Elevator system and equipment plan creation device

Abstract

The purpose of the present disclosure is to provide smooth guidance for boarding an elevator by a robot even in a crowded situation. An elevator system (101) according to the present disclosure comprises: a robot (12) which autonomously moves in a building in which an elevator (14) having a plurality of cars is installed and measures human flow data around the robot using a measuring device mounted on the robot; and a human flow control unit (11) which causes the robot (12) to perform human flow control for controlling human flow moving toward the elevator (14) on the basis of the human flow data measured by the robot (12) and elevator operation data. The human flow control involves displaying paths to the cars of the elevator (14) by projection mapping on the floor of an elevator hall (15) so that the paths do not overlap each other.

Description

Elevator system and facility planning device

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator system and a facility planning device.

[0002] Patent Document 1 describes an elevator system that includes an elevator control device, a robot control device, and an integrated management device that manages the elevator control device and the robot control device in an integrated manner. The elevator system in Patent Document 1 aims to improve transportation capacity by achieving both efficient and smooth boarding of the elevator.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2019-99327

[0004] In the elevator system of Patent Document 1, a robot moves to the location of elevator passengers to provide boarding guidance. Therefore, when the elevator hall is crowded with many passengers, there is no space for the robot to move, and the robot cannot provide boarding guidance, which is a problem.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and aims to enable a robot to smoothly guide passengers into elevators even in crowded situations.

[0006] The elevator system of the present disclosure comprises a robot that moves autonomously within a building in which an elevator with multiple cars is installed and measures people flow data around it using a measuring device installed on the robot, and a people flow control unit that causes the robot to perform people flow control, which is the control of the flow of people heading toward the elevator, based on the people flow data measured by the robot and elevator operation data.

[0007] The elevator system of the present disclosure performs people flow control, allowing the robot to smoothly guide people into the elevator even in crowded situations. Objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the present disclosure will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

[0008] 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing people flow in an elevator hall. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing people flow in an elevator hall with people flow control by a robot. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing network data representing routes to an elevator. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing network data representing routes to an elevator. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing network data representing routes to an elevator. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of a people flow control unit according to a first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of a service control unit according to a first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a time series network for congestion degree evaluation. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing how people flow control to restrict movement to a crowded node is performed by a robot. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the congestion degree of each node after people flow control. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of a people flow control unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 13 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of a people flow control unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of a service control unit according to a third embodiment. FIG. 16 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of a people flow control unit according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of a service control unit according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of a learning unit according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a configuration diagram of an equipment planning creation device according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of an equipment design unit according to a fifth embodiment. FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a hardware configuration of an elevator system and a facility plan creation device.

[0009] <A. Embodiment 1> <A-1. Configuration> Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 101 according to embodiment 1. The elevator system 101 is configured to include a people flow control unit 11, a robot 12, an operation control unit 13, and an elevator 14.

[0010] The people flow control unit 11 controls the robot 12 to control the flow of people toward the elevator 14. Specifically, the people flow control unit 11 determines the control content of the robot 12 and transmits control information including the determined control content to the robot 12.

[0011] The robot 12 autonomously moves and controls people flow and acquires people flow data based on control information acquired from the people flow control unit 11. People flow data is data that can determine when, where, and how many people are present. The robot 12 is equipped with, for example, a camera or a sensor as a configuration for acquiring people flow data. When the robot 12 acquires people flow data, it transmits the acquired data to the people flow control unit 11 together with the positional information of the robot 12 at the time the people flow data was acquired. The robot 12 is also equipped with a projection device that projects images onto the floor, wall, or the like as a configuration for performing people flow control. The robot 12 may also be equipped with a touch panel, a display, or a speaker as other configuration for performing people flow control.

[0012] The operation control unit 13 controls the operation of an elevator 14 installed in a building or other structure. The operation control unit 13 and the elevator 14 exchange information. The operation control unit 13 receives operation data of the elevator 14 from the elevator 14. The operation data includes operation information of the elevator 14 car, such as the car's position, speed, door open / close status, or load. The operation control unit 13 determines operation control details for the elevator 14 based on the operation data, and transmits operation control information including the determined operation control details to the elevator 14.

[0013] The elevator 14 operates based on the operation control information received from the operation control unit 13 .

[0014] <A-2. Operation> An operation image of the elevator system 101 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Figure 2 shows the flow of people in an elevator hall when people flow control is not performed by the elevator system 101. The elevator 14 has three cars, designated car A 14A, car B 14B, and car C 14C. A passenger who proceeds from the passageway 16 to the elevator hall 15 enters one of the cars of car A 14A, car B 14B, or car C 14C.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, if people flow control is not performed, multiple passengers will board their desired cars in a disorderly manner, causing the flow lines of the passengers to intersect and creating the risk of collisions between passengers.

[0016] 3 shows the flow of people in an elevator hall when people flow control is performed by elevator system 101. Robots 12A, 12B, and 12C are provided in elevator hall 15 or passageway 16. Robot 12A displays path 17A to elevator car A 14A in elevator hall 15 on the floor of elevator hall 15 by projection mapping. Similarly, robots 12B and 12C display paths 17A and 17B to elevator car B 14B and elevator C 14C in elevator hall 15 on the floor of elevator hall 15 by projection mapping. Here, paths 17A, 17B, and 17C are set so as not to intersect or overlap with each other.

