Elevator management device

Abstract

An elevator management device (200) is retrofitted to the outside of a car (102) of an elevator (100) and comprises a microphone (204) that collects ambient sounds, a speaker (205) that outputs sounds, and a communication unit (302) that communicates with an external device. When the microphone (204) collects a predetermined sound or a sound similar to the predetermined sound, or when the microphone (204) collects a sound different from sounds generated under normal conditions, the elevator management device (200) uses the communication unit (302) to transmit, to the external device (300), information relating to the collected sound and information relating to abnormality determined on the basis of the collected sound, and uses the speaker (205) to output a sound relating to the prescribed information toward the outside of the car (102) or toward the inside of the car (102). The elevator management device can be easily retrofitted regardless of the type of the elevator and can detect operation abnormality, and enables direct conversation between an occupant of the car and the outside.

Description

Elevator control device

[0001] The present invention relates to an elevator control device that controls an elevator, and an elevator equipped with the elevator control device.

[0002] Conventionally, there has been technology that uses a microphone to collect sound and detects abnormalities in elevators during normal operation based on the collected sound (see, for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2 below).

[0003] JP 2018-150087 A International Publication No. 2022 / 195823

[0004] However, while conventional technologies including those described in Patent Documents 1 and 2 can detect abnormalities in each component of an elevator using the microphones provided, they cannot collect the voices of passengers inside the car and determine whether or not an emergency situation has occurred.

[0005] Furthermore, the conventional technology described above requires that the elevator be equipped with an intercom in order to enable direct communication between passengers in the car and operators at the maintenance management company. This poses the problem that elevators that are not equipped with an intercom at the time of installation have difficulty in enabling direct communication after installation.

[0006] As a result, installing an intercom requires extensive work and takes a long time to complete, which means the elevator is out of service for a long period of time, causing inconvenience to elevator users.

[0007] Furthermore, if a malfunction occurs in an elevator that does not allow direct communication between the passengers in the car and the maintenance company's operator, rescuing the passengers in the car can take a long time, causing anxiety for the passengers, and there is also the problem that the safety of the passengers cannot be fully guaranteed in the event of an emergency.

[0008] In order to solve the problems of the prior art described above, the object of this invention is to provide an elevator management device that can be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator, can detect operational abnormalities, allows direct communication between the occupants of the car and the outside world, and ensures the safety of the occupants in the event of an operational abnormality or emergency.

[0009] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems and achieve the objectives, the elevator control device of the present invention is an elevator control device that is retrofitted to the outside of an elevator car, and is characterized by comprising a microphone that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker that outputs sounds, and a communication unit that communicates with an external device.

[0010] Furthermore, the elevator control device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, when the microphone picks up a predetermined sound or a sound similar to that sound, at least one of information about the picked-up sound and information about an abnormality determined based on the picked-up sound is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

[0011] Furthermore, in the elevator management device of the present invention, when the microphone picks up a sound that is different from sounds that are generated under normal circumstances, at least one of information regarding the picked-up sound and information regarding an abnormality determined based on the picked-up sound is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

[0012] In addition, the elevator control device according to the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the speaker is used to output a sound related to predetermined information to the outside of the car or to the inside of the car.

[0013] Furthermore, the elevator management device of the present invention is characterized in that, in the above invention, the speaker is used to output audio related to the information received by the communication unit from the external device toward the outside or the inside of the car, and information related to the audio collected by the microphone is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

[0014] The elevator control device of the present invention can be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator, can detect operational abnormalities, and enables direct communication between the car occupants and the outside world, thereby ensuring the safety of the occupants when an operational abnormality occurs.

[0015] FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flowchart (part 1) showing the processing procedure of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a flowchart (part 2) showing the processing procedure of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a flowchart (part 3) showing the processing procedure of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a flowchart (part 4) showing the processing procedure of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0016] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred embodiments of an elevator and an elevator control device according to the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0017] (Configuration of Elevator) First, the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. Fig. 1 is an explanatory diagram showing the configuration of an elevator according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] 1, an elevator 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention can be realized, for example, by a rope-type (traction-type) elevator 100. The elevator 100 is installed in a building such as a multi-story building.

[0019] Each component of the elevator 100 is driven and controlled by a control panel 101. The control panel 101 is connected to each component of the elevator 100, and outputs, for example, a signal, a so-called "down signal," from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100. The control panel 101 also receives, for example, a signal, a so-called "up signal," from each component of the elevator 100 to the control panel 101.

[0020] Furthermore, the control panel 101 is connected to a management server computer 150 via a network such as the Internet. The management server computer 150 is installed in a remote location different from the location where the elevator 100 to be monitored is installed. The management server computer 150 can be installed, for example, in a maintenance management company that is responsible for maintaining and managing the elevator 100.

[0021] The control panel 101 transmits an alarm signal to, for example, the management server computer 150. The control panel 101 outputs an alarm signal, for example, when a fault is detected in the elevator 100 or when the operation mode of the elevator 100 changes. The control panel 101 also receives various instructions, such as instructions to execute diagnostic operations, transmitted from the management server computer 150, and outputs down signals to each component of the elevator 100 in accordance with the received instructions.

