JP7448284B2 - Elevator control system, control method and control program - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator control system, a control method, and a control program that enable contactless selection of a destination floor.

Various elevator control systems have been developed so far, but the method of selecting the destination floor of the elevator is usually to press the floor number button on the control panel installed inside the elevator car. (See Patent Document 1).

Patent Document 2 discloses an elevator that has a hall side person sensing means, a car side person sensing means, and a driving means, and raises and lowers a person in a car between two halls based on signals from each sensing means. An operating device is disclosed. Further, according to the device, it is stated that even people who are unable to press the floor number button, such as a disabled person or an elderly person with limited hands, can use the elevator.

Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2013-35610 Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 9-194150

The device described in Patent Document 2 moves people between two landings by sensing the presence or absence of people in the landing and in the car using each sensing means, but there are three methods that require selection of the movement location. This technique cannot be applied to the above-mentioned landings, that is, elevators that move between three or more floors.

Currently, many tower condominiums with 20 floors or more are being constructed mainly in urban areas. In addition, due to the increasing awareness of hygiene in recent years, there has been a demand for the development of a control system that allows the operator to select the destination floor of the elevator without touching the floor button directly, even in high-rise apartments. . Furthermore, in developing the control system, from the viewpoint of cost, it has been desired to be able to effectively utilize existing equipment rather than installing new equipment.

The purpose of the present disclosure was made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and provides an inexpensive and hygienic elevator control system and control method that allows contactless selection of destination floor and also allows use of existing equipment. and to provide control programs.

An elevator control system according to one aspect of the present invention includes an output section that outputs a frequency sound of a DTMF signal corresponding to a destination floor, an input section that receives a frequency sound of a reflected DTMF signal, and an input DTMF signal. a control unit that detects the frequency sound of the elevator and controls the destination floor of the elevator, and the destination floor can be selected by blocking the frequency sound of the outputted DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor. It is characterized by

An elevator control method according to one aspect of the present invention outputs a frequency sound of a DTMF signal corresponding to a destination floor from an output section, and inputs a frequency sound of a DTMF signal reflected by a shield among the output DTMF signals. The destination floor of the elevator is controlled by detecting the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal, and the selection of the destination floor is performed by blocking the frequency sound of the output DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor. It is characterized by making it possible.

A control program according to one aspect of the present invention includes the steps of outputting a frequency sound of a DTMF signal corresponding to a destination floor from an output section, and inputting a frequency sound of a DTMF signal reflected by a shield among the output DTMF signals. and the step of detecting the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal and controlling the destination floor of the elevator. The feature is that the destination floor can be selected by selecting the destination floor.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an inexpensive and hygienic elevator control system, control method, and control program that enable contactless selection of a destination floor and that can also use existing equipment.

1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an elevator control system according to the present invention. 1 is a schematic diagram for explaining an embodiment of an elevator control system according to the present invention. 1 is a block diagram showing the configuration of an embodiment of an elevator control system according to the present invention. 1 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an elevator control method according to the present invention.

Hereinafter, specific embodiments to which the present invention is applied will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to the following embodiments. Further, in order to clarify the explanation, the following description and drawings are simplified as appropriate. Note that FIGS. 1 and 3 are block diagrams showing the configuration of an embodiment of an elevator control system (hereinafter also referred to as the present control system) according to the present invention. Moreover, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram for explaining one embodiment of the present control system. Furthermore, FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an embodiment of an elevator control method (hereinafter also referred to as the present control method) according to the present invention.

Each element described in the drawings as a functional block that performs various processes can be configured with a CPU, memory, and other lines in terms of hardware. The present invention can also implement arbitrary processing by causing a CPU (Central Processing Unit) to execute a computer program. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that these functional blocks can be implemented in various ways using only hardware, only software, or a combination thereof, and are not limited to either.

Additionally, the programs described above can be stored and provided to a computer using various types of non-transitory computer readable media. Non-transitory computer-readable media includes various types of tangible storage media. Examples of non-transitory computer-readable media include magnetic recording media (e.g., flexible disks, magnetic tapes, hard disk drives), magneto-optical recording media (e.g., magneto-optical disks), CD-ROMs (Read Only Memory), CD-Rs, CD-R/W, semiconductor memory (for example, mask ROM, PROM (Programmable ROM), EPROM (Erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (Random Access Memory)). The program may also be supplied to the computer on various types of transitory computer readable medium. Examples of transitory computer-readable media include electrical signals, optical signals, and electromagnetic waves. The temporary computer-readable medium can provide the program to the computer via wired communication channels, such as electrical wires and fiber optics, or wireless communication channels.

