Management system

Abstract

Provided is a management system capable of improving convenience of a building user.　The management system according to an embodiment manages a standby space in which an object to be transported by an elevator stands by. The management system includes: a first acquisition means for acquiring object information on the object; and a first reservation means for reserving, on the basis of congestion information of the elevator, the standby space in which the object indicated by the object information stands by.

Description

Management System

[0001] The present invention relates to a management system.

[0002] In buildings such as high-rise buildings, multiple elevators may be installed for different purposes, such as elevators for general passengers, elevators for VIPs (Very Important Persons), elevators for cargo handling, etc. Furthermore, various proposals have been made regarding elevators, such as elevators with multiple cars, with the aim of improving the transport capacity of elevators (for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] Patent No. 5477387

[0004] However, even with the double-deck elevator group control device disclosed in Patent Document 1, buildings equipped with elevators have various problems. Because elevators penetrate each floor, the elevators account for a large proportion of the total floor area of ​​the building, and an increase in the number of elevators increases the burden on the overall building plan and significantly restricts the degree of freedom in the floor plan of each floor.

[0005] Furthermore, the demand for cargo handling is likely to increase due to the increasing frequency of deliveries to each tenant and the integration of restaurant tenants. Therefore, while there is a need to reduce the number of elevators in order to reduce the burden on the total floor area of ​​the building and increase the flexibility of floor planning for each floor, there is also a demand for improved convenience in cargo handling and for elevators to transport items in an environment suitable for each item.

[0006] Therefore, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a management system that can improve the convenience of building users.

[0007] A management system according to one embodiment manages a waiting space for an object transported by an elevator, and includes a first acquisition unit that acquires object information relating to the object, and a first reservation unit that reserves the waiting space for the object indicated by the object information based on elevator congestion information.

[0008] The management system may further include a second reservation means for reserving the elevator to transport the object indicated by the object information based on the congestion information, and an elevator control means for controlling the elevator based on the reservation information of the elevator reserved by the second reservation means.

[0009] The management system may further include a third reservation means for reserving a first vehicle for transporting the object based on reservation information for the waiting space reserved by the first reservation means. The management system may further include a second acquisition means for acquiring arrival information of the first vehicle reserved by the third reservation means, and the elevator control means may control the elevator based on the arrival information.

[0010] The elevator may include an upper car and a lower car connected to the upper car, and the lower car may transport an object different from the object transported by the upper car. The elevator may be configured so that at least one of the upper car and the lower car is interchangeable, and the elevator control means may exchange the upper car or the lower car based on elevator reservation information and object information.

[0011] The first reservation unit may specify a time when the waiting space can be reserved based on the congestion information and output the time when the waiting space can be reserved to a user terminal. The management system may further include an adjustment unit that adjusts reservations for transporting a plurality of the objects collectively based on the plurality of object information stored in a database.

[0012] The management system may further include a fourth reservation means for reserving a second vehicle different from the first vehicle based on reservation information for the waiting space reserved by the first reservation means, and the second vehicle may transport the object to be transported by the first vehicle between the waiting space and the interior of the building in which the waiting space is located.

[0013] The management system may further include a transport vehicle control unit that controls the second vehicle based on reservation information of the second vehicle reserved by the fourth reservation unit. The second vehicle may transport the object transported by the first vehicle between the waiting space and a building different from the building.

[0014] The management system may further include a third acquisition means for acquiring information about the surroundings of the second vehicle, and the third acquisition means may output the acquired information about the surroundings of the second vehicle to a user terminal.

[0015] The object information may include at least one of a quantity, a mass, a type, and a size of the object. The congestion information may include reservation information of the elevator reserved by the second reservation unit.

[0016] The congestion information may further include at least one of information regarding the elevator's busy hours, a calendar, weather, moving, construction, and events. The waiting space reservation information may include at least one of identification information for identifying the waiting space and a reservation time for the reserved waiting space.

[0017] The elevator reservation information may include at least one of identification information for identifying a car of the elevator, a type of car of the elevator, and a reservation time of the elevator. The object may be at least one of baggage and a VIP.

[0018] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a management system that can improve the convenience of building users.

[0019] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the elevator shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information stored in a first database. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in a second database. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management system according to the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a display unit of a user terminal. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system according to a second embodiment. FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an example of processing in the management system according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system according to a third embodiment. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the elevator shown in FIG. 11.

[0020] Hereinafter, each embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The management system according to each embodiment is a management system that manages elevators, waiting spaces where objects transported by the elevators wait, and vehicles transporting the objects. In other words, the elevators, waiting spaces, and vehicles are managed collectively by the management system.

[0021] [First embodiment] Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 2 is a schematic perspective view of the elevator 1 shown in Fig. 1. The management system 100 includes a control device 2 that controls the operation of the elevator 1, and a server 3. The control device 2 and the server 3 are connected to each other via a network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0022] First, the building BLD in which the elevator 1 is installed will be described.

[0023] The building BLD is, for example, a commercial facility. The building BLD has ground floors 1F to 10F above the ground G and basements B1 and B2 below the ground G. The ground floors 1F to 10F and basements B1 and B2 of the building BLD are not limited to this example.

[0024] Of the floors, floors occupied by hotels are called hotel floors, floors occupied by restaurants are called restaurant floors, floors occupied by offices are called office floors, and floors occupied by museums, art galleries, etc. are called exhibition floors. Hotels, restaurants, offices, museums, art galleries, etc. in a building are sometimes collectively called tenants. Note that different types of tenants (for example, offices and art galleries) may occupy the same floor, but this will not be explained here.

[0025] The building BLD includes various floors such as an office floor, a restaurant floor, a hotel floor, etc. The restaurant floor, the hotel floor, etc. are located on higher floors than the office floors, for example.

[0026] In the example shown in Figure 1, a goods handling space 10 is provided in the basement B2 of the building BLD. However, the location of the goods handling space 10 is not limited to this example. The goods handling space 10 corresponds to an example of a waiting space. For example, a manager may stay in the goods handling space 10.

[0027] The material handling space 10 is, for example, a space for material handling in the building BLD. However, the material handling space 10 may also be a space for material handling in a plurality of buildings including the building BLD and buildings adjacent to the building BLD. In this case, the material handling space 10 serves as a shared material handling space for the surrounding area including the building BLD.

[0028] Cargo handling refers to the transportation of cargo (shown as cargo O in FIG. 1) and the work involved. Carrying cargo includes carrying it in and out. Carrying in cargo corresponds to moving cargo from outside the building BLD to inside the building BLD, and carrying out cargo corresponds to moving cargo from inside the building BLD to outside the building BLD.

[0029] The vehicle V1 for transporting luggage transports luggage, for example, through the luggage handling space 10. In this embodiment, the vehicle V1 corresponds to an example of a first vehicle. The vehicle V1 is, for example, a truck or a garbage truck having a luggage compartment for loading luggage. The vehicle V1 may be, for example, a refrigerated truck or a freezer truck depending on the characteristics of the luggage. The vehicle V1 is driven by, for example, a driver. However, the vehicle V1 may also be an autonomous vehicle.

[0030] Note that there are various types of self-driving vehicles, including fully self-driving vehicles that can run automatically without the need for human operation, and partially self-driving vehicles that can run automatically under specific environments and can be switched to human driving. Therefore, there may be cases where a driver is not on board the vehicle V1 entering and leaving the loading and unloading space 10.

[0031] The cargo handling space 10 has a luggage space 20 and a parking space 30. The luggage space 20 is a space for waiting luggage. The parking space 30 is a space for parking a vehicle V1 for transporting luggage. The parking space 30 may also include a work space for a driver, a forklift, or the like to load and unload luggage onto and from the vehicle V1.

[0032] The luggage space 20 and the parking space 30 each have, for example, a plurality of sections 200, 300. Each of the sections 200 in the luggage space 20 has a luggage space number, which is identification information for identifying the section. At least one piece of luggage can be kept waiting in one section 200. Each of the sections 300 in the parking space 30 has a parking space number, which is identification information for identifying the section.

[0033] The waiting time for luggage in the section 200 of the luggage space 20 is changed as appropriate depending on the type of luggage, etc. The luggage may be kept waiting in the section 200 for a certain period of time in order to be transported together (joint delivery) by the elevator 1 or the vehicle V1. The section 200 of the luggage space 20 may include a section dedicated to waste. In this case, the section may have a function of refrigerating the waste to prevent the waste from decaying and generating unpleasant odors.

[0034] The building BLD includes at least one elevator 1. In the example shown in Fig. 1, the building BLD includes a plurality of (e.g., three) elevators 1. As an example, the plurality of elevators 1 are each installed in an elevator shaft 4 that passes through each floor from the basement B2 to the ground floor 10F.

[0035] As another example, a plurality of elevators 1 may be installed as a group in one elevator shaft 4. Specifically, in a high-rise building, elevators for low, middle, and high floors may be organized into an elevator group, and the elevator group may be installed in one elevator shaft 4.

[0036] The elevator shaft 4 is installed appropriately according to the number of elevators 1 to be installed. The elevators 1 can get on and off at all of the ground floors 1F to 10F and the basements B1 and B2. However, the elevators 1 may be able to get on and off only at specific floors, such as the upper floors and the basements B1 and B2.

