Elevator operation panel and elevator system

Abstract

An elevator operation panel (1) according to the present disclosure comprises: an operation button (2) that incorporates a contactless-type touch-less sensor (2a) and a contact-type sensor (2b); an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit (20) that estimates the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor with the operation button (2); and a sensitivity adjustment unit (30) that adjusts the sensitivity of the touch-less sensor (2a). The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit (20) estimates that the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor with the operation button (2) increases as the frequency of registration of a destination floor through contact with the operation button (2) increases. The sensitivity adjustment unit (30) adjusts the sensitivity of the touch-less sensor (2a) in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit (20).

Description

Elevator control panels and elevator systems

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an elevator control panel and an elevator system.

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator control panel equipped with non-contact operation buttons.

[0003] Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2023-17326

[0004] Conventional elevator control panels such as those described in Patent Document 1 have a problem in that the non-contact operation buttons are prone to erroneous registration of destination floors. For example, if a user approaches the elevator control panel from a position other than the front during busy times, an erroneous registration occurs when a part of the user's hand other than the fingertip is detected as approaching a button other than the button they want to operate.

[0005] The present disclosure is intended to solve the above-mentioned problems. An object of the present disclosure is to prevent erroneous registration of destination floors on an elevator control panel equipped with non-contact operation buttons.

[0006] An elevator control panel according to the present disclosure includes an operation button incorporating a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor, an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit that estimates the frequency of erroneous destination floor registrations by the operation button, and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor. The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the higher the frequency of destination floor registrations by touching the operation button, the higher the frequency of erroneous destination floor registrations by the operation button. The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor according to the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit. An elevator control panel according to the present disclosure includes an operation button incorporating a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor, an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit that estimates the frequency of erroneous destination floor registrations by the operation button, and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor. The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the frequency of erroneous destination floor registrations by the operation button is increasing when the frequency of destination floor registrations by touching the operation button is higher than a reference value. The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit. An elevator system according to the present disclosure comprises an elevator control panel having operation buttons incorporating a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor, an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit that estimates the frequency of erroneous destination floor registration by the operation buttons, and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor. The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the higher the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button, the higher the frequency of erroneous destination floor registration by the operation button. The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit. An elevator system according to the present disclosure comprises an elevator control panel having operation buttons incorporating a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor, an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit that estimates the frequency of erroneous destination floor registration by the operation buttons, and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor. When the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button is higher than a reference value, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the frequency of erroneous destination floor registration by the operation button is increasing.The sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor according to the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

[0007] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration of destination floors on an elevator control panel equipped with non-contact operation buttons.

[0008] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the elevator system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the elevator system according to embodiment 1. Fig. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the elevator operation panel and control system of the elevator system according to 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 the configuration of an elevator system according to embodiment 1. The elevator system according to this embodiment includes an elevator operation panel 1. The elevator operation panel 1 includes operation buttons 2. Note that the elevator system according to this embodiment can be realized using only the elevator operation panel 1 as a component, or can be realized by linking the elevator operation panel 1 with another component.

[0011] The operation button 2 is configured to allow both contactless and contact operation. A user can register a destination floor by bringing a finger close to the operation button 2, or by touching or pressing the operation button 2. The elevator operation panel 1 may also be equipped with a display unit or the like that displays information such as the current position of the elevator car and the next floor.

[0012] The operation button 2 of this embodiment has a built-in non-contact touchless sensor 2a and a contact sensor 2b. The touchless sensor 2a detects the distance from the touchless sensor 2a to an object that accepts destination floor registration. The object that accepts destination floor registration may be a fingertip or a touch pen. The touchless sensor 2a may be, for example, a capacitance sensor or an infrared sensor. The type of touchless sensor 2a is not limited to these, and an optimal sensor may be selected appropriately depending on the specifications of the elevator, etc. The contact sensor 2b is activated when an object touches the operation button 2.

