COMMUNICATION METHOD WITH A LIFT SYSTEM USING A MOBILE TERMINAL

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for communicating with an elevator system by means of a mobile terminal and to such an elevator system or such a mobile terminal.

[0002] An elevator system is used to transport people within buildings, with an elevator car moving vertically between different floors in an elevator shaft. To ensure the safety of passengers and service personnel, the elevator system must be regularly maintained. The elevator shaft contains many components that are serviceable and / or require maintenance. To service these components or to carry out regular maintenance work, the elevator system is put into a maintenance mode in which automatic operation of the elevator car is disabled or the car can only be moved manually at a walking pace.

[0003] For maintenance work, according to standard EN81-20, a control device must be present on the roof of the elevator car and in the pit to manually control the car during maintenance. Maintenance work requires service personnel to access the roof or descend into the pit. This is potentially dangerous and could easily lead to accidents. Therefore, several safety-related technical factors must be checked before service personnel enter an elevator shaft or activate an elevator for maintenance. Furthermore, certain criteria must be met for maintenance work, such as specific preparations and various concrete safety measures (check-in process). This could be challenging for service personnel, especially if they are not yet experienced.Even if service personnel are adequately trained, they cannot always be precisely aware of all necessary measures, as elevators and safety instructions are very complex and can vary considerably from one to another. EP 3 548 411 A1 discloses a prior art method, a mobile terminal, and an elevator system.

[0004] Among other things, there may be a need for a safety measure to ensure that service personnel can safely enter and, in particular, safely exit an elevator shaft. An elevator system must not be put back into normal operation while a technician is still in the shaft. Therefore, a so-called check-out process must be carried out to avoid such a dangerous scenario as far as possible. Thus, personal safety must be ensured both during and after maintenance work. This requirement should be met as independently as possible from the elevator system's fixtures or equipment.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of ensuring the occupational safety of an elevator system not only during maintenance work, but also afterwards when the elevator system is switched back to normal operation.

[0006] The objective can be achieved with the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the invention, a method for communicating with an elevator system using a mobile terminal is provided. The method may comprise the following steps: Sending a request, e.g., for access to the elevator system, from the mobile terminal to the elevator system; generating a coded light signal in response to this request using a control panel located outside the elevator shaft; detecting the coded light signal using the mobile terminal; sending confirmation of the coded light signal detection to the elevator system; and authorizing the mobile terminal to communicate with the elevator system.

[0008] Thus, a communication link between the elevator system and the mobile terminal can be established using optical transmission technology. In this transmission technology, light is modulated with a modulation signal (light signal). In principle, the light can be varied in amplitude, phase, and polarization.

[0009] To confirm the detection of the coded light signal, the detected coded light signal or its data is advantageously transmitted to the elevator system. The control panel is, for example, a floor control panel, also known as a LOP (Lobby Operation Panel). By receiving a light signal generated by the elevator system and sending this signal back to the system either directly or in a modified form, such as digital data packets, via a feedback path, the mobile terminal then recognizes that a communication link exists between it and the mobile terminal via the light signal.The elevator system can therefore be reliably used in maintenance mode because, firstly, it is possible to carry out a prescribed (complex) check-in process using the mobile terminal; secondly, the current location of service personnel can be easily determined. Likewise, the elevator system can be safely switched from maintenance mode to normal operation without any dangerous movement of the elevator car while personnel are present in the shaft, or potentially risky movements during a check-out process using the mobile terminal.

[0010] The mobile terminal can be authenticated by the elevator system if the request from the mobile terminal includes, for example, its identity. To establish a secure connection, the detection of the coded light signal is pre-checked by generating a coded test light signal using the mobile terminal's control panel before the light signal is generated. This coded test light signal is then detected by the mobile terminal. Like the light signal, the test light signal can also be transmitted to the elevator system directly or in a modified form (e.g., data or data packets). The mobile terminal can also decode the coded test light signal. Transmitting the detected test light signal confirms that the coded test light signal was received successfully by the mobile terminal. This means that secure communication exists between the mobile terminal and the elevator system in this way.

[0011] To detect accidental changes to transmitted raw data—in this case, the test light signal—according to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the transmission of the detected test light signal or its data can be accompanied by the addition of a test value, and / or the transmission of the detected light signal or its data can also be accompanied by the test value. The test value allows for the detection of errors that may have occurred during data storage or transmission. The test value can be designed to detect data transmission errors, such as those caused by noise on a line or a wired or wireless network, with a high probability. Specifically, the test value can be designed to protect against common communication errors, ensuring the integrity of the transmitted data or signals quickly and appropriately.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the coded light signal and / or the coded test light signal are generated in the form of a temporal light signal sequence. That is, the light signal can be encoded in the time domain, e.g., like Morse code. To generate such a light signal sequence, it is not necessary for the control panel to be equipped with a screen to display a light signal graphically. Instead of displaying a QR code, for example, the corresponding information can be transmitted in the form of light signal sequences. Typically, a control panel for an elevator system does not include a screen; if it does, the control panel, also known as the COP (Car Operation Panel), is usually located inside the elevator car. In this case, service personnel can only begin their work once they are inside the elevator car. This advantageous embodiment reduces the cost of the control panel.Secondly, communication between the mobile terminal and the elevator system can be secured. Directly displaying information, such as a QR code, is not secure, as the QR code is accessible to unauthorized personnel.

