A group control dispatching system and method for elevators of different brands

Abstract

The present invention discloses a group control and dispatching system and method for elevators of different brands. An elevator group control processor is added to the original elevator system, which includes an elevator group controller; when the elevator group control processor receives an elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller; the elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the elevator request to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator request and sends it to the target elevator controller; the target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task. The present invention can realize the group control and dispatching function for elevators of different brands, thereby flexibly controlling the elevator operation and effectively improving the operation efficiency of the elevator.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of elevator control, and in particular to a group control and dispatching system and method for elevators of different brands. Background Art

[0002] Currently, most residential communities and office buildings have multiple elevators operating in parallel for each unit or building. Without group control, users often call multiple elevators simultaneously for personal convenience, using the first elevator to arrive. This causes other elevators to run idle or stop, resulting in low efficiency. Therefore, elevator systems with group control capabilities have emerged. With group control, only one elevator will be dispatched for a call from the same floor, while other elevators can respond to calls from other floors. This effectively improves operating efficiency and reduces costs.

[0003] However, the inventors discovered that the existing technology has at least the following problems: Currently, the group control function is limited to elevators of the same brand or even the same model. Due to differences in interface protocols and the confidentiality of the interface protocols of elevator manufacturers, elevators of different brands cannot achieve group control together. In older residential areas or office buildings, when elevators need to be replaced due to the end of their service life, elevator damage, or other reasons, it is likely that they will need to be replaced with elevators of different brands or models. As a result, the newly replaced elevators of different brands cannot be added to the group control system of the original brand elevator and cannot achieve elevator group control together with the original brand elevator. It is possible that if a user presses the outbound call of elevators of different brands at the same time, the original group control systems of different brands will respond and dispatch elevators to pick up the user, resulting in the elevators running or stopping in vain, thereby causing inefficient operation of the elevators. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide a group control and dispatching system and method for elevators of different brands, which can realize the group control and dispatching function of elevators of different brands, thereby flexibly controlling the operation of elevators and effectively improving the operating efficiency of elevators.

[0005] To achieve the above-mentioned object, an embodiment of the present invention provides a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands, comprising an elevator group control processor, an original elevator controller, at least one newly added elevator controller, at least one elevator car of the original brand associated with the original elevator controller, and at least one elevator car of the newly added brand associated with each of the newly added elevator controllers; the elevator group control processor includes an elevator group controller;

[0006] The elevator group control processor is configured to, upon receiving an elevator boarding request from an elevator user, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group controller;

[0007] The elevator group controller is configured to perform group control and dispatching of all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from among all elevator controllers; generate an elevator dispatch control instruction based on the elevator boarding request, and send the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller; the elevator controller is the original elevator controller or the newly added elevator controller;

[0008] The target elevator controller is used to obtain the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determine the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0009] In some optional embodiments, the group control and dispatching system further includes an outbound call button controller;

[0010] The elevator group control processor is further configured to trigger the elevator group controller to send an invalid button control instruction to the outbound call button controller when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required;

[0011] The outbound call button controller is configured to control each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to an elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction; and, upon detecting that an outbound call button receives an elevator boarding request, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor;

[0012] Then, the elevator group controller generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller, specifically:

[0013] Generate an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and send the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller;

[0014] Then, the outbound call button controller is further configured to generate a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmit the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller;

[0015] Then, the target elevator controller obtains the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the boarding task, specifically:

[0016] An elevator task corresponding to the elevator request is obtained according to the received simulated key signal, a target elevator car is determined among the associated elevator cars, and the target elevator car is controlled to respond to the elevator task.

[0017] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button invalidation control devices; each of the button invalidation control devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button;

[0018] Then, the outbound call button controller controls each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically:

[0019] The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the button invalidation control devices;

[0020] The button invalidation control device controls the associated elevator controller to be unable to respond to the elevator request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

[0021] In some optional implementations, the button invalidation control device includes a first switch device;

[0022] The first switch device is connected in series between the signal output end of the outbound call button and the button signal input end of the elevator controller.

[0023] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button state detection devices, and the button state detection devices are connected to the signal output ends of the outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same elevator direction;

[0024] Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller, specifically:

[0025] The button status detection device detects whether the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, and when it detects that the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller; wherein, the elevator request includes the waiting floor and the elevator direction.

[0026] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button signal output devices; each of the button signal output devices is respectively connected to each button signal input terminal of the elevator controller;

[0027] Then, the outbound call button controller generates a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller, specifically:

[0028] The outbound call button controller sends the received elevator dispatch control instruction to the button signal output device corresponding to the target elevator controller;

[0029] The key signal output device generates a simulated key signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated key signal to the associated target elevator controller.

[0030] In some optional embodiments, the key signal output device includes a second switch device;

[0031] A first end of the second switch device is connected to a first key signal input end of the elevator controller, and a second end of the second switch device is connected to a second key signal input end of the elevator controller.

[0032] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller is further configured to control all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to a light control signal sent by an associated elevator controller according to the received invalid button control instruction; the light control signal includes a light on control signal;

[0033] The target elevator controller is further configured to send a light-on control signal to an associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the boarding request according to the received simulated key signal;

[0034] The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light; and when it is detected that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light on the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

[0035] In some optional implementations, the light control signal further includes a light off control signal;

[0036] The target elevator controller is further configured to, after the target elevator car completes the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the boarding request;

[0037] The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when it is detected that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-off drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

[0038] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light signal control invalidation devices; each of the light signal control invalidation devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button light;

[0039] Then, the outbound call button controller controls all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically:

[0040] The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the light signal control invalidation devices;

[0041] The light signal control invalidation device controls the associated outbound call button light to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

[0042] In some optional embodiments, the light signal control disabling device includes a third switching device;

[0043] The third switch device is connected in series between the light signal output terminal of the elevator controller and the light signal input terminal of the outbound call button light.

[0044] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light control signal detection devices; each of the light control signal detection devices is respectively connected to the light signal output terminal of each of the elevator controllers;

[0045] Then, the outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically:

[0046] The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light control signal, sends the light control signal to the outbound call button controller.

[0047] In some optional implementations, the outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically:

[0048] The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light off control signal, sends the light off control signal to the outbound call button controller.

[0049] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light drive signal output devices; the light drive signal output devices are connected to the light signal input terminals of the outbound call button lights on the same floor and in the same elevator direction;

[0050] Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, specifically:

[0051] When the outside call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outside call button light associated with the same floor and the same elevator direction, the outside call button controller sends a light-on drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outside call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction;

[0052] The light driving signal output device sends a light driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light driving instruction.

[0053] In some optional embodiments, when the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the outbound call button lights associated with the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-off drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction, specifically:

[0054] When the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction, the outbound call button controller sends a light-off drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction;

[0055] The light driving signal output device sends a light-off driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light-off driving instruction.

[0056] In some optional embodiments, the lamp driving signal output device includes a power supply unit and a fourth switching device;

[0057] The first end of the power supply unit is connected to the first light signal input end of the outbound call button light, the second end of the power supply unit is connected to the first end of the fourth switch device, and the second end of the fourth switch device is connected to the second light signal input end of the outbound call button light.

[0058] In some optional implementations, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically:

[0059] When it is detected that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, it is determined whether any of the elevator controllers sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the elevator request;

[0060] If it is detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light-on control signal, then the elevator boarding request is not responded to;

[0061] If it is not detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light control signal, the elevator boarding request is sent to the elevator group control processor.

[0062] In some optional implementations, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically:

[0063] When detecting that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, determining whether a preset elevator request response condition is met;

[0064] If yes, the elevator boarding request is sent to the elevator group control processor; if no, the elevator boarding request is not responded to;

[0065] The preset elevator request response condition is as follows: no elevator controller is detected to send a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, and the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received is greater than the preset elevator request theoretical processing time T;

[0066] T≥Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4; Δt1 is the time interval between T1 and T2, Δt2 is the time interval between T2 and T3, Δt3 is the time interval between T3 and T4, and Δt5 is the time interval between T4 and T5; T1 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the elevator request, T2 is the moment when the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, T3 is the moment when the elevator group control processor receives the elevator request, T4 is the moment when the elevator group controller sends the elevator control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller, and T5 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the light control signal sent by the target elevator controller;

[0067] Where, Δt3≤-2.5319Δt1 2 -0.6135Δt1+a; a is a constant, 0.0956≤a≤0.0987; 0.001s<Δt1<0.1s, 0.001s<Δt2<0.5s, 0.001s<Δt4<0.5s, 0.02s <T<1s。

[0068] In some optional embodiments, the group control dispatching system further includes an elevator operation status detection device associated with each of the elevator cars;

[0069] The elevator operation status detection device is used to detect the operation status information of the associated elevator car and send it to the elevator group controller;

[0070] The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers, specifically:

[0071] According to the received elevator request and the operation status information of each elevator car, group control and dispatching control are performed on all elevator cars to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers.

[0072] In some optional implementations, the running status information includes the current floor of the elevator car and the dispatching status; the dispatching status is a running state or a stationary state;

[0073] The method of performing group control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers specifically includes:

[0074] Calculate the travel distance of each elevator car to the waiting floor based on the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the elevator request, as well as the current floor and dispatch status of each elevator car;

[0075] When there is only one elevator car whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, obtaining the elevator car whose travel distance is greater than the preset travel distance threshold as the initial elevator car;

[0076] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0077] In some optional embodiments, performing group control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers further includes:

[0078] When there are M1 elevator cars whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, determine the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance among the M1 elevator cars; M1>1;

[0079] When there is only one elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance, obtaining the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance as the initial elevator car;

[0080] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0081] In some optional embodiments, performing group control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers further includes:

[0082] When there are M2 elevator cars corresponding to the shortest travel distance, determine whether the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same; 1 < M2 < M1;

[0083] When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same, determining any one of the M2 elevator cars as the initial elevator car;

[0084] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0085] In some optional embodiments, performing group control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers further includes:

[0086] When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not completely the same, determining whether there is an elevator car in a running state among the M2 elevator cars;

[0087] When there is an elevator car in a running state, determining the elevator car in a running state as the initial elevator car;

[0088] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0089] In some optional embodiments, performing group control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers further includes:

[0090] When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not identical, determining the unfinished elevator ride tasks that existed before the elevator ride request was received according to the light-on drive signal sent by the outbound call button controller;

[0091] According to the unfinished elevator ride tasks, the number of stops required for the M2 elevator cars to reach the waiting floor is estimated;

[0092] Obtaining an elevator car corresponding to the minimum number of stops as the initial elevator car;

[0093] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0094] In some optional embodiments, the elevator group control processor is further configured to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps:

[0095] Querying a preset group control processing time table according to the current real-time time to determine whether the current real-time time is in the group control processing time period;

[0096] When the current real time is in the group control processing time period, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

[0097] In some optional embodiments, the elevator group control processor is further configured to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps:

[0098] Receive elevator group control processing instructions input by the user;

[0099] According to the elevator group control processing instruction, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

[0100] In some optional embodiments, the outbound call button controller is also used to enable each of the elevator controllers to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button, and each of the outbound call button lights to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller when the outbound call button controller itself is powered off or when a communication abnormality is detected between the elevator group control processor.

[0101] In some optional embodiments, the elevator group control processor further includes a protocol converter; among the original elevator controller and each of the newly added elevator controllers, one elevator controller is set as a master elevator controller, and all elevator controllers other than the master elevator controller are set as slave elevator controllers; wherein the master elevator controller is used to receive operating status information reported by its associated elevator car; each of the slave elevator controllers is used to receive operating status information reported by its associated elevator car and send the operating status information to the protocol converter; each of the slave elevator controllers is further used to receive an elevator boarding request sent by an associated outbound call button and send the received elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor;

[0102] Then, the elevator group control processor is further configured to, when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, trigger the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and send the received elevator boarding request to the protocol converter;

[0103] The protocol converter is configured to, after starting the protocol conversion function, convert the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and convert the received elevator boarding request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted elevator boarding request to the main elevator controller;

[0104] The master elevator controller is used to receive an elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or an elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determine the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generate elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0105] In some optional embodiments, the elevator group control processor is also used to set the original elevator controller and any one of the newly added elevator controllers as the master elevator controller when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, and set all elevator controllers except the master elevator controller as the slave elevator controllers.

[0106] In some optional embodiments, the master elevator controller is further configured to send the elevator dispatch information to the protocol converter when the target elevator car is an elevator car associated with a slave elevator controller;

[0107] The protocol converter is further configured to convert the elevator dispatch information into an elevator protocol format of a slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car, and send the elevator dispatch information to the slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car;

[0108] The slave elevator controller is further configured to obtain the target elevator car and the elevator riding task according to the received elevator dispatching information, and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator riding task.

[0109] In some optional embodiments, the main elevator controller is further configured to send a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the received elevator request and the protocol converter according to the received elevator request;

[0110] The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers;

[0111] The slave elevator controller is further configured to light up the outbound call button lights associated with the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the received boarding request according to the received light control signal.

[0112] In some optional embodiments, the main elevator controller is further configured to, when determining that the target elevator car has completed the boarding task, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the received boarding request and to the protocol converter;

[0113] The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light-off control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light-off control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers;

[0114] The slave elevator controller is further configured to control the lights of the outbound call buttons corresponding to the waiting floors and the boarding directions included in the received boarding request to turn off according to the received light-off control signal.

[0115] In some optional embodiments, the main elevator controller is further configured to:

[0116] After generating the elevator dispatch information, it is determined whether the target elevator car has completed the elevator riding task based on the operating status information of each elevator car associated with itself and the operating status information of each elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller.

[0117] In some optional embodiments, the protocol converter includes a master protocol conversion device and at least one slave protocol conversion device;

[0118] The master protocol conversion device is connected to the master elevator controller, the master protocol conversion device is connected to each of the slave protocol conversion devices, and each of the slave protocol conversion devices is connected to each of the slave elevator controllers in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0119] The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller, and the slave protocol conversion device communicates with the connected slave elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller; the master protocol conversion device communicates with each of the slave protocol conversion devices via a preset universal elevator protocol.

[0120] In some optional embodiments, the main protocol conversion device includes a first micro control unit, a first communication protocol interface and a universal elevator protocol interface;

[0121] The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the first communication protocol interface, and communicates with the slave protocol conversion device via the universal elevator protocol interface;

[0122] The first micro control unit is used to convert the communication data received through the first communication protocol interface into a universal elevator protocol format, and convert the communication data received through the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller.

[0123] In some optional embodiments, the slave protocol conversion device includes a second micro control unit, a second communication protocol interface, and a universal elevator protocol interface;

[0124] The slave protocol conversion device communicates with the slave elevator controller via the second communication protocol interface, and communicates with the master protocol conversion device via the universal elevator protocol interface;

[0125] The second micro control unit is used to convert the communication data received through the second communication protocol interface into a universal elevator protocol format, and convert the communication data received through the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller.

