JP7563426B2 - Abnormality notification system and abnormality notification method - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an abnormality notification system and an abnormality notification method.

In recent years, technology has become known that allows autonomous robots to use elevators.

Patent document 1 describes a system that controls an elevator based on a signal received from a robot, thereby allowing the robot and elevator to operate in coordination.

JP 2012-18646 A

In addition to abnormalities in the autonomous driving function, abnormalities that may occur in a robot include, for example, abnormalities in the function that detects malfunctions in the robot's own operation and abnormalities in the function that communicates with the outside world. If an abnormality occurs in the function that detects malfunctions in the robot's own operation or in the function that communicates with the outside world, the robot will not send a signal to notify the occurrence of the abnormality. Therefore, there may be a delay in the timing at which an administrator or the like becomes aware that an abnormality has occurred in the robot.

One aspect of the present invention aims to realize a system that can promptly notify a manager or other person when an abnormality occurs in an information processing device that uses an elevator.

To solve the above problems, an abnormality notification system according to one embodiment of the present invention includes an abnormality determination unit that determines whether an abnormality has occurred in an autonomous information processing device located either at an elevator landing or inside the elevator car, based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating a communication status between the information processing device and an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator, and operation status information indicating an operation status of the information processing device, and a notification output unit that outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator control device when an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device.

The abnormality notification method according to one aspect of the present invention includes an abnormality determination step of determining whether an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating a communication status between an autonomously-traveling information processing device at an elevator landing or in the elevator car and an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator, and operation status information indicating an operation status of the information processing device, and a notification output step of outputting an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator control device if an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device.

According to one aspect of the present invention, it is possible to promptly notify a manager or other person of an abnormality occurring in an information processing device that uses an elevator.

1 is a diagram showing an overview of an abnormality notification system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an abnormality notification system. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process performed by the abnormality notification system. FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an abnormality notification system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram showing an example of a process performed by the abnormality notification system.

[Embodiment 1]
<Overview of abnormality notification system 100>
First, an overview of an abnormality notification system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. Fig. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of the abnormality notification system 100. In the abnormality notification system 100, a notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in an information processing device 2 using an elevator 3 is output from an elevator control device 1 that controls the operation of the elevator 3. For example, as shown in Fig. 1, when a situation occurs in which the information processing device 2 using the elevator 3 has tipped over around the elevator 3, the elevator control device 1 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on status information indicating the status of the information processing device 2. Fig. 1 shows the information processing device 2 tipped over at an elevator hall on the fifth floor.

If an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 2, the elevator control device 1 outputs an abnormality occurrence notification to a device such as the monitoring device 4, notifying the occurrence of the abnormality. FIG. 1 shows an example in which the monitoring device 4 is installed on the first floor. Here, the monitoring device 4 may be a computer used by an administrator who manages the operation of the information processing device 2, the operation of the elevators 3 in the building, and each facility in the building. The monitoring device 4 notifies the administrator, etc. of the occurrence of the abnormality. In this way, when an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 2, the abnormality notification system 100 can make the person managing the elevator 3 or the information processing device 2 aware of the occurrence of the abnormality.

<Configuration of abnormality notification system 100>
Next, the configuration of the abnormality notification system 100 will be described with reference to Fig. 2. Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of the abnormality notification system 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 2, the abnormality notification system 100 includes an elevator control device 1, an information processing device 2, an elevator 3, and a monitoring device 4. The elevator 3 is a transport device installed in a building and capable of moving between floors. The elevator control device 1 controls each operation of the elevator 3. The information processing device 2 is capable of operating independently within the building and is capable of moving between floors using the elevator 3. The monitoring device 4 monitors the status of the elevator 3 or the information processing device 2.

Note that, for convenience, the abnormality notification system 100 shown in FIG. 2 includes one information processing device 2 and one elevator 3, but is not limited to this configuration. The abnormality notification system 100 may include multiple information processing devices 2 and multiple elevators 3.

In the abnormality notification system 100, the elevator control device 1 acquires status information indicating the status of the information processing device 2 that uses the elevator 3, and determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on the status information.

<Elevator control device 1>
Below, a detailed description will be given of each component of the abnormality notification system 100. The elevator control device 1 is a device that controls the operation of the elevators 3 that are included in the abnormality notification system 100. When the abnormality notification system 100 includes multiple elevators 3, the elevator control device 1 may centrally manage the operation of each elevator 3. Alternatively, each elevator control device 1 that controls the operation of each elevator 3 may be provided, and a group management device that instructs each elevator control device 1 which elevator to assign to the information processing device 2 may be further provided.

As shown in FIG. 2, the elevator control device 1 includes a control unit 11, a communication unit 12, and a memory unit 13. The control unit 11 executes each process performed in the elevator control device 1. The communication unit 12 is a communication module that enables the elevator control device 1 to communicate with the information processing device 2 and the elevator 3 included in the abnormality notification system 100. The communication between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 and the communication between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 may be the same communication method, or may be different communication methods. The memory unit 13 is a memory area that stores information used for each process performed by the elevator control device 1.

As shown in FIG. 2, the control unit 11 includes a reception unit 111, an allocation unit 112, an operation control unit 113, an abnormality determination unit 114, and a notification output unit 115.

The reception unit 111 communicates with the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12, and receives a call registration request from the information processing device 2. The call registration request includes identification information of the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request, information indicating the departure floor where the information processing device 2 is located and where the elevator 3 will be boarded, and the destination floor where the elevator 3 will be disembarked. The reception unit 111 accepts the call registration request received from the information processing device 2, and stores the identification information of the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request in the memory unit 13. The reception unit 111 also outputs each piece of information included in the received call registration request to the allocation unit 112.

When the information processing devices 2 that can use the elevator 3 are limited, upon receiving a call registration request, the reception unit 111 refers to the storage unit 13 and determines whether the information processing device 2 indicated by the identification information is registered as a device that can use the elevator 3. When the information processing device 2 is a device that can use the elevator 3, the reception unit 111 accepts the call registration request from the information processing device 2 and outputs each piece of information included in the received call registration request to the allocation unit 112.

