SG193775A1

SG193775A1 - Elevator group supervisory control system

Info

Publication number: SG193775A1
Application number: SG2013025648A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Nakai Shoji
Original assignee: Toshiba Elevator Kk
Priority date: 2012-04-06
Filing date: 2013-04-04
Publication date: 2013-10-30
Also published as: CN103359561A; MY165307A; JP5882111B2; JP2013216423A; CN103359561B; HK1190689A1

Abstract

(FIG. 1)"ELEVATOR GROUP SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM"According to one embodiment, an elevator group supervisory control system includes a first allocation 5 control apparatus (1) which takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for a destination floor registration apparatus on floor (5) at the time of determining a car (3) that is allowed to respond to a hall call registered by an operation for a hail call 10 registration apparatus (4). The elevator group supervisory control system includes a second allocation control apparatus (6) which is provided separately from the first allocation control apparatus (1), and takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for 15 the hall call registration apparatus (4) at the time of determining a car (3) that is allowed to respond to a hall call including a destination floor registered by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor (5).

Description

ELEVATOR GROUP? SUPERVISORY CONTROL SYSTEM

FIELD

Embodiments described herein relate generally to an elevator group supervisory control system including a destination floor registration apparatus in floor that accepts an operation for registering a destination floor in a hall.

BACKGROUND

Heretofore, there has been a group supervisory control type elevator equipped with a destination floor registration apparatus on floor that accepts an operation of, for example, a numerical keypad for a hall call with a destination floor. According to this elevator, a user can perform an operation for registering a destination flcor in a hall. Therefore, the user does not have to perform an operation for registering a destination floor after entering a car. - In this case, a group supervisory control apparatus can obtain information of a destination flccr from the hall.

In the same elevator installation building, a regular hall call registration apparatus may be installed besides such a destination floor registration apparatus on floor. The regular hall call registration apparatus described herein accepts an operation for registering a hall call without a destination floor.

For example, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor is installed in a hall on a specific floor, for example, an entrance floor, and the hall call registration apparatuses are installed in halls on other floors.

In this installing conformation, the group supervisory control apparatus registers a hall call with a destination floor involved in an operation with respect to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor. Further, the group superviscry control apparatus registers a hall call without a destination floor involved in an operation with respect tc the hall call registration apparatus and determines a car that is allowed to respond to this hall call.

When the group supervisory control apparatus does not properly operate due to, a failure of the supervisory control apparatus, a hall call with a destination flcor or a hall call without a destination floor cannot be allocated to each car. In this case, services for users cannot be performed at all.

As a countermeasure, a backup group supervisory control apparatus 1s provided in the elevator installation building. Further, when the group supervisory control apparatus that is usually used does not normally operate, the backup group supervisory control apparatus 1s activated. As a result, services : for users are not obstructed.

However, when the backup group supervisory control apparatus is provided in this manner, the number of necessary spaces increases in the building. Further, costs for installation or maintenance rise.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the group supervisory control apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration processing apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure by the group supervisory control apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure performed by the destination floor registration processing apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group supervisory control system according

- 4 = to the second embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of a destination floor registration apparatus on floor of an elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of the display’ screen for registration of a hall call without a destination floor in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a fiowchart showing an operation procedure performed by the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory contrecl system according to the second embodiment ;

FIG. 11 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group superviscry control system according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 1Z is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system in the third embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration processing apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the third embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an exampie of an operation procedure effected by the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the third embodiment; and

FIG. 15 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure performed by the destination floor registration processing apparatus in the elevator group management control system in the third embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In general, according to one embodiment, an elevator group supervisory control system includes cars, a destination floor registration apparatus on floor which is installed in a hall on each floor and accepts an operation for registration of a hall call including a destination floor of a user. The elevator group supervisory control system includes a hall call registration apparatus which 1s installed in the hall on each floor and accepts an operation for registration of a hall call that designates a destination direction of each car. The elevator group supervisory control system includes a first allocation control apparatus

— & — which takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor at the time of determining a car that is allowed to respond to a hall call registered by an operation for the hall call registration apparatus.

The elevator group supervisory control system includes a second allccation control agparatus which is provided separately from the first allocation control apparatus, and takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for the hall call registration apparatus at the time of determining a car that is allowed to respond to a hall call including a destination floor registered by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor.

Embodiments will now be described hereinafter with reference to the drawings. (First Embodiment)

A first embodiment will be first described.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment.

Here, a configuration that operations of cars are subjected to group supervisory control is illustrated.

It is to be noted that, if there are more than one car, “serial numbers” may be used. Furthermore, when a term “elevator” is simply used, this basically means a car. in this elevator group supervisory control system,

a group supervisory control apparatus 1 ig provided.

The group superviscry control apparatus 1 1s an apparatus that performs group supervisory control over operations of cars 3. In this system, a destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is provided separately from the group supervisory control apparatus 1. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 1, a car control apparatuses 2 of each serial number is provided in accordance with a car 3 of its own apparatus. The car control apparatus 2 carries out control including a drive control of a non-illustrated hoisting device with its serial number or control for opening/closing a door. The car 3 moves up and down in an elevating path by driving of the non-illustrated hoisting device.

