CN116234765A

CN116234765A - Monitoring system for elevator

Info

Publication number: CN116234765A
Application number: CN202080105396.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 滨田恭平; 桥口拓弥; 田畠广泰; 川﨑仁; 金子洋介
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corp
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2023-06-06
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-23
Also published as: JPWO2022064566A1; CN116234765B; JP7306578B2; WO2022064566A1

Abstract

The monitoring system can monitor the elevator more reliably. A monitoring system (16) of an elevator (1) is provided with an event input unit (25), an image management unit (23), and an image output unit (24). The event input unit (25) receives a signal indicating an external event from the external system (20). The external event is an event occurring in an external system (20) external to the elevator (1). An image management unit (23) selects an image from images captured by a camera of the elevator (1) on the basis of an external event represented by a signal received by an event input unit (25). An image output unit (24) outputs, to an image storage unit (30), an image selected by an image management unit (23) from among images captured by a camera of an elevator (1). The image output unit (24) does not output, to the image storage unit (30), an image that is not selected by the image management unit (23) among the images captured by the camera of the elevator (1).

Description

Monitoring system for elevator

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a monitoring system for an elevator.

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an example of an elevator monitoring device. The monitoring device includes an event input unit, an image management unit, and an image transmission unit. The event input unit receives a signal indicating an event occurring in the elevator. The image management unit selects an image at a specific time point based on the timing at which the event input unit receives the signal, from among images captured by cameras provided in the elevator car or in the landing. The image transmitting unit transmits the image selected by the image managing unit to the image analysis server.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 6388098

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

However, in an elevator such as an elevator, an event of the elevator may not occur when a user uses the elevator. Therefore, in the monitoring device of patent document 1, there is a case where the user does not select an image of the elevator to be used as a monitoring target. In this case, there is a possibility that an image to be monitored is not stored, and the elevator cannot be monitored as necessary.

The present invention relates to solving such problems. The invention provides a monitoring system capable of monitoring an elevator more reliably.

Means for solving the problems

The elevator monitoring system of the present invention comprises: an event input unit that receives a signal indicating an external event occurring in an external system external to the elevator from the external system; an image management unit that selects an image from among images captured by 1 or more cameras of the elevator, based on an external event indicated by the signal received by the event input unit; and an image output unit that outputs, to a storage unit that stores images, an image selected by the image management unit, among images captured by the 1 or more cameras, and that does not output, to the storage unit, an image not selected by the image management unit.

Effects of the invention

According to the monitoring system of the present invention, the elevator can be monitored more reliably.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of an elevator according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the monitoring system according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to embodiment 2.

Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to embodiment 3.

Fig. 7 is a configuration diagram of a monitoring system according to embodiment 4.

Detailed Description

The manner in which the present invention can be practiced will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

Embodiment 1

Fig. 1 is a structural diagram of an elevator 1 according to embodiment 1.

The elevator 1 is applied to, for example, a building 2 having a plurality of floors. The elevator 1 is used by a user of the building 2 to move among a plurality of floors. In this example, the elevator 1 is an elevator. A hoistway 3 is provided in the building 2. The hoistway 3 is a vertically long space extending over a plurality of floors. Each floor of the building 2 is provided with a landing 4 adjacent to the hoistway 3.

The elevator 1 has a plurality of landing doors 5, a plurality of landing operating panels 6, a plurality of landing cameras 7, a hoisting machine 8, a main rope 9, a car 10, a counterweight 11, and a control panel 12.

Each landing door 5 is disposed at a landing 4 on any floor. Each landing door 5 is a door that divides the landing 4 and the hoistway 3. Each of the landing operation panels 6 is disposed at a landing 4 on any floor. Each hall operation panel 6 is a device that receives an operation such as registration of a hall call by a user. Each of the landing cameras 7 is disposed at a landing 4 on any floor. Each of the landing cameras 7 is a device that captures an image of the arranged landing 4. The image captured by the landing camera 7 is a still image, a moving image, or the like. In this example, the landing camera 7 always takes an image of the landing 4. The landing camera 7 is an example of a camera of the elevator 1.

The hoisting machine 8 has a motor that generates a driving force and a sheave that rotates by the driving force generated by the motor. The hoisting machine 8 is disposed, for example, in an upper portion or a lower portion of the hoistway 3. Alternatively, for example, in a case where a machine room is provided above the hoistway 3, the hoisting machine 8 may be disposed in the machine room.

The main ropes 9 are ropes supporting a load of the car 10 and the counterweight 11 in the hoistway 3. The main rope 9 is wound around a sheave of the hoisting machine 8. The main rope 9 supports the load of the car 10 on one side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8. The main ropes 9 support the load of the counterweight 11 on the other side of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8.

The car 10 is the following equipment: traveling in the vertical direction in the hoistway 3, the user is transported among a plurality of floors. The car 10 has a car door 13, a car operating panel 14, and a car camera 15. The car door 13 is the following device: when the car 10 stops at any floor, the landing doors 5 disposed in the landing 4 at that floor are opened and closed in a linked manner so that a user can ride on and off. The car operating panel 14 is a device that receives an operation such as registration of a car call of a user who gets on the car 10. The car camera 15 is a device that captures an image of the interior of the car 10. The image captured by the car camera 15 is a still image, a moving image, or the like. In this example, the car camera 15 always captures an image of the interior of the car 10. The car camera 15 is an example of a camera of the elevator 1.

The counterweight 11 is a device for balancing the load applied to both sides of the sheave of the hoisting machine 8 with respect to the car 10. The car 10 and the counterweight 11 travel in opposite directions in the hoistway 3 by driving force generated by the motor of the hoisting machine 8.

