A method and system for age-adapted control of a domestic elevator

Abstract

The application discloses a kind of home elevators suitable for old control method and system, belong to elevator monitoring technical field.The application aims at solving the technical problems that existing home elevators cannot dynamically consider the efficient needs of young users and the safety needs of old users, and switching mode in operation easily leads to car stagnation.The method comprises: converting the physical trigger signal outside the hall into high-priority bus instruction through the signal protocol adaptation unit;The central main controller executes the time-sharing response strategy according to the real-time running state of the elevator: when it is detected that the elevator is in the non-level running state, the man-machine interaction system is preferentially controlled to switch to the interface suitable for the old and to play the soothing voice, and the parameter adjustment instruction for the frequency conversion drive and the door system is cached to the execution queue of the next running cycle;When the elevator is in the state of stopping or completes the current journey, the low-speed S-shaped driving curve is loaded synchronously, the light curtain protection area is expanded, and the door opening time is extended.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention belongs to the field of elevator monitoring technology, and in particular relates to an age-friendly control method and system for home elevators. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing aging of society, home elevators are becoming more prevalent in multi-generational households. In practice, younger family members tend to prioritize elevator efficiency, hoping for quick door opening and closing and fast operation. Elderly users, however, due to declining vision, slower movement, or reduced reaction time, rely more on clear user interfaces, slow and stable operation, and longer door-holding times. However, existing home elevator control systems typically use a set of factory-fixed, universal operating parameters that cannot simultaneously accommodate these two distinct user needs. This can lead to elderly people experiencing panic when riding alone in elevators designed for younger users, due to rapid door closing or excessive acceleration, potentially resulting in accidents such as being trapped or falling.

[0003] To address the safety issues of elevators for the elderly, Chinese patent application CN202510055214.7 discloses a technical solution entitled "A Method and System for Detecting Falls in Home Elevators Based on 4D Millimeter-Wave Radar." This solution uses radar point cloud data to monitor the posture of people inside the elevator car in real time and can promptly issue an alarm signal after detecting a fall in an elderly person. However, this patent has significant limitations: it focuses on "passive monitoring and relief" after an accident occurs, lacking an "active prevention mechanism" before an accident occurs. That is, it cannot eliminate the risk factors that cause panic or falls in the elderly by changing the elevator's operating logic (such as reducing speed or extending door protection time). In addition, Chinese patent application number CN201810652920.X discloses a "home elevator that can improve the stability of the car operation". Although it improves mechanical stability by optimizing the arrangement of guide shoes and rope pulleys, the patent only involves static improvements to the hardware structure and cannot dynamically switch control strategies according to the passenger's identity. As a result, the elevator cannot flexibly switch between "high-efficiency mode" and "elderly-friendly mode", making it difficult to truly solve the actual industrial technology pain point of "one elevator cannot serve two purposes" in multi-generational mixed-use households. Summary of the Invention

[0004] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problem that existing home elevators cannot meet the needs of efficient passage for young people and the needs of safe and slow passage for the elderly when used in multi-generational households. The invention provides an age-friendly control method for home elevators based on multimodal perception. By actively activating the state machine switching of the control system through physical trigger signals, the method can achieve a global reconstruction of elevator operating parameters, door machine logic and human-machine interface without changing the basic hardware architecture of the elevator, thereby achieving the effect of "adapting to the needs of the elderly and proactive prevention".

[0005] The purpose of this invention is to solve the technical problem that passenger discomfort may occur due to sudden parameter changes when the elevator triggers mode switching during operation. It provides a control strategy with a time-sharing response mechanism, which can identify the elevator's operating status in real time. For age-appropriate instructions triggered during operation, it eliminates the jerking sensation caused by sudden deceleration or changes in control gain during operation by immediately executing interface soothing and delaying the execution of drive adjustment parallel processing logic, thus ensuring the smoothness of the mode switching process and the comfort of the ride.

[0006] The purpose of this invention is to solve the operational difficulties and psychological panic caused by the decline in visual and auditory functions of elderly users. It provides a system-level linkage feedback mechanism, which builds a comprehensive safety protection network by synchronously expanding the light curtain protection area, enlarging the interactive interface elements, and activating accompanying voice guidance. This overcomes the lag in protection caused by existing technologies that rely solely on single mechanical anti-pinch or post-event alarms, and significantly improves the sense of security and autonomy of the elderly when riding elevators independently.

