Loading quality mobile terminal device application

Abstract

A passenger transport diagnostic system includes a mobile terminal in signal communication with a cloud computing network. The cloud computing network stores at least one diagnostic algorithm. And the mobile terminal equipment is configured to determine carrying quality data of the passenger conveying system and exchange the carrying quality data with the cloud computing network. The mobile terminal device further displays one or more diagnostic results received from the cloud computing network. The diagnostic result is generated by the cloud computing network in response to applying the at least one diagnostic algorithm to the load quality data.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to passenger conveyor systems and, more particularly, to passenger conveyor maintenance and operation diagnostics. Background Art

[0002] Service providers of passenger transportation systems, such as elevator systems, escalators, and the like, for example, rely in part on user complaints to alert existing faults or defects that require repair. Not only must the system be taken offline at unplanned times because it is not known when a component or system will fail, but once a problem is identified, one or more follow-up visits are often required in order to obtain load quality data for accurate diagnosis. In addition, diagnosing and monitoring the passenger transportation system before and after a component failure is identified may require access to circuits, control boxes, drive systems, or components that may be hidden behind various panels or otherwise out of sight during normal operation. Accessing circuits, control boxes, drive systems, or other components may also require that the system be taken out of service to provide a technician with access to the necessary components. Summary of the invention

[0003] A passenger transportation diagnostic system includes a mobile terminal in signal communication with a cloud computing network. The cloud computing network stores at least one diagnostic algorithm. The mobile terminal device is configured to determine ride quality data of the passenger transportation system and exchange the ride quality data with the cloud computing network. The mobile terminal device further displays one or more diagnostic results received from the cloud computing network. The diagnostic results are generated by the cloud computing network in response to applying the at least one diagnostic algorithm to the ride quality data.

[0004] Another non-limiting embodiment provides a mobile terminal device configured to diagnose a passenger conveyor system. The mobile terminal device includes a memory unit storing a load quality application and at least one sensor configured to determine load quality data of the passenger conveyor system. The mobile terminal device also includes a network interface device for establishing communication with a cloud computing network and an electronic hardware controller for exchanging load quality data with the cloud computing network via the network interface device. The hardware controller further generates at least one graphical user interface (GUI) displayed on a screen of the mobile terminal device. The GUI displays at least one diagnostic result of the passenger conveyor system.

[0005] Another non-limiting embodiment provides a method for diagnosing a passenger transportation system. The method includes storing at least one diagnostic algorithm in a cloud computing network, and determining ride quality data of the passenger transportation system via a mobile terminal device in signal communication with the cloud computing network. The method also includes exchanging the ride quality data with the cloud computing network, and displaying at least one diagnostic result in response to receiving the diagnostic result received from the cloud computing network. The diagnostic result is generated in response to applying the at least one diagnostic algorithm to the ride quality data. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] The following description should not be considered limiting in any way. Referring to the drawings, similar elements are similarly numbered:

[0007] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a computing system according to a non-limiting embodiment;

[0008] Figure 2 illustrates a cloud computing network according to a non-limiting embodiment;

[0009] Figure 3 A mobile terminal device with a load quality software application installed operating in the vicinity of an elevator system is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment;

[0010] Figure 4 A mobile terminal device having a load quality software application installed thereon operating in the vicinity of an elevator system is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment;

[0011] Figure 5A A mobile terminal device is shown displaying a home interface provided by a carrier quality software application according to a non-limiting embodiment;

[0012] Figure 5B A mobile terminal device is shown displaying a diagnostic result interface provided by a load quality software application according to a non-limiting embodiment; and

[0013] Figure 6 is a flow chart illustrating a method for diagnosing a passenger transportation system using a ride quality software application installed on a mobile terminal device according to a non-limiting embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0014] A detailed description of one or more embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and methods is provided herein by way of example and not limitation with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0015] The term "about" is intended to include the degree of error associated with measuring the particular quantity based on the equipment available at the time of filing this application. For example, "about" may include a range of ±8% or 5% or 2% of a given value.

