Elevator monitoring device, method and elevator system for providing user tracking data of an elevator car

Abstract

The invention relates to an elevator monitoring device (106) for providing user tracking data of an elevator car (102). The elevator monitoring device (106) is arranged to the elevator car (102) and is part of a contact tracking system (200). The elevator monitoring device (106) is configured to detect one or more user devices (202a-202n) belonging to the contact tracking system (200) inside the elevator car (102) and to provide user tracking data representing the detection of the one or more user devices (202a-202n) to a storage unit for storage thereon. The invention also relates to a method for providing user tracking data of an elevator car (102) and to an elevator system.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of elevator technology. In particular, the present invention relates to an elevator with tracking functionality. BACKGROUND

[0002] An elevator car is a closed, confined space in which passengers are typically standing very close to each other. A passenger sneezing, coughing and / or blowing his nose inside the elevator car can expose at least some of the other passengers inside the elevator car to any viruses and / or bacteria that the passenger can be carrying. Furthermore, an elevator car comprises a plurality of elevator elements that are touchable by passengers, i.e. come into physical contact with the passengers, such as car call devices and other interior components of the elevator car, e.g. doors, floor, ceiling, walls, mirrors, handrails, etc. For example, a large number of passengers use the same car call device for making an elevator car call by physical contact, e.g. contact of the hands, resulting in the car call device and / or the elevator buttons of the car call device possibly spreading viruses and bacteria. Furthermore, passengers can be infected with viruses or bacteria without any symptoms. Typically, viruses and bacteria can survive for a long time, even up to several days, in the elevator buttons of car call devices made of metal or plastic. Therefore, passengers using the same elevator car later the same day or the next day can also be exposed.

[0003] Furthermore, mobile application based contact tracing systems for tracking the movements and contacts of individuals infected with a virus are available today to combat some viruses, such as COVID-19. The privacy and peer aspects of these applications have raised a lot of concerns. According to an example, a mobile application installed to a mobile device can be used to track nearby Bluetooth devices. The tracking data can be stored locally encrypted. If a person is proven to have a virus infection, access to the stored tracking data can be provided to local health authorities to track other people who have had close contact with the person having the proven virus infection. SUMMARY

[0004] The following presents a simplified summary of some aspects of various inventive embodiments in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of the application. It is neither intended to identify key or critical elements of the application nor to delineate the scope of the application. The sole purpose of the following summary is to present some concepts of the application in a simplified form as a prelude to a more detailed description of illustrative embodiments of the application.

[0005] It is an object of the present invention to propose an elevator monitoring device, a method, an elevator system and a computer program for providing user tracking data of an elevator car. It is a further object of the present invention that the elevator monitoring device, the method, the elevator system, the computer program for providing user tracking data of an elevator car are capable of providing data for tracking elevator passengers having a possible virus or bacteria infection.

[0006] The objects of the present application are achieved by an elevator monitoring device, a method, an elevator system and a computer program as defined by the respective independent claims.

[0007] According to a first aspect, an elevator monitoring device for providing user tracking data of an elevator car is provided, wherein the elevator monitoring device is arranged to the elevator car and is part of a contact tracking system, the elevator monitoring device is configured to: detect one or more user devices belonging to the contact tracking system inside the elevator car, and provide user tracking data representing the detection of the one or more user devices to a storage unit for storage thereon.

[0008] The detection can comprise receiving radio signals transmitted by the one or more user devices belonging to the contact tracking system from inside the elevator car, wherein each radio signal can comprise an identifier related to the user device transmitting said radio signal, and wherein the provided user tracking data can comprise the identifiers of the received radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car.

[0009] Further, the elevator monitoring device can be further configured to determine the radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car based on signal strength values of the received radio signals.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, the detection of the one or more user devices inside the elevator car can be based on the use of Bluetooth technology.

[0011] Alternatively or additionally, the elevator monitoring device can be further configured to provide its location information to the storage unit.

[0012] The storage unit can be a memory unit of the elevator monitoring device, and / or the user tracking data can be temporarily stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period.

