JP7630741B2 - Elevator user guidance system, elevator user guidance program, information terminal, and elevator user guidance method - Google Patents

Description

The present disclosure relates to an elevator user guidance system, an elevator user guidance program, and an elevator user guidance method.

Conventionally, a system has been known that, when an elevator car is full, gives priority to wheelchair users by informing elevator users other than wheelchair users to refrain from boarding the car (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

WO2013/030898A1

Conventional systems had the problem of being ineffective at encouraging all elevator users other than wheelchair users to refrain from getting into the car.

The present disclosure aims to solve the above problems. Specifically, it aims to provide an elevator user guidance system, elevator user guidance program, information terminal, and elevator user guidance method that can determine the notification target based on the positional relationship with elevator priority users and the destination floor, and issue a notification to the notification target encouraging them to refrain from getting into the car and to get out of the car.

The elevator user guidance system according to the present disclosure includes a management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals carried individually by elevator users, and the management device is capable of receiving elevator usage information from each information terminal, including attribute information indicating the user's attributes, current location information indicating the user's current location, and destination floor information indicating the user's destination floor, and the management device determines users to whom notification information should be notified as notification targets based on the elevator usage information received from each information terminal, and when the notification target is at a landing, the management device notifies the notification target of notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the user to refrain from boarding the car, and when the notification target is in the car, notifies the notification target of notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the user to disembark from the car.

The elevator user guidance system, elevator user guidance program, information terminal, and elevator user guidance method disclosed herein can improve the guidance effect for elevator users.

1 is a schematic diagram showing an elevator user guidance system according to a first embodiment. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the function of the elevator user guidance system of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing the information terminal of FIG. 1 . FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a monitor of the hall information device of FIG. 1 in use; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which a hall illumination device of the hall notification device of FIG. 1 is used. FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a state in which the car notification device of FIG. 1 is used. 2 is a flowchart showing an operation flow of the elevator user guidance system of FIG. 1 . 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state of an information terminal notifying boarding priority order in the notification step of FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram showing a state of an information terminal notifying the disembarking priority order in the notification step of FIG. 7 . FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of a boarding priority order determination step in step S03 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example in which the boarding priority order determination process of FIG. 10 is performed. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of an alighting priority order determination step in step S04 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example in which the disembarking priority order determination process of FIG. 12 is performed. 8 is a flowchart showing a flow of a guidance performance evaluation step in step S12 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the elevator user guidance system and the information terminal of the first embodiment. FIG. 11 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the elevator user guidance system and the information terminal of the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.
Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an elevator user guidance system 1 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram showing functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 of Fig. 1. The elevator user guidance system 1 is installed inside a building 100. Note that the elevator user guidance system 1 may be installed outside the building 100.

Building 100 is a five-story building. Building 100 has stairs on each floor from the first to fourth floors. Building 100 has one elevator 101. Elevator 101 has one car 102 and an elevator management device 110. On each floor of building 100, a landing, which is a space where users 70 who are elevator users get on and off the car 102, is provided.

In this embodiment, one elevator 101 is installed in the building 100, but multiple elevators 101 may be installed in the building 100. In that case, the elevator user guidance system 1 can provide guidance to each user 70 regarding boarding and disembarking for multiple cars 102.

The elevator management device 110 controls the operation of the car 102. Therefore, the elevator management device 110 is aware of the current position of the car 102 and is responsible for the car position recognition function 210. Furthermore, the elevator management device 110 is aware of the destination floor of the car 102 and is responsible for the car destination recognition function 211.

The elevator user guidance system 1 comprises a management device 10, five hall user recognition devices 20 provided at each hall on the first to fifth floors of the building 100, four staircase user recognition devices 30 provided at each of the staircase sections installed on the first to fourth floors of the building 100, an in-car user recognition device 40 provided in the car 102, five hall notification devices 50 provided at each hall, and one in-car notification device 55 provided in the car 102.

Note that when lowercase letters are added to the reference symbols, such as platform user recognition devices 20a-20e, staircase user recognition devices 30a-30d, and platform notification devices 50a-50e, they indicate individual devices installed on each floor. In this embodiment, the letter a indicates an individual device installed on the first floor, the letter b indicates an individual device installed on the second floor, the letter c indicates an individual device installed on the third floor, the letter d indicates an individual device installed on the fourth floor, and the letter e indicates an individual device installed on the fifth floor.

When a reference symbol is not accompanied by a lowercase letter, it indicates a general description of the device, without regard to the floor on which each device is installed.

The management device 10 is responsible for a user position recognition function 201, a boarding priority determination function 202, a disembarking priority determination function 203, a destination floor information discrimination function 204, a notification information determination function 205, a communication function 206, and a notification function 207. Each function will be described later.

In order for a user 70 of the elevator user guidance system 1 to use the elevator user guidance system 1, an information terminal 60 is used.

Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing the information terminal 60 of Figure 1. The information terminal 60 comprises a terminal control unit 61, a terminal display unit 62, and a terminal memory unit 63.

The information terminal 60 may be a personal smartphone or wearable device owned by the user 70. The user 70 installs an elevator user guidance program in his or her own information terminal 60.

The manager of the building 100 may prepare an information terminal 60 capable of using the elevator user guidance system 1 in advance and lend the information terminal 60 to the user 70. A program for guiding elevator users is pre-installed on the information terminal 60 prepared by the manager of the building 100.

A user 70 can use the elevator user guidance system 1 by starting an elevator user guidance program on an information terminal 60. Each information terminal 60 is responsible for a user position recognition function 201, a notification function 207, a destination floor recognition function 208, and an attribute recognition function 209. The functions of each information terminal 60 will be described later.

The management device 10 has a server function. The management device 10 is capable of communicating with each of the information terminals 60 carried by each user 70 using the elevator 101. Thus, each of the users 70 can use the elevator user guidance system 1 using their individual information terminals 60. Note that, in this embodiment, the management device 10 is installed inside the building 100, but the management device 10 may also be installed outside the building 100.

In this way, the management device 10 is responsible for the communication function 206. The management device 10 is communicatively connected to the elevator management device 110.

Each information terminal 60 is capable of receiving signals from each of the hall user recognition device 20, the staircase user recognition device 30, and the car user recognition device 40. Each terminal control unit 61 can grasp the current position of each information terminal 60 based on signals from at least one of the hall user recognition device 20, the staircase user recognition device 30, and the car user recognition device 40.

The information terminal 60 can periodically transmit current location information, which is information about the current location, to the management device 10. The management device 10 can grasp the received current location information as the current location information of the user 70.

For example, an information terminal 60 connected to a hall user recognition device 20c installed at the hall of elevator 101 on the third floor can determine that the current location of user 70 is the hall of elevator 101 on the third floor by receiving a signal from the hall user recognition device 20c.

Each user recognition device, which is the hall user recognition device 20, the staircase user recognition device 30, and the car user recognition device 40, and each information terminal 60, is responsible for a user position recognition function 201. In this embodiment, each user recognition device uses a beacon to make each information terminal 60 recognize its own current position. In this case, each user recognition device does not need to be connected to the management device 10 so that it can communicate with it. That is, by receiving a signal from the user position recognition device, which is a beacon, each information terminal 60 can recognize its own current position. Note that each user recognition device can employ a well-known position recognition mechanism, not limited to a beacon.

Figure 4 is a schematic diagram showing the monitor 51 of the hall notification device 50 in Figure 1 in use. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram showing the hall lighting device 53 of the hall notification device 50 in Figure 1 in use.

Each of the platform notification devices 50 installed on the first to fifth floors has a monitor 51, a camera 52, a platform lighting device 53, and a platform notification device control unit (not shown). Each of the platform notification devices 50 is connected to the management device 10 so as to be able to communicate with each other. The platform notification device control unit can receive current location information from the management device 10.

Monitor 51 is installed at the landing of elevator 101. Monitor 51 can display video information to users 70 at the landing. Monitor 51 may be an electronic signboard. Camera 52 is installed in a location such as the ceiling of the landing from which it can capture the entire area of the landing. This allows camera 52 to capture the images of all users 70 at the landing.

The platform lighting device 53 can emit platform lighting 53L. The platform lighting device 53 can illuminate a specific location of the platform by emitting the platform lighting 53L to the specific location of the platform. The platform lighting device 53 is installed in a location such as the ceiling of the platform where the platform lighting 53L can be directed to the specific location of the platform.

The hall notification device control unit can process the image captured by the camera 52 and display it on the monitor 51. The hall notification device control unit can identify a specific user 70 from among multiple users 70 captured in the image captured by the camera 52, based on the current location information.

