CN116323456B

CN116323456B - Monitoring system for elevator

Info

Publication number: CN116323456B
Application number: CN202080105401.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 滨田恭平; 桥口拓弥; 田畠广泰; 川﨑仁; 金子洋介
Original assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corp
Current assignee: Mitsubishi Electric Building Solutions Corp
Priority date: 2020-09-23
Filing date: 2020-09-23
Publication date: 2024-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2040-09-23
Also published as: WO2022064567A1; CN116323456A; JP7367863B2; JPWO2022064567A1

Abstract

Provided is a monitoring system capable of monitoring an elevator more reliably. The monitoring system (16) is provided with an event input unit (25) and an estimation unit (35). The event input unit (25) receives a signal indicating an external event from the external system (20). The external event is an event occurring in an external system (20) external to the elevator (1). The estimation unit (35) pre-analyzes the time relationship between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator (1) on the basis of the occurrence history of the external event and the operation history of the elevator (1). When the event input unit (25) receives input of a signal indicating an external event, the estimation unit (35) estimates the time between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator (1) on the basis of the result of analysis performed in advance.

Description

Monitoring system for elevator

Technical Field

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

Background

Patent document 1 discloses an example of an elevator monitoring device. The monitoring device includes an event input unit, an image management unit, and an image transmission unit. The event input unit receives a signal indicating an event occurring in the elevator. The image management unit selects an image to be transmitted to the image analysis server from among images captured by imaging devices provided in the elevator car or at a landing. The image management unit uses the time when the event input unit receives the signal as a selection criterion for the image transmitted to the image analysis server.

Prior art literature

Patent literature

Patent document 1: japanese patent No. 6388098

Disclosure of Invention

Problems to be solved by the invention

The monitoring device of patent document 1 performs monitoring processing such as image selection based on an event occurring in an elevator such as an elevator. Here, in the elevator, there is a case where an event of the elevator does not occur when the user uses the elevator. In this case, there is a possibility that the elevator monitoring cannot be performed sufficiently without performing the necessary monitoring process.

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

Means for solving the problems

The elevator monitoring system of the present invention comprises: an event input unit that receives a signal indicating an external event occurring in an external system from the external system outside the elevator; and an estimating unit that analyzes in advance a time relationship between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator based on the occurrence history of the external event and the operation history of the elevator, and estimates a time between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator based on a result of the analysis performed in advance when the event input unit receives an input of a signal indicating the external event.

Effects of the invention

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

Drawings

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Detailed Description

The mode for carrying out the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, the same or corresponding portions are denoted by the same reference numerals, and repetitive description thereof will be appropriately simplified or omitted.

Embodiment 1

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

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

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

Each landing door 5 is disposed at a landing 4 on any floor. Each landing door 5 is a door that divides the landing 4 and the hoistway 3. Each of the landing operation panels 6 is disposed at a landing 4 on any floor. Each hall operation panel 6 is a device for receiving an operation such as hall call registration performed by a user. Each of the landing imaging devices 7 is disposed at a landing 4 on an arbitrary floor. Each of the landing imaging devices 7 is a device that captures an image of the landing 4 on which it is disposed. The image captured by the landing image capturing device 7 is a still image, a moving image, or the like. In this example, the hall imaging device 7 always captures an image of the hall 4. The landing imaging device 7 is an example of an imaging device of the lifter 1.

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

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

The car 10 is an apparatus that transports users between a plurality of floors by traveling in the vertical direction in the hoistway 3. The car 10 includes a car door 13, a car operating panel 14, and a car imaging device 15. The car door 13 is a device for opening and closing the landing door 5 of the landing 4 disposed on the floor in a linked manner so that a user can ride on and off when the car 10 stops on an arbitrary floor. The car operating panel 14 is a device for receiving an operation such as car call registration of a user who gets on the car 10. The car imaging device 15 is a device that captures an image of the inside of the car 10. The image captured by the car imaging device 15 is a still image, a moving image, or the like. In this example, the car imaging device 15 always captures an image of the interior of the car 10. The car imaging device 15 is an example of an imaging device of the elevator 1.

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

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

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

Elevator events are events that occur in the elevator 1. The elevator event includes, for example, a user operation received by the landing operation panel 6 or the car operation panel 14. The elevator event includes, for example, a change in situation detected by image recognition or the like of an image captured by the hall imaging device 7 or the car imaging device 15. The situation detected by the image recognition includes, for example, the actions of the users, the number of users in the car 10 or the landing 4, or the intervals between the users. The elevator event includes, for example, detection of an object by a door sensor, not shown, provided to the car door 13 or the landing door 5. The lifter event includes, for example, a seismic detector or the like, not shown, of the lifter 1 detecting a seismic event or the like.

