EP3798171A1 - Control for an elevator system - Google Patents

Abstract

A control (1) for an elevator installation (3) is shown. The controller (1) has a car control panel (7) for installation in an elevator car (5) of the elevator system (3) and a key acquisition module (9) for installation in the elevator car (5). The car control panel (7) has buttons (15) for controlling the elevator system (3). The key acquisition module (9) is used to recognize a mechanical key based on its shape. According to the invention, the control (1) also has an authorization management (11), by means of which a key can be assigned authorization to carry out at least one control function of the elevator system (3), and the car control panel (7) has a touchscreen (13 ) to display at least one key (15), this key (15) being displayed based on the authorization for the execution of a control function assigned to the key by the authorization management (11).

Description

The present invention relates to a control for an elevator installation, a key acquisition module, an elevator installation, a method for controlling an elevator installation, a computer program and a computer-readable medium.

Elevators are used, among other things, to transport passengers between different floors within a building. A passenger must generally be able to use a man-machine interface to inform a control of the elevator system about where the control is to allow an elevator car of the elevator system to go. For this purpose, a car control panel is conventionally provided in the interior of the elevator car, with the aid of which a passenger who has boarded the elevator car can specify the floor to which he would like to be taken.

Furthermore, various special functions of the elevator system can usually also be controlled via such a car control panel. For this purpose, conventional cabin control panels have key switches with which these functions can be switched on and off. Examples of such functions are control of lights, music or ventilation in the elevator car. Further examples are the reservation of the elevator car, the priority trip or the parking of the elevator car. The following functions are also known: a lifting operation of the elevator system as well as a special control of the elevator system in the event of a fire. Further functions are known to those skilled in the art.

Furthermore, key switches are used in conventional elevator systems for journeys to a floor that is only accessible to a limited extent. For this purpose, a key switch is used instead of a pushbutton to select the floor, which is arranged in the cabin control panel instead of the pushbutton.

From the WO 2009/065886 A1 a key switch for installation in a cabin control panel is known which does not mechanically scan a key, but optically recognizes it. By means of the known key switch, according to WO 2009/065886 A1 multiple mechanical key switches by a single one Key switches can be replaced, which can save considerable costs. However that is WO 2009/065886 A1 it is not clear how this can be implemented.

The object of the present invention is to specify a control for an elevator system which can activate various functions for a given key, as well as can activate the same function for any and any number of keys. A further object of the present invention is to specify a method for controlling an elevator installation, a related computer program, a computer-readable medium and an improved key acquisition module.

These objects are achieved by the subjects of the independent claims.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are defined by the dependent claims.

The control according to the invention for an elevator system has a car control panel for installation in an elevator car of the elevator system and a key acquisition module for installation in the elevator car. The car control panel also has buttons for controlling the elevator system. The key acquisition module is used to recognize a mechanical key based on its shape. According to the invention, the control also has an authorization management, by means of which a key can be assigned an authorization to carry out at least one control function of the elevator system, and the car control panel has a touchscreen for displaying at least one key, this key being based on the key is displayed by the authorization management assigned authorization to execute a control function.

This control according to the invention for an elevator system enables a mechanical key to unlock various normally blocked control functions of the elevator system. The key is recognized optically, which means that the most diverse keys can be recognized mechanically by means of one and the same key acquisition module. In order to enable a user to select one of the control functions, the cabin control panel has one Touchscreen to display at least one key, and several keys could also be displayed. This makes it possible to display any number of different keys in a relatively confined space and to display the function of the keys either with a label or with a pictogram. In a conventional cabin control panel with mechanical keys, only a very limited number of keys could be labeled or provided with a pictogram due to the very limited space available.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the keys are divided into a first group of keys and a second group of keys.

This advantageous embodiment of the control allows different groupings of the keys to be carried out.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least a first key of the first group takes up a smaller area than a second key of the second group.

This advantageous embodiment of the control enables the cabin control panel to be arranged on a smaller area overall. Furthermore, with the same number of keys, the area occupied by the keys of the first group can be reduced. This can affect the costs for the control as well as the space required for the cabin control panel, among other things.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cabin control panel has mechanical buttons.

This advantageous embodiment of the control for an elevator system enables a very cost-effective construction of the car control panel and thus the control according to the invention. For example, the buttons that form the call buttons can be designed as mechanical buttons. Keys for special functions of the elevator system, which, compared to call buttons, can only rarely be activated and / or activated with a key, are displayed on the touchscreen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cabin control panel has mechanical keys which form the keys of the second group.

This advantageous embodiment of the control for an elevator system enables a very cost-effective construction of the car control panel and thus the control according to the invention. For example, the buttons that form the call buttons can be designed as mechanical buttons. Keys for special functions of the elevator system, which, compared to call buttons, can only rarely be activated and / or activated with a key, are displayed on the touchscreen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the touch screen is constructed in several parts and a first part of the touch screen shows the keys of the first group and a second part of the touch screen shows the keys of the second group.

This advantageous embodiment of the control for an elevator system enables the use of different touch screens to display the buttons of the different groups. As a result, the costs in particular can be reduced, since a touchscreen can only be arranged in the cabin control panel where the functionality of the touchscreen is also required.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the buttons of the second group are used to select the floors and / or generally accessible functions.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one of the keys is additionally provided with a further control function based on the rights assigned to the key.