The control panel 12 is a part that controls the operation of the lifter 1. The operation of the elevator 1 includes, for example, lifting and lowering of the car 10. The control panel 12 is disposed, for example, at an upper portion or a lower portion of the hoistway 3. Alternatively, for example, when a machine room is provided above the hoistway 3, the control panel 12 may be disposed in the machine room.

A monitoring system 16 is applied in the elevator 1. The monitoring system 16 is a system for monitoring the state of the elevator 1, and the like. The monitoring system 16 has a monitoring device 17. The monitoring device 17 is disposed in, for example, the building 2 provided with the elevator 1. The monitoring device 17 is connected to the control panel 12 so as to be able to acquire information on the state of the elevator 1. The monitoring device 17 is connected to a monitoring terminal 19 via a network 18 so as to be able to output the state of the elevator 1. The network 18 is a communication network such as the internet or a telephone line network. The monitor terminal 19 is a terminal device such as a general-purpose personal computer. The monitoring terminal 19 is used by, for example, a manager of the building 2. The state of the lifter 1 transmitted from the monitoring device 17 to the monitoring terminal 19 includes, for example, an image captured by a camera of the lifter 1. The image output to the monitoring terminal 19 as the state of the lifter 1 is selected from the images always captured by the camera of the lifter 1 in the monitoring device 17 according to the event that occurs. The events for selecting the outputted image include an elevator event and an external event.

Elevator events are events that occur in the elevator 1. The elevator event includes, for example, a user operation received by the landing operation panel 6 or the car operation panel 14. The elevator event includes, for example, a change in a situation detected by image recognition or the like of an image captured by the hall camera 7 or the car camera 15. The situation detected by the image recognition includes, for example, the movement of the user, the number of users in the car 10 or the landing 4, the interval between users, or the like. The elevator event includes, for example, detection of an object by a door sensor, not shown, provided in the car door 13 or the landing door 5. The lift event includes, for example, a sense of an earthquake by an earthquake sensor, not shown, of the lift 1.

The external event is an event occurring in the external system 20. The external system 20 is a system external to the elevator 1. The external system 20 carries the following functions: when an external event occurs, a signal indicating the external event is output. In this example, 1 or more external systems 20 are connected to the monitoring device 17.

The external system 20 is, for example, a system of equipment of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1. The system of the equipment of the building 2 is a system that performs operation, management, or the like of the equipment provided in the building 2, or a system that performs management, or the like, of the utilization of the building 2 by the equipment provided in the building 2. The systems of the equipment of the building 2 include, for example, an energy management system, an entry and exit management system, an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, a hot water supply system, and the like.

The energy management system is a system that manages energy produced or consumed in the building 2, and the like. The external event occurring in the energy management system includes, for example, a case where the actual energy consumption amount or the net energy consumption amount in the building 2 exceeds a preset threshold value, or the like.

The entry and exit management system is a system such as ACS (Access Control System: access control system) that manages entry and exit of a user to and from a management area in the building 2. The management area is an area for managing access that is set in advance in the building 2. The management area is, for example, a specific room or the like in the building 2. The entry and exit management system may include a reading device, not shown, or the like, which reads identification information for identifying the user, attribute information indicating an attribute of the user, or the like. The access management system may include an electronic lock, not shown, which locks and unlocks based on information read by the reader. In this case, the electronic lock is provided at, for example, an entrance of the management area. External events that occur in the access management system include, for example, locking or unlocking of any electronic lock, etc. Alternatively, the external event occurring in the entry and exit management system includes, for example, entry and exit of a user to an arbitrary management area. The entry and exit into the management area is an example of the user's access detected in the preset area. The access management system may detect access by a user, for example, by locking or unlocking an electronic lock, reading information by a reader, or the like.

The air conditioning system is a system that performs air conditioning in the building 2. The ventilation system is a system for controlling ventilation in the building 2. The illumination system is a system for controlling illumination or the like in the building 2. The hot water supply system is a system for performing control of hot water supply and the like in the building 2. The air conditioning system, the ventilation system, the lighting system, or the hot water supply system may have a not-shown human sensor or the like for detecting a passing user. The air conditioning system, the ventilation system, the lighting system, the hot water supply system, and the like may have an operation panel for receiving an operation of a user. The operation received by the operation panel includes, for example, start and stop of operation, and change of a set value. Here, the set value is, for example, a set temperature, a set illuminance, a set air volume, or a value corresponding to each external system 20 such as an operation timer. External events occurring in an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, a hot water supply system, or the like include, for example, detection of a user by a human sensor. The detection by the human sensor is an example of the access of the user detected in the predetermined area. External events occurring in an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, a hot water supply system, or the like include, for example, operations by a user based on an operation panel.

The external system 20 may be, for example, a system that operates in a server device or the like provided in the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is provided. Alternatively, the external system 20 may be a system that operates in a server device provided outside the building 2, a virtual machine on a cloud service, or the like. The external system 20 may be connected to the monitoring device 17 via the network 18, for example.

The external system 20 may be, for example, a system utilized by a user of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1. The external system 20 is, for example, a system for handling scheduling of users who perform business or the like in the building 2. The system for handling scheduling of users is, for example, a business system or the like. The business system includes, for example, an attendance management system, a business trip settlement system, or the like. The business system may include a reading device, not shown, or the like, which reads identification information for identifying the user, attribute information indicating an attribute of the user, or the like. The external event occurring in the business system includes, for example, a user going to work or going from work. External events occurring in the business system include, for example, departure and return of a business trip of a user, start and end of use of a conference room by the user, and the like.