[0007] This invention proposes an age-friendly control method for home elevators. The method includes: responding to a received age-friendly mode trigger signal and detecting the current operating state of the elevator car in real time; executing a differentiated control strategy based on the operating state; if the operating state is determined to be a non-leveling stop state, prioritizing the switching of the human-machine interface to the age-friendly interface, and caching the age-friendly parameter adjustment instructions for the drive system and door system to the execution queue of the next operating cycle; if the operating state is determined to be an idle or stopped state, or when the elevator completes the current travel response execution queue, concurrently controlling the drive system to load a low-speed operating curve, expanding the light curtain detection area of ​​the door system and extending the door opening time, and the human-machine interface to switch to the age-friendly interface. Through this "time-sharing response mechanism based on operating state," the risk of car jerking and sudden stops caused by directly switching drive and door system parameters during elevator operation is effectively avoided, fundamentally eliminating the physical discomfort and psychological panic caused to elderly passengers by sudden changes in operating state.

[0008] Preferably, the main controller calls upon the aging-friendly PID parameter set stored in the variable frequency drive unit to smooth the elevator's start-up and braking processes using an S-shaped acceleration / deceleration algorithm, and limits the maximum operating speed within a preset safety threshold range. By calling the preset "aging-friendly PID parameter set" and "S-shaped acceleration / deceleration algorithm," the elevator's start-up and stop processes are made extremely smooth, significantly reducing the rate of change in acceleration and deceleration. This is particularly suitable for the weaker balance function of the elderly, improving elevator comfort and safety.

[0009] Preferably, this method sends a command to the door controller to activate the multi-beam cross-scanning mode of the light curtain sensor, forming a fan-shaped protective field covering the car door area, and superimposing a preset delay parameter on the standard door opening waiting time. By "activating the light curtain fan-shaped protective field" and "superimposing the door opening delay", not only is the non-contact protection range of the three-dimensional space of the door area expanded (especially effectively detecting small or irregularly shaped objects such as canes and wheelchairs), but it also provides ample and stress-free entry and exit time for elderly users with slow mobility, proactively preventing accidents of people being trapped.

[0010] Preferably, this method loads a high-contrast, large-font graphical user interface configuration file to replace the original display content, and simultaneously activates the voice module to broadcast a voice stream containing the direction of travel, floor information, and reassuring prompts. By "synchronously switching the large-font interface and activating the guiding voice," it provides immediate and clear interactive feedback for elderly users with visual and auditory impairments, effectively alleviating their confusion and anxiety in unfamiliar operating modes, and achieving psychological reassurance that "mode switching is noticeable and the elevator riding process is controllable."

[0011] Preferably, this method establishes a waiting queue in the controller's instruction buffer, marking the parameter adjustment instruction as suspended until real-time monitoring shows the elevator has reached the destination floor and completed the leveling action. Then, the suspended state is lifted and the parameter is written back. By establishing an "instruction buffer and suspension mechanism," it ensures that parameter adjustment instructions related to dynamic safety are only ultimately executed when the elevator is stationary at its stop. This eliminates the possibility of rewriting critical operating parameters in unsafe conditions from a control logic perspective, ensuring the reliability of system switching.

[0012] Preferably, the method further includes: activating an idle monitoring timer after entering the age-friendly mode; continuously monitoring the floor selection commands inside the elevator and the obstruction status of the light curtain sensor; if no valid operation signal is detected within a preset time, automatically generating a mode reset command to restore the normal operating mode. Through this "dual-verification automatic reset mechanism based on idle time and interaction signals," the elevator can automatically resume efficient operation when there is no demand from elderly users, intelligently balancing the conflict between "age-friendly safety" and "traffic efficiency," and meeting the diverse usage needs of multi-generational families.

[0013] Preferably, this method acquires switch signals via physical buttons connected to the call panel outside the hall, encapsulates these signals into serial bus data packets containing high-priority identifiers using a signal conversion unit, and sends them to the main controller. By using a "physical button + protocol conversion unit" triggering method, the new function signals are adapted to high-priority instructions of the elevator's existing bus protocol, achieving a "non-intrusive" and low-cost retrofit of the existing elevator system and solving the engineering problems of complex wiring and insufficient interfaces in upgrading old elevators.

