Directional speaker system for passenger transport system

Abstract

The invention relates to a directional speaker system for a passenger transport system. A passenger transport system (100; 200); 300); 400, 400; 500); 600) comprises: a directional speaker system (106; 206, 206; 306; 406a-c, 406a-c; 506a-b, 506a-b; 606), the directional speaker system being configured to transmit an audio communication (120a-b; 220 a-b; 220 a-b; 320a-b; 320a-b; 420a-e) to a restricted target area (110a-b; 310a-b, 310a-b; 410a-b, 410a-b; 610a-c) in the formula (I). The use of a directional speaker system allows audio communications to be sent to a user (or to multiple users) without the need to broadcast messages more widely. Thus, other users of the system are not disturbed or distracted by messages that they are not interested in or are not related to.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to directional speaker systems for passenger transportation systems. In particular, the present disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for delivering audio communications into a confined target area of ​​a passenger transportation system using a directional speaker system. Background Art

[0002] Passenger transportation systems often need to communicate information to users of the system. For example, elevator systems need to communicate floor information, car information, registration information, alarms, etc. Escalators and / or moving walkways may need to provide warnings when a user enters the system or approaches a terminal area, or they may need to issue warnings when certain user actions are detected (e.g., leaning on a handrail). Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a passenger transportation system comprising:

[0004] A directional speaker system is configured to deliver audio communications into a confined target area.

[0005] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of delivering audio communications to a restricted target area of ​​a passenger transportation system, comprising:

[0006] Delivers audio communications from a directional speaker system into a limited target area.

[0007] The following features apply to both the system of the first aspect and the method of the second aspect.

[0008] By using a directional speaker system, communications can be sent to a specific, limited target area without interrupting or disturbing other users. For example, with a broadcast public address system, all users can hear all messages, regardless of the intended recipient. While this works well for many general announcements, it can become intrusive when used to convey messages more specific to a single user or group of users. For this reason, many systems choose to display user-specific messages on a display, such as the identifier of the elevator car assigned to the user. However, displaying this information relies on the user paying attention to the display, and messages can be easily missed. Using a directional speaker system allows audio communications to be sent to a user (or multiple users) without broadcasting the message more broadly. As a result, other users of the system are not disturbed or distracted by messages that are not of interest or relevant to them. Audio communications are also particularly beneficial for visually impaired users. It will be appreciated that, if desired, relevant information can also be displayed on the visual display (for example, for hearing-impaired users). Therefore, in some examples, the system is arranged to transmit visual communications as well as audio communications. Visual and audio communications can convey the same information for redundancy, or one communication can complement the other, for example, by providing context to the audio communication. For example, the system may send an audio communication to the user directing them to follow directions shown on a visual display.

[0009] A directional speaker system can be any speaker system that directs sound in one or more specific directions (as opposed to a broadcast speaker system that transmits in all directions at once). Some directional speaker systems can use mechanical components to focus the transmission of sound and restrict the directionality of the transmission to a desired direction. In some examples, a phased array speaker system can be used, in which sound is transmitted from several individual speaker elements in the array, with selected delays between these elements so that the sound constructively interferes in the desired beam direction but is attenuated outside of that beam direction. However, due to the wavelength of sound required for human hearing, such a phased array system may need to be reasonably large in size to provide sufficient selectivity. In other examples, modulated ultrasound can be used for directional sound transmission. For example, a parametric array of ultrasonic transducers can be used to generate a carrier signal and a modulation signal. The much higher frequency of such ultrasonic waves allows them to be more directional, making it possible to deliver a focused and narrow beam of sound from a relatively small speaker array. By exploiting nonlinear interactions, the two transmitted waves can interfere to generate sound within the range of human hearing. Thus, audio communication can be restricted to the transmission beam. It will be appreciated that in the examples of the present disclosure, any method or device for creating directional sound can be used. However, the latter technology has certain advantages of size and directionality, and therefore in some examples, directional speaker systems include parametric ultrasound arrays.