[0037] 1 and 2, the elevator 1 includes an upper car 6, a lower car 7, and a connecting mechanism 8 that connects the upper car 6 and the lower car 7. Various mechanisms can be applied to the connecting mechanism 8.

[0038] The elevator 1 stops at different floors for the upper car 6 and the lower car 7. For example, when the upper car 6 stops at ground floor 8F, the lower car 7 stops at ground floor 7F. Each of the upper car 6 and the lower car 7 has a car number, which is identification information for identifying them.

[0039] As shown in Fig. 2, the upper car 6 and the lower car 7 have doors 61 and 71, respectively. The door 61 of the upper car 6 and the door 71 of the lower car 7 are provided so that, for example, the entrances and exits are located at different positions on each floor.

[0040] Therefore, in the elevator 1, a boarding and alighting location FL for the upper car 6 and a boarding and alighting location FL for the lower car 7 are separated. In the example shown in Fig. 2, the door 61 of the upper car 6 is provided at a position opposite to the door 71 of the lower car 7, but this is not limited to this example.

[0041] Users of the building BLD include people who visit the building BLD, such as general users, special users such as VIPs, tenant employees, and delivery personnel who collect and deliver packages (for example, the driver of vehicle V1).

[0042] In this embodiment, it is assumed that the upper car 6 transports general users and the lower car 7 transports baggage. General users correspond to an example of an object transported by the elevator 1 using the upper car 6, and baggage corresponds to an example of an object transported by the elevator 1 using the lower car 7. In this embodiment, the elevator 1 transports different objects in the upper car 6 and the lower car 7.

[0043] When transporting luggage, a person transporting the luggage (such as an employee of the tenant or the driver of the vehicle V1) may ride in the lower car 7. When a general user is riding in the upper car 6, luggage may be placed in the lower car 7.

[0044] The cargo includes items that are regularly transported, items that are transported only at specific times, items that require special care when transporting, etc. However, the cargo is not limited to these examples and includes general items that are transported by the elevator 1.

[0045] Items that are regularly transported include, for example, laundry, bedding, food ingredients, beverages, garbage, bottles, and other waste on hotel and restaurant floors, and office supplies, documents, mail, and other documents and parcels on office floors.

[0046] Examples of items that are transported only at specific times include items related to tenant relocation, company exhibits and printed materials in preparation for an exhibition, construction materials, tools, and waste materials for a floor under construction, etc. The timing may be a specific day or a specific time period.

[0047] Items that require special consideration during transportation include exhibits on exhibition floors in museums and art galleries, ice sculptures at events, musical instruments, etc.

[0048] As described above, the boarding and alighting location FL for the upper car 6 and the boarding and alighting location FL for the lower car 7 are separated. This allows general users to avoid waiting for the elevator 1 at the same boarding and alighting location FL as baggage or people carrying baggage.

[0049] When a plurality of elevators 1 are provided in the building BLD, the objects to be transported by the lower cars 7 may be determined in advance. For example, the object of one lower car 7 of the plurality of elevators 1 may be a VIP, and the objects of the remaining lower cars 7 may be luggage. Depending on the object, the door 71 of the lower car 7 may be provided at a different entrance / exit position on each floor.

[0050] The control device 2 controls the operation of the plurality of elevators 1. For example, the control device 2 controls an elevator drive device (hoisting machine) that raises and lowers the upper car 6 and the lower car 7, an opening and closing device that opens and closes the doors, and the like, which are not shown.

[0051] The control device 2 is configured by a computer including a processor such as a CPU, storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM, an interface with the outside, etc. The control device 2 realizes various processes by the processor executing computer programs stored in the storage device.

[0052] As an example, a control device 2 is provided for each of the plurality of elevators 1. In this case, the control devices 2 of the plurality of elevators 1 operate in coordination with each other. As another example, one control device 2 is provided for each of the plurality of elevators 1. Information relating to the position of the elevator 1 is transmitted by the control device 2 to the server 3 side, and is constantly updated to the latest state at appropriate time intervals.

[0053] The server 3 is configured by a computer including a processor such as a CPU, storage devices such as a ROM and a RAM, an interface with the outside, etc. The server 3 may be provided inside the building BLD or outside the building BLD. The server 3 may also be a server included in a cloud system.

[0054] The server 3 includes a control unit 31, a first database 33, and a second database 35. The control unit 31 is realized, for example, by a processor executing a computer program stored in a storage device.

[0055] The server 3 stores information about the elevator 1, information about the baggage space 20, information about the parking space 30, and information about the vehicle V1 in a storage device (not shown). The information about the elevator 1 includes the number of the elevator 1, the car number, etc.

[0056] The information about the luggage space 20 includes the number of sections 200 in the luggage space 20, the luggage space number, the size (e.g., depth, width) of the section 200, the quantity of luggage that can wait in the section 200, the total mass of luggage that can wait in the section 200, etc. The information about the parking space 30 includes the number of sections 300 in the parking space 30, the parking space number, the size (e.g., depth, width, height) of the section 300, the type of vehicle V1 that can be parked, whether the section 300 has facilities for charging the vehicle V1, etc. The information about the vehicle V1 includes the number of vehicles V1, the size of the vehicle V1, the functions that the vehicle V1 has, etc.

[0057] The first database 33 and the second database 35 may be stored in a storage device different from the server 3. In this embodiment, the information stored in the first database 33 and the second database 35 corresponds to congestion information of the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1. The congestion information is information for managing and predicting congestion of the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1.

[0058] The first database 33 stores reservation information reserved by the control unit 31 of the management system 100. Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of reservation information stored in the first database 33. Fig. 3 shows one row of data (record) among a plurality of pieces of reservation information (table).

[0059] The reservation information includes a reservation number which is identification information for identifying each reservation, date information indicating the date the reservation was made, a user number which is identification information for identifying the user who made the reservation, reservation information 41 for elevator 1, reservation information 43 for baggage space 20, reservation information 45 for parking space 30, baggage information 47, the floor to which the baggage will be transported, the arrival time when vehicle V1 arrived at parking space 30, the completion time when baggage handling was completed, a flag indicating the completion of baggage handling, etc. The baggage information 47 corresponds to an example of object information.

[0060] Hereinafter, the reservation information 43 for the luggage space 20 and the reservation information 45 for the parking space 30 may be collectively referred to as the reservation information for the luggage handling space 10. The reservation information described above is linked to an assigned reservation number and stored in the first database 33.

[0061] The date information is, for example, the date on which the reservation is made (e.g., year, month, and day). The reservation information 41 for the elevator 1 includes the car number, the type of car, and the reservation time for the elevator 1. Hereinafter, the time reserved by the management system 100 has a certain range. The range may be, for example, in units of 1 minute, 5 minutes, 10 minutes, 15 minutes, 20 minutes, 30 minutes, or 1 hour, but is not limited to these examples. The range may be determined in advance based on trends in cargo that are influenced by the type of cargo, the type of work, the purpose of the building BLD, the type of tenants occupying the building, etc.

[0062] The reservation information 43 for the luggage space 20 includes the luggage space number and the reservation time for the luggage space 20. The reservation information 45 for the parking space 30 includes the parking space number, the reservation time for the parking space 30, and the vehicle number, which is identification information for identifying the reserved vehicle V1.

[0063] The luggage information 47 includes the quantity, mass, type, and size of luggage. Examples of luggage types include the above-mentioned items that are regularly transported, items that are transported only at specific times, and items that require special care during transportation. However, the information included in these is not limited to the above examples.

[0064] The second database 35 stores information different from reservation information. The information stored in the second database 35 is information related to factors that affect cargo handling. Figure 4 is a diagram showing an example of information stored in the second database 35.

[0065] The second database 35 contains information regarding the busy times of each elevator 1, calendars, weather, tenant relocations, construction work within the building BLD, and events held in or near the building BLD (for example, local festivals and associated traffic restrictions near the building BLD).

[0066] The information about busy times includes information about times when elevator 1 is heavily used. Examples of times when elevator 1 is heavily used include the times when general users arrive and depart from office floors, peak times for deliveries to tenants, and times when elevators going up are used immediately before the start of a large meeting. The information about the calendar includes the year, month, date, day of the week, holidays, days when tenants are closed, etc.

[0067] Weather-related information includes daily weather forecasts, etc. Moving-related information includes the moving date, moving time, required time for moving, floor to which the move will occur, etc. associated with tenants moving in and out of the store. Event-related information includes the type of event, the time of the event, etc. The second database 35 may also include other information.

[0068] The management system 100 appropriately updates the first database 33 and the second database 35. The first database 33 is updated, for example, when the management system 100 processes a reservation and completes a task.

[0069] The various information stored in the second database 35 may be updated at predetermined times, may be updated in real time, or may be updated as appropriate in response to the acquisition of information from various terminals (e.g., the user terminal described below).

[0070] 1 , the management system 100 may further include a tenant terminal 81. The tenant terminal 81 is communicably connected to the server 3 via the network N. At least one tenant terminal 81 is installed for each tenant on each floor, for example.

