EP1006070A1 - Call input device for an elevator installation - Google Patents

Abstract

The elevator system has at least one lift with a cage movable between several storeys with a call entry arrangement per storey outside the cage for calling the lift. The storeys are at least temporarily divided into regions and calls can be at least temporarily made in two stages for the destination region and the destination storey.

Description

The present invention relates to an elevator installation with at least one Elevator according to the preamble of claim 1.

Traditionally, elevator systems have individual floors via call input devices that have an up and a down button exhibit. The passenger presses to request a car the button corresponding to the desired direction of travel. At a However, such an elevator system cannot be assigned to the passenger a certain car because the specific destination, namely the floor, is unknown. To remedy this, structurally assigned Areas created that are approached by individual cars become, i.e. the passenger must first go to the car or cars, who move to a range of floors in which his target floor is included and there the corresponding direction button actuate. The disadvantage of this structurally fixed assignment is that the floor areas are not subject to changes in the time of day Utilization are customizable.

An elevator installation is known from EP 0 301 178 B1, in which the passenger even before entering the car on one of the floors combined call and floor entry device his target floor enters. There is no floor entry device in the car itself more provided. The control of the elevator system takes one Allocation of the target floors to individual cars and shares Passenger with which car he has to enter. Known from the start is, which target storeys have to be approached by the Control always made a load-oriented classification of the cars become. However, it is considered a disadvantage that the Passenger must note which elevator has been assigned to him. If he is in If another elevator gets on, he will not arrive on the right floor and can no longer be in the elevator car its desired floor enter. In addition, the assigned elevator can be used every time be different so that the passenger does not get used to it can, with regular use at the same time, always the same To be able to enter the car. Apart from that, the one described differs Call input completely from the usual pattern for the user, so that the well-known elevator system primarily for buildings with one fixed user group is suitable. Call entry devices for each Floor can include a call button in buildings with a large Floor number take very large dimensions. On the other hand Call input devices with a numeric keypad must be used the entries for two-digit floor numbers by successive Press the corresponding number keys. Here it can happen that the control processes the inputs incorrectly, for example in the case of a delayed successive entry the two digits are processed as single storeys or if they are too long Pressing a key evaluates it as a double entry.

Furthermore, an elevator system is known on the market in which the familiar input elements described at the outset are provided, namely on the outside of the floor buttons for choosing the direction of travel and in a button for the car for each floor that can be accessed. In addition are Indicators attached to the outside of the car doors, which shows the stops of the elevator during its journey will serve. The building is divided into areas depending on the situation divided and a car only drives to a small part of the stops. As a result of the significantly shorter cycle times, the conveying capacity increases. This system, which is strongly tailored to the filling traffic, enables on the one hand good user guidance, on the other hand is necessary due to the relatively large display devices but with high additional costs connected.

DE 195 39 288 A1 describes a freely programmable control panel known for a car through which a control panel in the car is replaced by a sensor display.

Proceeding from this, the invention has for its object a generic Elevator system avoiding the disadvantages mentioned continue to improve.

To solve this problem, an elevator system with the features of claim 1 proposed. Accordingly, in a generic Elevator system at least temporarily a two-stage call input for the target area and target floor provided. The requirement according to the invention a car is therefore entered by entering the target area, for example area A = floors 1 to 6, and then the concrete target floor, for example floor 5. The division the floors in areas are advantageously situation or Utilization dependent and based on an empirical consideration Values programmed control, including that of the call input devices received data about target areas and target floors be used. Not only are the call input devices advantageous a main stop, but all call input devices trained according to the invention on all floors.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are in the dependent subclaims described.

Preferably, to improve the usability, a Call entry a call acknowledgment.

In an advantageous embodiment of the invention there is at least one call input device a main stop as at least temporarily two-stage Target input device to be operated for target area and target floor educated. Thus, according to the invention, a passenger uses a arranged on the floor and designed as a destination input device Call input device first the target area and then the target floor selected. By entering the Target area, the passenger selects one assigned to this target area Car and thus the floors to which this car approaches out. With further entry of the target floor from this target area the control of the elevator system can ensure optimal utilization for the Calculate elevator system. The passenger then needs it when entering it assigned car no further entry of the destination floor make. It goes without saying that an assignment of the car also only after entering the destination floor.