[0010] A directional speaker system can direct sound to a specific, fixed location so that the sound can only be heard within that location. Users entering that location will hear the transmitted sound, while users outside that location will not hear the transmitted sound (or at least it will be quiet enough not to be disruptive or distracting). However, in some examples, the system also includes a passenger detection system that is configured to determine the location associated with a user of the passenger transportation system. By determining the user's location, the system can direct audio communications to the detected location, and therefore can direct communications to the detected user. Therefore, the system can accommodate users who are not always in the same location and can still appropriately direct audio communications without disturbing other users. In some examples, the determined location includes the user's head or ears. With sufficiently narrow sound transmission, the directional speaker can transmit specifically to the detected user's head, or even more specifically to one or both of the user's ears. It will be appreciated that a narrower and more specific transmission area will reduce interference with other users. Passenger transportation systems can be quite crowded areas, and therefore being able to limit the target area to the head or ears reduces the risk of disturbing other users.

[0011] In some examples, the passenger detection system is configured to identify users of the passenger transportation system. Users can be identified in various ways, for example, by detecting a smart card or RFID carried by the user, detecting a personal mobile device (such as a mobile phone) carried by the user, or by identifying the user's biometric features (such as face, fingerprint or gait). By identifying the user, the system can direct audio communications based on identified information or based on registered personal information (for example, it is pre-registered and searched when identified) to the user. Such audio communications can be personalized based on identified or registered personal information. For example, the system can send personalized advertisements to the user, or the system can notify the user whether they have the right to access the selected floor. Therefore, in some examples, the system is arranged to transmit personalized audio communications to the user based on the user's identification.

[0012] The limited target area can surround the determined location, or it can be adjacent to the determined location. For example, the limited target area can surround the user's head to allow the user to listen with both ears. In more specific transmissions, the limited area can surround the user's ears. At a less restricted level (e.g., a less crowded area), the limited target area can encompass a larger area, such as the entire user or the upper half of the user, for greater reliability or less precise targeting. In some examples, the directional speaker system can effectively create a sound source in a specific area (e.g., due to the above-mentioned nonlinear interaction of the ultrasonic parametric speaker system), and therefore the limited target area can be adjacent to the determined location so that the sound source is audible to nearby users.

[0013] In some examples, the passenger detection system is arranged to track the position of a user within at least one detection area. By tracking the user, the user's position can be repeatedly determined, and the limited target area of ​​the directional speaker system can be repeatedly adjusted to correspond to the tracked user. Thus, as the user moves within the detection area, the audio communication can follow the user. This is particularly convenient for longer audio communications (such as service announcements, information messages, or advertisements). Tracking is also useful for short messages, where the content of the message may not be immediately known. For example, in an elevator's destination call system, an elevator car may not be assigned to a user immediately, but rather may be assigned sometime after the call, once the best car has been determined. In such a case, the user can be tracked so that the user's location is known when the information becomes available. Once available, the audio communication (e.g., informing the user of the assigned car) can then be specifically directed to the user's location.

[0014] Will be appreciated that the detection zone may be close to the passenger transport system, such as within a portion of a hall or throughout the entire hall. The detection zone may also extend further, such as forward to a corridor, or may encompass an entire building floor or multiple floors within a building.

[0015] In some examples, the passenger detection system is arranged to detect the position of a user's body and / or body parts (e.g., limbs, particularly hands and / or feet). The system may additionally be capable of tracking the body and / or body parts. By detecting (and optionally tracking) the position of the user's body and / or body parts relative to components of the transport system, the system may be able to detect dangerous situations. For example, if a user's limbs are within a threshold distance of a dangerous component of the passenger transport system, the system may transmit an audio communication to the user, thereby warning them of the danger and directing them to move. If a body or body part is being tracked, a warning may be issued if the detected trajectory could lead to a dangerous situation.

[0016] In some examples, the passenger detection system is arranged to detect one or more user interactions with the passenger transportation system. User interaction can include physical interaction with system elements, such as buttons on hall call buttons, destination call buttons, elevator control panels, interaction with mobile devices, etc. Interaction can also include audio communication from the user, such as verbal instructions or requests. Interaction can include gestures from the user, such as hand gestures or arm gestures (e.g., pointing, waving, thumbs up, etc.) or head gestures (e.g., nodding or shaking the head), or they can include movement of the user in a particular direction. Such interaction can be performed to initiate communication with the passenger transportation system, or such interaction can be performed in response to an audio communication transmitted to the user, for example, to provide confirmation of a request or a response to a question.

