device 3 via the elevator server 2. When the receiving unit 112 receives a call request operation while the call request screen is displayed, the transmitting unit 114 generates request information to request registration of the destination floor call. The request information includes information indicating the selected departure floor and destination floor, the user ID, the elevator ID of the elevator 4 used by the user, and the location information of the terminal device 1. The transmitting unit 114 sends the generated request information to the elevator server 2. As a result, the elevator server 2 requests the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator 4 used by the user, to register the destination floor call, and the elevator control device 3 registers the destination floor call.

[0146] The transmitting unit 114 sends a request to the elevator control device 3 to call for the destination floor according to the selected elevator information. The elevator information includes, for example, floor information and information indicating whether or not to operate the elevator 4 in wheelchair mode.

[0147] According to the above configuration, a request to call a destination floor is transmitted from the user's terminal device 1 to the elevator control device 3, corresponding to the selection status of the elevator information displayed on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 1, and the destination floor call is registered in the elevator control device 3. As a result, the user can register a destination floor call according to their purpose by selecting the elevator information displayed on the terminal device 1, thereby improving the convenience of calling a destination floor using the terminal device 1.

[0148] Furthermore, with the above configuration, by selecting the wheelchair information displayed on the display unit 13 of the terminal device 1 and making a request to call the destination floor, the elevator 4 to which the destination floor call is registered can be operated in wheelchair mode.

[0149] When the transmitting unit 114 transmits a request to call a destination floor with information indicating that elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible selected, it also transmits an instruction to the elevator control device 3 to operate elevator 4 in wheelchair mode.

[0150] If elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible and a call request is made with the wheelchair call function turned ON, the transmission unit 114 requests the elevator server 2 to perform a wheelchair call. In this case, the request information includes an instruction to operate elevator 4 in wheelchair mode. This allows the user to use elevator 4 operating in wheelchair mode.

[0151] On the other hand, if elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible and the wheelchair call function is turned OFF when a call request is made, or if elevator 4 is not wheelchair accessible, the transmission unit 114 requests a normal call from the elevator server 2. In this case, the request information does not include an instruction to operate elevator 4 in wheelchair mode. As a result, users can use elevator 4 operating in normal mode.

[0152] The transmitting unit 114 sends a request to the elevator control device 3 for a destination floor call, including the departure floor and destination floor selected from the service floors. When a call request operation is performed on the call request screen displayed after the reception unit 112 has received the first and second operations, the transmitting unit 114 sends a request to the elevator server 2 for a destination floor call. At this time, the departure floor and destination floor included in the request information are the floors selected by the first and second operations, respectively.

[0153] According to the above configuration, a destination floor call is requested, with the floor selected from the service floors of elevator 4 displayed on the display unit 13 of terminal device 1 as the departure floor and destination floor. For example, for elevator 4 whose service floors are from the 1st to the 3rd floor, the elevator information will display floors from the 1st to the 3rd floor, so the 5th floor will not be selected as the destination floor for elevator 4. This reduces the possibility of a situation where a destination floor call cannot be registered because a non-service floor of elevator 4 is selected as the departure floor or destination floor.

[0154] The transmission unit 114 transmits a destination floor call request, including the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit 22, associated with the selected elevator 4. When an elevator selection operation is performed on the elevator selection screen, the acquisition unit 113 acquires third-party user information, including the most recent departure floor information and the most recent destination floor information, associated with the elevator ID of the selected elevator 4. Then, a call request screen is displayed, including departure floor information indicating the floor indicated in the most recent departure floor information and destination floor information indicating the floor indicated in the most recent destination floor information. When a call request operation is performed on this call request screen, the transmission unit 114 transmits a destination floor call request to the elevator server 2. At this time, the departure floor included in the request information is the floor indicated in the most recent departure floor information associated with the elevator ID of the selected elevator 4, and the destination floor is the floor indicated in the most recent destination floor information associated with the elevator ID.

[0155] According to the above configuration, when elevator 4 is selected by the user, a request is sent that includes information indicating the departure floor and destination floor when elevator 4 was most recently used. Then, the elevator control device 3 registers a call to the destination floor based on this request. In this way, the user can complete the selection of elevator 4, as well as the departure floor and destination floor, simply by selecting elevator 4 from the list, thus reducing the effort required for input.

[0156] The transmitting unit 114 transmits a request to the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator 4 indicated by the most recent information obtained from the storage unit 22 according to the user, for a destination floor call, including the departure floor and destination floor stored in association with the most recent information.

