WO2016012653A1

WO2016012653A1 - Method and system for managing a locking

Info

Publication number: WO2016012653A1
Application number: PCT/FI2015/050407
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ari Härkönen
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2014-07-22
Filing date: 2015-06-10
Publication date: 2016-01-28
Also published as: FI20145688A

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and to a system for managing a locking in a building (L 2). In the method, a remote connection to a data network (4) is established between a computer-based communication device (5) in a building ( 1, 2) and a remote monitoring center (3), a message is received with the communication device (5) from the remote monitoring center (3) using the remote connection (4), the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism (6, 7) connected to the communication device (5), a control signal is sent with the communication device (5) to the electrically controllable actuator (6) belonging to the lock mechanism in response to the received control command of the lock mechanism, and the lock mechanism is displaced with the actuator (6) into a position releasing the locking in response to the aforementioned control signal received by the actuator (6) from the communication device (5).

Description

Method and system for managing a locking

Field of the invention

The invention relates to methods and systems for managing a locking in a building.

Background of the invention Often the doors of a building are locked to prevent unauthorized access. Access to a locked location requires a person to have a key or a keycode, with which the lock is opened.

A large proportion of the electrical components of an elevator are disposed in a separate control panel, from where control cables and current supply cables travel to different parts of the elevator system. The main switch of the elevator and also the elevator control electronics, inter alia, are usually disposed in the control panel. Manually- operated devices can also be disposed in the control panel, with which devices the elevator is operated during servicing and maintenance and also when rescuing passengers stuck in the elevator car in a fault situation. Also the control panel is locked for security reasons in such a way that there is no access to the components in the control panel without a key.

Although the locking of doors per se does improve the safety of a building and/or the safety of an elevator installation in the building, forgetting or losing a key might hamper use of the building or e.g. the servicing of an elevator. There are also situations in which a key does not for some reason work, e.g. if a foreign object has been pushed into a keyhole as an act of vandalism.

Aim of the invention

The aim of the invention is to disclose a solution that improves the availability of a locking in a building. To achieve this aim the invention discloses a method according to claim 1 and also a system according to claim 9. One aim of the invention is to disclose a solution that facilitates the servicing work of an elevator in the building. To achieve this aim the invention discloses a method according to claim 7 and also a system according to claim 11.

The preferred embodiments of the invention are described in the dependent claims. Some inventive embodiments and inventive combinations of the various embodiments are also presented in the descriptive section and in the drawings of the present application.

Summary of the invention

One aspect of the invention is a method for managing a locking in a building. In the method a remote connection to a data network is established between a computer-based communication device in the building and a remote monitoring center, a message is received with the communication device from the remote monitoring center using the remote connection, the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism connected to the communication device, a control signal is sent with the communication device to the electrically controllable actuator belonging to the lock mechanism in response to the received control command of the lock mechanism, and the lock mechanism is displaced with the actuator into a position releasing the locking in response to the aforementioned control signal received by the actuator from the communication device. A second aspect of the invention is a system for managing a locking in a building, comprising a computer-based communication device in a building, the device being connec table to a data network, a lock mechanism, which comprises an electrically controllable actuator, and also a signal path between the communication device and the electrically controllable actuator. The communication device is configured to establish a remote connection to a data network, to receive a message using the remote connection, the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism connected to the communication device, and to send on the signal path to the aforementioned actuator a control signal in response to the received control command of the lock mechanism. The actuator is configured to displace the lock mechanism into a position releasing the locking in response to the control signal received by the actuator.

This means that the lock mechanism can be controlled from a data network by means of a remote connection preferably from a remote monitoring center, by sending a message via the remote connection for controlling the lock mechanism. This is advantageous e.g. in a situation in which a user of the building has forgotten his/her key or keycode. In this case he/she can contact the remote monitoring center and request the opening of the locking from the remote monitoring center. In some embodiments the aforementioned data network is an internet connection. The term "remote connection" means a connection to a source, preferably to a remote monitoring center, that is outside the building, from which source one or more lockings in one or more buildings can be controlled.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the lock mechanism is displaced with the actuator optionally into either a locking position or into a position releasing the locking in response to a control signal received from the communication device by the actuator. In this case the locking can be optionally either locked or opened via a remote connection, preferably from remote monitoring center.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention a message is formed in the remote monitoring center, the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism connected to the communication device and also the address in the data network of the aforementioned communication device, and the message formed is sent to the communication device using the remote connection.