[0016] Reference now Figure 1 , shows a computing system 100 capable of executing one or more embodiments of the present invention. The computing system 100 includes a memory 102 and an electronic hardware processor 106. The memory 102 stores various instruction algorithms executable by the processor 106. The executable instructions may be stored or organized in any manner and at any level of abstraction, such as in conjunction with one or more procedures, routines, programs, methods, functions, etc. As an example, at least a portion of the instructions are in Figure 1104a and 104b are shown as being associated with a first program 104a and a second program 104b.

[0017] The processor 106 may be electrically connected to the memory 102 and one or more input / output (I / O) devices 108. In some embodiments, the I / O devices 108 may include one or more of a keyboard or keypad, a touch screen or touch panel, a display screen, a microphone, a speaker, a mouse, a button, a remote control, a joystick, a printer, a phone or mobile device (e.g., a smart phone), etc. The I / O devices 108 may be configured to provide an interface to allow a user to interact with the system 100.

[0018] The computing system 100 also includes a network interface 110 capable of electronically communicating with the cloud computing network 200. The network interface 110 includes any communication device (e.g., a modem, a wireless network adapter, etc.) operating according to a network protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, satellite, cable communications, etc.) that establishes wired and / or wireless communications with the cloud computing network 200.

[0019] Computing system 100 is shown as an example. In some embodiments, one or more of the entities may be optional. In some embodiments, additional entities not shown may be included. For example, in some embodiments, computing system 100 may be associated with one or more networks such as one or more computer or telephone networks. In some embodiments, computing system 100 may be associated with a computer or telephone network. Figure 1 The shown methods are different ways to arrange or organize entities.

[0020] Now go to Figure 2 , a cloud computing network 200 capable of executing one or more embodiments of the present invention is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment. The cloud computing network 200 includes a cloud server 202, one or more mobile terminal devices 204, and one or more backend computers 206.

[0021] The cloud server 202 may store various data for facilitating computing operations, or may perform computing operations therein and output the results to the mobile terminal device 204 and / or the back-end computer 206. For example, the cloud server 202 may store the setting parameters for selecting functions. In some embodiments, the setting parameters may be stored in the controller. In some embodiments, in the case of connection loss between the controller and the cloud server 202, there may be a simplified failover function in the controller. The cloud server 202 may also store measurement reports and downloaded software (SW) applications. The cloud server 202 may also perform various diagnostic test operations and / or store data or reports generated from diagnostic tests. The cloud server 202 may also control the operation and function of a group of devices.

[0022] In some embodiments, operational metrics may be collected at the cloud server 202 across a combination of multiple units, sites, or groups. The metrics may be analyzed by, for example, a backend computer 206 to provide a broad overview of the combination. For example, the analysis may indicate trends and may be used to respond to needs (e.g., product needs or functional needs). The analysis may also be used to facilitate the ability to diagnose or troubleshoot faults. The metrics may also be used to trigger or enhance the accuracy of sales proposals. The metrics may be used to provide or schedule maintenance activities, such as preventive maintenance activities. In some embodiments, an interface protocol configured to operate using a new device may be stored in the cloud server 202 and used by a local controller, for example.

[0023] In some embodiments, functional upgrades to diagnostic, prognostic, and remote repair / rescue functions may be deployed to customers as they are released and deployed within the cloud server 202. Functionality may be developed at a backend computer 206 (installed at a server location 207 located remotely from the mobile terminal device 204) and deployed to the cloud server 202. One or more tests may be performed to ensure that functionality meets operational or safety requirements.

[0024] In some embodiments, modernization of a cloud-supported controller (not shown) may be provided. The controller may utilize cloud server 202 to enable new features or support new devices / equipment. Prior to or during modernization, the controller may receive updates via cloud server 202 to support interface protocols and / or add new functionality / capabilities to new devices. For example, if a new fixture is added that requires a new interface, the controller may enable the new functionality from cloud server 202 once the new fixture is integrated into cloud network 200 without requiring an upgrade of software on the controller. As yet another example, a new scheduling algorithm may be implemented from the cloud to optimize traffic during the modernization phase of a project.

