JP7601131B2 - Elevator System - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator system.

Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator user detection device that prevents users from boarding the wrong elevator. The device determines the attributes of the user who called the elevator from the user's facial image, and selects an elevator with attributes that match the determined attributes. The device also determines whether the attributes determined from the facial image of the user at the elevator hall match the attributes of the elevator at that hall, and notifies the user. In this way, the device prevents users from boarding the wrong elevator.

Patent No. 6711470

The present invention aims to provide an elevator system that can prevent users from mistakenly using the elevator number assigned to them by the elevator system.

The elevator system according to the present invention includes a group management control device that allocates a hall call registered by a user to one of a number of elevators to determine the assigned elevator number for the user, an imaging device that is capable of capturing an image of the face of a user who has registered a hall call and who uses one of the number of elevators, and an alarm device that notifies the user of elevator-related alarm information. The group management control device acquires first face information showing the user's face from an image captured by the imaging device, detects the elevator number to be used by the user from among the number of elevators, and causes the alarm device to notify the user of the alarm information according to a result of comparing the assigned elevator number with the detected elevator number. The alarm information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected elevator number.

The elevator control method of the present invention is an elevator control method that assigns a hall call registered by a user to one of a number of elevators to determine the assigned elevator number for the user, and obtains first facial information showing the face of the user from an image captured by an imaging device that is capable of capturing an image of the face of a user who has registered a hall call and who will use one of the number of elevators, detects the elevator number to be used by the user from among the number of elevators, and causes an alarm device to issue alarm information according to a result of comparing the assigned elevator number with the detected elevator number, and the alarm information includes content that changes based on the first facial information and the detected elevator number.

The computer program according to the present invention is a computer program for causing an arithmetic circuit to execute the elevator control method according to the present invention.

The present invention provides an elevator system that can prevent users from mistakenly using the elevator number assigned to them by the elevator system.

FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an equipment arrangement on a specific floor of a building to which the elevator system according to the first embodiment is applied. A block diagram showing a configuration example of an elevator system according to a first embodiment. A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of a destination floor registration device. FIG. 2 is a front view showing the exterior of the destination floor registration device; A block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an elevator control device. Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the security server Block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the security gate A perspective view showing the exterior of a security gate FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of an elevator hall of a building to which the elevator system according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator car to which the elevator system according to the first embodiment is applied. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a face authentication DB stored in a storage unit of a security server. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a departure floor DB stored in a storage unit of a security server. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of a registered device DB stored in a storage unit of a security server. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of an input/output DB stored in a storage unit of the group management control device. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a notification device DB stored in a storage unit of the group management control device; FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a user DB stored in a storage unit of a group management control device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a mis-boarding DB stored in the storage unit of the group management control device. Flowchart showing an example of allocation processing by a group management control device A flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether or not a passenger is boarding a train by a group management control device based on an image captured by a platform camera. A flowchart showing an example of hall notification processing by a group management control device A flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether a passenger is boarding a train by a group management control device based on an image captured by a car camera. Flowchart showing an example of car notification processing by a group management control device A flowchart showing an example of another erroneous boarding determination process based on an image captured by a car camera by a group management control device. A flowchart showing an example of another erroneous boarding determination process based on an image captured by a car camera by a group management control device. Flowchart showing an example of car collective notification processing by a group management control device Flowchart showing an example of car collective notification processing by a group management control device Flowchart showing an example of car collective notification processing by a group management control device A block diagram showing a configuration example of an elevator system according to a second embodiment. Flowchart showing an example of allocation processing by a group management control device A flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether or not a passenger is boarding a train by a group management control device based on an image captured by a platform camera. A flowchart showing an example of up-down call notification processing by the group management control device. A flowchart showing an example of a process for determining whether a passenger has boarded a train by a group management control device based on an image captured by a car camera. A flowchart showing an example of an upper and lower car notification process by a group management control device.

The following describes an embodiment of the present invention with reference to the drawings. However, the configuration described below is merely one example of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the following embodiment. The present invention can be modified, substituted, added, omitted, etc. in various ways depending on the design, etc., without departing from the technical concept of the present invention, even if it is not an embodiment of the present invention.

(Embodiment 1)
1. Configuration 1-1. Overview An overview of the elevator system 100 in the first embodiment will be described. Fig. 1 is a schematic plan view showing an arrangement of equipment on a specific floor of a building to which the elevator system 100 in the first embodiment is applied. The specific floor is, for example, a lobby floor leading to the outside of the building, for example, the first floor of the building.

The elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment includes multiple elevators 50A-50F and a group control system 1 that performs integrated control of the running and operation of the elevators 50A-50F. In the first embodiment, an example is shown in which the elevator system 100 has six elevators 50A-50F (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as "elevators"). In the following, the elevators 50A-50F are also referred to as Elevators A-F as appropriate. The boarding openings of each of the elevators 50A-50F are provided on the elevator hall side, and users board the elevators 50A-50F from the elevator hall. Note that in the following, the elevators 50A-50F may be referred to as "elevators 50" without distinction between them.

In the first embodiment, multiple security gates 20 are placed on a specific floor of a building. A user enters a specific area by passing through one of the security gates 20 from the entrance side. The specific area is an area of the building that cannot be entered without passing through a security gate 20 from the entrance side of a specific floor. The specific area includes the elevator landing, the space inside the car of each elevator 50, and the space on each floor that can be accessed using the elevator 50.

A destination floor registration device 30 is located near the elevator hall on each floor. Note that security gates 20 may also be located on floors other than the specific floor.

The elevator system 100 in the first embodiment employs a destination floor registration method in which a user pre-registers a destination floor at the security gate 20 or the destination floor registration device 30 before boarding the elevator 50 cage. The group control system 1 assigns a call for a pre-registered destination floor (destination floor call) to one of the elevators 50, and causes the gate indicator 70 of the security gate 20 used or the destination floor registration device 30 to notify information indicating the assigned car. The group control system 1 is configured to notify the user of the assigned car and allow the user to board the car. Hereinafter, a call for a registered destination floor is appropriately referred to as a registered destination floor call. A destination floor call is an example of a hall call.

In the first embodiment, the destination floor registration device 30 for a specific floor is provided to enable a user who has entered a specific area to use the elevator 50 when he or she misses the elevator 50 specified by the group management system 1 or when moving to a floor other than the default destination floor.

The elevator system 100 in the first embodiment is configured to allow a user to register a destination floor using facial recognition. In order to perform facial recognition of the user, a facial recognition camera 25 is placed near the security gate 20. By performing facial recognition using the facial recognition camera 25, the user can register a destination floor call for a previously registered destination floor.

In the first embodiment, a facial recognition camera 36 is placed near the destination floor registration device 30 on each floor. A user can register a destination floor call for a desired destination floor using the destination floor registration device 30 by performing facial recognition using the facial recognition camera 36.

1-2. Configuration of the elevator system FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an elevator system 100 including an elevator group control system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The elevator system 100 includes a plurality of elevators 50A to 50F, a group management control device 10 for integrally controlling these elevators, a plurality of destination floor registration devices 30 arranged on each floor, and a plurality of elevator control devices 40A to 40F. The elevator system 100 also includes a hall camera 81 arranged on each floor, and a hall notification device 82 arranged on each floor. The elevator system 100 is connected to a security system so as to be able to transmit signals. The security system includes a security server 60 and a security gate 20. The group control system 1 includes the group management control device 10, a plurality of destination floor registration devices 30, and a plurality of elevator control devices 40A to 40F.

The group management control device 10 controls the allocation of new calls to each elevator while communicating with the security server 60 and the destination floor registration device 30. The devices are connected to each other via a network capable of transmitting information. The network can be configured, for example, by a LAN (Local Area Network) such as Ethernet (registered trademark). The transmission and reception of various information between the devices is performed according to various protocols such as TCP/IP. For example, each of the above devices is assigned a unique IP address. The aforementioned devices connected to the network can transmit signals (information) between the devices by communication according to various protocols such as TCP/IP through the input/output interface device possessed by each device. The devices constituting the elevator system 100 may be connected to each other via a network of other signal formats or a dedicated signal network.

Each elevator 50 has a car, a hoist (motor), a counterweight, etc.

The elevator system 100 according to this embodiment is configured so that the elevator can stop on floors 1 to X. The X floor indicates the highest floor on which the elevator can stop.

1-3. Configuration of the Group Management Control Device The group management control device 10 comprises a control unit 11, a storage unit 12, and an input/output interface 13.

The control unit 11 controls the operation of the entire group management control device 10. The control unit 11 may be composed of, for example, an arithmetic circuit. The control unit 11 includes a general-purpose processor such as a CPU or MPU that executes a program to realize a predetermined process or function. The control unit 11 is configured to be able to communicate with the memory unit 12, and realizes various functions of the group management control device 10, which will be described later, by reading and executing arithmetic programs, etc. stored in the memory unit 12.

For example, the control unit 11 realizes a function of assigning a destination floor call registered at the security gate 20 or the destination floor registration device 30 to one of the elevators 50A to 50F. Specifically, when the control unit 11 receives a call signal from the security server 60 via the input/output interface 13, it starts the elevator 50 assignment process. When a destination floor call is registered at the security gate 20 or the destination floor registration device 30, the call signal can be generated by the security server 60 and transmitted to the control unit 11. The call signal is a signal requesting that the registered destination floor call be assigned to one of the multiple elevators 50A to 50F. The call signal includes information on the departure floor, the destination floor, the authentication face information, and the input device ID. The control unit 11 assigns the destination floor indicated by the received call signal to one of the multiple elevators 50A to 50F.

The control unit 11 determines the elevator 50 (assigned car) to which the destination floor should be assigned, taking into consideration the acquired departure floor and destination floor. If there are multiple elevators 50 that are candidates for assignment as a result of considering the departure floor and destination floor, the control unit 11 determines the elevator 50 to which the destination floor should be assigned by a predetermined calculation process based on the operation information of each elevator 50. The operation information of each elevator 50 includes, for example, information indicating the destination floor and departure floor for the destination floor call assigned to each elevator 50, the state of the car of each elevator 50, the expected waiting time (forecasted waiting time), the expected service completion time, the number of scheduled stops of the car, etc. The state of the car of the elevator 50 includes the position of the car, the running direction, the open/closed state of the door, the load, etc. The service completion time is the time until the assigned car arrives at the destination floor. The number of scheduled stops of the car is the number of scheduled stops of the elevator 50 until the service is completed.

For example, the control unit 11 calculates an evaluation value for each elevator 50 based on the operation information of each elevator 50 to select the elevator 50 to which a destination floor should be assigned. After calculating the evaluation value, the control unit 11 selects the elevator 50 with the highest evaluation value from among the elevators 50A to 50F, and assigns the destination floor to the selected elevator 50. In this embodiment, the predicted waiting time is recorded, for example, in a predetermined predicted waiting time table stored in the memory unit 12. Such calculation processing can be set appropriately in accordance with, for example, various allocation methods for destination floor calls.

When the control unit 11 determines the assigned car number, it generates an assignment result signal including information about the determined assigned car number, and transmits the assignment result signal to the gate display 70 or destination floor registration device 30 corresponding to the input device ID via the input/output interface 13. The control unit 11 thereby notifies the gate display 70 or destination floor registration device 30 of the assigned car number that was assigned in response to receiving the call signal.

The control unit 11 is not limited to a configuration in which hardware resources and software work together to realize a predetermined function, but may be configured with a hardware circuit designed specifically to realize the predetermined function. In other words, the control unit 11 can be realized by various processors such as a CPU, MPU, GPU, FPGA, DSP, ASIC, etc. Such a control unit 11 can be realized, for example, by a signal processing circuit that is a semiconductor integrated circuit.

The storage unit 12 is a storage medium capable of storing various information. The information includes programs and data. For example, the storage unit 12 stores calculation programs for implementing various functions of the group management control device 10 according to the first embodiment. The storage unit 12 also stores operation information of each elevator 50. The data includes various databases, which will be described later. The storage unit 12 is implemented, for example, by memory such as DRAM, SRAM, or flash memory, HDD, SSD, other storage devices, or an appropriate combination of these.

The input/output interface 13 is configured, for example, using a LAN adapter. The input/output interface 13 is an interface through which the group management control device 10 transmits and receives various signals between the security server 60, the gate display 70 of the security gate 20, the destination floor registration device 30, and the elevator control device 40 (40A to 40F). The input/output interface 13 is also an interface through which the group management control device 10 transmits and receives various signals between the hall cameras 81 on each floor and the hall notification devices 82 on each floor.

1-4. Configuration of the Destination Floor Registration Device Fig. 3 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the destination floor registration device 30 of the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment. The destination floor registration device 30 is a device for allowing a user to register a destination floor. The destination floor registration device 30 includes a control unit 31, a storage unit 32, an input/output interface 33, a display unit 34, and an operation unit 35.

The control unit 31 controls the operation of the destination floor registration device 30. The control unit 31 is configured to be able to communicate with the memory unit 32, and realizes various functions of the destination floor registration device 30, which will be described later, by reading and executing calculation programs and the like stored in the memory unit 32. The control unit 31 can be configured in the same manner as the control unit 11 described above.

The storage unit 32 is a storage medium capable of storing various information. For example, the storage unit 32 stores calculation programs for implementing various functions of the destination floor registration device 30 according to the first embodiment. The storage unit 32 may be configured in the same manner as the storage unit 12 described above.

The input/output interface 33 is configured, for example, using a LAN adapter. The input/output interface 33 is an interface through which the destination floor registration device 30 transmits and receives various signals to and from other devices such as the group management control device 10.

