JP7401010B1 - Elevator control device and elevator control method - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention makes it possible to effectively restrict boarding in order to reduce the risk of virus infection while suppressing a decline in transportation efficiency for users. [Solution] An elevator control device (1) has a possibility that at least one of a user scheduled to board a car (31) and a user riding in the car may be infected with a virus. an information acquisition unit (12) that acquires infection possibility information indicating the possibility of infection; a ventilation history control unit (16) that performs control to record the history of the ventilation status of the car (31); The vehicle includes a boarding restriction section (13) that controls the number of passengers who can board the vehicle based on the history. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator control device and an elevator control method.

In situations where a virus is circulating that poses the risk of droplet infection or aerosol infection, situations in which large numbers of people are present in a closed space should be avoided. Since the inside of an elevator car is a closed space, it is preferable to restrict boarding to some extent during a virus outbreak.

For example, Patent Document 1 discloses an elevator system that reduces the risk of infection among passengers by changing boarding restrictions according to the conditions of passengers in the hall. Specifically, the elevator system analyzes the conditions of passengers in the hall from images taken by the imaging means, extracts information related to infection risk from the analysis results, and determines whether the car is full or not based on the car's carrying load. Switch the threshold value to a value lower than the rated load.

Patent No. 7059412

Patent Document 1 states that when a passenger (user) with a risk of infection gets on board, at a predetermined timing such as when the car is in a standby state, the passenger car is moved to a specific floor and the door is opened for a certain period of time. It is disclosed that a ventilation operation is performed to ventilate the air. However, with this configuration, the elevator cannot be used for a certain period of time when the doors are open, resulting in a decrease in transportation efficiency. Furthermore, if the service continues without entering the standby state, there is a possibility that the normal number of passengers may board the car without sufficient ventilation inside the car.

Further, Patent Document 1 also discloses that when a passenger with a risk of infection gets on the vehicle, the number of people who can ride the vehicle is reduced from the normal number of passengers. However, in this configuration, even if boarding is once restricted, if no passengers who are at risk of infection are among the passengers boarding at the next floor where the train stops, the boarding restriction is lifted. Therefore, in this case as well, there is a possibility that the normal number of passengers may board the car without sufficient ventilation inside the car.

One aspect of the present invention provides an elevator control device and an elevator control method that can effectively restrict boarding in order to reduce the risk of virus infection while suppressing a decrease in transportation efficiency for users. The purpose is to

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, an elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention is provided for controlling at least one of a user who is scheduled to board an elevator car and a user who is riding in the elevator car. an information acquisition unit that acquires infection possibility information indicating the possibility of being infected with a virus; a ventilation history control unit that performs control to record a history of the ventilation state of the car;
The vehicle also includes a passenger restriction unit that controls the number of people who can board the vehicle based on the infection possibility information and the history of the ventilation state.

According to the above configuration, riding restrictions are performed to limit the number of people who can board the car based on the infection possibility information and the ventilation state. Therefore, even if a user who is highly likely to be infected with a virus gets on the train and then gets off the train, it is possible to continue limiting the number of people who can ride until ventilation conditions are improved. Further, since the elevator is not temporarily disabled for ventilation, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the transportation efficiency of the elevator. Thereby, riding restrictions can be effectively implemented to reduce the risk of virus infection while suppressing a decline in transportation efficiency for users.

In the elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention, the history of the ventilation state is a history of the door opening time of the car, and the boarding restriction unit is configured to provide information on the possibility of infection in the car. The accumulated time of the door opening time in a state where the possibility of virus infection is lower than a predetermined value indicating the possibility that the user in the car is infected with a virus, or in a state where the car is empty. Control may be performed to reduce the number of people who can ride in the car compared to normal during a period in which the number of passengers is smaller than a limited operation threshold.

According to the above configuration, a state in which a user who is likely to be infected has gotten off the car and the probability of virus infection of the users in the car is lower than a predetermined value, or Even if the car is empty, if the accumulated door-open time is less than the restricted driving threshold, the number of passengers who can board the car will be restricted to fewer people than usual, and the number of people in the car due to the door opening will continue to be reduced. Restrictions on riding will be lifted only after adequate ventilation has been achieved. Therefore, the risk of virus infection can be reduced more accurately.

Moreover, the cumulative time of the door open time may be the cumulative time from the time when the user whose virus infection possibility exceeds a predetermined value gets off the car. Thereby, the timing for ending the restriction on riding can be made more appropriate.

The vehicle further includes a door opening/closing control section that controls opening/closing of the door of the car, and the door opening/closing control section controls the number of people who can board the car during a period when the boarding restriction section is controlling the number of passengers who can board the car to be smaller than usual. When the car is stopped at a predetermined floor and is waiting for operation, the door may be opened for a predetermined period of time.

According to the above configuration, the door of the car is opened during the standby period when there is no request for boarding from the landing or operation instruction from a user in the car. Therefore, since the door opening time can be increased, the inside of the car can be ventilated more quickly. Therefore, the period during which boarding is restricted can be shortened, and the efficiency of transportation for users can be improved.

The elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention further detects that the possibility of virus infection of the user riding in the car exceeds a predetermined value based on the infection possibility information. At that point, the boarding area imposes a boarding call restriction in which the boarding area does not respond to boarding calls for the car until all users boarding the car get off the car or until a predetermined number of passengers, which is smaller than the normal number of passengers, is reached. A call restriction section may be provided.

According to the above configuration, as soon as it is detected that there is a user who may be infected in the car, it is possible to immediately take measures to prevent the number of users in the car from increasing. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where a new user gets into a car with a high risk level and the infection spreads.

In the elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention, the information acquisition unit further acquires information regarding the carbon dioxide concentration in the car, and the boarding restriction unit determines that the possibility of virus infection exceeds a predetermined value. If the carbon dioxide concentration is equal to or higher than the first predetermined concentration at the time when a user who exceeds the limit gets off the car, the carbon dioxide concentration exceeds the first predetermined concentration during a period in which control is performed to reduce the number of people who can board the car than usual. Control may be performed to lower the limited operation threshold when the concentration falls below a predetermined concentration.

According to the above configuration, when a decrease in the carbon dioxide concentration is detected, the restricted driving threshold for the cumulative door open time is lowered, so the cumulative door open time required before the restricted driving is lifted. Can be shortened. Therefore, the efficiency of transporting users can be further improved while ensuring necessary ventilation.

In the elevator control device according to one aspect of the present invention, the information acquisition unit further acquires ventilation system operation information regarding the operation state of a ventilation system provided in the car, and the boarding restriction unit further comprises: Furthermore, the number of people who can board the car may be controlled based on the ventilation system operation information.

According to the above configuration, the riding restriction period can be changed depending on the operating state of the ventilation device provided in the car. Therefore, for example, when the ventilation system is operating strongly, control such as shortening the boarding restriction period becomes possible, so that the transportation efficiency of users can be further improved.

An elevator control method according to one aspect of the present invention reduces the possibility that at least one of a user who is scheduled to board an elevator car and a user who is riding in the elevator car is infected with a virus. an information acquisition step of acquiring infection possibility information indicated by the car; a ventilation history control step of performing control to record a history of the ventilation state of the car; and a ventilation history control step of controlling the recording of the history of the ventilation state of the car, and determining the number of people who can board the car based on the infection possibility information and the history of the ventilation state. and a boarding restriction step for controlling the vehicle.

The elevator control device according to each aspect of the present invention may be realized by a computer, and in this case, by operating the computer as each section (software element) included in the elevator control device, the elevator control device can be realized by a computer. A control program for an elevator control device that is realized by the above control program and a computer-readable recording medium on which the program is recorded also fall within the scope of the present invention.

According to one aspect of the present invention, an elevator control device and an elevator control method are provided that make it possible to effectively restrict boarding to reduce the risk of virus infection while suppressing a decline in transportation efficiency for users. can be provided.

1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system including an elevator control device according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of a boarding restriction section in the elevator control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of an operation control section in the elevator control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a flowchart of processing executed by the elevator control device shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing ventilation parameter setting processing in FIG. 4. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the occupancy restriction driving process in FIG. 4. FIG. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system including an elevator control device according to another embodiment of the present invention. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of a boarding restriction section in the elevator control device shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of processing executed by the elevator control device shown in FIG. 7. 10 is a flowchart showing the occupancy restriction driving process in FIG. 9.

[Embodiment 1]
Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. However, the following description is an example of the elevator control device according to the present invention, and the technical scope of the present invention is not limited to the illustrated example.

(elevator system)
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system 100 including an elevator control device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator system 100 includes an elevator 30 and an elevator control device 1. In addition, in FIG. 1, the case where the number of elevators 30 is one is explained as an example, but the configuration may be such that one elevator control device 1 controls a plurality of elevators 30.

(elevator)
As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator 30 includes a car 31, a car door 32, a camera 33, a notification section 34, and a fan 35. The car 31 is a car that carries users up and down the hoistway, and stops at landings on each floor to allow users to get on and off.

The car door 32 is a door for the car 31, and opens and closes together with the landing door installed at the arrival gate of the car 31 at the landing on each floor. In the following description, it is assumed that when the car door 32 is open, the landing door is also open, and when the car door 32 is closed, the landing door is also closed. The state in which the car door 32 is open is simply expressed as a "door open state," and the state in which the car door 32 is closed is simply expressed as a "door closed state."

The camera 33 photographs the user inside the car 31. The image taken by the camera 33 is sent to the elevator control device 1. The notification unit 34 notifies users in the car 31 of information in text, voice, or the like. Specifically, the notification unit 34 is a display device, a speaker, etc.

The fan 35 is a ventilation device that ventilates the interior of the car 31. The fan 35 may be an intake fan that draws air into the car 31 from the hoistway on which the car 31 goes up and down, or may be an intake fan that draws air into the car 31 from the landing with the door open and flows into the hoistway. It may also be an exhaust fan that exhausts the air. When ventilating the car 31 with the door open, an exhaust fan is preferable to an intake fan in consideration of ventilation efficiency.

