WO2021240042A1

WO2021240042A1 - Elevator call activator

Info

Publication number: WO2021240042A1
Application number: PCT/FI2020/050347
Authority: WO
Inventors: Goutham Saravana PANDIAN; Obulesu T
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2020-05-25
Filing date: 2020-05-25
Publication date: 2021-12-02

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator call activating device (800) installable for operating above a car operating panel (210), the elevator call activating device comprising: at least one actuator device (220) for interacting with the car operating panel (210), and a conveyor device (230) into which the at least one actuator device (220) is mounted to for positioning the at least one actuator device (220) for an interaction with the car operating panel (210). Some aspects of the invention also relate to an elevator system and a method.

Description

ELEVATOR CALL ACTIVATOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The invention concerns in general the technical field of elevator systems. More particularly, the invention concerns a call giving for an elevator.

BACKGROUND

Elevator call, in general, refers to a solution in which a passenger indicates to an elevator system that a service is requested from the elevator system. One specific type of elevator call may be so-called destination call in which the passenger indicates to the elevator system the destination, such as a floor, into he/she intends to travel. Typically, the destination call is given in an elevator car through so-called car operating panel (COP), but there are also implementations in which the destination may be provided through an interface residing in a hall.

The elevator systems of buildings are typically long-term investments, which from time to time must be modernized in situations in which they no longer meet the requirements set for the traffic arrangements of the building. Modernization projects are by nature demanding projects, which can last months, in certain cases even years, if the entire installed base of elevators of the building must be modernized. Owing to this an essential objective attached to the modernization of elevator systems is maintaining the transport capacity of the elevator systems during the modernization phase. So that the transport capacity is disturbed as little as possible during the modernization, it is attempted to implement the modernization in stages, e.g. by modernizing one elevator of the elevator group at a time in each stage. During modernization it is therefore typical that some of the elevators of an elevator group are modernized and some are unmodernized, with the shared use of which the elevator passengers must be served. For the coordination and shared use of the modernized and unmodernized elevators to be efficient, advantageously the modernized elevators should be controlled from the group controller of the unmodernized elevators even if the signal paths, such as wiring, are not completely in place due to unaccomplished modernization project. Similarly, if the group controller of the unmodernized elevators is taken out from use since a new group controller is activated, it should be possible to keep the unmodernized part of the elevator system still in use to maintain the transport capacity.

Hence, there is need to develop solution addressing the above-mentioned goals to optimize a transport capacity of an elevator systems in every situation.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide basic understanding of some aspects of various invention embodiments. The summary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention nor to delineate the scope of the invention. The following summary merely presents some concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of exemplifying embodiments of the invention.

An object of the invention is to present an elevator call activating device, an elevator system and a method for controlling an operation of an elevator system.

The objects of the invention are reached by an elevator call activating device, an elevator system and a method as defined by the respective independent claims.

According to a first aspect, an elevator call activating device installable for operating above a car operating panel is provided, the elevator call activating device comprising: at least one actuator device for interacting with the car operating panel, and a conveyor device into which the at least one actuator device is mounted to for positioning the at least one actuator device for an interaction with the car operating panel.

The conveyor device for the at least one actuator device may be implemented with an arrangement comprising a first conveyor means for moving the at least one actuator device to a first direction and a second conveyor means movably connected with respect to the first conveyor means for moving the at least one actuator device to a second direction. For example, the first conveyor means and the second conveyor means may be arranged to move the at least one actuator device so that the first direction and the second direction are transversal to each other. Moreover, one of: the first conveyor means, the second conveyor means may comprise at least one rail along which a mover part interconnecting the first conveyor means and the second conveyor means is arranged to move. Still further, a movement of the mover part along the at least one rail may be arranged with at least one power transmission part receiving a force for the movement from at least one electric motor. For example, the power transmission part may be one of: at least one transmission wheel residing in the mover part with the at least one electric motor, the at least one transmission wheel arranged to interact with a surface of at least one rail; or at least one transmission wheel residing in at least one mounting part of the elevator call activating device with the at least one electric motor, the at least one transmission wheel arranged to interact with a belt arranged to travel between a first mounting part of the elevator call activating device and a second mounting part of the elevator call activating device wherein the mover part is fixedly attached to the belt.

