WO2010016827A1

WO2010016827A1 - Remote expert communications regarding passenger carrying devices

Info

Publication number: WO2010016827A1
Application number: PCT/US2008/072071
Authority: WO
Inventors: Richard J. Mangini; Leandre Adifon; Samuel R. Talbot
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 2008-08-04
Filing date: 2008-08-04
Publication date: 2010-02-11

Abstract

An exemplary system for communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation between an individual at a site of the installation and an individual at a different location remote from the installation site includes a portable device that is adapted to be selectively carried to the installation site. The portable device includes a camera, at least one microphone, a speaker, a storage medium and a transceiver that is used for transmitting wireless signals from the portable device corresponding to at least one of a visual image or an audible sound gathered by the camera or the at least one microphone. The transceiver allows the individual at the different location to observe at least one of the image or sound. The transceiver is also useful for receiving signals corresponding to at least a voice of the individual at the different location such that the individual at the installation site can hear the voice of the individual at the different location.

Description

REMOTE EXPERT COMMUNICATIONS REGARDING PASSENGER CARRYING DEVICES

BACKGROUND

[oooi] Passenger carrying devices such as elevators and escalators require service for maintenance and repair purposes. There is a substantial cost involved in providing such services. Part of that cost is associated with training personnel to be able to address the various issues presented by various products available on the market. It is undesirably expensive to train a large number of individuals to give them a level of expertise with a wide variety of products. It is similarly not economically desirable to have a few individuals that are highly trained traveling around to the various sites where their expertise would be needed.

[0002] A few attempts have been proposed at minimizing expenses associated with servicing elevators or providing information to those who are servicing elevators. For example, U.S. Patent No. 7,073,633 discloses a remote maintenance and monitoring arrangement that allows for a remote maintenance function to be activated. U.S. Patent No. 4,697,243 provides a database that can be accessed by an individual who needs trouble- shooting information while performing elevator service.

[0003] Another known device is the iBEAM® construction camera that allows an individual in charge of a construction project to remotely observe the current status of a construction project without being on-site. There still is a need for an improved arrangement to facilitate efficient and economical service procedures.

SUMMARY

[0004] An exemplary system for communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation between an individual at a site of the installation and an individual at a different location remote from the installation site includes a portable device that is adapted to be selectively carried to the installation site. The portable device includes a camera for gathering a visual image of at least one portion of the installation. At least one microphone is useful for detecting an audible sound associated with at least one portion of the installation, a voice of the individual at the installation site or both. A speaker is useful for producing sound at the location of the portable device. A storage medium is useful for storing information corresponding to at least one of a visual image gathered by the camera or an audible sound detected by the microphone, for example. A transceiver is used for transmitting wireless signals from the portable device corresponding to at least one of a visual image gathered by the camera or an audible sound detected by the at least one microphone. The transceiver allows the individual at the different location to observe at least one of the image or sound. The transceiver is also useful for receiving signals corresponding to at least a voice of the individual at the different location such that the individual at the installation site can hear the voice of the individual at the different location.

[0005] When the individual at the different location is an expert at servicing passenger carrying devices, that expertise becomes available to a plurality of technicians in the field in real time such that the technician at the installation site has the benefit of the expert's knowledge and advice while servicing the passenger carrying installation. The technician at the installation site need not have the same level of knowledge as the individual located remote from the installation site. The technician at the installation site, at the same time, however, is able to conduct a service or maintenance procedure as if the expert were right there at the installation site.

[0006] An exemplary method of communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation between an individual at a site of the installation and an individual at a different location remote from the installation site includes bringing a portable device to the installation site. A visual image of at least a portion of the installation is gathered using a camera of the portable device. An audible sound associated with at least a portion of the installation, a voice of the individual at the installation site or both is detected using a microphone of the portable device. Information corresponding to at least one of the gathered visual image or a detected audible sound is stored in a memory of the portable device. Wireless signals are transmitted from the portable device corresponding to at least one visual image gathered by the camera or an audible sound detected by the microphone such that the individual at the different location remote from the installation site can observe the image, sound or both. Signals are received at the portable device that correspond to at least a voice of the individual at the different location such that the individual at the installation site can hear the voice of the individual at the different location.

