Elevator control unit for an elevator system with destination call control

Description

[0001] The technology described here generally relates to an operating device for an elevator system and its operation in a building. Exemplary embodiments of the technology relate in particular to an elevator system in which an elevator control unit assigns an elevator call entered at an elevator operating device, and to a method for operating such an elevator system.

[0002] In buildings with elevators, elevator control panels are located on each floor, allowing users to call an elevator. In common elevator systems, a control panel on each floor has up / down buttons so the user can select the desired direction of travel. Inside the elevator car, a cabin control unit allows the user to select the desired floor. In other known elevator systems, the user can select the desired floor directly on the control panel while on the current floor. These elevators are equipped with a destination call control system for this purpose.An elevator control unit located on a floor has, for entering the target floor, either an electromechanical keypad, a touchscreen, an RFID card reader known from EP 0 699 617 B1, or a (Bluetooth) radio module known from EP 2 238 067 A1. For operating an elevator, it is known from EP 3 536 647 A1 to place a matrix code (quick response, QR code) on or near an elevator on a floor. To make a call, a user can scan the QR code with a mobile phone / smartphone.

[0003] Furthermore, EP 1 870 367 A1 discloses an operating unit for registering a target floor. The operating unit has a display unit that shows elongated push-button panels stacked one above the other in the order of the floors, with each push-button panel bearing a designation of the corresponding floor. In addition, each push-button panel has a two-dimensional code at one end in which the service information corresponding to the floor is encoded.

[0004] The aforementioned call input methods each have advantages and disadvantages. For example, a user must touch the electromechanical keypad or the touchscreen, which may be undesirable, especially during a pandemic. Call input via an RFID card reader or mobile phone requires users to handle an RFID card or mobile phone, which can be time-consuming and therefore also undesirable. There is therefore a need for a call input technology in elevator systems that improves user-friendliness for a broader group of users with diverse needs, without increasing the technical complexity of the elevator system.

[0005] One aspect concerns an elevator system comprising an elevator control unit, an elevator car which, when activated by the elevator control unit, can travel from a first floor to a second floor by means of a drive motor, and a number of elevator operating devices arranged on floors of the building, which are connected to the elevator control unit. One of the elevator operating devices has a control unit and a display unit, wherein the control unit is configured to receive data for an optical code and data for a floor indicator from the elevator control unit, wherein the data for the optical code and the data for the floor indicator are stored in the elevator control unit as belonging to the same floor.The control unit is also configured to control the display unit according to the data for the optical code, wherein the display unit shows the optical code in a first display field, and to control the display unit according to the data for the floor indicator, to show the floor indicator in the first display field, wherein the floor indicator and the optical code are perceptible to the user. The control unit is furthermore configured to detect a touch of the optical code displayed in the first display field by the user and, upon detection of such a touch, to generate an elevator call for a floor indicated by the floor indicator.

[0006] Another aspect concerns a method for operating an elevator system comprising an elevator control unit, an elevator car which, when activated by the elevator control unit, can be moved from a first floor to a second floor by means of a drive motor, and a number of elevator operating devices arranged on the floors of a building. The elevator operating devices are connected to the elevator control unit, with at least one of the elevator operating devices having a control unit and a display unit. According to the method, the display unit is activated to display an optical code and a floor indicator in a first display field, the activation being carried out according to data received from the elevator control unit for the optical code and data received from the elevator control unit for the floor indicator.An electrical detection signal is generated by the display unit when the user touches the optical code shown in the first display field. If an electrical detection signal is present, an elevator call is generated and transmitted to the elevator control system, indicating the floor shown on the floor indicator.

