JP7779296B2 - Inspection system and inspection method - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to an elevator indicator inspection system and inspection method.

Patent Document 1 discloses a method for inspecting elevator hall indicators. According to this inspection method, an elevator maintenance worker installs a camera at the hall and runs the car in an inspection pattern. This inspection method makes it easy to inspect the indicators.

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2022-089628

However, the inspection method described in Patent Document 1 requires maintenance personnel to travel to the landing area on each floor. This means that it takes time for maintenance personnel to travel during maintenance work.

This disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems. The purpose of this disclosure is to provide an inspection system and inspection method that can reduce the amount of time maintenance personnel spend inspecting elevator indicators.

The inspection system disclosed herein comprises a control panel that controls the lighting status of elevator indicators located at each of the landings on multiple floors, and a command device having a command unit that transmits inspection commands to a first robot that is capable of traveling to a first target floor among the multiple floors and capturing images. Upon receiving the inspection command, if the first robot detects that there is no one at the landing on the first target floor when passing near the landing on the first target floor, it transmits a command to the control panel to turn on the indicator indicated in the inspection command in inspection mode. Thereafter, upon receiving notification that the indicator is lit in inspection mode, it photographs the indicator and transmits result information including the captured image of the indicator to the command device.

The inspection method disclosed herein is an inspection method performed using the inspection system described above, and includes a first step in which a command device sends an inspection command, which is performed by a maintenance worker performing elevator maintenance work after the previous inspection of the elevator, and a second step in which, after the first step, the maintenance worker inspects indicators that have not been inspected based on the inspection command when performing the current inspection of the elevator.

According to the present disclosure, indicator inspection can be performed by a robot. For example, a maintenance worker only needs to inspect the indicators that were not inspected by the robot. This reduces the amount of time a maintenance worker spends inspecting elevator indicators.

1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator device and a building to which an inspection system according to a first embodiment is applied. 1 is a diagram showing an overview of an inspection system in a first embodiment. FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an inspection system according to a first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart showing an outline of an inspection operation performed by a robot in the inspection system according to the first embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the command device of the inspection system in the first embodiment. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection method using the inspection system in embodiment 1. FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram of an elevator device and a building to which an inspection system according to a second embodiment is applied. FIG. 10 is a functional block diagram of an inspection system according to a second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart showing an outline of an inspection operation performed by a robot in the inspection system according to the second embodiment. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection method using the inspection system in embodiment 2. FIG. 2 is a hardware configuration diagram of a command device of the inspection system according to the first or second embodiment.

The embodiments for implementing the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Note that in each drawing, identical or corresponding parts are designated by the same reference numerals. Duplicate descriptions of such parts will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

Embodiment 1.
Fig. 1 is a configuration diagram of an elevator device and a building to which an inspection system according to embodiment 1 is applied. Fig. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the inspection system according to embodiment 1.

The building 1 in Figure 1 has multiple floors 2. The building 1 is provided with an elevator system 3. A hoistway 4 passes through each floor 2. A plurality of landings 5 are provided on each floor 2 of the building 1. Each of the multiple landings 5 faces the hoistway 4. A hoisting machine 6 is provided in the machine room. A main rope 7 is wound around a sheave of the hoisting machine 6. A car 8 is suspended from the main rope 7 inside the hoistway 4.

Multiple landing doors 9 are provided at the entrances and exits of each of the multiple landings 5. Multiple indicators 10 are provided at each of the multiple landings 5. In particular, the indicators 10 are provided around the landing doors 9. The indicators 10 are devices that convey information to users by lighting up. For example, the indicators 10 are devices such as a screen made up of multiple lit dots, or multiple number-shaped lights. Multiple indicators 10 may be provided at one landing 5.

The control panel 11 is installed in the machine room. The control panel 11 is electrically connected to the hoisting machine 6 and multiple indicators 10. The control panel 11 controls the operation of the car 8 by controlling the drive of the hoisting machine 6. The control panel 11 controls the lighting state of the indicators 10.

