WO2008116963A1 - Elevator system - Google Patents

Elevator system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2008116963A1
WO2008116963A1 PCT/FI2008/000040 FI2008000040W WO2008116963A1 WO 2008116963 A1 WO2008116963 A1 WO 2008116963A1 FI 2008000040 W FI2008000040 W FI 2008000040W WO 2008116963 A1 WO2008116963 A1 WO 2008116963A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
passenger
elevator
destination
basis
walking
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/FI2008/000040
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jukka-Pekka Sarjanen
Niko Elomaa
Original Assignee
Kone Corporation
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kone Corporation filed Critical Kone Corporation
Publication of WO2008116963A1 publication Critical patent/WO2008116963A1/en

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B1/00—Control systems of elevators in general
    • B66B1/02—Control systems without regulation, i.e. without retroactive action
    • B66B1/06—Control systems without regulation, i.e. without retroactive action electric
    • B66B1/14—Control systems without regulation, i.e. without retroactive action electric with devices, e.g. push-buttons, for indirect control of movements
    • B66B1/18—Control systems without regulation, i.e. without retroactive action electric with devices, e.g. push-buttons, for indirect control of movements with means for storing pulses controlling the movements of several cars or cages
    • B66B1/20—Control systems without regulation, i.e. without retroactive action electric with devices, e.g. push-buttons, for indirect control of movements with means for storing pulses controlling the movements of several cars or cages and for varying the manner of operation to suit particular traffic conditions, e.g. "one-way rush-hour traffic"
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B1/00—Control systems of elevators in general
    • B66B1/34—Details, e.g. call counting devices, data transmission from car to control system, devices giving information to the control system
    • B66B1/46—Adaptations of switches or switchgear
    • B66B1/468—Call registering systems
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B1/00—Control systems of elevators in general
    • B66B1/24—Control systems with regulation, i.e. with retroactive action, for influencing travelling speed, acceleration, or deceleration
    • B66B1/2408—Control systems with regulation, i.e. with retroactive action, for influencing travelling speed, acceleration, or deceleration where the allocation of a call to an elevator car is of importance, i.e. by means of a supervisory or group controller
    • B66B1/2458—For elevator systems with multiple shafts and a single car per shaft
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/10—Details with respect to the type of call input
    • B66B2201/103—Destination call input before entering the elevator car
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/20—Details of the evaluation method for the allocation of a call to an elevator car
    • B66B2201/211—Waiting time, i.e. response time
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/20—Details of the evaluation method for the allocation of a call to an elevator car
    • B66B2201/215—Transportation capacity
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/20—Details of the evaluation method for the allocation of a call to an elevator car
    • B66B2201/231—Sequential evaluation of plurality of criteria
    • B66B2201/232—Sequential evaluation of plurality of criteria where the time needed for a passenger to arrive at the allocated elevator car from where the call is made is taken into account
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/40—Details of the change of control mode
    • B66B2201/46—Switches or switchgear
    • B66B2201/4607—Call registering systems
    • B66B2201/4615—Wherein the destination is registered before boarding
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/40—Details of the change of control mode
    • B66B2201/46—Switches or switchgear
    • B66B2201/4607—Call registering systems
    • B66B2201/463—Wherein the call is registered through physical contact with the elevator system
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/40—Details of the change of control mode
    • B66B2201/46—Switches or switchgear
    • B66B2201/4607—Call registering systems
    • B66B2201/4653—Call registering systems wherein the call is registered using portable devices
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/40—Details of the change of control mode
    • B66B2201/46—Switches or switchgear
    • B66B2201/4607—Call registering systems
    • B66B2201/4661—Call registering systems for priority users
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B66—HOISTING; LIFTING; HAULING
    • B66B—ELEVATORS; ESCALATORS OR MOVING WALKWAYS
    • B66B2201/00—Aspects of control systems of elevators
    • B66B2201/40—Details of the change of control mode
    • B66B2201/46—Switches or switchgear
    • B66B2201/4607—Call registering systems
    • B66B2201/4661—Call registering systems for priority users
    • B66B2201/4669—Call registering systems for priority users using passenger condition detectors

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to elevator systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system, in which a passenger gives a destination floor call by means of a special destination call device.
  • a passenger gives one call, a destination floor call, on a floor level of the building instead of the conventional two calls (of which the first is normally given in the elevator lobby by expressing the desired direction of travel with the up or down pushbuttons, and the second in the elevator car by expressing the destination floor of the passenger) .
  • each user trying to enter the elevator gives a destination floor call on the floor level, which comprises information about at least the departure floor and the destination floor of the user.
  • the destination floor can be given using a destination call device reserved especially for this purpose, with which the passenger can notify to which floor he/she wishes to travel with the elevator.
  • the destination call device can be a permanently installed device on the floor level, e.g. near the elevator lobby, or it can also be a wireless passenger terminal device designed for this purpose.
  • the destination call device is arranged to receive a destination floor call from the user and to send it to the control system of the elevator group for the allocation of an elevator.
  • the control system of the elevator determines immediately the service requests for the passenger of the allocation of the elevator serving him/her e.g. on the basis of a genetic algorithm and sends to the destination call device information about the elevator reserved for the user.
  • the information received by the user can comprise e.g. information about which of the elevators of the elevator lobby is allocated to the user and where it is situated with respect to the user.
  • the information can also comprise the estimated waiting time or it can be a signal about the arrival of the allocated elevator at the departure floor.
  • Patent publication US6109396 presents one system in which a destination call is given with a wireless passenger terminal device at a distance from the elevators .
  • the system monitors the arrival of a passenger in the elevator lobby for a certain period of time following the destination call and controls the allocated elevator on the basis of whether the passenger is identified as having arrived in the elevator lobby or not.
  • a destination call can be given remotely at a distance from the elevators, e.g. from a place from where the average walking time of passengers to the elevators is of the magnitude of 10 seconds .
  • the solution according to publication US6109396 does not take into account the differences between the walking times of different passengers but instead uses the same walking time estimate for all passengers.
  • the elevator starts moving only when a predetermined time (e.g. the average travel time estimated for a passenger + a time margin) has passed. In this case, e.g. when all the passengers are fast walkers, the elevator waits unnecessarily until the end of a predefined time and lengthens the overall travel times, thus reducing the transport capacity of the elevator system. On the other hand, if a passenger walks more slowly than the average, he/she can also miss the elevator allocated to him/her.
  • a predetermined time e.g. the average travel time estimated for a passenger + a time margin
  • Estimating the walking time is particularly difficult when a destination floor call is given with a portable passenger terminal device. If an accurate call issuing location or passenger location is not known, it is impossible to accurately estimate the walking time of a passenger to the elevator serving him/her. In this case it is not known when the elevator should arrive at the departure floor of the passenger or how long the elevator should wait for the passenger.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to disclose a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system, in which a passenger gives a destination floor call by means of a special destination call device intended for the purpose.
  • the present invention discloses a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system.
  • a destination floor call is given with a destination call device, on the basis of which an elevator is allocated to the passenger and the passenger is notified about the aforementioned allocation by means of the destination call device.