[0013] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the position of the mobile terminal can be determined by communication with the elevator system. Thus, the current position of service personnel can also be easily determined. This allows not only the determination of whether a technician is outside an elevator shaft, but also the determination of the floor on which the technician is currently located, because the individual control panels are uniquely identifiable.

[0014] According to a second aspect of the invention, a mobile / portable terminal is provided for an elevator system. A mobile terminal is, for example, a mobile phone (smartphone), a laptop, a tablet computer, or a PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), etc. The mobile terminal is designed to communicate with the elevator system such that the mobile terminal sends a request to the elevator system; the mobile terminal detects a coded light signal; if the coded light signal is generated in response to the request by a control panel located outside an elevator shaft of the elevator system, the mobile terminal confirms the detection of the coded light signal to the elevator system; and the mobile terminal is authorized by the elevator system to communicate with the elevator system.

[0015] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the mobile terminal of the elevator system can transmit the detected coded light signal or its data to confirm the detection of the coded light signal. The coded light signal can be sent back to the elevator system directly or in a modified form as feedback or confirmation, thus informing the elevator system that a communication link via the light signal exists between it and the mobile terminal.

[0016] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, the detection of the coded light signal can be pre-tested in such a way that the mobile terminal detects a coded test light signal, wherein the test light signal is generated in advance of the light signal by means of the control panel in response to this request, and the mobile terminal transmits the detected test light signal or its data to the elevator system.

[0017] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the detected test light signal or its data is transmitted, and / or the detected light signal or its data is transmitted with the addition of a test value. This makes it possible to monitor whether accidental errors have occurred during the transmission or storage of the test light signal.

[0018] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, maintenance / inspection work for the elevator system can be controlled and / or started using the mobile terminal. For example, service personnel can easily move an elevator car or stop it at a desired location using their smartphone. The service personnel can specify a desired landing floor or any stopping position via the mobile terminal. Therefore, during maintenance work, the service personnel do not always need to be on the roof of the elevator car or in the pit, but can be inside the elevator car or outside the shaft.

[0019] According to a third aspect of the invention, an elevator system is provided with a control panel, wherein the control panel is arranged outside an elevator shaft of the elevator system. The elevator system can communicate with a mobile terminal such that the elevator system receives a request from the mobile terminal; a coded light signal is generated by the control panel in response to the request and is then detected by the mobile terminal; the elevator system receives confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal; and the elevator system authorizes the mobile terminal to communicate with the elevator system.

[0020] The control panel does not need to be equipped with a screen. For example, it can be a simple panel with only one or two call buttons (up and down call buttons). It is known that light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are used as the light source for such buttons to illuminate a button that displays an arrow symbol. The call button or buttons are illuminated a specific number of times within a predetermined time period, so that the control panel can emit a timed sequence of light signals. Furthermore, the illumination of each button can be independent and last for different durations. That is, the light signal can be encoded in a time domain, for example, like Morse code.

[0021] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the third aspect of the invention, the detected coded light signal or its data can be transmitted to the elevator system as confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal.

[0022] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the third aspect of the invention, the detection of the coded light signal can be pre-tested in such a way that a coded test light signal is generated in front of the light signal by means of the control panel in response to this request and is then detected by the mobile terminal, which transmits the detected test light signal or its data to the elevator system.

[0023] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the third aspect of the invention, the detected test light signal or its data and / or the detected light signal or its data are transmitted with the addition of a test value to monitor whether accidental errors have occurred during the transmission of the test light signal.

[0024] Furthermore, a computer program can be provided that includes instructions which, when executed by the processor of a mobile terminal, cause it to perform the procedure described above. The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable medium (USB, server, cloud, or a storage device of the mobile terminal).

[0025] It is noted that some of the possible features and advantages of the invention are described herein with reference to different embodiments of the inspection control system on the one hand and a method for switching an elevator system between normal and inspection operation on the other. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be suitably combined, adapted, or exchanged to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

[0026] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying drawings, whereby neither the drawings nor the description are to be interpreted as limiting the invention. The drawings are merely schematic and not to scale.