[0157] When the reception unit 112 receives the start operation, the acquisition unit 113 acquires first user information, including the most recent departure floor information and the most recent destination floor information, which are associated with the elevator ID of elevator 4 shown in the most recent information. Then, a call request screen is displayed, which includes departure floor information indicating the floor shown in the most recent departure floor information and destination floor information indicating the floor shown in the most recent destination floor information. When a call request operation is performed on this call request screen, the transmission unit 114 sends a request to the elevator server 2 to call the destination floor. At this time, the departure floor included in the request information is the floor shown in the most recent departure floor information associated with the most recent information, and the destination floor is the floor shown in the most recent destination floor information associated with the most recent information.

[0158] According to the above configuration, a request for a destination floor call, including the departure and destination floors from the most recent elevator 4 used by the user, is sent to the elevator control device 3 that controls the elevator 4 most recently used by the user. This reduces the effort required for the user to select the elevator 4, departure floor, and destination floor when requesting a destination floor call.

[0159] If the transmitting unit 114 receives input instructing it to resend the request, it resends the request. After the transmitting unit 114 sends the request to call the destination floor, the display unit 13 displays the request screen again, and the receiving unit 112 becomes able to accept the request operation. When the receiving unit 112 accepts the request operation again, the transmitting unit 114 sends the request information to the elevator server 2 again.

[0160] According to the above configuration, after a destination floor call request has been sent, the request can be resent. This allows the user to input information to resend the destination floor call request if the destination floor call based on the request from the transmission unit 114 is not registered correctly.

[0161] <Processing flow of elevator system 100> Figures 16 to 20 are flowcharts illustrating examples of the processing flow performed by terminal device 1 in elevator system 100. The processing flow performed by elevator system 100 will be explained below using Figures 16 to 20.

[0162] (Process flow from the start to displaying the floor selection screen or call request screen) Figure 16 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the processing flow from the start of a series of processes for requesting a call to the destination floor of elevator 4 to the display of the floor selection screen or the call request screen. Below, an example of the processing flow from the start of a series of processes to the display of the floor selection screen or the call request screen will be explained using Figure 16.

[0163] The reception unit 112 of terminal device 1 is capable of receiving start operations. When the reception unit 112 receives a start operation (YES in S1), the acquisition unit 113 sends a first request including the user ID to the elevator server 2.

[0164] When the control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 receives the first request, it refers to the user database 222 and searches for data corresponding to the user ID included in the first request. If no data corresponding to the user ID exists, the control unit 21 sends an unregistered signal to the terminal device 1, the source of the first request, indicating that no list information associated with the user ID exists.

[0165] If the acquisition unit 113 does not receive the first user information (NO in S2), that is, if it receives an unregistered signal, it outputs the unregistered signal to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 receives the unregistered signal, it causes the display unit 13 to display the start screen. When the reception unit 112 receives an input operation for the window (reference numeral 301) of the start screen, the display control unit 111 causes the display unit 13 to display the elevator ID input screen (S3).

[0166] While the elevator ID input screen is displayed, if the reception unit 112 accepts the input of an elevator ID (YES in S4), the acquisition unit 113 generates a second request including the entered elevator ID and sends it to the elevator server 2.

[0167] When the control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 receives the second request, it refers to the elevator DB 221 and searches for an elevator ID that matches the elevator ID included in the second request. If no elevator ID matching the elevator ID exists in the elevator DB 221, the control unit 21 sends a first error signal to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the second request.

[0168] When the acquisition unit 113 receives a first error signal (YES in S5), it outputs the first error signal to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 receives the first error signal, it displays a first error screen on the display unit 13 indicating that there is no elevator 4 corresponding to the input elevator ID (S8). Then, returning to S3, the display control unit 111 displays the elevator ID input screen on the display unit 13 again.

[0169] If an elevator ID matching the entered elevator ID exists in the elevator DB221, the control unit 21 extracts the elevator information associated with that elevator ID. For example, the control unit 21 extracts floor information and wheelchair information associated with the elevator ID. The control unit 21 generates second user information including the extracted elevator information and sends it to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the second request.

[0170] If the acquisition unit 113 does not receive the first error signal (NO in S5) and receives the second user information, i.e., elevator information (YES in S6), it outputs the elevator information to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 acquires the elevator information, it displays a departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13 that includes scrollable floor information contained in the elevator information and is capable of accepting a departure floor selection operation as the first operation (S7).