[0007] The various features and advantages of the disclosed examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0008] Figure 1 schematically illustrates selected portions of a system designed according to an embodiment of this invention.

[0009] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example portable device useful in the embodiment of Figure 1, for example.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[oooio] Figure 1 schematically shows selected portions of a system 20 useful for communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation 22. In this example, the passenger carrying installation 22 comprises an elevator system. In another example, the passenger carrying installation comprises a passenger conveyor such as a moving walkway or escalator.

[oooii] In the example of Figure 1, an elevator car 24 is associated with a counterweight 26 in a known manner for movement within a hoistway 30. An individual 32 such as a mechanic or technician is present at the installation site. The individual 32 has a portable device 40 that the individual brings to the installation site when attempting to perform a service or maintenance procedure. The portable device 40 includes wireless communication capabilities for communicating signals to an access node 42. An appropriate communications link or network allows for communicating from the access node 42 to a remote expert user interface 44 that is located remotely from the installation site at a different location.

[oooi2] In one example, the access node 42 is a base station useful in a wireless communication network. In another example, the access node 42 is a local access node such as a Wi-Fi node. The link between the portable device 40 and the access node 42 allows for wireless communications from within the installation site in a reliable manner. Accessing a local access node instead of a cellular system base station directly can ensure more reliable connections and higher data rates for wireless communications to and from the portable device 40.

[oooi3] The wireless communication ability of the portable device 40 allows for the individual 32 to conduct live, real time communications with an individual 46 at the different location where the remote expert user interface 44 is located. In many instances, the individual 46 will have a higher level of expertise or experience regarding service and maintenance procedures than the individual 32. Providing the communications through the portable device 40 and the user interface 44 allows for the individual 46 to communicate with the individual 32 to assist in performing a maintenance or service procedure without requiring the individual 46 to travel to the installation site.

[oooi4] Figure 2 schematically illustrates an example portable device 40. A camera 50 provides an ability to gather at least one visual image of at least a selected portion of the passenger carrying installation 22. In one example, the camera 50 is a solid state camera such as a CCD or CMOS image sensor. The camera in some examples is capable of providing both still images and motion images. In some examples, the camera 50 has an associated light source to facilitate observing that which is in the camera's field of view without requiring a separate light source from another device, for example. In one example, infrared LED illumination is used with an automatic photo sensor control to provide optimum power supply utilization.

[oooi5] The portable device 40 includes a microphone 52 useful for detecting audible sounds at the installation site. The microphone 52 may be dedicated to detecting noises that occur during operation of the installation. The microphone 52 may be dedicated to capturing the voice of the individual 32 at the installation site. Multiple microphones may be included or a single microphone 52 may be useful for gathering voice and audible noise information. In examples having video capabilities in the camera 50, the motion images are associated with audible sound (audio) captured by the microphone 52. That way an individual remote from the installation site can observe movement and hear associated sounds as if that individual were at the installation site. [00016] The example device 40 includes a sensor 54. Various sensors may be useful in the portable device 40. On example type of sensor is an accelerometer that can provide acceleration or vibration information for consideration by the remotely located individual 46. Another example type of sensor is a temperature sensor such as a thermister that is capable of providing information regarding the temperature of one or more components of interest. Another example sensor 54 is a speed sensor that provides speed information. Another example sensor 54 is a position sensor that provides position information.

[oooi7] The example of Figure 2 includes a storage portion 56 that is useful for storing information corresponding to any images gathered by the camera 50, sounds detected by the microphone 52 or conditions detected by the sensor 54. The storage 56 facilitates utilizing information gathered by the portable device 40 as required for follow up procedures or wireless transmission of information from the portable device 40 to the access node 42, for example.

[00018] The example of Figure 2 includes a transceiver 58 that is useful for wirelessly communicating with the access node 42. The transceiver 58 is useful for transmitting signals from an antenna 60 wirelessly as schematically shown at 62. Signals transmitted by the transceiver 58 are conveyed through the access node 42 and an associated network to provide information to the remotely located individual 46 regarding any gathered images, detected sounds or other detected occurrences. Having the ability to provide such information to the individual 46 allows that individual to observe, in real time if desired, the same conditions that are observed by the individual 32 at the installation site.

