WO2021028087A1

WO2021028087A1 - Method for operating an elevator system, and elevator system, elevator controller and computer program product for carrying out a method of this type

Info

Publication number: WO2021028087A1
Application number: PCT/EP2020/064559
Authority: WO
Inventors: Andre GRUND; Stefan Schneider; Stefan Gerstenmeyer
Original assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Innovation And Operations Gmbh
Priority date: 2019-08-13
Filing date: 2020-05-26
Publication date: 2021-02-18
Also published as: CN114222712A; DE102019212095A1

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for operating an elevator system, the elevator system comprising at least one elevator controller (2), at least one signal-receiving device (3) and at least one signal-outputting device (4). The signal-receiving device (3) receives an elevator user signal (5), which triggers a control command (6) in the elevator controller. Furthermore, the received elevator user signal (5) triggers the capture of a situation-specific parameter (7). The situation-specific parameter (7) is then captured, and the elevator controller (2) checks whether the situation-specific parameter (7) meets at least one criterion from a set of stored criteria. If at least one criterion from the set of stored criteria is met, the elevator controller (2) causes the signal-outputting device (4) to output an output signal (16), which the signal-outputting device (4) outputs. The invention further relates to an elevator system and to an elevator controller (2) for carrying out a method of this type and to a computer program, which can be loaded into an elevator controller (2), the computer program product enabling the elevator controller (2) to carry out a method of this type.

Description

Method for operating an elevator installation and also an elevator installation, an elevator control and a computer program product for executing such a method

The invention relates to a method for operating an elevator installation. The elevator installation comprises at least one elevator control, at least one signal receiving device and at least one signal output device, the signal receiving device receiving an elevator user signal and the received elevator user signal triggering a control command in the elevator control. The invention further relates to an elevator installation and an elevator control for carrying out such a method, as well as a computer program product which can be loaded into an elevator control, the computer program product enabling the elevator control to carry out a method mentioned above.

To operate an elevator system, elevator users usually have to make user entries, in particular to trigger a transport process. Different possibilities are known for making such user entries. For example, up and down buttons can be arranged outside the elevator cabins, in particular in elevator lobbies, with which an elevator user can indicate a desired direction of travel. The destination is usually selected in the elevator car, which is traveling in the desired direction of travel, using appropriate floor buttons. Further operating elements can be, for example, a door open button and / or a door close button. In addition, so-called destination call terminals are known, in particular in buildings with a large number of floors, via which an elevator user can enter his desired destination floor outside the elevator car. It is also known that an elevator user can carry an identification means, for example a chip card, which can be read by a reading device of the elevator system, with a floor destination or a limited selection of floor destinations being stored on the chip card for the elevator user so that the elevator user is only offered a limited number of floors to choose from.

It is also known that special calls can be made for elevator use. For example, it is known to make so-called VIP calls. A call can either be made here by a person with physical limitations, for example a wheelchair user. In the case of a wheelchair user, such a call can, for example, have the effect that the doors of the elevator car remain open longer and an empty elevator car is provided. In addition, it can be provided that, for example, for high-ranking people The transport process is carried out without intermediate stops. As a further form of a special call, it is known to register a so-called group call with which the elevator control is informed that several people are to be transported on a floor with the same floor destination.

The disadvantage here is that elevator users are often not sufficiently familiar with the different operating concepts, since these can vary to a certain extent from elevator system to elevator system. For example, an elevator system with up and down buttons can provide that every person who wants to be transported by means of an elevator actuates the corresponding button so that the elevator control can detect how many people have to be transported from one floor. However, it can often be observed that people no longer press a button when they have recognized that the button has already been pressed by another person. In addition, it can also happen that the same person repeatedly issues a destination call on the erroneous assumption that an elevator car would then be provided more quickly. Such operating errors, which have been observed in a large number of operating concepts for the operation of an elevator system, regularly lead to a more inefficient control of the elevator system and thus to longer waiting times and or longer transport times for the elevator users.

Against this background, it is an object of the present invention to eliminate the disadvantages mentioned above. In particular, operating errors should be reduced as much as possible. Furthermore, in particular, the performance of an elevator installation is to be improved.

To achieve this object, a method for operating an elevator installation, an elevator installation, an elevator control and a computer program product are proposed according to the independent claims. Further advantageous embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims and the description and shown in the figures.

