HYBRID FLOOR TERMINAL FOR AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The technology described here generally relates to elevator systems and their operation in buildings. Embodiments of the technology particularly relate to a floor terminal for an elevator system and a method for installing a communication system in a building in which an elevator system is provided.

[0002] In buildings with elevator systems, elevator operating terminals are arranged on each floor, allowing users to call an elevator. In one known elevator system, an elevator operating terminal has up / down buttons for selecting the desired direction of travel. In another elevator system, users can enter the destination floor at an elevator operating terminal while still on the floor. For this purpose, the elevator operating terminal may have a keypad, a touch-sensitive screen, and / or a data acquisition device (e.g., in the form of an RFID card reader known from EP 0699617 B1). Elevator operating terminals arranged on floors for entering destination floors are disclosed, for example, in WO 2015 / 177020 A1. WO 2015 / 177020 A1 also discloses electronic door locks as further examples of terminals.

[0003] WO 2015 / 049414 A1 also discloses an elevator operating terminal arranged on a floor for entering a destination floor, which is connected to a call control system. A base station connected to a mobile communications network is arranged spatially separate from the terminal. The mobile communications network is used in connection with determining the travel time and position of a passenger as the passenger walks from room to room toward the elevator.

[0004] The elevator control panels of these well-known elevator systems are limited in functionality to call entry. However, modern buildings require additional functionality. Therefore, there is a need for additional technology to better meet the requirements of modern buildings.

[0005] One aspect relates to a floor terminal for an elevator system in a building. The floor terminal comprises an elevator operating terminal and a radio network device. The elevator operating terminal has a user interface for calling an elevator car, an elevator data interface for data communication with an elevator controller, and a processing device coupled to the user interface and the elevator data interface. The radio network device has a radio transceiver for communication with a communication device present on a floor, a data interface for data communication with the network access point, and a processing device coupled to the radio transceiver and the data interface.

[0006] An additional aspect relates to a method for installing a communication system in a building in which an elevator system is provided. The floor terminals are installed at predetermined locations in the building, each floor terminal having an elevator operating terminal and a radio network device. The elevator operating terminal has an elevator data interface for data communication with an elevator controller, and the radio network device has a data interface for data communication with a network access point. A network is installed in an elevator shaft, and each data interface and each elevator data interface of a floor terminal is connected to the network.

[0007] The technology described here creates a floor terminal that not only has the functionality of an elevator operating terminal, but also the functionality of a wireless network device. The wireless network device enables wireless communication between the wireless network device and a communication device present on each floor. Because the wireless network device is connected to a data network, it generally enables communication between the communication devices via the data network, for example, in connection with building management tasks and / or internet access.

[0008] In one embodiment of the method, the network comprises a data network and an elevator control network. In one embodiment, at least the data network is arranged at least partially in the elevator shaft. Depending on the application, the network can also be arranged substantially in the elevator shaft. Since the elevator shaft is accessible to authorized persons, the network or the data network can be installed with little technical and financial outlay. The data network can be installed, for example, when the elevator control network is also installed in the elevator shaft.

[0009] Installing a data network in the elevator shaft is particularly advantageous during building modernization. One example of such a modernization is converting an elevator system from a conventional up / down call control system to a destination call control system. Since the elevator operating terminals are also being upgraded, the floor terminals can be installed at the desired locations on the floors using the technology described here, and the data network can be installed in the elevator shaft. The additional functionality of a wireless network device is thus achieved without the costly relocation of the data network in the building outside the elevator shaft.

[0010] In one embodiment, the data network is physically separate from the elevator control network. This means, for example, that each of these networks has its own lines or its own cable network, so that data transmission in the data network occurs separately from data transmission in the elevator control network. Each network can therefore be individually designed or optimized for the desired application, for example, with regard to the line or cable type or the type of data transmission or its speed. In another embodiment, the data network and the elevator control network are combined into one network.

[0011] In one embodiment, the wireless network device is a WLAN (WiFi) router, which serves as an interface between the data network and the wireless network. It is advantageous that WLAN routers are generally known and therefore widely used. Communication devices designed for communication with WLAN routers are thus also frequently used, for example, in mobile communication devices (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, tablet PCs) for Internet access.

[0012] The technology offers flexibility regarding the type of communication devices present in the building. The communication device can be part of an electronic building component, such as an intercom system, an electronic locking system, an access control system, a video surveillance system, or a hazard alarm system. The communication device can also be part of a mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet PC) that is temporarily located on a floor, for example.

