Control device

Abstract

A branch wire (211-215) is connected, by a crimp terminal, etc., to each existing wire (111-115) between respective operation buttons (101) provided in a car and an in-car operation panel (102) for receiving an operation signal from the respective operation buttons (101). A control unit (206) of an on-car control device (204) transmits, on the basis of information relating to an operation command for an operation button received by a communication unit (205) of the on-car control device (204) by wireless communication, an operation signal to the in-car operation panel (102) by using the branch wire (211-215) corresponding to the operation command. As a result, it is possible to realize an elevator that more easily and inexpensively allows use of a self-propelled robot through minimal improvement to an existing elevator system.

Description

control device

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device that controls operations performed by an elevator car occupant in the car by remote control instructions.

[0002] Inside the elevator car, users (passengers) can operate the car, such as moving it or opening and closing the doors, by operating, i.e., pressing or touching, operation buttons provided inside the car.

[0003] Specifically, by pressing or touching the button with the desired floor number inside the car, the car can be moved to that floor. In this way, to move the car to the desired floor, a passenger must enter the car and operate the operation button inside the car. In addition, by pressing or touching the "open" button, the door opening time can be extended. In addition, by pressing or touching the "close" button, the door can be closed.

[0004] Recently, there has been a technology for using a self-propelled robot to transport luggage and the like by having the robot ride in an elevator together with a passenger and move between floors of a building (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 to 4 listed below).

[0005] JP 2011-83144 A JP 2022-95724 A International Publication No. 2019 / 193718 International Publication No. 2019 / 193718

[0006] However, in the above-mentioned conventional technology, it is difficult for a robot to operate the operation buttons, so in order to move the robot to the desired floor, it is necessary to replace the elevator control panel with a robot-compatible control panel or to upgrade it to a robot-compatible control panel.The replaced or upgraded robot-compatible control panel then receives the movement request from the robot and controls the movement of the car.

[0007] This posed a problem in that it required a lot of time and money to carry out work such as replacing and improving the control panels for each elevator that the robot was to enter.

[0008] In order to solve the problems of the prior art described above, the object of the present invention is to provide a control device that can realize an elevator that enables the use of a self-propelled robot more simply and inexpensively.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the object, the control device of the present invention is a control device that controls operations performed by a user inside an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that branch wiring is connected to existing wiring between each operation button provided inside the car and an operation panel that receives operation signals from each operation button, and based on information regarding operation instructions for the operation buttons received by a receiving unit of the elevator from an external device via wireless communication, it transmits an operation signal to the operation panel using the branch wiring corresponding to the operation instruction.

[0010] Furthermore, the control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls operations performed by a user in an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that it has a connector provided between each operation button provided in the car and an operation panel that receives operation signals from the operation buttons, and that, based on information regarding operation instructions for the operation buttons received by a receiving unit of the elevator from an external device via wireless communication, it uses the connector to transmit operation signals for the operation buttons corresponding to the operation instructions to the operation panel.

[0011] Furthermore, the control device according to the present invention is a control device that controls operations performed by a user in an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that it has a pressing mechanism that presses each operation button individually near each operation button provided in the car, and that the pressing mechanism presses the operation button corresponding to the operation instruction based on information regarding the operation instruction for the operation button that a receiving unit of the elevator receives via wireless communication from an external device.

[0012] In addition, the control device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the external device is a server provided in a location remote from the elevator.

[0013] In addition, the control device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the external device is a monitoring device that is provided near the elevator and monitors the elevator.

[0014] In addition, in the control device according to the present invention, the external device is an autonomously traveling robot that uses the elevator.

[0015] According to the control device of the present invention, an elevator that enables the use of a self-propelled robot can be realized more simply and inexpensively with minimal improvements to an existing elevator system.

[0016] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of elevator car movement control. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator car movement control system including an on-car control device according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a robot. FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures of the robot. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures of a server in the elevator car movement control system. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures of a monitoring device in the elevator car movement control system. FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedures of the on-car control device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of an elevator car movement control system including an on-car control device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0017] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of a control device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0018] Figure 1 is an explanatory diagram showing an overview of elevator car movement control. In Figure 1, reference numeral 101 denotes operation buttons provided inside the elevator car where passengers board, reference numeral 102 denotes an in-car operation panel provided in the car, reference numeral 103 denotes a car control board provided on the car, and reference numeral 104 denotes a control panel provided in the elevator machine room or the like.

[0019] The operation buttons 101 are typically provided, for example, on both sides of the door inside the elevator car or on the wall of the car, at a predetermined height that allows the car occupant to operate them. The operation buttons 101 are composed of buttons indicating the number of the floor (desired floor) to which the occupant wishes to move (go up or down). In FIG. 1, a five-story building is assumed, and five buttons numbered "1" to "5" corresponding to each floor (first floor to fifth floor) are provided as the operation buttons 101. Although not shown, in addition to the five buttons numbered "1" to "5," other buttons such as an "open" button and a "close" button for opening and closing the door may also be provided.