[0027] They show: FIG 1 A schematic representation of an elevator system and a mobile terminal according to the invention, FIG 2 A schematic representation of communication between an operating panel of the elevator system and the mobile terminal, FIG 3 A flowchart illustrating the implementation of a method according to the invention, FIG 4 Graphical representation of the method according to the invention with a preliminary test.

[0028] Fig. 1Figure 1 illustrates details of an elevator system 1 and a mobile terminal 5 according to the invention. An elevator car 7 can travel between different floors in an elevator shaft 3. A shaft door 6 is provided at each floor. A control panel 2, such as a LOP, is arranged next to the shaft door 6. A technician 9 can control the elevator car 7 during inspection mode using a mobile terminal 5, such as a smartphone, to move it up and down, thus easily stopping the elevator car 7 at a desired floor or location. The mobile terminal 5 can be connected to the controller of the elevator system 1 wirelessly or via a wired connection. The necessary safety measures (e.g., a checklist) or a check-in / check-out process can be carried out using the mobile terminal 5 before switching the elevator system 1 between maintenance mode and normal operation.Technician 9 can obtain all necessary information via mobile terminal 5 when the mobile terminal 5 communicates with elevator system 1. Mobile terminal 5 can also be connected to the internet. Elevator system 1 can also be informed of technician 9's presence or current location. In addition to determining whether technician 9 is inside or outside elevator shaft 3, the system can also identify the technician's current floor based on the position of control panel 2, as the control panel 2, acting as a LOP (Location Identifier), can specify the floor. This helps to minimize the risk of potentially dangerous situations. Elevator system 1 can therefore be reliably put into maintenance mode or returned to normal operation.

[0029] The elevator system 1 can communicate with the mobile terminal 5 by the control panel 2 generating a sequence of light signals, and the mobile terminal 5 detecting this sequence of light signals. Fig. 2This diagram shows communication between elevator system 1 and mobile terminal 5. Mobile terminal 5 is connected to a controller 8 of elevator system 1 via a LAN (Local Area Network). When maintenance work needs to be started or finished for elevator system 1, a corresponding check-in / check-out process must be performed. Mobile terminal 5 first sends a request via application software (e.g., an app) to a controller 8 of elevator system 1. This request may include the identity of mobile terminal 5, allowing elevator system 1 to authenticate it. Control panel 2 then generates a coded light signal. Control panel 2 includes, for example, two arrow keys, each with an LED. Mobile terminal 5 receives the light signal and converts it into data that can be processed by the computer processor.

[0030] The mobile terminal 5 then transmits the detected light signal to the controller 8 in the form of converted data. To detect any potential random errors in the detection of the light signal, a test value is added to the transmitted signal. By checking whether the test value has changed, any alteration of the transmitted light signal can be detected. If the test value remains unchanged, it means that the light signal was correctly detected by the mobile terminal 5. In this case, the controller 10 can authorize the mobile terminal 5 to communicate with or access the elevator system 1.

[0031] In Fig. 3 A method according to the invention for communicating with the elevator system 1 using the mobile terminal 5 is presented. It is assumed that maintenance work for an elevator system 1, which is located in Fig. 1The following steps, numbered with "S", should be carried out, as shown. S1: Sending a request from mobile terminal 5 to elevator system 1; S2: The elevator system 1 authenticates the mobile terminal 5 if the request contains an identity of the mobile terminal 5; S3: Generating a coded light signal (light signal sequence) using the control panel 2; S4: Detection of the coded light signal by the mobile terminal 5; S5: The mobile terminal 5 sends the data to the elevator system 1 to transmit the detected coded light signal so that this detection is confirmed; S6: The elevator system 1 authorizes the mobile terminal 5 to communicate with it.

[0032] To ensure detection of the light signal and communication in this way, the data is supplemented with a check value, for example during storage or transmission. Accordingly, the procedure is carried out as described in Fig. 4 are represented, with the first two steps S1' and S2' being the same as the first two steps of the procedure in Fig. 3 are: S3': Before generating the official light signal, a coded test light signal is generated, whereby the coded test light signal can also be a temporal sequence of light signals; S4': Detection of the test light signal by the mobile terminal 5, wherein the mobile terminal 5 can convert the test light signal into digital data, e.g.; S5': The mobile terminal 5 sends data to a controller 8 of the elevator system 1 with a test value added, thereby informing the controller 8 about this test value; S6': The controller 8 instructs the control panel 2 to generate a new light signal; S7': Generating a coded light signal using a control panel 2; S8': Detecting the coded light signal using the mobile terminal 5. At the same time, the mobile terminal 5 also converts the light signal into digital data; S9': The mobile terminal 5 sends the data of the detected light signal to the controller 8, again adding the test value; S10': Controller 8 checks whether the test value has been changed. S11': If the test value has not changed, the controller 8 assumes that the data of the detected light signal has also not changed. Therefore, communication between the mobile terminal 5 and the elevator system 1 should be reliable. The controller 8 then authorizes the mobile terminal 5 to communicate with the elevator system 1. If the test value has changed, it is very likely that the detected light signal or the transmitted data does not match the generated light signal. In this case, an alarm signal is triggered. It is also advantageous to shut down the entire elevator system 1.

