WO2007061422A1

WO2007061422A1 - Destination entry elevator system including elevators with multiple doors

Info

Publication number: WO2007061422A1
Application number: PCT/US2005/043096
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vlad Zaharia
Original assignee: Otis Elevator Company
Priority date: 2005-11-28
Filing date: 2005-11-28
Publication date: 2007-05-31

Abstract

A destination entry elevator system (10) includes an elevator (14) operable to transport passengers to one of a plurality of floors. The elevator (14) includes an elevator car having a plurality of doors (15, 16). A destination entry input device (30, 35) at each floor permits a passenger to enter destination input information, which includes a destination floor and a destination elevator exit door. A dispatch controller (20) dispatches the elevator (14) to the destination floor and opens the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor.

Description

DESTINATION ENTRY ELEVATOR SYSTEM INCLUDING ELEVATORS

WITH MULTIPLE DOORS

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of elevator control, and in particular to destination entry in an elevator system including elevators having elevator cars with multiple doors.

Conventional group elevator systems include up and down buttons near the elevators for use by passengers when elevator service is desired. When one of these hall call buttons is pressed, an elevator that will most efficiently deliver the passengers in the desired direction is assigned. When the assigned elevator arrives at the floor on which the call occurred, a hall lantern above the assigned elevator illuminates to designate the elevator the passengers should enter. If the assigned elevator becomes unable to serve the passengers or is significantly delayed, the passengers must be assigned to a new elevator. This is accomplished by turning off the hall lantern above the originally assigned elevator, and illuminating the hall lantern above the newly assigned elevator when it arrives at the floor on which the call occurred. In addition, if a passenger is in an elevator when service of the elevator is terminated or when all floor requests have been fulfilled, the passenger may press a button on the car operating panel (COP) in the elevator to enter his or her floor request, or to exit the elevator and subsequently make a new hall call for a different elevator. While this is an effective system for reassigning passengers, these conventional systems suffer from the drawback of being unable to direct individual passengers requesting elevator service from the same floor in the same direction to different elevators.

Recently, elevator systems with destination entry have been introduced. In a destination entry system, passengers are required to register their destination floors before they are picked up. The group elevator system assigns each passenger to an elevator that most efficiently transports him or her to the desired destination floor. Passengers register their destination floors on destination entry devices, which are mounted near the elevators and can take the form of a numeric keypad or a touch screen display. The destination entry devices often include audio and visual capabilities, for example to verify a passenger's destination floor entry and to assist passengers with disabilities.

Some elevators include elevator cars having multiple doors (e.g., front and rear doors) that open into different areas of a building. However, destination entry systems have been designed for elevator systems including single door elevator cars. Thus, there is a need for a destination entry system for an elevator system including elevators having elevator cars with more than one door.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The subject invention is directed to destination entry in an elevator system including an elevator operable to transport passengers to one of a plurality of floors. The elevator includes an elevator car having a plurality of doors. A destination entry input device at each floor permits a passenger to enter destination input information, which includes a destination floor and a destination elevator exit door. A dispatch controller dispatches the elevator to the destination floor and opens the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a destination entry group elevator system. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a keypad used in the destination entry group elevator system shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen display used in the destination entry group elevator system shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the process of registering a destination floor and exit door in a destination entry group elevator system according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 is a perspective view of destination entry based elevator system 10 in building 12. Building 12 includes five floors, including lobby floor L, second floor F2, third floor F3, fourth floor F4, and fifth floor F5. Group elevator system 10 includes three elevators 14a, 14b, and 14c, each of which is operable to transport passengers to any of the floors in building 12. Each elevator 14a-14c includes an elevator car having first door 15 and a second door 16. While three elevators 14a-14c, five floors L and F2-F5, and elevator cars having two doors 15 and 16 are shown, it will be appreciated that the present invention is applicable to destination entry group elevator systems with any number of elevators with any number of doors servicing any number of floors.

The operation of each elevator is controlled by a dedicated car controller. In particular, elevator 14a is controlled by car controller 17a, elevator 14b is controlled by car controller 17b, and elevator 14c is controlled by car controller 17c. Car controllers 17a-17c are connected to and communicate with each other via communications loop 18.

Car controllers 17a-17c control elevators 14a-14c, respectively, based on elevator control information received from dispatch controller 20. Dispatch controller 20 is connected to car controllers 17a-17c via communications loop 18. Dispatch controller 20 processes destination input information received via communications lines (not shown) and provides elevator control information based on the destination input information.