[0014] This invention proposes an aging-friendly control system for home elevators, applied to the aforementioned aging-friendly control method for home elevators. The system includes: a signal output terminal of an aging-friendly trigger component connected to a signal protocol adapter unit, which converts the physical trigger signal into bus protocol instructions and transmits them to a central main controller; the central main controller is connected to a variable frequency drive unit, a door operator control unit, and a human-machine interface terminal via a data bus. By constructing a bus-based system architecture of "trigger-adaptation-central control-execution," centralized coordination and parallel control of multiple subsystems (drive, door control, and human-machine interface) in aging-friendly mode are achieved, ensuring the synchronization and systematic nature of global parameter reconstruction and forming a unified and interconnected aging-friendly operating environment.

[0015] Preferably, the door operator control unit also includes a safety arbitration logic interface, which is physically connected to the car door light curtain sensor and the car bottom weighing sensor. When the central main controller receives a continuous obstruction signal from the light curtain sensor for a duration exceeding a safety threshold, and the simultaneously received load data fluctuation rate from the weighing sensor is lower than the judgment value, it triggers an audible and visual alarm circuit and locks the automatic exit timer of the current aging-friendly mode. By constructing a two-factor safety arbitration logic of "light curtain obstruction duration and weighing data fluctuation rate," it can accurately distinguish between normal entry and exit and abnormal lingering (such as falls), significantly reducing the false alarm rate caused by a single sensor, and can actively lock the system state to maintain the rescue environment when an anomaly is detected, thus improving active safety protection capabilities.

[0016] Preferably, the central main controller executes command distribution based on the elevator's real-time operating status: when a non-leveling operation is detected, it sends an immediate switching command to the human-machine interface terminal and writes parameter adjustment commands for the variable frequency drive unit and door operator control unit into the cache queue; when a stopping state is detected, it simultaneously sends parameter reconstruction commands to the aforementioned units to activate the aging-friendly mode. By constructing a two-factor safety arbitration logic of "light curtain obstruction duration and weighing data fluctuation rate," it can accurately distinguish between normal entry and exit and abnormal stagnation (such as falls), significantly reducing the false alarm rate caused by a single sensor, and can proactively lock the system state to maintain the rescue environment when an anomaly is detected, thus improving proactive safety protection capabilities.

[0017] The present invention has the following beneficial effects: 1. This invention innovatively decouples human-machine interaction feedback from mechanical drive execution in terms of timing by constructing a time-sharing response mechanism based on operational status determination. For special scenarios where an aging-friendly mode is triggered during elevator operation, the system prioritizes switching the interface and voice prompts to immediately reassure passengers, while simultaneously suspending dynamic speed and door operator parameter adjustments until the next travel. Compared to traditional direct-response control logic, this invention effectively avoids the car jerking sensation and emergency stop risk caused by sudden changes in inverter gain or deceleration rate during operation. It solves the technical challenge of balancing "timely response" and "ride comfort" when dynamically switching control modes, fundamentally eliminating the panic experienced by elderly passengers due to sudden changes in elevator operating status.

[0018] 2. This invention solves the engineering challenges of insufficient motherboard interfaces and complex wiring encountered in the aging-friendly retrofitting of traditional old elevators by setting up an independent signal protocol adaptation unit and a high-priority bus communication mechanism. The protocol adaptation unit converts the on / off signals of physical buttons into standard bus commands, allowing this aging-friendly function to be implemented without replacing the elevator main control board or making large-scale modifications to the existing safety circuits. This not only reduces the system's retrofitting costs but also significantly improves the anti-interference capability of control signals over long distances by replacing traditional point-to-point hard wiring with digital command transmission, ensuring accurate execution of mode switching commands in complex electromagnetic environments.

[0019] 3. This invention constructs a multi-dimensional safety arbitration logic by fusing spatial scanning data from a light curtain sensor and load change data from a weighing sensor. Unlike existing technologies that rely solely on a single sensor for passive protection, this invention can accurately distinguish between "normal entry / exit" and "abnormal lingering" states based on multi-modal data characteristics, and proactively trigger audible and visual alarms or lockout mode exit timers based on the judgment results. This design effectively overcomes the monitoring blind spots and false alarm defects of single sensors, significantly improving the system's proactive identification capability and emergency response efficiency for sudden situations involving elderly users (such as falls, lingering, or mobility impairments).