[0126] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands, which is applicable to the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as described in any of the above embodiments. The method is executed by the elevator group controller and includes:

[0127] When receiving an elevator request from an elevator user through the elevator group control processor, the elevator request is sent to the elevator group controller;

[0128] The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator boarding request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller;

[0129] The target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0130] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands, which is applicable to the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as described in any of the above embodiments. The method is executed by the protocol converter and includes:

[0131] When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of the elevator car is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, triggering the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and sending the received elevator request to the protocol converter;

[0132] After starting the protocol conversion function, the protocol converter converts the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and converts the received elevator request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted elevator request to the main elevator controller;

[0133] The master elevator controller receives the elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or the elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determines the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generates elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0134] Compared with the prior art, the embodiments of the present invention disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention provide a group control and dispatching system and method for elevators of different brands. By adding an elevator group control processor to the existing elevator systems of different brands, in one mode, the elevator group control processor uniformly obtains the elevator request input by the user in any elevator system, and the elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the elevator request to determine the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller dispatches its associated elevator car to respond to the user's elevator request, and on the basis of retaining the original elevator dispatching strategies of the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller, group control and dispatching of the elevator cars respectively associated with the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller is realized; in another mode, by determining a master elevator controller and at least one slave elevator controller among all elevator controllers, and implementing protocol conversion and data forwarding between the master elevator controller and the slave elevator controller through a protocol converter, group control and dispatching of the elevator cars respectively associated with the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller is realized on the basis of retaining the original elevator dispatching strategy of the master elevator controller. The embodiment of the present invention can realize the group control and dispatching function of elevators of different brands and models, thereby flexibly controlling the operation of elevators. It can effectively prevent the situation where the original elevator controllers of different brands of elevators will respond and dispatch elevators to pick up users after users press the outbound call buttons of different brands of elevators at the same time, resulting in the elevators running or stopping in vain and wasting resources. It effectively improves the operating efficiency of the elevators, saves the operating costs of the elevators, and provides more independent choices for replacing elevators in old communities. In addition, the embodiment of the present invention does not require adjustment of the elevator dispatching strategy of the existing elevator system, and the changes to the existing elevator system are relatively small, which is highly practical. At the same time, it can also improve the confidentiality of the elevator protocols of different brands of elevator companies themselves, protect the protocols of different brands of elevators from being leaked and maliciously tampered with, and improve the safety of elevator operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0135] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0136] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a preferred embodiment of the outbound call button controller in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0137] Figure 3 1 is a schematic diagram of the working principle of another preferred embodiment of the outbound call button controller in the embodiment of the present invention;

[0138] Figure 4 1 is a structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0139] Figure 5This is a structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0140] Figure 6 1 is a structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0141] Figure 7 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a main protocol conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0142] Figure 8 It is a structural diagram of a protocol conversion device in an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0143] The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present invention, not all of the embodiments. All other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field based on the embodiments of the present invention without making any creative efforts shall fall within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0144] See also Figure 1 , is a structural diagram of a preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by the present invention. The embodiment of the present invention provides a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands, comprising an elevator group control processor, an original elevator controller, at least one newly added elevator controller, at least one elevator car of the original brand associated with the original elevator controller, and at least one elevator car of the newly added brand associated with each newly added elevator controller; the elevator group control processor includes an elevator group controller;

[0145] The elevator group control processor is configured to, upon receiving an elevator boarding request from an elevator user, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group controller;

[0146] The elevator group controller is configured to perform group control and dispatching of all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from among all elevator controllers; generate an elevator dispatch control instruction based on the elevator boarding request, and send the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller; the elevator controller is the original elevator controller or the newly added elevator controller;

[0147] The target elevator controller is used to obtain the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determine the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0148] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present invention, the original elevator controller and its associated elevator cars are of the same elevator brand, A. The original elevator controller can use its own existing elevator dispatching strategy to implement dispatching control over the elevator cars of the associated elevator brand, A. When there is a need to replace old elevator cars or expand or renovate a facility, it is necessary to replace at least one of the original elevator cars with an elevator car of a different brand, or introduce an elevator car of a different brand while retaining the original elevator car. The newly added elevator controller and its associated elevator car are of a new elevator brand different from elevator brand A. There can be more than one new elevator brand, for example, including elevator brand B and elevator brand C. In this case, elevator brand B corresponds to the newly added elevator controller and its associated elevator car of elevator brand B, and elevator brand C corresponds to the newly added elevator controller and its associated elevator car of elevator brand C. The newly added elevator controller can also use its own existing elevator dispatching strategy to implement dispatching control over the associated elevator cars.

[0149] Furthermore, for each elevator controller and its associated elevator car, the elevator system is equipped with at least one outbound call button for each direction (including both upward and downward travel) on each floor. When a passenger manually operates an outbound call button, for example, by pressing the outbound call button for a specific floor or travel direction, the button closure generates a corresponding trigger signal, generating and uploading the boarding request. It is understood that the boarding request includes the waiting floor and travel direction.

[0150] Furthermore, elevator controllers are typically installed on the top of an elevator car or on a car panel, or in the machine room of the elevator system. One or more elevator controllers can be deployed based on actual needs, and the number of elevator controllers deployed can also be adjusted based on the total number of elevator cars. For example, one elevator controller can be deployed for each elevator car to form an elevator system, with each elevator controller independently controlling its associated elevator car. For example, a group of elevator cars of the same brand can be deployed with only one elevator controller to form an elevator system, with each elevator controller providing group control over multiple elevator cars of the same brand.

[0151] exist Figure 1 In the structural diagram shown, taking three elevator brands as an example, each elevator controller corresponds to an elevator car, and each elevator car is equipped with an outbound call button for each floor and each direction of the elevator. Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 1 The structural diagram is merely an example of the structure of the above-mentioned group control and scheduling system, and does not constitute a limitation on the above-mentioned group control and scheduling system. It may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or a combination of certain components, or different components.

[0152] In an embodiment of the present invention, an elevator group control processor is provided on the basis of an existing elevator system to realize the group control function of elevator systems of different brands. The elevator group control processor is configured with an elevator group controller. When an elevator user has an up / down elevator demand at a certain waiting floor, he presses any outbound call button for the up / down elevator direction at the waiting floor (which can be an outbound call button associated with the original elevator controller or an outbound call button associated with any newly added elevator controller) to generate an elevator request. The elevator group control processor can intercept the elevator request and send the elevator request to the elevator group controller. The elevator group controller performs group control scheduling control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers, which is equivalent to determining which elevator car group associated with which elevator controller responds to the elevator request and completes the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request. Furthermore, the elevator group controller also generates an elevator dispatch control instruction based on the elevator request and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller, while other elevator controllers do not receive the elevator dispatch control instruction. It is understood that the elevator dispatch control instruction includes information such as the waiting floor and boarding direction contained in the elevator request. After receiving the elevator dispatch control instruction, the target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request based on the received elevator dispatch control instruction, calls its own existing elevator scheduling strategy, determines the target elevator car in the associated elevator car group, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0153] In a specific application scenario, for example, the group control and dispatching system includes an existing elevator controller of brand A and its associated n elevator cars, a newly added elevator controller of brand B and its associated m elevator cars, and a newly added elevator controller of brand C and its associated k elevator cars. Here, m, n, and k all satisfy the condition of being greater than or equal to 1. When the user needs to go up on the 6th floor, he presses any up call button on the 6th floor. For example, on the 6th floor, he presses the up call button of the brand A elevator system and the up call button of the brand B elevator system at the same time. The elevator group control processor intercepts the elevator request and sends it to the elevator group controller. The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on the m elevator cars, n elevator cars and k elevator cars according to the received elevator request, and determines which elevator car group has an elevator car suitable for responding to the elevator request, thereby determining the target elevator controller. Assuming that the target elevator controller is the newly added elevator controller of brand B, the elevator dispatch control instruction generated according to the elevator request is sent to the newly added elevator controller of brand B, simulating that the user has inputted an elevator request to the brand B elevator system. Based on the elevator dispatch control command, the newly added elevator controller of brand B obtains the corresponding elevator task for the boarding request. It then invokes its existing elevator dispatch strategy, determines the target elevator car within the group of m associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the boarding task and pick up the user on the 6th floor. However, the original elevator controller of brand A and the newly added elevator controller of brand C did not receive the boarding request or the elevator dispatch control command from the elevator group controller. Therefore, no elevator dispatch operation was performed, preventing the dispatch of multiple elevators to the 6th floor to pick up the user.

[0154] An embodiment of the present invention provides a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands. By adding an elevator group control processor to existing elevator systems of different brands, the elevator group control processor uniformly obtains elevator requests input by users in any elevator system. The elevator group controller then performs group control and dispatching of all elevator cars based on the elevator requests to determine a target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then dispatches its associated elevator car to respond to the user's elevator request. While retaining the original elevator dispatching strategies of the original and newly added elevator controllers, group control and dispatching of the elevator cars associated with the original and newly added elevator controllers is implemented, enabling group control and dispatching of elevators of different brands and models. This system flexibly controls elevator operation and effectively prevents situations where, when a user simultaneously presses the outbound call buttons for elevators of different brands, the original elevator controllers of different brands will all respond and dispatch elevators to pick up the user, resulting in empty runs or idle stops and wasted resources. This effectively improves elevator operating efficiency, saves operating costs, and provides more autonomy for replacing elevators in older communities. Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention does not require adjustment of the elevator dispatching strategy of the existing elevator system, and thus requires relatively little modification to the existing elevator system, thereby being highly practical.

[0155] As a first preferred embodiment, see Figure 1 , the group control and dispatching system also includes an outbound call button controller.

[0156] The elevator group control processor is further configured to trigger the elevator group controller to send an invalid button control instruction to the outbound call button controller when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required;

[0157] The outbound call button controller is configured to control each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to an elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction; and, upon detecting that an outbound call button receives an elevator boarding request, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor;

[0158] Then, the elevator group controller generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller, specifically:

[0159] Generate an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and send the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller;

[0160] Then, the outbound call button controller is further configured to generate a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmit the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller;

[0161] Then, the target elevator controller obtains the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the boarding task, specifically:

[0162] An elevator task corresponding to the elevator request is obtained according to the received simulated key signal, a target elevator car is determined among the associated elevator cars, and the target elevator car is controlled to respond to the elevator task.

[0163] Specifically, in conjunction with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller is generally connected between the outbound call button of the elevator car and the elevator controller. The elevator group control processor communicates with the outbound call button controller via a wired or wireless method, and uses the outbound call button controller to intercept the elevator boarding request input by the elevator user and generate a simulated button signal that simulates the trigger signal of the outbound call button.

[0164] In specific implementation, the elevator group control processor determines in real time whether group control of all elevator cars is required. When it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required, the elevator group controller is triggered to send an invalid button control instruction to the outbound call button controller.

[0165] It can be understood that before the installation of the outbound call button controller provided by the embodiment of the present invention, in the existing elevator control system, the elevator user presses the outbound call button, and the button closing action generates a corresponding trigger signal, forming the elevator request. The elevator controller can receive the trigger signal corresponding to the outbound call button to respond to the elevator request.

[0166] After installing the outbound call button controller according to an embodiment of the present invention, when group control of all elevator cars is required, the outbound call button controller controls each elevator controller to be unable to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the outbound call button according to the received button invalidation control instruction, that is, the communication between the elevator controller and the outbound call button is controlled to be in an invalid state. In addition, the outbound call button controller is also used to detect in real time whether the outbound call button has received the elevator boarding request of the elevator user. When the elevator user inputs the elevator boarding request through the outbound call button, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor. The elevator group control processor then sends the elevator boarding request to the elevator group controller for group control scheduling.

[0167] Specifically, the elevator group controller performs group control scheduling on all elevator cars based on the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; and generates an elevator dispatch control instruction based on the elevator request, and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller. The outbound call button controller generates a simulated key signal based on the received elevator dispatch control instruction, thereby simulating the trigger signal generated by pressing the outbound call button associated with the target elevator controller and corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, and transmits the simulated key signal to the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request based on the received simulated key signal, calls its own original elevator dispatch strategy, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0168] In combination with the above application scenario, when group control of all elevator cars is required, the outbound call button controller controls the communication between the original elevator controller of brand A, the newly added elevator controllers of brands B and C and their associated outbound call buttons according to the received invalid button control instruction. When the user presses the up outbound call button associated with the brand A elevator system on the 6th floor and sends an elevator request, the original elevator controller of brand A cannot respond to the elevator request, while the outbound call button controller detects the user's up elevator request on the 6th floor and sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor. Thereby, the elevator group controller performs group control and scheduling on the m elevator cars, n elevator cars and k elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller. Assuming that the target elevator controller is a newly added elevator controller of brand B, the elevator group controller generates an elevator dispatch control instruction for the upward trip to the 6th floor and sends it to the outbound call button controller. The outbound call button controller generates a simulated button signal for the upward trip to the 6th floor and transmits it to the target elevator controller, that is, the newly added elevator controller of brand B, simulating a user pressing the upward outbound call button associated with the newly added elevator controller of brand B on the 6th floor. The newly added elevator controller of brand B receives the simulated button signal, obtains the elevator request for the upward trip to the 6th floor, and calls its own original elevator dispatching strategy. It determines the target elevator car in the group of m associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task and pick up the user to the 6th floor to go up.

[0169] It is understandable that even if a user presses the outbound call buttons of different brands of elevator systems at the same time, the elevator group controller will eventually determine a target elevator controller, and the target elevator controller will dispatch a target car corresponding to the elevator ride task, without multiple elevator controllers responding and dispatching elevator cars. For example, if a user presses the up-call buttons associated with brand A and brand B elevator systems on the 6th floor at the same time and issues an elevator ride request, neither brand A's elevator controller nor brand B's elevator controller will be able to respond to the elevator ride request. In addition, the elevator group controller will eventually determine that the target elevator controller is the newly added elevator controller of brand B. The brand B elevator controller will determine the target elevator car in the group of m associated elevator cars and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator ride task.

[0170] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, an outbound call button controller is added to realize the interception, acquisition and simulation of the elevator boarding request received by the outbound call button, and in conjunction with the elevator group control processor, the group control scheduling function of all elevator cars of different brands of elevators is realized without changing the elevator control strategy of the existing elevator system, thereby flexibly controlling the elevator operation, effectively improving the elevator operation efficiency, and saving the elevator operation cost.

[0171] As a preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button invalidation control devices; each of the button invalidation control devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button.

[0172] Then, the outbound call button controller controls each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically:

[0173] The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the button invalidation control devices;

[0174] The button invalidation control device controls the associated elevator controller to be unable to respond to the elevator request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

[0175] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a number of button invalidation control devices, each of which is arranged between the button signal input end of each elevator controller and the signal output end of all outbound call buttons associated with the elevator controller, thereby realizing the interception of the elevator request sent to the outbound call button, so that the elevator controller cannot respond to the elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button.