The display unit 34 displays images and the like based on a display signal output from the control unit 31. The display unit 34 may be configured, for example, as a liquid crystal display or an organic EL display.

The operation unit 35 is an interface that accepts user operations on the destination floor registration device 30. In this embodiment, the display unit 34 and the operation unit 35 are integrally configured as an input/output device such as a display equipped with an in-cell type touch panel using a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel. The operation unit 35 may be, for example, a numeric keypad. The operation unit 35 outputs a signal according to the operation content to the control unit 31. Note that the display unit 34 and the operation unit 35 may be configured separately using different parts as long as it is possible to perform the same designation as the object of the button displayed on the display unit 34.

Figure 4 is a front view showing the exterior of the destination floor registration device 30.

A facial authentication camera 36 is disposed above the destination floor registration device 30. The destination floor registration device 30 is configured to have the user undergo facial authentication using the facial authentication camera 36 when registering a destination floor.

The face authentication camera 36 captures an image of a subject in a predetermined angle of view area in front of it at a predetermined frame rate and a predetermined resolution, generates an image signal indicating the captured image (captured image), and outputs the generated image signal to the security server 60. The face authentication camera 36 is an example of an imaging device. The face authentication camera 36 is an imaging device for face authentication to register a destination floor call. The predetermined angle of view area is set to an angle of view that can capture an image of the user's face when the user is in front of the destination floor registration device 30. The predetermined resolution may be any resolution that can appropriately perform face detection and face matching during face authentication, and may be, for example, HD, FHD, 4K, or other resolutions. The frame rate may be any rate, and may be, for example, 15 fps or 30 fps.

Figure 4 shows a case where a guidance screen is displayed as the default screen on the display unit 34 of the destination floor registration device 30. This guidance screen shows an example where the message "This is a facial recognition destination floor registration device" is displayed.

1-5. Configuration of elevator control device FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the elevator control devices 40A to 40F of the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment. The elevator control devices 40A to 40F are provided corresponding to the elevators 50A to 50F. The elevator control devices 40A to 40F control the operation of the hoists (motors) of the corresponding elevators 50A to 50F according to control signals from the group management control device 10, thereby controlling the raising, lowering, stopping, etc. of the cages of the elevators 50A to 50F. In addition, the elevator control devices 40A to 40F detect cage states of the corresponding elevators 50A to 50F, including the cage positions, running directions, door opening/closing states, loads, etc., and output information indicating the cage states detected to the group management control device 10. In the following, the elevator control devices 40A to 40F may be referred to as "elevator control devices 40" without distinction.

The elevator control device 40 has a control unit 41, a memory unit 42, and an input/output interface 43.

The control unit 41 controls the operation of the elevator control device 40. The control unit 41 is configured to be able to communicate with the memory unit 42, and realizes various functions of the elevator control device 40, which will be described later, by reading and executing calculation programs and the like stored in the memory unit 42. The control unit 41 can be configured in the same manner as the control unit 11 described above.

The memory unit 42 is a storage medium capable of storing various information. For example, the memory unit 42 stores calculation programs for implementing various functions of the elevator control device 40 according to the first embodiment. The memory unit 42 may be configured in the same manner as the memory unit 12 described above.

The input/output interface 43 is configured, for example, using a LAN adapter. The input/output interface 43 is an interface for transmitting and receiving various signals between the elevator control device 40 and other devices such as the group management control device 10, the car camera 51, and the car notification device 52 described below.

1-6. Configuration of the Security Server The security server 60 performs security authentication based on the facial data contained in the image signal transmitted from the facial authentication camera 25 or the facial authentication camera 36, and controls the opening and closing of the security gate 20. In addition, when the security server 60 receives an image signal, it generates a call signal including information such as the user's destination floor, and outputs the call signal to the group management control device 10.

Figure 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the security server 60. The security server 60 is configured using a computer. The security server 60 includes a control unit 61, a storage unit 62, and an input/output interface 63.

The control unit 61 controls the operation of the security server 60. The control unit 61 is configured to be able to communicate with the memory unit 62, and realizes various functions of the security server 60, which will be described later, by reading and executing calculation programs and the like stored in the memory unit 62. The control unit 61 can be configured in the same manner as the control unit 11 described above.

The storage unit 62 is a storage medium capable of storing various information. For example, the storage unit 62 stores calculation programs for implementing various functions of the security server 60 according to embodiment 1, and various data. The storage unit 62 stores, as data, for example, a face authentication DB 62A, a departure floor DB 62B, and a registration device DB 62C, the details of which will be described later. The storage unit 62 may be configured in the same manner as the storage unit 12 described above.

The input/output interface 63 is configured, for example, using a LAN adapter. The input/output interface 63 is an interface through which the security server 60 transmits and receives various signals between the face authentication camera 25, the face authentication camera 36, the group management control device 10, and the security gate 20.

1-7. Configuration of security gate The security gate 20 is a device that controls the entry of users into specific areas inside a building. Specifically, the security gate 20 is a device that permits entry of authorized users into specific areas inside a building, while restricting the entry of unauthorized users. An authorized user refers to a user who is registered in the face authentication DB 62A, the details of which will be described later. An unauthorized user refers to a user who is not registered in the face authentication DB 62A.

Figure 7 is a block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the security gate 20 in embodiment 1. Figure 8 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the security gate 20. Note that Figure 8 is a perspective view of the leftmost security gate 20 of the three security gates 20 shown in Figure 1.

As shown in FIG. 7, the security gate 20 includes a control unit 21, a memory unit 22, an input/output interface 23, and a gate flapper 28. As shown in FIG. 8, the gate main body 20a, which is the housing of the security gate 20, includes a gate flapper 28 and a gate display 70. In addition, a face authentication camera 25 is provided on the elevator landing side of the gate main body 20a. The face authentication camera 25 may be attached to the gate main body 20a or may be provided independently.

The facial authentication camera 25 is an example of an imaging device. The facial authentication camera 25 may be configured similarly to the facial authentication camera 36.

The gate flapper 28 is a door that can be opened and closed freely.

The gate display 70 displays a screen in response to various signals (commands) output from the group management control device 10. The gate display 70 includes a display unit such as a liquid crystal display panel or an organic EL display panel, and a computer that controls the display of the display unit.

The control unit 21 controls the operation of the security gate 20. The control unit 21 is configured to be able to communicate with the memory unit 22, and realizes various functions of the security gate 20 by reading and executing calculation programs and the like stored in the memory unit 22. The control unit 21 may be configured in the same manner as the control unit 11 described above. For example, the control unit 21 opens and closes the gate flapper 28 based on an open signal or a close signal from the security server 60.

The memory unit 22 is a storage medium capable of storing various information. For example, the memory unit 22 stores calculation programs for implementing various functions of the security gate 20 according to the first embodiment, and various data. The memory unit 22 may be configured in the same manner as the memory unit 12 described above.

The input/output interface 23 is configured, for example, using a LAN adapter. The input/output interface 23 is an interface through which the security gate 20 transmits and receives various signals to and from the security server 60.

1-8. Configuration of the hall camera and hall notification device at the elevator hall As shown in Fig. 9, the elevator is equipped with a hall camera 81 and a hall notification device 82 at each floor. Fig. 9 is a schematic side view of an elevator hall of a building to which the elevator system 100 in the first embodiment is applied. Fig. 9 shows a side view of the boarding openings of elevators 50A to 50C as viewed from the elevators 50D to 50F side.

In the first embodiment, two hall cameras 81 are arranged on each floor. In the present embodiment, the two hall cameras 81 are each arranged so as to capture the faces of one or more users facing in the direction of elevators 50A-50C or elevators 50D-50F at the elevator hall. As shown in FIG. 9, one of the hall cameras 81 is provided above the boarding opening of elevator 50B. The other hall camera 81 may be arranged above the boarding opening of elevator 50E. The hall camera 81 is an example of an imaging device. In the present embodiment, the hall cameras 81 and the hall notification devices 82 are arranged at the elevator halls on the 1st to Xth floors.

The elevator hall camera 81 is an imaging device that captures images that allow the group management control device 10 to determine whether a user at the elevator hall will use a car other than the assigned car number assigned to that user. The control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 is configured to be able to detect the car number that a user is waiting to use at the elevator hall based on the captured image. The control unit 11 detects the car number that the user will use based on the captured image and determines whether the detected car number matches the assigned car number. The control unit 11 is configured to be able to acquire the user's position information contained in the captured image based on the captured image.

The hall camera 81 captures an image of a subject in a predetermined angle of view area in front of it at a predetermined frame rate and a predetermined resolution, and generates image data showing the captured image (captured image). The hall camera 81 then links the image data to the IP address assigned to the camera itself and outputs the image data to the group management control device 10.

In this embodiment, the group management control device 10 identifies the hall camera 81 that captured the captured image based on the IP address, but is not limited to this. For example, if an analog video signal is output from the hall camera 81 to the group management control device 10 as image data, the group management control device 10 can uniquely identify the hall camera 81 that captured the captured image based on the input terminal that received the analog video signal.

The specified angle of view area is set to an angle of view that can capture the face of a user facing the boarding opening of elevators 50A-50C at the elevator hall. For example, hall camera 81 is configured to capture the face of a user waiting to use one of elevators 50A-50C at the elevator hall. The specified resolution may be any resolution that can adequately perform face detection and face matching when determining whether or not a user has boarded an elevator (described later), and may be, for example, HD, FHD, or 4K. The frame rate may be any frame rate, and may be, for example, 15 fps or 30 fps.

The hall camera 81 may be configured to capture images at a predetermined time interval. The predetermined time interval may be any time interval, but may be, for example, every 0.1 seconds, every 0.5 seconds, or every second.

In this embodiment, the hall camera 81 is disposed above the boarding openings of the elevators 50B and 50E, but is not limited to this. One or more hall cameras 81 may be disposed at any location as long as they are capable of capturing images of the faces of users at the elevator hall. For example, the hall cameras 81 may be disposed near each of the elevators 50A to 50F.

As shown in FIG. 9, in this embodiment, the hall notification device 82 for elevator 50A is provided near elevator 50A. The hall notification devices 82 for elevators 50B and 50C are provided in the same manner. Each hall notification device 82 for elevators 50D to 50F can be arranged in the same manner. By arranging them in this manner, the hall notification device 82 can notify predetermined information to users located near each elevator at a volume that is easier for the users to recognize and from a direction that makes it easier for the users to recognize.

The hall notification device 82 is, for example, a speaker that generates a sound to audibly notify the user of information including predetermined contents related to the elevator. The hall notification device 82 is an example of an alarm device. The hall notification device 82 may also be a display device such as a display that displays any image, text, etc. to visually notify the user of information including predetermined contents.

In this embodiment, the hall notification device 82 is disposed near each elevator 50, but is not limited to this. One hall notification device 82 may be provided for each of the elevators 50A-50C on each floor and one for each of the elevators 50D-50F on each floor, or only one may be provided on each floor.

1-9. Configuration of the car camera and car notification device in the elevator FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of the car of elevator 50A to which elevator system 100 in embodiment 1 is applied. The car of elevator 50A is equipped with a car camera 51A and a car notification device 52A. The car camera 51A is an example of an imaging device. In this embodiment, the car camera 51A includes a rear car camera 51aA and a front car camera 51bA. The rear car camera 51aA is disposed on the wall surface facing the boarding opening of the car (hereinafter referred to as "rear of the car" as appropriate). The front car camera 51bA is disposed on the wall surface on the boarding opening side of the car (hereinafter referred to as "front of the car" as appropriate).

The car camera 51A is an imaging device that captures images that allow the group management control device 10 to determine whether a user who is in the car of the elevator 50A will use a car number other than the one assigned to that user. The car camera 51A is configured in the same manner as the hall camera 81.

The rear car camera 51aA captures an image of a subject in a predetermined angle of view area in front of it at a predetermined frame rate and a predetermined resolution, and generates image data showing the captured image (captured image). The rear car camera 51aA then outputs the image data to the group management control device 10 via the elevator control device 40A, linking it to the IP address assigned to the camera itself. The predetermined angle of view area is set to an angle of view that allows the face of a user facing the rear of the elevator 50A car to be captured. For example, the rear car camera 51aA is configured to capture the face of a user entering the car through the boarding opening, and the face of a user facing the rear of the car inside the car.

The front car camera 51bA is configured in the same way as the rear car camera 51aA. The front car camera 51bA is linked to the IP address assigned to itself via the elevator control device 40A and outputs the generated image data to the group management control device 10. The specified field of view area is set to a field of view that can capture an image of the face of a user facing forward of the car of the elevator 50A. For example, the front car camera 51bA is configured to be able to capture an image of the face of a user facing forward inside the car.

For example, the image data generated by the car camera 51A can be configured to be output to the group management control device 10 when the door of the elevator 50A is in an open state. The image data may also be configured to be always output to the group management control device 10.

In this way, the car camera 51A in this embodiment can capture images of one or more users entering the car of elevator 50A, and one or more users inside the car facing forward or backward of the car. The car cameras 51B to 51F of the other elevators 50B to 50F can be configured in the same way as the car camera 51A. Note that below, the car cameras 51A to 51F may be referred to as "car cameras 51" without distinction. The same applies to the rear car camera 51aA and the front car camera 51bA.

The car camera 51 in this embodiment has a rear car camera 51a and a front car camera 51b, but the configuration of the car camera 51 is not limited to this. For example, the car camera 51 may be configured with only one of the rear car camera 51a or the front car camera 51b. In addition, the car camera 51 may be placed in a location other than the front and rear of the car, such as a wall or ceiling on the side of the elevator car 50.