[0071] The tenant terminal 81 is, for example, a portable tablet terminal. Fig. 1 shows the tenant terminal 81 installed in a tenant on the ninth ground floor. The tenant terminal 81 is operated, for example, by an employee of the tenant.

[0072] 1, the management system 100 may further include a goods handling space terminal 83. The goods handling space terminal 83 is connected to the server 3 via the network N so as to be able to communicate with each other.

[0073] At least one material handling space terminal 83 is installed in the material handling space 10. The material handling space terminal 83 is, for example, a portable tablet terminal. The material handling space terminal 83 is operated by, for example, the manager of the material handling space 10 or the driver of the vehicle V1 to input necessary information and to provide these operators with the reservation status, reservation information for the material handling space 10, and the like.

[0074] 1, the management system 100 may further include a vehicle terminal 85. The vehicle terminal 85 is communicably connected to the server 3 via the network N. One vehicle terminal 85 is installed in the vehicle V1, for example. The vehicle terminal 85 is operated by, for example, the driver of the vehicle V1.

[0075] In this embodiment, the tenant terminal 81, the cargo handling space terminal 83, and the vehicle terminal 85 correspond to examples of user terminals. The tenant terminal 81, the cargo handling space terminal 83, and the vehicle terminal 85 are configured by computers that include, for example, a processor such as a CPU, storage devices such as ROM and RAM, and interfaces with the outside. The tenant terminal 81, the cargo handling space terminal 83, and the vehicle terminal 85 realize various processes by having the processor execute computer programs stored in the storage device.

[0076] In the management system 100, the information stored in the first database 33 and the second database 35 can be viewed by the tenant terminal 81, the cargo handling space terminal 83, the vehicle terminal 85, etc. The reservation information stored in the first database 33 may be viewable as the reservation status for each elevator 1, baggage space 20, and parking space 30, for example.

[0077] This allows tenant employees, the manager of the cargo handling space 10, the driver of the vehicle V1, and the like to use the reservation information to check whether the management system 100 is operating smoothly as intended, such as the availability and congestion of the elevator 1, vehicle V1, and cargo handling space 10, whether the scheduled vehicle V1 has arrived as scheduled, and whether the vehicle V1 has departed.

[0078] The management system 100 has the following functions to manage the elevator 1, the cargo handling space 10, and the vehicle V1: [F1] A function to acquire baggage information 47 related to the baggage. [F2] A function to reserve the cargo handling space 10 for waiting the baggage indicated by the baggage information 47 based on congestion information. [F3] A function to reserve the elevator 1 to transport the baggage indicated by the baggage information 47 based on congestion information. [F4] A function to reserve the vehicle V1 to transport the baggage based on the reservation information of the reserved cargo handling space 10. [F5] A function to acquire arrival information of the reserved vehicle V1. [F6] A function to control the elevator 1 based on the reservation information of the reserved elevator 1. [F7] A function to acquire information on the completion of cargo handling.

[0079] Functions F1 to F7 configure the reservation system in the management system 100. Note that the objects managed by the management system 100 are not limited to the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1, and other elements may also be managed.

[0080] 5 and 6 are flowcharts showing an example of processing in the management system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram showing an example of the display unit DS of the user terminal.

[0081] 5 and 6, an example in which functions F1 to F7 in the management system 100 are implemented by the control unit 31 of the server 3 will be described. Here, assuming the removal of luggage from a tenant, the processing of a reservation and the processing of the date and time when the reservation is made will be described.

[0082] The following describes an example in which the reservation process and the processing of the reservation date and time are carried out without any problems, but there may be cases in which the reservation is changed or canceled, the arrival of vehicle V1 is delayed, etc. Such processing that affects changes in reservation information is carried out by interrupting the flowcharts shown in Figures 5 and 6, but since there is no change in the reservation processing flow, a description thereof will be omitted here.

[0083] [Reservation Processing] An employee of the tenant operates the tenant terminal 81 to input the package information 47 of the package to be removed. The employee may also input the desired time of removal (e.g., morning, afternoon). As a result, the control unit 31 of the server 3 acquires the package information 47 from the tenant terminal 81 (step S101). The processing in step S101 corresponds to function F1.

[0084] Based on the congestion information, the control unit 31 reserves the cargo handling space 10 for waiting the baggage indicated by the baggage information 47 (step S102). The reservation of the cargo handling space 10 includes reserving, for example, each of the section 200 of the baggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30. The processing in step S102 corresponds to function F2.

[0085] In step S102, when the control unit 31 acquires the luggage information 47, it identifies the section 200 of the luggage space 20 that can be reserved based on the congestion information.

[0086] The control unit 31 outputs the reservation available times for the identified section 200 to the tenant terminal 81. For example, upon acquiring the information, the tenant terminal 81 displays the reservation available times for the identified section 200 on the display unit DS. In FIG. 7 , three reservation available times are displayed on the display unit DS (e.g., a display). The displayed time widths may be different or the same. Here, the user terminal corresponds to the tenant terminal 81.

[0087] If there are multiple reservation times available, the employee selects one desired time from the multiple times. When the employee selects the desired time, the control unit 31 acquires information about the selected time from the tenant terminal 81. As a result, the control unit 31 reserves a section 200 in the luggage space 20 for waiting luggage at the selected time.

[0088] Next, the control unit 31 identifies and reserves the section 300 of the parking space 30 that can be reserved based on the time when the section 200 of the luggage space 20 is reserved. This determines the section 200 of the luggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30. As a result, the processing of step S102 in the control unit 31 is completed.

[0089] An example will be described in which the control unit 31 identifies the section 200 of the luggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30 based on the congestion information.

[0090] The control unit 31 identifies the section 200 of the baggage space 20 and the time available for reservation, for example, based on the congestion information of the elevator 1. Specifically, the control unit 31 extracts the car number and the elevator reservation time of the elevator 1 having that car included in the reservation information 41 of the elevator 1 stored in the first database 33, and thereby identifies the lower car 7 of the elevator 1 that has no reservation and the time available for reservation.

[0091] Furthermore, the control unit 31 determines whether or not there is space available in the compartment 200 of the luggage space 20 based on the identified time.

[0092] The control unit 31 determines whether there is vacancy in the section 200 of the luggage space 20, for example, by extracting the luggage space number and the luggage space reservation time of the luggage space 20 contained in the reservation information 43 of the luggage space 20 stored in the first database 33.

[0093] The time determined to be available is a time that avoids the time when the elevator 1 is congested, and can be a candidate time when the section 200 of the baggage space 20 can be reserved. In other words, it is a time when baggage can be transported by the elevator 1. This makes it possible to notify the user of the time that avoids the congested time via the tenant terminal 81. At least one time needs to be specified, and two or more times may be specified.

[0094] The control unit 31 may further identify candidate times to output to the tenant terminal 81 based on information regarding factors that affect cargo handling stored in the second database 35 during times when the section 200 of the identified luggage space 20 is not reserved.

[0095] For example, the control unit 31 extracts peak times for general users contained in the congestion information stored in the second database 35, moving times contained in the information regarding moving, and event times contained in the information regarding events.

[0096] If the time when the identified section 200 of the luggage space 20 has no reservations does not overlap with the time extracted from the second database 35, the control unit 31 outputs the identified time to the tenant terminal 81, and if there is an overlap, the control unit 31 may exclude the identified time from the candidate times.

[0097] When there are multiple identified time candidates, the control unit 31 may further determine priorities for the multiple time candidates.

[0098] The control unit 31 extracts the parking space number and the parking space reservation time of the parking space 30 included in the reservation information 45 of the parking space 30 stored in the first database 33, thereby identifying and reserving the section 300 of the parking space 30 that has not been reserved and the time available for reservation.

[0099] The specified time here is, for example, a time later (future) than the time when the luggage space 20 is reserved. However, the time when the section 300 of the parking space 30 is reserved may also include, for example, the time when the luggage space 20 is reserved.

[0100] When reserving a section 300 of the parking space 30, the control unit 31 may also extract the time of the move contained in the information regarding the move stored in the second database 35, the time of the event contained in the information regarding the event, etc.

[0101] If the time when the section 300 of the specified parking space 30 is not reserved does not overlap with the time extracted from the second database 35, the control unit 31 reserves the section 300 of the parking space 30 for the specified time.

[0102] In addition to the above examples, the section 200 of the luggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30 can be identified in various other ways. For example, the control unit 31 may extract other information from each piece of reservation information stored in the first database 33 and the information stored in the second database 35, and identify the section 200 of the luggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30.

[0103] Next, the control unit 31 reserves the elevator 1 based on the congestion information of the elevator 1 (step S103). Reserving the elevator 1 corresponds to reserving one of the lower cars 7 of the multiple elevators 1. The processing in step S103 corresponds to function F3.

[0104] In step S102, the control unit 31 identifies a time when there are no reservations for the lower car 7 of the elevator 1. Therefore, in step S103, the control unit 31 identifies a lower car 7 of the elevator 1 that is available for reservation during that time and reserves it.

[0105] Next, after reserving the elevator 1, the control unit 31 reserves the vehicle V1 for transporting the baggage based on the reservation information of the reserved baggage handling space 10 (step S104). The processing in step S104 corresponds to function F4.

