Cleaning system and cleaning method for passenger conveyor system

Abstract

The invention relates to elevator technology, in particular to a cleaning system and method for a passenger conveyor system. A cleaning system for a passenger conveyor system according to an aspect of the present application includes a cleaning device having a self-propelled capability configured to move to an entrance or exit of a conveyor device specified by a cleaning request in response to the cleaning request, and perform a cleaning operation on the specified conveyor device.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to elevator technology and, more particularly, to cleaning systems and methods for passenger conveyor systems. Background Art

[0002] An escalator is a personnel transport device that uses a main drive to drive multiple pedals through a chain to make a circular motion along a fixed track. With the rapid development of modern social economy, escalators have been widely used in crowded places such as shopping malls, airports, railway stations and subway stations.

[0003] After the escalator has been running for a long time, a lot of dirt will be left on the inspection cover and floor plate. If manual cleaning is used, not only is the cost high, but the cleaning effect cannot be guaranteed. Summary of the invention

[0004] According to one aspect of the present application, a cleaning system for a passenger conveyor system is provided, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises one or more conveying devices, wherein the conveying device is an escalator or a moving walkway, and the cleaning system comprises:

[0005] The cleaning device with self-driving capability is configured to move to the entrance or exit of the conveying device specified by the cleaning request in response to a cleaning request, and perform a cleaning operation on the specified conveying device.

[0006] Optionally, the above cleaning system further includes a controller associated with the conveying device.

[0007] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the cleaning request is generated by the cleaning device, or comes from one of a mobile terminal, a controller associated with the conveying device, and a control console of the passenger conveyor system.

[0008] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the cleaning request is generated in response to a user command or based on historical operation data of the cleaning device or the conveying device.

[0009] Optionally, in the above-mentioned cleaning system, the cleaning device is also configured to instruct the controller to make the designated conveying device enter the cleaning mode after moving to the entrance or exit of the conveying device specified by the cleaning request and before performing the cleaning operation on the designated conveying device, and to instruct the controller to make the designated conveying device exit the cleaning mode after completing the cleaning operation on the designated conveying device.

[0010] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the controller associated with the designated conveying device is configured to cause the designated conveying device to enter the cleaning mode in response to an event triggering entry into the cleaning mode, and to cause the designated conveying device to exit the cleaning mode in response to an event triggering exit from the cleaning mode.

[0011] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the cleaning device is a sweeping robot.

[0012] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, in the cleaning mode, the pedal of the conveying device moves at a set speed or the operation indicator light of the conveying device indicates that the conveying device is in a stopped state.

[0013] Optionally, in the above-mentioned cleaning system, the event triggering entry into the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a standby message sent by the cleaning device or a first sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device arrives at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the event triggering exit from the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a cleaning completion message sent by the cleaning device or a second sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device.

[0014] Optionally, in the above-mentioned cleaning system, the first sensor sensing signal indicates a combination of blocked states of light at different heights at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the second sensor sensing signal indicates a change in the light from a blocked state to an unblocked state at the entrance or exit of the designated conveying device.

[0015] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the cleaning device comprises:

[0016] a first wireless communication unit configured to communicate with one of the mobile terminal, the controller, and the console;

[0017] Mobile mechanism;

[0018] A first processor coupled to the first wireless communication unit is configured to:

[0019] In response to the cleaning request generated by the first processor or received via the first wireless communication unit, instructing the moving mechanism to carry the cleaning device to a conveying device specified by the cleaning request;

[0020] Before performing a cleaning operation on the designated conveying device, sending a standby message to a controller associated with the designated conveying device via the first wireless communication unit to cause the designated conveying device to enter a cleaning mode;

[0021] After the cleaning operation on the designated conveying device is completed, the designated conveying device is caused to exit the cleaning mode by sending a cleaning completion message to a controller associated with the designated conveying device via the first wireless communication unit.

[0022] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the movement of the moving mechanism is based on navigation information or user control commands.