In a further embodiment of the invention, there is at least one in the elevator car an elevator input device for input of the target floor. This can make an unsafe passenger Press the floor entry in the car again and confirm received for his desired floor or one that rushes in at the last second Passenger who has no opportunity to operate on the Floor arranged call input device can have more Make floor selection in the car.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention there is at least one call input device a main stop as an area input device for Entry of the target area trained and an entry of the destination floor takes place by means of a floor input device arranged in the car. In this embodiment of the invention, the two-stage is Destination input divided into the input of the target area using the on the Call input device arranged on the floor (area input device) and the entry of the target floor only in the requested one Area assigned to the car. As a result, the on the call input device Time spent on the floor shortens what in particular has an advantageous effect at peak times with a high number of passengers.

In an embodiment of the invention, the call input device comprises a Touch screen. Such screens are freely programmable and particularly easy to operate, so that the passenger handling the new tax system is greatly facilitated. Changing division into divisions the floors can be played back easily, as well like the display of the car to be entered.

In another advantageous embodiment of the invention, the call input device comprises a screen with icons displayed on the screen and assigned keys. Such screen / key combinations are known from ATMs. Firm around the Keys arranged around the screen become changing symbols or assigned information by pressing the corresponding key can be selected.

In a further embodiment of the invention, the call input device comprises a display device for displaying the car to be climbed. In this way, the use of expensive display devices above the lift doors. There is only the information the elevator identification, for example A, B, C or the like, is necessary, unless this identification can even be omitted, since a graphic Identification is already easily possible on the input panel.

Using the floor entry device in a car are advantageous only floors can be selected, those in the assigned to the car Range. Should a passenger mistakenly find a car enter that does not enter the area with the desired floor approaches, he recognizes this immediately because he does not enter his destination floor can.

The floor input device advantageously comprises a keyboard number buttons corresponding to the number of floors as they are well known to users.

In another embodiment of the invention, the floor input device comprises a touch screen corresponding to the destination input device or a screen with symbols and displayed on the screen Keys assigned to information.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention, data is transmitted between the call input device and a control device the elevator system via wireless data transmission. This allows any Arranging the destination input devices in the waiting area in front of the Landing doors. In particular, by suitable arrangement of the destination input devices in the event of large crowds, a crowd in the area the landing doors are avoided.

It is understood that the above and those below features to be explained not only in the combination specified in each case, but can also be used in other combinations or alone without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Figur 1

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Zieleingabevorrichtung vor der Eingabe des Zielbereichs.

Figur 2

zeigt die Zieleingabevorrichtung der Figur 1 nach der Eingabe des Zielbereichs und vor der Eingabe des Zielstockwerks.

Figur 3

zeigt die Zieleingabevorrichtung der Figur 1 nach erfolgter Eingabe von Zielbereich und Zielstockwerk.

Figur 4

zeigt die Zieleingabevorrichtung der Figur 1 mit zusätzlicher Anzeige eines häufig angefahrenen Zielstockwerks.

Figur 5

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Zieleingabevorrichtung vor der Eingabe des Zielbereichs mit einem Sensorbildschirm.

Figur 6

zeigt eine erfindungsgemäße Zieleingabevorrichtung in einem Betrieb ohne Bereichseinteilung der Stockwerke.

The invention is illustrated in the drawing using exemplary embodiments and explained in more detail below with reference to the drawing.

Figure 1

shows a destination input device according to the invention before entering the target area.

Figure 2

shows the destination input device of Figure 1 after entering the destination area and before entering the destination floor.

Figure 3

shows the destination input device of Figure 1 after entering the destination area and destination floor.

Figure 4

shows the destination input device of Figure 1 with an additional display of a frequently used destination floor.

Figure 5

shows a destination input device according to the invention before entering the target area with a sensor screen.

Figure 6

shows a destination input device according to the invention in an operation without division of the floors.

FIG. 1 shows a target input device for the target area and target floor configured call input device 10 for an inventive Elevator system with a screen 12 and along the left and the right edge of the screen arranged buttons 14, 16. The screen 12 is used to display symbols relevant to the passenger and information 20, 22, being used to select a desired option one of the buttons 14, 16 is assigned. For better clarification arrows 18 pointing to the respective key are provided for the assignment.