In this embodiment, the car notification device 52A is disposed on the wall surface of the car of the elevator 50A as shown in FIG. 10. The car notification device 52A may also be disposed in another location, such as the ceiling of the car. The car notification device 52A is, for example, a speaker, similar to the hall notification device 82. The car notification device 52A is an example of a notification device. The car notification device 52A may be a display device such as a display, similar to the hall notification device 82.

The car notification devices 52B to 52F of the other elevators 50B to 50F may be configured in the same manner as the car notification device 52A. Note that in the following, the car notification devices 52A to 52F may be referred to as "car notification devices 52" without distinction.

1-10. Data Structure An example of the structure of the database used in the present system 100 will be described with reference to Figs. 11 to 17. Fig. 11 is a diagram showing the configuration of a face recognition database (face recognition DB) 62A stored in the storage unit 62 of the security server 60. The face recognition DB 62A stores face data relating to the face information of a user and the default destination floor of the user, linked to a user ID. The information is registered in the face recognition DB 62A by, for example, a building manager.

"User ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify a user.

"Authentication face information" is facial feature point data indicating the facial features of a user identified by a "user ID" that has been registered in advance. The facial feature point data is data indicating features such as the positions and shapes of the eyes, eyebrows, nose, mouth, etc., and the facial contours. The facial feature point data is generated based on the facial image of the user provided when the user is registered in face authentication DB 62A or the facial image of the user captured at the time of registration.

"Default destination floor" is information indicating the default destination floor for a user. The default destination floor indicates a predetermined destination floor that is automatically registered when a user performs facial authentication. For example, the floor on which the user who registers the authenticated face information resides is set as the default destination floor. If a user resides on multiple floors, the floor that the user primarily uses may be set as the default destination floor.

Figure 12 is a diagram showing the configuration of the departure floor database (departure floor DB) 62B stored in the memory unit 62 of the security server 60. The departure floor DB 62B stores the departure floor in association with the input device ID.

The "input device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the facial authentication cameras 25 and 36. The "departure floor" indicates the floor on which the facial authentication camera 25 and the corresponding security gate 20, or the facial authentication camera 36 and the corresponding destination floor registration device 30 are located. When the user performs facial authentication using the facial authentication cameras 25 and 36, the control unit 61 can identify the floor on which the user registered the destination floor call based on the departure floor DB 62B and the input device ID.

The input device ID "GATE-CA01" is an example of an input device ID for the face authentication camera 25. The input device ID "DES-CA01" is an example of an input device ID for the face authentication camera 36.

Figure 13 is a diagram showing the configuration of a registered device database (registered device DB) 62C stored in the storage unit 62 of the security server 60. The registered device DB 62C stores registered device IDs linked to input device IDs.

The "registration device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the security gate 20 or the destination floor registration device 30. When a user performs face authentication using the face authentication cameras 25, 36, the control unit 61 can uniquely identify the security gate 20 or the destination floor registration device 30 used by the user based on the registration device DB 62C and the input device ID.

The registered device ID "GATE-ID01" is an example of a registered device ID for security gate 20.

Figure 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of the input/output database (input/output DB) 12A stored in the memory unit 12 of the group management control device 10. The input/output DB 12A stores output device IDs linked to input device IDs.

The "output device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the gate display 70 or the destination floor registration device 30.

The output device ID "GATE-DP01" is an example of an output device ID for a gate display 70. The output device ID "DES-IN01" is an example of an output device ID for a destination floor registration device 30.

Figure 15 is a diagram showing the configuration of the notification device database (notification device DB) 12B stored in the memory unit 12 of the group management control device 10. The notification device DB 12B stores notification device IDs linked to the imaging device ID and the target vehicle for notification.

The "imaging device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the hall camera 81 installed at the elevator hall. The "notification target car" indicates the car estimated by the control unit 11 to be the car used by the user in the erroneous boarding determination process described below (detected car) when the car is different from the assigned car. The "notification device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the hall notification device 82 installed at the elevator hall of each floor. The control unit 11 can identify the hall notification device 82 that notifies specified information based on the notification device DB 12B, the imaging device ID, and the notification target car.

The imaging device ID "HALL-CA01" is an example of an imaging device ID for the hall camera 81. The notification target car "A" indicates "Car A". The notification device ID "SP-A-01" is an example of a notification device ID for the hall notification device 82.

Figure 16 is a diagram showing the configuration of the user database (user DB) 12C stored in the memory unit 12 of the group management control device 10. The user DB 12C is configured to temporarily store the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator, based on the data received from the control unit 11, and to link the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator to the authenticated face information of the user who has registered the destination floor call.

As in the case of the face authentication DB 62A, the "authentication face information" is face feature point data indicating the facial features of the user that is registered in advance. Each face data of the authentication face information is an example of the second face information. In the first embodiment, the authentication face information of the user DB 12C is stored by the control unit 11 based on the authentication face information of the face authentication DB 62A transmitted from the security server 60. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the authentication face information of the user DB 12C may store the same data as the authentication face information of the face authentication DB 62A. However, the authentication face information of the user DB 12C is not limited to storing the same data as the authentication face information of the face authentication DB 62A, and these data may be different. For example, the authentication face information of the user DB 12C may store face feature point data acquired from an image captured by the face authentication cameras 25, 36.

"Departure floor" is information indicating the floor for which the user has registered a destination floor call. The control unit 11 can identify the departure floor based on the call signal obtained from the security server 60.

"Destination floor" is information indicating the destination floor related to the destination floor call registered by the user. The control unit 11 can identify the destination floor based on the call signal.

"Assigned car number" is information indicating the assigned car number assigned to the destination floor call registered by the user. As described above, when a destination floor call is registered, the control unit 11 determines the assigned car number to be assigned to the destination floor call.

When the control unit 11 determines the assigned elevator, it associates the authenticated face information of the user who registered the destination floor call with the departure floor, the destination floor, and the assigned elevator based on the acquired call signal, and stores them in the memory unit 12. In this way, each time a user registers a destination floor call, the control unit 11 stores the assigned elevator etc. for that user in the user DB 12C. This allows the control unit 11 to know the assigned elevator assigned to the user who registered each destination floor call.

For example, when an assigned vehicle stops at a departure floor and a destination floor associated with a specific assigned vehicle in user DB 12C, the control unit 11 may delete the associated authenticated face information, etc. from user DB 12C. The control unit 11 may be configured to delete the associated authenticated face information, etc. when the assigned vehicle departs from the departure floor associated with the assigned vehicle.

Figure 17 is a diagram showing the configuration of the erroneous boarding database (erroneous boarding DB) 12D stored in the memory unit 12 of the group management control device 10. The erroneous boarding DB 12D is configured to temporarily store the departure floor, destination floor, assigned elevator number, and detected elevator number, linked to the imaging device ID.

The "imaging device ID" is identification information set to uniquely identify the car camera 51 installed in the car of the elevator 50. In this embodiment, the rear car camera 51a and the front car camera 51b installed in the car of one elevator 50 are set with the same imaging device ID, but this is not limited to this. For example, if there are multiple car cameras 51 in the car of one elevator 50, different imaging device IDs may be set for each of the multiple car cameras 51.

The "departure floor", "destination floor" and "assigned aircraft number" are the same as in user DB12C.

"Detected car" is information that indicates the car other than the assigned car that the user mistakenly boarded (i.e., the car that the user mistakenly boarded).

Although details will be described later, when the captured image captured by the car camera 51 contains face information of a user that has a matching rate of a predetermined matching rate or higher with the authentication face information stored in the user DB 12C, the control unit 11 acquires information about the user from the user DB 12C. In this way, the control unit 11 can compare face information contained in the captured image captured by any imaging device including the car camera 51 with face information acquired in advance. When the assigned elevator of the user is different from the elevator in which the car camera 51 is located, the control unit 11 can store the imaging device ID, departure floor, destination floor, assigned elevator, and detected elevator in the erroneous boarding DB 12D based on the acquired information. Then, when the control unit 11 notifies predetermined information based on the information stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D, it can delete the information stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D.

2. Operation The operation of the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment will be described.

In this system 100, the security gate 20 accepts the registration of a destination floor by a user using the facial authentication camera 25. The user registers a destination floor call indicating a preset destination floor (default destination floor) by performing facial authentication using the facial authentication camera 25. In addition, in this system 100, the destination floor registration device 30 accepts the registration of a destination floor by a user using the facial authentication camera 36. The user registers a destination floor call indicating a preset destination floor (default destination floor) by performing facial authentication using the facial authentication camera 36. The following describes an example in which a user is about to pass through the security gate 20. Note that even when a user registers a destination floor call using the destination floor registration device 30, the same process is basically performed.

When a user attempts to pass through the security gate 20, the face authentication camera 25 captures an image of the user, links it to the IP address assigned to the camera, and outputs an image signal indicating the captured image to the security server 60.

The control unit 61 of the security server 60 performs face detection processing to determine whether or not a face is included in the captured image indicated by the image signal output from the face authentication camera 25. If it is determined that a face is included, the control unit 61 performs face feature point detection processing to detect facial feature points from the captured image. When facial feature points are detected, the control unit 61 performs face authentication processing on the user whose face has been detected and who is attempting to pass through the security gate 20.

The control unit 61 sequentially compares (matches) the detected face feature point data (face data) with each face data (face feature point data) registered in the face authentication DB 62A to obtain a match rate. Then, it determines whether face data having a match rate equal to or higher than a predetermined match rate with the face data of the detected face is registered in the face authentication DB 62A.

If face data having a matching rate equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate is registered in face authentication DB 62A, control unit 61 determines that the user is a legitimate user corresponding to the registered face data and determines that face authentication has been successful. In this case, control unit 61 transmits a gate opening signal to the security gate 20, causing the gate flapper 28 to open. This allows the user registered in face authentication DB 62A to pass through security gate 20.

If face data having a matching rate equal to or higher than the predetermined matching rate is not registered in the face authentication DB 62A, the control unit 61 determines that the user is an unauthorized user. In this case, the control unit 61 transmits a gate closing signal to the security gate 20 and closes the gate flapper 28. This prevents unauthorized users who are not registered in the face authentication DB 62A from passing through the security gate 20.

When face data having a matching rate equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate is registered in face authentication DB 62A, control unit 61 acquires the face data as authenticated face information. Control unit 61 reads out the default destination floor associated with the face data from face authentication DB 62A and acquires it as the destination floor. Control unit 61 acquires an IP address based on the received image signal, and can identify the input device ID of face authentication camera 25 that captured the captured image based on the acquired IP address. Control unit 61 also reads out the departure floor associated with the input device ID from departure floor DB 62B. Control unit 61 then generates a call signal including the departure floor, destination floor, authenticated face information, and input device ID, and transmits the call signal to group management control device 10.

If face data having a matching rate equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate is not registered in the face authentication DB 62A, the control unit 61 generates an authentication NG signal including the input device ID and transmits the authentication NG signal to the group management control device 10.

2-1. Allocation Processing by the Group Management Control Device FIG. 18 is a flowchart showing an example of allocation processing by the group management control device 10.

The control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 judges whether or not a call signal has been received from the security server 60 (S11). If a call signal has not been received (S11: NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S11 again. When the control unit 11 receives an authentication NG signal, it generates a signal including information regarding authentication NG and transmits it to the gate display 70 or the destination floor registration device 30. As a result, the control unit 11 causes the gate display 70 or the destination floor registration device 30 to display that authentication has not been successful.

When a call signal is received (S11: YES), the control unit 11 determines the elevator to be assigned based on the departure floor and destination floor included in the call signal (S12). As described above, the control unit 11 determines the elevator 50 to be assigned to the registered destination floor call by a predetermined calculation process, taking into account the departure floor, destination floor, and operation information of each elevator 50.

Next, the control unit 11 links the authenticated face information, departure floor, and destination floor included in the call signal with the determined assigned car number, and stores them in the user DB 12C (S13). The control unit 11 also reads the output device ID from the input/output DB 12A based on the input device ID. The control unit 11 generates an assignment result signal including information on the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned car number, and transmits the assignment result signal to the gate display 70 corresponding to the output device ID and the elevator control device 40 of the assigned car number (S14).

When the process of step S14 is executed, the control unit 11 ends the allocation process. When the process ends, the control unit 11 returns to step S11 and determines whether or not a call signal has been received from the security server 60.

2-2. Erroneous Boarding Detection Processing Based on Hall Camera FIG. 19 is a flowchart showing an example of erroneous boarding detection processing based on images captured by the hall camera 81 by the group management control device 10.

First, the control unit 11 determines whether image data has been received from the hall camera 81 (S21). If image data has not been received (S21: NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S21 again.

If image data has been received (S21: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the imaging device ID based on the received image data (S22). In this embodiment, the control unit 11 can identify the imaging device ID of the hall camera 81 based on the IP address associated with the image data. The same applies to the car camera 51 described below.

The control unit 11 determines whether or not a face is included in the captured image indicated by the received image data (S23). The control unit 11 may perform the process of this step for each captured image output at a predetermined frame rate, may perform the process for every few frames, or may perform the process intermittently, such as for every single frame every few frames.

If it is determined that the captured image does not contain a face (S23: NO), i.e., if a face is not detected, the control unit 11 ends the mistaken boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S21 again.

When it is determined that the captured image contains a face (S23: YES), that is, when a face is detected, the control unit 11 acquires data on the facial feature points of the face detected from the captured image (face data) as determined face information (S24). The control unit 11 can acquire the facial feature point data from the captured image, for example, by performing a facial feature point detection process that detects facial feature points from the captured image. The determined face information is an example of first face information.

When the control unit 11 acquires the judged face information, it sequentially compares (matches) the acquired face feature point data (face data) with each face data (facial feature point data) stored in the user DB 12C to determine the matching rate. Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not face data having a matching rate equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate with the acquired face data is stored in the user DB 12C (S25). In other words, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the matching rate between the acquired judged face information and any of the authentication face information stored in the user DB 12C is equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate.