[0176] As a preferred solution, the button invalidation control device can be implemented by using switch devices such as relays, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0177] See also Figure 2 , is a schematic diagram of the working principle of a preferred embodiment of the outbound call button controller provided by the present invention. Before installing the outbound call button controller provided by the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 As shown in the figure above, the elevator user manually operates the elevator car's call button S_W. The closing action of the call button S_W will generate a corresponding trigger signal, forming an elevator request. The signal output end of the call button S_W and the key signal input end of the associated elevator controller form a closed loop, and the elevator controller can receive the elevator request. After the call button controller provided by the embodiment of the present invention is installed, Figure 2 As shown in the figure below, the button invalidation control device includes a first switch device S_B; the first switch device S_B is connected in series between the signal output terminal of the elevator button and the key signal input terminal of the elevator controller. Whether the elevator car's door call button S_W is connected to the elevator controller is controlled by switch S_B. In response to a received button invalidation control instruction, the door call button controller controls switch S_B to open, rendering the elevator user's manual operation of the elevator car's door call button S_W ineffective, thereby preventing the elevator controller from responding to elevator boarding requests received by the associated door call button.

[0178] It can be understood that the number of key invalidation control devices can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the key invalidation control device can be configured according to the number of elevator controllers, and the key signal input end of the elevator controller is connected to one end of the key invalidation control device, and the other end of the key invalidation control device is connected to the signal output end of each up / down outbound call button of each floor associated with the elevator controller; of course, the key invalidation control device can also be configured according to the number of outbound call buttons, and the key invalidation control device can also be configured according to the number of floors, etc., which does not affect the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0179] As another preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of button state detection devices, wherein the button state detection devices are connected to the signal output ends of the outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same elevator direction;

[0180] Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller, specifically:

[0181] The button status detection device detects whether the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, and when it detects that the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller; wherein, the elevator request includes the waiting floor and the elevator direction.

[0182] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button status detection devices, and the button status detection devices are connected to the signal output end of the outbound call button, thereby realizing the detection of the elevator request received by the outbound call button.

[0183] like Figure 2 As shown in the figure below, the first signal output end of the outbound call button S_W is connected to the first input end of the button state detection device IN_S, and the second signal output end of the outbound call button S_W is connected to the second input end of the button state detection device IN_S. When the outbound call button S_W is pressed, the outbound call button S_W and the button state detection device IN_S form a closed loop. The button state detection device IN_S can detect the trigger signal generated after the outbound call button S_W is closed, thereby determining that the outbound call button is pressed by the user. The button state detection device uploads the trigger signal to the elevator group control processor. The elevator group control processor can determine which floor and which direction has issued the elevator request based on the button state detection device that uploaded the signal, that is, obtain the elevator request including the waiting floor and the elevator direction.

[0184] It is understandable that the button state detection device is primarily used to detect boarding requests from outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller, located on the same floor, and in the same boarding direction. Therefore, outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller, located on the same floor, and in the same boarding direction can be configured with the same button state detection device for detection. Of course, the specific number of button state detection devices can be set based on actual circumstances. For example, one button state detection device can be configured for each outbound call button, without affecting the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0185] Preferably, see Figure 2In combination with the above application scenario, the first switch device S_B includes two single-pole double-throw switches, namely S_B1 and S_B2. The normally closed contact a of switch S_B1 is connected to the first key signal input terminal of the elevator controller, the normally open contact b is connected to the first input terminal of the key state detection device IN_S, and the common contact c is connected to the first signal output terminal of the outbound call key S_W; the normally closed contact a of switch S_B2 is connected to the second key signal input terminal of the elevator controller, the normally open contact b is connected to the second input terminal of the key state detection device IN_S, and the common contact c is connected to the second signal output terminal of the outbound call key S_W. When the outbound call key controller receives a key invalidation control instruction, it controls the normally closed contact a and the common contact c of switches S_B1 and S_B2 to disconnect and the normally open contact b and the common contact c to close, so that the manual operation of the outbound call key S_W of the elevator car by the elevator user is invalid, and the key state detection device IN_S can detect the trigger signal generated after the outbound call key S_W is closed.

[0186] As another preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button signal output devices; each of the button signal output devices is respectively connected to each button signal input terminal of the elevator controller;

[0187] Then, the outbound call button controller generates a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller, specifically:

[0188] The outbound call button controller sends the received elevator dispatch control instruction to the button signal output device corresponding to the target elevator controller;

[0189] The key signal output device generates a simulated key signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated key signal to the associated target elevator controller.

[0190] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call key controller includes a plurality of key signal output devices, and the key signal output devices are connected to the key signal input end of the elevator controller, thereby inputting analog key signals to the elevator controller.

[0191] As a preferred solution, the key signal output device can be implemented using switching devices such as relays, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0192] like Figure 2As shown in the figure below, the key signal output device includes a second switch device S_A, the first end of the second switch device S_A is connected to the first key signal input end of the elevator controller, and the second end of the second switch device S_A is connected to the second key signal input end of the elevator controller. It should be noted that the first key signal input end of the elevator controller corresponds to the first signal output end of the outbound call button S_W, and the second key signal input end of the elevator controller corresponds to the second signal output end of the outbound call button S_W, that is, the second switch device S_A is connected in parallel with the outbound call button S_W. When the outbound call button controller receives an elevator dispatch control instruction, it controls the corresponding second switch device S_A to output a closed signal according to the waiting floor and elevator direction contained in the elevator dispatch control instruction, and generates an elevator call signal to the associated elevator controller, thereby simulating the action of a user pressing the outbound call button S_W associated with the elevator controller.

[0193] It is understandable that the simulated key signals output by the key signal output device are primarily used to simulate boarding requests from outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same direction. Therefore, a key signal output device can be provided, connected in parallel with all outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same direction, to simulate an outbound call request input to the elevator controller from any outbound call button located on the same floor and in the same direction. Of course, the specific number of key signal output devices can be set based on actual circumstances. For example, a key signal output device can be connected in parallel to each outbound call button, without affecting the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0194] exist Figure 2 In the structural diagram shown, only one elevator controller corresponds to one outbound call button as an example, and those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 2 The structural diagram is only an example of the relationship between the elevator controller, the outbound call button controller and the outbound call button in the above-mentioned group control and dispatching system, and does not constitute a limitation of the above-mentioned group control and dispatching system. It may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or a combination of certain components, or different components.

[0195] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, a button invalidation control device, a button status detection device and a button signal output device are configured inside the outbound call button controller. The button invalidation control device is used to intercept the elevator request received by the outbound call button, and the button status detection device is used to detect the elevator request received by the outbound call button. The button signal output device is used to simulate the elevator request issued by the outbound call button, and in conjunction with the elevator group control processor, the group control scheduling function of all elevator cars of different brands of elevators is realized without changing the elevator control strategy of the existing elevator system.

[0196] Furthermore, in an embodiment of the present invention, for the elevator system formed by each elevator controller and its associated elevator car, at least one outbound call button light is provided corresponding to each elevator direction (including the upward elevator direction and the downward elevator direction) on each floor, which is used to indicate that the elevator controller responds to the elevator request for the corresponding elevator direction on that floor. For example, when the elevator controller receives an elevator request for a certain elevator direction on a certain floor, it will output a corresponding light-on control signal to control all outbound call button lights corresponding to the elevator direction on that floor associated with itself to light up, so as to remind the user that the elevator car is being dispatched. When the elevator car runs to the floor to pick up the user, the elevator controller will output a corresponding light-off control signal to control all outbound call button lights corresponding to the elevator direction on that floor associated with itself to turn off.

[0197] On this basis, as a preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller is further used to control all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received button invalid control instruction; the light control signal includes a light on control signal and a light off control signal;

[0198] The target elevator controller is further configured to send a light-on control signal to an associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the boarding request according to the received simulated key signal;

[0199] The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light; and when it is detected that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light on the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

[0200] The target elevator controller is further configured to, after the target elevator car completes the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the boarding request;

[0201] The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when it is detected that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-off drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

[0202] Specifically, in conjunction with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller is further connected between the outbound call button lights in the elevator cars and the elevator controller. When group control of all elevator cars is required, the outbound call button controller, based on the received button disable control command, controls all outbound call button lights to prevent them from responding to light-on control signals or light-off control signals sent by the associated elevator controller. In other words, communication between the elevator controller and the outbound call button lights is disabled. When the target elevator controller receives the simulated button signal, i.e., receives an elevator request from a certain floor and a certain direction, it invokes its own existing elevator dispatching strategy and issues a light-on control signal to the outbound call button lights associated with that floor and direction. The light-on control signal is intercepted by the outbound call button controller. Upon detecting the light-on control signal from the target elevator controller, the outbound call button controller issues a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and in the same direction, thereby illuminating all outbound call button lights on that floor and in that direction, indicating to the user that all elevator cars are under group control and that an elevator car is being dispatched to that floor.

[0203] Furthermore, when the target elevator controller dispatches the target elevator car in response to the boarding request and detects that the target elevator car completes the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request, it calls its own original elevator dispatching strategy and sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light of the floor and the boarding direction associated with itself. Similarly, the light-off control signal is intercepted by the outbound call button controller, and after detecting that all elevator controllers have sent the light-off control signal, the outbound call button controller sends a light-off drive signal to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the boarding direction, so as to drive all outbound call button lights of the floor and the boarding direction to turn off.

[0204] It should be noted that the light-on control signal and light-off control signal are continuous signals. For example, if the light-on control signal is a high-level signal, the elevator controller continuously outputs a high-level signal to drive the corresponding outbound call button light to light up. The outbound call button controller determines whether the elevator controller has issued the light-on control signal by detecting whether the high-level signal is continuously present. It is understood that if the elevator controller issues a low-level signal, it is considered that the elevator controller has issued the light-off control signal.

[0205] In combination with the above application scenario, when group control of all elevator cars is required, the outbound call button controller controls the communication between the original elevator controller of brand A, the newly added elevator controllers of brands B and C and their associated outbound call buttons and outbound call button lights according to the received invalid button control instruction. When the user presses the up outbound call button associated with the brand A elevator system on the 6th floor and sends an elevator request, since the communication between the elevator controller and the associated outbound call button is invalid, the brand A elevator controller cannot respond to the elevator request. The outbound call button controller detects the user's up elevator request on the 6th floor and sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor. Thereby, the elevator group controller performs group control and scheduling on the m elevator cars, n elevator cars and k elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller. Assuming the target elevator controller is a Brand B elevator controller, the elevator group controller generates an elevator dispatch control command for the 6th floor up and sends it to the door call button controller. The door call button controller generates a simulated key signal for the 6th floor up and transmits it to the target elevator controller, simulating a user pressing the door call button on the 6th floor on the Brand B elevator controller. The Brand B elevator controller receives the simulated key signal, obtains the elevator request for the 6th floor up, and invokes its own existing elevator dispatch strategy to output a light-on control signal to the door call button light associated with it for the 6th floor up. However, due to the ineffective communication between the elevator controller and the associated door call button light, the door call button light associated with the Brand B elevator controller for the 6th floor up cannot receive the light-on control signal. The door call button controller detects that the Brand B elevator controller has issued a light-on control signal to the door call button light for the 6th floor up and issues a light-on drive signal to illuminate all the door call button lights for the 6th floor up. Furthermore, the Brand B elevator controller determines the target elevator car within its group of m associated elevator cars and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator call request, picking up the user on the 6th floor. Afterwards, the Brand B elevator controller detects that the target elevator car has arrived on the 6th floor to pick up the user and outputs a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light on the 6th floor. The Brand A and Brand C elevator controllers remain unchanged, continuously outputting light-off control signals to their associated outbound call button lights on the 6th floor. The outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers have issued light-off control signals to the outbound call button lights on the 6th floor and then issues a light-off drive signal, turning off all outbound call button lights on the 6th floor, completing the entire elevator call process.

[0206] Preferably, after detecting the light on control signal or light off control signal sent by the elevator controller, the outbound call button controller will send the light on control signal or the light off control signal to the elevator group controller, so that the elevator group controller can record the status of the elevator controller and the elevator car according to the light control signal and understand the scheduling status of the elevator car.

[0207] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, the outbound call button controller can also realize the interception and acquisition of the light control signal of the elevator controller and the simulation of the light driving signal. Without changing the elevator control strategy of the existing elevator system, the group control function of the outbound call button lights of elevators of different brands can be realized, providing users with more accurate elevator scheduling instructions and improving the user experience.

[0208] As a preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light signal control invalidation devices; each of the light signal control invalidation devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button light;

[0209] Then, the outbound call button controller controls all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically:

[0210] The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the light signal control invalidation devices;

[0211] The light signal control invalidation device controls the associated outbound call button light to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

[0212] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller also includes a plurality of light signal control invalidation devices, each of which is respectively arranged between the light signal output end of each elevator controller and the light signal input end of the associated outbound call button light, thereby realizing the interception of the light on control signal or the light off control signal sent by the elevator controller, so that the outbound call button light cannot respond to the light on control signal or the light off control signal sent by the associated elevator controller.

[0213] As a preferred solution, the button invalidation control device can be implemented by using switch devices such as relays, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0214] See also Figure 3 , is a schematic diagram of the working principle of another preferred embodiment of the outbound call button controller provided by the present invention. Before installing the outbound call button controller provided by the embodiment of the present invention, Figure 3 As shown in the figure above, the light signal output terminal of the elevator controller and the light signal input terminal of the outbound call button light S_D form a closed loop. When the elevator controller sends a light control signal, the outbound call button light S_D can receive the light control signal and turn on or off according to the light control signal. Figure 3As shown in the figure below, the light signal control disabling device includes a third switch device S_L connected in series between the light signal output terminal of the elevator controller and the light signal input terminal of the hall call button light. Whether the hall call button light S_D is connected to the elevator controller is controlled by switch S_L. Upon receiving a key disabling control command, the hall call button controller controls switch S_L to open, rendering the control signal sent by the elevator controller to the hall call button light S_D ineffective. This prevents the hall call button light from responding to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller.

[0215] It can be understood that the number of light signal control disabling devices can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the light signal control disabling devices can be configured according to the number of elevator controllers, and the button light signal output end of the elevator controller is connected to one end of the light signal control disabling device, and the other end of the light signal control disabling device is connected to the signal input end of each up / down outbound call button light on each floor associated with the elevator controller; currently, the light signal control disabling device can also be configured according to the number of outbound call button lights, and the light signal control disabling device can also be configured according to the number of floors, etc., all of which do not affect the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0216] As another preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light control signal detection devices; each of the light control signal detection devices is respectively connected to the light signal output terminal of each of the elevator controllers;

[0217] Then, the outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically:

[0218] The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light control signal, sends the light control signal to the outbound call button controller.

[0219] The outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically:

[0220] The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light off control signal, sends the light off control signal to the outbound call button controller.

[0221] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of light control signal detection devices, each of which is connected to each light signal output end of the elevator controller, that is, one light control signal detection device corresponds to detecting the light control signal sent by the elevator controller to one outbound call button light, thereby realizing the detection of the light control signal sent by the elevator controller.