[0013] The user tracking data can further comprise a detection time of the one or more user devices.

[0014] Alternatively or additionally, the user tracking data can further comprise floor information related to the detected one or more user devices.

[0015] Alternatively or additionally, the elevator monitoring device can be further configured to receive a notification comprising an indication of a possible contamination of the elevator car and to forward the notification to an elevator service system.

[0016] According to a second aspect, there is provided a method for providing user tracking data of an elevator car, wherein the method comprises detecting, by an elevator monitoring device arranged on the elevator car and being part of a contact tracking system, one or more user devices belonging to the contact tracking system inside the elevator car; and providing, by the elevator monitoring unit, user tracking data representing the detection of the one or more user devices to a storage unit for storage thereon.

[0017] The detection can comprise receiving, from inside the elevator car, radio signals emitted by the one or more user devices belonging to the contact tracking system, wherein each radio signal can comprise an identifier related to the user device emitting said radio signal, and wherein the provided user tracking data can comprise the identifiers of the received radio signals emitted from inside the elevator car.

[0018] Further, the method can comprise determining the radio signals emitted from inside the elevator car based on signal strength values of the received radio signals.

[0019] Alternatively or in addition, the detection of the one or more user devices inside the elevator car can be based on using Bluetooth technology.

[0020] Alternatively or in addition, the method can further comprise providing, by the elevator monitoring unit, its location information to the storage unit.

[0021] The storage unit can be a memory unit of the elevator monitoring device, and / or the user tracking data can be temporarily stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period.

[0022] The user tracking data can further comprise a time of detection of the one or more user devices.

[0023] Alternatively or in addition, the user tracking data can further comprise floor information related to the detected one or more user devices.

[0024] Alternatively or in addition, the method can further comprise receiving a notification comprising an indication of a possible contamination of the elevator car, and forwarding the notification to an elevator service system.

[0025] According to a third aspect, there is provided an elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises at least one elevator car configured to travel along respective elevator shafts between a plurality of floors; and at least one elevator monitoring device as described above.

[0026] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program, wherein the computer program comprises instructions which, when the computer program is executed by a computer (e.g. a monitoring device as described above), cause the computer to perform the method as described above.

[0027] Various exemplary and non-limiting embodiments of the invention with respect to structure and operation methods, as well as their additional objects and advantages, will be best understood from the following description of specific exemplary and non-limiting embodiments when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The verbs “comprising” and “including” are used herein as limitations on disclosure and neither exclude nor require the presence of any uncited features. Unless otherwise expressly stated, the features described in the dependent claims may be freely combined with each other. Furthermore, it should be understood that the use of “a” or “an” in the singular throughout this document does not exclude the plural. Attached Figure Description

[0029] In the accompanying drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown by way of example rather than limitation.

[0030] Figure 1 A simple example of an elevator system according to the present invention is illustrated schematically.

[0031] Figure 2 A simple example of a contact tracking system is illustrated.

[0032] Figure 3 An example of a component of an elevator monitoring device according to the present invention is shown schematically.

[0033] Figure 4 An example of the method according to the invention is illustrated schematically. Detailed Implementation

[0034] Figure 1 A simplified example of an elevator system 100 according to the present invention is illustrated schematically. The elevator system 100 includes at least one elevator car 102 and at least one elevator monitoring device 106, the elevator car 102 being configured to travel along corresponding elevator shafts 104 between multiple floors (i.e., landings). Figure 1 In the example, the elevator system includes one elevator car 102, but the elevator system may also include more than one elevator car 102. Each of at least one elevator monitoring device 106 is disposed to the elevator car 102, for example, attached to or installed to the elevator car 102. According to one example, the elevator monitoring device 106 may be disposed on the roof of the elevator car 102, such as... Figure 1 As shown in the example. However, the elevator monitoring device 106 can be arranged in any other part of the elevator car 102. The elevator system 100 may also include a hoisting system configured to drive at least one elevator car 102 along a respective elevator shaft 104 between floors, an elevator control unit for at least controlling the operation of the elevator system 100, and one or more other elevator-related entities. For clarity, Figure 1 The hoisting system and elevator control unit are not shown.