The external system 20 may be, for example, an external service not associated with the building 2 provided with the elevator 1. The external system 20 is, for example, a weather information service, a traffic information service, an SNS (Social Networking Service: social networking service), or the like. The external event occurring in the weather information service includes, for example, a forecast of precipitation around the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is installed, a forecast of a travel route such as typhoons, and the like. The external event occurring in the traffic information service includes, for example, operation information of a railway or the like around the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is installed, or road information such as traffic jam or construction. The event occurring in the SNS includes, for example, information such as an activity performed around the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is installed, or an event or accident occurring around the building 2. The external system 20 may be a system that distributes information of occurrence of an external event extracted by monitoring an external service such as a weather information service, a traffic information service, or SNS.

Fig. 2 is a configuration diagram of the monitoring system 16 according to embodiment 1.

The monitoring device 17 of the monitoring system 16 includes an image input unit 21, an image storage unit 22, an image management unit 23, an image output unit 24, and an event input unit 25.

The image input unit 21 receives an input of an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1. In this example, the camera of the lifter 1 always performs shooting. When a plurality of cameras of the elevator 1 such as the landing camera 7 and the car camera 15 are provided in the elevator 1, the image input unit 21 receives input of images always captured by the respective cameras.

The image storage unit 22 is a unit for storing image data captured by the camera of the elevator 1 received by the image input unit 21. The image accumulating unit 22 is, for example, a buffer for temporarily accumulating image data. Alternatively, the image storage unit 22 may store image data for a long period of time, for example.

The image management unit 23 is a unit that selects an image to be monitored from among the images stored in the image storage unit 22 according to the event that has occurred. The image to be monitored is, for example, an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1 at a time point after a predetermined time from the time point or a period after a predetermined time from the time point, based on the time point when the event occurs. Alternatively, the image to be monitored may be an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1 at a time point before a predetermined time from the time point or a period before a predetermined time from the time point, for example, based on the time point when the event has occurred. The image to be monitored may be, for example, an image captured by a camera of the lifter 1 at a time point of an event or during a period including the time point with reference to the time point of the event. The image management unit 23 stores a selection rule DB26 (DB (Data Base): database). The selection rule DB26 is a database storing selection rules to be followed by the image management section 23 in the selection of an image to be monitored. The selection rule DB26 stores a selection rule, for example, per each event that occurs.

The image output unit 24 is a portion that outputs the image to be monitored selected by the image management unit 23 to the storage unit. The image output unit 24 outputs an image selected as a monitoring target in association with information of an event based on the event. The information of the event is, for example, the kind of the event, the occurrence time of the event, or the like. The storage unit is an internal or external part of the monitoring device 17 that stores the inputted image. The storage unit may be provided in the monitor terminal 19, for example. The storage unit may be an external memory connected to the monitoring device 17 via the network 18. The storage unit may be a storage medium detachably connected to the monitoring device 17. In this example, the image output unit 24 does not output, to the storage unit, an image which is not selected as a monitoring target by the image management unit 23, among the images stored in the image storage unit 22.

The event input unit 25 receives signals indicating an elevator event, an external event, and the like. The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an elevator event from, for example, the control panel 12 of the elevator 1 or a sensor 27 of the elevator such as a door sensor or a seismic sensor in the elevator 1. The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event from the external system 20, for example. The event input unit 25 may receive a signal indicating an external event via the network 18. The event input unit 25 has a conversion unit 28. The conversion unit 28 is a unit that converts the format of the signal of the external event received from the external system 20 into a format that can be handled by the image management unit 23. The signal indicating an external event output from the external system 20 is not limited to a signal on the premise of cooperation with the monitoring device 17, and therefore, the conversion unit 28 converts the form of the signal. The conversion section 28 stores a conversion rule DB29. The conversion rule DB29 is a database storing conversion rules that the conversion section 28 follows in conversion of the form of a signal representing an external event. The conversion rule DB29 stores conversion rules, for example, per each external system 20.

The monitor terminal 19 has an image storage unit 30 and an image reproduction unit 31. The image storage unit 30 is a part for storing the image output from the monitoring device 17. The image storage unit 30 is an example of a storage unit. In this example, the image storage unit 30 stores the image output from the monitoring device 17 for a long period of time. The image storage unit 30 may be a buffer that temporarily stores an image to be subjected to the playback processing. The image reproduction section 31 is a section that reproduces an image stored in the image storage section 30. The image reproduction unit 31 performs processing such as decoding of image data. The manager of the building 2 views the image reproduced by the image reproduction unit 31 via a display or the like, not shown, of the monitor terminal 19. Here, the manager may search for an image to be viewed from among the images stored in the image storage unit 30 according to the type of the event, the occurrence time of the event, or the like.

Next, an example of the operation of the monitoring system 16 will be described with reference to fig. 3.

Fig. 3 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the monitoring system 16 according to embodiment 1.

Fig. 3 shows an example of a case where an external event occurs in the entry and exit management system. In this example, an external event occurs in which the user exits from the room No. 2 as the management area. The user causes the reader to read the identification number 10 as his own identification information. At this time, the electronic lock of lock number 1 corresponding to the reader is unlocked. The time when the external event occurs is a time to be a selection criterion of the image to be monitored. In this example, the entry and exit management system outputs a signal "00a00200100120191126123456" indicating an external event of exit of the user to the monitoring device 17. Then, after 2 seconds from the reference time, the user passes through a corridor or the like outside the management area. Then, after 5 seconds from the reference time, the user arrives at the landing 4 of 2 floors.

