Elevator system

Abstract

An elevator system according to the present disclosure utilizes a mobile terminal having a specific application installed therein to automatically register calls, the elevator system being provided with a control device for controlling a car, a beacon provided to a landing where the car stops, and a server connected to the control device. If the mobile terminal senses radio waves from the beacon, the mobile terminal notifies a user with a specific first cue; when the user performs, on the mobile terminal, a specific first response to the first cue from the mobile terminal within a certain length of time, then the mobile terminal does not transmit, to the server, a signal for automatically registering a call; and if the user does not perform, on the mobile terminal, the first response to the first cue from the mobile terminal within the certain length of time, then the mobile terminal does transmit, to the server, the signal for automatically registering a call.

Description

elevator system

[0001] The present disclosure relates to elevator systems.

[0002] The following Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator system in which calls are registered using a mobile terminal carried by a user, the elevator system comprising an elevator control device that controls the operation of the car, and a radio signal device that transmits a radio signal at a landing of any floor and activates application software for call registration that has been pre-installed on the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal transmitting a preset destination floor of the user to the elevator control device upon activation of the application software, the elevator control device registering the destination floor of the user transmitted from the mobile terminal as a landing call, and causing the car to respond to the registered floor of the landing call.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2018-090400

[0004] In conventional systems, when a mobile device detects radio waves from a beacon installed at the elevator hall, the call is automatically registered. However, this automatically registers the call even if the passenger has no intention of boarding the elevator, which creates the problem of reducing elevator operation efficiency.

[0005] The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present disclosure is to provide an elevator system that can prevent a decrease in operation efficiency.

[0006] The elevator system according to the present disclosure is an elevator system that automatically registers calls using a mobile terminal on which a specific application is installed, and includes a control device that controls the car, a beacon installed at the landing where the car stops, and a server connected to the control device. When the mobile terminal detects radio waves from the beacon, the mobile terminal notifies the user with a specific first signal, and if the user makes a specific first response to the mobile terminal within a certain period of time in response to the first signal from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal does not send a signal to the server for automatically registering the call, and if the user does not make a first response to the mobile terminal within the certain period of time in response to the first signal from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal sends a signal to the server for automatically registering the call.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide an elevator system that can prevent a decrease in operation efficiency.

[0008] It is a diagram showing an elevator system according to embodiment 1. It is a block diagram of a mobile terminal. It is a data image diagram of a storage device of the mobile terminal. It is a flowchart showing an operation example in embodiment 1. It is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of a control device and a center device in embodiment 1.

[0009] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. Common or corresponding elements in each drawing are designated by the same reference numerals, and descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted. The configurations shown in the following embodiments are examples of the technical ideas of the present disclosure, and may be combined with other known technologies, or multiple technical ideas described in the present disclosure may be combined. Furthermore, it is also possible to omit or modify part of the configuration without departing from the gist of the present disclosure.

[0010] Embodiment 1. Figure 1 is a diagram showing an elevator system 1 according to embodiment 1. As shown in Figure 1, an elevator 3 is provided in a building 2. The elevator system 1 of this embodiment includes a control device 4 that controls the operation of the elevator 3 car, a beacon 5 provided at a landing where the car stops, and a center device 7 that is a server connected to the control device 4. The center device 7 is installed in a monitoring center 6 that is located in a building separate from the building 2.

[0011] The control device 4 is communicably connected to a monitoring device 8 that monitors the status of the elevator 3 and to a center device 7 via a communication network.

[0012] A user of the elevator 3 carries a mobile terminal 10. The mobile terminal 10 may be, for example, a smartphone or a wearable terminal. The mobile terminal 10 is connected to the center device 7 via a communication network so as to be able to communicate with the center device 7.

[0013] The elevator system 1 of this embodiment has a function of automatically registering a call using the mobile terminal 10 on which a specific application is installed.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a block diagram of the mobile terminal 10. As shown in Fig. 2, the mobile terminal 10 has a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b which is a storage device, a ROM 10c which is also a storage device, a wireless communication unit 10d, a display unit 10e, an audio output unit 10f which outputs audio, an audio input unit 10g which accepts audio input, a vibration unit 10h which generates vibrations, an acceleration sensor 10i, and an operation unit 10j.

[0015] When a user carrying the mobile terminal 10 approaches the beacon 5, the mobile terminal 10 detects radio waves from the beacon 5. Fig. 3 is a data image diagram of the storage device of the mobile terminal 10. As shown in Fig. 3, the storage device of the mobile terminal 10 stores a last detected beacon ID, which is the ID of the beacon last detected by the mobile terminal 10, and the last detection date and time.

