Method for controlling a lift installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for controlling a lift installation (100) that has a plurality of cabins (112 – 120) that can each call at a number of floors (130 – 135), wherein calls placed from outside the cabins are associated with one of the cabins by means of a lift controller (200) on the basis of at least one association criterion, wherein the association takes account of the current traffic situation in the lift installation (100), wherein a forecast of a future traffic situation in the lift installation (100) is produced and taken into account for the association, wherein the forecast is produced by taking account of personal information from persons who are in a predetermined environment of the lift installation or of a section of the installation (100) or enter a predetermined environment of the lift installation or remove themselves from a predetermined environment of the lift installation.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for controlling an elevator installation according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

[0002] Numerous methods and approaches are known for increasing the transport capacity of elevator systems that have a number of cars or cabins serving several floors.

[0003] For example, empirically determined traffic loads, which depend on the time of day or the day of the week, can be taken into account when allocating cabins in an elevator system.

[0004] For example, destination selection or destination call controls are known for increasing transport capacity. In these systems, a user at an entrance floor enters a call into the elevator control system indicating the destination floor they wish to be transported to (a so-called destination call). This type of destination call system is significantly more efficient than conventional car call systems, in which a user only enters the destination floor in a car.

[0005] A disadvantage is that such a control system only incorporates information regarding traffic volumes derived empirically from the past. Document US2012 / 090922A1 discloses an object according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0006] The invention is based on the object of further increasing the conveying capacity of elevator systems.

[0007] This object is achieved by a method having the features of patent claim 1 and a corresponding system having the features of patent claim 10.

[0008] By taking into account, according to the invention, personal information from persons who have not yet made a call but are located in a predetermined environment of the elevator system or a section of the elevator system, a significantly improved prediction or forecast of an expected (particularly short-term) traffic volume for the elevator system can be generated compared to conventional solutions.

[0009] Personal information is understood to mean, in particular, pure presence information of persons (i.e., without individualized recognition of specific persons). Even taking such presence information into account, the invention makes it possible to create reliable forecasts of a future traffic situation in an elevator system. However, the term personal information is intended, alternatively or additionally, to also include individualized personal information, in which an identity or characteristic of a recorded person can also be determined and thus taken into account in the forecast carried out according to the invention. By taking such personal information, which includes data of individual persons, even more precise and reliable forecasts for future traffic situations in the elevator system can be created.For example, if a specific person is recognized, a potential or probable destination for that person can also be taken into account in the forecast. It is also possible, for example, that such individual person information is also associated with a number of typical destinations for that person, which can be taken into account in a forecast. In this case, the elevator system is able to predict possible travel sequences and dispatch cabins accordingly.

[0010] Personal information refers in particular to information that is received from external systems (relating to the actual elevator system) and can be transmitted to the elevator control system. The transmission can be carried out, as is customary, in a wired or wireless manner. Such external systems expediently comprise facilities that are located in the same building as the elevator system. However, it is also possible, for example, to detect people or motor vehicles that approach the building. For example, it is conceivable to monitor the approaches of potential users of the elevator system within a radius of a few hundred meters or even a few kilometers and to provide the elevator control system with corresponding information. It is also conceivable to use data received, for example, from a vehicle's navigation system in this way.

[0011] The method according to the invention is particularly suitable for use in connection with destination call control. With such improved prediction, destination calls can be processed more efficiently.

[0012] The method according to the invention can be used particularly advantageously in conjunction with elevator systems that utilize a zone division of the floors of a building in conjunction with a transfer floor control function. If, in such a system, a cross-zone destination call is made from a first to a second zone, the user / passenger must transfer at a transfer floor. This requires two destination calls to be generated: a first call from the user's entrance floor to the transfer floor, and then a second destination call from the transfer floor to the user's destination floor. The second destination call can be generated automatically, for example, shortly before reaching the transfer floor, or by the control system after reaching the transfer floor. It is also possible for the user to be prompted again to enter their destination floor after reaching the transfer floor.Such destination calls can also be considered personal information for the purposes of the invention. For example, a first destination call derived from a cross-zone destination call (from the entrance floor to the transfer floor) can be interpreted and processed as personal information for the second zone.

[0013] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention, personal information is obtained by means of at least one separation system located in the vicinity of the elevator system. The vicinity of the elevator system can be considered, in particular, a building or high-rise building in which the elevator system is installed. Such a building can, for example, comprise an underground car park. Separation systems include, in particular, pedestrian gates, in particular turnstiles. In connection with an underground car park, a barrier system for vehicles, for example, can also be considered a separation system.

[0014] Conveniently, personal information can be obtained, alternatively or additionally, using at least one personal recognition device. Examples of personal recognition devices include simple infrared barriers, scanning devices, e.g., with facial recognition or gesture recognition, or card readers. In this context, it is also conceivable to use, for example, the unlocking or locking of an office or other room by operating a locking device as personal information within the meaning of the present invention.

[0015] Advantageously, the obtained personal information is weighted according to empirically determined or predetermined probabilities and taken into account in the forecast of future traffic volume.

[0016] According to the invention, the personal information is taken into account after recording over predeterminable periods of time and these periods are correlated with a time-dependent probability.

[0017] These measures can, for example, ensure that information about people collected in the immediate vicinity of an elevator system, particularly in the immediate vicinity of a shaft door, is given greater weighting for the forecast, as the probability is high that such presence information will actually lead to a destination call being entered within a relatively short period of time. However, if, for example, the entry of a vehicle (via a barrier system) into a building's underground parking garage is detected, a correspondingly lower probability can be assumed that a destination call will be made.On the other hand, in this case a correspondingly lower probability can be taken into account over a longer period of time, since it typically takes a few minutes for a vehicle occupant to park their vehicle in the underground car park, lock the vehicle and reach an elevator where they can then make a destination call.

