EP4719957A1 - Operating an elevator car in a special operating mode - Google Patents
Operating an elevator car in a special operating modeInfo
- Publication number
- EP4719957A1 EP4719957A1 EP23730019.9A EP23730019A EP4719957A1 EP 4719957 A1 EP4719957 A1 EP 4719957A1 EP 23730019 A EP23730019 A EP 23730019A EP 4719957 A1 EP4719957 A1 EP 4719957A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- elevator car
- sensor
- processor
- waiting timer
- operation mode
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
- B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
- B66B13/00—Doors, gates, or other apparatus controlling access to, or exit from, cages or lift well landings
- B66B13/02—Door or gate operation
- B66B13/14—Control systems or devices
- B66B13/143—Control systems or devices electrical
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Automation & Control Theory (AREA)
- Elevator Control (AREA)
- Indicating And Signalling Devices For Elevators (AREA)
Abstract
According to an aspect, there is provided a solution in which an elevator car may be operated in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car. Sensor data identifying a passenger approaching an elevator may be obtained from at least one sensor, and the waiting timer may be reset in response to obtaining the sensor data.
Description
OPERATING AN ELEVATOR CAR IN A SPECIAL OPERATING MODE
TECHNICAL FIELD
Various example embodiments generally relate to the field of elevator systems . In particular, some example embodiments relate to a solution for operating an elevator car in a special operating mode .
BACKGROUND
An elevator car o f an elevator system i s control led by an elevator controller or a group controller to serve passengers and their allocated calls . Normally, an elevator waits for a brief time after the last entering passenger before it starts to serve the calls allocated to the elevator . For example , i f there is only one passenger to be served, the elevator car starts quite quickly after the elevator call from the passenger has been allocated to the elevator car . In other words , normally an elevator car carries the passengers that are available at a particular moment of time . This may lead to a situation that the elevator car' s passenger capacity may be poorly used as a single elevator car may carry only a single passenger .
Therefore , a solution is needed which would increase the capacity used by an elevator car when serving elevator calls .
SUMMARY
According to a first aspect , there is provided a method that comprises operating an elevator car in an operation mode enabling a resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car ; obtaining, from at least one sensor, sensor data identi fying a passenger
approaching the elevator car ; and resetting the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data .
In an implementation form of the first aspect , the method further comprises activating the operation mode automatically based on traf fic intensity .
In an implementation form of the first aspect , the method further comprises activating the operation mode automatically based on data provided by machine learning on traf fic intensity .
In an implementation form of the first aspect , the method further comprises causing provision of audio output via a speaker arranged in the elevator car to inform passengers in the elevator car about the approaching passenger .
In an implementation form of the first aspect , the at least one sensor comprises at least one of : a motion sensor ; a camera ; and a thermal sensor .
According to a second aspect , there is provided an apparatus comprising at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one proces sor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : operating an elevator car in an operation mode enabling a resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car ; obtaining, from at least one sensor, sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching the elevator car ; and resetting the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data .
In an implementation form of the second aspect , at least one processor and at least one memory storing
instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : activating the operation mode automatically based on traf fic intensity .
In an implementation form of the second aspect , at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : activating the operation mode automatically based on data provided by machine learning on traf fic intensity .
In an implementation form of the second aspect , at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : causing provision of audio output via a speaker arranged in the elevator car to inform passengers in the elevator car about the approaching passenger .
In an implementation form of the second aspect , the at least one sensor comprises at least one of : a motion sensor ; a camera ; and a thermal sensor .
According to a third aspect , there is provided an elevator system comprising at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching an elevator car, and an apparatus of the second aspect .
According to a fourth aspect , there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect .
According to a fi fth aspect , there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program
comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one proces sor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect .
According to a sixth aspect , there is provided an elevator system comprising an apparatus of the second aspect and at least one sensor configured to provide sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching an elevator car .
According to a seventh aspect , there is provided an apparatus comprising means for : operating an elevator car in an operation mode enabl ing a resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call al located to the elevator car ; obtaining, from at least one sensor, sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching the elevator car ; and resetting the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data .
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this speci fication, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention . In the drawings :
FIG . 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment .
FIG . 2 illustrates a system according to an example embodiment .
FIG . 3 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
In the following, a solution is discussed in which a starting moment of an elevator car may be delayed for a predetermined time i f an approaching passenger is detected with a sensor located, for example , in an elevator lobby, in order to enable the approaching passenger to be served by the elevator car .
FIG . 1 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an example embodiment .