[0025] The mobile terminal device 204 can communicate with the cloud server 202 through one or more connections, channels or links facilitated by the network interface. In this way, the mobile terminal device 204 and the cloud server 202 can exchange data between each other. The cloud server 202 can also facilitate the exchange of data between the mobile device 204 and the backend computer 206.

[0026] The mobile terminal device 204 includes, for example, a smart phone 204, which may be located on or near the passenger delivery location 205 and may be electrically communicated with the cloud server 202 via a connection 208. The connection 208 may comply with one or more communication protocols, standards, etc. For example, the connection 208 may comply with telephone, cellular, Wi-Fi, Ethernet, satellite or cable communications. In some embodiments, the connection 208 may be constant or permanent. Although the mobile terminal device 204 will be referred to as a smart phone 204 hereinafter, the mobile terminal device 204 may include any mobile device that may facilitate the interaction between one or more stored software applications (i.e., app) and the cloud server 202. For example, the mobile terminal device 204 may also include a tablet computer, a laptop computer, a smart watch, etc.

[0027] Smartphone 204 includes display 220 and one or more sensors. Sensors include, but are not limited to, one or more cameras 222, speakers 224, microphones 226, and accelerometers 228. Camera 222 is capable of capturing still images and / or moving images that smartphone 204 can reproduce on display 220. Speaker 224 outputs sound from smartphone 204 to the external environment. Microphone 226 captures sounds and noises present near smartphone 204. The captured noises can be recorded to a memory and reproduced via speaker 224. Accelerometer 228 can be constructed as a single-axis or / and multi-axis accelerometer, and is capable of detecting the magnitude and direction of appropriate acceleration of the smartphone as a vector. Accelerometer 228 can sense orientation, coordinate acceleration, vibration, shock, and motion of smartphone 204.

[0028] As described above, functions may be (re)located to a cloud server (e.g., cloud server 202). From the elevator system perspective, such functions may include, for example, dispatch functions for one or more passenger conveying devices, mobile terminals, operating mode determination, diagnostic functions, special contact features, etc. With respect to dispatch functions, in some embodiments, a user request for a service received at, for example, a lobby box located on a specific floor of a building may be communicated to a cloud server, and the cloud server may transmit a command to direct a specific elevator car to be relocated to that specific floor to satisfy the service request.

[0029] In some embodiments, a local controller (not shown) may maintain a certain function and therefore may include hardware and computing resources to support such functions. The controller may include hardware and / or software to communicate with the cloud server 202. For example, the controller may exchange data and commands with the cloud server 202 to perform control functions.

[0030] Now go to Figure 3 , according to a non-limiting embodiment, a mobile terminal device 204 is shown with a load quality software application installed operating near an elevator system 300. Although reference is made to Figure 3 Elevator system 300 is described, but it should be appreciated that smartphone 204 may operate in conjunction with other types of passenger transportation systems, including but not limited to vertical escalator systems, horizontal escalator systems (i.e., moving walkway systems), etc., without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Elevator system 300 includes a machine 301 that drives an elevator car 302 located in a vertical shaft (not shown). One or more elevator car rails 304 and guides 306 are attached to the shaft wall. Elevator system 300 also includes one or more elongated members 308 that couple the elevator car 302 to a counterweight (not shown). In at least one embodiment, the elongated member is formed as a round wire rope 308 that is configured to support the weight of the elevator car 302 and the counterweight so as to push the elevator car 302 in a desired direction (e.g., upward or downward) within the shaft. Although a single rope 308 is shown, it should be appreciated that additional ropes may be implemented.