In another embodiment of the invention a message is formed in the remote monitoring center, the message containing the address in the data network of the actuator belonging to the lock mechanism and also the control command of the actuator in question, and the message formed is sent to the actuator using the remote connection. This can mean that the actuator has its own internet address, and the communication device transmits to the actuator the message sent by the remote monitoring center, in which case the remote monitoring center can directly address the actuator to be controlled. In one preferred embodiment of the invention a control request of the locking is sent to the remote monitoring center with a communications means, and on the basis of the control request of the locking received, a message is formed in the remote monitoring center, the message containing the address in the data network of the communication device to be connected to the control request and also the control command of the lock mechanism connected to the aforementioned communication device.

In another embodiment of the invention a control request of the locking is sent to the remote monitoring center with a communications means, and on the basis of the control request of the locking received, a message is formed in the remote monitoring center, the message containing the address in the data network of the actuator to be connected to the control request and also the control command of the actuator in question. This can mean that the actuator has its own internet address, and the communication device transmits to the actuator the message sent by the remote monitoring center, in which case the remote monitoring center can directly address the actuator to be controlled (so- called 'internet of things' system).

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the control request of the locking contains a verifier for verifying the sender of the control request. In this way the access of unauthorized persons to the locking management system can be prevented.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the aforementioned communications means is a mobile phone and/or mobile terminal functioning in a wireless network.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the aforementioned lock mechanism is the lock mechanism of the control panel of an elevator.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the aforementioned lock mechanism is the lock mechanism of the door of a building. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the actuator is configured to displace the lock mechanism optionally into either a locking position or into a position releasing the locking in response to a control signal received by the actuator. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the aforementioned lock mechanism comprises an arresting means, which is adapted to be movable between a locking position and a releasing position. The aforementioned electrically controllable actuator is adapted to move the arresting means in response to a control signal received by the actuator.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the arresting means is an elongated rail traveling along a side wall of the control panel, the rail having detents in the longitudinal direction that are adapted to engage with counterparts on the door.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the actuator comprises an electronic control unit, which connects via a signal path to a communication device. In some embodiments the control panel comprises electronics configured to control the movement of the elevator car. In some embodiments the control panel comprises an inspection drive connection, via which service personnel can give control commands for performing servicing procedures and/or rescue procedures. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the arresting means is an elongated rail traveling along a side wall of the panel, the rail having detents fixed in the longitudinal direction that are adapted to engage with counterparts on the door. In some embodiments the control panel is elongated, in which case it can be easily fitted e.g. into the doorframe of a landing door. In this case the door can be locked by means of the consecutive detents of the elongated rail/on the rail for essentially the whole of its length, which makes opening the control panel without a key difficult.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention the counterparts of the detents, the counterparts being on the door, are disposed on the inside surface of the door in the part in the direction of its base. In mis case when locking the door the detents wedge against the counterparts, and a force from the effect of the detents is exerted on the door, the force pressing the door against the doorway compressing the contact between the door and the doorway. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the actuator is a spindle motor. One advantage of a spindle motor is that sufficient force for moving the rail/detents with sufficient reliability is obtained with a small -sized motor.

The aforementioned summary, as well as the additional features and additional advantages of the invention presented below, will be better understood by the aid of the following description of some embodiments, said description not limiting the scope of application of the invention.

Brief explanation of the figures

Fig. 1 presents one arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention.

Fig. 2 presents a front view of an elevator control panel fitting into the doorframe of a landing door.

Fig. 3 presents a vertical portion of the control panel of Fig. 1 as viewed from behind.

Fig. 4 diagrammati cally presents the locking mechanism of the control panel of

Figs. 1 - 3.

More detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

Fig. 1 presents one arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention for managing the lock mechanisms in buildings 1 and 2 centrally from a remote monitoring center 3. In some embodiments the arrangement comprises, in addition to a remote monitoring center, only one of the two buildings 1 or 2 plus its control mechanisms and lock mechanisms, whereas in some other embodiments the lock mechanisms in more than two buildings are managed from the same remote monitoring center 3.

As presented in Fig. 1, in buildings 1 and 2 are computer-based (microprocessor- controlled) communication devices 5. Each communication device 5 has a modem, via which the communication device 5 connects to the internet 4. In the remote monitoring center 3 is a server that is also in connection with the internet 4. The internet connection

4 of the buildings 1, 2 and of the remote monitoring center 3 can be realized using any data transfer method whatsoever that is known in the art, or using a combination of different data transfer methods; it can be e.g. a wireless or a wired connection, or a combination of these.

In the doors 10 of the building 1 are electrically controllable lock mechanisms. In building 2, on the other hand, the elevator control panel 9 has an electrically controllable lock mechanism. The lock mechanisms in buildings 1, 2 are controlled from the remote monitoring center 3 by sending from the remote monitoring center 3 control commands to the communication devices 5 via an internet connection 4.

Fig. 1 illustrates the operation of the solution in a situation in which a user of the building 1 has forgotten his/her key and cannot move about in the building. Correspondingly, in building 2 a serviceman has forgotten the key of the door of the elevator control panel 9 and cannot gain access to the control devices of the elevator that are in the control panel 9.

The user of building 1 contacts by mobile phone 8 the remote monitoring center 3, identifies himself/herself and requests the opening of a specified door from the remote monitoring center 3. Identification can take place with a suitable verifier, which can be e.g. a social security number, a pin code or corresponding. An identification request to open a locking can take place as a voice message or e.g. as a text-based message via an internet connection of a mobile phone. After identification a message is sent from the remote monitoring center 3 along the internet connection 4 to a communication device 5 in building 1, which message contains the internet address of the communication device

5 of building 1 and also an opening command for the lock mechanism connected to the communication device 5. In some other embodiments the message to be sent from the remote monitoring center 3 contains the internet address in building 1 of the lock mechanism connected to the control request as well as an opening command for the lock mechanism in question. This means that each lock mechanism has its own internet address, and the communication device 5 transmits to the lock mechanism the message sent by the remote monitoring center, in which case the remote monitoring center can directly address the correct lock mechanism (so-called 'internet of things' system).

Correspondingly, the serviceman in building 2 contacts by mobile phone 8 the remote monitoring center 3, identifies himself herself and requests the opening of the lock mechanism of the door of the control panel 9 from the remote monitoring center 3. Identification can occur in the manner described above, i.e. on the basis of a personal number, as a voice message or in a text-based manner via the internet connection of a mobile phone. Identification can also occur by means of a special mobile terminal for a serviceman by connecting the mobile terminal directly to a communication device 5, e.g. with a wireless Bluetooth connection, in which case a request for opening the locking is sent to the remote monitoring center 3 with the communications device 5. The communication device 5 can be disposed in the elevator control panel 9. After identification an opening command for the lock mechanism of the door of the control panel 9 is sent from the remote monitoring center 3 along the internet connection 4 to the communication device 5.