[0035] The elevator monitoring device 106 is part of a contact tracking system 200, i.e. a contact tracing system. Figure 2 A simple non-limiting example of the contact tracking system 200 is shown in Fig. 1. The contact tracking system 200 can comprise a plurality of node devices. The node devices of the contact tracking system 200 can comprise at least one elevator monitoring device 106 and one or more user devices 202a-202n, i.e. mobile devices, such as mobile phones, smartphones, tablets and / or wearable mobile devices, like smartwatches, according to the present application. Each user device 202a-202n can be carried by a user. The contact tracking system 200 can further comprise one or more storage units 204, such as databases and / or servers, for storing any data. The contact tracking system 200 can be used for tracking movements of node devices belonging to the contact tracking system 200 and / or contacts between node devices belonging to the contact tracking system 200. The contact tracking system 200 can preferably be used for tracking other node devices, i.e. contactors, who can have been in contact with a node device, e.g. during an epidemic or pandemic, that have a viral or bacterial infection. The tracking enables informing or warning other node devices, who have been in contact with the node device of an infected user. The informing or warning can comprise, for example, quarantine instructions to the users of the other node devices. Some non-limiting examples of the contact tracking system 200 can comprise, but are not limited to, the Pan-European Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing (PEPP-PT), the Decentralized Privacy-Preserving Proximity Tracing (DP-PPT / DP-3T), etc. The contact tracking system 200 can be based on tracking geographical locations of the node devices, e.g. by using Global Positioning System (GPS) technology and / or QR code technology. Alternatively or additionally, the contact tracking system 200 can be based on tracking proximities to other node devices, i.e. contacts between node devices, e.g. by using Bluetooth technology, Zigbee technology, Adaptive Network Topology (ANT) technology, Z-wave technology or Wireless Local Area Network (e.g. Wi-Fi) technology, etc. The node devices can comprise a mobile application, i.e. a tracking mobile application, for providing tracking data and being able to belong to the contact tracking system 200, i.e. to become part thereof. Alternatively or additionally, the node devices can be configured to register, i.e. to join, as part of the contact tracking system 200. The registration can comprise, but is not limited to, starting to use the mobile application. The mobile application is a computer program designed to run on a mobile device, such as the one or more user devices 202a-202n and the elevator monitoring device 106.

[0036] Figure 3An example of components of the elevator monitoring device 106 according to the present application is schematically illustrated. The elevator monitoring device 106 can comprise a processing unit 310 comprising at least one processor, a memory unit 320 comprising at least one memory, a communication unit 330 comprising and possibly a user interface (UI) unit 340. The memory unit 320 can store portions of a computer program (code) 325 and any other data, and the processing unit 310 can cause the elevator monitoring unit 106 to implement, i.e. perform, at least the operations, i.e. method steps, of the elevator monitoring device 106, i.e. as will be described, by executing at least some portions of the computer program 325 stored in the memory unit 320. The portions of the computer program 325 can comprise a mobile application. For the sake of clarity, the processor herein refers to any unit suitable for processing information and controlling the operation of the elevator monitoring device 106 and other tasks. The operations can also be implemented with a microcontroller solution with embedded software. Similarly, the memory is not limited to a certain type of memory, but any memory type suitable for storing the pieces of information described can be applied in the context of the present application. The communication unit 330 can be based on one or more known wired or wireless communication technologies in order to exchange pieces of information, as will be described. The communication unit 330 provides an interface for communicating with any external units, such as one or more user devices 202a-202n, storage units, e.g. one or more memory units of the contact tracking system 200, and / or any other external entities. The communication unit 330 can comprise one or more communication devices, e.g. radio transceivers, antennas, etc. The user interface unit 340 can comprise I / O devices for receiving user input and outputting information, such as buttons, a keyboard, a touch screen, a microphone, a loudspeaker, a display, a screen, etc.