[0013] Flexibility also exists with regard to communication via the data network. The network access point assigned to the data network enables communication either between a communication device on a floor and a building facility or the building's external communication network. Depending on the capabilities of the communication devices, a building facility can be part of an electronic building component, such as an intercom system, an electronic locking system, an access control system, a video surveillance system, or a hazard alarm system.

[0014] Furthermore, there is design freedom with regard to the arrangement of the floor terminals. In one embodiment, a floor terminal has a housing in which the elevator operating terminal and the radio network device are arranged. The housing can be arranged on a building wall, a floor (e.g., as a standing structure), or a part of the elevator system that is accessible to a user on a floor (e.g., on the frame of a shaft door). Depending on the design of the housing, only the functionality of an elevator terminal may be visible to a user (e.g., only a touchscreen or a keypad is visible), while the functionality of a radio network device remains hidden.

[0015] Various aspects of the improved technology are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, like elements have like reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 shows a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a building with multiple floors and an elevator system; Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a floor terminal; and Fig. 3 shows an exemplary representation of a method for installing a communication system in a building.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a building that has several floors 1 served by an elevator system 10. For illustration purposes, Fig. 1 Of the elevator system 10, only an elevator control 12, a drive motor 18, and an elevator car 20 movable in a shaft 28, hereinafter also referred to as car 20, are shown. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system 10 can also be designed differently, for example, as one with several cars 20 in a shaft or as a hydraulic elevator. The shaft 28 is separated on each floor 1 in a known manner by a shaft door 14 (in Fig. 1 (The shaft door 14 is only indicated on the lowest floor.) On each floor 1, several entrances 2 (e.g., doors 9, each with door handle / doorknob 4) are shown, which, for example, allow access to apartments, offices, or other zones or rooms. The expert will recognize that an access 2 can also be one of possibly several building entrances, garage entrances, and / or property entrances / driveways.

[0017] In the illustrated embodiment, a floor terminal 16 is arranged on each floor 1, which is part of a communication system in the building and is coupled to a network 52. The person skilled in the art will recognize that several floor terminals 16 can also be arranged on one floor 1. In Fig. 1 the floor terminals 16 are arranged in the vicinity of the respective shaft doors 14 (e.g. on a building wall or standing on the floor), but they can also be arranged away from them at other locations on the floors 1 or integrated into door frames of the shaft doors 14.

[0018] As in Fig. 1 As shown, each floor terminal 16 includes an elevator operating terminal 32 and a wireless network device 30 (e.g., a WLAN router, as used in connection with Fig. 2 described). Each elevator operating terminal 32 and each radio network device 30 is coupled to the network 52, wherein in the illustrated embodiment the network 52 comprises an elevator control network 33 and a data network 23. In Fig. 1 Each elevator operating terminal 32 is coupled to the elevator control network 33, to which the elevator controller 12 is also coupled, and each wireless network device 30 is coupled to the data network 23, which has a network access point 22. One or more building control devices 24 may, in turn, be coupled to the network access point.

[0019] The network 52 can be configured differently, for example, depending on building-specific requirements. In one embodiment, the elevator control network 33 and the data network 23 are implemented separately from one another, so that data transmission in the data network occurs separately from data transmission in the elevator control network. In another embodiment, the elevator control network 33 and the data network 23 are combined in the network 52; for example, they are essentially not physically separated; the network 52 can be implemented, for example, as a data bus system.

[0020] In the Fig. 1 The technology described here can be advantageously applied in the situation shown. Briefly and exemplarily summarized, the floor terminal 16 serves, on the one hand, as an operating terminal for the elevator system 10 and, on the other hand, as a wireless access point to the data network 23 for communication devices 6, 8 present on the floors 1. The access point and the data network 23 can be designed for data transmission rates in the Gbit / s range. Due to the aforementioned dual function, the floor terminal 16 is essentially a hybrid floor terminal. With the aid of the elevator operating terminal 32 integrated in the floor terminal 16, a user can enter a travel request, as in known elevator systems. Depending on the design of the elevator system 10, the user can enter a desired direction of travel (up / down) or a desired destination floor. The elevator operating terminal 32 confirms the entered travel request to the user.The radio network device 30, which is also integrated in the floor terminal 16, communicates via radio connections with the communication devices 6, 8 present on a floor 1 and establishes communicative connections to the data network 23.

[0021] The elevator control network 33 is used for bidirectional communication between the individual elevator operating terminals 30 and the elevator controller 12. Thus, a call entered by a user at the elevator operating terminal 32 is transmitted via the elevator control network 33 to the elevator controller 12. If, for example, it is a destination call, the elevator controller 12 assigns a car 20 to the destination call and sends a control command to the elevator operating terminal 30 via the elevator control network 33 to inform the user about the assigned car 20, for example, via a user interface of the elevator operating terminal 30.