The event input unit 25 of the monitoring device 17 receives the signal from the entry and exit management system. The event input unit 25 determines that the external system 20 having the external event has occurred is an entry/exit management system, for example, based on the format of the received signal, header information, or the like. The conversion unit 28 of the event input unit 25 reads a conversion rule for converting the form of a signal of an external event entering and exiting the management system, with reference to the conversion rule DB 29. The conversion unit 28 reads information of the external event from the received signal according to the read conversion rule.

In this example, the conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "00A" of the 1 st to 3 rd bits of the signal as the user identification number 10 expressed in 16 scale according to the read conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "002" of the 4 th to 6 th bits of the signal as the room number 2 represented by 16 th bits according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "001" of the 7 th to 9 th bits of the signal as the lock number 1 expressed in 16 scale according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "001" of the 10 th to 12 th bits of the signal as the type number 1 indicating the unlocked external event according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "20191126123456" from the 13 th bit of the signal as the occurrence time "2019, 11, 26, 12, 34 minutes and 56 seconds" of the external event according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 converts the information identified by the conversion rule into a format that can be handled by the image management unit 23, and outputs the converted information to the image management unit 23.

When the information of an event such as an external event indicated by the received signal is input from the input unit, the image management unit 23 starts selecting an image to be monitored. The image management unit 23 refers to the selection rule DB26 and reads the selection rule corresponding to the information of the inputted event. The image management unit 23 selects an image to be monitored based on the read selection rule.

In this example, the image management unit 23 reads a selection rule corresponding to an external event indicating unlocking occurring in the entry and exit management system. The image management unit 23 selects an image to be monitored based on the read selection rule. The image management unit 23 identifies the elevator hall 4 and the car 10 to be used by the user, for example, based on the lock number of the electronic lock. The image management unit 23 identifies, for example, the hall 4, the car 10, and the like, which are located close to the location where the electronic lock is provided. The image management unit 23 selects, for example, an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1 during a period of time set in advance from the occurrence time of the external event as an image to be monitored. The predetermined time is, for example, 5 seconds or the like corresponding to the time from the unlocking of the electronic lock to the arrival of the user at the landing 4.

Then, the image output unit 24 outputs the image selected by the image management unit 23 to, for example, the image storage unit 30 of the monitor terminal 19. The manager monitors the use condition of the elevator and the like by, for example, viewing the image stored in the image storage unit 30.

In addition, in the elevator, a plurality of cars 10 may be provided. The elevator may be an escalator having a plurality of steps. In an escalator, steps are circulated in the way and loop between 1 set of landing doors. The user of the escalator rides on steps that move in the outgoing path to move. In the escalator, the camera of the elevator may be, for example, a camera for taking a photograph of a landing or a going-out of a step.

The monitoring system 16 may be a system including 1 or more monitoring devices 17. The monitoring system 16 may also be composed of a plurality of hardware. Some or all of the functions of the image input unit 21, the image storage unit 22, the image management unit 23, the image output unit 24, the event input unit 25, and the like of the monitoring system 16 may be distributed and mounted on a plurality of hardware.

As described above, the monitoring system 16 of the elevator 1 of embodiment 1 includes the event input unit 25, the image management unit 23, and the image output unit 24. The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event from the external system 20. The external event is an event occurring in the external system 20 outside the elevator 1. The image management unit 23 selects an image from among images captured by 1 or more cameras of the elevator 1, based on an external event indicated by a signal received by the event input unit 25. The image output unit 24 outputs the image selected by the image management unit 23 from among the images captured by the camera of the elevator 1 to the image storage unit 30. The image storage unit 30 is a portion for storing an image. The image output unit 24 does not output the image, which is not selected by the image management unit 23, among the images captured by the camera of the lifter 1 to the image storage unit 30.

According to such a configuration, the image management unit 23 can select an image to be monitored based on an event including an external event. Therefore, even when no elevator event occurs during the period of use by the user, an image of the user who is using the elevator 1 can be selected. For example, in a case where a user does not perform a large operation while using the lifter 1, a lifter event identified by an image captured by a camera of the lifter 1 may not occur. In addition, when a user sits on the car 10 in response to a call from another user, the user may use the elevator 1 without performing an operation of the elevator 1 such as call registration. In this case, an elevator event detected by the operation of the elevator 1 may not occur. Even in such a case, if an external event occurs, the user can select an image of the elevator 1 to be used as a monitoring target. Further, since an external event may occur before and after using the elevator 1, the image management unit 23 can select an image including the front and rear conditions of the elevator 1 as a monitoring target. This allows the manager to monitor the elevator 1 more reliably. In addition, in a case where the entire elevator 1 is not used as a monitoring target, the image management unit 23 can screen images as a monitoring target not only from an elevator event but also from an external event. In this way, the selection accuracy of the image to be monitored is further improved, and therefore, the image stored in the image storage unit 30 becomes a sufficiently necessary image. This saves the storage capacity of the image storage unit 30. Further, the image is selected according to the external event, and therefore, the image can be retrieved according to the external event that occurs. This improves the image retrievability of the manager. In addition, when the image output unit 24 and the image storage unit 30 are connected via the network 18, an image that communicates over the network 18 becomes a sufficiently necessary image. Thereby, communication capacity in the network 18 can be saved.

The event input unit 25 further includes a conversion unit 28. The conversion unit 28 converts the format of the signal of the external event received from the external system 20 into a format that can be handled by the image management unit 23.