  • the method according to the invention also comprises the phases: at least one information item that affects the walking time of a passenger to the elevator or that determines it is determined; the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is dynamically estimated on the basis of the aforementioned information, and the elevator system is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time .
  • the invention also relates to a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system.
  • the destination floor elevator system comprises an elevator group, which comprises at least one elevator, a destination call device for reserving elevators for the use of a passenger and a control system of the elevator group responding to the destination call device, which is arranged to allocate an elevator car suitable for the user on the basis of the destination floor call and to send information to the passenger about the elevator car allocated to the passenger.
  • the system according to the invention further comprises means for dynamically estimating the walking time of a passenger to the elevator to be allocated and/or that is already allocated, and the control system of the elevator is arranged to control the elevator system dynamically on the basis of the dynamically estimated walking time.
  • the location of the passenger is determined on the basis of the dynamic location of the destination call device, when the passenger gives a destination floor call with the destination call device. Further, the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the aforementioned location of the destination call device.
  • the destination call device can be a permanently installed general destination call device or a mobile personal destination call device that each passenger has separately (a so-called passenger terminal device) . If the destination call device is a mobile destination call device, the location of the destination call device is located with a prior-art method before estimating the walking time. In connection with the receipt of a destination floor call the passenger can also be identified and the identification utilized in estimating the walking time at the time of giving the destination call or after it .
  • the personal destination call device of the passenger can transmit information about the walking speed of the passenger or information for determining the walking speed.
  • the walking speed information received or the walking speed information determined can then be utilized when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the location of the call device.
  • the passenger is identified in at least one remote point before the receipt of a destination floor call from the passenger. Identification of the passenger is based on e.g. wireless short-range remote identification or on an identification made from a video image by means of the identifier of the destination call device, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger.
  • the passenger is identified again in connection with giving a destination floor call.
  • a passenger giving a destination floor call can be linked to a passenger that has been identified at least once before.
  • the walking speed of the passenger is estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the location of at least one remote point .
  • the walking time of a passenger to the elevator can be estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the estimated walking speed.
  • the passenger is identified in connection with giving a destination floor call and in at least one remote point after giving a destination floor call. Since the distance to the point from which the destination floor call was earlier given and the distance to the elevator are known at the same time, the estimated walking time of the passenger to the elevator can be updated, if so desired. Thus the operation of the control system of the elevator can be arranged to be more optimal because the walking times of the passengers coming to a certain elevator car are known with more accuracy.
  • the passenger is further identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it.
  • the elevator system is able to maintain information about the passengers allocated to an elevator car and about the allocated passengers that have arrived in the elevator car.
  • accurate information about the walking times and/or the walking speeds of a passenger in the elevator system is obtained, which information can be utilized in estimating the walking time of the passenger on elevator trips he/she later makes.
  • statistical information is collected about the destination floor calls, the walking speeds and/or the walking times of the passengers in the elevator system.
  • the statistical information collected can be utilized when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated at the time of giving a destination floor call by taking into account the realized walking times of the passenger on previous trips.
  • a peak-hour situation can be taken into account e.g. by lengthening the estimated walking time of an individual passenger automatically, when it is known that the lobby is full of people and movement is slower than normally.
  • the walking time of a passenger is estimated individually on the basis of personal information contained in an identifier. For example, a different travel time can be given by default to a physically handicapped passenger such that the travel time of those moving in wheelchairs is generally faster than the walking time of an ordinary passenger and correspondingly the walking time of a passenger using crutches is longer. Owing to the identification of the passenger it is also possible to offer him/her individual service, such as playing music in the elevator car, etc.
  • the purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the problem areas that are presented in conjunction with the description of prior art.
  • the service capacity of the elevator system can be increased by reducing the time margin set for the sake of certainty when determining the walking time of the passenger.
  • the operation of the elevator system is made more efficient because the elevator car does not need to stand for the sake of certainty if it is known or it can be assumed that all the passengers coming to this elevator have already entered the car.
  • the premature arrival of the elevator at the floor level can be avoided and thus the service capacity of the elevator system is made more efficient.
  • the service capacity of the elevator system is also increased because the control of the elevator system can quickly adapt to changes detected in the walking speed of a passenger.
  • the destination call devices can be disposed more freely on the floors because they do not need to be situated in the immediate vicinity of the elevators.
  • the users of the elevator system are identified in remote points situated at a distance from the elevators, the number of arriving passengers can be forecast better than before and reservation can be made for an increased transport need in good time e.g. by sending elevators in advance to congested floors.
  • the control and use of the elevator system can be implemented better and more efficiently than before while simultaneously passenger comfort improves. Passengers do not have to wait unnecessarily in elevator lobbies for elevators serving them and the elevator cars are freed for other use earlier.
  • Fig. 1 presents a flow chart of the method according to the invention
  • Fig. 2a presents one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 2b presents a second example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention
  • Fig. 3 presents a third example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 4 presents a fourth example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Fig. 1 presents a flow chart of the method according to the invention.
  • a destination floor call is received from a destination call device, phase 100.
  • the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is dynamically estimated by determining at least one of the variables that affect the walking time of the passenger and an elevator is allocated to the passenger on the basis of the destination floor call given, phases 102 and 104.
  • the passenger is notified about the allocated elevator e.g. by means of the destination call device, phase 106.
  • the elevator system is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time.
  • Dynamic estimation of the walking time means in this context that a walking time is estimated for each passenger to the elevator serving him/her on the basis of one or more information items that affect the walking time of a passenger or that determine it, such as e.g. on the basis of the location of the passenger at the time of giving the destination call, on the basis of statistical information, on the basis of the traffic situation of the elevator system, on the basis of personal identification data, on the basis of the walking speed information received from a passenger terminal device, and/or on the basis of the walking speed determined by means of the identification points.
  • Dynamic estimation of the walking time means e.g. that the passenger is identified in connection with giving a destination call and the identification influences the estimation of the walking time.
  • Identification of the passenger in this context means that the passenger is identified in an identification point, on the basis of which individual data can be determined for him/her for estimating the walking time. Identification of the passenger is based on e.g. wireless short-range remote identification or on an identification made from a video image by means of the identifier of the destination call device, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger. Short- range remote identification can be based on e.g. RFID technology or Bluetooth technology or on some other remote identifier technology applicable to the purpose.
  • a passenger can also be identified from a specific characteristic that can be linked to the passenger, e.g. on the basis of a vehicle registration number in the car park of the building when the passenger arrives in his/her car at the car park. There may be one or more identification points in the building, of which some can be permanently integrated in connection with the installed destination call devices. Since the location of the identification points in the building is known, the location of the passenger can be determined in connection with identification .
  • the elevator system according to the invention is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time.
  • the control system 200 utilizes the estimated walking time e.g. in determining when all the passengers allocated to the elevator car have presumably arrived in the elevator, after which the elevator car can start moving. By estimating the walking time in connection with the destination call, the control system can also infer the probable arrival time of the passenger at the elevators and use the information in allocating an elevator car to the passenger, e.g. such that an elevator is allocated to the passenger the standing time at the departure floor of which is minimized or such that the waiting time of the passenger in the elevator lobby is as short as possible .