[0171] If data exists corresponding to the user ID included in the first request, the control unit 21 extracts information indicating the name of elevator 4 associated with the elevator ID shown in the most recent information, floor information, most recent departure floor information, most recent destination floor information, and wheelchair information. The control unit 21 also extracts list information including the elevator ID and the name of elevator 4 corresponding to the user ID. The control unit 21 generates first user information including each of the extracted pieces of information and transmits it to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the first request.

[0172] When the acquisition unit 113 receives first user information (YES in S2), it acquires elevator information for elevator 4 (most recently used elevator) indicated in the most recent information contained in the first user information (S9) and outputs it to the display control unit 111. The acquisition unit 113 also outputs information indicating the name of elevator 4, floor information, most recent departure floor information, most recent destination floor information, and wheelchair information contained in the first user information to the display control unit 111. The acquisition unit 113 also stores the list information contained in the first user information in the storage unit 14.

[0173] The display control unit 111 identifies the most recent floor used (most recent departure floor information and most recent destination floor information) as the departure floor and destination floor (S10), and displays a call request screen including departure floor information, destination floor information, request operation unit, and shunting operation unit on the display unit 13 (S11). The departure floor information included in the call request screen is the floor indicated in the most recent departure floor information, and the destination floor information is the floor indicated in the most recent destination floor information. Furthermore, if the wheelchair information indicates that elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible, the display control unit 111 displays the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) as selectable on the call request screen.

[0174] (Process flow for changing the selection of elevator 4) Figure 17 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process flow for changing the selection of elevator 4 used by the user while the floor selection screen or call request screen is displayed. Below, an example of the process flow for changing the selection of elevator 4 used by the user while the floor selection screen or call request screen is displayed will be explained using Figure 17.

[0175] While the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 of the terminal device 1 can accept elevator change operations. If the reception unit 112 accepts an elevator change operation (YES in S21), the display control unit 111 determines whether or not there is list information in the storage unit 14 (S22).

[0176] If list information is stored in the memory unit 14 (YES in S22), the display control unit 111 displays an elevator selection screen on the display unit 13 that includes list information showing a list of elevators 4 (S23).

[0177] If the reception unit 112 does not accept an input operation to instruct the display of the elevator ID input screen (NO in S24) and does not accept an elevator selection operation (NO in S25), the process returns to S23. If the reception unit 112 accepts an elevator selection operation (YES in S25), the acquisition unit 113 acquires elevator information for elevator 4 specified by the elevator selection operation. Specifically, the acquisition unit 113 generates a third request including the elevator ID and user ID of the specified elevator 4 and sends it to the elevator server 2.

[0178] When the control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 receives a third request, it refers to the user database 222 and searches for data corresponding to the user ID and elevator ID included in the third request. The control unit 21 extracts information indicating the name of elevator 4 associated with the user ID and elevator ID, floor information, nearest departure floor information, nearest destination floor information, and wheelchair information, and generates third user information including this information. The control unit 21 transmits the generated third user information to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the third request.

[0179] As a result, the acquisition unit 113 acquires third-party user information, including elevator information for the designated elevator 4 (S26). The acquisition unit 113 outputs each piece of information included in the acquired third-party user information to the display control unit 111. Then, the process proceeds to S10 in Figure 16, where the display control unit 111 identifies the departure floor and destination floor and displays a call request screen on the display unit 13. At this time, the departure floor information included in the call request screen is the floor indicated in the nearest departure floor information associated with the elevator ID of the designated elevator 4. The destination floor information included in the call request screen is the floor indicated in the nearest destination floor information associated with the elevator ID of the designated elevator 4.

[0180] If an elevator change operation is performed and no list information is stored in the memory unit 14 (NO in S22), the process proceeds to S3 in Figure 16. Therefore, if no list information exists and an elevator change operation is performed, the elevator ID input screen is displayed on the display unit 13. The absence of list information occurs, for example, when a user uses terminal device 1 to specify a destination floor for the first time. In this case, the user can specify a new elevator 4 by entering a new elevator ID.

[0181] (Process flow for requesting a destination floor call) Figures 18 and 19 are flowcharts illustrating an example of the process flow for requesting a destination floor call. The process for requesting a destination floor call will be explained below with reference to Figures 18 and 19. The process shown in Figures 18 and 19 is performed when the floor selection screen or the call request screen is displayed on the display unit 13. Figures 18 and 19 illustrate a configuration in which, if neither the departure floor nor the destination floor is selected, the departure floor selection screen is displayed, and the departure floor selection operation can be accepted as the first operation.