The current location information is information indicating the current location of a specific user 70 transmitted from the management device 10. Therefore, the current location information has a resolution capable of identifying a specific user from among multiple users 70 in the video captured by the camera 52.

The hall notification device control unit can process the image captured by the camera 52 so that the specific user 70 captured in the image can be identified by marking 51M. The hall notification device control unit can display the processed image on the monitor 51. Anyone who views the image displayed on the monitor 51 can identify the specific user 70.

The platform notification device control unit can direct the platform lighting 53L emitted from the platform lighting device 53 to the position indicated by the current position information. That is, the platform notification device 50 can direct the platform lighting 53L emitted from the platform lighting device 53 to the specific user 70 who is at the current position. As a result, the specific user 70 is illuminated by the platform lighting 53L. Figure 5 shows a schematic diagram of the inside of the car 102 and the platform as viewed from above, showing the state in which the platform lighting 53L is shining on the specific user 70.

In addition to the monitor 51, the camera 52, and the platform lighting device 53, the platform notification device 50 may also have, for example, a projector or announcing means. It may also have multiple notification means. If the platform notification device 50 has announcing means, it may be possible to notify the characteristics of a specific user 70, such as the standing position within the platform, gender, and appearance, by audio announcement. In that case, the announcement may be made by issuing an audio announcement from a speaker. The speaker may be a directional speaker that limits the direction of sound emission to a specific direction.

In this embodiment, as described above, each information terminal 60 knows its own current location by using a beacon. However, each information terminal 60 is not limited to knowing its current location by receiving a beacon signal, and each information terminal 60 may know its current location by communicating with each other and knowing its relative location. Furthermore, based on the appearances of multiple users 70 photographed by camera 52, the current location information of the information terminal 60 carried by the users 70 may be known.

In this case, if the information obtained from the attribute information of each user 70 matches the information obtained from the appearance of the user 70 photographed by the camera 52, the current location of the information terminal 60 carried by the specific user 70 can be determined from the image of the camera 52. For example, the hall notification device control unit determines from the attribute information that the specific user 70 is a man using crutches. In this case, the hall notification device control unit can find the man using crutches in the image photographed by the camera 52 and determine the current location information of the man. In this way, by comparing the information obtained from the image-based personal authentication technology with the attribute information, the current location information of the information terminal 60 carried by the user 70 may be determined.

In the above, the hall notification device control unit identifies the user 70, but the management device 10 may be provided with an image captured by the camera 52, and the management device 10 may compare the attribute information with information obtained from a personal authentication technique using the captured image to identify the user 70. The attribute information of the user 70 will be described later.

Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the usage state of the cage interior notification device 55 of Figure 1. The cage interior notification device 55 is installed in the cage 102. The cage interior notification device 55 is connected to the management device 10 so as to be able to communicate with it.

The car interior notification device 55 has an interior car lighting device 56 and an interior car notification device control unit (not shown). The interior car lighting device 56 can irradiate interior car lighting 56L. The interior car lighting device 56 can illuminate a specific location within the car 102 by irradiating the specific location within the car 102 with the interior car lighting 56L. The interior car notification device control unit can receive current position information from the management device 10. The interior car notification device control unit can direct the interior car lighting 56L irradiated from the interior car lighting device 56 at the position indicated by the current position information.

That is, the car interior warning device 55 can direct the car interior lighting 56L to illuminate the specific user 70 who should be in the current position. Figure 6 shows a schematic diagram of the inside of the car 102 as seen from above, showing the state in which the car interior lighting 56L is shining on the specific user 70.

In addition to the car interior lighting device 56, the car interior notification device 55 may also have, for example, a projector, an announcement means, or a means similar to the hall notification device 50. It may also have multiple notification means in combination. If the car interior notification device 55 has an announcement means, it may be possible to announce, for example, characteristics of a specific user 70, such as the standing position, gender, and appearance in the car 102, by audio announcement. In that case, the announcement may be made by issuing an audio announcement from a speaker. The speaker may be a directional speaker that limits the direction of sound emission to a specific direction.

In this way, the management device 10, the hall notification device 50, and the car notification device 55 are responsible for the notification function 207.

When the elevator user guidance program installed in the information terminal 60 is started, the terminal control unit 61 can be made to perform the following processing. The processing performed by the terminal control unit 61 described below is processing that the elevator user guidance program started on the information terminal 60 causes the terminal control unit 61 to perform. In other words, the elevator user guidance program causes the terminal control unit 61 to realize the function of performing the following processing.

The terminal control unit 61 displays a selection screen on the terminal display unit 62 as a main menu, allowing the user to choose whether to perform a process to input attribute information or a process to use the elevator 101.

When the user 70 selects to perform the process of inputting attribute information, the terminal control unit 61 displays an attribute information input screen. The user 70 inputs attributes according to the attribute information input screen and presses the save button. This causes the terminal control unit 61 to record the inputted attribute information in the terminal storage unit 63. The user 70 can update the attribute information by selecting to perform the process of inputting attribute information again from the main menu, and inputting and saving new attribute information.

As attribute information, the user 70 inputs elevator priority use information indicating whether the user 70 himself/herself is a person who can use stairs, etc. 71 or an elevator priority user 72. A person who can use stairs, etc. 71 is a user 70 who can move using facilities such as stairs and escalators other than the elevator 101. An elevator priority user 72 is a user 70 who needs to ride the elevator 101 to move between floors.

The user 70 may input, as attribute information, for example, whether or not they use a mobility aid, whether or not they use a stroller, whether or not they have an accompanying infant, whether or not they are pregnant, whether or not they have a physical condition that makes it difficult to use stairs, etc., and their health condition. From the input attribute information, the terminal control unit 61 may determine whether the user 70 is a person who can use stairs, etc. 71 or an elevator priority user 72. A mobility aid is an instrument such as a wheelchair, a walker, or a cane.

When a user 70 selects to perform a process to use the elevator 101, the terminal control unit 61 displays a screen on the terminal display unit 62 on which the user can input destination floor information as information for using the elevator 101. When the user 70 inputs the destination floor information and presses the decision button, the terminal control unit 61 stores the input destination floor information in the terminal memory unit 63.

The destination floor information is the destination floor to which the user 70 is heading. The information terminal 60 is responsible for the destination floor recognition function 208 and the attribute recognition function 209.

The terminal control unit 61 stores the destination floor information and transmits the user ID, current location information, destination floor information, attribute information, and evaluation points to the management device 10 as elevator usage information. As described above, the current location of the information terminal 60 is known by the information terminal 60 itself, but for example, the current floor may be input by the user 70 to the information terminal 60. As a result, the terminal control unit 61 may store the input current floor as part of the current location information.

At the same time, the terminal control unit 61 transmits at least the current location information and the destination floor information to the elevator management device 110. The elevator management device 110 controls the operation of the elevator 101 based on the received current location information and destination floor information.

The user ID is a unique ID that is individually provided to the information terminal 60. In the elevator user guidance system 1, the ID that is individually provided to the information terminal 60 is recognized as a user ID that is the ID of the user 70 who possesses that information terminal 60. The user ID does not need to be known by the user 70, as long as it is known by the elevator user guidance system 1.

The evaluation points are points that serve as an index showing the extent to which the user 70 has followed the guidance of the elevator user guidance system 1 in the past. The evaluation points will be explained later.

Next, we will explain how to use the information terminal 60 of the elevator user guidance system 1.

Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the operation flow of the elevator user guidance system 1 in Figure 1. Below, the operation flow of the elevator user guidance system 1 is explained based on Figure 7.

<Induction begins>
When the elevator user guidance system 1 is prepared, the elevator user guidance system 1 is activated and enters a guidance start state.

<New user determination process>
In step S01, a new user determination process is carried out. In the new user determination process, the management device 10 determines whether or not there is a new user 70 waiting to board the elevator 101. The new user determination process is carried out based on the elevator usage information transmitted from each information terminal 60 to the management device 10.

The management device 10 becomes aware that a new user 70 has appeared by receiving elevator usage information from the information terminal 60. When the management device 10 receives the elevator usage information, it determines that a new user 70 is present, and sets the determination result of the new user determination process in step S01 to "Yes". After that, the process proceeds to step S02.

If the management device 10 has not received any new elevator usage information, it determines that there is no new user 70 and sets the result of the new user determination process in step S01 to "No." The process then proceeds to step S12.

After the user 70 inputs the destination floor and presses the confirm, save or send button, the terminal control unit 61 transmits elevator usage information including the destination floor information to the management device 10. Therefore, when the management device 10 receives the elevator usage information, it means that a new user 70 has appeared who wants to use the elevator 101 to go to the destination floor.