[0007] The technology described here creates an elevator control device that allows an elevator call to be entered manually at the control panel or via a communication device (e.g., a smartphone). The elevator control panel displays a screen containing an optical code that can be detected and processed by the communication device. In addition to the optical code, the screen displays a floor indicator, clearly showing the user which function and / or information is associated with the screen or optical code. Specifically, the floor indicator shows the user the floor assigned to the screen, which the user can then enter as the destination floor. The elevator control device is designed to recognize a touch of the screen or the optical code displayed within it as an entry of an elevator call.A user carrying a mobile communication device can, for example, choose how they wish to request an elevator call. This choice might depend on factors such as whether touching the elevator control panel should be avoided for hygiene reasons, or whether the communication device is readily available (e.g., at hand and / or ready for use). If the call should be initiated as quickly and easily as possible, touching the elevator control panel with a finger may be faster than using the communication device, which may first need to be unlocked.

[0008] In one embodiment, the elevator control unit can display multiple screens. The control unit of the elevator control unit is designed to control the screen display to show at least one second screen. The first screen and the second screen are spatially separated and thus visible to the user. This allows the elevator control unit to be flexibly adapted to the building-specific requirements of the elevator system.

[0009] Because of the aforementioned option to choose the method of call input (manual or via the communication device), call confirmation or allocation information can be flexibly transmitted to the elevator control unit or the communication device. In one embodiment, the control unit is designed to control the display unit and show an identifier of the elevator assigned to the call in the first display field or a further displayed display field. If the identifier is displayed in the first display field, it can be shown instead of the optical code; the identifier is displayed for a defined period of time.

[0010] In addition to flexibility, the technology described here also offers protection against misuse. In one embodiment, the elevator control system is designed to generate data for a new optical code at regular or random intervals and send it to the elevator operating unit. The control unit then activates the display unit according to the data for the new optical code, so that the new optical code is displayed in the first display field.

[0011] The following section explains various aspects of the improved technology in more detail using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, identical elements have the same reference numerals. They show: Fig. 1 a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a multi-story building and an exemplary elevator system; Fig. 2A-2 a schematic representation of the operation of an elevator control unit during an exemplary call input; Fig. 3 a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an elevator control unit; Fig. 4 an exemplary representation of an embodiment of a method for operating an elevator control unit; and Fig. 5 an exemplary representation of an embodiment of a method for operating an elevator system with an elevator control unit, which according to Fig. 2A-2D is operational.

[0012] Fig. 1 This is a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a building 2, which has several floors F1, F2, L, served by an exemplary elevator system 1. For illustrative purposes, in Fig. 1 Only selected components and subsystems of the elevator system 1 are shown: an elevator control unit 15 equipped with a destination call control, a drive motor 14, a suspension element 16 (e.g., steel cables or flat belts), an elevator car 22 suspended from the suspension element 16 and movable in a shaft 18 (hereinafter also referred to as car 22), and devices (6, 10) for inputting elevator calls. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system 1 can also comprise several cars 22 in one or more shafts 18, which can be controlled by a group control unit. Instead of a Fig. 1 In addition to the traction elevator shown, the elevator system 1 can also include one or more hydraulic elevators.

[0013] The elevator control unit 15 includes in the Fig. 1 The illustrated embodiment comprises two subsystems: a call allocation system 8 and a control system 12. The call allocation system 8 includes a computer that allocates an elevator call to an elevator car 22 for operation according to an allocation algorithm. In one embodiment, the elevator call is a destination call; that is, with the elevator call, the user 4, 5 informs the elevator control 15 of a desired destination floor. Thus, the elevator control 15 has information about the entry floor and the destination floor before the user 4, 5 enters an elevator car 22. The call allocation can be performed by the computer alone or in cooperation with the elevator call input devices (6, 10) of the elevator system 1. Such allocation algorithms are known to those skilled in the art; an allocation algorithm in cooperation with call input devices is described, for example, in: Koehler, Jana, et al., An AI-Based Approach to Destination Control in Elevators, AI Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 3, 2002, pp. 59-78.