Here, the two car control apparatuses 2 and the two cars 3 are shown, and other car control apparatuses and other cars are omitted in the drawing.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 1, a destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is installed in a hall on a predetermined floor, for example, an entrance floor. More than one hall call registration apparatuses 4 are installed on other floors. Moreover, a non-illustrated car control panel is provided in each car 3.

In the example shown in FIG. 1, although the hall call registration apparatuses 4 are provided with respect To the car control apparatus 2 of each serial

— a — number, the hall call registration apparatuses 4 may be electrically directly connected to the group supervisory control apparatus I.

Each destination floor registration apparatus on fleor 5 has an operation unit and a display unit. The operation unit accepts operations for registering each hall call with a destination floor. The display unit displays, for example, an allocation result associated with this hall call. It is to be noted that, as the destination floor registering method, a method for operating a numerical keypad or a destination floor button is general, but a method for registering a destination floor with use of a card reader or a wireless IC in a hall can be adopted, for example.

Additionally, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 may have a touchpanel display in which the operation unit and the display unit are integrated.

When a user has performed an operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor with respect to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 on each floor, hall call information with a destination floor is output to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6. The hall call information with a destination floor is hall call information including two types of information consisting of a destination floor (a target floor) and

— g — a generation floor {a registration floor) as one set.

The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s electrically connected to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5. Further, in this embodiment, the hall call information with a destination floor from the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is output to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6.

Furthermore, the hall call registration apparatus 4 on each floor 1s an apparatus used by a user in a hall on each floor to register a destination direction, i.e., a hall call without a destination floor. The hall call registration apparatus 4 is also called a general hall call button or an upper direction/lower direction button. The hall call registration apparatus 4 has an cperation unit configured to accept an operation for registering a destination direction and a display unit configured to display a registered destination direction.

When an operation for registering a hall call without a destination flcor has been performed with respect To the hall call registration apparatus 4 on each floor, hall call information without a destination flocr is output to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the car control apparatus 2. The hall call information without a destination floor is information of a destination direction and a generation floor. Furthermore, the hall call information without a destination floor from the hall call registration apparatus 4 is output the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the group supervisory control apparatus 1.

In this embodiment, an cutput destination of the hall call information with a destination floor is different from an ocubtput destination of the hall call information without a destination floor.

The group superviscry control apparatus 1 receives the hall call information without a destination floor from the hall call registration apparatus 4. The group supervisory control apparatus 1 obtains operating information (a car position, an operating direction, a door opening/closing state, destination floor registration information of each serial number, and others) of the car 3 of each serial number from the car control apparatus 2 of each serial number. The group supervisory control apparatus 1 selects an optimum car from the cars 3 of the respective serial numbers based on this operating information. The optimum car is a car that is optimum for hall call allocation. The group supervisory control apparatus 1 allocates the hall call to this optimum car. The car to which the hall call has been allocated will be referred to as an “allocation target car” hereinafter.

Furthermore, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 receives the hall call information with a destination floor from the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 obtains operating information of the car 3 of each serial number from the group supervisory control apparatus 1. The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 selects an optimum car from the cars 3 of the respective serial numbers based on this operating information. The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 cutputs an allocation signal to the group supervisory control apparatus 1. The allocation signal is a signal for allocating a hall call to the optimum car.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the group supervisory control apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the group supervisory control zpparatus 1 has a control apparatus 11, a memory apparatus 12, and a communication interface 13. The control apparatus 11 has a registration control unit 14, a response time calculation unit 15, and an 25h allogation control unit 16. The registration control unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 16 are processing units executed by software in a microprocessor, and information can be transmitted or received between the respective units as shown in FIG. 2.

The memory apparatus 1Z is a memory medium such as a nonvolatile memory, and stores programs for processing operations performed by the communication interface 13, the registration control unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 16. The reglstration control unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 16 operate by reading and executing the programs.

The registration control unit 14 associates hall call information without a destination floor with allocation target car information and registers them in an internal memory. The allocation target car information 1s output from the allocation control unit 16 in response to this hall call. The allocation car information represents which car the hall call has been allocated to.

Moreover, the response time calculation unit 15 calculates a response time as an allocation index in accordance with each car with respect to a hall call without a destination floor newly registered by The registration control unit 14. The response time is calculated based on the already registered hall call allocation information, car call information, a current car position, an operating direction, a door opening/closing state, and others.

Usually, the response time calculaticn unit 15 calculates a time that 1s required for the car 2 to arrive at a hall call registration floor {a first time). This time is a time required for the car 3 to arrive at a floor that a new hall call was registered for the first time while responding to an already registered call.

The response time calculation unit 15 calculates a time obtained by adding a second time to the first time as a response time. The second time is a time required for a user to actually enter the car and arrive at a target floor.

The allocation control unit 16 obtains a response time calculated with respect to each car 3 of each serial number by the response time calculation unit 15.