[0032] The elevator machine 301 is installed in a machine room 303 that is remotely located from the elevator car 302. The elevator machine 301 controls a traction sheave 305 that rotates ropes 308 and causes the movement of ropes 308 to drive the elevator car 302 in a selected direction. The elevator system 300 also includes one or more deflectors or idler pulleys 310 to help guide the movement of the various traction ropes 308. In this way, the elevator car 302 can be driven to one or more landings or floors that are arranged vertically relative to each other. Thus, the elevator car 302 can be driven to the requested floor, where passengers can then enter or exit the car 302 via the elevator door 312.

[0033] Still reference Figure 3 , a maintenance technician or mechanic 250 can operate an elevator car 302 while using a mobile terminal device 204 to diagnose the elevator system 300. Although the mobile terminal device 204 is described as a smart phone, other types of mobile terminals or user equipment (UE) devices can be used, including but not limited to tablet computers, laptop computers, smart watches, etc.

[0034] Maintenance technician 250 can operate smartphone 204 to obtain real-time load quality data of elevator system 300. For example, smartphone 204 can be located near door 312 to capture noise (e.g., squeaks) via a microphone and / or capture images of door operation via a camera. In another example, smartphone 204 can detect vibrations via an accelerometer when car 302 travels between one or more floors during elevator operation.

[0035] Smartphone 204 has a payload quality software application installed and is configured to communicate electronically with cloud computing network 200 via a network interface device. As described herein, a network interface device includes any communication device (e.g., a modem, a wireless network adapter, etc.) operating according to a network protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, satellite, cable communication, etc.) that establishes wired and / or wireless communication with cloud computing network 200.

[0036] The ride quality software application can provide quantitative measurement and analysis of ride quality. For example, the ride quality software application can compare the real-time performance of the elevator system 300 with the expected performance. The analytical data generated by the ride quality software application can be stored locally on the smart phone 204, and / or can be stored in the cloud server 202. The analytical data can include, but is not limited to, machine noise, machine vibration, elevator car vibration, rope noise, transient / travel noise, idling / deflector noise, track and guide vibration, and elevator door noise. The analytical data is stored in the cloud server 202 and can be further archived and tracked over time to determine whether the identified problem has been resolved after the most recent repair effort or the problem persists or has become worse.

[0037] Go to Figure 4 , a mobile terminal device 204 with a load-bearing quality software application installed operating in the vicinity of an elevator system 400 is shown according to a non-limiting embodiment. The elevator system 400 includes a truss 402 extending between a lower landing 404 and an upper landing 406. A plurality of sequentially connected anti-skid plates or steps 408 are connected to a drive chain (not shown) and travel through a closed-loop path within the truss 402. A pair of handrails 410 are coupled to the truss 402 and are located at opposite sides of the steps 408. The handrails 410 move together with the steps 408 to provide passenger support. A machine 412 drives the steps 408 and the handrails 410. The machine 412 is generally located in a machine space 414 below one of the landings, such as the machine space contained within the lower landing 404.

[0038] Still reference Figure 4 , a maintenance technician or mechanic 250 can use a mobile terminal device 204 (e.g., a smart phone 204) with a quality software application installed to diagnose the operation of the escalator system 400. As described above, other types of mobile terminal UE devices can be used, including but not limited to tablet computers, laptop computers, smart watches, etc.

[0039] The maintenance technician or mechanic 250 can operate the smartphone 204 to obtain real-time load quality data of the escalator system 400. For example, the smartphone 204 can be located near the handrail 410 to capture noises (e.g., squeaks) via the smartphone, and / or can be placed against the handrail 410 to detect vibrations via an accelerometer. In another example, the smartphone 204 can be located in or near the machine space 414 to record the sounds of the machine 412. In yet another example, the smartphone's camera can capture images of the moving steps 408 and / or the handrail 410.

[0040] Smartphone 204 is configured to communicate electronically with cloud computing network 200 via a network interface device. As described herein, a network interface device includes any communication device (e.g., a modem, a wireless network adapter, etc.) that operates according to a network protocol (e.g., Wi-Fi, Ethernet, satellite, cable communications, etc.) that establishes wired and / or wireless communications with cloud computing network 200.

[0041] The ride quality software application can provide quantitative measurements and analysis of ride quality obtained by the smart phone 204. For example, the ride quality software application can perform a real-time comparison between the actual performance of the escalator system 400 and its expected performance. The analytical data generated by the ride quality software application can be stored locally on the smart phone 204 and / or can be stored in the cloud server 202. The analytical data includes, but is not limited to, machine noise, machine vibration, truss vibration, step vibration, step noise, handrail vibration, handrail noise, and drive train noise. The analytical data stored in the cloud server 202 can be further archived and tracked over time to determine whether the identified problem has been resolved after the most recent repair effort or whether the problem persists or has become worse.

[0042] refer to Figure 5A and 5B , showing a smart phone 204 operating in various modes. According to a non-limiting embodiment, each mode displays a corresponding graphical user interface (GUI). Figure 5A , shows a smartphone 204 operating in a diagnostic selection mode that presents a smartphone user (e.g., a service technician) with a home GUI 500. The user can manipulate the home GUI 500 by touching a touch screen actuator 501 displayed on the screen 220 and / or using other input actuators (not shown) installed on the smartphone 204.

[0043] The home GUI 500 includes a diagnostic selection field 502 and a user instruction field 504. The diagnostic selection field 502 allows the user to select a desired diagnostic operation among a plurality of different diagnostic operations capable of diagnosing different maintenance problems of the passenger transportation system. From the perspective of the elevator system environment, for example, the various diagnostic operations include, but are not limited to, a "door cycle" diagnostic operation and a "floor to floor" diagnostic operation. The "door cycle" diagnostic test performs a test routine to diagnose the operation of the elevator doors. The "floor to floor" diagnostic operation performs a test routine to diagnose any abnormal or suboptimal operation of the elevator as it travels within the building.

[0044] From the escalator system environment, the diagnostic selection field 502 allows the user to select from a variety of diagnostic operations, including but not limited to machine diagnostics, ascending step operation diagnostics, descending step operation diagnostics, handrail diagnostics, and brake diagnostics. As in the case of the elevator diagnostic test described above, abnormal or suboptimal noise and vibration can be analyzed to relate to specific product parts or components. Symptoms and diagnostics can be displayed on the screen.

[0045] The machine diagnostics operation allows the capture of noise generated from within the machine space and comparison of the measured noise to the expected range of noise for that equipment.

[0046] The up-stairs operation and down-stairs operation diagnostic operations monitor the real-time operation of the escalator system as the user is carried along with the moving steps. The diagnostics during this operation include acoustic detection of step and handrail noise, drive chain noise, step vibration and step travel speed.

[0047] The armrest diagnostics may be more particularly directed toward diagnosing problems with the armrest. The diagnostics performed during the armrest diagnostics include analyzing noise generated by the armrest and / or vibrations of the armrest.

[0048] Braking diagnostics can diagnose whether the steps of an escalator stop within the expected amount of time after an escalator braking event. The deceleration of the steps can be compared to a threshold value to determine whether the braking function of the escalator is being performed as expected. Braking diagnostics can also diagnose the deceleration of the steps. For example, any pulsation in the deceleration of the steps can be related to a specific part or component of the braking mechanism.

[0049] The user instruction field 504 displays diagnostic operation instructions that guide the user on how to correctly perform the selected diagnostic operation. The instructions include, for example, instructing the user where to position the smart phone relative to the user's person together with the position relative to the passenger conveyor system, while providing the user with the best results. When the "door cycle" diagnosis is selected, for example, the user instruction field 504 may instruct the user to "hold the phone high in front of the chest, face the landing door and press start". The instructions presented in the user instruction field 504 may change based on the diagnostic operation selected from the diagnostic selection field 502. For example, when performing a door cycle diagnosis, the instructions may instruct the user to position the smart phone 204 near the elevator door or near a specific component related to the door, while the instructions corresponding to the machine diagnostic instructions will instruct the user to position the phone in the machine space of the escalator. When performing a diagnostic operation related to another type of passenger conveyor system, such as an escalator system, similar instructions may be provided to the user.

[0050] Go to Figure 5B , showing a smart phone 204 operating in a diagnostic results mode, which presents a diagnostic results GUI 510 to the smart phone user after the corresponding diagnostic operation is completed. The diagnostic results GUI 510 includes a component field 512 and a status indicator field 514. The component field 512 lists one or more components diagnosed according to the selected diagnostic operation (i.e., the diagnostic operation selected from the home GUI 500). One or more displayed components may change according to the selected diagnostic operation. For example, "rope" and "track" may be displayed after performing a floor to floor diagnostic operation, while "threshold" and "hook" may be displayed after performing a door cycle diagnostic operation. Similarly, escalator components such as "step chain" and "handrail drive chain" may be displayed after performing one or more escalator system diagnostic operations.

[0051] The status indicator field 514 displays status indicators 516a, 516b, and 516c corresponding to each component name displayed in the component field 512. The status indicators 516a-516c can be displayed with a unique identifier (e.g., color, shape, etc.) indicating the diagnosed state of the component after the diagnostic operation. For example, the first status indicator 516a (e.g., a graphic indicator colored green) can indicate that the corresponding component is operating normally or as expected after the diagnostic operation. The second status indicator 516b (e.g., a graphic indicator colored yellow) can indicate that although appropriate results are still provided, the corresponding component is detected as operating with one or more irregularities. For example, although the elevator car travels between one or more floors at a noise level that is generally acceptable to most passengers, the noise may contain certain characteristics that suggest that the roller bearings are wearing and should be replaced. Therefore, the maintenance technician may carefully monitor this unit for the next few maintenance visits. The third status indicator 516c (e.g., a graphic indicator colored red) can indicate that maintenance should be performed to ensure that the unit consistently meets customer expectations. These results may include, for example, vibration or noise that exceeds a threshold level for passenger comfort. The diagnostic information may be related to a specific part or component so that maintenance personnel will be properly prepared for a successful repair on the first visit.

[0052] The diagnostic results GUI 510 also includes a component selector 518, which can be manipulated by the user to highlight and select a given component name displayed on the screen 220. In response to selecting the highlighted component name, additional information related to the selected component can be provided to the user. This may include, for example, the distance traveled at which the unexpected noise occurred or the characteristic frequency and possible causes of the persistent noise. The noise measurement can be replayed through the speaker of the smart phone 204, allowing the user to hear noises that may be ignored. In another example, a video of the actual operation of a selected component (such as a door) can be played side by side on the display screen 220 with a pre-recorded video showing the expected operation of the door. In addition, an electronic maintenance manual and / or schematic diagram of the component or related component system can be displayed on the screen 220 to further assist the user in diagnosing the selected component. Therefore, a maintenance technician can immediately identify one or more problematic components and attempt to resolve the anomaly without passenger input.

[0053] Now go to Figure 6, a flow chart illustrates a method for diagnosing a passenger conveyor system using a load-carrying quality software application installed on an electronic mobile terminal device according to a non-limiting embodiment. The method starts at operation 600, and at operation 602, a diagnosis is selected among one or more available diagnostic operations. At operation 604, a diagnostic operation instruction corresponding to the selected diagnosis is displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal device. At operation 606, the selected diagnostic operation is initiated, and one or more diagnostic algorithms are executed. At operation 608, real-time load-carrying quality data of the passenger conveyor system is obtained. The load-carrying quality data includes noise, sound, vibration, and images captured during the real-time operation of the passenger conveyor system. At operation 610, various algorithms and processing applications are used to analyze the real-time data. For example, the sound captured in real time can be compared with the expected sound recorded in advance to determine whether an unexpected sound exists or whether the expected sound exceeds a predetermined sound threshold. At operation 612, a determination is made as to whether the diagnosis is completed. When the diagnosis is not completed, the method returns to operation 610 and continues to analyze the real-time data.

[0054] However, when the diagnosis is completed at operation 612, the method proceeds to operation 614 and displays one or more diagnostic results on the screen of the mobile terminal device. In at least one embodiment, the mobile terminal device generates a diagnostic result GUI that displays a diagnostic status indicator corresponding to each component diagnosed according to the selected diagnostic operation. When the user selects a specific component name from the diagnostic result GUI, the GUI displays additional diagnostic information (e.g., noise, images, electronic schematics, etc. captured in real time) related to the selected component at operation 616, and the method ends at operation 618.

[0055] The terms used herein are for the purpose of describing specific embodiments only and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms "a / an", and "the / said" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and / or "comprising" when used in this specification specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and / or parts, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, parts and / or groups thereof.

[0056] Although the present disclosure is described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for its elements without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt specific situations or materials to the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from its basic scope. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure is not limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as being contemplated as the best mode for implementing the present disclosure, but that the present disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A passenger transport diagnostic system, comprising: a cloud computing network storing at least one diagnostic algorithm; as well as a mobile terminal device in communication with the cloud computing network, the mobile terminal device being configured to determine the load quality data of the passenger transportation system and to exchange the load quality data with the cloud computing network, wherein the mobile terminal device displays at least one diagnostic result in response to receiving a diagnostic result from the cloud computing network, the diagnostic result being generated in response to applying the at least one diagnostic algorithm to the load quality data, Wherein, the mobile terminal device operates in a first mode for generating a first graphical user interface GUI and a second mode for generating a second GUI, wherein the first GUI is configured to select a diagnostic operation from a plurality of available diagnostic operations and display operation instructions in response to selecting the diagnostic operation, and the second GUI is configured to display diagnostic results provided by at least one diagnostic algorithm corresponding to the diagnostic operation selected from the first GUI, wherein the operation instructions guide the user on how to correctly perform the selected diagnostic operation.

2. The passenger transportation diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein: The passenger transportation system is an elevator system.

3. The passenger transportation diagnostic system of claim 2, wherein: The load quality data includes at least one of machine noise, elevator door noise, elevator car noise, and elevator car vibration.

4. The passenger transportation diagnostic system of claim 1, wherein: The passenger conveying system is an escalator system.

5. The passenger transportation diagnostic system of claim 4, wherein: The load-bearing quality data includes at least one of machine noise, step vibration, step noise, transmission chain noise, handrail noise, handrail vibration, step speed and braking speed.

6. The passenger conveyor system according to claim 1, wherein: The mobile terminal device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer or a smart watch.

7. The passenger conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The plurality of available diagnostic operations include one or more of door cycle diagnostics, floor to floor diagnostics, machine diagnostics, up step operation diagnostics, down step operation diagnostics, handrail diagnostics, and brake diagnostics.

8. The passenger conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: Different components to be diagnosed are automatically determined according to the selected diagnostic operation, wherein the second GUI displays a diagnostic result of each component determined in response to performing the selected diagnostic operation.

9. The passenger conveyor system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: The second GUI also includes a component selector configured to be manipulated by the user to highlight and select a given component displayed on the second GUI, such that in response to selecting the highlighted given component, additional information related to the selected given component is provided to the user.

10. A mobile terminal device configured to diagnose a passenger transportation system, the mobile terminal device comprising: a memory unit storing a load quality application; at least one sensor configured to determine ride quality data of the passenger conveyor system; a network interface device that establishes communications with a cloud computing network; as well as an electronic hardware controller, which exchanges the load quality data with the cloud computing network via the network interface device and generates at least one graphical user interface GUI displayed on the screen of the mobile terminal device, wherein the GUI displays at least one diagnostic result of the passenger transportation system, wherein the controller calls a first mode for generating a first graphical user interface GUI and a second mode for generating a second GUI, wherein the first GUI is configured to select a diagnostic operation from a plurality of available diagnostic operations and to display operating instructions in response to selecting the diagnostic operation, and the second GUI is configured to display diagnostic results provided by at least one diagnostic algorithm corresponding to the diagnostic operation selected from the first GUI, wherein the operating instructions guide the user on how to correctly perform the selected diagnostic operation.

11. The mobile terminal device according to claim 10, wherein: The load quality data includes at least one of elevator machine noise, elevator door noise, elevator car noise, elevator car vibration, escalator machine noise, escalator step vibration, escalator step noise, escalator step speed, escalator handrail noise, escalator handrail vibration and escalator braking speed.

12. The mobile terminal device according to claim 10, wherein: The first GUI displays operation instructions in response to selecting the diagnostic operation.

13. The mobile terminal device according to claim 12, wherein: The second GUI displays at least one diagnostic result corresponding to a component of the passenger conveyance system in response to performing the selected diagnostic operation.

14. The mobile terminal device according to claim 13, wherein: The at least one diagnostic result includes at least one of: a recorded noise corresponding to the component, an image of the component, a schematic diagram corresponding to the component, and a maintenance instruction corresponding to the component.

15. The mobile terminal device according to claim 10, wherein: The mobile terminal device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer or a smart watch.

16. The mobile terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: The plurality of available diagnostic operations include one or more of door cycle diagnostics, floor to floor diagnostics, machine diagnostics, up step operation diagnostics, down step operation diagnostics, handrail diagnostics, and brake diagnostics.

17. The mobile terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: Different components to be diagnosed are automatically determined according to the selected diagnostic operation, wherein the second GUI displays a diagnostic result of each component determined in response to performing the selected diagnostic operation.

18. The mobile terminal device according to any one of claims 10 to 15, wherein: The second GUI also includes a component selector configured to be manipulated by the user to highlight and select a given component displayed on the second GUI, such that in response to selecting the highlighted given component, additional information related to the selected given component is provided to the user.

19. A method of diagnosing a passenger conveyor system, the method comprising: storing at least one diagnostic algorithm in the cloud computing network; as well as Determining the passenger transportation system's load quality data via a mobile terminal device in communication with the cloud computing network; exchanging the carrier quality data with the cloud computing network; as well as displaying at least one diagnostic result in response to receiving a diagnostic result from the cloud computing network, the diagnostic result generated in response to applying the at least one diagnostic algorithm to the load quality data, The mobile terminal device is operated in a first mode for generating a first graphical user interface GUI and in a second mode for generating a second GUI, wherein the first GUI is configured to select a diagnostic operation from among a plurality of available diagnostic operations and to display operating instructions in response to selecting the diagnostic operation, and the second GUI is configured to display diagnostic results provided by at least one diagnostic algorithm corresponding to the diagnostic operation selected from the first GUI, wherein the operating instructions guide a user on how to correctly perform the selected diagnostic operation.

20. The method of claim 19, wherein: The load quality data includes at least one of elevator machine noise, elevator door noise, elevator car noise, elevator car vibration, escalator machine noise, escalator step vibration, escalator step noise, escalator step speed, escalator handrail noise, escalator handrail vibration and escalator braking speed.

21. The method of claim 19, wherein: The at least one diagnostic result includes at least one of a visual indicator, a recorded noise corresponding to the component, an image of the component, a schematic diagram corresponding to the component, and a maintenance instruction corresponding to the component, the visual indicator including at least one of a colored graphic, a text message providing an explanation of the result.

22. The method of claim 20, wherein: The mobile terminal device is one of a smart phone, a tablet computer or a smart watch.

23. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The plurality of available diagnostic operations include one or more of door cycle diagnostics, floor to floor diagnostics, machine diagnostics, up step operation diagnostics, down step operation diagnostics, handrail diagnostics, and brake diagnostics.

24. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: Different components to be diagnosed are automatically determined according to the selected diagnostic operation, wherein the second GUI displays a diagnostic result of each component determined in response to performing the selected diagnostic operation.

25. The method of any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein: The second GUI also includes a component selector configured to be manipulated by the user to highlight and select a given component displayed on the second GUI, such that in response to selecting the highlighted given component, additional information related to the selected given component is provided to the user.

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