[0022] In one embodiment, the elevator control network 33 consists of a wired data bus system. In the vertical direction, the elevator control network 33 runs within the building's shaft 28. When using such a data bus system, communication between the elevator control 12 and the elevator operating devices 32 takes place according to a protocol for wired communication, for example, the LonTalk protocol if the data bus system is based on the LON standard (LON: Local Operating Network). Those skilled in the art will also recognize that, as an alternative to a data bus system, each elevator operating device 32 can be connected to the elevator control 12 via a separate line.

[0023] The data network 23 is a wired network that runs vertically in the building, also within the shaft 28. In one embodiment, the data network 23 is based on Ethernet technology, with data transmission occurring according to the Ethernet protocol. Depending on the cable type (e.g., twisted-pair cable or fiber optic cable) used for the data network 23, data transmission rates of several Mbit / s to several Gbit / s are possible.

[0024] A building control device 24 can be connected directly to the data network 23 or, as in Fig. 1 shown, indirectly via the network access point 22. In Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown, the network access point 22 additionally enables access to a building-external communications network 26, for example the Internet. A building control device 24 coupled to the data network 23 can be part of a building management system which, for example, performs tasks relevant to security in the building. The building control device 24 can, for example, be part of an intercom system, a video surveillance device, an access control system, a hazard detection system (e.g. for burglar or fire alarm systems) or another building automation system (e.g. for heating, ventilation and air conditioning). For an access control system, the building control device 24 can contain a database in which profiles of people who have access to the building are stored.

[0025] In Fig. 1 At each of the access points 2, a communication device 6 is provided, each communication device 6 comprising a radio transceiver, ie a transmitting and receiving device for radio signals (in Fig. 1 indicated by "TX / RX"). The communication device 6 can be arranged at the door 9 or in the zone or apartment behind it, whereby several communication devices 6 can also be arranged in the apartment or zone. The communication device can also be part of a mobile communication device (e.g., smartphone, tablet PC), which is, for example, temporarily located on a floor.

[0026] In one embodiment, the communication device 6 is part of an electronic locking system, which, for example, is controlled by an access control system and locks or unlocks the door 9 as needed. In another embodiment, the communication device 6 is part of an intercom system, which is suitable, for example, for voice and image transmission. In the illustrated embodiment, an additional communication device 8 is optionally arranged on each floor 1 outside the zones, rooms, or apartments, for example, in a floor corridor or hallway. This communication device 8 can, in one embodiment, be part of a video surveillance system. Each communication device 8 of the video surveillance system has a radio transmitter and a radio receiver; in Fig. 1 This is indicated by "Video TX / RX." Those skilled in the art will recognize that the aforementioned embodiments can also be implemented in combination within the building.

[0027] If the communication device 6 is part of an electronic locking system, it can be Fig. 1 shown in connection with a door 9. The electrical energy required to operate the communication device 6 or other electronic components of the locking system (e.g. a data acquisition device) arranged on the door 9 can be provided, for example, by an (internal) battery or a connection to an external power supply (e.g. an internal building power network).

[0028] The data acquisition device acquires data from a person, e.g., a PIN code entered by the person or an electronic or optical code read from a data storage device, when the person requests entry at an access point 2. Once the data has been acquired, the communication device 6 communicates with the radio network device 30 to have the person's access authorizations checked, e.g., by the building control device 24. In one embodiment, the building control device 24 checks whether the received code is assigned to an authorized person in its database. If this is the case and the person is therefore authorized to enter, the building control device 24 causes the relevant door 9 to be unlocked to grant the person entry. Further details of the data acquisition device are described elsewhere in connection with Fig. 2 described.

[0029] Fig. 2 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of a floor terminal 16, showing details of the elevator operating terminal 30 and the radio network device 30. The elevator operating terminal 30 and the radio network device 30 are arranged in a housing 48. A Fig. 2 The antenna 50 shown of the radio network device 30 can be arranged entirely in the housing 48 or outside the housing 48. The housing 48 can be designed in various ways, for example to meet user-friendliness and design requirements. Accordingly, the housing 48 can be provided for mounting on a building wall or on a floor. For floor mounting, the housing 48 can be designed, for example, as a free-standing and column-shaped structure. Because the radio network device 30 is accommodated in the housing 48, the aforementioned dual function of the floor terminal 16 remains hidden from the observer. In another embodiment, the housing 48 can be arranged on a door frame of the elevator door 14. In a further exemplary embodiment, the floor terminal 16 can be integrated into a door frame with or without the housing 48.

