EP2069224B1

EP2069224B1 - Elevator system

Info

Publication number: EP2069224B1
Application number: EP07823091.9A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Johannes De Jong; Marja-Liisa Siikonen; Janne Sorsa
Original assignee: Kone Corp
Current assignee: Kone Corp
Priority date: 2006-10-03
Filing date: 2007-09-14
Publication date: 2018-01-17
Anticipated expiration: 2027-09-14
Also published as: EA017619B1; EP2069224A4; WO2008040836A1; FI119019B; CN101516759A; FI20060879A0; FI20060879A; CN101516759B; EP2069224A1; EA200900348A1

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the control of elevators occurring on the basis of calls given in an elevator system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Receiving and processing call information given by customers is essential in the operation of an elevator system. In destination control of an elevator the user of an elevator enters his/her destination floor into the control system of the elevators already in the lobby of the departure floor. Thus the customer only needs to give a call once and the up-calls and down-calls are omitted. In this case there is no need to give a separate call in the elevator car. Destination control gives the control system of the elevators the opportunity to make smarter call allocation decisions and in this way use utilisation of the elevator capacity can be made more efficient. In destination control a separate destination call appliance is needed, with which it is possible to enter all possible floor numbers and floor identifiers into the control system.
In prior-art destination control the user cannot however influence which elevator car is allocated to him/her. Neither can the user influence the bases of allocation of an elevator car. In solutions according to prior art the passenger can request the elevator system e.g. for transportation of handicapped persons, in which case the elevator system allocates from the possible elevators the elevator that best serves the passenger at that time. In this case any space requirement in the elevator car for the transportation of handicapped persons is taken into account in the allocation, but not which other passengers possibly travel in the elevator car at the same time causing unnecessary ride discomfort and delaying the journey of passengers in a hurry. In solutions according to prior art the passenger can also order for himself/herself so-called VIP transport, in which case the elevator system allocates an empty elevator for his/her use. If many VIP passengers are traveling in the elevator system at the same time, an individual elevator is allocated to each VIP passenger causing the transportation capacity of the elevator system to fall and the service of other passengers to deteriorate especially during peak hours. A method according to the preamble of claims 1 and 9 is known from EP 0 445 419 Al, from GB 2 284 489 A as well as from US 2006/0042884 A1 .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the present invention is to disclose a new kind of solution for allocating elevators in an elevator system, in which allocation is based on categorization of the passengers. The purpose of the invention is to eliminate the deficiencies occurring in prior-art solutions and to achieve one or more of the following advantages, among others:

an improvement in the passenger service level,
optimization of the capacity of the elevator system when allocating passengers on the basis of categorization,
taking the needs of special groups into account better in allocating an elevator journey,
addressing the customs to be followed in different societies and cultures better in an elevator system,
better targeting of passenger information to different passenger groups,
an improvement in passenger safety.

