WO2019244123A1

WO2019244123A1 - Touch slider based landing operating panel system and method thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2019244123A1
Application number: PCT/IB2019/055255
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vijay Padmakar Badhe
Original assignee: Inditech Electrosystems Pvt. Ltd.
Priority date: 2018-06-21
Filing date: 2019-06-21
Publication date: 2019-12-26

Abstract

The present invention discloses a method for elevator landing operation. The method includes receiving a user-desired direction input from a user to call an elevator car and determining, by a first microcontroller (126), the user-desired direction from the input received from the user. Further, the method includes transmitting the determined user-desired direction in a first data format to a landing operation control unit (104 A), and determining, by a second microcontroller (108), a floor of calling from the first data format. The method further includes converting, by the second microcontroller (108), the first data format and the floor of calling into a second data format and transmitting, by a third communicator (114), the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to an elevator control panel (102). The method further incudes calling, by the elevator control panel (102), the elevator car towards the desired floor.

Description

TOUCH SLIDER BASED LANDING OPERATING PANEL SYSTEM AND

METHOD THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD [001] The present invention relates elevator industry to call the elevator to the landing floor, and particularly relates to an elevator touch slider based landing operating panel system with integration of two buttons in one button.

BACKGROUND

[002] Elevators are furnished with various fittings such as lights, elevator operating panels, elevator control panel and fans which are useful and also add to the aesthetic value of the elevator. The most important elements in every elevator are its elevator operating panels and one of the elevator operating panels include landing operating panels (hereinafter referred to as,“LOP”). To meet the ever- changing requirements in the area of LOP’s, quality tested array of landing operating panels is now introduced in the market as per industry standards. The landing operating panel is made accordingly as per the requirements of the clients using quality material which is sourced from leading vendors of the industry.

[003] In the conventional elevator systems, there are operating panels that operate by pressing a desired button for the required functionality of calling the elevator at the landing floor. Further, the user needs to use two separate buttons for up and down direction. Another problem is about the life of mechanical buttons of the panel. Further, assembly of mechanical buttons is another tedious process of manufacturing, wherein buttons need more space on landing operating panel and production time to install it comparatively more. Certain important features that are required in any of the LOP includes its accuracy and reliability, its high tensile strength, non-corrosive nature and excellent performance. [004] Hence, there is a need of an invention which solves the above defined problems and provide an operating panel that is ergonomically effective in its working by integration of touch slider button to generate both up as well as down call in a single button. SUMMARY

[005] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an elevator touch slider based landing operating panel system and method as disclosed herein. This summary is neither intended to identify essential features of the system and method as per the present disclosure nor is it intended for use in determining or limiting the scope of the system and method as per the present disclosure.

[006] For example, various embodiments herein may include one or more elevator touch slider based landing operating panel systems and methods.

[007] In one of the embodiments, the present invention discloses an elevator landing operation panel system. The system includes an elevator control panel configured to move an elevator car, and a landing operation panel configured to call the elevator car. The landing operation panel includes a direction determination unit configured to enable a user to call said elevator car and determine, based on the call, a user-desired direction of movement of said elevator car. The landing operation panel further includes a landing operation control unit which is configured to receive the user-desired direction from the direction determination unit, and communicate the user-desired direction including a floor of calling of the elevator car to the elevator control panel, to enable said elevator control panel to move the elevator car towards the desired floor.

[008] In another embodiment, the direction determination unit includes a touch sensor which is configured to enable the user to slide at least a finger over the touch sensor to input the user-desired direction of movement of the elevator car and to call the elevator car. The touch sensor can be a capacitive touch sensor for the purpose of the implementation. Further, the direction determination unit includes a first microcontroller connected to the touch sensor, and configured to determine the user-desired direction based on the sliding of the finger over said touch sensor. The direction determination unit, further, includes a first communicator connected to the first microcontroller, and configured to transmit the user-desired direction in a first data format to the landing operation control unit.