[0022] The diagnostic operation is realized by outputting signals from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100 to cause the component to operate in a predetermined order, and outputting signals indicating whether the component operated normally or not in accordance with the output signals from the control panel 101 to the management server computer 150. The management server computer 150 outputs an instruction to execute the diagnostic operation, for example, periodically (for example, at the end of each month).

[0023] By connecting the control panel 101 and the management server computer 150 via the Internet instead of a public voice network such as a telephone line, it is possible to avoid delays in understanding the status of the elevator 100 due to telephone line congestion in an emergency such as a natural disaster such as an earthquake. As a result, in a situation where the elevator 100 is remotely monitored using the management server computer 150, a prompt response can be taken if a malfunction occurs in the operation of the elevator 100.

[0024] The control panel 101 may further be connected to a public telephone network. The public telephone network includes a fixed telephone network (public switched telephone network) and a mobile telephone network. The public telephone network is composed of multiple exchanges (not shown), such as local line exchanges that accommodate telephone lines, relay exchanges that bundle local line exchanges, and gateway exchanges that connect to telephone networks of other carriers. The public telephone network is a well-known technology, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0025] The elevator 100 is provided with a hoistway (not shown) that runs vertically through each floor of the building. One hoistway is provided for each elevator 100. A car (passenger car) 102 for carrying people and goods is provided within the hoistway. One car 102 is provided for each elevator 100, i.e., one hoistway, and moves up and down along the direction of the hoistway, i.e., the vertical direction. The car 102 is supported by a car frame (not shown) and moves up and down together with the frame.

[0026] Guide rails (not shown) are provided on the sides of the elevator shaft to guide the elevator position of the car 102 (car frame). A shock absorber 103 is provided at the bottom of the elevator shaft to absorb the impact if the car 102 falls and hits the bottom surface. The shock absorber 103 may be a spring-type shock absorber that absorbs the impact by utilizing the elastic force of a spring, or an oil-filled shock absorber that absorbs the impact by utilizing hydraulic resistance. The shock absorber 103 may also be provided on the ceiling surface of the elevator shaft.

[0027] Doors 104a are provided at positions (landings) 104 in the elevator shaft corresponding to each floor. The doors 104a provided at the landings 104 are locked by a device called an interlock (not shown). The interlock engages with the opening / closing mechanism of the door 102a of the car 102 and releases the lock only when a motor that opens and closes the door 102a of the car 102 is driven after the car 102 has arrived at a stopping floor. This allows only the door 104a provided at the landing 104 on the floor where the car 102 is located to be opened and closed in conjunction with each other.

[0028] An operation panel 105 is installed at each of the landings 104. Each of the operation panels 105 includes a landing call button 105a, a display 105b that displays the floor where the car 102 is located, and the like. Each of the operation panels 105 also includes a control board 105c for the operation panel 105. Each of the operation panels 105 is connected to the control panel 101 via the control board 105c that each of the operation panels 105 includes.

[0029] The cage 102 is connected to one end of a rope 106. The rope 106 is hung in a bucket-like manner on a pulley (not shown) and a traction machine 107, and the other end of the rope is connected to a counterweight 108. Specifically, the rope 106 can be realized by, for example, a steel wire.

[0030] The hoist 107 in the rope-type elevator 100 is installed, for example, in a machine room provided at the top of the elevator 100. The hoist 107 can be installed at the top of the elevator 100 regardless of whether or not there is a machine room. Alternatively, if the elevator 100 is a type without a machine room, the hoist 107 may be installed at the bottom of the elevator 100.

[0031] The hoist 107 is connected to the control panel 101 via, for example, an inverter, and is controlled by the control panel 101 to stop rotation at the floor where the car 102 is to be stopped. In the rope-type elevator 100, the car 102 is raised and lowered by utilizing the frictional force (traction) between the rope 106 and the pulley, which is generated by driving the hoist 107.

[0032] The hoist 107 is equipped with an encoder (not shown), and based on an output signal from the encoder, the control panel 101 can determine the rotation speed and rotation position of the hoist 107. The encoder may be, for example, an absolute encoder or an incremental encoder.

[0033] One end of a wire rope (or chain) for adjusting the weight balance is connected to the bottom of the counterweight 108, and the other end is connected to the bottom of the car 102 (not shown). This reliably prevents the rope 106 from slipping off the sheave of the hoisting machine 107 when the weight of the rope 106 causes an imbalance in the weight between the car 102 and the counterweight 108 near the top or bottom floor, for example, in the elevator 100 installed in a high-rise building.

[0034] The elevator 100 also includes an electromagnetic brake 109, a governor machine 110, a limit switch 111, etc. The electromagnetic brake 109 includes a coil, and is driven and controlled by the control panel 101 to stop the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 by utilizing an electromagnetic force generated by energizing the coil. The electromagnetic brake 109 can maintain the state in which the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 is stopped.