[0020] Each of buttons "1" to "5" is connected to the car-mounted operation panel 102 via signal lines 111 to 115, respectively, and when a button is operated (for example, touched or pressed), the button operation signal (car call signal) is input in parallel to the car-mounted operation panel 102 via one of the signal lines 111 to 115 corresponding to the button.

[0021] The car control panel 102 is installed inside the elevator car. Specifically, it is installed at a location outside the car, away from the inner wall surface of the car, such as behind the operation buttons 101, and is not visible to users. The car control panel 102 receives operation signals from each button of the operation buttons 101 via signal lines 111 to 115.

[0022] The car internal operation panel 102 and the car control board 103 are connected by a wired signal line 116. Signal exchange between the car internal operation panel 102 and the car control board 103 is not limited to wired (signal line 116) and may be via wireless communication (for example, Wi-Fi (registered trademark) or the like).

[0023] Based on the operation signal received via signal lines 111 to 115, the car control panel 102 determines which of signal lines 111 to 115 the operation signal comes from, and based on the result of the determination, transmits the operation signal (car call signal) for the corresponding floor to the car control board 103 via signal line 116.

[0024] The car control board 103 is provided, for example, on the car and performs centralized control of car-related devices. Specifically, the car control board 103 performs controls within the car, such as determining which of the operation buttons 101 has been pressed, displaying information on a display in the car that indicates floors and directional arrows, controlling the door opening and closing motors, and understanding the status of safety switches.

[0025] The control panel 104 is connected to the car control board 103 by a wired signal line (for example, a tail cord 117), and transmits and receives signals to and from the car control board 103. The car control board 103 receives an operation signal (car call signal) from the car internal operation panel 102 via a signal line 116, and transmits the operation signal to the control panel 104 via the tail cord 117.

[0026] The control panel 104 drives and controls each component of the elevator. For example, the control panel 104 drives and controls the hoisting machine to move (raise and lower) the car. Although not shown, the control panel 104 may be connected via a network to a management server computer installed in a remote location from the elevator. In this case, the management server computer can monitor and remotely control the operation of the elevator via the control panel 104 by communicating with the control panel 104 wirelessly or via a wire.

[0027] The control panel 104 receives an operation signal (car call signal) via the tail cord 117 and controls the hoist based on the operation signal to move (raise or lower) the car to the corresponding floor. In this way, the car occupant can move the car to the desired floor by operating the operation button 101.

[0028] Next, the flow of elevator car movement control will be explained in more detail. For example, when a passenger presses button "5" among operation buttons 101 inside the car, the signal is input to car internal operation panel 102 via signal line 115. Car internal operation panel 102 sends a car call signal for "5" (fifth floor) to car control board 103 via wired signal line 116. Car control board 103 transmits a car call signal for the fifth floor to control panel 104 via tail cord 117. Control panel 104 receives the car call signal for the fifth floor and controls the elevation of the car, thereby moving the car to the fifth floor.

[0029] When button "4" of operation buttons 101 is pressed, the signal is input to car intermediate control panel 102 via signal line 114, and similarly, control is exercised to raise and lower the car to the fourth floor. When button "3" is pressed, the signal is input to car intermediate control panel 102 via signal line 113, when button "2" is pressed, the signal is input to car intermediate control panel 102 via signal line 112, and when button "1" is pressed, the car call signal is input to car intermediate control panel 102 via signal line 111 and sent to control panel 104 via car control board 103, and control panel 104 controls the raising and lowering of the car to the third, second, and first floors, respectively.

[0030] In this way, the car is moved to the desired floor by the occupant inside the car operating the operation button 101. Since buttons "1" to "5" of the operation button 101 and the car internal operation panel 102 are connected in parallel via signal lines 111 to 115, when two or more of buttons "1" to "5" of the operation button 101 are operated, for example, when buttons "2" and "4" are operated, operation signals are input from signal lines 112 and 114 to the car internal operation panel 102, and the car internal operation panel 102 sends a car call signal for "2" (second floor) and a car call signal for "4" (fourth floor) to the car control board 103 via signal line 116.

[0031] (Embodiment 1) Figure 2 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of an elevator car movement control system including an on-car control device according to embodiment 1 of the present invention. Note that components that are the same as those shown in Figure 1 are given the same reference numerals, and their description will be omitted.

[0032] In Figure 2, reference numeral 201 denotes a robot that can enter an elevator, reference numeral 202 denotes a server that remotely controls and manages multiple elevators, reference numeral 203 denotes a monitoring device installed near the elevator that monitors the elevator, reference numeral 204 denotes an on-car control device installed on the car, reference numeral 205 denotes a communication unit provided in the on-car control device 204, and reference numeral 206 denotes a control unit provided in the on-car device 204.

[0033] The robot 201 is, for example, a self-propelled autonomous transport robot that can move by itself, actually get into an elevator car, and move between floors of a building without relying on human intervention. A detailed description of the robot 201 will be given later with reference to FIG. 3.