[0013] The elevator system according to the present embodiment includes, as an example, a registration determination unit 10. The registration determination unit 10 determines whether to register a destination floor based on the detection results of the touchless sensor 2a and the contact-type sensor 2b. The registration determination unit 10 may be provided in the elevator control panel 1 or external to the elevator control panel 1. For example, when the distance to an object for which the touchless sensor 2a accepts destination floor registration is equal to or less than a certain distance, the touchless sensor 2a determines that the object has been detected. This certain distance is an example of the "sensitivity" of the touchless sensor 2a in the present disclosure. When the touchless sensor 2a determines that the object has been detected, the registration determination unit 10 determines that the destination floor corresponding to the operation button 2 including the touchless sensor 2a should be registered. Furthermore, for example, the registration determination unit 10 may determine that the destination floor corresponding to the operation button 2 including the contact-type sensor 2b should be registered when the contact-type sensor 2b is activated.

[0014] As shown in Fig. 1, the elevator system according to this embodiment is characterized by including an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 and a sensitivity adjustment unit 30. The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 and the sensitivity adjustment unit 30 may be provided in the elevator operation panel 1 or may be provided outside the elevator operation panel 1.

[0015] The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 estimates the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor by the operation button 2. The sensitivity adjustment unit 30 adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a.

[0016] When using an operation button 2 that allows contactless operation, the user basically operates the operation button 2 without contact. At this time, an erroneous registration may occur if the operation button 2 that is not intended for registration detects a finger or the like. When an erroneous registration occurs due to the operation button 2, it is expected that the user will touch or press the operation button 2 again to correctly re-register. In other words, if the frequency of users registering destination floors by touching the operation button 2 is high, it is expected that the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors due to the operation button 2 will also be high.

[0017] Furthermore, a situation where the operation button 2 is touched frequently is assumed to be a situation where the user is likely to touch the operation button 2, such as a situation where the elevator is crowded with people in front of the elevator control panel 1. In such a situation, it is likely that the user will unintentionally touch the operation button 2 or that the user's fingers or the like will be unintentionally detected by the touchless sensor 2a, and it is assumed that the frequency of erroneous registration will be high.

[0018] In this way, there is a correlation between the frequency of registering a destination floor by touching the operation button 2 and the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor by that operation button. In this embodiment, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 utilizes this correlation to estimate the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor by the operation button 2.

[0019] For example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 estimates that the higher the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2, the higher the frequency of erroneous destination floor registration by the operation button 2. That is, the frequency of erroneous registration may be estimated on the assumption that there is a positive correlation between the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2 and the frequency of erroneous registration. In this example, data on the correlation between the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2 and the frequency of erroneous registration may be stored in advance. The erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 may estimate the frequency of erroneous registration based on the stored data on the correlation. Note that the data on the correlation may be updated as appropriate depending on, for example, the estimated result of the erroneous registration frequency. Furthermore, the data on the correlation may be set as appropriate depending on the environment in which the elevator is used, for example, whether the elevator is used in a commercial facility or a residential building, etc.

[0020] As another example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 may estimate that the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by touching the operation button 2 is increasing when the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2 is higher than a reference value. For example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 may estimate that the frequency of erroneous registrations has increased from frequency B to frequency B+ when the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2 is higher than frequency threshold A. As in this example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 may update the frequency of erroneous registrations as appropriate depending on the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation button 2. Note that the frequency threshold A, which is the reference value described above, may be set as appropriate depending on the usage environment of the elevator, for example, whether the elevator is used in a commercial facility or a residential building. The frequency threshold A may also be updated as appropriate depending on the estimated result of the frequency of erroneous registrations.

[0021] The sensitivity adjustment unit 30 adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a according to the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20. Specifically, it is preferable to lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a when there are many erroneous registrations, and to increase or maintain the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a when there are few erroneous registrations. For example, the higher the frequency of erroneous registrations estimated by the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20, the lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a. Furthermore, for example, when the frequency of erroneous registrations estimated by the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 is equal to or greater than a threshold, the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a may be lowered.