[0182] First, let's explain using Figure 18. When the display control unit 111 displays a departure floor selection screen on the display unit 13 that includes floor information but does not include departure floor information or destination floor information (S31), the reception unit 112 becomes able to accept a departure floor selection operation and a scroll operation as the first operation. Note that the departure floor selection screen displayed in S31 does not include departure floor information or destination floor information.

[0183] When the reception unit 112 receives the first operation (departure floor selection operation) (YES in S32), the display control unit 111 displays a destination floor selection screen containing departure floor information and floor information on the display unit 13 (S33). The departure floor information included in the destination floor selection screen is the floor selected by the first operation. Once the destination floor selection screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 becomes capable of receiving the second operation, the destination floor selection operation, the first cancellation operation, and the scroll operation. The display control unit 111 continues to display the departure floor information indicating the selected departure floor (first floor) on the display unit 13 in the destination floor selection screen.

[0184] If the reception unit 112 receives the first cancellation operation (YES in S34), the selection of the departure floor is canceled, and the process returns to S31.

[0185] If the reception unit 112 does not accept the first release operation (NO in S34) but accepts a scroll operation (YES in S35), the display control unit 111 scrolls and displays the floor information (S36) and returns to the process in S34. Here, if the floor indicating the departure floor (first floor) is no longer displayed within the display area of ​​the floor information due to the scrolling, the display control unit 111 continues to display that the first floor is selected at the position where it was displayed within the display area immediately before it disappeared from view.

[0186] If the reception unit 112 receives a second operation (YES in S37) instead of a first release operation or scroll operation (NO in S35), the process proceeds to the one shown in S41 of Figure 19.

[0187] Next, we will explain using Figure 19. If the answer in S37 of Figure 18 is YES, that is, if the reception unit 112 receives the second operation, the display control unit 111 displays a call request screen including departure floor information, destination floor information, request operation unit, and shunting operation unit on the display unit 13 (S41). In this case, the departure floor information included in the call request screen is the floor selected by the first operation, and the destination floor information is the floor selected by the second operation. After S41, the process proceeds to S42.

[0188] Alternatively, the process in S42 is performed after S11 as shown in Figure 16. In this case, the departure floor information included in the call request screen is the floor indicated in the nearest departure floor information corresponding to the elevator 4 specified in the nearest information or the elevator 4 specified in the list information. The destination floor information included in the call request screen is the floor indicated in the nearest destination floor information corresponding to the elevator 4 specified in the nearest information or the elevator 4 specified in the list information.

[0189] While the call request screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can accept the first release operation, the second release operation, the shunting operation, and the call request operation.

[0190] If the reception unit 112 does not accept the first release operation, the second release operation, or the shunting operation (NO in S42, S43, and S44), but accepts a call request operation (YES in S45), the transmission unit 114 generates request information. The transmission unit 114 sends a request to the elevator server 2 to call the destination floor, including the request information (S46).

[0191] When the control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 receives request information, it sends a call request to the elevator control device 3, which controls the elevator 4 identified by the elevator ID included in the request information, requesting that the destination floor call be registered. If the destination floor call is registered in the elevator control device 3, the control unit 21 sends registration completion information to the terminal device 1, which was the source of the request information.

[0192] When the acquisition unit 113 receives registration completion information (YES in S47), it outputs the registration completion information to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 acquires the registration completion information, it displays the registration completion screen on the display unit 13 (S48).

[0193] If a destination floor call is not registered in the elevator control device 3, the control unit 21 sends a second error signal to the terminal device 1, which is the source of the request information. If the acquisition unit 113 does not receive registration completion information (NO in S47) but receives the second error signal (YES in S49), it outputs the second error signal to the display control unit 111. When the display control unit 111 receives the second error signal, it displays the second error screen on the display unit 13 (S50). Then, returning to the process in S47, the display control unit 111 displays the call request screen that was displayed immediately before on the display unit 13 again.

[0194] When the reception unit 112 receives the first cancellation operation (YES in S42), the selection of the departure floor is canceled, and the display control unit 111 displays the departure floor selection screen, which includes destination floor information and floor information, on the display unit 13 (S51). While the departure floor selection screen is displayed, the reception unit 112 can receive a second cancellation operation, a scroll operation, and a departure floor selection operation as a second operation.