[0016] When the mobile terminal 10 detects radio waves from the beacon 5, the mobile terminal 10 notifies the user with a specific first signal. The first signal may be, for example, two vibrations or a voice message saying, "Do you want to get in?" The first signal is a notification to confirm the user's intention to use the elevator 3. If the first signal is one or multiple vibrations, the user can be notified without outputting a voice message, allowing the user to use the elevator without worrying about disturbing those around them.

[0017] If the user makes a specific first response to the mobile terminal 10 within a certain period of time in response to the first signal from the mobile terminal 10, the mobile terminal 10 will not transmit a signal for automatically registering the call to the center device 7. In this way, a user who does not intend to use the elevator 3 can simply make a first response to the first signal from the mobile terminal 10. The first response may be, for example, a tapping motion twice on the mobile terminal 10 or a voice message saying, "I don't want to get on." The mobile terminal 10 can detect the tapping motion using the acceleration sensor 10i. By using a tapping motion once or multiple times on the mobile terminal 10 as the first response, the user does not need to respond aloud, allowing them to respond without hesitation to those around them.

[0018] In contrast, if the user does not provide a first response to the first signal from the mobile terminal 10 within a certain period of time, the mobile terminal 10 transmits a signal to the center device 7 for automatically registering the call. The signal for automatically registering the call may include information for identifying the elevator 3. The signal for automatically registering the call may include information on the departure floor and the destination floor. The center device 7, which receives the signal, transmits a signal for automatically registering the call to the control device 4. The control device 4, which receives the signal, registers the call and causes the car to respond to the registered call. In this way, users who intend to use the elevator 3 do not need to respond to the first signal from the mobile terminal 10, thereby providing excellent convenience.

[0019] As described above, in this embodiment, a user who has no intention of riding the elevator 3 can prevent the mobile terminal 10 from sending a signal for automatically registering a call by making a first response to the mobile terminal 10, without having to manually operate the mobile terminal 10. This makes it possible to simply prevent unnecessary calls from being registered, thereby preventing a decrease in the operating efficiency of the elevator 3.

[0020] Furthermore, if the user makes a first response to the mobile terminal 10 within a certain period of time after the automatic registration of the call is executed, the mobile terminal 10 may transmit a signal to the center device 7 to cancel the automatically registered call. The center device 7, having received the signal, transmits a signal to the control device 4 to cancel the automatically registered call. The control device 4, having received the signal, cancels the automatically registered call. This makes it possible to cancel unnecessary calls, thereby preventing a decrease in the operating efficiency of the elevator 3.

[0021] When the control device 4 executes automatic call registration, the mobile terminal 10 may notify the user with a specific third signal. This allows the user to know that automatic call registration has been executed. The third signal may be the same as the first signal. By issuing the third signal, which is the same as the first signal, the user can be clearly notified that there is an opportunity to cancel the automatically registered call.

[0022] FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of operation in the first embodiment. In step S1 of FIG. 4, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 10 has detected radio waves from the beacon 5. When the mobile terminal 10 detects radio waves from the beacon 5, the mobile terminal 10 notifies the user with a specific first signal (step S2). The first signal may be, for example, two vibrations or a voice saying, "Do you want to register?" Next, a timer is started to measure a certain period of time (step S3). Next, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 10 has detected a specific vibration or a specific voice as a first response (step S4). Specifically, it is determined whether the mobile terminal 10 has detected a specific vibration consisting of two taps on the mobile terminal 10 or a specific voice saying, "No, I don't want to get on." If a specific vibration or a specific voice is detected, the process proceeds to step S5, where the mobile terminal 10 generates a single, longer vibration as a registration postponement notification. In this case, the mobile terminal 10 does not transmit a signal for automatically registering the call to the center device 7.

[0023] As described above, if the mobile terminal 10 does not transmit a signal for automatically registering the call to the center device 7, the mobile terminal 10 may notify the user by a specific second signal. This allows the user to know that automatic registration of the call has been postponed.

[0024] If the specific vibration or specific sound is not detected in step S4, the process proceeds to step S6, where it is determined whether a fixed-time timer has timed out. If the timer has timed out, the process proceeds to step S7, where a call is registered for the elevator 3. That is, the mobile terminal 10 transmits a signal to the center device 7 for automatically registering the call. Upon receiving this signal, the center device 7 transmits a signal to the control device 4 for automatically registering the call. Upon receiving this signal, the control device 4 registers the call and causes the car to respond to the registered call.