One or more robots 20 are deployed in a building 1. The robots 20 have the ability to move autonomously. The robots 20 are capable of capturing images or video, which is a series of images. For example, the robots 20 are general-purpose robots that perform set tasks while moving around each floor 2 of the building 1. For example, the robots 20 perform tasks such as delivery, waiting, room service, and security. For example, the robots 20 cannot autonomously move to floors 2 other than the floor 2 on which they are deployed.

As an example, in embodiment 1, three robots 20a, 20b, and 20c are placed in building 1 as one or more robots 20. The three robots 20a, 20b, and 20c may perform different tasks, or the same task. Robot 20a is placed on the first floor of building 1 as the first robot. Robot 20b is placed on the second floor of building 1 as the second robot. Robot 20c is placed on the fourth floor of building 1 as the third robot. For example, in this example, no robot 20 is placed on the third floor of building 1.

The robot 20 is wirelessly connected to the building network 21. For example, the building network 21 is a network made up of devices inside the building 1 and devices outside the building 1. The robot 20 can receive work-related commands from a command device (not shown) via the building network 21.

As shown in Figure 2, the control panel 11 is connected to the building network 21 via a GW device 22, which acts as a gateway.

The inspection system 30 comprises a control panel 11, a monitoring device 31, and an information center device 32. The monitoring device 31 is installed in the machine room. The monitoring device 31 is electrically connected to the control panel 11. The monitoring device 31 is installed so that it can monitor the status of the elevator device 3 based on information from the control panel 11. The monitoring device 31 can communicate with the robot 20 via the control panel 11, the GW device 22, and the building network 21.

The information center device 32 is installed in a location away from the building 1. For example, the information center device 32 is installed in a maintenance company that maintains and manages the elevator device 3. The information center device 32 can grasp the status of the elevator device 3 based on information from the monitoring device 31.

The inspection system 30 is a system for inspecting indicators 10. The monitoring device 31 functions as a command device that generates commands to inspect indicators 10. Specifically, the monitoring device 31 sends an inspection command to the robot 20 to inspect the indicator 10 on floor 2 where it is located. Based on the inspection command, the robot 20 photographs the indicator 10 and transmits information about the photographed image to the monitoring device 31. The monitoring device 31 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the indicator 10 based on the image received from the robot 20.

As an example, if a certain indicator 10 is determined to be abnormal, the monitoring device 31 notifies the information center device 32 that the indicator 10 is abnormal. The information center device 32 then makes a plan to dispatch a maintenance worker to the building 1 to perform maintenance work on the elevator device 3.

As another example, inspection results showing that there are no abnormalities in the indicators 10 on the first, second, and fourth floors out of multiple floors 2 are stored in the monitoring device 31. A maintenance worker visiting the building 1 for routine maintenance work checks the information stored in the monitoring device 31 via a maintenance terminal T that is connected to the monitoring device 31. The maintenance worker turns on only the indicator 10 on the third floor in inspection mode and inspects only the indicator 10 on the third floor. After inspecting the indicator 10 on the third floor, the maintenance worker completes the maintenance inspection of the multiple indicators 10 in the building 1.

Next, the function of each device will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of the inspection system according to the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 3, the control panel 11 has at least an operation control unit 12 and a lighting control unit 13 as its functions. The operation control unit 12 controls the operation of the car 8. The lighting control unit 13 controls the lighting state of each of the multiple indicators 10. For example, when the lighting control unit 13 receives an inspection lighting command to light a certain indicator 10 in inspection mode, it lights that indicator 10 in inspection mode. Thereafter, the lighting control unit 13 sends a confirmation notification to the destination of the inspection lighting command that the indicator 10 is lit in inspection mode.

The one or more robots 20 are equipped with at least the following functions: a camera unit 23, a drive unit 24, an operation control unit 25, and an inspection control unit 26.

The photographing unit 23 has a function for photographing images or videos. For example, the photographing unit 23 is a camera.

The drive unit 24 is a function that moves the robot 20. For example, the drive unit 24 includes wheels and a motor.