When it is determined that the authenticated face information having a matching rate equal to or higher than the predetermined matching rate is not stored in the user DB 12C (S25: NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S30, which will be described in detail later. In this case, the control unit 11 does not perform the process of determining whether or not the user related to the authenticated face information corresponds to a user who will mistakenly board a train, and performs the process from step S24 onwards for another user, or ends the mistaken boarding determination process.

When it is determined that the authenticated face information having a matching rate equal to or higher than a predetermined matching rate is stored in the user DB 12C (S25: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the authenticated face information, as well as the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator linked to the authenticated face information, from the user DB 12C (S26).

The control unit 11 also detects (identifies) the vehicle number that is estimated to be used by the user (hereinafter, appropriately referred to as the "detected vehicle number") based on the user's position information in the captured image (S27). For example, if the position of the user captured in the captured image is closer to vehicle number A than other vehicles, the control unit 11 may identify vehicle number A as the detected vehicle.

Next, the control unit 11 compares the acquired assigned machine number with the detected detected machine number and determines whether the assigned machine number and the detected machine number match (S28).

If there is a match (S28: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S30, which will be described in detail later. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that the user associated with the authenticated face information will use the assigned elevator that was assigned to the user, and performs the process from step S24 onwards for another user, or ends the erroneous boarding determination process.

If there is no match (S28: NO), the control unit 11 executes the hall notification process based on the acquired information (S29). In this case, the control unit 11 determines that the user has boarded the detected elevator by mistake. The acquired information includes the image capture device ID, the departure floor, the destination floor, the assigned elevator, and the detected elevator. The hall notification process is a process in which the control unit 11 changes the notification information according to the acquired information and causes the hall notification device 82 to notify the notification information. The notification information includes content that changes based on the determined face information and the detected elevator. In this way, the control unit 11 can cause the hall notification device 82 to notify predetermined notification information according to the result of comparing the assigned elevator with the detected elevator. The control unit 11 can also control the notification information to be notified by the hall notification device 82 according to the acquired information. The hall notification process (S29) will be described in detail later.

After executing the hall notification process (S29), the control unit 11 determines whether or not the process from step S24 onwards has been executed for all face information contained in the captured image (S30).

The control unit 11 may execute the process of step S30, for example, by executing as follows. If the control unit 11 detects n faces in the captured image in step S23, it stores face data for each face in the memory unit 12 together with a flag (Fd[1] to Fd[n]) that manages each face data. When storing, the control unit 11 sets each flag to False. When the control unit 11 executes the process of step S24 for one of the stored face data, it sets the flag of the face data related to the acquired determined face information to True. In step S30, the control unit 11 can determine whether or not all face information included in the captured image has been processed by determining whether or not a flag has been set to False.

If it is determined that the processing from S24 onwards has not been performed on all face information contained in the captured image (S30: NO), the control unit 11 performs the processing from step S24 on the unprocessed face information. For example, if any of flags Fd[1] to Fd[n] is False, the control unit 11 determines that all face information has not been processed, and performs the processing from S24 on any of the face information for which the flag is False.

When it is determined that the processing from step S24 onwards has been performed for all face information contained in the captured image (S30: YES), the control unit 11 ends the mistaken boarding determination processing for the received image data and executes the processing of step S21 again.

Next, the hall notification process (S29) executed by the group management control device 10 will be described. Figure 20 is a flowchart showing an example of the hall notification process executed by the group management control device 10.

First, the control unit 11 acquires the imaging device ID and the notification device ID associated with the target vehicle from the notification device DB 12B (S41). This allows the control unit 11 to know the notification device ID of the notification device 82 that will notify the notification information.

Next, the control unit 11 acquires the operation information of the detected vehicle and the destination floor information at the departure floor (S42). The destination floor information at the departure floor indicates one or more destination floors at which the vehicle is scheduled to stop when it departs from the departure floor (or when it stops at the departure floor).

The control unit 11 also acquires operation information of the assigned elevator (S43). Hereinafter, information that can be used to notify users who are the targets of notification processes, including the hall notification process and the car notification process described below, will be referred to as "notification basic information" as appropriate. The notification basic information may include, for example, the departure floor, destination floor, assigned elevator, detected elevator, operation information of the assigned elevator, as well as operation information and destination floor information of the detected elevator for the user. The notification basic information may also include information other than these.

In this embodiment, the control unit 11 executes steps S41, S42, and S43 in this order, but is not limited to this. The control unit 11 may execute the processes of steps S41 to S43 in any order.

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the detection unit departs before the assigned unit at the departure floor (S44). In other words, the control unit 11 determines whether the assigned unit or the detection unit departs first at the departure floor. If the detection unit departs before the assigned unit (S44: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the detection unit is stopped at the departure floor (S45).

If the detection unit is stopped at the departure floor (S45: YES), that is, if the detection unit has arrived at the departure floor, the control unit 11 creates first notification information by combining the first template information and the notification basic information. Then, the control unit 11 generates a notification signal including the first notification information, and transmits the notification signal to the hall notification device 82 corresponding to the acquired notification device ID (S46). As a result, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 notifies the first notification information to users at the elevator hall via the hall notification device 82. The first notification information is an example of notification information. In this way, the control unit 11 can change the content of the notification information based on the determined face information and the detection unit.

In this embodiment, the first template information is information corresponding to a voice saying, for example, "(Detected vehicle) does not stop at (Destination floor). Please board (Assigned vehicle) to go to (Destination floor)." In the first template information, "(Detected vehicle)" indicates that the vehicle number of the detected vehicle included in the basic notification information may be substituted. The same applies to other parts. The same applies to other template information (for example, second template information). The first notification information may be information corresponding to a voice saying, for example, "Vehicle B does not stop at the 6th floor. Please board vehicle A to go to the 6th floor." The contents of each template information are merely examples and are not limited to the above, and may include any content.

When the notification information is notified by step S46, the detected elevator that the user is mistakenly about to board at the elevator hall has already arrived at the user's departure floor. Because the detected elevator has arrived at the departure floor, the user can board the detected elevator. Therefore, the group management control device 10 notifies the user that the detected elevator used by the user will not stop at the user's desired destination floor, thereby notifying the user in words that are directly related to the user that the user is about to use an elevator different from the assigned elevator. By notifying the user of notification information including the detected elevator used by the user and the user's desired destination floor, the group management control device 10 can more effectively make the user aware that the user is about to use an elevator different from the assigned elevator, compared to the notification of the second notification information described below.

If the detection unit is not stopped at the departure floor (S45: NO), that is, if the detection unit has not arrived at the departure floor, the control unit 11 creates second notification information by combining the second template information and the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the second notification information to the hall notification device 82 in the same manner as in the processing of step S46 (S47). The second notification information is an example of notification information.

In this embodiment, the second template information is, for example, information corresponding to a voice saying, "(Detected locomotive) will stop at (Destination floor of detected locomotive). Please be careful not to board the wrong train." The second notification information can be, for example, information corresponding to a voice saying, "Locomotive B will stop at floor 8. Please be careful not to board the wrong train."

When the notification information is notified in step S47, the detected elevator that the user is mistakenly trying to board at the elevator hall has not yet arrived at the departure floor. Because the detected elevator has not yet arrived at the departure floor, the user cannot board the detected elevator. Therefore, by notifying the user of the destination floor of the detected elevator that the user will use, the group management control device 10 can inform the user that the detected elevator will not stop at the user's desired destination floor, effectively making the user aware that he or she is trying to use an elevator different from the assigned elevator.

If the detected aircraft is not ahead of the assigned aircraft at the departure floor (S44: NO), that is, if the assigned aircraft departs before the detected aircraft, the control unit 11 determines whether the assigned aircraft has already departed from the departure floor (S48).

If the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor (S48: YES), the control unit 11 creates third notification information by combining the third template information and the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the third notification information to the hall notification device 82 in a manner similar to the processing of step S46 (S49). The third notification information is an example of notification information.

In this embodiment, the third template information is, for example, information corresponding to a voice saying, "(Detection vehicle) will not stop at (destination floor). Please re-register for (destination floor)." The third notification information can be, for example, information corresponding to a voice saying, "Vehicle B will not stop at the 6th floor. Please re-register for the 6th floor."

When the notification information is notified in step S49, the assigned elevator that the user is to board at the elevator hall has already departed. In other words, the assigned elevator to which the destination floor call registered by the user is assigned has already departed the departure floor. An elevator with the same elevator number as the assigned elevator that subsequently stops at the departure floor is different from the assigned elevator to which the destination floor call was assigned, and the user cannot board that elevator. Therefore, the user must re-register a destination floor call specifying the destination floor that the user desires, for example, using the destination floor registration device 30. The control unit 11 prompts the user to re-register a destination floor call by notifying the user of the third notification information.

In this way, the control unit 11 can notify the user of appropriate information depending on the user's destination floor, etc. and the operating status of the elevator 50. Specifically, even if the user mistakenly attempts to use a car number (detected car number) other than the assigned car number assigned to the user, and the assigned car number has already departed, the control unit 11 can notify the user that the detected car number will not stop at the destination floor. In addition, the control unit 11 can notify the user that the destination floor needs to be registered again in order to go to the user's desired destination floor. By notifying in this way, the group management control device 10 can more effectively make the user aware that he or she is attempting to use a car number different from the assigned car number and that the destination floor needs to be registered again, compared to the notification of the first notification information.

If the assigned elevator has not yet departed from the departure floor (S48: NO), the control unit 11 creates the first notification information by combining the first template information with the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the first notification information to the hall notification device 82 in the same manner as in the processing of step S46 (S50).

When the notification information is notified in step S50, the assigned elevator assigned to the user at the elevator hall has not yet departed. Therefore, the user can arrive at the desired destination floor by boarding an assigned elevator that departs from the departure floor thereafter. Therefore, the group management control device 10 notifies the user that the detected elevator used by the user will not stop at the user's desired destination floor, thereby notifying the user in words that are directly relevant to the user that the user is about to use an elevator different from the assigned elevator. By notifying in this manner, the group management control device 10 can effectively make the user aware that the user is about to use an elevator different from the assigned elevator.

In this embodiment, the control unit 11 notifies the same notification information when the detection unit is stopped at the departure floor (S45: YES) and when the assigned unit has not yet departed from the departure floor (S48: NO), but this does not have to be the same.

When the control unit 11 notifies the hall notification device 82 of notification information that has been changed according to the destination floor of the user and the operating status of the elevator 50, it ends the hall notification process (S29) and executes the process of step S30.

By executing the process in this manner, the control unit 11 can notify the user of information including predetermined content via the hall notification device 82 when it is estimated that the user at the elevator hall is attempting to board a car other than the assigned car assigned to the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 can change the predetermined content and notify the user according to the user's destination floor, etc. and the operating status of each elevator 50. The control unit 11 can also change the notification information based on the operating status of the assigned car and the operating status of the detected car. Therefore, the group management control device 10 can effectively prevent a user at the elevator hall from mistakenly boarding the assigned car that has been assigned to them.

2-3. Erroneous Boarding Detection Processing Based on the Cage Camera FIG. 21 is a flowchart showing an example of erroneous boarding detection processing based on an image captured by the cage camera 51 by the group management control device 10.

In part of the erroneous boarding detection process, the control unit 11 executes processes that are essentially the same as steps S21 to S28 and S30 shown in FIG. 19 (S61 to S67, S71). In this erroneous boarding detection process, the differences from the erroneous boarding detection process shown in FIG. 19 will be mainly described. In this erroneous boarding detection process, the control unit 11 executes a process corresponding to step S27 in step S62. In addition, the control unit 11 executes the process based on the captured image acquired from the hall camera 81 in the process shown in FIG. 19, but in this erroneous boarding detection process, it executes the process based on the captured image acquired from the car camera 51.

First, the control unit 11 executes the same process as in S21 (S61). If image data has been received (S61: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the imaging device ID based on the received image data. The control unit 11 then detects (identifies) the machine that sent the image data based on the imaging device ID (S62). In this way, the control unit 11 detects the machine that the user is waiting to use based on the captured image.

Next, the control unit 11 executes the same processes as steps S23 to S26 and S28 (S63 to S67).

If the acquired assigned machine number and the detected machine number do not match (S67: NO), the control unit 11 executes car notification processing (S68) based on the acquired information. The acquired information includes the imaging device ID, departure floor, destination floor, assigned machine number, and detected machine number. The car notification processing (S68) is processing in which the control unit 11 changes the notification information according to the acquired information and causes the car notification device 52 of the detected machine to notify the notification information before the departure of the detected machine. In this way, the control unit 11 can cause the car notification device 52 to notify predetermined notification information according to the result of comparing the assigned machine number and the detected machine number. Furthermore, the control unit 11 can control the notification information to be notified by the car notification device 52 according to the acquired information. Details of the car notification processing (S68) will be described later.

If there is a match (S67: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the operation information of the detected vehicle (S69). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the destination floor included in the acquired information is located ahead in the traveling direction of the detected vehicle (S70).

If a destination floor exists (S70: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S71, which will be described in detail later. In this case, the control unit 11 determines that the user associated with the authenticated face information will use the assigned elevator assigned to that user, and performs the process from step S64 onwards for another user, or ends the erroneous boarding determination process.

If the destination floor does not exist (S70: NO), the control unit 11 executes car notification processing (S68) based on the acquired information.

When the car notification process (S68) is executed, the control unit 11 judges whether or not the process from step S64 onward has been executed for all face information contained in the captured image (S71). The control unit 11 can judge whether or not all face information has been processed by performing the process in the same manner as in step S30 described above.