[0037] The elevator monitoring device 106 can be a conventional mobile device, e.g. a mobile phone; a smartphone; or a tablet computer, or a dedicated device for elevator environment, which is capable of providing tracking data according to the requirements of the contact tracking system 200 and joining the contact tracking system 200 and becoming a part thereof, e.g. a device on which a mobile application can be installed. For example, the elevator monitoring device 106 dedicated for elevator environment can also comprise one or more sensor devices 350 for providing elevator related information, e.g. the position of the elevator car 102 within the elevator shaft 104, the speed of the elevator car 102, vibrations of the elevator car 102 or elevator doors, status information, etc.

[0038] Elevator monitoring device 106 is configured to detect one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to contact tracking system 200 inside elevator car 102. Elevator monitoring device 106 is also configured to provide user tracking data representing the detection of one or more user devices 202a-202n to a storage unit for storage thereon. Depending on contact tracking system 200, the storage unit may include memory unit 320 of elevator monitoring device 106 and / or one or more storage units 204 of contact tracking system 200. Elevator monitoring device 106 may be communicatively coupled to the storage unit. Preferably, access to the storage unit may be restricted to a specific user group, such as health authorities, to improve user privacy. Alternatively or additionally, user tracking data may preferably be temporarily stored in the storage unit for a predetermined time period. For example, the predetermined time period may be defined based on a time period during which, for example, a virus or bacteria is considered (i.e. estimated) to be infectious. This makes the stored user tracking data unnecessary from the perspective of virus or bacterial infection, i.e., irrelevant, and can be deleted from the storage unit, which again improves user privacy. Alternatively or additionally, user tracking data may preferably be stored in the memory unit 320 of the elevator monitoring device 106. This can improve the protection of user privacy because the user tracking data is stored locally. Alternatively or additionally, the stored user tracking data may be encrypted in order to improve the protection of user privacy.

[0039] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, detection of one or more user devices 202a-202n may include elevator monitoring equipment 106 configured to receive radio signals, i.e., messages or packets, transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 by one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200. Each transmitted radio signal includes an identifier associated with the user device 202a-202n that transmitted the radio signal. Preferably, the identifier may be an anonymous identifier of a user who cannot connect to the user device 202a-202n, which prevents location information, personal information, or any other information that allows identification of the user device 202a-202n from being stored. This improves user privacy protection. The user tracking data provided and stored may include identifiers of the received radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102.

[0040] User tracking data may also include timestamps of one or more user devices 202a-202n, i.e., the detection time. This allows defining a specific moment and / or time period during which one or more user devices 202a-202n were detected inside the elevator car 102. If the detection is based on receiving radio signals transmitted by one or more user devices 202a-202n, the timestamp may represent the reception time of the received radio signals.

[0041] The elevator monitoring device 106 is capable of receiving radio signals transmitted within the operating range, i.e. radio range, of the transceiver of the elevator monitoring device 106. The operating range can depend on the used communication technology, for example. Furthermore, the radio signals can pass through walls, floors and ceilings. In other words, the elevator monitoring device 106 can also receive radio signals transmitted by one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200 located outside the elevator car 102, for example through the elevator car 102 or in areas located close to the elevator shaft 104, such as elevator hall areas, landing areas, apartment and / or office rooms, etc. According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, the elevator monitoring device 106 can be configured to determine radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 based on signal strength values of the received radio signals, such as received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values. In other words, the elevator monitoring device 106 can be configured to detect, i.e. identify, radio signals received from one or more user devices 202a-202n located inside the elevator car 102 from all radio signals received within the operating range of the transceiver of the elevator monitoring device 106 based on signal strength values of the received radio signals. The signal strength values of the received radio signals decrease depending on the distance between the transmitting device and the receiving device. Radio signals transmitted outside the elevator car 102 can be omitted from the user tracking data. In other words, only radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 can be included in the user tracking data.

