Method and system for generating an elevator call request

Abstract

A method and system (100) for generating an elevator call request (102). The method includes determining (310) a location of a user device (5), wherein the location is associated with an elevator operator interface (20), receiving (320) a control input (101) provided by the user device (5) via a digital user interface element (30) at a data server system (50), wherein the digital user interface element (30) is adjusted based on the determined location of the user device (5), and generating (330) an elevator call request (102) based on the received control input (101).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates generally to elevators. In particular, the present invention relates to, but is not limited to, generating elevator call requests. Background Art

[0002] In known elevators, elevator calls are usually made by using buttons on a landing call panel at a landing or buttons on a car operating panel of an elevator car. During a pandemic, these buttons represent high-touch surfaces, through which, for example, viruses can be easily transmitted. To mitigate this problem, disinfectant bottles can be placed near the panels and the buttons cleaned regularly. However, there is still a need to develop solutions to reduce the need to touch buttons on panels. Summary of the invention

[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and system for generating an elevator call request. It is another object of the present invention that the method and system at least reduces the use of elevator landing call buttons or car operating panel buttons.

[0004] The objects of the invention are achieved by a method and a system as defined in the respective independent claims.

[0005] According to a first aspect, a method for generating an elevator call request is provided. The method comprises:

[0006] - determining a location of a user device, wherein the location is associated with an elevator operator interface,

[0007] - receiving, at the data server system, a control input provided by a user device via a digital user interface element, wherein the digital user interface element is adjusted based on the determined position of the user device, and

[0008] - Generating an elevator call request based on the received control input.

[0009] Furthermore, the control input may be received via a communication path, wherein the communication path is preferably at least partially wireless to wirelessly transmit the control input from the user device.

[0010] In various embodiments, determining the location may include receiving location-related data from the user device at the data server system and determining the location by associating the location-related data with the elevator operator interface at the data server system.

[0011] In some embodiments, the determination of location may be performed at, for example, a user device or an indoor positioning system or data server system before or after providing the control input.

[0012] In some preferred embodiments, the determination of the position can be based on the interaction of the user device with the elevator identification item, for example, reading the elevator identification item by the user mobile device. In addition, the elevator identification item can include information about the position of the item relative to the elevator operation interface or in the elevator operation interface. In a preferred embodiment, the elevator operation interface can be a physical interface, such as a landing call panel or a car operation panel.

[0013] In various embodiments, the elevator identification item may be a short-range wireless communication tag, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag or a near field communication (NFC) tag. Alternatively or in addition, the elevator identification item may be a barcode, such as a matrix barcode, such as a two-dimensional code (QR).

[0014] Furthermore, the elevator identification item may be included in or on an elevator operating interface, such as in or on a car operating panel of an elevator car, or in or on a landing call panel of a landing of the elevator system.

[0015] In some embodiments, the location may be determined via or based on an indoor positioning system that is communicatively coupled to the data server system and the user device.

[0016] In various embodiments, the determination of the location may include receiving a digital photo or video from the user device at the data system server. Optionally, the method further includes identifying, by the data server system, the location of the user device based on the digital photo or video. Furthermore, the method may further include identifying a car operating panel of an elevator car or a landing call panel of a landing based on the digital photo or video. Furthermore, the identification may be based on computer vision techniques, such as object recognition techniques, for example including identifying a barcode or at least one identifiable mark or unique feature.

[0017] In some embodiments, at least one digital user interface element visually corresponds to an elevator operating interface of the elevator system. Thus, the appearance of a digital user interface element can be adapted to substantially correspond to an actual elevator operating interface, such as a car operating panel or a landing call panel.

[0018] Furthermore, in many embodiments, the user device may be configured to execute dedicated software or "applications" through which control inputs are provided to the data server system. For example, the dedicated software may be configured to establish a communication connection with the data server system. Furthermore, the dedicated software may be such that, for example, it may provide an interface for taking digital photos or videos. Optionally, the dedicated software may utilize stored data on the user device related to elevator systems in general or to a specific elevator system previously defined or utilized by the user device.

[0019] Furthermore, the method may include providing an elevator call request to an elevator control unit to operate the elevator car.

[0020] In some embodiments, the elevator control unit may be further configured to operate an elevator operation interface corresponding to the location of the user device. This may mean, for example, that visual and / or audio indications are provided to passengers near and / or around the interface via the elevator operation interface.

