GB2239578A

GB2239578A - Lift

Info

Publication number: GB2239578A
Application number: GB9023128A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Kaname Iijima; Nobuhisa Kobayashi; Osamu Dohi
Original assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Current assignee: Hitachi Ltd
Priority date: 1989-10-25
Filing date: 1990-10-24
Publication date: 1991-07-03
Anticipated expiration: 2010-10-24
Also published as: GB2239578B; HK55895A; SG28358G; GB9023128D0; KR0175929B1; KR910008988A; JPH03139995A; JPH0714787B2

Abstract

A lift is equipped with a terminal device (1) which controls the lift in the building, thereby protecting the privacy of passengers under normal conditions. The equipment includes a means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre (7), which controls a plurality of buildings from a remote place, of an abnormality of the lift, and a means for transmitting a phone call over the public line from the supervisory centre to an interphone (13) in the lift car (12). The equipment further includes a means for detecting a call switch operation of the interphone by a passenger, and a means for connecting, when the call switch operation is performed, the interphone to the public line, thereby enabling the supervisory centre and the passenger to speak by telephone. <IMAGE>

Description

"LIFT" The present invention relates to a lift equipped with a technical device which controls the lift and includes an emergency telephone. More particularly, it relates to the emergency telephone which allows without fail passengers in a lift car to speak over the telephone to a supervisory centre in case of an abnormality, and which is equipped with a means to protect the privacy of the passengers under normal conditions.

A conventional emergency, supervisory telephone of a lift, as disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid Open No. 62-215484, adopts a system in which a phone call is made from a supervisory centre to the lift car.

In the above conventional art, since the telephone can be used simply by picking up the handset, it is convenient to use the telephone in case of an abnormality.

Conversation in the lift car, however, can be heard whenever a hanaset in the supervisory centre is picked up, even under normal conditions. This results in a problem of protecting the privacy of the passengers.

Moreover, in recent years lifts are not controlled individually in buildings. There have been increasing cases where security companies collectively control a plurality of buildings in a centralized manner over public lines, such as those used by NTT. For the above reason, a system, in which conversation in lift cars can be heard regardless of the passenger's intention to speak over the telephone, does not meet regulations relative to telephones utilizing public lines.

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide a lift equipped with an emergency telephone which can be used only when passengers in a lift car intend to use the telephone.

< Summary of the Invention > To achieve the above-mentioned object, the present invention provides a lift controlled by a terminal device install in each building, comprising: a means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre of an abnormality of the lift; a means for transmitting a phone call over the public line from the supervisory centre to an interphone in a lift car; a means for detecting a call switch operation of the interphone by a passenger; and a means for connecting, when the call switch operation is performed, the interphone to the public line, thereby enabling the supervisory centre and the passenger to speak by telephone.

In other words, a lift is proposed in which the terminal device includes a means for preventing the connection between the interphone and the public line, even when the supervisory centre makes a phone call under the conditions where there is no message that an abnormality has occurred in the lift, and where the call switch of the interphone is not actuated by the passenger.

The terminal device may also include a means for providing the passengers in the lift car with guidance for the interphone operation if an abnormality occurs.

The terminal device may further include a means for providing passengers on floors with guidance regarding an abnormality when they request a call for the lift during the abnormality.

In the present invention, when an abnormality takes place in a lift and then the supervisory centre makes a phone call via a public line, guidance for the interphone operation is made by means of speech synthesis or the like to the inside of the lift car. Only when it is detected that the passenger in the lift car has actuated the call switch, such as a press button, in response to such guidance, will a line between the supervisory centre and the lift car be connected in order to speak over the telephone.

For the above reason, it is impossible to speak over the telephone between the passenger in the lift car and the supervisory centre, unless the passenger in the lift car actuates the call switch. This actuation corresponds to picking up the commonly used telephone receiver. Thus, the privacy of the passengers of the lift car is protected, and furthermore, regulations relative to telephones utilizing public lines are met.

In addition, when there is a call for a lift car from a given floor during an abnormality, providing passengers on this floor with guidance that the abnormality has occurred in the lift car relieves their uneasiness and complaints.

In the drawings: Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an embodiment of a lift equipped with an emergency telephone according to the present invention; Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed construction of an embodiment of a line control circuit of a terminal device illustrated in Fig. 1; and Fig. 3 is a flowchart showing the operations of the line control circuit in the terminal device illustrated in Fig. 1.

An embodiment of a lift equipped with an emergency telephone according to the present invention will now be described with reference to Figs. 1 to 3.

Fig. 1 is a block diagram showing a construction of an embodiment of the lift equipped with an emergency telephone according to the invention. A terminal device 1 installed in buildings includes a control circuit 2, a line control circuit 3, an interphone control circuit 4, an interface 5, and a speech synthesis circuit 6. The line control circuit 3 controls connections between the circuits in the terminal device 1 and a public line, such as that used by NTT. The interphone control circuit 4 connects the control circuit 2 and the line control circuit 3 to an interphone 13 inside a lift car 12. The interface 5 connects the control circuit 2 to a lift control panel 14 installed in buildings.