[0023] Optionally, in the cleaning system, the operation of the first processor sending the standby message includes:

[0024] Determine whether the conveying device at the current location of the cleaning device is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request by scanning the device identifier attached to the conveying device or the vicinity thereof;

[0025] If it is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request, the standby message is sent, and the standby message includes the device identification of the specified conveying device.

[0026] Optionally, in the above cleaning system, the controller includes:

[0027] a second wireless communication unit configured to communicate with the cleaning device;

[0028] Memory;

[0029] a second processor coupled to the memory and the second wireless communication unit; and

[0030] A computer program stored on the memory and executable on the second processor, the execution of which results in the following operations:

[0031] When the standby message or the first sensor sensing signal is received via the second wireless communication unit, the conveying device enters a cleaning mode; and

[0032] When the cleaning completion message or the second sensor sensing signal is received via the second wireless communication unit, the conveying device is exited from the cleaning mode.

[0033] According to another aspect of the present application, a cleaning device for a passenger conveyor system is provided, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises one or more conveying devices, wherein the conveying device is an escalator or a moving walkway, and the cleaning device comprises:

[0034] wireless communication unit;

[0035] Mobile mechanism;

[0036] Cleaning agencies;

[0037] A processor coupled to the wireless communication unit, configured to:

[0038] In response to a cleaning request, instructing the moving mechanism to carry the cleaning device to a conveying device specified by the cleaning request;

[0039] The cleaning mechanism is instructed to perform a cleaning operation on the transport device specified by the cleaning request.

[0040] According to another aspect of the present application, a controller is provided, which is associated with a conveying device of a passenger conveyor system, wherein the conveying device is an escalator or a moving walkway, and the controller comprises:

[0041] a wireless communication unit configured to communicate with one or more cleaning devices having autonomous capabilities;

[0042] Memory;

[0043] a processor coupled to the memory and the wireless communication unit; and

[0044] A computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the execution of which results in the following operations:

[0045] When a standby message from the cleaning device or a first sensor sensing signal indicating that the cleaning device has arrived at an entrance or an exit of the conveying device is received via the wireless communication unit, the conveying device is caused to enter a cleaning mode; and

[0046] When a cleaning completion message is received from the cleaning device via the wireless communication unit or a second sensor sensing signal is received when the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of the conveying device, the conveying device is caused to exit the cleaning mode.

[0047] According to another aspect of the present application, a cleaning method for a passenger conveyor system is provided, wherein the passenger conveyor system comprises one or more conveying devices, wherein the conveying device is an escalator or a moving walkway, and the method comprises:

[0048] A. enabling a self-propelled cleaning device to move to an entrance or exit of a conveying device specified by the cleaning request in response to a cleaning request;

[0049] B. Enable the cleaning device to perform a cleaning operation on the designated conveying device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0050] The above and / or other aspects and advantages of the present application will become clearer and easier to understand through the following description of various aspects in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which the same or similar units are represented by the same reference numerals. The accompanying drawings include:

[0051] Figure 1is a schematic block diagram of a cleaning system for a passenger conveyor system according to some embodiments of the present application.

[0052] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus that can be used to implement Figure 1 The cleaning device in the cleaning system shown.

[0053] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a control device. Figure 3 The control device shown can be used to implement Figure 1 Controller in a cleaning system shown.

[0054] Figure 4 The present invention is a flowchart of a cleaning method for a passenger conveyor system according to some other embodiments of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0055] The present application is described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings in which illustrative embodiments of the present application are illustrated. However, the present application may be implemented in different forms and should not be interpreted as being limited to the embodiments given herein. The above embodiments are given to make the disclosure herein comprehensive and complete, so as to more fully convey the scope of protection of the present application to those skilled in the art.

[0056] In this specification, terms such as "comprise" and "include" indicate that in addition to the units and steps directly and explicitly stated in the specification and claims, the technical solution of the present application does not exclude the situation where there are other units and steps that are not directly or explicitly stated.

[0057] Unless otherwise specified, terms such as "first" and "second" do not indicate the order of the units in terms of time, space, size, etc., but are merely used to distinguish the units.