[0017] Passengers proceed to the car they intend to board along one of the routes 17A, 17B, and 17C displayed on the floor of the elevator hall 15. This prevents the routes of passengers boarding different cars from intersecting in the elevator hall 15, and prevents collisions between passengers. As a result, each passenger can board the elevator 14 smoothly, improving the transportation efficiency of the elevator 14.

[0018] The people flow control unit 11 and the operation control unit 13 handle network data. The network data represents each location in a building where an elevator 14 is installed as a node, and the nodes through which people can move are connected by edges. Figures 4 to 6 show the allowable network data, which is the network data created by the people flow control unit 11.

[0019] In the example of Fig. 4, the passage 16, elevator hall 15, and elevator 14 shown in Fig. 3 are represented by nodes 51, 52, and 53, respectively. An edge 61 flowing into node 51 is connected to node 51, an edge 62 is connected between nodes 51 and 52, and an edge 63 is connected between nodes 52 and 53.

[0020] 5, nodes 51, 52, and 53 have values ​​representing the capacity of the corresponding locations. The values ​​of nodes 51, 52, and 53 are V1, V2, and V3, respectively.

[0021] 6, each edge 61, 62, 63 has a value representing the number of people who can move per unit time. The values ​​of the edges 61, 62, 63 are e1, e2, e3, respectively.

[0022] Furthermore, the people flow control unit 11 and the operation control unit 13 may handle actual network data in addition to the allowable network data. The actual network data is obtained by changing the node values ​​in the allowable network data to a time series of the number of people actually present at the corresponding location and changing the edge values ​​to a time series of the number of people actually moving between nodes per unit time.

[0023] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation of the people flow control unit 11. The operation of the people flow control unit 11 will be described below in accordance with the flow of Figure 7. First, in step S101, the people flow control unit 11 receives people flow data and position information from the robot 12. The people flow data received here is obtained by the robot 12 using a camera or sensor, etc. The position information is the coordinates at which the robot 12 obtained the people flow data.

[0024] Next, in step S102, the people flow control unit 11 acquires from the operation control unit 13 the number of people getting on and off the elevator 14 on each floor (hereinafter referred to as the "number of people getting on and off").

[0025] Then, in step S103, the people flow control unit 11 creates real network data based on the data acquired in steps S101 and S102. From the people flow data received in step S101, the people flow control unit 11 acquires the number of people present at the node where the robot 12 is located and the number of people moving between the node where the robot 12 is located and an adjacent node. In addition, from the number of people getting on and off acquired in step S102, the people flow control unit 11 acquires the number of people moving between the node 52 of the elevator hall 15 and the node 53 of the elevator 14 on each floor.

[0026] Next, in step S104 , the people flow control unit 11 transmits the actual network data created in step S103 to the operation control unit 13 .

[0027] Thereafter, in step S105, the people flow control unit 11 determines whether or not a request for people flow control has been received from the operation control unit 13. If there is no request for people flow control, the people flow control unit 11 ends the process.

[0028] If there is a request for people flow control, in step S106, the people flow control unit 11 sets the content of people flow control according to the request. The request may be, for example, related to guidance from the hall call registration device installed in the elevator hall 15 to the boarding car. The control content may be voice guidance or projection mapping. For example, projection mapping may be used to project computer graphics (CG) of the route connecting the hall call registration device and each boarding car. Furthermore, voice guidance may be used to instruct passengers to move along the CG of the route projected on the floor. The request may also be related to acquiring people flow in front of the elevator 14 doors or near the hall call registration device.

[0029] After step S106, in step S107, the people flow control unit 11 transmits control data including the details of the people flow control set in step S106 to the robot 12. This completes the processing of the people flow control unit 11.

[0030] 8 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation control unit 13 according to embodiment 1. The operation of the operation control unit 13 will be described below in accordance with the flow of FIG.

[0031] First, in step S201, the operation control unit 13 acquires operation data from the elevator 14. The operation data includes an operation log of the elevator 14, such as the car load over time, the running state, the door open / close state, and the car position.

[0032] Next, in step S202, the operation control unit 13 calculates the number of passengers getting on and off the elevator 14 at each floor based on the operation data. The operation control unit 13 determines the floor on which the car is located from the car's position, and calculates the number of passengers getting on and off by dividing the change in car load when the car is stopped and the door is open by the load per passenger. An increase in car load is related to boarding, and a decrease in car load is related to disembarking.

[0033] Thereafter, in step S203, the operation control unit 13 transmits the number of passengers getting on and off at each floor calculated in step S202 to the people flow control unit 11.

[0034] Next, in step S204, the operation control unit 13 acquires real network data from the people flow control unit 11. This real network data includes the number of people present in the elevator hall 15 and the number of people moving from the elevator hall 15 to the elevator 14.

[0035] Then, in step S205, the operation control unit 13 obtains the number of passengers required to be transported by the elevator 14 on each floor from the actual network data. Specifically, the operation control unit 13 determines the number of passengers present in the elevator hall 15 in the actual network data as the number of passengers required to be transported by the elevator 14. Alternatively, the operation control unit 13 may determine the number of passengers moving from the passage 16 to the elevator hall 15 in the actual network data as the number of passengers required to be transported by the elevator 14.