The allocation contrel unit 16 calculates a first evaluation value based on this obtained time. This first evaluation value is a value representing cptimality for a hall call without a destination floor newly registered by the registration contrcl unit 14.

The allocation control unit 16 determines a car having the highest evaluation as an allocation target car based on the first evaluation value. The allocation control unit 16 ocutputs allocation target car information to the registration control unit 14 through the communication interface 13. Generally, in evaluation functions, a smaller evaluation value means a higher evaluation, and a larger evaluation means a lower evaluation.

FIG. 2 is a blcck diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration processing apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment.

In this embodiment, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 has a control apparatus 61, a memory apparatus 62, and a communication interface ©3. The control apparatus 61 has a registration control unit 64, a response time calculation unit 65, and an allocation control unit 66.

The registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, and the allocation control unit 66 are processing units executed by software in the microprocessor, and information can be transmitted or received between the respective units as shown in

FIG. 3.

The memory apparatus 62 1s a memory medium such as a nonvolatile memory and stores programs for processing operations performed by the communication interface 63, the registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, and the allocation control unit 66. The registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, and the allocation control unit 66 operate by reading and executing the programs.

The registration control unit 64 associates hall call information with a destination floor with allocation target car information and registers them in an internal memory. The allocation target car information is output from the allocation control unit 66 in response to this hall call.

The allocation control unit 66 outputs the allocation target car information associated with the hall call information with a destination floor to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 as an operation source through the communication interface 63. This information is displaved in the display unit of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5. For example, when a hall call with a 12th floor as a destination floor has been registered and an allocation signal has been output te a serial sign A by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 installed on the first floor, allocation target car information (the serial sing RB) is output to the destinaticn floor registration apparatus on flcor 5 as the operation source.

When the allocation target car has responded to the hall call with a destination floor, target floor informaticn is output to the car control apparatus 2 of a serial number corresponding to the allocation target car. As a result, a car cali is automatically registered in the car 3 through the car control apparatus 2. For example, target floor information (the 12th floor) has been output fo the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 as an operation source, a car call for the 12th floor is automatically registered in the car 3 corresponding to the allocation target car.

The response time calculation unit 65 calculates a response time for each car with respect to a hall call with a destination floor newly registered by the registration control unit 64.

The allocation control unit 66 chtains a response time calculated by the response time calculation unit 65 in accordance with each car 3 of each serial number.

The allocation control unit 66 calculates a second evaluation value based on this obtained time. This second evaluation value is a value representing optimality for a hall call with a destination floor newly registered by the registration control unit 64.

The allccation control unit 66 determines an allocation target car based on the second evaluation value and outputs an allocation signal for the hall call to the group supervisory control apparatus 1. At this time, the allocation control unit 66 outputs allocation target car information to the registration control unit 64 through the communication interface 63.

An operation of the elevator group supervisory control system having the configuration shown in FIG. 1 will now be described. Allccation of a hall call without a destination floor by the group supervisory control apparatus 1 will be first explained.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure by the group supervisory control apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to The first embodiment.

When a user operates the hall call registration apparatus 4, hall call information without a destination floor from this hall call registration apparatus 4 1s input to the registration control unit 14 cf the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the car control apparatus 2 as a connection destination {step Sl). When this hall call information is input, the allocation control unit 16 outputs a permission request signal for requesting permission of selection of an optimum car te the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the communication interface 13 (step SZ). The reason for ocutputting the permission reguest signal is that the group supervisory control apparatus 1 selects an optimum car in priority to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6.

The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 inputs the permission request signal through the communication interface 63. The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 outputs a permission signal for permitting selection of an optimum car and hall call information with a destination floor before a response to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the communication interface €3. The hall call information with a destination flocr before a response is information for selection of an optimum car, and it is information registered by the registration control unit 64.

The registration control unit 14 receives the permission signal and the hall call Information with a destination floor before a response from the destination floor registration processing apparatus © through the communication interface 13. When this hall call information 1s received, the registration control unit 14 obtains permission for selection of an optimum car from the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 {steps $3 and 54).

The response Time calculation unit 15 cbtains operating information of each serial number and acguires the hall call information with a destination floor from the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6. The response time calculation unit 15 calculates a response time for each car based on these pieces of obtained information, The allocation control unit 16 calculates a first evaluation value of each serial number based on a calculation result obtained by the responsa Time calculation unit 15.

The allocation centrol unit 16 selects a serial number with a minimum first evaluation value in the respective serial numbers as the optimum car (step S55).

The allocation control unit 1& outputs an allocation signal to the car control apparatus 2 associated with the serial number of the optimum car selected at S55 (step 356). In response to output of this allocation signal, the car 3 responds to the hall call without a destination floor.

Tc restart selection of an optimum car by the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6, the allocation control unit 16 outputs a restart permission signal for selection of an optimum car to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the communication interface 13.

The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 receives the restart permission signal through the communication interface 63. Upon receiving the restart permission signal, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 can select an optimum car with respect to the hall call information with a destination floor until it again receives the permission request signal.