[0035] The electromagnetic brake 109 stops the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 when the supply of power is stopped due to a power outage or the like. Specifically, the electromagnetic brake 109 can be, for example, a non-excitation operated electromagnetic brake 109 that operates by the force of a spring to stop the rotation of the hoisting machine 107 when the power supply to the coil is cut off due to a power outage or the like.

[0036] The governor 110 detects when the car 102 exceeds its speed limit. The governor 110 can be realized, for example, by a centrifugal governor including a governor rope 110a, a governor pulley 110b, and an oscillating weight (not shown). In this type of governor 110, the governor rope 110a is linked to the operation of the car 102. The governor pulley 110b rotates in conjunction with the operation of the governor rope 110a.

[0037] The oscillating weight operates in accordance with the rotational speed of the governor pulley 110b, i.e., the magnitude of the centrifugal force caused by the rotation of the governor pulley 110b. Specifically, the oscillating weight operates to open toward the outer periphery of the governor pulley 110b when the rotational speed of the governor pulley 110b is high, and operates to close toward the inner periphery of the governor pulley 110b when the rotational speed of the governor pulley 110b is low.

[0038] The limit switch 111 includes a switch lever (not shown) that switches between supplying and cutting off power to the hoist 107. The switch lever is normally positioned at a position that supplies power to the hoist 107, and when biased by the rotor of the governor 110, is displaced to a position that cuts off the supply of power to the hoist 107.

[0039] The rotating weight of the speed governor 110 biases the switch lever so that, when the lifting speed of the car 102 exceeds a certain speed relative to the rated speed, the switch lever is displaced to a position that cuts off the supply of power to the hoisting machine 107. As a result, when the car 102 exceeds the speed limit, the operation of the hoisting machine 107 is stopped, and the car 102 can be stopped.

[0040] Furthermore, the elevator 100 may be equipped with an emergency stop device (not shown). The emergency stop device forcibly stops the operation of the car 102 when the operation of the car 102 and the operation of the governor rope 110a differ, i.e., when the car 102 is operating even though the governor rope 110a has stopped. The emergency stop device can be easily realized using various known technologies, so a description thereof will be omitted.

[0041] An operation panel 102b is provided on the car 102. The operation panel 102b has various operation buttons and a display that displays the floor on which the car 102 is located. The car 102 is also provided with a motor that opens and closes the door 102a, a door opening / closing sensor, an obstacle detection device, various sensors such as a load sensor, and a buzzer (not shown).

[0042] An over-car box 112 is provided above the car 102. The over-car box 112 is provided, for example, on the ceiling board of the car 102, i.e., on the outside of the car 102. The over-car box 112 houses an electric circuit including a power supply circuit, a control circuit, and the like. Various loads provided on the car 102, such as the operation panel 102b, a motor for opening and closing the door 102a, a door opening / closing sensor, an obstacle detection device, a load sensor, and various other sensors and buzzers, are connected to the electric circuit housed in the over-car box 112.

[0043] The motor that opens and closes the door 102a can rotate in both forward and reverse directions, for example, rotating in the forward direction when the door 102a is opened and rotating in the reverse direction when the door 102a is closed. The motor that opens and closes the door 102a is provided, for example, on the ceiling panel of the car 102. The door open / close sensor detects the open / closed state of the door 102a. The door open / close sensor can be realized, for example, by a microswitch or a photoelectric sensor whose output changes depending on whether the door 102a or the door 104a is in the open or closed state.

[0044] The obstacle detection device detects whether an object, such as a person, has been caught between the pair of doors 102 a. Specifically, the obstacle detection device may be configured, for example, by a safety shoe that is provided between the pair of doors 102 a and biased to protrude in the opening direction of the doors 102 a, or a microswitch that outputs a signal indicating that an object has been detected to be caught between the pair of doors 102 a when the safety shoe is pushed into the inside of the doors 102 a.

[0045] The load sensor detects the load on the car 102. Specifically, the load sensor can be realized by, for example, a load cell. The load cell is provided, for example, between the bottom of the car 102 and the car frame. The buzzer outputs a buzzer sound in accordance with the detection result of the load sensor. The buzzer outputs a buzzer sound when the load (mass) on the car 102 exceeds a predetermined mass, such as a rated load (mass) applied to the car 102.

[0046] Elevator control device 200 is installed as a retrofit on the outside of car 102. Specifically, for example, as shown in Fig. 1 , it is installed on the ceiling panel of car 102 near above-car box 112. Depending on the structure of elevator 100, the structure of car 102, the circumstances of retrofitting, etc., elevator control device 200 may be installed outside car 102 in a location other than on the ceiling panel of car 102.

[0047] Elevator control device 200 is connected to car box 112 and is powered by power supplied from car box 112. Furthermore, elevator control device 200 is equipped with various sensors 206, as will be described later with reference to FIG. 2 , but instead of elevator control device 200 being equipped with various sensors 206, it may acquire detection data from various sensors equipped in car box 112.