According to directions from the control circuit 2, the speech synthesis circuit 6 makes an announcement, such as operation guidance, into the lift car 12.

The lift car 12 is provided with the interphone 13 having an operation switch 19, such as a push button.

The lift control panel 14 is provided with a control section 15 for controlling an unillustrated motor which drives the lift car 12, and with an interface 16 for sending signals to and receiving them from the interface 5 in the terminal device 1.

A centre control device 7 of a supervisory centre, connected to the terminal device 1 in a plurality of buildings over a public line, includes a centre control circuit 8, a centre line control circuit 9, a head set 10, a call button 11, a display lamp 17, and a buzzer 18. The centre line control circuit 9 controls connections between the circuits in the centre control device 7 and the public line. The head set 10 has a call receiver and a microphone. The call button 11 is used for making a phone call to passengers in the lift car 12. The display lamp 17 displays any abnormalities in the lift car 12.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram showing a detailed construction of the line control circuit 3 in the terminal device 1. The line control circuit 3 includes not only analog signal switching sections 31 and 32, but also a level converting section 33 for properly converting the level of signals in the terminal device 1 into the level of signals over the public line and vice versa. The analog switching section 31 is usually in the position indicated by a solid line, and transmits signals from the control circuit 2 to the centre control device 7 over the public line. Only when a gate signal G1 is applied from the control circuit 2, will the analog switching section 31 be switched over to the position indicated by a dot line, thereby being made ready for transmitting signals from the interphone 13. The analog switching section 32 is usually in the position indicated by a solid line, thereby causing the interphone 13 not to be ready for receiving signals.

Only when a gate signal G2 is applied from the control circuit 2, will the analog switching section 32 be switched over to the G2 side, whereby signals from the speech synthesis circuit 6 are capable of being received by the interphone 13. On the other hand, only when a gate signal G3 is applied from the control circuit 2, will the analog switching section 32 be switched over to the G3 side, whereby signals from the centre control device 7 are capable of being received by the interphone 13.

The operations of the lift constructed as above will be described hereinafter.

In the terminal device 1 maintenance information is usually sent from the control section 15 in the lift control panel 14 to the control circuit 2 via interfaces 16 and 5. It is then level-converted by the line control circuit 3, and is transferred to the centre control device 7 of the supervisory centre. Other components of the terminal device 1 remain in a standby state.

The maintenance information transferred to the centre control device 7 is received by the centre control circuit 8 through the centre line control circuit 9. The centre control circuit 8 displays, as required, this information on an unillustrated CRT, or outputs it on a printer for lift maintenance.

Information that the lift is under abnormal conditions is also sent from the lift control panel 14 to the terminal device 1. Since such information is sent in coded form, the control circuit 2 in the terminal device 1 analyzes an abnormality, and notifies the supervisory centre of the abnormality. Some abnormalities may cause the lift to stop, or may cause troubles leading to a stop of the lift.

In such cases, it is necessary to provide passengers in the lift car 12 with appropriate directions and to take necessary countermeasures.

It is possible for the supervisory centre side to specifically determine an abnormality: the type of the abnormality and locations of the lift and the building. In some cases, it is possible for the supervisory centre side to start taking steps against an abnormality before passengers in the lift car 12 notice the abnormality. It is thus obvious that the supervisory centre side can quickly take countermeasures against the abnormality. In addition, if a public line can be used to make a phone call to the lift car 12, this will provide the passengers with improved service.

The protection of the privacy of the passengers of the lift cars, however, becomes an issue, if phone calls are made. The use of a public line in particular involves legal problems.

In most cases, when making a phone call, a line is not connected until a ring back tone sounds and the telephone receiver is picked up. In such a case, an expression of one's intention to use the telephone is required.

Similarly, in this system, when a phone call is made from the supervisory centre to the lift car 12 under normal conditions of the lift, the line cannot be connected until a passenger in the lift car answers the telephone in order to protect the privacy of the passengers in the lift car 12. In this respect, so far as a public line is used, making a phone call is legally restricted even under abnormal conditions.

In the present invention, a procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 for coping with such a problem will be explained with reference to the flowchart of Fig. 3.

In step 101, the control circuit 2 in the terminal device 1 determines, based on signals from the lift control panel 14, whether or not an abnormality has occurred.

If the lift is in motion under normal conditions, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 proceeds to step 105, in which it is determined whether or not the call switch (press button) 19 of the interphone 13 has been actuated. If the call switch 19 has not been actuated, the lift operates under normal conditions. The procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 terminates here, and returns to the start in order to repeat the procedure.

Even while the lift is in motion under normal conditions, when the call switch 19 is actuated for reasons such that a passenger is not in a good physical condition, in step 106, the gate signals G1 and G3 are generated from the control circuit 2, while at the same time the centre control device 7 is notified of such a message. These signals G1, G3 actuate the display lamp 17 and the buzzer 18 as well. When the supervisory operator, who has recognized the actuation of the display lamp 17 and the buzzer 18, presses the call button 11, it is possible for him in the supervisory centre and the passengers in the lift car 12 to speak with each other by telephone.