At 100 , an elevator car may be operated in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car . The operation mode may be activated, for example , for peak hours or based on measured traf fic intensity . For example , a speci fic value for the traf fic intensity may be set , and if this value is exceeded, the operation mode may be automatically activated . In another example embodiment, machine learning may be applied to learn the peak hours and the operation mode may then be automatically activated based on this for the peak hours .
At 102 , sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching the elevator car may be obtained from at least one sensor . The at least one sensor may comprise at least one o f a motion sensor, a camera and a thermal sensor . The sensor may be arranged, for example , at a location in which a passing passenger is probably heading towards the elevator car, for example , at an appropriate wall or roof location in an elevator lobby .
At 104 , the waiting timer may be reset in response to obtaining the sensor data . The resetting provides an
ef fect that the elevator car waits for a new pas senger or passengers a bit longer and does not start when it is not full . The waiting timer may be set , for example , to 10 seconds or any other appropriate timer value . In other words , when the timer is reset this causes some additional waiting time to be applied before the elevator start to serve the allocated calls .
In an example embodiment , a speaker may be arranged in the elevator car and the speaker may be controlled to provide audio output to inform passengers in the elevator car about the approaching passenger . This provides some additional information for the passengers already in the elevator car why the elevator car has not started yet .
FIG . 2 illustrates a system according to an example embodiment . FIG . 2 discloses that an elevator car 200 has three passengers 206A, 206B, 206C waiting for to be transported . At one or more location close to the elevator car 200 , at least one sensor 202A, 202B may be provided, for example , on a wall and/or roof . The at least one sensor 202A, 202B is configured to detect a passenger 204 who is approaching the elevator car 200 and whose intention is to use the elevator car 200 . The elevator car 200 may be operated in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car 200 to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car 200 . When the passenger 204 then passes the at least one sensor 202A, 202B, this then causes the waiting timer to be reset . The resetting provides an ef fect that the elevator car 200 waits for the new passenger 204 a bit longer . The waiting timer may be set , for example , to 10 seconds or to any other appropriate value . The elevator car 200 may comprise a speaker 210 which may be controlled to provide audio
output to inform passengers in the elevator car about the approaching passenger . This provides some additional information for the passengers already in the elevator car why the elevator car has not started yet .
FIG . 3 il lustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 208 according to an example embodiment . The apparatus 208 may be , for example , an elevator controller or a group controller of an elevator system . The apparatus 208 comprises one or more proces sors 300 , and one or more memories 302 that comprise computer program code . The apparatus 208 may also comprise a communication interface 306 for wired and/or wireless communication . Although the apparatus 208 is depicted to include only one processor 300 , the apparatus 208 may include more than one processor . In an example embodiment , the memory 302 is capable of storing instructions , such as an operating system and/or various applications .
Furthermore , the processor 300 is capable of executing the instructions stored in the memory 302 . In an example embodiment , the processor 300 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors . For example , the processor 300 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices , such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor ( DSP ) , a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as , for example , an application speci fic integrated circuit (AS IC ) , a field programmable gate array ( FPGA) , a microcontroller unit (MCU) , a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like . In an example embodiment , the processor 300 may be configured to execute hard- coded functionality . In an example embodiment , the
processor 300 is embodied as an executor of software instructions , wherein the instructions may speci fically configure the processor 300 to perform the algorithms and/or operations described herein when the instructions are executed, for example , the steps discussed relating to FIG . 1 .
The memory 302 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices , one or more non-volatile memory devices , and/or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices . For example , the memory 302 may be embodied as semiconductor memories ( such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM) , EPROM ( erasable PROM) , flash ROM, RAM ( random access memory) , etc . ) .
In an embodiment , the at least one memory 302 may store program instructions 304 that , when executed by the at least one processor 300 , cause the apparatus 208 to perform the functionality of the various embodiments discussed herein . Further, in an embodiment , at least one of the processor 300 and the memory 302 may constitute means for implementing the discussed functionality . Further, the apparatus 208 may be configured to operate an elevator car in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car ; obtain, from at least one sensor, sensor data identi fying a passenger approaching the elevator car ; and reset the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data .
At least one o f the examples and embodiments disclosed above may enable a solution in which increases ef ficiency of an elevator system and reduces energy consumption as elevator cars are run with a larger
amount of passengers instead of serving the same amount passengers with a larger amount of elevator cars . Further, the discussed solution is also easy to implement in existing elevators as it additionally only requires one or more sensors and software support for the discussed special operation mode .
Example embodiments may be implemented in software , hardware , application logic or a combination of software , hardware and application logic . The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein . This information can be stored in one or more memories , such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like . One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments . The databases can be organi zed using data structures ( e . g . , records , tables , arrays , fields , graphs , trees , lists , and the like ) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein . The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases .
The components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures , tables , records , and/or other data described herein . In an example embodiment , the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media . In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store , communicate , propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system,
apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution . Such a medium can take many forms , including but not limited to , non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like .
While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit o f the disclosure . For example , it is expres sly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure . Moreover, it should be recogni zed that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice . Furthermore , in the claims means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents , but also equivalent structures .
The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features , to the extent that such
features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present speci fication as a whole , in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art , irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims . The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features . In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modi fications may be made within the scope of the disclosure .
Claims
1. A method comprising: operating an elevator car (200) in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car (200) to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car (200) ; obtaining, from at least one sensor (202A, 202B) , sensor data identifying a passenger approaching the elevator car (200) ; and resetting the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data.
2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising : activating the operation mode automatically based on traffic intensity.
3. The method according to claim 1, further comprising : activating the operation mode automatically based on data provided by machine learning on traffic intensity .
4. The method according to any of claims 1 -
3, further comprising: causing provision of audio output via a speaker (210) arranged in the elevator car (200) to inform passengers in the elevator car (200) about the approaching passenger.
5. The method according to any of claims 1 -
4, wherein the at least one sensor (202A, 202B) comprises at least one of: a motion sensor; a camera; and a thermal sensor.
6. An apparatus (208) comprising: at least one processor (300) ; and at least one memory (302) storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor (300) , cause the apparatus (208) to at least perform: operating an elevator car (200) in an operation mode enabling resetting of a waiting timer associated with the elevator car, the waiting timer delaying the start of the elevator car (200) to serve at least one call allocated to the elevator car (200) ; obtaining, from at least one sensor (202A, 202B) , sensor data identifying a passenger approaching the elevator car (200) ; and resetting the waiting timer in response to obtaining the sensor data.
7. The apparatus (208) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory (302) store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor (300) , cause the apparatus (208) to at least perform: activating the operation mode automatically based on traffic intensity.
8. The apparatus (208) according to claim 6, wherein the at least one memory (302) store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor (300) , cause the apparatus (208) to at least perform: activating the operation mode automatically based on data provided by machine learning on traffic intensity .
9. The apparatus (208) according to any of claims 6 - 8, wherein the at least one memory (302) store instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor (300) , cause the apparatus (208) to at least perform:
causing provision of audio output via a speaker (210) arranged in the elevator car (200) to inform passengers in the elevator car (200) about the approaching passenger.
10. The apparatus (208) according to any one of claims 6 - 9, wherein the at least one sensor (202A, 202B) comprises at least one of: a motion sensor; a camera; and a thermal sensor.
11. An elevator system comprising: at least one sensor (202A, 202B) configured to provide sensor data identifying a passenger approaching an elevator car (200) ; and an apparatus (208) of any of claims 6 - 10.
12. A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor (300) , cause an apparatus (208) to perform the method of any of claims 1 - 5.
13. A computer-readable medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor (300) , cause an apparatus (208) to perform the method of any of claims 1 - 5.
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/EP2023/064211 WO2024245522A1 (en) | 2023-05-26 | 2023-05-26 | Operating an elevator car in a special operating mode |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| EP4719957A1 true EP4719957A1 (en) | 2026-04-08 |
Family
ID=86760241
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| EP23730019.9A Pending EP4719957A1 (en) | 2023-05-26 | 2023-05-26 | Operating an elevator car in a special operating mode |
Country Status (3)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP4719957A1 (en) |
| CN (1) | CN121219220A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024245522A1 (en) |
Family Cites Families (5)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FI88789C (en) * | 1990-05-10 | 1993-07-12 | Kone Oy | FOERFARANDE FOER VAL AV EN HISS I EN HISSGRUPP |
| KR100999084B1 (en) * | 2006-01-12 | 2010-12-07 | 오티스 엘리베이터 컴파니 | Video Support System for Elevator Control |
| JP2016056010A (en) * | 2014-09-11 | 2016-04-21 | 東芝エレベータ株式会社 | Elevator system and notice device |
| JP6377797B1 (en) * | 2017-03-24 | 2018-08-22 | 東芝エレベータ株式会社 | Elevator boarding detection system |
| JP7280846B2 (en) * | 2020-03-06 | 2023-05-24 | 株式会社日立製作所 | Elevator system and elevator control method |
-
2023
- 2023-05-26 WO PCT/EP2023/064211 patent/WO2024245522A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2023-05-26 EP EP23730019.9A patent/EP4719957A1/en active Pending
- 2023-05-26 CN CN202380098624.9A patent/CN121219220A/en active Pending
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| WO2024245522A1 (en) | 2024-12-05 |
| CN121219220A (en) | 2025-12-26 |
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