As mentioned above, in the elevator control system described in Patent Document 1 etc., the operator (user) 12 as shown in FIG. By doing so, the destination floor was selected. However, due to the increasing awareness of hygiene in recent years, there has been a demand for an elevator control system that allows the operator 12 to select a destination floor without directly touching the floor button 16. At that time, it was also desired to be able to effectively utilize existing equipment rather than installing new equipment.

As shown in FIG. 1, this control system 10 includes an output unit 1 that outputs a frequency sound of a DTMF signal (hereinafter also referred to as DTMF sound) corresponding to a destination floor, and an output unit 1 that receives a frequency sound of a reflected DTMF signal. It includes an input section 2 and a control section 3 that detects the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal and controls the destination floor of the elevator. Then, the destination floor of the elevator can be selected by detecting a change in the output DTMF sound corresponding to the destination floor by covering it with a hand or the like and detecting a change in the DTMF sound received by the input section. Furthermore, since this control system can be applied to existing elevator equipment, it is a control system that can reduce costs and select a destination floor in a non-contact and hygienic manner.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the speaker 14a of the intercom 14 is used as the output section, the microphone 14b of the intercom 14 is used as the input section, and the DTMF circuit 21c is used to generate the DTMF sound. is output from the output section. In this embodiment, the sound detection circuit 21d detects DTMF sound that changes due to shielding, and the control unit 22 communicates with the elevator control panel 18 to control the operation of the elevator to the destination floor based on the detection result. It has a CPU 22a to which it belongs. Other than these configurations, a commonly used elevator control system can be used as appropriate. For example, the reporting device 17 shown in FIG. 3 has the following configuration. The control unit 22 includes a CPU 22a that processes various signals; a ROM 22b that stores boot programs, application programs, and audio data; and a work RAM 22c. EEPROM 29 that stores system data, notification history, maintenance history, etc. RTC26 is a real-time clock. A VoLTE compatible communication module and an LTE communication circuit 27 which is a peripheral circuit to control. As the audio control unit 21, a communication circuit 21a is a circuit that switches the communication path of the audio signal; a handsfree 21b is a circuit that automatically adjusts the audio level of the intercom speaker 14a and the microphone 14b; and a handsfree 21b that performs TMF transmission and reception, and PB at the time of reporting. A DTMF circuit 21c used for dialing and detecting a DTMF control signal from the center 20; a voice detection circuit 21d that is a circuit for detecting presence/absence (ON/OFF) of a voice signal from the intercom microphone 14b. A contact input circuit 23 is a circuit that detects ON/OFF of the emergency call button 15. An optical transmission circuit 24 is a circuit that transmits and receives control panel data such as elevator operation data and in-car sensors, and converts UART to optical communication. A power supply circuit 25 is a circuit that is supplied with DC voltage from the elevator control panel 18 and converts it to each power supply system. LED circuit 28 used for LED lighting, etc.

An example of a destination floor selection method (control method) by an operator using the present control system will be described in detail below with reference to FIGS. 2 to 4. In the present invention, the frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor is outputted from the output section, and the frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding is received at the input section among the output DTMF signals. The destination floor of the elevator is controlled by detecting the frequency sound of the DTMF signal. Then, the frequency sound of the outputted DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor is blocked, thereby making it possible to select the destination floor.

First, when the operator 12 gets into the elevator car 11, audio guidance explaining how to operate the elevator floor selection system is output from the speaker 14a of the intercom 14, which is the output unit (step S1). As the voice guidance, for example, ``A beep will sound after the message of the desired destination floor, so please cover the intercom with your hand.'' etc. can be used. In this way, in this control system, in order to make the operator 12 understand the operating method, the output unit may output audio guidance explaining the operating method of the elevator floor selection system. Further, in this control system, an explanation panel (not shown) for explaining how to operate the elevator floor selection system may be installed in advance on the operation panel 13 or the like. Note that this control system may have either or both of these configurations.