[0036] Next, in step S206, the operation control unit 13 determines whether people flow control is necessary. The operation control unit 13 calculates the transportable number of people that the elevator 14 can transport based on the operation data. Then, when the number of people present in the elevator hall 15 is greater than the transportable number, but the number of people moving from the elevator hall 15 to the elevator 14 is smaller than the transportable number, the operation control unit 13 determines that people flow control is necessary. Alternatively, when the number of people present in the elevator hall 15 is greater than a predetermined number, the operation control unit 13 may determine that the elevator hall 15 is crowded and that people flow control is necessary.

[0037] If people flow control is not required, the operation control unit 13 ends the processing. On the other hand, if people flow control is required, in step S207, the operation control unit 13 sends a people flow control request to the people flow control unit 11. This ends the processing of the operation control unit 13.

[0038] <A-3. Effects> As described above, the elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment includes the robot 12 that autonomously moves within a building in which an elevator 14 having multiple cars is installed and measures people flow data around it using a measuring device mounted on the robot 12, and the people flow control unit 11 that causes the robot 12 to perform people flow control, i.e., control of the flow of people toward the elevator 14, based on the people flow data measured by the robot 12 and operation data of the elevator 14. Therefore, even in crowded situations, the robot 12 can safely and smoothly guide passengers to the cars they will board. As a result, a decrease in the transportation efficiency of the elevator 14 is suppressed.

[0039] <B. Second Embodiment> <B-1. Configuration> The configuration of elevator system 102 according to the second embodiment is as shown in FIG. 1, and is similar to the configuration of elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0040] <B-2. Operation> In the elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment, the robot 12 controls people flow to maximize the transport capacity of the elevator 14, thereby reducing congestion in the elevator hall 15.

[0041] However, if there are more passengers in the elevator hall 15 than the elevator 14 can transport, and more passengers flow into the elevator hall 15, the elevator hall 15 will become congested. When the elevator hall 15 is crowded, the movement space and field of vision of passengers become narrow, making it difficult to control people flow effectively and also creating the risk of collisions due to the crowding.

[0042] Therefore, in the elevator system 102 of this embodiment, when the elevator hall 15 is crowded with passengers exceeding the transport capacity of the elevator 14, the movement of passengers into the elevator hall 15 is restricted. In this case, the robot 12 moves to the vicinity of the entrance of the elevator hall 15 and urges passengers not to move into the elevator hall 15 by audio guidance or by physically blocking the entrance.

[0043] The people flow control unit 11 creates evaluation network data, which is network data for evaluating the congestion degree of a node, from the allowable network data and actual network data described in the first embodiment.

[0044] 9 is a diagram showing the evaluation network data. In the evaluation network data, each node 51, 52, and 53 has a value representing the congestion level. The congestion level is calculated by dividing the number of people present at each node in the actual network data by the allowable number of people at each node in the allowable network data. In FIG. 9, node 51 of passage 16 has a congestion level of 30%, node 52 of elevator hall 15 has a congestion level of 90%, and node 53 of elevator 14 has a congestion level of 60%.

[0045] The people flow control unit 11 classifies nodes whose congestion level is equal to or greater than a predetermined first threshold as congested nodes, and other nodes as non-congested nodes. If a congestion level of 80% is set as the threshold for a congested node, node 52 in the elevator hall 15 is classified as a congested node, and the other nodes 51 and 53 are classified as non-congested nodes.

[0046] The people flow control unit 11 places the robot 12 between the passage 16 and the elevator hall 15 in order to limit the amount of people flowing into node 52, which is a crowded node, in the elevator hall 15. This state is shown in FIG.

[0047] Fig. 11 shows the congestion level of each node after people flow control by the robot 12. As shown in Fig. 11, the congestion level of the passage 16 increases from 30% to 45%, while the congestion level of the elevator hall 15 decreases from 90% to 60%, thereby easing congestion in the elevator hall 15. Note that although the congestion level of the passage 16 is 45%, it is not high enough to be determined as a congested node.

[0048] 12 is a flowchart showing the operation of the people flow control unit 11 in the elevator system 102. The operation of the people flow control unit 11 in the elevator system 102 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0049] First, in step S301, the people flow control unit 11 receives people flow data and position information from the robot 12. This step is similar to step S101 in FIG.

[0050] Next, in step S302, the people flow control unit 11 acquires the number of people getting on and off the elevator 14 at each floor from the operation control unit 13. This step is the same as step S102 in FIG.

[0051] Thereafter, in step S303, the people flow control unit 11 creates real network data based on the data acquired in steps S301 and S302. This step is the same as step S103 in FIG.

[0052] Next, in step S304, the people flow control unit 11 creates evaluation network data based on the actual network data and the allowable network data.

[0053] Then, in step S305, the people flow control unit 11 determines whether there is a congested node in the evaluation network data. As explained in FIG. 9, a node whose congestion level is equal to or greater than a predetermined value is a congested node. The congestion level threshold for determining a congested node is derived, for example, based on the area of ​​the elevator hall 15 and the personal space required for safety and comfort. If there is no congested node, the processing of the people flow control unit 11 ends.

[0054] If there is a congested node, in step S306, the people flow control unit 11 determines whether the adjacent node connected to the inflow edge to the congested node is an empty node. Whether a node is empty or not is determined, for example, according to the following calculation. For a node to be determined as to whether it is an empty node or not (hereinafter referred to as the determination target node), let V be the allowable number of people and v be the number of people present. Then, let e_in be the number of passengers flowing into the determination target node per unit time, and let e_out be the number of passengers flowing out from the determination target node to a congested node per unit time. Let e_out' be the number of passengers flowing out to the congested node per unit time that is expected to decrease due to people flow control.