[0058] In this specification, mobile terminals refer to various computing devices that can be used on the move. Examples of mobile terminals include but are not limited to mobile phones, laptops, tablet computers, wearable devices, and personal digital assistants.

[0059] In this specification, "passenger conveyor system" refers to an automated passenger transportation system, which may include one or more conveying devices for conveying pedestrians within a short distance or between different elevations, examples of which include but are not limited to escalators and moving walkways, etc. It will become apparent from the subsequent description that the present application is applicable to various passenger conveyor systems, such as a passenger conveyor system including an escalator and a passenger conveyor system including a moving walkway.

[0060] As an example of a conveying device, an escalator generally includes a truss extending between a lower landing and an upper landing, a plurality of sequentially connected steps or pallets connected to a step chain that travels through a closed loop path within the truss, and a drive system configured to drive the pallets via the step chain so that the pallets move in a selected direction at a desired speed.

[0061] The escalator also includes a controller that communicates with the drive motor. The controller may be disposed in the machine space of the escalator and is configured to control the operation of the escalator. For example, the controller may provide a drive signal to the drive motor to control the acceleration, deceleration, stop, etc. of the pedal through the step chain. The controller may be an electronic controller including a processor and an associated memory, the memory including computer executable instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a variety of operations. The processor may be, but is not limited to, a single processor or multi-processor system of any architecture in a variety of possible architectures, including a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a central processing unit (CPU), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a digital signal processor (DSP), or a graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged in a homogeneous or heterogeneous manner. The memory may be, but is not limited to, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic, or any other computer-readable medium.

[0062] Figure 1 FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a cleaning system for a passenger conveyor system according to some embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 Exemplarily, the passenger conveyor system 11 includes a plurality of conveying devices 11A to 11N, which may be escalators or moving walkways.

[0063] like Figure 1 As shown, the cleaning system 10 shown includes one or more cleaning devices 101A-101M with self-propelled or self-moving capabilities. Optionally, the cleaning system 10 also includes controllers 102A-102N, wherein the cleaning devices and the controllers can communicate wirelessly, and each of the controllers 102A-102N is associated with one of the conveying devices 11A to 11N, that is, each controller controls the operation of the associated conveying device. It should be noted that each controller can be integrated into the conveying device associated therewith, but this arrangement is not necessary. In some examples, the controller and the associated conveying device can be separated in space.

[0064] Exemplarily, the cleaning devices 101A-101M can be in the form of sweeping robots. The self-driving capability mentioned here means that the cleaning device can move to a specified position (such as the upper or lower floor of an escalator) with the help of its own moving mechanism based on internally generated or externally generated control commands.

[0065] Each of the cleaning devices 101A- 101M may be configured to perform at least the following operations: in response to a cleaning request, move to an entrance or an exit of a conveying device specified by the cleaning request, and perform a cleaning operation on the specified conveying device.

[0066] In some embodiments, the cleaning request may be generated locally in the cleaning device 101A-101M. Alternatively, the cleaning device may generate a cleaning request in response to a user command (e.g., a control command input by the user via a human-machine interface provided on the cleaning device or via a wireless device); alternatively, the user may preset a time for generating a cleaning request in the cleaning device, so that the cleaning device generates a cleaning request locally within the set time.

[0067] In some embodiments, the cleaning devices 101A-101M may receive a cleaning request via an external device (eg, the mobile terminal 13, the console 12 of the passenger conveyor system 11, or the controllers 102A-102N).

[0068] In various embodiments, the cleaning request may optionally be generated based on historical operating data of the cleaning device or the transport device (eg, operating time period of the transport device, continuous operating time of the cleaning device within a period of time, etc.).

[0069] Optionally, in some embodiments, after the cleaning device reaches the designated position and before the cleaning operation is started, the designated conveying device is put into cleaning mode by sending a standby message to a controller associated with the designated conveying device. The entrance or exit of the conveying device described herein may be, for example, an upper or lower floor station of an escalator, or a starting point or end point of a moving walkway, etc. Optionally, the standby message includes a device identifier of the designated conveying device.

[0070] The cleaning mode described herein refers to a working mode of the conveying device suitable for the cleaning device to clean the conveying device (e.g., the cover plate of an escalator). In some embodiments, in this working mode, the pedal of the conveying device moves at a set speed (including a speed of zero), and the running indicator light of the conveying device indicates that the conveying device is in a stopped state.

[0071] Optionally, each of the cleaning devices 101A-101M may be further configured to perform the following operations: after completing a cleaning task or a cleaning operation, the designated transport device may exit the cleaning mode by sending a cleaning completion message to a controller associated with the designated transport device.

[0072] Additionally, optionally, each of the cleaning devices 101A-101M may be configured to perform the following operations: determining whether the conveying device at the current location of the cleaning device is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request by scanning the device identification attached to the conveying device or its vicinity, and upon confirming that the conveying device at the current location is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request, sending a standby message containing the device identification of the specified conveying device.

[0073] In some embodiments, each of the controllers 102A-102N may be configured to perform at least the following operations: in response to an event triggering entry into the cleaning mode, cause the associated delivery device to enter the cleaning mode; in response to an event triggering exit from the cleaning mode, cause the associated delivery device to exit from the cleaning mode.

[0074] In addition to the controller receiving the standby message sent by the cleaning device, the event that triggers the entry into the cleaning mode may also include other types of events. Optionally, a sensor (e.g., a light sensor such as a visible light sensor or an infrared sensor) may be set at the entrance or exit of the conveying device. When the cleaning device arrives at the entrance or exit of the conveying device, a corresponding sensing signal S1 will be generated on the sensor, and the generation of the sensing signal may be used as an event that triggers the entry into the cleaning mode. In one example, multiple light sensors may be set at different heights at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and whether the cleaning device is located at the entrance or exit of the conveying device may be determined based on a combination of light rays directed to these sensors being blocked. Therefore, when the sensing signal S1 includes sensing signals of multiple light sensors, it may be used to determine the presence of the cleaning device. Specifically, the height of the cleaning device is relatively low, so when it is located at the entrance or exit of the conveying device, the light sensor SEN1 located at a relatively low height will no longer receive light, while the light sensor SEN2 located at a relatively high height will still receive light, thereby determining that the cleaning device is located at the entrance or exit of the conveying device based on a combination of the light sensor SEN1 not receiving light and the light sensor SEN2 receiving light. Since the presence of the cleaning device is determined by utilizing a combination of sensor signals at different heights, the cleaning device can be accurately distinguished from other objects (such as passengers).

[0075] In addition to the controller receiving the cleaning completion message sent by the cleaning device, the event that triggers the exit of the cleaning mode may also include other types of events. Optionally, a sensor (for example, a light sensor such as a visible light sensor or an infrared sensor) may be set at the entrance or exit of the conveying device. When the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of the conveying device, the sensor will be triggered to generate a corresponding sensing signal S2, and the generation of the sensing signal can be used as an event to trigger the exit of the cleaning mode. In one example, a light sensor SEN3 may be set at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device to generate a sensing signal S2. When the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of the conveying device, the light directed to the sensor SEN3 will change from a blocked state to an unblocked state, thereby determining the departure of the cleaning device based on the above changes indicated by the sensing signal S2. It should be noted that the light sensor SEN3 may be a sensor that is set at a lower height and is different from the light sensor SEN1, or it may be implemented using the light sensor SEN1.

[0076] exist Figure 1 In the illustrated embodiment, the communication between the cleaning device and the external device may be based on various wireless communication protocols, such as but not limited to Bluetooth communication protocol, ZigBee communication protocol, and WiFi communication protocol.

[0077] Figure 2 is a schematic block diagram of an apparatus that can be used to implement Figure 1 The cleaning device in the cleaning system shown.

[0078] See also Figure 2 The device 20 shown includes a wireless communication unit 210, a moving mechanism 220 (which, for example, includes wheels), a memory 230 (e.g., a non-volatile memory such as flash memory, ROM, hard drive, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc.), a processor 240 and a cleaning mechanism 250.

[0079] The wireless communication unit 210 is a communication interface configured to communicate between the apparatus 20 and an external device (such as a mobile terminal, Figure 1 A communication connection is established between the controllers 102A-102N in the passenger conveyor system and the control console of the passenger conveyor system, etc.

[0080] The memory 230 stores a computer program 260 executable by the processor 240. Optionally, the memory 230 may also store a map of the area where the passenger conveyor system is located.

[0081] The processor 240 is coupled to the wireless communication unit 210, the moving mechanism 220, the memory 230 and the cleaning mechanism 250, and is configured to run the computer program 260 stored on the memory 230 to implement various operations, such as but not limited to: generating a cleaning request at a fixed time; in response to the generated cleaning request or the cleaning request received via the wireless communication unit 210, instructing the moving mechanism 220 to carry the device 20 to the conveying device specified by the cleaning request (for example, it is assumed here that the specified conveying device is 11A, and correspondingly, the associated controller is 101A); sending a standby message to the controller 101A associated with the specified conveying device 11A via the wireless communication unit 210 to make the conveying device enter the cleaning mode; instructing the cleaning mechanism to perform a cleaning operation on the conveying device (for example, after determining that the conveying device enters the cleaning mode, instructing the cleaning mechanism to perform a cleaning operation, and the determination method includes but is not limited to receiving a notification from the associated controller that the conveying device is in the cleaning mode, etc.); sending a cleaning completion message to the controller 101A via the wireless communication unit 210 to make the conveying device 11A exit the cleaning mode, etc.

[0082] Optionally, the processor 240 can implement the sending of the standby message in the following manner by running the computer program 260 stored in the memory 230: the optical scanning device (not shown) equipped on the instructing device 20 scans the equipment identification attached to the conveying device or its vicinity, and then determines whether the conveying device at the current location of the device 20 is the conveying device 11A specified by the cleaning request based on the scanned identification, and when it is determined that the conveying device at the current location is consistent with the conveying device specified by the cleaning request, the standby message is sent to the conveying device via the wireless communication unit 210. Optionally, the standby message contains the equipment identification of the specified conveying device.

[0083] In some embodiments, the movement of the mobile mechanism 220 is controlled by a user control command (e.g., from a user's mobile terminal). For example, the user can input commands such as forward, backward, left turn, right turn, and rotation on the mobile device, and the mobile mechanism 220 can receive these control commands via the wireless communication unit 210 and thereby perform corresponding movements.

[0084] In other embodiments, the mobile mechanism 220 may generate a path to the designated conveyor based on navigation information (e.g., a map of the area where the passenger conveyor system is located and the location or number of the designated conveyor). For example, the location or number of the designated conveyor is included in the cleaning request, and the map may be pre-stored in the memory 230 or downloaded from an external device (e.g., a mobile terminal, Figure 1 The controllers 102A-102N in the passenger conveyor system and the control console of the passenger conveyor system, etc.) are obtained.

[0085] Optionally, the mobile mechanism 220 has environmental sensing capabilities so as to be able to avoid obstacles in the path of travel.

[0086] Figure 3 A schematic block diagram of a control device. Figure 3 The control device shown can be used to implement Figure 1 Controller in a cleaning system shown.

[0087] like Figure 3 As shown, the control device 30 includes a wireless communication unit 310 , a memory 320 (eg, a non-volatile memory such as a flash memory, a ROM, a hard disk drive, a magnetic disk, an optical disk, etc.), and a processor 330 .

[0088] The wireless communication unit 310 is a communication interface configured to communicate between the control device 30 and an external device (such as a mobile terminal, Figure 1 A communication connection is established between the cleaning devices 101A-101M in the passenger conveyor system and the console (console, etc.).

[0089] The memory 320 stores a computer program 340 executable by the processor 330. The processor 330 is coupled to the wireless communication unit 310 and the memory 320, and is configured to run the computer program 340 stored on the memory 320 to implement various operations, such as but not limited to: when a standby message from the cleaning device or a sensing signal from a sensor (such as a signal S1 indicating that the cleaning device has reached the entrance or exit of the conveying device) is received via the wireless communication unit 310, the conveying device enters the cleaning mode; when a cleaning completion message from the cleaning device or a sensing signal from a sensor (such as a signal S2 indicating that the cleaning device has reached the entrance or exit of the conveying device) is received via the wireless communication unit 320, the conveying device exits the cleaning mode.

[0090] Figure 4 Flow chart of a cleaning method for a passenger conveyor system according to some other embodiments of the present application. Figure 1 The cleaning system shown is implemented.

[0091] Figure 4 The method shown starts at step 401. In step 401, one of the cleaning devices 101A-101M with autonomous capabilities (exemplarily, assuming that it is the cleaning device 101A) is moved to the entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A specified by the cleaning request in response to a cleaning request. As described above, the cleaning request can be generated locally at the cleaning device, or received from a mobile terminal or a controller (exemplarily, assuming that it is the controller 102A) associated with the conveying device (exemplarily, assuming that it is the conveying device 11A).

[0092] The movement of the cleaning device can be controlled in the manner described above, for example based on user control commands (eg from a user's mobile terminal) or navigation information (eg a map of the area where the passenger conveyor system is located and the location of a specified conveyor device).

[0093] After completing step 402, the illustrated flow proceeds to step 402. In step 402, the controller 102A associated with the designated delivery device 11A is caused to enter the cleaning mode in response to the event triggering entry into the cleaning mode.

[0094] Alternatively, the conveying device 11A may enter the cleaning mode by causing the cleaning device 101A to send a standby message to the controller 102A when reaching the designated entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A, prompting the controller 102A to generate a control command for causing the conveying device 11A to enter the cleaning mode.

[0095] Alternatively, a sensor disposed near the entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A may generate a sensing signal (eg, signal S1 indicating that the cleaning device 101A has reached the entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A), thereby prompting the controller 102A to generate a control command for causing the conveying device 11A to enter a cleaning mode.

[0096] In step 402, the cleaning device can implement the sending of the standby message using the method described above: use the optical scanning device equipped on the cleaning device to scan the equipment identification attached to the conveying device or its vicinity, and when the conveying device indicated by the scanned identification is consistent with the conveying device specified in the cleaning request, send a standby message to the conveying device.

[0097] After completing step 402, the process goes to step 403. In step 403, the cleaning device 101A uses its cleaning mechanism to perform a cleaning operation on the designated conveying device 11A (eg, escalator cover).

[0098] Optionally, in step 403, the cleaning device determines whether the conveying device has entered the cleaning mode, and when it is determined that the latter has entered the cleaning mode, the processor of the cleaning device instructs the cleaning mechanism to perform a cleaning operation. Alternatively, the conveying device can be determined to have entered the cleaning mode based on a notification or message received from an associated controller that the conveying device is in the cleaning mode.

[0099] Then proceed to step 404. In step 404, the controller 102A associated with the designated transport device 11A is caused to respond to the event triggering the exit of the cleaning mode and cause the designated transport device to exit the cleaning mode.

[0100] Optionally, the conveying device 11A may be caused to exit the cleaning mode by causing the cleaning device 101A to send a cleaning completion message to the controller 102A after completing the cleaning operation, prompting the controller 102A to generate a control command for causing the conveying device 11A to exit the cleaning mode.

[0101] Alternatively, a sensor disposed near the entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A may generate a sensing signal (eg, signal S2 indicating that the cleaning device 101A has left the entrance or exit of the conveying device 11A), thereby prompting the controller 102A to generate a control command to cause the conveying device 11A to exit the cleaning mode.

[0102] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or a combination of both.

[0103] In order to show the interchangeability between hardware and software, various schematic components, blocks, modules, circuits and steps are generally described above according to their functionality. Such functionality is implemented in hardware form or software form depending on the specific application and the design restrictions imposed on the overall system. Those skilled in the art can implement the described functionality in a variable manner for specific specific applications, but such implementation decisions should not be understood as causing deviations from the scope of the present application.

[0104] Although only some of the specific embodiments of the present application are described, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the present application can be implemented in many other forms without departing from its subject matter and scope. Therefore, the examples and embodiments shown are considered to be illustrative rather than restrictive, and the present application may include various modifications and substitutions without departing from the spirit and scope of the present application as defined in the appended claims.

[0105] The embodiments and examples set forth herein are provided to best illustrate embodiments according to the present technology and its specific applications, and thereby enable those skilled in the art to implement and use the present application. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the above description and examples are provided only for ease of illustration and example. The description set forth is not intended to cover all aspects of the present application or to limit the present application to the precise form disclosed.

Claims

1. A cleaning system for a passenger conveyor system, the passenger conveyor system comprising one or more conveying devices, the conveying device being an escalator or a moving walkway, the cleaning system comprising: The cleaning device with self-driving capability is configured to move to the entrance or exit of the conveying device specified by the cleaning request in response to a cleaning request, and perform a cleaning operation on the specified conveying device.

2. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: Further included is a controller associated with the delivery device.

3. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: The cleaning request is generated by the cleaning device or from one of a mobile terminal, a controller associated with the conveying device, and a control console of the passenger conveyor system.

4. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: The cleaning request is generated in response to a user command or based on historical operating data of the cleaning device or the transport device.

5. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein: The cleaning device is further configured to, after moving to an entrance or an exit of a conveying device specified by the cleaning request and before performing a cleaning operation on the specified conveying device, instruct the controller to cause the specified conveying device to enter a cleaning mode, and after completing the cleaning operation on the specified conveying device, instruct the controller to cause the specified conveying device to exit the cleaning mode.

6. The cleaning system of claim 2, wherein: A controller associated with a designated delivery device is configured to cause the designated delivery device to enter the cleaning mode in response to an event triggering entry into the cleaning mode, and to cause the designated delivery device to exit the cleaning mode in response to an event triggering exit from the cleaning mode.

7. The cleaning system of claim 1, wherein: The cleaning device is a sweeping robot.

8. The cleaning system according to claim 5 or 6, wherein: In the cleaning mode, the pedal of the conveying device moves at a set speed or the operation indicator light of the conveying device indicates that the conveying device is in a stopped state.

9. The cleaning system of claim 6, wherein: The event that triggers entering the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a standby message sent by the cleaning device or a first sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device arrives at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the event that triggers exiting the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a cleaning completion message sent by the cleaning device or a second sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device.

10. The cleaning system of claim 9, wherein: The first sensor sensing signal indicates a combination of blocked states of light at different heights at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the second sensor sensing signal indicates a change in light from a blocked state to an unblocked state at the entrance or exit of the designated conveying device.

11. The cleaning system of claim 3, wherein: The cleaning device comprises: a first wireless communication unit configured to communicate with one of the mobile terminal, the controller, and the console; Mobile mechanism; A first processor coupled to the first wireless communication unit is configured to: In response to the cleaning request generated by the first processor or received via the first wireless communication unit, instructing the moving mechanism to carry the cleaning device to a conveying device specified by the cleaning request; Before performing a cleaning operation on the designated conveying device, sending a standby message to a controller associated with the designated conveying device via the first wireless communication unit to cause the designated conveying device to enter a cleaning mode; After the cleaning operation on the designated conveying device is completed, the designated conveying device is caused to exit the cleaning mode by sending a cleaning completion message to a controller associated with the designated conveying device via the first wireless communication unit.

12. The cleaning system of claim 11, wherein: The movement of the mobile mechanism is based on navigation information or user control commands.

13. The cleaning system of claim 11, wherein: The operation of the first processor sending the standby message includes: Determine whether the conveying device at the current location of the cleaning device is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request by scanning the device identifier attached to the conveying device or the vicinity thereof; If it is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request, the standby message is sent, and the standby message includes the device identification of the specified conveying device.

14. The cleaning system of claim 4, wherein: The controller comprises: a second wireless communication unit configured to communicate with the cleaning device; Memory; a second processor coupled to the memory and the second wireless communication unit; and A computer program stored on the memory and executable on the second processor, the execution of which results in the following operations: When the standby message or the first sensor sensing signal is received via the second wireless communication unit, the conveying device enters a cleaning mode; and When the cleaning completion message or the second sensor sensing signal is received via the second wireless communication unit, the conveying device is exited from the cleaning mode.

15. A cleaning device for a passenger conveyor system, the passenger conveyor system comprising one or more conveying devices, the conveying device being an escalator or a moving walkway, the cleaning device comprising: wireless communication unit; Mobile mechanism; Cleaning agencies; A processor coupled to the wireless communication unit, configured to: In response to a cleaning request, instructing the moving mechanism to carry the cleaning device to a conveying device specified by the cleaning request; The cleaning mechanism is instructed to perform a cleaning operation on the transport device specified by the cleaning request.

16. A controller associated with a conveying device of a passenger conveyor system, the conveying device being an escalator or a moving walkway, the controller comprising: a wireless communication unit configured to communicate with one or more cleaning devices having autonomous capabilities; Memory; a processor coupled to the memory and the wireless communication unit; as well as A computer program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, the execution of which results in the following operations: When a standby message from the cleaning device or a first sensor sensing signal indicating that the cleaning device has reached the entrance or exit of the conveying device is received via the wireless communication unit, the conveying device is caused to enter a cleaning mode; as well as When a cleaning completion message is received from the cleaning device via the wireless communication unit or a second sensor sensing signal is received when the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of the conveying device, the conveying device is caused to exit the cleaning mode.

17. A cleaning method for a passenger conveyor system, the passenger conveyor system comprising one or more conveying devices, the conveying device being an escalator or a moving walkway, the method comprising: A. enabling a self-propelled cleaning device to move to an entrance or exit of a conveying device specified by the cleaning request in response to a cleaning request; B. Enable the cleaning device to perform a cleaning operation on the designated conveying device.

18. The cleaning method according to claim 17, wherein: The cleaning request is generated by the cleaning device or from one of a mobile terminal, a controller associated with the conveying device, and a control console of the passenger conveyor system.

19. The cleaning method according to claim 17, wherein: The cleaning request is generated in response to a user command or based on historical operating data of the cleaning device or the transport device.

20. The cleaning method according to claim 18, wherein: After completing step A and before executing step B, a controller associated with the designated transport device responds to an event triggering entry into the cleaning mode so that the designated transport device enters the cleaning mode, and after completing step B, the controller responds to an event triggering exit from the cleaning mode so that the designated transport device exits the cleaning mode.

21. The cleaning method of claim 17, wherein: The cleaning device is implemented using a sweeping robot.

22. The cleaning method of claim 20, wherein: In the cleaning mode, the pedal of the conveying device moves at a set speed or the operation indicator light of the conveying device indicates that the conveying device is in a stopped state.

23. The cleaning method of claim 20, wherein: The event that triggers entering the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a standby message sent by the cleaning device or a first sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device arrives at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the event that triggers exiting the cleaning mode includes the controller receiving a cleaning completion message sent by the cleaning device or a second sensor sensing signal triggered because the cleaning device leaves the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device.

24. The cleaning method of claim 23, wherein: The first sensor sensing signal indicates a combination of blocked states of light at different heights at the entrance or exit of a designated conveying device, and the second sensor sensing signal indicates a change in light from a blocked state to an unblocked state at the entrance or exit of the designated conveying device.

25. The cleaning method of claim 17, wherein: The movement of the cleaning device is based on navigation information or user control commands.

26. The cleaning method of claim 20, wherein: The standby message is sent in the following manner: causing the cleaning device to scan a device identifier attached to a conveying device or in the vicinity thereof to determine whether the conveying device at the current location of the cleaning device is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request; If it is the conveying device specified by the cleaning request, the cleaning device is enabled to send the standby message to the controller, where the standby message includes the device identification of the specified conveying device.

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