[0017] In some examples, the system is configured to perform an action in response to detecting a user interaction with the passenger transportation system. For example, if the system identifies a user and knows that the user is working on the second floor, the system can send an audio communication to the user, asking them to nod to indicate whether their destination floor is the second floor. Upon detecting a nod from the user, the system can then reserve an elevator car and send an audio communication to the user, informing them of their reserved elevator car number. In another example, if the user is detected walking away from the elevator after registering a call, the audio communication can request a confirmation gesture (e.g., a thumbs-up sign) from the user to cancel the registered call. Upon detecting the gesture, the system can take action to cancel the call. In another example, the system can ask the user if they would like to hear about facilities in the building. Upon receiving a confirmation from the user, the system can transmit an audio communication with the provided information to that user (and only that user).

[0018] In some examples, the passenger detection system includes detectors mounted on the ceiling of the elevator car. In some examples, the passenger detection system includes detectors mounted on the walls of the elevator car. It will be appreciated that the passenger detection system can include any number of detectors, including detectors on the ceiling and / or walls of the elevator car. Due to the spatial constraints and potentially crowded nature of the elevator car, in some examples, detectors on the ceiling are better able to determine the user's location due to better line of sight. However, in some examples, detectors on the walls of the elevator car may have better visibility through the elevator car door, for example, to track the entry and exit of the car.

[0019] In some examples, the system is arranged to detect obstacles between the directional speaker system and the restricted target area. Obstacles can be problematic for certain types of directional speaker systems. In particular, a narrow transmission beam (e.g., an ultrasonic transmission beam) can be blocked by an obstacle, and thus the path from the directional speaker system to the target user can become obstructed by another obstacle (particularly another person). By detecting obstacles, the system can avoid transmissions that will not reach their target, and can also avoid transmissions to unintended targets (e.g., where the obstacle is a non-target user).

[0020] In some examples, the system includes a plurality of directional speaker systems, and the system is arranged to select one of the plurality of directional speaker systems to transmit the audio communication into a restricted target area based on the detected obstacle. Thus, if an obstacle is detected, another directional speaker system can be employed to increase transmission reliability so that the target user does not miss the communication.

[0021] In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is mounted on the ceiling of the elevator car. As with the passenger detection system, a ceiling-mounted speaker system provides good line of sight within a potentially crowded elevator car, enabling it to single out a target user among many others. Furthermore, due to the directional nature of the transmitted sound beam, transmission in a downward direction is more selective than a horizontal beam that may intersect the heads of multiple users.

[0022] In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is mounted on a wall of the elevator car. Directional speaker systems on the wall are also beneficial in crowded areas to reach users who are close to the wall and are therefore less likely to be blocked.

[0023] In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is mounted on the ceiling of the hall. In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is mounted on a wall of the hall.

[0024] In some examples, the (or more) directional speaker systems are oriented at an angle of at least 30 degrees, at least 45 degrees, or at least 60 degrees from the horizontal. In some examples, the (or more) directional speaker systems are oriented at any desired angle. Directing the sound away from the horizontal reduces the likelihood that the beam will intersect the heads of multiple users. In the event that the audio transmission is not completely blocked by the target user, any continuation of the beam will likely rise above or fall below the heads of adjacent users, thereby avoiding unwanted interruptions or distractions.

[0025] In some examples, the restricted target area is adjacent to an elevator call system. The elevator call system can be a hall call button, a destination call panel, or a calling kiosk. In such cases, the restricted target area can be fixed relative to the elevator call system, rather than tracking users. Any user entering the target area will hear messages transmitted to that area. These messages can be transmitted periodically in response to user interaction or in response to detecting a user entering the area. For example, when a user uses the elevator call system, a confirmation or help message can be provided to the user.