[0020] 4. This invention employs an automatic reset mechanism based on dual verification of idle time and interactive commands, achieving closed-loop management of elevator control logic. The system can automatically revert to normal operating mode when unused or under non-specific demand, preventing the elevator from operating at low speeds or waiting with the doors open for extended periods. This not only ensures efficient elevator access in multi-generational households and resolves the contradiction of reduced overall elevator service capacity caused by "elderly-friendly modes," but also effectively reduces unnecessary energy consumption and mechanical wear caused by maintaining high-sensitivity monitoring and high-torque low-speed drive for extended periods. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the method flow of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 2 This is a signal transmission path diagram of the present invention.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a system module architecture diagram of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0024] Example 1 according to Figure 1 As shown, this invention details an aging-friendly control method for home elevators based on multimodal perception and time-sharing response mechanisms. The hardware foundation of this method relies on a non-intrusive upgrade of the existing elevator control system. Specifically, an aging-friendly physical trigger component is added to the call panel outside the elevator lobby. A dedicated signal protocol adapter unit converts the switch signals collected by the physical buttons into bus instructions with high-priority identifiers, which are then transmitted to the central main controller. The central main controller, acting as the logic hub, establishes bidirectional data connections with the frequency converter drive unit, door operator control unit, human-machine interface terminal, and independent voice broadcast module via its internal high-speed communication bus. The core of this architecture design lies in replacing traditional point-to-point hardwiring with a digital instruction set, enabling the control system to flexibly schedule the operating parameters of each subsystem based on the elevator's real-time dynamic state, thereby achieving a global reconstruction from the underlying drive logic to the surface interaction logic.

[0025] When a user presses the aging-in-place trigger button outside the hall, the control process first enters the signal acquisition and status determination stage. Upon receiving the trigger command transmitted via the bus, the central main controller does not immediately execute all aging-in-place actions mechanically. Instead, it first initiates a status verification process, reading the motor speed data fed back by the variable frequency drive unit and the on / off status of the door lock circuit in real time. This step is crucial because this invention aims to address the potential safety hazards of the "one-size-fits-all" switching mode in existing technologies. The system needs to accurately distinguish whether the elevator is currently in a "leveling stop" or "non-leveling movement" state. If the elevator is determined to be idle or leveling stop, the system will immediately broadcast a global switching command, synchronously activating the aging-in-place parameters of all subsystems. However, a more innovative processing logic lies in automatically activating a differentiated time-sharing response control strategy when the system determines that the elevator is in the process of car movement and has not yet reached the target floor.

[0026] In response to the special scenario where the elevator's age-friendly mode is triggered while it is in operation, to avoid sudden deceleration or jerking of the car due to sudden changes in drive parameters, which could cause discomfort or fall risks to elderly passengers, the central main controller will execute a dual-threaded processing logic that combines "immediate reassurance" and "delayed execution." In the first thread, the main controller prioritizes sending immediate control signals to the human-machine interface terminal and independent voice broadcast module inside the car. At this time, the display screen inside the car will instantly switch from the standard interface to a pre-stored high-contrast, large-font age-friendly interface layout. Simultaneously, the voice module will call a pre-set reassurance voice clip through the RSL communication interface to announce to passengers that the mode has been activated. This process aims to eliminate the anxiety of elderly passengers who do not receive a response after operating the system through immediate visual and auditory feedback, establishing a sense of security that "the system has taken over."

[0027] Meanwhile, in the second thread, the central main controller suspends the drive system and door system, which involve mechanical motion safety. The system creates an instruction cache queue in memory, writes the "low-speed operation curve loading instruction" for the variable frequency drive unit and the "light curtain range extension and delay instruction" for the door operator control unit into this queue, and marks them as "pending execution." During this stage, the elevator continues to run along its original speed curve until the car smoothly decelerates to the destination floor and completes the leveling action. Once a leveling signal is detected, the main controller immediately releases the cache queue from suspension. Before the elevator restarts, it officially replaces the PID parameter set of the drive system with an age-appropriate S-shaped acceleration / deceleration algorithm and switches the door operator control logic to safety-enhanced mode. This time-sharing processing mechanism based on operating status cleverly resolves the technical contradiction between "timely mode switching" and "ride comfort."