[0034] The server 202 is an information processing device that is usually installed in a remote location away from the building where the elevator is installed, and that remotely monitors the operation of the elevator and distributes and collects various information. The server 202 may be the management server computer described above, or may be another information processing device.

[0035] In addition, the server 202 may be provided separately from a server for remotely monitoring the operation of such elevators, and may be a robot management server that controls and manages the robot 201 and exchanges information between the robot 201 and the elevator.

[0036] The server 202 is connected to the robot 201 via a wireless communication method such as LTE (Long Term Evolution), and can transmit and receive various information to and from the robot 201. The wireless communication method between the server 202 and the robot 201 is not limited to LTE, and may be wireless communication using other communication methods.

[0037] The monitoring device 203 can be realized by a so-called remote monitoring device that is attached near the elevator, for example, to a housing that houses the elevator control panel 104 or to the wall of the elevator shaft.

[0038] As shown in Figure 2, the monitoring device 203 is connected to the control panel 104, acquires signals (control signals) output from the control panel 104 to each part of the elevator, generates notification information (including information about the elevator's status and identification information of the elevator that is the sender of the notification information) based on the acquired control signals, and transmits the generated notification information to a management server computer (not shown in the figure) (the management server computer may be the server 202).

[0039] In this way, in the case of a relatively new elevator, the monitoring device 203 can obtain information from the control panel 104, and based on the obtained information, the monitoring device 203 can determine the car position, i.e., where the car is located in the elevator shaft.

[0040] However, in the case of a relatively old elevator, it may not be possible to obtain information from the control panel 104, and therefore the monitoring device 203 may not be able to reliably determine the car position. In such cases, the car position can be identified using, for example, UWB (Ultra-Wide Band) wireless communication. Specifically, a communication device (not shown) is installed at the top of the elevator shaft, and by using an ultra-wideband frequency bandwidth, the distance from the communication device to the car is measured, and the car position is identified based on the measured distance.

[0041] The monitoring device 203 has a wireless communication function, is connected to the server 202 by a wireless communication method such as LTE, and can transmit and receive various information such as operation signals and car position information to and from the server 202. The wireless communication method between the monitoring device 203 and the server 202 is not limited to LTE, and wireless communication using other communication methods may be used.

[0042] The on-car control device 204 is provided on the car, for example, near the car control board 103. Alternatively, the on-car control device 204 may be provided integrally with the car control board 103. The on-car control device 204 has a communication unit 205 and a control unit 206.

[0043] The on-car control device 204 can transmit and receive various information to and from the monitoring device 203 using the communication unit 205 via a short-range wireless communication method such as Wi-Fi. The communication between the communication unit 205 and the monitoring device 203 is not limited to Wi-Fi, and other wireless communication methods may be used, or communication may be performed via a wired connection.

[0044] The control unit 206 is connected to the communication unit 205 in the on-car control device 204 via a wired signal line or the like, and a signal received by the communication unit 205 is input via the communication line. The control unit 206 and the communication unit 205 may be formed as an integrated device (single housing) as the on-car control device 204, or the communication unit 205 may be provided as a communication device separate from the on-car control device 204.

[0045] The control unit 206 connects signal lines 211 to 215 individually to the signal lines 111 to 115 between the operation button 101 and the car-mounted operation panel 102, for example, using crimp terminals. In this way, branch wiring (signal lines 211 to 215) is connected to the existing wiring (signal lines 111 to 115) between the operation button 101 and the operation panel that receives the operation signals of each operation button. The control unit 206 can then transmit signals similar to the button operation signals (car call signals) transmitted when each button of the operation button 101 is operated to each signal line 111 to 115 via each signal line 211 to 215.

[0046] In this way, for example, when an operation signal is sent (output) from control unit 206 to signal line 211, the operation signal is input from the contact point between signal line 211 and signal line 111 via signal line 111 to car internal operation panel 102. When the signal is input, car internal operation panel 102 determines that an operation to call a car for the first floor has been performed and sends a signal to that effect via communication line 116 to car control board 103. Having received the signal, car control board 103 sends a signal related to the car call operation for the first floor to control panel 104 via tail code 117. This enables control panel 104 to perform an operation to move the car to the first floor.

[0047] Therefore, simply by sending an operation signal to signal line 211 from control unit 206 of on-car control device 204, the car can be moved to the first floor, just as if a passenger inside the car had operated button "1" of operation button 101, even if the passenger inside the car does not operate button "1" of operation button 101. When control unit 206 sends operation signals to signal lines 212 to 215, the car can also be moved to each floor (second to fifth floors) in the same way.

[0048] Next, the flow of the operation of the robot 201 will be described. Assume that the robot 201, which is on the first floor, moves to the desired floor, the fourth floor. First, information about the floor on which the robot 201 is currently located, i.e., the floor on which the robot wishes to board (the first floor), is input to the robot 201. The information about the floor on which the robot wishes to board may be manually input to the robot 201 directly by an operator using a touch panel, which will be described later, or may be input remotely by wireless communication. Furthermore, the information about the floor on which the robot 201 is currently located may be input to the robot 201 in advance, or the robot 201 itself may acquire information about the floor on which the robot is currently located.