In this advantageous embodiment of the invention, a key of the second group is assigned more than one control function. With conventional cabin control panels, each button is assigned only one function. This advantageous embodiment enables the user to control the elevator system in a simplified manner. In the case of small elevator cars, for example, a wheelchair user's key can also be assigned the function of priority travel for all call buttons, so that the elevator car travels to the selected floor without stopping.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the keys in the first group are all the same size and / or the keys in the second group are all the same size.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the cabin control panel has a glass plate which has a passage opening through which a key can be inserted into the key acquisition module, and wherein the glass plate forms a surface of the touch screen.

In this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cabin control panel has a glass plate. Since glass plates are easily damaged when they are drilled through or glass plates with through openings are easily damaged even after they have been produced, this advantageous embodiment enables control with a cabin control panel made of glass, with the control being able to be used with a large number of mechanical keys without the need for Every key or function needs its own hole or through hole in the glass plate. With conventional cabin control panels made of glass, it was only possible to use very few mechanical key switches, as each key switch required a passage opening through the glass and thus the risk of the cabin control panel made of glass being damaged or damaged can take with each passage opening was much larger. Since touchscreens typically have a glass plate as a carrier, the same applies to cabin control panels that have a touchscreen.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key acquisition module has a sensor for determining material properties.

In this advantageous embodiment of the invention, the probability that the correct key will be recognized can be further improved, since the key features characterize both the shape and the material of the key.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key acquisition module has an incremental encoder, a rotation sensor and / or a button.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention enables the cab control panel to be operated using an alternative or additional input method using a key inserted into the key acquisition module.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key acquisition module of the control has a rigid guide surface and a pressing means, the pressing means pressing the key against the guide surface when a key is inserted into the opening of the key acquisition module.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention ensures the same positioning of the respective key after the key has been inserted into the key acquisition module. This increases the probability that the respective key will be recognized.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the keys are assigned or displayed with control functions depending on the respective time of day. This allows, for example, that a call button for a certain floor is only activated or available during business hours.

According to a further aspect of the invention, a key acquisition module according to the invention for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape has an imaging acquisition means which acquires the shape of the key inserted into an opening of the key acquisition module by means of an imaging method and provides as output key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening, the key detection module having a sensor for determining material properties of the part of the key inserted into the opening.

With this key acquisition module according to the invention, the probability that only the correct key is recognized can be improved since the key features characterize both the shape and the material of the key.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the key acquisition module according to the invention for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape has an imaging acquisition means which acquires the shape of the key inserted into an opening of the key acquisition module by means of an imaging method and supplies as output key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening, the key detection module having an incremental encoder, a rotary sensor and / or a button.

This key acquisition module according to the invention is additionally equipped with an input device by means of which a user who inserts a key into the key acquisition module can make inputs. The input device is formed by the incremental encoder, the rotary sensor and / or the button.

According to a further aspect of the invention, the key acquisition module according to the invention for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape has an imaging acquisition means which acquires the shape of the key inserted into an opening of the key acquisition module by means of an imaging method and provides key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening as output, the key detection module having a rigid guide surface and a pressing means, the pressing means pressing the key against the guide surface when a key is inserted into the key detection module.

This key acquisition module according to the invention ensures that the respective key is positioned in the same way after the key has been inserted into the key acquisition module. This increases the probability that the respective key will be reliably recognized.

The method according to the invention for controlling an elevator system has a car control panel for installation in an elevator car of the elevator system and a key acquisition module for installation in the elevator car Car control panel has keys for controlling the elevator system and the car control panel has a touchscreen for displaying at least one of the keys, and key features of a mechanical key to be recognized are determined by means of the key acquisition module, the key features at least characterize the shape of the key to be recognized, the specific key features are compared with reference features of the key to be recognized in order to recognize the key, an authorization of the recognized key is determined, and the key that can be displayed on the touchscreen is assigned at least one control function according to the requested authorization becomes.

This inventive method for controlling an elevator system enables a mechanical key to unlock various normally blocked control functions of the elevator system. The key is recognized optically, which means that the most diverse keys can be recognized mechanically by means of one and the same key acquisition module. In order to enable a user to select one of the control functions, the cabin control panel has a touchscreen for displaying the buttons. This makes it possible to display any number of different keys in relatively confined spaces and to label the keys accordingly and / or to provide them with a corresponding pictogram. It is also possible to display further keys by scrolling, for example using a scroll bar and / or by controlling gestures.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the key acquisition module compares the determined key features with reference features stored in a memory of the key acquisition module by means of a computing unit.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the determination of key features includes deriving them from the form of the key, a non-invertible function being used when deriving the key features.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention increases the security of the keys used, since the shape of the key cannot be reconstructed from the key features stored in the key acquisition module. This makes a major contribution to safety.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the reference features of the recognized key in the key acquisition module are updated and / or supplemented by the determined key features.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention increases the reliability that a key is recognized even with increasing wear and / or soiling.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, an image of a key to be registered is created by means of a camera of a registration device. Key features are also derived from the image. The key features of the key to be registered are transmitted from the registration device to the key acquisition module and are stored as reference features by the key acquisition module.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention allows a key that is initially still unknown to the key acquisition module to be registered in the key acquisition module. Since the registration device for capturing the image of the key to be registered is spatially independent of the key acquisition module, this can be implemented either by a mobile phone with appropriate software or by another portable device. Furthermore, it is also possible for the registration device to be formed by a conventional camera and a computer, the computer using software to derive the key features from the recorded image of the key. By means of this embodiment it is possible, for example, to grant authorizations to a key before the key is introduced into the key acquisition module for the first time.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a non-invertible function is used to derive the key features of the key to be registered.

This advantageous embodiment of the invention increases the security of the key features to be transmitted to the key acquisition module, since the shape of the Key cannot be reconstructed from the transmitted data. This makes a major contribution to safety.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a protected connection for transmitting data is used between the registration device and the controller.

