FI112069B - Method and arrangement for providing elevator calls without mechanical buttons - Google Patents

Description

112069

METHOD AND ARRANGEMENT FOR GIVING LIFT CALLS WITHOUT MECHANICAL BUTTONS

The invention relates to a method for calling an elevator without mechanical call buttons as defined in the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to an elevator call arrangement as defined in the preamble of claim 11 without mechanical call buttons.

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The problem with using mechanical call buttons is that they wear out over time. Efforts have been made to solve the problem by using call buttons based on proximity switches, for example.

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Prior art is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,255,341 (G10L 5/00), which discloses a voice controlled elevator system to which a lift user can command by voice. The elevator call arrangement described in the above-mentioned patent publication comprises a microphone, a speech recognition unit, a vocabulary unit and a control unit. This call arrangement also includes a proximity sensor which detects the approach of a passenger intending to lift. This system)) ·· 25 almost sea buckthorn sensor is based on the movement of the elevator user • · · '' * and / or the incoming passenger of the elevator towards the microphone, * and also towards the elevator.

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:: Further, the prior art is disclosed in JP

• · »30 in Summary Publications 6305651 and 2000038260, which show the elevator call system for registering ···, a passenger approaching the elevator is approached by the proximity sensor so that the elevator is called. In the case of JP - »» * .V Abstract publication 6305651, the approach to * »» 35 Turin is based on infrared radiation.

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In the prior art, it is possible to identify a passenger approaching a lift and intending to lift it. This above detection can also be accomplished by using an infrared proximity sensor.

The problem with prior art solutions is that the elevator control system does not know the number of passengers intending to lift, and thus not the destination layer or tenant of all-10 passengers intending to lift. In this case, tenant means, for example, a tenant of a building, a landlord, a partner in a housing company, a shop or a department or company of a shop.

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The object of the invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art mentioned above.

In particular, it is an object of the invention to provide a novel, modern and sophisticated elevator call system and method that does not require any mechanical call buttons.

The present invention identifies passengers traveling to the elevator by means of proximity sensors. The control system of the elevator i registers the approach of the passengers: · ··· to the elevator and also gives an acoustic or light signal. Since the elevator control system registers, ···, the approach of each passenger to the elevator, the elevator control system may accordingly calculate the number of passengers entering the elevator. According to another embodiment, it is possible to calculate the number of passengers mentioned above "· * by calling each passenger: Y: the call to the elevator is recorded in the elevator control system, which in turn * * *> determines the number of passengers entering the elevator. figure number.

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According to the invention, after identifying the number of passengers intending to lift, the passengers are asked about the target layer and / or the tenant by checking that the passengers intending to the elevator have indicated their target layer or tenant. By comparing the signals mentioned above with the calls made, it is ascertained whether all passengers intending to take the elevator have given their call. When the elevator control system 10 discovers that not all passengers intending to lift have given an invitation to either the floor or the tenant, additional questions are asked to the passengers. Passengers accept their target layers by responding to a lift query of the target layer that all layers of the targets have been specified, or "OK" if all the target layers desired by the passengers have already been provided, even if there are more passengers than the specified target layers. This is advantageous because there are often passengers in the elevator traveling to the same destination 20 floors.

Specifically, the method according to the invention for calling an elevator without mechanical call buttons is characterized in what is stated in the characterizing part of claim 1. The elevator call arrangement according to the invention, without mechanical call buttons, is in turn characterized by what is stated in the character part of claim 11. The features of some preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims.

The process according to the invention provides significant advantages over the prior art. One of the 35 very significant advantages over prior art is that there is no need to install mechanical call-out devices outside the elevator, thus reducing the cost of 4,112069 in both installation and maintenance. Likewise, the usability of the elevator is improved, which is useful, for example, when a passenger intending to carry a lift carries a carry. Thus, in the case of a call-out arrangement according to the invention, a passenger intending to lift does not have to lower his range when giving the lift call. Elderly and disabled people will also find it easier to call the elevator by means of a call arrangement according to the invention. In the absence of mechanical parts, maintenance of the 10 lifts is also easier as the buttons do not get stuck and do not need to replace the LED lamps.

The elevator call arrangement of the invention is primarily suitable for office buildings, but it is also suitable for use in residential buildings.

In the following, the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 shows an elevator paging arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the invention without mechanical buttons, Fig. 2 shows an elevator desjj * 25 tin paging arrangement according to the invention without mechanical

Fig. 3 illustrates an elevator call-out arrangement in accordance with the invention, both on the floor and in the car without mechanical buttons.

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Fig. 1 shows an elevator call system of the elevator 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the invention, which does not have mechanical buttons. The above mentioned lift 1, ··. The 35 paging system without mechanical call * buttons comprises proximity sensors 6 for detecting a passenger * '7 approach, a microphone 2, a telephone * 112069 heal analyzer 4 and a speech synthesizer 5, and voice generating means 3 for informing the aforementioned elevator 7 .