[0106] In step S104, the control unit 31 extracts the parking space number and parking space reservation time contained in the reservation information 45 of the parking space 30 stored in the first database 33, identifies the vehicle V1 that is available for dispatch at the time the section 300 of the parking space 30 is reserved from among the vehicles V1 pre-registered in the storage device (not shown) of the server 3, and reserves the vehicle V1.

[0107] In this case, the control unit 31 may reserve vehicles V1 having functions suitable for transporting the luggage based on the type of luggage in the luggage information 47. The number of vehicles V1 to be reserved is changed as appropriate according to the luggage information 47.

[0108] This determines the vehicle V1 that will transport the luggage. In other words, a reservation is made for the vehicle V1 to enter the luggage handling space 10 and for loading onto the vehicle V1. After reserving the vehicle V1, the control unit 31 may further determine an estimated arrival time of the vehicle V1 at the luggage handling space 10.

[0109] Next, the control unit 31 stores the reservation information from steps S101 to S104 in the first database 33. This determines the luggage space number where the luggage will wait, the reservation time for luggage space 20, the parking space number, the reservation time for parking space 30, the vehicle number, the car number, the type of car, the reservation time for elevator 1, etc.

[0110] Furthermore, the control unit 31 assigns a reservation number to the reservation information obtained in steps S101 to S104 and updates the reservation information. An employee of the tenant can access the information stored in the first database 33 using the reservation number, for example.

[0111] The control unit 31 may further output the reservation information reserved in the first database 33 to the tenant terminal 81. This allows the employee to confirm that the goods handling space 10, elevator 1, and vehicle V1 have been reserved. This completes the reservation processing by the control unit 31, and the reservation for the removal of goods from the tenant is completed.

[0112] In steps S101 to S104, if any of the material handling space 10, the elevator 1, and the vehicle V1 cannot be reserved, the control unit 31 may output that information to the tenant terminal 81.

[0113] This allows the employee to retry reserving the material handling space 10, etc. If a reservation cannot be made at the time desired by the user, the control unit 31 may output to the tenant terminal 81 candidate times that can be reserved that are different from the desired time.

[0114] [Processing of the Date and Time of Reservation] The reserved vehicle V1 arrives at the material handling space 10 in step S104. Because the section 300 of the parking space 30 in which the vehicle V1 will park is reserved, the vehicle V1 can smoothly enter and park in the parking space 30. When the vehicle V1 arrives, for example, the manager of the material handling space 10 operates the material handling space terminal 83 and inputs the arrival information of the vehicle V1.

[0115] As a result, the control unit 31 of the server 3 acquires arrival information of the vehicle V1 from the handling space terminal 83 (step S201). The processing in step S201 corresponds to function F5. At this time, the control unit 31 may add the arrival time of the vehicle V1 at the parking space 30 to the reservation information.

[0116] The arrival information of vehicle V1 may be input by the driver of vehicle V1 operating the cargo handling space terminal 83 or the vehicle terminal 85. Alternatively, the arrival information of vehicle V1 may be acquired by the control unit 31 when a sensor 87 installed in the cargo handling space 10 outputs a signal to the control unit 31 detecting the arrival of vehicle V1.

[0117] In addition, the control unit 31 may obtain arrival information for the vehicle V1 by obtaining location information from the GPS installed in the vehicle V1 and predicted arrival information from a car navigation system that takes into account road congestion conditions.

[0118] In this case, the control unit 31 may take into account detailed congestion conditions around the building BLD, which cannot be fully grasped by a car navigation system, and calculate the estimated arrival time of the vehicle V1 with greater accuracy based on the position information of the vehicle V1. The control unit 31 can acquire information on detailed congestion conditions from, for example, a surveillance camera installed in the building BLD, a drive recorder installed in the vehicle V1, and the like, which are communicably connected via the network N.

[0119] After calculating the estimated arrival time, the control unit 31 may determine whether or not the estimated arrival time of the vehicle V1 needs to be adjusted. For example, the control unit 31 compares the calculated estimated arrival time with the estimated arrival time determined in step S104, and determines that adjustment is necessary if the time difference is equal to or greater than a specified time (for example, 10 minutes).

[0120] After the adjustment, the control unit 31 outputs information related to the adjustment to the vehicle terminal 85 or the like. The information related to the adjustment is an instruction to wait at an appropriate location near the building BLD if the arrival time is earlier than the estimated arrival time determined in step S104, or an instruction to postpone the estimated arrival time if the arrival time is later than the estimated arrival time determined in step S104. Note that the information related to the adjustment is not limited to these examples.

[0121] In addition, the control unit 31 may acquire an application for entry into the parking space 30 from the vehicle V1 (e.g., the vehicle terminal 85) in response to the arrival of the vehicle V1, and may output information to the vehicle V1 (e.g., the vehicle terminal 85) that entry is permitted in response to the acquired application.

[0122] Next, the control unit 31 controls the elevator 1 based on the reservation information 41 of the reserved elevator 1 (step S202). The processing in step S202 corresponds to function F6. Specifically, the control unit 31 extracts the car number, elevator reservation time, and floor included in the reservation information of the elevator 1 stored in the first database 33, and controls the elevator 1.

[0123] The control unit 31 controls the elevator 1 so that the lower car 7 of the elevator 1 moves to the floor from which the luggage is to be carried out, for example, based on the elevator reservation time. This allows luggage from tenants to be loaded smoothly into the lower car 7 of the elevator 1. Then, an employee can transport the luggage transported by the elevator 1 to the section 200 of the reserved luggage space 20 and keep the luggage waiting.

[0124] For example, if the luggage requires special care during transportation, it is not desirable to have the luggage wait for a long time at the boarding / disembarking location FL, etc. Therefore, by controlling the elevator 1 based on the reservation information 41 of the elevator 1, the waiting time can be shortened.

[0125] Since the luggage to be removed is waiting in the reserved section 200 in the luggage space 20, the driver of the vehicle V1 can immediately load the luggage into the vehicle V1 when he arrives at the parking space 30.

[0126] As described above, the management system 100 allows vehicle V1 to smoothly enter and park in section 300 of parking space 30, carry out luggage from tenants, wait in section 200 of luggage space 20, and transport luggage from section 200 of luggage space 20 to vehicle V1.

[0127] The order of processing in steps S201 and S202 may be changed as appropriate based on the reservation time of elevator 1, the arrival time of vehicle V1, and the reservation time of baggage space 20. As one example, control unit 31 controls elevator 1 based on arrival information. Specifically, control unit 31 starts controlling elevator 1 after acquiring arrival information of elevator 1. As another example, control unit 31 may control elevator 1 based on the reservation time of elevator 1 without acquiring arrival information.

[0128] When loading of the cargo onto vehicle V1 is completed, vehicle V1 departs from material handling space 10. When vehicle V1 departs, for example, a manager of material handling space 10 operates material handling space terminal 83 and inputs work completion information. As a result, control unit 31 acquires the work completion information from material handling space terminal 83 (step S203). The processing in step S203 corresponds to function F7.

[0129] The work completion information may be input by the driver of vehicle V1 operating the goods handling space terminal 83 or the vehicle terminal 85. Alternatively, the work completion information may be acquired by the control unit 31 when a sensor 87 installed in the goods handling space 10 outputs a signal to the control unit 31 indicating that vehicle V1 has departed.

[0130] Next, the control unit 31 sets a flag in the reservation information indicating that the work has been completed based on the completion information, and updates the reservation information. At this time, the control unit 31 may add the completion time when the handling of goods is completed to the reservation information. The control unit 31 may also output the work completion information to the tenant terminal 81. This allows the employee to confirm that the work has been completed. As a result, the control unit 31 completes processing of the date and time when the reservation was made (work completion processing), and the removal of the goods from the tenant is completed.

[0131] If the control unit 31 acquires information that a problem has occurred in the building BLD, making it temporarily impossible to handle cargo or preventing work from proceeding as planned, it may output the information to the vehicle terminal 85 before the arrival of the vehicle V1.

[0132] A trouble may be, for example, when a vehicle collision accident occurs in the cargo handling space 10 and is being dealt with, when there is a fire in the building BLD, or when there is a delay in scheduled work due to a malfunction of the elevator 1 or a transport vehicle in the building BLD, which will be described later.

[0133] This prevents the vehicle V1 that has come close to the building BLD from being unable to enter the parking space 30 and having to wait in the vicinity of the building BLD. This allows the driver of the vehicle V1 to give priority to transporting luggage other than the luggage to be transported to the building BLD.

[0134] In the handling of goods in the building BLD, the goods are transported between the elevator 1 and the car V1 through the handling space 10. The goods are transported by the lower car 7 of the elevator 1, while the upper car 6 transports general passengers.

[0135] Therefore, when transporting luggage using the elevator 1, it is desirable to avoid times when the elevator 1 is crowded with general users or when the elevator 1 is reserved.

[0136] In the management system 100, the goods handling space 10 and the elevator 1 are reserved based on the congestion information. Specifically, based on the reservation information stored in the first database 33 and the information stored in the second database 35 (such as the busy times of general users transported by the upper car 6), the control unit 31 reserves the goods handling space 10 and the elevator 1 while taking into account the congestion situation of general users.