[0014] The call allocation system 8 also includes a device for sending and receiving signals via a communication network 20. Since the call allocation system 8 establishes a connection between components connected to the communication network 20 and the computer of the call allocation system 8, the call allocation system can also be referred to as a destination call gateway (DCG). The control system 12 controls the drive motor 14, among other things, so that the assigned cabin 22 is moved from an entry floor to a destination floor. It is understood that the elevator control system 15 may include further subsystems and components configured for various functions and tasks.

[0015] In the illustrated embodiment, at least one device (6, 10) is arranged on each floor L, F1, F2, by means of which users 4, 5 can enter elevator calls. Hereinafter, the devices 6 on floors F1, F2 are referred to as "elevator control devices 6", and the device 10 on floor L is referred to as "floor call device 10". The arrangement of the devices (6, 10) is not limited to the one shown in Fig. 1 The arrangement shown is limited; for example, a floor call device 10 can be arranged on one of the floors F1, F2, or an elevator control device 6 can be arranged on floor L. Furthermore, more than one of the devices (6, 10) can be arranged on a single floor L, F1, F2. In one embodiment, the elevator control devices 6 can be arranged on all floors L, F1, F2.

[0016] Each of the elevator control devices 6 has a screen device 24 on which at least one display field 30 can be perceived or displayed for the user 4, 5. In one embodiment, the screen device 24 is designed to detect whether and where the user 4, 5 touches a user-side surface of the screen device 24. Such a screen device 24 can also be referred to as a touch-sensitive screen device 24 or a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen). The function and structure of a touchscreen are generally known to those skilled in the art.

[0017] In the Fig. 1 In the illustrated situation, the screen unit 24 of the elevator control unit 6 on floor F1 displays, by way of example, a single display field 30, and the screen unit 24 of the elevator control unit 6 on floor F2 displays, by way of example, two display fields 30. These display fields 30 each show an optical code 26 and a floor indicator 28. The optical code 26 and the floor indicator 28 form a pair, with the floor indicator 28 visibly and legibly indicating to the user 4, 5 which function and / or information is assigned to the display field 30 or the optical code 26. Fig. 1 The function is, for example, a call input for a travel request from the boarding floor F1, F2 to the floor L or from the boarding floor F2 to the floor F1.

[0018] The optical code 26 can be designed in various ways, as long as it can be read and processed by machine using an optical reader. In the embodiments described here, the optical reader is a camera integrated into a communication device 9 (e.g., mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC). The optical code 26 can, for example, comprise an alphanumeric string and / or a representation consisting of lines or dots of varying widths and spaces between them with the highest possible contrast. This representation can be a one-dimensional barcode or a two-dimensional (2D) code. Examples of 2D codes are 2D barcodes (e.g., a Codablock or a Code 49) and matrix codes (e.g., a Quick Response (QR) code, a DataMatrix code, a JAB color code).Such codes and their generation are known to those skilled in the art, so further explanations do not appear necessary at this point.

[0019] In Fig. 1 und Fig. 2A - Fig. 2D For example, an optical code 26, a QR code, is displayed in the display field 30, and the symbol "L" for floor L is displayed as the floor indicator 28. In one embodiment, the elevator control devices 6 on floors F1 and F2 can display different floor indicators 28, as shown in Fig. 1 The floor indicator 28 is shown on floor F2. The person skilled in the art recognizes that the floor indicator 28 is not limited to a single character (e.g., "L") but can be designed in various ways, as long as a user 4, 5 can read the floor indicator 28 and assign meaning to it. The floor indicator 28 can therefore include a number, one or more letters (text), an alphanumeric string, a symbol, a pictogram, or a combination of these options. The person skilled in the art also recognizes that, in another embodiment, the screen device 24 can display several display fields 30 with or without an optical code 26. If several optical codes 26 are displayed, they must be arranged on the screen 24 (for example, with sufficient spacing) so that each can be read individually by a camera. The functions of the optical code 26 and the floor indicator 28 are explained elsewhere in this description.