[009] In another embodiment, the landing operation control unit includes a second communicator which is configured to receive the user-desired direction in the first data format. Further, the landing operation control unit includes a second microcontroller connected to the second communicator, and configured to recognize the floor of calling and to convert the user desired direction from the first data format including the floor of calling, into a second data format. The landing operation control unit, further, includes a third communicator connected to the second microcontroller, and configured to transmit the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to the elevator control panel.

[0010] In another embodiment, the first data format is I²C format and the second data format is a proprietary or predetermined data format communicable over a controller area network (CAN) hardware/device.

[0011] In another embodiment, the direction determination unit includes a multi coloured LED which is configured to indicate the user-desired direction to the user. The landing operation control unit, further, includes a display device which is configured indicate a current floor position of the elevator car when the elevator car is moving or stationary.

[0012] In another embodiment, the present invention discloses a method for elevator landing operation. The method includes receiving a user-desired direction input from a user to call an elevator car and determining the user-desired direction from the input received from the user. Further, the method includes transmitting the determined user-desired direction in a first data format to a landing operation control unit, and determining a floor of calling of the elevator car from the first data format. The method further includes converting the first data format and the floor of calling into a second data format and transmitting the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to an elevator control panel. The method further incudes calling the elevator car towards the desired floor by the elevator control panel.

[0013] In another embodiment, the receiving user-desired direction input from a user to call an elevator car step further includes enabling the user to slide at least one finger over a touch sensor to input the user-desired direction of movement of the elevator car.

[0014] In another embodiment, according to the method, the first data format is I²C format and the second data format is a proprietary or predetermined data format communicable over a controller area network (CAN) hardware/device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS

[0015] The detailed description is described with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The same numbers are used throughout the drawings to reference like features and modules.

[0016] Figure 1 illustrates a system architecture of a touch slider based landing operating panel system, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. [0017] Figures 2 illustrates a landing operation panel, in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention. [0018] Figures 3 illustrates a flowchart of the method for elevator landing operation, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any block diagrams herein represent conceptual views of illustrative systems embodying the principles of the present disclosure. Similarly, it will be appreciated that any flow charts, flow diagrams, and the like represent various processes which may be substantially represented in computer readable medium and so executed by a computer or processor, whether or not such computer or processor is explicitly shown. [0020] Throughout the drawings, it should be noted that reference numbers are used to depict the same or similar elements, features, and structures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0021] The various embodiments of the present disclosure provide one or more elevator touch slider based landing operating panel systems and methods.

[0022] In the following description, for purpose of explanation, specific details are set forth in order to provide an understanding of the present disclosure. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the present disclosure may be practiced without these details. One skilled in the art will recognize that embodiments of the present disclosure, some of which are described below, may be incorporated into a number of systems.

[0023] Although specific terms are used in the following description for sake of clarity, these terms are intended to refer only to particular structure of the invention selected for illustration in the drawings and are not intended to define or limit the scope of the invention. [0024] Furthermore, connections between components and/or modules within the figures are not intended to be limited to direct connections. Rather, these components and modules may be modified, re-formatted or otherwise changed by intermediary components and modules. [0025] The following description with reference to the accompanying drawings is provided to assist in a comprehensive understanding of exemplary embodiments of the invention. It includes various specific details to assist in that understanding but these are to be regarded as merely exemplary. Accordingly, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various changes and modifications of the embodiments described herein can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

[0026] The various aspects of the present invention relate to a touch slider based elevator landing operation panel system, hereinafter referred to as elevator landing operation panel system. [0027] The system includes an elevator control panel configured to move an elevator car, and a landing operation panel configured to call the elevator car. The landing operation panel includes a direction determination unit configured to enable a user to call said elevator car and determine, based on the call, a user- desired direction of movement of said elevator car. The landing operation panel further includes a landing operation control unit which is configured to receive the user-desired direction from the direction determination unit, and communicate the user-desired direction including a floor of calling of the elevator car to the elevator control panel, to enable said elevator control panel to move the elevator car towards the desired floor. [0028] In another embodiment, the direction determination unit includes a touch sensor which is configured to enable the user to slide at least a finger over the touch sensor to input the user-desired direction of movement of the elevator car and to call the elevator car. The touch sensor can be a capacitive touch sensor for the purpose of the implementation. Further, the direction determination unit includes a first microcontroller connected to the touch sensor, and configured to determine the user-desired direction based on the sliding of the finger over said touch sensor. The direction determination unit, further, includes a first communicator connected to the first microcontroller, and configured to transmit the user-desired direction in a first data format to the landing operation control unit.