[0222] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure below, the first light signal output terminal of the elevator controller is connected to the first input terminal of the light control signal detection device IN_L, and the second light signal output terminal of the elevator controller is connected to the second input terminal of the light control signal detection device IN_L. It should be noted that the first light signal output terminal of the elevator controller corresponds to the first signal input terminal of the outbound call button light S_L, and the second light signal output terminal of the elevator controller corresponds to the second signal input terminal of the outbound call button light S_L. When the elevator controller sends a light control signal, the elevator controller and the light control signal detection device IN_L form a closed loop. The light control signal detection device IN_L can detect the light control signal sent by the elevator controller and upload the light control signal to the outbound call button controller. The outbound call button controller can determine the outbound call button light for which floor and boarding direction the elevator controller is sending the control signal based on the light control signal detection device that uploaded the light control signal, thereby obtaining the corresponding waiting floor and boarding direction.

[0223] It can be understood that the elevator controller is configured with a light control signal detection device to detect the light control signal of each outbound call button light associated therewith. The number of the light control signal detection devices can be set according to actual conditions and is not limited here.

[0224] As another preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller further comprises a plurality of light drive signal output devices; the light drive signal output devices are connected to the light signal input terminals of the outbound call button lights on the same floor and in the same elevator direction;

[0225] Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, specifically:

[0226] When the outside call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outside call button light associated with the same floor and the same elevator direction, the outside call button controller sends a light-on drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outside call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction;

[0227] The light driving signal output device sends a light driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light driving instruction.

[0228] When the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send light-off control signals to the outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends light-off drive signals to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction. Specifically,

[0229] When the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction, the outbound call button controller sends a light-off drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction;

[0230] The light driving signal output device sends a light-off driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light-off driving instruction.

[0231] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller includes a plurality of lamp driving signal output devices, and the lamp driving signal output devices are connected to the lamp signal input end of the outbound call button lamp, thereby inputting lamp driving signals to the outbound call button lamp.

[0232] As a preferred solution, the lamp driving signal output device can be implemented by using a circuit structure formed by a switching device such as a relay in combination with a power supply, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present invention.

[0233] like Figure 3 As shown in the figure below, the light driving signal output device includes a power supply unit and a fourth switch device S_C. The first end of the power supply unit is connected to the first light signal input end of the outbound call button light S_D, the second end of the power supply unit is connected to the first end of the fourth switch device S_C, and the second end of the fourth switch device S_C is connected to the second light signal input end of the outbound call button light S_D. When the outbound call button controller detects that the elevator controller has issued a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light of a certain floor and a certain direction, it controls the fourth switch device S_C connected to all outbound call button lights of that floor and that direction to close. The power supply unit, the four switches S_C, and the outbound call button lights form a closed circuit, and the power supply unit supplies power to the outbound call button lights, turning them on. When the outbound call button controller detects that the elevator controller has issued a light-off control signal to the outbound call button lights of a certain floor and a certain direction, it controls the fourth switch device S_C connected to all outbound call button lights of that floor and that direction to open, disabling the power supply unit from supplying power to the outbound call button lights, turning them off.

[0234] It can be understood that the number of the light driving signal output devices can be set according to actual conditions. For example, a key signal output device can be set up to connect all the outbound call key lights associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same elevator direction, so as to realize the driving of all the outbound call key lights located on the same floor and in the same elevator direction. Of course, a light driving signal output device can also be connected to each outbound call key light separately, which does not affect the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0235] exist Figure 3 In the structural diagram shown, only one elevator controller corresponds to one outbound call button light as an example. Those skilled in the art can understand that Figure 3 The structural diagram is only an example of the relationship between the elevator controller, the outbound call button controller and the outbound call button light in the above-mentioned group control and dispatching system, and does not constitute a limitation of the above-mentioned group control and dispatching system. It may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or a combination of certain components, or different components.

[0236] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, a light signal control disabling device, a light control signal detection device and a light drive signal output device are configured inside the outbound call button controller. The light signal control disabling device is used to cut off the light control signal sent by the elevator controller, the light control signal detection device is used to detect the light control signal sent by the elevator controller, and the light drive signal output device is used to drive the outbound call button light to turn on or off. Without changing the elevator control strategy of the existing elevator system, the group control function of the outbound call button lights of elevators of different brands is realized, providing users with more accurate elevator dispatch instructions and improving the user experience.

[0237] Preferably, in one embodiment, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically:

[0238] When it is detected that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, it is determined whether any of the elevator controllers sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the elevator request;

[0239] If it is detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light control signal, the elevator boarding request will not be responded to; if it is not detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light control signal, the elevator boarding request will be sent to the elevator group control processor.

[0240] Specifically, in conjunction with the above embodiment, upon detecting an elevator request for a certain direction on a certain floor, the outbound call button controller will first determine whether an elevator controller has already issued a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light for that direction on that floor. If so, this indicates that the elevator controller has received the elevator request and is already dispatching an elevator car to that floor, and therefore, there is no need to respond to the elevator request. If not, this indicates that the elevator controller has not yet received and responded to the elevator request, and therefore, the elevator request is sent to the elevator group control processor, which then executes the group control dispatch function.

[0241] In combination with the above application scenario, the user presses the up call button on the 6th floor, and the corresponding button state detection device IN_S of the outbound call button controller detects the closed signal of the outbound call button, and detects through the light control signal detection device IN_L whether there is an elevator controller that sends a light control signal to the up call button light on the 6th floor. Assuming that no detection is detected, it indicates that the uplift request on the 6th floor has not been registered. The outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, which then performs group control scheduling and determines the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller determines a target elevator car in the associated elevator cars based on its own original elevator scheduling strategy and controls the target elevator car to the 6th floor to pick up the user. At the same time, the target elevator controller will send a light control signal to the up call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself.

[0242] Assume that the user presses any up-call button on the 6th floor again before the arrival of the target elevator car, the corresponding button state detection device IN_S of the outbound call button controller detects the closed signal of the outbound call button, and obtains the up-call request on the 6th floor. Then, the light control signal detection device IN_L detects that the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the up-call button light on the 6th floor, indicating that the up-call request on the 6th floor has been registered and does not need to be re-registered. Therefore, the outbound call button controller does not respond to the elevator request repeatedly.

[0243] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, when the outbound call button controller detects an elevator request, it determines whether the elevator request has been registered by judging whether any of the elevator controllers has issued a light control signal corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction of the elevator request. If it has been registered, no repeated response will be given. If it has not been registered, the elevator request will be uploaded to the elevator group control processor, and then the elevator group controller will perform group control scheduling. This can effectively avoid repeated responses to the same elevator request, avoid increasing the data calculation amount of the system, and avoid dispatching multiple elevators to pick up users, resulting in empty elevator runs or empty stops.

[0244] Preferably, in another embodiment, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically:

[0245] When detecting that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, determining whether a preset elevator request response condition is met;

[0246] If yes, the elevator boarding request is sent to the elevator group control processor; if no, the elevator boarding request is not responded to;

[0247] The preset elevator request response condition is as follows: no elevator controller is detected to send a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, and the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received is greater than the preset elevator request theoretical processing time T;

[0248] T≥Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4; Δt1 is the time interval between T1 and T2, Δt2 is the time interval between T2 and T3, Δt3 is the time interval between T3 and T4, and Δt5 is the time interval between T4 and T5; T1 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the elevator request, T2 is the moment when the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, T3 is the moment when the elevator group control processor receives the elevator request, T4 is the moment when the elevator group controller sends the elevator control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller, and T5 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the light control signal sent by the target elevator controller;

[0249] Where, Δt3≤-2.5319Δt1 2 -0.6135Δt1+a; a is a constant, 0.0956≤a≤0.0987; 0.001s<Δt1<0.1s, 0.001s<Δt2<0.5s, 0.001s<Δt4<0.5s, 0.02s <T<1s。

[0250] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, when the elevator group control processor performs group control on all elevator cars, assuming that a user presses an outbound call button of a certain floor and a certain elevator direction, the outbound call button controller can detect that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, and record the time when the outbound call button controller receives the elevator request as T1. Then, the outbound call button controller will determine whether it detects that any of the elevator controllers sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, and determines whether the time T1 of receiving the elevator request is different from the time T1 of the last time the outbound call button light corresponding to the elevator request is received. The difference between the moments T1' of the elevator requests with the same value is greater than the preset theoretical processing time T for the elevator request. Only when the light control signal is not detected and the difference between T1 and T1' is greater than the theoretical processing time T, the outbound call button controller will send the elevator request to the elevator group control processor. The moment when the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor is recorded as T2, and the time interval between the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the elevator request and the moment when the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor is recorded as Δt1, Δt1=T2-T1.

[0251] After the outbound call button controller sends the boarding request to the elevator group control processor, the elevator group control processor receives the boarding request. The time when the elevator group control processor receives the boarding request is recorded as T3. The time interval between the time when the outbound call button controller sends the boarding request to the elevator group control processor and the time when the elevator group control processor receives the boarding request is recorded as Δt2, where Δt2 = T3 - T2. Δt2 is the information transmission time, and its value is determined by the transmission efficiency of the communication link in actual application conditions, and its value range is generally 0.001s < Δt2 < 0.5s.

[0252] After receiving the elevator request, the elevator group control processor sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller. The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers, and generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator request, and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller. The time when the elevator group controller sends the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller is recorded as T4, and the time interval between the time when the elevator group control processor receives the elevator request and the time when the elevator group controller sends the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller is recorded as Δt3, Δt3=T4-T3.

[0253] After receiving the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller, the outbound call key controller generates a simulated key signal based on the received elevator dispatch control instruction and transmits the simulated key signal to the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller determines the target elevator car based on the received simulated key signal and, upon receiving the simulated key signal, sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call key light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the elevator boarding request. The outbound call key controller detects the light-on control signal and records the time when the outbound call key controller receives the light-on control signal from the target elevator controller as T5. The time interval between the time when the elevator group controller sends the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call key controller and the time when the outbound call key controller receives the light-on control signal from the target elevator controller is recorded as Δt4, where Δt4 = T5 - T4. Δt4 represents the information transmission time and the information processing time of the target elevator controller. Its value depends on the transmission efficiency of the communication link and the processing efficiency of the target elevator controller in actual application, and its value range is generally 0.001s < Δt4 < 0.5s.

[0254] It can be understood that the time from when a user presses a boarding request for a certain elevator direction on a certain floor to when the outside call button controller detects the target elevator controller sending a light-on control signal for the outside call button light on that floor and elevator direction is Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4. If, during this time period, another user presses a boarding request for the same floor and elevator direction, the outside call button controller has not yet detected the light-on control signal corresponding to that floor and elevator direction and deems the boarding request unregistered. Therefore, it responds to the boarding request again and sends it to the elevator group control processor, causing the elevator group control processor to once again perform group control scheduling of all elevator cars based on the boarding request. In other words, if the outside call button controller responds to the same boarding request triggered by the user within the time period of Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4, it will cause redundant processing by the elevator group controller, resulting in irrational operation of the elevator cars and reduced elevator operation efficiency.

[0255] Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, the theoretical processing time T of the elevator request is pre-set, and T should be greater than or equal to the actual time from T1 to T5, that is, T≥Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4. As a preferred embodiment, the value range of T is 0.02s. <T<1s。

[0256] When the theoretical processing time T for an elevator request is set to a fixed value, after receiving the elevator request, if the outbound call button controller determines that no elevator controller has sent a light control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction contained in the elevator request, and the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received is greater than the preset theoretical processing time T for the elevator request, it indicates that the elevator request has not yet been received and responded to by the elevator controller, and the elevator request is not repeated with the previous elevator request. Therefore, the elevator request is sent to the elevator group control processor so that the elevator group control processor performs the group control scheduling function. If it is determined that any of the elevator controllers is detected to send a light control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the elevator request; or, no elevator controller is detected to send the light control signal, and the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received is less than or equal to the preset elevator request theoretical processing time T, it indicates that the elevator request has been received by the elevator controller and the elevator controller is already dispatching the elevator car to the floor, or the elevator request is repeated with the previous elevator request, and therefore, there is no need to respond to the elevator request.

[0257] Since Δt1 is the information processing time of the outbound call button controller, the elevator group control processor will process the elevator request after receiving it from a certain floor and a certain direction. In addition to processing the elevator request, the elevator group control processor may also have various other data information to be processed in its processing list, such as elevator requests at other time points, other floors, or other directions, etc. The outbound call button controller can control the processing time Δt1 of the elevator request by adjusting the processing priority of each elevator request. Similarly, Δt3 is the information processing time of the elevator group control processor. After receiving it from a certain floor and a certain direction, the elevator group control processor will process it. In addition to processing the elevator request, the elevator group control processor may also have various other data information to be processed in its processing list, such as elevator requests at other time points, other floors, or other directions, or determine whether the conditions for group control of all elevators are currently met, etc. The elevator group control processor can control the processing time Δt3 of the elevator request by adjusting the processing priority of each data information. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present invention, after the system determines the size of the previous time Δt1, that is, after determining the information processing time of the outbound call button controller, it controls Δt3 to satisfy Δt3≤-2.5319Δt1 2-0.6135Δt1+a, to determine the size of the time Δt3, that is, based on the known Δt1 and Δt3 that meets the conditions of the formula, to determine the timing for the elevator group controller to issue the elevator control instruction and the target elevator controller, so that the condition Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4≤T is met, to ensure that the outbound call button controller can accurately judge whether to respond to the currently received elevator request.

[0258] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, when the outbound call button controller detects an elevator request, it comprehensively determines whether the elevator request has been registered or whether it is repeated with the previous elevator request by judging whether any of the elevator controllers has issued a light control signal corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction of the elevator request, and judging the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received. If it has been registered or is repeated with the previous elevator request, the response will not be repeated. If it has not been registered or is not repeated with the previous elevator request, the elevator request will be uploaded to the elevator group control processor, and then the elevator group controller will perform group control scheduling, which improves the flexibility of the elevator scheduling plan, can effectively avoid repeated responses to the same elevator request, avoid increasing the data calculation amount of the system, and avoid scheduling multiple elevators to pick up users, resulting in empty elevator runs or empty stops.

[0259] As a preferred embodiment, see Figure 4 , is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention. Based on the above embodiment, the group control and dispatching system further includes an elevator operation status detection device associated with each of the elevator cars;

[0260] The elevator operation status detection device is used to detect the operation status information of the associated elevator car and send it to the elevator group controller;

[0261] The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers, specifically:

[0262] According to the received elevator request and the operation status information of each elevator car, group control and dispatching control are performed on all elevator cars to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers.

[0263] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiments, the group control and dispatching system provided by the embodiments of the present invention also includes an elevator status detector associated with the elevator car. The elevator status detector can detect the current operating status information of each elevator car in real time, and send the detected current operating status information of the elevator car to the elevator group controller.

[0264] The elevator state detector can communicate with the elevator group controller and the elevator controller corresponding to the elevator car associated with itself in a wired or wireless manner, and one or more can be deployed according to actual needs. For example, Figure 4 As shown, one elevator car may be correspondingly deployed with one elevator state detector, and each elevator car has its operating state information independently detected by an elevator state detector associated therewith.

[0265] Exemplarily, the elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching of all elevator cars based on the received elevator request and the current operating status information of each elevator car, so as to select an elevator car that is most suitable for picking up the user from all elevator cars, thereby determining the elevator controller associated with the elevator car as the target elevator controller.

[0266] As a preferred embodiment, the operation status information includes the current floor of the elevator car and the dispatching status; the dispatching status is a running state or a stationary state; and the operation status includes an upward state and a downward state.

[0267] The method of performing group control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers specifically includes:

[0268] Calculate the travel distance of each elevator car to the waiting floor based on the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the elevator request, as well as the current floor and dispatch status of each elevator car;

[0269] When there is only one elevator car whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, obtaining the elevator car whose travel distance is greater than the preset travel distance threshold as the initial elevator car;

[0270] When there are M1 elevator cars whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, determine the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance among the M1 elevator cars; M1>1;

[0271] When there is only one elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance, obtaining the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance as the initial elevator car;

[0272] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0273] It should be noted that the current operating status information of the elevator car includes at least the current floor of the elevator car and the dispatching status information. Combined with the waiting floor and the direction of the elevator ride corresponding to the elevator request, the travel distance of each elevator car to reach the waiting floor in the received elevator request is calculated.

[0274] It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present invention, the calculation of the travel distance takes into account the dispatching state of the elevator car (specifically, the upward state, the downward state, or the stationary state) and the waiting floor and the direction of the elevator ride request. That is, the travel distance refers to the distance that the elevator car needs to travel to the waiting floor corresponding to the elevator ride request while taking into account its own original elevator ride task; and when the elevator car is in a stationary state, considering that it takes a certain amount of time for the elevator car to start running, a preset distance compensation value needs to be added when calculating the travel distance of the elevator car in a stationary state to reach the waiting floor. The preset distance compensation value can be set according to actual conditions such as the time from the elevator car starting to running and the distance the elevator car travels during this time. For example, the distance compensation value is set to a distance of 2 to 3 floors.

[0275] Exemplarily, according to the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the elevator request, as well as the current floor and dispatch status of each elevator car, calculating the travel distance of each elevator car to the waiting floor specifically includes:

[0276] When the elevator car is currently in a stationary state: obtaining the distance between the waiting floor and the floor where the elevator car is currently located, and taking the sum of the distance and a preset distance compensation value as the travel distance;

[0277] When the elevator car is currently in a running state, and the running direction is opposite to the riding direction: if the elevator car is currently in an upward state and the riding direction is a downward riding direction, obtain the distance between the elevator car and the highest floor, and the distance between the highest floor and the waiting floor, and take the sum of the two distances as the travel distance; if the elevator car is currently in a downward state and the riding direction is an upward riding direction, obtain the distance between the elevator car and the lowest floor, and the distance between the lowest floor and the waiting floor, and take the sum of the two distances as the travel distance;

[0278] When the elevator car is currently in a running state, and the running direction is the same as the riding direction: if the elevator car is currently in an upward state, the riding direction is an upward riding direction, and the waiting floor is higher than the floor where the elevator car is currently located; or, the elevator car is currently in a downward state, the riding direction is a downward riding direction, and the waiting floor is lower than the floor where the elevator car is currently located, obtain the distance between the waiting floor and the floor where the elevator car is currently located as the travel distance; if the elevator car is currently in an upward state, the riding direction is an upward riding direction, and the waiting floor is lower than the floor where the elevator car is currently located, obtain the distance between the elevator car and the highest floor, and the distance between the highest floor and the waiting floor, and take the sum of the two distances as the travel distance; if the elevator car is currently in a downward state, the riding direction is a downward riding direction, and the waiting floor is higher than the floor where the elevator car is currently located, obtain the distance between the elevator car and the lowest floor, and the distance between the lowest floor and the waiting floor, and take the sum of the two distances as the travel distance.

[0279] For example, there are three elevator cars A, B and C, A stops at the 1st floor, B goes up at the 6th floor, and C goes down at the 12th floor, and the floor height is 12th floor; and the preset distance compensation value is a distance of 2 floors.

[0280] When the user calls for a down elevator on the 8th floor, the travel distance between A and the elevator waiting floor 8th is (8-1)+2=9, the travel distance between B and the elevator waiting floor 8th is (12-6)+(12-8)=10, and the travel distance between C and the elevator waiting floor 8th is 12-8=4.

[0281] It can be understood that when an elevator car is stationary, adding a distance compensation value to the distance between the elevator car's current floor and the waiting floor as the travel distance allows the elevator group controller to determine the elevator car with the shorter theoretical travel time to the waiting floor as the initial elevator car. For example, suppose there is an elevator car parked on the 3rd floor, while another elevator is ascending on the 2nd floor. At this time, a user on the 5th floor issues an upward elevator request. Although the elevator car parked on the 3rd floor is closer to the 5th floor than the elevator car ascending on the 2nd floor, the elevator car parked on the 3rd floor takes a certain amount of time to start running. At this time, the elevator car ascending on the 2nd floor takes less time to pick up the user on the 5th floor. Therefore, the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request cannot be assigned to the elevator car parked on the 3rd floor. Therefore, after adding the distance compensation value, the travel distance of the elevator car parked on the 3rd floor to reach the 5th floor is greater than the travel distance of the elevator car ascending on the 2nd floor to reach the 5th floor, further optimizing the elevator group control scheduling strategy.

[0282] It can be understood that the above scenario is only an example. In actual application, the travel distance of each elevator car to reach the waiting floor is calculated based on the waiting floor and the direction of the elevator included in the actual elevator request, as well as the current floor and dispatch status of each elevator car. No specific limitation is made here.

[0283] It should be noted that the embodiment of the present invention pre-sets a travel distance threshold as a buffer distance for the elevator car from receiving the dispatch instruction to running to the elevator waiting floor. The buffer distance can be set according to actual needs. For example, a buffer distance of two floors is set to prevent the target elevator car from receiving the elevator task but not responding to the elevator task in time. For example, suppose a certain elevator car is running downward from the 10th floor. At this time, an elevator user on the 9th floor issues a downward elevator request, and the downward elevator task corresponding to the downward elevator request is assigned to the elevator car. However, since the distance between the 10th floor and the 9th floor is too close, the elevator car does not have time to respond to the downward elevator task, and the elevator car will not stop at the 9th floor, resulting in the elevator user being unable to take the elevator. Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention sets that the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request cannot be assigned to the elevator car with a travel distance less than the travel distance threshold.

[0284] It is understandable that the travel distance threshold cannot be too small, otherwise the target elevator car will receive the elevator task but will not have time to respond to the elevator task. The buffer distance cannot be too large either, otherwise it will increase the waiting time of the elevator user.

[0285] Optionally, the preset distance compensation value is greater than or equal to the travel distance threshold.

[0286] Furthermore, after calculating the travel distance of each elevator car to the waiting floor, the elevator group controller determines the relationship between the travel distance of each elevator car and the preset travel distance threshold. If the travel distance of one and only one elevator car is greater than the travel distance threshold, then the elevator car is determined as the initial elevator car; if there are M1 elevator cars (M1>1, i.e., more than one elevator car) whose travel distance is greater than the travel distance threshold, it is necessary to further select the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance among the M1 elevator cars. If there is one and only one elevator car among the M1 elevator cars with the shortest travel distance, then the elevator car with the shortest travel distance is determined as the initial elevator car. In addition, the elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is used as the target elevator controller.

[0287] In a specific application scenario, assume that the group control and dispatching system includes the original elevator controller of brand A and its associated elevator cars A1 and A2, as well as a newly added elevator controller of brand B and its associated elevator car B1. A1 is parked on the 1st floor, A2 is descending on the 12th floor, and B1 is ascending on the 6th floor, totaling 12 floors.

[0288] For example, suppose a user calls for an elevator on the 7th floor. The calculated distance between elevator car B1 and the 7th floor is only one floor, which is less than the preset distance threshold (for example, two floors). Both elevator cars A1 and A2 meet the threshold. The system then determines which elevator car has the shortest distance. Therefore, elevator car A1 is set as the initial elevator car, and the elevator controller of brand A becomes the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then invokes its own existing elevator dispatching strategy to select a target elevator car between cars A1 and A2 to pick up the user.

[0289] Suppose a user calls for an uplift on the 8th floor. Based on the travel distance, elevator car B1 is determined to have traveled longer than the distance threshold and has the shortest travel distance. Therefore, elevator car B1 is set as the initial elevator car, and the elevator controller of brand B becomes the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then invokes its existing elevator dispatch policy and dispatches elevator car B1 as the target elevator car to pick up the user.

[0290] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, after receiving an elevator request, the elevator group controller calculates the travel distance of each elevator car to reach the waiting floor, and thus selects the elevator car that is greater than the preset travel distance threshold and meets the shortest travel distance as the initial target elevator car, and determines the target elevator controller, which can not only ensure that the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request can be responded to in a timely manner, but also reduce the waiting time of the elevator users.

[0291] As a preferred embodiment, the method further includes performing group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars based on the received elevator boarding request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers:

[0292] When there are M2 elevator cars corresponding to the shortest travel distance, determine whether the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same; 1 < M2 < M1;

[0293] When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same, any one of the M2 elevator cars is determined to be the initial elevator car.

[0294] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0295] Specifically, in conjunction with the above embodiment, if there are M2 (1 < M2 < M1, i.e., more than one) elevator cars among the M1 elevator cars that have the same shortest travel distance, it is further determined whether the elevator controllers associated with these M2 elevator cars are the same. If they are the same elevator controller, then that elevator controller is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0296] For example, a brand A elevator controller is associated with two elevator cars, A1 and A2, while a brand B elevator controller is associated with one elevator car, B1. A1 is parked on the 1st floor, A2 is descending on the 13th floor, and B1 is ascending on the 6th floor. Suppose a user presses the down button on the 6th floor to call an elevator. Based on the itinerary example, it is determined that elevator cars A1 and A2 have the same minimum travel distance. Furthermore, it is determined that both elevator cars A1 and A2 are associated with brand A's elevator controller. Therefore, brand A's elevator controller is determined to be the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then invokes its own existing elevator dispatch strategy and selects a target elevator car, either A1 or A2, to pick up the user.

[0297] In an optional implementation, when the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not completely the same, determining whether there is an elevator car in a running state among the M2 elevator cars;

[0298] When there is an elevator car in a running state, determining the elevator car in a running state as the initial elevator car;

[0299] An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0300] In conjunction with the above embodiment, if there are M2 (1 < M2 < M1, i.e., more than one) elevator cars among the M1 elevator cars with the same shortest travel distance, it is further determined whether the elevator controllers associated with these M2 elevator cars are the same. If any two elevator controllers are not associated with the same elevator controller, it is further determined whether there is an elevator car in operation based on the dispatch status of these M2 elevator cars. The elevator car in operation is used as the initial elevator car, and the elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is used as the target elevator controller.

[0301] For example, a brand A elevator controller is associated with two elevator cars, A1 and A2, while a brand B elevator controller is associated with one elevator car, B1. A1 is parked on the 1st floor, A2 is ascending on the 6th floor, and B1 is descending on the 13th floor. Suppose a user presses the down button on the 6th floor to call for an elevator. Based on the itinerary example, it is determined that elevator cars A1 and B1 have the same minimum travel distance. Furthermore, elevator cars A1 and B1 are associated with different elevator controllers. Further determination of the dispatching status of elevator cars A1 and B1 reveals that elevator car A1 is stationary and elevator car B1 is descending. This determines elevator car B1 as the initial elevator car, making brand B's elevator controller the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then invokes its own existing elevator dispatching strategy and dispatches elevator car B as the target elevator car to pick up the user.

[0302] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, when there are more than two elevator cars whose travel distances meet the travel distance threshold and are all the shortest travel distances, and the elevator controllers associated with these elevator cars are not the same, the elevator car in operation is obtained instead of the parked elevator car to pick up the user, which can save the time of starting the elevator car, further shorten the user's waiting time, and improve the user experience.

[0303] In another optional embodiment, when the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not completely the same, an uncompleted elevator ride task existing before the elevator ride request is received is determined based on the light-on drive signal issued by the outbound call button controller;

[0304] According to the unfinished elevator ride tasks, the number of stops required for the M2 elevator cars to reach the waiting floor is estimated;

[0305] An elevator car corresponding to the minimum number of stops is obtained as the initial elevator car; and an elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

[0306] In combination with the above embodiment, if there are M2 (1<M2<M1, that is, more than one) elevator cars among the M1 elevator cars with the same shortest travel distance, the number of stops required for these M2 elevator cars to reach the elevator waiting floor is further estimated, so as to obtain the elevator car corresponding to the minimum number of stops as the initial elevator car.

[0307] Specifically, according to the above embodiment, the outbound call button controller can, based on the light-on control signal sent by the target elevator controller, send a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, to indicate that the user is scheduling an elevator car to respond to the elevator task for that floor and elevator direction. When the elevator car reaches that floor, the outbound call button controller will send a light-off drive signal based on the light-off control signals sent by all elevator controllers. The elevator group controller obtains the light-on control signal and light-off control signal detected by the outbound call button controller through communication with the outbound call button controller, thereby being able to know the scheduling status of the target elevator car and which floor and elevator direction have unfinished elevator tasks. In addition, the elevator group controller also records the group control scheduling records for all elevator requests before the current elevator request, recording the initial elevator car determined for each previous elevator request. The elevator group controller uses the initial elevator car as the target elevator car to respond to the corresponding elevator request, that is, it assumes that the elevator tasks corresponding to the previous elevator requests will eventually be responded to and completed by the initial elevator car determined by the elevator group controller. Therefore, the elevator group controller can know the stopping floors of the M2 elevator cars based on the unfinished elevator tasks of the M2 elevator cars, and combined with the waiting floor and the elevator direction of the current elevator request, it can determine the number of stops that the M2 elevator cars need to make to reach the waiting floor.

[0308] For example, assume that the elevator controller of brand A is associated with two elevator cars, A1 and A2, and the elevator controller of brand B is associated with two elevator cars, B1 and B2. A user presses the down call button on the 6th floor. According to the above algorithm, since A1 is descending on the 2nd floor and B1 is descending on the 12th floor, elevator cars A1 and B1 have the same shortest travel distance to the 6th floor. Furthermore, elevator cars A1 and B1 are associated with different elevator controllers, resulting in M2 = 2 elevator cars, namely elevator cars A1 and B1. Based on the previous group control dispatch records, the elevator group controller assumes that elevator car A1 is the initial elevator car for the three unfinished elevator trips to the 2nd, 3rd, and 5th floors, and elevator car B is the initial elevator car for the unfinished elevator trip to the 9th floor. It can be determined that elevator car A1 made at least three stops to reach the 6th floor, while elevator car B1 made one stop to reach the 6th floor. Therefore, elevator car B1 is determined to be the initial elevator car, and the elevator controller of brand B is designated as the target elevator controller. The target elevator controller will then invoke its existing elevator dispatch strategy and select one of elevator cars B1 and B2 to pick up the user.

[0309] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, when there are more than two elevator cars whose travel distances meet the travel distance threshold and are all the shortest travel distances, and the elevator controllers associated with these elevator cars are not the same, the elevator car with the least number of stops required to reach the waiting floor is obtained to pick up the user, which can effectively save the user's waiting time and improve the user experience.

[0310] Preferably, the elevator group control processor is further configured to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps:

[0311] Querying a preset group control processing time table according to the current real-time time to determine whether the current real-time time is in the group control processing time period;

[0312] When the current real time is in the group control processing time period, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

[0313] Specifically, in conjunction with the above-mentioned embodiments, embodiments of the present invention pre-set a group control processing schedule, which includes at least one group control processing time period. Therefore, when determining whether group control of all elevator cars is required, the elevator group control processor may query the preset group control processing schedule based on the current real-time time to determine whether the current real-time time falls within the group control processing time period. If the current real-time time falls within the group control processing time period, it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required. Conversely, if the current real-time time does not fall within the group control processing time period, it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is not required.

[0314] The group control processing schedule can be set according to actual conditions. For example, the elevator peak operation time periods of 8:00-9:00am and 5:00-6:00pm are determined as the group control processing time periods. When it is detected that the current real-time time is within these two time periods, the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required, sends a key invalid control instruction to the outbound call button controller, and upon receiving an elevator request from an elevator user, sends the elevator request to the elevator group controller. When it is detected that the current real-time time is not within these two time periods, the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is not required, and sends a key valid control instruction to the outbound call button controller, so that the outbound call button controller controls each of the elevator controllers to respond to the elevator request received by the associated outbound call button, and each of the outbound call button lights responds to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller.

[0315] It is understandable that the above scenarios are only examples. In actual applications, corresponding group control processing schedules can be set according to actual needs, which will not affect the beneficial effects achieved by the present invention.

[0316] Preferably, the elevator group control processor is further configured to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps:

[0317] Receive elevator group control processing instructions input by the user;

[0318] According to the elevator group control processing instruction, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

[0319] Specifically, in an embodiment of the present invention, the elevator group control processor is pre-installed with a module for human-computer interaction with the user, such as a human-computer interaction screen or a dial switch. When a user inputs an elevator group control processing instruction to the elevator group control processor through the human-computer interaction module, the elevator group control processor determines, based on the received elevator group control processing instruction, that group control of all elevator cars is required. Accordingly, if the elevator group control processor does not receive the elevator group control processing instruction after powering on, it determines that group control of all elevator cars is not required. Alternatively, if a user inputs a prohibition elevator group control processing instruction to the elevator group control processor through the human-computer interaction module, the elevator group control processor determines, based on the received prohibition elevator group control processing instruction, that group control of all elevator cars is not required.

[0320] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required by judging whether the current real-time time is within the preset group control processing time period or whether the user's elevator group control processing instruction has been received, thereby achieving group control scheduling of all elevator cars only when necessary, thereby improving the flexibility of scheduling elevator cars.

[0321] As a preferred embodiment, the outbound call button controller is also used to enable each of the elevator controllers to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button, and each of the outbound call button lights to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller when the outbound call button controller itself is powered off or a communication abnormality is detected between the elevator group control processor.

[0322] Specifically, in combination with the above embodiment, when the outbound call controller is powered off or the communication between it and the elevator group control processor is abnormal, it cannot execute the operation of controlling each elevator controller to be unable to respond to the elevator request received by the associated outbound call button, that is, when the outbound call button receives an elevator request, its associated elevator controller can receive the elevator request of the outbound call button, and call its own original elevator scheduling strategy to determine the target elevator car to respond to the elevator request; at the same time, the outbound call button controller cannot execute the operation of controlling all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller, that is, the light on control signal or light off control signal sent by the elevator controller to the associated outbound call button light can be received by the outbound call button light, and the outbound call button light is driven to turn on or off accordingly.

[0323] That is to say, when the outbound call controller itself loses power or there is an abnormality in the communication between it and the elevator group control processor, the elevator group control processor exits the group control scheduling function for all elevator cars, and the elevator controller normally receives the elevator boarding request of the outbound call button associated with itself and normally schedules the elevator car associated with itself.

[0324] It should be noted that when the elevator group control processor itself loses power or the communication link between the elevator group control processor and the outbound call button controller fails, the outbound call button controller will detect that the communication between itself and the elevator group control processor is abnormal. Of course, it is not limited to the above two situations.

[0325] In a specific application scenario, the outbound call button controller includes a button invalidation control device and a light signal invalidation control device. Optionally, the contact of the first switch device S_B included in the button invalidation control device is set to a normally closed contact, so that the first switch device is in a closed state under normal conditions (no power, no current flowing). The contact of the third switch device S_L included in the light signal invalidation control device is set to a normally closed contact, so that the third switch device is in a closed state under normal conditions (no power, no current flowing). That is, see Figure 2 When the outbound call button controller and / or the elevator group control processor loses power, the normally closed contact a and the common contact c of the first switch device S_B will automatically close, and the third switch device S_L will automatically close, so that the link between the elevator controller and its associated outbound call button and outbound call button light is connected.

[0326] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, when the outbound call button controller or the elevator group control processor is abnormal, the link between the elevator controller and the outbound call button and the outbound call button light associated with it is automatically connected, so that the elevator controller can normally receive the elevator boarding request of the outbound call button associated with itself and normally dispatch the elevator car associated with itself, effectively avoiding the situation where the entire elevator system is unable to pick up and drop off users when the outbound call button controller or the elevator group control processor is abnormal, and optimizing the group control scheduling strategy of the group control scheduling system.

[0327] As a second preferred embodiment, see Figure 5 , is a structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The elevator group control processor also includes a protocol converter; among the original elevator controller and each of the newly added elevator controllers, there is an elevator controller set as a master elevator controller, and all elevator controllers except the master elevator controller are set as slave elevator controllers; wherein, the master elevator controller is used to receive the operating status information reported by the elevator car associated with itself; each of the slave elevator controllers is used to receive the operating status information reported by the elevator car associated with itself, and send the operating status information to the protocol converter; each of the slave elevator controllers is also used to receive an elevator request sent by an associated outbound call button, and send the received elevator request to the elevator group control processor;

[0328] Then, the elevator group control processor is further configured to, when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, trigger the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and send the received elevator boarding request to the protocol converter;

[0329] The protocol converter is configured to, after starting the protocol conversion function, convert the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and convert the received elevator boarding request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted elevator boarding request to the main elevator controller;

[0330] The master elevator controller is used to receive an elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or an elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determine the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generate elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0331] In an embodiment of the present invention, the elevator group control processor includes a protocol converter. When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required, if the elevator group controller is invalid, for example, the elevator group controller is not installed, or the elevator group controller is not powered on or is faulty, the protocol converter is triggered to start the protocol conversion function, and the received elevator boarding request is sent to the protocol converter, so that the protocol converter cooperates with the original elevator controller to perform the group control scheduling function for all elevators. First, a master elevator controller is determined in the original elevator controller, and the others are determined as slave elevator controllers. The protocol converter performs protocol docking with elevator controllers of various brands through wired or wireless means, obtains the operating status of the elevator cars associated with the cross-brand slave elevator controllers connected to the group control scheduling system, and transmits it to the master elevator controller through protocol conversion; at the same time, it receives the scheduling signal of the master elevator controller and transmits it to the cross-brand slave elevator controllers connected to the group control scheduling system.

[0332] Specifically, in one embodiment, when the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, the protocol converter is triggered to start the protocol conversion function, and at the same time, any one of the original elevator controller and each of the newly added elevator controllers is set as the master elevator controller, and all elevator controllers except the master elevator controller are set as slave elevator controllers.

[0333] In another embodiment, a first DIP switch and a second DIP switch are pre-set on the original elevator controller and each newly added elevator controller, respectively. When a user presses the first DIP switch on a particular elevator controller, that elevator controller is set as the master elevator controller, and when the user presses the second DIP switch on a particular elevator controller, that elevator controller is set as a slave elevator controller. Based on actual needs, the user can set one elevator controller as the master elevator controller and the others as slave elevator controllers. When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, it triggers the protocol converter to initiate the protocol conversion function and, based on the operating status of the first and second DIP switches, identifies the corresponding master elevator controller and each slave elevator controller.

[0334] Of course, the above scenarios are only examples. In actual applications, other settings can also be used. For example, one elevator controller can be set as the master elevator controller, and all elevator controllers except the master elevator controller can be set as slave elevator controllers. These settings do not constitute limitations on the present invention.

[0335] It should be noted that each elevator car will report its own operating status information to the associated elevator controller when its own operating status information changes. The master elevator controller can receive and record the operating status information reported by its associated elevator car in real time, and the master elevator controller retains its original elevator scheduling strategy and determines the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request received by the target elevator car based on the received elevator request and the operating status information of the elevator car. The slave elevator controller can also receive and record the operating status information reported by its associated elevator car in real time, but the original elevator scheduling strategy of the slave elevator controller is temporarily in an invalid state. When the slave elevator controller receives an elevator request from an outbound call button associated with itself, it forwards the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, and when it receives the operating status information reported by its own elevator car, it forwards the operating status information to the protocol converter in the elevator group control processor.

[0336] That is to say, the elevator controller set as the master elevator controller retains its own elevator scheduling strategy and will use this elevator scheduling strategy as the group control scheduling strategy for all elevator cars, while the elevator controller set as the slave elevator controller performs the forwarding function of the operating status information of the elevator cars associated with itself and the elevator boarding request of the outbound call button.

[0337] In a specific embodiment, when the elevator group controller is invalid, if the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required, the protocol converter is triggered to initiate a protocol conversion function. After initiating the protocol conversion function, the protocol converter converts the elevator car operating status information sent from the elevator controller into the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller and sends the converted operating status information to the master elevator controller.

[0338] If the user presses the outbound call button associated with the master elevator controller to issue an elevator request, the master elevator controller receives the elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button, and based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself and the operating status information of each elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller, calls its own original elevator scheduling strategy, determines the target elevator car among all elevator cars, and generates elevator scheduling information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car.

[0339] If a user presses the outbound call button associated with a slave elevator controller to issue an elevator request, the slave elevator controller receives the request and sends it to the elevator group control processor, which then sends it to the protocol converter. The protocol converter converts the request into the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller and sends the converted request to the master elevator controller. The master elevator controller then invokes its own existing elevator dispatch strategy based on the received request, the operating status information of its associated elevator car, and the operating status information of each slave elevator controller, determines the target elevator car among all elevator cars, and generates elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received request and the target elevator car.

[0340] Furthermore, when the target elevator car determined by the master elevator controller is an elevator car associated with the master elevator controller itself, the master elevator controller controls the target elevator car to respond to the boarding task and pick up the user at the waiting floor corresponding to the boarding request. When the target elevator car determined by the master elevator controller is an elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller itself, the master elevator controller sends the elevator dispatch information to the protocol converter. The protocol converter converts the elevator dispatch information into the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car and sends the elevator dispatch information to the slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car. The slave elevator controller then obtains the target elevator car and the boarding task based on the received elevator dispatch information and controls the target elevator car to respond to the boarding task.

[0341] In a specific application scenario, assume that a residential complex originally had an elevator controller of brand A and its associated n+m+k elevator cars, where m, n, and k all satisfy the condition of being greater than or equal to 1. Due to the need to replace old elevators, m of the elevator cars are replaced with elevator cars of brand B, and k of the elevator cars are replaced with elevator cars of brand C. Furthermore, the m elevator cars of brand B are controlled by the elevator controller of brand B, and the k elevator cars of brand C are controlled by the elevator controller of brand C. Thus, the group control and dispatching system includes the original elevator controller of brand A and its associated n elevator cars, the newly added elevator controller of brand B and its associated m elevator cars, and the newly added elevator controller of brand C and its associated k elevator cars. Furthermore, the original elevator controller of brand A uses the elevator protocol format A, the original elevator controller of brand B uses the elevator protocol format B, and the original elevator controller of brand C uses the elevator protocol format C, and the three are different.

[0342] Among them, the original elevator controller of brand A is configured as the master elevator controller, and the newly added elevator controllers of brands B and C are configured as slave elevator controllers. In addition, when the operating status information of the n elevator cars of brand A changes, they will actively report the operating status information to the elevator controller of brand A. Similarly, the m elevator cars of brand B will also actively report their operating status information to the elevator controller of brand B, and the k elevator cars of brand C will also actively report their operating status information to the elevator controller of brand C. In addition, the elevator controllers of brands B and C will respectively forward the operating status information of their associated elevator cars to the protocol converter. The protocol converter will convert the received operating status information into the A elevator protocol format and send the operating status information converted into the A elevator protocol format to the elevator controller of brand A. That is, the elevator controller of brand A can obtain the operating status information of all elevator cars (the above-mentioned n elevator cars, m elevator cars and k elevator cars) at the same time.

[0343] When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of all elevator cars is required and triggers the protocol converter to initiate the protocol conversion function, in one scenario, assuming that a user presses any up call button of a brand A elevator on the 6th floor, the brand A elevator controller (the master elevator controller) receives the closed signal of the up call button and the user's elevator request. Based on the operating status information of all elevator cars (the aforementioned n elevator cars, m elevator cars, and k elevator cars), it activates its own existing elevator scheduling strategy and determines an elevator car among all elevator cars that is suitable for picking up the user on the 6th floor. This elevator car is used as the target elevator car, and elevator scheduling information is generated based on the received up call request for the 6th floor and the target elevator car. If this target elevator car is one of the n brand A elevator cars, denoted as A1, the brand A elevator controller sends the elevator car information to the target elevator car A1, controlling the target elevator car A1 to respond to the elevator request and pick up the user on the 6th floor. If the target elevator car is not one of the n elevator cars of brand A, for example, one of the m elevator cars of brand B, denoted as B1, the elevator controller of brand A sends the elevator dispatch information to the protocol converter. The protocol converter converts the elevator dispatch information into the B elevator protocol format and sends the elevator dispatch information converted into the B elevator protocol format to the elevator controller of brand B. The elevator controller of brand B obtains the target elevator car B1 and the upward elevator task of the 6th floor based on the received elevator dispatch information, and controls the target elevator car B1 to respond to the elevator task and go to the 6th floor to pick up the user.

[0344] In another case, assuming that the user presses a call button other than that of the brand A elevator, for example, when the user presses any up call button of the brand B elevator on the 6th floor, the brand B elevator controller receives the closed signal of the call button and receives the user's elevator request, and then forwards the elevator request to the protocol converter in the elevator group control processor. The protocol converter converts the elevator request into the protocol format of the A elevator and forwards it to the brand A elevator controller. Then, the brand A elevator controller receives the elevator request and, based on the operating status information of all elevator cars, activates its own original elevator scheduling strategy, determines an elevator car suitable for picking up the user on the 6th floor as the target elevator car, and generates elevator scheduling information based on the received up elevator task on the 6th floor and the target elevator car. The subsequent processing flow is the same as that of the first case and will not be repeated here.

[0345] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, a master elevator controller and at least one slave elevator controller are determined among all elevator controllers, and protocol conversion and data forwarding between the master elevator controller and the slave elevator controller are implemented through a protocol converter. On the basis of retaining the original elevator scheduling strategy of the master elevator controller, group control scheduling of the elevator cars associated with the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller is implemented, and group control scheduling functions for elevators of different brands and models are implemented, thereby flexibly controlling elevator operation. It can effectively prevent the situation where the original elevator controllers of different brands of elevators will respond and dispatch elevators to pick up users after users press the outbound call of different brands of elevators at the same time, resulting in empty elevator runs or empty stops, causing waste of resources. This effectively improves the operating efficiency of elevators, saves elevator operating costs, and provides more independent options for replacing elevators in old communities. In addition, the embodiments of the present invention can also improve the confidentiality of the elevator protocols of different brands of elevator companies, protect the protocols of different brands of elevators from being leaked and maliciously tampered with, and improve the safety of elevator operation.

[0346] As a preferred embodiment, the main elevator controller is further configured to send a light control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the received elevator request and the protocol converter according to the received elevator request;

[0347] The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers;

[0348] The slave elevator controller is further configured to light up the outbound call button lights associated with the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the received boarding request according to the received light control signal.

[0349] Specifically, after receiving a boarding request for a certain floor and a certain direction, the elevator controller will output a corresponding light control signal to control all the outbound call button lights associated with the floor and the direction to light up, so as to remind the user that the elevator car is being dispatched. In an embodiment of the present invention, after receiving the boarding request, the master elevator controller will issue the light control signal, and the light control signal is used to control the outbound call button lights corresponding to the waiting floor and the direction included in the received boarding request. After receiving the light control signal, the outbound call button lights associated with the floor and the direction of the master elevator controller are in the light state, and after receiving the light control signal, the protocol converter converts the light control signal into the elevator protocol format of each slave elevator controller and sends the converted light control signal to each slave elevator controller, so that the slave elevator controller controls the outbound call button lights associated with the waiting floor and the direction included in the received boarding request according to the received light control signal.

[0350] Furthermore, the master elevator controller is also used to: after generating the elevator dispatch information, determine whether the target elevator car has completed the elevator riding task based on the operating status information of each elevator car associated with itself and the operating status information of each elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller.

[0351] The main elevator controller is further configured to, when it is determined that the target elevator car has completed the boarding task, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the received boarding request and to the protocol converter;

[0352] The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light-off control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light-off control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers;

[0353] The slave elevator controller is further configured to control the lights of the outbound call buttons corresponding to the waiting floors and the boarding directions included in the received boarding request to turn off according to the received light-off control signal.

[0354] Specifically, after detecting that the target elevator car has completed the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request, the elevator controller will send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the boarding request. In combination with the above embodiment, the main elevator controller can obtain the operating status information of all elevator cars in real time. Therefore, based on the operating status information of all elevator cars, it is determined whether the target elevator car has completed the boarding task. When it is determined that the target elevator car has completed the boarding task, the main elevator controller sends a light-off control signal, which is used to control the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the received boarding request. The outbound call button light of the floor and the riding direction associated with the master elevator controller itself is in the off state after receiving the light-off control signal, and the protocol converter converts the light-off control signal into the elevator protocol format of each slave elevator controller after receiving the light-off control signal, and sends the converted light-off control signal to each slave elevator controller, so that the slave elevator controller controls the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the riding direction included in the received elevator request to turn off according to the received light-on control signal.

[0355] In combination with the above-mentioned specific application scenarios, after the elevator controller of brand A (main elevator controller) receives the elevator request for the 6th floor upbound call button associated with itself, or the elevator request for the 6th floor upbound call button of brand B or brand C sent by the protocol converter, it will send a light control signal for the upbound call button light on the 6th floor. The upbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with the elevator controller of brand A will be in the light-on state after receiving the light-on control signal, and the protocol converter will convert the light-on control signal into the B elevator protocol format, and forward the light-on control signal converted into the B elevator protocol format to the elevator controller of brand B. The elevator controller of brand B will send a light-on control signal to the upbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself, controlling the upbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself to be in the light-on state. Similarly, the protocol converter will also convert the light control signal into the C elevator protocol format, and forward the light control signal converted into the C elevator protocol format to the C brand elevator controller. The C brand elevator controller will send a light control signal to the up-outbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself, controlling the up-outbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself to be in the light state.

[0356] Furthermore, upon receiving the elevator request, the elevator controller of brand A activates its own existing elevator dispatching strategy based on the operating status information of all elevator cars, identifies an elevator car suitable for picking up users on the 6th floor as the target elevator car, and generates elevator dispatching information based on the received elevator task of going up to the 6th floor and the target elevator car. For example, if the target elevator car is one of the m elevator cars of brand B, denoted as B1, the elevator controller of brand A sends the elevator dispatching information to the protocol converter. The protocol converter converts the elevator dispatching information into the B elevator protocol format and sends the elevator dispatching information converted into the B elevator protocol format to the elevator controller of brand B. The elevator controller of brand B obtains the target elevator car B1 and the elevator task of going up to the 6th floor based on the received elevator dispatching information, and controls the target elevator car B1 to respond to the elevator task.

[0357] The brand A elevator controller can determine whether the target elevator car B1 has arrived at the 6th floor to pick up the user and complete the elevator ride based on the real-time operating status information of all elevator cars received. If so, the brand A elevator controller will send a light-off control signal to the up-call button light on the 6th floor. The up-call button light on the 6th floor associated with the brand A elevator controller will be in the off state after receiving the light-on control signal. The protocol converter will convert the light-off control signal into the B elevator protocol format and forward the light-off control signal converted into the B elevator protocol format to the brand B elevator controller. The brand B elevator controller will send a light-off control signal to the up-call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself, controlling the up-call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself to be in the off state. Similarly, the protocol converter will also convert the light-off control signal into the C elevator protocol format, and forward the light-off control signal converted into the C elevator protocol format to the C brand elevator controller. The C brand elevator controller will send a light-off control signal to the up-outbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself, controlling the up-outbound call button light on the 6th floor associated with itself to be in the light-off state.

[0358] By adopting the technical means of the embodiment of the present invention, protocol conversion and data forwarding between the master elevator controller and the slave elevator controller are realized through a protocol converter. On the basis of retaining the original elevator scheduling strategy of the master elevator controller, the lighting or extinguishing of the outbound call button lights associated with the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller are controlled, and the group control function of the outbound call button lights of elevators of different brands is realized, providing users with more accurate elevator scheduling instructions and improving the user experience.

[0359] As a preferred embodiment, see Figure 6, is a schematic structural diagram of another preferred embodiment of a group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands provided by an embodiment of the present invention. The protocol converter includes a master protocol conversion device and at least one slave protocol conversion device;

[0360] The master protocol conversion device is connected to the master elevator controller, the master protocol conversion device is connected to each of the slave protocol conversion devices, and each of the slave protocol conversion devices is connected to each of the slave elevator controllers in a one-to-one correspondence;

[0361] The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller, and the slave protocol conversion device communicates with the connected slave elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller; the master protocol conversion device communicates with each of the slave protocol conversion devices via a preset universal elevator protocol.

[0362] Specifically, the protocol converter includes multiple protocol conversion devices, each of which is connected to an elevator controller and communicates with the elevator controller through the elevator protocol format of the brand to which the elevator controller belongs, thereby obtaining and forwarding relevant elevator data.

[0363] The identity of each elevator controller determines the identity of the protocol converter device it is connected to. The master elevator controller is connected to the master protocol converter, which interfaces with the master controller using the elevator protocol format corresponding to the master controller's brand. Slave elevator controllers are connected to slave protocol converters, which interface with the slave controllers using the elevator protocol format corresponding to the slave controller's brand. The master protocol converter is connected to each slave protocol converter, and the master and slave protocol converters interface with each other according to a preset universal elevator protocol. The protocol converters enable conversion between different elevator protocols, thus enabling group control of elevators from different brands.

[0364] As a preferred embodiment, see Figure 7 and Figure 8 , Figure 7 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a main protocol conversion device according to an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8Schematic diagram of the structure of a slave protocol conversion device in an embodiment of the present invention. The master protocol conversion device includes a first microcontroller unit, a first communication protocol interface, and a universal elevator protocol interface. The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the first communication protocol interface and with the slave protocol conversion device via the universal elevator protocol interface. The first microcontroller unit is configured to convert communication data received via the first communication protocol interface into the universal elevator protocol format and to convert communication data received via the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller.

[0365] The slave protocol conversion device includes a second microcontroller unit, a second communication protocol interface and a universal elevator protocol interface; the slave protocol conversion device communicates with the slave elevator controller through the second communication protocol interface, and communicates with the master protocol conversion device through the universal elevator protocol interface; the second microcontroller unit is used to convert the communication data received through the second communication protocol interface into the universal elevator protocol format, and convert the communication data received through the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller.

[0366] Specifically, the protocol conversion device, that is, the master protocol conversion device and the slave protocol conversion device itself is a hardware device, which contains a microcontroller unit MCU and runs software. The MCU unit mainly completes the protocol conversion function, converts the elevator manufacturer's protocol format into a universal elevator protocol format, and realizes data docking across elevator brands.

[0367] The communication protocol interface of the elevator manufacturer, that is, the first communication protocol interface and the second communication protocol interface are specifically determined according to the protocol of the elevator manufacturer, and generally include RS485, TCP / IP, CAN and the like.

[0368] The universal protocol interface of the elevator is a universal elevator docking protocol interface developed by the elevator industry association. Each elevator manufacturer can directly dock according to the universal protocol, or use its own communication protocol interface and dock through the protocol converter of the embodiment of the present invention.

[0369] Optionally, the master protocol conversion device can be designed by the master elevator controller manufacturer, and each slave protocol conversion device can be designed by each slave elevator controller manufacturer, so that the protocol of each elevator manufacturer does not need to be leaked.

[0370] By adopting the technical means of the embodiments of the present invention, a master protocol conversion device is provided to interface with the master elevator controller to convert the communication data of the master elevator controller into a universal protocol format. By providing a slave protocol conversion device to interface with the slave elevator controller, the communication data of each slave elevator controller is converted into a universal protocol format, thereby enabling communication between elevators of different brands. Furthermore, the original elevator scheduling strategy of the master elevator controller is retained, and group control scheduling of the elevator cars associated with the original elevator controller and the newly added elevator controller is implemented, thereby realizing group control scheduling functions for elevators of different brands and models, thereby flexibly controlling elevator operation, improving elevator operating efficiency, and saving operating costs. Furthermore, by adopting the embodiments of the present invention, the confidentiality of the elevator protocols of different brands of elevator companies can be improved, protecting the protocols of different brands of elevators from being leaked or maliciously tampered with, and improving the safety of elevator operation.

[0371] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands, which is applicable to the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the first preferred embodiment. The method is executed by the elevator group controller and includes:

[0372] When receiving an elevator request from an elevator user through the elevator group control processor, the elevator request is sent to the elevator group controller;

[0373] The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator boarding request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller;

[0374] The target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0375] It should be noted that the group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands provided in the embodiment of the present invention can realize all the dispatching processes in the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the first preferred embodiment mentioned above. The specific group control and dispatching implementation scheme and the technical effects achieved are respectively the same as the group control and dispatching scheme and the technical effects achieved of the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0376] An embodiment of the present invention provides a group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands. By adding an elevator group controller to existing elevator systems of different brands, the elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching of all elevator cars based on a user's elevator request input in any elevator system, determining a target elevator controller. The target elevator controller then dispatches its associated elevator car to respond to the user's elevator request. While retaining the existing elevator dispatching strategies of the original and newly added elevator controllers, group control and dispatching of elevator cars associated with the original and newly added elevator controllers is implemented, enabling group control and dispatching of elevators of different brands and models. This allows for flexible control of elevator operation and effectively prevents situations where, when a user simultaneously presses the outbound call button for elevators of different brands, the original elevator controllers of different brands will respond and dispatch elevators to pick up the user, resulting in empty runs or empty stops and wasted resources. This effectively improves elevator operating efficiency, saves operating costs, and provides more autonomy for replacing elevators in older residential communities. Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention does not require adjustments to the existing elevator dispatching strategies, requiring minimal modifications to the existing elevator system, resulting in high practicality.

[0377] An embodiment of the present invention further provides a group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands, which is applicable to the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the second preferred embodiment. The method is executed by the protocol converter and includes:

[0378] When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of the elevator car is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, triggering the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and sending the received elevator request to the protocol converter;

[0379] After starting the protocol conversion function, the protocol converter converts the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and converts the received elevator request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted elevator request to the main elevator controller;

[0380] The master elevator controller receives the elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or the elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determines the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generates elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

[0381] It should be noted that the group control and dispatching method for elevators of different brands provided in the embodiment of the present invention can realize all the dispatching processes in the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the second preferred embodiment above. The specific group control and dispatching implementation scheme and the technical effects achieved are respectively the same as the group control and dispatching scheme and the technical effects achieved of the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands described in the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0382] An embodiment of the present invention provides a group control and scheduling method for elevators of different brands. By determining a master elevator controller and at least one slave elevator controller among all elevator controllers and implementing protocol conversion and data forwarding between the master and slave elevator controllers through a protocol converter, the method retains the original elevator scheduling strategy of the master elevator controller while implementing group control and scheduling of the elevator cars associated with the original and newly added elevator controllers. This method implements group control and scheduling functions for elevators of different brands and models, thereby flexibly controlling elevator operation. This method effectively prevents users from simultaneously pressing the outbound call buttons of elevators of different brands, where the original elevator controllers of different brands all respond and dispatch elevators to pick up the user, resulting in empty runs or empty stops and wasting resources. This method effectively improves elevator operating efficiency, saves elevator operating costs, and provides more independent options for replacing elevators in old residential communities. Furthermore, the embodiment of the present invention can also improve the confidentiality of the elevator protocols of different elevator companies, protect the protocols of different brands from being leaked or maliciously tampered with, and improve the safety of elevator operation.

[0383] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all or part of the processes in the above-described method embodiments can be implemented by instructing related hardware through a computer program. The program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, the program can include the processes in the above-described method embodiments. The storage medium can be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), or a random access memory (RAM).

[0384] The above is a preferred embodiment of the present invention. It should be pointed out that for ordinary technicians in this technical field, several improvements and modifications can be made without departing from the principles of the present invention. These improvements and modifications are also considered to be within the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands, characterized by: It includes an elevator group control processor, an outbound call button controller, an original elevator controller, at least one newly added elevator controller, at least one elevator car of the original brand associated with the original elevator controller, and at least one elevator car of the newly added brand associated with each of the newly added elevator controllers; The elevator group control processor includes an elevator group controller; The elevator group control processor is used to trigger the elevator group controller to send a key invalidation control instruction to the outbound call key controller when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required; The outbound call button controller is configured to control each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to an elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction; and, upon detecting that an outbound call button receives an elevator boarding request, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor; The elevator group control processor is further configured to, upon receiving an elevator boarding request from an elevator user, send the elevator boarding request to the elevator group controller; The elevator group controller is used to perform group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; Generate an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and send the elevator dispatch control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller; the elevator controller is the original elevator controller or the newly added elevator controller; The outbound call button controller is further configured to generate a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmit the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller; The target elevator controller is configured to obtain an elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received simulated key signal, determine a target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task; The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light; When the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically: When detecting that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, determining whether a preset elevator request response condition is met; If yes, the elevator boarding request is sent to the elevator group control processor; if no, the elevator boarding request is not responded to; The preset elevator request response condition is as follows: no elevator controller is detected to send a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and elevator direction included in the elevator request, and the difference between the time T1 when the elevator request is received and the time T1' when the last elevator request identical to the elevator request is received is greater than the preset elevator request theoretical processing time T; T≥Δt1+Δt2+Δt3+Δt4; Δt1 is the time interval between T1 and T2, Δt2 is the time interval between T2 and T3, Δt3 is the time interval between T3 and T4, and Δt4 is the time interval between T4 and T5; T1 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the elevator request, T2 is the moment when the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, T3 is the moment when the elevator group control processor receives the elevator request, T4 is the moment when the elevator group controller sends the elevator control instruction and the target elevator controller to the outbound call button controller, and T5 is the moment when the outbound call button controller receives the light control signal sent by the target elevator controller; Where, Δt3≤-2.5319Δt1 2 -0.6135Δt1+a; a is a constant, 0.0956≤a≤0.0987; 0.001s<Δt1<0.1s, 0.001s<Δt2<0.5s, 0.001s<Δt4<0.5s, 0.02s <T<1s。 2. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button invalidation control devices; each of the button invalidation control devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button; Then, the outbound call button controller controls each of the elevator controllers to be unable to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically: The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the button invalidation control devices; The button invalidation control device controls the associated elevator controller to be unable to respond to the elevator request received by the associated outbound call button according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

3. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that: The button invalid control device includes a first switch device; The first switch device is connected in series between the signal output end of the outbound call button and the button signal input end of the elevator controller.

4. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button state detection devices, which are connected to the signal output ends of the outbound call buttons associated with the same elevator controller and located on the same floor and in the same elevator direction; Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically: The button status detection device detects whether the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, and when it detects that the connected outbound call button receives an elevator request, it sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor; wherein, the elevator request includes the waiting floor and the elevator direction.

5. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller includes a plurality of button signal output devices; each of the button signal output devices is respectively connected to each button signal input terminal of the elevator controller; Then, the outbound call button controller generates a simulated button signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated button signal to the target elevator controller, specifically: The outbound call button controller sends the received elevator dispatch control instruction to the button signal output device corresponding to the target elevator controller; The key signal output device generates a simulated key signal according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, and transmits the simulated key signal to the associated target elevator controller.

6. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 5, characterized in that: The key signal output device includes a second switch device; A first end of the second switch device is connected to a first key signal input end of the elevator controller, and a second end of the second switch device is connected to a second key signal input end of the elevator controller.

7. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller is further configured to control all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to a light control signal sent by an associated elevator controller according to the received invalid button control instruction; the light control signal includes a light on control signal; The target elevator controller is further configured to send a light-on control signal to an associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the boarding request according to the received simulated key signal; The outbound call button controller is also used to send a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction when it detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

8. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The light control signal also includes a light off control signal; The target elevator controller is further configured to, after the target elevator car completes the boarding task corresponding to the boarding request, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the boarding request; The outbound call button controller is also used to detect whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when it is detected that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-off drive signal to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction.

9. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light signal control invalidation devices; each of the light signal control invalidation devices is respectively arranged between each of the elevator controllers and the associated outbound call button light; Then, the outbound call button controller controls all outbound call button lights to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received invalid button control instruction, specifically: The outbound call button controller sends the received button invalidation control instruction to each of the light signal control invalidation devices; The light signal control invalidation device controls the associated outbound call button light to be unable to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller according to the received button invalidation control instruction.

10. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 9, characterized in that: The light signal control invalidation device includes a third switch device; The third switch device is connected in series between the light signal output terminal of the elevator controller and the light signal input terminal of the outbound call button light.

11. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light control signal detection devices; each of the light control signal detection devices is respectively connected to the light signal output terminal of each elevator controller; Then, the outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically: The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light control signal, sends the light control signal to the outbound call button controller.

12. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 11, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller detects whether the elevator controller sends a light-off control signal to the outbound call button light, specifically: The light control signal detection device detects whether the connected elevator controller sends a light off control signal to the outbound call button light, and when detecting that the connected elevator controller sends the light off control signal, sends the light off control signal to the outbound call button controller.

13. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 8, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller further includes a plurality of light drive signal output devices; the light drive signal output devices are connected to the light signal input terminals of the outbound call button lights on the same floor and in the same elevator direction; Then, when the outbound call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends a light-on drive signal to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, specifically: When the outside call button controller detects that the target elevator controller sends a light-on control signal to the outside call button light associated with the same floor and the same elevator direction, the outside call button controller sends a light-on drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outside call button lights on the same floor and the same elevator direction; The light driving signal output device sends a light driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light driving instruction.

14. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 13, characterized in that: When the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send light-off control signals to the outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction, it sends light-off drive signals to all outbound call button lights of the same floor and the same elevator direction. Specifically, When the outbound call button controller detects that all elevator controllers send a light-off control signal to the outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction, the outbound call button controller sends a light-off drive instruction to the light drive signal output device connected to all outbound call button lights on the same floor and the same direction; The light driving signal output device sends a light-off driving signal to the associated outbound call button light according to the received light-off driving instruction.

15. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that: The lamp driving signal output device includes a power supply unit and a fourth switching device; The first end of the power supply unit is connected to the first light signal input end of the outbound call button light, the second end of the power supply unit is connected to the first end of the fourth switch device, and the second end of the fourth switch device is connected to the second light signal input end of the outbound call button light.

16. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: When the outbound call button controller detects that the outbound call button receives an elevator request, the outbound call button controller sends the elevator request to the elevator group control processor, specifically: When it is detected that the outbound call button receives the elevator request, it is determined whether any of the elevator controllers sends a light-on control signal to the outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the elevator request; If it is detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light-on control signal, then the elevator boarding request is not responded to; If it is not detected that any of the elevator controllers sends the light control signal, the elevator boarding request is sent to the elevator group control processor.

17. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The group control dispatching system further includes an elevator operation status detection device associated with each of the elevator cars; The elevator operation status detection device is used to detect the operation status information of the associated elevator car and send it to the elevator group controller; The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers, specifically: According to the received elevator request and the operation status information of each elevator car, group control and dispatching control are performed on all elevator cars to determine the target elevator controller from all elevator controllers.

18. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 17, characterized in that: The running status information includes the current floor of the elevator car and the dispatching status; the dispatching status is a running state or a stationary state; The method of performing group control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers specifically includes: Calculate the travel distance of each elevator car to the waiting floor based on the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the elevator request, as well as the current floor and dispatch status of each elevator car; When there is only one elevator car whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, obtaining the elevator car whose travel distance is greater than the preset travel distance threshold as the initial elevator car; An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

19. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 18, characterized in that: The method further comprises: performing group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; When there are M1 elevator cars whose travel distance is greater than a preset travel distance threshold, determine the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance among the M1 elevator cars; M1>1; When there is only one elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance, obtaining the elevator car corresponding to the shortest travel distance as the initial elevator car; An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

20. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 19, characterized in that: The method further comprises: performing group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; When there are M2 elevator cars corresponding to the shortest travel distance, determine whether the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same; 1 < M2 < M1; When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are the same, determining any one of the M2 elevator cars as the initial elevator car; An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

21. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that: The method further comprises: performing group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not completely the same, determining whether there is an elevator car in a running state among the M2 elevator cars; When there is an elevator car in a running state, determining the elevator car in a running state as the initial elevator car; An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

22. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 20, characterized in that: The method further comprises: performing group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator request and the operating status information of each elevator car to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; When the elevator controllers associated with the M2 elevator cars are not identical, determining the unfinished elevator ride tasks that existed before the elevator ride request was received according to the light-on drive signal sent by the outbound call button controller; According to the unfinished elevator ride tasks, the number of stops required for the M2 elevator cars to reach the waiting floor is estimated; Obtaining an elevator car corresponding to the minimum number of stops as the initial elevator car; An elevator controller associated with the initial elevator car is determined as the target elevator controller.

23. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elevator group control processor is further used to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps: Querying a preset group control processing time table according to the current real-time time to determine whether the current real-time time is in the group control processing time period; When the current real time is in the group control processing time period, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

24. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elevator group control processor is further used to determine whether group control of all elevator cars is required through the following steps: Receive elevator group control processing instructions input by the user; According to the elevator group control processing instruction, it is determined that group control needs to be performed on all elevator cars.

25. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 7, characterized in that: The outbound call button controller is also used to enable each elevator controller to respond to the elevator boarding request received by the associated outbound call button, and each outbound call button light to respond to the light control signal sent by the associated elevator controller when the outbound call button controller itself is powered off or when a communication abnormality is detected between the elevator group control processor.

26. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that: The elevator group control processor further includes a protocol converter; among the original elevator controller and each of the newly added elevator controllers, one elevator controller is set as a master elevator controller, and all elevator controllers other than the master elevator controller are set as slave elevator controllers; wherein the master elevator controller is used to receive operating status information reported by its associated elevator car; each of the slave elevator controllers is used to receive operating status information reported by its associated elevator car and send the operating status information to the protocol converter; each of the slave elevator controllers is also used to receive an elevator boarding request sent by an associated outbound call button and send the received elevator boarding request to the elevator group control processor; Then, the elevator group control processor is further configured to, when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, trigger the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and send the received elevator boarding request to the protocol converter; The protocol converter is configured to, after starting the protocol conversion function, convert the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and convert the received elevator boarding request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and send the converted elevator boarding request to the main elevator controller; The master elevator controller is used to receive an elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or an elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determine the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generate elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

27. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that: The elevator group control processor is also used to set the original elevator controller and any one of the newly added elevator controllers as the master elevator controller when it is determined that group control of all elevator cars is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, and set all elevator controllers except the master elevator controller as the slave elevator controllers.

28. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that: The master elevator controller is further configured to send the elevator dispatch information to the protocol converter when the target elevator car is an elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller; The protocol converter is further configured to convert the elevator dispatch information into an elevator protocol format of a slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car, and send the elevator dispatch information to the slave elevator controller associated with the target elevator car; The slave elevator controller is further configured to obtain the target elevator car and the elevator riding task according to the received elevator dispatching information, and control the target elevator car to respond to the elevator riding task.

29. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands according to claim 26 or 28, characterized in that: The main elevator controller is further configured to send a light-on control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and the elevator direction included in the received elevator request and the protocol converter according to the received elevator request; The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers; The slave elevator controller is further configured to light up the outbound call button lights associated with the waiting floor and the boarding direction included in the received boarding request according to the received light control signal.

30. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 29, characterized in that: The main elevator controller is further configured to, when it is determined that the target elevator car has completed the boarding task, send a light-off control signal to the associated outbound call button light corresponding to the waiting floor and boarding direction included in the received boarding request and to the protocol converter; The protocol converter is further configured to convert the light-off control signal into an elevator protocol format of each of the slave elevator controllers, and send the converted light-off control signal to each of the slave elevator controllers; The slave elevator controller is further configured to control the lights of the outbound call buttons corresponding to the waiting floors and the boarding directions included in the received boarding request to turn off according to the received light-off control signal.

31. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 30, characterized in that: The main elevator controller is also used to: After generating the elevator dispatch information, it is determined whether the target elevator car has completed the elevator riding task based on the operating status information of each elevator car associated with itself and the operating status information of each elevator car associated with the slave elevator controller.

32. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 26, characterized in that: The protocol converter includes a master protocol conversion device and at least one slave protocol conversion device; The master protocol conversion device is connected to the master elevator controller, the master protocol conversion device is connected to each of the slave protocol conversion devices, and each of the slave protocol conversion devices is connected to each of the slave elevator controllers in a one-to-one correspondence; The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the master elevator controller, and the slave protocol conversion device communicates with the connected slave elevator controller via the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller; The master protocol conversion device communicates with each of the slave protocol conversion devices via a preset universal elevator protocol.

33. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that: The main protocol conversion device includes a first micro control unit, a first communication protocol interface and a universal elevator protocol interface; The master protocol conversion device communicates with the master elevator controller via the first communication protocol interface, and communicates with the slave protocol conversion device via the universal elevator protocol interface; The first micro control unit is used to convert the communication data received through the first communication protocol interface into a universal elevator protocol format, and convert the communication data received through the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller.

34. The group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands as claimed in claim 32, characterized in that: The slave protocol conversion device includes a second micro control unit, a second communication protocol interface and a universal elevator protocol interface; The slave protocol conversion device communicates with the slave elevator controller via the second communication protocol interface, and communicates with the master protocol conversion device via the universal elevator protocol interface; The second micro control unit is used to convert the communication data received through the second communication protocol interface into a universal elevator protocol format, and convert the communication data received through the universal elevator protocol interface into the elevator protocol format of the slave elevator controller.

35. A group control dispatching method for elevators of different brands, characterized in that: The method is applicable to the group control and dispatching system for elevators of different brands according to any one of claims 1 to 25, wherein the method is executed by the elevator group controller and comprises: When receiving an elevator request from an elevator user through the elevator group control processor, the elevator request is sent to the elevator group controller; The elevator group controller performs group control and dispatching control on all elevator cars according to the received elevator boarding request, so as to determine a target elevator controller from all elevator controllers; generates an elevator dispatch control instruction according to the elevator boarding request, and sends the elevator dispatch control instruction to the target elevator controller; The target elevator controller obtains the elevator task corresponding to the elevator request according to the received elevator dispatch control instruction, determines the target elevator car among the associated elevator cars, and controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

36. A group control dispatching method for elevators of different brands, characterized in that: The method applicable to the group control dispatching system for elevators of different brands according to any one of claims 26 to 34, wherein the method is executed by the protocol converter and comprises: When the elevator group control processor determines that group control of the elevator car is required and the elevator group controller is invalid, triggering the protocol converter to start a protocol conversion function, and sending the received elevator request to the protocol converter; After starting the protocol conversion function, the protocol converter converts the received running status information into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted running status information to the main elevator controller; and converts the received elevator request into the elevator protocol format of the main elevator controller and sends the converted elevator request to the main elevator controller; The master elevator controller receives the elevator request sent by the associated outbound call button or the elevator request sent by the protocol converter; determines the target elevator car among all elevator cars based on the received elevator request, the operating status information of the elevator car associated with itself, and the operating status information of the elevator car associated with each slave elevator controller, and generates elevator dispatch information based on the elevator task corresponding to the received elevator request and the target elevator car; and, when the target elevator car is the elevator car associated with itself, controls the target elevator car to respond to the elevator task.

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