[0028] When the age-friendly mode is fully activated, the coordinated operation of the drive system and the door system constitutes the core of the safety of this invention. At the drive level, the variable frequency drive unit retrieves a preset low-speed S-shaped speed curve. Compared to the normal mode, this curve has a gentler acceleration and deceleration slope, and the maximum operating speed is strictly limited to a low-speed threshold range, ensuring that the car's start and stop processes are smooth and adaptable to the weaker balance functions of the elderly. At the door system level, the door controller not only adds a preset delay time to the standard door-holding time after receiving the door-opening command to allow sufficient time for entry and exit, but also sends control words to the light curtain sensor to control its transmitter to increase the density of the scanning beam or change the scanning frequency, forming a fan-shaped three-dimensional protective field covering the car door area. This protective field can effectively detect the entry of non-standard objects such as canes and wheelchairs. Once any obstruction is detected, the door operator will immediately perform a reverse reopening action to prevent accidents involving people being trapped.

[0029] Furthermore, to address the potential for elderly individuals to become stranded unexpectedly, this invention incorporates an anomaly monitoring logic based on multi-sensor fusion in its embodiments. In practice, the system continuously compares the occlusion status of the light curtain sensor with the load data from the car bottom weighing sensor. If the system detects that the light curtain is continuously occluded for a period exceeding the normal entry / exit threshold, but simultaneously the weight inside the car reported by the weighing sensor does not show a significant step change (indicating that the person has not left the car but may have fallen or been obstructed at the door), the central main controller will trigger a safety arbitration mechanism. At this time, the system will not only issue an audible and visual alarm via the voice module to alert the outside world, but will also forcibly lock the elevator's door closing circuit and suspend any countdown logic for automatically exiting the age-friendly mode until manual intervention or detection of an abnormal state resolves the issue. It is important to note that all data processing related to personnel sensing and voice interaction in this embodiment is completed in a closed loop at the local control terminal, without involving the cloud uploading or persistent storage of personal biometric data, fully complying with relevant data security and privacy protection regulations.

[0030] Finally, to ensure the efficiency of use by other younger family members, this control method also includes an intelligent closed-loop exit mechanism. During the age-friendly mode, the system starts an idle monitoring timer in the background. The timer begins accumulating time each time the elevator completes a run and enters standby mode. If, within the preset idle period, the system neither detects new age-friendly call commands outside the hall nor any entry / exit actions detected by the light curtain sensor, and there are no new floor registration signals on the car's control panel, the central controller will determine that there is currently no need for elderly users. At this time, the system will automatically generate a reset command, controlling the drive system to reload the standard speed curve and restoring the door operator parameters and UI interface to their factory default states. This automatic reset logic ensures that the elevator can flexibly switch between "age-friendly safety mode" and "efficient general-purpose mode" according to actual usage flow, truly achieving comprehensive coverage of the needs of multi-generational family members with the same equipment.

[0031] Example 2 Figure 2This invention demonstrates the signal transmission architecture at the hardware modification level, particularly the signal link implementation for aging-friendly upgrades of existing elevator systems. To overcome the technical challenges of complex and costly construction due to the need for re-laying shaft cables in traditional elevator retrofits, this system innovatively introduces a dedicated communication connection board as a signal acquisition and protocol conversion terminal. Specifically, aging-friendly physical trigger buttons are installed on the call panels outside the halls on each floor. Their electrical outputs are not directly connected to the I / O interface of the main control cabinet in the machine room via long-distance hard wires, but are connected to the input of the communication connection board embedded in the panel. This communication connection board integrates a signal debouncing circuit and a bus communication chip, enabling real-time monitoring of the button's passive switching status. When a valid press is detected, the communication connection board uses its built-in protocol stack to encode the physical level signal into a digital data packet conforming to the elevator's existing serial communication protocol (such as CAN bus or RSL communication protocol), assigning it a high-priority function identification code distinct from ordinary call signals, and then loading it onto the existing two-wire or four-wire communication bus outside the hall.