The proposed solution provides a method for operating an elevator system, the elevator system comprising at least one elevator control, at least one signal receiving device and at least one signal output device. The signal receiving device receives an elevator user signal, the received elevator user signal triggering a control command in the elevator control. Furthermore, the received elevator user signal triggers the detection of a situation-specific parameter. The situation-specific parameter is recorded, whereby the elevator control checks whether the situation-specific parameter from a set of stored criteria fulfills at least one criterion. When at least one criterion from the set of stored criteria is met, the elevator control causes the signal output device to output an output signal. The signal output device advantageously outputs the output signal. In particular, it is provided that the elevator user signal relates to the input of a call and the triggered control command relates to the assignment of an elevator car to the call input. The situation-specific parameter is advantageously recorded after the triggering of the control command. In particular, the situation-specific parameters recorded do not influence the triggering of the control command. In particular, an assignment of an elevator car to a call input is not changed by the situation-specific parameter. The recorded situation-specific parameter advantageously only influences the output signal to be output. The output signal to be output is in particular an output signal that can be perceived by the human senses, advantageously an acoustically perceptible signal and / or a visually perceptible signal. In particular, it is provided that the output signal is not a signal which acts on the elevator control in order to manipulate the triggered control command or to trigger a changed control command.

The elevator control can in particular be designed as a central control or preferably as a decentralized control. In particular, it is provided that the elevator control comprises a multiplicity of sub-units, the sub-units advantageously being designed to execute subroutines and / or their own program sequences. In particular, it is provided that at least one such sub-unit of the elevator control is arranged in an input device, in particular an operating terminal. In particular, it is provided that the elevator control comprises one or more appropriately programmed microcontroller units. The elevator control further advantageously comprises at least one storage unit. In particular, it is provided that the stored criteria are stored in the elevator control, in particular in the at least one memory unit of the elevator control.

In particular, devices which are designed to receive a signal from an elevator user are provided as the signal receiving device. In particular, signal receiving devices are input devices, such as, for example, operating terminals, for operating an elevator installation, wherein the operating terminals can have buttons, buttons, touchscreens and / or other input options. In particular, signal receiving devices are also reading devices which are designed, for example, To read out identification means, in particular RFID cards, or which are designed to receive radio signals, for example signals sent by smartphones.

In particular, display devices and / or loudspeakers are provided as the signal output device. A smartphone that is in communication with the elevator control can also be a signal output device within the meaning of the present invention. The signal output device is preferably part of an operator terminal for operating the elevator system.

The situation-specific parameter is advantageously recorded when the elevator user signal is received. In particular, it is provided that the situation-specific parameter is recorded by means of at least one sensor. In particular, an anteroom monitoring can be provided as a sensor for detecting a situation-specific parameter. Furthermore, in particular a person recognition device can be provided as a sensor within an elevator car. Furthermore, in particular a monitoring unit for monitoring inputs made by an elevator user in an input terminal can be provided as a sensor. In particular, it can be monitored whether an elevator user is trying to call up functions that are not available. In addition, it is possible in particular to monitor which elements of the input terminal the pupils of the elevator user are directed at when operating the control terminal. In particular, eye movements of the elevator user can also advantageously be classified and thus it can be recognized, for example, whether an elevator user is looking for an input option.

Advantageously, the proposed method thus in particular creates a possibility, taking into account a situation-specific parameter, of giving feedback to an elevator user upon input by means of the output signal. This feedback can be designed in many ways. In particular, the feedback can include one or more of the following actions: request to make further inputs; Note regarding improved operation; Manipulation of the input fields of a touchscreen; Reference to further functions of the elevator system; building-specific note; user-specific note.

In particular, the output signal is an output signal related to the situation-specific parameter and / or the elevator user signal. Through the output signal, which is advantageously directly related to a recorded situation-specific parameter, the operation of an elevator installation is thus advantageously further improved. Advantageous examples of this are, in particular, but not exclusively: the detection of an incorrect entry by a user with an indication of how an entry made can be deleted; the recognition that an elevator user has made the same input several times and the indication that the repeated operation of the same input delays the waiting time until an elevator car arrives; as a reaction to the selection of a certain floor, the output of an indication of how this floor can be reached in a shorter time, for example using other existing passenger transport systems; the recognition that several people are waiting for an elevator, but only one elevator call has been issued, whereupon an indication of the placing of a group call can be given.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, it is provided that the output signal is in connection with a possible future use of the elevator system, in particular with an elevator user signal to be generated for the elevator user to place an elevator call. It is also provided in particular that it is recognized as a situation-specific parameter when an elevator user repeatedly enters his destination floor. An indication can then be output to the elevator user as an output signal, with which the elevator user is informed that the destination floor should only be entered once for future calls. It is further provided in particular that, for example, the placing of a destination call via a destination call terminal is recognized as a situation-specific parameter. For example, if an elevator user erroneously assumes that he must first enter the starting floor and then the destination floor, the input of the start floor and the subsequent input of the destination floor are advantageously recorded as situation-specific parameters. The elevator user is then informed that only the destination floor has to be entered for the elevator call. It is also provided in particular that the situation-specific parameter recognizes that a user has entered several destination floors. The elevator user is then advantageously informed by means of the output signal how an incorrectly entered destination call can be deleted.