When the allocation unit 112 acquires each piece of information included in the call registration request from the reception unit 111, it determines the car 34 of the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2 based on this information. If the abnormality notification system 100 has multiple elevator 3 cars 34, the allocation unit 112 determines one of the multiple cars 34, for example the car 34 closest to the departure floor of the information processing device 2, as the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2.

When the abnormality notification system 100 includes a car 34 of one elevator 3, the allocation unit 112 determines whether the car 34 can move to the departure floor of the information processing device 2, and if it can move, determines the car 34 as the car 34 to be allocated to the information processing device 2. The allocation unit 112 outputs information indicating the determined allocated car 34, the information processing device 2 that uses the car 34, and the departure floor and destination floor of the information processing device 2 to the operation control unit 113. The allocation unit 112 also refers to the memory unit 13 and transmits information indicating the determined allocated car 34 to the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request.

When the operation control unit 113 acquires various information from the allocation unit 112, it controls the operation of the elevator 3 based on the information. Specifically, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to move the car 34 to the departure floor based on the information indicating the departure floor of the information processing device 2. Thereafter, when the car 34 arrives at the departure floor, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to open the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the landing at the departure floor. In addition, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to move the car 34 to the destination floor based on the information indicating the destination floor of the information processing device 2. When the car 34 arrives at the destination floor, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to open the car 34 and the door 33 of the landing at the destination floor.

The operation control unit 113 also refers to the memory unit 13, identifies the information processing device 2 that has made the call registration request, and establishes communication with the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12. This enables the operation control unit 113 to transmit and receive various information for causing the information processing device 2 to board and disembark from the car 34. The operation control unit 113 also outputs communication status information indicating the status of information transmission and reception with the information processing device 2, in other words, the communication status with the information processing device 2, to the abnormality determination unit 114.

The operation control unit 113 opens the car 34 door and the hall door 33 at the departure floor, and after receiving a signal indicating that these doors are open, transmits a boarding request signal to the information processing device 2 requesting boarding into the car 34. The operation control unit 113 outputs information indicating that the boarding request signal has been transmitted to the abnormality determination unit 114. After that, when a boarding completion signal indicating that boarding into the car 34 of the information processing device 2 has been completed is received from the information processing device 2, the operation control unit 113 closes the car 34 and the hall door 33. The operation control unit 113 also outputs information indicating that the boarding completion signal has been received to the abnormality determination unit 114.

The operation control unit 113 also opens the car 34 door and the hall door 33 at the destination floor, and after receiving a signal indicating that these doors are open, transmits an alighting request signal to the information processing device 2 requesting disembarkation from the car 34. The operation control unit 113 outputs information indicating that the alighting request signal has been transmitted to the abnormality determination unit 114. After that, when it receives a alighting completion signal from the information processing device 2 indicating that disembarking from the car 34 of the information processing device 2 has been completed, the operation control unit 113 closes the car 34 door and the hall door 33. The operation control unit 113 also outputs information indicating that the alighting completion signal has been received to the abnormality determination unit 114.

If communication between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 is interrupted before the information processing device 2 has completed using the elevator 3, it will no longer be possible to send and receive information between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2. In this case, the operation control unit 113 outputs information to the abnormality determination unit 114 indicating that communication with the information processing device 2 is not normal.

In addition, when the information processing device 2 transmits a signal indicating that it is boarding or disembarking while getting into or disembarking from the car 34, the operation control unit 113 receives the signal. When the operation control unit 113 receives a signal indicating that the information processing device 2 is boarding and then stops receiving the signal, it determines that the information processing device 2 has completed boarding and transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to close the door and move the car 34. In addition, when the operation control unit 113 receives a signal indicating that the information processing device 2 is disembarking and stops receiving the signal, it determines that the information processing device 2 has completed disembarking and transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to close the door.

Furthermore, when the operation control unit 113 acquires information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, it stops the operation of the car 34 even if there are other floors to which the car 34 should move. Furthermore, when the operation control unit 113 stops the car 34, if the door 33 is open, it sends a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to close the door 33 in order to reduce the possibility of other users getting on by mistake.

The abnormality determination unit 114 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating the communication status between the information processing device 2 and the elevator control device 1 and operation status information indicating the operation status of the information processing device 2. The operation status information is, for example, information including information indicating the boarding operation to the car 34 or the disembarking operation from the car 34 by the information processing device 2. The abnormality determination unit 114 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 that uses the elevator 3, more specifically, in the information processing device 2 that is located either in the car 34 of the elevator 3 or at the landing.

As an example, the abnormality determination unit 114 may acquire, as the communication status information, status information including information indicating whether or not a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 has been received. Based on the status information, the abnormality determination unit 114 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 has not been received.

Alternatively, the abnormality determination unit 114 may acquire, as the operation status information, status information including information indicating the boarding operation by the information processing device 2 into the car 34. Based on the status information, the abnormality determination unit 114 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if the boarding operation by the information processing device 2 is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car 34 in which the information processing device 2 can board arrives at the departure floor of the information processing device 2. Here, the predetermined time may be, for example, a typical elapsed time required for an information processing device 2 that is not experiencing an abnormality to board the car 34.

Additionally, the abnormality determination unit 114 may acquire, as the operating status information, status information including information indicating the disembarking operation by the information processing device 2 from the car 34. Based on the status information, the abnormality determination unit 114 may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if the disembarking operation by the information processing device 2 is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car 34 in which the information processing device 2 can board arrives at the destination floor of the information processing device 2. Here, the predetermined time may be, for example, a typical elapsed time required for an information processing device 2 that is not experiencing an abnormality to disembark from the car 34.

The specific contents of the abnormality determination performed by the abnormality determination unit 114 will be described below. The abnormality determination unit 114 determines whether an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on whether communication with the information processing device 2 is performed normally and whether a signal that should be received from the information processing device 2 is received normally. If communication with the information processing device 2 is not performed normally, or if a signal that should be received from the information processing device 2 is not received normally, the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. "Normal reception" refers to either the inability to receive a signal, or the fact that it takes longer than expected to receive the signal.

Specifically, if communication is not established with the information processing device 2 that should be at the boarding area after accepting a call registration request and notifying the assigned car 34, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as communication status information, information indicating that communication with the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. Alternatively, if communication with the information processing device 2 is interrupted, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as communication status information, information indicating that communication with the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally.