The operation control unit 25 controls the overall operation of the robot 20, including its movement and actions for tasks. For example, the operation control unit 25 controls the operation of the drive unit 24. The operation control unit 25 controls movement within the building 1 based on map information for the building 1 and the tasks set for the robot 20.

When the inspection control unit 26 receives an inspection command, it causes the robot 20 to perform the set inspection operation. Specifically, the inspection control unit 26 causes the photographing unit 23 or the operation control unit 25 to perform specific processing in accordance with the inspection operation. Note that the specific content of the inspection operation may be set in advance in the inspection control unit 26 or may be included in the inspection command.

The monitoring device 31, which is a command device, has the following functions: a memory unit 33, a judgment unit 34, a management unit 35, and a command unit 36.

The memory unit 33 stores various information necessary for the maintenance and inspection of the indicators 10. For example, the memory unit 33 stores building information for each of the multiple indicators 10, associating the floor 2 and hall 5 on which the indicator 10 is installed. The building information includes, for each of one or more robots 20, information indicating the floor 2 on which the robot 20 is located. The building information may also include a map of the hall 5 and the location on the map where the indicator 10 is located.

The determination unit 34 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the indicator 10 based on the image of the indicator 10. Abnormalities in the indicator 10 include missing dots, whether or not the indicator is lit, etc.

The management unit 35 manages the date and time when each of the multiple indicators 10 was inspected. The management unit 35 stores management information in the memory unit 33 that associates the date and time when the indicator 10 was inspected with the inspection results. The management unit 35 also updates the management information stored in the memory unit 33.

The command unit 36 extracts, from among the multiple indicators 10, indicators 10 for which a specified inspection period has elapsed since the date and time of the last inspection, based on the management information, at a specified cycle, such as once a day. The inspection period is a period that is shorter than the inspection cycle by a number of reserve days. For example, the inspection cycle may be the same as the cycle at which maintenance personnel perform regular maintenance work on the building 1, or it may be three months. The number of reserve days may be set to a number of days, such as 0 days or 5 days, depending on the installation environment.

The command unit 36 extracts the floor 2 and hall 5 on which the extracted indicator 10 is located based on the building information stored in the memory unit 33. The command unit 36 transmits an inspection command for the extracted indicator 10, which includes information identifying the indicator 10, to the robot 20 located on the floor 2 on which the indicator 10 is located. The inspection command may include at least a portion of the building information.

Next, the inspection operation performed by the robot 20 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an outline of the inspection operation performed by the robot in the inspection system according to the first embodiment.

The flowchart shown in Figure 4 begins when the robot 20 receives an inspection command. Even after receiving the inspection command, the robot 20 continues to move and act primarily based on the assigned task.

The following describes, as an example, the operation when an inspection command is sent to robot 20a. That is, the command unit 36 extracts floor 2, where robot 20a is located, as the first target floor. The command unit 36 sends an inspection command to robot 20a to inspect indicator 10 at hall 5 on the first floor, which is the first target floor.

In step S001, the inspection control unit 26 of the robot 20a determines whether the robot 20a is near a hall 5 where the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command is installed. For example, the inspection control unit 26 determines that the robot 20a is near a hall 5 when the robot 20a is within a specified effective range from the hall 5. The effective range may be set to any range, such as within 1 m or 0 m from the hall 5.

If the robot 20a is not located near the hall 5 in step S001, the inspection control unit 26 repeats the operation of step S001. That is, the robot 20a performs normal business operations in a location that is not near the hall 5.

If, in step S001, a person is present near the platform 5, the operation of step S002 is performed. In step S002, the inspection control unit 26 determines whether a person is present at the platform 5 based on the detection results of various sensors of the robot 20a or images captured by the imaging unit 23.

If, in step S002, no person is present at the hall 5, the operation of step S003 is performed. In step S003, the inspection control unit 26 sends an inspection lighting command for the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command to the control panel 11 via the building network 21 and the GW device 22. The inspection control unit 26, via the operation control unit 25, moves the robot 20a to a position where it can photograph the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command.

Then, in step S004, the inspection control unit 26 determines whether a confirmation notification regarding the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command has been received. If the confirmation notification has not been received, the operation of step S004 is repeated.

