JP2024030450A - Elevator remote monitoring system and method - Google Patents

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to maintain appropriate remote monitoring of an elevator even if a line for distributing digital content and a line for remote monitoring of the elevator are common. When a remote monitoring server receives a service request that is a request for a service related to remote monitoring, it determines whether the usage status of a line common to remote monitoring and digital content distribution is equal to or higher than a certain level. This determination is based on line usage and whether digital content is being downloaded to the elevator. If the result of the determination is true, the remote monitoring server requests the content server to stop downloading the digital content to the elevator. [Selection diagram] Figure 1

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to remote monitoring of elevators.

In recent years, many communications such as operation monitoring and abnormality monitoring have been performed for elevator remote monitoring. Elevator cars are also subject to remote monitoring. In Patent Document 1, a communication device is installed in an elevator car, a plurality of wireless devices are installed in a hoistway, and wireless communication is performed between the communication device and the wireless device. The communication device selectively performs broadcast communication and unicast communication with the wireless device using the first frequency and the second frequency.

JP2018-93485A

In recent years, live distribution and streaming distribution of video content through various media has become commonplace, and as a result of this, large-capacity data communications are being carried out. An example of video content is advertising content, and services are provided that deliver advertising content to elevators. Digital content other than video content may also be distributed.

Sufficient line capacity is required to distribute video content such as advertising content. If video content distribution and communication for remote monitoring of elevators are performed over a common line, the line will be overwhelmed by the video content distribution, and there is a possibility that highly urgent communication regarding remote monitoring cannot be performed comfortably. be. Line pressure may occur due to distribution of digital content other than video content or for other reasons.

The present invention was made in consideration of the above points, and it is possible to maintain appropriate remote monitoring of elevators even if the line for distributing digital content and the line for remote monitoring of elevators are common. purpose.

When the remote monitoring server receives a service request that is a request for a service related to remote monitoring, the remote monitoring server determines whether the usage status of a line common to remote monitoring and digital content distribution is equal to or higher than a certain level. This determination is based on line usage and whether digital content is being downloaded to the elevator. If the result of the determination is true, the remote monitoring server requests the content server to stop downloading the video content to the elevator.

According to the present invention, even if the line for distributing digital content and the line for remote monitoring of elevators are common, appropriate remote monitoring of elevators can be maintained.

1 shows a configuration example of an entire system including a remote monitoring system according to an embodiment of the present invention. An example of the configuration of a service terminal is shown. An example of the configuration of a remote monitoring server is shown below. An example of the structure of a building management table is shown. An example of the configuration of a content server is shown below. An example of the configuration of a content management table is shown. The flow when direct talk occurs during content distribution is shown. The flow when operation monitoring occurs during content distribution is shown. This is a display screen of a download stop notification when a direct conversation occurs. This is a display screen of a download restart notification at the end of direct talk.

In the following description, an "interface device" may be one or more communication interface devices. The one or more communication interface devices may be one or more of the same type of communication interface device or two or more of different types of communication interface devices.

Also, in the following description, "memory" refers to one or more memory devices, which may typically be a main storage device. At least one memory device in the memory may be a volatile memory device or a non-volatile memory device.

Also, in the following description, "persistent storage" may be one or more persistent storage devices, which is an example of one or more storage devices. Persistent storage devices typically may be non-volatile storage devices (e.g. auxiliary storage devices), and specifically include, for example, HDD (Hard Disk Drive), SSD (Solid State Drive), NVME (Non-Volatile). It may be a Memory Express (Memory Express) drive or an SCM (Storage Class Memory).

Furthermore, in the following description, a "storage device" may be at least a permanent storage device of a memory or a permanent storage device.

Also, in the following description, a "processor" may refer to one or more processor devices. The at least one processor device may typically be a microprocessor device such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), but may also be another type of processor device such as a GPU (Graphics Processing Unit). At least one processor device may be single-core or multi-core. The at least one processor device may be a processor core. At least one processor device is a circuit that is a collection of gate arrays (for example, FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array), CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device), or ASIC (Application It may be a processor device in a broad sense such as a specific integrated circuit).

In addition, in the following explanation, functions may be explained using the expression "yyy part", but functions may be realized by one or more computer programs being executed by a processor, or one or more computer programs may be executed by a processor. It may be realized by the above hardware circuit (for example, FPGA or ASIC), or a combination thereof. When a function is realized by a program being executed by a processor, the specified processing is performed using a storage device and/or an interface device as appropriate, so the function may be implemented as at least a part of the processor. good. A process described using a function as a subject may be a process performed by a processor or a device having the processor. Programs may be installed from program source. The program source may be, for example, a program distribution computer or a computer-readable storage medium (for example, a non-transitory storage medium). The description of each function is an example, and a plurality of functions may be combined into one function, or one function may be divided into a plurality of functions.

In addition, in the following explanation, information such as an "xxx table" may be used to explain information that can be output in response to an input, but the information may be data of any structure (for example, It may be structured data or unstructured data), or it may be a learning model such as a neural network, genetic algorithm, or random forest that generates an output based on input. Therefore, the "xxx table" can be called "xxx information." In addition, in the following explanation, the structure of the table is an example, and one table may be divided into two or more tables, or all or part of two or more tables may be one table. Good too.

Furthermore, in the following description, common reference numerals may be used to describe elements of the same type without distinguishing them, and reference numerals may be used to distinguish between elements of the same type.

Furthermore, in the following description, the element ID is element identification information, and may be any information as long as the element can be identified (for example, a name, alphanumeric characters, etc.).

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on the drawings. Note that in the following embodiments, video content will be taken as an example of the digital content to be distributed.

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of the entire system including a remote monitoring system according to this embodiment.

This remote monitoring system includes an elevator 2 installed in the same building, and a remote monitoring server 12 that remotely monitors the elevator 2 via a line 22 (for example, the Internet). The elevator 2 includes a car 21, a remote monitoring device 3, an elevator control device 4, a service terminal 5, and a communication device 10. The remote monitoring server 12 is provided in the remote monitoring center 11. The remote monitoring center 11 includes a person in charge terminal 13 that communicates with a remote monitoring server 12. The person in charge terminal 13 is an information processing terminal (client) of a person in charge of remote monitoring.

There is a content server 15 that delivers video content (video data) to the elevator 2 through a line 22. In the present embodiment, "downloading" of video content means for the content server 15 to distribute the video content to the elevator 2, and for the elevator 2 to receive the video content from the content server 15. The content server 15 is provided in the content providing center 14.

The communication device 10 communicates with the remote monitoring server 12 and the content server 15 through the line 22, and monitors the traffic on the line 22 and prioritizes packets.

The car 21 is equipped with a display device 6, a microphone 7, a speaker 8, and an emergency button 9, and carries people (passenger 1) and luggage and can be placed vertically, diagonally, or horizontally (typically horizontally). Moving.

The remote monitoring device 3 is a device that monitors the operating status of the elevator 2. The operation status of the elevator 2 is determined based on at least one of the following: the floor where the car 21 is located, the operating state of the call button in the elevator hall of each floor, and the pressed state of the destination floor button on the operation panel inside the car 21. May contain one. When an abnormality occurs in the elevator 2, the remote monitoring device 3 notifies the remote monitoring server 12 via the communication device 10.

The elevator control device 4 is installed above or near the car 21, and controls the operation of the elevator.

The service terminal 5 is installed near the car 21 and controls a display device 6 (for example, liquid crystal CPI) mounted on the car 21, a microphone 7, a speaker 8, and an emergency button 9. The service terminal 5 can schedule video content to be displayed on the display device 6.

In the remote monitoring center 11, the person in charge terminal 13 can display information representing the operating status of the elevators 2 in each building (for example, the occurrence status of an abnormality) through communication with the remote monitoring server 12.

In the content providing center 14, a content server 15 holds video content (eg, video content related to weather forecasts, daily news, advertisements, etc.). The content server 15 distributes video content to the elevator 2. Video content distribution may be performed in response to a request from the administrator terminal 16 (information processing terminal of the building administrator 17) or another terminal.

A car reservation server 51 may be provided. The car reservation server 51 makes car reservations (reservations for which car number in which building will be allocated to which floor) from a user terminal (not shown) (information processing terminal of the user of the elevator 2) through the line 22. and manage car reservations. The car reservation server 51 may transmit a car allocation request (for example, a car allocation request specifying a car number, a destination floor, and an arrival time at the destination floor) to the elevator 2 through the line 22. The car allocation request is a request for allocation of a car for which allocation has been reserved, and may be received by the remote monitoring device 3 via the communication device 10. The remote monitoring device 3 may transmit the car dispatch request to the elevator control device 4 corresponding to the corresponding car. In response to a car allocation request, the elevator control device 4 may allocate the car 21 to the floor designated by the request. Note that the user in the car 21 is the passenger 1.

An equipment management server 52 may be provided. The facility management server 52 receives a facility management request (for example, a facility management request specifying a building or an elevator) from the administrator terminal 16 via the line 22 , and in response to the request, sends the elevator facility ( For example, the status of the elevator control device 4, the air conditioner of the car 21, etc.) may be monitored. The equipment management request may be a request for equipment monitoring, which is to monitor the equipment status of the elevator 2 via the line 22. In response to the request, the equipment management server 52 may monitor the equipment through the line 22 and display information representing the results of the monitoring on the administrator terminal 16.

Any of the servers 12, 15, 51, and 52 may be a physical server or a logical server (for example, a server as a virtual machine or a cloud server based on a cloud infrastructure).

FIG. 2 shows an example of the configuration of the service terminal 5. As shown in FIG.

The service terminal 5 includes an interface device 201, a storage device 202, and a processor 203 connected thereto.

The interface device 201 communicates with the elements 6 to 9 provided in the car 21 and the elevator control device 4. The storage device 202 stores video content 221 downloaded from the content server 15 via the communication device 10.

When the processor 203 reads and executes a computer program from the storage device 202, functions such as the service control unit 211 and the content I/O unit 212 are realized. The service control unit 211 controls processing through elements 6 to 9 provided in the car 21. The content I/O unit 212 downloads the video content 221 from the content server 15 and stores it in the storage device 202, and displays the video represented by the video content 221 on the display device 6.

FIG. 3 shows an example of the configuration of the remote monitoring server 12.

The remote monitoring server 12 includes an interface device 301, a storage device 302, and a processor 303 connected thereto.

Interface device 301 performs communication through line 22 . The storage device 302 stores a building management table 321.

When the processor 303 reads and executes a computer program from the storage device 302, functions such as the service determination unit 311 and the processing control unit 312 are realized. The service determination unit 311 performs service determination, which will be described later. The processing control unit 312 controls stopping and restarting downloading of video content.

FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the building management table 321.

The building management table 321 has an entry for each building. Each entry includes ID (building ID), building name (building name), global IP (IP address linked to the building's communication device 10), line type (line type), and unit number (car number 21). ), local IP (IP address of remote monitoring device 3), and download flag (whether or not video content is being downloaded for the machine). Line types include, for example, analog lines, 4G lines, and 5G lines. The car number may be set when there are multiple cars in the same building.

FIG. 5 shows an example of the configuration of the content server 15.

The content server 15 includes an interface device 501, a storage device 502, and a processor 503 connected thereto.

Interface device 501 performs communication through line 22 . The storage device 502 stores video content 521 and content management table 522.

When the processor 503 reads and executes a computer program from the storage device 502, functions such as the content distribution section 511 and the display control section 512 are realized. The content distribution unit 511 distributes (downloads) video content 521. The display control unit 512 controls the display of notifications for stopping and restarting downloading of the video content 521.

FIG. 6 shows an example of the configuration of the content management table 522.

The content management table 522 is stored in the content server 15 (and remote monitoring server 12). The content management table 522 has an entry for each video content. The entry is data representing an ID (ID of video content) and a content name (name of video content).

According to the explanation with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 above, for example, it is as follows.

The elevator 2 has a car 21 equipped with a display device 6. The elevator 2 downloads video content from the content server 15 through the line 22 and displays the video represented by the video content on the display device 6. A remote monitoring server 12 remotely monitors the elevator 2 through a line 22 used for downloading video content.

The remote monitoring server 12 stores data indicating whether or not video content is being downloaded to the elevator 2. For example, when the content server 15 downloads video content to the elevator 2, the remote monitoring server 12 receives from the content server 15 an ID such as the name of the video content to be downloaded, and the car number and building where the video content is downloaded. The download flag (download flag in the building management table 321) may be turned on (“1”) for the corresponding machine. Alternatively, for example, the remote monitoring server 12 may send a download request to the content server 15 (for example, specifying an ID such as the name of the video content to be downloaded, or an ID such as the name of the machine or building to which the video content is downloaded). When the administrator terminal 16 sends a download request), it receives from the administrator terminal 16 an ID such as the name of the video content to be downloaded, and an ID such as the name of the machine or building to which the video content is downloaded. , the download flag may be turned on for the relevant machine.

When the remote monitoring server 12 receives a service request, which is a request for a service related to remote monitoring, from the elevator 2 or the administrator terminal 16, the remote monitoring server 12 performs a service determination to determine whether the usage status of the line 22 is above a certain level. . Whether the usage status of the line 22 is above a certain level is based on the usage rate of the line 22 and whether video content is being downloaded to the elevator 2 or not. For example, if the usage rate of the line 22 is above the threshold and video content is being downloaded to the elevator 2, the service determination result is true.

If the result of the service determination is true, the remote monitoring server 12 requests the content server 15 to stop downloading the video content. For example, the remote monitoring server 12 may store data representing the name of the video content being downloaded for each elevator 2 (car 21) that is currently downloading the video content, and in a request to stop downloading, the The name of the video content may be specified.

In response to the request to stop downloading, the content server 15 stops downloading the video content that is being downloaded (for example, the video content specified in the request). This increases the available bandwidth of the line 22, and is therefore expected to give priority to services related to remote monitoring (for example, highly urgent services) (maintaining the quality of service via the line 22).

An example of processing performed in this embodiment will be described below.

FIG. 2 shows a flow when direct speech occurs during content distribution.

(S201) The administrator terminal 16 makes a request to download video content (for example, a request specifying the name of the video content to be downloaded and the download destination (for example, building, elevator 2, machine number, global IP and local IP)) is performed on the content server 15. The administrator terminal 16 or the content server 15 notifies the remote monitoring server 12 of the name of the video content to be downloaded.

(S202) Upon receiving the video content download request, the content server 15 starts downloading the video content to the remote monitoring device 3 of the elevator 2.

(S203) When the passenger 1 presses the emergency button 9 in the car 21 while the video content is being downloaded, a request for direct communication is made from the remote monitoring device 3 to the remote monitoring server 12. do. For this reason, the line bandwidth used to download video content may be limited to a certain capacity or less, and priority control is performed to ensure that direct requests reach the remote monitoring center. good. Direct conversation is when the passenger 1 in the car 21 speaks with the air traffic controller through the line 22 using the microphone 7 and speaker 8.

(S204) The remote monitoring server 12 that has received the direct call request performs a service determination to determine whether the usage status of the line 22 is equal to or higher than a certain level. The determination as to whether the usage status of the line 22 is above a certain level is based on (x) below, whether (y) below is greater than or equal to the threshold corresponding to (x) below, and (z) below. .
(x) The line type corresponding to the car 21 from which the direct call is made (the line type represented by the data in the building management table 321).
(y) Usage rate of the line 22 monitored by the communication device 10.
(z) Download flag corresponding to car 21 from which direct communication was made.

Specifically, for example, when both of the following (p) and (q) are satisfied, the result of the service determination is true.
(p) The type of line 22 is “analog” and the usage rate of line 22 is equal to or higher than the threshold value X corresponding to the line type “analog”, or the type of line 22 is “4G” and the usage rate of line 22 is rate is equal to or higher than the threshold value Y corresponding to the line type "4G", or the type of the line 22 is "5G" and the usage rate of the line 22 is equal to or higher than the threshold value Z corresponding to the line type "5G" (for example, X <Y<Z).
(q) The download flag is set.

If the service determination result is true, a download stop request is made in S205. Here, the "usage rate of the line 22" may be the ratio of the average value of the total number of packets flowing per time to the capacity of the line 22.

(S205) The remote monitoring server 12 transmits a content download stop request to the content server 15. In the stop request, the name of the video content to be stopped and the download destination (eg, building, elevator 2, car, global IP, and local IP) may be specified.

(S206) The content server 15 that received the stop request stops downloading the video content. The content server 15 may notify the remote monitoring server 12, which is the source of the stop request, of the completion of the stop.

(S207) Direct conversation between the remote monitoring center 11 and the passenger 1 is started.

(S208) When the content server 15 stops downloading the video content, it notifies the administrator terminal 16 that sent the download request of the video content that the download of the video content has been stopped. Note that at this time, if the content server 15 sends a suspension notification to the service terminal 5 and the service terminal 5 receives the suspension notification, the video content downloaded in advance is displayed on the display device 6. It is also possible to display a moving image or to display an image of the person in charge (controller) who has received direct notification from the remote monitoring center 11.

(S209) The administrator terminal 16 that has received the notification to stop downloading the video content displays a stop message based on the notification. The stop notification may include data representing the name and download destination of the video content whose download has been stopped. FIG. 9 shows an example of the display screen of the administrator terminal 16 at this time, that is, the display screen of the stop message.

(S210) After the direct talk ends, the remote monitoring device 3 notifies the remote monitoring server 12 of the end of the direct talk.

(S211) The remote monitoring server 12, which has received the notification of the end of the direct conversation, notifies the content server 15 of the completion of the direct conversation (an example of a request to resume downloading the video content).

(S212) The content server 15 that received the direct sum completion notification resumes downloading the video content whose downloading has been stopped. Here, the video content may be distributed from the beginning, or the stop may be an "interruption" and the video content may be distributed from the middle (from the beginning of the untransmitted portion).

(S213) When the download is restarted, the content server 15 notifies the administrator terminal 16 of the restart of the download.

(S214) The administrator terminal 16, which has received the notification of download restart, displays a restart message based on the notification. FIG. 10 shows an example of the display screen of the administrator terminal 16 at this time, that is, the display screen of the restart message.

When the download of the video content to be downloaded is completed, the content server 15 may transmit a download completion notification to the administrator terminal 16, and the administrator terminal 16 may display a completion message based on the notification.

FIG. 3 shows a flow when operation monitoring occurs during content distribution. Descriptions of processes that are the same as or similar to those described with reference to FIG. 2 will be omitted.

(S301) The administrator terminal 16 transmits a video content download request to the content server 15.

(S302) The content server 15 starts downloading to the remote monitoring device 3.

(S303) The administrator terminal 16 makes a request for operation monitoring to the remote monitoring server 12. Operation monitoring is monitoring the operation status of the elevator 2 through the line 22.

(S304) The remote monitoring server 12 performs service determination. If the determination result in S304 is true, a download stop request is made in S305.

(S305) The remote monitoring server 12 that received the operation monitoring request transmits a download stop request to the content server 15.

(S306) The content server 15 stops the download and sends a notification of the stop to the administrator terminal 16.

(S307) The administrator terminal 16 displays a stop message based on the stop notification.

(S308) The administrator terminal 16 connects to the remote monitoring device 3 through the line 22 for operation monitoring, and performs operation monitoring through the line 22.

(S309) When the operation monitoring ends, the remote monitoring device 3 transmits a notification of the end of the operation monitoring to the remote monitoring server 12.

(S310) The remote monitoring server 12, which has received the notification of the completion of the operation monitoring, transmits a notification of the completion of the operation monitoring to the content server 15.

(S311) The content server 15 that received the notification resumes downloading.

(S312) When the download is resumed, the content server 15 notifies the administrator terminal 16 of this fact.

(S313) Upon receiving the notification, the administrator terminal 16 displays a message to resume downloading.

According to the explanation with reference to FIGS. 7 to 10 above, for example, it is as follows.

The remote monitoring server 12 stores data representing the type of line 22 (eg, 5G, 4G, analog, etc.). Whether the usage status of the line 22 is above a certain level is based on whether the usage rate of the line 22 is above a threshold value depending on the type of the line 22 and whether video content is being downloaded to the elevator 2. As a result, when video content is being downloaded, whether the download is stopped or not depends on the line type. In other words, remote monitoring (and selection of whether to stop downloading) is possible depending on the line type. Whether or not the usage status of the line 22 is above a certain level is determined based on at least one of the following, in addition to the usage rate of the line 22 and the download flag corresponding to the download destination, instead of or in addition to the line type. good.
- The number of elevators 2 or cars 21 whose download flag is on (downloading).
- Type or priority of video content being downloaded.

A service request regarding remote monitoring may be a direct call request, an operation monitoring request, a car dispatch request, or an equipment monitoring request. Direct communication, operation monitoring, car dispatch, or facility monitoring can be given priority over downloading video content.

When the remote monitoring server 12 detects that the processing in response to the service request (for example, direct communication, operation monitoring, car dispatch, or equipment monitoring) is completed, it requests the content server 15 to resume downloading the video content. As a result, downloading of video content is resumed at an appropriate timing.

The remote monitoring server 12 or content server 15 performs at least one of the following (A) and (B). As a result, the administrator is notified of at least one of stopping and restarting the download.
(A) Display a message on the administrator terminal 16 informing that the download has been stopped (which may include the name of the video content whose download has been stopped).
(B) Display on the administrator terminal 16 a message (which may include the name of the video content whose download has been resumed) informing that the download has been resumed.

Although one embodiment has been described above, this is an illustration for explaining the present invention, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention only to these embodiments. The invention can also be implemented in various other forms.

1... Passenger, 2... Elevator, 3... Remote monitoring device, 4... Elevator control device, 5... Service terminal, 6... Display device, 7... Microphone, 8... Speaker, 9... Emergency button, 10... Communication device, 11 ...Remote monitoring center, 12...Administrator terminal, 13...Remote monitoring server, 14...Content provision center, 15...Content server, 16...Administrator terminal, 17...Administrator

Claims (6)

an elevator that has a car and downloads digital content from a content server through a line;
a remote monitoring server that remotely monitors the elevator using the line used for downloading the digital content;
The remote monitoring server stores data indicating whether the digital content is being downloaded in the elevator;
When the remote monitoring server receives a service request, which is a request for a service related to remote monitoring, from the elevator or an administrator terminal that is an information processing terminal of the administrator, the remote monitoring server determines whether the usage status of the line is above a certain level. A service judgment is made, which is a judgment of
Whether the usage status of the line is above a certain level is based on the usage rate of the line and whether the digital content is being downloaded to the elevator,
The remote monitoring server requests the content server to stop downloading the digital content if the result of the service determination is true.
Remote monitoring system. The remote monitoring server stores data representing the type of line,
Whether the usage status of the line is above a certain level is determined based on whether the usage rate of the line is above a threshold depending on the type of the line and whether the digital content is being downloaded to the elevator. ,
If the usage rate of the line is equal to or higher than a threshold depending on the type of the line and the digital content is being downloaded to the elevator, the remote monitoring server determines that the usage status of the line is equal to or higher than a certain level. ,
The remote monitoring system according to claim 1. The service request is a direct talk request, an operation monitoring request, a car dispatch request, or an equipment monitoring request,
The direct talk request is a direct talk request in which a passenger in the car uses a microphone and a speaker in the car to talk to an air traffic controller through the line,
The operation monitoring request is a request for operation monitoring to monitor the operation status of the elevator through the line,
The car dispatch request is a request for dispatch of the car for which a dispatch reservation has been made;
The equipment monitoring request is a request for equipment monitoring to monitor the status of the equipment of the elevator through the line;
The remote monitoring system according to claim 1. When the remote monitoring server detects that the processing in response to the service request has been completed, the remote monitoring server requests resumption of downloading of the digital content.
The remote monitoring system according to claim 1. The remote monitoring server or the content server performs at least one of the following (A) and (B),
(A) Displaying a message on the administrator terminal informing that the download has been stopped;
(B) displaying a message on the administrator terminal informing that the download has resumed;
The remote monitoring system according to claim 1. A remote monitoring method for remotely monitoring an elevator through a line,
When a service request, which is a request for a service related to remote monitoring of an elevator, is received, a service judgment is performed to determine whether the usage status of the line is above a certain level,
If the result of the service determination is true, requesting the content server to stop downloading the digital content;
Whether the usage status of the line is above a certain level is based on the usage rate of the line and whether the digital content is being downloaded to the elevator.
Remote monitoring method.

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