If it is determined that the processing from step S64 onwards has not been performed on all face information contained in the captured image (S71: NO), the control unit 11 performs the processing from step S64 on the unprocessed face information.

When it is determined that the processing from step S64 onwards has been performed for all face information contained in the captured image (S71: YES), the control unit 11 ends the mistaken boarding determination processing for the received image data and executes the processing of step S61 again.

Next, the cage notification process (S68) executed by the group management control device 10 will be described. Figure 22 is a flowchart showing an example of the cage notification process by the group management control device 10.

First, the control unit 11 compares the acquired assigned machine number with the detected machine number and determines whether the assigned machine number and the detected machine number match (S81).

If there is no match (S81: NO), the control unit 11 acquires the operation information of the assigned elevator (S82). Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor (S83).

If the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor (S83: YES), the control unit 11 creates the third notification information by combining the third template information and the notification basic information. Then, the control unit 11 generates a notification signal including the third notification information and transmits the notification signal to the car notification device 52 corresponding to the detected elevator (S84). As a result, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 notifies the third notification information to a user using the elevator of one of the elevators 50 among the multiple elevators via the elevator control device 40 and the car notification device 52. In the car notification process, the elevator corresponding to the imaging device ID and the elevator of the car notification device 52 that notifies the notification information are the same. Therefore, the control unit 11 can determine the notification device ID of the car notification device 52 that notifies the notification information based on the imaging device ID.

When the notification information is notified in step S84, the assigned elevator assigned to the destination floor call registered by the user aboard the detected elevator has already departed the departure floor. An elevator with the same elevator number as the assigned elevator that subsequently stops at the departure floor is different from the assigned elevator to which the destination floor call was assigned, and the user cannot board that elevator. Therefore, the user must re-register a destination floor call specifying the destination floor that the user desires, for example, using the destination floor registration device 30. The control unit 11 prompts the user to re-register the destination floor call by notifying the user of the third notification information.

In this way, the control unit 11 can notify the user of appropriate information depending on the user's destination floor, etc. and the operating status of the elevator 50. Specifically, even if the user mistakenly boards a car (detected car) other than the assigned car assigned to the user, and the assigned car has already departed, the control unit 11 can notify the user that the car they are boarding will not stop at the destination floor. In addition, the control unit 11 can notify the user that they need to register the destination floor again to go to the user's desired destination floor.

If the assigned elevator has not yet departed from the departure floor (S83: NO), the control unit 11 creates the first notification information by combining the first template information with the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the first notification information to the car notification device 52 in the same manner as in the processing of step S84 (S85).

When the notification information is notified in step S85, the assigned car assigned to the destination floor call registered by the user aboard the detected car has not yet departed from the departure floor. Therefore, the user can board the assigned car, and by boarding the assigned car, the user can move to the destination floor he or she desires. The control unit 11 prompts the user to move to the assigned car by notifying the first information to board the assigned car when traveling to the user's desired destination floor.

In this way, the control unit 11 can notify the user of appropriate information depending on the user's destination floor, etc. and the operating status of the elevator 50. Specifically, if the user mistakenly boards a car (detected car) other than the assigned car assigned to the user, and the assigned car has not yet departed from the departure floor, the control unit 11 can notify the user that the car they are boarding will not stop at the destination floor. In addition, the control unit 11 can notify the user that they need to board a car (assigned car) to go to the user's desired destination floor.

If the acquired assigned floor number matches the detected floor number (S81: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the destination floor is a floor above the departure floor (S86).

If the destination floor is a floor above the departure floor (S86: YES), the control unit 11 creates fourth notification information by combining the fourth template information and the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the fourth notification information to the car notification device 52 in a manner similar to the processing of step S84 (S87). The fourth notification information is an example of notification information.

In this embodiment, the fourth template information is information corresponding to a voice saying, for example, "(Detected car) will not depart in an upward direction. Please be careful not to board the wrong car." The fourth notification information can be information corresponding to a voice saying, for example, "Car B will not depart in an upward direction. Please be careful not to board the wrong car."

If the destination floor is not a floor above the departure floor (S86: NO), that is, if the destination floor is a floor below the departure floor, the control unit 11 creates the fifth notification information by combining the fifth template information and the notification basic information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the fifth notification information to the car notification device 52 in a manner similar to the processing of step S84 (S88). The fifth notification information is an example of notification information.

In this embodiment, the fifth template information is information corresponding to a voice message such as, "(Detected locomotive) will not depart in a downward direction. Please be careful not to board the wrong train."

In this way, the control unit 11 can notify the user of appropriate information depending on the user's destination floor, etc. and the operating status of the elevator 50. Specifically, when the user is on a car (detected car) that has the same car number as the assigned car assigned to the user, but the car is traveling in a direction different from the direction in which the user's desired destination floor is located, the control unit 11 can notify the user of the traveling direction of the car. In other words, when the control unit 11 determines that the assigned car is the same as the detected car and that the user's destination floor is not in the traveling direction of the detected car, it can notify the user of the traveling direction of the detected car. The control unit 11 can notify the user of information that allows the user to understand that the car he or she is using cannot move to the user's desired destination floor.

The control unit 11 notifies the user of the notification information that has been changed according to the destination floor of the user and the operating status of the elevator 50 via the elevator control device 40 and the car notification device 52, then ends the car notification process (S68) and executes the process of step S71.

By executing the process in this manner, the control unit 11 can notify the user of information including predetermined content via the elevator control device 40 and the car notification device 52 when the user mistakenly boards a car other than the assigned car assigned to the user. Specifically, the control unit 11 can change the predetermined content and notify the user according to at least one of the user's destination floor, the operating status of the assigned car, and the operating status of the detected car. Therefore, the group management control device 10 can effectively prevent a situation in which a user mistakenly uses an assigned car that has been assigned to them. Specifically, the group management control device 10 can effectively prevent the departure of a car other than the assigned car while the user has mistakenly boarded the car.

2-4. Mis-boarding determination process based on car camera for notifying multiple users at once In the mis-boarding determination process described above in Fig. 21 to Fig. 22, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 notifies notification information to a user every time it determines that the user will use a car number (detected car number) different from the assigned car number. The process in the elevator system 100 according to the present disclosure is not limited to the process described in Fig. 21 to Fig. 22, and the control unit 11 may determine whether multiple users will use a car number different from the assigned car number and notify the multiple users at once.

Figures 23A and 23B are flow charts showing an example of another erroneous boarding detection process by the group management control device 10 based on images captured by the car camera 51. This erroneous boarding detection process differs from the erroneous boarding detection process shown in Figure 21 in that, instead of issuing an alert each time a user is detected boarding incorrectly, information about the user who has boarded incorrectly is temporarily stored in the memory unit 12 and a notification is issued after the erroneous boarding detection process for multiple users has been completed. In this erroneous boarding detection process, the differences from the erroneous boarding detection process shown in Figure 21 will be mainly described.

The control unit 11 executes the same processing as steps S61 to S67 described in FIG. 21 (S91 to S97).

If the acquired assigned car number and the detected car number do not match (S97: NO), the control unit 11 stores the acquired information about the user who is the subject of the erroneous boarding judgment in the erroneous boarding DB 12D (S98). Specifically, the control unit 11 stores the departure floor, destination floor, assigned car number, and detected car number in association with the imaging device ID acquired in the processing of step S92. The information stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D is appropriately referred to as "erroneous boarding information."

When the erroneous boarding information related to the determined face information acquired in the process of step S94 is stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D, the control unit 11 executes a process similar to step S71 described in FIG. 21 (S101). Specifically, the control unit 11 determines whether or not the process from step S94 onward has been executed for all face information included in the captured image (S101).

If the acquired assigned vehicle number and the detected vehicle number match (S97: YES), the control unit 11 executes the same processing as steps S69 to S70 described in FIG. 21 (S99 to S100). After that, the control unit 11 executes the processing of step S98 or S101.

When it is determined that the processing from step S94 onwards has been performed for all face information (S101: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the number of cases of erroneous boarding information related to the acquired imaging device ID stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D is 0 (S102).

If there are 0 cases (S102: YES), the control unit 11 ends the mistaken boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S91.

If the number is not 0 (S102: NO), the number of erroneous boarding information items related to the acquired imaging device ID stored in the erroneous boarding DB12D is counted, and it is determined whether the number is 2 or more (S103).

If there are two or more cases (S103: YES), the control unit 11 acquires erroneous boarding information related to the imaging device ID from the erroneous boarding DB 12D (S104). In other words, the control unit 11 acquires the above number of erroneous boarding information cases.

Then, the control unit 11 executes a collective car notification process (S105) based on the acquired erroneous boarding information. The collective car notification process (S105) is a process in which, when the control unit 11 determines that multiple users have erroneously boarded a car, the control unit 11 causes the car notification device 52 to notify the multiple users of comprehensive notification information that integrates the contents of the notification information for the multiple users. In other words, the collective car notification process is a process in which, when the control unit 11 compares the assigned car number and the detected car number for each user and determines that they do not match, the control unit 11 causes the car notification device 52 to notify the multiple users of comprehensive notification information.

The comprehensive notification information (also referred to as collective notification information, as appropriate) is an example of notification information that consolidates the contents of notification information for each of the multiple users into one. In this way, the control unit 11 can control the information to be notified by the car notification device 52 according to the acquired information and according to the number of users determined to have boarded a car by mistake. The details of the car collective notification process (S105) will be described later.

If there are not two or more items (S103: NO), that is, if there is only one item of erroneous boarding information stored, the control unit 11 acquires the erroneous boarding information from the erroneous boarding DB 12D (S106). Then, the control unit 11 executes car notification processing based on the acquired erroneous boarding information (S107). The car notification processing is executed in the same manner as the car notification processing (S68) shown in FIG. 21.

When the control unit 11 executes the car collective notification process (S105) or the car notification process (S107), it deletes the erroneous boarding information stored in the erroneous boarding DB 12D that is linked to the imaging device ID acquired in the process of step S92 (S108). This allows the control unit 11 to execute the erroneous boarding determination process based on new image data received from the car camera 51 that has the imaging device ID.

Next, the car collective notification process (S105) executed by the group management control device 10 will be described. Figures 24A to 24C are flowcharts showing an example of the car collective notification process by the group management control device 10. This flowchart is configured, as an example, by processing using multiple variables. The variables include WK1, WK2, MSG, and MSG1 to MSG4. Variable WK1 indicates information related to the destination floor. Variable WK2 indicates information related to the assigned elevator. Variable MSG indicates information related to the collective notification information notified by the car notification device 52 in the car collective notification process. The collective notification information is an example of notification information. Variables MSG1 to MSG4 each indicate information that is temporarily used to create the information to be input to variable MSG.

In the flowcharts and explanations shown in Figures 24A to 24C, when parentheses () are used, such as (MSG1), (MSG1) indicates the information entered into the variable MSG1. When (assigned car number) is used, (assigned car number) indicates the car number of the assigned car related to the erroneous boarding information, for example car number A. The same applies to (detected car number). When (destination floor) is used, (destination floor) indicates the floor of the destination floor related to the erroneous boarding information, for example floor 6. The same applies to (departure floor).

In the flowcharts shown in Figures 24A to 24C, "A == B" indicates that variable A has information B. Also, "A = "B"" indicates that information B is input to variable A. Hereinafter, "variable WK1" may be referred to simply as "WK1". The same applies to the other variables shown in Figures 24A to 24C.

First, the control unit 11 inputs NULL into WK1, WK2, and MSG1 to MSG4 (S121). Next, the control unit 11 sorts the acquired multiple pieces of erroneous boarding information based on the assigned car number and destination floor (S122). First, the control unit 11 sorts the multiple pieces of erroneous boarding information in ascending order of the assigned car number stored (i.e., from car number A to car number F). Then, the control unit 11 sorts each piece of erroneous boarding information related to the same assigned car in ascending order of the destination floor number.

Next, the control unit 11 reads one of the rearranged pieces of erroneous boarding information (S123). Specifically, the control unit 11 reads one of the pieces of erroneous boarding information in the order of the rearranged pieces of erroneous boarding information. First, the control unit 11 can obtain the departure floor, destination floor, assigned elevator number, and detection elevator number related to the first piece of erroneous boarding information.

When the erroneous boarding information is read, the control unit 11 compares the assigned car number contained in the erroneous boarding information with the detected car number, and determines whether the assigned car number and the detected car number match (S124).

If it is determined that there is a match (S124: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether MSG4 == NULL (S125). In other words, the control unit 11 determines whether the information input to the variable MSG4 is NULL.

If MSG4 == NULL (S125: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether the destination floor is the departure floor or a floor above it (S126).

If the destination floor is a floor above the departure floor (S126: YES), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(detected vehicle) will not depart in an upward direction. Also, (destination floor)" to MSG4 (S127). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S143, the details of which will be described later.

If the destination floor is not a floor above the departure floor (S126: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(detected vehicle) will not depart downwards. Also, (destination floor)" to MSG4 (S128). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S143, the details of which will be described later.

If MSG4 == NULL is not true (S125: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(MSG4), (destination floor)" into MSG4 (S129). In this way, if information has already been input into MSG4, the control unit 11 adds the destination floor to that information and updates MSG4. The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S143, the details of which will be described later.

If it is determined that the assigned elevator and the detected elevator do not match (S124: NO), it determines whether WK1 == (destination floor) and WK2 == (assigned elevator) (S130). In other words, the control unit 11 determines whether the information input to WK1 is the same as the destination floor of the read-in erroneous boarding information, and the information input to WK2 is the same as the assigned elevator of the read-in erroneous boarding information.