The key features are thus transmitted through a protected connection, which improves the security of the transmitted data.

The invention further relates to a computer program which, when executed on one or more processors, is designed to execute the method as described above and / or below, and to a computer-readable medium on which such a computer program is stored is.

A computer-readable medium can be a floppy disk, a hard disk, a USB storage device, a RAM, a ROM, an EPROM. A computer-readable medium can also be a data communication network, such as the Internet, for example, which enables program code to be downloaded.

It is to be understood that features of the method can also be features of the computer program, the computer-readable medium and / or the system, and vice versa.

It is further pointed out that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the features can be combined, adapted or exchanged in a suitable manner in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

• Fig. 1 zeigt schematisch eine Steuerung für eine Aufzugsanlage, bei welcher ein Touchscreen durch einen ersten Touchscreen und einen zweiten Touchscreen ausgebildet ist.
• Fig. 2 zeigt schematisch eine Aufzugsanlage.
• Fig. 3 zeigt schematisch ein Schlüssel-Erfassungs-Modul gemäss einem Ausführungsbeispiel.
• Fig. 4 zeigt schematisch ein Schlüssel-Erfassungs-Modul gemäss einem anderen Ausführungsbeispiel.
• Fig. 5 zeigt schematisch ein Schlüssel-Erfassungs-Modul gemäss einem weiteren Ausführungsbeispiel.
• Fig. 6 zeigt schematisch die Steuerung nach Fig. 1, wobei auf einem oberen Touchscreen derzeit keine Tasten angezeigt werden.
• Fig. 7 zeigt schematisch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Steuerung für eine Aufzugsanlage.
• Fig. 8 zeigt schematisch ein weiteres Ausführungsbeispiel einer Steuerung für eine Aufzugsanlage, bei welcher sowohl ein Touchscreen als auch mechanische Tasten verwendet werden.
• Fig. 9 zeigt schematisch ein erfindungsgemässes Verfahren.

Die Figuren sind lediglich schematisch und nicht massstabsgetreu. Gleiche Bezugszeichen bezeichnen in den verschiedenen Figuren gleiche oder gleichwirkende Merkmale.Embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, neither the drawings nor the description being to be construed as restricting the invention.

• Fig. 1 shows schematically a control for an elevator system in which a touch screen is formed by a first touch screen and a second touch screen.
• Fig. 2 shows schematically an elevator system.
• Fig. 3 shows schematically a key acquisition module according to an embodiment.
• Fig. 4 shows schematically a key acquisition module according to another embodiment.
• Fig. 5 shows schematically a key acquisition module according to a further embodiment.
• Fig. 6 shows schematically the control according to Fig. 1 , with no buttons currently displayed on an upper touchscreen.
• Fig. 7 shows schematically a further embodiment of a control for an elevator installation.
• Fig. 8 shows schematically a further exemplary embodiment of a control for an elevator installation, in which both a touchscreen and mechanical keys are used.
• Fig. 9 shows schematically a method according to the invention.

The figures are only schematic and not true to scale. In the various figures, the same reference symbols denote the same or equivalent features.

Fig. 1 shows a controller 1 for an in Fig. 2 Elevator system shown 3. How Fig. 2 shows, the elevator system 3 has an elevator car 5 which can be moved between different floors by means of a drive system. Fig. 2 shows a traction sheave elevator as the drive system, but any one can be used Drive system can be used for an elevator system, in particular a cable elevator with wire ropes as well as with carrying belts or the like, hydraulic elevator, rack and pinion elevator, a vacuum elevator or an elevator without ropes (for example with a linear motor).

A car control panel 7 is installed in the elevator car 5, by means of which a user of the elevator system 3 can control the elevator car 5 as well as the elevator system 3. For example, a user can enter the floor to be approached by means of a call button 21 or switch on and / or switch off other functions of the elevator system 3, in particular also of the elevator car 5. In the Fig. 1 The controller 1 shown also has a also in FIG Fig. 2 car control 8 shown. The control 1 can have further components, such as, for example, a control module 10 which is arranged in the elevator shaft and which is connected to the car control 8 via a traveling cable 12. Elevator systems 3 typically have further components, in particular further control components. It also goes without saying that the functionality of the car control 8 could be implemented in the control module 10, for example.

How Fig. 1 shows, a key acquisition module 9 is embedded in the cabin control panel 7, which is used to recognize a mechanical key based on its shape. Of course, the key acquisition module 9 could also be installed at a different location within the elevator car 5. This key acquisition module 9 is described with reference to FIG Fig. 3 further described.

According to the invention, the controller 1 has an authorization management 11, which is shown in Fig. 1 is shown as a functional part of the car control 8. Alternatively, the authorization management 11 can also be implemented in another part of the controller 1, for example in the control module 10. The authorization management 11 can be used to assign an authorization to perform a control function of the elevator system 3 to a key.

Typical control functions of an elevator system are listed below, although this list is not exhaustive. The control functions are divided into primary control functions and secondary control functions. The Primary control functions are those functions that are typically available to every user of an elevator system and / or a call function. The secondary control functions are those functions that are only available to a limited group of users.

• Ruffunktion zum Anfahren eines bestimmten Stockwerkes, möglicherweise sind die Stockwerke nur mittels Schlüssel verfügbar, die Ruffunktion kann mittels einer Ruftaste ausgelöst werden;
• Alarmierung, sodass ein Alarm ausgelöst werden kann;
• Öffnen und/oder Offenhalten der Türe;
• Schliessen der Türe.