<Priority determination process>
In step S02, a priority order determination step is carried out. In the priority order determination step, first, an entry priority order determination step in step S03 is carried out, and then, an exit priority order determination step in step S04 is carried out.

<Boarding priority determination process>
In step S03, a boarding priority order determination step of the priority order determination step in step S02 is performed. In the boarding priority order determination step, the management device 10 determines the boarding priority order, which is the priority order of each user 70 when boarding the car 102.

The boarding priority determination process in step S03 is performed when the determination result of the new user determination process in step S01 is "Yes."

Based on the result of the boarding priority determination process, the management device 10 determines and assigns notification information to each user 70. The management device 10 records the notification information for each user 70 in chronological order. The process then proceeds to step S04.

<Departure priority determination process>
In step S04, an alighting priority order determination step of the priority order determination step in step S02 is performed. In this alighting priority order determination step, the management device 10 determines the alighting priority order, which is the priority order for each user 70 riding in the car 102 to alight from the car 102.

Based on the results of the disembarking priority determination process, the management device 10 determines and assigns notification information to each user 70. The management device 10 records the notification information for each user 70 in chronological order. The process then proceeds to step S10.

When the boarding priority determination process and the disembarking priority determination process are completed, the priority determination process ends. The method of determining priorities in the boarding priority determination process and the disembarking priority determination process will be explained later.

<Process for determining whether or not a person to be notified is present>
In step S10, a notification target presence/absence determination step is executed. In this notification target presence/absence determination step, the management device 10 determines whether or not a notification target is present.

If a person to be notified exists, the result of the process of determining whether or not a person to be notified exists in step S10 will be "Yes", and processing will proceed to step S14.

If there is no person to be notified, the result of the process of determining whether or not there is a person to be notified in step S10 will be "No", and processing will proceed to step S12.

The notification recipient is a user 70 to whom new notification information has been assigned as a result of carrying out the boarding priority determination process and the disembarking priority determination process. When new notification information has been assigned to a user 70, or when notification information with content different from the content of the notification information previously assigned to the user 70 has been assigned to the user 70, the management device 10 recognizes that new notification information has been assigned to the user 70.

The management device 10 can extract users 70 whose notification information has changed based on the information recorded in chronological order for the notification information assigned to each user 70. In other words, the management device 10 recognizes users 70 to whom new notification information has been assigned as notification targets.

<Notification process>
In step S11, a notification step is performed in which the management device 10 notifies a notification target of the latest notification information.

The management device 10 transmits the notification information to the information terminal 60 linked to the user ID of the user 70 to whom the notification information is to be assigned. The terminal control unit 61 displays the received notification information on the terminal display unit 62. This allows the latest notification information to be notified to the notification target. The process then proceeds to step S12.

In addition, the terminal control unit 61 may generate an alarm sound or vibration instead of displaying the notification information on the terminal display unit 62, or in addition to displaying the notification information on the terminal display unit 62.

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the information terminal 60 notifying the boarding priority order in the notification process of Figure 7. Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing the state of the information terminal 60 notifying the disembarking priority order in the notification process of Figure 7.

The left diagram in Figure 8 shows a state in which the message "Please cooperate by using stairs, etc." is displayed on the terminal display unit 62. The message displayed on the terminal display unit 62 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the message can be changed as shown in the right diagram in Figure 8.

Furthermore, the message may be a request to refrain from boarding at landings below the XX floor, or a request to refrain from boarding from floors below the XX floor to floors above the XX floor. Furthermore, the message may be such that the user 70 cannot understand that the displayed message is based on the elevator user guidance system 1.

For example, the message could be, "The waiting time is getting longer. If you are in a hurry, please use the stairs, etc." or "It is very crowded. If you are in a hurry, please use the stairs, etc." Another example could be, "You haven't been getting enough exercise lately. Why not try using the stairs a bit?" Messages related to notifications will be explained later.

The left diagram in Figure 9 shows a state in which the message "Please help us get off the bus" is displayed on the terminal display unit 62. The message displayed on the terminal display unit 62 can be changed as appropriate. For example, the message can be changed as shown in the right diagram in Figure 9.

The message may be a notification that the user 70 prefers, based on the track record of the user's 70 past actions. For example, if the user 70 has boarded the car 102 that arrived for the second or third time without using the stairs or the like in the past actions, the user is not notified with a message encouraging the user to take a detour to the stairs or escalator. Instead, the user may be notified with a message encouraging the user to forgo the elevator, for example, with a message requesting the user to board the car 102 for the second or subsequent times.

The message may be the notification information itself. That is, a message as notification information may be sent from the management device 10 to each device having the notification function 207. In the above example, the notification information is the message itself, "Please cooperate by getting off the train." Alternatively, the notification information may be, for example, information indicating that boarding is being prevented. In this case, for example, each terminal control unit 61 creates and displays a message based on the notification information.

The management device 10 can notify notification information to notification targets present at the boarding area using the boarding area notification device 50 of the corresponding boarding area.

The management device 10 can determine which floor of the platform the notification target user 70 is at from the current location information of the notification target user 70. When the notification target user 70 is at a platform, the management device 10 transmits the current location information of the notification target user 70 to the platform notification device 50 of the corresponding platform.

The current location information has a level of accuracy that allows the identification of each of the multiple users 70 present at the platform. Based on the received current location information of the users 70, the platform notification device 50 identifies the person to be notified in the image captured by the camera 52 through image recognition.

The hall notification device 50 creates an image with marking 51M on it for the person to be notified on the image, and displays it on the monitor 51. This means that the notification information has been notified to the person to be notified. Furthermore, a necessary message can be added to the image with marking 51M.

The hall notification device 50 can shine hall lighting 53L on the current position of the user 70, who is the target of notification. This results in notification of notification information to the target of notification. In addition, if the hall notification device 50 has an announcement means, notification of notification information to the target of notification is achieved by emitting an audio announcement, for example, from a directional speaker that limits the direction of sound emission to a specific direction, toward the target of notification, user 70.

The management device 10 can use the in-cage notification device 55 to notify notification information to notification targets located inside the cage 102.

When the person to be notified is inside the cage 102, the management device 10 transmits the current location information of the user 70 who is the person to be notified to the in-cage notification device 55.

The car interior notification device 55 can shine the car interior lighting 56L on the current position of the person to be notified. This results in the notification of the notification information to the person to be notified. Furthermore, if the car interior notification device 55 has an announcement means, the notification of the notification information to the person to be notified is achieved by, for example, issuing an audio announcement from a directional speaker that limits the direction of sound emission to a specific direction toward the user 70 who is the person to be notified. Let's return to Figure 7 and continue the explanation.

<Guidance performance evaluation process>
In step S12, a guidance performance evaluation step is performed. In this guidance performance evaluation step, the management device 10 evaluates whether or not the notification target person has acted in accordance with the notification information. The guidance performance evaluation step in step S12 will be described later.

The guidance performance evaluation process of step S12 is carried out, and when it is completed, guidance to the user 70 is completed. After the guidance performance evaluation process of step S12, guidance is again carried out according to the guidance start flow.

When user 70 arrives at the destination floor, the destination floor information on information terminal 60 and the corresponding data in the user table are deleted. In addition, if user 70 does not board car 102 from the platform at the current floor and leaves via either the platform or alternative means such as stairs, the destination floor information and the corresponding data in the user table are also deleted. The user table will be explained later.

Next, the boarding priority determination process will be described. Figure 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of the boarding priority determination process of step S03 shown in Figure 7.

<Destination floor information reception date and time acquisition process>
In step S031, a destination floor information reception date and time acquisition step is performed. In this destination floor information reception date and time acquisition step, the management device 10 records reception date and time information indicating the reception date and time when the destination floor information was received. The destination floor information reception date and time acquisition step in step S031 is the first step performed in the boarding priority order determination step.

The destination floor information reception date and time acquisition process of step S031 is performed when the judgment result of the new user judgment process of step S01 shown in Figure 7 is "Yes."

When the management device 10 receives the destination floor information included in the elevator usage information, it records the date and time when the destination floor information was received as the reception date and time information. Then, the process proceeds to step S032.

<Destination floor information acquisition process>
In step S032, a destination floor information acquisition step is performed. In this destination floor information acquisition step, the management device 10 records the received destination floor information.

The management device 10 links the reception date and time information recorded in the usage information reception date and time acquisition process of step S031 and the destination floor information recorded in the destination floor information acquisition process of step S032 to the corresponding user ID and records them as part of the user table. Furthermore, based on the current location information of the user 70, the management device 10 determines the current floor where the user 70 is waiting for the elevator 101.