[0195] If the reception unit 112 receives the second cancellation operation (YES in S52), the selection of the destination floor is canceled, and the process proceeds to S31 in Figure 18. As a result, both the departure floor and the destination floor are deselected.

[0196] If the reception unit 112 receives a scroll operation (YES in S53), the display control unit 111 scrolls and displays the floor information (S54) and returns to the process in S51. If the floor indicating the target floor (the first floor) is no longer displayed within the display area of ​​the floor information due to the scrolling, the display control unit 111 continues to display that the first floor is selected at the position where it was displayed within the display area immediately before it disappeared from view.

[0197] If the reception unit 112 receives the second operation (departure floor selection operation) (YES in S55), the process returns to S41, and the call request screen is displayed on the display unit 13. In this case, the departure floor information included in the call request screen is the floor selected by the second operation in S55.

[0198] After S41, if the reception unit 112 receives a second cancellation operation (YES in S43), the selection of the destination floor is canceled, and the process proceeds to S33 in Figure 18. As a result, a destination floor selection screen, which includes departure floor information and floor information and is capable of receiving a destination floor selection operation as a second operation, is displayed on the display unit 13.

[0199] After S41, if the reception unit 112 accepts the shunting operation (YES in S44), the departure floor and destination floor are swapped. As a result, the floor previously selected as the departure floor is selected as the new destination floor, and the floor previously selected as the destination floor is selected as the new departure floor. The display control unit 111 displays the swapped departure and destination floors on the display unit 13 (S56). Then, the process returns to S41.

[0200] As described above, the elevator system 100 can display information in response to input operations to the reception unit 112.

[0201] (Process for requesting a regular call or a wheelchair call) Figure 20 is a flowchart illustrating an example of the process flow for requesting a regular or wheelchair-accessible elevator. The process flow for requesting a regular or wheelchair-accessible elevator will be explained below using Figure 20. Note that the process shown in Figure 20 may be performed simultaneously with the processes shown in Figures 18 and 19. Furthermore, the process shown in Figure 20 is performed only if the elevator 4 used by the user is wheelchair-accessible; it may not be performed if the elevator 4 used by the user is not wheelchair-accessible.

[0202] First, the display control unit 111 turns off the wheelchair call function (S61). If the reception unit 112 has not received a call request operation (NO in S62) and the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) has not been selected (NO in S63), the process returns to S62. If the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) has been selected (YES in S63) and the wheelchair call function is ON (YES in S64), the display control unit 111 turns off the wheelchair call function (S65) and sets the display mode of the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) on the display unit 13 to indicate that the wheelchair call function is OFF. On the other hand, if the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) has been selected (YES in S63) and the wheelchair call function is OFF (NO in S64), the display control unit 111 turns on the wheelchair call function (S66) and sets the display mode of the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) on the display unit 13 to indicate that the wheelchair call function is ON.

[0203] After S65 or S66, the process returns to S62.

[0204] When the reception unit 112 receives a call request (YES in S62), the transmission unit 114 determines whether wheelchair calling is ON (S67). If wheelchair calling is ON (YES in S67), the transmission unit 114 sends a wheelchair calling request to the elevator server 2, including an instruction to operate the elevator in wheelchair mode (S68). As a result, when a destination floor call is registered in the elevator control device 3, the elevator 4 is controlled to operate in wheelchair mode.

[0205] If the wheelchair call function is OFF (NO in S67), the transmitter 114 sends a normal call request to the elevator server 2 that does not include an instruction to operate the elevator in wheelchair mode (S69). As a result, when the destination floor call is registered in the elevator control device 3, the elevator 4 is controlled to operate in normal mode.

[0206] After S68 or S69, the process proceeds to S70. Processes S70-S71 and S73-S74 are the same as processes S47-S50 shown in Figure 19, and process S72 is the same as process S41 after processes S48 or S50 shown in Figure 19, so their explanation is omitted here.

[0207] As described above, users can request a call to their desired destination floor from among regular calls and wheelchair calls by selecting the wheelchair button as needed.

[0208] [Variation] <Example 1> In the embodiments described above, an example was given in which the elevator server 2 stores elevator information and list information, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit 14 of the terminal device 1 may store at least a portion of the elevator information and list information.