A further advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that an output signal is uniquely assigned to the at least one criterion from the set of stored criteria, the elevator control causing the signal output device to output the output signal assigned to the criterion fulfilled. Unambiguous output signals are advantageously assigned to a set of predefined events that are stored as criteria. Known and foreseeable operating errors or incorrect operations by users will be advantageously anticipated by the elevator control and counteracting this incorrect operation or poor operation by means of corresponding output signals.

In particular, it is provided as a further advantageous embodiment that a point in time of the reception of the elevator user signal is recorded as a situation-specific parameter, with at least one of the following criteria advantageously being stored as a criterion: the point in time is within a predetermined time interval; the point in time lies within a predetermined time interval related to the time of day; the time is on a specified weekday. This embodiment advantageously creates the possibility of conveying information to elevator users that relate to a time aspect of the use of the elevator system. In particular, it is provided that a time interval with a high number of users is stored as a criterion. Such a time interval is typically around the peak time when elevator users change the floor in order to leave the building for the lunch break or to drive to the floor on which a food offer is located. If, in particular, a call is made to a relevant floor with a food offer in this time interval, provision is made in particular to output a message to the elevator user that the waiting times are particularly long during this time. A reference can also be made to times when the waiting times to the floor in question are shorter. If, for example, it is recognized that a call is being made at a point in time when there is only a small volume of transport, a corresponding output signal can be used to indicate how much energy can be saved if the stairs are used instead of the elevator.

As a further advantageous aspect of the invention it is provided according to a further advantageous embodiment that the identity of the elevator user who triggered the receipt of the elevator user signal and properties advantageously linked to the identity of the elevator user are recorded as situation-specific parameters. At least one of the following criteria is advantageously stored as a criterion: first-time use of the elevator system by the elevator user; Incorrect operation of the elevator system by the elevator user, incorrect operation of the elevator system by the elevator user, the number of times the elevator system is used by the elevator user per predetermined time unit is within a predetermined interval; VIP status of an elevator user. When the elevator system is recognized as being used for the first time by the elevator user, helpful information for operating the elevator system and / or for specific properties of the building can be output as an output signal. In particular, the elevator user can special Functions of the elevator system. For example, it can be provided that user-related favorite floors are stored, with the first use of an elevator user recognized as a situation-specific parameter advantageously being indicated by means of the output signal as to how the favorites can be called up on the operating terminal. A VIP status of an elevator user recognized as a situation-specific parameter can, in particular, trigger an output signal by means of which VIP users are informed, in particular, of how the special functions provided for VIP users can be called up or how alternative inputs for operating the elevator system can be made. In particular in elevator systems in which the elevator user signal is automatically read from a corresponding information carrier, for example an RFID card, an elevator user can be offered a floor selection that corresponds to the usual floor destination of this elevator user. For this purpose, it is provided in particular that an input terminal designed as a touchscreen is manipulated accordingly and a corresponding selection of these floor favorites is displayed. For example, if an elevator system offers the option of making calls via permanently installed input terminals as well as via smartphones, and if it is recognized as a situation-specific parameter in relation to an elevator user that he / she always makes the elevator calls via the input terminal, this elevator user can use the output signal It is pointed out that it is possible to operate or even preset floor destinations via the smartphone. In addition, it is provided in particular that input sequences from an elevator user are recognized as situation-specific parameters. If this input sequence, with which a function of the elevator system is triggered, does not correspond to an input sequence stored as optimal in the elevator controller, an output signal is advantageously generated which indicates the optimal input sequence to the elevator user. The output can be output immediately after the less advantageous input sequence. According to a further advantageous embodiment variant, a corresponding output signal is alternatively or additionally output the next time the person is recognized when the elevator is used again, the next recognition of the person in this case being the situation-specific parameter.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, an operation by the elevator user in connection with the triggering of the reception of the elevator user signal is recorded as a situation-specific parameter, with incorrect operation being stored as a criterion in particular. An indication of the incorrect operation carried out is advantageously output as the output signal, for example an indication that no elevator call has yet been registered. In particular, provision is also made for an indication as an alternative or in addition to the output signal it depends on how the elevator system, in particular an input device of the elevator system, is to be operated correctly.

It is further provided in particular that elevator users can make different user inputs, which are received by the signal receiving device as different elevator user signals, which can each trigger different control commands in the elevator controller. Here, preferably in the elevator control, triggerable control commands, in particular control commands that can be triggered by corresponding user inputs, are each clearly assigned to a defined elevator user signal or a defined elevator user signal sequence. Advantageously, at least in a subset of operating cases, it is possible to trigger a control command that differs from the receipt of the defined elevator user signal or the defined elevator user signal sequence by receiving one or more elevator user signals different from the defined elevator user signal. The received elevator user signals are advantageously recorded as situation-specific parameters, a triggered control command that was not triggered by the defined elevator user signal or the defined elevator user signal sequence being stored as a criterion. For example, it can be provided that an input terminal already provides a list of frequently selected floors. If an elevator user wants to be moved to such a floor by means of the elevator, the optimal possibility would be to select the destination floor from this list. If, on the other hand, it is recorded as a situation-specific parameter that the user did not select the floor via the list but, for example, has scrolled through a floor selection area in order to get to the floor selection and use it to place the call, then it is provided in particular that an indication of the Option of outputting the floor via the above list.