[0030] The elevator operating terminal 30 has a user interface 44, a processing device 40, and an elevator data interface 42, wherein the user interface 44 and the elevator data interface 42 are connected to the processing device 40. The elevator data interface 42 is also connectable to the elevator control network 33. From the perspective of a user who wishes to travel from one floor 1 to another floor 1, the user interface 44 serves to enable the user to enter a call and to confirm the call, e.g., by displaying the identifier of the assigned car 20 and / or by activating a pressed button so that it, for example, lights up. To fulfill these functions, the user interface 44 can have various components, such as a keyboard, a touchscreen, a data acquisition device, or a combination of these components.

[0031] The data capture device may comprise a reader that can capture data based on one of various known technologies. The reader may, for example, read data from magnetic cards, chip cards, RFID cards, or mobile electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, tablets), or capture data from optical codes (barcodes, QR codes, color codes) printed on various carrier materials or displayed on displays of mobile electronic devices (e.g., mobile phones, smartphones, tablets). In another embodiment, the reader may comprise a device for capturing and / or recognizing biometric parameters (e.g., patterns of fingertips, palms, or eyes (iris), or voice characteristics). Regardless of the type of reader, the data capture device may, for example, be used at the door 2.

[0032] If, for example, radio frequency identification (RFID) technology is used in the reading device, the reading device is an RFID reader that receives data from an RFID card placed within radio range. The data, for example comprising an identification code, is stored in a data memory of the RFID card. The radio frequency used by the RFID reader and the RFID card is, for example, 125 kHz, 13.56 MHz, or 2.45 GHz. If, on the other hand, optical technology is used, the reading device is an optical reader (e.g., a camera or scanner) that captures the pattern of an optical code printed on a carrier material or displayed on an electronic device. An exemplary technology for generating and capturing an optical color code displayed on an electronic device is described in WO 2015 / 049186.

[0033] To place a call, the user brings the RFID card within radio range, for example, and the RFID reader of the user interface 44 receives the read data (identification code), which the processing device 40 forwards to the elevator control 12. Depending on the design of the elevator system 10, the identification code can be used to check whether the user is authorized to travel to the desired floor. If this authorization exists and the elevator control 12 has assigned a cabin 20 to the call, the processing device 40 controls the user interface 44 to inform the user of the assigned cabin 20.

[0034] The radio network device 30 has a data interface 38, a processing device 36, and a radio transceiver 34, i.e., a transmitting / receiving device for radio signals, wherein the data interface 44 and the radio transceiver 34 are connected to the processing device 36. The data interface 38 is also connectable to the data network 23. Depending on the design of the floor terminal 16, the processing device 36 of the radio network device 30 can be coupled to the processing device 40 of the elevator operating terminal 32. Fig. 2 This is represented by a dashed connection 46.

[0035] The radio transceiver 34 creates a local radio network on floor 1, which is used for communication with the communication devices 6, 8 installed there. The radio network device 30 can thus be viewed as a (network) router that couples the radio network on a floor 1 to the data network 23. If different network protocols (e.g., Ethernet, ATM) are used in the radio network and the data network 23, the processing device 36 adapts them to one another. Known radio networks include ZigBee according to the IEEE 802.15.4 standard, Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) according to the IEEE 802.11 standard, and Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WIMAX) according to the IEEE 802.16 standard, with a range of several hundred meters to several tens of kilometers. The radio frequency used by the wireless network is, for example, in the 2.4 GHz band or the 5.0 GHz band for WLAN and in the 10 to 66 GHz band for WIMAX.

[0036] If the radio network is a WLAN (WiFi) radio network, it can be used by mobile devices (e.g., cell phones, smartphones, tablet PCs). Such mobile devices typically have communication devices designed for WLAN networks. Via the radio network and the data network 23, the mobile devices can, for example, access the Internet from a floor 1 or a zone or room on floor 1.

[0037] Application-specific software (also known as an "app") can also be installed on a mobile device, enabling operation of the elevator system 10. A user can use this app, for example, to enter a destination call. In one embodiment of the communication system, the app communicates with the radio network device 30 via the radio network. Its processing device 36 recognizes that it is a destination call and forwards the call via the connecting line 46 to the processing device 40 of the elevator operating terminal 32.