According to this configuration, the image management unit 23 receives the interface for providing the external event from the conversion unit 28. Thus, the monitoring system 16 is able to receive signals of external events occurring in various external systems 20 that are not directly related to the lift 1. This makes it possible to monitor the elevator 1 more reliably. In addition, for example, in a case where a standardized standard exists in the form of a signal indicating an event to be generated, the external system 20 may output a signal of an external event in a form that can be handled by the image management unit 23. In this case, the image management unit 23 may receive a signal of an external event from the external system 20 without the conversion unit 28.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event, using a system of equipment of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1 as the external system 20. Specifically, the event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event from at least one of an energy management system, an entry and exit management system, an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, and a hot water supply system, which are systems of the apparatus, as the external system 20.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an access of the user of the building 2 detected in a predetermined area of the building 2 as a signal indicating an external event.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an operation of the device by the user of the building 2 as a signal indicating an external event.

According to such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select the monitoring target image according to an external event occurring in the equipment of the building 2 in which the lifter 1 is provided. This improves the image retrievability and the like, and enables the elevator 1 to be monitored more reliably. In particular, by selecting an image using the user's access as an external event, the user who has accessed a specific area can be monitored for access and the like. In addition, for example, in many cases, equipment such as an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, or a hot water supply system is operated by the earliest attendance, the latest abscission, or the like. Therefore, by selecting an image by using the operation of the device by the user as an external event, the user's entrance and exit, such as the earliest attendance and the latest exit, can be monitored. This improves, for example, the safety of the building 2. The image management unit 23 may select the image to be monitored by combining a plurality of conditions. The image management unit 23 may select the image to be monitored, for example, by taking an operation of the illumination system or the like performed after a preset time from work as the occurrence of an external event.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event as the external system 20, the system handling scheduling of the user of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1.

The event input unit 25 receives an external event signal as the external system 20, which is a system for handling an external event occurring outside the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is installed.

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select the image to be monitored based on a schedule or actual performance of the user entering or exiting the building 2. The monitoring system 16 can select the image to be monitored based on information on the surrounding situation of the building 2, or the like. This can further improve the searching performance of the monitoring target image in the elevator 1.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an elevator event occurring in the elevator 1. In this case, the image management unit 23 may select an image from among images captured by 1 or more cameras according to an elevator event and an external event.

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select the image to be monitored based on both the information from outside the elevator 1 and the information from inside the elevator 1. This can further improve the accuracy of selecting the image to be monitored.

Next, an example of a hardware configuration of the monitoring system 16 will be described with reference to fig. 4.

Fig. 4 is a hardware configuration diagram of a main part of the monitoring system 16 of embodiment 1.

The functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit has at least 1 processor 100a and at least 1 memory 100b. The processing circuitry may also have at least 1 dedicated hardware 200 along with or in lieu of processor 100a and memory 100b.

In the case of a processing circuit having a processor 100a and a memory 100b, the functions of the monitoring system 16 are implemented in software, firmware, or a combination of software and firmware. At least one of the software and the firmware is described as a program. The program is stored in the memory 100b. The processor 100a realizes the functions of the monitoring system 16 by reading and executing the programs stored in the memory 100b.

The processor 100a is also called a CPU (Central Processing Unit: central processing unit), a processing unit, an arithmetic unit, a microprocessor, a microcomputer, or a DSP. The memory 100b is constituted by a nonvolatile or volatile semiconductor memory such as RAM, ROM, flash memory, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like, for example.

In the case of processing circuitry having dedicated hardware 200, the processing circuitry is implemented, for example, by a single circuit, a composite circuit, a programmed processor, a parallel programmed processor, an ASIC, an FPGA, or a combination thereof.

The functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented by processing circuits, respectively. Alternatively, the functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented in a unified manner by a processing circuit. With respect to the functions of the monitoring system 16, one part may be implemented by dedicated hardware 200 and another part may be implemented by software or firmware. Thus, the processing circuitry implements the functions of the monitoring system 16 via dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

In the respective embodiments described below, aspects different from examples disclosed in other embodiments are described in particular detail. As for the features not described in the respective embodiments below, any features of examples disclosed in other embodiments may also be employed.

Embodiment 2

Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of the monitoring system 16 according to embodiment 2.

The monitoring device 17 of the monitoring system 16 has a rule input 32. The rule input unit 32 is a unit that receives update information. The update information is information for updating the selection rule stored in the selection rule DB 26. The update information is input from a manager or the like via the monitor terminal 19 and the network 18, for example. The update information includes, for example, information for updating a time from a time point when an event occurs to a period from an image selected as a monitoring target. The update information includes, for example, information for updating a selection rule for selecting an image 5 seconds after the electronic lock is unlocked to a selection rule for selecting an image 3 seconds after the electronic lock is unlocked.

As described above, the monitoring system 16 of the elevator 1 of embodiment 2 has the rule input unit 32. The rule input unit 32 receives update information. The update information is information for updating the image selection rule that the image management unit 23 follows in the selection of the image captured by the camera of the lifter 1.

According to such a configuration, the selection of an image to be monitored or the like is performed in combination with the characteristics of the building 2. For example, the distance from the position where the electronic lock is provided to the landing 4 of the elevator differs depending on the construction of the building 2 or the like. At this time, the time from unlocking the electronic lock to using the elevator varies depending on the building 2. The manager can register a selection rule corresponding to the building 2 through the rule input unit 32, and thus can further improve the accuracy of selecting an image to be monitored in the monitoring system 16.

Embodiment 3

Fig. 6 is a configuration diagram of the monitoring system 16 according to embodiment 3.

The monitoring device 17 of the monitoring system 16 has a rule updating section 33. The rule updating section 33 is a section that updates the selection rule stored in the selection rule DB 26. The rule updating unit 33 updates the selection rule by generating update information and outputting the update information to the selection rule DB26, for example. The rule updating section 33 generates update information from an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1. The rule updating unit 33 recognizes the use condition of the elevator 1 by the user, for example, by image recognition or the like of the image stored in the image storage unit 22. The rule updating unit 33 detects the time when the user arrives at the hall 4, for example, from the image of the hall 4. The rule updating unit 33 calculates a time from the occurrence of an event such as an external event to the arrival of the user at the hall 4. The rule updating unit 33 generates update information of the selection rule based on the calculated time. The rule updating unit 33 updates the selection rule, for example, at a predetermined cycle. Alternatively, for example, when the event input unit 25 receives a signal of an event, the rule updating unit 33 may update the selection rule applied to the event that occurs next.

As described above, the monitoring system 16 of the elevator 1 of embodiment 3 has the rule updating unit 33. The rule updating unit 33 updates the image selection rule to be followed by the image management unit 23 in selecting the image captured by the camera of the lifter 1, based on the image captured by the camera of the lifter 1.

According to such a configuration, the selection of an image to be monitored or the like is performed in combination with the characteristics of the building 2. This can further improve the accuracy of selecting the image to be monitored in the monitoring system 16. Further, since the work such as setting of the selection rule by the manager is not required, the management of the lifter 1 and the like is made labor-saving.

Embodiment 4

Fig. 7 is a configuration diagram of the monitoring system 16 according to embodiment 4.

The monitoring system 16 has an operation control section 34. The operation control unit 34 is a part that controls the operation of the elevator 1. The operation control unit 34 is provided on the control panel 12 of the elevator 1, for example. The operation control unit 34 may be a main control unit that mainly performs control of the elevator 1. Alternatively, the operation control unit 34 may be an external device of the main control unit that inputs a control signal to the main control unit of the elevator 1. In this case, the operation control unit 34 may be provided in the monitoring device 17. In the case where the elevator 1 is an elevator, the operation control unit 34 may perform control such as allocation and registration of calls, and running and stopping of the car 10. In the case where the elevator is an escalator, the operation control unit 34 may perform control such as starting and stopping of the elevator, switching of the operation direction and the operation speed, and the like.

The monitoring device 17 of the monitoring system 16 has an estimating unit 35. The estimating unit 35 is as follows: when the event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an event such as an external event, the time between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 is estimated. In the case where the elevator 1 is an elevator, the estimating unit 35 predicts, for example, a time from the occurrence of an event until the user arrives at the landing 4, a time until the car 10 on which the user gets on arrives at the landing 4, or a time until the user gets off the car 10. In the case where the elevator is an escalator, the estimating unit 35 predicts, for example, a time from the occurrence of an event to the arrival of the user at the entrance. In the case where an event occurs after the user starts to use the elevator 1, the estimating unit 35 may estimate the elapsed time from the time when the event occurs to the time when the elevator 1 starts to be used.

The estimating section 35 stores the history DB36. The history DB36 is a database storing the occurrence history of events such as external events and the operation history of the lifter 1. The occurrence history of an event is log information in which information of events occurring in the past is accumulated. The operation history of the elevator 1 is log information in which the past operation information of the elevator 1 is accumulated. When the elevator 1 is an elevator, the operation information of the elevator 1 includes, for example, information such as a registration timing of a call, a response timing of the car 10 to the call, a stop timing of the car 10, and a traveling direction of the car 10. In the case where the elevator is an escalator, the operation information of the elevator includes, for example, information such as start time and stop time, and operation direction and operation speed.

The estimating unit 35 collects information of events that have occurred from the event input unit 25, for example, and stores the information in the history DB36. The estimating unit 35 collects operation information of the elevator 1 from, for example, the control panel 12 of the elevator 1 and stores the operation information in the history DB36. Alternatively, the estimating unit 35 may receive log information stored in the external system 20 and store the occurrence history of the event in the history DB36. At this time, the estimation unit 35 may receive log information via the event input unit 25. The estimation unit 35 may receive log information via the conversion unit 28 of the event input unit 25. The conversion unit 28 converts the form of the signal of the external event received from the external system 20 into a form that can be processed by the estimation unit 35. In this example, the form of information that can be processed by the estimating unit 35 is the same as that of information that can be processed by the image managing unit 23. That is, the conversion unit 28 performs conversion of the format of the estimation unit 35 by the same processing as the conversion of the format of the image management unit 23. The form of the information that can be processed by the estimating unit 35 may be different from the form of the information that can be processed by the image managing unit 23.

The estimating unit 35 analyzes the time relationship between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 in advance based on the occurrence history of the event, the operation history of the elevator 1, and the like stored in the history DB36. The estimating unit 35 counts the frequency distribution of the time between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1, for example, for the same kind of event. The estimating unit 35 calculates a characteristic quantity such as an average value, a maximum frequency value, a standard deviation, or a moment with respect to the counted frequency distribution. The estimating unit 35 estimates the time between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 based on the calculated feature amount. For example, when an average value of 5 seconds is calculated as a feature value in analysis performed in advance for any kind of event, the estimating unit 35 estimates, when the same kind of event occurs, the time between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 as 5 seconds. The estimation by the estimating unit 35 may be performed with probability. That is, the estimating unit 35 may estimate the utilization time of the elevator 1 so as to be in accordance with a probability distribution obtained by normalizing the counted frequency distribution.

The estimation result of the estimation unit 35 is used for processing in the monitoring device 17 or the like that uses the elevator 1 as a monitoring target. The process of using the elevator 1 as a monitoring target includes, for example, selection of an image as a monitoring target. The process of using the elevator 1 as the monitoring target may include selection of the operation history of the elevator 1 as the monitoring target.

