PASSENGER TRANSPORTATION SYSTEM

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system according to the preamble of independent claim 1 and a method for retrofitting a passenger transport system.

[0002] There is a need to remotely monitor the condition of the passenger transport system in order to better coordinate its maintenance.

[0003] From JP2002197215 a device is known which taps the state of an elevator system from the system by means of a device in order to subsequently transmit this state to a remote unit.

[0004] From US2015 / 0293799A1, a device is known which uses photosensors to detect the state of an elevator system as indicated by LEDs and then transmits this state to a remote unit.

[0005] US4555689 discloses a device for actively monitoring signal lamps of an elevator system.

[0006] It proves disadvantageous that retrofitting existing systems with condition monitoring and communication devices is complex and time-consuming. Integrating such monitoring requires knowledge of the installed control unit's details. For example, it's necessary to identify the relevant electrical signals and where they can be accessed. The control unit then needs to be modified, requiring a highly trained service technician. This process carries the risk of damaging the control unit, particularly when accessing the electrical signals. Since older control units often contain components that are no longer available, potential damage to the system is especially problematic. A control unit failure can necessitate the replacement of other components, leading to costly modifications.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to provide a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system and a method for monitoring an operating state of a control device, which avoids the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a method for retrofitting a passenger transport system which enables the acquisition of status information from the control device without requiring any modifications to the control device.

[0008] The problem is solved by a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system and by a method for retrofitting a passenger transport system according to the independent claims.

[0009] According to the invention, the device for monitoring the operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system comprises a detection unit for generating a first electrical quantity as a function of a signaled state of the control device. The device further comprises an evaluation unit for analyzing the first electrical quantity in relation to the operating state of the control device. The device also includes an interface for transmitting a second electrical signal, generated in the evaluation unit and dependent on the analysis. According to the invention, the detection unit is a conversion device for converting an optical signal from at least one optical indicator of the control device into the first electrical signal.

[0010] The passenger transport system is preferably an elevator or escalator system.

[0011] In a simple embodiment, the evaluation unit is a voltage source with a fixed output voltage. According to the invention, the conversion device is a photoelectric element, for example, a phototransistor, preferably a photoresistor, which is connected to the voltage source (evaluation device). The photoelectric element has a different state (for example, a different resistance) depending on the state of the optical indicator. In this embodiment, the resistance of the photoelectric element is the first electrical quantity. The current flowing through the photoelectric element due to the output voltage changes depending on the state of the optical identifier. This current is the second electrical quantity.

[0012] In the evaluation unit described above, the interface for transmitting a second electrical quantity, dependent on the analysis and generated within the evaluation unit, can be configured as two terminals for outputting the aforementioned current (second electrical quantity). The second electrical quantity is then transmitted analogously via cables connected to these terminals. This second electrical quantity can then be further analyzed and processed outside the device.

[0013] Such a device enables the digitization of a control device's state without requiring the use of an electrical signal from the device. It simply captures an optical signal (or several), displayed in the control device, for example, by an LED (or several). The information from the optical indicator is then converted into one (or more) electrical values, which can subsequently be easily evaluated. There is no need to modify the existing control device, thus preventing damage to it. The device therefore provides a simple and non-intrusive way to digitize the state information of older control devices.This allows digital services to be offered to existing passenger transport systems in a simple way, something otherwise only possible for new systems with specially designed interfaces. For example, digitizing the optical condition information allows for better planning of service technician deployment. Before fieldwork, the technician can gain an initial overview of the system based on the digitized condition information transmitted in this digital format. This is analogous to the on-site assessment, where the technician can quickly identify potential problems based on the optical indicators. Thanks to this device, the technician can do this remotely. The optical condition indicators allow conclusions to be drawn about the type of malfunction.This allows the service technician to plan his deployment and organize any necessary materials while still at the service center, thus enabling an efficient service operation.

[0014] In another embodiment, the detection unit is a photoelectric element that generates an analog electrical signal depending on the detected optical indicator, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signal into a digital value. In this embodiment, the first electrical quantity is this digital value. In this embodiment, the evaluation unit is a microprocessor that further processes the digital value and prepares it for transmission. The prepared value is the second electrical quantity in this embodiment. It is transmitted via the transmission interface, which is implemented, for example, as a communication unit. This can occur, for example, via the internet, so that the second electrical quantity is available at a location remote from the device.

[0015] The processing of the converted optical signal can therefore take place almost exclusively outside the device (first-mentioned embodiment) or almost exclusively inside the device (second-mentioned embodiment). Any combination thereof is possible.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment, the conversion device comprises a photoresistor and / or a camera.