[0049] When information regarding the desired floor (first floor) to board is input, the robot 201 transmits request information requesting the movement of the car to the floor (first floor) to the server 202. This request information includes information regarding the desired floor (first floor) to board, as well as ID information of the robot 201 itself and ID information of the elevator (car) to board.

[0050] When the server 202 receives request information from the robot 201, it identifies the corresponding elevator based on the request information, and sends operation command information to a monitoring device 203 installed near the identified elevator, including information about the desired floor (first floor) and the robot 201's ID information.

[0051] When the monitoring device 203 receives the operation command information, it transmits information regarding the desired boarding floor (first floor) to the communication unit 205 of the on-car control device 204. Having received the information regarding the desired boarding floor (first floor), the communication unit 205 passes the information regarding the desired boarding floor (first floor) to the control unit 206. The control unit 206 then sends an operation signal to the signal line 211 based on the information regarding the desired boarding floor (first floor).

[0052] This allows the car to be moved to the first floor, so that the robot 201 can get into the car on the first floor without manually operating the button "1" of the operation buttons 101 in the car or operating the call button at the boarding area on the first floor.

[0053] Next, after getting into the elevator car, the robot 201 transmits request information requesting movement to a desired floor (fourth floor) to the server 202. This request information includes information about the desired floor (fourth floor), as well as ID information of the robot 201 and ID information of the elevator that will move the car.

[0054] When the server 202 receives request information from the robot 201, it identifies the corresponding elevator based on the request information and transmits operation command information including information about the desired floor (fourth floor) and the ID information of the robot 201 to the monitoring device 203 installed near the identified elevator.

[0055] When the monitoring device 203 receives the operation command information, it transmits information about the desired floor (fourth floor) to the communication unit 205 of the on-car control device 204. Having received the information about the desired floor (fourth floor), the communication unit 205 passes the information about the desired floor (fourth floor) to the control unit 206. The control unit 206 then sends an operation signal to the signal line 214 based on the information about the desired floor (fourth floor).

[0056] As a result, the robot 201 that gets into the car on the first floor can move up to the fourth floor in the car and then get off the car at the fourth floor, so that the robot can move from the first floor to the fourth floor without manually operating an operation button.

[0057] (Configuration of Robot 201) Next, the configuration of the robot 201 will be described. Fig. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of the robot. In Fig. 3, reference numeral 301 denotes a robot body (housing), reference numeral 302 denotes a luggage placement space, reference numeral 303 denotes wheels, and reference numeral 304 denotes a display screen (touch panel).

[0058] Also, reference numeral 305 denotes a display control unit, 306 denotes an information input unit, 307 denotes a communication unit, 308 denotes an imaging unit, 309 denotes a driving control unit, 310 denotes a wheel drive unit, and 311 denotes a storage battery.

[0059] The robot body (housing) 301 is provided with a luggage placement space 302, where luggage, food, etc. can be placed and transported. Specifically, this robot 201 can be used in a hotel, for example, where the robot 201 can transport guests' luggage to guest rooms on each floor and deliver room service meals. In addition, even if the robot 201 is used in a building other than a hotel, it can be used to transport items between different floors of the building.

[0060] For this purpose, the robot body (casing) 301 is provided with a plurality of wheels 303, which enable the robot to move in any desired direction, including turning, over 360 degrees.

[0061] A lid member may also be provided in the luggage placement space 302. This lid member may be equipped with a locking mechanism to prevent theft or vandalism of luggage, etc., and may be designed so that only the owner of the luggage can unlock it using a personal identification number or the like.

[0062] The robot body (housing) 301 is also provided with a display screen 304. The robot body (housing) 301 is also provided with a camera that takes pictures of the surroundings of the robot 201, various sensors for grasping the situation around the robot 201, a speaker that outputs sound, and the like, all of which are not shown.

[0063] The dimensions of the robot 201 are not particularly limited, but it must be large enough to pass through the elevator car entrance when the elevator doors are open. Furthermore, since the robot 201 boards the elevator together with the passenger, it is desirable that the size of the robot 201 does not impede the passenger's entry when the robot 201 boards the elevator. The dimensions of the robot 201 can be optimized depending on the type and size of the luggage to be transported. Furthermore, the luggage placement space 302 can be adjustable depending on the type and size of the luggage.

[0064] The robot 201 includes hardware such as a CPU, memory, a communication interface, and an input / output interface, and realizes various functions such as a display control unit 305, an information input unit 306, a communication unit 307, an imaging unit 308, and a driving control unit 309.

[0065] The display control unit 305 can display various types of information using the display screen 304. The information input unit 306 realizes its functions using an input / output interface, and can accept input of information related to movement commands and various types of information by the operator touching the surface of the display screen 304 using, for example, the touch panel function of the display screen 304.