Destination input information is provided by passengers via destination entry input devices located on each floor. The destination entry input devices are located next to the elevators on each floor and are used by passengers to enter their desired destination floor and exit door via numbered keys on the input device. The destination entry input devices may also include keys labeled for specific areas of the building such that a passenger may press the labeled keys to be transported directly to the area on the key. In group elevator system 10, the destination entry input devices include keypads 30a, 30b, 30c, 3Od, and 3Oe, and touch screen displays 35a, 35b, 35c, 35d, and 35e, together with digital circuitry that receives inputs from a keypad 30a-30e, displays information on touch screen displays 35a-35e, and communicates with dispatch controller 20. Keypads 30 will be described in more detail with regard to FIG. 2, and touch screen displays 35 will be described in more detail with regard to FIG. 3. The digital circuitry associated with each keypad 30 and touch screen display 35 is connected to dispatch controller 20 via a data line and a common ground line (not shown). It will be appreciated that any combination of keypads 30 and touch screen displays 35 may be employed throughout building 12. Also shown in FIG. 1 is security card reader 38, which allows a passenger to register destination input information by passing a security card through security card reader 38. The security card includes stored information about the passenger's destination floor and exit door.

The scheduling of elevators 14a-14c is coordinated by dispatch controller 20 based on the destination input information provided on keypads 30 and touch screen display 35. Elevators 14a-14c are independent, but are coupled through serving a common pool of passengers. For each passenger, there is only one elevator 14 that will serve that passenger. Each passenger enters his or her destination floor and door on one of keypads 30 or touch screen displays 35, and is directed to an elevator that will most efficiently service his or her destination request. Dispatch controller 20 groups passengers who are going to common or nearby floors to the same elevator 14. Dispatch controller 20 communicates with car controllers 17a-17c to determine the locations of elevators 14a-14c when assigning passengers to an elevator.

When passengers enter their assigned elevator, the car controller controls the elevator so as to stop only at those floors (and open only those doors) that passengers on the assigned elevator requested. By grouping passengers in this way, passengers reach their destination floor in an efficient manner with fewer stops than in conventional elevator systems.

Destination entry based elevator system 10 allows a passenger to enter his or her destination floor and destination elevator exit door prior to entering the elevator. As an example, building 12 may be an apartment building where first door 15 opens into a first wing of the apartment building (i.e., the "A" wing), and second door 16 opens into a second wing of the apartment building (i.e., the "B" wing). A passenger may wish to go from lobby floor L to apartment B305 (which is located on floor F3 in the

"B" wing of building 12). The passenger is prompted to enter his or her destination floor at either of the destination entry input devices on lobby floor L: keypad 30a or touch screen display 35a. The passenger enters "3" on the numeric keys at the destination entry input device. The passenger is then prompted to enter his or her destination elevator exit door. For example, the display on the destination entry input device prompt the passenger to press "1" for the "A" wing or "2" for the "B" wing. To alert the passenger that this additional input is required, the destination entry input device may also generate a short audible signal. The passenger presses "2" for the "B" wing, and the display directs the passenger to the elevator (i.e., elevator 14a, 14b, or 14c) that will most efficiently serve his or her request. The display may also confirm that floor F3 and "B" wing are the destination floor and destination elevator exit door, respectively, for the assigned elevator. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of keypad 30 used in the destination entry group elevator system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Keypad 30 includes display 40, numeric keys 42, accessibility key 44, and acoustic transducer or speaker 46. In one embodiment, display 40 is a liquid crystal display (LCD) or light-emitting diode (LED) type display. When a passenger wishes to be transported between floors in group elevator system 10, the passenger enters his or her desired destination floor using numeric keys 42. For example, if a passenger wants to be transported from lobby floor L to floor F4, the passenger presses the "4" key on numeric keys 42 of keypad 30 located on lobby floor L. The passenger subsequently is prompted to register the door (i.e., first door 15 or second door 16) from which he or she would like to exit when the elevator reaches the destination floor. This destination input information is then provided to dispatch controller 20. Based on the locations of the cars in elevators 14a-14c (as provided by car controllers 17a-17c), dispatch controller 20 provides a signal to keypad 30 that was used by the passenger to enter the destination input information. This signal contains the passenger's elevator assignment. Keypad 30 then directs the passenger to the appropriate elevator using display 40. For example, if the passenger uses keypad 30a to enter the destination input information, and the passenger is assigned to elevator 14a by dispatch controller 20, the letter "A" appears on display 40. An arrow or other directional symbol may also be displayed on display 40 to guide the passenger in the direction of the assigned elevator. When the assigned elevator arrives at the destination floor, the passenger's requested door opens.