  • the elevator system 212 is a destination floor elevator system (DCS, Destination Control System) comprising a number of elevators, in which the passenger gives information about his/her destination floor to the elevator system by means of a destination floor call using a special destination call device 204, 206.
  • the destination call device can be a permanently installed device 204, of which one or more are disposed in the elevator lobby and/or elsewhere in the building at a distance from the elevator.
  • the destination call device can also be a wireless passenger terminal device 206 suited to the purpose.
  • the passenger terminal device 206 can be e.g.
  • Each call device 204, 206 has a unique identifier (ID) , on the basis of which the rest of the system is able to identify from which destination call device a destination floor call has been given.
  • ID unique identifier
  • the destination floor call give by a passenger is transmitted to the control system 200 of the elevator system, which allocates a suitable elevator for the use of the passenger on the basis of the destination call.
  • Information about the allocation is sent to the passenger via the destination call device 204 or 206, such as a notification about the elevator selection and/or about the estimated waiting time.
  • the walking time of the passenger is estimated dynamically with the aid of the means 202.
  • the means 202 refer to e.g. an information system, and they can be a part of the control system 200 of the elevator system 212 (as shown in Fig. 2) or they can be arranged in a separate information system, which is in connection with the control system 200 of the elevator system 212.
  • the passenger can also be identified in connection with giving a destination call.
  • the location of the passenger can be determined on the basis of the known location of the destination call device. If a destination call is given by means of a passenger terminal device 206, the location of the passenger terminal device can be determined by means of a positioning method used inside the building that is based on e.g. the identification method described above.
  • the passenger can also have a positioning device in his/her possession, which transmits information about the location of the passenger to the means 202.
  • the positioning device can be based on e.g. satellite positioning or on some other prior-art positioning method.
  • the position information is a dynamic magnitude in the embodiments in which there are destination call devices 204 on a number of floors or in which the location of the passenger terminal device 206 can be determined in a number of identification points in the building.
  • the passenger can also be identified in connection with giving a destination floor call.
  • individual information for estimating the walking time is determined for the passenger.
  • Individual information can comprise e.g. statistical information about the earlier travel events and/or special characteristics, such as a physical handicap, of the passenger that affect the walking time.
  • Fig. 2a also presents that embodiment of the invention in which the passenger is also identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it.
  • the passenger is identified by means of the identification point 210 in the immediate vicinity of the elevators of the elevator system elevator system 212.
  • the identification points can be arranged in the elevator cars for identifying a passenger inside the elevator car (not presented in Fig. 2a) .
  • the control system of the elevator can start the elevator car earlier than forecast and is thus free for re-allocation earlier. Conversely, if the last passenger allocated to the elevator car has not arrived at the elevator within the time estimated for him/her, the control system can wait for the passenger until he/she is identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it, or it can allocate a new elevator to the passenger and send off the elevator car originally allocated. The destination floor call given by the passenger can also be cancelled if the passenger is not identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it within the maximum time frame estimated for him/her.
  • the means 202 comprise recording means for collecting statistical information about the travel events of passengers, such as destination floors and/or actual walking times or walking speeds.
  • the passenger In order to enable the recording of statistics about the actual walking times or walking speeds, the passenger must be identified in connection with giving the call as well as in some other identification point, such as e.g. inside the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it.
  • a walking time to the elevator serving him/her can be determined for him/her on the basis of the statistical information collected earlier.
  • the walking time can be determined e.g. in connection with one or more earlier travel events on the basis of the measured walking speed.
  • the control system can take this dynamically into account by lengthening the walking time estimate automatically so that the passengers have time to get the elevators serving them.
  • the control system can take into account historical data and any other additional data collected earlier when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated in connection with giving a destination floor call .
  • the destination call device 206 of the passenger transmits to the means 202 information about the walking speed of the passenger.
  • the passenger has in his/her possession a device that is able to determine the walking speed of the passenger. Determination of the walking speed is based on e.g. satellite positioning or on some other method suited to determining the walking speed of the passenger. If a passenger uses a passenger terminal device 206 to give a destination floor call and the passenger terminal device 206 has information available about the walking speeds or variables of the passenger, on the basis of which the walking speed can be determined, the passenger terminal device 206 can transmit this information to the means 202 in connection with giving the destination floor call.
  • the information transmitted to the means 202 can be e.g.
  • the control system 200 can have at its disposal a more accurate estimate of the walking speed of the passenger and thus also of the walking time to the elevator car to be allocated and/or already allocated to the passenger.
  • Fig. 2b presents a second example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the elevator system 212 contains a destination floor elevator system (DCS, Destination Control System) comprising a number of elevators, in which the passenger gives information about his/her destination floor to the elevator system by means of a destination floor call using a special destination call device 204, 206.
  • DCS Destination Control System
  • the passenger Before the passenger gives his/her destination floor call to the call device 204 or to the passenger terminal device 206, the passenger is identified in a remote point (an identification point) 208. In the identification it is possible to use e.g. one of the identification methods presented above.
  • the control system 200 which allocates a suitable elevator for the use of the passenger.
  • Information about the allocation is sent to the passenger via the destination call device 204 or 206, such as a notification about the elevator selection and/or about the estimated waiting time.
  • the passenger is identified again in connection with giving a destination call.
  • the means 202 are arranged to estimate the walking speed of the passenger on the basis of the location of the destination call device 204 or of the passenger terminal device 206 and the location of the remote point 208.
  • the means 202 are able to determine the distance between these two locations, and since the time of the identification of the passenger in the remote point 208 is known, the means 202 can calculate an estimate of the walking speed on the basis of these two information items. After this the means 202 estimate the walking time of the passenger to the elevator on the basis of the location of the destination call device 204 or the passenger terminal device 206 and the estimated walking speed.
  • Fig. 3 presents another embodiment in which the solution disclosed in the present invention is applied.
  • the solution of Fig. 3 differs from the solution according to Fig. 2b in that, among other things, the solution of Fig. 3 comprises two remote points 304, 302.
  • the passenger Before giving a destination floor call the passenger is identified in the two remote points 304, 302. Since the locations of the remote points 304, 302 are known, the distance between them is also known. When a passenger is identified in the remote points 304, 302, it is possible with the means 202 to calculate an estimate of the walking speed of the passenger on the basis of the difference between the identification times and the distance of the remote points 304, 302. When a passenger gives a destination floor call with a destination call device 300 or with a passenger terminal device (not shown in Fig. 3), the passenger is identified again. On the basis of the identification the passenger can be linked to the same passenger that was identified earlier in the remote points 304, 302. Since the location of the destination call device 300 in relation to the elevators is known, a walking time to the elevator allocated to him/her can be estimated for the passenger on the basis of the walking speed calculated earlier.
  • the passenger can be identified again later inside the elevator car allocated to him/her or in the immediate vicinity of it, and thus it is possible to ensure that the passenger has arrived in the elevator car allocated to him/her .
  • Fig. 4 presents another embodiment in which the solution disclosed in the present invention is applied.
  • the solution presented in Fig. 4 differs from the solutions of Fig. 2a in that, among other things, the system comprises an identification point 400 for identifying a passenger after giving the destination floor call.