Examples of the primary control functions are:

• Call function for driving to a certain floor, the floors may only be available with a key, the call function can be triggered with a call button;
• Alerting so that an alarm can be triggered;
• Opening and / or keeping the door open;
• Close the door.

• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Belüftung der Aufzugskabine 5 und/oder Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer automatischen Steuerung der Belüftung der Aufzugskabine 5;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Klimaanlage der Aufzugskabine 5 und/oder Einschalten und/oder Änderung der Regeltemperatur der Klimaanlage der Aufzugskabine 5;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten von Musik und/oder Änderung der Lautstärke der abgespielten Musik;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Beleuchtung der Aufzugskabine 5 und/oder Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer automatischen Steuerung der Beleuchtung der Aufzugskabine 5;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten der Steuerung in einen Modus einer Prioritätsfahrt der Aufzugskabine 5. Im Modus Prioritätsfahrt wird ein Stockwerk direkt beziehungsweise ohne weiteren Halt angefahren;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten der Steuerung in einen Modus eines Aufzugführer-Betriebes der Aufzugsanlage 3, sodass der Aufzug durch einen Aufzugführer über das Kabinen-Bedien-Tableau gesteuert wird. Falls auf einem Stockwerk eine Ruftasten zum Anfordern der Aufzugskabine gedrückt wird, wird dies dem Aufzugsführer am Kabinen-Bedien-Tableau angezeigt;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Reservation der Aufzugskabine 5, sodass die auf den jeweiligen Stockwerken angeordneten Ruftasten ignoriert werden;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Parkfunktion der Aufzugskabine 5, sodass alle Ruftasten in der Aufzugskabine wie auch auf den Stockwerken ignoriert werden beziehungsweise gesperrt sind;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten einer Sabbat-Steuerung der Aufzugsanlage 3, sodass die Aufzugskabine jedes Stockwerk nach dem anderen anfährt und die Aufzugstüre selbständig öffnet und wieder schliesst;
• Verlangsamung der Türschliessung;
• Verlängerung der Türöffnungszeit;
• Verwaltungsfunktion der Schlüsselverwaltung und/oder der Berechtigungen;
• Lernmodus, in welchem ein neuer Schlüssel registriert werden kann;
• Einschalten wie auch Ausschalten und/oder Regelung einer Lautstärke von Sprachansagen;
• Sperren wie auch Freischalten von bestimmten Ruftasten;
• Einschalten wie auch Ausschalten eines Reinigungsbetrieb, in welchem die Aufzugskabine sowohl geparkt als auch reserviert ist;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten von drahtlosen Netzwerkverbindungen, mittels welchen sich Benutzer der Aufzugsanlage mit der Aufzugsanlage und/oder dem Internet verbinden können;
• Einschalten und/oder Ausschalten eines Nachtmodus, in welchem beispielsweise die Lautstärke von Sprachansagen reduziert ist, das Aufzugskabinenlicht gedimmt ist, die Fahrgeschwindigkeit der Aufzugskabine reduziert ist, sodass Fahrgeräusche reduziert werden, und/oder die drahtlosen Netzwerkverbindungen ausgeschalten sind.

Examples of the secondary control functions, which are also referred to as special functions, are:

• Switching on and / or switching off a ventilation of the elevator car 5 and / or switching on and / or switching off an automatic control of the ventilation of the elevator car 5;
• Switching on and / or switching off an air conditioning system of the elevator car 5 and / or switching on and / or changing the control temperature of the air conditioning system of the elevator car 5;
• Turning on and / or turning off music and / or changing the volume of the music being played;
• Switching on and / or switching off a lighting of the elevator car 5 and / or switching on and / or switching off an automatic control of the lighting of the elevator car 5;
• Switching on and / or switching off the control in a mode of priority travel of the elevator car 5. In the priority travel mode, a floor is approached directly or without further stopping;
• Switching on and / or switching off the control in a mode of elevator operator operation of the elevator system 3, so that the elevator is controlled by an elevator operator via the car control panel. If a call button is pressed on a floor to request the elevator car, this is indicated to the elevator operator on the car control panel;
• Switching on and / or switching off a reservation of the elevator car 5, so that the call buttons arranged on the respective floors are ignored;
• Switching on and / or switching off a parking function of the elevator car 5, so that all call buttons in the elevator car as well as on the floors are ignored or blocked;
• Switching on and / or switching off a Sabbath control of the elevator system 3, so that the elevator car approaches each floor after the other and the elevator door opens and closes again automatically;
• Slowing down the door closure;
• Extension of the door opening time;
• Management function of key management and / or authorizations;
• Learning mode in which a new key can be registered;
• Switching on as well as switching off and / or regulating a volume of voice announcements;
• Blocking as well as enabling of certain call buttons;
• Switching on and switching off a cleaning operation in which the elevator car is both parked and reserved;
• Switching on and / or switching off wireless network connections by means of which users of the elevator system can connect to the elevator system and / or the Internet;
• Switching on and / or switching off a night mode in which, for example, the volume of voice announcements is reduced, the elevator car light is dimmed, the traveling speed of the elevator car is reduced so that driving noises are reduced, and / or the wireless network connections are switched off.

The cabin control panel 7 also has a touchscreen 13. This touchscreen 13 is used to display keys 15 based on the authorizations assigned to the key by authorization management 11 for the execution of control functions. The corresponding control function is triggered by pressing or actuating one of the buttons 15.

The in Fig. 1 The touchscreen 13 shown is designed in two parts. This means that it has a first, upper touchscreen 17 and a second, lower touchscreen 19. The carrier of the touchscreen 13 can be formed by a glass plate 20.