The method according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 1. The computer program according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 11. The control system according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 13. The elevator system according to the invention is characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claim 19. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also discussed in the descriptive section of the present application. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts.
In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention, a method for allocating an elevator car in an elevator system is presented. In the method, a destination call is received from a user and an elevator car is allocated to the user on the basis of the destination call received. The invention is characterized in that in conjunction with a destination call a categorization expression is received from the user, and in that the categorization expression given by the user is taken into account in allocating an elevator car.
Take into account means here e.g. that calls belonging to the same category are allocated, according to the opportunities, to the same elevator car. The categorization expression given by the user can also be ignored (e.g. peak hours or some other situation).
The destination call panel receives the categorization expression given by the user in conjunction with the giving of the destination call. The term 'in conjunction with' means here that the categorization expression can be given before the actual destination call or only after giving the destination call. In one embodiment of the invention a pre-defined plurality of categorizations is given to the user in the destination call panel, from which the user can, if he/she so desires, select a categorization. In another embodiment of the invention the categorization expression is received as a code given by the user with the destination call panel. The user can give a code as a separate expression in addition to a destination call. Giving a code can also be arranged to be performed automatically by using e.g. a suitable wireless technology, e.g. RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) technology.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system of the elevators uses a categorization in forming a run profile, and the elevator car is controlled according to the run profile. The run profile sets e.g. the speed of travel of the elevator, the acceleration, the door-open times of the elevator car, etc.
In one embodiment of the invention the passenger is presented with information, on the basis of the categorization received, in the elevator lobby, in the elevator car during elevator travel and/or in conjunction with receiving the categorization expression. Additionally in one embodiment of the invention one or more elevator cars are reserved for the use of a certain categorization for a pre-defined time.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention a computer program is presented, characterized in that the computer program comprises code, which when executed in a processing appliance is arranged to perform the method according to the invention.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a control system for allocating an elevator car is presented. The control system comprises a control logic, which is arranged to control and/or to allocate elevator cars on the basis of destination calls. The invention is characterized in that the control logic is arranged to receive a categorization expression from the user in conjunction with a destination call and to take into account the categorization expression given by the user in allocating the elevator car.
According to the invention the control logic is arranged to ignore the categorization expression in allocating an elevator car, when one or more pre-defined conditions are fulfilled.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to form a drive profile for the categorization and to control the elevator car according to the drive profile.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to collect destination calls that on the basis of the categorization belong to the same category to the same elevator car.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to reserve one or more elevator cars for the use of a certain categorization for a pre-defined time.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, an elevator system is presented, which comprises elevator cars, a control system, which comprises a control logic, which is arranged to control and/or to allocate elevator cars on the basis of destination calls, and a destination call panel, which is connected to the control system and which is arranged to receive destination calls. The invention is characterized in that the destination control panel is arranged to receive a categorization expression from the user in conjunction with receiving a destination call, and in that the control logic is arranged to take into account the categorization expression given by the user in allocating an elevator car.
In one embodiment of the invention the destination call panel is arranged to give pre-defined categorization options and to receive a selection from pre-defined categorization options.
In one embodiment of the invention the destination call panel is arranged to receive a categorization expression as a code given by the user.
In one embodiment of the invention the destination call panel is arranged to receive a categorization expression wirelessly.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to ignore the categorization expression in allocating an elevator car, when one or more pre-defined conditions are fulfilled.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to form a run profile for the categorization and to control the elevator car according to the run profile.
In one embodiment of the invention the elevator system comprises an information means (107) in the elevator lobby, in the elevator car and/or in conjunction with the destination call appliance, which is arranged to present information to the passenger on the basis of the categorization.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to collect destination calls that on the basis of the categorization belong to the same category to the same elevator car.
In one embodiment of the invention the control system is arranged to reserve one or more elevator cars for the use of a certain categorisation for a pre-defined time.
In one embodiment of the present invention the categorization expression is expressed from at least one of the following aspects or features: a special group, gender, age, animal transportation, goods transportation and special use.
As a result of the present invention the user giving a destination call is able to influence the selection of the elevator car allocated to him/her. In addition, by means of the invention it is possible, according to the opportunities, to allocate destination calls belonging to the same category to the same elevator car. As a result of the invention the transportation capacity of the elevator system remains optimal, because allocation occurs dynamically on the basis of the circumstances prevailing in the elevator system. Also passenger information during elevator travel can advantageously be targeted at different passenger groups. Overall, the service level for passengers improves when it is possible to take into account the needs of different passenger groups, special groups and different societies and cultures when allocating an elevator for the use of passengers.