[0042] According to exemplary embodiments, the elevator monitoring device 106 dedicated for elevator environment can also be configured to define floor information related to the detected one or more user devices 202a-202n. The elevator monitoring device 106 can comprise one or more sensor devices configured to provide position data of the elevator car 102 within the elevator shaft 104 in order to define the floor information. The provided user tracking data can also comprise the floor information related to the detected one or more user devices 202a-202n. Alternatively or additionally, the determination of radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 can comprise using the floor information to determine that the elevator monitoring device 106 receives radio signals from the same user device 202a-202n at the departure floor and at the destination floor, i.e. at the beginning of the elevator ride and at the end of the elevator ride. The inclusion of the floor information in the user tracking data provided and stored to the storage unit provides further information for the contact tracking system 200 for tracking contacts between node devices belonging to the contact tracking system 200. Alternatively or additionally, the floor information can improve the accuracy of the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n actually located inside the elevator car 102, which in turn can reduce false contact detections, such as false quarantine indications, of the contact tracking system 200.

[0043] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n inside the elevator car 102 can be based on the use of Bluetooth technology. In other words, the radio signals emitted by the one or more user devices 202a-202n can for example be Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) advertising signals, and the transceiver of the elevator monitoring device 106 can be a Bluetooth transceiver. This means that the communication between the elevator monitoring device 106 and the one or more user devices 202a-202n can be based on Bluetooth technology. The use of Bluetooth technology enables for example a substantially accurate and simple detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n, as well as a substantially low power consumption of the elevator monitoring device 106. Alternatively, the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n inside the elevator car 102 can be based on the use of for example Zigbee technology, Adaptive Network Topology (ANT) technology, Z-wave technology, or wireless local area network (e.g. Wi-Fi) technology.

[0044] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, the elevator monitoring device 106 can further be configured to provide its location information to a storage unit, e.g. one or more storage units 204 of the contact tracing system 200. The location information can be the geographical location of the elevator monitoring device 106. The location information can be based on the use of for example GPS technology.

[0045] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, the elevator monitoring device 106 can also be configured to receive a notification comprising an indication of possible contamination of the elevator car 102, i.e. possible exposure to a virus or bacteria. The contact tracking system 200 can receive infection information from one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200 whose users have a verified viral or bacterial infection. In response to receiving the infection information, the contact tracking system 200 can generate a notification to all other node devices that have been in contact with the infected user device, i.e. the user device of the infected user. In other words, if a user having a verified viral or bacterial infection and carrying a user device 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200 has been inside the elevator car 102, i.e. the user device 202a-202n is among the one or more user devices 202a-202n detected by the elevator monitoring device 102, the elevator monitoring device 106 can receive the notification from or via the contact tracking system 200. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator monitoring device 106 can receive the notification directly from the one or more user devices 202a-202n whose users have a verified viral or bacterial infection. The stored user tracking data and / or the location information of the elevator monitoring device 106 can be used to define that the elevator monitoring device 106 has been in contact with the infected user device 202a-202n. Alternatively or additionally, the stored user tracking data and / or the location information of the elevator monitoring device 106 can be used to determine and / or warn other user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200 and detected inside the elevator car about possible exposure.

[0046] The elevator monitoring device 106 can also be configured to forward the notification to an elevator service system. The elevator service system can be, for example, but is not limited to, a building management system, an elevator service center or an elevator remote monitoring center. In response to receiving the notification, the elevator service system can generate at least one of the following: a cleaning request of the elevator car 102, a disable request of the elevator car 102, an alarm information and / or a delayed maintenance request of the elevator car 102. The cleaning request can be generated to a cleaning service provider to clean and / or disinfect the elevator car 102. The disable request of the elevator car 102 can be generated to an elevator control unit of the elevator system 100 to disable the use of the elevator car 102 until the elevator car has been cleaned and / or disinfected. The alarm information can be generated, for example, to a maintenance person going to the elevator car 102 to use a protective clothing or the like. Alternatively, in case of non-critical maintenance, the alarm information or the delayed maintenance request of the elevator car 102 can be generated, for example, to a maintenance person in order to delay the maintenance until the elevator car 102 has been cleaned and / or disinfected.