[0048] The elevator management device 200 is a housing (box) equipped with a microphone 204, a speaker 205, a control unit 301 (CPU 201, memory 202), a communication unit 302 (communication interface 203), etc., which will be described later with reference to Figures 2 and 3. The housing can be made compact enough to accommodate these components, and does not require a large installation space. The housing is fixed to the top of the car 102, for example, using screws or magnets. The housing receives power by inserting a power supply plug into a socket in the car box 112.

[0049] In this way, the elevator control device 200 can be retrofitted with simple installation work. Therefore, it can be installed in any elevator, regardless of the type of elevator. Furthermore, compared to installing it inside the car 102, there is no need to drill holes in the ceiling or wall of the car 102 to run wiring, and the elevator control device 200 can be replaced or removed (restored to its original state) more easily.

[0050] The elevator 100 may also include a remote monitoring device 140. The remote monitoring device 140 may be attached, for example, to a housing that houses the control panel 101 of the elevator 100 or to a wall of the elevator shaft. The remote monitoring device 140 may be connected to the control panel 101. The remote monitoring device 140 is also connected to a management server computer 150 via a network such as the Internet.

[0051] The remote monitoring device 140 acquires signals (control signals) output from the control panel 101 to each component of the elevator 100, generates notification information based on the acquired control signals, and transmits the generated notification information to the management server computer 150 on behalf of the control panel 101. The notification information includes information about the status of the elevator 100, identification information of the elevator 100 that is the sender of the notification information, and the like.

[0052] The information about the state of the elevator 100 indicates, for example, the ascending / descending direction of the car 102, the floor to which the car 102 is moving, whether the car 102 has stopped at the floor to which the car 102 is moving, whether the motors that open and close the doors 102a and 104a are operating, etc. The information about the state of the elevator 100 also indicates, for example, the floor on which the car 102 is currently located, whether various safety devices are operating, etc.

[0053] The remote monitoring device 140 is connected to the control panel 101, for example, and acquires an output from a relay whose output (output state) changes in response to a control signal output from the control panel 101. In this case, the remote monitoring device 140 can acquire the control signal output from the control panel 101 from the relay.

[0054] Furthermore, the remote monitoring device 140 can be connected to the control panel 101 via contacts provided on the legs (wiring connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) of an IC chip provided on the control panel 101 corresponding to each component of the elevator 100. In this case, the contacts may be provided on the legs (wiring connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) for signals input from the control panel 101 to the IC chip, or on the legs (wiring connecting the control panel 101 and the IC chip) for signals output from the IC chip to the control panel 101.

[0055] (Hardware Configuration of Elevator Control Device) Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of the hardware configuration of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 2, elevator control device 200 includes a CPU 201, a memory 202, a communication interface 203, a microphone 204, a speaker 205, and a sensor 206 housed in a compact housing (box).

[0056] The CPU 201 controls the entire elevator management device 200 by performing arithmetic processing using programs, data, and the like stored in the memory 202. The memory 202 stores various information such as information on various conditions related to the programs executed by the CPU 201, sound information collected by the microphone 204, and information on the sound (voice) output by the speaker 205.

[0057] Specifically, instead of the CPU 201, for example, it is also possible to realize it by using an LSI (Large Scale Integration) or an FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array).

[0058] The memory 202 can be realized by a non-volatile storage medium that retains stored information even when the power supply is cut off. Specifically, the memory 202 can be realized by, for example, a flash memory, an EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), or an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory). The memory 202 can also be realized by an IC memory, an SSD (Solid State Drive), a hard disk, or the like. The memory may also be a memory card that is detachable from the elevator control device 200 via a card slot (not shown) provided in the elevator control device 200. The memory card may be implemented by an IC card such as an SD (Secure Digital) memory card, etc. The memory may be implemented by an external USB memory or the like.

[0059] The communication interface (I / F) 203 is a wireless communication interface that connects the elevator control device 200 to a network via a communication line, and serves as an interface between the network and the inside of the elevator control device 200, controlling the input of data from and the output of data to the external device 300 (specifically, the control server computer 150, the remote monitoring device 140, etc.) connected via the network. The network is realized by, for example, the Internet, a LAN (Local Area Network), a WAN (Wide Area Network), etc.

[0060] The communication I / F 203 can be realized by a wireless interface such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark), which allows communication with the remote monitoring device 140 located in close proximity.

[0061] The communication I / F 203 may also be a wireless communication interface such as a mobile phone line (e.g., LTE (Long Term Evolution) or PHS (Personal Handy-phone System)). This allows communication with the management server computer 150 located at a long distance.

[0062] The communication via the communication I / F 203 may be performed periodically, such as at a predetermined time or at predetermined intervals, or may be performed at any timing depending on the status of the communication line, etc. The memory 202 may store information acquired through the communication via the communication I / F 203.

[0063] The microphone 204 collects ambient sounds, that is, sounds generated outside the cage 102 and sounds (including voice) generated inside the cage 102. One microphone 204 may collect sounds both outside and inside the cage 102. Alternatively, multiple microphones 204 may be provided, and the microphone for sounds outside the cage 102 and the microphone for sounds inside the cage 102 may be of a type that is easy to collect sounds outside the cage 102 and sounds inside the cage 102, respectively, and the microphones may be positioned within the housing to make it easy to collect sounds.