[0066] The communication unit 307 realizes its functions through a communication interface and can transmit information about the floor to which the elevator moves to an external device. It can also receive information about a movement command for the robot 201 transmitted by wireless communication from an external device, and information about the position of the elevator car that the robot 201 is to board.

[0067] The imaging unit 308 controls a camera (not shown) to capture images of the surroundings, and transmits the captured information to the outside via the communication unit 307, or to the traveling control unit 309. The traveling control unit 309 controls the wheel drive unit 310 to move (travel) the robot main body 301 based on movement commands received by the information input unit 306 or the communication unit 307. At that time, the robot 201 can be safely traveled by avoiding obstacles based on information from the imaging unit 308 and various sensors (not shown).

[0068] The wheel drive unit 310 realizes its function using a motor or the like. The wheel drive unit 310 can rotate the motor based on a control signal from the travel control unit 309 and transmit the rotation to the wheels 303. This allows the robot 301 to move.

[0069] The storage battery 311 is a rechargeable battery such as a lithium battery, and supplies power to each component of the robot 201. Although not shown, a charging station may be provided and the robot 201 may be moved there to charge the storage battery 311. The storage battery 311 may be a fuel cell that generates electricity using hydrogen, instead of a lithium battery.

[0070] 3, the robot 201 is self-propelled using wheels 303, but is not limited to this as long as it is self-propelled. Specifically, for example, it may be a bipedal humanoid robot or a quadrupedal walking animal-type robot.

[0071] (Processing Procedure of Robot 201) Next, the processing procedure of the robot 201 will be described. Fig. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the robot. In the flowchart of Fig. 4, the robot 201 determines whether or not an instruction to move to another floor has been input (step S401). Here, the robot 201 waits for the input of the movement instruction (step S401: No), and if the input of the movement instruction has been input (step S401: Yes), the robot 201 transmits information (current floor information) about the desired boarding floor, i.e., the floor where the robot 201 is currently located, to the server 202 (step S402).

[0072] The current floor information includes the identification information of the device itself (device itself ID) and the identification information of the elevator (car) to be moved (elevator ID). It may also include information indicating that the user is moving to the current floor. It may also include information regarding the desired boarding time (desired time = current time, desired time = yymmdd, hhmmss (year, month, day, hour, minute, second), or "7 minutes and 30 seconds from now," etc.).

[0073] Next, the robot 201 receives information (car position information) regarding which floor the elevator car is on from the server 202 (step S403), and determines whether the car has arrived at the current floor (the floor where the robot 201 is located) based on the received car position information (step S404).

[0074] Here, the robot waits for the car to arrive at the current floor (step S404: No), and if it is determined that the car has arrived at the current floor (step S404: Yes), the robot moves by itself and performs an operation for getting into the car (step S405), and also transmits information about the desired floor to which the robot 201 is to move (desired floor information) to the server 202 (step S406). As a result, the car door closes, and the car carrying the robot 201 starts moving.

[0075] The desired floor information includes identification information of the device itself (device ID) and identification information of the elevator to be moved (elevator ID). It may also include information indicating that the user is moving to the desired floor (car call).

[0076] Then, the robot 201 receives information (car position information) regarding which floor the elevator car is on from the server 202 (step S407), and determines whether the car has arrived at the desired floor (the floor to which the robot wishes to move) based on the received car position information (step S408).

[0077] Here, the robot 201 waits for the car to arrive at the desired floor (step S408: No), and if it determines that the car has arrived at the desired floor (step S408: Yes), the robot 201 confirms (using a camera, various sensors, etc.) that the door has opened, and then moves under its own power to dismount from the car (step S409), thereby completing the series of processes of the robot 201.

[0078] (Processing Procedure of Server 202) Next, the processing procedure of server 202 will be described. Fig. 5 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the server in the elevator car movement control system. In the flowchart of Fig. 5, server 202 determines whether or not it has received movement floor information from robot 201 (step S501).

[0079] The moving floor information is either the current floor information transmitted in step S402 or the desired floor information transmitted in step S406 shown in the flowchart of Figure 4. In step S501, the server 202 treats both the current floor information and the desired floor information transmitted from the robot 201 as moving floor information without distinguishing between them, but the transmitted information may be distinguished and treated as either the current floor information or the desired floor information. To enable the two to be distinguished, the information transmitted by the robot 201 may include information for identifying whether it is the current floor information or the desired floor information.

[0080] In step S501, the server 202 waits to receive the floor information (step S501: No), and if the information is received (step S501: Yes), the server 202 identifies the target elevator (step S502). The target elevator can be identified based on the elevator ID included in the received information.

[0081] Then, the server 202 transmits moving floor information (current floor information or desired floor information) to the monitoring device 203 of the identified elevator (step S503).

[0082] Thereafter, it is determined whether or not the basket position information has been received from the monitoring device 203 (step S504). Here, the server 202 waits for reception of the basket position information (step S504: No), and if the basket position information has been received (step S504: Yes), the server 202 transmits the received basket position information to the robot 201 (step S505). This ends the series of processes of the server 202.