[0021] According to a second aspect, a system for generating an elevator call request is provided. The system includes a data server system connected to an elevator system and configured to communicate with a user device, wherein the system is configured to determine a location of the user device. The location is associated with an elevator operation interface. The data server system is configured to receive a control input provided by the user device via a digital user interface element, wherein the digital user interface element is adjusted based on the determined location of the user device, and to generate an elevator call request based on the control input.

[0022] The present invention provides a method and system for generating an elevator call request. Compared with known solutions, the present invention has the advantage that the elevator call does not require the use of landing calls or car operating panel buttons.

[0023] Various other advantages will become apparent to the skilled person based on the following detailed description.

[0024] If not explicitly stated otherwise, the terms "first", "second", etc. are used herein to distinguish one element from other elements, but not to particularly prioritize or rank them.

[0025] The exemplary embodiments of the present invention presented in this article should not be interpreted as limiting the applicability of the attached claims. The verb "comprise" is used as an open limitation in this article, which also does not exclude the existence of unrecorded features. Unless explicitly stated otherwise, the features described in the dependent claims can be freely combined with each other.

[0026] The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims.The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0027] In the drawings, some embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example and not limitation.

[0028] Figure 1 A system according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.

[0029] Figure 2 An elevator car which can be used in connection with an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown.

[0030] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0031] Figure 4 A system according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown.

[0032] Figure 5 A system according to an embodiment of the invention is schematically shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] Figure 1 A system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 1 As shown in FIG. 1A , the system 100 may include a data server system 50, which is preferably connected to the elevator system 200. The data server system 50 may be a part of the elevator system 200, or may be a separate server system, such as a cloud computing system, in which case its server may be located at a different location from the elevator system 200. The data server system 50 may be configured to communicate with a user device 5, such as a smartphone.

[0034] The system 100, or optionally the data server system 50 thereof, can be configured to determine a location of a user device 5, wherein the location is associated with an elevator operating interface 20, such as a car operating panel or a landing call panel. The data server system 50 can be configured to receive a control input 101 provided by the user device 5 via a digital user interface element 30, wherein the digital user interface element 30 can preferably be adjusted based on the determined location of the user device 5. The data server system 50 can be further configured to generate an elevator call request 102 based on the control input 101. In various embodiments, the digital user interface element 30, for example displayed on a display screen of the user device 5, includes an icon or button or other graphical user interface (GUI) element through which a user can provide the control input 101.

[0035] The digital user interface element 30 may be provided to the user device 5 by dedicated software in the user device 5, or by downloading the element 30 or instructions for compiling or configuring it from the data server system 50. For example, the data server system 50 may be connected via a web browser or the like of the user device 5, thereby providing an interface for providing the control input 101.

[0036] In various embodiments, the data server system 50 may include information about the elevator system configuration of one or more elevator systems 200. The information about the elevator system configuration may include, for example, information about the elevator cars 10 and landings, such as their numbers. In addition, the information about the elevator system configuration may include information about the elevator operator interface 20, such as its location. In addition, information about any elevator identification item 25 or its logo or unique features or proximity thereto may be included in the data server system 50. Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, the elevator identification item 25 can be placed on or in the elevator operator interface 20, or alternatively near the elevator operator interface 20, as long as it can be identified that the item 25 represents a specific elevator operator interface 20 and is physically close to it, such as in the same space.

[0037] Optionally, in some embodiments, the data server system 50 may include detailed information about one or more or each digital user interface element 30 corresponding to the elevator operation interface 20, such as information related to their visual appearance, so as to be able to provide the corresponding digital user interface element to the user device 5.

[0038] The elevator identification item 25 may be a short-range wireless communication tag, such as an RFID tag or an NFC tag. Alternatively or in addition, the elevator identification item 25 may be a barcode, such as a matrix barcode, such as a QR code.

[0039] In various embodiments, the elevator identification item 25 may include information about the location of the item relative to or in the elevator operator interface 20. The information may be associated with information in the data server system 50 so that if the elevator identification item 25 interacts with the user device 5 and communicates with the data server system 50, the data server system 50 is able to determine the location of the user device 50 and optionally provide a corresponding digital user interface element 30 to the user device 5.

[0040] In some embodiments, the digital user interface elements 30 may be downloaded from the data server system 50 to the user device 5. The digital user interface elements 30 provided by the data server system 50 may be adjusted or selected based on the location of the user device 5. Thus, the digital user interface elements 30 may at least visually correspond to the elevator operating interface 20, be proximate to or be related to the currently located user device 5.