If WK1 == (destination floor) and WK2 == (assigned elevator) (S130: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S143, the details of which will be described later.

If the conditions that WK1 == (destination floor) and WK2 == (assigned elevator number) are not met (S130: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the destination floor of the erroneous boarding information into WK1 and the assigned elevator number of the erroneous boarding information into WK2 (S131).

Next, the control unit 11 acquires operation information for the assigned elevator (S132). The control unit 11 then determines whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor (S133).

If it is determined that the vehicle has departed (S133: YES), the control unit 11 determines whether MSG3 == NULL (S134).

If MSG3 == NULL (S134: YES), the control unit 11 inputs the destination floor of the erroneous boarding information into MSG3 (S135). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S140, the details of which will be described later.

If MSG3 == NULL is not true (S134: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(MSG3), (destination floor)" into MSG3 (S136). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S140, the details of which will be described later.

If it is determined that the assigned elevator has not yet departed from the departure floor (S133: NO), the control unit 11 determines whether MSG2 == NULL (S137).

If MSG2 == NULL (S137: YES), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(assigned car number) to (destination floor)" into MSG2 (S138). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S140, the details of which will be described later.

If MSG2 == NULL is not true (S137: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(MSG2), (destination floor) is (assigned car number)" into MSG2 (S139).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether MSG1 == NULL (S140).

If MSG1 == NULL (S140: YES), the control unit 11 inputs the destination floor of the erroneous boarding information into MSG1 (S141). The control unit 11 then executes the process of step S143, the details of which will be described later.

If MSG1 == NULL is not true (S140: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(MSG1), (destination floor)" into MSG1 (S142).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the above process (i.e., the process of steps S123 to S142) has been performed for all of the multiple pieces of mis-boarding information that have been acquired (S143).

If it is determined that the above processing has not been performed for all erroneous boarding information (S143: NO), the control unit 11 performs the processing from step S123 on the erroneous boarding information next to the erroneous boarding information for which the above processing was performed immediately before.

When it is determined that the above process has been performed for all erroneous boarding information (S143: YES), the control unit 11 uses the variables MSG1 to MSG4 created in the above process to create MSG, which is a variable related to the collective notification information to be notified.

First, the control unit 11 determines whether MSG1 == NULL (S144).

If MSG1 == NULL (S144: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S146, which will be described in detail later. If MSG1 == NULL is not true (S144: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "(Detection unit) will not stop at (MSG1)" into MSG (S145).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether MSG2 == NULL (S146).

If MSG2 == NULL (S146: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S148, which will be described in detail later. If MSG2 == NULL is not (S146: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "Please board (MSG) (MSG2)" into MSG (S147). As a result, if there is information input into MSG, the control unit 11 adds the information input into MSG2 to that information and updates MSG. If there is no information input into MSG, the control unit 11 inputs the information input into MSG2 into MSG.

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether MSG3 == NULL (S148).

If MSG3 == NULL (S148: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S150, which will be described in detail later. If MSG3 == NULL is not true (S148: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "Please re-register to (MSG) (MSG3)" into MSG (S149).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether MSG4 == NULL (S150).

If MSG4 == NULL (S150: YES), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S152, which will be described in detail later. If MSG4 == NULL is not true (S150: NO), the control unit 11 inputs the information "This bus will not stop at (MSG) (MSG4). Please be careful not to board the wrong bus" into MSG (S151).

Next, the control unit 11 creates an alarm signal including collective notification information composed of the created variable MSG, and transmits the alarm signal to the car alarm device 52 corresponding to the detected elevator (S152). As a result, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 notifies the users riding in one of the elevators 50 of the multiple elevators of the collective notification information via the elevator control device 40 and the car alarm device 52.

The collective notification information is notification information that, when there are multiple users using an elevator 50 other than the assigned elevator (i.e., users who have boarded the wrong elevator), can notify multiple users who have boarded the wrong elevator with a single notification.

For example, the following information is reported for the mis-boarding information shown in the mis-boarding DB 12D in FIG. 17: "Car D does not stop on the 6th, 8th, or 10th floors. Please take Car A to go to the 6th floor, and Car B to go to the 8th floor. Please re-register for the 10th floor."

In this way, according to this embodiment, when there are multiple users who have boarded a train by mistake, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 can notify all of the multiple users who have boarded a train by mistake. In other words, the control unit 11 can create and notify notification information that consolidates the information for each of the multiple users, rather than notifying each user of notification information for each user. This makes it easier for users to understand the content of the notification information than if multiple pieces of notification information were simply presented in succession, and the control unit 11 can effectively prevent users from boarding a train by mistake.

According to this embodiment, the group management control device 10 can determine whether a user at an elevator hall and a user in an elevator car 50 will use a car number other than the assigned car number that has been assigned to them. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can prevent a situation in which a user mistakenly uses a car number assigned by the elevator system 100.

3. Summary As described above, the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment includes a group management control device 10 that allocates a hall call registered by a user to one of a number of elevators to determine an assigned elevator in which the user will board, imaging devices 51, 81 that are provided to capture an image of a face of a user who has registered a hall call and who uses one of a number of elevators, and notification devices 52, 82 that notify the user of notification information related to the elevator, and the group management control device 10 acquires first face information indicating the face of the user from an image captured by the imaging devices 51, 81, detects the elevator to be used by the user from among the multiple elevators, and causes the notification device 52, 82 to notify the user of the notification information according to a result of comparing the assigned elevator with the detected elevator, and the notification information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected elevator.

As a result, the group management control device 10 of the elevator system 100 according to this embodiment identifies the user based on the first face information included in the captured image, and compares the assigned car number assigned to the user with the detected car number detected to be used by the user. Depending on the comparison result, the group management control device 10 causes the notification devices 52, 82 to notify the user that they have mistakenly boarded the detected car when the user has mistakenly boarded the detected car. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can prevent a situation in which a user mistakenly uses a car number assigned by the elevator system 100.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the group management control device 10 determines whether the first face information and the second face information showing the face of the user acquired in advance show the same person, and if it is determined that they show the same person, it may acquire the assigned car number assigned to the user that is associated with the second face information, and if the detected car number and the assigned car number are different, cause the alarm device 52, 82 to alarm information related to the user.

In this way, when the second face information acquired in advance and the first face information of the user corresponding to the detected car indicate the same person, the group management control device 10 determines whether the assigned car assigned to the user corresponding to the second face information matches the detected car. As a result, when the assigned car and the detected car are different, the group management control device 10 can determine that the user's use of the detected car is a mistaken boarding, and can report the notification information. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can prevent a situation in which a user mistakenly uses an assigned car.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the group management control device 10 may change the content of the notification information based on the operating status of the assigned elevator and the operating status of the detected elevator.

As a result, the group management control device 10 can notify notification information according to the status of each elevator based on the operating status of the assigned elevator and the operating status of the detected elevator. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can prevent users from mistakenly using the assigned elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the hall call is a destination floor call indicating a call for the user's desired destination floor, and the group management control device may determine the elevator to be assigned based on the departure floor and destination floor indicating the floor at which the user registered the destination floor call.

As a result, in an elevator system 100 that employs a destination floor registration method, when a user mistakenly boards a detected car, the group management control device 10 can notify the user of the mistaken boarding by the notification devices 52, 82. Specifically, the group management control device 10 can determine an assigned car based on the departure floor and destination floor based on the registered destination floor call and associate the assigned car with the user, making it possible to determine whether the user's boarding is a mistake. Since the assigned car is assigned to a destination floor call each time the user registers a destination floor call, the group management control device 10 can determine for each user whether the user's boarding is a mistake.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if there are multiple users whose assigned elevator number and the detected elevator number are different, the group management control device 10 may integrate the contents of each notification information for each of the multiple users and cause the notification device to notify them.

As a result, when multiple users have boarded the wrong elevator, the group management control device 10 can create and broadcast notification information that summarizes the content of the notification information for each of the multiple users, rather than broadcasting the notification information for each user individually. This makes it easier for users to understand the content of the notification information than if multiple pieces of notification information were simply broadcast in succession, so the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent users from boarding the wrong elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 81 and the notification device 82 are provided at a hall where a user can board any one of multiple elevators, and the group management control device 10 may obtain position information of the user at the hall from the captured image and detect the elevator number that the user will use based on the position information.

This allows the group management control device 10 to determine whether a user at an elevator hall is waiting to use the wrong car. Therefore, by notifying a user of notification information while the user is waiting at the elevator hall for the arrival of the car they are going to use, the elevator system 100 can prevent the user from using the wrong car that has been assigned to them.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the group management control device 10 may determine whether the assigned elevator departs from the departure floor before the detected elevator and control the notification information.

In this way, the group management control device 10 can change the notification information based on the operating status of the detected elevator and the operating status of the assigned elevator. The group management control device 10 can notify appropriate notification information according to the situation by controlling the notification information as to whether the assigned elevator will depart from the departure floor before the detected elevator. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent a user from mistakenly using the assigned elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if the detected elevator departs from the departure floor before the assigned elevator, the group management control device 10 may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the detected elevator has arrived at the departure floor.

In this way, the group management control device 10 can change the notification information depending on whether the detected elevator has arrived at the departure floor, thereby notifying appropriate notification information according to the situation. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent a user from mistakenly using the assigned elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if the detected elevator does not depart from the departure floor before the assigned elevator, the group management control device 10 may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor.

The actions that a user using the detected elevator should take may change depending on whether the assigned elevator assigned to the user has already departed from the departure floor or not. The group management control device 10 can notify appropriate notification information according to the situation by changing the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent a user from mistakenly using the assigned elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the content of the notification information may include prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call.

In this way, if the assigned car assigned to a user has already departed from the departure floor, the group management control device 10 can prompt the user to re-register the destination floor call. If the assigned car has already departed from the departure floor, even if the user subsequently boards a car with the same car number as the assigned car, the user will not be able to arrive at the destination floor because the car is different from the assigned car to which the user's destination floor call was assigned. Therefore, by the group management control device 10 notifying notification information prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent users from mistakenly using the assigned car.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the imaging device 51 and the notification device 52 may be provided in each car of a plurality of elevators, and the group management control device 10 may detect the elevator number used by the user based on information transmitted from the imaging device 51.

This makes it possible to determine whether a user has boarded the car of each car by mistake. By notifying users of notification information when they board the car of each car, elevator system 100 can prevent users from mistakenly using the car they are assigned to.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the group management control device 10 may determine whether the assigned elevator is the same as the detected elevator, and change the content of the notification information according to the determination result.

This allows the group management control device 10 to notify appropriate notification information according to the situation. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent users from mistakenly using the elevator number assigned to them.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if it is determined that the assigned elevator is not the same as the detected elevator, the group management control device 10 may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor of the user.

This allows the group management control device 10 to change the notification information based on the operating status of the assigned elevator. The group management control device 10 can change the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, thereby providing appropriate notification information according to the situation. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent users from mistakenly using the assigned elevator.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, if the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the content of the notification information may include prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call.

In this way, if the assigned car assigned to a user has already departed from the departure floor, the group management control device 10 can prompt the user to re-register the destination floor call. If the assigned car has already departed from the departure floor, even if the user subsequently boards a car with the same car number as the assigned car, the user will not be able to arrive at the destination floor because the car is different from the assigned car to which the user's destination floor call was assigned. Therefore, by the group management control device 10 notifying notification information prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call, the elevator system 100 can effectively prevent users from mistakenly using the assigned car.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment, the alarm devices 52, 82 may be devices that issue an alarm by sound.

The elevator control method according to this embodiment is an elevator control method that assigns a hall call registered by a user to one of a number of elevators to determine the assigned elevator number for the user, obtains first face information showing the face of the user from an image captured by an imaging device 51, 81 that is provided to capture an image of the face of a user who has registered a hall call and will use one of the number of elevators, detects the elevator number to be used by the user from among the number of elevators, and causes an alarm device 52, 82 to issue alarm information according to the result of comparing the assigned elevator number with the detected elevator number, and the alarm information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected elevator number.

The computer program according to this embodiment can cause the calculation circuit to execute the elevator control method described above.

(Embodiment 2)
4. Configuration 4-1. Configuration of the elevator system An overview of the elevator system in the second embodiment will be described. In the second embodiment, differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described. In the second embodiment, configurations that are the same as or equivalent to those in the first embodiment will be described with the same reference numerals. Also, in the second embodiment, descriptions that overlap with the first embodiment may be omitted. The group control system 1 in the second embodiment employs an up/down call method in which a user registers an upward or downward call based on the direction of the user's destination floor relative to the departure floor.

Figure 25 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an elevator system 100 including an elevator group control system 1 according to embodiment 2 of the present invention. Compared to the elevator system 100 according to embodiment 1, the elevator system 100 according to embodiment 2 has a plurality of up call buttons 37 and down call buttons 38 arranged on each floor instead of the destination floor registration device 30. The elevator system 100 also has hall lanterns 83A to 83F arranged for each of the elevators 50A to 50F on each floor. Hereinafter, the hall lanterns 83A to 83F may be referred to as "hall lantern 83" without distinction. The group control system 1 includes a group management control device 10, an up call button 37 and a down call button 38, and a plurality of elevator control devices 40A to 40F.

The up direction call button 37 is a button for registering an up direction call indicating a call for stopping an elevator 50 going up. The down direction call button 38 is a button for registering a down direction call indicating a call for stopping an elevator 50 going down. An up direction call registered with the up direction call button 37 is assigned to any one of the elevators 50 going up. A down direction call registered with the down direction call button 38 is assigned to any one of the elevators 50 going down. The up direction call button 37 and the down direction call button 38 are collectively referred to as "floor call buttons 37, 38" as appropriate. The floor call buttons 37, 38 refer to at least one of the up direction call button 37 and the down direction call button 38. An up direction call and a down direction call are each an example of a floor call.