[0026] In some examples, the restricted target area surrounds or is adjacent to the entrance and / or exit of an escalator or moving walkway. When a user is about to transition between a fixed area and a moving area at their feet, it is often desirable to provide warning information in such an area. Directing such messages to specific areas at the entrance and / or exit without disturbing other nearby users provides an improvement to the audio environment while maintaining safety around the escalator or moving walkway. In addition, specific messages can be directed to specific users approaching the escalator or moving walkway, such as specific help messages for disabled users or users with large luggage.

[0027] In some examples, a directional speaker system is arranged to transmit audio communications to two or more limited target areas simultaneously. In particular, using a system using multiple transmission speakers (such as phased array speakers or parametric ultrasonic speakers), beamforming technology can be used to form multiple simultaneous beams in different directions. The same audio communication can be broadcast to multiple users simultaneously (for example, an announcement that a car has arrived). Such communication avoids disturbing other people in the area (for example, non-users). However, in some examples, the simultaneous audio communications are different audio communications. This is particularly advantageous in passenger transportation systems because there are often multiple users who all need personalized messages at the same time. These needs cannot be met using traditional broadcast (for example, public address) messaging systems, but can be met using directional speaker systems. For example, it becomes possible to simultaneously notify one passenger that their elevator car will arrive in 20 seconds, while also notifying a different passenger that they should continue to board elevator car B. Despite the simultaneous transmissions, no passenger is disturbed or distracted by another passenger's message. In an escalator system, it may be possible to alert one passenger to an approaching transfer zone while simultaneously alerting a different user to a particular placement of large luggage, without either passenger being disturbed by the other passenger's message.

[0028] In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is installed in the elevator car and is arranged to transmit audio communications from the interior of the elevator car to a limited target area outside the elevator car. In some examples, at least one directional speaker system is installed outside the elevator car and is arranged to transmit audio communications to a limited target area inside the elevator car. Such a system is particularly advantageous for transmitting audio communications to passengers who may be entering or leaving the elevator car. For example, a passenger may board their elevator car before the information message about their journey has ended, and it would be beneficial to be able to continue transmitting the message when the user enters the car. Similarly, personalized audio communications can be delivered to passengers leaving the car to inform them that this is not their destination floor or that they have left their luggage. Such a message may need to reach a target area outside the elevator car in order to call the passenger back.

[0029] In some examples, the system includes multiple directional speaker systems. As discussed above, there are several reasons for employing multiple directional speaker systems. For example, having directional speakers in multiple locations provides greater flexibility in selecting a transmission path that is free of obstructions and minimizes the risk of disturbing others. Additionally or alternatively, having multiple directional speakers can allow for better coverage of a larger area and can allow for the delivery of a greater number of simultaneous messages.

[0030] In some examples, the plurality of directional speaker systems include a first directional speaker system and a second directional speaker system, and the second directional speaker system is arranged to continue the audio communication started by the first directional speaker system. Such a system can track the user as the user moves within the area, or such a system can continue the message despite an obstacle (e.g., by switching to a different directional speaker system). In some examples, one directional speaker system is in the elevator car and another directional speaker system is in the elevator lobby. Thus, even once the elevator car doors have closed, the audio communication can be started in the lobby and continued in the car.

[0031] The passenger transportation system can be any suitable system for transporting passengers, but as discussed above and elsewhere in this disclosure, in some examples the passenger transportation system is an elevator, escalator, or moving walkway. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0032] Certain examples of the present disclosure will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0033] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an elevator car with a directional speaker system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0034] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a passenger transportation system having a directional speaker system installed in a lobby according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0035] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a restricted target area according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0036] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a passenger transportation system having multiple directional speaker systems according to an example of the present disclosure; and

[0037] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a passenger transportation system according to an example of the present disclosure, the passenger transportation system having a first directional speaker system installed in an elevator car and a second directional speaker system installed in a lobby; and

[0038] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of an escalator with a directional speaker system according to an example of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0039] Figure 1An elevator car 102 of a passenger transportation system 100 is shown. A directional speaker system 106 is installed in the elevator car 102. A passenger detection system 104 is also provided in the elevator car 102. A user 108 of the passenger transportation system 100 is shown receiving audio communications from the directional speaker system 106 in a first restricted target area 110a. A second restricted target area 110b is also shown adjacent to an elevator control panel 112.