- on

Allocation of a hall call with a destination floor will now be described.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure performed by the destination floor 3 registration processing apparatus in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment.

Here, 1t is assumed that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 has not received the permission request signal from the group supervisory control apparatus 1 and can select an optimum car with respect to hall call information with a destination floor.

When a user operates the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, the hall call information with a destination floor is input to the registration contrcl unit 64 in the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 from this destination floor registraticn apparatus on floor 5 (step S11). Upon receiving the hall call information with a destination floor, to select an optimum car with respect to the hall call information with a destination floor while taking account of operating information of each serial number, the allocation control unit 66 outputs a request signal for the operating information of each serial number to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the communication interface 63

(step S12).

The group supervisory contrcl apparatus 1 receives the request signal through the communication interface 13. The group supervisory control apparatus 1 outputs o the operating information registered by the registration control unit 14 to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the communication interface 13.

The registration centrol unit 64 of the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 receives the operating information from the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the communication interface 63 (step S13).

The response time calculation unit 6% calculates a response time for each car based cn the hall call information with a destination floor and the operating information of each serial number from the group supervisory control apparatus 1. The allocation control unit 66 calculates a second evaluation value of each serial number based on a calculation result obtained by the response time calculation unit 65.

When the evaluation value of each serial number is calculated, the allocation control unit 66 selects a serial number having the minimum second evaluation value as an optimum car (step S514).

The allocation control unit 66 cutputs an allocation signal for the car control apparatus 2 associated with the selected serial number of the optimum car to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the communication interface 63. The communication interface 13 of the groups supervisory control apparatus 1 receives the allocation signal.

The allocation control unit 66 outputs the allccation signal to the car control apparatus 2 associated with the serial number of the optimum car indicated by this allocation signal (step S15). As a result, the car 3 responds to the hall call with a destination floor.

As described above, in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the first embodiment, the group supervisory control apparatus 1 and the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 are provided, respectively. The group superviscry control apparatus 1 allocates a hall call without a destination floor involved in an operation for the hall call registration apparatus 4. Further, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 allocates a hall call with a destination floor involved in an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

With such a configuration, even if a hall call with a destination floor cannot be registered or this hail call cannot be allocated due to, for example, a failure of the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6, the group superviscry control apparatus 1 can continuously perform allocation of the hall call without a destination floor.

Furthermore, in a hall on a floor where the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is installed, both the destinaticn floor registration apparatus on floor 5 and the hall call registration apparatus 4 can be provided. With such a configuration is adopted, for example, even 1f the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 fails to properly operate, an operation for a hall call without a destination floor can be accepted, this hall call can be allocated, and services can be continued on all fioors.

Moreover, the conventional elevator group supervisory control system can be renovated, and the elevator group supervisory contrcl system according to this embodiment can be configured. In the conventicnal elevator group supervisory control system, the group supervisory control apparatus 1 that allocates a hall call without a destination floor involved in an operation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 is provided. However, in this system, a destination floor registration apparatus on flcor 5 or the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s not provided.

To configure the elevator group supervisory control system according to this embodiment, firstly,

the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 or the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s newly provided. Secondly, to enable selection of an allocation target serial number while considering a hall call with a destination floor, functions of the registration control unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 16 of the group supervisory control apparatus 1 are changed. In this embodiment, the conventional elevator group supervisory contrdl system can be renovated into the elevator group supervisory control system according te this embodiment without need for replacing the group supervisory control apparatus 1 itself. (Second Embodiment)

A second embodiment will now be described. It is to be noted that, in structures of each embodiment mentioned below, a description on the same parts as those in the first embodiment will be omitted.

FIG. 6 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment.

In this elevator group superviscry control system, a destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not only electrically connected to a destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 but also electrically connected to a car control apparatus 2 of each serial number. The destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 may be electrically connected to car control apparatuses 2 of some serial numbers. In this embodiment, a hall call registration apparatus 4 is not provided in a hall where the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is provided.

In this embodiment, when a hall call with a destination floor cannot be registered or this hall call cannot be allocated due to, for example, a failure of the destination flcor registration processing apparatus 6, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is used in place of the hall call registration apparatus 4. With such a configuration, a hall call without a destination floor can be registered, and this hall call can be allocated. In this embodiment, services for users can be continued even on a floor where the hall call registration apparatus 4 1s not provided. Additionally, hall call information without a destination flcor 1s output to the group supervisory control apparatus 1 through the car control apparatus Z as a connection target.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of a destination floor registration apparatus on floor of an elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, a destination floor registration apparatus con flcor 5 in this embodiment has a control apparatus 51, a memory apparatus 52, a communication interface 53, and a touchpanel 55. The control apparatus 51 has an output control unit 54, a display control unit 56, and an abnormality detection unit 57. The output control unit 54, the display control unit 56, and the abnormality detection unit 57 are processing units executed by software in a microprocessor, and information can be transmitted or received between the respective units as shown in

FIG. 7.