If a confirmation notification is received in step S004, the operation of step S005 is performed. That is, upon receiving the inspection lighting command, the control panel 11 turns on the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection lighting command in inspection mode and sends a confirmation notification to the robot 20a. The indicator 10 is turned on in inspection mode. In step S005, the inspection control unit 26 causes the photographing unit 23 to photograph an image of the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command.

Then, in step S006, the inspection control unit 26 transmits result information including the image captured in step S005, i.e., the image of the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command, and a command to end the illumination in inspection mode to the control panel 11 and monitoring device 31.

When the control panel 11 receives a command from the robot 20a, it stops lighting the indicator 10 in inspection mode and transitions to normal mode. The monitoring device 31, which receives the result information, sends a command to the robot 20a that sent the result information to delete the inspection command for the indicator 10 indicated in the result information. Then, the operation of step S007 is performed. In step S007, the inspection control unit 26 receives the command from the monitoring device 31 and deletes the inspection command corresponding to that command.

Then, in step S008, the inspection control unit 26 ends the inspection operation. The robot 20a returns to a mode for performing normal operations. For example, the robot 20a leaves the hall 5. The operation of the flowchart then ends.

If, in step S002, a person is present at hall 5, the operation of step S009 is performed. In step S009, the inspection control unit 26 postpones the current inspection of the indicator 10 and returns to the normal operation mode. For example, the robot 20a leaves hall 5. Then, the operation from step S001 onwards is performed. In other words, the inspection control unit 26 causes the operation from step S002 onwards to be performed the next time the robot 20a passes near hall 5.

In this way, when robot 20a receives an inspection command, it performs the operations from step S003 onwards if there is no person at hall 5 when it approaches hall 5 during normal operations. The operations in the flowchart shown in FIG. 4 are performed by both robot 20b, the second robot, and robot 20c, the third robot, when an inspection command is received. In this case, the command unit 36 transmits an inspection command to robot 20b to inspect the indicator 10 at hall 5 on the second floor, which is the second target floor, or an inspection command to robot 20c to inspect the indicator 10 at hall 5 on the fourth floor, which is the third target floor.

Instead of step S001, the inspection control unit 26 of the robot 20a may determine whether it is in a standby state. If it is not in a standby state, the same operation may be repeated, or the operation of step S001 may be performed. If it is in a standby state, the inspection control unit 26 may instruct the operation control unit 25 to move the robot 20a to the hall 5 where the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection command is installed. Then, the operations from step S002 onwards may be performed.

Next, the operation of the monitoring device 31, which is a command device, will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an outline of the operation of the command device of the inspection system in the first embodiment.

The operation of the flowchart in Figure 5 begins, for example, after an inspection command is sent. In step S101, the management unit 35 of the command device determines whether result information has been received for any of the indicators 10. If result information has not been received in step S101, the operation of step S101 is repeated.

If result information is received in step S101, the operation of step S102 is performed. In step S102, the command unit 36 of the command device sends a command to the robot 20 that sent the result information to delete the inspection command for the indicator 10 indicated in the result information.

Then, in step S103, the determination unit 34 determines whether or not there is an abnormality in the indicator 10 indicated in the result information, based on the image included in the result information.

Then, the operation of step S104 is performed. In step S104, the management unit 35 associates information identifying the indicator 10, the result information, and the determination result of the determination unit 34 for the indicator 10 indicated in the result information to create management information, and updates the management information for the indicator 10. At this time, the management unit 35 includes the date and time included in the result information or the current date and time as the inspection date and time in the updated management information. The management unit 35 may also include the date and time included in the result information or the current date and time as the last inspection date and time in the management information. It is sufficient that the management information includes at least the date and time of the last inspection.

The command device then terminates the operation of the flowchart. Note that if there are indicators 10 that have sent inspection commands but have not yet received result information, the operation of the flowchart may be restarted.

Next, a method for inspecting the indicator 10 will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 6 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection method using the inspection system according to the first embodiment.