[0040] exist Figure 1 In the example shown in , the passenger detection system 104 and the directional speaker system 106 are mounted on the ceiling of the elevator car 102. In other examples, they may additionally or alternatively be mounted in other suitable locations, such as an elevator car wall or floor. The passenger detection system 104 may include one or more sensors or detectors, such as a camera, a depth sensor, an infrared sensor, an ultrasonic sensor, a pressure sensor, etc. The passenger detection system 104 processes the sensor data and determines the location of the user 108 (or, if there are multiple users, it can determine the location of each of them). The determined location of the user 108 can be used to define a first restricted target area 110a around the user's head. The restricted target area can be any suitable size and shape so that the user can hear the audio communication 120a within the restricted target area.

[0041] The directional speaker system 106 can be any type of directional speaker system that limits the audio it transmits so that the audio is only audible within a given restricted area and is inaudible (silent or at a sufficiently low volume) outside of the restricted target area. Thus, by transmitting the audio communication 120a, the directional speaker system can be used to transmit the audio communication 120a to the restricted target area 110a so that the audio communication 120a is clearly audible only within the first restricted target area 110a. In this way, a personalized message can be sent to the user 108.

[0042] In some examples, the passenger detection system 104 can track the users 108, for example, as they enter or exit the elevator car 102 and / or as they move around the elevator car 102. In some examples, the passenger detection system 104 can continuously determine the location of the users 108. Where the directional speaker system is capable of adjusting the location of the limited target area 110a, the limited target area 110a can then be updated with each newly determined location, thereby allowing the directional speaker system 106 to continue to transmit audio communications to the users 108 while the users 108 are using the passenger transportation system 100.

[0043] Example audio communications include, but are not limited to: an alert that the elevator car 102 is approaching the user's destination; an update regarding the estimated time for the user's car 102 to arrive at their destination floor; a request for confirmation (e.g., confirm destination floor); instructions (e.g., a key card is required for the destination floor); advertisements and / or building, traffic, or weather information.

[0044] The passenger detection system 104 can simply detect the presence of a user (and optionally track their movement). However, the passenger detection system 104 can also identify the user (via a tag, information provided by the user, or via biometric identification such as facial recognition or gait recognition). Where the user can be identified, messages can be further customized for the user. As an example, messages can be delivered to the user in a specific language (e.g., the first language of the identified user 108). The passenger detection system 104 can also identify (automatically or via passenger identification) that the user has a disability, and the system can adapt to their needs. For example, if a passenger may have difficulty reaching the control panel, the directional speaker system 106 can be used to transmit a message suggesting a destination floor and requesting confirmation or providing an alternative input mechanism.

[0045] Thus, the directional speaker system 106 can be used to transmit various types of messages, including messages that are intended only for specific people (which may be alerts or information or any other type of message).

[0046] Figure 1 The directional speaker system 106 shown in FIG is also capable of transmitting audio communications 120b to a second limited target area 110b. The second limited target area 110b is selected as a fixed area in front of the elevator control panel 112. For example, when a button on the elevator control panel 112 is pressed, the directional speaker system 106 can then transmit audio communications 120b to this area 110b. Since this area is fixed, there is no need to track the user 108, although the passenger detection system 104 can still be used to detect that the user 108 has entered the area 110b in order to trigger or enable certain communications 120b. For example, audio feedback from the user's interaction with the control panel 112 can be sent only to the current user of the control panel 112 without disturbing other users.

[0047] Figure 2The lobby of passenger transportation system 200 is shown. A directional speaker system 206 is installed in the lobby. A first elevator car 202a, a second elevator car 202b, and a third elevator car 202c are accessible from the lobby. A passenger detection system 204 is installed in the lobby. The directional speaker system 206 is also installed in the lobby. A first user 208a is shown waiting for an elevator car. A second user 208b is shown interacting with an elevator call system 212. The directional speaker system 206 is shown transmitting a first audio communication 220a to the first user 208a and a second audio communication 220b to a second user 208b adjacent to the elevator call system 212.