[0041] In various embodiments, a communication connection may be established between the data server system 50 and the user device 5. The communication connection may be provided via a communication path that is preferably at least partially wireless to wirelessly transmit control input 101 from the user device 5. This allows a user to complete an elevator call using the user device 5, generating an elevator call request 102, without touching a call button on the elevator operator interface 20 (if any) or other control device that needs to be contacted in order to operate the device.

[0042] In various embodiments, a further communication connection may be established between the data server system 50 and the elevator system 200 (optionally its elevator control unit 1000). The further communication connection may be wireless or wired. The data server system 50 may thus generate and optionally provide an elevator call request to the elevator system 200, e.g. to its elevator control 1000 for processing. For example, the processing may mean operating the elevator car 10 according to the elevator call request and ultimately according to the control input provided by the user device 5.

[0043] Figure 2 An elevator car 10 that may be used in connection with embodiments of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 1 The elevator car 10 can be as follows Figure 2 The elevator car 10 preferably includes an elevator operating interface 20, such as a car operating panel. The car operating panel may include a plurality of buttons corresponding to a plurality of landings of the elevator system 200. In addition, the elevator car 10 may be moved within the elevator shaft by hoisting ropes or a linear motor.

[0044] Figure 3 A flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention is shown.

[0045] Step 300 refers to the startup phase. Appropriate equipment and components may be obtained, and the system assembled and configured for operation.

[0046] Step 310 involves determining a location of the user device 5 , wherein the location is associated with the elevator operator interface 20 .

[0047] Step 320 refers to receiving, at the data server system 50, a control input 101 provided by the user device 5 via the digital user interface element 30, wherein the digital user interface element 30 is adjusted based on the determined position of the user device.

[0048] Step 330 refers to generating an elevator call request based on the received control input.

[0049] The method may end at step 399. The method may preferably be performed on demand.

[0050] In various embodiments, the control input 101 may be received via a communication path, wherein the communication path is at least partially wireless to wirelessly transmit the control input 101 from the user device 5 .

[0051] In various embodiments, determining 310 the location may include receiving location-related data from the user device 5 at the data server system 50 and determining the location by associating the location-related data with the elevator operator interface 20 at the data server system 50 .

[0052] In some embodiments, the determination 310 of the location may be based on the interaction of the user device 5 with the elevator identification item 25. Examples of the elevator identification item 25 are shown in FIG. Figure 1 and Figure 2 In addition, the elevator identification item 25 may include information about the location of the item 25 relative to the elevator operation interface 20 or in the elevator operation interface 20. Preferably, the elevator identification item 25 may be included in or on the elevator operation interface 20, such as in or on the car operation panel of the elevator car 10, or in or on the landing call panel of the landing of the elevator system 200.

[0053] Alternatively or additionally, the location may be determined via or based on an indoor positioning system, for example in a building of an elevator system 200 that is communicatively connected to the data server system 50 and the user device 5. The indoor positioning system may be based on short-range wireless communication technology, such as Bluetooth. TM stations or "beacons" or local wireless networks, such as Wi-Fi TM .

[0054] In various embodiments, the determination of the location may include receiving a digital photo or video from the user device 5 at the data system server 50, and identifying the location of the user device 5 based on the digital photo or video by the data server system 50, such as based on post-processing of the digital photo or video. For example, the method further includes identifying a car operating panel of the elevator car 10 or a landing call panel of a landing based on the digital photo or video.

[0055] Furthermore, the identification may be based on computer vision techniques, such as object recognition techniques, for example comprising identifying a barcode or at least one identifiable marking or unique feature, such as preferably associated with the elevator identification item 25 .

[0056] In some embodiments, when the user device 5, or specifically its optical sensor or camera, points to the elevator operation interface 20 and / or the elevator identification item 25, the user device 5 can provide a virtual element on its display screen, such as a virtual element based on augmented reality. The virtual element can be configured to represent or even act as a digital user interface element 30 to provide a control input 101. The virtual element can be pre-stored in the user device 5, or received from the data server system 50 in response to the user device 5 (or specifically the optical sensor or its camera) pointing to the elevator operation interface 20 and / or the elevator identification item 25. In some embodiments, the pointing of the user device 5 can constitute an interaction between the user device 5 and the elevator identification item 25. Optionally, the determination of the position of the user device 5 can be performed in response to the user device 5 pointing to the elevator operation interface 20 and / or the elevator identification item 25, thereby establishing a communication connection to the data server system 50 and providing the control input 101 thereto. The determination of the position can be performed before or after providing the control input 101.