The memory apparatus 52 is a memory medium such as a nonvolatile memory and stores programs for prccessing operations performed by the communication interface 53, the output control unit 54, the display control unit 56, and the abnormality detecticon unit 57. The cutput control unit 4, the display control unit 56, and the abnormality detection unit 57 operate by reading and executing the programs.

The touchpanel 55 is a touchpanel display in which an operation unit configured to register a destination floor is integrated with a display unit configured to display an allocation result and others. The display control unit 56 switches a display screen of the touchpanel 55 to a display screen for registration cf a hall call with a destination floor or a display scresan for registration of a hall call without a destination floor in accordance with presence/absence of

- 27 = abnormalities 1n operations of the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6.

FIG. 8 is a view showing an example of the display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 8, in the display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor displayed in the touchpanel 55, an icon for selecting a destinaticn floor and a message for urging input of selection of a destination fioor is displayed. When a user Touches an icon of a desired destination floor on the display screen, hall call information with a destination floor is output to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6.

FIG. 9 is a view showing an example of the display screen for registration of a hall call without a destination floor in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 9, in the display screen for registration of a hall call without a destination floor displayed in the touchpanel 55, an icon for selecting a destination direction and a message for urging input of selection of the destination direction is displayed.

When a user touches an icon of a desired destination direction on the display screen, hall call information without a destination floor is output to the car control apparatus 2.

When an operation signal indicating that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is properly operating is input through the communication interface 53, the abnormaiity detection unit 57 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s properly operating. Additionally, when this operation signal cannot be input, the abnormally detection unit 57 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s not properly operating.

When the avnormallty detection unit 57 has detected that the destination floor registration processing apparatus © 1s operating normally, the output control unit 54 controls so that the hall call information based on an operation on the touchpanel 55 can be output to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6.

When the abnormality detection unit 57 has detected that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is not operating normally, the output control unit 54 controls so that the hall call information based on an operation on the touchpanel 55 can be output te the car control apparatus 2. This

— 2G — control enables the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 to substitute for the hall call registration apparatus 4, a hall call without a destination floor can be registered on a floor where the destination flcoceor registration apparatus on floor 5 is installed.

An operation of the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment will now be described. FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an operation procedure performed by the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the second embodiment.

First, when normal allocation is carried out, the allocation control unit 66 in the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 outputs an operation signal indicating that this normal allocation is carried out to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 through the communication interface 63 at regular time intervals.

When the operation signal 1s input through the communication interface 53 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 at the regular time intervals, the abnormality detection unit 57 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus ¢ is operating normally.

On the other hand, when the operating signal is not input even though the regular time interval passes, the abnormality detection unit 57 detects an operation failure. This operation failure represents that the destination floor registration processing apparatus © is not operating normally. The abnormality detection unit 57 outputs a signal indicating that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is not operating normally to the cutput control unit 54 and the display control unit 56 (step 321).

The output control unit 54 switches an cutput destination of hall call information provided by an operation on the touchpanel 55 to the car control apparatus 2 which is a connection destination (step $22). Based on this switching, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 which is an own apparatus can be used in place of the hall call registration apparatus 4.

The display control unit 56 switches a display screen of the touchpanel 55 from such a display screen for registering a hall call with a destination floor as shown in FIG. 8 tec such a display screen for registering a hall call without a destination floor as shown in FIG. 9@ (step S23). When this switching is performed, a user can be informed that the display screen of the touchpanel 52 has been switched from the screen for registering a hall call with a destination floor to the screen for registering a hall call without a destination floor.

The user carried out an operation for registering a hall call without a destination floor with respect to the touchpanel 53 in accordance with this screen (step $24). The output control unit 54 outputs hall call information without a destination floor generated by the operation on the touchpanel 55 to the car control apparatus 2 as the connection destination through the communication interface 53 (step 525).

Even if the destination floor registration processing apparatus © does not normally operates in this manner, the allocation of a hall call from each floor can be continuously carried cut.

When troubleshooting or the like of the destination floor registration processing apparatus © has been finished and the normal operation of the destination floor registration processing apparatus © has been restored, the abnormally detection unit 57 again receives the operation signal from the destination floor registration processing apparatus © through the communication interface 32. In this case, the abnormality detection unit 57 outputs a signal indicating that the normal operation of the destination floor registration processing apparatus © has been restored to the output control unit 54 and the display control unit 56 (step S26).

The output contrcl unit 54 switches the cutput destination of the hall call information generated by the operation on the touchpanel 55 to be returned to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 (step S27). Based on this switching, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 which is an own apparatus can be used for the operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor which is the original use.

The display control unit 56 restores the display screen of the touchpanel 55 from such a display screen for registering a hall call without a destination floor as shown in FIG. 9 to such a display screen for registering a hall call with a destination floor as shown in FIG. 8 {step 528).

The user carries out the operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor with respect to the touchpanel 55 in accordance with this screen (step

S29). The output control unit 54 outputs hall call information with a destination floor generated by an operation on the tcouchpanel 55 to the destination floor registration processing apparatus © through the communication interface 53 (step S530).