On the other hand, in step 101, if it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 proceeds to step 102. In step 102, the supervisory centre is notified of such a message, while at the same time the gate signal G2 is generated. An announcement that an abnormality has been detected and has been reported to the supervisory centre is made to the lift car 12. This announcement is previously set in the speech synthesis circuit 6.

A message from the terminal device 1 is received by the centre control circuit 8 of the centre control device 7 over the public line. The centre control circuit 8 actuates the display lamp 17 and the buzzer 18, thereby notifying the supervisory operator of the abnormality.

When the supervisory operator presses the call button 11 so as to make contact with the lift car 12 in which the abnormality has taken place, the centre control circuit 8 converts this operation into a call request signal for the lift car 12, and sends this signal to the control circuit 2 of the terminal device 1.

In step 103, the control circuit 2 determines whether or not there is a call request from the supervisory operator to the lift car 12.

If there is a call request, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 proceeds to step 104, in which guidance for the operation of the interphone 13 and of the call switch 19 is made for the lift car 12.

The procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 then proceeds to step 105. If there is no call request in step 103, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 directly proceeds to step 105.

In step 105, it is determined whether or not the call switch 19 of the interphone 13 has been operated.

If the call switch has not been operated, because there are no passengers or because the passenger does not want to speak by telephone, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 terminates here and returns to the start to repeat the procedure.

In step 105, if the passenger actuates the call switch 19, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 proceeds to step 106, in which the gate signals G1 and G3 are generated from the control circuit 2. The supervisory operator in the supervisory centre and the passengers in the lift car 12 are thus able to speak with each other by telephone. The supervisory operator in the supervisory centre uses the head set 10 for communication.

Although in this embodiment an example has been explained where guidance to passengers is made by using a voice, it is also possible to notify passengers of an abnormality by using, for example, a chime and a display lamp. The call switch 19 of the interphone 13 may be caused to flicker for notification of an abnormality.

Furthermore, in step 102 the guidance may also be made along with the guidance of step 104: guidance for the operations of the interphone 13 and of the call switch 19 is made for the lift car 12. It is also possible that in step 103, it is determined whether or not passengers waiting on a given floor of the building request a lift car to descend to a hall. If it is determined that the passengers request the lift car to descend to the hall, the procedure for the operation of the line control circuit 3 proceeds to step 104. In step 104 passengers waiting in the hall can be notified that an abnormality has occurred in the lift car.

Moreover, in addition to a case where the lift does not operate, the case where the volume in the car exceeds a specified value is also regarded as an abnormality, whereby guidance can be made and the interphone can be used to make a phone call.

As has been described, according to the present invention, if an abnormality occurs in a lift, a phone call can, of course, be quickly made from the supervisory centre to the lift car. In addition, it is impossible for the supervisory centre side to listen to conversation of passengers in the lift car, so far as the passengers do not want to speak over the telephone. For this reason, the privacy of the passengers is protected, and regulations relative to telephones utilizing public lines are met.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A lift, installed in each building, which is equipped with a terminal device for controlling the lift in said building, comprising: means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre, which control a plurality of buildings from a remote place, of an abnormality of the lift; means for transmitting a phone call over said public line from said supervisory centre to an interphone in a lift car; means for detecting a call switch operation of said interphone by a passenger; and means for connecting, when said call switch operation is performed, said interphone to said public line, thereby enabling said supervisory centre and said passenger to speak by telephone.

2. A lift, installed in each building, which is equipped with a terminal device for controlling the lift in said building, comprising: means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre, which control a plurality of buildings from a remote place, of an abnormality of the lift; means for providing guidance for an operation of said interphone in case of said abnormality; means for transmitting a phone call over said public line from said supervisory centre to an interphone in a lift car; means for detecting a call switch operation of said interphone by a passenger; and means for connecting, when said call switch operation is performed, said interphone to said public line, thereby enabling said supervisory centre and said passenger to speak by telephone.

3. A lift, installed in each building, which is equipped with a terminal device for controlling the lift in said building, comprising: means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre, which control a plurality of buildings from a remote place, of an abnormality of the lift; means for providing guidance for an operation of said interphone in case of said abnormality; means for providing any floor with guidance for said abnormality when there is a call for said lift car from said floor during said abnormality; means for transmitting a phone call over said public line from said supervisory centre to an interphone in a lift car; means for detecting a call switch operation of said interphone by a passenger; and means for connecting, when said call switch operation is performed, said interphone to said public line, thereby enabling said supervisory centre and said passenger to speak by telephone.

4. A lift, installed in each building, which is equipped with a terminal device for controlling the lift in said building, comprising: means for notifying, over a public line, a supervisory centre, which control a plurality of buildings from a remote place, of an abnormality of the lift; means for transmitting a phone call over said public line from said supervisory centre to an interphone in a lift car; means for detecting a call switch operation of said interphone by a passenger; and means for preventing a connection between said interphone and said public line, even when said supervisory centre makes a phone call under conditions where there is no message that an abnormality has occurred in said lift, and where the call switch of said interphone is not actuated by a passenger.

5. A lift equipped with a terminal device for controlling the lift, constructed substantially as herein described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.