[0022] As described above, the elevator system or elevator control panel 1 according to this embodiment is configured to estimate the frequency of erroneous registration based on the frequency of destination floor registration by touching the operation buttons 2, and to adjust the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a based on the estimation result. With an elevator system or elevator control panel 1 configured in this way, it is possible to prevent erroneous registration of destination floors using the non-contact type operation buttons 2.

[0023] As described above, when an erroneous registration occurs using the operation button 2, it is expected that the operation button 2 will be touched or pressed again to correctly register the destination floor. Therefore, for example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 may estimate that an erroneous registration of a destination floor has occurred when a destination floor is registered by touching the operation button 2 within a certain time period, for example, immediately after the destination floor is registered through detection by the touchless sensor 2a. The sensitivity adjustment unit 30 may adjust the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a according to the estimation result. For example, the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a may be lowered as the number of erroneous registrations estimated by the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 within a predetermined period increases. For example, the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a may be lowered when the number of erroneous registrations estimated by the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 within a predetermined period is equal to or greater than a threshold.

[0024] 2 is a diagram showing a first modified example of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. In this first modified example, the elevator system includes a congestion level detection unit 40. The congestion level detection unit 40 detects the congestion level in front of the operation button 2. The congestion level indicates the degree of congestion. For example, the number of people within a predetermined range may be used as the congestion level, or a specific value defined using the number of people as a parameter may be used as the congestion level.

[0025] The registration determination unit 10, which determines whether or not to register using the operation button 2, may operate in accordance with the detection result of the congestion level detection unit 40. For example, if the congestion level is equal to or higher than a threshold, simultaneous registration using multiple operation buttons 2 may be prohibited. This makes it possible to effectively prevent erroneous registration during congestion. Furthermore, the sensitivity adjustment unit 30 may adjust the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a in accordance with the congestion level detected by the congestion level detection unit 40. For example, the higher the congestion level, the lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a. For example, if the congestion level is equal to or higher than a threshold, the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a may be lowered.

[0026] The congestion level detection unit 40 can be configured from any device. For example, the congestion level detection unit 40 can be configured from a camera that captures an image of the position in front of the operation button 2. The congestion level detection unit 40 may detect the congestion level based on the captured image of the position in front of the operation button 2.

[0027] When the congestion level detection unit 40 detects the congestion level in front of the operation button 2 on the elevator control panel 1 provided inside the elevator car, the congestion level can be detected by using a device or system that measures the weight inside the car. The congestion level detection unit 40 may be configured to detect the congestion level based on the weight inside the car where the operation button 2 is provided.

[0028] 3 is a diagram showing a second modified example of the elevator system according to embodiment 1. In this second modified example, the elevator system includes an attribute acquisition unit 50 that acquires attributes of a user standing in front of the operation button 2. The sensitivity adjustment unit 30 may adjust the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2 a in accordance with the user attributes acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 50.

[0029] The attribute acquisition unit 50 can be configured from a camera that photographs the user, an ID tag carried by the user, a terminal such as a smartphone carried by the user or a wearable device, and an input device through which the user inputs his or her own attributes, etc. Examples of user attributes acquired by the attribute acquisition unit 50 include whether or not the user has low vision, whether or not the user uses a stroller or a cart, whether or not the user is carrying luggage, whether or not the user uses a wheelchair, etc.

[0030] For example, if a user has low vision, bringing their face close to the elevator control panel 1 is likely to cause erroneous registration. Alternatively, erroneous registration is likely to occur when the user attempts to operate the operation buttons 2 by relying on the audio announcement or the tactile sense around the elevator control panel 1. Therefore, if the user has low vision, it is recommended to lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a to prevent erroneous registration. Furthermore, users using strollers or carts and users carrying luggage are likely to have limited freedom of movement and are more likely to operate with shaky fingers. Therefore, if the user's hands are full, it is recommended to lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a to prevent erroneous registration. Furthermore, it is likely that wheelchair users' hands will shake when attempting to operate buttons located high up. Therefore, if the user is a wheelchair user, it is recommended to lower the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a to prevent erroneous registration. In this way, erroneous registration can be effectively prevented by adjusting the sensitivity of the touchless sensor 2a according to the user's attributes.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration for realizing the functions of the elevator operation panel 1 and the control system of the elevator system according to the first embodiment. The control system includes, for example, the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit 20 and the sensitivity adjustment unit 30. Each function of the control system 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. 7, a part of the processing circuit is formed as the dedicated hardware 600. Furthermore, in the example shown in FIG. 7, the processing circuit further includes the processor 601 and the memory 602 in addition to the dedicated hardware 600.