[0209] For example, the storage unit 14 of the terminal device 1 may store information associated with the user ID of the user using the terminal device 1 in the user DB 222 of the elevator server 2. In this case, when the reception unit 112 receives an elevator change operation, the display control unit 111 may refer to the list information stored in the storage unit 14 and display the elevator selection screen on the display unit 13 based on the list information. Alternatively, the acquisition unit 113 may acquire information about the elevator 4 shown in the most recent information and information about the elevator 4 selected from the list information from the storage unit 14, rather than querying the elevator server 2.

[0210] <Modification 2> In the embodiment described above, the user DB 222 may store other information. For example, wheelchair information indicating that elevator 4 is wheelchair accessible may be associated with information indicating whether the wheelchair call was ON or OFF in the most recent destination floor call. The acquisition unit 113 may acquire this information as elevator information. In this case, when the display control unit 111 displays the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) on the display unit 13 based on the elevator information acquired by the acquisition unit 113, it may reflect the wheelchair call selection status on the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302). For example, if the wheelchair call was OFF in the most recent destination floor call, the display control unit 111 displays the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) in a manner that indicates the wheelchair call is OFF. On the other hand, if the wheelchair call was ON in the most recent destination floor call, the display control unit 111 displays the wheelchair button (reference numeral 302) in a manner that indicates the wheelchair call is ON.

[0211] <Variation 3> In the embodiment described above, the storage unit 22 of the elevator server 2 stores elevator information for each elevator 4, and the elevator information for the elevator 4 indicated by the input elevator ID is extracted from the storage unit 22 of the elevator server 2 as an example, but the embodiment is not limited to this. For example, the storage unit 32 of each elevator control device 3 may store elevator information including floor information and wheelchair information for the elevator 4 to be controlled. When the control unit 21 of the elevator server 2 receives a second request from the terminal device 1, it may instruct the elevator control device 3 that controls the elevator 4 identified by the elevator ID included in the second request to provide elevator information. The control unit 21 obtains the elevator information as a response from the elevator control device 3 and transmits the obtained elevator information to the terminal device 1, which was the source of the second request.

[0212] [Examples of implementation using software] The function of the elevator system (hereinafter referred to as "the system") can be realized by a program for realizing the system using a computer, which in turn is a program for causing the computer to operate each control block of the system (particularly each part included in the control unit 11). This program can also be described as a program (control program) that causes the computer to execute each step (which can also be rephrased as "each process," "each procedure," "each step," etc.) included in the method described in the above embodiment.

[0213] When each function is implemented by program, the system may include a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the program using this control device and storage device, each function described in the above embodiments is realized.

[0214] The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not temporary ones. These recording media may or may not be provided by the system. In the latter case, the program may be supplied to the system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

[0215] Furthermore, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can also be realized by logic circuits. For example, an integrated circuit in which logic circuits functioning as each of the above control blocks are formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

[0216] Furthermore, each process described in the above embodiments may be performed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI ​​may operate on the control device described above, or it may operate on other devices (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

[0217] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. Embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments are also included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0218] 〔summary〕 An elevator system according to embodiment A1 of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of an elevator and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal comprises an acquisition unit that acquires one or more elevator information relating to the elevator, a display control unit that displays at least one of the acquired elevator information on a display unit, and a transmission unit that transmits a destination floor call request to the elevator control device according to the selected elevator information.

[0219] In the elevator system according to embodiment A2 of the present invention, in embodiment A1, the elevator information includes information indicating that the elevator is wheelchair accessible, and when the transmitting unit transmits a request to call a destination floor with the information indicating that the elevator is wheelchair accessible selected, it may further transmit an instruction to the elevator control device to operate the elevator in wheelchair mode.

[0220] In the elevator system according to embodiment A3 of the present invention, in embodiment A1 or A2, the elevator information includes information indicating the current service floor of the elevator, and the transmitting unit may transmit a request for a destination floor call, including a departure floor and a destination floor selected from the service floors.

[0221] In an elevator system according to embodiment A4 of the present invention, in any of embodiments A1 to A3, the terminal includes a receiving unit that receives input specifying one of the plurality of elevators, and the acquisition unit may acquire the elevator information of the specified elevator.

[0222] In the elevator system according to embodiment A5 of the present invention, in embodiment A4, the reception unit may receive input of identification information of the elevator.

[0223] An elevator system according to embodiment A6 of the present invention, in embodiment A4 or A5, includes a storage unit that stores list information indicating a list of elevators to be used by the user, the display control unit selectably displays information indicating the elevators shown in the list information obtained from the storage unit according to the user on the display unit, and the reception unit may accept the input by selecting the information.