[0137] In other words, the management system 100 manages the elevator 1 and the baggage handling space 10 while taking into consideration the respective situations of different objects (general users and baggage). Because the elevator 1 is reserved based on congestion information for the elevator 1, baggage transportation can be performed by avoiding times when the elevator 1 is crowded, and from the perspective of general users, the transportation of baggage is less likely to interfere with the use of the upper car 6. The management system 100 can suppress the transportation of baggage using the lower car 7 according to the congestion information.

[0138] Furthermore, with the management system 100, it is possible to smoothly handle goods in the building BLD and maintain the quality of the goods handling service without installing a dedicated elevator shaft for the goods handling elevator.

[0139] The above describes the reservation processing and the processing of the date and time when the reservation is made in the management system 100, assuming the removal of luggage from a tenant. However, when luggage is brought into a tenant, the processing of steps S101 to S104 and S201 to S203 is carried out in the same way as when luggage is taken out.

[0140] Below, we will explain an example of making a reservation using a terminal (computer) not shown that is installed at a transportation company's office, etc., and is connected to the server 3 via the network N so that it can communicate with the server 3.However, the terminal used to make the reservation may be a tenant terminal 81 or a vehicle terminal 85.

[0141] For example, in step S101, an employee of the shipping company operates a terminal to input package information 47 of a package to be delivered. The control unit 31 of the server 3 acquires the package information 47 from the terminal (step S101). Subsequently, in step S102, the control unit 31 performs the following process.

[0142] When the control unit 31 acquires the baggage information 47, it identifies a section 200 of the baggage space 20 that can be reserved based on the congestion information of the elevator 1. The control unit 31 outputs the reservation time for the identified section 200 to the user terminal.

[0143] When the employee selects the desired time, the control unit 31 acquires information about the selected time from the terminal, and then reserves a section 200 in the luggage space 20 for the luggage to wait for the selected time.

[0144] Next, the control unit 31 identifies and reserves a section 300 of the parking space 30 that can be reserved based on the time when the section 200 of the luggage space 20 is reserved. The reserved time here is, for example, a time before (in the past) the time when the luggage space 20 is reserved. However, the time when the section 300 of the parking space 30 is reserved may include, for example, the time when the luggage space 20 is reserved.

[0145] Next, the control unit 31 reserves the elevator 1 based on the congestion information of the elevator 1 (step S103). After reserving the elevator 1, the control unit 31 reserves the vehicle V1 for transporting the luggage based on the reservation information of the luggage handling space 10 reserved in step S102 (step S104).

[0146] Subsequently, the control unit 31 stores the reservation information from steps S101 to S104 in the first database 33. Furthermore, the management system 100 assigns a reservation number to the reservation information from steps S101 to S104, and updates the reservation information.

[0147] Since the section 300 of the parking space 30 where the vehicle V1 is to park is reserved on the date and time of the reservation, the vehicle V1 can enter the parking space 30 and immediately park there. Then, the driver can transport the luggage from the vehicle V1 to the section 200 of the reserved luggage space 20 and keep the luggage waiting.

[0148] The control unit 31 controls the elevator 1 based on the reservation information 41 of the reserved elevator 1 (step S202). Specifically, the control unit 31 controls the elevator 1 based on the elevator reservation time so that the lower car 7 of the elevator 1 moves to the basement B2 where the baggage handling space 10 is located. This allows the baggage to be loaded from the baggage space 20 onto the reserved elevator 1 and the baggage to be delivered to the tenant smoothly.

[0149] The management system 100 allows for smooth entry and parking of vehicle V1 into section 300 of parking space 30, transportation from vehicle V1 to section 200 of luggage space 20, waiting in section 200 of luggage space 20, and delivery of luggage to tenants.

[0150] The management system 100 configured as described above can improve convenience for users of the building BLD. Specifically, when carrying in or out luggage, the elevator 1, luggage space 20, parking space 30, and vehicle V1 can be reliably secured.

[0151] This makes it possible to suppress or avoid situations where luggage is forcibly brought into the luggage handling space 10, the luggage handling space 10 becomes crowded, luggage stays in the luggage handling space 10 for a long time, and users of the elevator 1 or parking space 30 have to wait for a long time.

[0152] As a result, for example, it is possible to suppress congestion of vehicles V1 waiting for parking spaces 30 and parking and stopping of vehicles V1 on the road, as well as shorten the occupancy time of parking spaces 30 and eliminate shortages of luggage spaces 20 and parking spaces 30.

[0153] Eliminating the shortage of parking spaces 30 means that, at the building planning stage, it is possible to achieve the same cargo handling function with an area smaller than that required for a building to which the management system 100 is not applied.

[0154] It is extremely cumbersome to manually manage the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1. The management system 100 according to this embodiment can collectively manage the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1 based on congestion information. This can reduce the workload of, for example, the manager of the material handling space 10.

[0155] With the management system 100 according to this embodiment, by installing multiple cars (upper car 6 and lower car 7) that transport different objects in one elevator shaft 4, it is possible to effectively utilize one elevator shaft 4. In other words, it is possible to effectively utilize the space of the elevator 1 in the building BLD.

[0156] Furthermore, with the management system 100 according to this embodiment, it is not necessary to install a dedicated elevator shaft for the elevators for handling goods, so the number of elevators 1 installed in the building BLD can be reduced. This allows the area occupied by the elevator shaft 4 on each floor to be reduced. As a result, it is possible to increase the degree of freedom in planning for each floor and the entire building BLD.

[0157] From another perspective, with the management system 100 according to this embodiment, there is no need to ensure that the floor area of ​​the material handling space 10 and its surrounding areas is larger than necessary, even from the design stage of the building BLD.

[0158] The management system 100 according to the present embodiment can also be applied to an existing building BLD. For example, the floor area of ​​the cargo handling space 10 of the existing building BLD can handle more cargo than before the application of the management system 100.

[0159] Furthermore, if the cargo handling space 10, which was intended for handling cargo only for the existing building BLD, is used as a shared cargo handling space including neighboring buildings, the volume of cargo to be handled may increase. Even in such a case, the management system 100 according to this embodiment can improve the cargo handling capacity of the cargo handling space 10 and respond to new cargo handling demands.

[0160] The management system 100 according to this embodiment can respond to, for example, the rapidly increasing popularity of same-day delivery and next-day delivery, and can also respond to the realization and practical application of self-driving cars that are expected in the near future. As described above, this embodiment can provide a management system 100 that can improve the convenience of users of the building BLD. In addition to the above, this embodiment can provide various other advantageous effects.

[0161] In FIG. 1, an example is shown in which the goods handling space 10 is located on the basement floor B2, but a second goods handling space may also be provided on an intermediate floor.

[0162] Specifically, if a theater or similar facility is located on the lower floors (for example, floors 1 to 5), people going to their offices will not stop at the theater floor, but will instead take a direct elevator to a transfer floor (transfer floor) called the office entrance, located on floor 6 or above. For this reason, elevators with a large passenger capacity are installed from the building entrance on the ground floor to the transfer floor.

[0163] In such cases, it is necessary to transfer luggage between the lower car of the elevator going to the transfer floor and the lower car of the elevator going above the transfer floor. For example, a second luggage handling space is provided on an intermediate floor (e.g., the transfer floor).

[0164] Even in such a case, the management system 100 according to this embodiment can fully demonstrate its functionality by appropriately managing congestion information and reservation information for the transfer floors.

[0165] If the building BLD is a high-rise building with a seismic isolation structure, the seismic isolation structure may be installed on an intermediate floor. Since the elevator 1 passes through (passes through) the intermediate floor of the seismic isolation structure, a transfer floor (transfer floor) must also be installed in a high-rise building with a seismic isolation structure. In such a case, a second cargo handling space can be provided immediately below the transfer floor.

[0166] In the present embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the control unit 31 of the server 3 has the functions F1 to F7, but the management system 100 may be configured as a plurality of devices (systems) that can realize at least one of the functions F1 to F7. The management system 100 may also include a system of a shipping company.

[0167] The transportation company system is, for example, a system for managing transportation business using multiple vehicles at a transportation company. The transportation company system is configured with a computer including a processor such as a CPU, storage devices such as ROM and RAM, and an interface with the outside.

[0168] The vehicle terminal 85 may be included in the system of the transportation company. When the vehicle V1 is reserved through the transportation company's system, the control unit 31 acquires reservation information from the transportation company's system, thereby finalizing the reservation.

[0169] In step S101, an example has been disclosed in which the cargo information 47 is input from the tenant terminal 81 and the vehicle terminal 85, but the cargo information 47 may also be input from another system not shown.

[0170] The process of reserving the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1 in the management system 100 is not limited to the above example. The management system 100 may further include other functions. Below, an example will be described in which each function of the management system 100 is realized by the control unit 31 of the server 3.