LIST OF FIGURES

Fig. 1 presents one embodiment of the elevator system according to the invention,
Fig. 2 presents one embodiment of a destination call panel used in the invention, and
Fig. 3 presents another embodiment of a destination call panel used in the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 1 the elevator system comprises three elevator cars 102a, 102b, 102c, the control system of the elevators 100 and the destination call panel. The control logic 100 controls and/or allocates the elevator cars 102a, 102b, 102c on the basis of destination calls received from the destination call panel 106. The actual control and/or allocation is performed with the control logic 100 of the control system. The control system 100 can also comprise other elements and functionalities, but these are not addressed further in this application. In Fig. 1 also an additional appliance that is an information means is marked with the reference number 107, by means of which auditory and/or visual information can be presented to passengers in the elevator car. The information can be formed for transmission to the information means in the control system 100 and/or in a separate information system (not presented in Fig. 1) on the basis of the categorization expression received such that the information serves the passengers belonging to each category as appropriately as possible. The information means 107 can also be disposed in connection with the destination call panel, in which case information can be presented to a passenger already in conjunction with receiving the categorization expression. The information means can be disposed also on the landings of the elevator lobby, preferably in the proximity of the elevator doors, in which case the information can be presented to a passenger while he/she is waiting in the elevator lobby for an elevator to serve him/her. It should also be noted that the number of elevator cars presented in Fig. 1 is by the way of an example, and the number of elevator cars can be greater or smaller.
In a normal situation the user gives a destination call by means of the destination call panel 106. The destination call panel 106 transmits information to the control system 104 and the control logic 100 allocates an elevator to the user. In the embodiment of the invention presented in Fig. 1, the user conveys a categorization expression to the destination call panel 106 in addition to a destination call. The categorization expression can be given before the actual destination call or only after the destination call. On the basis of the categorization expression the control logic 100 takes into account the categorization expression given by the user in allocating an elevator car. The allocation of elevators can be dynamic. In other words, an elevator can be selected from alternative elevators according to the traffic situation or other similar situation of the elevator system, and that one or more elevators can in this way be allocated to a certain category when there are one or more allocated categories.
The taking into account described above refers e.g. to destination calls that belong to the same category on the basis of the categorization being collected to the same elevator car. Category or categorization expression refers e.g. to one or more of the following alternatives: a special group, gender, age, animal transport, goods transport and special use. Other possible bases for categorization can in addition be e.g. nationality, the purpose of use of the building (e.g. a resident, office worker, hotel guest, etc.) customers with trolleys in a shopping mall, travelers with luggage, conference attendees, religious groups, special uses (the elevator can be reserved for longer-term use (servicing, cleaning, etc.)) etc. In addition the duration of the allocation to a certain category can in one embodiment of the invention be defined for specific cases. For example, for the purposes of relocation transportation a certain elevator can be allocated to relocation transportation for a pre-defined time span.
Of the categorizations presented above e.g. a special group can refer to many groups that are very different to each other. For example, transportation of handicapped people, patient transportation, company employees, etc., can belong to a special group category. Transporting the handicapped might require more space than normal in an individual elevator. For this reason the control logic does not necessarily allocate the same elevator to other destination calls at all, or alternatively allocates only a few other destination calls to the same elevator transporting handicapped persons. Another example of a special group is e.g. schoolchildren/students. If the school or place of study is situated in connection with a large building, a certain elevator can be allocated at certain times of day for the use only of schoolchildren/students.
In one embodiment of Fig. 1 the categorization is not always unconditional. For example, locking can be in use with quiet traffic, whereas in peak hours locking is either not necessarily taken into account at all or it is taken into account only for part of the category, i.e. taking into account each locking in the allocation can depend on the circumstances prevailing in the elevator system, such as the traffic situation, an evacuation situation or other similar situation of the elevator system.
In one embodiment of Fig. 1 the elevator cars of a double-deck elevator are allocated to different categories.
Fig. 2 presents one embodiment of a destination call panel 106 according to the invention. The destination call panel 106 comprises means 108 for giving a normal destination call. The destination call panel 106 also comprises means 110 for giving a categorization expression. In the case of Fig. 2 the means 110 can be implemented with mechanical pushbuttons or alternatively with software programming e.g. by means of a touchscreen display or as a combination of mechanical pushbuttons and software implementation. In the figure the pushbuttons 110 incorporate categories that are different to each other, from which the user giving a destination call can select one or more suitable options.
In another embodiment of the invention the user gives a categorization expression as a code without the separate pushbuttons 110 using the means 108. The control system 104 connects the code entered to the correct categorization in the control logic 100.
Fig. 3 presents another embodiment of a destination call panel 106 according to the invention. The destination call panel according to Fig. 3 comprises means 108 for giving a normal destination call. For receiving the categorization code the destination call panel 106 also comprises a wireless receiver 112, which is arranged to receive signals from a wireless transmitter 114. In this example the wireless transmitter sends a categorization expression to the destination call panel 106. The actual destination call is given either by the aid of the means 108 or in the manner of the categorization expression via a wireless connection. The wireless transmitter 114 is e.g. an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) identifier, a mobile phone or another similar messaging means carried by the passenger. The RFID identifier can directly or, alternatively, indirectly express a locking code. "Direct expression" means that the locking code is recorded in advance in the RFID identifier and the locking code is transmitted in a data transmission situation to the destination call panel 106. "Indirect expression" means that the control system 106 infers the locking code on the basis of the data contained in the RFID identifier. It is obvious that in wireless transmission of the categorization expression the technology used for the destination call panel can be any method or technique whatsoever that is suited to wireless near-field communication. A default categorization can also be set in the system for cases in which a passenger does not give a categorization expression in conjunction with the destination call. For example, in hospitals the personnel and/or transportation of patients can be allocated on the basis of the categorization to different elevators than passengers without a categorization code, who are categorized by default as visitors.
The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below.