[0032] The signal uploading and distribution process relies entirely on the existing digital bus network, forming a highly efficient virtual transmission channel. Data packets carrying aging-friendly trigger requests are transmitted along the hoistway communication lines to the central main controller located in the machine room or at the top of the hoistway. As the core gateway of the system, the central main controller performs real-time parsing of the received bus data stream. Once it identifies the specific aging-friendly function identification code, it immediately activates the internal mode management logic, rather than misinterpreting it as a regular floor call signal. Subsequently, based on a preset control strategy, the main controller distributes parallel control commands to various execution units through different internal communication ports: on the one hand, it sends address codes and audio index commands to the independent voice broadcast module installed on the car top via a dedicated peripheral device communication interface (such as the RSL communication interface), triggering it to play pre-stored reassuring voice messages; on the other hand, it sends parameter rewrite commands to the frequency converter and door operator controller via the high-speed drive bus. This signal transmission path design of "end-to-end transcoding, bus transmission, and central distribution" allows the system to reuse the original communication lines by adding only a very small number of hardware nodes outside the hall, without damaging the original safety circuit or making large-scale changes to the shaft wiring, which greatly improves the system's compatibility and ease of construction in the existing elevator retrofit market.

[0033] Example 3 according to Figure 3As shown, this invention discloses an aging-friendly control system for home elevators based on a bus communication architecture. The physical architecture of this system is mainly composed of three tightly coupled parts: a sensing and triggering layer, a logic processing core layer, and a multi-threaded execution layer. In the sensing and triggering layer, to overcome the technical pain points of insufficient motherboard I / O interfaces and difficulties in rewiring the shaft during the renovation of existing old elevators, this system innovatively configures a front-end acquisition module containing aging-friendly physical triggering components and a signal protocol adaptation unit. The aging-friendly physical triggering components are specifically manifested as physical buttons or sensor panels installed outside the lobby on each floor, with their electrical output terminals connected to the adjacent signal protocol adaptation unit via short-distance hardwiring. This signal protocol adaptation unit acts as the "signal translator" of this system, integrating a level conversion circuit and a bus protocol stack chip. It can encode the raw analog switching quantities or passive contact signals generated by the triggering components into digital instruction packets conforming to the standard communication protocols of the elevator main control system (such as CAN bus or RSL serial communication protocol) in real time. The instruction packet is assigned a high-priority aging-friendly function identification code, which is then transmitted to the backend via the existing elevator shaft communication cable, thereby enabling signal access to the existing elevator system with minimal hardware modifications.

[0034] The core logic processing layer of the system consists of a central main controller and its built-in mode management module. As the data hub of the entire control network, the central main controller establishes physical connections with the lower-level variable frequency drive units, door operator control units, human-machine interface terminals, and independent voice broadcast modules via a high-speed data bus. Unlike traditional elevators that use point-to-point relay logic control, the main controller in this system interacts with each execution unit via bus broadcast. Upon receiving an adaptive aging trigger command from the signal protocol adaptation unit, the main controller does not immediately issue action commands to all execution units. Instead, it first calls the internal running status register data to determine the current dynamic state of the elevator. Based on this state determination, the main controller executes the crucial "command routing" logic: if it determines that the elevator is in a non-leveling movement state, the main controller will send an immediate switching command to the human-machine interface terminal through the first communication channel, and simultaneously write the parameter reconstruction commands for the variable frequency drive unit and door operator control unit into the internal command buffer queue, temporarily suspending their transmission; only when the elevator completes a leveling stop signal is detected will the buffer queue be activated, and the parameter writing commands be synchronously sent to the drive and door operator units. This instruction routing mechanism, based on underlying hardware logic, ensures the flexibility of the control strategy from the system architecture perspective, avoiding device conflicts or operational shocks caused by forced instruction execution.

[0035] In the execution-level safety subsystem, the door operator control unit is endowed with independent edge computing and arbitration capabilities, forming a multi-level protection barrier for this system. The door operator control unit not only connects to the car door motor via a motor drive line but also has a dedicated safety arbitration logic interface. This interface is physically connected to the light curtain sensor at the car door and the weighing sensor at the bottom of the car. This dual-channel hardware connection method is to support the unique personnel lingering detection function of this invention. In the age-friendly mode, the door operator control unit collects the beam obstruction status of the light curtain sensor and the analog voltage value of the weighing sensor in real time. When the logic circuit detects that the light curtain has been continuously obstructed for a period exceeding a preset safety threshold, and synchronous comparison reveals that the load data of the weighing sensor has not shown a significant unloading change (i.e., indicating that no personnel have left), the door operator control unit will directly trigger the local audible and visual alarm circuit and feed back an abnormal status flag to the main controller via the bus. Upon receiving this flag, the main controller will immediately lock the automatic exit timer for the current age-friendly mode until the abnormality is resolved. This direct linkage of the underlying hardware ensures a response speed far exceeding that of traditional motherboard polling methods in emergency situations such as falls or entrapment of elderly individuals.