A passenger 7 intending to the aforementioned elevator 1 is detected in the approach area 9 of the floor level by means of a heat-eye-type proximity sensor 6. The observation of a passenger intending to lift 1 is recorded when the aforementioned passenger 7 has been delayed for a certain time in the above approach area 9. According to another embodiment, the passenger 7 intending to lift 1 is detected at the floor level by a motion detecting proximity sensor 6. As a proximity sensor 6, it is also possible to use a radio wave emitting sensor 15, which is a kind of stratified radar. This type of proximity sensor 6 generates a radiation beam spreading to the floor level over a given area, within which passengers 7 intending to enter the elevator 1 are detected.

In the elevator arrangement of elevator 1 according to the invention, the control system 8 of the aforementioned elevator 1 recognizes the number of passengers 7 intending to elevator 1. Thereafter, the aforesaid elevator 1, by means of a speech synthesizer 5 and a loudspeaker 3, asks the passengers 7 to target 25 layers and / or a tenant so that the control system 8 of the aforementioned elevator 1 checks that all passengers 7 intending to use the aforementioned elevator 1 have indicated their target floor.

t · 30 The elevator 1 control system 8 registers the approach of passengers 7 to the elevator 1 by sound or light signals. Since the control system 8 of the elevator 1 registers the · · '. approaching passenger 7 to elevator 1, elevator 1V; based on this, the control system 8 may calculate the number of passengers 7 entering the elevator 1. According to another embodiment, this aforementioned counting of the number of passengers 7 is possible so that the call made by the passenger 7 to the elevator 1 is recorded in the control system 8 of the elevator 1, which in turn determines the number of passengers 7 arriving at the elevator. According to the invention, the control system 8 of the elevator 1 5 calculates the number of passengers 7 of the aforementioned elevator 1 based on the signal received from the registration of the approach of the passengers 7 and / or the signal received from the registration of the calls 7.

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According to the invention, the call of the aforementioned elevator 1 takes place when a passenger 7 enters the approach area 9 of the elevator 1, where the proximity sensors 6 located in connection with the elevator 1 detect a passenger 7 intending to the elevator 1. where passengers 7 intending to lift the elevator are assumed to come if they wish to travel with the aforementioned elevator 1. 20 The above approach area 8 of the elevator 1 is illuminated or otherwise marked so that passengers 7 intending to the elevator 1 will recognize it. The approach area 8 of the aforementioned elevator 1 can also be marked in such a way that t · ·, ·. · The aforementioned approach area 8 is detectable by means of a tactile sensor. This tactile sensing of the approach area 8 of the elevator 1 .. · .. is advantageous in the case of, for example, a visually impaired passenger going to elevator 1.

»· Ii *» · * · 30 This detection of the approach of the passenger 1 intending to lift 1 calls the elevator 1. In other words,> * III * when the passenger 7 intends to lift 1 of the desired i »» • · ... * the elevator 1 is automatically called by the control system 8 of the elevator 1. According to another embodiment of the invention, the invitation of the aforementioned elevator 1 is ♦ ♦! When the passenger 7 is called by speaking the elevator 1 in its approach area 9, the called elevator 1 responds to the invitation by notifying the passenger 7, therefore, the elevator 1 is provided with audio production means 5 and speech synthesizer 5. This invocation of the elevator 1 described above is advantageous for large elevator groups because the passenger 7 intending to the elevator 1 can go directly to the elevator 1 of their choice.

In the elevator arrangement of elevator 1 according to the invention, the control system of elevator 1 calculates the number of passengers 7 arriving aboard the aforementioned elevator 1. The control system 8 of the number of passengers 7 intending to board the elevator 1 detects the call of the elevator 1 via a connection based either on information from the proximity sensors 6 or verbal calls of the elevator 1.

According to the most preferred embodiment of the invention, the passenger 7 intending to the elevator 1 20 is asked about the desired target floor on the floor level approach area 9. The passengers 7 of the elevator 1 according to the invention can then tell the elevator 1 floor number to which they are going. If the control system 8 25 of the elevator 1 detects that not all passengers 7 have said: ·, the target layer or the tenant, additional questions will be asked to the passengers.

For communication with the passengers 7, the elevator 1 is equipped with sound generating means 3 and a microphone 2, to which the aforementioned passengers 7 indicate the floor or tenant they have created. From the above, microphone 2 converts a passenger's invitation into an electronic message, which is • fed to a speech analyzer 4 comprising speech analyzing software, which analyzes »·" ··· 'and interprets the invitations given by passengers 7 into layers:: * ·: or tenants The aforementioned speech analyzer 4 • 8112069 communicates with the elevator control system 8 which controls the operation and calls of the elevator 1. The elevator 1 control system 8 instructs the speech synthesizer 5 to generate the desired message to the passenger 7. This message 5 is generated to the passenger 7 preferably by voice generating means 3. According to one embodiment of the invention, the passenger 7 intending to lift 1 is asked for a target layer or tenant within the elevator 1. Further, according to one embodiment, the elevator 1 may ask the passenger 7 both on the deck floor and inside the elevator.