Claims

Method for allocating an elevator car in an elevator system, in which method: a destination call is received from a user; an elevator car is allocated to the user on the basis of the destination call received; which method further comprises : a categorization expression is received from the user in conjunction with the destination call; and the categorization expression given by the user is taken into account in allocating an elevator car, characterized in that the method further comprises the phase: the categorization expression is ignored in allocating the elevator car, when one or more predefined conditions are fulfilled, depending on the circumstances prevailing in the elevator system, such as the traffic situation, an evacuation situation or other similar situation of the elevator system.
Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the receiving phase: the selection of the categorization expression from pre-defined alternatives presented by the destination call panel is received.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 2, characterized in that in the receiving phase: the categorization expression is received as a code given by the user with the destination call panel.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that in the receiving phase : the categorization expression is received with the destination call panel wirelessly.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the method further comprises: a run profile is formed for the categorization; and the elevator car is controlled according to the run profile.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 5 , characterized in that the method further comprises: information based on the categorization is presented to the passenger in the elevator lobby and/or in the elevator car and/or in conjunction with receiving the categorization expression.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 6 , characterized in that the method further comprises: destination calls that belong to the same category on the basis of the categorization are collected into the same elevator car.
Method according to any of claims 1 - 6 , characterized in that the method further comprises: one or more elevator cars are reserved for the use of a certain categorization for a pre-defined time.
Elevator system, which comprises: elevator cars (102a, 102b, 102c); a control system (104), which comprises a control logic (100), which is arranged to control and/or to allocate elevator cars (102a, 102b, 102c) on the basis of destination calls; a destination call panel (106) , which is connected to the control system (104) and which is arranged to receive destination calls; which destination control panel (106) is arranged to receive a categorization expression from the user in conjunction with receiving the destination call; and the control logic (100) is arranged to take into account a categorization expression given by the user in allocating an elevator car (102a, 102b, 102c, characterized in that the control logic (100) is further arranged to ignore a categorization expression in allocating the elevator car (102a, 102b, 102c), when one or more pre-defined conditions are fulfilled, depending on the circumstances prevailing in the elevator system, such as the traffic situation, an evacuation situation or other similar situation of the elevator system.
Elevator system according to claim 9, characterized in that the destination call panel (106) is arranged to give pre-defined categorization options and to receive a selection from the pre-defined categorization options.
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-10, characterized in that the destination call panel (106) is arranged to receive a categorization expression as a code given by the user.
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-11, characterized in that the destination call panel (106) is arranged to receive a categorization expression wirelessly.
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-12, characterized in that the control system (104) is arranged to form a run profile for the categorization and to control the elevator car (102a, 102b, 102c) according to the run profile .
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-13, characterized in that the elevator system further comprises at least one information means (107) in the elevator lobby and/or in the elevator car and/or in connection with the destination call appliance, which is arranged to present information to the passenger on the basis of the categorization.
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-14, characterized in that the control system (104) is arranged to collect destination calls that belong to the same category on the basis of the categorization to the same elevator car (102a, 102b, 102c).
Elevator system according to any of claims 9-15, characterized in that the control system (104) is arranged to reserve one or more elevator cars for the use of a certain categorization for a pre-defined time.