[0036] Furthermore, to address the interaction barriers caused by the decline in visual and auditory functions among elderly users, this system has undergone specialized optimization in the hardware implementation of the human-machine interface terminal and the independent voice broadcast module. The human-machine interface terminal (i.e., the in-car control panel display screen) integrates a non-volatile local storage unit, pre-programmed with a high-contrast, large-font layout age-friendly graphical interface configuration file. When a switching command is received from the main controller, the terminal directly retrieves this configuration file locally for rendering, eliminating the need to wait for downloads from a remote server, thus achieving millisecond-level interface refresh rates. Simultaneously, the system also includes an independent voice broadcast module. This module does not rely on the existing intercom system but is independently mounted on the control bus via an RSL serial communication interface. This module stores a dedicated soothing and guiding voice library, enabling it to accurately recall and play corresponding voice segments based on the bus address code and command code sent by the main controller. This independent bus node hardware design not only ensures the clarity and timeliness of voice playback but also allows this functional module to be flexibly installed in the car roof or car wall panel, further enhancing the system's configuration flexibility and adaptability.

[0037] Example 4 This embodiment describes a control system and method for low-cost aging-friendly upgrades based on the existing elevator communication architecture. At the hardware level, the system does not require destructive modifications to the elevator's original shaft cables and main control cabinet. Instead, it achieves functional access by adding a communication connection board inside the call panel on each floor. This communication connection board acts as a bridge between the aging-friendly physical buttons and the elevator's original communication bus. Its input is physically connected to the newly added aging-friendly buttons, and its output is directly connected to the two-wire or four-wire call bus network outside the hall. Simultaneously, on the car side, the system is equipped with an independent voice broadcast module. This module does not occupy the original intercom line but is directly connected to the car communication bus via an RSL serial communication interface, establishing an independent digital connection with the main control system. The control panel display inside the car is configured as an intelligent terminal supporting the storage of multiple interface configuration files, pre-stored with aging-friendly interface data packages containing large fonts and high-contrast elements.

[0038] In actual operation, when a user presses the aging-friendly button outside the hall, the communication connection board first collects the switch signal and converts it into a digital signal conforming to the elevator bus protocol. This signal contains a special function identification code that differs from ordinary call commands. After receiving this identification code via the bus, the main control system immediately activates the internal aging-friendly mode logic. Addressing the inventor's emphasis on "smooth operation," the main control system employs a layered execution strategy: for human-machine interaction systems involving only information feedback, system commands take effect immediately. The main controller immediately sends an interface switching command to the car control panel, calls the locally pre-stored aging-friendly configuration file to refresh the screen, and simultaneously controls the independent voice module to play prompt voice messages via the RSL bus. For drive and door operator systems involving dynamics, the main control system executes the "arrival-based" logic. If the elevator is currently running, the system maintains the current speed until it reaches the destination floor and stops. Once the elevator is stationary, the operating speed parameter is switched to low-speed mode, and the door operator control logic is switched to delayed closing mode.

[0039] Once the elevator enters its age-friendly operation mode, all subsystems work together to ensure the safety of elderly passengers. Regarding the door system, after receiving instructions from the main system, the door operator controller activates the fan-shaped scanning function of the light curtain sensor, increasing the sensing range of the three-dimensional space in the door area. Simultaneously, the automatic door closing time is significantly extended, allowing ample time for entry and exit. In terms of the drive system, the frequency converter retrieves preset low-speed operating parameters, limiting the maximum travel speed and acceleration / deceleration rate of the car to ensure smooth operation. Furthermore, in case of potential passenger congestion, the system activates a self-alarm logic based on the light curtain status. If the light curtain is detected to be obstructed for an extended period without any door movement, the system will determine this as an anomaly and trigger an alarm, requesting external assistance.