As described above, in the elevator group supervisory centrel system according to the second embodiment, when the registration of a hall call with a destination floor and the allocation of this hall call cannot be performed, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is used in place of the hall call registration apparatus 4. With such a configuration, upon accepting the operaticn for a hall call without a destination floor on a floor where the hall call registration apparatus 4 is not installed, this hall call can be allocated to an allocation target car. In this embodiment, even if the hall call with a destination floor cannot be registered, services for users can be maintained on all floors including a fiocor where the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not installed.

Further, the conventional elevator group supervisory control system can be renovated, and the elevator group supervisory control system according to this embodiment can be configured.

To configure the elevator group supervisory control system in this embodiment, at first, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is newly provided. At second, the hall call registration apparatus 4 in a hall where accepting an operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor is desired 1s replaced with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

At third, functions of the registration contrel unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 16 in the group supervisory control apparatus 1 are changed so that an allocation target serial number can be selected while considering a hall call with a destination fleccr. When these operations are carried cut, the conventional elevator group supervisory control system can be renovated into the elevator group supervisory control system according to this embodiment without need for replacing the group supervisory control apparatus 1 itself.

Furthermore, for the renovation, it is sufficient to provide one type of hall call registration apparatus in a hall where accepting an operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor 1s desired.

Therefore, even 1f a hall space is small, no problem occurs in implementation of the renovation. (Third Embodiment)

A third embodiment will now be described.

FIG. 11 is a view showing a structural example of an elevator group superviscry control system according to the third embodiment.

In this elevator group supervisory control system, a destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 and a hall call registration apparatus 4 are electrically connected and provided together in a hall on a floor where the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 explained in the first embodiment is installed.

When a destination floor registration processing apparatus ¢ 1s operating normally, the destination fioor registration apparatus on floor 5 disables an operation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with itself. Additionally, when the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is not operating normally, the destination floor registration apparatus on flcor 5 enables an operation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with itself so that a hall call without a destination ficor can be registered.

Further, in this embodiment, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is electrically connected to the respective hall call registration apparatuses 4.

As a result of this detection, when a target destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is operating normally, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 disables an operation for the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

On the other hand, when the destination fliocor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not operating normally, the destination floor registration apparatus © enables an operation for the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 so that a hall call without a destination floor can be registered.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system in the third embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 12, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 in this embodiment has a control apparatus 51, a memory apparatus 52, a communication interface 53, and a touchpanel 55. The control apparatus 51 has a display control unit 56, an abnormality detection unit 57, and an cperation control unit 58. The display control unit 56, the abnormality detection unit 57, and the operation control unit 59 are processing units executed by software in a microprocesscr, and information can be transmitted or received between the respective units as shown in

FIG. 12.

The memory apparatus 52 1s a memory medium such as a nonvolatile memory and stores programs for processing operations performed by the display control unit 56, the abnormality detection unit 57, and the operation control unit 5%. The display control unit 56, the abnormality detection unit 57, and the operation control unit 5% operate by reading and executing the programs.

The display control unit 56 displays a display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor or cancels display in accordance with

EE presence/absence of abnormalities in operations of the destinaticn floor registration processing apparatus 6.

Further, when an operation signal indicating that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s operating normally is input from the destination floor registraticn processing apparatus 6, the abnormality detection unit 57 in the destination floor reglstraticn apparatus on floor 5 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus © is operating normally. Moreover, when the operation signal from the destination floor registration processing apparatus & cannot be input, the abnormality detection unit 57 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus © is not operating normally.

When the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 1s operating normally, the operation control unit 59 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor turns off a power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together in its own apparatus. That is, the operation control unit 59 can disable an operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4.

Further, when the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is not operating normally, the operation control unit 59 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 turns on the power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with itself. That is, the operation control unit 59 can enable the operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4.

FIG. 13 is a block diagram showing a function structural example of the destination floor registration processing apparatus In the elevator group supervisory control system according to the third embodiment.

The destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 in this embodiment further has an abnormality detection unit 67 and an operation control unit 68 in addition to the control apparatus 61, the memory apparatus 62, The communication interface 63, the registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, and the allecation control unit 66 which are described in the first embodiment. In addition to the registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, and the allocation control unit 66, the abnormality detection unit 67 and the operation control unit 68 are processing units executed by software In the microprocessor, and information can be transmitted or received between the respective units as shown in FIG. 13.

The memory apparatus 6Z is a memory medium such as a nonvelatile memory and stores programs for processing operations performed by the communicaticn interface 63, the registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit 65, the allocation control unit 66, the abnormality detection unit 67, and the cperation control unit 68. The registration control unit 64, the response time calculation unit €5, the allocation control unit 66, the abnormality detection unit 67, and the operation control unit 68 operate by reading and executing the programs.

When an cperation signal indicating that the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is operating nermally is input from the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, the abnormality detection unit 67 detects that this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is operating normally. Furthermore, when the operation signal from the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 cannot be input due to, for example, a failure in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, the abnormality detection unit 67 detects that this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not operating normally.