The flowchart shown in Figure 6 relates to the inspection method when a maintenance worker visits the elevator device 3 and performs inspection work. If this inspection work is considered to be the current inspection work, the flowchart starts when the previous inspection work is being performed.

In step S201, the maintenance worker performs an inspection of the elevator device 3. The inspection in step S201 corresponds to the previous inspection. The inspection may also include checking the lighting status of the indicator 10. The worker inputs the inspection results of the indicator 10 from his or her maintenance terminal. The management unit 35 may update the management information so that the date and time of the last inspection of the indicator 10 inspected in the inspection in step S201 becomes the date and time of the previous inspection.

Then, the first process of step S202 is performed. In the first process, the monitoring device 31, which is the command device, references the management information at a specified interval and transmits an inspection command to the robot 20 located on the floor 2 corresponding to the indicator 10 to inspect the indicator 10 for which a start period has passed since the last inspection. If the robot 20 inspects the indicator 10 based on the inspection command, the management information is updated in the command device. If the robot 20 does not inspect the indicator 10 based on the inspection instruction, the management information is not updated.

Then, the second process of step S203 is performed. In step S203, the maintenance technician performs the current inspection as the second process. The second process is performed after the period related to the regular inspection has elapsed since the previous inspection in step S201. The maintenance technician accesses the memory unit 33 of the command device from the maintenance terminal and checks the management information. In the management information, the maintenance technician refers to the indicators 10, out of the multiple indicators 10, that have not been inspected during the period of step S202.

For example, if a robot 20 receives an inspection command but does not stop near the platform 5 on floor 2 where the robot 20 is located, or if the robot 20 is near the platform 5 but there continues to be someone at the platform 5, the indicator 10 of the platform 5 on floor 2 where the robot 20 is located will not be inspected. Furthermore, the indicator 10 of the platform 5 on floor 2 where the robot 20 is not located will not be inspected in the first place.

In step S203, if there is an indicator 10 in the management information that has not been inspected, the maintenance technician inspects that indicator 10. Specifically, the maintenance technician turns on the indicator 10 in inspection mode, then moves to the hall 5 on floor 2 where the indicator 10 is located and inspects the indicator 10 that is lit in inspection mode. The maintenance technician then inputs the inspection results of the indicator 10 into the maintenance terminal. Furthermore, the maintenance technician reflects the inspection results of the indicator 10 in the command device and updates the management information.

The flowchart inspection method then ends.

According to the first embodiment described above, the inspection system 30 includes a control panel 11 and a monitoring device 31, which is a command device. The inspection method is performed using the inspection system 30. The command device has a command unit 36 that transmits inspection commands. Upon receiving the inspection command, the first robot inspects the indicator 10 of the first target floor indicated in the inspection command when it passes near the landing 5, if no one is present. During normal maintenance and inspection, maintenance personnel only need to inspect the indicators 10 that were not inspected by the inspection system 30. This reduces the amount of time that maintenance personnel spend inspecting the indicators 10 of the elevator device 3.

Furthermore, after receiving the inspection command, the first robot attempts to inspect the indicator 10 when it passes near the target hall 5. Therefore, the first robot does not have to be a robot dedicated to inspecting the elevator device 3, but may be a robot that performs a different task. This reduces inspection costs. It also improves the overall operating rate of the robots deployed in the building 1.

The command unit 36 also sends an inspection command to a second robot located on a second target floor, separate from floor 2 on which the first robot is located. This reduces the number of indicators 10 that the maintenance personnel must inspect.

In addition, the management unit 35 manages the indicators 10 that have been inspected. The command unit 36 creates an inspection command to inspect a certain indicator 10 when a start period has passed since the last inspection date for that indicator 10. For example, conventionally, indicators 10 have been inspected at intervals of every three months, etc. In other words, an inspection period of several months is considered sufficient for indicators 10. By creating an inspection command when the start period has passed, it is possible to prevent the first robot from inspecting indicators 10 too frequently. This makes it possible to prevent a decrease in the operating efficiency of the first robot.

The inspection system 30 may also include an elevator device 3 and a robot 20.