Moreover, the other of: the first conveyor means, the second conveyor means may comprise at least one rail arranged to move with respect to the mover part interconnecting the first conveyor means and the second conveyor means. A movement of the at least one rail with respect to the mover part may be arranged with at least one power transmission part receiving a force for the movement from at least one electric motor. Moreover, the power transmission part may be one of: at least one transmission wheel residing in the mover part with the at least one electric motor, the at least one transmission wheel arranged to interact with a surface of at least one rail; or at least one transmission wheel residing in the mover part with the at least one electric motor, the at least one transmission wheel arranged to interact with a belt arranged to travel between the actuator device and a stopper part. For example, the electric motor may be a stepper motor.

The elevator call activating device may further comprise a processing unit arranged to generate a control signal to at least one of the following: the at least one electric motor of the first conveyor means; the at least one electric motor of the second conveyor means to cause the actuator device to move to a predefined position with respect to the car operating panel. Moreover, the control signal may be generated in accordance with data received in a control signal from an elevator group controller.

For instance, the actuator device may be implemented at least in part with one of the following: comb drive, digital micromirror device, electric motor, electroactive polymer, hydraulic cylinder, piezoelectric actuator, pneumatic actuator, screw jack, servomechanism, solenoid, stepper motor, shape-memory alloy, thermal bimorph, hydraulic actuator.

According to a second aspect, an elevator system is provided, the elevator system comprising: a car operating panel, and an elevator call activating device in accordance of the first aspect as described in the foregoing description.

The car operating panel may be configured to receive input from a user of the elevator system.

For example, the car operating panel may be implemented with a touch screen. According to a third aspect, a method for interacting with a car operating panel with an elevator call activating device is provided, the method comprising: receiving, by the elevator call activating device, a first control signal from an elevator group controller; determining instructions to control a conveyor device of the elevator call activating device in accordance with data received in the first control signal from the elevator group controller; generating a second control signal to the conveyor device, the second control signal comprising instructions to move an actuator device of the elevator call activating device with respect to the car operating panel to a position derived on a basis of data received in the first control signal; in response to a detection that the actuator device is moved with respect to the car operating panel to the position generating a third control signal to the actuator device to interact with the car operating panel.

The expression "a number of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from one, e.g. to one, two, or three.

The expression "a plurality of” refers herein to any positive integer starting from two, e.g. to two, three, or four.

Various exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments of the invention both as to constructions and to methods of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplifying and non-limiting embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

The verbs “to comprise” and “to include” are used in this document as open limitations that neither exclude nor require the existence of unrecited features. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated. Furthermore, it is to be understood that the use of “a” or “an”, i.e. a singular form, throughout this document does not exclude a plurality.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 illustrates schematically an elevator system into which the present invention may be applied to.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically a device according to another embodiment of the invention. Figure 4 illustrates schematically aspects relating to an implementation of a device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 illustrates schematically further aspects relating to an implementation of a device according to an embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 illustrates schematically an example of an actuator device according to an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 7 illustrates schematically a device according to a further embodiment of the invention.

Figure 8 illustrates schematically a device according to a further embodiment of the invention as a block diagram.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLIFYING EMBODIMENTS

The specific examples provided in the description given below should not be construed as limiting the scope and/or the applicability of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given below are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Figure 1 illustrates as a non-limiting example an elevator system into which the present invention may be applied to. The elevator system comprises a group controller 110 configured to generate control signals in the elevator system. For example, the group controller 110 may generate control signals to elevators (i.e. elevator sub-systems) 120A, 120B, 120C belonging to an elevator group. The term elevator 120A, 120B, 120C may be understood as an entity operating in a shaft, or similar, for transporting passengers with elevator cars arranged to travel in the shaft in question. Specifically speaking, the present invention relates to a situation in which a number of elevators 120A, 120B, 120C are controlled by the group controller 110, but another elevator 120A, 120B, 120C may be connected to the elevator system as a new entity. For example, the elevators 120A, 120B in Figure 1 may be considered as sub-systems belonging originally to the elevator system. Now, the elevator 120C shall be brought into the elevator system at least temporarily even if it is not communicatively connected e.g. by wiring to the elevator system so that it may be fully integrated into the elevator system. This may e.g. not even be optimal due to a modernization project because also the original elevators 120A, 120B may be replaced with new elevators at some point of the project. However, from a service point of view it is advantageous to utilize all available elevators 120A, 120B, 120C for serving passengers whenever it is possible and to develop solutions by means of which elevator cars of the new elevator 120C may be allocated with other elevator cars of the other elevators 120A, 120B in accordance with elevator calls received in the group controller 110.

