WO2000069765A1

WO2000069765A1 - User-elevator interactive input device

Info

Publication number: WO2000069765A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/013305
Authority: WO
Inventors: Laurent Morin
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 1999-05-17
Filing date: 2000-05-12
Publication date: 2000-11-23
Also published as: FR2793933B1; FR2793933A1

Abstract

An input device includes graphic display screen (16) on which symbols corresponding to the functions fulfilled by the elevator are displayed, said symbols having a first visual appearance in the absence of action on them, transparent touch-sensitive plate (18) which covers the graphic display screen and which is capable of implementing one of the functions of the elevator when a user touches said plate opposite the symbol which corresponds to said function; and computer management system (14) which is capable of calculating the location of the zone touched by the user and the pressure of the contact, and of transmitting signals which are a function respectively of this location and the pressure to electronic controller (36) for elevator operation, which in return transmits an electrical signal which makes the symbol located in the zone of contact of the finger have a second visual appearance.

Description

USER-ELEVATOR INTERACTIVE INPUT DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a user-elevator interactive input device for controlling an elevator car.

BACKGOUND

Currently, communication between a user and an elevator is established by means of a number of buttons and indicator lights mounted on a panel attached on one of the walls of the car. The user acts on the button which corresponds to the desired service by pressing or touching it and his order is transmitted to the electronic controller for operation of the elevator. The user is informed that his call has been received by the lighting of the indicator light corresponding to the actuated button. If the call has not been received, the indicator light remains unlighted.

Such a communication system is complicated and costly because it requires wiring for each function, and a specific mechanical set-up is required for each installation because of the number of levels and options which the user can choose.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention proposes a user-elevator interactive dialogue device which is much simpler and more economical than the preceding one. The dialogue device according to the invention is characterized by the fact that it includes:

- a graphic display screen on which symbols corresponding to the functions fulfilled by the elevator are displayed,

- a transparent touch-sensitive plate which covers the graphic display screen and which is capable of implementing one of the functions of the elevator when a user touches said plate opposite the symbol which corresponds to said function,

- and a computer management system connected to the graphic display screen, to the transparent plate, and to the electronic controller for operating the elevator. In the absence of any action on the plate by the user, all the symbols are present with a first identical visual appearance, for example, with the same relatively low luminosity.

The computer management system is capable of calculating the location of the zone of contact of the finger of the user on the transparent plate and the pressure of the finger, and transmitting electrical signals which are a function respectively of this location and the pressure of the finger to the electronic operation controller, which in return transmits an electrical signal validating reception of the request of the user. Upon receiving this electrical signal, the computer management system makes the symbol located in the zone of contact of the finger have a second visual appearance. The user thus knows that his order has been received by the controller.

Thus, according to the invention, the computer management of the plate, of the screen, and of the communication with the electronic controller in a simple manner makes it possible to promote dialogue interactivity between the user and the elevator. This system functions with or without a glove and is not disturbed by variations in temperature or humidity. Moreover, the transparent plate protects the underlying display panel from exterior agents such as soiling, smears, or streaks.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS - Figure 1 is a diagrammatic section view of the interactive input device according to the invention; and

- Figure 2 is an exploded front view of the transparent plate and of the graphic display screen.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Interactive input device 10 represented in the figures includes display panel 12 and computer management system 14, both mounted in an elevator car.

The display panel includes flat graphic display screen 16 covered by touch-sensitive transparent plate 18. The graphic display screen can be of a monochrome or color liquid crystal type.