  • the means 202 can again calculate the walking speed of the passenger from the destination call location to the identification point 404 and dynamically update the walking time to the allocated elevator calculated earlier for the passenger, which information the control system 200 can utilize in controlling the elevator system 212.
  • the control system 200 can e.g. change the elevator car originally allocated to a passenger for another elevator car on the basis of the actual walking speed determined in the remote point 404 or allocate new calls to the elevator car in question if the arrival of the passenger at the allocated elevator is, on the basis of the updated walking time, sufficiently delayed.
  • the solution according to Fig. 4 can be expanded to comprise a number of identification points 404 for updating the walking time of a passenger after giving a destination call in a number of identification points 404.
  • the passenger can be identified again later inside the elevator car allocated to him/her or in the immediate vicinity of it, and thus it is possible to ensure that the passenger has arrived in the elevator car allocated to him/her .
  • the walking time of a passenger can be dynamically estimated on the basis of one or more information items that affect the walking time of the passenger or that determine it, such as e.g.: on the basis of the dynamic location information of a passenger: the location of the passenger in relation to the elevator serving him/her at the time of giving the destination call affects the length of the walking distance of the passenger and correspondingly the walking time to the elevator serving him/her; on the basis of statistical information: the walking speed and/or the walking time from a certain identification point to another used by the passenger on earlier trips is known on the basis of statistical information, which information can be used for dynamically estimating the walking time in connection with new destination floor calls; on the basis of the traffic situation: the traffic situation prevailing in the elevator system at the time can be determined on the basis of the calls given and/or statistical information, which can be taken into account in estimating the walking time; - on the basis of identification data: on the basis of the identification data specific personal characteristics of the passenger are determined, which affect the walking time; on the basis of information determining
  • the dynamically estimated walking time is utilized in the control of the elevator system e.g. in the allocation phase when allocating an elevator to a passenger for traveling to the destination floor.
  • the elevator originally allocated to the passenger can also be changed for another elevator or the destination floor call given by a passenger can be cancelled altogether. New calls can be directed to the allocated elevator without affecting the service of a passenger that is already allocated.
  • the opening time and/or the closing time of the doors of an allocated elevator can be determined more accurately than before and the standing time of the elevator on the departure floor can be optimized.
  • the solution according to the invention improves the service capability of the elevator system by minimizing the waiting time of passengers and by avoiding unnecessary delay in the departure of an elevator.
  • frustration of passengers is also avoided and at the same time the total availability and service capacity of the system improves.
  • the traffic situation of the elevator system can be better taken into account in the control of the elevator system.
  • One elevator system according to the invention also offers individual service e.g. such that the travel time of a passenger moving in a wheelchair is estimated individually by identifying the passenger as physically handicapped.
  • the control system of the elevator system can comprise the computer program disclosed in the present invention and it can be saved in one or more memories or on a medium that can be read in the computer, which contain e.g. RAM (Random Access Memory) memory, or ROM
  • the computer program is arranged in a data processing appliance, e.g. in a processor, to perform when run the method according to the present invention.
  • the location of the passenger in the examples presented above is determined in certain remote points, the location of the passenger can also be monitored in real-time for the entire time of the walking distance.
  • the invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below.

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Abstract

Method, computer program and system for estimating the walking time of a passenger in a destination floor elevator system. The passenger gives a destination call with a destination call device, after which an elevator is allocated to the passenger on the basis of the call given and the passenger is notified about the aforementioned allocation by means of the destination call device. The walking time of the passenger to the elevator is dynamically estimated and the elevator system is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time.

Description

ELEVATOR SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to elevator systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system, in which a passenger gives a destination floor call by means of a special destination call device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In a destination floor elevator system, a passenger gives one call, a destination floor call, on a floor level of the building instead of the conventional two calls (of which the first is normally given in the elevator lobby by expressing the desired direction of travel with the up or down pushbuttons, and the second in the elevator car by expressing the destination floor of the passenger) . In destination floor elevator systems, each user trying to enter the elevator gives a destination floor call on the floor level, which comprises information about at least the departure floor and the destination floor of the user.
The destination floor can be given using a destination call device reserved especially for this purpose, with which the passenger can notify to which floor he/she wishes to travel with the elevator. The destination call device can be a permanently installed device on the floor level, e.g. near the elevator lobby, or it can also be a wireless passenger terminal device designed for this purpose.
The destination call device is arranged to receive a destination floor call from the user and to send it to the control system of the elevator group for the allocation of an elevator. In elevator allocation it is possible to minimize the waiting time of passengers, the travel time of the passengers, the number of elevator stops or a combination of numerous differently weighted factors. The control system of the elevator determines immediately the service requests for the passenger of the allocation of the elevator serving him/her e.g. on the basis of a genetic algorithm and sends to the destination call device information about the elevator reserved for the user. The information received by the user can comprise e.g. information about which of the elevators of the elevator lobby is allocated to the user and where it is situated with respect to the user. The information can also comprise the estimated waiting time or it can be a signal about the arrival of the allocated elevator at the departure floor.
Usually one elevator is allocated to serve calls given by a number of users and when the elevator arrives at the floor level it waits until the passengers allocated to that elevator car have had time to enter the elevator car. In elevator systems of the technical level the elevator car in practice waits e.g. for a predefined time, within which it is assumed that even the last passenger allocated to the elevator in question will have come to the elevator car. Information about the location of the destination call device with respect to the elevator car is utilized in determining the travel time from the call issuing point into the elevator car. On the basis of the location an estimated average walking time is determined for the passengers, which they estimated to use in the journey from issuing the call to the elevator car. A certain time margin is also added to this for the sake of certainty, after which the control system assumes that all the passengers allocated to the car are in the car, and that elevator car can thus start moving.
Patent publication US6109396 presents one system in which a destination call is given with a wireless passenger terminal device at a distance from the elevators . The system monitors the arrival of a passenger in the elevator lobby for a certain period of time following the destination call and controls the allocated elevator on the basis of whether the passenger is identified as having arrived in the elevator lobby or not. A destination call can be given remotely at a distance from the elevators, e.g. from a place from where the average walking time of passengers to the elevators is of the magnitude of 10 seconds . The solution according to publication US6109396 does not take into account the differences between the walking times of different passengers but instead uses the same walking time estimate for all passengers.
Estimation of the walking time of a passenger can sometimes be difficult, especially if the call is given at a distance from the elevator car, in which case the walking times of each passenger differ from each other more than on a short journey. It is obvious that some passengers walk faster than others. However, the elevator starts moving only when a predetermined time (e.g. the average travel time estimated for a passenger + a time margin) has passed. In this case, e.g. when all the passengers are fast walkers, the elevator waits unnecessarily until the end of a predefined time and lengthens the overall travel times, thus reducing the transport capacity of the elevator system. On the other hand, if a passenger walks more slowly than the average, he/she can also miss the elevator allocated to him/her. Estimating the walking time is particularly difficult when a destination floor call is given with a portable passenger terminal device. If an accurate call issuing location or passenger location is not known, it is impossible to accurately estimate the walking time of a passenger to the elevator serving him/her. In this case it is not known when the elevator should arrive at the departure floor of the passenger or how long the elevator should wait for the passenger.
PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of the present invention is to disclose a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system, in which a passenger gives a destination floor call by means of a special destination call device intended for the purpose.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The method, the computer program, and the system according to the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the characterization part of claims 1, 13 and 15. Other embodiments of the invention are characterized by what is disclosed in the other claims. Some inventive embodiments are also presented in the drawings in the descriptive section of the present application. The inventive content of the application can also be defined differently than in the claims presented below. The inventive content may also consist of several separate inventions, especially if the invention is considered in the light of expressions or implicit sub-tasks or from the point of view of advantages or categories of advantages achieved. In this case, some of the attributes contained in the claims below may be superfluous from the point of view of separate inventive concepts. The features of the various embodiments can be applied within the scope of the basic inventive concept in conjunction with other embodiments.
The present invention discloses a method, a computer program and a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system. According to the method a destination floor call is given with a destination call device, on the basis of which an elevator is allocated to the passenger and the passenger is notified about the aforementioned allocation by means of the destination call device. The method according to the invention also comprises the phases: at least one information item that affects the walking time of a passenger to the elevator or that determines it is determined; the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is dynamically estimated on the basis of the aforementioned information, and the elevator system is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time .
The invention also relates to a system for controlling a destination floor elevator system. The destination floor elevator system comprises an elevator group, which comprises at least one elevator, a destination call device for reserving elevators for the use of a passenger and a control system of the elevator group responding to the destination call device, which is arranged to allocate an elevator car suitable for the user on the basis of the destination floor call and to send information to the passenger about the elevator car allocated to the passenger. The system according to the invention further comprises means for dynamically estimating the walking time of a passenger to the elevator to be allocated and/or that is already allocated, and the control system of the elevator is arranged to control the elevator system dynamically on the basis of the dynamically estimated walking time.
In one embodiment of the invention the location of the passenger is determined on the basis of the dynamic location of the destination call device, when the passenger gives a destination floor call with the destination call device. Further, the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the aforementioned location of the destination call device. The destination call device can be a permanently installed general destination call device or a mobile personal destination call device that each passenger has separately (a so-called passenger terminal device) . If the destination call device is a mobile destination call device, the location of the destination call device is located with a prior-art method before estimating the walking time. In connection with the receipt of a destination floor call the passenger can also be identified and the identification utilized in estimating the walking time at the time of giving the destination call or after it .
In one embodiment of the invention the personal destination call device of the passenger can transmit information about the walking speed of the passenger or information for determining the walking speed. The walking speed information received or the walking speed information determined can then be utilized when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the location of the call device.
In one embodiment of the invention the passenger is identified in at least one remote point before the receipt of a destination floor call from the passenger. Identification of the passenger is based on e.g. wireless short-range remote identification or on an identification made from a video image by means of the identifier of the destination call device, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger. The passenger is identified again in connection with giving a destination floor call. Thus a passenger giving a destination floor call can be linked to a passenger that has been identified at least once before. The walking speed of the passenger is estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the location of at least one remote point . Thus the walking time of a passenger to the elevator can be estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the estimated walking speed.
Further, in one embodiment of the invention the passenger is identified in connection with giving a destination floor call and in at least one remote point after giving a destination floor call. Since the distance to the point from which the destination floor call was earlier given and the distance to the elevator are known at the same time, the estimated walking time of the passenger to the elevator can be updated, if so desired. Thus the operation of the control system of the elevator can be arranged to be more optimal because the walking times of the passengers coming to a certain elevator car are known with more accuracy.
In one embodiment of the invention the passenger is further identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it. As a result of this identification the elevator system is able to maintain information about the passengers allocated to an elevator car and about the allocated passengers that have arrived in the elevator car. In addition accurate information about the walking times and/or the walking speeds of a passenger in the elevator system is obtained, which information can be utilized in estimating the walking time of the passenger on elevator trips he/she later makes.
In one embodiment of the invention statistical information is collected about the destination floor calls, the walking speeds and/or the walking times of the passengers in the elevator system. By means of the statistical information it is possible to forecast the traffic situation of the elevator system and/or e.g. to infer how well the estimated walking times were realized in practice and what is the range of variation between them. The statistical information collected can be utilized when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated at the time of giving a destination floor call by taking into account the realized walking times of the passenger on previous trips. On the other hand a peak-hour situation can be taken into account e.g. by lengthening the estimated walking time of an individual passenger automatically, when it is known that the lobby is full of people and movement is slower than normally.
In one embodiment of the invention the walking time of a passenger is estimated individually on the basis of personal information contained in an identifier. For example, a different travel time can be given by default to a physically handicapped passenger such that the travel time of those moving in wheelchairs is generally faster than the walking time of an ordinary passenger and correspondingly the walking time of a passenger using crutches is longer. Owing to the identification of the passenger it is also possible to offer him/her individual service, such as playing music in the elevator car, etc.
The purpose of the present invention is to eliminate the problem areas that are presented in conjunction with the description of prior art. As a result of the present invention the service capacity of the elevator system can be increased by reducing the time margin set for the sake of certainty when determining the walking time of the passenger. With an embodiment according to the invention the operation of the elevator system is made more efficient because the elevator car does not need to stand for the sake of certainty if it is known or it can be assumed that all the passengers coming to this elevator have already entered the car. Correspondingly, the premature arrival of the elevator at the floor level can be avoided and thus the service capacity of the elevator system is made more efficient. The service capacity of the elevator system is also increased because the control of the elevator system can quickly adapt to changes detected in the walking speed of a passenger. As a result of the invention the destination call devices can be disposed more freely on the floors because they do not need to be situated in the immediate vicinity of the elevators. When the users of the elevator system are identified in remote points situated at a distance from the elevators, the number of arriving passengers can be forecast better than before and reservation can be made for an increased transport need in good time e.g. by sending elevators in advance to congested floors. All in all, as a result of the invention the control and use of the elevator system can be implemented better and more efficiently than before while simultaneously passenger comfort improves. Passengers do not have to wait unnecessarily in elevator lobbies for elevators serving them and the elevator cars are freed for other use earlier.
LIST OF FIGURES
Fig. 1 presents a flow chart of the method according to the invention;
Fig. 2a presents one example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 2b presents a second example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 3 presents a third example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
Fig. 4 presents a fourth example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1 presents a flow chart of the method according to the invention. In the method a destination floor call is received from a destination call device, phase 100. The walking time of the passenger to the elevator is dynamically estimated by determining at least one of the variables that affect the walking time of the passenger and an elevator is allocated to the passenger on the basis of the destination floor call given, phases 102 and 104. In addition, the passenger is notified about the allocated elevator e.g. by means of the destination call device, phase 106. According to phase 108, the elevator system is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time. Dynamic estimation of the walking time means in this context that a walking time is estimated for each passenger to the elevator serving him/her on the basis of one or more information items that affect the walking time of a passenger or that determine it, such as e.g. on the basis of the location of the passenger at the time of giving the destination call, on the basis of statistical information, on the basis of the traffic situation of the elevator system, on the basis of personal identification data, on the basis of the walking speed information received from a passenger terminal device, and/or on the basis of the walking speed determined by means of the identification points. Dynamic estimation of the walking time means e.g. that the passenger is identified in connection with giving a destination call and the identification influences the estimation of the walking time.