The buttons 15 are formed, inter alia, by the call buttons 21 for executing the call function for moving to the respective floor. These call buttons 21 are in the in Fig. 1 The exemplary embodiment shown is shown on the lower, second touchscreen 19. Keys are also shown on this lower touchscreen 19, by means of which the further, primary control functions can be selected, such as the key for opening or keeping the door of the elevator car 5 open and the key for closing the door. The button for triggering an alarm is typically also always displayed and is therefore also located on the lower, second touchscreen 19; but this could also be displayed on the upper, first touchscreen. It goes without saying that not all of the control functions listed above are present in an elevator car. The corresponding buttons are displayed depending on the design or requirements for the control.

If a floor is only accessible by means of a key, a corresponding call button 23 for this floor is either not shown or shown as not available, for example by means of a pale coloring or the like. In Fig. 1 the number on the call button 23 of the unavailable floor 6 is shown as an outline. Of course, other options are also conceivable, such as displaying the selectable floors using colored call buttons and displaying the call buttons for inaccessible floors only in black. Further possibilities are very well known to the person skilled in the art.

Call buttons 23 shown for unavailable floors are typically also shown on the second, lower touchscreen 19. In contrast, a call button for a floor, which is only accessible by means of a key, and the call button is only displayed if the corresponding authorization has been granted by the authorization management 11, could also be displayed on the first, upper touchscreen 17.

The first, upper touchscreen 17 is provided for displaying the keys 15 for the secondary control functions and - if no secondary control functions are enabled - this touchscreen 17 can also be used for other tasks. For example, general information about the building, news, weather forecasts, advertising and / or the like can be displayed. If there is sufficient space, these can also be displayed in addition to the keys 15 to be displayed. Keys that are only displayed with the appropriate authorization are, for example, the keys to control ventilation, air conditioning, music, lighting, priority travel, elevator operator operation, reservation, the parking function, Sabbath control, and door locking , door opening times, voice announcements, cleaning operations, wireless network connections, key management, authorization management and / or the call buttons for floors with restricted access.

At the top, the car control panel 7 has a display unit 27 which is intended to display the current floor as well as the further direction of travel of the elevator car 5; however, this display unit 27 is technically not absolutely necessary.

It is also possible to use a contiguous touchscreen instead of the in Fig. 1 shown upper, first touchscreen 17 and the lower, second touchscreen 19 to use. This is related to Fig. 7 described. It is also conceivable to integrate the display unit 27 - if present - into one of the touchscreens.

As in Fig. 1 As shown, the buttons 15 shown on the upper, first touchscreen 17 are made smaller than the call buttons 21 shown on the lower, second touchscreen 19. The call buttons 21 typically have to meet certain usability conditions; for example, the call buttons 21 must have a minimum size. However, this is not necessarily the case for the buttons 15 for the secondary control functions, which are shown in FIG Fig. 1 are displayed on the upper, first touchscreen 17. This enables the buttons to be displayed on the upper, first touchscreen 17 to be displayed smaller and / or in a different form than the call buttons 21. This in turn enables more buttons to be displayed on a smaller area, which in turn reduces costs - especially for the touchscreen. can have the consequence, or that significantly more keys 15 can be displayed on the same size. The buttons 15 on the first, upper touchscreen 17 form a first group 17 'of buttons and the call buttons on the second, lower touchscreen 19 form a second group 19' of buttons, the buttons that may be present for the other, primary control functions also belong to the second group 19 '.

As further in Fig. 1 is shown, all buttons 15 of the first group 17 'have the same size and / or shape.

Likewise, all keys 15 of the second group 19 'have the same size and / or shape.

The call buttons 21, which are available without a key, can be used with a key in addition to the call function with other control functions, such as a priority drive to the floor corresponding to the call button, an extension of the opening time of the doors, etc. This can be especially for people with a disability but also be useful in a hospital or hotel. For example, a person with a disability has more time to leave the lift or the lift door is not closed automatically but only after the button is pressed to close the door. Of course, a key could also be assigned more than two control functions. Likewise, buttons that are only available with a key can be assigned several control functions.

How Fig. 3 shows, the key acquisition module 9 has an opening 91 into which a mechanical key can be at least partially inserted. For example, in the case of a key with a beard, the beard is inserted into the opening 91, and in the case of a cylinder lock key, the beard or the shaft. The shaft can have prongs and / or depressions of any kind, such as grooves, drill hollows or a combination of these. The key acquisition module 9 also has an imaging acquisition means 93 which acquires the shape of the key to be recognized by means of an imaging method and provides an image of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening 91 as output.

Either the image obtained can form key features directly or a method or a function is applied to the image obtained in order to obtain the key features of the key to be recognized. This is described in more detail below.

The key acquisition module 9 also has a memory 95 in which reference features of keys to be recognized are stored. In order to recognize a key, the key features of the key to be recognized are compared with the reference features by means of a computing unit 97. If a match can be derived from the comparison, the key acquisition module 9 transmits an identification uniquely assigned to the key, for example a unique key identification number, to the controller 1, in particular to the authorization management 11. The unique identification can also be stored in memory 95.

In order to transmit the data, the key acquisition module 9 is connected to the controller 1, in particular to the authorization management 11, by means of a communication connection 41. The communication connection 41 can be a wired connection such as, for example, a bus system or a field bus. Furthermore, the wired connection could also be a wired data network, such as, for example, Ethernet. Instead of the wired connection, the communication connection 41 can alternatively also be a wireless connection such as, for example, Wi-Fi, a wireless local or personal network or WLAN and also Bluetooth. The communication between the key acquisition module 9 and the controller 1 or the authorization management 11 via the communication connection 41 can be encrypted.

