System and method for making contactless elevator requests

Abstract

The subject matter of the present invention is "System and method for making contactless elevator requests". An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator passenger interface system includes a visual detector configured to detect a visible image including an indication of a request for elevator service. A processor interprets the indication and provides an output that can be used by the elevator system to control the elevator car in response to the request for elevator service.

Description

Background Art

[0001] For example, elevator systems are widely used to transport passengers between different floors in a building. Entry into an elevator car is typically followed by a passenger request for elevator service. One way in which a passenger indicates a desired destination includes pressing a hall call button indicating the direction of travel and then pressing a floor indicator button on a car operating panel inside the elevator car. Other systems include a destination input device that allows a passenger to indicate a desired destination before boarding the elevator car.

[0002] Many of these systems require a person to physically touch a button or touch screen. Such systems are flawed especially when infectious diseases or viruses are a public health concern, such as during a viral outbreak that becomes a pandemic.

[0003] Systems involving wireless transmission of requests for elevator service from a smart card or smart phone have been proposed. Those systems address any issues where an individual may have physical contact with a passenger interface that others also touch, however, they cannot be easily implemented. For example, retrofitting a conventionally configured elevator system with wireless communication capabilities and modifying the controller to operate in response to wireless communication is typically expensive and complex. Additionally, wireless communication must meet regulations and may introduce potential network security issues. Summary of the invention

[0004] An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator passenger interface system includes a visual detector configured to detect a visible image including an indication of a request for elevator service. A processor interprets the indication and provides an output that can be used by the elevator system to control the elevator car in response to the request for elevator service.

[0005] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the visual detector comprises one of a scanner, a camera or a reader.

[0006] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, the processor and visual detector are part of a single device and the output provided by the processor is configured to be interpreted by the elevator system controller.

[0007] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, the visual detector provides a detector output including an indication to a processor, the processor interprets the indication to determine a characteristic of the request for elevator service, and the processor is located remotely from the visual detector.

[0008] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the elevator passenger interface system includes a visible image generator configured to generate an output that produces a visible image.

[0009] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the visible image generator includes one of a computing device or a smart phone.

[0010] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, the visible image generator provides confirmation that the request for elevator service has been received by the elevator system.

[0011] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the visible image includes indications of a plurality of requests for elevator service, and the processor is configured to use additional information associated with detection of the visible image by the visual detector to determine which of the plurality of requests for elevator service to include in the output provided by the processor.

[0012] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the additional information comprises at least one of a time of day and a location of the detection of the visible image.

[0013] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the visible image is effective for multiple issuances of requests for elevator service and the processor is configured to limit the number of uses of the visible image to issue requests for elevator service within a time window having a predetermined duration.

[0014] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the elevator system includes the elevator passenger interface system of any of the preceding paragraphs, an elevator controller configured to assign an elevator car to respond to a request for elevator service based on an output of the processor, and at least one indicator configured to indicate at least one of an acknowledgment that the request for elevator service has been received and an identification of the elevator car assigned to respond to the request for elevator service.

[0015] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the elevator system includes at least one elevator car, the elevator passenger interface system includes a first visual detector located outside the at least one elevator car and a second visual detector located inside the elevator car, and the processor is configured to interpret an indication of a request for elevator service based on detection of a visible image by at least one of the first visual detector and the second visual detector.

[0016] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the elevator system is configured to provide service to a plurality of passengers, each of the passengers having a unique visible image to request elevator service, and the elevator controller is configured to determine a number of passengers to receive elevator service during a selected time interval.

[0017] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the processor is integrated with the elevator controller.

[0018] An illustrative example embodiment of a method of facilitating an elevator passenger request for elevator service includes detecting a visible image including an indication of a request for elevator service, interpreting the indication by a processor, and providing an output from the processor that can be used by an elevator system to control an elevator car in response to the request for elevator service.

[0019] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, detecting the visible image comprises using a visual detector comprising one of a scanner, a camera, or a reader.

[0020] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, the method comprises providing a confirmation that the request for elevator service has been received by the elevator system.

[0021] In addition to or as an alternative to one or more of the features described above, the visible image includes an indication of a plurality of requests for elevator service and the method includes using additional information associated with detecting the visible image to determine which of the plurality of requests for elevator service to include in an output provided by the processor.