[0020] Floor L can be an entrance hall of building 2, which users 4 and 5 enter upon entering building 2 and from which they also exit building 2. If a user 4 or 5 enters floor L, they can reach any floor F1 or F2 of building 2 from there – provided they have the appropriate access authorization – using elevator 1. An elevator control unit 6, a floor call unit 10, or a combination of these units (6, 10) can be located on floor L. For illustration, see Figure 1. Fig. 1 Only the floor call system 10 is located on floor L.

[0021] The floor call system 10 is in Fig. 1 An example is shown with a keypad 10a and a display unit 10b to indicate that a user 4, 5 on floor L can use the keypad 10a to enter a lift call (destination call) to any destination floor, and that the user 4, 5 can be informed of the cabin 22 operating the lift call via the display unit 10b. Alternatively to the keypad 10a, a touchscreen, an RFID reader, a reader or display device for an optical code (e.g., barcode, QR code, or color code), or a radio module that communicates with a user's portable communication device 9 can be used to enable call entry. The person skilled in the art recognizes that the user 4, 5 is also informed of the cabin 22 operating the lift call with these alternatives.

[0022] To illustrate and describe exemplary implementations, see in Fig. 1 Two categories of users 4 and 5 are depicted. According to the first category, users 5 could be, for example, people who live or work in building 2; these users 5 may each carry a mobile electronic communication device 9 (e.g., a mobile phone) that is designed, among other things, to operate the elevator system 1, as described in more detail elsewhere in this description. Users 5 are shown as examples on floors F1 and L. According to the second category, users 4 could be, for example, visitors who do not regularly stay in building 2 and do not necessarily carry a communication device 9 designed to operate the elevator system. A user 4 could also be a person who lives in building 2 but does not have their communication device 9 with them, or cannot or does not want to use it. Fig. 1 Users 4 are shown without a communication device 9. Users 4 are shown as examples on floors F1 and F2.

[0023] In the Fig. 1 In the situation shown, the technology described here is advantageously applicable. In short, and by way of example, a user 4, 5 can initiate an elevator call at an elevator control unit 6 according to the technology described here by touching the display field 30, in particular by touching an optical code 26 displayed therein, or by reading the displayed optical code 26 using a communication device 9. The screen unit 24 is controlled such that, in addition to the optical code 26, the floor indicator 28 is displayed in the display field 30, and that touching the display field 30 (where the displayed optical code 26 can also be touched) is recognized as an input of an elevator call. The floor indicator 28 shows the user 4, 5 the target floor assigned to the display field 30. The user 4, 5 can thus choose how they wish to initiate the elevator call. The choice can be, for example,This depends on whether touching the screen 24 should be avoided for e.g. hygienic reasons, whether a communication device 9 is available (at hand and / or ready for use) or whether the call input should be as quick as possible; tapping the display field 30 with a finger may be faster than handling the communication device 9, which may first need to be unlocked.

[0024] An example of how the elevator control unit 6 functions when a call is entered is shown in Fig. 2A-2D The elevator control unit 6 is designed such that its screen unit 24 displays a further (second) field 32 in addition to the (first) display field 30. This field 32 can be configured, like display field 30, as a display field that allows input and display, or as a display field that only allows display. Here too, the expert recognizes that the screen unit 24 can display further fields. As explained above, the user 4, 5 can access the information in Fig. 2A Touch the displayed field 30 or read the displayed optical code 26 with a communication device 9. The display field 30 also shows the target floor (L) (floor indicator 28) assigned to the optical code 26. Fig. 2B It is indicated that user 4, 5 touches the optical code 26 with a finger to initiate an elevator call for a journey from the entry floor to the destination floor (L). The call allocation system 8 assigns an elevator to the elevator call, and the assigned elevator is communicated to user 4, 5. Fig. 2C The notification is given by displaying the assigned elevator (for example, elevator A) in field 32. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator control unit 6 can also generate an audible notification. In an embodiment according to Fig. 2D The screen device 24 can be controlled so that the assigned elevator is displayed in the display field 32 for a specified period of time (e.g. 1-2 seconds) instead of the optical code 26.