[0047] Next, reference is made to Figure 4 Examples of methods according to the present application are described. Figure 4The application is schematically illustrated in the form of a flow chart.

[0048] At step 402, the elevator monitoring device 106 detects one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200 inside the elevator car 102.

[0049] At step 404, the elevator monitoring device 106 provides user tracking data representing the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n to a storage unit for storage thereon. Depending on the contact tracking system 200, the storage unit can comprise the memory unit 320 of the elevator monitoring device 106, and / or one or more storage units 204 of the contact tracking system 200, as described above. Preferably, the user tracking data can be temporarily stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period, as described above. Alternatively or additionally, the user tracking data can be preferably stored in the memory unit 320 of the elevator monitoring device 106. This can improve the protection of user privacy, as the user tracking data is stored locally. Alternatively or additionally, the stored user tracking data can be encrypted in order to improve the protection of user privacy.

[0050] According to exemplary embodiments of the application, at step 402, the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n can comprise the elevator monitoring device 106 receiving from inside the elevator car 102 a wireless radio signal, i.e. a message or packet, emitted by the one or more user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracking system 200. As described above, each emitted wireless radio signal comprises an identifier related to the user device 202a-202n emitting said wireless radio signal. The provided and stored user tracking data can comprise the identifier of the received wireless radio signal emitted from inside the elevator car 102.

[0051] The user tracking data can further comprise a timestamp, i.e. a time of detection, of the one or more user devices 202a-202n. This enables to define a specific moment and / or time period in which the detected one or more user devices 202a-202n have been inside the elevator car 102. If the detection is based on receiving a wireless radio signal emitted by the one or more user devices 202a-202n, the timestamp can represent the time of reception of the received wireless radio signal.

[0052] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, at step 402, the elevator monitoring device 106 can determine the radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 based on the signal strength values of the received radio signals, e.g. received signal strength indicator (RSSI) values. In other words, the elevator monitoring device 106 can detect, i.e. identify, the radio signals received from one or more user devices 202a-202n located inside the elevator car 102 from all radio signals received within the operating range of the transceiver of the elevator monitoring device 106 based on the signal strength values of the received radio signals. Radio signals transmitted outside the elevator car 102 can be omitted from the user tracking data. In other words, only radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 can be included in the user tracking data.

[0053] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, the elevator monitoring device 106 dedicated for the elevator environment can further define floor information related to the detected one or more user devices 202a-202n. The elevator monitoring device 106 can comprise one or more sensor devices configured to provide position data of the elevator car 102 within the elevator shaft 104 in order to define the floor information. The provided user tracking data can further comprise the floor information related to the detected one or more user devices 202a-202n. Alternatively or additionally, the determination of the radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car 102 can comprise using the floor information to determine that the elevator monitoring device 106 receives radio signals from the same user device 202a-202n at the departure floor and at the destination floor, i.e. at the beginning of the elevator ride and at the end of the elevator ride.

[0054] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, at step 402, the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n inside the elevator car 102 can be based on using Bluetooth technology, e.g. BLE, as described above. Alternatively, the detection of the one or more user devices 202a-202n inside the elevator car 102 can be based on using e.g. Zigbee technology, adaptive network topology (ANT) technology, Z-wave technology or wireless local area network, e.g. Wi-Fi, technology.

[0055] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, at optional step 406, the elevator monitoring device 106 can further provide its position information to a storage unit, e.g. to one or more storage units 204 of the contact tracing system 200. The position information can be the geographical position of the elevator monitoring device 106. The position information can be based on using e.g. GPS technology.

[0056] According to exemplary embodiments of the present application, at optional step 408, the elevator monitoring device 106 can further receive a notification comprising an indication of possible contamination of the elevator car 102, i.e. possible exposure to a virus or bacteria, as described above. The stored user tracking data and / or location information of the elevator monitoring device 106 can be used to define that the elevator monitoring device 106 has come into contact with an infected user device 202a-202n. Alternatively or additionally, the stored user tracking data and / or location information of the elevator monitoring device 106 can be used to determine and / or warn other user devices 202a-202n belonging to the contact tracing system 200 and detected within the elevator car about possible exposure. The elevator monitoring device 106 can further forward the notification to an elevator service system. The elevator service system can be, for example, but is not limited to, a building management system, an elevator service center or an elevator remote monitoring center. In response to receiving the notification, the elevator service system can generate at least one of a cleaning request for the elevator car 102, a disable request for the elevator car 102, an alarm information and / or a delayed maintenance request for the elevator car 102, as described above.

[0057] The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and / or interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise specifically stated.

Claims

1. An elevator monitoring device (106) for providing user tracking data of an elevator car (102), wherein the elevator monitoring device (106) is disposed in the elevator car (102) and is part of a contact tracking system (200), the elevator monitoring device (106) being configured to: Detect one or more user devices (202a-202n) belonging to the contact tracking system (200) inside the elevator car (102), and The detected user tracking data, representing one or more user equipment (202a-202n), is provided to the storage unit for storage. Receive notifications including indications of potential contamination of the elevator car.

2. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to claim 1, wherein, The detection includes receiving radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car (102) by one or more user devices (202a-202n) belonging to the contact tracking system (200), wherein each radio signal includes an identifier associated with the user device (202a-202n) that transmitted the radio signal, and wherein the user tracking data provided includes the identifier of the received radio signal transmitted from inside the elevator car (102).

3. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to claim 2 is further configured to determine the radio signal transmitted from inside the elevator car (102) based on the signal strength value of the received radio signal.

4. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The detection of one or more user devices (202a-202n) inside the elevator car (102) is based on the use of Bluetooth technology.

5. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is further configured to provide its location information to the storage unit.

6. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The storage unit is the memory unit (320) of the elevator monitoring device (106), and / or the user tracking data is temporarily stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period.

7. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The user tracking data also includes the detection time of the one or more user devices (202a-202n).

8. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The user tracking data also includes floor information associated with one or more user devices (202a-202n) detected.

9. The elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is further configured to receive a notification including an indication of possible contamination of the elevator car (102) and forward the notification to the elevator service system.

10. A method for providing user tracking data for an elevator car (102), the method comprising: An elevator monitoring device (106), which is arranged in the elevator car (102) and is part of the contact tracking system (200), detects (402) one or more user devices (202a-202n) inside the elevator car (102) that belong to the contact tracking system (200), and The elevator monitoring equipment (106) provides (404) the detected user tracking data representing one or more user devices (202a-202n) to the storage unit for storage. Receive notifications including indications of potential contamination of the elevator car.

11. The method according to claim 10, wherein, The detection includes receiving radio signals transmitted from inside the elevator car (102) by one or more user devices (202a-202n) belonging to the contact tracking system (200), wherein each radio signal includes an identifier associated with the user device (202a-202n) that transmitted the radio signal, and wherein the user tracking data provided includes the identifier of the received radio signal transmitted from inside the elevator car (102).

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising determining the radio signal transmitted from inside the elevator car (102) based on the signal strength value of the received radio signal.

13. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The detection of one or more user devices inside the elevator car (102) is based on the use of Bluetooth technology.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising providing its location information to the storage unit by the elevator monitoring device (106).

15. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The storage unit is the memory unit (320) of the elevator monitoring device (106), and / or the user tracking data is temporarily stored in the storage unit during a predetermined time period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The user tracking data also includes the detection time of the one or more user devices (202a-202n).

17. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein, The user tracking data also includes floor information associated with one or more user devices (202a-202n) detected.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12, further comprising receiving a notification including an indication of possible contamination of the elevator car (102) and forwarding the notification to the elevator service system.

19. An elevator system (100), comprising: At least one elevator car (102) configured to travel between multiple floors along corresponding elevator shafts (104), and At least one elevator monitoring device (106) according to any one of claims 1 to 9.

20. A computer program (325) comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 10 to 18.

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