The monitoring device 31 does not necessarily have to include the determination unit 34. For example, the determination unit 34 may be provided in a maintenance terminal carried by a maintenance worker. In this case, when the maintenance worker visits the building 1, he or she may analyze the result information stored in the memory unit 33 on the maintenance terminal to check whether or not there are any abnormalities in the multiple indicators 10. The determination unit 34 may also be provided in the information center device 32.

Embodiment 2.
Fig. 7 is a configuration diagram of an elevator device and a building to which an inspection system according to the second embodiment is applied. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of the inspection system according to the second embodiment. Fig. 9 is a flowchart showing an outline of the inspection operation performed by a robot according to the inspection system according to the second embodiment. Note that parts that are the same as or equivalent to parts according to the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals. Explanation of these parts will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 7 , in embodiment 2, the inspection system 30 further includes a complementary robot 40. The complementary robot 40 may be a robot for inspecting the elevator device 3. The complementary robot 40 is capable of taking images or videos. The complementary robot 40 is an autonomously mobile robot that can ride in the car 8. In other words, the complementary robot 40 can autonomously move from any floor 2 to another floor 2. For example, the complementary robot 40 can communicate with a monitoring device 31, which is a command device. The communication path between the complementary robot 40 and the monitoring device 31 may be the same as the communication path between the robot 20 and the monitoring device 31.

As shown in FIG. 8, the complementing robot 40 includes at least a photographing unit 41, a driving unit 42, a motion control unit 43, and an inspection control unit 44. The photographing unit 41, driving unit 42, motion control unit 43, and inspection control unit 44 have the same functions as the photographing unit 23, driving unit 24, motion control unit 25, and inspection control unit 26 of the robot 20.

The command unit 36 extracts, from among the multiple indicators 10, indicators 10 for which a specified supplementary period has elapsed since the date and time of the last inspection, based on the management information, at a specified cycle, such as once a day. The supplementary period is a period longer than the inspection period. The supplementary period may also be a period shorter than the cycle at which inspection work is performed by maintenance personnel.

The command unit 36 extracts the floor 2 and landing 5 on which the extracted indicator 10 is located based on the building information stored in the memory unit 33. The command unit 36 transmits a complement command for the extracted indicator 10, which includes information identifying the indicator 10, to the complement robot 40.

The flowchart shown in Figure 9 begins when the complementing robot 40 receives a complementing command.

In step S301, the inspection control unit 44 of the complementary robot 40 moves to floor 2 where the indicator 10 indicated in the complementary command is installed. For example, the complementary robot 40 gets into car 8 and moves to floor 2.

In step S301, the complementary robot 40 arrives at the hall 5 on floor 2 indicated in the complementary command, and then step S302 is performed. In step S302, the inspection control unit 44 determines whether or not a person is present at the hall 5 based on the detection results of the various sensors of the complementary robot 40 or the images captured by the image capture unit 41.

If, in step S302, no person is present at the hall 5, the operation of step S303 is performed. In step S303, the inspection control unit 44 sends an inspection lighting command for the indicator 10 indicated in the supplementary command to the control panel 11 via the building network 21 and the GW device 22. The inspection control unit 44 moves the supplementary robot 40, via the operation control unit 43, to a position where it can photograph the indicator 10 indicated in the supplementary command.

Then, in step S304, the inspection control unit 44 determines whether a confirmation notification regarding the indicator 10 indicated in the supplementary command has been received. If the confirmation notification has not been received, the operation of step S304 is repeated.

If a confirmation notification is received in step S304, the operation of step S305 is performed. That is, upon receiving the inspection lighting command, the control panel 11 turns on the indicator 10 indicated in the inspection lighting command in inspection mode and sends a confirmation notification to the complement robot 40. The indicator 10 is turned on in inspection mode. In step S305, the inspection control unit 44 causes the photographing unit 41 to photograph an image of the indicator 10 indicated in the complement command.

Then, in step S306, the inspection control unit 44 transmits result information including the image of the indicator 10 shown in the supplementary command, which is the image captured in step S305, and a command to end the illumination in inspection mode to the control panel 11 and the monitoring device 31.