The management device 10 records the identified current floor as current floor information, links it to the destination floor information, and records it as part of the user table. Then, the process proceeds to step S033. In this way, the management device 10 is also responsible for the destination floor information determination function 204.

The user table is data consisting of, for each user 70, a user ID, attribute information, current floor information, destination floor information, waiting time information, and elevator 101 boarding priority and disembarking priority for each information terminal 60.

The waiting time information is information indicating the waiting time of each user 70. The waiting time is the time that the user 70 remains at the current floor after the information terminal 60 receives the elevator usage information. The management device 10 calculates the waiting time of each user 70 based on the reception date and time information and the current time, and updates the waiting time of each user 70 in the user table.

<Steps to determine availability of stairs, etc.>
In step S033, a staircase or other available use determination step is executed. In this staircase or other available use determination step, the management device 10 determines whether the user 70 is a staircase or other available use user 71 or an elevator priority user 72 based on the attribute information.

If the management device 10 determines that the user 70 is a person 71 who can use stairs, etc., the result of the determination process of whether the user can use stairs, etc. in step S033 is "Yes." Then, the process proceeds to step S034.

If the management device 10 determines that the user 70 is an elevator priority user 72, the result of the staircase availability determination process in step S033 is set to "No." The process then proceeds to step S038.

<Step for determining the presence of other people in the moving section>
In step S034, a step of determining whether or not there is another user in the moving section is executed. In this step of determining whether or not there is another user in the moving section, the management device 10 makes a determination based on the situation of the other user 70 waiting for the elevator 101 between the current floor and the destination floor.

The management device 10 determines whether or not an elevator priority user 72 is present between the current floor and the destination floor of the user 70 who is able to use stairs, etc., based on the user data. If the management device 10 determines that an elevator priority user 72 is present, the result of the process of determining whether or not there is another person in the travel section in step S034 is "Yes". After that, the process proceeds to step S035.

If the management device 10 determines that no elevator priority user 72 is present, the result of the process of determining whether or not there is another person in the moving section in step S034 is "No." Then, the process proceeds to step S038.

<Destination direction determination process>
In step S035, a destination direction determination step is executed. In this destination direction determination step, the management device 10 makes a determination based on the situation regarding the destination direction of the user 70.

The management device 10 compares the destination direction of the user 70 with the destination direction of the elevator priority user 72 determined to be present in the movement section other person presence determination process of step S033. If it is determined that the destination direction of the user 70 and the destination direction of the elevator priority user 72 are the same, the determination result of the destination direction determination process of step S035 is "Yes". After that, the process proceeds to step S036.

If the management device 10 determines that the destination direction of the user 70 is not the same as the destination direction of the elevator priority user 72, the result of the destination direction determination process in step S035 is set to "No." The process then proceeds to step S038.

<Waiting time determination process>
In step S036, a waiting time determination step is executed. In this waiting time determination step, the management device 10 determines the situation regarding the waiting time of the user 70.

The management device 10 compares the waiting time of the elevator priority user 72 for whom the respective results of the determination process of the presence of other people in the travel section in step S034 and the destination direction determination process in step S035 are "Yes" with the waiting time of the user 70. If the management device 10 determines that the waiting time of the elevator priority user 72 is longer than the waiting time of the user 70, it sets the determination result of the waiting time determination process in step S036 to "Yes". The process then proceeds to step S037.

If the management device 10 determines that the waiting time of the elevator priority user 72 is shorter than the waiting time of the user 70, the result of the waiting time determination process in step S036 is set to "No." The process then proceeds to step S038.

<Boarding prevention process>
In step S037, a boarding prevention process is executed. In this boarding prevention process, the management device 10 determines that the boarding priority of the user 70 is boarding prevention, that is, determines that the user 70 is to refrain from boarding the cage 102.

The management device 10 provides notification information including boarding prevention information to users 70 who have been determined to be boarding prevention users. The management device 10 records notification information for each user 70 in chronological order, from the past to the latest notification information.

<Boarding priority assignment process>
In step S038, a boarding priority order assigning step is executed. In this boarding priority order assigning step, the management device 10 assigns boarding priority orders to the users 70.

The management device 10 assigns the user 70 the lowest priority among other users 70 waiting for the elevator 101 on the same floor in the same direction. In the boarding priority assignment process, no notification information is assigned. The management device 10 records the boarding priority as part of the user table, linking it to the user ID of the user 70.

The boarding priority determination process ends when the boarding prevention process in step S037 or the boarding priority assignment process in step S038 is carried out. Therefore, the management device 10 is responsible for the notification information determination function 205 and the boarding priority determination function 202.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example in which the boarding priority determination process of Figure 10 is carried out. Assume that elevator usage information is transmitted from each information terminal 60 as shown in Figure 11. The determination of boarding priority will be explained based on Figure 11.

First, we will explain how to determine the boarding priority for the up car 102 going from the 1st floor to the 5th floor. In the following, if the user ID of the information terminal 60 carried by a user 70 is XXX, the user 70 will be referred to as user 70XXX.

First, consider user 70 (user 70001) who has information terminal 60 with user ID 001 and who is waiting the longest. User 70001 is waiting for car 102 going up from the second floor to the fifth floor.

Therefore, we will explain how to assign boarding priority to a group of users 70 who use the up car 102 and board from the same floor as user 70001 and are traveling in the same direction. Specifically, we will consider a user 70 traveling up from the second floor to the fifth floor.

User 70001 is a person who can use stairs, etc. 71. In Figure 11, users 70002 and 70004, who are wheelchair-using elevator priority users 72, are waiting for car 102 going from the second floor to the fifth floor.

However, since users 70002 and 70004 have a shorter waiting time than user 70001, user 70001 has the highest priority among users 70 going up who are waiting on the second floor.

Next, user 70002, who has a long wait time for car 102 going up on the second floor, uses a wheelchair and is not a user 71 who can use stairs, etc. Therefore, his/her priority is second, next to user 70001.

Next, user 70003, who has the third longest waiting time for an upward car 102 on the second floor, is a person 71 who can use stairs, etc. Furthermore, while user 70003 is going from the second floor to the fifth floor, there is user 70009 who is waiting ahead of user 70003 on the fourth floor for an upward car 102. Furthermore, user 70009 has been waiting a long time and is using a wheelchair. Therefore, user 70003 is not given a priority and is a "subject to boarding prevention."

Next, user 70004, who has a long wait time for car 102 going up on the second floor, uses a wheelchair and is not a user 71 who can use stairs, etc., therefore his priority is third, second only to user 70002. This concludes the consideration of user 70 going from the second floor to the fifth floor.

Next, user 70005, who is spending a long time waiting for an upward car 102 on the second floor, is a user 71 who can use stairs, etc. User 70005 plans to go from the second floor to the fourth floor. Here, user 70005 will not board the same car 102 as user 70009, who is waiting on the fourth floor for an upward car 102 ahead of user 70005. Therefore, user 70005 has the fourth priority, which is second only to user 70004.

Next, user 70006, who spends a lot of time waiting on the second floor, is a user 71 who can use the stairs, etc. However, user 70006 is waiting for a car 102 going down from the second floor to the first floor. There are no users 70 on other floors waiting for a car 102 going down. Therefore, the priority of user 70006 is first.

As described above, the priority of each of the users 70 waiting for the car 102 on the second floor is determined. Sequentially, the priority of each of the users 70 waiting for the car 102 on the other floors is also determined.

Next, the disembarking priority order determination process of step S04 will be described. Figure 12 is a flowchart showing the flow of the disembarking priority order determination process of step S04 shown in Figure 7.

<Steps to determine availability of stairs, etc.>
In step S041, a staircase availability determination step is performed. In this staircase availability determination step, the management device 10 determines whether or not a person 71 who can use the stairs, etc. is present in the car 102 based on the user table. The staircase availability determination step in step S041 is the first step performed in the alighting priority order determination step in step S04.

If the management device 10 determines that a person 71 who can use stairs, etc. is present in the car 102, the result of the determination process of whether the person can use stairs, etc. in step S041 is "Yes." Then, the process proceeds to step S042.

If the management device 10 determines that there is no user 71 capable of using stairs, etc., in the cage 102, the result of the determination process of whether stairs, etc., can be used in step S041 is set to "No." Then, the disembarking priority order determination is terminated.

<Destination floor acquisition process>
In step S042, a destination floor acquisition step is executed. In this destination floor acquisition step, the management device 10 acquires the current floor and the destination floor of the user 70 based on the user table. After that, the process proceeds to step S043.

<Destination status determination process>
In step S043, a destination status determination step is performed to determine whether or not there is an elevator priority user 72 waiting for the elevator 101 at a floor where the car 102 may arrive in the future.