(Elevator control device)
As shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control device 1 controls the entire elevator 30. In this embodiment, the elevator control device 1 includes a control section 10 and a storage section 20. The control unit 10 may be realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) executing a program stored in the storage unit 20. The control unit 10 includes an analysis unit 11 , an information acquisition unit 12 , a boarding restriction unit 13 , a door opening/closing control unit 14 , an operation control unit 15 , a ventilation history control unit 16 , and a notification control unit 17 .

The analysis unit 11 analyzes an image taken of a user using the elevator 30 and extracts infection possibility information indicating the possibility that the user is infected with a virus. The analysis unit 11 analyzes the user's condition from the image using image processing technology, and extracts infection possibility information based on the analysis result. The user of the elevator may be a user who is planning to board the car, or a user who is currently riding in the car.

In this embodiment, the analysis unit 11 uses images taken by the camera 33 mounted on the car 31 to extract infection possibility information for users riding in the car 31. For example, the following four patterns of infection possibility information can be considered, which are combinations of mask wearing status and symptoms. Symptoms refer to any one of coughing, sneezing, and fever, and if any one of coughing, sneezing, or fever is observed, the patient is considered to have symptoms.
Pattern 1: Includes users who are not wearing masks and are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever (includes users who are not wearing masks and have symptoms).
Pattern 2: Includes users who are wearing masks but are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever (includes users who are wearing masks but have symptoms) ).
Pattern 3: Includes users who are not coughing, sneezing, or have a fever, but are not wearing a mask (includes users who have no symptoms but are not wearing a mask).
Pattern 4: Users who are not wearing masks and users who are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever are not included (all users are wearing masks and have no symptoms).

Note that in order to identify users who are overheating from the image, the camera 33 must have a thermal camera function that detects far infrared rays. The analysis unit 11 sends the extracted infection possibility information to the information acquisition unit 12.

In addition, in this embodiment, although the elevator control apparatus 1 has illustrated the structure provided with the analysis part 11, the analysis part 11 may be equipped outside the elevator control apparatus 1, such as an external server.

The information acquisition unit 12 is a functional unit that acquires various information. The information acquisition unit 12 acquires infection possibility information of at least one of a user who is scheduled to board an elevator car and a user who is riding in the elevator car. The information acquisition unit 12 sends the acquired infection possibility information to the boarding restriction unit 13. In this embodiment, the information acquisition unit 12 acquires the infection possibility information from the analysis unit 11, but it may also acquire the infection possibility information from an external server or the like.

The boarding restriction unit 13 controls the number of people who can board the vehicle based on the infection possibility information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12 and the history of the ventilation state of the car 31.

In the present embodiment, the boarding restriction unit 13 is in a state where the infection possibility information indicates that the virus infection possibility indicating the possibility of virus infection of the user riding in the car 31 is lower than a predetermined value; Alternatively, in a state where the car 31 is empty, control is performed to reduce the number of people who can board the car in a period in which the cumulative time of door opening time is smaller than the restricted operation threshold value.

Further, in this embodiment, the cumulative time of the door opening time is the cumulative time from the time when a user whose possibility of virus infection exceeds a predetermined value gets off the car 31. Regarding the boarding restriction section 13, the information acquisition section 12 sends the acquired infection possibility information to the boarding restriction section 13.

The door opening/closing control section 14 controls opening/closing of the door of the car 31. The door opening/closing control unit 14 controls the car 31 when the car 31 is stopped at a predetermined floor and is waiting for operation during a period when the boarding restriction unit 13 is controlling the number of passengers allowed to be smaller than usual. In this case, control is performed to open the door for a predetermined period of time.

The operation control unit 15 controls the operation of the car 31. The operation control unit 15 acquires operation information of the car 31. The operation information of the car 31 includes current position floor information of the car 31, current driving direction information, call registration information, boarding status information of the car 31, and the like.

The operation control unit 15 operates the car 31 from the user's boarding floor to the alighting floor based on the call registration of the elevator 30, for example. The call registration information includes a "car call" in which a user specifies a stopping floor from within the car 31, and a "hall call" in which a user at a landing calls for the car 31 using a button on the hall.

Further, in the present embodiment, the operation control unit 15 includes a “restricted operation unit”, a “hall call restriction unit”, and a “door open ventilation operation unit”. Note that these details will be described later using FIG. 3.

The ventilation history control unit 16 performs control to record the history of the ventilation state of the car in the storage unit 20. In this embodiment, the ventilation history control unit 16 records the door opening time of the car 31 as the history of the ventilation state of the car.

The notification control unit 17 controls the notification unit 34 installed in the car 31 to notify the user of various information such as that a limited-occupancy operation is in progress. The storage unit 20 stores various types of information used by the control unit 10. The storage unit 20 also stores limited operation threshold information 21, limited number of people information 22, ventilation state history data 23 recorded by the ventilation history control unit 16, etc., which will be described later.

<Ride restriction section>
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the boarding restriction section 13 in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG. 2, the boarding restriction section 13 includes a risk level determination section 131 and a parameter setting section 132.

(Risk level determination department)
The risk level determination unit 131 determines the risk level based on the infection possibility information acquired by the information acquisition unit 12. The risk level is information that indicates the possibility that a user riding in the car 31 will be infected with a virus within the car 31, that is, the ease of infection within the car 31, divided into levels. The higher the risk level, the more likely it is to be infected with a virus.