The authorization management 11 stores the corresponding authorization for each known key. The following table lists the authorizations for 3 keys, identified by the respective key identification number, as an example. Key identification number authorization 1 - Call function for approaching floor 6 - Call function for approaching floor -2 2 - Call function for approaching floor 6 - Call function for approaching floor -1 - Switching on and off the control in a mode of a priority drive 3 - Call function for approaching floor -1 - Call function for approaching floor -2 - Right to switch the ventilation on and off

Based on the authorization, the controller 1 displays the corresponding keys on the touchscreen 13. According to the table above, for the key with the key identification number 1, the call button for floor 6 and the call button for shock tower -2 are displayed in addition to the generally enabled call buttons and the other, primary control functions. For the key with the key identification number 2, the call button for the floor 6 and the call button for the shock mechanism -1 are displayed in addition to the generally released call buttons and the other, primary control functions. The button for switching the priority drive on and off is also displayed. For the key with the key identification number 3, the call button for the floor -1 and the call button for the shock mechanism -2 are displayed in addition to the generally released call buttons and the other, primary control functions. The button for switching the ventilation on and off is also displayed.

Depending on the security requirements or security concept, the authorization management 11 can be implemented in a car control 8, in the key acquisition module 9 or in a further control module 10 of the control 1, for example arranged in the elevator shaft.

The authorization management 11 and / or a control of the key acquisition module 9, in particular the acquisition means 93, is preferably the memory 95 and the processing unit 97, implemented in a Trusted Execution Environment. If these components of the controller 1 are not implemented within the same hardware component, the communication between these components is preferably encrypted.

The authorization management 11, which is typically a software component, can be implemented, for example, by at least one table stored in a memory of the controller 1. Such a table can be provided in the most varied of ways, for example by a file which contains the corresponding data, a database from which the corresponding data can be called up, or the like. The authorization management can, for example, also obtain the authorizations from a management system of the control which is arranged remotely from the elevator installation, the administration system being connected to the part of the control arranged in the elevator installation via a network connection. The network connection can be wired or wired and / or wireless or radio-based.

The method according to the invention for controlling the elevator installation 3 is as follows and is shown in FIG Fig. 9 shown schematically:
First of all, the mechanical key to be recognized is inserted into the key acquisition module 9. In a step S1, according to the invention, key features of the mechanical key to be recognized are determined by means of the key acquisition module 9. The key features characterize at least the shape of the key to be recognized. Then, in a step S2, the determined key features are compared with reference features of the key to be recognized in order to recognize the key. The authorizations of the recognized key are also queried in a step S3. If the key has been recognized and corresponding authorizations for the key are stored in the authorization management 11, at least one key 15 is displayed on the touchscreen 13 in a step S4 based on the query and assigned at least one control function.

For example, a user enters the elevator car and inserts the mechanical key to be recognized into the key acquisition module 9. This takes away his imaging detection means 93 an image of the part of the key inserted into the opening 91. Key features are determined from the image, preferably also by means of the key acquisition module 9.

Key features can be, for example, the recorded image itself, but also changed images in which, for example, the contrast has been improved or the key features have been calculated by means of a method. Key features can consequently also be data derived from the recorded image, which are calculated with the computing unit 97, for example. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, it is particularly advisable to determine the key features by means of a non-invertible function, so that the original image of the key cannot be calculated from the key features.

The method according to the invention compares the determined key features with reference features of the key to be recognized in order to recognize the key. This comparison is carried out with the computing unit 97 of the key acquisition module 9, for example.

For example, the computing unit 97 successively compares the key features of the key to be recognized with the reference features stored in the memory 95 until an at least sufficient match is recognized. This could also be carried out at least partially in parallel, provided that the computing unit 97 or the key acquisition module 9 is designed accordingly.

The method according to the invention also determines the authorizations of the recognized key.

This can be done directly by the key acquisition module 9, for example, if the authorization management is implemented in the key acquisition module 9. In the in Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment, the authorizations are stored in the authorization management 11 outside of the key acquisition module 9. To determine the authorization, the key acquisition module 9 transmits, for example, a key identification number to the controller 1, which the authorization is based on the key identification number of the Asks for authorization management 11. Alternatively, the key acquisition module 9 can also communicate directly with the authorization management 11.

As previously in connection with Fig. 1 described, according to the inventive method, a key is assigned a control function according to the requested authorization.

To register a new key in the controller 1, the procedure is as follows. First, the controller 1 is placed in a learning module, for example by using a master key for the controller 1 or the key acquisition module 9, which recognizes this and transfers the controller 1 to the learning mode. Alternatively, the controller 1 can also be put into learning mode by entering a code, in particular a numerical code. For this purpose, a keyboard is displayed on the touchscreen 13 or the call buttons 21 are used to enter the code. It is also conceivable that a code is required in addition to a master key in order to enter the learning mode. Alternatively, the master key can also transfer the controller 1 to an administration mode in which the learning mode can be selected on the touchscreen 13. By selecting the learning mode on the touchscreen 13, the controller 1 is transferred to the learning mode. Subsequently, a new key to be registered is inserted one or more times into the opening 91 of the key acquisition module 9, so that the latter can determine the key features of this new key to be registered and can store this key in the memory 95 as reference features.