Next, the frequency sound of the DTMF signal (DTMF sound) corresponding to the destination floor is output from the speaker 14a, which is the output unit (step S2). At that time, it is preferable to output a sound indicating the destination floor together with the DTMF sound. For example, if the operator 12 is on the first floor and wants to go to an upper floor, "ni. beep (DTMF sound: 2)" "san. beep (DTMF sound: 3)"... (to the top floor) (Repeat when finished)...Sounds such as "ni. beep" and "san. beep" are output. Also, if the operator 12 is on the 5th floor and wants to go to a lower floor, "Ichi. Beep" "Ni. Beep"...(Repeat after reaching the top floor)..."Ichi. Beep" A sound such as "ni. beep" is output. At this time, the output order of the destination floors may be selected according to elevator operation history data. For example, since the operation status of an elevator varies depending on the day of the week, time of day, installation location, etc., the system data may be configured to change the destination floor to be output first in accordance with the operation history data. In this manner, the present control system may have a configuration in which the output unit outputs a DTMF sound corresponding to the destination floor together with the sound indicating the destination floor.

Furthermore, since it is assumed that there are operators who cannot wait for the above-mentioned voice guidance, etc., and that multiple people use the elevator at the same time, this control system presses the floor number button 16 arranged on the normal operation panel 13. Floor selection operation can also be used. In this control system, when an operation of pressing the floor number button 16 is performed, the operation using voice guidance or the like may be immediately terminated. Furthermore, when multiple people are using the elevator, the operation using voice guidance or the like may be finished after outputting the voices for all the floors.

Next, the operator 12 covers the output section (intercom 14 portion) that is outputting the DTMF sound corresponding to the desired (desired) destination floor by covering it with his hand or the like (step S3). For example, when the destination is on the second floor, when the speaker 14a outputs "ni. beep", the intercom is covered with a hand or the like to block the DTMF sound. By this shielding operation, the output DTMF sound is reflected by a hand or the like, and the reflected DTMF sound (voice return) is received by the microphone 14b, which is an input section (step S4). Then, the CPU 22a of the control unit 22 detects whether the audio detection circuit 21d is turned on or off based on the input DTMF sound. At this time, the CPU 22a controls the transmission of the DTMF sound corresponding to each destination floor, and at the same time determines the destination floor where the echoed DTMF sound was detected. Then, the CPU 22a communicates with the elevator control panel 18 and operates the elevator to the selected destination floor (step S5).

For example, if the elevator car is large, the DTMF sound output from the output section spreads inside the elevator car, is reflected by the walls of the elevator, and the DTMF sound after the echo is input to the input section. It is assumed that it is very small or undetectable. On the other hand, when the DTMF sound indicating the desired destination floor is output, the echoed DTMF sound (reverberant sound) generated by the operator covering the output part with his/her hand, etc., clearly reverberates off the walls of the elevator. It is detected as a louder sound compared to the DTMF sound. In this way, the destination floor of the elevator can be selected by receiving the change in the echo sound due to the shielding at the input section and detecting the input DTMF sound by the control section.

On the other hand, if the elevator car is small, the input section may receive echoes from the walls of the elevator even if the operator does not cover the output section with his/her hand or the like. However, if the operator shields the sound, it will be detected as clearly louder than the echo from the wall, or if the timing of the operator's hand is too late, the echo will not be detected. changes occur. By detecting such changes, the destination floor of the elevator can be selected.

Note that the ON/OFF function of the sound detection circuit 21d can change the ON and OFF threshold values as appropriate depending on the size of the elevator car used and the status of DTMF sound output and input due to echoes. Further, how to make the settings can be selected using system data as appropriate. In this way, the present control system can be configured such that the threshold value of the ON/OFF function of the audio detection circuit 21d that detects the input DTMF sound can be changed as appropriate. By having a configuration in which the threshold value can be changed, the present control system can easily detect the above-mentioned change in DTMF sound in any installation environment.