[0022] In addition to, or as an alternative to, one or more of the features described above, the additional information comprises at least one of a time of day and a location of the detection of the visible image.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively to one or more of the features described above, the visible image is effective for multiple issuance of requests for elevator service and the method includes limiting the number of uses of the visible image to issue requests for elevator service within a time window having a predetermined duration.

[0024] The various features and advantages of at least one disclosed example embodiment will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description.The drawings that accompany the detailed description can be briefly described as follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] Figure 1Selected portions of an elevator system including a passenger interface system designed in accordance with an example embodiment are schematically illustrated.

[0026] Figure 2 An example visible image generator is illustrated.

[0027] Figure 3 is a flow chart outlining an example method of facilitating a passenger request for elevator service. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] Figure 1 Schematically illustrated are selected features of an elevator system 20. An elevator car 22, which may be one of several elevator cars in the system 20, provides elevator service to passengers. An elevator controller 24 controls the movement of the elevator cars 22, including assigning the elevator cars 22 to satisfy certain passenger requests for elevator service, for example, using, for example, known dispatch algorithms.

[0029] The passenger interface system 30 allows passengers to request elevator service in a contactless manner. At least one visual detector 32 is configured to detect a visible image including an indication of a request for elevator service. A processor 34 including at least one computing device is associated with the visual detector 32. In the illustration, the processor 34 is schematically shown at the same location or near the visual detector 32. In some embodiments, the processor 34 is located remotely from the visual detector 32. The remotely located processor 34 can be a computing device located in the same building as the elevator system 20 or can be part of a cloud computing arrangement that is at least partially remote from the site of the elevator system 20. In some embodiments, the processor 34 is integrated with the elevator controller 24 (or a portion of the elevator controller 24).

[0030] In the illustrated example embodiment, the visual detector 32 is located on the outside of the elevator car 22, and in this embodiment, another visual detector 32 is located on the inside of the elevator car 22. A passenger can enter a request for elevator service through either visual detector 32. In some embodiments, conventional hall call buttons (e.g., up or down) are located on the corridor outside the elevator car to place the call and the visual detector 32 inside the car is considered to indicate the desired floor. In such an embodiment, the individual boarding the elevator car 22 can use the detector inside the elevator car 22 to indicate the desired destination in a manner that simulates the use of the car operating panel. Other embodiments include visual detectors 32 only on the outside of the elevator car 22 and the passenger using such a system similar to a destination dispatch system, where the passenger selects the predetermined destination in the corridor and does not make a floor selection inside the elevator car.

[0031] Processor 34 is programmed or otherwise configured to interpret the indication of the visible image to determine the type of elevator service desired by the passenger. In some embodiments, visual detector 32 provides an output to processor 34. The output is based on the detected visible image and includes some information about the indication of the request for elevator service. Processor 34 processes that output to determine what elevator service is being requested. In other embodiments, the visual detector passes an image of the detected visible image to processor 34 and processor 34 is configured to interpret the content of the image.

[0032] Processor 34 generates output that can be used by elevator controller 24 to control elevator car 22 to respond to requests for elevator service. Output from processor 34 can be configured to be consistent with an elevator communication protocol used by elevator controller 24 to respond to passenger requests made by another device. With such an embodiment, it is possible to retrofit an existing elevator system to include a contactless passenger interface system so that passengers can make requests for elevator service without touching any surfaces that others may have touched.

[0033] An example visible image 36 includes a QR code that includes an indication of a request for elevator service. Other visible images include bar codes, pictures, colors, numbers, or letters. Various image types may be used as an optically encoded request for elevator service having at least one feature that serves as an indication of a request for elevator service that can be interpreted by processor 34. Visible image 36 may be created or generated in a variety of ways.

[0034] Visible image 36 may include an indication of security or credential information.Encryption may be used for any communications between visual detector 32 and processor 34 and any communications between processor 34 and elevator controller 24 to protect such information.

[0035] In some embodiments, each passenger has a unique indication or visible image. In other embodiments, the same visible image 36 can be used by more than one individual, each of whom has a corresponding device or item to present the image to the visual detector 32.

[0036] In the illustrated scenario, the visual detector comprises a scanner, camera, or reader capable of recognizing visible images and providing an output including an indication of a request for elevator service to processor 34. Visual detector 32 is configured to detect and recognize at least one type of visible image and some visual detectors 32 are capable of detecting multiple image types.