[0064] Specifically, the microphone 204 may be, for example, a moving coil microphone configured with a diaphragm (vibration plate), a moving coil, a magnet, etc. Alternatively, the microphone 204 may be, for example, a ribbon microphone configured in such a way that a ribbon made of a thin metal foil formed using aluminum or the like and having creases is suspended between slits sandwiched between magnetic poles. The microphone 204 converts audio input as analog data into an electrical signal. Specifically, the microphone 204 performs analog-to-digital conversion on the analog audio signal input as analog data to generate digital audio data.

[0065] The speaker 205 outputs sound toward the outside or inside of the cage. One speaker 205 may output sound toward both the outside and inside of the cage 102. Alternatively, multiple speakers 205 may be provided, and the speakers may be of a type that can easily deliver sound toward the outside and inside of the cage 102, respectively, or may be arranged within the housing.

[0066] The speaker 205 generates sound by vibrating a diaphragm in response to an electrical signal, which is an audio signal. Specifically, the speaker 205 can be realized by, for example, a dynamic speaker equipped with a magnet, a speaker cone, a voice coil, etc. The speaker 205 may be a so-called directional speaker that generates sound in only one direction.

[0067] The sensor 206 is made up of various sensors, such as an acceleration sensor, an infrared sensor, a capacitance sensor, a gyro sensor, a barometric pressure sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a magnetic direction sensor, and a GPS sensor.

[0068] The acceleration sensor detects gravity, vibrations, and other movements, shocks, and the like acting on the elevator management device 200. The acceleration sensor may be, for example, a frequency-change type acceleration sensor such as a low-noise, highly stable quartz acceleration sensor. Alternatively, the acceleration sensor may be a piezoelectric type acceleration sensor, a capacitance type acceleration sensor, a piezo-resistive type acceleration sensor, or the like.

[0069] The gyro sensor detects the amount of change in the angle of the elevator control device 200. The gyro sensor detects the amount of change in the angle of the elevator control device 200, for example, by measuring angular velocity using Coriolis force.

[0070] The air pressure sensor detects the altitude of the elevator management device 200, i.e., the car 102. The air pressure sensor detects the altitude of the elevator management device 200, for example, by detecting changes in air pressure.

[0071] The ultrasonic sensor detects the distance from an object (such as a wall of the hoistway or an obstacle) located around the elevator control device 200. The ultrasonic sensor detects the distance from an object located around the elevator control device 200, for example, by utilizing the rebound of emitted ultrasonic waves.

[0072] The magnetic direction sensor detects whether the elevator control device 200 is facing north, south, east, or west. This makes it possible to detect how much the direction of the elevator control device 200, which normally does not deviate, has deviated.

[0073] The GPS sensor identifies the current position of the elevator control device 200. Specifically, the GPS sensor includes, for example, a GPS antenna, an RF (Radio Frequency) unit, and a baseband unit. The GPS antenna receives radio waves broadcast by GPS satellites. The RF unit demodulates the pre-modulation signal received by the GPS antenna into a baseband signal. The baseband unit calculates the current position of the elevator control device 200 based on the baseband signal demodulated by the RF unit. The GPS sensor may further include a filter that removes unnecessary components and an amplifier such as an LNA (Low Noise Amplifier) ​​or a PA (Power Amplifier).

[0074] The current position of the elevator management device 200 can be determined by positioning based on radio waves transmitted from multiple GPS satellites. The baseband unit performs positioning by calculating the distances to each of the four GPS satellites and calculating the position where the distances intersect. Instead of GPS, which determines the geometric position of the GPS satellite and the elevator management device 200 based on radio waves received from the GPS satellite, the current position of the elevator management device 200 may be determined using a satellite positioning system such as Michibiki, GLONASS, or Galileo.

[0075] Although not shown, the elevator control device 200 may also include a battery. By including a battery, the elevator control device 200 can be operated for a predetermined period of time even if the power supply from the car box 112 is interrupted due to a power outage or the like.

[0076] The battery supplies the power required for the operation of each component included in the elevator control device 200. The battery can be realized by, for example, a secondary battery (rechargeable battery, storage battery) such as a lithium battery. The battery realized by the secondary battery may be detachable from the elevator control device 200.

[0077] (Functional Configuration of Elevator Control Device) Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the functional configuration of an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. In Fig. 3, the elevator control device 200 includes a control unit 301, a microphone 204, a speaker 205, and a communication unit 302.

[0078] The control unit 301 can realize its functions by, for example, the CPU 201 shown in Fig. 2 executing a program stored in the memory 202. The communication unit 302 can realize its functions by, for example, the communication I / F 203 shown in Fig. 2.