[0032] 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.

[0033] When the processing circuitry includes at least one processor 601 and at least one memory 602, each function of the control system is realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware.

[0034] The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in memory 602. The programs may be recorded on a computer-readable recording medium. 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.

[0035] In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the elevator operation panel 1 and the control system of the elevator system by using hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these. Note that each function of the control system 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 system may be implemented on a server or the like on an external network.

[0036] The elevator control panel and elevator system according to the present disclosure are used in elevators for transporting people.

[0037] REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1 elevator control panel, 2 operation button, 2a touchless sensor, 2b sensor, 10 registration determination unit, 20 incorrect registration frequency estimation unit, 30 sensitivity adjustment unit, 40 congestion detection unit, 50 attribute acquisition unit, 600 dedicated hardware, 601 processor, 602 memory

Claims

1. An elevator operation panel comprising: an operation button having a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor built in; an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit which estimates the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor by the operation button; and a sensitivity adjustment unit which adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor, wherein the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the higher the frequency of destination floor registration by contacting the operation button, the higher the frequency of erroneous registration of a destination floor by the operation button, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

2. An elevator operation panel comprising: an operation button having a non-contact touchless sensor and a contact sensor built in; an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit which estimates the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by the operation button; and a sensitivity adjustment unit which adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor, wherein the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by the operation button is increasing if the frequency of destination floors being registered by contact with the operation button is higher than a standard, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

3. An elevator control panel as described in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that an erroneous registration of a destination floor has occurred if a destination floor is registered by touching the operation button within a certain time period after a destination floor is registered by detection by the touchless sensor, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

4. An elevator operation panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a congestion detection unit which detects the degree of congestion in front of the operation button, and which disables simultaneous registration of multiple operation buttons when the degree of congestion detected by the congestion detection unit is equal to or higher than a threshold value.

5. An elevator operation panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising a congestion detection unit which detects the degree of congestion in front of the operation button, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor according to the degree of congestion detected by the congestion detection unit.

6. An elevator operation panel as described in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the congestion level detection unit detects the level of congestion in front of the operation button based on the weight inside the car in which the operation button is provided.

7. An elevator operation panel as described in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein the congestion detection unit detects the degree of congestion in front of the operation button by photographing the position in front of the operation button.

8. An elevator operation panel as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, further comprising an attribute acquisition unit that acquires attributes of a user standing in front of the operation button, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor according to the user attributes acquired by the attribute acquisition unit.

9. An elevator system comprising: an elevator operation panel having operation buttons with built-in non-contact touchless sensors and contact sensors; an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit that estimates the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by said operation buttons; and a sensitivity adjustment unit that adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor, wherein the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the higher the frequency of destination floor registration by contacting the operation button, the higher the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by said operation button, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

10. An elevator system comprising: an elevator operation panel having operation buttons with built-in non-contact touchless sensors and contact sensors; an erroneous registration frequency estimation unit for estimating the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by the operation buttons; and a sensitivity adjustment unit for adjusting the sensitivity of the touchless sensor, wherein the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit estimates that the frequency of erroneous registration of destination floors by the operation buttons is increasing if the frequency of destination floors being registered by touching the operation buttons is higher than a standard, and the sensitivity adjustment unit adjusts the sensitivity of the touchless sensor in accordance with the estimation result of the erroneous registration frequency estimation unit.

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