Keypad 30 also includes accessibility key 44 for use by disabled passengers to initiate service in group elevator system 10. When a passenger presses accessibility key 44, auditory instructions regarding use of keypad 30 are provided on speaker 46. For example, the passenger may be directed to use numeric keys 42 to enter his or her desired destination floor. After the passenger enters his or her desired destination floor, the passenger is given auditory directions via speaker 46 to enter the door from which he or she would like to exit when the elevator reaches the destination floor. The passenger is then given further auditory directions via speaker 46 regarding which elevator is assigned to the passenger and how to reach the assigned elevator. The assigned elevator may also be simultaneously displayed on display 40 as described above.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a touch screen display 35 used in the destination entry group elevator system 10 shown in FIG. 1. Touch screen display 35 includes screen 50 that displays various interactive keys for use by passengers to operate group elevator system 10. The information provided on screen 50 is customizable to the building in which it is provided. In the embodiment shown, screen 50 includes active display 52 and numeric keys 56.

When a passenger wishes to be transported between floors in group elevator system 10, the passenger enters his or her desired destination floor using numeric keys 56. For example, if a passenger wants to be transported from lobby floor L to floor F4, the passenger presses the "4" key on numeric keys 56 of touch screen 35 located on lobby floor L. The passenger subsequently is prompted to register the door (i.e., first door 15 or second door 16) from which he or she would like to exit when the elevator reaches the destination floor. This destination input information is then provided to dispatch controller 20. Based on the locations of the cars in elevators 14a-14c (as provided by car controllers 17a-17c), dispatch controller 20 provides a signal to touch screen 35. This signal contains the passenger's elevator assignment. Touch screen 35 then directs the passenger to the appropriate elevator using active display 52. For example, if the passenger is assigned to elevator 14a by dispatch controller 20, the letter "A" appears on active display 52. An arrow or other directional symbol may also be displayed on active display 52 to guide the passenger in the direction of the assigned elevator. When the assigned elevator arrives at the destination floor, the passenger's requested door opens.

In destination entry group elevator systems including elevators having elevator cars with multiple doors, passengers may be required to register not only their destination floor, but also the door that they want to open when the elevator reaches their destination floor. One approach to allowing registration of a door is to incorporate an additional module including keys labeled for each door into the existing destination entry input devices. However, this approach not only adds cost to the manufacturing and installation of the destination entry system, but also potentially causes confusion due to the additional, non-standard hardware (especially for the visually impaired).

FIG. 4 is a flow chart for the process of registering a destination floor and exit door according to the present invention in destination entry group elevator system 10. When a passenger wishes to be transported between floors in group elevator system 10, the passenger approaches one of the destination entry input devices (i.e., keypads 30a-30e, touch screens 35a-35e). The destination entry input device prompts the passenger to input his or her destination floor on the destination entry input device (step 60). The passenger may be prompted to enter the destination floor input visually on the destination entry input device display (i.e., display 40 on keypad 30 or display 50 on touch screen display 35). If the passenger presses accessibility key 44 on keypad 30, the passenger may also be prompted with auditory instructions on speaker 46 to enter the destination floor input.

If the passenger does not pass a security card through security card reader 38 to enter his or her destination input information (step 62), the passenger enters the destination floor input on the destination entry input device using the numeric keys (i.e., numeric keys 42 on keypad 30 or numeric keys 56 on touch screen display 35). For example, if a passenger wants to be transported from lobby floor L to floor F4, the passenger presses the "4" key on the numeric keys.

After the destination floor input has been received by the destination entry input device (step 64), the passenger is prompted to input the elevator door from which he or she wants to exit when the elevator reaches the destination floor (step 66). For example, the passenger may be prompted on the destination entry input device display to press the "1" key on the numeric keys to open first door 15 at the destination floor, or to press the "2" key on the numeric keys to open second door 16 at the destination floor. If the passenger presses accessibility key 44 (or if the passenger pressed accessibility key 44 before inputting the destination floor), the passenger may also be prompted with auditory instructions on speaker 46 to provide the elevator exit door input on the numeric keys. Speaker 46 may also generate a short audible signal after the destination floor input is received to alert the passenger that the additional elevator exit door input is required. The destination entry input device may default to one of the doors (e.g., first door 15) if the passenger does not provide the elevator exit door input in a predetermined period of time. Alternatively, the destination entry input device may cancel the interactive session if the passenger does not provide the elevator exit door input in the predetermined period of time.

After the elevator exit door input has been received by the destination entry input device (step 68), the passenger is assigned to an elevator based on the destination input information (i.e., the destination floor input and the elevator exit door input) (step 70). Alternatively, the passenger may be assigned to an elevator after the passenger provides the destination floor input but before the passenger provides the elevator exit door input. As described above, dispatch controller 20 assigns groups of passengers who are going to common or nearby floors to the same elevator 14. Dispatch controller 20 provides a signal to the destination entry device that contains the passenger's elevator assignment. The destination entry input device then directs the passenger to the appropriate elevator via its display (or via speaker 46 of keypad 30 if accessibility key 44 was pressed). For example, if the passenger uses keypad 30a to enter the destination input information, and the passenger is assigned to elevator 14a by dispatch controller 20, the letter "A" appears on display 40. An arrow or other directional symbol may also be displayed on display 40 to guide the passenger in the direction of the assigned elevator. The destination entry input device may also confirm the destination input information visually via the display (or audibly via speaker 46 if accessibility key 44 was pressed).