[0171] [F8] A function for providing information about a reservation to a user based on congestion information. For example, when the control unit 31 acquires the baggage information 47 in the above-mentioned step S102, the control unit 31 identifies information about the reservation based on the congestion information and outputs the information to the user terminal. For example, the control unit 31 outputs the information to the user terminal together with the above-mentioned available reservation times. The processing in step S102 includes processing corresponding to function F8. The user terminal may be a tenant terminal 81, a cargo handling space terminal 83, or a vehicle terminal 85.

[0172] The reservation information is information for saving energy and avoiding congestion. For example, the reservation information is information such as when luggage can be brought in or garbage can be removed, and during what time periods trucks can be parked without any problems.

[0173] Another example of the reservation information is information predicting whether traffic congestion will occur around the baggage handling space 10 and building BLD in the future beyond the time of input of the baggage information 47. The reservation information described above corresponds to an example of recommended information provided to the user.

[0174] The control unit 31 appropriately extracts, for example, the luggage space number and the luggage space reservation time for the luggage space 20 contained in the reservation information 43 for the luggage space 20 stored in the first database 33, the peak time for general users contained in the congestion information stored in the second database 35, the moving time contained in the moving information, weather information, the event time contained in the event information, etc., to identify information related to the reservation.

[0175] [F9] A function to calculate the fee required for transporting luggage based on information about fees. The information about fees is information about fees for using facilities related to luggage handling, such as the section 200 of the luggage space 20 and the section 300 of the parking space 30. The fees vary depending on, for example, the time of day, the day of the week, the season, whether or not there is an event, etc.

[0176] The information regarding the fee may be stored in the second database 35, or may be stored in a storage device communicably connected via the network N. The fee is collected from the tenant by, for example, the owner of the building BLD.

[0177] For example, in step S102 described above, when the control unit 31 acquires the baggage information 47, the control unit 31 identifies the time when the section 200 can be reserved based on the congestion information and the information related to fees, and calculates the fee required to transport the baggage according to the available reservation time. The processing in step S102 includes processing equivalent to function F9. The fee required to transport the baggage may be, for example, the fee for the section 200 of the baggage space 20 according to the reserved time, the fee for the section 300 of the parking space 30, or the total amount of these fees. Here, an example is described in which the processing equivalent to function F9 is step S102, but the processing equivalent to function F9 may also be performed in other steps.

[0178] The control unit 31 outputs to the user terminal, for example, information created in a predetermined pattern based on the calculated fee along with the available reservation times for the identified section 200. The predetermined pattern is a pattern created based on differences in fees and available times for loading and unloading.

[0179] More specifically, the predetermined pattern may be, for example, the pattern with the lowest price, the pattern that allows the luggage to be transported most quickly, etc. The user terminal may be a tenant terminal 81, a luggage handling space terminal 83, or a vehicle terminal 85.

[0180] This allows the user to understand, for example, which time periods are cheaper or more expensive. In other words, the user has a wider range of options when making a reservation, such as prioritizing time or price. The price calculated by the control unit described above is an example of recommended information provided to the user.

[0181] As another example, the control unit 31 may specify a time period during which use of the lower car 7 is recommended. The control unit 31 may output information to the user terminal that usage fees will be reduced if the user uses the car during the recommended time period. Furthermore, the control unit 31 may further output information to the user terminal regarding benefits (points awarded to the tenant) that will be obtained if the user follows the recommended time period.

[0182] In this way, when a fee is incurred for using facilities such as the cargo handling space 10, the control unit 31 may notify the user or the payment management company of the billing information, or may add the fee cumulatively until the appropriate time and output it to the user terminal, etc., at the time of monthly settlement, etc.

[0183] [F10] A function for adjusting reservations to transport multiple packages together based on multiple package information 47. Adjusting reservations means adjusting reservations of elevator 1, package handling space 10, and vehicle V1 to handle multiple packages together.

[0184] The control unit 31 extracts, for example, the type, quantity, and size of luggage included in the multiple pieces of luggage information 47, collects luggage that can be transported together in a predetermined section 200, and manages the luggage so that it does not exceed the specified amount for the section 200. The specified amount is, for example, the number of luggage that can wait in the section 200, the total mass of luggage that can wait in the section 200, etc., which are stored in advance in the server 3 as one piece of information related to the luggage space 20.

[0185] When the amount of luggage collected in section 200 of luggage space 20 reaches a specified amount, control unit 31 reserves elevator 1 and vehicle V1 so that vehicle V1 can transport the luggage out or into the tenant.

[0186] As another example, the specified amount may be the upper limit of the load of a vehicle V1 that collects general waste such as combustible materials on a specific date and time when the waste is being transported. In this case, the control unit 31 may reserve an elevator 1 that each tenant uses to transport the waste, in order to accumulate the waste in a section 200 (e.g., a section dedicated to waste) of the luggage space 20.

[0187] The reservation adjustment may be performed in step S102 based on the plurality of pieces of package information 47 stored in the first database 33, or may be performed at a predetermined timing.

[0188] By handling a plurality of packages together, the time for which the parking space 30 is occupied can be shortened and the time for which the section 300 is vacant can be more easily secured compared to when reserving a section 300 of the parking space 30 every time baggage information 47 is acquired.

[0189] The control unit 31 may reserve the goods handling space 10, the elevator 1, and the vehicle V1 so that the goods are collected in the section 200 of the predetermined goods space 20 at the time of collection of the goods. The goods to be collected are, for example, goods that are regularly transported.

[0190] In this case, the process corresponding to function F10 in the control unit 31 performs steps S101 to S104 at predetermined timings. In other words, the control unit 31 creates a schedule for handling goods.

[0191] By having each tenant carry in and out their luggage according to the created schedule, the handling of luggage in the building BLD can be carried out smoothly. For example, if luggage is something that is transported regularly, the work of inputting luggage information 47 for each carry-in and carry-out can be omitted.

[0192] For example, a waste disposal company, a supplier of goods for accommodation facilities, or a laundry company regularly comes to pick up luggage on a specific day of the week at a specific time, so the control unit 31 may create a schedule for carrying out luggage from the building BLD so that the luggage is collected in the section 200 of the luggage space 20 by the time of collection.

[0193] As another example, the management system 100 may adjust the elevator load capacity depending on the luggage carried by the lower car 7. A counterweight (not shown) is installed in the elevator 1. The counterweight moves in the elevator shaft 4 in the opposite direction to the elevator 1. The counterweight is set, for example, to match approximately half of the elevator car and upper load capacity limit.

[0194] For example, during rush hour, the elevator 1 going up to the office floors may be nearly full, while there may be few passengers in the elevator 1 going down. Even if there are no passengers in the elevator 1, energy is consumed to lift the counterweight when the elevator 1 is operating down. In contrast, during rush hour, when the elevator 1 going down is crowded, there may be few passengers in the elevator 1 going up.

[0195] The control unit 31 may use the lower car 7 of the descending elevator 1 to carry out luggage during the arrival time slot. Specifically, the control unit 31 may specify a time when the elevator 1 can be reserved for carrying out luggage, for example, from the arrival time slot.

[0196] In this case, the control unit 31 may appropriately adjust the load of luggage to be carried out in accordance with the counterweight, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the motor of the elevator 1. Similarly, the control unit 31 may use the lower car 7 of the ascending elevator 1 to carry in luggage during the off-duty hours.

[0197] By using the lower car 7 to transport luggage as described above, the management system 100 can achieve energy conservation throughout the entire building BLD. Note that the luggage transported here can wait for the timing to be carried in or out.

[0198] For example, in step S103, if there is a time period during which energy saving is possible in terms of elevator operation, the control unit 31 may output a recommended time period for the user to cooperate with the energy saving to the user terminal (e.g., tenant terminal 81). The time period during which energy saving is possible corresponds to an example of recommended information (information related to reservation) provided to the user.

[0199] In the elevator 1, the object in the lower car 7 is not limited to baggage. The lower car 7 may carry a user other than a general user. A user other than a general user is, for example, a VIP. In this case, the VIP corresponds to an example of an object carried by the elevator. However, the user other than a general user is not limited to a VIP.

[0200] In this case, the cargo handling space 10 corresponds to a space exclusively for VIPs, the luggage space 20 corresponds to a lounge exclusively for VIPs, the parking space 30 corresponds to a driveway exclusively for VIPs or a parking space exclusively for VIPs, and the vehicle V1 corresponds to a vehicle exclusively for VIPs.

[0201] The VIP-only space corresponds to an example of a waiting space. The VIP-only space may be provided, for example, on a different floor from the baggage handling space 10. The VIP lower car 7 may be provided with a door 71 so that the entrance and exit are in the same position as the upper car 6.

[0202] The VIP lower car 7 may be provided with a door 71 at a position different from the entrance / exit position of the upper car 6 and the entrance / exit position of the baggage lower car 7. At the boarding / exit location FL for the VIP lower car 7, a VIP-only space may be provided on a specific floor.

[0203] Even when the lower car 7 is carrying a VIP, the management system 100 performs the processes of steps S101 to S104 and S201 to S203. As the reservation information, information about the VIP is stored instead of the baggage information 47.

[0204] With the management system 100, even when transporting VIPs, there is no need to provide a VIP-only elevator or an elevator shaft for the VIP-only elevator in the building BLD. Therefore, the area occupied by the elevator shaft 4 on each floor can be further reduced.