Figure 2 illustrates schematically an example device enabling an integration of an elevator 120A, 120B, 120C under control of an elevator group controller 110. The device called as an elevator call activating device may be installable in an elevator car and it is arranged to operate over a car operating panel 210 i.e. above the surface of the car operating panel 210. The elevator call activating device may comprise at least one actuator device 220 for interacting with the car operating panel 210 and a conveyor device 230 into which the at least one actuator device 220 is mounted to for positioning the at least one actuator device 220 for an interaction with the car operating panel 210. In other words, the elevator call activating device may be mounted so that the car operating panel 210 is within an operational area of the elevator call activating device. The operational area may be at least in part be defined by a movement range of the conveyor device 230. Hence, the conveyor device 230 and its position with respect to the car operating panel 210 may be selected so that all necessary locations of the car operating panel 210 may be reached with the actuator device 220. The actuator device 220 is a device by means of which it is possible to interact with the car operating panel 210, such as by providing an activation signal to a button of the car operating panel 210, or to a respective interaction area of the car operating panel 210. In other words, the actuator device 220 may comprise moving parts by means of which the actuator may reach a surface of the car operating panel 210 in response to a movement of the conveyor device 230 into a desired position with respect to the car operating panel 210. For sake of clarity it is worthwhile to mention that the car operating panel 210 may be implemented with any technology suitable for interacting with the actuator device 220. Hence, it may be implemented with a plurality of buttons or with a touch screen, for example.

Figure 3 illustrates schematically an elevator call activating device according to an example embodiment of the invention. The elevator call activating device of Figure 3 comprises a conveyor device for an actuator device 220 wherein the conveyor device 220 is implemented with an arrangement comprising a first conveyor means 310 for moving the at least one actuator device 220 to a first direction (Y direction in Figure 3) and a second conveyor means 320 movably connected to the first conveyor means 310 for moving the at least one actuator device 220 to a second direction (X direction in Figure 3). In the non-limiting example, the first conveyor means 310 may be mountable to a wall of an elevator car e.g. from its endings with mounting parts 312. Between the mounting parts 312 it may be arranged one or more rails 314 along which a movement of the elevator call activating device may be arranged in the first direction (Y direction). Moreover, the actuator device 220 may be coupled to the second conveyor means 320 comprising one or more rails 322 which may be moved in the second direction (X direction). The rails 314 and 322 of the first and the second conveyor means 310, 320 may cross at a mover part 330 which may be equipped with one or more motors, such as electric motors, and at least one power transmission part, such as a transmission wheel, which may generate a force to run along the rails 314 and move the rails 322 through the mover part 330. For example, the mover part 330 may comprise an electric motor comprising means as the power transmission part, such as a transmission wheel e.g. in a form of a friction wheel or a gearwheel, which is arranged to interact with respective means, such as a serrated surface arranged along at least one rail 314, to move the mover part 330 along the rails 314. Respectively, the mover part 330 may comprise another electric motor having the same kind of arrangement with respect to the second rails 322 as with respect to the first rails 314 in order to allow the second rails 322 to travel through the mover part 330 so as to enable moving of the actuator device 220 above the car operating panel 210. For sake of clarity the mover part 330 may be understood to belong to the conveyor means comprising the at least one rail 314, 322 along which the mover part 330 is arranged to move. Further, the term first conveyor means and the second conveyor means shall be understood a device, or a unit, comprising necessary parts enabling at least moving the actuator device 220 in the manner as described.