Next, the controller 1 is transferred to a rights management mode, for example automatically or by selecting a corresponding key on the touchscreen 13. In this rights management mode, authorizations can be assigned and / or changed for a specific key, for example by all available control functions using appropriate keys 15 are displayed on the touchscreen 13 and the corresponding authorizations are set for the specific key by selection on the touchscreen 13. Similarly, authorizations can be deleted again.

In order to ensure the reliability of the key recognition over time, according to a special embodiment of the invention, the reference features of a recognized key in the key acquisition module 9 are updated and / or supplemented. This allows the controller 1 or the key acquisition module 9 to reliably recognize a key, even if the key changes somewhat due to wear and tear or soiling. The reference features originally determined when the key was registered are preferably always left in the memory 95, which means that the reference features are first added. However, since only a limited memory 95 is available, supplemented reference features can be updated at a later point in time.

A further exemplary embodiment of the control according to the invention is shown in FIG Fig. 8 shown. At this point, only the differences to the one in Fig. 1 and already described embodiment received.

Instead of the lower, second touchscreen, this exemplary embodiment has a field with mechanical keys. Those related to Fig. 1 The buttons described on the lower, second touchscreen 19 are designed as mechanical buttons 15 in this example. The first, upper touchscreen forms the touchscreen 13 of this exemplary embodiment. The call button 23 for a blocked floor can, for example, be designed in the same way as the call button for a generally accessible floor. For example, when the locked button is pressed, an indication that this floor is not available can be given optically or acoustically. In the case of car control panels 7 with mechanical buttons, for example, it is common for selected call buttons to be identified by means of a light source after they have been pressed. In the case of a floor that is not available, the lighting means can, for example, emit a different color from that of available floors. Alternatively, a note can also be displayed on the touchscreen 13.

In Fig. 4 Another embodiment of the key acquisition module 9 is shown. At this point, only the differences to the one in Fig. 3 shown and already with reference to Fig. 3 described embodiment received.

In this exemplary embodiment, the opening 91 for inserting a key is formed through an opening in a cylinder 403. The cylinder 403 is rotatably mounted in a hollow cylinder 405. This in Fig. 3 Detection means 93 attached directly to a circuit board 99 is shown in the exemplary embodiment according to FIG Fig. 4 arranged directly at the opening 91 in the rotatable cylinder 91.

A button 407 is formed by the cylinder 403 rotatably mounted in the hollow cylinder 405 and by the contacts not shown. In other words, the button 407 can be actuated by means of a rotary movement with the key, the contacts are either closed or opened.

• Der Taster 407 kann eine Taste 15 bilden, welche mit einer oder mehreren der Steuerungsfunktionen belegt werden kann.
• Mittels des Tasters 407 kann eine im Touchscreen 13 angezeigte Taste ausgewählt werden, in dem bei betätigtem Taster 407 die Tasten 15 auf dem Touchscreen 13 der Reihe nach angezeigt beziehungsweise hervorgehoben werden. Die Auswahl der Taste 15 erfolgt durch loslassen des Tasters 407, wobei die zum Zeitpunkt des Loslassens angezeigte beziehungsweise hervorgehobene Taste 15 ausgewählt wird und die entsprechende Steuerungsfunktion ausgelöst wird.
• Der Taster 407 kann mehrere Kontaktpositionen aufweisen, wobei eine erste Position dazu dient, eine der Tasten 15 wie oben beschrieben auszuwählen und eine zweite Position dazu dient, die ausgewählte Taste 15 zu bestätigen.

The rotatable button 407 can be assigned different functions, such as:

• The button 407 can form a button 15 which can be assigned one or more of the control functions.
• A key displayed on the touchscreen 13 can be selected by means of the button 407, in which, when the button 407 is actuated, the buttons 15 on the touchscreen 13 are displayed or highlighted one after the other. The key 15 is selected by releasing the key 407, the key 15 displayed or highlighted at the time of release being selected and the corresponding control function being triggered.
• The button 407 can have several contact positions, a first position serving to select one of the buttons 15 as described above and a second position serving to confirm the selected button 15.

In a further exemplary embodiment, an incremental encoder or rotary sensor is used instead of the pushbutton which can be actuated by means of a rotary movement. By rotating the key, one of the keys 15 displayed on the touchscreen 13 can, for example, again be selected. Furthermore, for example, the cylinder 407 can be axially displaceable in the hollow cylinder 405, so that by pressing the cylinder 403 another button can be actuated, by means of which the currently selected button 15 is confirmed, whereby the control function linked to the button 15 is triggered.

The rotatable button described above as well as the axially movable button are pushed back into their rest position, for example by means of springs.

In Fig. 5 a further embodiment of the key acquisition module 9 is shown. At this point, only the differences to the one in Fig. 3 shown and already with reference to Fig. 3 described embodiment received.

In addition, the key acquisition module 9 has a first pressing means 501 and a second pressing means 505, which each interact with a first pressing surface 503 and a second pressing surface 507. The first pressing means 501 as well as the second pressing means 505 are essentially each formed by a spring element. The first spring element 501 serves to press a mechanical key introduced into the opening 91 against the contact surface 503. Correspondingly, the second spring element 505 serves to press the mechanical key introduced into the opening against the contact surface 507. The first pressing surface 503 is preferably arranged essentially at right angles to the second pressing surface 507. The pressing means 501, 505 can ensure that the position of the mechanical key inserted into the opening 91 is essentially the same each time it is inserted, as a result of which the image created by the detection means 93 is at least similar. Of course, the pressing means and the pressing surfaces can also be used in the in Fig. 4 shown embodiment to apply. Likewise, only one of the shown pressing means 501 or 505 could be used.