[0017] In a preferred embodiment, the conversion device can be mounted in a control device housing. The conversion device is designed such that a plurality of optical indicators in the control device housing can be monitored with it.

[0018] A photoresistor is a compact and cost-effective form of conversion device. A camera enables the acquisition of a wide field of view, and image processing allows the detection of all conceivable optical indicators and their changes of state within that field of view. A combination consisting of one or more photoresistors and one or more cameras thus enables the detection of a multitude of optical indicators. For example, there could be one photoresistor for each of the classic optical indicators found in almost every control device. Each of these photoresistors serves to detect a specific optical indicator.In addition to these photoresistors, a camera can be provided, aligned relative to the photoresistors in such a way that all other optical indicators not detected by a photoresistor, for example, control device-type-specific indicators, are detected by the camera. This provides a flexible conversion device with which a wide variety of different control devices can be reliably detected.

[0019] According to the invention, the conversion device has a plug-in device which can be plugged onto at least one optical indicator of the control device.

[0020] According to the invention, the plug-in device has a photoelectric element on a first side, which in the plug-in state faces the optical indicator onto which the plug-in device is plugged, for monitoring this indicator.

[0021] This ensures that the conversion device is correctly positioned relative to the optical indicator (or indicators). In particular, it ensures that the conversion device is placed at a distance from the optical indicator that allows for reliable detection. Furthermore, it guarantees that the photosensitive surface of the photoelectric element faces the optical indicator.

[0022] In one embodiment, the plug-in device of the conversion device is designed such that the photoelectric element (or elements) is positioned directly next to the corresponding optical indicator, for example, an LED. This ensures that the photoelectric element can detect the respective optical indicator easily and without interference from other optical indicators.

[0023] In one embodiment, a plurality of photoresistors are used, wherein the photoresistors are designed for different frequency ranges. For example, one photoresistor can be used for detecting red LEDs, and another for detecting green LEDs.

[0024] In one embodiment, the conversion device is designed as a plurality of photoelectric elements that can be attached to LEDs.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the plug-in device has a camera on a second side, which, when plugged in, faces away from the optical indicator onto which the plug-in device is plugged in, for monitoring at least one further optical indicator. It is advantageous that, in addition to the indicator (or indicators) onto which the plug-in device is plugged in, further optical indicators located elsewhere can be monitored thanks to the camera's wide field of view.

[0026] A procedure for retrofitting an existing passenger transport system also leads to the following comprehensive step in solving the problem: Installation of a device for monitoring the operating status of a control device of the passenger transport system, such that optical indicators of the control device can be detected. The device is a device as described above and below.

[0027] A preferred method for monitoring the operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system further comprises the following steps: Optical monitoring, preferably continuous optical monitoring, of at least one optical indicator of the control device. Generating an electrical signal corresponding to the optical state of the at least one monitored optical indicator. Detecting a change in the state of the optical indicator due to changes in the electrical signal. Evaluating the detected change in state.

[0028] The advantage of this method is that it allows an optical indicator to be converted into an electrical signal, which can then be evaluated. This enables the evaluation of control device states without requiring any electrical intervention in the control device itself. In particular, this method allows the state of existing systems to be recorded retrospectively in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0029] The electrical quantity corresponds to the optical indicator and therefore provides information about the state of the control device.

[0030] In a preferred embodiment, detecting a change of state of the optical indicator includes recognizing changes in color and / or state change patterns. In particular, the detection may include recognizing on-off patterns and / or intensity change patterns. The detection may also include recognizing a single switch-off and / or switch-on event. The detection encompasses recognizing all common state changes of optical indicators.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation of the detected state changes serves to define states of the control device during a learning phase of the method.

[0032] The learning phase allows the method to be applied to any control device without prior study of the device and its optical indicators. In an initial phase, the method learns, based on predominantly prevailing states and, if applicable, data from other sensors of the passenger transport system, which indicator represents which operating state in which condition. The learning phase can be supplemented, in particular, by data from a central server and the resulting multitude of patterns.

[0033] In a preferred embodiment, the evaluation of the detected state changes serves to identify fault states of the control device during a monitoring phase of the method.

[0034] Once the learning phase is complete, changes in the optical indicators can be used to infer the system's status. This enables simple monitoring of the passenger transport system without the need to tap into electrical signals from the control device.

[0035] In a preferred embodiment, the method further comprises the step of transmitting the detected state changes to an instance outside the passenger transport system.