[0079] When the microphone 204 picks up a predetermined sound or a sound similar to that sound, the control unit 301 determines whether an operational abnormality has occurred based on the picked up sound. Specifically, sound information related to abnormal sounds generated due to a malfunction or the like is registered in advance in the memory 202 for each malfunction location, and by comparing this sound with the picked up sound, if a sound that is the same as or similar to the picked up sound is picked up, it can determine that an operational abnormality (malfunction) has occurred and also identify the malfunction location. These determinations can be made more accurately by using AI or the like.

[0080] The predetermined sound may also be a specific frequency sound (a "beep beep beep" sound) of a security buzzer carried by an inspection worker. This makes it possible to detect when an inspection worker senses an abnormality or danger during an inspection and sounds the security buzzer, thereby quickly and reliably recognizing that an emergency has occurred.

[0081] The predetermined sound may also be a specific frequency sound (a "woosh" sound) of a direct talk button (not shown) provided inside the car 102. This allows the elevator to detect that a person (a passenger or an inspection worker) inside the car 102 has pressed the direct talk button and notify the external device 300, thereby enabling a call with an external operator via the elevator management device 200.

[0082] Then, the control unit 301 transmits the determination result, i.e., information about the determined abnormality (including the pressing of the direct talk button), to the external device 300 using the communication unit 302. At this time, information about the collected sound may also be transmitted. Furthermore, when making a determination using AI, the calculation capacity of the CPU 201 of the elevator management device 200 is insufficient for processing, so only information about the collected sound may be transmitted to the external device 300, and a more accurate determination may be made by the external device 300.

[0083] For example, the control unit 301 may determine only whether an operational abnormality has occurred, and the cause of the operational abnormality and the location of the failure may be identified by the external device 300. Here, the external device 300 may be, for example, the management server computer 150 or the remote monitoring device 140.

[0084] When the microphone 204 collects a sound different from sounds generated under normal circumstances, the control unit 301 determines whether an operational abnormality has occurred based on the collected sound. Specifically, when the microphone 204 collects sounds such as the car 102 shaking or colliding due to an earthquake, it can determine that an operational abnormality (malfunction) has occurred. Furthermore, the sound different from sounds generated under normal circumstances may be the shouting of a person (passenger or inspection worker) inside the car 102 or the shouting of an inspection worker outside the car 102 during an inspection.

[0085] Then, the control unit 301 transmits the determination result, i.e., information regarding the determined abnormality, to the external device 300 using the communication unit 302. At this time, information regarding the collected sound may be transmitted together, or only information regarding the collected sound may be transmitted to the external device 300.

[0086] Furthermore, the control unit 301 uses the speaker 205 to output a sound associated with predetermined information to the outside or inside of the car 102. The volume and type of the sound associated with the predetermined information can be changed based on the nature of the determined operational abnormality, the level of urgency, and the level of danger. Furthermore, the volume and type of the sound can be changed between the outside and inside of the car 102. Specifically, the sound associated with the predetermined information may be a siren or buzzer, or may be a voice that is stored (recorded) in advance in the memory 202, such as "This is an emergency. Please get off immediately."

[0087] The control unit 301 also uses the speaker 205 to output audio related to the information received by the communication unit 302 from the external device 300, either toward the outside of the car 102 or toward the inside of the car 102. The control unit 301 also uses the communication unit 302 to transmit information related to the audio collected by the microphone 204 to the external device 300. The control unit 301 determines whether the audio collected by the microphone 204 is audio or something other than audio, and if it is audio, transmits the audio to the external device 300. Here, audio other than audio may be treated as noise and a process for removing the noise may be performed. This allows the audio from the external operator to be used for direct communication with an inspection worker outside the car 102, or a passenger or inspection worker inside the car 102.

[0088] (Processing Procedure of Elevator Control Device) FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the elevator control device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the basic operation of the elevator control device 200.

[0089] 4, it is determined whether or not sound has been collected by the microphone 204 (step S401). Since the power supply of the microphone 204 is always ON, sound is collected continuously. Therefore, it is possible to determine whether or not sound has been collected at predetermined time intervals (for example, every 5 seconds).

[0090] After waiting for a predetermined time to elapse (step S401: No), if a sound is collected (step S401: Yes), it is determined whether the collected sound is a predetermined sound (step S402). The predetermined sound is a predetermined sound, more specifically, a sound associated with sound information pre-stored in memory 202.

[0091] If the collected sound is a predetermined sound (step S402: Yes), it is determined that an abnormal situation may exist, and the process proceeds to step S404. On the other hand, if the collected sound is not a predetermined sound (step S402: No), it is next determined whether the collected sound is a normal sound (step S403).

[0092] If the collected sound is a normal sound (step S403: Yes), it is determined that there is no possibility of an abnormal state, and the process returns to step S401. On the other hand, if the collected sound is not a normal sound (step S403: No), it is determined that there is a possibility of an abnormal state, and the process proceeds to step S404.

[0093] Next, the situation is judged based on the collected sound (step S404). The situation is judged based on the currently occurring sound. In addition, sounds stored in memory 202 going back a predetermined time from the current time may also be used as a reference for the judgment.

[0094] Specifically, for example, it determines which part of the elevator's components has malfunctioned and what the current elevator situation is. Also, if it determines that the sound is coming from inside the car, it determines the situation occurring inside the car.