[0048] The directional speaker system 206 in this example is capable of sending multiple audio communications to different restricted target areas simultaneously. This is possible using beamforming techniques in which different speaker elements cause constructive interference of a first communication along a first beam and constructive interference of a second communication along a second beam. Although there is overlap between two communications at a particular speaker element, the timing offset of the transmissions at the different speaker elements can ensure that each communication is confined to its corresponding restricted target area (note that for clarity, the restricted target areas are not shown in the figure). Figure 2 , but can be similar to Figure 1 ). The passenger detection system 204 determines the location of each of the users 208a, 208b. The directional speaker system 206 is then arranged to send a first communication 220a to the first user 208a (e.g., a communication regarding when their reserved car will arrive) and a second communication 220b to the second user 208b (e.g., a message notifying that the selected floor is restricted and requires a key card). These two communications can be transmitted simultaneously so that only the first user 208a hears the first communication 220a and only the second user 208b hears the second communication 220b.

[0049] The second communication 220b may be transmitted to the detected location of the second user 208b, or it may be transmitted to a fixed location adjacent to the elevator call system 212, as described with respect to FIG. Figure 1 discussed.

[0050] The passenger detection system 204 in this example is also arranged to detect user interactions with the system 200. In this example, the directional speaker system 206 can transmit a first audio communication 220a to the first user 208a, asking them to nod to indicate whether their destination floor is the seventh floor. If the first user 208a nods to confirm this, the passenger detection system 204 is arranged to detect the confirmation and can relay the confirmation to the elevator system for input of the call. The directional speaker system 206 can then transmit further audio communications to the first user 208a, for example, notifying them of their car reservation and its estimated arrival time. User interactions are not limited to nodding. The passenger detection system 204 can detect other interactions, such as gestures (pointing, waving, etc.), or it can detect button presses on a virtual panel.

[0051] Figure 3 3 is an illustration of restricted target areas 310a and 310b according to an example of the present disclosure. In this example, passenger detection system 304 can determine the location of user 308. Specifically, the user's determined location can include the location of each of the user's ears. Two restricted target areas 310a and 310b can then be defined, each surrounding one of the user's ears. When directional speaker system 306 transmits an audio communication to the user's determined location, it can simultaneously transmit an audio communication to each of restricted target areas 310a and 310b. Specifically, it can transmit a first audio communication 320a to the first restricted target area 310a and a second audio communication 320b to the second restricted target area 310b. If one of the restricted target areas 310a or 310b is obscured from the directional speaker system 306, for example by another passenger (not shown) blocking the line of sight between the directional speaker system 306 and one of the user's ears (e.g., area 310b), the directional speaker system 306 can be controlled not to transmit the audio communication to the second restricted target area 310b so as not to risk the message being intercepted by the obscured passenger and thus avoid disturbing them. This allows for increased directionality and selectivity in the messaging system.

[0052] Figure 4 is an illustration of a passenger transportation system 400 having multiple directional speaker systems 406a, 406b, and 406c according to an example of the present disclosure. Figure 4 Shown are a passenger detection system 404, a first directional speaker system 406a, a second directional speaker system 406b, a third directional speaker system 406c, a first user 408a of the passenger transportation system, a second user 408b of the passenger transportation system, a first restricted target area 410a, and a second restricted target area 410b.

[0053] In this example, the passenger detection system 404 determines the location of each user 408a and 408b (and optionally tracks them as they move). A first restricted target area 410a is then defined around the head of the first user 408a, and a second restricted target area 410b is defined around the head of the second user 408b.

[0054] The first and second directional speaker systems 406a and 406b transmit audio communications to both users 408a and 408b via their respective limited target areas 410a and 410b.The third directional speaker system 406c transmits audio communications to the second user 408b only via the second limited target area 410b.

[0055] In some examples, the audio communications transmitted by different directional speaker systems 406a, 406b and 406c to the same limited target area 410a and 410b can contain the same message. These audio communications then provide robustness against obstacles. For example, the first user 408a can simultaneously receive the same communication from both the first and second directional speaker systems 406a, 406b, particularly receiving the first audio communication 420a from the first directional speaker system 406a and the second audio communication 420b from the second directional speaker system 406b (the first and second audio communications 420a, 420b are the same). The second user 408b can simultaneously receive the same communication from the first, second and third directional speaker systems 406a, 406b, 406c (as the third audio communication 420c, the fourth audio communication 420d and the fifth audio communication 420e, all three audio communications are the same).