When the control panel 11 receives a command from the complementary robot 40, it stops lighting the indicator 10 in inspection mode and transitions to normal mode. When the monitoring device 31 receives the result information, it sends a command to the complementary robot 40 to delete the complementary command for the indicator 10 indicated in the result information. Then, the operation of step S307 is performed. In step S307, the inspection control unit 44 receives the command from the monitoring device 31 and deletes the complementary command.

Then, in step S308, the inspection control unit 44 ends the complementary inspection operation. For example, the complementary robot 40 returns to floor 2, where it was before moving. The operation of the flowchart then ends.

If it is determined in step S302 that a person is present at hall 5, the operation of step S309 is performed. In step S309, the robot waits for a specified time. Thereafter, the inspection control unit 44 repeats the operation of step S302. That is, the complementary robot 40 waits at hall 5 until there are no people there.

Next, a method for inspecting the indicator 10 in the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an inspection method using the inspection system according to the second embodiment.

In the flowchart shown in Figure 10, the processes performed in steps S401, S402, and S405 are the same as the processes performed in steps S201, S202, and S203 in the flowchart of Figure 6 in embodiment 1.

In embodiment 2, between the first step of step S402 and the second step of step S405, the third step of step S403 and the fourth step of step S404 are performed.

Specifically, after step S402, the third step, step S403, is performed. In this step, the monitoring device 31, which is the command device, references the management information at a specified interval and transmits a complement command to the complement robot 40 to inspect indicators 10 for which the complement period has elapsed since the last inspection.

Then, the fourth process in step S404 is performed. In this process, the indicator 10 is inspected by the complementing robot 40 based on the complementing command. In this case, the control information is updated in the command device based on the result information from the complementing robot 40.

Then, the second step of step S405 is performed. After the second step, the inspection method of the flowchart ends.

According to the second embodiment described above, in the third step, the command device sends a complement command to the complement robot 40. The complement command is created when there is an indicator 10 for which a complement period longer than the start period has elapsed since the last inspection date. In other words, a complement command can be created when an inspection command is sent but the robot 20 that received the inspection command is unable to pass near the hall 5, or when there are many people at the hall 5, and therefore the indicator 10 is not inspected. Furthermore, a complement command can be created for an indicator 10 on floor 2, where no robot 20 is located. In the fourth step, the complement robot 40 moves to floor 2 indicated in the complement command and inspects the indicator 10. This allows for more reliable inspection of the indicator 10. As a result, the time spent by a maintenance technician inspecting the indicator 10 when the maintenance technician visits the building 1 for maintenance and inspection can be further reduced.

Next, an example of hardware constituting the command device will be described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11 is a hardware configuration diagram of the command device of the inspection system according to the first or second embodiment.

Each function of the monitoring device 31, which is a command device, can be realized by a processing circuit. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. For example, the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200.

When the processing circuit includes at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b, the functions of the command device are realized by software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and firmware is written as a program. At least one of the software and firmware is stored in at least one memory 100b. At least one processor 100a realizes the functions of the command device by reading and executing the program stored in at least one memory 100b.

When the processing circuit includes at least one dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuit may be realized, for example, as a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof. For example, each function of the command device may be realized by a processing circuit. For example, each function of the command device may be realized collectively by a processing circuit.

Some of the functions of the command device may be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, with the remaining functions implemented by software or firmware. For example, the functions of the management unit 35 may be implemented by a processing circuit as dedicated hardware 200, and functions other than those of the management unit 35 may be implemented by at least one processor 100a reading and executing a program stored in at least one memory 100b.

In this way, the processing circuitry realizes the functions of the command device through hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination of these.

Although not shown, the functions of the control panel 11, information center device 32, one or more robots 20, and complementary robot 40 are also realized by processing circuits equivalent to the processing circuits that realize the functions of the command device.