In this embodiment, as an example, when there is a risk of infection, the risk level is set as "high" or "medium" based on the height of the risk of infection. A risk level of "high" has a higher risk of being infected with a virus than a risk level of "medium". If there is no risk of infection, the risk level is set as "low."

Specifically, if the infection possibility information is in pattern 1 mentioned above, ``includes a user who is not wearing a mask and is coughing, sneezing, or has a fever,'' the risk level determination unit 131, it is determined that there is a "risk of infection" and the risk level is "high."

If the infection possibility information is in the pattern 2 described above, "Includes users who are wearing masks but are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever," the risk level determination unit 131 , it is determined that there is a risk of infection, and the risk level is medium.

In other words, users who are not wearing a mask and are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever, and users who are wearing a mask but are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever. is a user whose possibility of virus infection exceeds a predetermined value. Hereinafter, such users will also be referred to as "persons at risk of infection."

If the infection possibility information is pattern 3 described above, ``Includes users who are not coughing, sneezing, or have a fever, but are not wearing masks,'' the risk level determination unit 131 determines that The risk level is determined to be "no risk" and "low". The risk level also applies when the infection possibility information is in pattern 4 (not including users who are not wearing masks or who are coughing, sneezing, or have a fever). The determining unit 131 determines that there is "no risk of infection" and that the risk level is "low." Further, even when ventilation is performed for a time exceeding a limited operation threshold value described later, the risk level determination unit 131 determines that there is "no risk of infection" and the risk level is "low."

(Parameter setting section)
The parameter setting unit 132 sets a “limited number of people” and a “limited driving threshold” when the risk level determining unit 131 determines that there is a “risk of infection”.

The limited number of people is the maximum number of people allowed to ride in the car 31 (the number of people who can ride) in the occupancy limit operation. The parameter setting unit 132 sets a limit on the number of people based on at least the size of the car 31. For example, it is conceivable to set the number of people in the car 31 to such a value that the distance between the users (center-to-center distance) can be maintained at 1 m or more. The limit number of passengers may be set by including other conditions other than the size of the car 31. Number limit information 22 necessary for setting the limit number of people is stored in the storage unit 20.

The limited operation threshold is the ventilation time required to replace the air in the car 31 and purify the air in the car 31 to such an extent that the risk level can be estimated to be equivalent to "low". Therefore, when the size of the car 31 is large, the restricted operation threshold becomes higher (longer) than when the size is small. The limited operation threshold value is determined by dividing the volume [m ³ ] of the car 31 by the capacity [m ³ /unit time] of the fan 35.

It may also be changed depending on the risk level of the air inside the car 31 before ventilation. In this embodiment, for example, even if the size of the car 31 is the same, if the risk level is "high", the time is taken to replace all the air in the volume of the car 31, and if the risk level is "medium" In the case of , the time is taken to replace half of the volume of the car 31 with air.

In this embodiment, the parameter setting unit 132 sets the restricted operation threshold based on at least the risk level of the car 31 and the size of the car 31. Restricted driving threshold information 21 necessary for setting the restricted driving threshold is stored in the storage unit 20.

Further, when the risk level determining unit 131 determines that there is a risk of infection, the boarding restriction unit 13 determines whether the fan 35 is operating, and if it is stopped, starts operating the fan 35. .

<Operation control section>
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the configuration of main parts of the operation control section 15 in the elevator control device 1. As shown in FIG. 3, the operation control section 15 includes a restriction operation section 151, a hall call restriction section 152, and a door opening ventilation operation section 153.

(Limited operation section)
The limited operation unit 151 uses the limited number of people and the limited operation threshold set in the parameter setting unit 132 to execute a limited occupancy operation in which the elevator 30 is operated with the number of passengers allowed in the car 31 smaller than usual.

(Passage call restriction section)
If the hall call restriction unit 152 detects that the possibility of virus infection of the users riding in the car 31 exceeds a predetermined value based on the infection possibility information, the boarding hall call restriction unit 152 stops passengers from boarding the car 31 at the time of detection. Hall call restriction control is performed such that the car does not respond to hall calls until the number of people who are boarding the car reaches a predetermined number smaller than the normal number of people who can board the car.

In this embodiment, the hall call restriction section 152 performs hall call restriction control until the number of users in the car 31 reaches the limit set by the parameter setting section 132. Incidentally, the hall call restriction control may be performed until all the users in the car 31 get off the car.

(door open ventilation operation department)
The door opening ventilation operation unit 153 is a function that is effective in so-called group management in which one elevator control device 1 controls a plurality of cars 31. When the car 31 is placed on standby during a period when the boarding restriction unit 13 is controlling the number of passengers that can be boarded to be smaller than usual, the door opening ventilation operation unit 153 moves the car 31 to the nearest floor or a predetermined floor. Control is performed to stop the vehicle and open the door.

(Operation of elevator control device)
An example of processing executed by the elevator control device 1 will be explained based on FIGS. 4 to 6. FIG. 4 is a flowchart of processing executed by the elevator control device 1. FIG. 4 is also a flowchart showing an elevator control method. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the ventilation parameter setting process in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing the occupancy restriction driving process in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 4, while the driving control unit 15 is performing normal driving (S1), the boarding restriction unit 13 acquires infection possibility information in the information acquisition unit 12 (acquisition step), and the acquired infection Based on the possibility information, is there a risk of infection? is repeatedly determined (S2). When the riding restriction unit 13 determines that there is a risk of infection (YES in step S2), it sets ventilation parameters (S3).