Identification of the passenger in this context means that the passenger is identified in an identification point, on the basis of which individual data can be determined for him/her for estimating the walking time. Identification of the passenger is based on e.g. wireless short-range remote identification or on an identification made from a video image by means of the identifier of the destination call device, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger. Short- range remote identification can be based on e.g. RFID technology or Bluetooth technology or on some other remote identifier technology applicable to the purpose. A passenger can also be identified from a specific characteristic that can be linked to the passenger, e.g. on the basis of a vehicle registration number in the car park of the building when the passenger arrives in his/her car at the car park. There may be one or more identification points in the building, of which some can be permanently integrated in connection with the installed destination call devices. Since the location of the identification points in the building is known, the location of the passenger can be determined in connection with identification .
The elevator system according to the invention is controlled dynamically on the basis of the estimated walking time. The control system 200 utilizes the estimated walking time e.g. in determining when all the passengers allocated to the elevator car have presumably arrived in the elevator, after which the elevator car can start moving. By estimating the walking time in connection with the destination call, the control system can also infer the probable arrival time of the passenger at the elevators and use the information in allocating an elevator car to the passenger, e.g. such that an elevator is allocated to the passenger the standing time at the departure floor of which is minimized or such that the waiting time of the passenger in the elevator lobby is as short as possible .
Fig. 2a presents an example in which the solution disclosed in the present invention is applied. The elevator system 212 according to the invention is a destination floor elevator system (DCS, Destination Control System) comprising a number of elevators, in which the passenger gives information about his/her destination floor to the elevator system by means of a destination floor call using a special destination call device 204, 206. The destination call device can be a permanently installed device 204, of which one or more are disposed in the elevator lobby and/or elsewhere in the building at a distance from the elevator. The destination call device can also be a wireless passenger terminal device 206 suited to the purpose. The passenger terminal device 206 can be e.g. one of the following devices: a passenger terminal device in common use, a mobile messager, a data network terminal device, a telecommunications terminal device, and/or some other wireless terminal device that is suited to the purpose. Each call device 204, 206 has a unique identifier (ID) , on the basis of which the rest of the system is able to identify from which destination call device a destination floor call has been given. The destination floor call give by a passenger is transmitted to the control system 200 of the elevator system, which allocates a suitable elevator for the use of the passenger on the basis of the destination call. Information about the allocation is sent to the passenger via the destination call device 204 or 206, such as a notification about the elevator selection and/or about the estimated waiting time.
According to the invention the walking time of the passenger is estimated dynamically with the aid of the means 202. The means 202 refer to e.g. an information system, and they can be a part of the control system 200 of the elevator system 212 (as shown in Fig. 2) or they can be arranged in a separate information system, which is in connection with the control system 200 of the elevator system 212.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 2a the passenger can also be identified in connection with giving a destination call. When giving a destination call with a permanently installed destination call device 204, the location of the passenger can be determined on the basis of the known location of the destination call device. If a destination call is given by means of a passenger terminal device 206, the location of the passenger terminal device can be determined by means of a positioning method used inside the building that is based on e.g. the identification method described above. The passenger can also have a positioning device in his/her possession, which transmits information about the location of the passenger to the means 202. The positioning device can be based on e.g. satellite positioning or on some other prior-art positioning method. When the location of the passenger is known, the distance to the elevator can be determined and a time estimate can be given, within which he/she will probably arrive at the elevator serving him/her. The position information is a dynamic magnitude in the embodiments in which there are destination call devices 204 on a number of floors or in which the location of the passenger terminal device 206 can be determined in a number of identification points in the building.
In the embodiment according to Fig. 2a the passenger can also be identified in connection with giving a destination floor call. On the basis of the identification individual information for estimating the walking time is determined for the passenger. Individual information can comprise e.g. statistical information about the earlier travel events and/or special characteristics, such as a physical handicap, of the passenger that affect the walking time.
Fig. 2a also presents that embodiment of the invention in which the passenger is also identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it. In the example according to Fig. 2a, the passenger is identified by means of the identification point 210 in the immediate vicinity of the elevators of the elevator system elevator system 212. Alternatively, the identification points can be arranged in the elevator cars for identifying a passenger inside the elevator car (not presented in Fig. 2a) . By identifying the passenger inside the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it, it is known when a passenger allocated to a certain elevator car has arrived in the elevator car and it is possible to associate an identified passenger as the issuer of a certain destination floor call . If all the passengers allocated to a certain elevator have arrived in the elevator before the estimated walking time (plus any given time margin added for the sake of certainty) has expired, the control system of the elevator can start the elevator car earlier than forecast and is thus free for re-allocation earlier. Conversely, if the last passenger allocated to the elevator car has not arrived at the elevator within the time estimated for him/her, the control system can wait for the passenger until he/she is identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it, or it can allocate a new elevator to the passenger and send off the elevator car originally allocated. The destination floor call given by the passenger can also be cancelled if the passenger is not identified in the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it within the maximum time frame estimated for him/her.
In one embodiment of the invention the means 202 comprise recording means for collecting statistical information about the travel events of passengers, such as destination floors and/or actual walking times or walking speeds. In order to enable the recording of statistics about the actual walking times or walking speeds, the passenger must be identified in connection with giving the call as well as in some other identification point, such as e.g. inside the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it. When the passenger gives his/her destination floor call, a walking time to the elevator serving him/her can be determined for him/her on the basis of the statistical information collected earlier. The walking time can be determined e.g. in connection with one or more earlier travel events on the basis of the measured walking speed. By recording statistics of all the travel events given by passengers using the elevator system it is possible to calculate average walking times e.g. in a certain part of the building and/or at certain times of day.
On the basis of the calls given and/or the statistical information collected it is also possible to draw conclusions about the prevailing and/or upcoming traffic situation in the elevator system. Thus it is possible to provide for future peak-hour situations by sending e.g. surplus elevator cars to the congested floors. Further, the average walking time might be longer due to peak hours and the control system can take this dynamically into account by lengthening the walking time estimate automatically so that the passengers have time to get the elevators serving them. In other words, the control system can take into account historical data and any other additional data collected earlier when the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated in connection with giving a destination floor call .
In one embodiment of Fig. 2a the destination call device 206 of the passenger transmits to the means 202 information about the walking speed of the passenger. In this embodiment the passenger has in his/her possession a device that is able to determine the walking speed of the passenger. Determination of the walking speed is based on e.g. satellite positioning or on some other method suited to determining the walking speed of the passenger. If a passenger uses a passenger terminal device 206 to give a destination floor call and the passenger terminal device 206 has information available about the walking speeds or variables of the passenger, on the basis of which the walking speed can be determined, the passenger terminal device 206 can transmit this information to the means 202 in connection with giving the destination floor call. The information transmitted to the means 202 can be e.g. the pre-calculated walking speed of a passenger or e.g. position coordinates or time coordinates, on the basis of which the means 202 can calculate an estimate from the walking speed of a passenger. In this way at the time of giving the destination floor call the control system 200 can have at its disposal a more accurate estimate of the walking speed of the passenger and thus also of the walking time to the elevator car to be allocated and/or already allocated to the passenger.