In addition, an embodiment is provided, in particular, in which an elevator user has to make several inputs in order to trigger a sequence of elevator user signals required to trigger an action of the elevator system, a time interval after receipt of a respective elevator user signal being recorded as a situation-specific parameter, advantageously exceeding a predetermined limit value for this time interval is stored as a criterion. In particular, it can further be provided that a time interval between the received elevator user signals is recorded as a situation-specific parameter. In this case, the exceeding of a predetermined limit value for the time interval between two elevator user signals to be received is advantageously stored as a criterion. These configurations are based in particular on the idea that a longer period of time between the first input and a necessary further input it can be concluded that the elevator user is not aware that a further input is necessary or how this further input is to be made. In this case too, provision is advantageously made for a corresponding notification to be given to the elevator user as the output signal. For example, the message “Your entry is incomplete!” Could be output over a loudspeaker. According to a further variant, it can be provided that, for example, only one floor area has been selected, in particular in the case of a so-called two-stage destination control, in which the first step is to select the decade within which the floor is located and, in a second step, the floor within the Decade must be selected. If it is recorded as a situation-specific parameter that the second step has not been carried out, an output signal is used with a reference to indicate that corresponding further input must be made.

According to a further particularly advantageous embodiment, it is provided that a display representation is manipulated with the output signal. In particular, provision is made for a user input to be recorded as a situation-specific parameter and for the representation on a display to be changed by means of a corresponding output signal on the basis of a user input that fulfills a predefined criterion. The display can in particular be a touchscreen, further operating options being offered by changing the operating elements of the touchscreen. For example, it is provided that, in response to a missing second input recorded as a situation-specific parameter, an output signal is used to generate a button with which a help menu can be called up.

According to a further advantageous embodiment, the output signal is used to manipulate an input device in such a way that at least one operating element from a set of operating elements of the input device is highlighted and / or activated for further operation by the elevator user.

Another advantageous embodiment provides that a mobile terminal, in particular a smartphone, is used as a signal output device and / or as an input device and / or as part of the elevator control. This means that in such an embodiment it is provided in particular that the elevator user signal is received by the mobile terminal and is transmitted from it to the elevator control. In this embodiment, the mobile terminal is advantageously manipulated by means of the output signal. In particular Text information and / or acoustic signals can be output as output signals on the mobile device.

The elevator system proposed to solve the aforementioned object comprises at least one elevator control, at least one signal receiving device and at least one signal output device, the elevator system being designed to carry out a method according to the invention, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above and below or a combination of these embodiments . Both classic elevator systems, for example with a hydraulic drive or cable drive, can be provided as elevator systems. In particular, shaft-changing multi-car elevators are also provided as elevator systems, the elevator cars being moved in particular by means of linear motor drive units.

The elevator control proposed to solve the aforementioned object is designed to process received elevator user signals, trigger control commands for an elevator system, provide output signals for output by means of a signal output device and a method according to the invention, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above and below or a combination of these Refinements to perform. The elevator control advantageously includes, in particular, a destination call control. The elevator control can be set up centrally. In particular, however, it is provided that the elevator control is a decentralized control. The elevator control is advantageously designed to set up a communication connection with a mobile terminal device, in particular a smartphone. The elevator control is advantageously further designed to transmit data to the mobile terminal device via the established communication connection and to receive data from the mobile terminal device. In particular, the output signal can be transmitted to the mobile terminal.

The computer program proposed to solve the above-mentioned object can be loaded into an elevator control, the computer program product enabling the elevator control to execute a method according to the invention, in particular according to one of the embodiments described above and below or according to a combination of these embodiments. Further advantageous details, features and design details of the invention are explained in more detail in connection with the exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. It shows:

1 shows an exemplary embodiment for a method according to the invention in a simplified block diagram; and

2a to 2c show, in a simplified schematic representation, an exemplary embodiment for a control of an input / output device in connection with the execution of an embodiment of a method according to the invention.

In Fig. 1, an elevator installation 1 is shown in simplified form by means of a block diagram. This elevator system 1 comprises a large number of components, some components of the elevator system 1, such as elevator cabs and elevator shafts, not being explicitly shown, and other components of the elevator system 1 that are present several times, such as input terminals 40, in each case for reasons of clarity are shown only once.