[oooi9] The example of Figure 2 includes a speaker 64 that provides an audible output to the individual 32. Speaker 64 may be part of an earpiece or a separate speaker, for example. Speaker 64 allows the individual 32 to listen to sounds previously recorded and stored in the storage 56 or to listen to the voice of the individual 46, for example. Wireless signals from the access node 42 to the antenna 60 and transceiver 58 allow for the speaker 64 to provide an audible output to the individual 32 at the installation site, for example. [00020] The example of Figure 2 includes a display 66 that allows the individual 32 to observe information received through the transceiver 58 or stored in the storage 56, for example. For example, the individual 46 may send video or other data to the portable device 40 to assist the individual 32. The display 66 may also be useful for observing what is within the field of view of the camera 50, for example. In some situations, the individual 32 may wish to position the camera 50 at one location, be situated in a different location at the installation site and observe what is within the field of view of the camera 50.

[00021] In the example of Figure 2, the various components of the device 40 are all shown supported in a single housing 68. This allows an individual to have access to the various features of the example device 40 while having the convenience of carrying a single device container or housing 68 to the installation site and into the various locations at the installation site where the corresponding features are required.

[00022] In some examples, the various portions of the portable device 40 are separable or contained in their own housing such that the different portions can be located at different spots within the installation site, for example. Referring to Figure 1, a portion of the portable device 40 is shown in the hand of the individual 32 while another portion is shown supported on the counterweight 26. Each of these portions has wireless communication capability as schematically shown at 62. In some instances, the portion supported on the counterweight 26 may include the camera 50, the microphone 52 or both. The portion 40 held by the individual 32 may include the display 66, storage 56 and speaker 64, for example. Wireless communication from the portion supported on the counterweight 26 to the portion held by the individual 32 may occur using a Bluetooth link, for example. Communications to the remotely located individual 46 may occur directly from either of the separate portions of the device 40 or only from the one that is under the control of the individual 32, depending on the needs of a particular situation.

[00023] One feature of the disclosed example is that it allows for a monitoring device or portions of it to be supported at a passenger carrying installation site in a manner that allows for observation beyond that which was possible without such a device. For example, it is not possible to have an individual stationed on top of a counterweight 26 during movement of elevator system components. With the portable device 40, however, a camera or microphone may be strategically positioned for movement with the counterweight 26 to provide observation capability regarding associated components of the installation.

[00024] Additionally, some of the components of the portable device 40 may be configured to be worn on the head of the individual 32. In Figure 1, a hardhat or other headgear 70 supports at least a microphone and a speaker of the portable device 40 that allows the individual to more conveniently conduct the conversation with the remotely located individual 46. In some examples, the camera will also be mounted to the headgear to be worn by the individual 32 which allows the remotely located individual 46 to effectively see that which the individual 32 is looking at at any particular time.

[00025] Another feature of the example portable device 40 is that it can be carried to various installation sites. Some or all of the device 40 may be left at a particular installation site for ongoing monitoring purposes even when the individual 32 leaves to provide service at another site. With such an arrangement, the individual 46 can continue to monitor a particular installation site while the individual 32 is able to go and begin providing service at another site. This increases the economies and efficiencies of providing such services.

[00026] In Figure 1, the remote expert user interface 44 includes a plurality of displays 72, 74 and 76. Such an arrangement allows the individual 46 to observe information gathered by a plurality of different portable devices 40 that may be located at distinct installation sites. In other words, the individual 46 using the interface 44 may be able to assist more than one technician at more than one installation site at any given time. Such an arrangement allows the expertise of the individual 46 to effectively be utilized at more than one installation site at any given time.

[00027] The example user interface 44 includes speakers 78 and 80 to provide audible output to the individual 46 regarding any audible observations made at a particular installation site. Additionally, the individual 46 in this example has a headset 82 that includes an earpiece and microphone that allows the individual to listen to sounds from an installation site and to carry on a conversation in real time with the individual 32 to assist the individual 32 in completing a maintenance or service procedure. [00028] A disclosed example facilitates providing expertise at a variety of installation sites without requiring the technician at each of those installation sites to have personally acquired such expertise. The expertise of the individual 46 located at the different, remote location can be made available based upon information that the individual 46 has as if that individual were present at the installation site because of the capability of being able to observe visual images and to hear detected sounds even in real time, if desired. Additionally, the storage 56 allows for images or sounds to be replayed as often as necessary to assist the individuals 32 and 46 in completing a particular procedure.