Fig. 2b presents a second example of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The elevator system 212 according to the invention contains a destination floor elevator system (DCS, Destination Control System) comprising a number of elevators, in which the passenger gives information about his/her destination floor to the elevator system by means of a destination floor call using a special destination call device 204, 206.
Before the passenger gives his/her destination floor call to the call device 204 or to the passenger terminal device 206, the passenger is identified in a remote point (an identification point) 208. In the identification it is possible to use e.g. one of the identification methods presented above. When a passenger later gives a destination floor call with a destination call device 204 or with a passenger terminal device 206, the destination floor call given by the passenger is transmitted to the control system 200, which allocates a suitable elevator for the use of the passenger. Information about the allocation is sent to the passenger via the destination call device 204 or 206, such as a notification about the elevator selection and/or about the estimated waiting time.
The passenger is identified again in connection with giving a destination call. The means 202 are arranged to estimate the walking speed of the passenger on the basis of the location of the destination call device 204 or of the passenger terminal device 206 and the location of the remote point 208. The means 202 are able to determine the distance between these two locations, and since the time of the identification of the passenger in the remote point 208 is known, the means 202 can calculate an estimate of the walking speed on the basis of these two information items. After this the means 202 estimate the walking time of the passenger to the elevator on the basis of the location of the destination call device 204 or the passenger terminal device 206 and the estimated walking speed.
In the example presented in Fig. 2a, as well as in the example presented in Fig. 2b, it is shown that the passenger can be identified again inside the elevator car or in the identification point 210 in the immediate vicinity of it.
Fig. 3 presents another embodiment in which the solution disclosed in the present invention is applied. The solution of Fig. 3 differs from the solution according to Fig. 2b in that, among other things, the solution of Fig. 3 comprises two remote points 304, 302.
Before giving a destination floor call the passenger is identified in the two remote points 304, 302. Since the locations of the remote points 304, 302 are known, the distance between them is also known. When a passenger is identified in the remote points 304, 302, it is possible with the means 202 to calculate an estimate of the walking speed of the passenger on the basis of the difference between the identification times and the distance of the remote points 304, 302. When a passenger gives a destination floor call with a destination call device 300 or with a passenger terminal device (not shown in Fig. 3), the passenger is identified again. On the basis of the identification the passenger can be linked to the same passenger that was identified earlier in the remote points 304, 302. Since the location of the destination call device 300 in relation to the elevators is known, a walking time to the elevator allocated to him/her can be estimated for the passenger on the basis of the walking speed calculated earlier.
In the examples presented in Figs. 2a and 2b, as well as in the example presented in Fig. 3, the passenger can be identified again later inside the elevator car allocated to him/her or in the immediate vicinity of it, and thus it is possible to ensure that the passenger has arrived in the elevator car allocated to him/her .
Fig. 4 presents another embodiment in which the solution disclosed in the present invention is applied. The solution presented in Fig. 4 differs from the solutions of Fig. 2a in that, among other things, the system comprises an identification point 400 for identifying a passenger after giving the destination floor call.
When a passenger gives a destination floor call with a destination call device 400 or with a passenger terminal device (not shown in Fig. 4) , he/she is identified and the walking time to the elevator serving him/her is estimated for him/her in this phase. After this the passenger is identified again in the identification point 404 as he/she moves to the elevator serving him/her after giving the destination call. Since the location of the destination call device and of the identification point 404 as well as the corresponding identification times are known, the means 202 can again calculate the walking speed of the passenger from the destination call location to the identification point 404 and dynamically update the walking time to the allocated elevator calculated earlier for the passenger, which information the control system 200 can utilize in controlling the elevator system 212. If, for example, the passenger walks considerably more slowly than what was estimated in connection with the destination floor call, the actual walking speed to the elevator car finally allocated to him/her now calculated can be important. The control system 200 can e.g. change the elevator car originally allocated to a passenger for another elevator car on the basis of the actual walking speed determined in the remote point 404 or allocate new calls to the elevator car in question if the arrival of the passenger at the allocated elevator is, on the basis of the updated walking time, sufficiently delayed. The solution according to Fig. 4 can be expanded to comprise a number of identification points 404 for updating the walking time of a passenger after giving a destination call in a number of identification points 404. As in the examples presented in Figs. 2a and 2b, also in the example presented in Fig. 4 the passenger can be identified again later inside the elevator car allocated to him/her or in the immediate vicinity of it, and thus it is possible to ensure that the passenger has arrived in the elevator car allocated to him/her .
As described above, the walking time of a passenger can be dynamically estimated on the basis of one or more information items that affect the walking time of the passenger or that determine it, such as e.g.: on the basis of the dynamic location information of a passenger: the location of the passenger in relation to the elevator serving him/her at the time of giving the destination call affects the length of the walking distance of the passenger and correspondingly the walking time to the elevator serving him/her; on the basis of statistical information: the walking speed and/or the walking time from a certain identification point to another used by the passenger on earlier trips is known on the basis of statistical information, which information can be used for dynamically estimating the walking time in connection with new destination floor calls; on the basis of the traffic situation: the traffic situation prevailing in the elevator system at the time can be determined on the basis of the calls given and/or statistical information, which can be taken into account in estimating the walking time; - on the basis of identification data: on the basis of the identification data specific personal characteristics of the passenger are determined, which affect the walking time; on the basis of information determining the walking: a device in the possession of the passenger transmits information for determining the walking speed of the passenger, on the basis of which the walking time can be dynamically determined, and/or on the basis of the identification of a passenger in remote points: by identifying a passenger in at least two different remote points, it is possible to determine the actual walking speed of the passenger between two points, on the basis of which the walking time can be determined/updated dynamically.
The dynamically estimated walking time is utilized in the control of the elevator system e.g. in the allocation phase when allocating an elevator to a passenger for traveling to the destination floor. The elevator originally allocated to the passenger can also be changed for another elevator or the destination floor call given by a passenger can be cancelled altogether. New calls can be directed to the allocated elevator without affecting the service of a passenger that is already allocated. The opening time and/or the closing time of the doors of an allocated elevator can be determined more accurately than before and the standing time of the elevator on the departure floor can be optimized.
The solution according to the invention improves the service capability of the elevator system by minimizing the waiting time of passengers and by avoiding unnecessary delay in the departure of an elevator. In addition, in shortening the waiting times of passengers, frustration of passengers is also avoided and at the same time the total availability and service capacity of the system improves. As a result of the invention the traffic situation of the elevator system can be better taken into account in the control of the elevator system.
One elevator system according to the invention also offers individual service e.g. such that the travel time of a passenger moving in a wheelchair is estimated individually by identifying the passenger as physically handicapped.