When the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is operating normally, the operation control 25h unit 68 turns off the power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

That 1s, an operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4 can be disabled.

Moreover, when the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not operating normally, the operation control unit 68 turns on the power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5. That is, the operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4 can be enabled. i0 An operation of the elevator group supervisory control system in this embodiment will now be described. FIG. 14 is a flowchart showing an example of an operation procedure effected by the destination floor registration apparatus on floor in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the third embodiment.

First, the allocation control unit 66 in the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 cutputs an operation signal indicative of a normal operation of its own apparatus to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 through the communication interface 63 at regular time intervals when this own apparatus is operating ncrmally.

When the operation signal is input through the communication interface 53 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 at regular time intervals, the abnormality detection unit 57 of this

~ 41 = destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 detects that the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is operating normally. On the other hand, when this operation signal is not input even after the regular time interval passes, the abnormality detection unit 57 detects an operation failure in the destination floor registration processing apparatus &. The abnormality detection unit 57 outputs a signal indicative of this operation failure to the display control unit 56 and the operation contrel unit 59 (step S541).

The display control unit 56 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 cancels display of the display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor which is shown in the touchpanel 55 of its own apparatus. Effecting this cancelation enables stopping the registration of a hall call with a destination floor performed by an operation on this touchpanel 55 (step 542).

The operation control unit 59 in the destination floor registraticn apparatus on floor 5 activates the hall call registration apparatus 4 by turning on the power supply cf the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with itself. As a result, the 25h operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4 is enabled.

To inform a user of the fact that the cperation of this hall call registration apparatus 4 is enabled, the display control unit 56 displays, for example, a message “please press a destination direction button” in the touchpanel 55 (step S543).

When the user performs the cperaticn for registration of & hall call without a destination floor with respect to this hall call registration apparatus 4 provided Together {step S44), information of the hall call without a destination floor is output to the car control apparatus Z as a connection target point (step

S45).

As described above, in this embodiment, when the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is not operating normally, the operation for the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is enabled. As a result, a hall call without a destination floor on a floor where the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is provided can be allocated to an allocation target car.

When the normal operation of the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 has been restored and the abnormality detection unit 57 has again received the operation signal from the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the communication interface 53, this abnormality detection unit 57 outputs a signal indicative of this state to the display control unit 5% and the operation control unit 59 (step S46).

The display control unit 56 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 terminates the guide display of a message displayed in step S43 in the touchpanel 55 of itself. The display control unit 56 restarts the display of the display screen for registration of a hall call with a destination floor.

When this operation 1s performed, the registration of a hall call with a destination floor based on an operation on this touchpanel 55 can be restarted (step

S47).

Additionally, the operation control unit 59 stops the hall call registration apparatus 4 by turning off the power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 which is provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 which is its own apparatus. That is, an operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4 can be disabled (step 3548).

The user carries out an operation for registration cf a hall call with a destination floor with respect to the touchpanel 55 in acccerdance with this screen (step $49). When this operation ils performed, information of a hall call with a destination floor generated by the operation on the touchpanel 55 is output to the destination floor registration processing apparatus © through the communication interface 53 (step $50).

First, when each destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is operating normally, the operation centrol unit 5% outputs an operation signal indicative of this state to the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 through the communication interface 53 at regular time intervals.

This operation signal includes identifying information indicative of an installing position of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5.

When the operaticn signal 1s input through the communication interface 63 in the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 at the regular time intervals, the abnormality detection unit 67 detects that the destination flcor registration apparatus on floor 5 to which the operation signal is output is operating normally. On the other hand, when this operation signal is not input even after the regular time interval passes, a predetermined operation is carried out. That is, the abnormality detection unit 7 detects an operation fallure representing that this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is not operating normally and outputs a signal indicative of this operation failure to the operation control unit 68 (step S61).

The operation control unit 68 outputs a power supply control signal to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, from which the apnormality has been detected, through the communication interface €3 and thereby turns off the power supply of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 as an output destination (step i0 S562). That is, the registration of a hall call with a destination floor using an operation of this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 can be stopped.

The operation centrel unit €8 outputs the power supply control signal to the hall call registration apparatus 4 that is provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 from which the abnormality has been detected. The hall call registration apparatus 4 as an output destination is an apparatus having identifying information corresponding to an installing position in identifying information of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 in which the input of the operation signal cannot be confirmed. The operation control unit 68 turns on the power supply of this hall call registration apparatus 4 as the output destination and thereby performs activation. That is, an operation of this hall call registration apparatus 4 is enabled.

In this embodiment, the hall call registration apparatus 4 that is provided Together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 has a display apparatus. The operation control unit 68 outputs a display contrel signal used for displaying a message “please press a destination direction button” to the hail call registration apparatus 4 together with the power supply contrel signal and displays the message in the display apparatus (step S63). This message 1s a message for informing a user that an operation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 from which the abnormality was detected has been enabled. When this message 1s displayed, the user can understand that the cperation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 from which the abnormality was detected has been snabled.