The hall call buttons 37, 38 may be placed at the elevator landings of each floor. The hall call buttons 37, 38 are configured to be able to transmit a predetermined signal to the group management control device 10 via the input/output interface 13. In this embodiment, the hall call buttons 37, 38 are placed at the elevator landings of the second floor to the Y floor. The Y floor indicates the floor one floor below the X floor, which is the top floor of the floors at which the elevator 50 can stop. An up call button 37 is placed on the first floor, which is the bottom floor. A down call button 38 is placed on the X floor.

Hall lanterns 83A-83F are display devices arranged in the elevator halls of each floor to correspond to each of the multiple elevators 50A-50F. Hall lanterns 83 are arranged in the elevator halls from the 2nd floor to the Yth floor.

The hall lantern 83 has an upper part that lights up when an elevator 50 traveling upward stops, and a lower part that lights up when an elevator 50 traveling downward stops. When the hall lantern 83 receives a specific signal from the group management control device 10, it lights up the upper part or the lower part based on the signal. Hall lanterns having a part that lights up when an elevator 50 stops are placed on the first floor and the Xth floor.

In the elevator system 100 according to this embodiment, when a user presses the hall button 37, 38 at the hall of each floor, an up or down call is registered, and the hall call button 37, 38 outputs a hall call signal to the group management control device 10. The hall call signal includes, for example, identification information uniquely set for each hall call button 37, 38, information about the floor on which the hall call button 37, 38 is located, and information about the destination direction.

When the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 receives a hall call signal via the input/output interface 13, it acquires the departure floor and running direction for the registered upward or downward call. The control unit 11 assigns the upward or downward call to one of the elevators 50 and turns on the hall lantern 83 corresponding to the assigned elevator at the acquired departure floor. The elevator system 100 is configured to notify the user of the assigned elevator and allow the user to board the elevator.

5. Operation The operation of the elevator system 100 according to the second embodiment will be described.

5-1. Allocation Processing by the Group Management Control Device FIG. 26 is a flowchart showing an example of allocation processing by the group management control device 10.

The control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 determines whether or not a hall call signal has been received from the hall call buttons 37, 38 (S211). If a hall call signal has not been received (S211: NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S211 again.

When a hall call signal is received (S211: YES), the control unit 11 determines the assigned elevator based on the operation information of each elevator 50 and the departure floor and destination direction included in the hall call signal, and turns on the hall lantern 83 corresponding to the assigned elevator at the departure floor (S212).

Next, the control unit 11 receives image data from the hall camera 81 and determines whether or not the face information at registration has been acquired from the captured image indicated by the image data (S213). If the face information at registration has not been acquired (S213: NO), the control unit 11 executes the process of step S211 again. Specifically, the control unit 11 determines that the face information at registration is an example of the second face information.

If the face information at the time of registration is acquired (S213: YES), the control unit 11 associates the acquired face information at the time of registration, the departure floor, the destination direction, and the assigned car number, and stores them in the user DB (S214). Note that in this embodiment, the user DB stored in the memory unit 12 is a database that can store the face information at the time of registration, the departure floor, the destination direction, and the assigned car number in an associated manner.

After executing the process of step S214, the control unit 11 ends the allocation process and executes the process of step S211 again.

27 is a flowchart showing an example of a process of erroneous boarding determination based on an image captured by the hall camera 81 by the group management control device 10.

The control unit 11 executes essentially the same processing as steps S21 to S28 described in FIG. 19 (S221 to S228).

In the first embodiment, the control unit 11 makes a judgment in step S25 using the matching rate between the judged face information and the authentication face information. In the second embodiment, the control unit 11 makes a judgment in step S225 using the matching rate between the judged face information and the face information at the time of registration. The same applies to step S245 described later.

In embodiment 1, the control unit 11 acquires the departure floor, destination floor, and assigned elevator linked to the authenticated face information from the user DB 12C in step S26. In embodiment 2, the control unit 11 acquires the departure floor, destination direction, and assigned elevator linked to the face information at the time of registration from the user DB in step S226. The same applies to step S246 described below.

In step S228, if the acquired assigned elevator number does not match the detected elevator number (S228: NO), the control unit 11 executes up/down call notification processing based on the acquired information (S229). The acquired information includes the imaging device ID, departure floor, destination direction, and assigned elevator number. The up/down call notification processing is processing in which the control unit 11 changes the content of the notification information according to the acquired information and causes the hall notification device 82 to notify the notification information. In this way, the control unit 11 can control the notification information to be notified by the hall notification device 82 according to the acquired information. The up/down call notification processing (S229) will be described in detail later.

After executing the up-down call notification process (S229), the control unit 11 ends the erroneous boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S221 again.

Next, the up/down call notification process (S229) executed by the group management control device 10 will be described. Figure 28 is a flowchart showing an example of the up/down call notification process by the group management control device 10.

First, similar to the processing of step S41, the control unit 11 acquires the imaging device ID and the notification device ID linked to the target vehicle from the notification device DB 12B (S231).

Next, the control unit 11 determines whether the acquired destination direction is upward (S232).

If the destination direction is an upward direction (S232: YES), the control unit 11 combines the sixth template information with the assigned car number to create the sixth notification information. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the sixth notification information to the hall notification device 82 in the same manner as the process described in the first embodiment (S233). The sixth notification information is an example of notification information. In this embodiment, the sixth template information is information corresponding to a voice message such as, for example, "For upward directions, please board (assigned car number)."

If the destination direction is upward (S232: NO), the control unit 11 creates the seventh notification information by combining the seventh template information and the assigned car. The control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the seventh notification information to the hall notification device 82 in the same manner as the above process (S234). The seventh notification information is an example of notification information. In this embodiment, the seventh template information is information corresponding to a voice message such as, for example, "For downward travel, please board (assigned car)."

The control unit 11 notifies the hall notification device 82 of the notification information that has been changed according to the destination direction of the user and the assigned car number, and then ends the up/down call notification process (S229).

In this way, the control unit 11 can notify the user of appropriate information depending on the user's destination direction and the assigned car. If the detected car used by the user differs from the assigned car, the group management control device 10 can prompt the user to board the assigned car, preventing the user from mistakenly using the assigned car.

29 is a flowchart showing an example of erroneous boarding determination processing based on an image captured by the car camera 51 by the group management control device 10.

The control unit 11 executes essentially the same processing as steps S61 to S67 described in FIG. 21 (S241 to S247).

In step S247, if the acquired assigned elevator number does not match the detected elevator number (S247: NO), the control unit 11 executes up/down call notification processing based on the acquired information (S248). The acquired information includes the imaging device ID, destination direction, and assigned elevator number. The up/down call notification processing is basically the same as the up/down call notification processing (S229) described in FIG. 28. The up/down call notification processing in step S248 is a process in which the control unit 11 changes the content of the notification information according to the acquired information and causes the car notification device 52 to notify the notification information.

In addition, since the control unit 11 can determine the notification device ID of the car notification device 52 that notifies the notification information based on the imaging device ID, there is no need to execute the process corresponding to step S231 in the up/down call notification process of step S248.

After executing the up-down call notification process (S248), the control unit 11 ends the erroneous boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S241 again.

If the acquired assigned vehicle matches the detected vehicle (S247: YES), the control unit 11 acquires the operation information of the detected vehicle (S249). Then, the control unit 11 determines whether the traveling direction of the detected vehicle is the same as the acquired destination direction (S250).

If they are the same (S250: YES), the control unit 11 determines that the user associated with the face information at the time of registration will use the assigned bus number that was assigned to him/her, and ends the mistaken boarding determination process for the received image data.

If they are not the same (S250: NO), the control unit 11 executes the up/down car notification process (S251) based on the acquired information. The acquired information includes the imaging device ID and the destination direction. The up/down car notification process is a process in which the control unit 11 changes the content of the notification information according to the acquired information and causes the car notification device 52 to notify the notification information. The up/down car notification process (S251) will be described in detail later.

After executing the up/down car call notification process (S251), the control unit 11 ends the erroneous boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S241 again.

Next, the upper and lower car notification process (S251) executed by the group management control device 10 will be described. Figure 30 is a flowchart showing an example of the upper and lower car notification process by the group management control device 10.

First, the control unit 11 determines whether the acquired destination direction is upward (S261).

If the destination direction is an upward direction (S261: YES), the control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the eighth notification information to the car notification device 52 in the same manner as the above process (S262). The eighth notification information is an example of notification information. In this embodiment, the eighth notification information is information corresponding to a voice message such as "This train will not depart in an upward direction. Please be careful not to board the wrong train."

If the destination direction is downward (S261: NO), the control unit 11 transmits a notification signal including the ninth notification information to the car notification device 52 in the same manner as the above process (S263). The ninth notification information is an example of notification information. In this embodiment, the ninth notification information is information corresponding to a voice message such as "This car will not depart in a downward direction. Please be careful not to board the wrong car."

The control unit 11 notifies the car notification device 52 of the notification information that has been changed according to the destination direction of the user and the assigned car number, and then ends the up/down call car notification process (S251).

After executing the up/down car call notification process (S251), the control unit 11 ends the erroneous boarding determination process for the received image data and executes the process of step S241 again.

In this way, the control unit 11 can determine whether the assigned vehicle is the same as the detected vehicle and notify the user of appropriate information according to the user's destination direction. If the assigned vehicle is not the same as the detected vehicle used by the user, the group management control device 10 can prevent the user from mistakingly using the assigned vehicle by notifying the user that he or she will not be going in the desired destination direction.

6. Summary As described above, the elevator system 100 according to the second embodiment is configured similarly to the elevator system 100 according to the first embodiment. In the elevator system 100 according to the second embodiment, hall calls are upward calls indicating calls to be assigned to elevators traveling upward among the multiple elevators, or downward calls indicating calls to be assigned to elevators traveling downward among the multiple elevators, and the group management control device 10 determines the assigned elevator by assigning the upward call or downward call registered by the user to an elevator traveling upward or an elevator traveling downward, respectively, among the multiple elevators.

As a result, in an elevator system 100 that employs an up-down call registration method, when a user mistakenly boards a detected car, the group management control device 10 can notify the user of the mistaken boarding by the notification devices 52, 82. Specifically, the group management control device 10 can determine an assigned car based on the departure floor and destination direction based on a registered up-direction or down-direction call, and associate the assigned car with the user, thereby determining whether the user's boarding is a mistake. Therefore, the elevator system 100 can prevent a user from mistakenly boarding an assigned car.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the second embodiment, the imaging device 81 and the notification device 82 are provided at a hall where a user can board any one of multiple elevators, and the group management control device 10 acquires the position information of the user at the hall from the captured image, detects the elevator number used by the user based on the position information, and may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the call is an upward or downward call.

This allows the group management control device 10 to determine whether a user at an elevator hall is waiting to use the wrong car. Therefore, by notifying a user of notification information while the user is waiting at the elevator hall for the arrival of the car they are going to use, the elevator system 100 can prevent the user from using the wrong car that has been assigned to them.

In addition, in the elevator system 100 according to the second embodiment, the imaging device 51 and the notification device 52 are provided in each of the elevator cars of the multiple elevators, and the group management control device 10 detects the elevator car used by the user based on the information transmitted from the imaging device 51, and may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator car is the same as the detected elevator car.

This makes it possible to determine whether a user has boarded the car of each car by mistake. By notifying users of notification information when they board the car of each car, elevator system 100 can prevent users from mistakenly using the car they are assigned to.

Other Embodiments
In the above-described embodiment 1, the elevator system 100 is configured to allow a user to register a destination floor call for a pre-registered destination floor by performing facial authentication using the facial authentication camera 25, but is not limited to this.

For example, the elevator system 100 may be configured such that the security gate 20 is equipped with a card reader instead of the facial authentication camera 25, and the destination floor call is registered by having the ID card loaned to the user read into the card reader. In this case, for example, the ID card may store a card ID indicating unique identification information for each user, and the security server 60 may be configured to store the default destination floor and authenticated face information linked to the card ID in a database. The card ID may uniquely correspond to a user ID in the facial authentication DB 62A. By configuring in this way, the security server 60 can transmit the authenticated face information and default destination floor previously stored in the database to the group management control device 10 by acquiring the card ID instead of acquiring face information from the facial authentication camera 25.

The elevator system 100 may also be configured such that the security gate 20 is equipped with a card reader in addition to the facial authentication camera 25, and a destination floor call is registered by having the ID card provided to the user read into the card reader. In this case, for example, the ID card may store a card ID indicating unique identification information for each user, and the security server 60 may be configured to store a default destination floor linked to the card ID in a database. Then, when the user has the card reader read the ID card, the security server 60 can obtain the user's facial information through the facial authentication camera 25, thereby obtaining authenticated facial information. With this configuration, the security server 60 can transmit the user's authenticated facial information to the group management control device 10 without storing the user's authenticated facial information in advance in the facial authentication DB 62A.

Not only the facial authentication camera 25, but also the facial authentication camera 36 related to the destination floor registration device 30 can be configured in the same manner.

In addition, in the above-described embodiment 1, the elevator system 100 is configured to allow a user to register a destination floor call for a pre-registered destination floor by performing face authentication using the face authentication camera 36, but is not limited to this.

For example, the elevator system 100 may be configured to register a destination floor call by a user inputting a desired destination floor into the destination floor registration device 30. In this case, the authenticated face information of the user may be acquired through the face authentication camera 36 when the destination floor is registered. The authenticated face information of the user may be stored in advance in the face authentication DB 62A, and may be acquired from the face authentication DB 62A by a card reader arranged in the destination floor registration device 30 reading a card ID. The elevator system 100 may also be configured to preset available destination floors for each card ID, and to register a destination floor call when a user inputs the available destination floor into the destination floor registration device 30 while having the card reader read the ID card.

In the above-mentioned first embodiment, the security system has a security server 60, a security gate 20, a facial authentication camera 25, and a facial authentication camera 36, but is not limited to this. For example, the elevator system 100 may have a security server 60, a security gate 20, a facial authentication camera 25, and a facial authentication camera 36. Also, the destination floor registration device 30 may have a facial authentication camera 36. Also, the elevator system 100 may not have a security server 60, and may be configured so that each DB stored in the memory unit 62 in the first embodiment is stored in the memory unit 12.

In the above-mentioned embodiment 1, the group management control device 10 has been described as notifying multiple users collectively only for the erroneous boarding determination process based on the car camera 51, but this is not limited thereto. The control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 may be configured to notify notification information that combines the notification information for each user when there are multiple users who are determined to be boarding by mistake, even in the erroneous boarding determination process based on the hall camera 81. Such processing can be performed by the control unit 11 storing erroneous boarding information for each user in the memory unit 12 and notifying based on the stored information, as in the erroneous boarding determination process described in FIG. 23 above.

In the above-described first embodiment, the elevator control devices 40A-40F are configured to control the corresponding elevators 50A-50F, respectively, but this is not limited thereto. For example, one elevator control device may be configured to control all of the elevators 50A-50F. Also, each of the multiple elevator control devices may be configured to control a portion of the elevators 50A-50F.

In the above-described embodiment, the car camera 51 is configured to operate without distinction between the rear car camera 51a and the front car camera 51b, but this is not limited to this. For example, the control unit 11 may first perform the erroneous boarding determination process described in FIG. 21 or FIG. 23A-23B on a user entering the car of the elevator 50 based on an image captured by the rear car camera 51a. Then, the control unit 11 may perform the erroneous boarding determination process on a user entering the car of the elevator 50 based on an image captured by the front car camera 51b. The control unit 11 may also perform the erroneous boarding determination process based on both the image captured by the rear car camera 51a and the image captured by the front car camera 51b during the same period.

The elevator system 100 according to the present invention may also distinguish between the first and second rounds of the elevator 50 to determine whether a user has boarded the elevator by mistake. For example, the first round of a given elevator at a given floor refers to the first run of that elevator to arrive at that floor in the order of multiple runs it makes. The elevator system 100 may also be able to distinguish between the third round and onwards to determine whether a user has boarded the elevator by mistake.

In the above case, in the process of step S12 when a call signal is received, the control unit 11 of the group management control device 10 assigns the registered destination floor call to a specific operation among several rounds of operations in which one of the multiple elevators 50 travels to the user's departure floor. For example, if the control unit 11 cannot assign the registered destination floor call to the first round of operations of one of the multiple elevators 50, it assigns it to the second round of operations of one of the multiple elevators 50.

Then, in step S13, information on the specific operation of the assigned car to which the destination floor call is assigned (hereinafter referred to as assigned operation information) is stored in the user DB 12C in association with the authenticated face information. In addition, the assigned operation information is, for example, included in an assignment result signal in step S14 and displayed on the gate display 70, etc.

Furthermore, in the erroneous boarding determination process shown in FIG. 21, the control unit 11 further acquires the assigned operation information in step S66, and in step S67 determines whether the detected car and the operation of the detected car match the assigned car and the specific operation of the assigned car indicated by the assigned operation information. Also, in the car notification process in step S68, the control unit 11 distinguishes which round of operation it is and makes the determination in step S81, similar to step S67 above.

In this way, the control unit 11 may determine whether or not the user's use of the detected vehicle is a mistaken boarding, depending on whether the detected vehicle, the traveling direction of the detected vehicle, and the operation of the detected vehicle are the same as the assigned vehicle, the traveling direction of the assigned vehicle, and the operation of the assigned vehicle. If at least any of them are not the same, the control unit 11 can determine that the user has boarded the vehicle by mistake and cause the notification device 52 or the like to notify notification information according to the situation.

(Summary of aspects)
As is apparent from the above description, the present invention includes the following aspects. In the following, reference symbols are given in parentheses only to clarify the correspondence with the embodiments.

(Aspect 1) The elevator system of the present invention comprises: a group management control device that assigns a hall call registered by a user to one of a plurality of elevators to determine an assigned elevator in which the user will board;
an imaging device provided to be capable of imaging a face of the user who uses any one of the plurality of elevators and has registered the hall call;
An alarm device that notifies the user of alarm information regarding the elevator;
Equipped with
The group management control device includes:
acquiring first face information indicating a face of the user from a captured image captured by the imaging device;
Detecting the elevator number used by the user from among the plurality of elevators;
According to a result of comparing the assigned car with the detected car, the notification device notifies the notification information;
The notification information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected car number.

(Aspect 2) In the elevator system of aspect 1, the group management control device is
determining whether the first face information and second face information indicating the face of the user previously acquired indicate the same person;
If it is determined that the facial information indicates the same person, the assigned number assigned to the user, which is associated with the second facial information, is acquired;
When the detected car number and the assigned car number are different, the notification device may be caused to notify the notification information relating to the user.

(Aspect 3) In the elevator system of aspect 1 or 2, the group management control device may change the content of the notification information based on the operating status of the assigned elevator and the operating status of the detected elevator.

(Aspect 4) In the elevator system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, the hall call is a destination floor call indicating a call related to a destination floor desired by the user, the call being registered by the user;
The group management control device may determine the assigned elevator based on a departure floor indicating the floor at which the user has registered the destination floor call and the destination floor.

(Aspect 5) In the elevator system of aspect 4, when there are a plurality of users whose assigned car number and the detected car number are different,
The group management control device may integrate the contents of each piece of notification information for each of a plurality of users and cause the notification device to notify the integrated information.

(Aspect 6) In the elevator system of aspect 4 or 5, the imaging device and the notification device are provided at a landing where the user can board any one of the elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Acquire position information of the user at the hall from the captured image;
The car number used by the user may be detected based on the location information.

(Aspect 7) In the elevator system of aspect 6, the group management control device may determine whether the assigned elevator departs from the departure floor before the detected elevator and control the notification information.

(Aspect 8) In the elevator system of aspect 7, if the detected elevator departs from the departure floor before the assigned elevator, the group management control device may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the detected elevator has arrived at the departure floor.

(Aspect 9) In the elevator system of aspect 7 or 8, if the detected elevator does not depart from the departure floor before the assigned elevator, the group management control device may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor.

(Aspect 10) In the elevator system of aspect 9, if the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the content of the notification information may include prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call.

(Aspect 11) In the elevator system according to any one of aspects 4 to 10, the imaging device and the notification device are provided in each of the elevator cars of the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device may detect the car number used by the user based on information transmitted from the imaging device.

(Aspect 12) In the elevator system of aspect 11, the group management control device may determine whether the assigned elevator is the same as the detected elevator, and change the content of the notification information depending on the determination result.

(Aspect 13) In the elevator system of aspect 12, if it is determined that the assigned elevator is not the same as the detected elevator, the group management control device may change the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor.

(Aspect 14) In the elevator system of aspect 13, if the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the content of the notification information may include prompting the user to re-register the destination floor call.

(Aspect 15) In the elevator system according to any one of aspects 1 to 3, the hall call is an upward call indicating a call assigned to an upwardly moving car among the plurality of elevators or a downward call indicating a call assigned to a downwardly moving car among the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device may determine the assigned elevator number by assigning the upward call or the downward call registered by the user to a elevator number traveling upward or a elevator number traveling downward among the multiple elevators, respectively.

(Aspect 16) In the elevator system of aspect 15, the imaging device and the notification device are provided at a landing where the user can board any one of the elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Acquire position information of the user at the hall from the captured image;
Based on the location information, the machine number used by the user is detected (S27).
The content of the notification information may be changed depending on whether the call is the upward call or the downward call.

(Aspect 17) In the elevator system of aspect 15 or 16, the imaging device and the notification device are provided in each of the elevator cars of the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Based on the information transmitted from the imaging device, the machine number used by the user is detected (S242);
The content of the notification information may be changed depending on whether the assigned car number is the same as the detected car number.

(Aspect 18) In any one of the elevator systems of aspects 1 to 17, the alarm device may be a device that issues an alarm by sound.

(Aspect 19) The elevator control method according to the present invention is a method for controlling an elevator, which allocates a hall call registered by a user to one of a plurality of elevators to determine an assigned elevator in which the user will board, comprising the steps of:
acquiring first face information indicating a face of the user from an image captured by an imaging device provided to be capable of capturing an image of a face of the user who uses any one of the plurality of elevators and has registered the hall call;
Detecting the elevator number used by the user from among the plurality of elevators;
In response to a result of comparing the assigned car with the detected car, an alarm device is caused to issue an alarm.
The notification information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected car number.

(Aspect 20) The computer program of the present invention causes an arithmetic circuit to execute the elevator control method of aspect 19.

In this specification, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be understood as expressing or implying the relative importance or ranking of technical features. Features qualified as "first" and "second" expressly or imply the inclusion of one or more of that feature.

The elevator group control system according to the present invention is realized by the cooperation of hardware resources, such as a processor and memory, and software resources (computer programs).

1 Group management system 10 Group management control device 11 Control unit 20 Security gate 25 Face authentication camera 30 Destination floor registration device 36 Face authentication camera 37 Upward call button 38 Downward call button 40, 40A to 40F Elevator control device 50, 50A to 50F Elevator (unit number)
51, 51A to 51F, car camera 52, 52A to 52F, car notification device 60, security server 70, gate display 81, hall camera 82, hall notification device 83, 83A to 83F, hall lantern 100, elevator system

Claims (17)

a group management control device that assigns a hall call registered by a user to one of a plurality of elevators to determine an assigned elevator number for the user;
an imaging device provided to be capable of imaging a face of the user who uses any one of the plurality of elevators and has registered the hall call;
An alarm device that notifies the user of alarm information regarding the elevator;
Equipped with
The group management control device includes:
acquiring first face information indicating a face of the user from a captured image captured by the imaging device;
Detecting the elevator number used by the user from among the plurality of elevators;
According to a result of comparing the assigned car with the detected car, the notification device notifies the notification information;
The notification information includes content that changes based on the first face information and the detected car number,
The group management control device changes the content of the notification information based on the operation status of the assigned locomotive and the operation status of the detected locomotive.
Elevator system. The group management control device includes:
determining whether the first face information and second face information indicating the face of the user previously acquired indicate the same person;
If it is determined that the facial information indicates the same person, the assigned number assigned to the user, which is associated with the second facial information, is acquired;
When the detected car number is different from the assigned car number, the notification device notifies the notification information regarding the user.
10. The elevator system of claim 1. The hall call is a destination floor call indicating a call related to a destination floor desired by the user, the call being registered by the user;
The group management control device determines the assigned car based on the departure floor indicating the floor at which the user registered the destination floor call and the destination floor.
10. The elevator system of claim 1. If there are multiple users whose assigned machine number and the detected machine number are different,
the group management control device integrates the contents of each notification information for each of the multiple users and causes the notification device to notify the integrated information.
4. The elevator system of claim 3 . the imaging device and the notification device are provided at a landing where the user can board any one of the elevators among the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Acquire position information of the user at the hall from the captured image;
Detecting the elevator used by the user based on the location information;
4. The elevator system of claim 3 . 6. The elevator system according to claim 5 , wherein the group management control device controls the notification information by determining whether the assigned elevator departs from the departure floor before the detected elevator. 7. The elevator system of claim 6, wherein, when the detected car departs from the departure floor before the assigned car, the group management control device changes the content of the notification information depending on whether the detected car has arrived at the departure floor . 7. The elevator system of claim 6, wherein, when the detected elevator does not depart from the departure floor before the assigned elevator, the group management control device changes the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor . 9. The elevator system according to claim 8 , wherein, when the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the notification information includes a content that prompts the user to re-register the destination floor call. the imaging device and the notification device are provided in each of the elevator cars of the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device detects the car number used by the user based on the information transmitted from the imaging device.
An elevator system according to any one of claims 3 to 9 . The elevator system according to claim 10 , wherein the group management control device determines whether the assigned car is the same as the detected car, and changes the content of the notification information in accordance with a result of the determination. The elevator system of claim 11, wherein when it is determined that the assigned car is not the same as the detected car , the group management control device changes the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned car has already departed from the departure floor. 13. The elevator system according to claim 12 , wherein, when the assigned elevator has already departed from the departure floor, the notification information includes a content that prompts the user to re-register the destination floor call. the hall call is an upward call indicating a call assigned to an upwardly moving elevator among the plurality of elevators or a downward call indicating a call assigned to a downwardly moving elevator among the plurality of elevators,
2. The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the group management control device determines the assigned elevator by assigning the upward call or the downward call registered by the user to an elevator traveling in an upward direction or an elevator traveling in a downward direction, respectively, among the plurality of elevators. the imaging device and the notification device are provided at a landing where the user can board any one of the elevators among the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Acquire position information of the user at the hall from the captured image;
Detecting the elevator used by the user based on the location information;
The content of the notification information is changed depending on whether the call is the upward call or the downward call.
15. The elevator system of claim 14 . the imaging device and the notification device are provided in each of the elevator cars of the plurality of elevators,
The group management control device includes:
Detecting the elevator used by the user based on the information transmitted from the imaging device;
changing the content of the notification information depending on whether the assigned car is the same as the detected car;
15. The elevator system of claim 14 . The elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the alarm device is a device that issues an alarm by sound.

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