[0025] Alternatively to the in Fig. 2B The user 5 can read the optical code 26 with the communication device 9 by touching the indicated touch. The expert recognizes that the communication device 9 can also be used to read an optical code on floor L if the floor call device 10 there displays an optical code. The expert also recognizes that the optical code 26 displayed on each floor L, F1, F2 is floor-specific; that is, the elevator control 15 stores which optical code 26 is displayed on which floor and at which floor call device 6, 10. This allows the control unit 8, 12 to recognize on which floor L, F1, F2 the call is being entered. The optical code 26 can be constant over time or dynamic. A dynamic optical code can change at regular or random intervals.This ensures (and prevents misuse) that the user 5 is located directly at the respective call input device 6, 10 when entering the call.

[0026] If the communication device 9 is, for example, a smartphone, application-specific software (also known as an "app") can be installed on it, which reads and processes the optical code 26. The communication device 9 communicates with the elevator control unit 15 via an internal building communication network and / or a mobile network. The elevator control unit receives the destination call, including information about the entry and destination floors, and initiates the allocation of an elevator. The expert recognizes that the allocated elevator is also communicated to the user 5; the allocated elevator can, for example, be displayed on the screen of the communication device 9 and / or transmitted as a voice message. An example of an app suitable for this application is the myPORT app from the Schindler Group.

[0027] Depending on the configuration of the elevator system 1 and / or the app, a user interface can be displayed on the screen of the communication device 9, allowing the operation of the elevator system 1 using the communication device 9. If the user 5 uses the communication device 9 to read the optical code 26, in one embodiment the app can automatically generate a destination call to the target floor indicated by the floor indicator 28. In another embodiment, the app can suggest the target floor indicated by the floor indicator 28 as the destination floor on the user interface and offer the user 5 the option to confirm the suggested destination floor or to select a different destination floor within a specified time period; if no selection is made within this time period, the call input can be canceled or a destination call to the suggested destination floor can be automatically generated.

[0028] The in Fig. 1 The displayed floor indicators 28 ("L", "F1") can be permanently assigned to the elevator control units 6; that is, they display these floor indicators 28 unchanged for a defined, extended period. Such a permanent assignment can be made, for example, in connection with the installation of the elevator system 1 in building 2. In one embodiment, the permanent assignment can be changed, for example, if the requirements and / or the use of building 2 changes. In another embodiment, a floor indicator 28 can be dynamically assigned to an elevator control unit 6, for example, depending on the current situation in building 2 generally or only on one or individual floors F1, F2.For example, if an event ends on a floor, the elevator control unit 6 there can display the entrance hall (floor L) as floor indicator 28 during this period. Outside of this period, a different floor can be displayed as floor indicator 28, for example, a floor with a restaurant. In an office building, the floor indicator 28 can display a restaurant floor, for example, at lunchtime, and the entrance hall when users 4, 5, and 2 are leaving the building. The expert recognizes that the elevator control unit 15 controls the individual elevator control units 6 accordingly and stores the current assignment of the floor indicators 28.

[0029] The elevator control devices 6 and the floor call device 10 are connected to the elevator control unit 15 via a network of lines 20. The network of lines 20 is designed, for example, for an Ethernet connection to the elevator control unit 15. Communication between the elevator control unit 15 and the aforementioned devices 6 and 10 takes place according to a protocol for wired communication, such as the Ethernet protocol.