[0095] The result of the determination is then transmitted to the external device 300 (step S405). At this time, information about the collected sound may also be transmitted. Information about the date and time when the sound was collected, an elevator identification ID, and the like may also be transmitted.

[0096] If the situation cannot be determined or is not determined in step S404 (including if the device does not have the function to determine), only information regarding the collected sound may be sent to the external device 300 instead of the result of the situation determination.

[0097] Furthermore, based on the result of the determination of the situation in step S404, a predetermined sound is output from speaker 205 (step S406). The predetermined sound includes, for example, a siren, buzzer, or voice that notifies of an abnormal state. Depending on the result of the determination, the sound output in step S404 may not be performed. In this way, the series of processes is completed.

[0098] FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the elevator control device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the operation of the elevator control device 200 based on an operation instruction from the external device 300.

[0099] 5, the communication unit 302 determines whether or not an instruction has been received from the external device 300 (step S501). Here, the communication unit 302 waits for reception of an instruction from the external device 300 (step S501: No), and if an instruction has been received (step S501: Yes), the communication unit 302 determines the situation based on the collected sound (step S502).

[0100] The result of the determination is then transmitted to the external device 300 (step S503). At this time, information about the collected sound may also be transmitted. Instead of the result of the determination of the situation, only information about the collected sound may be transmitted to the external device 300. Information about the date and time when the sound was collected, an elevator identification ID, etc. may also be transmitted.

[0101] Furthermore, based on the result of the determination of the situation in step S502, a predetermined sound is output from speaker 205 (step S504). The predetermined sound may include, for example, a siren, buzzer, or voice that notifies an abnormal state. The sound output in step S504 may not be performed depending on the result of the determination. Whether or not a sound is to be output and the type of sound to be output may be included in the instruction from external device 300 in step S501. In this way, the series of processes is completed.

[0102] FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the procedure of processing by the elevator control device 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the direct communication operation of the elevator control device 200 based on an operation instruction from the external device 300.

[0103] 6, the communication unit 302 determines whether or not audio has been received from the external device 300 (step S601). Here, the communication unit 302 waits for audio to be received from the external device 300 (step S601: No), and if audio has been received (step S601: Yes), the communication unit 302 outputs the received audio from the speaker 205 (step S602).

[0104] Next, it is determined whether or not voice has been collected by the microphone 204 (step S603). If voice has been collected (step S603: Yes), the collected voice is transmitted to the external device 300 (step S604), and the process returns to step S601. Thereafter, by repeating steps S601 to S604, direct communication with the external device 300 (external operator) can be realized.

[0105] In step S603, if no sound is collected by microphone 204 (step S603: No), it is determined whether a predetermined time has elapsed (step S605). The predetermined time is, for example, a pre-set time, specifically, 30 seconds, for example. If the predetermined time has not elapsed (step S605: No), the process returns to step S603 and waits for further sound collection. On the other hand, if the predetermined time has elapsed (step S605: Yes), it is determined that no person (person to whom the direct conversation corresponds) is present in the car, and the process ends.

[0106] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing the processing procedure of the elevator control system 200 according to the embodiment of the present invention, and shows the operation of the elevator control system 200 when an abnormality (emergency) such as an earthquake occurs.

[0107] In the flowchart of Fig. 7, it is determined whether or not an abnormality has been detected (step S701). The abnormality is detected, for example, by the sensor 206 shown in Fig. 2. More specifically, in the event of an earthquake, the acceleration sensor of the sensor 206 detects the shaking (vibration) of the car 102, and the control unit 301 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection. Furthermore, in the event that the car 102 makes an emergency stop at a position different from normal, the acceleration sensor, ultrasonic sensor, or the like of the sensor 206 detects the stop and the stop position, and the control unit 301 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred based on the detection.

[0108] Here, the system waits for an abnormality to be detected (step S701: No), and if an abnormality is detected (step S701: Yes), a sound is output using the speaker 205 (step S702). For example, if it is determined that an earthquake has occurred, a sound stored in the memory 202 in advance, such as "An earthquake has occurred. Please evacuate immediately," is output. The sound to be output is selected depending on the abnormality situation. Alternatively, a siren sound, a buzzer sound, or the like may be output.

[0109] Next, the situation is judged based on the sound collected by the microphone 204 (step S703). The fault location (abnormal location) is identified based on the collected sound, and if the collected sound includes a human voice, it can be determined that there is a possibility that someone is trapped inside.

[0110] The result of the determination is then transmitted to the external device 300 (step S704). At this time, information about the collected sound may also be transmitted. Instead of the result of the determination of the situation, only information about the collected sound may be transmitted to the external device 300. Information about the date and time when the sound was collected, an elevator identification ID, etc. may also be transmitted. In this way, the series of processes is completed.

[0111] As described above, the elevator management device 200 of an embodiment of the present invention is characterized by being retrofitted to the outside of the car 102 of the elevator 100 and including a microphone 204 that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker 205 that outputs sounds, and a communication unit 302 that communicates with external devices.