[0224] In the elevator system according to embodiment A7 of the present invention, in embodiment A6, the storage unit stores the departure floor and destination floor of the most recent destination floor call made to each of the elevators indicated in the list information, and the transmission unit may transmit a destination floor call request including the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit in association with the selected elevator.

[0225] An elevator system according to embodiment A8 of the present invention, in any of embodiments A1 to A7, includes a storage unit that stores recent information indicating the elevator for which the destination floor was most recently called, for each user, and the acquisition unit may acquire elevator information relating to the elevator indicated by the recent information acquired from the storage unit according to the user.

[0226] In the elevator system according to embodiment A9 of the present invention, in embodiment A8, the storage unit stores the most recent information in association with the departure floor and destination floor of the most recent destination floor call made to the elevator indicated by the most recent information, and the transmission unit may transmit a request for a destination floor call, including the departure floor and destination floor stored in association with the most recent information, to the elevator control device that controls the elevator indicated by the most recent information obtained from the storage unit according to the user.

[0227] An elevator system according to embodiment A10 of the present invention may include, in any of embodiments A1 to A9, a receiving unit that receives input instructing the retransmission of the request after the transmission unit has transmitted the request.

[0228] An elevator system according to embodiment B1 of the present invention is an elevator system including a terminal for a user of an elevator and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that simultaneously displays on a display unit the following: departure floor information indicating a selected departure floor, destination floor information indicating a selected destination floor, a request operation unit that receives an operation to request a destination floor call including the selected departure floor and destination floor, and a shunting operation unit that receives a shunting operation to swap the currently selected departure floor and destination floor, and the display control unit switches to a state in which the display unit simultaneously displays on the display unit the departure floor information indicating the departure floor after the swap, the destination floor information indicating the destination floor after the swap, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit.

[0229] The elevator system according to embodiment B2 of the present invention, in embodiment B1, wherein the departure floor information includes a numerical value representing a floor and a string representing the departure floor, the destination floor information includes a numerical value representing a floor and a string representing the destination floor, the display control unit displays the departure floor information of the currently selected departure floor in a first area of ​​the display unit, the destination floor information of the currently selected destination floor in a second area of ​​the display unit different from the first area, and when the shunting operation is accepted, the departure floor information of the departure floor after the shunting is displayed in the second area, and the destination floor information of the destination floor after the shunting is displayed in the first area.

[0230] In the elevator system according to embodiment B3 of the present invention, in embodiment B1 or B2, the display control unit displays the shunting operation unit as an image, and the image may indicate at least one of which of the currently selected floors is the departure floor and which is the destination floor.

[0231] An elevator system according to embodiment B4 of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of an elevator, and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that causes a display unit to scrollly display floor information showing the service floors of the elevator in a list format, and a reception unit that receives a scroll operation on the floor information, a first operation to select a first floor which is one of the departure floor and the destination floor from the service floors, and a second operation to select a second floor which is the other, and the display control unit continues to display the selected first floor on the display unit from the time the reception unit receives the first operation until the reception unit receives the second operation, regardless of whether the scroll operation has been performed or not.

[0232] In the elevator system according to embodiment B5 of the present invention, in embodiment B4, the display control unit may continue to display that the first floor is selected at the position that was displayed in the display area immediately before the first floor was removed from view, during the period when the first floor is not displayed in the display area of ​​the floor information due to scrolling the floor information while the first floor is selected.

[0233] An elevator system according to embodiment B6 of the present invention includes a terminal for a user of an elevator and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, wherein the terminal includes a display control unit that causes a display unit to display departure floor information indicating a selected departure floor and destination floor information indicating a selected destination floor, and a reception unit that receives a first release operation for releasing the selection of the departure floor by operating an area for displaying the departure floor information and a second release operation for releasing the selection of the destination floor by operating an area for displaying the destination floor information, wherein when the reception unit receives the first release operation, it becomes capable of receiving a first selection operation for selecting a departure floor from among the service floors of the elevator, and when the reception unit receives the second release operation, it becomes capable of receiving a second selection operation for selecting a destination floor from among the service floors.

[0234] In the elevator system according to embodiment B7 of the present invention, in embodiment B6, the display control unit is capable of displaying floor information showing the service floors in a list format on a scrollable display unit, and when the reception unit receives the first release operation while the destination floor is selected, the display control unit displays the floor information with the destination floor selected, and the reception unit becomes capable of receiving an operation to select a departure floor from the service floors included in the floor information as the first selection operation, and when the reception unit receives the second release operation while the departure floor is selected, the display control unit displays the floor information with the departure floor selected, and the reception unit becomes capable of receiving an operation to select a destination floor from the service floors included in the floor information as the second selection operation.