[0037] Figure 2An example visible image generator 40 is shown. In this example, a smartphone or other personal device generates a visible image 36 as a barcode. With such an image generator 40, a passenger can use an internet connection to obtain or generate the image 36 when needed. In some embodiments, an application installed on the smartphone is configured to generate or otherwise present the visual image 36 without requiring an internet connection. When the image 36 is reusable, it can be stored on the smartphone for repeated use.

[0038] For example, the passenger may have downloaded an application onto a smart phone and entered information that is encoded into the visible image 36 by the image generator 40. The passenger may provide information including the passenger's name, building location or identifier, default or preferred destination, alternate destination, special accommodations or requests, and the number of individuals (if any) who will travel with the passenger on the elevator car. In some embodiments, the passenger need only enter the desired destination. The information may be entered using an interface provided by the downloaded application.

[0039] Other image generators include computing devices and printers that print visible images on physical items such as a piece of paper, stickers, or cards. In such embodiments, the image generator can be at the site of the elevator system 20 or at a remote location such as an individual's home or place of business. Some visible images are included on an individual's identification badge or building pass, such as a card or fob. In some such embodiments, the processor 34 is configured to interpret the information encoded in the visible image 36 to determine information about the passenger, such as authorization to travel to certain floors and a predetermined destination. In some embodiments, the processor 34 has access to a database including such information about passengers who frequently use the elevator system 20, such as individuals who work or live in a building.

[0040] Figure 3 Flowchart 50 is a flow chart outlining an example method of facilitating a passenger request for elevator service. At 52, visual detector 32 detects visible image 36. At 54, processor 34 interprets the indication of the request to determine the requested service. For example, processor 34 interprets the indication to determine the passenger's intended destination.

[0041] In some embodiments, a single visible image 36 may be used by an individual to request different destinations. At 56, the processor 34 determines whether more than one request is associated with the detected image 36. If the detected image 36 includes an indication of more than one possible request, the processor uses additional information at 58 to determine which request is being made. For example, the floor or location at which the visual detector 32 detects the image, the time of day, or both may help determine which request is being made.

[0042] At 60, the processor 34 validates the request. The determination at 60 may include, for example, generating a feedback indication for the passenger regarding the determined request. For example, such feedback may be presented on a display of a smart phone. The feedback may indicate which of several elevator cars has been assigned to the request and destination floor. In some embodiments, if the passenger does not intend to make the request indicated in the feedback or prefers a different elevator car, the passenger may cancel that request and rescan the visible image 36 or otherwise communicate an alternative request to the processor 34.

[0043] Another way in which a request may be verified at 60 includes determining whether too many requests have been made within a time window. For example, if an individual is not sure that the visual detector 32 has detected a visible image 36, that individual may repeatedly scan the image 36 or present the image 36 to the visual detector 32. Alternatively, the individual may intentionally repeatedly present the image 36 to the visual detector 32 to avoid having others assigned to the same car. In the event of such repeated detections, the processor 34 determines how many times the corresponding request has been made within a time period having a predetermined duration. If the number of requests within that window or time period exceeds a threshold, at least some of those requests are ignored by the processor 34 to avoid unnecessary car assignments. For example, when the visual detector 32 repeatedly detects the same image at least three times within thirty seconds, the processor 34 only considers the first of the repeated detections as an actual request and ignores the other requests.

[0044] For example, validating the request at 60 also allows the processor 34 or elevator controller 24 to track how many passengers are assigned to the elevator car 22 to avoid overcrowding the elevator car.

[0045] In some embodiments, visible image 36 is a coded or encrypted elevator request that includes information about the identity or authorization of the individual making the request. Verifying the request at 60 may include determining that the individual making the request is authorized to travel to the intended destination.

[0046] When the request is validated, processor 34 generates an output at 62 that may be used by elevator controller 24 to assign and direct elevator cars 22 to provide the requested elevator service.

[0047] The illustrated example embodiment and other embodiments include contactless interaction between passengers and the elevator system 20 based on detecting an optically encoded request for elevator service, so individual passengers do not need to be concerned about touching any surface that may be contaminated with a communicable disease. Embodiments consistent with the disclosed examples may be included in new elevator systems or retrofitted into existing elevator systems. The visual detector 32 and processor 34 may be relatively low-cost components that make it economical to provide the benefits of such a passenger interface system.