Figure 1 shows the destination input device according to the invention with a screen display 13, which prompts the passenger to enter his destination and several, three in the illustrated embodiment, Floor areas 20.1, 20.2 and 20.3 indicates. Each of these displayed Floor areas is assigned to one of the selection buttons, namely the first area "ground floor to 7th floor" 20.1 the button 14.1, the second area "8th to 15th floor" 20.2 the button 14.2 and the third and last area "16th to 23rd floor" 20.3 the button 14.3. in the illustrated embodiment, the key 14.4 remains blank.

A corresponding embodiment of the destination input device according to the invention as a call input device 30 with a sensor screen 32 shown in Figure 5. Screen display 33 of the touch screen 32 corresponds in this representation to the screen representation shown in FIG 13, a selection of a floor area 20 or a special field 22 by directly touching the corresponding one Field takes place on the screen 32. The further representations of the The sensor screen then corresponds, for example, to that in FIGS. 2 to 4 shown and explained below.

Of course, the floors can also be divided into other than those shown Areas. The division into areas takes place in particular according to the invention situation-oriented (i.e. utilization and thus also time of day), i.e. at some times of the day the floors are in the areas shown are divided while at other times of the day for example in only two areas or in three areas with others Floor allocation can be divided. In addition, it is also possible no division into areas at times of day with weak occupancy carry out and the system on the conventional direction input to change, as exemplified by that shown in Figure 6 Screen display 33a is illustrated. Figure 6 shows similar to that 5 shows a sensor screen 32 with a screen display 33a, which the passenger can choose from Displays floors, in the illustrated embodiment, the floors EG to 15. Such a switching between target area display and Floor display is primarily useful when using touchscreens and is only relative to buildings with a relative suitable for a low number of floors. Alternatively, the screen display also be designed so that a direct entry of (depending on the time of day) very frequently used floors (e.g. canteen, Parking deck) or floors of particular importance (e.g. Conference), as is the case with the floor field 21 of the screen display 13a of FIG. 4 is shown.

The screen display 13 further comprises general symbols 22, which in the illustrated embodiment are a pictogram for the disabled 22.1, a priority indicator (VIP) 22.2 and an information symbol "i" 22.3. Each of these symbols is in turn one Selection key 16.1, 16.2 or 16.3 assigned, the key 16.4 in illustrated embodiment remains unoccupied.

To request a car, a passenger must now press one of the buttons 14.1., 14.2, 14.3 to select the floor area you want to select. As soon as this selection has been made, switches the screen display of the screen 12 on the screen shown in Figure 2 13 'around. This screen display 13 'comprises eight Display fields 24.1 to 24.8, which (in the illustrated embodiment) Show floors EG to 7 and each one of the selection buttons 14.1 to 14.4, 16.1 to 16.4 is assigned. The screen representation shown in Figure 2 13 'is based on the assumption that in the screen display 13 of Figure 1 assigned to the floor area "EG to 7" 20.1 Button 14.1 was pressed.

Now the passenger gives one of the available floors as his target floor, for example by pressing the key 16.3, if his target floor is the 5th floor.

After the destination floor has been entered, switches the display of the screen 12 on the third shown in Figure 3 Screen display 13 "with which the passenger is informed which one He has to enter the elevator to reach his desired floor. In the illustrated embodiment, this is elevator A, wherein For better orientation, an additional illustration of the arrangement the landing doors A, B, C take place. Advantageously, the This third screen display 13 "focuses on the graphic, vivid Playback of the assigned elevator, in particular can also be supported by colored elements 26.

The control of the elevator installation according to the invention is preferred programmed in such a way that with normal occupancy depending on the time of day always the same lifts to the same floors, so one To get used to regular passengers. In exceptional cases, i.e. if the occupancy differs from the usual at a given time of day Traffic figures, however, may vary based on the time of day Division into areas.

In one embodiment, the passenger then gives as in the conventional Elevators in the car enter the floor as a so-called internal command from, with only those floor buttons in each car The floors actually approached by the elevator can be selected correspond. In the embodiment shown in the figures this would mean that the passenger after entering elevator A in whose car is only the one already on the screen display 13 'of FIG. 2 known floor keys can press 7 to 7. Advantageously corresponds to the floor input device in the car in its representation that the passenger already from the destination input device in Floor known representation. In particular, it proves to be advantageous to provide a screen in the car, either corresponding to the embodiment shown in Figures 1 to 4 Selection keys are assigned or according to the representation of the Figures 5 and 6 is designed as a touch screen, in the displayed Options can be selected by touching the corresponding section of the screen are.

As already stated above, it is in the illustrated and described Execution of the call input device as a destination input device not necessary for target floor and target area, in the car to provide an additional floor entry device. If each passenger in the destination input device on the floor both Entering its target area as well as its target floor can on one Floor input device in the car, saving the otherwise associated costs are waived. In certain situations However, it can prove to be advantageous if, in addition, in the cars the possibility of entering the. again or for the first time Target floor is possible.

With the elevator system according to the invention, by increasing behavioral safety of the passenger, through individual user guidance and answering his driving request is a particularly user-friendly Destination entry possible. An effective division into areas is possible for this, a reduction in the number of stops per car Enables improvement of the delivery performance. Although with the invention Elevator system also shortened the waiting time before the elevators connected, the improvement in output is primarily on a reduction in the so-called target achievement time, i.e. the Time the passenger spends from making a call to reaching the destination, attributed.

The destination input devices are advantageously in the waiting area consoles placed in front of the lifts. These consoles are preferably set up such that the incoming and Distribute waiting passengers in the foyer in front of the elevators and thus an unwanted crowd is avoided. Through wireless data transmission for example by radio or infrared is one in particular easy retrofitting to existing systems and easy Art an arrangement of the destination input device in the masonry between the elevator doors avoidable.

The elevator installation according to the invention also permits use in particular so-called identification modules, for example card readers or so-called transponders.

The invention is of course not limited to that shown in the figures Embodiments limited. In particular, need to perform the inventive two-stage entry of target area and Target floor no two different screen displays provided but especially in elevator systems with few stops can display and display all the information necessary for the two-stage entry User information is summarized on one screen display, so that faster operation is possible. This is best the use of a touch screen is suitable. Complementary is also possible the third stage, i.e. the display of the assigned elevator, in integrate the same ad.

The destination input device of the invention can advantageously Elevator system still include a voice announcement system, which is the operation the elevator system especially for blind and visually impaired people considerably relieved. But also a special operating procedure, which for blind and visually impaired people always provide the same elevator, is conceivable, especially in connection with an identification module. The use of buttons, as in the embodiment of the figures 1 to 4 are shown for blind and visually impaired people the advantage of a touchscreen that they can be felt.

For wheelchair users, the corresponding symbol or the key assigned to this symbol (see, for example, FIG. 1) empty car can be provided.

The illustrated and described embodiments of the present Invention relates to a call input device, which acts as a destination input device is trained for the target area and target floor. The invention However, two-stage entry of the destination is not based on this Limited versions. Rather, the invention also includes configurations in which the first stage of input, the input of the target area, on an appropriately trained call input device the floor and the second stage of entry, the entry of the Target floor, is made exclusively in the car itself. With such a configuration, the second screen display would according to Figure 2 omitted and the passenger would immediately after entering of the target area (FIG. 1) the elevator corresponding to this target area be assigned (Figure 3).

Claims (10)

Elevator system with at least one elevator (A, B, C), one has a movable car between a plurality of floors, with arranged outside the car in the individual floors Call input devices for requesting a car, wherein at least at times the floors are divided into areas, characterized by an at least occasionally two-stage call input for target area and target floor. Elevator installation according to claim 1, characterized in that a call is entered and the call is acknowledged. Elevator installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one call input device (10) of a main stop as at least occasionally two-stage destination input device for Target area (20) and target floor (24) is formed. Elevator installation according to claim 3, characterized in that in addition one in the car of the at least one elevator (A, B, C) arranged floor input device for entering the target floor is provided. Elevator installation according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that at least one call input device of a main stop as an area input device is designed to enter the target area (20) and an input of the destination floor (24) by means of arranged in the car Floor input device takes place. Elevator installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the call input device (10) comprises a touch screen. Elevator installation according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that that the call input device (10) with a screen (12) symbols (22) and information (20, 24) displayed on the screen Includes buttons (14, 16). Elevator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that the call input device (10) is a display device (12) for displaying the elevator to be climbed (A, B, C). Lift installation according to one of claims 4 to 8, characterized in that that with the floor input device of a car only Floors can be selected in the area assigned to the car lie. Elevator system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized characterized in that a data transmission between the call input device (10) and a control device of the elevator system takes place wirelessly.

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