[0235] An elevator system according to embodiment B8 of the present invention may include a transmission unit that transmits a request to call a destination floor to the elevator control device according to the selected departure floor and destination floor, in any of embodiments B1 to B7.

[0236] An elevator system according to embodiment B8 of the present invention, in any of embodiments B1 to B3 and B6 to B8, includes a storage unit that stores in association list information indicating a list of elevators used by the user and the departure floor and destination floor in the most recent destination floor call made for each of the elevators indicated in the list information, and the display control unit may display the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit in association with the elevator selected from the elevators indicated in the list information obtained from the storage unit according to the user, as the selected departure floor and destination floor on the display unit.

[0237] An elevator system according to embodiment B10 of the present invention, in any of embodiments B1 to B3 and B6 to B9, includes a storage unit that stores, for each user, recent information indicating the elevator for which the destination floor call was most recently made, and the departure floor and destination floor of the most recent destination floor call made to the elevator indicated by the recent information, in association with each user. The display control unit may display the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit in association with the elevator indicated by the recent information obtained from the storage unit according to the user, as the selected departure floor and destination floor on the display unit. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0238] 1. Terminal device (terminal) 111 Display Control Unit 112 Reception Department 113 Acquisition Department 114 Transmitter 13 Display section 14 Storage section 2 Elevator Server 22 Memory section 3. Elevator control device 32 Storage section 4 Elevators

Claims

1. An elevator system comprising a terminal for users of the elevator, and an elevator control device that registers a destination floor call based on a destination floor call request transmitted from the terminal, The aforementioned terminal is Departure floor information indicating the selected departure floor, The destination floor information indicates the selected destination floor, A request operation unit that accepts requests to call destination floors, including the selected departure floor and destination floor, A shunting unit that accepts shunting operations to swap the currently selected departure floor and destination floor, It includes a display control unit that simultaneously displays on the display unit, The display control unit, When the shunting operation is accepted by the shunting operation unit while the departure floor information before the shunting, the destination floor information before the shunting, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit are all displayed simultaneously on the display unit, the system switches to a state where the departure floor information indicating the departure floor after the shunting, the destination floor information indicating the destination floor after the shunting, the request operation unit, and the shunting operation unit are all displayed simultaneously on the display unit. The aforementioned shunting operation unit is displayed as an image. The image showing the shunting operation unit includes an arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information and an arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information, wherein the arrow pointing from the departure floor information to the destination floor information is more emphasized than the arrow pointing from the destination floor information to the departure floor information. Elevator system.

2. The aforementioned departure floor information includes a numerical value representing the floor level and a string representing the departure floor. The aforementioned target floor information includes a numerical value representing the floor level and a string representing the target floor. The display control unit, The departure floor information of the currently selected departure floor is displayed in the first area of ​​the display unit, and the destination floor information of the currently selected destination floor is displayed in a second area of ​​the display unit that is different from the first area. When the aforementioned shunting operation is accepted, the departure floor information of the departure floor after the shunting is displayed in the second area, and the destination floor information of the destination floor after the shunting is displayed in the first area. The elevator system according to claim 1.

3. The display control unit displays the shunting operation unit as an image. The image above shows which of the currently selected floors is the starting floor and which is the destination floor. The elevator system according to claim 1.

4. It includes a transmission unit that transmits a request to call the destination floor to the elevator control device according to the selected departure floor and destination floor. The elevator system according to claim 1.

5. The system includes a storage unit that stores, in association with list information indicating a list of elevators used by the user, and the departure floor and destination floor of the most recent destination floor call made for each of the elevators indicated in the list information. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the departure floor and destination floor stored in the storage unit as the selected departure floor and destination floor, corresponding to the elevator selected from the list information obtained from the storage unit according to the user. The elevator system according to claim 1.

6. For each user, the system includes a storage unit that stores, in association with recent information indicating the elevator for which the destination floor call was most recently made, and the departure floor and destination floor of the most recent destination floor call made to the elevator indicated by the recent information. The display control unit causes the display unit to display the departure floor and destination floor, which are stored in the storage unit in association with the elevator indicated by the most recent information obtained from the storage unit according to the user, as the selected departure floor and destination floor. The elevator system according to claim 1.

Images