Furthermore, at least one of the functions of the command device may be provided in the information center device 32. In this case, the information required for each function may be communicated as appropriate between the monitoring device 31 and the information center device 32 via the network.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Building, 2 Floor, 3 Elevator device, 4 Hoistway, 5 Landing, 6 Hoisting machine, 7 Main rope, 8 Cage, 9 Landing door, 10 Indicator, 11 Control panel, 12 Operation control unit, 13 Lighting control unit, 20 Robot, 20a Robot, 20b Robot, 20c Robot, 21 Building network, 22 GW device, 23 Photography unit, 24 Drive unit, 25 Operation control unit, 26 Inspection control unit, 30 Inspection system, 31 Monitoring device, 32 Information center device, 33 Memory unit, 34 Determination unit, 35 Management unit, 36 Command unit, 40 Complementary robot, 41 Photography unit, 42 Drive unit, 43 Operation control unit, 44 Inspection control unit, 100a Processor, 100b Memory, 200 Hardware, T Maintenance Terminal

Claims (6)

a control panel that controls the lighting state of indicators of elevators provided at each of the landings on the plurality of floors;
a command device having a command unit that transmits an inspection command to a first robot that can move through a first target floor among the plurality of floors and take images;
Equipped with
Upon receiving the inspection command, when the first robot passes near the landing of the first target floor and detects that there is no one at the landing of the first target floor, the first robot transmits a command to the control panel to turn on an indicator indicated in the inspection command in inspection mode, and thereafter, upon receiving a notification that the indicator is turned on in inspection mode, the first robot photographs the indicator and transmits result information including the photographed image of the indicator to the command device.
Inspection system. the command unit transmits the inspection command to a second robot capable of moving through a second target floor different from the first target floor among the plurality of floors and capturing images;
Upon receiving the inspection command, when the second robot passes near the landing of the second target floor and detects that there is no one at the landing of the second target floor, it transmits a command to the control panel to turn on an indicator indicated in the inspection command in inspection mode, and thereafter, upon receiving a notification that the indicator is turned on in inspection mode, it photographs the indicator and transmits result information including the photographed image of the indicator to the command device.
The inspection system of claim 1 . a management unit that manages the date of inspection for each indicator provided at each landing on the plurality of floors;
Further provided with
the command unit creates the inspection command to inspect the indicator at the landing of the first target floor when a start period has elapsed since the day on which the indicator was last inspected, and transmits the inspection command to the first robot;
The inspection system of claim 1 . When a complement period longer than the start period has elapsed since the date on which the indicator at the landing of the first target floor was last inspected, the command unit creates a complement command to inspect the indicator and transmits the complement command to a complement robot that can move to the first target floor from another floor,
Upon receiving the complement command, the complement robot moves to the landing of the first target floor indicated in the complement command, and thereafter, when it detects that there is no person at the landing of the first target floor, it transmits a command to the control panel to turn on an indicator indicated in the complement command in an inspection mode, and thereafter, when it receives a notification that the indicator is turned on in the inspection mode, it photographs the indicator and transmits result information including the photographed image of the indicator to the command device.
The inspection system of claim 3 . An inspection method performed using the inspection system according to claim 3,
a first step in which a maintenance worker who performs maintenance work on the elevator performs a previous inspection work on the elevator, and the command device transmits the inspection command;
a second step of inspecting indicators that have not been inspected based on the inspection command when the maintenance worker performs the current inspection work on the elevator after the first step;
An inspection method that includes: a third step, which is carried out between the first step and the second step, in which the command device creates a supplementary command to inspect an indicator for which a supplementary period longer than the start period has elapsed since the last inspection date, and transmits the supplementary command to a supplementary robot that can move from another floor to a floor on which an indicator indicated in the supplementary command is provided;
a fourth step, which is carried out after the third step and before the second step, in which the complementing robot receives the complement command, moves to a landing of a floor indicated in the complement command, and thereafter, when it detects that no one is present at the landing of the floor, transmits a command to the control panel to turn on an indicator indicated in the complement command in an inspection mode, and then, when it receives a notification that the indicator is turned on in the inspection mode, photographs the indicator and transmits result information including the photographed image of the indicator to the command device;
The inspection method of claim 5 further comprising: