[Name of Document] DESCRIPTION
[Title of Invention] GROUP-MANAGEMENT ELEVATOR APPARATUS
AND FUNCTION CHANGE METHOD FOR CALL REGISTRATION
APPARATUSES
[Technical Field]
[0001]
The present invention relates to a group-management
elevator apparatus and a function change method for call
registration apparatuses.
[Background Art]
[0002]
Relatively large buildings adopt systems in which a
plurality of elevators are installed to increase the user
transport capacity of elevators and in which an optimum car
is selected for providing a service in response to a hall
call registration. As the scale of a building increases,
the number of elevators installed in the building increases,
and thus group-management control is appropriately performed
on a plurality of elevators by a group-management control
apparatus so as to improve service, for example, to reduce
the waiting time of a user. In recent years, interfaces for
use in elevators have diversified, and keypads or touch
screens with liquid crystal displays, card readers, and
wireless call registration apparatuses such as mobile
terminals have become widespread. In the case of performing
3
maintenance, such as a function change, on call registration
apparatuses, the group-management control apparatus
distributes a program or data to the individual call
registration apparatuses.
[0003]
For example, PTL 1 discloses an elevator monitoring
system capable of performing control to collectively or
sequentially distribute a control program to a plurality of
elevator control apparatuses on a date and time of
distribution that is set.
[Citation List]
[Patent Literature]
[0004]
[PTL 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application
Publication No. 2007-302389
[Summary of Invention]
[Technical Problem]
[0005]
In the group-management elevator apparatus described in
PTL 1, it is necessary to rewrite in advance a control
program stored in a predetermined place and to set in
advance the date and time to distribute the control program
to individual call registration apparatuses. If the date
and time of distribution is not set, updated data is
distributed to all the call registration apparatuses or a
4
specific call registration apparatus at a specific time in
general cases. The call registration apparatus to which the
updated data has been distributed is not available to users
until a function change with the updated data has been
completed therein. Such a period in which the call
registration apparatus is not available to users may
decrease convenience for the users.
[0006]
The present invention has been made in view of these
circumstances, and an object of the invention is to perform
a function change of call registration apparatuses without
decreasing convenience for users.
[Solution to Problem]
[0007]
A group-management elevator apparatus according to the
present invention includes a plurality of call registration
apparatuses and a group-management control apparatus.
The call registration apparatuses are installed in
halls and are used to make a call registration.
The group-management control apparatus performs group
management on operation of a plurality of elevators through
control of unit control apparatuses each of which operates a
corresponding one of units of the elevators.
The group-management control apparatus includes a
rewrite priority determining section and a data
5
communication section.
If a function change of the call registration
apparatuses is requested from a change request section, the
rewrite priority determining section determines a rewrite
priority for rewriting function data stored in the call
registration apparatuses by giving priority to a less
frequently used call registration apparatus among the call
registration apparatuses.
The data communication section sequentially transmits
rewritten data generated in accordance with the function
change requested from the change request section to the call
registration apparatuses in order of the rewrite priority,
so as to perform the function change of the call
registration apparatuses.
[Advantageous Effects of Invention]
[0008]
According to the present invention, a group-management
control apparatus is able to automatically perform a
function change of call registration apparatuses at
appropriate timing, and thus convenience for users is not
decreased. Furthermore, the operation efficiency of the
function change of the call registration apparatuses
increases.
The objects, configurations, and advantages other than
those described above will become apparent from the
6
following description of an exemplary embodiment.
[Brief Description of Drawings]
[0009]
[Fig. 1] Fig. 1 is an overview diagram illustrating an
example configuration of a group-management elevator
apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment of the
present invention.
[Fig. 2] Fig. 2 is a user interface diagram illustrating
a display example of a window that is switched for each mode
set in call registration apparatuses according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 3] Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main
part of the group-management elevator apparatus according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 4] Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an
example hardware configuration of a calculator according to
an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 5] Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of rewritten
data transmitted from a group-management control apparatus
to the call registration apparatuses according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 6] Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
example configuration of a progress management table
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
7
[Fig. 7] Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example
operation of determining a rewrite priority performed by the
group-management control apparatus according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 8] Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a data
rewrite operation in an N-th line according to an exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
[Fig. 9] Fig. 9 is a user interface diagram illustrating
a display example of windows for managing a function change
of the call registration apparatuses according to an
exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[Description of Embodiments]
[0010]
Hereinafter, an exemplary embodiment for carrying out
the present invention will be described with reference to
the attached drawings. In the description and drawings, the
elements having substantially the same functions or
configurations are denoted by the same reference numerals,
and a duplicate explanation is omitted.
[0011]
First, an overview of a configuration and operation of
a group-management elevator apparatus 30 according to an
exemplary embodiment will be described.
Fig. 1 is an overview diagram illustrating an example
configuration of the group-management elevator apparatus 30.
8
Fig. 2 is a user interface diagram illustrating a
display example of a window that is switched for each mode
set in call registration apparatuses 3.
[0012]
As illustrated in Fig. 1, the group-management elevator
apparatus 30 includes a plurality of call registration
apparatuses 3 that are installed in halls of individual
floors and that are available to users to make a call
registration for a destination floor, and a group-management
control apparatus 20 that performs group-management control
on operation of elevators.
Each of the call registration apparatuses 3 stores
function data therein and executes various functions on the
basis of the function data. Each of the call registration
apparatuses 3 includes a change request section 4 that is
used when an operator performs maintenance of the call
registration apparatus 3. In this case, when the operator
operates a specific call registration apparatus 3 and uses
the change request section 4 included therein, the change
request sections 4 included in the other call registration
apparatuses 3 are not used. Alternatively, when the
operator operates a specific call registration apparatus 3
and uses the change request section 4 included therein, a
notification indicating that the change request sections 4
included in the other call registration apparatuses 3 are
9
unavailable is provided to the other call registration
apparatuses 3. Alternatively, a change request for the
other call registration apparatuses 3 is rejected by the
group-management control apparatus 20 and a notification
indicating the rejection is provided to the other call
registration apparatuses 3. Only the specific call
registration apparatus 3, for example, the call registration
apparatus 3 at the left end on the first floor, may include
the change request section 4.
The group-management control apparatus 20 stores
setting data for setting functions of the individual call
registration apparatuses 3.
[0013]
The plurality of call registration apparatuses 3 are
connected to the group-management control apparatus 20
through respective communication lines. The respective
lines are used to identify the communication lines connected
to the call registration apparatuses 3. The call
registration apparatuses 3 located on the first and second
floors are grouped into groups respectively connected to a
first line, a second line, a third line, and a fourth line
in order from the left.
[0014]
Referring to Fig. 2, each call registration apparatus 3
is usually set to a destination floor registration mode that
10
allows a user to make a call registration, and a destination
floor registration window W1 is displayed on the call
registration apparatus 3. The destination floor
registration window W1 is used by a user to make a call
registration for a destination floor.
In a case where the operator requests the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 to perform a function change
of the call registration apparatus 3, the call registration
apparatus 3 on which a cryptographic operation has been
performed by the operator shifts to a function change mode.
The cryptographic operation is performed on the window of
the destination floor registration mode by using, for
example, a manual operation, voice, gesture, an operation of
putting a manager IC card, or biometric authentication. Any
selective combination thereof may also be used to increase
security.
[0015]
A function change window W2 is displayed on the call
registration apparatus 3 that has shifted to the function
change mode. The function change window W2 is used by the
operator to change a function of the call registration
apparatus 3. Functions of the call registration apparatus 3
include, for example, button name, floor name, unit name,
display period of unit name assigned by an operation
information managing section 5, registration grace period
11
from when a second digit is input to when a first digit is
input in the case of inputting a two-digit number by using a
numeric keypad, window brightness, and volume.
[0016]
If the operator presses a floor name button on the
function change window W2, a floor name setting window W11
is displayed on the call registration apparatus 3. A floor
name setting window W12 may be displayed on the call
registration apparatus 3 in accordance with the type of the
call registration apparatus 3. On the floor name setting
window W11, button names "button 1" to "button 8" surrounded
by a broken line W11a and predetermined information
corresponding to the button names surrounded by a broken
line W11b are displayed together with a pull-down menu. The
button names "button 1" to "button 8" correspond to change
addresses for specifying the functions to be changed, and
the predetermined information corresponding to the button
names corresponds to change request data indicating the
details of the functions to be changed.
For example, in the case of changing "button 1" from
"1" to "star (lobby floor)", "star (lobby floor)" is set to
the part in the broken line W11b corresponding to "button 1"
indicated by the broken line W11a. In the case of changing
"button 2" from "2" to "− (minus)", "− (minus)" is set to
the part in the broken line W11b corresponding to "button 2"
12
indicated by the broken line W11a. Also, on the floor name
setting window W12, individual floors from the third
basement to the fourth floor (including intermediate floors)
are set in association with "button 1" to "button 8".
[0017]
If the operator presses a unit name button on the
function change window W2, a unit name setting window W13 is
displayed on the call registration apparatus 3. On the unit
name setting window W13, the name to be displayed for each
elevator unit can be set.
If the operator presses a display period button on the
function change window W2, a display period setting window
W14 is displayed on the call registration apparatus 3. On
the display period setting window W14, an attribute of a
user is categorized as "general", "handicapped", "VIP", or
"special 1 to 5", and the display period of a unit name or
the like displayed on the destination floor registration
window W1 can be selected for each attribute.
[0018]
On the right side of the broken line in Fig. 2, a
display example of windows that are used to perform a
function change settable on a function change window other
than the function change window W2 is illustrated.
For example, an others setting window W15 is used to
set a numeric keypad grace period for the attribute of each
13
user.
An others setting window W16 is used to set the names
of companies as tenants of the building in which the call
registration apparatus 3 is provided.
Other examples of a function change include a change in
brightness of a window displayed on the call registration
apparatus 3 and a change in volume of voice guidance given
by the call registration apparatus 3.
Furthermore, even a function added only for a specific
building can be changed by setting a change address and
change data.
[0019]
If the operator presses an enter button at the bottom
of each window, a function change request is transmitted
from the change request section 4 to the group-management
control apparatus 20.
[0020]
Now, a process for performing a function change of the
call registration apparatuses 3 will be described with
reference to Figs. 1 and 2. In Fig. 1, the broken lines
indicate the flows of various pieces of data.
Referring to Fig. 1, the operator changes the mode of
the call registration apparatus 3 at the left end on the
first floor from the destination floor registration mode to
the function change mode by performing the above-mentioned
14
cryptographic operation. Accordingly, the destination floor
registration window W1 on the call registration apparatus 3
is changed to the function change window W2, as illustrated
in Fig. 2.
[0021]
If the operator provides an instruction to change the
setting through the function change window W2, a function
change request is transmitted from the change request
section 4 to the group-management control apparatus 20, as
illustrated in Fig. 1 (S1). In response to receipt of the
function change request, the group-management control
apparatus 20 rewrites the setting data stored in a memory of
the group-management control apparatus 20 on the basis of
the function change request received from the change request
section 4 (S2). Subsequently, the group-management control
apparatus 20 sequentially transmits the rewritten data for
performing a function change of the call registration
apparatuses 3 in each specific communication line while the
call registration apparatuses 3 are not used by users (S3).
With the rewritten data, the function data of all the call
registration apparatuses 3 is rewritten, and thereby the
function change of the call registration apparatuses 3 is
performed.
[0022]
The manager or operator of the group-management
15
elevator apparatus 30 is able to check the progress of the
function change of all the call registration apparatuses 3
through a manager window displayed on the call registration
apparatus 3 operated by him/her. The manager window can be
displayed on any call registration apparatus 3 operated by
the manager. Alternatively, the manager window may be
displayed in an elevator management center (not illustrated).
[0023]
Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the
group-management elevator apparatus 30 will be described in
detail.
Fig. 3 is a block diagram illustrating a main part of
the group-management elevator apparatus 30.
The group-management elevator apparatus 30 includes inservice
units 1A to 1C, unit control apparatuses 2A to 2C,
the operation information managing section 5, the call
registration apparatuses 3, and the group-management control
apparatus 20.
[0024]
The in-service units 1A to 1C include three cars of
units A to C and lifting and lowering mechanisms. The inservice
units 1A to 1C may be collectively referred to as
elevators.
The unit control apparatuses 2A to 2C control the
lifting and lowering operations and door opening and closing
16
operations of the in-service units 1A to 1C, respectively.
The group-management control apparatus 20 performs group
management on operation of the plurality of elevators
through the unit control apparatuses 2A to 2C each of which
operates a corresponding one of the units of the elevators.
[0025]
Each call registration apparatus 3 is installed in a
hall, receives a call registration for an elevator to be
taken by a user, and transmits the registered call to the
group-management control apparatus 20. The call
registration apparatus 3 displays the name of a unit
available to the user and gives voice guidance.
[0026]
The call registration apparatus 3 includes the change
request section 4. The change request section 4 is
activated when the operator changes the mode of the call
registration apparatus 3 to a maintenance mode at the time
of a maintenance operation. The change request section 4 is
then connected to the group-management control apparatus 20
and transmits a function change request for requesting a
function change to the group-management control apparatus 20.
The change request section 4 may be provided in all the call
registration apparatuses 3 or may be provided in one or some
of the call registration apparatuses 3. In Fig. 3, the call
registration apparatus 3 including the change request
17
section 4 transmits a function change request to the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20, and the group-management
control apparatus 20 performs the function change of all the
call registration apparatuses 3. If a function change, such
as a change in brightness or volume, is to be performed on
only a specific call registration apparatus 3, the specific
call registration apparatus 3 can be designated.
[0027]
The group-management control apparatus 20 includes the
operation information managing section 5, a usage
information obtaining section 6, a learning section 7, a
traffic flow determining section 8, a registration apparatus
usage frequency by traffic flow calculating section 9, and a
registration apparatus usage status predicting section 10.
Also, the group-management control apparatus 20 includes a
rewrite priority determining section 11, a change request
obtaining section 12, a data rewriting section 13, a data
communication section 14, a rewrite status managing section
15, and a display information changing section 16.
[0028]
The operation information managing section 5 manages
operation information on the elevators on the basis of the
operation information received from the unit control
apparatuses 2A to 2C, and transmits the operation
information on the elevators to the learning section 7.
18
The usage information obtaining section 6 obtains usage
information from each call registration apparatus 3. The
usage information includes, for example, a call registration
time, origin and destination floors of a user, the number of
users, and a function change completion signal of the call
registration apparatus 3. The usage information obtaining
section 6 transmits the obtained usage information to the
learning section 7 and the rewrite priority determining
section 11.
[0029]
The learning section 7 stores, for each call
registration apparatus 3 installed on each floor, usage
information and elevator operation information. The
learning section 7 calculates a traffic flow of the entire
building, each elevator bank, each time period, and each
unit. The traffic flow represents a flow of users in each
predetermined period, for example, there is a flow of users
from an entrance floor to office floors at 8:30 in the
morning and there is a flow of users from the office floors
to a dining floor at noon. The usage frequency (the number
of usages) of the call registration apparatuses 3 located
upstream and downstream of the traffic flow is higher than
the usage frequency of the other call registration
apparatuses 3.
[0030]
19
The traffic flow determining section 8 compares the
traffic flows from individual origin floors to individual
destination floors at a current time with a plurality of
traffic flows previously learned by the learning section 7,
and determines the most similar traffic flow among the
traffic flows learned by the learning section 7 to be a
current traffic flow. Subsequently, the traffic flow
determining section 8 outputs the determined traffic flow to
the rewrite priority determining section 11.
[0031]
The registration apparatus usage frequency by traffic
flow calculating section 9 calculates, for each traffic flow,
the usage frequency of the call registration apparatus 3.
The registration apparatus usage frequency by traffic flow
calculating section 9 outputs the calculated usage frequency
of the call registration apparatus 3 to the rewrite priority
determining section 11.
[0032]
The registration apparatus usage status predicting
section 10 predicts the usage status of each call
registration apparatus 3 provided on each floor, on the
basis of the usage frequency of elevators at a current time
and the usage frequency obtained on the basis of a currently
set traffic flow. The usage status represents, for example,
information indicating that a certain call registration
20
apparatus 3 is often used by users who register the second
floor as a destination floor and another call registration
apparatus 3 is often used by users who register the fourth
floor as a destination floor. That is, the usage frequency
varies among the call registration apparatuses 3 installed
on the same floor according to an installation place. Thus,
the registration apparatus usage status predicting section
10 predicts the usage frequency for each call registration
apparatus 3. The registration apparatus usage status
predicting section 10 then outputs the predicted usage
statuses of the call registration apparatuses 3 to the
rewrite priority determining section 11.
[0033]
The rewrite priority determining section 11 obtains
usage information from the usage information obtaining
section 6, obtains a current traffic flow from the traffic
flow determining section 8, and obtains the usage
frequencies of the call registration apparatuses 3 from the
registration apparatus usage frequency by traffic flow
calculating section 9. Also, the rewrite priority
determining section 11 obtains the usage statuses of the
call registration apparatuses 3 predicted by the
registration apparatus usage status predicting section 10
and the current usage statuses of the call registration
apparatuses 3. If a function change of the call
21
registration apparatuses 3 is requested from the change
request section 4, the rewrite priority determining section
11 determines a high rewrite priority for each communication
line connected to a less frequency used call registration
apparatus 3 among the plurality of call registration
apparatuses 3. The rewrite priority is determined for each
communication line and each call registration apparatus 3.
The rewrite priority determining section 11 then notifies
the rewrite status managing section 15 of the determined
rewrite priority.
The rewrite priority determining section 11 determines
the rewrite priority with reference to a rewrite status
through the rewrite status managing section 15. Because it
is not necessary to transmit rewritten data to a call
registration apparatus 3 in which the function data has
already been rewritten, the rewrite priority determining
section 11 excludes such a call registration apparatus 3
from the target for which the rewrite priority is to be
determined.
[0034]
Here, a communication line corresponds to, for example,
the call registration apparatuses 3 on the individual floors
installed for the unit A, or the call registration
apparatuses 3 on a specific floor installed for a plurality
of units. The group-management control apparatus 20 is able
22
to perform a function change of the call registration
apparatuses 3 for each communication line. A communication
line including the call registration apparatus 3 on which a
function change is preferentially performed is referred to
as a "priority line", and a communication line including the
call registration apparatus 3 for which a function change is
suspended is referred to as a "temporarily suspended line".
[0035]
The rewrite priority represents the transmission order
of rewritten data that is transmitted to sequentially change
the function data of the call registration apparatuses 3
connected to the communication line on which the function
change is to be performed. The group-management control
apparatus 20 transmits the rewritten data to the call
registration apparatuses 3 connected to a priority line in
accordance with the rewrite priority so as to sequentially
perform the function change of the call registration
apparatuses 3, and finally completes the function change of
all the call registration apparatuses 3.
[0036]
The change request obtaining section 12 obtains a
function change request from the change request section 4
and transmits the function change request to the data
rewriting section 13.
The data rewriting section 13 rewrites the setting data
23
stored in the memory of the group-management control
apparatus 20 in accordance with the function change request
received from the change request obtaining section 12, and
notifies the rewrite priority determining section 11 that
the setting data has been rewritten.
[0037]
The data communication section 14 sequentially
transmits the rewritten data generated in accordance with
the function change requested from the change request
section 4 to the call registration apparatuses 3 in order of
the rewrite priority determined by the rewrite priority
determining section 11, so as to perform the function change
of the call registration apparatuses 3. In this case, the
data communication section 14 transmits the rewritten data
to a frequently used call registration apparatus 3 in a
period when the frequently used call registration apparatus
3 is predicted not to be in use, so as to perform the
function change of the call registration apparatuses 3.
[0038]
If the function change is a change of a basic function
of the call registration apparatuses 3, the data
communication section 14 transmits the rewritten data to the
target call registration apparatuses 3 whose function is to
be changed, with the communication mode of the communication
line connected to the target call registration apparatuses 3
24
remaining a normal mode. On the other hand, if the function
change is a change of an additional function of the call
registration apparatuses 3, the data communication section
14 switches the communication mode of the communication line
connected to the target call registration apparatuses 3 and
the communication mode of the target call registration
apparatuses 3 from the normal mode to a rewrite mode.
Accordingly, the data communication section 14 transmits the
rewritten data to the call registration apparatuses 3 while
disabling a normal operation in the call registration
apparatuses 3 in the rewrite mode during a period when the
communication mode is the rewrite mode. A notification
indicating "unavailable" or a notification prompting a user
to use another call registration apparatus 3 is displayed on
a display section C5 of the other call registration
apparatuses 3 in the same communication line. Here, the
communication mode of only one call registration apparatus 3
as a rewrite target may be changed to the rewrite mode, so
that the other call registration apparatuses 3 in the same
communication line can be normally used. After the function
change of the call registration apparatuses 3 has been
completed, the data communication section 14 receives a
function change completion signal from the call registration
apparatuses 3. In response to receipt of the function
change completion signal, the data communication section 14
25
changes the communication mode of the communication line and
the communication mode of the call registration apparatuses
3 from the rewrite mode to the normal mode. Accordingly,
the call registration apparatuses 3 become available to
users. Also, the data communication section 14 notifies the
rewrite status managing section 15 of information indicating
that the call registration apparatuses 3 have rewritten the
function data.
[0039]
The rewrite status managing section 15 manages the
rewrite status of the function data in the call registration
apparatuses 3 through the rewrite priority determining
section 11. For this purpose, the rewrite status managing
section 15 has a progress management table T1 indicating the
progress of the function change of the target call
registration apparatuses 3. An example configuration of the
progress management table T1 is illustrated in Fig. 6, which
will be described below. The rewrite status managing
section 15 obtains usage information from the usage
information obtaining section 6 and writes the usage
statuses of the call registration apparatuses 3 in the
progress management table T1. Also, in response to a
request for referring to the rewrite status from the rewrite
priority determining section 11, the rewrite status managing
section 15 notifies the rewrite priority determining section
26
11 of the rewrite statuses of the call registration
apparatuses 3. Also, the rewrite status managing section 15
notifies the display information changing section 16 of
information about the rewrite statuses of the call
registration apparatuses 3.
[0040]
The display information changing section 16 transmits,
to the call registration apparatus 3 set in the rewrite mode,
information indicating that the call registration apparatus
3 is not operable by a user, on the basis of the status of
the function change of the call registration apparatus 3
notified from the rewrite status managing section 15. Also,
the display information changing section 16 transmits, to
the call registration apparatus 3, information for
displaying information indicating whether or not the
function change has been completed in all the call
registration apparatuses 3 and displaying the apparatus
number of the call registration apparatus 3 in which the
function data is being rewritten. The call registration
apparatus 3 including the change request section 4 displays
the information received from the display information
changing section 16.
[0041]
Next, a hardware configuration of a calculator C that
constitutes each call registration apparatus 3 and the
27
group-management control apparatus 20 will be described.
Fig. 4 is a block diagram illustrating an example
hardware configuration of the calculator C.
[0042]
The calculator C is hardware that is used as a socalled
computer. The calculator C includes a central
processing unit (CPU) C1, a read only memory (ROM) C2, and a
random access memory (RAM) C3, which are connected to a bus
C4. Furthermore, the calculator C includes the display
section C5, an operation section C6, a nonvolatile storage
C7, and a network interface C8.
[0043]
The CPU C1 reads software program code for implementing
the individual functions according to this exemplary
embodiment from the ROM C2 and executes the program code.
Variables and parameters generated during arithmetic
processing are temporarily written in the RAM C3. The
individual functions of the call registration apparatus 3
and the group-management control apparatus 20 are executed
by the CPU C1, the ROM C2, and the RAM C3.
[0044]
The display section C5 is, for example, a liquid
crystal display monitor, and displays a result of processing
performed by the calculator C and so forth to a user. The
operation section C6 may be, for example, a keypad, a
28
keyboard, or a mouse, with which the user is able to input a
predetermined operation or instruction. Here, the call
registration apparatus 3 is provided with a touch panel
display in which the display section C5 and the operation
section C6 are superimposed on top of one another. On the
other hand, the group-management control apparatus 20 is not
provided with the display section C5 and the operation
section C6.
[0045]
The nonvolatile storage C7 may be, for example, a hard
disk drive (HDD), a solid state drive (SSD), a flexible disk,
an optical disc, a magneto-optical disc, a CD-ROM, a CD-R, a
magnetic tape, a nonvolatile memory, or the like. The
nonvolatile storage C7 stores a program for functioning the
calculator C in addition to an operating system (OS) and
various parameters. The group-management control apparatus
20 stores various pieces of data such as setting data and
the progress management table T1 in the nonvolatile storage
C7. The call registration apparatus 3 stores function data
and so forth in the nonvolatile storage C7.
[0046]
The network interface C8 may be, for example, a network
interface card (NIC), and is able to transmit and receive
various pieces of data through a local area network (LAN)
connected to a terminal, a dedicated line, or the like. The
29
network interface C8 is connected to the above-described
communication line. The group-management control apparatus
20 and the call registration apparatus 3 transmit and
receive various pieces of data through the network
interfaces C8 respectively provided therein.
[0047]
Fig. 5 is a configuration diagram of rewritten data
transmitted from the group-management control apparatus 20
to the call registration apparatuses 3. In the rewritten
data, the content of each field is set by the data
communication section 14. The rewritten data includes
initial data and additional function change data.
[0048]
The initial data includes the fields of a first header
portion, a second header portion, and a data portion, and
serves as rewritten data that is regularly transmitted from
the group-management control apparatus 20 to the call
registration apparatuses 3. The rewritten data for changing
a basic function (basic function change data) set on the
floor name setting window W11, the floor name setting window
W12, and the others setting window W15 illustrated in Fig. 2
is used as initial data.
[0049]
The field of the first header portion stores
identification information representing the type of
30
rewritten data and indicating that the data is initial data,
and setting information of a communication mode (normal
mode) that is set at the time of transmission of initial
data.
The field of the second header portion stores a
function-to-be-changed number for specifying a basic
function to be changed.
The field of the data portion stores the change address
and change request data of a basic function to be changed,
as a basic function change request for changing a basic
function of the call registration apparatus 3. Normally,
button name, floor name, in-service unit name, display
period name, the maximum number of digits to be registered
in a numeric keypad, and so forth included in the basic
function are set in initial data as a basic function change
request. Thus, the group-management control apparatus 20
and the call registration apparatus 3 do not need to change
the communication mode. The transmission of initial data is
a basic function of the call registration apparatus 3 and
requires high reliability, and thus the initial data is
regularly transmitted by using constantly the same data
format.
[0050]
The additional function change data includes the fields
of a first header portion, a second header portion, and a
31
data portion, and serves as rewritten data that is
irregularly transmitted from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3 when it
is necessary to change a function of the call registration
apparatuses 3. The rewritten data for changing an
additional function set on the unit name setting window W13,
the display period setting window W14, and the others
setting window W16 illustrated in Fig. 2 is used as
additional function change data.
[0051]
The field of the first header portion stores
identification information representing the type of
rewritten data and indicating that the data is additional
function change data, and setting information of a
communication mode (rewrite mode) that is set at the time of
transmission of additional function change data.
The field of the second header portion stores a
function-to-be-changed number for specifying an additional
function to be changed.
The field of the data portion stores the change address
and change request data of an additional function to be
changed, as an additional function change request for
changing an additional function of the call registration
apparatus 3. As illustrated in Fig. 2 described above, the
change address is specified by a button name, and the change
32
request data corresponds to predetermined information at a
button name. The additional function change request stored
in the field of the data portion is used to change an
additional function, such as a division name, a company name,
or the layout on a window. Thus, the amount of data of the
additional function change request stored in the data
portion of the additional function change data is much
larger than the amount of data of the basic function change
request stored in the data portion of the initial data.
[0052]
Thus, when the group-management control apparatus 20
changes an additional function of the call registration
apparatus 3, the communication mode between the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 and the call registration
apparatus 3 is changed to the rewrite mode. Then additional
function change data is transmitted from the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 to the call registration
apparatus 3. Only a changed part is stored in the field of
the data portion of the additional function change data.
Accordingly, the amount of communication between the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 and the call registration
apparatus 3 is reduced. Furthermore, the additional
function change data is quickly transmitted to the call
registration apparatus 3 as a target of change.
[0053]
33
Fig. 6 is an explanatory diagram illustrating an
example configuration of the progress management table T1.
The progress management table T1 includes the fields of
setting, communication line, call registration apparatus
number, function change status (of each line), and function
change status (of each apparatus).
[0054]
The field of setting stores a temporarily suspended
line or priority line that is set by the rewrite priority
determining section 11. In this example, the first line is
set as a temporarily suspended line whereas the N-th line is
set as a priority line. For example, it is assumed that the
N-th line is the fourth line illustrated at the right end of
Fig. 1.
The field of communication line stores the names of
communication lines of the call registration apparatuses 3
managed by the group-management control apparatus 20.
The field of call registration apparatus number stores
call registration apparatus numbers for identifying the call
registration apparatuses 3 connected to the respective
communication lines.
[0055]
The field of function change status (of each line)
stores information indicating, for each communication line
as a target of a function change, whether or not the
34
function change of the call registration apparatuses 3 has
been completed. In this example, it is indicated that the
function change of all the call registration apparatuses 3
in the second line has been completed.
The field of function change status (of each apparatus)
stores information indicating, for each call registration
apparatus 3 as a target of a function change, whether or not
the function change has been completed. In this example, it
is indicated that the function change of the call
registration apparatuses 3 having call registration
apparatus numbers "11" and "12" has been completed. Also,
it is indicated that the function change of the call
registration apparatus 3 having a call registration
apparatus number "N1" has been completed and that the
function change of the call registration apparatus 3 having
a call registration apparatus number "N2" has not yet been
performed, among the call registration apparatuses 3 in the
N-th line that is set as a priority line.
[0056]
Fig. 7 is a flowchart illustrating an example operation
of determining a rewrite priority performed by the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 illustrated in Fig. 3. In
the illustration in Fig. 7, the call registration apparatus
3 is abbreviated as a "registration apparatus".
[0057]
35
First, the traffic flow determining section 8
determines a current traffic flow on the basis of
information representing hall calls and destination floor
calls that are currently registered and a past traffic flow
learned by the learning section 7 (S11). Subsequently, the
traffic flow determining section 8 determines whether or not
the current traffic flow is in a crowded condition (S12).
If the current traffic flow is in a crowded condition (YES
in S12), it is determined that there are many users and that
the call registration apparatuses 3 are frequently used.
Thus, the traffic flow determining section 8 returns to step
S11 and continues the step of determining a current traffic
flow.
[0058]
If the current traffic flow is not in a crowded
condition (NO in S12), it is determined that there are not
many users and that all the call registration apparatuses 3
included in the traffic flow are less likely to be used.
Thus, the registration apparatus usage frequency by traffic
flow calculating section 9 calculates, for each call
registration apparatus 3, the usage frequency of the call
registration apparatus 3 set for each floor in the current
traffic flow (S13).
[0059]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
36
11 calculates, for each communication line other than a
temporarily suspended line, the usage frequency of the call
registration apparatus 3 in which a function change has not
been completed, and determines the communication line that
is used least frequently (S14). At this time, the rewrite
priority determining section 11 refers to, through the
rewrite status managing section 15, the status of rewrite of
the function data that has been performed so far on the
target call registration apparatus 3. In step S14, it is
assumed that the rewrite priority determining section 11 has
determined the N-th line (N is the number of the
communication line on which a function change has not been
performed among the numbers of all the lines) as the least
frequently used communication line.
[0060]
Subsequently, the registration apparatus usage status
predicting section 10 receives a notification indicating
that the communication line determined by the rewrite
priority determining section 11 is the N-th line.
Subsequently, the registration apparatus usage status
predicting section 10 predicts the usage statuses of the
call registration apparatuses 3 connected to the N-th line,
which is the least frequently used communication line, on
the basis of the current usage statuses of the call
registration apparatuses 3 and the usage statuses of the
37
call registration apparatuses 3 calculated from the traffic
flow learned by the learning section 7 (S15). Hereinafter,
the call registration apparatuses 3 connected to the N-th
line are referred to as "the call registration apparatuses 3
in the N-th line".
[0061]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
11 predicts whether or not all the call registration
apparatuses 3 in the N-th line will be used in a
predetermined period from a current time, on the basis of
the determined traffic flow, the usage frequencies of the
individual call registration apparatuses 3, and the
predicted usage statuses of the call registration
apparatuses 3 (S16). It is predicted that the call
registration apparatuses 3 will not be used in the
predetermined period.
[0062]
Here, regarding the usage statuses of the call
registration apparatuses 3, one of the call registration
apparatuses 3 may have already been used by a predicted
number of users, the number of users being predicted for
each traffic flow learned by the learning section 7 and for
each call registration apparatus 3. In this case, it is
considered that there will be no users who use the call
registration apparatus 3 in the predetermined period from a
38
current time. For example, a usual case is assumed in which
ten users register the third floor, which is an office floor,
as a destination floor and arrive at work from 9:00 to 10:00.
In this case, if all the ten users arrive at the third floor
by 9:30, there will be no users who go to the third floor
from 9:30 to 10:00. In such a case, the rewrite priority
determining section 11 is able to predict that the call
registration apparatus 3 will not be used in the
predetermined period, and a function change of the call
registration apparatus 3 can be performed during the period
when there will be no users.
[0063]
If it is predicted that all the call registration
apparatuses 3 in the N-th line will not be used in the
predetermined period (NO in S16), the rewrite priority
determining section 11 sets the call registration
apparatuses 3 in the N-th line as a priority line (S17), and
ends the process. Thus, in the following process, rewritten
data is transmitted from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3 in the
N-th line set as a priority line, and a function change is
performed.
[0064]
On the other hand, if it is predicted that any of the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line will be
39
used in the predetermined period (YES in S16), the rewrite
priority determining section 11 sets the N-th line as a
temporarily suspended line (S18). Accordingly, the function
change of the call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th
line is temporarily suspended. Subsequently, the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 returns to step S11 and
continues a process of searching for a less frequently used
communication line among the communication lines other than
the temporarily suspended line.
[0065]
The setting of the temporarily suspended line is
cancelled after a predetermined period has elapsed. Also,
the setting of the temporarily suspended line is cancelled
when the usage statuses of the call registration apparatuses
3 in the predetermined period that are predicted in steps
S15 and S16 change from "used" to "not used". Furthermore,
the setting of the temporarily suspended line is cancelled
when there is no communication line which is a candidate
priority line.
[0066]
Fig. 8 is a flowchart illustrating a data rewrite
operation in the N-th line. The N-th line is set as a
priority line in the process illustrated in Fig. 7. In the
process illustrated in Fig. 8, it is assumed that the
rewritten data transmitted from the group-management control
40
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3 is
additional function change data.
[0067]
First, the change request obtaining section 12
determines whether or not a function change request has been
received from the change request section 4 (S21). As
described above, the call registration apparatus 3 including
the change request section 4 that transmits the function
change request may be connected to a line other than the Nth
line.
[0068]
If a function change request has not been received from
the change request section 4 (NO in S21), the process
returns to step S21, where the change request obtaining
section 12 waits for receiving a function change request
transmitted from the change request section 4.
[0069]
If a function change request has been received from the
change request section 4 (YES in S21), the data rewriting
section 13 rewrites the setting data stored in the memory in
the group-management control apparatus 20 in accordance with
the function change request received from the change request
section 4. Also, the data rewriting section 13 notifies the
rewrite priority determining section 11 that the function
change request has been received from the change request
41
section 4.
[0070]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
11 determines whether or not the rewrite priority
determining section 11 has set a priority line in the
process illustrated in Fig. 7 (S22). If the rewrite
priority determining section 11 has not set a priority line
(NO in S22), the group-management control apparatus 20
returns to the flow in Fig. 7 and sets a communication line
other than the N-th line as a priority line. After that,
since the data communication section 14 has already received
the function change request, the process may be restarted
from step S22.
[0071]
The function change request transmitted from the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 to the call registration
apparatuses 3 is reset if the change in all the call
registration apparatuses 3 has been completed, if the change
in all the call registration apparatuses 3 is not completed
even after a predetermined period has elapsed, or if the
rewrite mode is manually cancelled. However, if there is a
call registration apparatus 3 in which rewrite of the
function data has stopped before completion although the
function change request is reset, it is estimated that the
function change in this call registration apparatus 3 is not
42
normally completed, and thus it is necessary to immediately
warn the operator. Thus, the group-management control
apparatus 20 causes the call registration apparatus 3 in
which the function change has not normally been completed or
the change request section 4 to display a notification
indicating that the function change has not normally been
completed. Also, the group-management control apparatus 20
notifies an elevator management center (not illustrated)
that there is a call registration apparatus 3 in which the
function change has not normally been completed.
[0072]
If the rewrite priority determining section 11 has set
the N-th line as a priority line (YES in S22), the data
communication section 14 transmits a communication mode
change request from the group-management control apparatus
20 to all the call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th
line (S23). The communication mode change request is a
request transmitted from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3 in order
to change the communication mode between the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 and the call registration
apparatuses 3 from the normal mode to the rewrite mode.
While the group-management control apparatus 20 is
transmitting the communication mode change request to the
call registration apparatuses 3, communication is performed
43
in the normal mode and thus a user can make a hall call
registration.
[0073]
The rewrite mode is a communication mode in which the
group-management control apparatus 20 transmits rewritten
data to the call registration apparatuses 3 in the priority
line. However, change to the rewrite mode is allowed only
in a case where additional function change data as rewritten
data is transmitted from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3 in order
to change an additional function of the call registration
apparatuses 3. The call registration apparatuses 3 that
have been changed to the rewrite mode change the additional
function in accordance with the rewritten data received from
the group-management control apparatus 20.
[0074]
After the change request section 4 has been changed to
the rewrite mode, the call registration apparatus 3 becomes
unavailable to a user. Thus, a notification indicating
unavailability or a notification prompting a user to use
another call registration apparatus 3 is displayed on the
display section C5 of the call registration apparatus 3.
[0075]
The call registration apparatus 3 that has received the
communication mode change request from the group-management
44
control apparatus 20 changes the communication mode to the
rewrite mode and then transmits a communication mode change
completion signal representing the completion of change in
the communication mode to the data communication section 14.
The data communication section 14 determines whether or not
the communication mode change completion signal has been
received from all the call registration apparatuses 3 in the
N-th line as a target of rewrite (S24).
[0076]
If the communication mode change completion signal has
not been received from all the call registration apparatuses
3 in the N-th line (NO in S24), the data communication
section 14 measures the time elapsed from when the
communication mode change request was transmitted to the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line. The data
communication section 14 then determines whether or not the
communication mode change completion signal has been
received from all the call registration apparatuses 3 until
a timeout occurs (S32). If the elapsed time does not exceed
a timeout value (NO in S32), the data communication section
14 returns to step S23 and continues the process.
[0077]
If the data communication unit 14 does not receive the
communication mode change completion signal from all the
call registration apparatuses 3 even if the elapsed time
45
exceeds the timeout value (YES in S32), the data
communication section 14 notifies the rewrite priority
determining section 11 of that fact. Accordingly, the
rewrite priority determining section 11 sets the N-th line
connected to the call registration apparatus 3 from which
the communication mode change completion signal has not been
received as a temporarily suspended line (S33).
[0078]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
11 changes the communication mode of the N-th line in group
management to the normal mode (S34) and then changes the
communication mode of the N-th line of the call registration
apparatuses 3 to the normal mode (S35). The reason the
communication mode is changed to the normal mode in steps
S34 and S35 is to reliably set the N-th line as a
temporarily suspended line. If the communication mode is
set to the rewrite mode, the call registration apparatuses 3
are unavailable to users. Thus, a process of changing the
communication mode to the normal mode is performed even if
the communication mode has already been set to the normal
mode. After that, the group-management control apparatus 20
returns to the flow in Fig. 7 and performs a process of
setting a communication line other than the N-th line as a
priority line.
[0079]
46
If the data communication section 14 receives the
communication mode change completion signal from all the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line in step S24
(YES in S24), the rewrite priority determining section 11
changes the communication mode of the N-th line in group
management to the rewrite mode (S25). After the
communication mode of the N-th line in group management has
been changed to the rewrite mode, the call registration
apparatuses 3 in the N-th line become unable to register a
hall call.
[0080]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
11 changes the communication mode of all the call
registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line to the rewrite
mode (S26). After the communication between the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 and all the call
registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line has been
established, the data communication section 14 sequentially
transmits rewritten data from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to all the call registration apparatuses 3 in
the N-th line (S27). The call registration apparatuses 3
rewrite the function data on the basis of the rewritten data
received from the group-management control apparatus 20 so
as to perform a function change, and transmit a function
change completion signal to the group-management control
47
apparatus 20.
[0081]
Subsequently, the data communication section 14
determines whether or not the function change completion
signal has been received from each call registration
apparatus 3 (S28). If the function change completion signal
has been received (YES in S28), the data communication
section 14 notifies the rewrite status managing section 15
through the rewrite priority determining section 11 that the
function change has been completed in the call registration
apparatus 3 from which the function change completion signal
has been received. The rewrite status managing section 15
sets function change completion of the call registration
apparatus 3 in the field of function change status (of each
apparatus) in the progress management table T1 (S29).
[0082]
Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining section
11 determines whether or not the function change of all the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line has been
completed, with reference to the progress management table
T1 (S30). If the function change of all the call
registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line has been
completed (YES in S30), the rewrite priority determining
section 11 notifies the rewrite status managing section 15
that the function change of all the call registration
48
apparatuses 3 in the N-th line has been completed.
[0083]
The rewrite status managing section 15 sets the
function change completion of the N-th line in field of
function change status (of each line) in the progress
management table T1 (S31). Subsequently, the rewrite
priority determining section 11 changes the communication
mode of the N-th line in group management and the
communication mode of all the call registration apparatuses
3 in the N-th line from the rewrite mode to the normal mode.
After that, in the flow in Fig. 7, the group-management
control apparatus 20 performs data change in the subsequent
communication line in which the function change has not been
performed. After the function change has been completed in
all the communication lines, the process illustrated in Fig.
7 and the process illustrated in Fig. 8 are finished.
[0084]
There is a probability that the data communication
section 14 is unable to receive the function change
completion signal from the call registration apparatus 3 (NO
in S28) or the data communication section 14 is unable to
receive the function change completion signal from all the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line (NO in S30).
In this case, the data communication section 14 determines
whether or not the function change completion signal has
49
been received from all the call registration apparatuses
until timeout (S36). If the elapsed time does not exceed a
timeout value (NO in S36), the data communication section 14
returns to step S27 and continues the process. The timeout
value is equal to or larger than the timeout value that is
compared in step S32.
[0085]
If the data communication section 14 does not receive
the function change completion signal from all the call
registration apparatuses 3 even if the elapsed time exceeds
the timeout value (YES in S36), the data communication
section 14 notifies the rewrite priority determining section
11 of that fact. Subsequently, the rewrite priority
determining section 11 sets the N-th line connected to the
call registration apparatus 3 from which the function change
completion signal is not received as a temporarily suspended
line (S37). Subsequently, the rewrite priority determining
section 11 changes the communication mode of the N-th line
in group management to the normal mode (S38) and then
changes the communication mode of the N-th line of the call
registration apparatuses 3 to the normal mode (S39), so that
a user is able to make a hall call registration. After that,
the group-management control apparatus 20 returns to the
flow in Fig. 7 and performs a process of setting a
communication line other than the N-th line as a priority
50
line.
[0086]
It is possible to perform a function change of only one
call registration apparatus 3. In this case, the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 receives a communication
mode change completion signal from the target call
registration apparatus 3 and then changes the communication
mode of the group-management control apparatus 20 and the
target call registration apparatus 3 to the rewrite mode.
Subsequently, the group-management control apparatus 20
transmits rewritten data to the call registration apparatus
3 so as to perform a function change of the call
registration apparatus 3.
[0087]
In a case where the group-management control apparatus
20 changes an additional function of all the call
registration apparatuses 3, the communication mode is
changed from the normal node to the rewrite mode. However,
if the rewritten data regularly transmitted from the groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 to all the call registration
apparatuses 3 is initial data, the communication mode may
remain the normal mode. In this case, in order to express
the process of transmitting initial data in the flow
illustrated in Fig. 8, a process of changing the
communication mode from the normal mode to the rewrite mode
51
and a process of changing the communication mode from the
rewrite mode to the normal mode are unnecessary. In the
initial data, only the value of a basic function to be
changed may be included in a basic function change request.
In such a case of changing a function of the call
registration apparatus 3 by using initial data, the user is
able to make a hall call registration by using the call
registration apparatus 3 as usual.
[0088]
Fig. 9 is a user interface diagram illustrating a
display example of windows for managing the progress of a
function change of the call registration apparatuses 3.
A progress management window W20 is a window that is
displayed on the call registration apparatus 3 in which the
change request section 4 is implemented, and shows the
progress of a function change of the call registration
apparatuses 3. On the progress management window W20, for
example, "not yet", "completed", and "in progress" are
displayed on the buttons indicating that a function change
is not yet completed in the first line, a function change
has been completed in the second line, and a function change
is in progress in the N-th line.
[0089]
If the operator presses a button on the progress
management window W20, a change status management window W21
52
of the call registration apparatuses 3 in the corresponding
communication line is displayed in response to the pressing.
For example, if the "in progress" button of the N-th
line is pressed, the change status management window W21 is
displayed on the call registration apparatus 3. On the
change status management window W21, the numbers of the call
registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line and the progress
of the function change are displayed. Accordingly, it is
indicated that the function change of the call registration
apparatus 3 having a number "N1" has been completed and that
the function change of the call registration apparatus 3
having a number "N2" has not been completed. In this way,
the operator is able to grasp the call registration
apparatus 3 in which the function change has been completed
among the call registration apparatuses 3 in the N-th line
in which the function change is in progress. Although not
illustrated, the operator is also able to grasp the progress
of the function change of the call registration apparatuses
3 in each line by pressing the "not yet" button of the first
line or the "completed" button of the second line displayed
on the progress management window W20.
[0090]
In the above-described group-management elevator
apparatus 30 according to the exemplary embodiment, the
change request section 4 transmits a function change request
53
to the group-management control apparatus 20. The groupmanagement
control apparatus 20 rewrites setting data on the
basis of the function change request received from the
change request section 4. The group-management control
apparatus 20 transmits the rewritten data to the call
registration apparatuses 3 for which a function change is
requested and performs the function change of the call
registration apparatuses 3. Here, change of a basic
function is performed by using initial data that is
regularly transmitted from the group-management control
apparatus 20 to the call registration apparatuses 3. On the
other hand, change of an additional function is performed by
using additional function change data that is irregularly
transmitted from the group-management control apparatus 20
to the call registration apparatuses 3 with the
communication mode being changed by the group-management
control apparatus 20. Accordingly, a newly added additional
function can be easily changed by changing the communication
mode while maintaining the reliability of a basic function
through regular update.
[0091]
In a case where the group-management control apparatus
20 changes an additional function of the call registration
apparatuses 3, the group-management control apparatus 20
preferentially changes the additional function of a less
54
frequently used call registration apparatus 3 on each floor
among the call registration apparatuses 3 installed in all
halls. The group-management control apparatus 20
automatically determines the usage status of each call
registration apparatus 3 provided on each floor and
sequentially performs a function change so as not to
interfere with users. Accordingly, a function change of the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the halls can be easily
performed without special settings of date and time of
distribution, schedule, and so forth.
[0092]
The group-management control apparatus 20 is able to
quickly perform a function change on a frequently used call
registration apparatus 3 on a traffic line within a building
if the frequently used call registration apparatus 3 has not
been used for a predetermined period after a change in a
less frequently used call registration apparatus 3 has been
completed and the less frequency used call registration
apparatus 3 has become available. Thus, a function change
of all the call registration apparatuses 3 can be performed
in a short period while minimizing a change in traffic lines
within the building.
[0093]
The operator does not need to go to each call
registration apparatus 3 to perform a function change
55
thereon, but the group-management control apparatus 20
determines the usage statuses of the call registration
apparatuses 3 of each communication line and performs a
function change in order from a less frequently used call
registration apparatus 3. Thus, the operation time required
for a function change can be significantly shortened, and
forgetting to change by the operator can be prevented.
[0094]
The existing call registration apparatus 3 is provided
with the function of the change request section 4, and thus
a new communication apparatus need not be added. Also, with
use of cable wiring used in the existing communication line,
a new dedicated line need not be added.
[0095]
Furthermore, the completion statuses of all the call
registration apparatuses 3 are displayed on a mobile
terminal, a monitoring apparatus, or the call registration
apparatus 3 in a hall, and thus a maintenance staff or
manager can collectively check the progress of a function
change. Accordingly, a system with enhanced operation
efficiency can be provided in which the maintenance staff or
manager need not check the function change completion
statuses of the call registration apparatuses 3 on all
floors by moving to each of the call registration
apparatuses 3 on each floor.
56
[0096]
The change request section 4 may be built in the call
registration apparatus 3 as illustrated in Fig. 1, or the
change request section 4 may be used as a change request
section 4 that is capable of wirelessly communicating with
the call registration apparatus 3 such as a maintenance
apparatus, mobile terminal, or monitoring apparatus used by
the operator. Also in such a case where the change request
section 4 is separated from the call registration apparatus
3, the operator can check the change completion statues of
all the target call registration apparatuses 3, and the
operation time can be shortened. The progress management
window W20 and the change status management window W21 may
be displayed on a maintenance apparatus or mobile terminal
used by the operator or in an elevator management center.
[0097]
The call registration apparatuses 3 as a target of
change of an additional function may be only some of the
call registration apparatuses 3 in the building.
[0098]
The present invention is not limited to the abovedescribed
exemplary embodiment, and other various
application examples and modification examples may of course
be carried out without deviating from the gist of the
present invention described in the claims.
57
For example, the foregoing exemplary embodiment
specifically describes the details of the configurations of
apparatuses to clearly explain the present invention, and is
not necessarily limited to an embodiment including all the
above-described configurations. Part of the configuration
of the exemplary embodiment described above may be replaced
with a configuration of another exemplary embodiment, and a
configuration of another exemplary embodiment may be added
to a configuration of a certain exemplary embodiment.
Furthermore, part of a configuration of each exemplary
embodiment may be deleted or replaced with another
configuration, or another configuration may be added thereto.
A control line and an information line that are
considered to be necessary for description are illustrated,
and not all control lines and information lines of a product
are illustrated. Actually almost all components are
connected to one another.
[Reference Signs List]
[0099]
1A to 1C: in-service unit
2A to 2C: unit control apparatus
3: call registration apparatus
4: change request section
5: operation information managing section
6: usage information obtaining section
58
7: learning section
8: traffic flow determining section
9: registration apparatus usage frequency by traffic
flow calculating section
10: registration apparatus usage status predicting
section
11: priority determining section
12: change request obtaining section
13: data rewriting section
14: data communication section
15: rewrite status managing section
16: display information changing section
20: group-management control apparatus
30: group-management elevator apparatus

WE CLAIM:
[Claim 1]
A group-management elevator apparatus comprising:
a plurality of call registration apparatuses that are
installed in halls and that are used to make a call
registration; and
a group-management control apparatus that performs
group management on operation of a plurality of elevators
through control of unit control apparatuses each of which
operates a corresponding one of units of the elevators,
wherein the group-management control apparatus includes
a rewrite priority determining section that, if a
function change of the call registration apparatuses is
requested from a change request section, determines a
rewrite priority for rewriting function data stored in the
call registration apparatuses by giving priority to a less
frequently used call registration apparatus among the call
registration apparatuses, and
a data communication section that sequentially
transmits rewritten data generated in accordance with the
function change requested from the change request section to
the call registration apparatuses in order of the rewrite
priority, so as to perform the function change of the call
registration apparatuses.
[Claim 2]
60
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 1, wherein the data communication section transmits
the rewritten data to a frequently used call registration
apparatus among the call registration apparatuses in a
period when the frequently used call registration apparatus
is predicted not to be in use, so as to perform the function
change of the call registration apparatuses.
[Claim 3]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 2, wherein, if the function change is a change of a
basic function of the call registration apparatuses, the
data communication section transmits the rewritten data to
the call registration apparatuses with a communication mode
remaining a normal mode, and if the function change is a
change of an additional function of the call registration
apparatuses, the data communication section transmits the
rewritten data to the call registration apparatuses with the
communication mode being switched from the normal mode to a
rewrite mode, the call registration apparatuses being unable
to be operated during a period when the communication mode
is the rewrite mode.
[Claim 4]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 3, wherein
the group-management control apparatus includes a
61
rewrite status managing section that manages a rewrite
status of the function data in the call registration
apparatuses through the rewrite priority determining section,
the data communication section notifies the rewrite
status managing section of information indicating that the
call registration apparatuses have rewritten the function
data, and
the rewrite priority determining section determines the
rewrite priority with reference to the rewrite status
through the rewrite status managing section.
[Claim 5]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 4, wherein the rewrite priority determining section
determines a high rewrite priority for each communication
line connected to the less frequently used call registration
apparatus on the basis of usage statuses of the call
registration apparatuses, a current traffic flow, usage
frequencies of the call registration apparatuses, and
predicted usage statuses of the call registration
apparatuses.
[Claim 6]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 5, wherein, regarding the usage statuses of the call
registration apparatuses, if one of the call registration
apparatuses has already been used by a predicted number of
62
users, the call registration apparatus is predicted not to
be used for a predetermined period from a current time, the
number of users being predicted for each traffic flow and
for each call registration apparatus.
[Claim 7]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 6, wherein the data communication section transmits,
to the call registration apparatuses, additional function
change data as the rewritten data in which identification
information representing a type of the rewritten data is set
in a first header portion, a function-to-be-changed number
for specifying a function to be changed is set in a second
header portion, and a change address and change request data
of the function to be changed are set in a data portion.
[Claim 8]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
Claim 7, wherein the change request section requests, in
response to a cryptographic operation being performed, the
group-management control apparatus to perform the function
change of the call registration apparatuses.
[Claim 9]
The group-management elevator apparatus according to
any one of Claims 1 to 8, wherein the call registration
apparatuses are able to display progress of the function
change of the call registration apparatuses.
63
[Claim 10]
A function change method for call registration
apparatuses, comprising:
a step of, if a function change of a plurality of call
registration apparatuses that are installed in halls and
that are used to make a call registration is requested from
a change request section, determining a rewrite priority for
rewriting function data stored in the call registration
apparatuses by giving priority to a less frequently used
call registration apparatus among the call registration
apparatuses; and
a step of sequentially transmitting rewritten data
generated in accordance with the function change requested
from the change request section to the call registration
apparatuses in order of the rewrite priority, so as to
perform the function change of the call registration
apparatuses.