[0056] In some examples, as users 408a and 408b move throughout passenger transportation system 400 (e.g., in one or more lobbies and / or around one or more cars), passenger detection system 404 updates their determined locations. For example, if a first limited target area 410a is to be sent an audio communication, passenger transportation system 400 detects any obstacles between each directional speaker system 406a, 406b, and 406c and first limited target area 410a. It then selects which directional speaker system 406a, 406b, or 406c (or which combination thereof) to send the audio communication from based on the obstacles detected between each directional speaker system 406a, 406b, and 406c and first limited target area 410a.

[0057] In another example, the system 400 can be arranged to transfer audio communications from one directional speaker system to another, for example, to continue audio communications as users 408a, 408b move through the system 400. For example, if a thirty-second audio advertisement is selected to begin transmission from the first directional speaker system 406a to the first user 408a, and the first user 408a moves to a location where the transmission path is obstructed before the advertisement is completed, the third directional speaker system 406c can be controlled to continue transmitting the audio communication to the first user 408a because there is no obstruction in the intermediate path. It will be appreciated that in this arrangement, the third directional speaker system 406c will take over the communication from the point where the obstruction is detected, i.e., the content of the transmission continues uninterrupted, and only the source of the audio transmission changes.

[0058] although Figure 4 The locations of the passenger detection system 404 and the directional speaker systems 406a, 406b, 406c are highly schematic, but the height of the third directional speaker system 406c relative to the users 408a, 408b illustrates a useful arrangement. In particular, the third directional speaker system 460c is arranged to project its audio communication downward at an angle of approximately 50 degrees from the horizontal. Because the projected audio is directed at an angle from the horizontal, after passing over the targeted head of user 408b, it continues to change height and therefore has a low probability of being heard by anyone else in the area. The continued path of the audio communication 420e is determined by Figure 4 As shown by arrow 421e in FIG, and it can be seen that the audible sound beam drops quickly to ground level and will not disturb anyone else at a similar height. It will be appreciated that the same effect can be achieved by directing the sound upwards at an angle to the horizontal.

[0059] Figure 5 is a top view of a passenger transportation system 500 in which a first directional speaker system 506a is installed in an elevator car 502 and a second directional speaker system 506b is installed in the lobby.

[0060] Figure 5 Shown are an elevator car 502, a first passenger detection system 504a, a second passenger detection system 504b, a first directional speaker system 506a, a second directional speaker system 506b, a first user 508a of a passenger transport system, and a second user 508b of a passenger transport system. The restricted target area is omitted for clarity but may be as shown and discussed with respect to any of the previous figures.

[0061] The first directional speaker system 506a is mounted on the rear wall of the elevator car 502 with a view that includes the elevator doorway (the elevator car doors and landing doors have been omitted for clarity). Thus, the first directional speaker system 506a is able to transmit audio communications from its position within the elevator car 502 to a first user 508a inside the elevator car 502 and also to a second user 508b in the lobby. Similarly, the second directional speaker system 506b is mounted in the lobby on a wall facing the elevator doorway and is able to transmit audio communications from its position in the lobby to the first user 508a in the elevator car 502 and to the second user 508b in the lobby.

[0062] With this arrangement, each of the directional speaker systems 506a and 506b has the ability to transmit across the elevator door boundary. Therefore, each of the directional speaker systems 506a and 506b can better switch audio communications between each other. For example, when the first user 508a leaves the elevator car 502 and begins to enter the lobby, the first directional speaker system 506a can continue to transmit to the first user 508a and may complete its transmission in the lobby, or alternatively, have overlapping coverage with the second directional speaker system 506b, wherein a switch can occur so that the second directional speaker system 560b can complete the audio communication in the lobby. The same applies to the audio communication started by the second directional speaker system 506b in the lobby, which can complete the transmission when the user 508b has moved into the car, or can switch the transmission in the overlapping area with the first directional speaker system 506a. In some cases, such as where passengers enter or leave a car they should not enter or leave, the ability to transmit across boundaries may be particularly beneficial. For example, a passenger may attempt to exit a car at the wrong floor, or may attempt to enter a car that will not serve their destination floor. If passenger detection systems 504a or 504b detect situations such as these, warning communications may begin in one area (the lobby or the car) and complete in the other area (the car or lobby, respectively).