[0036] This allows access to status information without requiring physical presence at the passenger transport system itself. Among other things, this enables remote diagnostics of the passenger transport system.

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the method further includes the step of resetting the control device upon detection of a specific fault condition of the control device.

[0038] This allows the control device to be set to a target state without requiring manual intervention by a service technician.

[0039] This makes it possible to modernize existing passenger transport systems in a simple way, without having to tap into the electrical signals of the control device. This allows the control device to be monitored remotely.

[0040] The invention is further explained below with reference to exemplary embodiments shown in the figures. These figures show: Figure 1: A schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system. Figure 2: A schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system. Figure 3: A schematic representation of a third embodiment of a device for monitoring an operating state of a control device of a passenger transport system.

[0041] Figure 1Figure 1 shows a passenger transport system 2 with a control device 6. The control device 6 is housed in a control device housing 20 and has an optical indicator 14. A device 1 for monitoring the operating state of the control device 6 of the passenger transport system 2 is provided in the control device housing 20. The device 1 comprises a detection unit 4, which includes a conversion unit 12, designed in this embodiment as a photoelectric element 16. The detection unit 4 is connected to an evaluation unit 8, which in turn is connected to an interface 10 for communication.

[0042] The conversion device also has a plug-in device 22 which can be plugged onto the optical indicator 14 of the control device.

[0043] In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 2The conversion device 12 is designed as a camera.

[0044] In the exemplary embodiment of the Figure 3 The conversion device 12 comprises a photoelectric element 16 and a camera 18.

Claims

1. Device (1) for monitoring an operating state of a control device (6) of a passenger transport system (2), comprising - a detection unit (4) for generating a first electrical quantity depending on a signaled state of the control device (6), - an evaluation unit (8) for analyzing the first electrical variable in relation to the operating state of the control device (6) and for generating a second electrical variable that is dependent on the analysis of the first electrical variable, - an interface (10) for transmitting a second electrical signal that is dependent on the analysis and is generated in the evaluation unit (8), the detection unit (4) comprising a conversion device (12) for converting an optical signal of at least one optical indicator (14) of the control device (6) into the first electrical quantity, preferably a photoelectric element, characterized in that the conversion device (12) has at least one plug-in device (22) that can be plugged onto at least one optical indicator (14) of the control device (6), the plug-in device (22) having a photoelectric element (16) for monitoring the indicator (14) on a first side that, in the plugged-on state, faces the optical indicator (14).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conversion device (12) comprises a photoresistor (16) and / or a camera (18).

3. Device (1) according to either of the preceding claims, wherein the conversion device (12) can be mounted in a control device housing (20), wherein the conversion device (12) is designed such that a plurality of optical indicators (14) in the control device housing (20) can be monitored.

4. Device (1) according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the plug-in device (22) has a camera (18) for monitoring at least one further optical indicator (14) on a second side that, in the plugged-on state, faces away from the optical indicator (14) onto which the plug-in device (22) is plugged.

5. Method for retrofitting an existing passenger transport system (2), comprising the step of: attaching a device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4 to an existing passenger transport system, so that optical indicators (14) of a control device (6) of the existing passenger transport system (2) can be detected by the device (1).

6. Method for monitoring an operating state of a control device (5) of a passenger transport system (2), comprising the steps of - optically monitoring, preferably continuously optically monitoring, at least one optical indicator (14) of the control device (6), - generating an electrical signal corresponding to the optical state of the at least one monitored optical indicator (14), - detecting a change in state of the optical indicator (14) based on changes in the electrical signal, - evaluating the detected change in state.

7. Method according to claim 6, wherein the detection of a change in state of the optical indicator (14) comprises identifying changes in the color and / or state change patterns, in particular on-off patterns and / or intensity change patterns, and / or identifying a one-time switch-off and / or switch-on.

8. Method according to either claim 6 or claim 7, wherein, in a learning phase of the method, the evaluation of the detected changes in state is used to define states of the control device (6) and / or passenger transport system (2).

9. Method according to any of claims 6 to 8, wherein, in a monitoring phase of the method, the evaluation of the detected changes in state is used to identify error states of the control device (6) and / or the passenger transport system (2).

10. Method according to any of claims 6 to 9, wherein the method further comprises a step of transmitting the detected changes in state of the control device (6) to an entity outside the passenger transport system (2).

11. Method according to any of claims 6 to 10, the method further comprising the step of resetting when a specific error state of the control device (6) and / or passenger transport system (2) is identified.