Alternatively or in addition to above, the movement of the actuator device 220 may be implemented in any other manner e.g. by applying a belt solution. Such an implementation is disclosed in Figure 4. More specifically, an example of such a belt solution is disclosed in Figure 4 with respect to the first conveyor means 310. In the non-limiting example, the first conveyor means 310 comprise at least one rail 314 along which the mover part 330 is arranged to travel. For example, the mover part 330 may be equipped with guide parts 410 comprising a tunnel through which the respective rails 314 may be arranged to travel in order to maintain the mover part 330 in its path and control it accurately. Moreover, a belt drive system is arranged in the first conveyor means 310, the belt drive system comprising a belt 420, such as a cog belt, and transmission wheels 430 e.g. in a form of cogwheels or traction sheaves, arranged to respective mounting parts 312 and selected so that they may interact with the cog belt 420 so as to enable a run of the cog belt 420 around the cogwheels 430 in response to a generation of a rotational force with at least one electric motor 440 coupled to a respective cogwheel 430 in such a manner that the rotational force generated by the electric motor 440 may be delivered to the respective cogwheel 430. Now, by rotating at least one of the cogwheels 430 in the described manner with the electric motor 440 the mover part 330 may be arranged to travel along the respective rails 314 by mounting the mover part 330 to the cog belt 420 in a fixed manner so that the mover part 330 may travel between the mounting parts 312. For sake of clarity it is worthwhile to mention that the implementation disclosed in Figure 4 is a non-limiting example and other implementations may be applied to. Furthermore, Figure 5 illustrates schematically a non-limiting example of an implementation of the second conveyor means 320. In the illustrated implementation a belt drive system is also applied with the second conveyor means 320. As mentioned in the foregoing description the actuator device 220 may be coupled to the second conveyer means, e.g. at one end of at least one rail 322 whereas the other end of the at least one rail 322 may comprise a stopper part 550. The rails 322 may be arranged to travel through guide parts 510 mounted to the mover part 330. The actuator device 220, or at least a carrier of the actuator device, and the stopper part 550 may be equipped with transmission wheels 560 around which the belt, such as a cog belt 520, may be arranged to travel. The transmission wheels 560 may e.g. be cogwheel type or traction sheave type transmission wheels. Moreover, a force causing at actuator 220 to move in the direction defined by the second conveyor means 320 may be generated with an electric motor 540 arranged to the mover part 330 so that the electric motor 540 generates a rotational force to a transmission wheel 530 implemented e.g. in a form of a cogwheel or a traction sheave, and arranged to interact with at least one string of the cog belt 520. The interaction causes the cog belt 520 to run along its path and as a result the actuator device 220 moves on its axis with respect to the mover part 330 since the mover part 330 may be considered as a static element in the direction of the movement of the second conveyor means 320. This is because, as mentioned in the foregoing description, the mover part 330 is movably mounted to the first conveyor means 310, and as a result the implementation as described does not allow it to travel in the direction of the movement of the second conveyor means 320.

For sake of clarity it is worthwhile to mention that the implementations of the first conveyor means 310 and the second conveyor means 320 as schematically illustrated in Figures 4 and 5 are to be established together in the elevator call activating device so that they may operate at different levels, and, thus, mounted to the mover part 330 at different levels allowing the movement with respect to each other in the transversal directions. Generally speaking, the first conveyor means 310 and the second conveyor means 320 may be implemented in a plurality of ways. As mentioned, in some embodiments an interface allowing power transmission from at least one electric motor, and, thus, causing the movement, may be established between at least one rail 314, 322 and at least one power transmission part, such as an applicable transmission wheel interacting with a surface of the at least one rail 314, 322. Alternatively or in addition, a belt drive system may be applied to e.g. in the described manner. Any combination of these two is also possible.