[0083] (Processing Procedure of Monitoring Device 203) Next, the processing procedure of the monitoring device 203 will be described. Fig. 6 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the monitoring device in the elevator car movement control system. In the flowchart of Fig. 6, the monitoring device 203 determines whether or not it has received moving floor information from the server 202 (step S601). The moving floor information is information that the server 202 sent to the monitoring device 203 in step S503 of the flowchart of Fig. 5.

[0084] In step S601, the monitoring device 203 waits to receive the floor information to be moved (step S601: No), and if the information is received (step S601: Yes), it transmits the floor information to the car control device 204 (step S602).

[0085] Thereafter, the monitoring device 203 acquires the car's position information (step S603). Specifically, for example, information about the car's position (information about the car's location) can be acquired from the elevator control panel 104.

[0086] Furthermore, depending on the model of the elevator, the monitoring device 203 may not be able to acquire car position information from the elevator control panel 104. In that case, the monitoring device 203 identifies the car position using UWB wireless communication as described above.

[0087] The monitoring device 203 then transmits the acquired car position information to the server 202 (step S604). The car position information may be, for example, information about the current car position, or information indicating that the car has arrived at the floor to which the car is to be moved (or will soon arrive at the floor to which the car is to be moved). The car position information may be any information that, when received by the robot 201, enables the robot 201 to recognize that the car has arrived at the floor to which the car is to be moved. This completes the series of processes of the monitoring device 203.

[0088] (Processing Procedure of On-Car Control Device 204) Next, the processing procedure of the on-car control device 204 will be described. Fig. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the on-car control device of embodiment 1 according to the present invention. In the flowchart of Fig. 7, the on-car control device 204 determines whether the communication unit 205 has received movement floor information from the monitoring device 203 (step S701). The movement floor information is information transmitted by the monitoring device 203 to the on-car control device 204 in step S602 of the flowchart of Fig. 6.

[0089] In step S701, the car on-board control device 204 waits to receive the floor information to be moved (step S701: No), and if it has received the information (step S701: Yes), it identifies a signal line from among the signal lines 211 to 215 through which the control unit 206 will transmit an operation signal based on the received floor information to be moved (step S702), and transmits the operation signal from the identified signal line (step S703). This completes the series of processes of the car on-board control device 204.

[0090] As described above, the control device (on-car control device 204) of the first embodiment of the present invention is a control device 204 that controls operations performed by a user inside an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that branch wiring (signal lines 211 to 215) is connected to each of the existing wiring (signal lines 111 to 115) between each operation button 101 provided inside the car and the operation panel (in-car operation panel 102) that receives the operation signals of each operation button 101, and based on information related to an operation instruction for the operation button 101 received by a receiving unit (communication unit 205) of the elevator from an external device (such as the monitoring device 203, the server 202, the robot 201, or other communication terminal device) via wireless communication, the control device 204 transmits an operation signal to the operation panel (in-car operation panel 102) using the branch wiring (signal lines 211 to 215) corresponding to the operation instruction.

[0091] According to the control device (on-car control device 204) of embodiment 1 of the present invention, it is possible to perform a call operation using the robot 201, and to have the robot 201 enter the car and move the car to the desired floor without making any changes to the elevator configuration (operation buttons 101, in-car operation panel 102, car control board 103, control panel 104, etc.).

[0092] This makes it possible to realize an elevator that allows the use of self-propelled robots more simply and inexpensively with minimal modifications to existing elevator systems.

[0093] In the flowcharts shown in Figures 2 and 4 to 7, the car-mounted control device 204 is connected to the monitoring device 203, the monitoring device 203 is connected to the server 202, and the server 202 is connected to the robot, and they communicate with each other, but this configuration is not limited to this.

[0094] Specifically, for example, the car control device 204 may be configured to be directly connected to the server 202 or the robot 201 instead of being connected to the monitoring device 203. The communication method may be a wireless communication method such as LTE, or any other communication method. By configuring in this way, the moving floor information from the robot 201 can be transmitted to the car control device 204 more quickly.

[0095] 2 and 4 to 7, the basket position information acquired by the monitoring device 203 is transmitted to the server 202, but this is not limiting. Specifically, the monitoring device 203 can transmit the acquired basket position information directly to the robot 201 without going through the server 202. This allows the robot 201 to acquire the basket position information more quickly.

[0096] In addition, in the flowcharts shown in Figures 2 and 4 to 7, the robot 201 is configured to transmit the floor information to be moved, but this is not limited to the robot 201, and a personal computer or smartphone with communication function may be used instead of the robot 201.

[0097] Specifically, when the floor information is sent using a computer or smartphone, the on-car control device 204 receives the floor information via the server 202, the monitoring device 203, or directly, and the control unit 206 outputs an operation signal to predetermined signal lines 211 to 215, causing the car to move to the desired floor. This allows the elevator to be remotely controlled to move to a destination floor depending on the time, such as a floor with many users.

[0098] Furthermore, by transmitting information about the floor to be moved using a server or the like, it becomes possible to more easily perform group management of elevator car movements by installing an on-car control device 204 or the like, even for multiple types of elevators from different manufacturers.