The elevator system 1 can be a classic elevator system in which a single elevator car is moved in a shaft. In particular, the elevator system 1 can also be such an elevator system in which more than one elevator car is moved in a shaft. Such systems are known under the name TWIN®, especially at the time of registration. Furthermore, it can be provided in particular that the elevator installation is a shaft-changing multi-car system in which several elevator cars can be moved separately in one shaft, the cars also being able to change from a first shaft to a second shaft, and in particular also in non-vertical shafts, can be moved in particular in horizontal connection shafts.

The elevator installation 1 shown in FIG. 1 comprises an elevator control 2, which in particular controls the operation of the elevator installation 1. In particular, the movement of the elevator cabs of the elevator installation 1 in the elevator shafts is controlled by means of the elevator control 2. In addition, calls made by elevator users 20 are assigned to an elevator car of the elevator installation 1, in particular by means of the elevator control 2, in order to be able to transport elevator users 20 to the desired destination floor. In particular, it is provided that the elevator control 2 comprises a destination call control in which the elevator users 20 already specify the destination floor outside the elevator car.

In this exemplary embodiment, the elevator installation 1 further comprises a plurality of input devices 40. These input devices 40 can in particular be permanently installed input terminals which preferably have touchscreens for inputting destination calls. In particular, however, mobile terminals, such as in particular smartphones, which are in communication connection with the elevator control 2 can also be provided as input devices 40.

In addition, the elevator installation 1 in this exemplary embodiment comprises a plurality of signal receiving devices 3, by means of which an elevator user signal 5, which results from the operation of a respective input device 40, is received. The elevator installation 1 further comprises a plurality of signal output devices 4 via which an output signal 16 can be output. The output signal 16 can in particular, but not exclusively, be text information presented on a display device or acoustic information output via a loudspeaker.

The elevator control 2 of the elevator installation 1 is designed in particular to trigger a control command 6 based on a received elevator user signal 5. By means of this control command 6, actuators 30 of the elevator installation 1 are controlled. These include, among many others, the drive unit 33 of the elevator installation 1, with which the elevator cars of the elevator installation 1 are moved, or the door drive 32 of the elevator cars.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the elevator installation 1 further comprises a device 8 for detecting a situation-specific parameter 7. This device 8 can be a sensor. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, however, the device 8 for detecting a situation-specific parameter is a higher-level unit, which in turn has sensors for detecting a situation-specific parameter 7. In this exemplary embodiment, the device 8 for capturing a situation-specific parameter 7 is connected to a camera 9 or more cameras, the camera 9 being designed in particular to capture the area around the input devices 40. By means of the device 8 for recording a situation-specific parameter, in particular the number of people staying in this area can be recognized. In addition, elevator users 20 can be individualized and thus differentiated. In the one shown in FIG In the exemplary embodiment, the device 8 for detecting a situation-specific parameter 7 is also connected to the input device 40. Via this connection with the input device 40, the device 8 for capturing a situation-specific parameter 7 can capture information in connection with the making of inputs. In particular, it can be recorded which inputs were made and at what time intervals these inputs were made.

In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the elevator control 2 further comprises a device 12 for checking a recorded situation-specific parameter 7. By means of this device 12 for checking a recorded situation-specific parameter, the elevator control 2 is advantageously designed to check whether a recorded situation-specific parameter 7 is at least one criterion from a set of stored criteria is met. If it is determined by means of the device 12 for checking a recorded situation-specific parameter 7 that a situation-specific parameter 7 fulfills such a stored criterion, the elevator control 2, in particular using a device 14 for generating a signal for controlling the signal output device 4, causes the signal output device 4 to turn on Output signal 16, whereupon the signal output device 4 outputs the output signal 16.

An exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention for operating an elevator system is described below with the aid of the elevator system 1, shown in simplified form in FIG. 1. In a first exemplary case, it is provided that an elevator user 20 would like to be transported from his current floor to a destination floor using the elevator system 1. For this purpose, the elevator user 20 enters his desired destination floor via the input device 40.

The elevator user signal 5 generated in this way is received by the signal receiving device 3. The elevator user signal 5 received by the signal receiving device 3 triggers a control command 6 in the elevator control 2, which is linked to the corresponding elevator user signal 5. Since the elevator user signal 5 is the output of a destination call in this case, the elevator control 2 will assign an elevator car to this destination call and send corresponding further control commands 6 in order to provide an elevator car for the transport of the elevator user 20 from the current floor of the elevator user 20 to his destination floor. The elevator user signal received and forwarded by the signal receiving device 3 is shown in FIG. 1 as elevator user signal 5 'for better distinguishability. designated. The elevator user signal 5 received by the signal receiving device 3 also triggers the detection of a situation-specific parameter 7. For this purpose, the device 8 for detecting a situation-specific parameter 7 likewise receives the elevator user signal 5 forwarded by the signal receiving device 3, which is designated in FIG. 1 as elevator user signal 5 ″ for better distinguishability.