[0040] To ensure elevator efficiency, this system also incorporates a time- and status-based automatic reset mechanism. In aging-friendly mode, the main control system continuously monitors the elevator's operating status. If, within a preset time threshold (e.g., 1 minute, parameters adjustable on-site), the system does not receive any new in-car floor selection commands or hall call commands, and the light curtain sensor does not detect any obstruction, the main control system will determine that there is currently no need for aging-friendly services. At this time, the system automatically cancels the aging-friendly parameter settings of each subsystem, switches the control panel interface back to the standard version, and restores the drive speed and door operator logic to the factory default normal mode. This achieves flexible switching between "one elevator, two uses," meeting the actual usage needs of different age groups within a family.

Claims

1. A method for age-friendly control of a home elevator, characterized in that, The method includes: In response to the received aging-friendly mode trigger signal, the current operating status of the elevator car is detected in real time; Implement differentiated control strategies based on operational status; If the operating state is determined to be a non-level parking state, the human-machine interaction system is switched to the aging-friendly interface first, and the aging-friendly parameter adjustment instructions of the drive system and door system are cached in the execution queue of the next operating cycle. If the operating state is determined to be idle or stopped, or when the elevator completes the current travel response execution queue, the parallel control drive system loads the low-speed operation curve, the door system expands the light curtain detection area and extends the door opening holding time, and the human-machine interaction system executes the age-appropriate interface switching.

2. The method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The main controller calls the aging-appropriate PID parameter group stored in the variable frequency drive unit, and uses an S-shaped acceleration and deceleration algorithm to smooth the elevator's start-up and braking process, and limits the maximum operating speed within a preset safety threshold range.

3. The method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method sends a command to the door operator controller to activate the multi-beam cross-scanning mode of the light curtain sensor, forming a fan-shaped protective field covering the car door area, and superimposing a preset delay parameter on the standard door opening waiting time.

4. A method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1, 2, or 3, characterized in that, The method loads a high-contrast, large-font graphical user interface configuration file to replace the original display content, and simultaneously activates the voice module to broadcast a voice stream containing the direction of travel, floor information, and reassuring prompts.

5. The method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method establishes a waiting queue in the controller's instruction buffer, marks the parameter adjustment instruction as suspended, and releases the suspended state and writes the parameter after real-time monitoring shows that the elevator has reached the destination floor and completed the leveling action.

6. A method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1 or 5, characterized in that, The method further includes: after entering the aging-friendly mode, starting an idle monitoring timer, continuously detecting the floor selection command in the car and the occlusion status of the light curtain sensor, and if no valid operation signal is detected within a preset time, automatically generating a mode reset command to restore to the normal operation mode.

7. The method for age-friendly control of a home elevator according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method acquires switch signals through physical buttons connected to the call panel outside the hall, encapsulates the switch signals into serial bus data packets containing high priority identifiers using a signal conversion unit, and sends them to the main controller.

8. A home elevator age-friendly control system, wherein the system is applied to the home elevator age-friendly control method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The system includes: The signal output terminal of the aging-friendly trigger component is connected to the signal protocol adapter unit, which converts the physical trigger signal into a bus protocol command and transmits it to the central main controller. The central main controller is connected to the frequency converter drive unit, the door operator control unit and the human-machine interface terminal via a data bus.

9. The age-friendly control system for a home elevator according to claim 8, characterized in that, The door operator control unit also includes a safety arbitration logic interface, which is physically connected to the car door light curtain sensor and the car bottom weighing sensor respectively. When the duration of the continuous obstruction signal received from the light curtain sensor exceeds the safety threshold and the fluctuation rate of the load data received synchronously from the weighing sensor is lower than the judgment value, the central main controller triggers the audible and visual alarm circuit and locks the automatic exit timer of the current aging-friendly mode.

10. A home elevator age-friendly control system according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The central main controller executes commands and distributes them according to the real-time operating status of the elevator: When a non-level operation state is detected, an immediate switching command is sent to the human-machine interface terminal, and parameter adjustment commands for the frequency converter drive unit and the door operator control unit are written into the cache queue; when a docking state is detected, a parameter reconfiguration command to activate the aging-friendly mode is sent synchronously to the above-mentioned units.

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