The estimation unit 35 outputs the estimation result to the image management unit 23. The image management unit 23 selects an image to be monitored based on the input estimation result. For example, when a time 5 seconds after the occurrence of the event is input as a use time of the lifter 1, the image management unit 23 selects an image captured by the camera of the lifter 1 as a monitoring target during a period including the time.

The estimation unit 35 outputs the estimation result to the operation control unit 34. The operation control unit 34 performs operation control of the elevator 1 based on the input estimation result. When the elevator 1 is an elevator, for example, when a time 5 seconds after the occurrence of an event is input as a utilization time of the elevator 1, the operation control unit 34 registers and distributes a call in response to the time. When the elevator 1 is an escalator, the operation control unit 34 controls the elevator 1 to start at a time point when, for example, the time point 5 seconds after the occurrence of the event is input as the use time point of the elevator 1.

As described above, the monitoring system 16 of embodiment 4 includes the event input unit 25 and the estimation unit 35. The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event from the external system 20. The external event is an event occurring in the external system 20 outside the elevator 1. The estimating unit 35 analyzes in advance the time relationship between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator 1 based on the occurrence history of the external event and the operation history of the elevator 1. When the event input unit 25 receives an input of a signal indicating an external event, the estimation unit 35 estimates the time between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator 1 based on the result of analysis performed in advance.

According to such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can estimate the time between the occurrence of an event including an external event and the utilization of the lifter 1. Therefore, the monitoring system 16 can monitor the use of the elevator 1 in relation to an external event. The manager can monitor the elevator 1 more reliably by such a monitoring system 16.

The event input unit 25 further includes a conversion unit 28. The conversion unit 28 converts the form of the signal of the external event received from the external system 20 into a form that can be processed by the estimation unit 35.

According to this configuration, the estimating unit 35 receives the interface for providing the external event from the converting unit 28. Therefore, the monitoring system 16 can receive signals of external events occurring in various external systems 20 that are not directly related to the elevator 1, and estimate the use of the elevator 1. This makes it possible to monitor the elevator 1 more reliably. In addition, for example, in a case where a standardized standard exists in the form of a signal indicating an event to be generated, the external system 20 may output a signal of an external event in a form that the estimating unit 35 can process. In this case, the estimating unit 35 may receive the signal of the external event from the external system 20 without the converting unit 28.

According to such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can perform the following processing: the use of the lifter 1 in relation to an external event occurring in the equipment of the building 2 in which the lifter 1 is provided is taken as a monitoring object. This improves the availability of the elevator 1, such as the availability of the cable, and the elevator 1 is more reliably monitored. The estimation unit 35 may perform analysis and estimation by combining a plurality of conditions.

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can perform a process of monitoring the use of the elevator 1 in relation to a schedule of the user's entry into and exit from the building 2, a performance, or the like. In addition, the monitoring system 16 can perform the following processing: the use of the elevator 1 in relation to information on the surrounding situation of the building 2 or the like is set as a monitoring target. This can further improve the availability and the like of the elevator 1 to be monitored.

The event input unit 25 may receive a signal indicating an elevator event occurring in the elevator 1. At this time, the estimating unit 35 analyzes in advance the time relationship between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 based on the occurrence history of the event including the elevator event and the external event and the operation history of the elevator 1. When the event input unit 25 receives an input of a signal indicating an event, the estimation unit 35 estimates the time between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator 1 based on the result of analysis performed in advance.

According to such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select and use the elevator 1 as a monitoring target based on both information from outside the elevator 1 and information from inside the elevator 1. This can further improve the accuracy of selecting the monitoring object.

The monitoring system 16 further includes an image management unit 23 and an image output unit 24. The image management unit 23 selects an image from among images captured by 1 or more cameras of the elevator 1 based on the estimation result of the estimation unit 35. The image output unit 24 outputs the image selected by the image management unit 23 from among the images captured by the camera of the elevator 1 to the image storage unit 30. The image output section 24 does not output the image not selected by the image management section 23 to the image storage section 30.

According to this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select an image to be monitored based on the occurrence of an event, and can perform a process of using the elevator 1 as a monitoring target. This can improve the retrievability of the monitoring target image. Further, since the accuracy of selecting the monitoring target image is improved, communication capacity, storage capacity, and the like can be saved.

The monitoring system 16 further includes an operation control unit 34. The operation control unit 34 is a unit that controls the operation of the elevator 1 based on the estimation result of the estimation unit 35.

According to this configuration, the use of the elevator 1 by the user is performed in response to the occurrence of an event including an external event, and therefore, the operation efficiency of the elevator 1 and the like can be improved.

The event input unit 25 may receive, together with a signal indicating an external event, identification information for identifying a user associated with the occurrence of the external event. In the case where the external event is an event of an access management system having a reading device, the identification information is, for example, identification information read by the reading device or the like. Alternatively, when the external event is an event of a service system, the identification information may be identification information of a user corresponding to the event. In addition, when events related to the same user occur in different external systems 20, the event input unit 25 may perform the collected person name processing associated with the identification information of each external system 20. The person name collection process is performed in the conversion unit 28, for example. The conversion unit 28 may store, for example, a table or the like for collecting identification information of the name process in the conversion rule DB29 or the like.

When the event input unit 25 receives the identification information of the user associated with the occurrence of the event, the estimation unit 35 analyzes the time relationship between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 in advance for each user identified based on the identification information. When the event input unit 25 receives a signal of an event occurring in association with the user identified as No. 10, the estimation unit 35 estimates the time from the occurrence of the event to the operation of the elevator 1 based on the result of analysis performed in advance for the user identified as No. 10.