[0025] When the control device 4 executes automatic call registration, the mobile terminal 10 notifies the user by a specific third signal (step S8). The third signal may be, for example, two vibrations or a voice saying "call registration completed." Next, a timer for measuring a certain period of time is started (step S9). Next, it is determined whether a specific vibration or a specific voice is detected as a first response (step S10). If a first response is not detected, it is determined whether the timer has timed out (step S11). If the timer has not timed out, the process of step S10 is repeated.

[0026] In step S10, if the mobile terminal 10 detects a first response, such as a tapping motion on the mobile terminal 10 twice or a voice saying "I don't want to get in," the mobile terminal 10 transmits a signal to the center device 7 to cancel the automatically registered call (step S12). It is then determined whether the cancellation was successful (step S13). If the cancellation was successful, the mobile terminal 10 notifies the user by a specific fourth signal (step S14). The fourth signal may be, for example, a single, longer vibration. This notifies the user that the automatically registered call has been canceled. On the other hand, if the cancellation was unsuccessful, the mobile terminal 10 notifies the user by a specific fifth signal. The fifth signal may be, for example, two vibrations.

[0027] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the control device 4 and the center device 7 in the first embodiment. Each function of the control device 4 and the center device 7 is realized by, for example, a processing circuit. The processing circuit may be dedicated hardware 600. The processing circuit may include a processor 601 and a memory 602. A part of the processing circuit may be formed as the dedicated hardware 600, and the processing circuit may further include the processor 601 and the memory 602. In the example shown in FIG. 5, a part of the processing circuit is formed as the dedicated hardware 600. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 5, the processing circuit further includes the processor 601 and the memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.

[0028] The processing circuitry of which at least one portion is dedicated hardware 600 may be, for example, a single circuit, multiple circuits, a programmed processor, parallel programmed processors, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

[0029] When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, the functions of each part of the control device 4 and the center device 7 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0030] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The processor 601 realizes the functions of each unit by reading and executing the programs stored in memory 602. The processor 601 is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit), central processing unit, processing unit, arithmetic unit, microprocessor, microcomputer, or DSP. The memory 602 may be, for example, a non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, or EEPROM, or a magnetic disk, flexible disk, optical disk, compact disk, minidisk, DVD, etc.

[0031] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the control device 4 and the center device 7 by using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Note that each function of the control device 4 and the center device 7 may be realized by multiple devices working together, or may be realized by a single device. Furthermore, at least some of the functions of the control device 4 may be implemented in a server or the like on an external network.

[0032] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 elevator system, 2 building, 3 elevator, 4 control device, 5 beacon, 6 monitoring center, 7 center device, 8 monitoring device, 10 portable terminal, 10d wireless communication unit, 10e display unit, 10f audio output unit, 10g audio input unit, 10h vibration unit, 10i acceleration sensor, 10j operation unit, 600 dedicated hardware, 601 processor, 602 memory

Claims

1. An elevator system that automatically registers a call using a mobile terminal with a specific application installed, comprising: a control device that controls a car; a beacon provided at a landing where the car stops; and a server connected to the control device, wherein when the mobile terminal detects radio waves from the beacon, the mobile terminal notifies the user with a specific first signal, when the user makes a specific first response to the mobile terminal within a certain period of time in response to the first signal from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal does not transmit a signal to the server for automatically registering the call, and when the user does not make the first response to the mobile terminal within the certain period of time in response to the first signal from the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal transmits a signal to the server for automatically registering the call.

2. An elevator system as described in claim 1, wherein, after automatic registration of a call is executed, if the user makes the first response to the portable terminal within a certain period of time, the portable terminal transmits a signal to the server to cancel the automatically registered call.

3. An elevator system as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein if the portable terminal does not transmit a signal to the server for automatically registering the call, the portable terminal notifies the user by a specific second signal.

4. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein when the control device executes automatic registration of a call, the mobile terminal notifies the user by a specific third signal.

5. The elevator system of claim 4, wherein the third signal is the same as the first signal.

6. The elevator system according to claim 2, wherein when the control device cancels an automatically registered call, the portable terminal notifies the user by a specific fourth signal.

7. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the first response is the action of tapping the mobile terminal one or more times.

8. An elevator system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the first signal is one or more vibrations.

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