As shown in FIG. 5, the boarding restriction section 13 determines whether the infection risk is high based on the infection possibility information. (S11). If the riding restriction unit 13 determines that the risk of infection is high (YES in step S11), it sets the risk level to "high" (S12). On the other hand, if the boarding restriction unit 13 determines that the risk of infection is not high (NO in step S11), it sets the risk level to "medium" (S13).

The occupancy restriction unit 13 sets a driving restriction threshold according to the set risk level (S14), and then sets a restricted number of people (S15). As mentioned above, the restricted operation threshold is the amount necessary to purify the air inside the car 31 to the extent that the risk level can be estimated to be equivalent to "low" by replacing the air inside the car 31. It's ventilation time. Therefore, the restricted driving threshold set in S14 is higher when the risk level is "high" than when the risk level is "medium". The boarding restriction unit 13 also checks the setting of the fan 35 during normal operation, and operates the fan 35 if the setting is to stop the fan 35 during normal operation. Note that when starting the stopped fan 35, the notification control section 17 may make an announcement such as "The fan will be operated for ventilation" via the notification section 34.

Returning to FIG. 4, when the ventilation parameters are set in the boarding restriction section 13, the operation control section 15 starts hall call restriction control (S4). As a result, it does not respond to hall calls, only responds to car calls, and disembarks passengers one by one at the destination floor. If there happens to be a new user at the platform, you may allow them to board the car 13, or the notification unit 34 may make an announcement such as "Please do not board the train as ventilation is in progress." You can.

Next, the boarding restriction section 13 determines whether the person at risk of infection has gotten off the train. (S5). Also, did anyone at risk of infection get off the train? Any method may be used to determine this. For example, it can be determined from an image of the user inside the car 31 taken by the camera 33.

When the boarding restriction unit 13 determines that the person at risk of infection has exited the vehicle (YES in step S5), it starts measuring the cumulative door open time (S6: ventilation history control step). When the measurement of the cumulative door open time is started, the operation control unit 15 determines whether the number of passengers in the car 31 is equal to or greater than the limit set in S3. (S7). Note that any method may be used to detect the number of passengers in the car 31. This can also be detected from, for example, an image of the user inside the car 31 taken by the camera 33.

If the operation control unit 15 determines that the number of passengers in the car 31 is less than the limit (NO in step S7), it cancels the hall call restriction control (S8). This allows a new user to board the train in response to a hall call.

Thereafter, the driving control unit 15 executes the occupancy restriction driving based on the occupancy restriction threshold and the number of passengers set in S3 (S9: occupancy restriction step). Then, when the cumulative door opening time exceeds the limited operation threshold and the inside of the car 31 is sufficiently ventilated, the process returns to S1 and normal operation is resumed. When returning to normal operation, the riding restriction section 13 checks the setting of the fan 35 during normal operation, and stops the fan 35 if the setting is to stop the fan 35 during normal operation.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the limited occupancy operation, the operation control unit 15 first determines whether the plurality of cars 31 are managed in groups. (S21). If it is determined that it is not group control (NO in step S21), the process advances to S22, and a question is asked as to whether a car call or a hall call has occurred. to judge. If it is determined that a car call or a hall call has occurred (YES in step S22), the elevator 30 is operated while limiting the number of passengers to the limit set in S3 (S23).

On the other hand, if it is determined in S22 that a car call or a hall call has not occurred (NO in step S22), the door opening/closing control unit 14 leaves the car door 32 open and on standby for a predetermined period (S24). . When a car call or a landing call is not occurring, the vehicle is on standby. The door opening/closing control unit 14 stands by with the door open when the car is on standby and the car 31 is stopped at a predetermined floor. The predetermined floor may be the floor where the last passenger in the car 31 alighted (the nearest floor), or may be a specific floor where the most people board.

On the other hand, if the operation control unit 15 determines that group management is being performed in S21 (YES in step S21), the operation control unit 15 proceeds to S26 and determines whether the car 31 can be stopped. (S26). If the transportation service for the user is not possible with other cars 31 that are group-managed, it is determined that the car 31 cannot be stopped (NO in step S26), and the process proceeds to the aforementioned S27, where the group management Proceed to the same process as for non-management.

On the other hand, if the other car 31 that is group-managed is capable of providing transport services for the user, it is determined that the car 31 can be stopped (YES in step S26), and the process proceeds to S27 to move to a predetermined floor. The operation of the car 31 is stopped with the big car door 32 open. The predetermined floor here may be the floor where the last passenger in the car 31 alighted (the nearest floor), but it may also be the floor where the last passenger aboard the car 31 got off (the nearest floor), but it may also be the floor where the last passenger who was boarding the car 31 got off (the nearest floor). Preferably fewer floors. In S27, the notification unit 34 may make an announcement such as "Please do not board the vehicle as ventilation is in progress."

In S25, the operation control unit 15 executes any of the operation of the elevator 30 while limiting the number of passengers in S23, the standby with the door open while waiting for operation in S24, and the standby with the door open with the stoppage of operation in S27. move on. In S25, the boarding restriction unit 13 determines whether the measured value of the cumulative door opening time started in S6 of FIG. 4 is equal to or greater than the restricted driving threshold set in S3. to judge. The cumulative door-open time is the cumulative time of door-open times, and is determined by the boarding restriction section 13 based on the ventilation state history data 23 in the storage section 20. Here, if it is determined that the driving limit has exceeded the threshold value (YES in step S25), the driving control unit 15 ends the occupancy restriction driving and returns the process to S1 in FIG. 4, as described above. On the other hand, if it is determined that the driving limit has not exceeded the restricted driving threshold (NO in step S25), the driving control unit 15 returns the process to S21 and continues the restricted driving.

The period from when the person at risk of infection is confirmed to have exited the car in S5 of FIG. In a state where the possibility of virus infection of the user is lower than a predetermined value or in a state where the car is empty, the car can be boarded for a period in which the accumulated door open time is less than the restricted driving threshold. This corresponds to the period in which "control to reduce the number of people than usual" is in place.

(Description of effects)
The above configuration includes a ventilation history control section 16 that performs control to record the history of the ventilation state of the car 31, and the boarding restriction section 13 records information on the possibility of infection of users of the elevator 30 and the history of the ventilation state. Based on this, the number of people who can ride in the car 31 is controlled.

Therefore, even if a high-risk person who is likely to be infected with the virus boards car 13 and then gets off the car, the number of people who can board the car will continue to be restricted until ventilation conditions are improved. Control becomes possible. Further, since the elevator 30 is not temporarily disabled for ventilation, a decrease in the transportation efficiency of the elevator 30 can be suppressed. Thereby, it is possible to effectively restrict boarding in order to reduce the risk of virus infection while suppressing a decrease in transportation efficiency for users.

In the above configuration, the boarding restriction unit 13 is configured to detect a state in which the infection possibility information indicates that the possibility of virus infection of a user riding in the car 31 is lower than a predetermined value, or if the car 31 is empty. In this state, control is performed to reduce the number of people who can board the car compared to normal during a period in which the cumulative door-open time is smaller than the restricted operation threshold.

Therefore, even if a person at risk of infection gets off the car, during a period in which the cumulative amount of door-open time is smaller than the restricted driving threshold, boarding restrictions will continue to reduce the number of people who can board the car than usual, and Restrictions on riding will be lifted only after adequate ventilation has been achieved. Therefore, the risk of virus infection can be reduced more accurately.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the cumulative time of the door opening time is the cumulative time from the time when the person at risk of infection exits the car 31, so the timing for ending the restrictions on boarding can be made more appropriate.

Further, in the above configuration, during the period when the door opening/closing control unit 14 is controlling the number of passengers who can board the vehicle to be smaller than usual, the car 31 is stopped at a predetermined floor and is waiting for operation. In this case, control is performed to open the door for a predetermined period of time.

Therefore, while waiting for operation, the door of the car 31 will be opened. Therefore, since the door opening time can be increased, the car 31 can be ventilated more quickly. Furthermore, since the period during which boarding is restricted can be shortened, the efficiency of transportation for users can be improved.

In addition, in the above configuration, when the hall call restriction unit 152 detects the presence of a person at risk of infection who is riding in the car 31, at the time of detection, all the users riding in the car 31 get off the car. Or, the car 31 is restricted from responding to hall calls until the number of passengers reaches a predetermined number smaller than the normal number of people who can board the car.

Therefore, as soon as the presence of a person at risk of infection in the car 31 is detected, measures can be taken to prevent the number of passengers in the car 31 from increasing any further. This makes it possible to avoid a situation where a new user gets into the car 31 with a higher risk level and the infection spreads.

[Embodiment 2]
Other embodiments of the invention will be described below. For convenience of explanation, members having the same functions as the members described in the above embodiment are given the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will not be repeated.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the configuration of an elevator system 100A including an elevator control device 1A according to another embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 7, the elevator system 100A includes an elevator 30A instead of the elevator 30, and an elevator control device 1A instead of the elevator control device 1. The elevator 30A is equipped with a CO ₂ sensor 36 that measures the carbon dioxide concentration within the car 31. This point differs from the elevator 30.

The elevator control device 1A includes an occupancy restriction section 13A instead of the occupancy restriction section 13. Additionally, the information acquisition unit 12 further acquires information regarding the carbon dioxide concentration within the car 31. In this embodiment, information regarding carbon dioxide concentration is acquired from a CO ₂ sensor 36 installed in the car 31.

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the configuration of the boarding restriction section 13A. As shown in FIG. 8, the boarding restriction section 13A includes a risk level determination section 131 and a parameter setting section 132, as well as a driving restriction threshold changing section 133. It differs from the occupancy restriction section 13 in that it further includes a restriction driving threshold changing section 133.

The restricted driving threshold changing unit 133 changes the number of passengers allowed to ride from the normal number when the carbon dioxide concentration at the time when a user whose virus infection possibility exceeds a predetermined value gets off the car is equal to or higher than a first predetermined concentration. When the carbon dioxide concentration becomes equal to or lower than the second predetermined concentration during the period during which the control to reduce the carbon dioxide concentration is performed, control is performed to lower the limited operation threshold.

The first predetermined concentration and the second predetermined concentration may be the same or different. In this embodiment, the first predetermined concentration and the second predetermined concentration are the same and are referred to as "predetermined concentration." The first predetermined concentration and the second predetermined concentration are values at which the carbon dioxide concentration is high to a certain extent at which it can be estimated that ventilation of the car 31 has progressed due to a decrease in the carbon dioxide concentration.

An example of a process executed by the elevator control device 1A will be explained based on FIGS. 9 and 10. FIG. 9 is a flowchart of processing executed by the elevator control device 1A. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing the occupancy restriction driving process in FIG.

9 differs from FIG. 4 in that steps S31 to S33 are added between S5 and S6 in FIG. Similarly, FIG. 10 differs from FIG. 6 in that steps S41 to S44 are added between S23, S24, or S27 in FIG. 6, and S25. Therefore, only the different points will be explained here.

As shown in FIG. 9, when the boarding restriction unit 13A determines that the person at risk of infection has exited the vehicle (YES in step S5), the information acquisition unit 12 acquires the information before starting to measure the cumulative door open time (S6). Based on the information regarding the carbon dioxide concentration inside the car 31, is the carbon dioxide concentration equal to or higher than a predetermined concentration? (S31).

Here, if it is determined that the carbon dioxide concentration is equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration (YES in step S31), the occupancy restriction section 13A enables the change of the restricted driving threshold during the occupancy restricted driving (S32). On the other hand, if it is determined that the carbon dioxide concentration is not equal to or higher than the predetermined concentration (NO in step S31), the occupancy restriction unit 13A invalidates the change in the restricted driving threshold during the occupancy restricted driving (S33). After that, the process advances to S6, and the boarding restriction section 13A starts measuring the cumulative door-open time.

In the occupancy restriction driving, as shown in FIG. 10, when the driving control unit 15 executes any of S23, S24, and S27, the occupancy restriction unit 13A determines whether the change in the occupancy restriction threshold is effective? (S41). If the riding restriction unit 13A determines that the change in the vehicle restriction threshold is not valid (NO in step S41), the process proceeds to S25.

On the other hand, when the boarding restriction unit 13A determines that the change in the boarding restriction threshold is valid in S41 (YES in step S41), the boarding restriction unit 13A updates the information regarding the carbon dioxide concentration acquired by the information acquiring unit 12 at that time. Is the carbon dioxide concentration below the specified concentration? (S42). When the boarding restriction unit 13A determines that the carbon dioxide concentration is not lower than the predetermined concentration (NO in step S42), the process proceeds to S25.

If the boarding restriction unit 13A determines in S42 that the carbon dioxide concentration is below the predetermined concentration (YES in step S42), the remaining door opening time required for exchanging the air in the car 31 is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A. Is it? (S43). Here, if the boarding restriction section 13A determines that the remaining door open time is not equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (NO in step S43), the process proceeds to S25.

On the other hand, if the boarding restriction section 13A determines in S43 that the remaining door open time is equal to or greater than the predetermined value A (YES in step S43), the process proceeds to S44 and changes the restricted driving threshold to the predetermined value A. The remaining door open time is the difference between the limited operation threshold and the cumulative door open time.

Further, the predetermined value A can be, for example, half of the limited operation threshold set in S3, that is, half of the door opening time originally set as necessary. Further, if the risk level is set to "high" and the restricted driving threshold for the risk level "high" is set in S3, the predetermined value A may be set as the restricted driving threshold for the risk level "medium". The boarding restriction unit 13A changes the restricted driving threshold in S43, and then advances the process to S25.

In a state where the carbon dioxide concentration before ventilation is high to a certain extent, it can be estimated that ventilation has progressed when a decrease in the carbon dioxide concentration in the car 31 is detected. In the above configuration, in such a case, the restricted operation threshold value for the cumulative time of the door open time is lowered, so that the cumulative time of the door open time required before the occupancy restricted driving is canceled can be shortened. Therefore, the efficiency of transporting users can be further improved while ensuring necessary ventilation.

[Modified example]
Although the embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above, the above descriptions are merely illustrative of the present invention in all respects. It goes without saying that various improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention. For example, the following changes are possible.

1) In the elevator control devices 1 and 1A described above, the information acquisition unit 12 further acquires ventilation system operating information regarding the operating state of the fan 35, which is a ventilation system provided in the car 31, and the boarding restriction unit 13. , 13A may further control the number of people who can ride in the car 31 based on the ventilation system operation information.

According to the above configuration, the riding restriction period can be changed depending on the operating state of the fan 35 provided in the car 31. Therefore, for example, when the fan 35 is operating strongly, it is possible to further lower the riding restriction threshold determined by the risk level of the car 13 and the size of the car 31, thereby shortening the riding restriction period. becomes. Thereby, the transportation efficiency for users can be further improved.

2) In addition, the elevator control devices 1 and 1A extracted infection possibility information targeting the users boarding the car 31; Possibility information may also be extracted. In that case, an image taken by a camera photographing a landing on each floor, an image taken by a camera 33 installed in a car 31 of a user waiting to board a train at a landing, etc. may be used.