If the passenger passes a security card through security card reader 38 when prompted to enter his or her destination floor input, security card reader 38 reads the information stored on the security card. Security card reader 38 determines the passenger's destination floor and the elevator exit door from the information stored on the security card (step 72). This information is provided to dispatch controller 20, which assigns the passenger to an elevator based on the destination input information (step 70). In an alternative embodiment, a passenger may enter a series of numbers on keypad 30 or touch screen display 35 that comprise a pass code particular for that passenger. The pass code is provided to dispatch controller 20, which associates the pass code with a destination floor and elevator exit door for the passenger. Dispatch controller 20 then assigns the passenger to an elevator based on the destination input information.

After the passenger enters the assigned elevator, he or she is transported to the requested destination floor (step 74). When the elevator reaches the passenger's destination floor, the requested elevator exit door is opened at the destination floor (step 76). By allowing the passenger to input his or her elevator exit door prior to entering the elevator, only the requested door needs to be opened at the destination floor. This is important from a security standpoint in that, without the elevator exit door input, both doors would need to be opened upon arriving at the destination floor, potentially allowing passengers to enter areas of the building into which they are not authorized to enter.

In summary, the present invention is directed to destination entry in an elevator system including an elevator operable to transport passengers to one of a plurality of floors. The elevator includes an elevator car having a plurality of doors. A destination entry input device at each floor permits a passenger to enter destination input information, which includes a destination floor and a destination elevator exit door. A dispatch controller dispatches the elevator to the destination floor and opens the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor. By allowing the passenger to input his or her elevator exit door prior to entering the elevator, only the requested door needs to be opened at the destination floor. This increases the efficiency and improves the security of the elevator system. Although the present invention has been described with reference to examples and preferred embodiments, workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A system comprising: an elevator operable to transport passengers to one of a plurality of floors, the elevator including an elevator car having a plurality of doors; a destination entry input device at each floor for permitting a passenger to enter destination input information including a destination floor and a destination elevator exit door; and a dispatch controller in communication with the destination entry input device for dispatching the elevator to the destination floor and opening the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the destination entry input device comprises a keypad.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the destination entry input device comprises a touch screen display.

4. A system comprising: a group of elevators operable to transport each of a plurality of passengers to one of a plurality of floors, each elevator including an elevator car having a plurality of doors; a destination entry input device at each floor for prompting each passenger to enter destination input information and for receiving destination input information from each passenger, wherein the destination input information includes a destination floor and a destination elevator exit door; and a dispatch controller for assigning an elevator to each passenger based on the destination input information, dispatching the elevator to the destination floor, and opening the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device comprises a keypad.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device comprises a touch screen display.

7. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device comprises a security card reader.

8. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device prompts each passenger to input the destination floor, receives a destination floor input from the passenger, prompts the passenger to input the destination elevator exit door, and receives a destination elevator exit door input from the passenger.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the destination entry input device includes numeric keys and the destination floor input and destination elevator exit door input are entered by the passenger using the numeric keys.

10. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device comprises a display for prompting each passenger to enter destination input information.

11. The system of claim 4, wherein the destination entry input device comprises an acoustic transducer and wherein each passenger is prompted with auditory instructions from the acoustic transducer to enter destination input information.

12. The system of claim 11 , wherein the auditory instructions are provided in response to pressing an accessibility key on the destination entry input device.

13. A method for controlling elevators in a destination entry elevator system including elevators each including an elevator car having a plurality of doors, the method comprising: prompting a passenger to register a destination floor at a destination entry input device; receiving destination floor information from the passenger on the destination entry input device; prompting the passenger to register a destination elevator exit door at the destination entry input device; receiving destination elevator exit door information from the passenger on the destination entry input device; and assigning an elevator to the passenger based on the destination floor.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein prompting the passenger comprises visually communicating instructions to the passenger.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein prompting the passenger comprises audibly communicating instructions to the passenger.

16. The method of claim 13, and further comprising: dispatching the elevator to the destination floor; and opening the destination elevator exit door at the destination floor.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving destination floor information from the passenger on the destination entry input device comprises processing input from numeric keys on the destination entry input device.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein receiving destination elevator exit door information from the passenger on the destination entry input device comprises processing input from numeric keys on the destination entry input device.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein assigning an elevator to the passenger based on the destination floor comprises directing the passenger to an elevator that will most efficiently service the destination floor.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein directing the passenger comprises providing visual or audible directional information on the destination entry input device.