Acoustic emergency call recognition

Abstract

Acoustic emergency call detection for the perception of an emergency call signal from persons trapped in an elevator car.

Description

State of the art

[0001] For elevators carrying passengers, a two-way communication system is required in the elevator car (13) to ensure that an emergency service can be contacted continuously in an emergency. This system must remain operational for a specified period in the event of malfunctions or even a power outage. According to current standards, the continuously staffed emergency call center (11) for connected elevator systems has all essential location information stored. Upon receiving an emergency call via the two-way communication system, contact is established with the trapped passengers. The passengers are reassured and informed about the measures being taken to free them.

[0002] The emergency call system is primarily activated via an emergency call button (16) in the elevator car (13), which is clearly marked and must be actively pressed by trapped persons in case of danger. In parallel with establishing a voice connection to a continuously staffed control center (11), an audible signal with a continuous tone (15) is usually also activated. This is intended to alert other people in the building to the emergency situation. In the past, particularly with older elevator systems, only the audible signal (15) was available, but this functioned for an extended period even during a power outage. Nowadays, virtually all passenger elevators have been retrofitted with an emergency call system to a continuously staffed control center. This often required adapting these systems to the various elevator control systems, which involved considerable expense and effort.

[0003] Due to high maintenance costs and the competitive landscape, emergency service providers change operators relatively frequently. The necessary conversion of emergency call systems to accommodate different control systems remains a complex and costly process. Task

[0004] The purpose of the invention is to demonstrate an emergency call system for elevator systems which can be easily adapted to different elevator systems with little effort and cost, regardless of the manufacturer. Description of the invention

[0005] The present invention relates to an adaptation to existing or new emergency call systems of elevator installations via acoustic emergency call detection (30). In a dangerous situation, the emergency call button (16) is activated by trapped persons, and a clearly audible tone (23) is usually emitted within a frequency band. According to the invention, this tone is detected by an electronic unit (14) in the area of ​​the elevator installation and used to activate an emergency call transmission (12).

[0006] In a simple version, a manual control can be set to a frequency band range ( Fig. 2, FU - FO), in which the acoustic detection is to be effective, whereby a lower limit is defined to avoid false triggers ( Fig. 2, AU) can be programmed for the sound level.

[0007] In another version, common emergency call sounds can also be acoustically recognized (30). These include cries of "Help!" and / or loud banging in the elevator car, with the "Help!" cries potentially being made in different languages. Sounds that might occur in desperate situations, such as sighing or heavy breathing during a panic attack, are also conceivable.

[0008] According to the invention, to improve acoustic emergency call detection, the expected emergency call signal (33, 34) of the elevator system can be recorded in a learning phase. The incoming emergency call signal is then compared with the stored signal using standard mathematical methods, and an emergency call is triggered if there is a match.

[0009] The electronic unit (14) for acoustic emergency call detection can be easily installed via the existing electrical outlet or via a fixed connection on the elevator car, whereby an emergency power supply can already be provided. Installation in the machine room or near the elevator system is also conceivable if sufficient acoustic communication is ensured (e.g., in the case of a short travel height). Reference symbol list: 10 elevator systems with emergency call system 11 Emergency call center 12 Data connection to the emergency call center 13 elevator cabins 14 electronic emergency call devices 15 Emergency call signal tone setup 16 emergency call buttons in the elevator car 20 Frequency spectrum 21 Amplitude axis 22 Frequency axis 23 Emergency call tone 30 acoustic emergency call device 31 memory locations for acoustic reference signals with emergency call character 32 electronic evaluation unit for emergency call signals 33 Emergency call signal tone 34 stored signals with emergency call character 35 incoming acoustic signal

Claims

[1] Emergency call device (14) for lift systems with passenger transport, characterized by that the emergency call device is triggered by selected acoustic signals (23, 33, 34). [2] Emergency call device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal corresponds to the acoustic emergency signal (23) after actuation of the emergency call button (16). [3] Emergency call device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal (34) is a voice signal with emergency call character. [4] Emergency call device according to claim 1, wherein the acoustic signal is a knocking signal (34) with emergency call character. [5] Emergency call device according to claim 1 and 2, characterized by that the acoustic emergency signal after pressing the emergency button is transmitted through a programmed frequency band ( Fig. 2, FU - FO) is detected. [6] Emergency call device according to at least one of the preceding claims characterized by that the acoustic emergency signal is interrupted by a programmed amplitude exceedance ( Fig.2, AU) is detected. [7] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic signals (35) are evaluated as a function of reference signals (23, 33, 24) and wherein the reference signals are based on a learning operation and / or have predetermined emergency call characteristic features. [8] Method according to at least one of the preceding claims, wherein the acoustic reference signals (23, 33, 34) are detected by means of a machine learning function.

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