When detecting people at risk of infection from users who are scheduled to board the car 31, the control shown in FIGS. 4 and 9 is executed after the person at risk of infection departs from the floor on which the car 31 is boarded. do it.

3) Also, during operation to lower the risk level of the car 31, each door opening time is adjusted according to the remaining door opening time required for ventilation (that is, the difference between the limited operation threshold and the cumulative door opening time). The door opening time may also be adjusted. For example, when getting on and off while driving with limited occupancy, the first time you get on or off (first door opening), the door opening time is longer than usual, and the second and subsequent door opening times gradually increase as you drive. Try to get closer to normal time.

Thereby, it is possible to shorten the total driving time when driving with a limited number of passengers. Note that if such control is executed, users may feel distrustful that the door will not remain closed even after the last passenger has boarded the vehicle. Therefore, the notification control unit 17 may make an announcement such as "Ventilation is being performed. Please wait for a while" via the notification unit 34.

4) Furthermore, in the elevator control devices 1 and 1A, a configuration has been described in which a limit number of people and a limit operation threshold are set to perform occupancy limit operation, but when a limit is imposed, an announcement to that effect may be made. Alternatively, the notification control unit 17 may announce, via the notification unit 34, the ventilation time required according to the risk level of the car 31, that is, the restricted operation threshold.

[Example of implementation using software]
The function of the elevator control device 1 (1A) (hereinafter referred to as "device") is a program for making a computer function as the device, and each control block of the device (particularly each part included in the control unit 10) This can be realized by a program for making a computer function as such.

In this case, the device includes a computer having at least one control device (for example, a processor) and at least one storage device (for example, a memory) as hardware for executing the program. By executing the above program using this control device and storage device, each function described in each of the above embodiments is realized.

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

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

Further, each process described in each of the above embodiments may be executed by AI (Artificial Intelligence). In this case, the AI may operate on the control device, or may operate on another device (for example, an edge computer or a cloud server).

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

1, 1A Elevator control device 12 Information acquisition section 13, 13A Occupancy restriction section 14 Door opening/closing control section 15 Operation control section 16 Ventilation history control section 21 Restricted operation threshold information 22 Restricted number of people information 23 Ventilation state history data 30, 30A Elevator 35 Fan (ventilation system)
152 Hall call restriction section

Claims (8)

an information acquisition unit that acquires infection possibility information indicating the possibility that at least one of a user scheduled to board an elevator car and a user riding in the elevator car is infected with a virus; ,
a ventilation history control unit that performs control to record a history of the ventilation state of the car;
An elevator control device comprising: a boarding restriction unit that controls the number of passengers who can board the vehicle based on the infection possibility information and the history of the ventilation state. The history of the ventilation state is a history of the door opening time of the car,
The riding restriction unit is configured to provide a state in which the infection possibility information indicates that a virus infection possibility indicating the possibility that the user riding in the car is infected with a virus is lower than a predetermined value; Alternatively, the elevator according to claim 1, wherein when the car is empty, control is performed to reduce the number of people who can board the car in a period in which the cumulative time of the door opening time is smaller than a limited operation threshold. Control device. 3. The elevator control device according to claim 2, wherein the cumulative time of the door opening time is the cumulative time from the time when a user whose virus infection possibility exceeds a predetermined value gets off the car. further comprising a door opening/closing control unit that controls opening/closing of the door of the car,
The door opening/closing control unit is configured to operate when the car is stopped at a predetermined floor and is waiting for operation during a period when the boarding restriction unit is controlling the number of passengers allowed to be smaller than usual. 3. The elevator control device according to claim 2, wherein the elevator control device performs control to open the door for a predetermined period when the door is opened. If it is detected from the infection possibility information that the possibility of virus infection of the user riding in the car exceeds a predetermined value, at the time of detection, all of the users riding in the car The elevator according to claim 1, further comprising a hall call restriction unit that restricts the elevator car from responding to hall calls until a user gets off the car or a predetermined number of passengers is smaller than the normal number of people who can board the car. Control device. The information acquisition unit further acquires information regarding the carbon dioxide concentration in the car,
The boarding restriction unit is configured to increase the number of passengers who can board the car when the carbon dioxide concentration at the time when a user whose possibility of virus infection exceeds a predetermined value exits the car is a first predetermined concentration or higher. The elevator control device according to claim 2, which performs control to lower the limited operation threshold when the carbon dioxide concentration becomes equal to or lower than a second predetermined concentration during a period during which the control to decrease the carbon dioxide concentration is performed. The information acquisition unit further acquires ventilation system operating information regarding the operating state of a ventilation system installed in the car, and
The elevator control device according to claim 1, wherein the boarding restriction section further controls the number of people who can board the car based on the ventilation system operation information. an information acquisition step of acquiring infection possibility information indicating the possibility that at least one of a user scheduled to board an elevator car and a user riding in the elevator car is infected with a virus; ,
a ventilation history control step that performs control to record a history of the ventilation state of the car;
An elevator control method comprising: a boarding restriction step of controlling the number of passengers who can ride based on the infection possibility information and the history of the ventilation state.

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