[0205] In the case of a VIP, for example, when being picked up or dropped off, it is not desirable to have the VIP wait for a long time at the elevator 1 boarding / alighting location FL or in the lounge. With the management system 100, the VIP's arrival at the building BLD, movement within the building BLD, and departure from the building BLD can be carried out smoothly, and it is possible to avoid having the VIP wait unnecessarily.

[0206] Next, other embodiments will be described. In the other embodiments described below, the same components as those in the first embodiment described above will be denoted by the same reference numerals as those in the first embodiment, and detailed descriptions thereof may be omitted or simplified.

[0207] Second Embodiment FIG. 8 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 100 according to this embodiment. The management system 100 may further manage a transport vehicle V3, which is an automated transport vehicle. In this embodiment, the transport vehicle V3 corresponds to an example of a second vehicle. The transport vehicle V3 is a vehicle that can transport luggage to a destination by automated driving. Various mechanisms can be applied to the transport vehicle V3. The transport vehicle V3 is driven, for example, by a rechargeable battery, but is not limited to this example.

[0208] The transport vehicle V3 is equipped with a communication means capable of communicating with the server 3 via the network N. In one example, the transport vehicle V3 transports the luggage transported by the vehicle V1 inside the building BLD between the tenant and the cargo handling space 10. The luggage transported by the vehicle V1 includes luggage to be brought into the building BLD, luggage to be taken out of the building BLD, etc.

[0209] A plurality of transport vehicles V3 are arranged in the building BLD, for example. The server 3 stores information about the transport vehicles V3, information about the route between the tenants and the material handling space 10 that the transport vehicles V3 will pass through, and the like in a storage device (not shown) in advance.

[0210] The transport vehicles V3 may not only be vehicles with the same characteristics (functions and performance), but may also be of different types depending on the characteristics of the cargo. Types of transport vehicles V3 include, for example, transport vehicles dedicated to waste, transport vehicles with refrigeration functions for transporting food ingredients for restaurants and hotels, etc.

[0211] The management system 100 according to this embodiment further includes the following functions.

[0212] [F11] A function of reserving a transport vehicle V3 to transport luggage based on the reservation information of the reserved cargo handling space 10. [F12] A function of controlling the transport vehicle V3 based on the reservation information of the reserved transport vehicle V3.

[0213] 9 and 10 are flowcharts showing an example of processing in the management system 100 according to this embodiment. In the following, assuming that a tenant is carrying out luggage, an example in which functions F11 and F12 are implemented by the control unit 31 of the server 3 will be described.

[0214] Here, a description will be given of the process of reserving the transport vehicle V3 and the date and time when the reservation is made in the management system 100. Note that the description of the process steps that are the same as those in the first embodiment will be omitted as appropriate.

[0215] After step S104, the control unit 31 further reserves a transport vehicle V3 for transporting the luggage based on the reservation information of the luggage handling space 10 reserved in step S102 (step S301). The processing in step S301 corresponds to function F11.

[0216] The control unit 31 extracts the luggage space number and luggage space reservation time contained in the reservation information 43 for the luggage space 20 stored in the first database 33, identifies a transport vehicle V3 that is available for dispatch from among the transport vehicles V3 pre-registered in the memory device (not shown) of the server 3, and reserves the transport vehicle V3.

[0217] At this time, the control unit 31 may further extract the type of luggage from the luggage information 47 and reserve a transport vehicle V3 having functions suitable for transporting the luggage. The number of reserved transport vehicles V3 is changed as appropriate according to the luggage information 47. In this way, the transport vehicle V3 that will transport the luggage is determined.

[0218] The control unit 31 may further determine a route that the transport vehicle V3 will take between the tenant and the goods handling space 10. When multiple transport vehicles V3 are reserved, the order in which the transport vehicles V3 are arranged may further be determined.

[0219] The reservation information stored in the first database 33 may further include the vehicle number, which is identification information for identifying the reserved vehicle V3, the number of vehicles V3, the reservation time of the vehicle V3, the mass of the vehicle V3, etc.

[0220] At the date and time when the reservation is made, the control unit 31 controls the transport vehicle V3 based on the reservation information of the reserved transport vehicle V3 (step S302). The processing in step S302 corresponds to function F12. The order of the processing in step S301 may be changed as appropriate based on the reservation time of the elevator 1, the arrival time of the vehicle V1, the reservation time of the baggage space 20, and the reservation time of the transport vehicle V3. As an example, the control unit 31 controls the transport vehicle V3 based on the arrival information. As another example, the control unit 31 may control the transport vehicle V3 based on at least one of the reservation time of the elevator 1 and the reservation time of the transport vehicle V3 without acquiring the arrival information.

[0221] Specifically, the control unit 31 extracts the transportation vehicle number and the reservation time of the transportation vehicle V3 included in the reservation information reserved in the first database 33, and controls the transportation vehicle V3, thereby enabling the transportation vehicle V3 to transport the luggage from the tenant to the luggage sorting space 10 based on the reservation information.

[0222] Since the elevator 1 is controlled by the control unit 31 based on the reservation information of the reserved elevator 1, the transport vehicle V3 can smoothly transport luggage from the tenant to the luggage handling space 10 via the elevator 1.

[0223] The transport vehicle V3, for example, is waiting in the luggage space 20 with luggage loaded thereon. The waiting transport vehicle V3 may further move to the vehicle V1 waiting in the parking space 30. This allows the luggage to be loaded directly from the transport vehicle V3 onto the vehicle V1.

[0224] Here, the transport vehicle V3 has been described assuming that luggage is being carried out from a tenant, but when luggage is being carried into a tenant, the various processes in the management system 100 are carried out in the same way as when luggage is being carried out.

[0225] For example, at the time of delivery, the reserved transport vehicle V3 is kept waiting in the luggage space 20. Once the luggage is loaded onto the transport vehicle V3, the transport vehicle V3 transports the luggage to the tenant based on the reservation information.

[0226] The transport vehicle V3 can transport luggage between the tenant and the luggage handling space 10. Therefore, the labor of a person transporting luggage between the tenant and the luggage handling space 10 can be reduced.

[0227] The transport vehicle V3 can transport luggage unmanned during the night when there is little demand for the elevator 1. The luggage information 47 may also be input unmanned from the tenant terminal 81. The control unit 31 may have the transport vehicle V3 waiting on standby at each floor based on congestion information for the luggage handling space 10.

[0228] In another example, the transport vehicle V3 may transport luggage between the material handling space 10 and a nearby building BLD2 (shown in FIG. 8 ). The nearby building BLD2 corresponds to an example of a building different from the building BLD. In yet another example, the transport vehicle V3 may transport luggage between a tenant and the material handling space 10, and between the material handling space 10 and the nearby building BLD2. In other words, the transport vehicle V3 may transport luggage between multiple (two or more) buildings.

[0229] In these cases, the transport vehicle V3 may transport luggage to, for example, a tenant in a nearby building BLD. The specifications of the transport vehicle V3 may be different depending on whether it travels only inside the building BLD or outside the building BLD.

[0230] In addition, the transport vehicle V3 loaded with luggage from the tenant may be loaded onto the vehicle V1 in that state, or the transport vehicle V3 loaded with luggage may dismount from the vehicle V1 and transport the luggage to the tenant in that state.

[0231] The management system 100 according to this embodiment may further include the following functions: In the following, an example in which each function of the management system 100 is realized by the control unit 31 of the server 3 will be described.

[0232] [F13] A function to control the transport vehicle V3 based on the transport vehicle information. The transport vehicle information is information relating to the status of the transport vehicle V3, such as the operating status of the transport vehicle V3 and the charging status of the battery of the transport vehicle V3. The operating status includes the position of the transport vehicle V3, the load of cargo carried by the transport vehicle V3, the type of cargo being carried, etc. The charging status includes the remaining battery charge, the remaining operable time, etc. The control unit 31 appropriately acquires the transport vehicle information from the transport vehicle V3 via the network N.

[0233] In step S301, the control unit 31 may further extract the operation status included in the transport vehicle information in order to reserve the transport vehicle V3. The control unit 31 may also extract the charging status of the transport vehicle's battery included in the transport vehicle information and determine whether or not charging of the transport vehicle V3 is necessary.

[0234] Depending on the charging status (for example, when the remaining charge is equal to or less than a specified amount), the control unit 31 may move the transport vehicle V3 to a predetermined location (for example, a charging location for the transport vehicle V3 provided in the building BLD) for maintenance such as charging. The process corresponding to the function F13 for controlling the transport vehicle V3 for such maintenance may be performed in steps S301 and S302, or may be performed at a predetermined timing.

[0235] [F14] A function to acquire information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3. [F15] A function to output the acquired information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 to a user terminal.

[0236] The information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 includes images, temperature, noise, and the like of the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3. From another perspective, the information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 includes the environment that the luggage encounters during transportation. The acquired information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 is also information that records the environment in which the luggage was placed during transportation. The transport vehicle V3 may further include a camera for photographing the surroundings, sensors for measuring the surrounding temperature and noise, and the like. The surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 include not only the inside of the building BLD, but also the cargo handling space 10, the outside of the building BLD, and neighboring buildings.