In addition, when the abnormality determination unit 114 does not receive a boarding completion signal from the information processing device 2 after opening the car door 34 and the hall door 33 at the departure floor and transmitting a boarding request signal, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the boarding operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. Alternatively, when it takes a predetermined time or longer to receive the boarding completion signal, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the boarding operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. In addition, when a signal indicating that the information processing device 2 is boarding continues to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 for a predetermined time or longer, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the boarding operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally.

In addition, if the abnormality determination unit 114 does not receive a disembarking completion signal from the information processing device 2 after opening the car door 34 and the hall door 33 at the destination floor and transmitting a disembarking request signal, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. Alternatively, if it takes a predetermined time or longer to receive the disembarking completion signal, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. In addition, if a signal indicating that the information processing device 2 is disembarking continues to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 for a predetermined time or longer, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as operation status information, information indicating that the disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally.

A state in which the boarding or disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not performed normally includes, for example, a state in which the operation unit 23 of the information processing device 2 or a sensor (not shown) that detects surrounding objects when the information processing device 2 moves breaks down and the information processing device 2 is unable to run normally. In addition, a state in which the boarding or disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not performed normally includes, for example, a state in which the information processing device 2 cannot operate normally due to insufficient battery power remaining, or a state in which the information processing device 2 can operate but cannot normally transmit and receive various signals. In addition, a state in which the boarding or disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not performed normally includes, for example, a state in which the information processing device 2 cannot operate normally due to falling over, even though no abnormality has occurred in each part of the information processing device 2. In such a state, the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on the state information indicating the state of the information processing device 2.

When the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as the communication status information, status information indicating that communication with the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. In addition, when the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as the operation status information, status information indicating that the boarding or disembarking operation of the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally, it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

On the other hand, if the abnormality determination unit 114 does not acquire this information, it determines that no abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 and terminates the process. In other words, if communication between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 is normally established, and after transmitting a boarding request signal or an alighting request signal, the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if it receives a boarding completion signal or an alighting completion signal within a predetermined time.

When the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, it outputs the result of the determination to the notification output unit 115. In addition, the abnormality determination unit 114 outputs information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 and information indicating the cage 34 being used by the information processing device 2 to the operation control unit 113.

When the notification output unit 115 acquires information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 from the abnormality determination unit 114, it outputs an abnormality occurrence notification to the monitoring device 4. The abnormality occurrence notification is a notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 at the landing or inside the car 34 of the elevator 3.

Specifically, the notification output unit 115 transmits information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 and information indicating the location of the information processing device 2 to the monitoring device 4. As an example, the notification output unit 115 transmits an abnormality occurrence notification to the monitoring device 4, such as a monitor used by an administrator who manages the elevator 3. For example, if the information processing device 2 that has made a call registration request to move from the 8th floor to the 2nd floor falls while riding the elevator 3, the notification output unit 115 transmits information to the monitoring device 4 indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 and that the information processing device 2 is located near the landing on the 8th floor.

The notification output unit 115 may also notify the monitoring device 4, which is a device that monitors the information processing device 2, that an abnormality has occurred. In this case, the notification output unit 115 may output a notification indicating that an abnormality has occurred, together with identification information of the information processing device 2 in which the abnormality has occurred. In addition, the notification output unit 115 may output the abnormality occurrence notification by performing an operation similar to that performed when an emergency button provided on a conventional elevator 3 that is pressed when an abnormality occurs is pressed.

<Information processing device 2>
The information processing device 2 is a device capable of autonomously traveling within a building in which an elevator 3 is installed. The information processing device 2 is capable of moving between floors of the building using the elevator 3. The information processing device 2 is also a device capable of autonomously traveling at the landing of the elevator 3 and within the car 34 of the elevator 3. As shown in FIG. 2 , the information processing device 2 includes a communication unit 21, a control unit 22, and an operation unit 23. The communication unit 21 is a communication module that allows the information processing device 2 to communicate with the elevator control device 1. The control unit 22 controls the operation of each unit of the information processing device 2. The operation unit 23 is a member such as a wheel that operates according to the control of the control unit 22 and moves the information processing device 2.

When moving between floors, the control unit 22 generates a call registration request with the floor where the information processing device 2 is located as the departure floor and the floor to which the user is to move as the destination floor, and transmits the request to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 21. When the control unit 22 receives information indicating the assigned car 34 from the elevator control device 1, it operates the operation unit 23 to move to the hall corresponding to the car 34.

When the elevator 3 doors and the hall doors 33 open and a boarding request signal is received from the elevator control device 1, the control unit 22 operates the operation unit 23 to board the information processing device 2 into the car 34. When boarding into the car 34 is complete, the control unit 22 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 21. The boarding completion signal may include information requesting that the car 34 doors 33 be closed.

Alternatively, when the control unit 22 receives the boarding request signal, the control unit 22 may transmit a boarding signal indicating that the information processing device 2 is boarding the car 34 to the elevator control device 1 while the boarding operation is being performed in the car 34. When the information processing device 2 has completed boarding in the car 34, the control unit 22 stops transmitting the boarding signal. This allows the elevator control device 1 to know that the information processing device 2 has completed boarding in the car 34. In this way, the control unit 22 uses the elevator 3 to move between floors.

<Elevator 3>
2, the elevator 3 includes a communication unit 31, a drive control unit 32, a door 33, and a car 34 capable of accommodating a user. The communication unit 31 is a communication module for communicating between the elevator control device 1 and the elevator 3. The door 33 is provided on each floor of the elevator 3, and opens and closes under the control of the drive control unit 32.

The drive control unit 32 receives signals instructing various operations from the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31 and controls the operation of each part of the elevator 3.

When the drive control unit 32 receives a signal from the elevator control device 1 instructing the elevator control device 1 to move the car 34 between floors, it operates a drive unit (not shown) to move the car 34 to the specified floor. When the car 34 arrives at the floor, the drive control unit 32 transmits a signal to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31 indicating that the car 34 has arrived at the floor.

When the drive control unit 32 receives a signal from the elevator control device 1 instructing it to open or close the car 34 door and the hall door 33, it controls the opening and closing of the car 34 door and the hall door 33 where the car 34 is located. When the opening or closing of the car 34 door and the hall door 33 is completed, the drive control unit 32 transmits a signal to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31 indicating that the opening and closing of the car 34 door and the hall door 33 has been completed.