As a situation-specific parameter 7, it is recorded which calls an elevator user 20 makes. The camera 9 detects how many people are in the area of the input devices 40. The principles of such an anteroom monitoring are known in the prior art and are not explicitly described here. In addition, the input device 40 is used to monitor which inputs are made by the elevator user 20. The situation-specific parameter 7 recorded in this way is forwarded to a device 12 for checking the situation-specific parameter 7 recorded. This device 12 checks whether the situation-specific parameter 7 meets at least one criterion from a set of stored criteria. For this purpose, the device 12 for checking a recorded situation-specific parameter 7 can in particular comprise a correspondingly set up database, which is not explicitly shown in FIG. 1. In this exemplary case, the criterion stored is that a single elevator user enters the same destination floor several times.

This criterion is met in the present case, that is to say that the camera 9 detects that there is only one elevator user 20. In addition, by means of the connection to the input devices 40, it was recorded that the elevator user 20 has entered the same destination floor several times. The elevator installation 1 will provide an elevator car for the elevator user 20 despite the multiple destination calls for the same floor. Since the stored criterion is met, namely in this case that the elevator user 20 has entered the same destination floor several times, the signal output device 4 is also caused by the elevator control 2 to output the indication to the elevator user 20 as output signal 16 that the multiple registration of the same destination floor, the waiting time until an elevator car arrives is extended.

Depending on the configuration of the signal output device 4, this information can be output acoustically via a loudspeaker or displayed as text on a display device. The output signal 16 is therefore related to a future use of the elevator installation 1 by the elevator user 20. The output signal 20 is intended to be Elevator users 20 give the feedback not to enter the same destination floor several times the next time the elevator system 1 is used, so as not to impair the performance of the elevator system 1.

In a second exemplary case, it is provided that the respective smartphones are used by elevator users 20 as input devices 40 of the elevator installation. It is assumed here that an elevator user 20 makes a destination call via his smartphone before he is in the vicinity of the elevator lobby from which he would like to start. As a situation-specific parameter 7, the distance between the elevator user 20 and the entry areas of the elevator cars is recorded. This situation-specific parameter 7 can take place in particular by connecting the corresponding device 8 for recording a situation-specific parameter 7 to the input device 40, that is to say the elevator user's smartphone. In addition, the camera 9 can be used to determine that an elevator user who has already placed a call is not yet in a possible boarding area for a journey in the elevator cabins. As a limit value, it can be stored in the elevator control 2, for example, that an elevator user 20 is more than 25 m (m: meters) away from the entrance area of the elevator system. If, during the detection of the situation-specific parameter 7 triggered by the reception of the elevator user signal 5 and its checking, it is established that the distance of the elevator user 20 recorded as the situation-specific parameter 7 exceeds this limit value, i.e. the latter is more than 25 m away from the boarding area, the smartphone is used of the elevator user 20 is triggered by the elevator control 2 to output the notification to the elevator user 20 that a call placed near the entrance area of the elevator system shortens the total waiting time for the use of the elevator.

In a third exemplary case, it is provided that the situation-specific parameter recorded is that the same elevator user 20 first sends a first destination call via the input device 40 and then a second destination call different from the first destination call. Here, as a situation-specific parameter 7, it is recorded how many destination calls an elevator user 20 makes. It is stored as a criterion that the same elevator user makes at least two different destination calls in connection with only one transport process. This means in particular that the issuing of only one destination call by an elevator user 20 is recorded as a situation-specific parameter 7. In this case, however, the stored criterion is not met, namely that at least two different destination calls are made by the same elevator user. In this respect, there is no output signal 16. If the elevator user 20 on the other hand, first a first destination floor and then a second, different from the first destination floor, the stored criterion is met. The elevator user 20 then receives an indication via the signal output device 4 as to how an incorrectly entered destination call can be deleted. The deletion of such a destination call contributes to improving the performance of the elevator installation, since both destination calls do not have to be served by the elevator installation 1.

In a fourth exemplary case, it is provided that the camera 9 recognizes elevator users 20 in an individualized manner. Properties linked to individual persons are recorded as situation-specific parameters 7. In this exemplary case, it is provided as a criterion that an elevator user 20 does not use favorite floors stored for him, which shorten the so-called click distance. It is thus provided that an elevator user 20 is identified in an individualized manner, in particular using the camera 9 and / or by means of unique identification means, such as an RFID card. On the basis of the recognition of the elevator user 20, he is offered a selection of favorite floors, in particular those floors that these elevator users often select as the destination floor. Via the input devices 40, the elevator system 1 furthermore offers the possibility of entering a destination floor manually with a corresponding selection of digits, whereby several inputs are regularly required for this in buildings with a large number of floors. If the criterion is now met that an elevator user 20 does not use an offered preselection of favorite floors and has instead entered a floor that is one of the favorite floors manually, the information is output as output signal 16 to elevator user 20 as to how elevator user 20 is more efficient , namely by selecting from the favorites list, the corresponding floor can be selected.

In particular, it is provided that the exemplary cases described above are implemented together or in any combination in an elevator installation 1. Several situation-specific parameters 7 are then recorded and several criteria are stored against which the recorded situation-specific parameters 7 are checked.

A further exemplary embodiment of a method according to the invention is described with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c. An elevator installation 1, as described with reference to FIG. 1, is also used as a basis. A touchscreen is provided as input device 40, via which elevator user signals 5 can be triggered by touching corresponding areas. The touchscreen is not only used as a Input device 40 but also as a signal output device 4. The method provides that the input device 40 is manipulated with the output signal 16 in such a way that at least one operating element 45 from a set of operating elements of the input device 40 is activated so that an elevator user 20 uses this activated operating element 45 can be used for further operation.

In this exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the input / output device 40/4 has a plurality of input / output areas 41, 42, 43. The destination floor can be selected in a first input area 41 by swiping over this area, with a higher destination floor or a lower destination floor being displayed by a vertical swiping movement in the upward or downward direction, which can then be selected. Further information or further softkeys can be displayed in a second input / output area 42 and a third input / output area 43. For example, a favorites list of frequently selected floors can be displayed in area 42.

The following example describes the situation that an elevator user 20 would like to be transported to the 15th floor by means of the elevator installation 1. For this purpose, in this exemplary embodiment the elevator user has set the 15th floor in the first input / output area 41 by means of a corresponding vertical wiping movement. This setting of the 15th floor as the destination floor is received by a signal receiving device 3 of the elevator control 2 as an elevator user signal 5. In this exemplary embodiment, however, further confirmation by touching the 15 displayed in the first input / output area 41 is necessary so that the corresponding destination call is registered for the 15th floor. This means that in this case, in order to place a destination call, the corresponding destination floor must be set in a first step and then a confirmation must be made in a second step for the selection of this destination floor. In this embodiment, an elevator user 20 must therefore make several user inputs in order to trigger a sequence of elevator user signals 5 required to trigger an action of the elevator installation 1. A time interval starting from the receipt of a respective elevator user signal is recorded as a situation-specific parameter. Exceeding a predetermined limit value for this time after the detection of an elevator user signal is stored as a criterion.

In relation to the exemplary embodiment explained with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2c, this means that after the wiping movement has been detected for setting the target floor as situation-specific parameter 7 records the time that elapses after this first entry. A limit value of 5 s (s: seconds) is stored as a criterion to be checked. That is, if, after 5 s after the detection of the wiping movement as the first elevator user signal 5, no further input is made within 5 s, and thus no further elevator user signal 5 is received, the signal output device 4 is caused by the elevator control 2 to output an output signal 16 to spend.

2a is intended to represent, by way of example, a setting of the input device 40 that an elevator user 20 finds before he has started an interaction with the input device 40. On the basis of this, it is now assumed that the elevator user 20 has set the destination floor 15, as shown in FIG. 2b. It is further assumed that the elevator user 20 has not confirmed the set destination floor, namely floor 15, as the destination floor. Thus, after 5 s after setting the destination floor, the elevator control 2 generates an output signal 16 with which the second input / output area 42 of the input device 40 is manipulated in such a way that an operating element 45 is generated and activated. The elevator user 20 can now call up a help menu via this operating element 45 so that the elevator user 20 can be informed about how to proceed for further registration of the elevator call.

Furthermore, it can alternatively or additionally be provided that the third input / output area 43 is further manipulated in such a way that a reference text and / or an animation is generated that indicates to the elevator user 20 that and / or how to confirm the selected destination floor is.

It can further advantageously be provided, in particular, that a future use of the elevator system 1 by that elevator user 20 for whom a corresponding output signal 16 was generated due to such a bad / incorrect operation of the input device 40, as in particular with reference to FIGS 2c, an output of an output signal is caused. In particular, the camera 9 is used to recognize and identify this elevator user 20 during future use. Alternatively or additionally, further identification means, such as an RFID card assigned to the elevator user 20 or a smartphone assigned to the elevator user 20, can be used to recognize and identify the elevator user 20. Such a recognition of the elevator user 20 causes the elevator control 2 to generate an indication that a selected destination floor must be confirmed, in particular even without the elevator user having generated an elevator user signal 5 himself. In this case, the input is triggered by the fact that the elevator user as such and / or a use of the elevator installation 1 was recognized by this recognized elevator user 20. An individualized elevator user and at least one property linked to this elevator user is recorded as a situation-specific parameter. The stored criterion here is the registered previous bad / incorrect operation by the individualized elevator user.

The exemplary embodiments shown in the figures and explained in connection with them serve to explain the invention and are not restrictive for it.

List of reference symbols

1 elevator system

2 elevator control

3 signal receiving device

4 signal output device

5 elevator user signal

6 control command

7 situation-specific parameters

8 Device for recording a situation-specific parameter (7)

12 Device for checking a recorded situation-specific parameter (7)

14 device for generating a signal for controlling the signal output device (4) 16 output signal

20 elevator users

30 actuators of the elevator system (1)

31 Drive unit of the elevator system (1)

32 Door drive of an elevator car

40 Input device

41 Input / output area

42 Input / output area

43 Input / output area

45 control element

Claims

Expectations

1. A method for operating an elevator system (1), wherein the elevator system (1) comprises at least one elevator control (2), at least one signal receiving device (3) and at least one signal output device (4), the signal receiving device (3) being an elevator user signal (5) receives and the received elevator user signal (5) triggers a control command (6) in the elevator control (2), characterized in that the received elevator user signal (5) further triggers the detection of a situation-specific parameter (7), the situation-specific parameter (7) is recorded , the elevator control (2) checks whether the situation-specific parameter (7) from a set of stored criteria fulfills at least one criterion; if at least one criterion from the set of stored criteria is met, the elevator control (2) does this with the signal output device (4) causes an output signal (16) to be output and the signal output device (4) to output the output signal (1 6) outputs.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the output signal (16) is an output signal (16) related to the situation-specific parameter (7) and / or the elevator user signal (5).

3. The method according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the output signal (16) is related to a future use of the elevator system (1).

4. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one criterion from the set of stored criteria is each uniquely assigned an output signal (16), the elevator control (2) causing the signal output device (4) to be met Output signal (16) assigned to the criterion.

5. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a point in time of receipt of the elevator user signal (5) is recorded as a situation-specific parameter (7), with at least one of the following criteria being stored as a criterion: the point in time is within a predetermined time interval ; the point in time lies within a predetermined time interval related to the time of day; the time is on a specified weekday.

6. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the situation-specific parameter (7) records the identity of the elevator user (20) who triggered the receipt of the elevator user signal (5) and properties associated with the identity of the elevator user (20) at least one of the following criteria is stored as a criterion: first use of the elevator system (1) by the elevator user (20); Incorrect operation of the elevator system (1) by the elevator user (20), incorrect operation of the elevator system by the elevator user (20); The number of uses of the elevator system (1) by the elevator user (20) per predetermined time unit is within a predetermined interval; VIP status of an elevator user (20).

7. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operation by the elevator user (20) in connection with triggering the receipt of the elevator user signal (5) is recorded as a situation-specific parameter (7), with incorrect operation being stored as a criterion.

8. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that elevator users (20) can make different user inputs that trigger different control commands (6) from the signal receiving device (3) as different elevator user signals (5), each of which in the elevator controller (2) can be received, with triggerable control commands (6) each being uniquely assigned to a defined elevator user signal (5) or a defined elevator user signal sequence, with at least in a subset of operating cases the triggering of a control command (6) deviating from the receipt of the defined elevator user signal (5 ) or the defined elevator user signal sequence is possible by receiving one or more elevator user signals (5) different from the defined elevator user signal (5), the received elevator user signals (5) being recorded as situation-specific parameters (7), and a triggered control command (6 ) who is not through there s defined elevator user signal (5) or the defined elevator user signal sequence was triggered, is stored as a criterion.

9. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an elevator user (20) has to make several user inputs in order to trigger a sequence of elevator user signals (5) required to trigger an action of the elevator system (1), with a time interval after reception of a respective elevator user signal (5) is recorded as a situation-specific parameter (7), with the exceeding of a predetermined limit value for this time interval being stored as a criterion.

10. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a display representation is manipulated with the output signal (16).

11. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an input device (40) is manipulated with the output signal (16) in such a way that at least one operating element (45) from a set of operating elements of the input device (40) for further operation the elevator user (20) is highlighted and / or activated.

12. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a mobile terminal is used as a signal output device (4) and / or input device (40) and / or as part of the elevator control (2).

13. Elevator system (1) comprising at least one elevator controller (2), at least one signal receiving device (3) and at least one signal output device (4), characterized in that the elevator system (1) is designed to carry out a method according to one of the preceding claims.

14. Elevator control (2), which is designed to process received elevator user signals (5), to trigger control commands (6) for an elevator installation (1) and to provide output signals (16) for output by means of a signal output device (4), characterized in that the Elevator control (2) is further designed to carry out a method according to one of Claims 1 to 12.

15. A computer program which can be loaded into an elevator control (2), the computer program product enabling the elevator control (2) to carry out a method according to one of claims 1 to 12.