Based on the current floor and the destination floor acquired in the destination floor acquisition process of step S042, the management device 10 determines whether the current floor of the elevator priority user 72 is located at the destination of the car 102. The management device 10 can grasp the destination direction of the car 102 based on the elevator operation information as destination information indicating the destination direction of the car 102.

If the management device 10 determines that an elevator priority user 72 is present at a floor that the car 102 may pass through in the future, the result of the destination status determination process in step S043 is set to "Yes." The process then proceeds to step S044.

If the management device 10 determines that there are no elevator priority users 72 at any floors that the car 102 may pass through in the future, the result of the destination status determination process in step S043 is set to "No." The disembarking priority determination process then ends.

<User's destination floor comparison process in car>
In step S044, a car user destination floor comparison step is executed. In this car user destination floor comparison step, the management device 10 compares the destination floors of the users 71 who can use stairs, etc. in the car 102 with the current floor of the elevator priority users 72 acquired in the destination floor acquisition step of step S042.

Based on the user table, the management device 10 extracts all users 71 who can use stairs, etc. in the car 102, whose destination floors are higher than the current floors of the elevator priority users 72 acquired in the destination floor acquisition process of step S042. Then, the process proceeds to step S045.

<Process for comparing passenger floors in the car>
In step S045, a step of comparing the alighting floors of in-car users is performed. In this step of comparing the alighting floors of in-car users, the destination floors are compared for each of the users 71 who are capable of using stairs, etc., in the car 102 extracted in the step of comparing the destination floors of the in-car users in step S044.

The management device 10 assigns a higher alighting priority to each of the users 71 who can use the stairs, etc. in the car 102 extracted in the in-car user destination floor comparison process of step S044, starting with the user 70 whose destination floor is closest to the floor where the current car 102 is located. In other words, the users 70 who are assigned a higher alighting priority are given priority as targets for alighting guidance to alight from the car 102. The management device 10 also records the alighting priority as part of the user table, linking it to the user ID.

The management device 10 provides notification information including alighting guidance information encouraging the user 70 to alight from the car 102 to the user 70 who has been determined to be a target for alighting guidance. In addition, the management device 10 records the notification information for each user 70 in chronological order, from the most recent notification information to the oldest notification information.

The disembarking priority determination process ends when the in-car user disembarking floor comparison process of step S044 is performed and completed. Furthermore, if the determination result of the stairs, etc. availability determination process of step S041 and the determination result of the destination status determination process of step S043 are "No," disembarking priority is not assigned. Furthermore, no notification information is assigned.

This completes the disembarking priority determination process. Therefore, the management device 10 is responsible for the disembarking priority determination function 203 and the notification information determination function 205.

Figure 13 is a schematic diagram showing a specific example of the alighting priority determination process of Figure 12 being carried out. The determination of alighting priority will be explained using each user 70 in the car 102 shown in Figure 13 as a specific example. Here, it is assumed that the car 102 is parked on the second floor, and an elevator priority user 72 who uses a wheelchair appears at the landing on the third floor to head to the fifth floor.

First, in the process of determining whether or not a user can use stairs, etc. in step S041, users 70001, 70003, 70004, and 70005 are recognized as users 71 who can use stairs, etc. On the other hand, user 70002 is an elevator priority user 72, and is therefore excluded from the determination of disembarking priority order.

Next, as described above, from the destination floor information of elevator priority user 72, which is the 5th floor, and the current location information, management device 10 determines that elevator priority user 72's current floor is the 3rd floor and the destination floor is the 5th floor.

Next, since cage 102 was moving upward from the first floor to the second floor, the result of the determination in the destination status determination process in step S043 is "Yes." Next, since user 70001 gets off on the third floor, the management device 10 extracts users 70003, 70004, and 70005 by processing the in-cage user destination floor comparison process in step S044.

Next, when the in-car user disembarking floor comparison process of step S045 is performed to compare the remaining travel floors, the users 70 with the highest disembarking priority are, in order, user 70003, user 70004, and user 70005.

Next, the guidance performance evaluation process will be described. Figure 14 is a flowchart showing the flow of the guidance performance evaluation process of step S12 shown in Figure 7.

<Induction content acquisition process>
In step S121, a guidance content acquisition step is performed. In this guidance content acquisition step, the management device 10 grasps the guidance content given to the user 70. Then, the process proceeds to step S122. The guidance content acquisition step in step S121 is the first step in the guidance performance evaluation step in step S12.

The guidance content is the content of the action to be taken. The action to be taken is the action that is desired for the user 70 to take, such as preventing boarding or getting off. Specifically, the guidance content is actions such as detouring to the stairs, detouring to the escalator, getting off at an intermediate floor, not letting the user board the elevator 101, leaving the entrance to the car 102 open, packing the car 102 so that there is space, and allowing elevator priority users 72 to board the car 102 first depending on the available space in the car 102.

The guidance content acquisition process of step S121 is performed after the notification process of step S11 shown in Figure 7.

<Notification information acquisition process>
In step S122, a notification information acquisition step is performed. In this notification information acquisition step, the management device 10 grasps notification information for the user 70. After that, the process proceeds to step S123.

Notification information is information that includes at least one of the following: text, pictures, videos, audio, etc., that indicate the guidance content. The elevator user guidance system 1 aims to have the user 70 take action in accordance with the guidance content by notifying the user 70 of notification information that includes the notification content.

Specifically, the notification information is, for example, information such as "There is a high possibility that the waiting time will be long" or "It is crowded." By notifying the user 70 of such notification information, the elevator user guidance system 1 aims to make the user 70 associate the long waiting time with the user 70, and to make the user 70 take action to avoid using the elevator 101 by taking advantage of the user's 70 aversion to the congestion itself.

It is also possible to notify messages such as "You are not getting enough exercise," "Please let go of the elevator's turn," or "There is an elevator priority user whose waiting time exceeds five minutes." In this way, the elevator user guidance system 1 aims to encourage the user 70 to take action to avoid using the elevator 101.

<Car position and user position acquisition process>
In step S123, a car position/user position acquisition step is executed. In this car position/user position acquisition step, the management device 10 grasps the current position of the car 102 and the current position of the user 70 who notified the notification information.

The management device 10 constantly receives information about the operation status of the elevator 101 from the elevator management device 110. Therefore, the management device 10 can grasp the current position of the car 102. The management device 10 can grasp the current position of the user 70 based on the current position information from the information terminal 60. The process then proceeds to step S124.

<Behavioral evaluation process>
In step S124, a behavior evaluation step is performed. In this behavior evaluation step, the management device 10 determines whether or not the behavior of the notification target person matches the guidance content based on the current position of the user 70, the current position of the car 102, and the notification information.

If the management device 10 determines that the current location of the user 70 matches the location of the user 70 predicted from the notification information, the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 is set to "Yes." The process then proceeds to step S125.

If the management device 10 determines that the current location of the user 70 does not match the location of the user 70 predicted from the notification information, the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 is set to "No." The process then proceeds to step S126.

We will explain the behavioral evaluation of a user 70 who has been notified of notification information including boarding prevention information. First, we will explain the case where the user 70 does not board the car 102 that has arrived based on the notification information, but waits for the next car 102 to arrive.

User 70 is waiting for car 102 at the current floor in order to board car 102. Management device 10 can determine from the current location information of user 70 that user 70 is staying at the landing at the current floor. In addition, management device 10 determines from elevator operation information that car 102 has moved from the current floor after stopping at the current floor.

On the other hand, based on the notification information, the management device 10 predicts that the user 70 will remain at the current floor even if the cage 102 moves from the current floor. The management device 10 can determine that the current location of the user 70 matches the location of the user 70 predicted from the notification information. Therefore, the management device 10 sets the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 to "Yes."

Next, a case where user 70 gets into cage 102 that has just arrived will be described. From the contents of the notification information, management device 10 can predict that user 70 cannot be in cage 102 that has arrived at the current floor for the first time. Meanwhile, user 70 gets into cage 102 that has arrived at the current floor for the first time. Based on the current location information of user 70 from information terminal 60, management device 10 knows that user 70 is in cage 102.

The management device 10 determines, based on the elevator operation information, that the car 102 in which it has determined that the user 70 is present is the car 102 that has arrived at the current floor for the first time. The management device 10 determines that the current location of the user 70 does not match the location of the user 70 predicted from the notification information. Therefore, the management device 10 determines that the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 is "No."

Next, a case will be described where user 70, after checking the notification information, does not board the elevator 101 but moves up the stairs. From the content of the notification information, management device 10 can predict that user 70 will not be at the landing for the current floor, or in a car 102 that has arrived at the current floor for the first time. Meanwhile, user 70 leaves the landing for the current floor and uses the stairs.