<Monitoring device 4>
The monitoring device 4 is a device used by someone who needs to know that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 inside the car 34 of the elevator 3 or in the vicinity of the landing.

For example, the monitoring device 4 is a computer used by a building manager, a computer in the manager's room, or a device used by a manager who manages the elevator 3. When an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 2 and an abnormality notification is output from the elevator control device 1, the monitoring device 4 receives the abnormality notification. When the monitoring device 4 receives the abnormality notification, it notifies the person using the monitoring device 4 that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

For example, the monitoring device 4 is provided with a display capable of displaying images, and notifies a manager of the occurrence of an abnormality by displaying on said display an image indicating that an abnormality has occurred inside the car 34 of the elevator 3 or around the landing. Alternatively, the monitoring device 4 is provided with a lamp that turns on when an abnormality occurs, and notifies a person using the monitoring device 4 of the occurrence of an abnormality by turning on said lamp.

As another example, the monitoring device 4 may be a device that monitors the information processing device 2. The device that monitors the information processing device 2 is, for example, a device used by the manufacturer that produced the information processing device 2, and is a device that accepts notifications regarding malfunctions of the information processing device 2. Alternatively, the device that monitors the information processing device 2 is a device used by an administrator who manages the status of the information processing device 2.

In addition, a monitoring device 4 that monitors the operation of the elevator 3 may notify another monitoring device 4 that monitors the information processing device 2 that an abnormality has occurred.

<Effects of the abnormality notification system 100>
As described above, the abnormality notification system 100 of this embodiment comprises an information processing device 2 capable of autonomous travel either at the landing of the elevator 3 or in the car 34 of the elevator 3, an abnormality determination unit 114 that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating the communication status with the elevator control device 1 that controls the operation of the elevator 3 and operation status information indicating the operation status of the information processing device, and a notification output unit 115 that outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator control device 1 if an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

When an abnormality occurs in an autonomously traveling information processing device 2, it is not always possible for the information processing device 2 to detect the abnormality in its own device and take appropriate action (for example, issuing a report of the occurrence of an abnormality and a request for rescue, etc.). This is because an abnormality occurring in the information processing device 2 may cause the information processing device 2 to lose its function of detecting an abnormality in its own device and its function of reporting the occurrence of an abnormality and issuing a request for rescue. Furthermore, some types of information processing devices 2 may not have the function of reporting the occurrence of an abnormality and issuing a request for rescue. In such cases, there may be a delay in understanding that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

According to the above configuration, the abnormality notification system 100 determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on at least one of the communication state with the information processing device 2 at the landing and in the car 34 of the elevator 3 and the operating state of the information processing device 2. Then, if an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, the abnormality notification system 100 outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator control device 1 to notify the information processing device 2 that an abnormality has occurred.

According to this configuration, even if the information processing device 2 is unable to detect an abnormality in its own device or issue a rescue request, the abnormality notification system 100 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the information processing device 2 that uses the elevator 3 and output an abnormality occurrence notification. Furthermore, even if the information processing device 2 does not have the function of reporting an abnormality or issuing a rescue request, the abnormality notification system 100 can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the information processing device 2 that uses the elevator 3 and output an abnormality occurrence notification. In this way, the abnormality notification system 100 can notify the administrator or other person who should be aware of the abnormality that has occurred in the information processing device 2 that uses the elevator 3 without delay that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

In addition, in the abnormality notification system 100, the status information includes, as communication status information, information indicating whether or not a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 has been received, and the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device 2 has not been received.

A state in which communication is not possible between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 is, for example, a state in which the communication function of the information processing device 2 has failed. With the above configuration, the abnormality notification system 100 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 when it is unable to receive a signal that should be sent from the information processing device 2 (for example, a signal notifying the elevator control device 1 that a passenger is boarding/disembarking). With this configuration, the abnormality notification system 100 can detect an abnormality in the communication function that has occurred in the information processing device 2.

In addition, in the abnormality notification system 100, the status information includes, as operation status information, information indicating the boarding operation by the information processing device 2 into the cage 34, and the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if the boarding operation by the information processing device 2 is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the cage 34 in which the information processing device 2 can board arrives at the departure floor of the information processing device 2.

In addition, in the abnormality notification system 100, the status information includes, as operation status information, information indicating the disembarking operation from the car 34 by the information processing device 2, and the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if the disembarking operation by the information processing device 2 is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car 34 arrives at the destination floor of the information processing device 2.

If an abnormality occurs in the operational function of the information processing device 2, the information processing device 2 cannot smoothly perform the boarding operation of getting into the car 34 of the elevator 3 or the disembarking operation of getting off from the car 34. According to the above configuration, the abnormality notification system 100 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 if the information processing device 2 cannot complete the boarding operation or the disembarking operation within a predetermined time. According to this configuration, the abnormality notification system 100 can detect an abnormality in the operational function of the information processing device 2.

<An example of a processing flow of the abnormality notification system 100>
Fig. 3 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the process performed by the abnormality notification system 100. An example of the flow of the process (an abnormality detection method) performed in the notification system according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 3. Note that Fig. 3 will be described by taking as an example a case where the elevator control device 1 controls the operation of the cars 34 of a plurality of elevators 3, and a process of determining the car 34 of the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2.

First, the control unit 22 of the information processing device 2 generates a call registration request including identification information indicating the information processing device 2, the departure floor where the information processing device 2 is located and where the user boards the elevator 3, and the destination floor where the user disembarks from the elevator 3 (S1). The control unit 22 transmits the generated call registration request to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 21.

The reception unit 111 of the elevator control device 1 receives a call registration request received from the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12 (S11). The reception unit 111 outputs information indicating the departure floor and destination floor of the information processing device 2 contained in the received call registration request to the allocation unit 112. Note that if the information processing devices 2 that can use the elevator 3 are limited, the reception unit 111 refers to the memory unit 13 and determines whether the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request is an information processing device 2 that is permitted to use the elevator 3. In this case, the reception unit 111 accepts the call registration request if the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request is permitted to use the elevator 3.