[0237] The control unit 31 may acquire surrounding information, such as surrounding images captured by a camera and temperature measured by a sensor, via the transport vehicle V3. The control unit 31 stores this information in a storage device. The acquisition of surrounding information by the transport vehicle V3 (processing corresponding to function F14 in the control unit 31) may be performed at a predetermined timing while the transport vehicle V3 is in operation, or may be performed in real time.

[0238] The control unit 31 may output the acquired information about the surroundings of the transport vehicle V3 to a user terminal. The processing corresponding to function F15 in the control unit 31 may be performed, for example, at a predetermined timing while the transport vehicle V3 is in operation, or may be performed in real time. This allows the user to understand, based on the surrounding information, information such as the temperature, the number of people passing by, the possibility of rain around the building BLD, snow accumulation or ice on the roads, and the level of congestion in the loading and unloading space 10.

[0239] Not only does the transport vehicle V3 perform transport work unmanned, but the user (a supervisor or security guard at the building BLD) can check for any abnormalities around the transport vehicle V3 as needed using information from the surrounding area. Because the transport vehicle V3 operates unmanned, it may be vulnerable to damage from pedestrians nearby, such as vandalism or theft of cargo. By recording video of the surrounding area and having the user check the captured video as needed, it is possible to achieve the effect of preventing damage from pedestrians nearby, such as vandalism or theft of cargo during transport.

[0240] [Third Embodiment] Fig. 11 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a management system 100 according to this embodiment. Fig. 12 is a schematic perspective view of the elevator 1 shown in Fig. 11. This embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that the elevator 1 is configured such that at least one of the upper car and the lower car is replaceable. Below, a case where the lower car is replaceable will be described as an example.

[0241] The elevator 1 is equipped with a connecting mechanism 80 that connects the upper car and the lower car. The connecting mechanism 80 is configured, for example, to enable the lower car to be replaced (attached and detached) with another lower car. Various mechanisms can be applied to the connecting mechanism 80. In one example, the connecting mechanism 80 is configured to enable the lower car to be automatically replaced.

[0242] The building BLD is provided with a plurality of lower cars in advance according to the objects to be transported. The plurality of lower cars have functions adapted to transport objects with different characteristics, for example. The plurality of lower cars include a baggage car 7A, a VIP car 7B, and a waste car 7C. The interiors and door structures of these cars 7A, 7B, and 7C are changed as appropriate according to the characteristics of the objects.

[0243] For example, the luggage basket 7A may have a structure suitable for a dolly, pallet, etc. used for transporting luggage, and may be made of a material that is highly resistant to dirt and cleaning agents. The waste basket 7C may be equipped with a germicidal lamp that emits ultraviolet light when no one is riding in it.

[0244] Even if the lower car is replaceable, the management system 100 performs the processes of steps S101 to S104 and S201 to S203. For example, in step S202, the control unit 31 determines whether or not it is necessary to replace the lower car based on the reservation information of the reserved elevator 1 and the baggage information 47. In other words, the control unit 31 determines whether or not it is necessary to replace the lower car depending on the characteristics of the object.

[0245] If the type of the lower car matches the object, it is determined that replacement of the lower car is not necessary, and if they do not match, it is determined that replacement of the lower car is necessary. If replacement of the lower car is necessary, the control unit 31 replaces the lower car of the elevator 1. The above processing corresponds to an example of elevator control. Here, an example in which the lower car is replaceable has been disclosed, but the upper car may also be replaceable, or both the upper car and the lower car may be replaceable.

[0246] This embodiment can also achieve the same effects as the first embodiment. By preparing multiple cars in advance depending on the object, more objects can be transported in one elevator shaft. Since the car can be replaced depending on the object, car maintenance is easy.

[0247] Furthermore, the type of lower car in this embodiment is not limited to the above example. By preparing lower cars according to other specifications and appropriately replacing them depending on the object to be transported, it is possible to flexibly accommodate the transportation of different objects.

[0248] In each embodiment, the reservation of the elevator 1, the material handling space 10, and the vehicle V1 by the management system 100 does not restrict the transportation of urgent objects.

[0249] In each embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which the management system 100 manages multiple elevators 1, multiple luggage space 20 sections 200, and multiple parking space 30 sections 300, but the number of elevators 1, luggage space 20 sections 200, and parking space 30 sections 300 managed by the management system 100 may be one.

[0250] In each embodiment, an example in which the elevator 1 is a double-deck elevator is disclosed, but the elevator may be a single-deck elevator or a multi-deck elevator. The management system 100 may be applied to manage elevators for handling goods, elevators for VIPs, etc.

[0251] In each embodiment, a baggage handling space and a space reserved for VIPs have been disclosed as examples of waiting spaces, but the waiting space is not limited to these examples. The waiting space may include a place where objects are kept waiting on each floor, and a place where objects delivered to each floor wait to be transported to a different tenant or delivery destination on the same floor. For example, in step S102, the control unit 31 may reserve a waiting space for baggage in front of the boarding and disembarking location FL of the elevator 1 on the tenant side of each floor of the building BLD.

[0252] In each embodiment, the vertical height of each floor (so-called floor height) may differ. In such a case, the upper car 6 and the lower car 7 may stop at a floor at the same time and not open their doors to allow luggage or passengers to enter or exit. For example, there may be cases where either the upper car 6 or the lower car 7 stops at a floor and opens its door, but the other car's door cannot open.

[0253] In each embodiment, an example has been disclosed in which an object (e.g., luggage, VIP) is transported by vehicle V1 and transport vehicle V3, but this is not limited to this example. The means for transporting the object (e.g., luggage, VIP) may be a means accessible from above the building BLD (e.g., a helicopter, drone, flying taxi, etc.). The management system 100 may also manage these means. In this case, the facility corresponding to the cargo handling space in each embodiment may be provided, for example, on the roof of the building BLD or on a floor near the roof. This allows for smooth handling of luggage and transportation of VIPs, for example.

[0254] 1...elevator, 2...control device, 3...server, 4...elevator shaft, 10...handling space, 20...luggage space, 30...parking space, 31...control unit, 33...first database, 35...second database, 61...door, 71...door, 100...management system, BLD...building, V1...vehicle, V3...transport vehicle.

Claims

1. A management system that manages a waiting space for waiting an object transported by an elevator, comprising: a first acquisition means that acquires object information related to the object; and a first reservation means that reserves the waiting space for waiting the object indicated by the object information based on congestion information of the elevator.

2. The management system described in claim 1, further comprising: a second reservation means for reserving the elevator for transporting the object indicated by the object information based on the congestion information; and an elevator control means for controlling the elevator based on the reservation information of the elevator reserved by the second reservation means.

3. The management system according to claim 2, further comprising a third reservation means for reserving a first vehicle for transporting the object based on reservation information of the waiting space reserved by the first reservation means.

4. The management system according to claim 3, further comprising a second acquisition means for acquiring arrival information of the first vehicle reserved by the third reservation means, wherein the elevator control means controls the elevator based on the arrival information.

5. A management system as described in any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the elevator comprises an upper car and a lower car connected to the upper car, and the lower car transports an object different from the object transported by the upper car.

6. The management system described in claim 5, wherein the elevator is configured to enable at least one of the upper car and the lower car to be replaced, and the elevator control means replaces the upper car or the lower car based on the elevator reservation information and the object information.

7. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the first reservation means identifies a time when the waiting space can be reserved based on the congestion information, and outputs the time when the waiting space can be reserved to a user terminal.

8. The management system according to claim 1, further comprising a coordinating means for coordinating reservations for the collective transportation of a plurality of said objects based on information on a plurality of said objects stored in a database.

9. The management system described in claim 3, further comprising a fourth reservation means for reserving a second vehicle different from the first vehicle based on reservation information of the waiting space reserved by the first reservation means, and the second vehicle transports the object transported by the first vehicle between the waiting space and the interior of a building in which the waiting space is provided.

10. The management system according to claim 9, further comprising a transport vehicle control means for controlling the second vehicle based on reservation information of the second vehicle reserved by the fourth reservation means.

11. The management system according to claim 9, wherein the second vehicle transports the object transported by the first vehicle between the waiting space and a building different from the building.

12. The management system according to claim 9, further comprising a third acquisition means for acquiring information about the surroundings of the second vehicle.

13. The management system according to claim 12, wherein the third acquisition means outputs the acquired information about the surroundings of the second vehicle to a user terminal.

14. The management system of claim 1, wherein the object information includes at least one of the quantity, mass, type, and size of the object.

15. The management system according to claim 2, wherein the congestion information includes reservation information of the elevator reserved by the second reservation means.

16. The management system according to claim 15, wherein the congestion information further includes at least one of information regarding elevator congestion times, calendars, weather, moving, construction, and events.

17. The management system according to claim 3, wherein the reservation information of the waiting space includes at least one of identification information for identifying the waiting space and a reservation time of the reserved waiting space.

18. The management system according to claim 2, wherein the elevator reservation information includes at least one of identification information for identifying a car of the elevator, a type of car of the elevator, and a reservation time of the elevator.

19. The management system according to claim 1, wherein the object is at least one of luggage and a VIP.

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