Based on the current location information of user 70 from information terminal 60, management device 10 determines that user 70 is using the stairs. Therefore, management device 10 determines that user 70 is not following the notification information. Management device 10 can determine that the current location of user 70 matches the location of user 70 predicted from the notification information. Therefore, management device 10 sets the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 to "Yes."

<Induction establishment process>
In step S125, a guidance establishment step is executed. In this guidance establishment step, the management device 10 executes post-processing of the fact that the user 70 has acted in accordance with the notification information.

Since the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 is "Yes", the management device 10 gives positive evaluation points to the user 70. The management device 10 transmits the positive evaluation points to the information terminal 60. Then, the process proceeds to step S127.

<Induction failure process>
In step S126, a guidance failure step is executed. In this guidance failure step, the management device 10 executes a post-processing for the fact that the user 70 has not acted in accordance with the notification information.

Since the evaluation result of the behavior evaluation process in step S124 is "No", the management device 10 assigns negative evaluation points to the user 70. The management device 10 transmits the negative evaluation points to the information terminal 60. Then, the process proceeds to step S127.

<Results recording process>
In step S127, a performance record step is performed. In this performance record step, the information terminal 60 adds the obtained evaluation points and records them as a part of the attributes.

The information terminal 60 adds the received evaluation points to its own evaluation points and records them as part of the attributes. The information terminal 60 can display on the terminal display unit 62 that evaluation points have been added to inform the user 70.

The evaluation points recorded in the information terminal 60 may be points that can be exchanged for goods or services, points that can be used at stores such as retail outlets, points that can contribute to discounts when purchasing goods, an increase in personnel evaluation, an increase in manners evaluation, or an increase in priority ranking when determining the priority order the next time the elevator 101 is used.

Furthermore, based on the evaluation points, credit evaluations may be increased, rental housing rents may be discounted, scores may be added in scoring services, in-game items may be awarded, and taxes may be reduced. Rankings such as evaluation point acquisition rankings may also be implemented.

Furthermore, it may be possible to present evaluation points to others as a token of appreciation. Furthermore, a thank-you message may be displayed on the information terminal 60 in addition to the evaluation points. An example of the thank-you message may be a message such as, "Thank you for your cooperation in using the stairs, etc."

It may also be a message similar to that of a user 70 who was given a ride, such as, "I was able to get in. Thank you very much." The evaluation points of each user 70 may be managed by the management device 10, for example, a server that the management device 10 has.

When the performance recording process of step S127 is completed, the guidance performance evaluation process ends.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the elevator user guidance system 1 includes a management device 10 capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals 60 carried by the users 70. The management device 10 can receive elevator usage information from each information terminal 60, including attribute information indicating the attributes of the users 70, current location information indicating the current location of the users 70, and destination floor information indicating the destination floor of the users 70. The management device 10 determines the users 70 to whom the notification information is to be notified as notification targets based on the elevator usage information received from the information terminals 60, and when the notification target is at a landing, the management device 10 notifies the notification target of notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the user to refrain from boarding the car 102. When the notification target is in the car 102, the management device 10 notifies the notification target of notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the user to disembark from the car 102. This allows the elevator user guidance system 1 to notify the notification target of notification information. Therefore, the effect of guiding the users 70 of the elevator 101 can be improved.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to embodiment 1, the target of the notification is the user 70 to whom new notification information has been assigned based on the elevator usage information newly received from each information terminal 60. As a result, the notification information is only notified to the user to whom the new notification information has been assigned. Therefore, the user to whom the notification information has been assigned can check the new notification information each time. This can enhance the effect of guiding the user 70 of the elevator 101. Furthermore, this means that the user 70 to whom the new notification information has not been assigned is not notified at all. Therefore, the user 70 reacts more sensitively to the notification of the notification information and is more likely to check the notification information. This can enhance the effect of guiding the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the management device 10 determines the priority of each user 70 when boarding the car 102 as a boarding priority based on the elevator usage information received from each information terminal 60. The management device 10 also provides notification information including boarding prevention information to the users 70 based on the boarding priority. This allows the elevator user guidance system 1 to determine the boarding priority according to the situation of each user 70. The elevator user guidance system 1 can then notify the users 70 of the notification information including the boarding prevention information according to the priority. Therefore, since the notification information reflects the situation of each user 70, the notification information is often convincing to the users 70 who have been notified of the notification information. This can enhance the guidance effect for the users 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to embodiment 1, the management device 10 generates a user table by linking the elevator usage information received from each information terminal 60 to reception date and time information indicating the date and time when the elevator usage information was received from each information terminal 60. The management device 10 also determines the boarding priority order based on the user table. This allows the elevator user guidance system 1 to determine the priority order taking into account the waiting time of each user 70. Therefore, users 70 who are notified of the notification information are often able to feel a sense of satisfaction with the notification information. This makes it possible to enhance the guidance effect on users 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the management device 10 determines the priority of each user 70 when disembarking from the car 102 as disembarking priority based on the elevator usage information received from each information terminal 60. The management device 10 also provides notification information including disembarking guidance information to the users 70 based on the disembarking priority. This allows the elevator user guidance system 1 to notify users in the car 102 of notification information based on the priority. Therefore, because the priority is determined for all users 70, the users 70 who are notified of the notification information are often able to feel a sense of satisfaction with the notification information. This can enhance the guidance effect for users 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the attribute information includes elevator priority use information indicating whether or not the user 70 is an elevator priority user 72 who needs to use the elevator with priority. Furthermore, the management device 10 determines notification targets from among the users 70 other than the elevator priority users 72 based on the elevator priority use information. As a result, the notification information is not notified to the elevator priority users 72, and therefore the elevator priority users 72 can use the elevator 101 with peace of mind. Furthermore, as a result, the users 70 to whom the notification information is notified are users other than the elevator priority users 72. Therefore, the users 70 are often able to feel a sense of satisfaction about the notified notification information. Thus, the guidance effect on the users 70 of the elevator 101 can be enhanced.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the system further includes an in-car user recognition device 40 provided in the car 102, and a plurality of hall user recognition devices 20 provided at the halls of the elevators 101 on the plurality of floors. Each information terminal 60 grasps its current location by receiving a signal from at least one of the in-car user recognition device 40 and each hall user recognition device 20. The current location information is information indicating the current location grasped by the information terminal 60 carried by the user 70. This eliminates the need for the user 70 to input his/her own location into the information terminal 60. Therefore, the user 70 can easily use the elevator 101 using the information terminal 60.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the management device 10, after notifying the notification target of notification information, evaluates the behavior of the notification target based on the current position of the car 102 and the current position information of the notification target user 70. In addition, the management device 10 transmits evaluation points according to the behavior evaluation to the information terminal 60 carried by the notification target. Therefore, the allocation of evaluation points serves as an incentive for the user 70 who has been notified of the notification information to act in accordance with the notification information. This makes it possible to enhance the guidance effect on the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the notification information is sent to an information terminal 60 carried by the person to be notified, and the notification information is displayed on the information terminal 60, thereby notifying the user 70. This allows the user 70 to know that the notification information has been sent to him/her. This makes it possible to enhance the guidance effect for the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the elevator user guidance system 1 further includes a plurality of hall notification devices 50 provided at each hall of the elevator 101. Each hall notification device 50 has a monitor 51 arranged at the corresponding hall, a camera 52 capable of photographing the entire area of the corresponding hall, and a hall lighting device 53 capable of illuminating a specific location of the corresponding hall. When the management device 10 notifies the notification target of the notification information, the image captured by the camera 52 is processed so that the notification target can be identified, and the hall lighting device 53 illuminates the notification target at the hall. This allows the user 70 to know that the notification information has been issued to him/her. In addition, other users can also know that the notification information has been issued to the user 70. This enhances the guidance effect for the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the elevator user guidance system 1 further includes an in-car notification device 55 provided in each car 102 for each car 102. Each in-car notification device 55 also has an in-car lighting device 56 capable of illuminating a specific location in the corresponding car 102. When the management device 10 notifies a notification target of notification information, the in-car lighting device 56 illuminates the notification target in the car 102. This allows the user 70 to know that notification information has been issued to him/her. Other users can also know that notification information has been issued to the user 70. This improves the guidance effect for the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance program of embodiment 1, the terminal control unit 61 is provided with the functions of communicating with the elevator user guidance system 1, grasping the current position of the information terminal 60, and retaining the attributes of the user 70 as attribute information. The terminal control unit 61 is also provided with the functions of acquiring destination floor information, which is the floor to which the user 70 is heading after boarding the elevator 101, and notifying the user 70 of notification information transmitted from the elevator user guidance system 1. This allows the information terminal 60 carried by the user 70 to receive the notification information. Therefore, the guidance effect on the user 70 of the elevator 101 can be improved.