When the various pieces of information included in the call registration request are acquired from the reception unit 111, the car 34 of the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2 is determined based on this information (S12). The allocation unit 112 outputs information indicating the determined assigned car 34, the information processing device 2 that will use the car 34, and the departure floor and destination floor of the information processing device 2 to the operation control unit 113. The allocation unit 112 also refers to the memory unit 13 and transmits information indicating the determined assigned car 34 to the information processing device 2 that made the call registration request.

When the operation control unit 113 acquires the information, it transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to move the car 34 to the departure floor based on the information indicating the departure floor of the information processing device 2. When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives the signal via the communication unit 31, it moves the car 34 to the departure floor. In addition, the operation control unit 113 outputs communication status information indicating the status of sending and receiving information with the information processing device 2, in other words, the communication status with the information processing device 2, to the abnormality determination unit 114.

When the control unit 22 of the information processing device 2 receives information indicating the assigned car 34 via the communication unit 21, it operates the operation unit 23 to move the information processing device 2 to the platform corresponding to the assigned car 34 and wait for the car 34.

When the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires the communication status information from the operation control unit 113, it starts abnormality determination, i.e., determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 (S13).

After the abnormality judgment starts, the abnormality judgment unit 114 judges whether the communication between the elevator control device 1 and the information processing device 2 is normal or not based on the communication status information (S14: abnormality judgment step).

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if the information processing device 2 falls over while entering the car 34 and the communication unit 21 breaks down, communication between the information processing device 2 and the elevator control device 1 is interrupted. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires, as communication status information, information indicating that communication with the information processing device 2 is not being performed normally. When the abnormality determination unit 114 acquires this information (NO in S14), it determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. When it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, the abnormality determination unit 114 outputs the result of this determination to the notification output unit 115 and the operation control unit 113.

On the other hand, if the above does not occur and communication between the information processing device 2 and the elevator control device 1 is normal (YES in S14), the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that no abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. In this case, the operation control unit 113 does not obtain a determination result indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, and continues processing based on the call registration request. Note that the processing of S14 may be performed periodically from S13 to S19, that is, from the start to the completion of the abnormality determination.

When the car 34 arrives at the departure floor, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 transmits a signal indicating that the car 34 has arrived to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. When the operation control unit 113 receives this signal, it transmits a signal via the communication unit 12 to the elevator 3 instructing it to open the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located (door open) (S15). When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives this signal via the communication unit 31, it operates the opening/closing unit 34 to open the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located.

Then, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 transmits a signal indicating that the door has been opened to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. When the operation control unit 113 receives this signal, it transmits a boarding request signal to the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12. When the control unit 22 of the information processing device 2 receives the boarding request signal via the communication unit 21, it operates the operation unit 23 to perform the boarding operation into the car 34 (S2). When boarding into the car 34 is successfully completed, the control unit 22 transmits a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 21.

The abnormality determination unit 114 determines whether or not a boarding completion signal is received from the information processing device 2 within a predetermined time after the operation control unit 113 transmits a boarding request signal, in other words, whether or not the information processing device 2 normally completes boarding into the cage 34 within the predetermined time (S16: abnormality determination step).

For example, as shown in FIG. 1, if the information processing device 2 falls over when entering the car 34, even if the communication unit 21 is not broken, the information processing device 2 cannot complete the boarding within the specified time and cannot send a boarding completion signal to the elevator control device 1. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 114 identifies information indicating that the information processing device 2 was unable to complete the boarding within the specified time as operation status information, and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on the information. If the boarding completion signal cannot be received within the specified time (NO in S16) and it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, the abnormality determination unit 114 outputs the result of the determination to the notification output unit 115 and the operation control unit 113.

On the other hand, if a boarding completion signal is received from the information processing device 2 within the specified time (YES in S16), the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that the information processing device 2 has normally completed boarding into the cage 34.

In this case, the operation control unit 113 performs the subsequent process based on the call registration request. That is, it sends a signal to instruct the car 34 door and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located to be closed (door close). This causes the drive control unit 32 to close the doors. After that, the operation control unit 113 sends a signal to the elevator 3 to instruct it to move the car 34 to the destination floor based on the information indicating the destination floor from the information processing device 2. When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives the signal via the communication unit 31, it moves the car 34 to the destination floor.

When the car 34 arrives at the destination floor, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 transmits a signal indicating that the car 34 has arrived to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. When the operation control unit 113 receives this signal, it transmits a signal via the communication unit 12 to the elevator 3 instructing it to open the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located (door open) (S17). When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives this signal via the communication unit 31, it operates the opening/closing unit 34 to open the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located.

Then, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 sends a signal indicating that the door opening has been completed to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. When the operation control unit 113 receives this signal, it sends an alighting request signal to the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12. When the control unit 22 of the information processing device 2 receives the alighting request signal via the communication unit 21, it operates the operation unit 23 to perform the alighting operation from the car 34 (S3). When alighting from the car 34 has been successfully completed, the control unit 22 sends a alighting completion signal to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 21.

The abnormality determination unit 114 determines whether or not the operation control unit 113 has received a disembarking completion signal from the information processing device 2 within a predetermined time after sending the disembarking request signal, in other words, whether or not the information processing device 2 has normally completed disembarking from the car 34 within the predetermined time (S18: abnormality determination step).

For example, if the information processing device 2 falls over when disembarking from the car 34, even if the communication unit 21 is not broken, the information processing device 2 cannot complete disembarkation within the specified time and cannot send a disembarkation completion signal to the elevator control device 1. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 114 identifies information indicating that the information processing device 2 was unable to complete disembarkation within the specified time as operation status information, and determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on the information. If the disembarkation completion signal cannot be received within the specified time (NO in S18) and it is determined that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, the abnormality determination unit 114 outputs the result of the determination to the notification output unit 115 and the operation control unit 113.

On the other hand, if a disembarkation completion signal is received from the information processing device 2 within the specified time (YES in S18), the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that the information processing device 2 has normally completed disembarking from the car 34. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that the information processing device 2 has normally completed use of the elevator 3, and ends the abnormality determination (S19).

If the answer is NO in S14, S16, or S18, in other words, if the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, the result of the determination is output to the notification output unit 115 and the operation control unit 113.

When the operation control unit 113 acquires information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, it stops the operation of the car 34 even if there are other floors to which the car 34 should move. In addition, the operation control unit 113 may send a signal to the elevator 3 to instruct it to close the door 33 of the car 34 (door closing).