Figure 6 illustrates schematically some aspects of the actuator device 220 as a non-limiting example. As described in the foregoing description the actuator device 220 may be coupled to the second conveyor device 320 with at least one rail 320. Moreover, the actuator device 220 may comprise at least a carrier part 610 and a stem part 620 wherein the carrier part 610 houses necessary hardware, and possibly software, for moving the stem part 620 to interact with the car operating panel 210. In an implementation in which the actuator device 220 is implemented with a solenoid, the carrier part 610 may house e.g. a spring, a coil and an armature for causing force to move the stem part 620 in response to a control of a provision of a current to the coil. The stem part 620, or at least a surface interacting with the car operating panel 210, is advantageously shaped and its material is selected so that it cooperates with the respective car operating panel 210.

Alternatively or in addition to the actuator device 220 implemented with a solenoid other types of actuators may be used in a context of the present invention. For example, different types of actuators applicable in the context of the present invention may be: a hydraulic actuator, a pneumatic actuator, an electric actuator, twisted and coiled polymer (TCP) or supercoiled polymer (SCP), thermal or magnetic actuator or a mechanical actuator. Some non limiting examples of actuator technologies for the above listed actuator types may be: comb drive, digital micromirror device, electric motor, electroactive polymer, hydraulic cylinder, piezoelectric actuator, pneumatic actuator, screw jack, servomechanism, solenoid, stepper motor, shape-memory alloy, thermal bimorph, hydraulic actuator etc. In general, any actuator technology suitable for transform electric input signal, i.e. the control signal, into an applicable form of motion may be applied to the elevator call activating device of the present invention.

The invention is not limited to applying only one actuator device 220. Figure 7 illustrates schematically an embodiment of the invention in which the second conveyor device 320 is equipped with two actuator devices 220 at both ends of the rails 322. The actuator device 220 on a left side in Figure 7 may be arranged to operate within a first area (e.g. on a left side of the first conveyor means 310) of the car operating panel 210 and the other actuator device 220 on a right side in Figure 7 may be arranged to operate within a second area (e.g. on a right side of the first conveyor means 310) of the car operating panel 210.

Figure 8 illustrates schematically an example of an elevator call activating device 800 according to an embodiment of the invention as a block diagram. For sake of clarity a group controller 110 arranged to communicate with the elevator call activating device 800 is also illustrated in Figure 8. The elevator call activating device 800 may comprise a processing unit 810 consisting of one or more processors and a memory 830. The memory 830 may store data and computer program code 835. The elevator call activating device 800 may further comprise a communication interface 820 for wired or wireless communication with other apparatuses, such as with the group controller 110. Still further, the elevator call activating device 800 may comprise other entities, such as I/O components providing e.g. a user interface, and any sensor devices, such as image capturing devices. The components of the elevator call activating device 800 may be communicatively connected to each other via a bus that enables transfer of data and control information between the entities.

Moreover, the processing unit 810 may be communicatively connected to the first conveyor means 310, to the second conveyor means 320, to the mover part 330 and to actuator device 220 for generating control signals thereto and possibly receiving information therefrom. The computer program code 835 may comprise computer-executable instructions that implement functions that enable an operation of the elevator call activating device 800 in the described manner. As an example, the computer program code 835 may include a computer program consisting of one or more sequences of one or more instructions. The processing unit 810 may be able to load and execute the computer program by reading the one or more sequences of one or more instructions included therein from the memory 820. The one or more sequences of one or more instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor 410, cause the apparatus to perform the method will be de-scribed. Hence, the apparatus may comprise at least one processor 410 and at least one memory 420 including the computer program code 425 for one or more programs, the at least one memory 420 and the computer program code 425 configured to, with the at least one processor 410, cause the apparatus to perform the method as described.

The computer program code 835 may be provided e.g. a computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable non-transitory medium having the computer program code 835 stored thereon, which computer program code 835, when executed by the processing unit 810 causes the elevator call activating device 800 to perform operations as described. The computer-readable non-transitory medium may comprise a memory device or a record medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc or another article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. As another example, the computer program may be provided as a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

Still further, the computer program code 835 may comprise a proprietary application, such as computer program code. The proprietary application may be a client application of a service whose server application is running on a server apparatus of the system e.g. in a situation where the elevator call activating device 800 is at least in part controlled externally to the elevator call activating device 800, such as from a group controller 110. Any of the programmed functions mentioned may also be performed in firm-ware or hardware adapted to or programmed to perform the necessary tasks.