According to the information terminal 60 of the first embodiment, a program for guiding elevator users is installed. This allows the information terminal 60 carried by the user 70 to receive notification information. This can enhance the guiding effect for the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the elevator user guidance method of the first embodiment, the elevator user guidance system 1 receives elevator usage information from an information terminal carried by each user 70. In addition, at this time, the system includes a notification target presence/absence determination step for determining whether or not the notification target is present based on the elevator usage information, and a notification step for notifying the notification target of the notification information. In addition, the notification information is notification information including boarding prevention information that encourages the user to refrain from boarding the car 102, or notification information including disembarking guidance information that encourages the user to disembark from the car 102. In addition, in the notification step, the corresponding notification information is notified to the notification target. As a result, the elevator user guidance system 1 can notify the notification target of the notification information. Therefore, the guidance effect for the user 70 of the elevator 101 can be improved. In addition, since the notification information reflects the attribute information of each user 70, the user 70 can often be convinced of the notified notification information. Therefore, the guidance effect on the users 70 of the elevator 101 can be improved.

According to the elevator user guidance method of the first embodiment, before the notification target presence/absence determination step, a priority determination step is provided in which new notification information is assigned to each user 70 based on at least one of elevator use information, current car position information, and destination direction information of the car. In addition, in the notification target presence/absence determination step, the user 70 to whom the notification information is newly assigned in the priority determination step is identified as a notification target. Therefore, the user to whom the notification information is assigned can check the new notification information each time. This can improve the guidance effect on the user 70 of the elevator 101. In addition, this does not notify any user 70 to whom new notification information is not assigned. Therefore, the user 70 is more likely to check the notification information because the user 70 perceives the notification of the notification information as something that concerns him/her. This can improve the guidance effect on the user 70 of the elevator 101.

According to the management device 10 of the first embodiment, the user 70 is assigned a higher boarding priority order in the order of the user's 70 waiting time. However, this is not limited to this. For example, the boarding priority order may be assigned based on the user's 70 standing position at the elevator 101 landing. Or, for example, the boarding priority order may be assigned according to the number of floors the user 70 needs to travel between his/her current floor and destination floor. In this case, for example, a higher boarding priority order may be assigned to a user 70 who needs to travel a large number of floors.

In addition, for example, boarding priority may be assigned in descending order of the user's 70 activity level. For example, in a commercial building, if a user 70 is highly active, it can be assumed that the user 70 visits many sales areas within the building. Therefore, it can be assumed that a user 70 who is highly active makes more use of the commercial building. The activity level of the user 70 can be calculated from changes in the location information of the information terminal 60 itself.

In addition, for example, priority may be given to users 70 who have a low cumulative number of uses of the elevator 101 or a low cumulative number of floors traveled using the elevator 101. In this case, for example, the information terminal 60 records the number of floors traveled using the elevator 101 using the elevator user guidance program, or the number of floors traveled using the elevator 101, as part of the attributes.

In addition, the users 70 may be prioritized according to the cumulative purchase amount at the related facilities of the building 100. In this case, for example, the terminal control unit 61 records the purchase amount at the related facilities of the building 100 as part of the attributes.

For example, the elevator user guidance program may determine the amount of purchases made at the related facilities of building 100 by reading receipts from purchases made at the related facilities of building 100. Also, for example, the elevator user guidance program may determine the amount of purchases made at the related facilities of building 100 based on information from cash registers in the sales area and cameras connected to the cash registers.

In addition, the user 70 can increase the priority of boarding the car 102 of the elevator 101 by paying a fee within the elevator user guidance program. Furthermore, the priority may be increased according to the amount charged. In this case, the elevator user guidance program may record the amount charged as part of the attribute information.

The user 70 may also be able to register the degree of discretion as attribute information. The management device 10 may also lower the priority of boarding the car 102 of the elevator 101 based on the degree of discretion. The degree of discretion is a numerical index of the user 70's own willingness to refrain from using the elevator 101 in comparison to other users 70, for example, when there is someone carrying large luggage, or when the user is willing to use the stairs when it is crowded. The elevator user guidance system 1 may include this degree of discretion as part of the attribute information.

Furthermore, the information terminal 60 according to embodiment 1 displays the notification information on the terminal display unit 62. However, the notification of the notification information is not limited to this. For example, the notification information may be expressed by an alarm sound or audio guidance emitted by the information terminal 60.

In addition, each notification device according to embodiment 1 displays notification information on a monitor. However, the notification of notification information is not limited to this. For example, a projector may be used as the notification device.

In addition, the hall user recognition device 20, staircase user recognition device 30, and car user recognition device 40 according to embodiment 1 use a beacon-based user recognition device. However, the user recognition device is not limited to this. For example, a device capable of identifying the user 70, such as a WiFi-based user recognition device or a user recognition device based on an image captured by a camera, may be used. The car user recognition device 40 may also determine whether the user 70 has boarded the car 102 based on a device that measures the weight of the car 102. Recognition technologies using UWB, geomagnetism, RFID, ultrasound, and ID cards may also be used.

In addition, the management device 10 according to the first embodiment grasps the attribute information of each user 70 by receiving attribute information input to each information terminal 60 by the user 70's self-reporting. However, grasping the attribute information of the user 70 is not limited to this. The management device 10 may grasp the attribute information of the user 70 by image recognition of an image of the user 70 taken by a camera, pressure recognition based on the detection value of the pressure applied to the floor surface by a cane, wheelchair tires, etc. In addition, the management device 10 may grasp the attribute information of the user 70 from information such as an IC tab, a recognition card, a QR code (registered trademark), a PIN such as a password, a loaned wheelchair, or a loaned stroller distributed in advance to the user 70.

In addition, each information terminal 60 according to embodiment 1 records attribute information of the user 70. However, the recording of the attribute information of the user 70 is not limited to this. For example, the management device 10 or a server in the building 100 may record the attribute information of the user 70. In this case, the management device 10 or a device for identifying the user 70 installed in the building 100 may recognize the user 70 using an authentication method such as face authentication, iris authentication, retina authentication, fingerprint authentication, voiceprint authentication, or gait authentication, and use the recorded attribute information of the user 70. Furthermore, the management device 10 may grasp the attribute information of the user 70 by linking with the device for identifying the user 70 using the above authentication method such as face authentication, iris authentication, retina authentication, fingerprint authentication, voiceprint authentication, or gait authentication.

Furthermore, the elevator user guidance system 1 according to embodiment 1 determines the priority order when user 70 appears. However, the determination of the priority order is not limited to this. For example, the elevator user guidance system 1 may not need to determine the priority order when the elevator 101 is not crowded. For example, the elevator user guidance system 1 may be equipped with a congestion determination device that determines the degree of congestion in the elevator 101. The elevator user guidance system 1 may perform the priority order determination only when the congestion determination device determines that the elevator 101 is crowded.

In addition, the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment notifies the user 70 of the notification information. However, the use of the notification information is not limited to this. For example, the elevator user guidance system 1 may transmit information based on the notification information to the elevator management device 110 in order to reject, erase, or change the call of the elevator 101. Specifically, by erasing the call of the elevator 101 created based on the destination information of the user 70 who is the boarding prevention target, the user 70 who is the boarding prevention target cannot use the elevator 101. Furthermore, the elevator user guidance system 1 may transmit information based on the notification information to the elevator management device 110 to change the call of the elevator 101, for example, by stopping the car 102 at a floor just before the destination floor and encouraging the user 70 to get off.

In addition, in the elevator user guidance system 1 according to the first embodiment, the boarding prevention information or the disembarking guidance information is used as the notification information. However, the notification information is not limited to this. For example, the management device 10 may transmit information such as the waiting time and evaluation points of other users 70 in addition to the boarding prevention information or the disembarking guidance information. A user 70 who knows information such as the waiting time and evaluation points of other users 70 may change his/her behavior, for example, to move by stairs. In addition, the elevator user guidance system 1 may encourage the user 70 to move without using the elevator 101 by notifying information such as the degree of congestion, the waiting time, the waiting time of elevator priority users 72, the activity level of the user 70 himself/herself, and other information grasped in the priority order determination as notification information.

Furthermore, the elevator user guidance system 1 according to embodiment 1 determines the priority order according to a rule-based boarding priority order determination process and an alighting priority order determination process. However, the method of determining the priority order is not limited to this. For example, the priority order may be determined using AI as a method of determining the priority order. For example, the priority order may be determined by inputting information such as attributes or waiting time into an AI model to which the priority order is given as correct answer data.