[0057] In various embodiments, the method may further include providing an elevator call request to the elevator control unit 1000 to operate the elevator car 10 .

[0058] In some embodiments, the elevator control unit 1000 may be further configured to operate an elevator operation interface 20 corresponding to the location of the user device 5. This may mean, for example, providing visual (such as through a lighting device) or sound indications to passengers near and / or around the interface 20 via the elevator operation interface 20.

[0059] Various embodiments of the present invention can be used to connect different types of elevator systems 200. The elevator system 200 can include a single elevator having an elevator car 10 that can move within the elevator shaft of the elevator and is arranged to serve the landing of the elevator. On the other hand, the elevator system 200 can include multiple elevators, wherein the elevator cars can move in their designated elevator shafts, i.e., the elevator system can be an elevator group. Further, the elevator system can be a multi-car elevator, wherein the elevator shaft can include interconnected vertical, horizontal and / or inclined shafts, wherein multiple elevator cars 10 can move. The elevator car 10 or car 10 can be moved by a hoisting rope connected to a traction sheave and / or an elevator motor with a rotating rotor, or by a linear motor. In addition, the elevator system can also include one or more guide rails for guiding the movement of the elevator car 10 or car 10, and optional counterweights. In addition, the elevator system 200 preferably includes an elevator brake.

[0060] The data server system 50 may include one or more processors, one or more memories, which may be volatile or non-volatile, for storing parts of computer program code and any data values, and possibly one or more user interface units. The mentioned elements may be communicatively coupled to each other using, for example, an internal bus. The data server system 50 may be a cloud computing system.

[0061] The processor of data server system 50 can be configured at least to implement at least some of the method steps described above. The implementation of the method can be achieved by setting the processor to execute at least a portion of the computer program code stored in the memory, thereby causing the processor and data server system 50 to implement the described one or more method steps. Therefore, the processor is arranged to access the memory and retrieve any information therefrom and store any information therein. For the sake of clarity, the processor herein refers to any unit suitable for processing information and other tasks. It is also possible to use a microcontroller solution with embedded software to implement operation. Similarly, the memory is not limited to a specific type of memory, but any memory type suitable for storing the described information can be applied to the content of the present invention.

[0062] In addition, the elevator system 200 may include an elevator control unit 1000. External units may be connected to the communication interface of the elevator control unit. The external units may include wireless connections or be connected by wired means. The communication interface may provide an interface for communicating with external units (e.g., the elevator car 10, the door of the landing platform, the car operating panel, the landing call device, the destination operating panel, and / or the electric converter unit) to the elevator control unit 1000. It may also be connected to an external system, such as a data server system 50, a laptop or handheld device, or a remote terminal. It may also be connected to a database of the elevator system 200 or an external database containing information for controlling the operation of the elevator system 200.

[0063] The elevator control unit 1000 may include one or more processors, one or more memories, and possibly one or more user interface units, the memory being volatile or non-volatile for storing computer program code and parts of any data values. The mentioned elements may be connected to each other in a communicative manner using, for example, an internal bus. The processor may be arranged to access the memory and retrieve and store any information from and to the memory. For the sake of clarity, the processor here refers to any unit suitable for processing information and controlling the operation of the elevator control unit 1000 and other tasks. A microcontroller solution with embedded software may also be used to implement operation. Similarly, the memory is not limited to a specific type of memory, but any memory type suitable for storing the described information may be applied to the content of the present invention.

[0064] Figure 4A system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Figure 4 In the embodiment of the present invention, the user device 5 of the elevator operating interface 20 can take a digital photo or video, in this case, the car operating panel. The photo or video can be taken using the above-mentioned dedicated software. The photo or video preferably (but not necessarily) includes the elevator identification item 25, such as an NFC tag or a QR code or any identity tag. In addition, the photo or video can also include some additional information, such as the tenant name and floor and information related to the environment of the elevator system 200.

[0065] In various embodiments, based on the captured photo or video, the elevator system 200 is identified, for example, in the user device 5, optionally in its dedicated software, and information about the elevator system 200 can be downloaded from the data server system 50. A communication connection can be automatically established between the system 50 and the user device 5.