The external event is an event occurring in the external system 20. The external system 20 is a system external to the elevator 1. The external system 20 has a function of outputting a signal indicating an external event when the external event occurs. In this example, one or more external systems 20 are connected to the monitoring device 17.

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

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

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

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

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

The external system 20 may be a system used by a user of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1, for example. The external system 20 is, for example, a system for processing a schedule of a user who performs a business or the like in the building 2. The system for processing the calendar of the user is, for example, a business system or the like. Business systems include, for example, attendance management systems, business trip calculation systems, and the like. The business system may include a reading device, not shown, or the like that reads identification information for identifying the user, attribute information indicating an attribute of the user, or the like. External events occurring in the business system include, for example, a user going to work or going from work, etc. External events occurring in the business system include, for example, departure and arrival of a user's business trip, start and end of use of the conference room by the user, and the like.

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

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

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

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

The image storage unit 22 is a unit that stores data of an image captured by the imaging device of the elevator 1 received by the image input unit 21. The image storage unit 22 is, for example, a buffer for temporarily storing image data. Or the image storage unit 22 may store image data for a long period of time, for example.

The image management unit 23 is a unit that selects an image to be monitored from among the images stored in the image storage unit 22 according to the event. The image to be monitored is, for example, an image captured by the imaging device of the lifter 1 at a time point after a predetermined time from the time point or a period after a predetermined time from the time point, based on the time point when the event occurs. The image to be monitored may be, for example, an image captured by the imaging device of the elevator 1 at a time point earlier than the time point by a predetermined time or during a period earlier than the time point by a predetermined time with reference to the time point at which the event occurs. The image to be monitored may be, for example, an image captured by the imaging device of the lifter 1 at the time point of occurrence of the event or during a period including the time point. The image management unit 23 stores a selection rule DB26 (DB: dataBase). The selection rule DB26 is a database storing selection rules to be followed by the image management unit 23 in selecting an image to be monitored. The selection rule DB26 holds a selection rule, for example, per each event that occurs.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

In this example, the conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "00A" of the first to third bits of the signal as the user identification number 10 expressed in 16-ary number according to the read conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "002" of the fourth to sixth bits of the signal as room number 2 expressed in 16-ary number according to the conversion rule. The conversion section 28 recognizes the information "001" of the seventh to ninth bits of the signal as the lock number 1 expressed in 16-ary number according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "001" from the tenth bit to the tenth bit of the signal as the type number 1 indicating the external event of unlocking, according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 recognizes the information "20191126123456" of 13 bits and later of the signal as the occurrence time "2019, 11, 26, 12, 34 minutes and 56 seconds" of the external event according to the conversion rule. The conversion unit 28 converts the information identified by the conversion rule into a format that can be handled by the image management unit 23, and outputs the converted information to the image management unit 23.

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

In this example, the image management unit 23 reads a selection rule corresponding to an external event indicating unlocking occurring in the access management system. The image management unit 23 selects an image to be monitored based on the read selection rule. The image management unit 23 identifies the elevator landing 4 and the car 10 to be used by the user, for example, based on the lock number of the electronic lock. The image management unit 23 identifies, for example, the landing 4 and the car 10 near the position where the electronic lock is provided. The image management unit 23 selects, for example, an image captured by the imaging device of the elevator 1 during a period from the time point of occurrence of the external event to a time period set in advance as an image to be monitored. The predetermined time is, for example, 5 seconds or the like corresponding to the time from unlocking of the electronic lock until the user reaches the landing 4.

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

In addition, in the elevator, a plurality of cars 10 may be provided. The elevator may be an escalator having a plurality of steps. In an escalator, steps are circulated in the way and loop between a set of landing doors. The user of the escalator steps on steps moving in the outgoing path to move. In the escalator, the imaging device of the elevator may be, for example, an imaging device that photographs the entrance or the exit of the steps.

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

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

With this configuration, the image management unit 23 can select an image to be monitored based on events including external events. Therefore, even when no elevator event occurs during the period of use by the user, an image of the user who is using the elevator 1 can be selected. For example, in a case where a user does not perform a large operation while using the lifter 1, a lifter event identified from an image captured by the imaging device of the lifter 1 may not occur. In addition, when a user gets on the car 10 in response to a call from another user, the user may not perform an operation of the elevator 1 such as call registration, and the like, and may use the elevator 1. In this case, an elevator event detected by the operation of the elevator 1 may not occur. Even in these cases, if an external event occurs, the user can select an image using the lifter 1 as a monitoring target. Further, since an external event may occur before and after the use of the elevator 1, the image management unit 23 can select an image including the conditions before and after the use of the elevator 1 as a monitoring target. This allows the manager to monitor the elevator 1 more reliably. In addition, in a case where the entire elevator 1 is not used as a monitoring target, the image management unit 23 can screen an image to be monitored not only from an elevator event but also from an external event. In this way, the selection accuracy of the image to be monitored is further improved, and thus the image stored in the image storage unit 30 becomes a sufficiently necessary image. This saves the storage capacity of the image storage unit 30. In addition, since an image is selected according to an external event, the image can be retrieved according to the external event that occurs. This improves the image retrievability of the manager. In the case where the image output unit 24 and the image storage unit 30 are connected via the network 18, the image to be communicated over the network 18 is a sufficiently necessary image. Thereby, the communication capacity of the network 18 can be saved.