[0099] (Embodiment 2) Figure 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an example of the configuration of a portion of an elevator car movement control system including an on-car control device according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Note that components that are the same as those shown in Figures 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals and their description will be omitted. Also, Figure 8 includes the same components (reference numerals 201 to 205) as those in Figure 2, but these are not shown.

[0100] In Figure 8, symbols 801 to 805 are connectors, symbols 811 to 815 are signal lines between the control unit 206 and the connectors 801 to 805, and symbols 821 to 825 are signal lines between the connectors 801 to 805 and the car operating panel 102.

[0101] Signal lines (existing wiring) 111 to 115 are connected by wire between each of operation buttons "1" to "5" and connectors 801 to 805, respectively, and signal lines 821 to 825 corresponding to each of signal lines 111 to 115 are connected between connectors 801 to 805 and car intermediate control panel 102. Therefore, when each button is operated (for example, touched or pressed), the button operation signal (car call signal) is input in parallel to car intermediate control panel 102 via signal lines 111 to 115 corresponding to each button → connectors 801 to 805 → each signal line 821 to 825.

[0102] Furthermore, signal lines 811 to 815 are connected by wire between the control unit 206 of the on-car control device 204 (not shown in FIG. 8) and each of the connectors 801 to 805. Therefore, when an operation signal is output from the control unit 206 to each of the signal lines 811 to 815, the operation signal passes through each of the signal lines 811 to 815 → connectors 801 to 805 → each of the signal lines 821 to 825, and is input in parallel to the car operation panel 102.

[0103] In this way, in the first embodiment, instead of the control unit 206 individually connecting the signal lines 211 to 215 with crimp terminals or the like to the signal lines 111 to 115 between the operation button 101 and the car internal operation panel 102, the control unit 206 can use the connectors 801 to 805 and the signal lines 811 to 815 similar to the signal lines 211 to 215 to send the operation signal from the control unit 206 to the car internal operation panel 102. Note that for the connectors 801 to 805, for example, branch harnesses or the like may be used.

[0104] In this way, for example, when an operation signal is sent (output) from control unit 206 to signal line 811, the operation signal is input from connector 801 to car internal operation panel 102 via signal line 821. When the signal is input, car internal operation panel 102 determines that an operation to call a car for the first floor has been performed and sends a signal to that effect via communication line 116 to car control board 103, and car control board 103 sends a signal related to the car call operation for the first floor to control panel 104 via tail code 117. This allows control panel 104 to perform an operation to move the car to the first floor.

[0105] Therefore, the car can be moved to the first floor by simply sending an operation signal from the control unit 206 of the on-car control device 204 to the signal line 811, in the same manner as if the occupant had operated the button "1" of the operation button 101 inside the car, even if the occupant inside the car had not operated the button "1" of the operation button 101. Similarly, the car can be moved to each floor (the second floor to the fifth floor) when the control unit 206 sends operation signals to the signal lines 812 to 815.

[0106] The other configurations are the same as those in the first embodiment, and therefore detailed description thereof will be omitted.

[0107] As described above, the control device 204 of the second embodiment of the present invention is a control device 204 that controls operations performed by a user in an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that it has connectors 801 to 805 provided between each operation button 101 provided in the car and an operation panel that receives operation signals from each operation button 101, and that the receiving unit (communication unit 205) of the elevator uses the connectors 801 to 805 to transmit operation signals of the operation buttons corresponding to the operation instructions to the operation panel (in-car operation panel 102) based on information regarding operation instructions for the operation buttons 101 received by wireless communication from an external device (such as the monitoring device 203, the server 202, the robot 201, or other communication terminal devices).

[0108] According to the control device 204 of the second embodiment of the present invention, as with the control device of the first embodiment, it is possible to perform a call operation using the robot 201, have the robot 201 enter the car, and move the car to the desired floor, without making any changes to the elevator configuration (operation buttons 101, car-mounted operation panel 102, car control board 103, control panel 104, etc.). This makes it possible to realize an elevator that allows the use of a self-propelled robot more simply and inexpensively, with minimal modifications to existing elevator systems. Furthermore, the use of connectors 801 to 805 allows for easy installation by simply plugging and unplugging.

[0109] Third Embodiment Although not shown in the drawings, the control unit 206 may be provided with a pressing mechanism provided near each operation button 101 provided inside the car, which presses each operation button 101 individually.

[0110] Specifically, this pressing mechanism includes, for example, an electromagnetic solenoid arm, and drives the electromagnetic solenoid arm in response to an operation signal from the control unit 206, and generates a car call signal by pressing each operation button 101 with the tip of the arm.

[0111] Multiple electromagnetic solenoid arms (the same number as the buttons) may be provided for each of the operation buttons 101, and a moving mechanism may also be provided to move one or more electromagnetic solenoid arms, so that the electromagnetic solenoid arms are moved to the position of the desired button and then the button is pressed by the tip of the arm.