According to a further embodiment, the key detection module 9 has a sensor which determines the electrical conductivity of the key, the electrical conductivity or a value derived therefrom forming a further key feature. Alternatively or additionally, magnetic properties of the key can be determined and serve as key features. As a result, the reliability of the key recognition module 9 can be further improved, since the key features characterize not only the shape of the key to be recognized, but also its material properties.

Finally, it should be pointed out that terms such as “having”, “comprising” etc. do not exclude any other elements or steps and that terms such as “a” or “an” do not exclude a multitude. It should also be pointed out that features or steps that are described with reference to one of the above exemplary embodiments can also be used in combination with other features or steps of other exemplary embodiments described above. Reference signs in the claims are not to be regarded as a restriction.

Claims (23)

Method for controlling an elevator system (3) by means of a controller (1), the controller (1) having a car control panel (7) for installation in an elevator car (5) of the elevator system (3) and a key acquisition module (9) for installation in the elevator car (5), the car control panel (7) having keys (15) for controlling the elevator system (3) and the car control panel (7) having a touchscreen (13) for displaying at least one of the buttons (15), and wherein - Key features of a mechanical key to be recognized are determined by means of the key acquisition module (9), the key features characterizing at least the shape of the key to be recognized, - the specific key features are compared with reference features of the key to be recognized in order to recognize the key, - an authorization of the recognized key is determined, - and the key (15) which can be displayed on the touchscreen (13) is assigned at least one control function according to the requested authorization. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the determination of key features comprises deriving them from the form of the key, a non-invertible function being used when deriving the key features. Method according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the reference features of the recognized key in the key acquisition module (3) are updated and / or supplemented by the determined key features. Method according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that an image of a key to be registered is created by means of a camera of a registration device, key features are derived from the image and the key features of the key to be registered are transferred from the registration device to the key acquisition module transferred and saved as reference features. Control (1) for an elevator system (3), the control (1) having a car control panel (7) for installation in an elevator car (5) of the elevator system (3) and has a key acquisition module (9) for installation in the elevator car (5), the car control panel (7) having buttons (15) for controlling the elevator system (3) and the key acquisition module (9 ) is used to recognize a mechanical key based on its shape, characterized in that the control (1) further has an authorization management (11) by means of which a key can be assigned an authorization to carry out at least one control function of the elevator system (3),
and the cabin control panel (7) has a touchscreen (13) for displaying at least one key (15), this key (15) being displayed based on the authorization for the execution of a control function assigned to the key by the authorization management (11) . Control according to Claim 5, characterized in that the buttons (15) are divided into a first group (17 ') of buttons and a second group (19') of buttons. Control according to Claim 6, characterized in that at least a first key of the first group (17 ') takes up a smaller area than a second key of the second group (19'). Control according to Claim 5, characterized in that the cabin control panel (7) has mechanical buttons (15). Control according to Claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the cabin control panel (7) has mechanical keys which form the keys of the second group (19 '). Control according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the touch screen (13) is constructed in several parts and that a first part of the touch screen (17) the keys of the first group (17 ') and a second part of the touch screen (19) the keys of the second group (19 '). Control according to one of Claims 5 to 10, characterized in that at least one key of the keys (15) is additionally provided with a further control function based on the rights assigned to the key. Control according to one of Claims 5 to 11, characterized in that the cabin control panel (7) has a glass plate (20) which has a through opening through which a key can be inserted into the key acquisition module (9) is, and wherein the glass plate (20) forms a surface of the touch screen (13). Control according to one of Claims 5 to 12, characterized in that the key acquisition module (9) has a sensor for determining material properties. Control according to one of Claims 5 to 13, characterized in that the key acquisition module (9) has an incremental encoder, a rotary sensor and / or a button (407). Control according to one of claims 5 to 14, characterized in that the key acquisition module (9) has a rigid guide surface (503, 507) and a pressing means (501, 505), the pressing means (501, 505) being inserted a key in the opening (91) of the key acquisition module (9) presses the key against the guide surface (503, 507). Key acquisition module for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape, wherein the key acquisition module (9) has an imaging acquisition means (93) which is in the form of an opening (91) of the key acquisition module ( 9) inserted key is detected by means of an imaging method and delivers key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening (91) as output, characterized in that the key detection module (9) has a sensor for determining material properties of the material in the opening (91) has introduced part of the key. Key acquisition module for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape, wherein the key acquisition module (9) has an imaging acquisition means (93) which is in the form of an opening (91) of the key acquisition module ( 9) introduced the key by means of an imaging procedure detects and delivers key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening (91) as output, characterized in that the key detection module (9) has an incremental encoder, a rotary sensor and / or a button (407). Key acquisition module for recognizing a mechanical key based on its shape, wherein the key acquisition module (9) has an imaging acquisition means (93) which is in the form of an opening (91) of the key acquisition module ( 9) introduced key is detected by means of an imaging method and delivers key features of the part of the mechanical key inserted into the opening (91) as output, characterized in that the key detection module (9) has a rigid guide surface (503, 507) and a Having pressing means (501, 505), the pressing means (501, 505) pressing the key against the guide surface (503, 507) when a key is inserted into the key acquisition module (3). Elevator installation (3) with a control (1) according to one of Claims 5 to 15. Method according to Claim 4, characterized in that a non-invertible function is used to derive the key features of the key to be registered. Method according to Claim 4 or 20, characterized in that a protected connection is used between the registration device and the controller for transmitting data. Computer program which, when executed on one or more processors, is designed to carry out the method according to any one of the preceding claims. Computer readable medium on which a computer program according to claim 22 is stored.

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