[00029] The preceding description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art that do not necessarily depart from the essence of this invention. The scope of legal protection given to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMSWe claim:

1. A system for communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation between an individual at a site of the installation and an individual at a different location remote from the installation site, comprising: a portable device that is adapted to be selectively carried to the installation site, the portable device including a camera for gathering a visual image of at least one portion of the installation; at least one microphone for detecting an audible sound associated with at least one portion of the installation, a voice of the individual at the installation site or both; a speaker for producing sound at a location of the portable device; a storage medium for storing information corresponding to at least one of a visual image or audible sound gathered by the camera and the at least one microphone; and a transceiver for (i) transmitting wireless signals from the portable device corresponding to at least one visual image or audible sound gathered by the camera or the at least one microphone such that the individual at the different location can observe the image or sound and (ii) receiving signals corresponding to at least a voice of the individual at the different location such that the individual at the installation site can hear the voice of the individual at the different location.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a display that the individual at the installation site can use to observe an image captured by the camera or an image received by the transceiver from the different location.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a sensor that provides an indication of at least one of vibration, acceleration, temperature, position or sound.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device camera, microphone, speaker, storage medium and transceiver are all supported within a single housing.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device camera, microphone, speaker, storage medium and transceiver are selectively positioned at various locations at the installation site, respectively.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein at least the camera, speaker and at least one microphone are configured to be worn on the head of the individual at the installation site.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein at least the camera, speaker and at least one microphone are configured to be supported on a headgear worn by the individual at the installation site.

8. The system of claim 1, comprising a user interface at the different location including at least one display for allowing the individual at the different location to observe a condition of at least a portion of the installation site selectively in real time and at least one speaker for allowing the individual at the different location to hear sounds from the installation site selectively in real time.

9. The system of claim 8, comprising a microphone at the different location and a transceiver for transmitting signals corresponding to a voice of the individual at the different location to the transceiver of the portable device such that the individual at the installation site hears the voice of the individual at the different location in real time.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the user interface includes a plurality of displays each displaying an image regarding a distinct installation site based on information from distinct portable devices at the distinct installation sites.

11. A method of communicating information regarding a passenger carrying installation between an individual at a site of the installation and an individual at a different location remote from the installation site, comprising the steps of: bringing a portable device to the installation site; gathering a visual image of at least a portion of the installation using a camera of the portable device; detecting an audible sound associated with at least a portion of the installation, a voice of the individual at the installation site or both using a microphone of the portable device; storing information corresponding to at least one of a gathered visual image or a detected audible sound in a memory of the portable device; transmitting wireless signals from the portable device corresponding to at least one visual image or audible sound gathered by the camera or the at least one microphone such that the individual at the different location can observe the image or sound; receiving signals at the portable device corresponding to at least a voice of the individual at the different location such that the individual at the installation site can hear the voice of the individual at the different location.

12. The method of claim 11, comprising displaying an image captured by the camera or an image received by the transceiver from the different location on a display of the portable device.

13. The method of claim 11, comprising detecting at least one of vibration, acceleration, temperature, position or sound using a sensor of the portable device.

14. The method of claim 11, comprising selectively positioning at least one of the camera, microphone, speaker or storage medium of the portable device in a different location at the installation site from at least one other of the camera, microphone, speaker or storage.

15. The method of claim 11, comprising wearing at least the camera, speaker and at least one microphone on the head of the individual at the installation site.

16. The method of claim 11, comprising observing, at the different location, a condition of at least a portion of the installation site in real time by looking at a display that displays an image corresponding to a gathered image at the installation site.

17. The method of claim 16, comprising discussing the condition between the individual at the installation site and the individual at the different location.

18. The method of claim 11 , comprising listening at the different location to a sound from the installation site in real time.

19. The method of claim 11, comprising conducting a conversation in real time between the individual at the installation site and the individual at the different location based on information provided to the individual at the different location based on signals transmitted by the portable device.

20. The method of claim 11, comprising observing a plurality of displays at the different location, the plurality of displays simultaneously displaying an image regarding a distinct installation site based on information from distinct portable devices at the distinct installation sites.