Fig. 2 shows another elevator arrangement 1 according to the invention without mechanical buttons 15, preferably arranged in a distillation calling apparatus 10 comprising a microphone 2 and voice production means 3. The calling arrangement shown in Fig. 2 also comprises a proximity sensor 6, a speech analyzer, a speech synthesizer and an elevator. 8. In the same embodiment, the approach area 9 of the elevator 1 is indicated so that passengers 7 can detect it. Preferably, this indication of the approach area 9 of the aforementioned elevator 1 is V; occurs by illuminating or marking the area visibly to 25 and / or significantly to the floor level.

Fig. 3 illustrates an elevator call arrangement according to the invention without mechanical buttons on both the floor and the car 10. In this case, the sound generating means 3 and the microphone 2 are arranged both in the car 11 and in a convenient location on the floor level. Such an arrangement for calling elevator 1 allows the elevator to be called on both floors and elevator 1. Likewise, the elevator system can transmit *, * 35 information back to passengers 7 on both floors and elevator 1.

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Passengers see from the display 12 arranged in the elevator 1 to which floor the elevator 1 is next to stop, in addition to the sound generating means 2 of the elevator 1 informing the passengers of the elevator 1 of the respective 5 floors. This display 12 is a conventional multi-number display.

The invention has been described above by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which various embodiments of the invention are possible within the scope of the claimed inventive concept.

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Claims (17)

A method by which a lift (1) is called without mechanical call buttons, said that the lift is provided with presence sensors (6) indicating when a passenger (7) is approaching, a microphone (2), a speech analyzer (4) and a speech synthesizer (5) and audio generating equipment (3), thereby informing the passenger (7) who intends to travel with the elevator (1), characterized in that the number of passengers (7) who intends to travel with the elevator (1) is detected, after which destination weighing and / or tenant is interrogated. by the passengers (7) so that it is checked that all passengers (7) intending to carry with the elevator (1) have stated 1. their destination or tenant. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that in the elevator (1) the number of passengers (7) intending to travel with the elevator (1) is counted. 15 Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the counting of the number of passengers (7) in the elevator (1) is based on registration of passengers (7) approaching and / or recording the calls of passengers (7). Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the elevator (1) is called to the second position when the passenger (7) enters the sensing area (9) of the elevator (1). ;. Method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the elevator (1) is called to the plane when the passenger (7) in the sensing area (9) calls the elevator (1). 25 6. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that passengers (7) who intend to travel with the elevator (1) are asked about destination weaving in the sensing area (9) on the stop plane. 7. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that passengers (7) who intend to travel with the elevator are asked for destination swings inside the elevator (1). Method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that passengers (7) who intend to travel with the elevator (1) are asked for destination weighing and it is ensured that all the passengers (7) are given a call. 35 : '; 9. A method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the passenger (7) intending to act with the elevator (1) in the sensing area (9) is detected by means of heat, when the passenger (7) has been staying for a certain time. the sensing range (9). Method according to Claim 4 or 5, characterized in that by means of movement is detected by passengers (7) who intend to travel with the elevator (1) in the sensing area. 11. Call arrangements for elevator (1) without mechanical call buttons, comprising presence detectors (6) indicating when a passenger (7) is approaching, a microphone (2), a speech analyzer (4) and a speech synthesizer (5) and audio generating equipment (3) whereby the passenger (7) intending to move with the elevator (1) is informed, characterized in that the control system of the elevator (1) detects the number of passengers (7) intending to move with the elevator (1), after which the elevator (1) asks for destination swings and / or tenant. of the passengers (7) so that the control system of the elevator (1) checks that all passengers (7) who intend to travel with the elevator (1) have stated their destination or tenant. Call arrangement according to claim 11 for elevator (1), characterized in that the control system of the elevator (1) calculates how many passengers (7) intend to travel with the elevator (1). Call arrangement according to claim 12 for elevator (1), characterized in that the control system (8) of the elevator 20 (1) calculates how many passengers (7) intend to travel with the elevator (1) by means of the signal emitted when registering the passengers (7) approaching and / or using the signal emitted when registering a passenger (7) call. Call arrangement according to claim 13 for elevator (1), characterized in that a passenger (7) intending to echo with the elevator (1) on the stop plane is detected by means of a presence detector (6) of type IR detector. Call arrangement according to claim 13 for elevator (1), characterized in that a passenger (7) intending to echo with the elevator (1) on the stop plane is detected by means of a presence sensor (6) which detects movement. Call arrangement according to claim 13 for elevator (1), characterized in that a passenger (7) intending to echo with the elevator (1) on the stop plane is detected by means of a presence sensor (6) emitting radio waves. ; 35 Call arrangement according to claim 13 or 14 or 15 or 16 for elevator (1), 16 1 12069, characterized in that the control system (8) of the elevator (1) records passengers (7) approaching the elevator (1) by or light signals.