[0030] Fig. 3 Figure 1 shows a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an elevator control device 6, which is connected to the elevator control unit 15 via the wiring network 20. Fig. 3 It is indicated that further elevator control units 6 are connected to the wiring network 20. A screen unit 24, a control unit 40, 42, and a communication unit 38 (COM) are arranged in a housing 36 of the elevator control unit 6. In the illustrated embodiment, the screen unit 24 comprises a lighting unit 50 and a display and input unit 54. Depending on the design of the elevator control unit 6, it may include an electroacoustic transducer 52 (e.g., a loudspeaker) connected to the control unit 40, 42; the electroacoustic transducer 52 is shown as an optional component with dashed lines. The electroacoustic transducer 52 can, for example, be used to output a voice message or an audible signal tone, for instance, to acoustically confirm an elevator call to the user 4, 5 or to announce the assigned elevator.

[0031] In the illustrated embodiment, the control unit 40, 42 comprises a central processing unit (CPU) and a processor 42, which are shown as separate components. The processor 42 is connected to the central processing unit 40 and the display and input device 54. The processor 42 detects, for example, a signal generated by the display and input device 54 when the user 4, 5 touches the surface of the screen device 24. Those skilled in the art recognize that the central processing unit 40 and the processor 42, or their functions, can be combined in a control unit (40, 42); accordingly, the function of the processor 42 can be performed by the central processing unit 40, and in Fig. 3 The representation of the processor 42 can be omitted. Controlled by the central computing unit 40, the display and input device 54 of the screen device 24 displays the optical code 26 in the display field 30 (the floor indicator 28 is in Fig. 3 (not shown).

[0032] The lighting device 50 serves to illuminate the user interface of the elevator control unit 6, or only areas of the user interface, e.g., fields 30, 32. Controlled by the central processing unit 40, the lighting device 50 can illuminate the display and input device 54, or its user interface, with white light so that the displayed information can be perceived by a user 4, 5, especially in poor lighting conditions. The lighting device 50 can also illuminate fields 30, 32 with colored light to confirm to the user 4, 5 that an elevator call has been entered. In one embodiment, the lighting device 48 comprises one or more LED light sources.

[0033] With an understanding of the principal system components of elevator system 1 described above and their functionalities, the following will be carried out using the following: Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 Descriptions of exemplary procedures. Each procedure is illustrated by means of an exemplary flowchart and the steps performed. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the division into these steps is exemplary and that one or more of the steps can be divided into one or more sub-steps, or that several of the steps can be combined into one step. The description is given with reference to users 4 and 5, who are, for example, on floor F1 and call an elevator from there (i.e., the boarding floor) for a trip to a destination floor. Each elevator control device 6 is activated and in communication with the elevator control unit 15.

[0034] A procedure for operating the in Fig. 1 The elevator control unit 6 shown is in Fig. 4 shown. The process begins in one step. S1 and ends in one step S6.

[0035] In one stepS2 A display field 30 is generated, in which an optical code 26 and a floor indicator 28 are to be displayed. Since the elevator operating device 6 communicates with the elevator control unit 15 via the communication device 38, the elevator operating device 6 receives information or data about the optical code from the elevator control unit 15, based on which the optical code 26 is generated and displayed by the screen device 24. The optical code 26 is floor-specific. In one embodiment, the elevator operating device 6 also receives information or data about the floor indicator 28.

[0036] In one step S3 The procedure waits for the optical code 26 or the display field 30 showing it to be touched by the user 4, 5. If no touch occurs, the procedure remains in a standby mode, which is indicated by a loop along the "no" branch back to step S2This is indicated. If, however, contact occurs, the procedure proceeds along the "yes" branch to step 1. S4.

[0037] In step S4 An elevator call is transmitted to the elevator control unit 15. The elevator call includes information about the boarding floor (F1) and the destination floor. The destination floor is the one indicated by the floor indicator 28. The elevator operating unit 6 transmits this information via the wiring network 20 to the elevator control unit 15, which then executes an allocation algorithm that assigns the elevator call to an elevator car 22. The allocation algorithms used are known to those skilled in the art.