Further, in this control system, the volume of the DTMF sound sent to the speaker 14a and the DTMF sound received from the microphone 14b can be changed as appropriate. In this way, the above-mentioned changes in DTMF sound can be easily made by individually setting the DTMF sound sending/receiving volume in a hands-free manner according to the size of the elevator car used, the output of DTMF sound, and the input due to reverberation. can be detected. With this configuration, the present control system can be easily applied, for example, even to existing equipment that does not have the function of changing the threshold value (in which the threshold value is fixed). The volume change can be performed, for example, by a maintenance contractor during regular maintenance inspection. At that time, the sound detection circuit included in this control system adjusts the volume appropriately so that it can detect the change in the echo sound between the normal case where it is not blocked by hands etc. and the case where it is blocked by hands etc. Make it. For example, settings can be made such that echo sounds are not detected when the device is not covered with the hand, and echo sounds are detected when the device is covered with the hand. At this time, if the size of the elevator car is small, the DTMF sound sent to the speaker is set low, and the volume of the echo sound received by the microphone is set high, so that it exceeds the threshold of the sound detection circuit. Furthermore, if setting the DTMF sound sent to the speaker low makes it difficult for the operator to hear during operation, the DTMF sound sent to the speaker may be set high and the volume received by the microphone may be set low. In this way, by appropriately changing the volume of the frequency sound of the DTMF signal output from the output section and the frequency sound of the DTMF signal received at the input section, the DTMF sound can be easily changed regardless of the size of the elevator car. can be detected.

In this way, this control system uses the intercom 14 as an information input/output means in addition to pressing the emergency call button 15 (emergency button) and talking to the center 20 via the public network 19 in an emergency. can. Furthermore, since this control system is a destination floor selection system using an intercom, the desired destination floor can be selected inexpensively, contactlessly, and hygienically without any particular modification of existing elevator equipment. Furthermore, similar effects can be obtained with a control method and a control program to which the present control system is applied.

Note that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and can be modified as appropriate without departing from the spirit.

1 Output section 2 Input section 3 Control section 10 Control system 11 Elevator car 12 Operator (user)
13 Operation panel 14 Intercom 14a Speaker 14b Microphone 15 Emergency call button 16 Floor number button 17 Notification device 18 Elevator control panel 19 Public network 20 Center 21 Voice control unit 21a Call circuit 21b Hands-free 21c DTMF circuit 21d Voice detection circuit 22 Control unit 22a CPU
22b ROM
22c RAM
23 Contact input circuit 24 Optical transmission circuit 25 Power supply circuit 26 RTC
27 LTE communication circuit 28 LED circuit 29 EEPROM

Claims (9)

an output section that outputs a frequency sound of a DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor;
an input section for receiving the frequency tone of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding ;
A control unit that detects the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal and selects the destination floor of the elevator,
By shielding the frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor output from the output section , the frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding is input to the input section, and the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal is input to the input section. An elevator control system , wherein a destination floor of the elevator can be selected by detecting sound with the control unit . The elevator control system according to claim 1, wherein the volume of the frequency sound of the DTMF signal output from the output section and the frequency sound of the DTMF signal received at the input section can be changed. 3. The elevator control system according to claim 1, further comprising a voice detection circuit for detecting a frequency sound of an input DTMF signal, and capable of changing an ON/OFF function threshold of the voice detection circuit. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 3 , wherein the output unit outputs a sound indicating the destination floor as well as a frequency sound of a DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 4 , wherein the output order of the destination floors can be selected according to elevator operation history data. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 5 , wherein the output unit further outputs audio guidance explaining how to operate the elevator floor selection system. The elevator control system according to any one of claims 1 to 6 , comprising an explanation panel for explaining how to operate the elevator floor selection system. Output the frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor from the output section,
Among the output DTMF signals, the frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding is received at the input section,
Selects the destination floor of the elevator by detecting the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal,
By shielding the frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor output from the output section , the frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding is input to the input section, and the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal is input to the input section. A method for controlling an elevator , characterized in that a destination floor of the elevator can be selected by detecting a sound . outputting a frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor from the output section;
Receiving at the input section a frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding among the output DTMF signals;
detecting a frequency tone of the input DTMF signal and selecting a destination floor of the elevator;
make the computer run
By shielding the frequency sound of the DTMF signal corresponding to the destination floor output from the output section , the frequency sound of the DTMF signal reflected by the shielding is input to the input section, and the frequency sound of the input DTMF signal is input to the input section. A control program characterized in that it is possible to select a destination floor of an elevator by detecting a sound .

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