[0048] The foregoing description is exemplary rather than limiting in nature. Variations and modifications to the disclosed examples may become apparent to those skilled in the art, and such variations and modifications to the disclosed examples need not depart from the spirit of the invention. The scope of legal protection afforded to this invention can only be determined by studying the following claims.

Claims

1. An elevator passenger interface system, comprising: a visual detector configured to detect a visible image including an indication of a request for elevator service; as well as a processor located remotely from the elevator system, the processor receiving the detected visible image communicated from the visual detector, interpreting the indication and providing an output to an elevator controller of the elevator system, the output being usable by the elevator controller to control an elevator car in response to the request for elevator service and being configured to conform to an elevator communication protocol used by the elevator controller to respond to a passenger request made by another device, wherein the visible image includes indications of a plurality of requests for elevator service, and the processor is configured to use additional information associated with detection of the visible image by the visual detector to determine which of the plurality of requests for elevator service to include in the output provided by the processor, wherein the visible image includes an indication of security or credential information and encryption is used for communications between the visual detector and the processor and for communications between the processor and the elevator controller.

2. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1, wherein the visual detector comprises one of a scanner, a camera, or a reader.

3. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1, wherein the processor and the visual detector are part of a single device and the output provided by the processor is configured to be interpreted by an elevator system controller.

4. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1 wherein the visual detector provides a detector output including the indication to the processor, the processor interpreting the indication to determine a nature of the request for elevator service.

5. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1, comprising a visible image generator configured to generate an output that produces the visible image.

6. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 5, wherein the visible image generator comprises one of a computing device or a smart phone.

7. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 6, wherein the visible image generator provides confirmation that the request for elevator service has been received by the elevator system.

8. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1, wherein the additional information includes at least one of a time of day and the detected location of the visible image.

9. The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1, wherein the visible image is effective for issuing the request for elevator service a plurality of times, and the processor is configured to limit the number of times the request for elevator service is issued using the visible image within a time window having a predetermined duration.

10. An elevator system, comprising: The elevator passenger interface system of claim 1; the elevator controller configured to assign an elevator car in response to the request for elevator service based on the output of the processor; as well as At least one indicator configured to indicate at least one of an acknowledgement that the request for elevator service has been received and an identification of the elevator car assigned to respond to the request for elevator service.

11. The elevator system of claim 10, comprising at least one elevator car, and wherein The elevator passenger interface system includes a first visual detector located outside the at least one elevator car and a second visual detector located inside the elevator car, and The processor is configured to interpret the indication of the request for elevator service based on at least one of the first visual detector and the second visual detector detecting the visible image.

12. The elevator system of claim 10, wherein The elevator system is configured to serve a plurality of passengers, Each of the passengers has a unique visible image to request elevator service, and The elevator controller is configured to determine a number of passengers receiving elevator service during a selected time interval.

13. The elevator system of claim 10, wherein the processor is integrated with the elevator controller.

14. A method of facilitating an elevator passenger request for elevator service, the method comprising: detecting, by a visual detector, a visible image including an indication of said request for elevator service; communicating the detected visible image to a processor located remotely from the elevator system; interpreting, by the processor, the indication; as well as providing an output from the processor to an elevator controller of an elevator system, the output being usable by the elevator controller to control an elevator car in response to the request for elevator service and being configured to be consistent with an elevator communication protocol used by the elevator controller to respond to a passenger request made by another device, wherein the visible image includes an indication of a plurality of requests for elevator service, and the method includes using additional information associated with detecting the visible image to determine which of the plurality of requests for elevator service to include in the output provided by the processor, wherein the visible image includes an indication of security or credential information and encryption is used for communications between the visual detector and the processor and for communications between the processor and the elevator controller.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein detecting the visible image comprises using a visual detector comprising one of a scanner, a camera, or a reader.

16. The method of claim 14, comprising providing confirmation that the request for elevator service has been received by the elevator system.

17. The method of claim 14, wherein the additional information includes at least one of a time of day and a detected location of the visible image.

18. The method of claim 14, wherein the visible image is effective for multiple issuances of the request for elevator service, and the method includes limiting the number of times the request for elevator service is issued using the visible image within a time window having a predetermined duration.

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