[0033] In summary, embodiments of the method presented herein allow for the early prevention of safety hazards in an elevator shaft.

[0034] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "comprising," "encompassing," etc., do not exclude other elements or steps, and terms such as "a" or "an" do not exclude a plurality. Furthermore, it should be noted that features or steps described with reference to one of the above embodiments may also be used in combination with other features or steps of other embodiments described above. Reference numerals in the claims are not to be considered as a limitation.

[0035] It should be noted that possible features and advantages of embodiments of the invention are described herein partly with reference to a method according to the invention and partly with reference to a device according to the invention. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the individual features can be combined, modified, or exchanged in a suitable manner and that, in particular, features described for the method can be transferred analogously to the device, and vice versa, in order to arrive at further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

1. Method for communicating with an elevator system (1) by means of a mobile terminal (5), comprising the following steps: - sending a request from the mobile terminal (5) to the elevator system (1); - generating a coded light signal by means of a control panel (2), which is arranged outside an elevator shaft (3) of the elevator system (1), in response to this request; - detecting the coded light signal by means of the mobile terminal (5); - sending a confirmation to the elevator system (1) that the coded light signal has been detected; and - authorizing the mobile terminal (5) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein - transmitting the detected coded light signal or the data of the detected coded light signal to the elevator system (1) as confirmation that the coded light signal has been detected.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection of the coded light signal is pre-checked in such a way that - prior to generating the light signal, a coded test light signal is generated by means of the control panel (2), - the coded test light signal is detected by the mobile terminal (5), and - the detected test light signal or the data thereof is transmitted to the elevator system (1).

4. Method according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the detected test light signal and / or the detected light signal is transmitted with the addition of a check value.

5. Method according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the coded light signal and / or the coded test light signal is generated in the form of a temporal sequence of light signals.

6. Method according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the position of the mobile terminal (5) can be ascertained through the communication with the elevator system (1).

7. Mobile terminal (5) for an elevator system (1), wherein the mobile terminal (5) is designed to communicate with the elevator system (1) in such a way that - the mobile terminal (5) sends a request to the elevator system (1); - the mobile terminal (5) detects a coded light signal when the coded light signal is generated by a control panel (2), which is arranged outside an elevator shaft (3) of the elevator system (1), in response to the request; - the mobile terminal (5) confirms to the elevator system (1) that the coded light signal has been detected; and - the mobile terminal (5) is authorized by the elevator system (1) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

8. Mobile terminal (5) according to claim 7, wherein the mobile terminal (5) transmits the detected coded light signal or the data thereof to the elevator system (1) in order to confirm that the coded light signal has been detected.

9. Mobile terminal (5) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the detection of the coded light signal can be pre-checked in such a way that - the mobile terminal (5) detects a coded test light signal, the test light signal being generated temporally prior to the light signal by means of the control panel (2) in response to this request, and - the mobile terminal (5) transmits the detected test light signal or the data thereof to the elevator system (1).

10. Mobile terminal (5) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the detected test light signal or the data thereof and / or the detected light signal or the data thereof is transmitted with the addition of a check value.

11. Mobile terminal (5) according to any of claims 7 to 10, wherein servicing / inspection work for the elevator system (1) can be controlled and / or started by means of the mobile terminal (5).

12. Elevator system (1), comprising a control panel (2) outside an elevator shaft (3) of the elevator system (1), the elevator system (1) being designed in such a way that it can communicate with a mobile terminal (5), wherein - the elevator system (1) receives a request from the mobile terminal (5); - a coded light signal is generated by a control panel (2) in response to the request and can be detected by the mobile terminal (5); - the elevator system (1) receives from the mobile terminal (5) a confirmation that the coded light signal has been detected; and - the elevator system (1) authorizes the mobile terminal (5) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

13. Elevator system (1) according to claim 12, wherein the detected coded light signal or the data thereof can be transmitted to the elevator system (1) as confirmation that the coded light signal has been detected.

14. Elevator system (1) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the detection of the coded light signal can be pre-checked in such a way that - a coded test light signal is generated prior to the light signal by means of the control panel (2), - the coded test light signal is detected by the mobile terminal (5), and - the mobile terminal (5) transmits the detected test light signal or the data thereof to the elevator system (1).

15. Elevator system (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the detected test light signal or the data thereof and / or the detected light signal or the data thereof is transmitted with the addition of a check value.