[0029] In another embodiment, the landing operation control unit includes a second communicator which is configured to receive the user-desired direction in the first data format. Further, the landing operation control unit includes a second microcontroller connected to the second communicator, and configured to recognize the floor of calling and to convert the user desired direction from the first data format including the floor of calling, into a second data format. The landing operation control unit, further, includes a third communicator connected to the second microcontroller, and configured to transmit the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to the elevator control panel.

[0030] Now referring to figure 1, the elevator landing operating panel system (100) comprises a landing operation panel (LOP) (104) and an elevator control panel (102). The LOP (104) comprises a landing operation control unit (104A) and a direction determination unit (104B).

[0031] The elevator control panel (102) is configured to move an elevator car (not particularly shown), and the landing operation panel (104) is configured to call the elevator car. The direction determination unit (104B) is configured to enable a user to call the elevator car and determine, based on the call, a user- desired direction of movement of the elevator car. The landing operation control unit (104A) is configured to receive the user-desired direction from said direction determination unit (104B) and communicate the user-desired direction including a floor of calling of the elevator car, to the elevator control panel (102) to enable the elevator control panel to move the elevator car towards the floor from which it is called. [0032] The direction determination unit (104B) includes a first microcontroller

(126), an LED driver (128) driving a multicolour LED (128A), a first two-line I²C communication device (hereinafter also referred to as first communicator) (122) and touch sensor (130), and a six-pin connector (120B) for connecting a six-wire cable (120) for power supply (131) indicated by power supply indication LED (131 A) and data. In an exemplary embodiment, the touch sensor (130) can be a capacitive touch slider sensor.

[0033] The landing operation control unit (104A) comprises a four-pin connector (110A) for connecting a four-wire cable (110) for power supply (106) indicated by power supply indication LED (106 A) and data, a second microcontroller (108), a display driver (112) driving a display device (112A), for example a 5x7 Dot Matrix display, a second two line I²C communication device (hereinafter also referred to as second communicator) (116), a four-wire communication CAN hardware/device (hereinafter also referred to as third communicator) (114), a CAN communication indication LED (114A), and a six- pin connector (120A) for connecting the six-wire cable (120) from the direction determination unit (104B).

[0034] Further referring to Figure 1, the landing operation panel (104) communicates with the elevator control panel (102) via the four-wire cable (110). The landing operation panel (104) is connected to the elevator control panel (102) via the four- wire cable (110) such that two wires of the four- wire cable (110) are used for data communication between the elevator control panel (102) and the CAN hardware/device or third communicator (114) in the landing operation control unit (104 A) and another two wires of the cable (110) are used for power supply (106) from the elevator control panel (102) to the landing operation control unit (104A).

[0035] Inside the landing operation control unit (104A), the power supply (106) is carried to the second microcontroller (108), display driver (112), CAN device or third communicator (114), and the second two-line I²C communication device or second communicator (116).

[0036] Further again referring the figure 1, the landing operation control unit (104A) and the direction determination control unit (104B) are connected via the six-wire cable (120) such that three wires of six-wired cable (120) are used for the power supply (106) from the landing operation control unit (104 A) to the power supply (131). The other two wires of the six-wired cable (120) are used for I²C data communication between the first communicator (122) and the second communicator (116). Inside the direction determination unit (104B), the power supply (131) is carried to the first microcontroller (126), LED driver (128), and touch sensor (130).

[0037] The touch sensor (130) is configured to enable the user to slide at least a finger over the touch sensor to input the user-desired direction of movement of the elevator car and call the elevator car. The first microcontroller (126) is connected to the touch sensor (130) and is configured to determine the user-desired direction based on the sliding of the finger over the touch sensor (130). The first communicator (122) is connected to the first microcontroller (126) to receive therefrom the user-desired direction, and is configured to transmit the user-desired direction in the first data format or the I²C data communication format to the landing operation control unit (104A) through the two wires of the six-wire cable (120). The LED driver (128) is also connected to the first microcontroller (126) to receive therefrom the user-desired direction and drives the multicolour LED (128 A) to indicate the user-desired direction to the user. [0038] The second communicator (116) in the landing operation control unit (104A) is configured to receive the user-desired direction in the first data format through the two wires of the six-wire cable (120). The second microcontroller (108) is connected to the second communicator (116) to receive therefrom the user-desired direction in the first data format, and is configured to recognize the floor of calling and to convert the user-desired direction from the first data format including the floor of calling, into the second data format. The third communicator (114) is connected to the second microcontroller (108) to receive therefrom the user-desired direction in the second data format, and is configured to transmit the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to the elevator control panel (102) through the two wires of the four-wire cable (110). In an embodiment, the second data format is a proprietary or predetermined data format communicable over the CAN hardware/device (114). The display driver (112) is also connected to the microcontroller receive therefrom the user-desired direction, and drives the display device (112A) to indicate a current floor position of the elevator car when the elevator car is moving or stationary.

[0039] In operation, referring to Figure 1, the elevator landing operation panel system (100) in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

[0040] Once a user wishes to book a call over the landing operation panel (104), the user has to just slide a finger in the particular direction just like if the user wishes to go to an upper floor then the user has to just slide the touch sensor (130) in the upper direction and if the user wishes to go to a down floor then the user has to just slide the touch sensor (130) in the lower direction. Once the call is generated then the direction determination (104B), particularly the first microcontroller (126) decides in which direction to go and accordingly, the first communicator (122) communicates the direction information to the landing operation control unit (104A) which is received by the second communicator (116) therein and is further given to the second microcontroller (108) which verifies the direction information and transmits the same over the CAN hardware/device (114) to the elevator control panel (102). As the elevator control panel (102) has direct access to the elevator car, when the landing operation panel (104) generates a call to the elevator control panel (102) for the elevator, the elevator control panel (102) takes the elevator car to the respective landing floor from where the call is generated or placed. At the same time the second microcontroller (108) based upon the current floor position of the elevator car updates the 5x7 DOT matrix display (112A) via display driver (112) to indicate the floor position of the elevator car.

[0041] Referring to the Figure 2 a landing operation panel (104), in accordance with an exemplary implementation of the present invention. The user has to just slide a finger in the UP direction if he wishes to go to an upper floor and in the DOWN direction if he wishes to go to a down floor. The multi-coloured LED (128A) indicates the user-desired direction i.e. UP/DOWN to the user, and the display device (112A) indicates a current floor position of the elevator car when the elevator car is moving or stationary.

[0042] Referring now to Fig. 3, a flowchart illustrating a method for elevator landing operation in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The flowchart of Fig. 3 is explained below with reference to Fig. 1 as described above.

[0043] At step 302, receiving a user-desired direction input from a user to call an elevator car.

[0044] At step 304, determining, by a first microcontroller (126), the user- desired direction from the input received from the user.

[0045] At step 306, transmitting the determined user-desired direction in a first data format to a landing operation control unit (104A). [0046] At step 308, determining, by a second microcontroller (108), a floor of calling from the first data format.

[0047] At step 310, converting, by the second microcontroller (108), the first data format and the floor of calling into a second data format. [0048] At step 312, transmitting, by a third communicator (114), the user- desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to an elevator control panel (102).

[0049] And at step 314, calling, by the elevator control panel (102), the elevator car towards the desired floor. [0050] In accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the landing operation panel (104) is an integrated landing operation panel including integration of two buttons in one button through implementation of the touch sensor (130). This system is a using unique touch sensor based button where user can generate upside call as well as downside call. The user can install it over 12V or 24V supply in the elevator industry. When the user wishes to book a call over the landing operation panel (104), the user has to just slide the finger in the particular direction just like if user wishes to go to an upper floor then the user has to just slide the touch sensor (130) in the upper direction and if wishes to go to a down floor then the user has to just slide the touch sensor (130) in the lower direction.