When the user carries out the operation for registration of a hall call without a destination floor with respect to the hall call registration apparatus 4 that is provided together (step $564), information of the hall call without a destination floor is output to the car contrel apparatus Z as a connection destination (step 565). Based on this output, the hall call nm 47 — without a destination floor can be allocated to the allocation target car.

It 1s assumed that, when the repair of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 from which the abnormality was detected has been completed, the normal operation of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is restored.

In this case, the abnormality detection unit 67 in the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 agaln receives an operation signal from the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, from which the abnermality was detected, through the communication interface €3. The abnormality detection unit 67 outputs to the operation control unit 68 a signal indicating that the normal operation of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 has been restored {step S%6).

The cperation contrel unit 68 outputs a power supply control signal to the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5, from which the abnormality was detected, through the communication interface 63 and thereby turns on the power supply of the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 as an output destination. That 1s, the registration of a hall call with a destination floor based on the operation for this destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 can be restarted (step 567).

The operation control unit 68 turns off the power supply of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 from which the abnormality was detected and thereby stops the operation. That is, the operation control unit 68 can disable the operation of this hall call registration apparatus 4. As a result, the display of the message shown in the display apparatus of the hall call registration apparatus 4 in step 363 is also terminated (step S568).

A user performs an operation for registering a hall call with a destination floor with respect to the touchpanel 55 in the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 whese power supply has been turned on (step $569). When this operation is performed, information of the hall call with a destination floor generated by the operation on the touchpanel 55 is output to the destination floor registration processing 26 apparatus © through the communication interface 53 {step S70).

As described above, in the elevator group supervisory control system according to the third embodiment, when a hall call with a destination floor cannot be registered, the operation of the hall call registration apparatus 4 provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is enabled. That 1s, since the hall call without a destination floor involved in the operation for this hall call registration apparatus 4 can be allocated to an allocation target car, services for users can be continued.

Further, the conventional elevator group supervisory control system can be renovated, and the elevator group supervisory control system according to this embodiment can be configured. To achieve this configuration, at first, the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6 is newly provided.

At second, the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 5 is provided together with the hall call registration apparatus 4 in a hall where accepting the operation for registration of a hall call with a destination floor 1s desired. At third, the functions of the registration control unit 14, the response time calculation unit 15, and the allocation control unit 156 in the group supervisory control apparatus 1 are changed so that an allocation target serial number can be selected while taking account of a hall call with a destination floor frem the destination floor registration processing apparatus 6. In this embodiment, the conventional elevator group supervisory contrel system can be renovated into the elevator group supervisory control system according to this embodiment without replacing the group supervisory control apparatus 1 itself.

While certain embodiments have been described, these embodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are not intended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel embodiments described herein may be embodied in a variety of other forms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in the form of the embodiments described herein may be made without departing from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims and their agquivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications as would fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. An elevator group supervisory control system comprising: cars; a destination floor registration apparatus on floor which is installed in a hall on each floor and accepts an operation for registration of a hall call including a destination floor of a user; a hall call registration apparatus which is installed in the hall on each floor and accepts an operation for registration of a hall call that designates a destination direction of each car: a first allocation control apparatus which takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor at the time of determining a car that is allowed fo respond to a hall call registered by an operation for the hall call registration apparatus; and a second allocation control apparatus which is provided separately from the first allocation control apparatus, and takes account of a hall call registered by an operation for the hall call registration apparatus at the time of determining a car that is allowed to respond to a hall call including a destination floor registered by an operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor.

2. The system according to claim 1,

wherein the destination floor registration apparatus on floor accepts the operation for registration of the hall call that designates the designation direction of the car when the second allocation control apparatus is not operating normally, and the first allocation control apparatus determines a car that is allowed to respond to the hall call that designates the destination direction of the car registered by the operation for the destination floor registration apparatus on floor.

3. The system according tc any one of claims 1 and 2, further comprising controlling apparatus for disabling an operation performed by the hall call registration apparatus provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor when the second allocation control apparatus is cperating normally or enabling an operation performed by the hall call registration apparatus provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor when the second allocation control apparatus is not operating normally in a situation where both the destination floor registration apparatus on floor and the hall call registration apparatus are provided in a hall on the same given floor, wherein the first allocation control apparatus allocates a car that is allowed to respond a hall call that designates a destination direction of the car when this hall call is registered by the enabled operation of the hall call registration apparatus.

4. The system according to any cne of claims 1 and 2, further comprising controlling apparatus for disabling an operation performed by the hall call registration apparatus provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor when the destination floor registration apparatus on floor is operating normally or enabling an operation performed by the hall call registration apparatus provided together with the destination floor registration apparatus on floor when the destination floor registration apparatus on floor 1s not operating normally in a situation where both the destination floor registration apparatus on floor and the hall call registration apparatus are provided in a hall on the same given floor, wherein the first allocation control apparatus allocates a car that 1s allowed to respond a hall call that designates a destination direction of the car when this hall call is registered by the enabled operation cf the hall call registration apparatus.