Moreover, the functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 and the information terminal 60 of embodiment 1 are realized by a processing circuit. Figure 15 is a configuration diagram showing a first example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 and the information terminal 60 of embodiment 1. The processing circuit 300 of the first example is dedicated hardware.

In addition, the processing circuit 300 may be, for example, a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a combination of these.

Figure 16 is a configuration diagram showing a second example of a processing circuit that realizes the functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 and the information terminal 60 of embodiment 1. The processing circuit 310 of the second example includes a processor 311 and a memory 312.

In the processing circuit 310, the functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 and the information terminal 60 are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. The software and firmware are written as programs and stored in the memory 312. The processor 311 realizes the functions by reading and executing the programs recorded in the memory 312.

It can be said that the program stored in memory 312 causes the computer to execute the procedures or methods of each of the above-mentioned parts. Here, memory 312 refers to non-volatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM (Random Access Memory), ROM (Read Only Memory), flash memory, EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable and Programmable Read Only Memory), etc. In addition, magnetic disks, flexible disks, optical disks, compact disks, mini disks, DVDs, etc. also fall under memory 312.

The functions of the above-mentioned elevator user guidance system 1 and information terminal 60 may be realized partly by dedicated hardware and partly by software or firmware.

In this way, the processing circuit can realize the functions of the elevator user guidance system 1 and information terminal 60 described above through hardware, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

1 Elevator user guidance system, 10 Management device, 20, 20a, 20b, 20c, 20d, 20e Platform user recognition device, 30, 30a, 30b, 30c, 30d, 30e Staircase user recognition device, 40 Car interior user recognition device, 50 Platform notification device, 51 Monitor, 51M Marking, 52 Camera, 53 Platform lighting device, 53L Platform lighting, 55 Car interior notification device, 56 Car interior lighting device, 56L Car interior lighting, 60 Information terminal, 61 Terminal control unit, 62 Terminal display unit, 63 Terminal memory unit, 70 User, 71 Persons who can use stairs, etc., 72 Elevator priority users, 100 Building, 101 Elevator, 102 Cage, 110 Elevator management device, 201 User position recognition function, 202 Boarding priority determination function, 203 alighting priority determination function, 204 destination floor information discrimination function, 205 notification information determination function, 206 communication function, 207 notification function, 208 destination floor recognition function, 209 attribute recognition function, 210 cage position recognition function, 211 cage destination recognition function, 300 processing circuit, 310 processing circuit, 311 processor, 312 memory.

Claims (14)

a management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals carried by elevator users,
the management device is capable of receiving elevator use information from each of the information terminals, the elevator use information including attribute information indicating attributes of the user, current location information indicating a current location of the user, and destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the user;
The management device determines the user to whom notification information is to be notified as a notification target based on the elevator usage information received from each of the information terminals,
The management device notifies the notification target of the notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the notification target to refrain from boarding a car when the notification target is at a boarding area, and notifies the notification target of the notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the notification target to disembark from the car when the notification target is in a car ,
the management device determines, based on the elevator use information received from each of the information terminals, a priority order of each of the users when boarding the car as a boarding priority order;
The management device provides the notification information including the boarding prevention information to the user based on the boarding priority order .
Elevator user guidance system. A management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals carried by elevator users.
Equipped with
the management device is capable of receiving elevator use information from each of the information terminals, the elevator use information including attribute information indicating attributes of the user, current location information indicating a current location of the user, and destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the user;
The management device determines the user to whom notification information is to be notified as a notification target based on the elevator usage information received from each of the information terminals,
The management device notifies the notification target of the notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the notification target to refrain from boarding a car when the notification target is at a boarding area, and notifies the notification target of the notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the notification target to disembark from the car when the notification target is in a car,
the management device determines, based on the elevator use information received from each of the information terminals, a priority order of each of the users when disembarking from the car as a disembarking priority order;
The management device provides the notification information including the alighting guidance information to the user based on the alighting priority order .
Elevator user guidance system. A management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals carried by elevator users.
Equipped with
the management device is capable of receiving elevator use information from each of the information terminals, the elevator use information including attribute information indicating attributes of the user, current location information indicating a current location of the user, and destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the user;
The management device determines the user to whom notification information is to be notified as a notification target based on the elevator usage information received from each of the information terminals,
The management device notifies the notification target of the notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the notification target to refrain from boarding a car when the notification target is at a boarding area, and notifies the notification target of the notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the notification target to disembark from the car when the notification target is in a car,
The elevator further includes a plurality of hall notification devices provided at each hall of the elevator,
Each of the hall notification devices has a monitor arranged at the corresponding hall, a camera capable of photographing the entire area of the corresponding hall, and a hall lighting device capable of illuminating a specific location of the corresponding hall,
When the management device notifies the notification information to the notification target, the management device displays the image captured by the camera on the monitor, the image being processed so that the notification target can be identified, and
The platform lighting device illuminates the notification target person in the platform .
Elevator user guidance system. A management device capable of communicating with each of a plurality of information terminals carried by elevator users.
Equipped with
the management device is capable of receiving elevator use information from each of the information terminals, the elevator use information including attribute information indicating attributes of the user, current location information indicating a current location of the user, and destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the user;
The management device determines the user to whom notification information is to be notified as a notification target based on the elevator usage information received from each of the information terminals,
The management device notifies the notification target of the notification information including boarding prevention information encouraging the notification target to refrain from boarding a car when the notification target is at a boarding area, and notifies the notification target of the notification information including disembarking guidance information encouraging the notification target to disembark from the car when the notification target is in a car,
The elevator further includes a car informing device provided in the car,
Each of the car interior notification devices has an interior lighting device capable of illuminating a specific location in the corresponding car,
When the management device notifies the notification information to the notification target, the car interior lighting device illuminates the notification target in the car .
Elevator user guidance system.
the management device generates a user table by linking the elevator use information received from each of the information terminals to reception date and time information indicating a date and time when the elevator use information was received from each of the information terminals;
The management device determines the boarding priority order based on the user table.
2. The elevator user guidance system according to claim 1 . The notification target is the user to whom new notification information is assigned based on the elevator use information newly received from each of the information terminals.
The elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The attribute information includes elevator priority use information indicating whether the user is an elevator priority user who needs to use the elevator preferentially; and
The management device determines the notification target from among the users other than the elevator priority users based on the elevator priority use information.
The elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5. An in-car user recognition device provided in the car;
A plurality of hall user recognition devices provided at each of the elevator halls on a plurality of floors;
Further comprising:
Each of the information terminals grasps a current position of each of the information terminals by receiving a signal from at least one of the car in-car user recognition device and each of the hall user recognition devices,
The current location information is information indicating the current location recognized by the information terminal carried by the user.
The elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The management device notifies the notification information to the notification target person, and then evaluates the behavior of the notification target person based on the current position of the car and the current position information of the notification target person,
the management device transmits an evaluation point corresponding to the behavior evaluation to the information terminal carried by the notification target person.
The elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . The notification information is transmitted to the information terminal carried by the notification target person, and the notification information is displayed on the information terminal to be notified.
The elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 . An elevator user guidance program installed in an information terminal having a terminal control unit,
A function of communicating with the elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ;
A function of grasping a current location of the information terminal;
A function for retaining user attributes as attribute information;
A function of acquiring destination floor information, which is a floor to which the user is going when getting on the elevator;
a function of notifying the user of the notification information transmitted from the elevator user guidance system;
An elevator user guidance program for causing the terminal control unit to realize the above. An elevator user guidance program according to claim 1 ,
Information terminal. Activating the elevator user guidance system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 ,
When elevator use information including attribute information indicating attributes of elevator users, current location information indicating a current location of the user, and destination floor information indicating a destination floor of the user is received from an information terminal carried by each of the users,
a notification target presence/absence determination step of determining a notification target to which notification information is to be notified based on the elevator usage information and determining whether the notification target is present;
a notification step of notifying the notification target of the notification information;
Equipped with
The notification information is the notification information including boarding prevention information that encourages a person to refrain from boarding the car, or the notification information including alighting guidance information that encourages a person to alight from the car,
In the notification step, the corresponding notification information is notified to the notification target person.
How to guide elevator users. a priority order determination step of assigning new notification information to each of the users based on at least one of the elevator usage information, the current position information of the car, and the destination direction information of the car, prior to the notification target presence determination step;
Equipped with
In the notification target presence/absence determination step, the user to whom the notification information has been newly assigned in the priority order determination step is identified as the notification target.
The elevator user guiding method according to claim 13 .

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