[0038] In one step S5The elevator car 22 assigned to the elevator call is displayed on the screen unit 24. The elevator control unit 15 can, for example, send the assignment information for elevator car 22 to the control unit 40, 42. The control unit 40, 42 then controls the screen unit 24 accordingly to display an elevator indicator (e.g., "A" in the screen) based on the assignment information. Fig. 2C und Fig. 2D ). The elevator indicator is displayed for a predetermined duration, for example, for a few seconds (e.g., 1-2 seconds).

[0039] In one embodiment, the elevator indicator is displayed to the user 4, 5 almost simultaneously with the confirmation that the elevator call has been registered. This is possible because the call allocation is carried out very quickly using known allocation algorithms, for example, within milliseconds. In one embodiment, confirmation of an elevator call is visually perceptible via the screen 24. Alternatively or additionally, confirmation can also be audible, for example, by means of the electroacoustic transducer 52. Subsequently, the elevator control unit 6 again displays the optical code 26.

[0040] The operation of the elevator control unit for this elevator call ends according to the instructions in

[0041] Fig. 4 shown step S6. The expert recognizes that after the call assignment, the elevator control 15 moves the elevator car 22 according to the elevator call 1 in order to transport the user 4, 5 to the desired target floor.

[0042] The following is based on Fig. 5 a description of an exemplary procedure for operating the in Fig. 1 The elevator system 1 shown, with the elevator operating devices 6 shown therein. The procedure begins in step A1 and ends in a step A9.

[0043] In one step A2Display information is generated. This display information is generated by the elevator controller 15 and includes data to be encoded in the optical code 26, which an elevator control unit 6 must display on a floor-specific basis. This data can include, for example, an address (e.g., URL) of the elevator system 1, enabling the app in the communication device 9 to communicate with the elevator system 1. The display information also includes data specifying the floor indicator 28, which the elevator control unit 6 must also display; in one embodiment, the floor indicator 28 can also be floor-specific. Additionally, the display information includes an identifier (number). This display information is stored in a memory device of the elevator controller 15; thus, it is stored there which display information, identifiable by the identifier, is sent to a specific elevator control unit 6 at any given time.

[0044] In one step A3 The display information is sent from the elevator control unit 15 to the elevator operating unit 6. Based on this display information, the elevator operating unit 6 displays the optical code 26 and the floor indicator 28. Exemplary representations of the optical code 26 and the floor indicator 28 are shown in Fig. 1 und Fig. 2A shown.

[0045] In one step A4 An elevator call is received. When the elevator control unit 15 receives the elevator call, it also detects the communication channel through which the elevator call is being received. If the user 4, 5 initiates the elevator call at the elevator control unit 6 by touching the display 30, the communication channel comprises the wiring network 20. However, if the user 5 uses the communication device 9, the communication channel comprises an app and / or a radio interface.

[0046] In one step A5The received elevator call is assigned to elevator car 22, and assignment information is generated. As explained above, an assignment algorithm is used for call allocation.

[0047] In one step A6 It is determined whether the allocation information is to be transmitted to the elevator control unit 6 or to the communication device 9. In the illustrated embodiment, this is determined in step A6 The system checks whether the elevator call was initiated by touching the surface of the screen unit 24 and whether the elevator call was therefore transmitted via the network 20 from the relevant elevator control unit 6. If this is the case, the procedure proceeds along the "yes" branch to the next step. A7, in which the allocation information is transmitted via the network 20 to the elevator control unit 6 (see step S5 in Fig. 4 ) .

[0048] If, on the other hand, user 5 uses communication device 9 to read the optical code 26, the elevator call is received via the app interface. In step A6 The test therefore shows that the elevator call was not generated by touching an elevator control device 6, and the procedure proceeds along the No branch to a step A8, in which allocation information is transmitted via the app interface to the communication device 9 of user 5. The process ends in step A9.