[0051] Along with adding the beautiful aesthetics the touch slider based elevator landing operating panel system advantageously is a new and unique solution to call the elevator to a landing floor. The touch slider based elevator landing operating panel advantageously as a result of integration of two buttons in one button which by using this unique button technology one can go upside as well as downside. The panel of the present invention advantageously has a touch sensor can generate both up as well as down call in single button. With the landing operating panel of the present invention, as touch sensor may be based on capacitive sensing technology there is no mechanical action present in this, resulting in long life and reliable operation. Further with the landing operating panel of the present invention, as the touch sensor is mounted on just four screws hence its mounting becomes comparatively easy.

[0052] The foregoing description of specific embodiments of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in lighting of the above technology.

[0053] The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others, skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

Claims:

1. An elevator landing operation panel system, said system comprising:

an elevator control panel (102) configured to move an elevator car; and a landing operation panel (104) configured to call said elevator car, said landing operation panel (104) comprising:

a direction determination unit (104B) configured to enable a user to call said elevator car and determine, based on the call, a user-desired direction of movement of said elevator car; and

a landing operation control unit (104A) configured to:

receive the user-desired direction from said direction determination unit (104B), and

communicate the user-desired direction including a floor of calling of said elevator car to said elevator control panel (102), to enable said elevator control panel (102) to move said elevator car towards the desired floor.

2. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said direction determination unit (104B) includes:

a touch sensor (130) configured to enable the user to slide at least a finger over said touch sensor to input the user-desired direction of movement of said elevator car and call said elevator car;

a first microcontroller (126) connected to said touch sensor (130), and configured to determine the user-desired direction based on the sliding of the finger over said touch sensor (130); and

a first communicator (122) connected to said first microcontroller (126), and configured to transmit the user-desired direction in a first data format to said landing operation control unit (104 A).

3. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said landing operation control unit (104 A) includes:

a second communicator (116) configured to receive the user-desired direction in said first data format;

a second microcontroller (108) connected to said second communicator (116), and configured to recognize the floor of calling and to convert the user desired direction from said first data format including the floor of calling, into a second data format; and

a third communicator (114) connected to said second microcontroller (108), and configured to transmit the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in said second data format to said elevator control panel (102).

4. The elevator landing operating panel system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the communication between said landing operation unit (104 A) and said elevator control panel is through wired connection (110).

5. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said landing operation unit (104 A) receives the user-desired direction from said direction determination unit (104B) through wired connection (120).

6. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 2, wherein: said direction determination unit (104B) includes a multi-coloured LED (128 A) configured to indicate the user-desired direction to the user; and

said landing operation control unit (104A) includes a display device (112A) configured indicate a current floor position of said elevator car when said elevator car is moving or stationary.

7. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said touch sensor (130) is a capacitive touch sensor.

8. The elevator landing operation panel system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first data format is I²C format and said second data format is a predetermined data format communicable over a CAN hardware/device.

9. A method for elevator landing operation comprising:

receiving a user-desired direction input from a user to call an elevator car; determining, by a first microcontroller (126), the user-desired direction from the input received from the user;

transmitting the determined user-desired direction in a first data format to a landing operation control unit (104A);

determining, by a second microcontroller (108), a floor of calling from the first data format;

converting, by the second microcontroller (108), the first data format and the floor of calling into a second data format;

transmitting, by a third communicator (114), the user-desired direction together with the floor of calling in the second data format to an elevator control panel (102), and

calling, by the elevator control panel (102), the elevator car towards the desired floor.

10. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein said receiving step further comprising enabling the user to slide at least one finger over a touch sensor (130) to input the user-desired direction of movement of the elevator car.

11. The method as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first data format is I²C format and the second data format is a predetermined data format communicable over a CAN hardware/device.