[0112] According to the elevator management device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention, since the device is installed outside the car 102, retrofitting is easy. It can also be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator. Furthermore, compared to installation inside the car 102, securing drive power is easier. Since the device does not need to be installed inside the car 102, it is not necessary to drill holes for wiring in the ceiling or wall of the car 102, and restoration to the original state after removal is also easier. Since the device is installed outside the car 102, abnormal noises occurring outside the car 102 (in the hoistway) can be easily and reliably detected. Furthermore, a single device can detect both direct communication and operational abnormalities, and installation is inexpensive. Furthermore, since the device is installed outside the car 102, tampering and theft by passengers can be reliably prevented.

[0113] This allows the system to be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator, making it possible to detect operational abnormalities and enable direct communication between the car's occupants and the outside world, thereby ensuring the safety of occupants in the event of an operational abnormality.

[0114] Furthermore, the elevator management device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention is retrofitted to the outside of the car 102 of the elevator 100, and is equipped with a microphone 204 that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker 205 that outputs sounds, and a communication unit 302 that communicates with the external device 300, and is characterized in that when the microphone 204 collects a predetermined sound or a sound similar to the predetermined sound, at least one of information related to the collected sound and information related to an abnormality determined based on the collected sound is transmitted to the external device 300 using the communication unit 302.

[0115] Furthermore, the elevator management device 200 of an embodiment of the present invention is retrofitted to the outside of the car 102 of the elevator 100, and is equipped with a microphone 204 that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker 205 that outputs sounds, and a communication unit 302 that communicates with the external device 300, and is characterized in that when the microphone 204 collects a sound that is different from sounds that are generated under normal circumstances, at least one of information about the collected sound and information about an abnormality determined based on the collected sound is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit 302.

[0116] According to the elevator control device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention, an operational abnormality or emergency can be quickly and accurately detected by sound and reported to the outside, thereby ensuring the safety of passengers when an operational abnormality or emergency occurs.

[0117] Furthermore, the elevator management device 200 of an embodiment of the present invention is retrofitted to the outside of the car 102 of the elevator 100, and is equipped with a microphone 204 that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker 205 that outputs sounds, and a communication unit 302 that communicates with the external device 300. When the microphone 204 collects a predetermined sound or a sound similar to that sound, or when the microphone 204 collects a sound that is different from sounds that are generated under normal circumstances, the elevator management device 200 transmits at least one of information about the collected sound and information about an abnormality determined based on the collected sound to the external device 300 using the communication unit 302, and outputs a sound related to the predetermined information to the outside of the car 102 or to the inside of the car 102 using the speaker 205.

[0118] According to the elevator control device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention, an operational abnormality or emergency can be quickly and accurately detected by sound and notified to the occupants, thereby ensuring the safety of the occupants when an operational abnormality or emergency occurs.

[0119] Furthermore, the elevator management device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention is retrofitted to the outside of the car 102 of the elevator 100 and is equipped with a microphone 204 that collects surrounding sounds, a speaker 205 that outputs sounds, and a communication unit 302 that communicates with the external device 300, and is characterized in that the communication unit 302 outputs audio related to information received from the external device 300 using the speaker 205 toward the outside or inside of the car 102, and transmits information related to the audio collected by the microphone 204 to the external device 300 using the communication unit 302.

[0120] According to the elevator management device 200 of the embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to communicate with the occupants in the car 102, thereby ensuring the safety of the occupants in the event of an operational abnormality or emergency.

[0121] As described above, the elevator control device of the present invention is useful as an elevator control device that can ensure the safety of passengers in the event of an operational abnormality or emergency, and is particularly suitable as an elevator control device that can be easily retrofitted to any type of elevator, can detect operational abnormalities, and can enable direct communication between passengers in the car and the outside world.

[0122] 100 Elevator 101 Control panel 102 Cage 200 Elevator management device 204 Microphone 205 Speaker 206 Sensor 300 External device (remote monitoring device 140, management server computer 150) 301 Control unit 302 Communication unit

Claims

1. An elevator management device that is retrofitted to the outside of an elevator car, comprising: a microphone that collects surrounding sounds; a speaker that outputs sounds; and a communication unit that communicates with external devices.

2. The elevator management device described in claim 1, characterized in that when the microphone picks up a predetermined sound or a sound similar to that sound, at least one of information regarding the picked-up sound and information regarding an abnormality determined based on the picked-up sound is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

3. The elevator management device of claim 1, characterized in that when the microphone picks up a sound that is different from the sound that is generated under normal circumstances, at least one of information regarding the picked-up sound and information regarding an abnormality determined based on the picked-up sound is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

4. An elevator management device as described in claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the speaker is used to output a sound related to specified information to the outside or inside of the car.

5. An elevator management device as described in claim 1, characterized in that the speaker is used to output audio related to the information received from the external device by the communication unit toward the outside or inside of the car, and information related to the audio collected by the microphone is transmitted to the external device using the communication unit.

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