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

With this configuration, the image management unit 23 receives the provision of the interface for the external event from the conversion unit 28. Therefore, the monitoring system 16 can receive signals of external events occurring in a wide variety of external systems 20 that are not directly related to the elevator 1. This enables the elevator 1 to be monitored more reliably. For example, when there is a standardized specification or the like in the form of a signal indicating an event that occurs, the external system 20 may output a signal of an external event in a form that can be handled by the image management unit 23. In this case, the image management unit 23 may receive a signal of an external event from the external system 20 without the conversion unit 28.

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

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

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

With such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select an image to be monitored in accordance with an external event occurring in the equipment of the building 2 in which the lifter 1 is provided. This improves the image retrievability and the like, and enables the elevator 1 to be monitored more reliably. In particular, by selecting an image using a user's access as an external event, it is possible to monitor the user's access to a specific area, or the like. In addition, devices such as an air conditioning system, a ventilation system, a lighting system, and a hot water supply system are often operated by an initial attendance, a final exit, and the like. Therefore, by selecting an image by taking the operation of the device by the user as an external event, the user's entrance and exit, such as the first attendance and the final exit, can be monitored. This improves, for example, the safety of the building 2. The image management unit 23 may select an image to be monitored by combining a plurality of conditions. The image management unit 23 may select an image to be monitored, for example, by taking an operation of the illumination system or the like performed after a preset time period for the next shift as the occurrence of an external event.

The event input unit 25 receives a signal indicating an external event as the external system 20 by using a system for processing a schedule of a user of the building 2 provided with the elevator 1.

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

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select an image to be monitored according to a schedule or actual performance of the user entering or exiting the building 2. The monitoring system 16 can select an image to be monitored based on surrounding condition information of the building 2, and the like. This further improves the retrievability of the image to be monitored in the elevator 1.

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

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

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

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

The functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented by a processing circuit. The processing circuit is provided with at least one processor 100a and at least one memory 100b. The processing circuit may also include the processor 100a, the memory 100b, and at least one dedicated hardware 200, or may include at least one dedicated hardware 200 in place of the processor 100a and the memory 100b.

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

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

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

The functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented by a processing circuit, respectively. Or the functions of the monitoring system 16 can be implemented in a unified manner by a processing circuit. With respect to the functions of the monitoring system 16, one part may be implemented by dedicated hardware 200, and the other part may be implemented by software or firmware. As such, the processing circuitry implements the functions of the monitoring system 16 through dedicated hardware 200, software, firmware, or a combination thereof.

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

Embodiment 2

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

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

As described above, the monitoring system 16 of the elevator 1 according to embodiment 2 includes the rule input unit 32. The rule input unit 32 receives update information. The update information is information for updating the image selection rule to be followed by the image management unit 23 in the selection of the image captured by the image capturing device of the elevator 1.

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

Embodiment 3

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

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

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

With such a configuration, the selection of an image to be monitored or the like is performed in accordance with the characteristics of the building 2. This further improves the accuracy of selecting the image to be monitored in the monitoring system 16. Further, since the management personnel is not required to perform the work such as setting the selection rule, the management of the lifter 1 and the like saves labor.

Embodiment 4

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

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

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

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

The estimating unit 35 collects information of an event occurring from the event input unit 25, for example, and stores the information in the history DB 36. The estimating unit 35 collects operation information of the elevator 1 from, for example, the control panel 12 of the elevator 1 and stores the operation information in the history DB 36. Alternatively, the estimating unit 35 may receive log information stored in the external system 20 and store the occurrence history of the event in the history DB 36. At this time, the estimation unit 35 may receive log information via the event input unit 25. The estimation unit 35 may receive log information via the conversion unit 28 of the event input unit 25. The conversion unit 28 converts the form of the signal of the external event received from the external system 20 into a form that can be processed by the estimation unit 35. In this example, the form of information that can be processed by the estimating unit 35 is the same as that of information that can be processed by the image managing unit 23. That is, the conversion unit 28 performs the format conversion for the estimation unit 35 by the same processing as the format conversion for the image management unit 23. The information format that can be handled by the estimating unit 35 may be different from the information format that can be handled by the image managing unit 23.