Claims

1. Elevator system (1) in which a destination floor, desired by a user (4, 5), on a floor (L, F1, F2) of a building (2) can be input, wherein the elevator system (1) comprises an elevator control (15), an elevator car (22), which, upon actuation by the elevator control (15), can be moved from a first floor (L, F1, F2) to a second floor (L, F1, F2) by means of a drive machine (14), and a number of elevator operating devices (6, 10) which are arranged on floors (F1, F2) of the building (2) and connected to the elevator control (15), wherein one of the elevator operating devices (6) has a control device (40, 42) and a visual display unit (24), characterized in that the control device (40, 42) is designed to: - receive data for an optical code (26) and data for a floor indicator (28) from the elevator control (15), wherein the data for the optical code (26) and the data for the floor indicator (28) are stored in the elevator control (15) as belonging to the same floor (L, F1, F2), - control the visual display unit (24) according to the data for the optical code (26), wherein the visual display unit (24) displays the optical code (26) in a first display field (30), - control the visual display unit (24) according to the data for the floor indicator, to display the floor indicator (28) in the first display field (30), wherein the floor indicator (28) and the optical code (26) are perceivable by the user (4, 5), characterized in that the control device is further designed, - detect a touch of the optical code (26), depicted in the first display field (30), by the user (4, 5) and, - upon detection of a touch, generate an elevator call to a floor (L, F1, F2) displayed by the floor indicator (28).

2. Elevator system (1) according to claim 1, in which the control device (40, 42) is designed to control the visual display unit (24) to display at least one second display field (30, 32), wherein the first display field (30) and the at least second display field (32) are perceivable by the user (4, 5) as spatially separated from one another.

3. Elevator system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the control device (40, 42) is designed to control the visual display unit (24) to display an identifier (A) of an elevator allocated to the elevator call in the first display field (30) - in particular, instead of the optical code (26) or a further displayed display field (32).

4. Elevator system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the elevator control (15) is designed to generate data for a new optical code (26) at regular or random time intervals and to transmit it to the elevator operating devices (6), wherein the control device (40, 42) is designed to control the visual display unit (24) according to the data for the new optical code (26), wherein the visual display unit (24) displays the new optical code (26) in the first display field (30).

5. Elevator system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the visual display unit (24) is configured as a touch-sensitive visual display unit.

6. Method for operating an elevator system (1) according to one of claims 1-5, wherein the elevator system (1) has an elevator control (15), an elevator car (22), which, upon actuation by the elevator control (15), can be moved from a first floor (L, F1, F2) to a second floor (L, F1, F2) by means of a drive machine (14), and a number of elevator operating devices (6, 10) which are arranged on floors (F1, F2) of the building (2) and connected to the elevator control (15), wherein one of the elevator operating devices (6) has a control device (40, 42) and a visual display unit (24), wherein the method comprises: controlling the visual display unit (24) to display an optical code (26) and a floor indicator (28) in a first display field (30), wherein the control takes place according to data received from the elevator control (15) for the optical code (26) and data received from the elevator control (15) for the floor indicator (28); generation of an electrical detection signal by the visual display unit (24) when the optical code (26) shown in the first display field (30) is touched by the user (4, 5); and, when the electrical detection signal is present, generating an elevator call and transmitting the elevator call to the elevator control (15), wherein the elevator call indicates a floor (L, F1, F2) shown by the floor indicator (28).

7. Method according to claim 6, further comprising controlling the visual display unit (24) to display at least one second display field (30, 32), wherein the first display field (30) and the at least second display field (32) are perceivable by the user (4, 5) as spatially separated from one another.

8. Method according to claim 6 or 7, further comprising controlling the visual display unit (24) to display in the first display field (30) or another shown display field (32) an identifier (A) of an elevator allocated to the elevator call.

9. Method according to one of claims 6-8, in which the elevator call is a destination call to which a boarding floor and a destination floor are assigned.