When the notification output unit 115 acquires information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 from the abnormality determination unit 114, it outputs an abnormality occurrence notification (S20: notification output step). Specifically, the notification output unit 115 transmits information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 and information indicating the location of the information processing device 2 to the monitoring device 4. After the processing of S20, the abnormality determination unit 114 ends the abnormality determination.

When the monitoring device 4 receives the abnormality occurrence notification, it notifies a person who should be aware that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. For example, if the monitoring device 4 is a device such as a lamp that is visible to the manager who manages the elevator 3, it notifies the occurrence of the abnormality by lighting it in a manner that indicates the occurrence of the abnormality.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 114 is provided in the elevator control device 1, but this is not limited thereto. For example, the abnormality notification system 100 may further include another device including the abnormality determination unit 114. In this case, the abnormality determination unit 114 of the other device receives status information from the elevator control device 1 and performs abnormality determination based on the status information. If an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 2, the abnormality determination unit 114 transmits the result of the determination to the elevator control device 1. Upon receiving the result, the notification output unit 115 outputs an abnormality occurrence notification to the monitoring device 4. Alternatively, the other device may also include the notification output unit 115. In this case, the other device is capable of communicating with the monitoring device 4, and the notification output unit 115 outputs an abnormality occurrence notification to the monitoring device 4 based on the determination result indicating that an abnormality occurs in the information processing device 2.

In the above embodiment, the elevator control device 1 accepts call registration requests and assigns cars 34, but these processes may be performed by other devices. For example, the abnormality notification system 100 may include multiple elevators 3 and multiple elevator control devices 1 that respectively control these elevators 3, and may further include a group management device that collectively manages these elevator control devices 1.

The group management device may receive a call registration request and determine the car 34 of the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2. The elevator control device 1, which controls the elevator 3 assigned to the information processing device 2, instructs the movement of the car 34 of the elevator 3 and the opening and closing of each door in accordance with the assignment by the group management device.

In this case, the acquisition of status information from the information processing device 2, the determination of an abnormality based on the status information, and the output of an abnormality occurrence notification may be performed by the group management device or the elevator control device 1.

[Embodiment 2]
<Abnormality notification system 100A>
Other embodiments of the present invention will be described below. For ease of explanation, the same reference numerals are given to members having the same functions as those described in the above embodiment, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

Figure 4 is a block diagram showing an example of a schematic configuration of an abnormality notification system 100A according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. As shown in Figure 4, the abnormality notification system 100A differs from the abnormality notification system 100 in that it includes an elevator control device 1A and a camera 5.

Camera 5 is a camera capable of capturing images of the inside of car 34 and the hall. Camera 5 may be provided in each car 34 of each elevator 3 and at each hall. Camera 5 transmits captured image data to elevator control device 1A. Here, the image data may be video data.

The elevator control device 1A includes a control unit 11A. The control unit 11A differs from the control unit 11 of the elevator control device 1 according to the first embodiment in that the control unit 11A includes an operation state analysis unit 116 and an abnormality determination unit 114A instead of the abnormality determination unit 114.

The operation state analysis unit 116 generates operation state information by analyzing the operation state of the information processing device 2 from images captured of the information processing device 2 at the landing and inside the car 34 of the elevator 3. Specifically, when the elevator control device 1 starts controlling the operation of the elevator 3 based on a call registration request, the operation state analysis unit 116 acquires image data captured by the camera 5 and analyzes the image.

The operation state analysis unit 116 may acquire only images captured during periods and locations where the probability of an abnormality occurring is high. For example, when the information processing device 2 gets on the car 34 from the second floor and gets off on the fifth floor, the operation state analysis unit 116 acquires image data from the camera 5 that captures the inside of the car 34 used by the information processing device 2. Furthermore, the operation state analysis unit 116 acquires image data via the communication unit 12 from the camera 5 that captures the landings corresponding to the car 34 on the second and fifth floors.

The operation status analysis unit 116 identifies the operation status of the information processing device 2 from the acquired image and generates operation status information indicating the operation status. The operation status analysis unit 116 outputs the generated operation status information to the abnormality determination unit 114A.

The operating state of the information processing device 2 identified by the operating state analysis unit 116 includes at least one of an operating state indicating normal operation and an operating state indicating abnormal operation.

An operating state indicating normal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device 2 is moving to board the car 34 after the car 34 has arrived at the departure floor and the door has opened, or a state in which boarding has been completed and the information processing device 2 is stopped in the car. Alternatively, an operating state indicating normal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device 2 is not operating and is stopped while the car 34 is moving between floors. Also, an operating state indicating normal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device 2 is moving to disembark from the car 34 after the car 34 has arrived at the destination floor and the door has opened, or a state in which disembarkation has been completed and the information processing device 2 is positioned at the landing.

An operating state indicating an abnormal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device does not board even though the car 34 has arrived at the departure floor and the doors have opened, or stops after starting the boarding operation and before boarding is complete, without the passenger having fully boarded the car 34. Another operating state indicating an abnormal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device 2 performs unnecessary operations such as movement while the car 34 is moving between floors. Also, an operating state indicating an abnormal operation of the information processing device 2 is a state in which the information processing device 2 does not start moving to disembark from the car 34 after the car 34 has arrived at the destination floor and the doors have opened, or a state in which the information processing device 2 stops before disembarking is complete.

The abnormality determination unit 114A performs abnormality determination based on the operation state information generated by the operation state analysis unit 116. Specifically, when the operation state of the information processing device 2 included in the acquired operation analysis information includes an operation state that indicates an abnormal operation of the information processing device 2 as described above, the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

According to the above-mentioned configuration, the abnormality notification system 100A can acquire operation status information regarding the information processing device 2 from images captured of the information processing device 2 at the landing and inside the car 34 of the elevator 3. This allows the abnormality notification system 100A to determine whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 based on the actual operation of the information processing device 2 identified from the images captured of the information processing device 2.