The lock mechanisms of buildings 1 and 2 comprise an electrically controllable actuator 6, which is adapted to move a mechanical latch in such a way that the lock can displace the mechanical latch by moving optionally into the position locking the door or into the position releasing the locking. In some embodiments the actuator 6 comprises an electronic control unit 6' and also a spindle motor. The latch is driven by supplying electric power with the electronic control unit 6' to the spindle motor in such a way that the rotational movement of the spindle motor is converted into linear movement of the latch. In some other embodiments, instead of a spindle motor, a solenoid is used for bringing about linear movement of the latch. Also other implementation options are possible; the latch can be moved e.g. with a step motor, linear motor or also with a rotating electric motor, in which case the trajectory of the latch can be adapted to be according to the rotational movement of the electric motor. Instead of an electric motor, the latch can also be moved e.g. with a pneumatic actuator or with an actuator functioning by spring force. The actuator 6 connects to the communication device 5 via the signal path 11. The actuator 6 / lock mechanism of the door , 10 is controlled by sending with the communication device S a control signal to the electronic control unit 6' of the actuator 6 along the signal path 11. The signal path 11 can be realized as either a wireless or wired signal path. In Fig. 1 the electronic control units 6' of the actuators 6 in building 1 are connected to a communication device S with a wireless link 11, whereas the electronic control unit 6' of the actuator 6 in building 2 are connected to a communication device 5 with a signal conductor 11. All the electronic control units 6' in the building 1 connect to the communication device S with the same wireless link 11. The wireless link 11 can be a wi-fi connection, and the electronic control units 6' can each have their own internet address (so-called 'internet of things' system), in which case the communication device S manages message transmission between the electronic control units 6' and the remote monitoring center 3. On the other hand, the addresses of the electronic control units 6' can be known only by the communication device S, in which case the communication device S selects the lock mechanism to be controlled at any given time and sends to it a control signal on the basis of a message received from the remote monitoring center 3.

After a communication device has been installed it establishes a fixed remote connection by sending a message to the remote monitoring center 3 along an internet connection 4. When establishing a remote connection the information needed for maintaining the connection, such as the internet addresses of the communication devices 5 and also information about the locking mechanisms to be controlled via each communication device, is recorded on a server of the remote monitoring center 3. If the electronic control units 6' have their own internet addresses, these also are recorded on a server of the remote monitoring center 3.

Fig. 2 presents an elongated control panel 9 of an elevator, the control panel having the lock mechanism presented in the embodiment of Fig. 1. The control panel 9 is intended to be disposed in the side doorframe of a landing door of a machine-roomless elevator. A landing door means a door that closes access from a floor level into the elevator hoistway. Elevator passengers are able to transfer into the elevator car, and to leave the elevator car, via a landing door when the elevator car is situated at a floor level at the point of the landing door. At other times a landing door can be opened with a special service key, in which case a serviceman is able to go into the elevator hoistway via the open landing door.

Unlike control panels that are known in the art, the door 14 of the control panel 9 of the figure does not have a separate keyhole, but instead the outer surface of the control panel forms an unbroken finished surface as a part of the doorframe. Consequently, the control panel is better protected against vandalism. The unbroken outer surface also improves the visual appearance of the doorframe of a landing door.

Fig. 3 presents a rear view of the control panel 9 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4, on the other hand, diagrammatically presents the locking mechanism of the control panel.

The control panel 9 comprises a base 22, side walls, a door 14 and also a lock mechanism for locking and opening the door. The control panel 9 has an elongated, sloping wall part 23'", which is situated between the base 22 and the second side wall. The lock mechanism comprises an elongated steel rail 7 traveling along the pins 25 that are on the outer surface of the sloping wall part 23'", which steel rail is moved in the vertical direction with a spindle motor 6 fixed to the steel rail 7. In the steel rail 7 are grooves 24 that move along the pins 25 when moving the steel rail 7.

Between the door 14 and the sloping wall part 23'" is a space for a spindle motor 6.

Fixed to the steel rail 7 in the longitudinal direction are wedge-shaped detents 12, which are adapted to press against the wedge-shaped counterparts 13 in the door when the steel rail 7 is moved upwards. The counterparts 13 of the detents are disposed on the inside surface of the door, in the part in the direction of its base. The upward-moving detents 12 wedge against the counterparts 13 and lock the door. At the same time the door 14 is pressed tightly against the doorway, and the components of the control panel 9 are sheltered from dirt and moisture. The door is opened by moving the steel rail 7/detents 12 downwards in such a way that the detents 12 again separate from the counterparts 13.

The spindle motor 6 is controlled with an electronic control unit '6, which is situated in the same space as the spindle motor 6.

The electronic control unit 6' has a serial interface circuit on a circuit card, via which circuit the control unit 6' communicates with the communication device S. The communication device 5 is connected to the electronic control unit 6' with a signal conductor 11. The electronic control unit 6' is configured to form a control command for the spindle motor 6 for moving the steel rail 7 in response to a control signal received from the communication device S. The communication device 5 sends a control signal to the electronic control unit 6' after having received a control command for the lock mechanism from the remote monitoring center 3 via an internet connection 4. The invention is not only limited to be applied to the embodiments described above, but instead many variations are possible within the scope of the inventive concept defined by the claims.

Claims

Claims: 1. Method for managing a locking in a building (1, 2), in which method: a remote connection to a data network (4) is established between a computer- based communication device (5) in a building (1, 2) and a remote monitoring center (3), a message is received with the communication device (5) from the remote monitoring center (3) using the remote connection (4), the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism (6, 7) connected to the communication device (5), a control signal is sent with the communication device (5) to the electrically controllable actuator (6) belonging to the lock mechanism in response to the received control command of the lock mechanism, and the lock mechanism is displaced with the actuator (6) into a position releasing the locking in response to the control signal received by the actuator (6) from the communication device (5).

2. Method according to claim 1,c h a r a c t eri z ed in that the lock mechanism is displaced with the actuator (6) optionally into either a locking position or into a position releasing the locking in response to the control signal received by the actuator (6) from the communication device (5).

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, c h a r a c t eri ze d in that a message is formed in the remote monitoring center (3), the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism (6, 7) connected to the communication device (5) and also the address in the data network (4) of the aforementioned communication device (5), and - the message formed is sent to the communication device (5) using the remote connection.

4. Method according to claim 3, characterized in that

- a control request of the locking (6, 7) is sent to the remote monitoring center (3) with a communications means (8), and

- on the basis of the control request of the locking received, a message is formed in the remote monitoring center (3), the message containing the address in the data network of the communication device (5) to be connected to the control request and also the control command of the lock mechanism (6, 7) connected to the communication device (5).

5. Method according to claim 4, characterized in that the control request of the locking contains a verifier for verifying the sender of the control request.

6. Method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that the aforementioned communications means (8) is a mobile phone or mobile terminal functioning in a wireless network. 7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned lock mechanism (6,

7) is the lock mechanism of the control panel (9) of an elevator.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the aforementioned lock mechanism (6, 7) is the lock mechanism of the door (10) of a building.

9. System for managing a locking in a building (1, 2), comprising: a computer-based communication device (5) in a building (1, 2), the device being connectable to a data network (4); a lock mechanism in the building (1, 2), the mechanism comprising an electrically controllable actuator (6); a signal path (11) between the communication device (5) and the electrically controllable actuator (6); and which communication device (5) is configured:

- to establish a remote connection to a data network (4),

- to receive a message using the remote connection, the message containing a control command of the lock mechanism (6, 7) connected to the communication device (5), - to send to the aforementioned actuator (6) via the signal path (11) a control signal in response to the received control command of the lock mechanism, and which actuator (6) is configured;

- to displace the lock mechanism (6, 7) into a position releasing the locking in response to the control signal received by the actuator (6). 10, System according to claim 9, c h a r a ct e ri z e d in that the actuator (6) is configured:

- to displace the lock mechanism (6, 7) optionally into either a locking position or into a position releasing the locking in response to the control signal received by the actuator (6). 11. System according to claim 10 or 9, ch a ra ct e ri ze d in that the aforementioned lock mechanism (6, 7) is the lock mechanism of the control panel (9) of an elevator. 12. System according to any of claims 9 - 11, c h a ra ct e ri z e d in that the lock mechanism comprises an arresting means (7), which is adapted to be movable between a locking position and a releasing position; and in that the aforementioned electrically controllable actuator (6) is adapted to move the arresting means (7) in response to a control signal received by the actuator (6). 13. System according to claim 12, characterized in that the arresting means (7) is an elongated rail traveling along a side wall of the control panel (9), the rail having detents (12) in the longitudinal direction that are adapted to engage with counterparts (13) on the door (14). 14. System according to any of claims 9 - 13, characterized in that the actuator (6) comprises an electronic control unit (6'), which connects via a signal path (11) to a communication device (5).