The control system of the elevator system can comprise the computer program disclosed in the present invention and it can be saved in one or more memories or on a medium that can be read in the computer, which contain e.g. RAM (Random Access Memory) memory, or ROM
(Read Only Memory) memory. The computer program is arranged in a data processing appliance, e.g. in a processor, to perform when run the method according to the present invention.
Although the location of the passenger in the examples presented above is determined in certain remote points, the location of the passenger can also be monitored in real-time for the entire time of the walking distance. The invention is not limited solely to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims below.

Claims

1. Method for controlling a destination floor elevator system, in which method: a destination call is received from a destination call device; an elevator is allocated to the passenger on the basis of the destination floor call, and the passenger is notified about the allocation of the elevator, characterized in that also in the method: at least one information item that influences the walking time of the passenger or that determines it is determined, the walking time of the passenger to the elevator to be allocated and/or is already allocated is dynamically estimated on the basis of the aforementioned information, and the elevator system is dynamically controlled on the basis of the estimated walking time.
2. Method according to claim 1, characteri zed in that a destination floor call is received from a mobile passenger terminal device .
3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characteri zed in that the method comprises the phases : the location of the passenger is determined on the basis of the location of the destination call device, when the passenger gives a destination floor call with the destination call device; and the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the aforementioned location of the destination call device.
4. Method according to any of claims 1 - 3, characteri zed in that the method comprises the phases : the passenger is identified in connection with, receiving a destination floor call; and the identification of the passenger is utilized in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
5. Method according to any of claims 1 - 4, characteri zed in that the method comprises the phases : information about the walking speed of a passenger or information for determining the walking speed are received from a destination call device; the walking speed of the passenger is determined on the basis of the information received in connection with receiving a destination floor call; and the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the determined walking speed.
6. Method according to any of claims 1 - 5 , characteri zed in that the method comprises the phases: the passenger is identified in at least one remote point before the receipt of the destination floor call of the passenger; the passenger is identified in connection with giving a destination floor call; the walking speed of the passenger is estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the location of at least one remote point; the walking time of the passenger to the elevator is estimated on the basis of the location of the destination call device and the estimated walking speed.
7. Method according to any of claims 4 - 6 above, charac t eri z ed in that the method comprises the phases: the passenger is identified in at least one remote point after the receipt of the destination floor call of the passenger; and the estimated walking time of the passenger to the elevator is updated on the basis of the location of least one remote point.
8. Method according to claim 4, 6 or 7, characteri zed in that a passenger is identified by means of the identifier of the destination call device, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger.
9. Method according to any of claims 3 - 8 above, characterized in that the method comprises the phases: the passenger is identified inside the elevator car or in the immediate vicinity of it, and information about the passengers allocated to an elevator car and about the allocated passengers that have arrived in the elevator car is updated in the elevator system.
10. Method according to any of claims 1 - 9 above, characteri zed in that the walking time of a passenger is estimated individually on the basis of personal information contained in an identifier.
11. Method according to any of claims 1 - 10 above, characteri zed in that the method comprises the phases: statistical information is collected about the destination floor calls and/or the walking times and/or the walking speeds of a passenger in the elevator system; and at least some of the statistical information collected is taken into account in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
12. Method according to any of claims 1 - 11 above, charac t eri z ed in that the method comprises the phases: the prevailing traffic situation in the elevator system is determined, and the prevailing traffic situation in the elevator system is taken into account in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
13. Computer program, which comprises program code, which is arranged to perform when run in a data processing appliance any of the methods for controlling a destination floor elevator system presented in claims 1 - 13.
14. Computer program according to claim 14, characterized in that the computer program is arranged on a medium that is readable with a computer.
15. System for estimating the walking time of a passenger in a destination floor elevator system (212), which comprises at least one elevator, at least one destination call device (204, 206, 300, 400) for reserving elevator cars for the use of a passenger, a control system (100) of the elevator group responding to the aforementioned destination call device (204, 206, 300, 400), which is arranged to allocate to the user a suitable elevator car from the elevator system (212) on the basis of the destination floor call and to send information about the allocated elevator car to the passenger, characterized in that the system further comprises: means (202) for dynamically estimating the walking time of a passenger to the elevator of the elevator system (212) to be allocated and/or is already allocated, and a control system (200), which is arranged to control an elevator system (212) on the basis of a dynamically estimated walking time.
16. System according to claim 15, characterized in that : means (202) are arranged to determine the location of a passenger on the basis of the location of the destination call device (204, 206, 300, 400), when the passenger gives a destination floor call with the destination call device (204, 206, 300, 400) and to estimate the walking time of the passenger to an elevator of the elevator system (212) on the basis of the location of the destination call device (204, 206,
300, 400) .
17. System according to claim 15 or 16, characteri zed in that: means (202) are arranged to identify a passenger in connection with the receipt of a destination floor call and to utilize the identification of the passenger in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
18. System according to claim 15, 16 or 17 characteri zed in that : means (102) are arranged to receive from the destination call device (206) information about the walking speed or information for determining the walking speed in connection with the receipt of a destination floor call and to estimate the walking time of the passenger to the elevator of the elevator system (212) on the basis of the location of the destination call device (206) and the walking speed information determined.
19. System according to any of claims 15 - 18 above , charac t eri z ed in that : the system comprises at least one remote point
(208,304,302), which is arranged to identify a passenger before receipt of a destination floor call from the passenger. means (202) are arranged to identify a passenger in connection with giving a destination floor call; to estimate the walking speed of the passenger on the basis of the location of the destination call device
(204, 206, 300, 400) and the location of at least one remote point (208, 304,302), and to estimate the walking time of the passenger to an elevator of the elevator system (212) on the basis of the location of the destination call device (206) and the estimated walking speed.
20. System according to any of claims 17 - 19 above, characterized in that : the system comprises at least one remote point (404) , which is arranged to identify a passenger after receipt of a destination floor call; and means (202) are arranged to update the estimated walking time of the passenger to the elevator of the elevator system (212) on the basis of the location of at least one remote point (404) .
21. System according to claim 17, 19 or 20 characterized in that a passenger is identified by means of the identifier of the destination call device 206, the identifier of the passenger and/or some other specific characteristic associated with the passenger.
22. System according to any of claims 17 - 21 above , c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that : means (202) are arranged to identify a passenger in the elevator car incorporated in the elevator system (212) or in its immediate vicinity (210); and the control system (200) is arranged to maintain information about the passengers allocated to an elevator car and about the allocated passengers that have arrived in the elevator car .
23. System according to any of claims 15 - 22 above, characterized in that the system comprises data recording means (202) for collecting statistical information about the destination floor calls and/or the walking times and/or the walking speeds of passengers in the elevator system.
24. System according to claim 23, characterized in that means (202) are arranged to take into account at least some of the statistical information collected in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
25. System according to any of claims 15 - 24 above, characterized in that means (202) are arranged to determine the walking time of a passenger on the basis of personal information contained in a personal identifier.
26. System according to any of claims 15 - 25 above, characterized in that means (202) are arranged to determine the prevailing traffic situation in the elevator system (212) and to take into account the traffic situation determined in estimating the walking time of the passenger.
PCT/FI2008/000040 2007-03-26 2008-03-10 Elevator system WO2008116963A1 (en)

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