According to such a configuration, the use of the elevator 1 is monitored according to the difference between users. The difference between the users is, for example, the walking speed of the user, the behavior pattern of the user, or the like. The behavior pattern of the user includes, for example, a movement path from the place where the event occurs to the lifter 1. This further improves the accuracy of the processing such as selecting an image to be monitored, and thus, the elevator 1 is monitored more reliably.

The event input unit 25 may receive attribute information indicating a user attribute associated with the occurrence of an external event together with a signal indicating the external event. In the case where the external event is an event of an access management system having a reading device, the identification information is, for example, attribute information or the like read by the reading device. Alternatively, when the external event is an event of a service system, the identification information may be attribute information or the like registered for a user corresponding to the event. Here, the attribute of the user may be, for example, information related to the priority of use of the elevator 1 such as "VIP (Very Important Person: important person)". The attribute of the user may be an attribute related to the use mode of the lifter 1, such as "use wheelchair". The attribute of the user may be, for example, age group, sex, height, or the like. In addition, when events related to users having the same attribute occur in different external systems 20, the event input unit 25 may perform the collected name processing of the association of the attribute information of each external system 20. The person name collection process is performed in the conversion unit 28, for example. The conversion unit 28 may store, for example, an association table or the like for collecting attribute information of the name process in the conversion rule DB29 or the like.

When the event input unit 25 receives attribute information of the user associated with the occurrence of the event, the estimation unit 35 analyzes in advance a time relationship between the occurrence of the event and the use of the elevator 1 for each attribute indicated by the attribute information. When the event input unit 25 receives a signal of an event that has occurred in association with the attribute "70-year-old" user, the estimation unit 35 estimates the time from the occurrence of the event to the operation of the elevator 1 based on the result of analysis performed in advance for the attribute "70-year-old" user, for example. In this case, the estimation unit 35 may use log information on a plurality of users who have the same attribute "70 years old" for analysis, for example. Here, the plurality of users whose histories are used for analysis may not include the estimated users who use the elevator 1.

According to such a configuration, the use of the elevator 1 is monitored according to the difference of each attribute of the user. The difference in each attribute includes, for example, a tendency of the walking speed of the user. This further improves the accuracy of the processing such as selecting an image to be monitored, and thus, the elevator 1 is monitored more reliably. Further, since the analysis results for a plurality of users having the same attribute can be used, the estimation unit 35 can use log information including a plurality of histories, and improve the accuracy of estimation.

Industrial applicability

The monitoring system of the present invention is applicable to elevators.

Description of the reference numerals

1: a lifter; 2: a building; 3: a hoistway; 4: a landing; 5: landing door; 6: a landing operation panel; 7: a landing camera; 8: a traction machine; 9: a main rope; 10: a car; 11: a counterweight; 12: a control panel; 13: a car door; 14: a car operating panel; 15: a car camera; 16: a monitoring system; 17: a monitoring device; 18: a network; 19: monitoring a terminal; 20: an external system; 21: an image input section; 22: an image accumulating section; 23: an image management unit; 24: an image output section; 25: an event input unit; 26: selecting a rule DB;27: a sensor of the elevator; 28: a conversion section; 29: a conversion rule DB;30: an image storage unit; 31: an image reproduction unit; 32: a rule input unit; 33: a rule updating unit; 34: an operation control unit; 35: an estimation unit; 36: a history DB;100a: a processor; 100b: a memory; 200: dedicated hardware.

Claims

1. A monitoring system for an elevator, wherein the monitoring system for an elevator has:

an event input unit that receives a signal indicating an external event occurring in an external system outside the elevator from the external system;

An image management unit that selects an image from among images captured by 1 or more cameras of the elevator, based on the external event indicated by the signal received by the event input unit; and

and an image output unit that outputs, to a storage unit that stores images, an image selected by the image management unit, among images captured by the 1 or more cameras, and that does not output, to the storage unit, an image not selected by the image management unit.

2. The elevator monitoring system of claim 1, wherein,

the event input unit has a conversion unit that converts a format of a signal of the external event received from the external system into a format that can be processed by the image management unit.

3. The elevator monitoring system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein,

the event input unit receives a signal indicating the external event using a system of equipment of the building in which the elevator is installed as the external system.

4. The elevator monitoring system of claim 3, wherein,

the event input unit receives, as the external system, a signal indicating the external event, at least one of an energy management system, an entry and exit management system, an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, and a hot water supply system, which are systems of the device.

5. The elevator monitoring system according to claim 3 or 4, wherein,

the event input unit receives, as a signal indicating the external event, a signal indicating an access of a user of the building detected by the device in a predetermined area of the building.

6. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein,

the event input unit receives a signal indicating an operation of the device by a user of the building as a signal indicating the external event.

7. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein,

the event input unit receives, as the external system, a signal indicating the external event, the system for processing the schedule of the user of the building in which the elevator is installed.

8. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein,

the event input unit receives, as the external system, a signal indicating the external event, the system that processes the external event that occurs outside the building in which the elevator is installed.

9. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein,

The event input unit receives a signal indicating an elevator event occurring in an elevator,

the image management unit selects an image from among images captured by the 1 or more cameras based on the elevator event and the external event.

10. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein,

the elevator monitoring system includes a rule input unit that receives update information for updating an image selection rule that the image management unit follows in selecting images captured by the 1 or more cameras.

11. The elevator monitoring system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein,

the elevator monitoring system includes a rule updating unit that updates an image selection rule to be followed by the image management unit in selecting images captured by the 1 or more cameras, based on images captured by the 1 or more cameras.