Still further, some aspect relating to an operation of an elevator call activating device are discussed by referring to Figure 9 illustrating schematically a method according to an example embodiment of the invention. As derivable from the foregoing description an important aspect is to control a movement of the at least one actuator device 220 in such a manner that it may interact with a desired positions of the car operating panel 210 in a desired manner. In accordance to an embodiment the processing unit 810 of the elevator call activating device 800 may receive 910 a first control signal from an elevator group controller 110 wherein the control signal may carry data representing a destination floor to the elevator car in question, or any other data indicating whereto an elevator car in question shall be instructed to travel. The elevator call activating device 800 may receive the control signal in wirelessly or in a wired manner as discussed in the foregoing description. More specifically, the processing unit 810 of the elevator call activating device 800 may derive the data representing the destination floor from the received control signal. In response to the receipt of the data of the destination floor the processing unit may be arranged to determine 920 e.g. by inquiring, e.g. from a memory accessible to the processing unit, instruction data to control the conveyor device 230, such as at least one of: the first conveyor device 310, the second conveyor device 320, to move an actuator device 220 with respect to the car operating panel 210 to a position corresponding to an input area in the car operating panel 210 corresponding to the destination floor. In other words, the processing unit 810 may generate 930 a second control signal to the conveyor device 230 comprising the instructions to move to the position indicated in the control signal. For example, if the car operating panel 210 comprises buttons for indicating the destination floor, the actuator device is moved above the respective button to the destination floor, and the actuator device 220 is instructed to extend and interact with the button to generate a call to instruct the elevator car to travel to the indicated destination floor. In other words, the memory may store instructions to control a movement of the conveyor device into a desired position. Such instructions may be predefined e.g. by establishing a coordinate system on top of the car operating panel 210 wherein the positions of the buttons are defined in the coordinate system, and respective instructions are defined. Moreover, as becomes clear from above in response to a detection 940 that the actuator device 220 is conveyed with the conveyor device into the position, a third control signal may be generated 950 to the actuator device 220 causing an interaction of the actuator device 220 with the car operating panel 210. The detection 940 may e.g. be performed so that the conveyor device 230 is arranged to generate an acknowledgement in response to a completion of the positioning of the actuator device 220 with the conveyor device 230 with respect to the car operating panel 210. Alternatively or in addition, the actuator device 220, or any other part of the elevator call activating device, may be equipped with an applicable positioning solution by means of which the position may be determined for the described purposes.

In accordance with another embodiment the actuator device 220 may be equipped with an applicable sensor, such as an image capturing device. The image capturing device may capture images of the car operating panel 210 when it is moved above the car operating panel 210. The processing unit of the elevator call activating device 800 may analyse the image data and e.g. perform a pattern analysis thereto in order to define a position of the actuator device with respect to the car operating panel 210. Further, it may be arranged to compare the data representing the destination floor to the analysed image data, and if a match is found the conveyor device may be instructed to stop and instruct the actuator device 220 to interact with the respective button. This kind of arrangement may also allow an application of a machine-learning system thereto to teach the elevator call activating device 800 to learn the interaction positions of the car operating panel 210.

Still further, some aspects of the present invention may relate to an elevator system comprising a car operating panel 210 and an elevator call activating device 800 as described in the foregoing description. In such an elevator system the car operating panel may be configured to receive input from a user of the elevator system in addition to the input, or interaction, from the elevator call activating device 800.

The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and/or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1 . An elevator call activating device (800) installable for operating above a car operating panel (210), the elevator call activating device comprising: at least one actuator device (220) for interacting with the car operating panel (210), and a conveyor device (230) into which the at least one actuator device (220) is mounted to for positioning the at least one actuator device (220) for an interaction with the car operating panel (210).

2. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 1 , wherein the conveyor device (230) for the at least one actuator device (220) is implemented with an arrangement comprising a first conveyor means (310) for moving the at least one actuator device (220) to a first direction and a second conveyor means (320) movably connected with respect to the first conveyor means (310) for moving the at least one actuator device (220) to a second direction.

3. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 2, wherein the first conveyor means (310) and the second conveyor means (320) are arranged to move the at least one actuator device (220) so that the first direction and the second direction are transversal to each other.

4. The elevator call activating device (800) of any one of claims 2 or 3, wherein one of: the first conveyor means (310), the second conveyor means (320) comprises at least one rail (314; 322) along which a mover part (330) interconnecting the first conveyor means (310) and the second conveyor means (320) is arranged to move.

5. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 4, wherein a movement of the mover part (330) along the at least one rail (314; 322) is arranged with at least one power transmission part receiving a force for the movement from at least one electric motor (440; 450).

6. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 5, wherein the power transmission part is one of: at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) residing in the mover part (330) with the at least one electric motor (450; 450), the at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) arranged to interact with a surface of at least one rail (314; 322); or at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) residing in at least one mounting part (312) of the elevator call activating device with the at least one electric motor (450; 450), the at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) arranged to interact with a belt (420) arranged to travel between a first mounting part (312) of the elevator call activating device and a second mounting part (312) of the elevator call activating device wherein the mover part (330) is fixedly attached to the belt (420).

7. The elevator call activating device (800) of any one of claims 4-6, wherein the other of: the first conveyor means (310), the second conveyor means (320) comprises at least one rail (314; 322) arranged to move with respect to the mover part (330) interconnecting the first conveyor means (310) and the second conveyor means (320).

8. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 8, wherein a movement of the at least one rail (314; 322) with respect to the mover part (330) is arranged with at least one power transmission part receiving a force for the movement from at least one electric motor (440; 450).

9. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 8, wherein the power transmission part is one of: at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) residing in the mover part (330) with the at least one electric motor (450; 450), the at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) arranged to interact with a surface of at least one rail (314; 322); or at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) residing in the mover part (330) with the at least one electric motor (450; 450), the at least one transmission wheel (430; 530) arranged to interact with a belt (520) arranged to travel between the actuator device (220) and a stopper part (550).

10. The elevator call activating device (800) of any one of claims 5-9, wherein the electric motor is a stepper motor.

11. The elevator call activating device (800) of any one of preceding claims 1 -

10, the elevator call activating device (800) further comprising a processing unit (810) arranged to generate a control signal to at least one of the following: the at least one electric motor (440; 450) of the first conveyor means (310); the at least one electric motor (440; 450) of the second conveyor means (320) to cause the actuator device (220) to move to a pre-defined position with respect to the car operating panel (210).

12. The elevator call activating device (800) of claim 11 , wherein the control signal is generated in accordance with data received in a control signal from an elevator group controller (110).

13. The elevator call activating device (800) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the actuator device (220) is implemented at least in part with one of the following: comb drive, digital micromirror device, electric motor, electroactive polymer, hydraulic cylinder, piezoelectric actuator, pneumatic actuator, screw jack, servomechanism, solenoid, stepper motor, shape-memory alloy, thermal bimorph, hydraulic actuator.

14. An elevator system, comprising: a car operating panel (210), and an elevator call activating device (800) of any one of claims 1 - 13.

15. The elevator system of claim 14, wherein the car operating panel (210) is configured to receive input from a user of the elevator system.

16. The elevator system of any of the preceding claims 14 or 15, wherein the car operating panel (210) is implemented with a touch screen.

17. A method for interacting with a car operating panel (210) with an elevator call activating device (800), the method, performed by the elevator call activating device (800), comprising: receiving (910) a first control signal from an elevator group controller (110), determining (920) instructions to control a conveyor device (230) of the elevator call activating device (800) in accordance with data received in the first control signal from the elevator group controller (110), generating (930) a second control signal to the conveyor device (230), the second control signal comprising instructions to move an actuator device (220) of the elevator call activating device (800) with respect to the car operating panel (210) to a position derived on a basis of data received in the first control signal, in response to a detection (940) that the actuator device (220) is moved with respect to the car operating panel (210) to the position generating (950) a third control signal to the actuator device (220) to interact with the car operating panel