Plate 18 has continuous sensitivity to touch over its entire surface. The sensitive zones which correspond to the functions of the elevator are stored in memory in a computer program recorded in computer management device 14. The graphic display screen and the touch-sensitive plate are held in casing 20 by flat back 21 with an open exterior surface; the screen is applied against the back and the plate is placed on the screen. These two elements are maintained in contact by folding edges 22 of lateral walls 24 of the casing over the peripheral edge of plate 18. Casing 20 is attached to lateral wall 26 of the elevator car, preferably by arranging the exterior surface of plate 18 roughly flush with the interior surface of wall 26. The thickness of the casing is thus entirely within the wall. This arrangement has the double advantage of being aesthetic since the wall of the car remains smooth and of protecting the elements of the display panel from accidental or intentional damage. Computer management system 14 is also connected to the elevator car. Display screen 16 and plate 18 are respectively connected to computer management system 14 by cables 28, 30. The computer management system which is located in the machinery room is connected by means of flexible cables 32 and 34 to the electronic controller for operation of elevator 36. As shown in Figure 2, screen 16 continually displays symbols which correspond to the different functions fulfilled by the elevator; for example, the number of floors served by the elevator, information concerning the elevator such as its capacity, its model or its brand and symbols for overload, alarm, ventilation, door opening and closing, etc. Integrated in transparent plate 18 are piezoelectric transmitters 40 and piezoelectric receivers 42 arranged respectively in two diagonally opposite corners. A series of reflectors 44 is arranged at the periphery of the plate and oriented in such a way as to detect the acoustic waves transmitted by the transmitters and send them back to the receivers.

The functioning of the interactive dialogue device according to the invention will now be described.

Before any excitation, the symbols visible on display screen 16 all have the same visual appearance, for example, the same relatively low luminosity. The computer management system scans the surface of the transparent plate in real time.

When a user finger 42 presses on a point of plate 18 opposite a chosen symbol, an energy absorption phenomenon occurs at this point. The acoustic wave which is transmitted by piezoelectric transmitters 40 is partially absorbed by the finger. The rest of the energy of the acoustic wave which is transmitted is detected by piezoelectric receivers 42 and transmitted through cable 30 to computer management system 14. This then activates the ordered function by transmitting signals to electronic operation controller 36 through flexible cable 32 which are functions respectively of the location of the point which was touched and of the pressure of the finger. In response, the controller transmits a control signal through cable 34 to computer management system 14. This signal is translated into a message which is transmitted through cable 28 to graphic display screen 16 on which it is displayed, for example, by making the actuated symbol brighter or by making it blink.

The simultaneous computer management of touch-sensitive plate 18, of graphic display screen 16, and of the communication with electronic operation controller 36 makes it possible therefore to bring about interactivity between the user and the elevator. This interactivity is achieved without the use of buttons or indicator lights, and does not require any additional wiring or any element other than the touch-sensitive plate which serves as a wave-guide.

It is also obvious that the system is operational utilizing any object which can cause the absorption of part of the energy produced by the piezoelectric transmitters, for example, gloves, etc.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A user-elevator interactive input device, characterized in that it includes: - graphic display screen 16 on which symbols corresponding to the functions fulfilled by the elevator are displayed, said symbols having a first visual appearance in the absence of action on them, - transparent touch-sensitive plate 18 which covers the graphic display screen and which is capable of implementing one of the functions of the elevator when a user touches a zone on said plate opposite the symbol which corresponds to said function, - and computer management system 14 which is capable of calculating the location of the zone touched by the user and the pressure of the contact, and of transmitting signals which are a function respectively of this location and the pressure to electronic controller 36 for elevator operation, which in return transmits an electrical signal which makes the symbol located in the zone have a second visual appearance.

2. A device according to Claim 1. characterized by in that integrated in touch-sensitive plate 18 are piezoelectric transmitters 40 for transmitting waves in the plate and piezoelectric receivers 42.

3. A device according to Claim 2. characterized in that also integrated in the touch-sensitive plate are a number of reflectors 44 capable of directing the waves transmitted by the piezoelectric transmitters to the piezoelectric receivers.

4. A device according to Claim 1. characterized in that computer management system 14 is connected to graphic display screen 16 and to touch-sensitive plate 18 by means of cables 28, 30 and to electronic operation controller 36 by means of flexible cables 32, 34.

5. A device according to Claim 1, characterized in that graphic display screen 16 is of the monochrome or color liquid crystal type.

6. A device according to Claim 1. characterized by the fact that graphic display screen 16 and touch-sensitive plate 18 are held in casing 20, having a flat back and being open on an upper surface and wherein: plate 18 is maintained in contact with graphic display screen 16 by folding edges 22 of lateral walls 24 of the casing over the peripheral edge of plate 18.

7. A device according to Claim 6. characterized by the fact that casing 20 is attached to lateral wall 26 of the elevator car in such a way that the exterior surface of plate 18 is roughly flush with the interior surface of wall 26.