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

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

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

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

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

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can estimate the time between the occurrence of an event including an external event and the use of the elevator 1. Therefore, the monitoring system 16 can monitor the use of the lifter 1 associated with the external event. With such a monitoring system 16, the manager can monitor the elevator 1 more reliably.

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

With this configuration, the estimating unit 35 receives the provision of the interface to the external event from the converting unit 28. Therefore, the monitoring system 16 can receive signals of external events occurring in various external systems 20 which are not directly related to the elevator 1, and estimate the use of the elevator 1. This enables the elevator 1 to be monitored more reliably. For example, when there is a standardized specification or the like regarding the form of a signal indicating an event that occurs, the external system 20 may output the signal of the external event in a form that the estimating unit 35 can process. In this case, the estimating unit 35 may receive the signal of the external event from the external system 20 without the converting unit 28.

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

With such a configuration, the monitoring system 16 can perform processing of taking the use of the elevator 1 as a monitoring target in association with an external event occurring in the equipment of the building 2 in which the elevator 1 is installed. This improves the retrievability and the like for use of the elevator 1, and enables more reliable monitoring of the elevator 1. The estimation unit 35 may perform analysis and estimation by combining a plurality of conditions.

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

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can perform a process of using the elevator 1 as a monitoring target in association with a schedule or a performance of a user entering or exiting the building 2. The monitoring system 16 can perform a process of monitoring the use of the elevator 1 in association with information on the surrounding situation of the building 2. This can further improve the availability and the like of the elevator 1 to be monitored.

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

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

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

With this configuration, the monitoring system 16 can select an image to be monitored based on the occurrence of an event as a process to be monitored for use of the elevator 1. This improves the retrievability of the image to be monitored. In addition, since the accuracy of selecting an image to be monitored is improved, communication capacity, storage capacity, and the like are saved.

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

With such a configuration, the use of the elevator 1 by the user is performed based on the occurrence of an event including an external event, and thus the operation efficiency and the like of the elevator 1 are improved.

The event input unit 25 may receive identification information for identifying a user associated with the occurrence of the external event, together with a signal indicating the external event. For example, when the external event is an event of an access management system having a reader, the identification information is identification information read by the reader, or the like. Alternatively, when the external event is an event of a service system, the identification information may be identification information of a user corresponding to the event. In addition, when events related to the same user occur in different external systems 20, the event input unit 25 may perform a naming process for associating identification information with each external system 20. The naming process is performed, for example, in the conversion unit 28. The conversion unit 28 may store a correspondence table or the like of identification information used in the naming process in, for example, the conversion rule DB29 or the like.

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

With this configuration, the use of the elevator 1 can be monitored for each user's difference. The difference between the users includes, for example, the walking speed of the user or the action pattern of the user. The user's action pattern includes, for example, a movement path from the place where the event occurs to the lifter 1, and the like. This further improves the accuracy of the processing such as selecting an image to be monitored, and thus enables the elevator 1 to be monitored more reliably.

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

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

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

Industrial applicability

The monitoring system of the present invention can be applied to an elevator.

Description of the reference numerals

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

Claims

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

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

An estimating unit that analyzes in advance a time relationship between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator based on the occurrence history of the external event and the operation history of the elevator, and estimates a time between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator based on a result of the analysis performed in advance when the event input unit receives an input of a signal indicating the external event,

The event input unit receives a signal indicating the external event as the external system in a system of a facility of the building in which the elevator is installed,

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

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

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

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

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

4. A monitoring system for an elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

The event input unit receives identification information for identifying a user associated with the occurrence of the external event together with a signal indicating the external event,

The estimating unit analyzes in advance, for each user identified by the identification information, a time relationship between the occurrence of the external event and the use of the elevator.

5. A monitoring system for an elevator according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein,

The event input unit receives attribute information indicating an attribute of a user associated with the occurrence of the external event together with a signal indicating the external event,

The estimating unit analyzes in advance, for each attribute indicated by the attribute information, a time relationship between occurrence of the external event and utilization of the elevator.

6. A monitoring system for an elevator, wherein the monitoring system for an elevator comprises:

7. The elevator monitoring system of claim 6, wherein,

8. The elevator monitoring system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein,

9. The elevator monitoring system according to claim 6 or 7, wherein,

10. A monitoring system for an elevator, wherein the monitoring system for an elevator comprises:

11. The elevator monitoring system of claim 10, wherein,

12. The elevator monitoring system of claim 10, wherein,

13. A monitoring system for an elevator, wherein the monitoring system for an elevator comprises:

14. A monitoring system for an elevator, wherein the monitoring system for an elevator comprises: