Elevator voice communication method, gateway and system

Abstract

This invention discloses an elevator voice communication method, gateway, and system, which aims to match different processing procedures according to the alarm type while ensuring call quality, allowing signals to be transmitted progressively, and ensuring that alarm information can be delivered in a timely manner, thereby improving reliability and safety. The method includes the following steps: acquiring a DTMF signal; identifying the DTMF signal, determining the alarm type, and making a call; if it is a normal alarm, executing a first call procedure; if it is a forced alarm, executing a second call procedure; responding to the call and establishing a call, and dynamically adjusting the volume of each channel according to the preset priority of each branch, belonging to the field of elevator communication technology.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of elevator communication technology, and more specifically, relates to an elevator voice communication method, gateway, and system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, traditional elevator five-way intercom systems mostly use "analog pass-through" or simple "digital mixing" modes at the physical layer, where the audio signals of each intercom unit (such as the car, machine room, pit, and car top) are simply superimposed at the gateway; this voice communication method has some drawbacks: First, when multiple parties access the system simultaneously, the background noise of each branch line is superimposed, making it difficult for the duty room to hear the key alarm commands inside the car. The audio signals of multiple channels are directly mixed, resulting in a decrease in the signal-to-noise ratio and seriously affecting the call quality. Second, traditional gateways lack business awareness capabilities and cannot distinguish between normal alarms (such as A3 signals) and forced emergency alarms (such as A4 signals), resulting in blind selection and an inability to make decisions based on the different priorities of alarm types. All alarms on the baseboard adopt the same processing procedure. Third, if the computer room or local monitoring room fails to answer the call due to disconnection or lack of staff, the system often remains in the call waiting stage, resulting in alarm information not being transmitted in a timely manner, which poses a security risk. Summary of the Invention

[0003] The main objective of this invention is to provide an elevator voice communication method, gateway, and system, which aims to match different processing procedures according to the alarm type, while ensuring call quality, allowing signals to be transmitted progressively, ensuring that alarm information can be delivered in a timely manner, and improving reliability and safety.

[0004] According to a first aspect of the present invention, an elevator voice communication method is provided, comprising the following steps: Step 1: Acquire the DTMF signal; Step 2: Identify the DTMF signal, determine the alarm type, and make a call; If it is a normal alarm, execute the first call procedure; if it is a forced alarm, execute the second call procedure. Step 3: Respond to the call and establish a call, dynamically adjusting the volume of each channel according to the preset priority of each branch.

[0005] In the elevator voice communication method described above, the branch circuit includes the remote center, local monitoring room, machine room, car, car top, and pit; The first call process includes the following specific steps: Step 21: After a normal alarm is detected, call the server room and wait for the first preset time. Step 22: If the server room responds to the call within the first preset time period, a call is established; if the server room does not respond within the first preset time period, the local monitoring room is called, and the call waits for the second preset time period. Step 23: If the local monitoring room responds to the call within the second preset time period, a call is established; if the local monitoring room does not respond within the second preset time period, a call is made to the remote center or data alarm.

[0006] In the elevator voice communication method described above, the first preset duration is less than the second preset duration.

[0007] In the elevator voice communication method described above, the second call process is to call the local monitoring room or the remote center.

[0008] In the elevator voice communication method described above, the priority level is: remote center > local monitoring room > machine room > car > car top / pit; Dynamically adjusting the volume of each channel involves the following specific steps: Step 31: Perform VAD detection on all input channels; Step 32: Adjust the volume of each channel according to the priority and VAD status; Step 33: Output the synthesized audio to each terminal.

[0009] In the elevator voice communication method described above, in step 32, if the VAD status of the remote center / local monitoring room is True, the volume of the remote center / local monitoring room is kept constant while the volume of the machine room, car, car top, and pit is reduced. If the VAD in the server room is True, keep the volume in the server room and reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit. If no one speaks from the remote center, local monitoring room, or server room, all channels should maintain their current volume.

[0010] According to a second aspect of the present invention, an elevator voice communication gateway for the method described in the first aspect is provided, comprising a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, and an intelligent arbitration engine; Signaling parsing module: Used to acquire and identify DTMF signals, and determine the alarm type; Business State Machine Control Center: Makes calls and establishes calls based on alarm type; when a normal alarm signal is detected, it executes the first call procedure; when a forced alarm signal is detected, it executes the second call procedure. Intelligent arbitration engine: dynamically adjusts the volume of each channel.

[0011] The elevator voice communication gateway mentioned above also includes a health monitoring unit, which periodically performs link connectivity checks.

[0012] According to a third aspect of the present invention, an elevator voice communication system for implementing the method described in the first aspect is provided, comprising an intercom terminal, a local monitoring room, a remote center, and a voice gateway; The intercom terminal includes a car unit, a car top unit, a pit unit, and a computer room unit. The intercom terminal is connected to the voice gateway via an analog / bus interface. The local monitoring room is connected to the voice gateway via a dedicated voice line; The remote center is connected to the voice gateway via a wireless module / wired network interface; The voice gateway includes a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, and an intelligent arbitration engine; The signaling parsing module receives signals from the analog / bus interface, performs DTMF decoding and identification, and determines the alarm type. The business state machine control center makes calls and establishes calls based on the alarm type; when a normal alarm signal is detected, the first call procedure is executed, and when a forced alarm signal is detected, the second call procedure is executed. The intelligent arbitration engine is used to dynamically adjust the volume of each channel.

[0013] In the elevator voice communication system described above, the voice gateway includes a health monitoring unit, which periodically performs link connectivity detection.

[0014] One of the above-described technical solutions of the present invention has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects: In this invention, by recognizing DTMF signals, the corresponding processing flow can be automatically matched according to the alarm type, which optimizes the dispatch efficiency of rescue personnel, distinguishes between normal alarms and forced alarms, and rationally allocates processing resources. It realizes the tiered and progressive signal transmission of "computer room, local monitoring room, remote center", eliminates alarm blind spots, and can automatically switch to the backup path even if a node fails to respond, ensuring that alarm information can be transmitted in a timely manner, thus improving reliability and security. It adopts a VAD-based intelligent dynamic ducking algorithm to ensure that high-priority commands are clearly distinguishable and avoid audio interference problems caused by traditional mixing methods. Attached Figure Description

[0015] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments; Figure 1 This is a flowchart of the elevator voice communication method of the present invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the elevator voice communication system of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0016] Embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Examples of these embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain the present invention, and should not be construed as limiting the present invention.

[0017] Traditional elevator five-way intercom systems mostly use the physical layer's "analog pass-through" or simple "digital mixing" mode, where the audio signals of each intercom unit (such as the car, machine room, pit, and car top) are simply superimposed at the gateway. This voice communication method has drawbacks such as severe audio interference, lack of business logic, and poor reliability closed-loop capability. This application prioritizes each branch and adjusts the audio decibel level of each branch based on the priority, ensuring that high-priority commands are clearly identifiable and avoiding audio interference problems caused by traditional mixing methods. It can also identify alarm signal types and match different processing flows according to the alarm signal type, rationally allocating processing resources. At the same time, it realizes tiered and progressive signal transmission, and even if a node fails to respond, it can automatically switch to a backup path to ensure that alarm information can be transmitted in a timely manner, improving reliability and security.

[0018] Reference Figure 1 As shown, an elevator voice communication method includes the following steps; Step 1: Acquire the DTMF signal; DTMF stands for Dual-Tone Multi-Frequency. In practice, DTMF signals can be obtained by monitoring elevator buses or analog interfaces in real time.

[0019] Step 2: Identify the DTMF signal, determine the alarm type, and make a call; The alarm command type is identified by dual-tone multi-frequency decoding technology, and then the alarm type is determined. The alarm types include normal alarms and forced alarms. Alarm commands include A3, A4, B4, C4, etc., where A3 is a normal alarm, while A4, B4, and C4 are mandatory alarms. If it is a normal alarm, the first call procedure is executed; if it is a forced alarm, the second call procedure is executed; in this application, the branches of the call include the remote center, the local monitoring room, the computer room, the car, the car top, and the pit; The first call process includes the following specific steps: Step 21: After a normal alarm is detected, call the server room and wait for the first preset time. Step 22: If the server room responds to the call within the first preset time period, a call is established; if the server room does not respond within the first preset time period, the local monitoring room is called, and the call waits for the second preset time period. Step 23: If the local monitoring room responds to the call within the second preset time period, a call is established; if the local monitoring room does not respond within the second preset time period, a call is made to the remote center or data alarm.

[0020] In this embodiment, the first preset duration is generally 20 to 60 seconds, while the second preset duration is generally 30 to 90 seconds, and the second preset duration is longer than the first preset duration.

[0021] The second call process involves directly calling the local monitoring room or remote center to increase the response priority.

[0022] Through DTMF signal recognition, processing strategies can be automatically adjusted according to different business scenarios, realizing intelligent routing selection; the corresponding processing flow can be automatically matched according to the alarm type, optimizing the dispatch efficiency of rescue personnel, and distinguishing between normal alarms and forced alarms, and rationally allocating processing resources. Furthermore, it achieves a tiered, progressive automatic routing redirection from the "computer room, local monitoring room, and remote center," eliminating alarm blind spots. Even if a node fails to respond, it can automatically switch to a backup path, ensuring that alarm information can be transmitted in a timely manner, thus improving reliability and security.

[0023] Step 3: Respond to the call and establish a call, enter the real-time audio processing loop, and dynamically adjust the volume of each channel based on the dynamic ducking algorithm; After a call is established, dynamic audio processing will begin, requiring the priority of each branch to be preset. Generally, the priority levels are: remote center > local monitoring room > computer room > car > car top / pit. Specifically, the following steps are included: Step 31: Perform VAD detection on all input channels; VAD detection, or Voice Activity Detection, can determine whether there is voice input on the input channel. Step 32: Adjust the volume of each channel according to the priority and VAD status; If the VAD status of the remote center / local monitoring room is True, keep the volume of the remote center / local monitoring room, and reduce the volume of the machine room, car, car top, and pit. Generally, reduce the volume of the machine room, car, car top, and pit by 18dB~20dB. This can highlight the speech of the remote center and local monitoring room, making the instructions issued by the remote center and local monitoring room clearer. If the VAD in the computer room is True, keep the volume in the computer room and reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit. Generally, reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit by 12dB to 15dB. This can bring out the voice in the computer room and make it easier to control. If no one speaks from the remote center, local monitoring room, or server room, all channels should maintain their current volume. Step 33: Output the synthesized audio to each terminal.

[0024] It can dynamically arbitrate and shut down non-voice branches, effectively reducing background noise and significantly improving the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR); it adopts a VAD-based intelligent dynamic ducking algorithm to ensure that high-priority commands are clearly distinguishable, avoiding audio interference problems caused by traditional mixing methods.

[0025] This application also provides an elevator voice communication gateway, including a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, an intelligent arbitration engine, and a health monitoring unit; Signal parsing module; monitors elevator bus or analog interface in real time, and identifies alarm command types through dual-tone multi-frequency (DTMF) decoding technology; this module can accurately identify different types of signals, including but not limited to A3 normal alarm and A4 / B4 / C4 forced alarm, and convert the identification results into state machine trigger events; the DTMF decoding frequency range covers the 300Hz-3400Hz voice band, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of signal identification.

[0026] Business State Machine Control Center: Based on events provided by the signaling parsing module, it controls routing switching and state transitions; the state machine constructs a multi-level state model, including initial state, call state (calling the equipment room state, calling the local monitoring room state, calling the remote center state), and multi-party call establishment state, etc. The initial state is used to listen for DTMF signals; When a normal alarm signal is detected, the first call process is executed, the state machine switches to the call state, first calls the computer room, and waits for the first preset time; if the computer room does not respond within the first preset time, the state machine calls the local monitoring room and waits for the second preset time; if the local monitoring room does not respond within the second preset time, the state machine calls the remote center or data alarm. When a forced alarm signal is detected, the second call process is executed, the state machine switches to the call state, and directly calls the local monitoring room or the remote center; After responding to a call and establishing a call, the state machine transitions to the multi-party call establishment state.

[0027] Through DTMF signal recognition and state machine control, the system possesses business awareness capabilities, enabling it to automatically adjust processing strategies based on different business scenarios and achieve intelligent routing selection. Relying on the state machine to identify genuine and false alarm signals, it automatically matches the corresponding processing flow according to the alarm type, optimizing the dispatch efficiency of rescue personnel. The system can distinguish between normal alarms and forced alarms and rationally allocate processing resources. It achieves a tiered, progressive automatic routing redirection from "data center extensions, local monitoring room, and remote center," eliminating alarm blind spots. Even if a node fails to respond, the system can automatically switch to a backup path, ensuring that alarm information can be transmitted in a timely manner, thus improving the system's reliability and security.

[0028] Intelligent arbitration engine: Based on a dynamic ducking algorithm, dynamically adjusts the volume of each channel; After a call is established, the intelligent arbitration engine will enter dynamic audio processing. Before this, the priority of each branch needs to be preset. Generally, the priority level is: remote center > local monitoring room > computer room > car > car top / pit. The intelligent arbitration engine will detect the VAD of high-priority branches in real time. When there is voice input in a high-priority branch, it will automatically linearly attenuate the volume of other low-priority branches. The specific processing rules are as follows: Perform VAD detection on all input channels; VAD detection, or Voice Activity Detection, can determine whether there is voice input on the input channel. Adjust the volume of each channel according to priority and VAD status; If the VAD status of the remote center / local monitoring room is True, keep the volume of the remote center / local monitoring room, and reduce the volume of the machine room, car, car top, and pit. Generally, reduce the volume of the machine room, car, car top, and pit by 18dB~20dB. This can highlight the speech of the remote center and local monitoring room, making the instructions issued by the remote center and local monitoring room clearer. If the VAD in the computer room is True, keep the volume in the computer room and reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit. Generally, reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit by 12dB to 15dB. This can bring out the voice in the computer room and make it easier to control. If no one speaks from the remote center, local monitoring room, or server room, all channels should maintain their current volume. Afterwards, the intelligent arbitration engine outputs the synthesized audio to each terminal.

[0029] Health monitoring unit: Periodically performs link connectivity checks every 3 to 5 days; if no handshake signal is received from the remote center within the preset period, the gateway automatically triggers redundant path switching logic to ensure that the alarm channel is always available; When a remote heartbeat timeout (e.g., 3 days) is detected, the business unit enters a fault warning state and automatically resets after the fault is repaired.

[0030] Reference Figure 2 This application also provides an elevator voice communication system, including an intercom terminal, a local monitoring room, a remote center, and a voice gateway; The intercom terminal includes a car unit, a car top unit, a pit unit, and a computer room unit. The intercom terminal is connected to the voice gateway via an analog / bus interface. The local monitoring room is connected to the voice gateway via a dedicated voice line; The remote center connects to the voice gateway via a wireless module / wired network interface; The voice gateway includes a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, an intelligent arbitration engine, and a health monitoring unit; The signal parsing module receives signals from the analog / bus interface, performs DTMF decoding and identification, and determines the alarm type; The business state machine control center makes calls and establishes conversations based on the alarm type; when a normal alarm signal is detected, the first call procedure is executed, and when a forced alarm signal is detected, the second call procedure is executed. The intelligent arbitration engine is used to dynamically adjust the volume of each channel; The health monitoring unit periodically performs link connectivity checks.

[0031] Specifically, the car unit, car top unit, pit unit, and computer room unit send DTMF and audio signals to the gateway through analog / bus interfaces; The signaling parsing module parses the signals and sends alarm events / key events to the service state machine control center; The business state machine control center establishes a call based on the event and link status, and sends routing control to the intelligent arbitration engine; After processing the volume, the intelligent arbitration engine divides the processed mixed audio into three outputs: one output is sent to intercom terminals such as the car unit, car top unit, pit unit, and machine room unit through the analog / bus interface; one output is sent to the local monitoring room through the dedicated voice line interface; and one output is sent to the remote center in the form of VoIP media stream through the network interface.

[0032] In this embodiment, the business state machine control center constructs a multi-level state model; Initial state: The system is in its initial state, continuously monitoring the bus DTMF signal and remote health heartbeat; Determine alarm type: When a DTMF signal is detected, proceed to the determination branch; Calling the server room status: For normal alarms, first call the server room extension; Call local monitoring room status: Call the local monitoring room when there is no response from the computer room extension or when a forced alarm is triggered; Call remote control center: Call the remote control center when there is no response from the local monitoring room or when a forced alarm is triggered; Multi-party call establishment state: After any party answers the call, this state is entered, and the intelligent arbitration engine begins to operate; Fault warning state: When the remote heartbeat times out, the system enters the fault warning state.

[0033] By establishing this state, the system can clearly know what stage it is currently in, thus facilitating decision-making.

[0034] In this embodiment, the specific process of the intelligent arbitration engine operation is as follows: Initialization phase: After the multi-party call is established, the system receives PCM audio streams from each channel; the channels include the remote center, local monitoring room, computer room, car, car top, and pit; Real-time audio processing loop: Perform VAD detection on all input channels; If the VAD of the remote center / local monitoring room is detected as True: Set the arbitration status to remote forced insertion mode; keep the volume gain of the remote center / local monitoring room at 0dB; apply heavy pressure reduction (e.g., -20dB) to the computer room; apply heavy pressure reduction (e.g., -20dB) to the car, car top, and pit.

[0035] Otherwise, if the VAD of the computer room channel is detected as True: set the arbitration status to computer room guidance mode; keep the computer room volume gain at 0dB; apply moderate pressure reduction (e.g., -15dB) to the car, car top, and pit; keep the channels in the remote center / local monitoring room silent or with background noise.

[0036] Otherwise, it is assumed that none of the high-priority channels have spoken; the arbitration status is set to free conversation mode; all channels are restored to normal gain.

[0037] Next, linear mixing is performed, and the synthesized audio is output to the speakers of each intercom terminal. The intelligent arbitration engine enters a real-time audio processing loop from the start of the call, processing each frame of audio in a loop until the call ends. Although embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An elevator voice communication method, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: Step 1: Acquire the DTMF signal; Step 2: Identify the DTMF signal, determine the alarm type, and make a call; If it is a normal alarm, execute the first call procedure; If it is a forced alarm, execute the second call procedure; Step 3: Respond to the call and establish a call, dynamically adjusting the volume of each channel according to the preset priority of each branch.

2. The elevator voice communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The branch line includes the remote center, local monitoring room, computer room, car, car top, and pit; The first call process includes the following specific steps: Step 21: After a normal alarm is detected, call the server room and wait for the first preset time. Step 22: If the server room responds to the call within the first preset time period, a call is established; if the server room does not respond within the first preset time period, the local monitoring room is called, and the call waits for the second preset time period. Step 23: If the local monitoring room responds to the call within the second preset time period, a call is established; if the local monitoring room does not respond within the second preset time period, a call is made to the remote center or data alarm.

3. The elevator voice communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first preset duration is less than the second preset duration.

4. The elevator voice communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second call process involves calling the local monitoring room or remote center.

5. The elevator voice communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The priority order is: Remote Center > Local Monitoring Room > Server Room > Car > Car Top / Pit; Dynamically adjusting the volume of each channel involves the following specific steps: Step 31: Perform VAD detection on all input channels; Step 32: Adjust the volume of each channel according to the priority and VAD status; Step 33: Output the synthesized audio to each terminal.

6. The elevator voice communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, In step 32, if the VAD status of the remote center / local monitoring room is True, keep the volume of the remote center / local monitoring room, and reduce the volume of the machine room, car, car top and pit. If the VAD in the server room is True, keep the volume in the server room and reduce the volume in the car, car top, and pit. If no one speaks from the remote center, local monitoring room, or server room, all channels should maintain their current volume.

7. An elevator voice communication gateway for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, This includes a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, and an intelligent arbitration engine; Signaling parsing module: Used to acquire and identify DTMF signals, and determine the alarm type; Business State Machine Control Center: Makes calls and establishes calls based on alarm type; when a normal alarm signal is detected, it executes the first call procedure; when a forced alarm signal is detected, it executes the second call procedure. Intelligent arbitration engine: dynamically adjusts the volume of each channel.

8. The elevator voice communication gateway according to claim 7, characterized in that, It also includes a health monitoring unit, which periodically performs link connectivity checks.

9. An elevator voice communication system for implementing the method of any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, This includes intercom terminals, a local monitoring room, a remote control center, and a voice gateway; The intercom terminal includes a car unit, a car top unit, a pit unit, and a computer room unit. The intercom terminal is connected to the voice gateway via an analog / bus interface. The local monitoring room is connected to the voice gateway via a dedicated voice line; The remote center is connected to the voice gateway via a wireless module / wired network interface; The voice gateway includes a signaling parsing module, a service state machine control center, and an intelligent arbitration engine; The signaling parsing module receives signals from the analog / bus interface, performs DTMF decoding and identification, and determines the alarm type. The business state machine control center makes calls and establishes calls based on the alarm type; when a normal alarm signal is detected, the first call procedure is executed, and when a forced alarm signal is detected, the second call procedure is executed. The intelligent arbitration engine is used to dynamically adjust the volume of each channel.

10. The elevator voice communication system according to claim 9, characterized in that, The voice gateway includes a health monitoring unit, which periodically performs link connectivity detection.

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