<Example of process flow of abnormality notification system 100A>
Fig. 5 is a sequence diagram showing an example of the processing performed by the abnormality notification system 100A. An example of the processing performed by the abnormality notification system 100A will be described below with reference to Fig. 5. Note that Fig. 5 will be described by taking as an example a case where the elevator control device 1 controls the operation of the cars 34 of a plurality of elevators 3 and performs processing to determine the car 34 of the elevator 3 to be assigned to the information processing device 2. Also, each process performed by the information processing device 2 in the processing flow shown in Fig. 5 is similar to each process described in Fig. 3, and therefore description thereof will be omitted.

The process of S31 to S33, i.e., the process from when the elevator control device 1A receives a call registration request to when it starts to determine whether an abnormality has occurred, is the same as the process of S11 to S13 described using FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described here.

After S33, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator via the communication unit 12 instructing the elevator to move the car to the departure floor (S34). Upon receiving the signal, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 moves the car 34 to the departure floor.

Furthermore, after S33, the operation status analysis unit 116 starts analyzing the operation status. Specifically, the operation status analysis unit 116 acquires image data of the inside of the car 34 used by the information processing device 2 and the landings at the departure floor and destination floor from the camera 5, and identifies the operation status of the information processing device 2 by analyzing the data. The operation status analysis unit 116 outputs operation status information indicating the identified operation status of the information processing device 2 to the abnormality determination unit 114A. The operation status analysis unit 116 performs the above-mentioned process over the period from the start of the abnormality determination to the end of the abnormality determination.

When the abnormality determination unit 114A acquires the operation status information from the operation status analysis unit 116, it performs an abnormality determination based on the information. Specifically, the abnormality determination unit 114A determines whether or not the boarding operation has started within a predetermined time after the information processing device 2 has completed opening the door of the car 34, based on the operation status information (S35: abnormality determination step). If the information processing device 2 has not started the boarding operation within a predetermined time after completing opening the door of the car 34 (NO in S35), the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

If the information processing device 2 starts the boarding operation within a predetermined time after the door of the car 34 has been opened (YES in S35), the abnormality determination unit 114A then determines whether the information processing device 2 has completed the boarding operation normally (S36: abnormality determination step).

If the information processing device 2 cannot complete the boarding operation (NO in S36), the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. Examples of situations in which the information processing device 2 cannot complete the boarding operation include a situation in which the information processing device 2 falls over during the boarding operation, or the operation unit 23 breaks down and is unable to move normally, etc.

If the information processing device 2 has completed the boarding operation normally (YES in S36), the operation control unit 113 does not obtain a determination result indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2, and therefore processing based on the call registration request continues. That is, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal instructing the door of the car 34 and the door 33 of the hall where the car 34 is located to be closed (door close). When the drive control unit 32 receives this signal, it closes the doors. Thereafter, based on the information indicating the destination floor of the information processing device 2, the operation control unit 113 transmits a signal to the elevator 3 instructing it to move the car 34 to the destination floor. When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives this signal via the communication unit 31, it moves the car 34 to the destination floor.

When the car 34 arrives at the destination floor, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 transmits a signal indicating that the car 34 has arrived to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. When the operation control unit 113 receives this signal, it transmits a signal to the elevator 3 via the communication unit 12 instructing the elevator 3 to open the doors (S37). When the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 receives this signal via the communication unit 31, it operates the opening/closing unit 34 to open the doors of the car 34 and the landing door 33.

Then, the drive control unit 32 of the elevator 3 transmits a signal indicating that the door has been opened to the elevator control device 1 via the communication unit 31. Upon receiving this signal, the operation control unit 113 transmits a disembarkation request signal to the information processing device 2 via the communication unit 12.

The abnormality determination unit 114A determines whether the information processing device 2 has started the disembarking operation within a predetermined time after the door opening is completed based on the operation status information (S38: abnormality determination step). If the information processing device 2 has not started the disembarking operation within the predetermined time after the door opening is completed (NO in S38), the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

If the information processing device 2 starts the disembarking operation within a predetermined time after the door opening is completed (YES in S38), the abnormality determination unit 114A then determines whether the information processing device 2 has completed the disembarking operation normally (S39: abnormality determination step). If the information processing device 2 cannot complete the disembarking operation (NO in S39), the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2.

If the information processing device 2 has normally completed disembarking from the car 34 (YES in S39), the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that the information processing device 2 has normally completed using the elevator 3, and terminates the abnormality determination (S40).

On the other hand, if the abnormality determination unit 114 determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 (NO in S35, S36, S38, or S39), the result of the determination is output to the notification output unit 115 and the operation control unit 113. When the notification output unit 115 acquires information indicating that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2 from the abnormality determination unit 114, it outputs an abnormality occurrence notification (S41). The processing performed from when it is determined that an abnormality has occurred until the abnormality occurrence notification is output, and the processing after the abnormality occurrence notification is output, are similar to the processing described using FIG. 3, and therefore will not be described.

<Modification>
In the above embodiment, the abnormality determination unit 114A performs the abnormality determination using only the operation state information, but the abnormality determination unit 114A may perform the abnormality determination using a combination of the communication state information and the operation state information.

In this case, for example, if the information processing device 2 is not operating despite receiving a signal while riding in the vehicle, the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. In addition to determining whether an abnormality has occurred, the abnormality determination unit 114A also determines that there is no problem with the communication function of the information processing device 2, but that an abnormality has occurred in the operational function. In this case, the notification output unit 115 may add information indicating the content of the abnormality occurring in the information processing device 2 determined by the abnormality determination unit 114A to the abnormality occurrence notification sent to the monitoring device 4.

In addition, for example, if the elevator control device 1A is unable to receive a boarding start signal, but the operation of the information processing device 2 identified by the operation state analysis unit 116 indicates that the passenger is boarding, the abnormality determination unit 114A determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device 2. In addition to determining whether an abnormality has occurred, the abnormality determination unit 114A also determines that there is no problem with the operational function of the information processing device 2, but that an abnormality has occurred in the communication function.

[Software implementation example]
The functions of the abnormality notification system 100, 100A (hereinafter referred to as the "system") are realized by a program for causing a computer to function as the system, and by a program for causing a computer to function as each control block of the system (in particular, each part included in the control units 11, 11A, 22, 32).

In this case, the system includes a computer having at least one control device (e.g., a processor) and at least one storage device (e.g., a memory) as hardware for executing the program. The program is executed by the control device and storage device, thereby realizing each of the functions described in each of the above embodiments.