[0066] Figure 5 The system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention is schematically shown. Determining the location of the landing may be based on taking a photo or video of the landing area. The photo or video may include some landing specific information or some other identifying information, which may be identified as part of the image or video processing, such as landing information in the photo or video. Computer vision or object recognition techniques may be used.

[0067] In the case of dedicated software, the software can query the current landing at the first opportunity during the photo or video capture process. The software can also identify some unique features, such as default landing markers in the photo or video. Optionally, the software can also provide instructions for the user to capture a photo or video showing the elevator landing door or some easily identifiable similar area.

[0068] In various embodiments, based on the captured photo or video, the elevator system 200 is identified, for example, in the user device 5, optionally in its dedicated software, and information about the elevator system 200 can be downloaded from the data server system 50. A communication connection can be automatically established between the system 50 and the user device 5.

[0069] For according to Figure 4 or Figure 5In embodiments of the present invention or both, dedicated software may be arranged to process the photo or video, or the photo or video may be transmitted to the data server system 50 for post-processing. Post-processing may include object recognition, for example, identifying the location of a car operating panel button from a photo or video, and optionally granting some functionality to the identified object, such as completing the above-mentioned elevator call. The tenant name, floor station, or any similar identification information about the car operating panel may also be displayed in the photo or video. Finally, the digital user interface element 30 displayed on the user device may be made to look the same as the real car operating panel of the elevator.

[0070] In various embodiments, a digital photo or video may be taken of the main entrance tenant and floor list and this information integrated into the digital user interface element 30 displayed on the user device 5. In situations where the inclusion of any tenant names is not permitted (such as in some residential segment buildings), the data server system 50 may be configured based on the building profile / type / location to prevent this.

[0071] In addition, in various embodiments, the dedicated software on the user device 5 is configured to recognize the user's location, for example based on reading the elevator identification item 25 or by some other method described above, and the digital user interface element 30 corresponding to the car operating panel is automatically activated. The user can select a number of target landings. Thus, floor calls and car calls are automatically created between the user device 5 and the data server system 50 and the optional elevator system 200.

Claims

1. A method for generating an elevator call request (102), the method comprising: - determining (310) a location of the user device (5), wherein the location is associated with the elevator operator interface (20); - receiving (320) at the data server system (50) a control input (101) provided by a user device (5) via a digital user interface element (30), wherein the digital user interface element (30) is adjusted based on a determined position of the user device (5); and - Generating (330) an elevator call request (102) based on the received control input (101).

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the control input (101) is received via a communication path, wherein the communication path is at least partially wireless for wirelessly transmitting the control input (101) from the user device (5).

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the location comprises receiving location-related data from the user device (5) at the data server system (50), and determining the location by associating the location-related data with the elevator operator interface (20) at the data server system (50).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the determination of the position is based on an interaction of the user device (5) with an elevator identification item (25).

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the elevator identification item (25) comprises information about the position of the item (25) relative to the elevator operating interface (20) or in the elevator operating interface.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the elevator identification item (25) is a short-range wireless communication tag.

7. The method according to claim 4, wherein the elevator identification item (25) is a barcode.

8. The method according to claim 4, wherein the elevator identification item (25) is included in or on the elevator operation interface (20).

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein: The location is determined via or based on an indoor positioning system which is communicatively connected to the data server system (50) and the user device (5).

10. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein determining the location includes receiving a digital photo or video from the user device (5) at the data server system (50), and identifying the location of the user device (5) based on the digital photo or video by the data server system (50).

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising identifying a car operating panel of the elevator car (10) or a landing call panel of a landing based on the digital photo or video. The method according to claim 10 , wherein the identification is based on computer vision technology.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein at least one digital user interface element (30) visually corresponds to an elevator operator interface (20) of the elevator system (200).

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the user device (5) is configured to execute dedicated software via which the control input (101) is provided to the data server system (50).

15. The method according to any of claims 1-3, comprising providing the elevator call request (102) to an elevator control unit (1000) for operating an elevator car (10).

16. A system (100) for generating an elevator call request (102), the system (100) comprising a data server system (50) connected to the elevator system (200) and configured to communicate with a user device (5), wherein the system (100) is configured to determine a location of the user device (5), wherein the location is associated with an elevator operator interface (20), and wherein the data server system (50) is configured to: - receiving (320) a control input (101) provided by the user device (5) via a digital user interface element (30), wherein the digital user interface element (30) is adjusted based on the determined position of the user device (5); and - generating (330) said elevator call request (102) based on said control input (101).

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