[0112] As described above, the control device 204 of the third embodiment of the present invention is a control device 204 that controls operations performed by a user in an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that it has a pressing mechanism that is provided near each operation button 101 provided in the car and that presses each operation button 101 individually, and that based on information regarding an operation instruction for the operation button 101 that a receiving unit (communication unit 205) of the elevator receives by wireless communication from an external device (such as the monitoring device 203, the server 202, the robot 201, or other communication terminal device), the pressing mechanism presses the operation button 101 that corresponds to the operation instruction.

[0113] As a result, simply by installing the pressing mechanism near the operation button 101, there is no need to perform branch wiring as in the first embodiment. Also, there is no need to use a connector as in the second embodiment. Therefore, such construction work is not required. Furthermore, each button can be physically pressed or contacted with the tip of the electromagnetic solenoid arm, so that the car call signal can be generated more reliably.

[0114] (Embodiment 4) Although not shown in the figures, the control unit 206 may be provided with a capacitance switch provided near each operation button 101 provided inside the car, which changes the individual capacitance of each operation button 101.

[0115] Specifically, for example, when each operation button 101 is an electrostatic touch switch, this capacitance switch may be a circuit attached to the electrostatic touch button, which is adjusted to make the electrostatic switch react, and by sending a signal to the circuit, the capacitance can be changed and each operation button 101 can be operated.

[0116] As described above, the control device 204 of the fourth embodiment of the present invention is a control device 204 that controls operations performed by a user in an elevator car by remote operation instructions, and is characterized in that it has a capacitance switch attached to each operation button 101 provided in the car, and changes the capacitance of the capacitance switch attached to the operation button 101 corresponding to the operation instruction based on information related to the operation instruction for the operation button 101 received by a receiving unit (communication unit 205) of the elevator from an external device (such as the monitoring device 203, the server 202, the robot 201, or other communication terminal device) via wireless communication.

[0117] This eliminates the need for branch wiring as in embodiment 1. It also eliminates the need for connectors as in embodiment 2. Furthermore, since the capacitance switch can perform the same function as pressing or touching each button, when each operation button 101 is an electrostatic touch switch, it is possible to more reliably generate a car call signal.

[0118] As described above, the control device of the present invention is useful as a control device that controls operations performed by a user inside an elevator car using remote control instructions, and is suitable as a control device that controls the movement of a car in an elevator used by a self-propelled robot.

[0119] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101 Operation button 102 In-car operation panel 103 Car control board 104 Control panel 111 Signal line (call signal line for operation button "1" (1st floor)) 112 Signal line (call signal line for operation button "2" (2nd floor)) 113 Signal line (call signal line for operation button "3" (3rd floor)) 114 Signal line (call signal line for operation button "4" (4th floor)) 115 Signal line (call signal line for operation button "5" (5th floor)) 116 Signal line (signal line between in-car operation panel and car control board) 117 Signal line (tail cord between car control board and control panel) 201 Robot 202 Server 203 Monitoring device (remote monitoring device) 204 On-car control device 205 Communication unit 206 Control unit 211 Signal line (branch wiring of signal line 111) 212 Signal line (branch wiring of signal line 112) 213 Signal line (branch wiring of signal line 113) 214 Signal line (branch wiring of signal line 114) 215 Signal line (branch wiring of signal line 115) 301 Robot body (housing) 302 Luggage placement space 303 Wheels 304 Display screen (touch panel) 305 Display control unit 306 Information input unit 307 Communication unit 308 Imaging unit 309 Travel control unit 310 Wheel drive unit 311 Storage battery 801 to 805 Connectors 811 to 815 Signal lines (signal lines between the control unit and connector) 821 to 825 Signal lines (signal lines between the connector and the car inner operation panel)

Claims

1. A control device that controls operations performed by users inside an elevator car through remote operation instructions, characterized in that it connects branch wiring to existing wiring between each operation button provided inside the car and an operation panel that receives operation signals from each operation button, and transmits an operation signal to the operation panel using the branch wiring corresponding to the operation instruction based on information related to the operation instruction for the operation button received by a receiving unit of the elevator from an external device via wireless communication.

2. A control device that controls operations performed by users inside an elevator car through remote operation instructions, comprising a connector provided between each operation button provided inside the car and an operation panel that receives operation signals from each operation button, and using the connector, transmits to the operation panel an operation signal for the operation button corresponding to the operation instruction based on information regarding the operation instruction for the operation button received by a receiving unit of the elevator from an external device via wireless communication.

3. A control device that controls operations performed by users in an elevator car through remote operation instructions, comprising a pressing mechanism that presses each operation button individually near each operation button provided in the car, and wherein a receiving unit of the elevator receives information regarding an operation instruction for one of the operation buttons via wireless communication from an external device, and the pressing mechanism presses the operation button corresponding to the operation instruction.

4. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external device is a server installed in a location remote from the elevator.

5. A control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external device is a monitoring device provided in the vicinity of the elevator and monitoring the elevator.

6. The control device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the external device is an autonomous robot that utilizes the elevator.

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