The above program may be recorded on one or more computer-readable recording media, not on a temporary basis. The recording media may or may not be included in the system. In the latter case, the above program may be supplied to the system via any wired or wireless transmission medium.

In addition, some or all of the functions of each of the above control blocks can be realized by a logic circuit. For example, an integrated circuit in which a logic circuit that functions as each of the above control blocks is formed is also included in the scope of the present invention. In addition, it is also possible to realize the functions of each of the above control blocks by, for example, a quantum computer.

The processes described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may run on the control device, or on another device (such as an edge computer or a cloud server).

〔summary〕
As described above, the abnormality notification system according to aspect 1 of the present invention comprises an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in an autonomously-traveling information processing device based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating the communication status between an autonomous information processing device at an elevator landing or inside the elevator car and an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator, and operation status information indicating the operation status of the information processing device, and a notification output unit that outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator control device if an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device.

When an abnormality occurs in an autonomously traveling information processing device, it is not always possible for the information processing device to detect the abnormality in its own device and take appropriate action (for example, to report the occurrence of an abnormality and to request assistance). This is because an abnormality occurring in the information processing device may cause the information processing device to lose its function of detecting an abnormality in its own device and its function of reporting the occurrence of an abnormality and to request assistance. In such cases, there may be a delay in understanding that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device.

According to the above configuration, the abnormality notification system determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device based on at least one of the communication state with the information processing device at the elevator landing and in the car, and the operating state of the information processing device. If an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device, the abnormality notification system outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator to notify the information processing device that an abnormality has occurred. According to this configuration, even if the information processing device is no longer able to detect an abnormality in itself or issue a rescue request, the abnormality notification system can detect the occurrence of an abnormality in the information processing device using the elevator and output an abnormality occurrence notification. As a result, the abnormality notification system can notify an administrator, etc. without delay that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device using the elevator.

In the abnormality notification system according to aspect 2 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1, the status information includes, as the communication status information, information indicating whether or not a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device has been received, and the abnormality determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device if a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device has not been received.

A state in which communication is not possible between the elevator control device and the information processing device is, for example, a state in which the communication function of the information processing device has failed. With the above configuration, the abnormality notification system determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device when it is unable to receive a signal that should be sent from the information processing device (for example, a signal notifying the elevator control device that a passenger is boarding/disembarking). With this configuration, the abnormality notification system can detect an abnormality in the communication function of the information processing device.

In the abnormality notification system according to aspect 3 of the present invention, in the above aspect 1 or 2, the status information includes, as the operation status information, information indicating an operation of the information processing device to board the car, and the abnormality determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device if the operation of the information processing device to board the car is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car in which the information processing device can board arrives at the departure floor of the information processing device.

In addition, the abnormality notification system according to aspect 4 of the present invention, in any one of aspects 1 to 3 above, may include, as the operation status information, information indicating an alighting operation from the car by the information processing device, and the abnormality determination unit may determine that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device if the alighting operation by the information processing device is not completed within a predetermined time from the time the car arrives at the destination floor of the information processing device.

If an abnormality occurs in the operational function of the information processing device, the information processing device cannot smoothly perform the boarding action of getting into the elevator car or the disembarking action of getting off the car. According to the configuration of aspect 3 or 4, the abnormality notification system determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device if the information processing device cannot complete the boarding action/disembarking action within a predetermined time. According to this configuration, the abnormality notification system can detect an abnormality in the operational function of the information processing device.

The abnormality notification method according to aspect 5 of the present invention includes an abnormality determination step of determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device based on status information including at least one of communication status information indicating a communication status between an autonomously-traveling information processing device at the elevator landing or in the elevator car and an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator, and operation status information indicating an operation status of the information processing device, and a notification output step of outputting an abnormality occurrence notification from the elevator if an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device.

This configuration provides the same effects as in aspect 1 above.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims. The technical scope of the present invention also includes embodiments obtained by appropriately combining the technical means disclosed in different embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 1, 1A Elevator control device 2 Information processing device 3 Elevator 100, 100A Abnormality notification system 114, 114A Abnormality determination unit 115 Notification output unit 116 Operation state analysis unit

Claims (6)

an abnormality determination unit that determines whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the autonomously travelling information processing device based on status information including information indicating an operation status of the autonomously travelling information processing device at the elevator hall;
a notification output unit that outputs an abnormality occurrence notification from an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator when an abnormality occurs in the information processing device at the landing,
The operation state is identified from an image captured of the information processing device at the landing of the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing device ,
The image is captured during at least one of a period from when the information processing device arrives at a landing at the departure floor until boarding of the car is completed, and a period from when the car arrives at a landing at the destination floor until the information processing device completes disembarking from the car .
Anomaly notification system. The status information further includes communication status information indicating whether a signal to be transmitted from the information processing device is being received,
the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device when a signal that should be transmitted from the information processing device cannot be received;
The abnormality notification system according to claim 1 . the state information includes information indicating an operation of getting into the elevator car by the information processing device,
the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device when the boarding operation by the information processing device is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car in which the information processing device can board arrives at a departure floor of the information processing device,
The abnormality notification system according to claim 1 . The state information further includes information indicating an alighting operation from the elevator car by the information processing device,
the abnormality determination unit determines that an abnormality has occurred in the information processing device when the disembarking operation by the information processing device is not completed within a predetermined time from the time when the car arrives at the destination floor of the information processing device;
The abnormality notification system according to claim 1 . and an operation state analysis unit configured to analyze an operation state of the information processing device from an image captured of the information processing device at the elevator hall, thereby generating the state information.
The abnormality notification system according to claim 1 . an abnormality determination step of determining whether or not an abnormality has occurred in the autonomously travelling information processing device based on status information including information indicating an operation status of the information processing device at the elevator hall;
a notification output step of outputting an abnormality occurrence notification from an elevator control device that controls the operation of the elevator when an abnormality occurs in the information processing device at the landing,
The operation state is identified from an image captured of the information processing device at the landing of the departure floor and the destination floor of the information processing device ,
The image is captured during at least one of a period from when the information processing device arrives at a landing at the departure floor until boarding of the car is completed, and a period from when the car arrives at a landing at the destination floor until the information processing device completes disembarking from the car .
Anomaly notification method.

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