[0038] Referring again to Fig. 1 In the embodiment shown there, the doors 2 allow access to the apartments, offices or other restricted access zones. Those skilled in the art will recognize that in other embodiments, barriers, turnstiles, revolving doors or other barriers can be used to grant or block access. In further embodiments, such barriers can be supplemented or replaced by electronic monitoring devices, for example light barriers, motion detectors or optical devices (3D cameras, video cameras). Depending on the building, such alternatives can also be used in combination. These devices can also be equipped with a communication device 6, 8 in order to communicate with the building control device 24 via radio links and the radio network device 30.

[0039] In Fig. 1 The building control device 24 is installed in the building. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the building control device 24 may also be installed outside the building, for example, in a remote service center. In such a case, communication between the building control device 24 and the various units and devices in the building takes place via a communications network 26 (e.g., the Internet and / or a WAN).

[0040] With the understanding of the principal system components and their functionalities described above, the following will be explained using Fig. 3a description of an exemplary method for installing a communication system in a building in which an elevator system 10 is provided. The installation of the communication system can, for example, take place during the construction of the building or as part of a modernization of the building, for example, when the elevator system 10 is being modernized. As mentioned above, during the modernization, the elevator system 10 can be converted from a conventional up / down call control to a destination call control. The conversion of the elevator system 10 can therefore be used to provide additional functionality in the building with relatively little construction effort.

[0041] An exemplary procedure for such a conversion is described, for example, in EP 1319624 B1. This document specifies, particularly at the electrical signal level, which devices are used and in what order. These aspects are not addressed in the following description of the method. The method begins in step S1 and ends in step S6.

[0042] In a step S2, the floor terminals 16 are installed at specified locations in the building. In one embodiment, one floor terminal 16 is installed on each floor 1. In another embodiment, multiple floor terminals 16 can be installed on one or more floors. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the floor terminals 16 are connected to a power supply (e.g., the building's power grid) during installation.

[0043] In a step S3, the data network 23 is installed in the elevator shaft 28, and in a step S4, the elevator control network 33 is installed in the elevator shaft 28. Installation in the elevator shaft 28 is particularly advantageous for laying electrical cables in a vertical direction. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the installation of the data network 23 and the elevator control network 33 can be performed simultaneously or in reverse order.

[0044] In a step S5, the floor terminals 16 are connected to the data network 23 and the elevator control network 33. The data network 23 is connected to the data interface 38 of the radio network unit 30, and the communication interface 42 of the elevator operating terminal 32 is connected to the elevator control network 33.

Claims

1. Floor terminal (16) for an elevator system (10) in a building, comprising: an elevator operating terminal (32) which has a user interface (44) for calling an elevator cabin (20), an elevator data interface (42) for communicating data with an elevator controller (12) via an elevator control network (33), and a processing device (40) which is coupled to the user interface (44) and the elevator data interface (42); and a radio network device (30) which has a radio transceiver (34) for communicating with a communication device (6, 8) present on a floor (1), a data interface (38) for communicating data with a network access point (22) via a data network (23), and a processing device (36) which is coupled to the radio transceiver (34) and the data interface (38), wherein the wireless network device (30) of the communication device (6, 8) enables access to the Internet (26) via the data network (23) and the network access point (22).

2. Floor terminal (16) according to claim 1, further comprising a housing (48) in which the elevator operating terminal (32) and the radio network device (30) are arranged.

3. Floor terminal (16) according to claim 2, in which the housing (48) can be attached to a building wall, to the ground of a floor or to a part of the elevator system (10) which is accessible to a user on a floor.

4. Method for installing a communication system in a building in which an elevator system (10) is provided, comprising: installing floor terminals (16) at specified locations in the building, wherein each floor terminal (16) has an elevator operating terminal (32) and a radio network device (30), wherein the elevator operating terminal (32) has an elevator data interface (42) for communicating data with an elevator controller (12) and wherein the radio network device (30) has a data interface (38) for communicating data with a network access point (22); wherein the wireless network device (30) provides access to the Internet (26) via the data network (23) and the network access point (22); installing a network (23, 33, 52) in an elevator shaft (28), wherein installing the network (52) comprises installing a data network (23) and installing an elevator control network (33) in the elevator shaft (28); connecting the data interface (38) of each floor terminal (16) to the network (23, 52); and connecting the elevator data interface (42) of each floor terminal (16) to the network (33, 52).

5. Method according to claim 4, further comprising installing a communication device (6, 8) on the floors (1), wherein each communication device (6, 8) is provided for radio communication with the radio network device (32) and accesses the Internet (26) via the data network (23) and the network access point (22).

6. Method according to claim 4, in which the data network (23) and the elevator control network (33) are installed as networks separated from one another such that data is transmitted in the data network (23) separately from data being transmitted in the elevator control network (33).