[0063] Figure 6 is an illustration of an escalator 616 with a directional speaker system 606 according to an example of the present disclosure. In this example, the passenger transportation system 600 includes a passenger detection system 604 and a directional speaker system 606. Figure 6 Also shown are a user 608 of a passenger transportation system 608 , a first restricted target area 610a , a second restricted target area 610b , and a third restricted target area 610c .

[0064] In this example, a first restricted target area 610a is located at a fixed location at the entrance of escalator 616, and a second restricted target area 610b is located at a fixed location at the exit of escalator 616. Passenger detection system 604 determines the location of user 608. When user 608 is located within first restricted target area 610a, directional speaker system 606 transmits an audio communication to user 608, for example, warning them to be careful when stepping onto escalator 616. Similarly, when user 608 is located within second restricted target area 610b, directional speaker system 606 transmits an audio communication to user 608, warning them to be careful when stepping off escalator 616. A third restricted target area 610c can be dynamic (rather than fixed), such that its location depends on the location of user 608 as determined by passenger detection system 604. By way of example, this third restricted target area 610c can be used when user 608 is detected as dangerously leaning on the handrail of escalator 616, and can trigger a warning message to user 608. As with the elevator system described above, transmitting each of these messages to a restricted area means that other passengers or other non-passengers in the area will not be disturbed by communications that are not relevant to them. Of course, it will be appreciated that the examples described herein in relation to escalators are equally applicable to moving walkways.

[0065] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the present disclosure has been described by way of describing one or more specific examples thereof, but is not limited to these examples; numerous variations and modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A passenger transport system comprising: A directional speaker system is configured to deliver audio communications into a confined target area.

2. The passenger transport system according to claim 1, wherein: The directional speaker system is an ultrasonic parametric speaker system.

3. The passenger transport system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein: The system also includes a passenger detection system configured to determine a location associated with a user of the passenger transportation system, Optionally, the determined location includes the user's head or ear.

4. The passenger transport system according to claim 3, wherein: The passenger detection system is further configured to identify the user of the passenger transportation system, Optionally, wherein the system is arranged to deliver personalised audio communications to the user based on an identification of the user.

5. The passenger transport system according to claim 2, 3 or 4, wherein: The passenger detection system is arranged to track the position of the user within at least one detection area.

6. The passenger transportation system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein: The passenger detection system is arranged to detect one or more user interactions with the passenger transportation system, Optionally, wherein the system is arranged to perform an action in response to detecting a user interaction with the passenger transportation system.

7. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The system is arranged to detect an obstacle between the directional speaker system and the restricted target area; wherein the system comprises a plurality of directional speaker systems; and Wherein the system is arranged to select one of the plurality of directional speaker systems to transmit the audio communication to the restricted target area based on the detected obstacle.

8. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: At least one directional speaker system is mounted on the ceiling of the elevator car.

9. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The restricted target area is adjacent to an elevator call system.

10. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The directional speaker system is arranged to deliver audio communications to two or more confined target areas simultaneously.

11. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: at least one directional speaker system mounted in an elevator car and arranged to transmit audio communications from inside the elevator car to a restricted target area outside the elevator car; and / or Therein, at least one directional speaker system is mounted outside the elevator car and is arranged to transmit audio communications to a restricted target area inside the elevator car.

12. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The system includes a plurality of directional speaker systems.

13. The passenger transport system according to claim 12, wherein: The plurality of directional speaker systems comprises a first directional speaker system and a second directional speaker system, and wherein the second directional speaker system is arranged to continue audio communication started by the first directional speaker system.

14. A passenger transport system according to any preceding claim, wherein: The passenger transport system is an elevator, an escalator or a moving walkway.

15. A method for transmitting audio communications to a restricted target area of ​​a passenger transportation system, comprising: The audio communication is transmitted from the directional speaker system to the limited target area.

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