[0055] If the duration of people flow control is T, the number of people present at the node to be determined increases by (e_in - e_out') x T. If the difference (V - v) between the allowable number of people at the node to be determined and the number of people present is equal to or greater than the increase in the number of people present due to people flow control (e_in - e_out') x T, the node to be determined is determined to be an empty node.

[0056] The people flow control unit 11 may group multiple adjacent nodes into one and determine whether the multiple nodes are vacant or not. In this case, the determination is made using the total allowable number of people and the total number of people present for the multiple nodes, the number of passengers entering when the multiple nodes are considered as one node, and the number of passengers leaving the crowded node.

[0057] If the adjacent node is not an empty node in step S306, the processing of the people flow control unit 11 ends. On the other hand, if the adjacent node is an empty node in step S306, the people flow control unit 11 sets people flow control to suppress inflow from the empty node to a crowded node in step S307. For example, if the elevator hall 15 is a crowded node and the passageway 16 is an empty node, the people flow control unit 11 sets the control content for the robot 12 to move the robot 12 from the passageway 16 to near the entrance to the elevator hall 15, urging the robot 12 not to move into the elevator hall 15 by audio guidance, or physically blocking the entrance to the elevator hall 15.

[0058] After step S307, in step S308, the people flow control unit 11 transmits control data including the control content set in step S307 to the robot 12.

[0059] <B-3. Effects> In the elevator system 102 according to the second embodiment, the people flow control unit 11 determines that a node whose congestion level is equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is a congested node. The people flow control includes restricting the inflow of people into the congested node. As a result, for example, when there are more passengers in the elevator hall 15 than the elevator 14 can transport, the congestion in the elevator hall 15 can be alleviated by dispersing the passengers to the nearby passages 16. Furthermore, by alleviating the congestion in the elevator hall 15, passengers can be effectively guided to the elevator car they are boarding, preventing a deterioration in the transport efficiency of the elevator 14.

[0060] <C. Third Embodiment> <C-1. Configuration> Fig. 13 is a configuration diagram of an elevator system 103 according to a third embodiment. The elevator system 103 includes a hall call registration device 18 in addition to the configuration of the elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0061] The people flow control unit 11 causes the robot 12 to move to a specified position and acquire people flow data. For example, by acquiring people flow data on a route leading to an elevator hall 15, it is possible to predict congestion in the elevator hall 15. Furthermore, if the number of hall call registration devices 18 is variable, it is possible to set the number of hall call registration devices 18 that meets demand by acquiring people flow data in front of the hall call registration devices 18.

[0062] The robot 12 moves and acquires people flow data under the control of the people flow control unit 11. The people flow control unit 11 generates control data for the robot 12 according to the people flow data up to the previous time and data acquired from the operation control unit 13.

[0063] The operation control unit 13 manages the elevators 14 as well as the hall call registration devices 18. The number of installed hall call registration devices 18 is variable under the control of the operation control unit 13. The number of installed hall call registration devices 18 is changed by the hall call registration devices 18 moving independently or by manually moving the hall call registration devices 18. Alternatively, if the hall call registration devices 18 are configured with digital signage such as advertising panels, the number of installed hall call registration devices 18 may be changed by switching the display content of the digital signage.

[0064] The hall call registration device 18 communicates with the elevator 14. When a passenger operates the hall call registration device 18, the hall call registration device 18 transmits call registration data to the elevator 14, and the call is registered in the elevator 14. The elevator 14 determines a boarding car for the call and transmits the boarding car data to the hall call registration device 18. The hall call registration device 18 guides the passenger to the boarding car. In addition, the hall call registration device 18 transmits an operation log to the elevator 14, and the elevator 14 has the operation log of the hall call registration device 18.

[0065] <C-2. Operation> Fig. 14 is a flowchart showing the operation of the people flow control unit 11 in embodiment 3. The operation of the people flow control unit 11 will be described below in accordance with the flow of Fig. 14 .

[0066] First, in step S401, the people flow control unit 11 acquires people flow data and position information from the robot 12. The people flow data and position information received here do not relate to a position designated by the people flow control unit 11.

[0067] Next, in step S402, the people flow control unit 11 acquires operation data from the operation control unit 13. This operation data includes the operation log of the elevator 14, as well as the position of the hall call registration device 18 and the log data of the hall call registration device 18.

[0068] Then, in step S403, the people flow control unit 11 determines, based on the operation data, whether there is a designated position from which people flow data should be acquired. For example, if the people flow control unit 11 determines, based on the previous actual network data and operation control, that the elevator hall 15 is quiet at the current time, it determines to move the robot 12 to a designated position, for example, the passage 16 leading to the elevator hall 15, in preparation for future congestion, and to acquire people flow data in the passage 16. In other words, the people flow control unit 11 determines the passage 16 as the designated position.

[0069] Alternatively, if the use frequency of the platform call registration device 18 is high, the people flow control unit 11 determines that congestion is occurring in front of the platform call registration device 18 and determines the platform call registration device 18 to be the designated position. For example, based on the operation data acquired from the operation control unit 13, the people flow control unit 11 determines that congestion is occurring in front of the platform call registration device 18 if the period during which the use interval of the platform call registration device 18 is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold continues for a certain period of time or more.

[0070] If there is no designated position in step S403, the processing of the people flow control unit 11 proceeds to step S411.

[0071] If a specified position is found in step S403, the people flow control unit 11 sets the acquisition of people flow data at the specified position as the control content in step S404.

[0072] After step S404, in step S405, the people flow control unit 11 transmits control data including the control content set in step S404 to the robot 12.

[0073] After step S405, in step S406, the people flow control unit 11 receives people flow data and position information at the specified position from the robot 12.

[0074] Steps S407 to S412 after step S406 are similar to steps S102 to S106 in FIG. 7, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0075] 15 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation control unit 13 in embodiment 3. The operation of the operation control unit 13 will be described below in accordance with the flow of FIG.

[0076] First, in step S501, the operation control unit 13 acquires operation data from the elevator 14. This operation data includes the operation log of the elevator 14, the position of the hall call registration device 18, and the log of the hall call registration device 18.

[0077] Next, in step S502, the operation control unit 13 transmits operation data to the people flow control unit 11. Subsequent steps S503 to S505 are similar to steps S202 to S204 in Fig. 8, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

[0078] After step S505, in step S506, the operation control unit 13 sets the operation control content based on the actual network data acquired in step S505. For example, if a large number of people are flowing into the node connected to the elevator hall 15, the operation control unit 13 determines that the elevator hall 15 will be crowded in the future, and sets operation control to improve transportation efficiency from the elevator hall 15 in advance.

[0079] Alternatively, if the node of the platform call registration device 18 is congested, the operation control unit 13 increases the number of platform call registration devices 18 so that the waiting time from lining up to operating the platform call registration device 18 is less than a predetermined time.

[0080] Thereafter, in step S507, the operation control unit 13 transmits operation control data including the operation control content set in step S506 to the elevator 14 and the hall call registration device 18.

[0081] <C-3. Effects> In the elevator system 103 according to the third embodiment, the people flow control unit 11 determines a designated position where the robot 12 should next measure people flow data based on the people flow data measured by the robot 12. The robot 12 then measures the people flow data at the designated position. This allows the people flow control unit 11 to accurately grasp the people flow within the building and control the people flow.

[0082] <D. Fourth Embodiment> <D-1. Configuration> Fig. 16 is a configuration diagram of elevator system 104 according to the fourth embodiment. Elevator system 104 is obtained by adding a learning unit 19 to elevator system 103 according to the third embodiment. Alternatively, elevator system 104 may be obtained by adding a learning unit 19 to elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment.

[0083] The learning unit 19 exchanges data with the people flow control unit 11. The learning unit 19 receives real network data from the people flow control unit 11 and stores the received real network data.

[0084] The learning unit 19 also uses past actual network data to calculate a prediction model for predicting future actual network data. The learning unit 19 may calculate the prediction model during times when there are no passengers, such as at night. The learning unit 19 may also generate a prediction model for each day of the week or each time period. The learning unit 19 may also calculate the prediction model using machine learning such as deep learning. The learning unit 19 transmits the calculated prediction model to the people flow control unit 11.

[0085] The people flow control unit 11 creates real network data based on the people flow data received from the robot 12. In addition, the people flow control unit 11 transmits the real network data to the learning unit 19 every time it creates the real network data.

[0086] The people flow control unit 11 acquires the prediction model from the learning unit 19. The people flow control unit 11 generates future actual network data based on the prediction model and the most recent actual network data. The people flow control unit 11 sets the control content for the robot 12 based on the future actual network data, and transmits control data including the control content to the robot 12. Other operations of the people flow control unit 11 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0087] The operation control unit 13 sets operation control content based on the future actual network data received from the people flow control unit 11, and transmits operation control data including the operation control content to the elevator 14 or the hall call registration device 18. Other operations of the operation control unit 13 are the same as those in the first embodiment.

[0088] <D-2. Operation> Fig. 17 is a flowchart showing the operation of the people flow control unit 11 according to embodiment 4. The operation of the people flow control unit 11 will be described below with reference to the flowchart in Fig. 17 .

[0089] First, in step S601, the people flow control unit 11 acquires a prediction model from the learning unit 19. The timing for acquiring the prediction model is, for example, early in the morning when the learning unit 19 has finished calculating the prediction model.

[0090] Steps S602 to S604 after step S601 are similar to steps S101 to S103 in FIG.

[0091] After step S604, in step S605, the people flow control unit 11 transmits the actual network data to the learning unit 19.

[0092] Next, in step S606, the people flow control unit 11 creates future actual network data based on the prediction model and the most recent actual network data. The people flow control unit 11 inputs the most recent actual network data created in step S604 into the prediction model acquired in step S601, and acquires the future actual network data as the output of the prediction model.

[0093] Then, in step S607, the people flow control unit 11 sets the control content for the robot 12 based on the future actual network data created in step S606. For example, if there is a congested node in the future actual network data, the people flow control unit 11 sets the control content for the robot 12 to move to the congested node. Alternatively, as described in steps S104 to S106 of FIG. 7 , the people flow control unit 11 may transmit the future actual network data to the operation control unit 13 and set the people flow control content in response to a people flow control request received from the operation control unit 13.

[0094] Next, in step S608, the people flow control unit 11 transmits control data including the control content set in step S607 to the robot 12.

[0095] 18 is a flowchart showing the operation of the operation control unit 13 according to embodiment 4. The operation of the operation control unit 13 will be described below in accordance with the flow of FIG.

[0096] Steps S701 to S703 are the same as steps S201 to S203 in FIG.

[0097] After step S703, in step S704, the operation control unit 13 acquires future actual network data from the people flow control unit 11.

[0098] Next, in step S705, the operation control unit 13 sets operation control content based on the future actual network data. For example, if the future actual network data shows that there are many people present at the node in the elevator hall 15, the operation control unit 13 changes the setting to operation control content that has the number of people to be transported required for that number of people. Furthermore, if there are many people present at the node of the hall call registration device 18, the operation control unit 13 sets, as operation control content, changing the number of hall call registration devices 18 so that the waiting time for that number of people is equal to or less than a certain value.

[0099] After that, in step S706, the operation control unit 13 transmits control data including operation control details to the elevator 14 or the hall call registration device 18. This completes the processing of the operation control unit 13.

[0100] 19 is a flowchart showing the operation of the learning unit 19 according to embodiment 4. The operation of the learning unit 19 will be described below in accordance with the flow of FIG.

[0101] First, in step S801, the learning unit 19 receives and stores the actual network data created by the people flow control unit 11 as needed.

[0102] Next, in step S802, the learning unit 19 determines whether or not it is necessary to calculate a prediction model. For example, the learning unit 19 determines whether the current time is a nighttime time zone, and if so, determines that a prediction model should be calculated. Note that the calculation time for the prediction model is not limited to nighttime, and may be any time zone in which sufficient computing resources are available.

[0103] If it is determined in step S802 that a prediction model is not to be calculated, the processing of the learning unit 19 ends.

[0104] If it is determined in step S802 that a prediction model is to be calculated, the learning unit 19 calculates a prediction model in step S803. For example, the learning unit 19 uses the accumulated actual network data as input and creates a prediction model for predicting future actual network data by deep learning.

[0105] Next, in step S804, the learning unit 19 transmits the calculated prediction model to the people flow control unit 11.

[0106] In this embodiment, the people flow control unit 11 creates future actual network data based on a prediction model, so that people flow control and operation control can be performed in advance to prevent congestion in elevator halls 15, etc.

[0107] <D-3. Effects> In the elevator system 104 according to the fourth embodiment, the people flow control unit 11 predicts future actual network data from actual network data created based on people flow data measured by the robot 12, and determines the content of people flow control based on the future actual network data. This makes it possible to predict future congestion conditions and quickly control people flow.

[0108] <E. Fifth Embodiment> <E-1. Configuration> FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram of a facility plan creation device 105 according to a fifth embodiment. The facility plan creation device 105 includes a simulation unit 30 and a facility design unit 35. The simulation unit 30 includes a people flow control unit 31, a virtual robot 32, an operation control unit 33, and a virtual elevator 34, and is a virtual implementation of the elevator system 101 according to the first embodiment implemented using an information terminal such as a personal computer. The people flow control unit 31 and the operation control unit 33 have the same functions as the people flow control unit 11 and the operation control unit 13 according to the first embodiment. The virtual robot 32 is a virtual implementation of the robot 12 according to the first embodiment implemented using an information terminal. The virtual elevator 34 is a virtual implementation of the elevator 14 according to the first embodiment implemented using an information terminal. Alternatively, the simulation unit 30 may be a virtual implementation of any of the elevator systems 102-104 according to embodiments 2-4 implemented using an information terminal such as a personal computer.

[0109] The facility design unit 35 is configured with an information terminal such as a personal computer, and sets the specifications of the elevator system 101. The specifications of the elevator system 101 include elevator specifications, which are the specifications of the elevator 14, building specifications, which are the specifications of the building in which the elevator 14 is installed, robot specifications, which are the specifications of the robot 12, and design standard specifications. The building specifications include the number of floors, floor height, floor layout, and floor use. The elevator specifications include the layout, number, and functions of the elevators 14. The design standard specifications include the required transportation efficiency and budget. The robot specifications include the number and functions of the robots 12. The facility design unit 35 determines the building specifications and design standard specifications based on information manually entered by the user of the information terminal.

[0110] The simulation unit 30 receives specification data defining the specifications of the elevator system 101 and passenger data from the facility design unit 35. The passenger data is, for example, the time-series network data described in the first embodiment, which shows the number of people present at each node in the building and the number of people moving between the nodes in time series. The simulation unit 30 performs a simulation based on the data received from the facility design unit 35 and transmits the simulation results to the facility design unit 35. The simulation results include time-series network data for the simulation period.

[0111] The facility design unit 35 determines whether the simulation results received from the simulation unit 30 satisfy the design standard specifications. The determination criterion is, for example, whether the average passenger waiting time obtained by statistical processing of the simulation results is equal to or less than the average waiting time defined in the design standard specifications. If the simulation results do not satisfy the design standard specifications, the facility design unit 35 changes the elevator specifications and robot specifications and transmits these specifications to the simulation unit 30. The simulation unit 30 performs a simulation using the changed elevator specifications and robot specifications and transmits the simulation results to the facility design unit 35. The facility design unit 35 repeatedly changes the elevator specifications and robot specifications until the simulation results satisfy the design standard specifications. In this way, the facility design unit 35 changes the elevator specifications and robot specifications for the building specifications so as to satisfy the design standard specifications.

[0112] If the simulation results satisfy the design standard specifications, the facility design unit 35 displays the elevator specifications, robot specifications, and simulation results on the output screen of an information terminal or the like.

[0113] <E-2. Operation> Fig. 21 is a flowchart showing the operation of the facility design unit 35 according to embodiment 5. The operation of the facility design unit 35 will be described below in accordance with the flow of Fig. 21.

[0114] First, in step S901, the facility design unit 35 sets building specifications. The facility design unit 35 accepts input from a user of an information terminal and sets building specifications based on the input information. The building specifications may be represented by BIM data or CAD data.

[0115] Next, in step S902, the equipment design unit 35 sets the design standard specifications. The equipment design unit 35 accepts input from the user of the information terminal, and sets the design standard specifications based on the input information.

[0116] Then, in step S903, the equipment design unit 35 determines elevator specifications based on the building specifications and the design standard specifications. When the elevator specifications are to be set again because the simulation results do not satisfy the design standard specifications, the equipment design unit 35 sets the elevator specifications based on the results of the previous simulations. For example, if the average passenger waiting time in the previous simulation result is poor and the average passenger waiting time in the simulation result before last is too good, the equipment design unit 35 increases the number of cars in the elevator specifications within a range less than the number of cars in the elevator specifications before last.

[0117] Next, in step S904, the facility design unit 35 sets robot specifications for the building specifications, design standard specifications, and elevator specifications. When the robot specifications are to be set again because the simulation results do not satisfy the design standard specifications, the facility design unit 35 sets the robot specifications based on the results of the previous simulations. For example, if the passenger waiting time in the previous simulation result is poor and the average passenger waiting time in the simulation result before last is too good, the facility design unit 35 increases the number of robots in the robot specifications to a level less than the number of robots in the robot specifications before last.

[0118] Thereafter, in step S905, the facility design unit 35 transmits each of the specifications set in steps S901 to S904 to the simulation unit 30. Then, the simulation unit 30 simulates the operation of the elevator system 101 based on the specifications received from the facility design unit 35.

[0119] Next, in step S906, the facility design unit 35 receives the simulation results from the simulation unit 30.

[0120] Then, in step S907, the equipment design unit 35 determines whether the simulation results satisfy the design criteria specifications. If the simulation results are close to the conditions set in the design criteria specifications, the equipment design unit 35 determines that the simulation results satisfy the design criteria. The equipment design unit 35 may determine whether the simulation results satisfy the design criteria specifications by focusing on the average waiting time of passengers in the elevator hall 15. For example, if the design criteria specifies an average waiting time of 30 seconds or less, but the simulation results show an average waiting time of 10 seconds for a system with seven elevators, the elevator specifications and robot specifications are excessive compared to the design criteria specifications. Therefore, the equipment design unit 35 may change the elevator specifications to worsen the average waiting time. Suppose the simulation results show an average waiting time of 25 seconds when six elevators are used, and an average waiting time of 40 seconds when five elevators are used. In this case, the equipment design unit 35 determines that the equipment criteria specifications are satisfied when the number of elevators is five.

[0121] If the simulation results do not satisfy the design criteria in step S907, the processing of the equipment design unit 35 returns to step S903. That is, the equipment design unit 35 changes the equipment design data based on the comparison result between the simulation results and the design criteria specifications required for the elevator system, and inputs the changed equipment design data to the simulation unit 30.

[0122] If the simulation results satisfy the design criteria in step S907, the equipment design unit 35 outputs the simulation results that satisfy the design criteria specifications to the screen of the information terminal in step S908.

[0123] <E-3. Effects> The facility plan creation device 105 according to the fifth embodiment includes a simulation unit 30 that simulates the processing of an elevator system, and a facility design unit 35 that determines the specifications of the elevator system. The elevator system is any one of the elevator systems according to the first to fourth embodiments. The facility design unit 35 inputs facility design data, including passenger specifications, elevator specifications, and robot specifications, generated in the simulation, to the simulation unit 30, and the simulation unit 30 simulates the processing of the elevator system based on the facility design data. By virtually controlling the elevators and robots in a building on an information terminal, it is possible to evaluate the flow of people within the building and propose a facility plan, including elevator specifications and robot specifications, that meets customer needs.

[0124] <F. Hardware Configuration> The people flow control unit 11, operation control unit 13, virtual robot 32, and virtual elevator 34 in the elevator systems 101-104 and the facility planning device 105 described above are realized by a processing circuit 81 shown in FIG. 22. That is, the processing circuit 81 includes the people flow control unit 11, operation control unit 13, virtual robot 32, and virtual elevator 34 (hereinafter referred to as the "people flow control unit 11, etc."). The processing circuit 81 may be implemented using dedicated hardware, or may be implemented using a processor that executes a program stored in memory. Examples of the processor include a central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, DSP (Digital Signal Processor), etc.

[0125] When the processing circuit 81 is dedicated hardware, the processing circuit 81 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), or a combination thereof. The functions of each unit, such as the people flow control unit 11, may be realized by multiple processing circuits 81, or the functions of each unit may be realized together by a single processing circuit.

[0126] When the processing circuitry 81 is a processor, the functions of the people flow control unit 11 and the like are realized by a combination of software, etc. (software, firmware, or software and firmware). The software, etc. is written as a program and stored in memory. As shown in FIG. 23 , the processor 82 applied to the processing circuitry 81 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing programs stored in memory 83. That is, the elevator systems 101-104 and the facility planning device 105 include memory 83 for storing programs that, when executed by the processing circuitry 81, result in the execution of each function of the elevator systems 101-104 and the facility planning device 105. In other words, this program can be said to cause a computer to execute the procedure or method of the people flow control unit 11 and the like. Here, the memory 83 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as a RAM (Random Access Memory), a ROM (Read Only Memory), a flash memory, an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), or an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), a HDD (Hard Disk Drive), a magnetic disk, a flexible disk, an optical disk, a compact disk, a mini disk, a DVD (Digital Versatile Disk) and its drive device, or any storage medium that will be used in the future.

[0127] The above describes a configuration in which each function of the people flow control unit 11, etc. is realized either by hardware or software, etc. However, this is not limited to this, and a configuration in which part of the people flow control unit 11, etc. is realized by dedicated hardware and another part is realized by software, etc. For example, the function of the people flow control unit 11 can be realized by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware, and the other functions can be realized by the processing circuit 81 as the processor 82 reading and executing programs stored in the memory 83.

[0128] As described above, the processing circuit can realize each of the above-described functions by hardware, software, or a combination of these.

[0129] It should be noted that the embodiments can be freely combined, and each embodiment can be modified or omitted as appropriate. The above description is an example in all respects. It is understood that countless variations not illustrated can be envisioned.

[0130] 11 People flow control unit, 12, 12A, 12B, 12C Robot, 13 Operation control unit, 14 Elevator, 15 Elevator hall, 16 Passageway, 17A, 17B Route, 18 Hall call registration device, 19 Learning unit, 30 Simulation unit, 31 People flow control unit, 32 Virtual robot, 33 Operation control unit, 34 Virtual elevator, 35 Equipment design unit, 51, 52, 53 Node, 61, 62, 63 Edge, 81 Processing circuit, 82 Processor, 83 Memory, 101-104 Elevator system, 105 Equipment plan creation device.

Claims

1. A robot that moves autonomously within a building in which multiple elevators are installed and measures people flow data around itself using a measuring device mounted on itself; a people flow control unit that causes the robot to perform people flow control, which is control of the flow of people heading toward the elevator, based on people flow data measured by the robot and operation data of the elevator, The people flow control unit determines a designated position where the robot should next measure people flow data based on the people flow data measured by the robot; The robot measures people flow data at the specified location. Elevator system.

2. A robot that moves autonomously in a building in which an elevator with multiple cars is installed and measures people flow data around itself using a measuring device mounted on itself; a people flow control unit that causes the robot to perform people flow control, which is control of the flow of people heading toward the elevator, based on people flow data measured by the robot and operation data of the elevator, Further comprising an operation control unit that controls the operation of the elevator and outputs operation data of the elevator to the people flow control unit; The elevator operation control includes controlling the number of hall call registration devices installed in the elevator hall. Elevator system.

3. A robot that moves autonomously in a building in which an elevator with multiple cars is installed and measures people flow data around itself using a measuring device mounted on itself; a people flow control unit that causes the robot to perform people flow control, which is control of the flow of people heading toward the elevator, based on people flow data measured by the robot and operation data of the elevator, Further comprising an operation control unit that controls the operation of the elevator and outputs operation data of the elevator to the people flow control unit; The people flow control unit creates real network data representing people flows in the building based on the people flow data measured by the robot, The real network data includes a plurality of nodes representing locations within the building, and an edge connecting two of the nodes along which a person can move; The value of the node represents the number of people present at the location represented by the node; The weight of the edge represents the number of people moving between the two nodes at both ends of the edge per unit time. Elevator system.

4. The people flow control unit determines that the node having a congestion degree equal to or greater than a predetermined threshold is a congested node, The people flow control includes restricting the inflow of people into the crowded node.

4. The elevator system of claim 3.

5. The operation control unit calculates the number of passengers getting on and off the elevator at each floor based on the operation data, The people flow control unit creates the real network data based on the people flow data measured by the robot and the number of people getting on and off the elevator.

4. The elevator system of claim 3.

6. The people flow control unit predicts future actual network data from the actual network data created based on the people flow data measured by the robot, and determines the content of the people flow control based on the future actual network data.

4. The elevator system of claim 3.

7. The operation control unit controls the operation of the elevator based on the future actual network data.

7. The elevator system of claim 6.

8. a learning unit that accumulates the past actual network data created by the people flow control unit based on the people flow data measured by the robot, and learns a prediction model that predicts the future actual network data based on the accumulated past actual network data; The people flow control unit creates the future actual network data based on the most recent actual network data and the prediction model.

7. The elevator system of claim 6.

9. a simulation unit that simulates a process of the elevator system; An equipment planning device comprising an equipment design unit that determines specifications of the elevator system, The elevator system comprises: A robot that moves autonomously within a building in which an elevator with multiple cars is installed and measures people flow data around itself using a measuring device mounted on itself; a people flow control unit that causes the robot to control the people flow into the elevator based on people flow data measured by the robot and operation data of the elevator, the facility design unit inputs facility design data including specifications of passengers occurring in the simulation, specifications of the elevator, and specifications of the robot to the simulation unit; The simulation unit simulates the processing of the elevator system based on the equipment design data. Facilities planning device.

10. The facility design unit acquires a simulation result by the simulation unit, and changes the facility design data based on a comparison result between the simulation result and a design standard specification required for the elevator system, and inputs the changed facility design data to the simulation unit. The facility plan creating device according to claim 9.