[0018] Such time periods can also be correlated with time-dependent probability curves, such as bell curves. For example, if one assumes that a vehicle occupant has made a destination call within 10 minutes at the latest after entering an underground car park (after which it can be assumed that they remain in the underground car park or leave again), a probability maximum can be set at approximately 5 minutes after entering the underground car park.

[0019] The examples shown for probabilities and their correlation with time periods are for illustrative purposes only.

[0020] Advantageously, the prediction is created taking into account personal information obtained using personal identification means. RFID tags or facial recognition devices, for example, can be used as personal identification means.

[0021] The elevator control is expediently configured to move at least one car to a predetermined floor and / or park it on a predetermined floor based on a forecast. Advantageous applications of this feature include, for example, detecting a specific person, such as a doctor on emergency duty, and moving a car to a suitable floor early and / or parking it there. This measure also minimizes empty runs.

[0022] The invention will now be further described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0023] In this shows Figure 1 a schematic diagram of an elevator system installed in a building to explain a preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention.

[0024] An elevator system 100 is installed in a building 10.

[0025] The elevator system 100 has a total of five elevator shafts 102 to 110, in each of which a car 112 to 120 can be moved. The drives of the individual cars 112 to 120 (for example, traction sheave drives) are not shown in detail.

[0026] It should be noted that several independently movable elevator cars can also be provided in the elevator shafts 102 to 110.

[0027] Building 10 has a number n of floors. For simplicity, six floors are shown. In practice, the number of floors is much higher. The floors are divided into two zones, 111 and 113, which overlap at floor 133. It should be noted that this overlapping area can also encompass multiple floors. The elevator cars 112, 114, and 116 are movable within the first zone 111, and the elevator cars 118, 120 are movable within the second zone 113.

[0028] The elevator system 100 has an elevator control 200, which is configured to perform zone-based destination call control. The elevator control 200 is connected to input and display devices, for example, touchscreens 202, which are provided on each floor. Via the input and display devices 202, a user or passenger is able to enter a destination call on the floors. In response to such a destination call, the user receives information about which of the elevator cars 112 to 120 they should use. If the user makes a cross-zone call, for example, from floor 131 to floor 135, the device 202 indicates to them which elevator car 112 to 116 they should use up to the transfer floor 133.At the same time (or subsequently in the elevator car), he is informed that shortly before reaching the transfer floor or after reaching the transfer floor 133 he will be informed which elevator car 118 to 120 he should use from the transfer floor 130 to his destination floor 135.

[0029] For example, let's assume that floor 130 is an underground parking garage. Floor 131 is an entrance or lobby floor, and floor 135 is a cafeteria floor. The remaining floors, 132 to 134, are purely office floors.

[0030] A barrier 140 is provided at the entrance to the underground car park on floor 130. A turnstile 142 is provided as a separation device at the entrance to the entrance floor 131. Another turnstile 144 is provided on floor 135 between a canteen area and the elevator system 100.

[0031] At a specific time t0, the elevator cars 112 to 120 are located in the positions shown as examples in or between floors. It is assumed that, on some floors, destination calls have already been entered into the respective devices 202, and the elevator control 200 has made the corresponding car assignments.

[0032] If a vehicle now arrives in the underground car park and passes barrier 140 (with appropriate authorization or confirmation), this information is made available as (person information) to a person in the elevator control system 200. If, for example, the specific number of vehicle occupants in the vehicle is not determined, the elevator control system can assume an average vehicle occupancy of, for example, 1.4 occupants. With an empirically known probability (e.g., 0.8), this event leads to the input of a destination call on floor 130. It is also (empirically) known that a maximum of 10 minutes elapses between the activation of barrier 140 and the transmission of such a destination call, for example, with the greatest probability occurring within a period of approximately 3-5 minutes after the barrier is activated.Based on this person information by actuating the barrier 140 and the correspondingly associated probabilities or probability distributions, the elevator control 200 is able to calculate a modified forecast for an elevator load to be expected in the short term.

[0033] If, as a further example, a person passes through turnstile 142 on floor 131, this can also be considered, according to the invention, as personal information (and thus a potential use of the elevator system). Here, for example, it is assumed, also on an empirical basis, that after operating turnstile 142, there is a certain probability (e.g., 0.7) that a person will want to use the elevator system and make a destination call. Here, too, an empirically determined time period with a corresponding probability distribution can be set, whereby this time period will generally be shorter than the time period set for the underground car park, for example, a maximum of one to two minutes. Also based on this personal information, elevator control 200 is able to create or modify a forecast for future elevator load.

[0034] The use of personal recognition devices is also possible. On floor 131, for example, a facial recognition device can be provided as a personal recognition device 152, either as an alternative to or in addition to turnstile 142.

[0035] Corresponding information can also be derived when turnstile 144 is operated on floor 135.

[0036] The transfer floor control function explained above, which uses two partial destination calls, can also be used to further modify such a prediction in the sense of personal information. For example, with a comprehensive destination call, it can be assumed with a high probability (e.g., 0.9) that the (second) partial destination call will be made by the user on transfer floor 133 within a short period of time, for example, the next 30 seconds.

[0037] The person information thus obtained or the modified forecasts derived from it are expediently linked with empirical usage data of the elevator system, for example according to the day of the week or time of day.

[0038] A transfer floor transmission function can also be configured such that a user is informed in advance that they can only reach the transfer floor 133 with a first destination call and must make another destination call there. These partial destination calls can also be used as personal information within the meaning of the invention.

[0039] Based on forecasts modified using such passenger information, the future load or traffic situation of the elevator system can be predicted with greater accuracy. Overall, this can increase the system's capacity, as individual cars can be moved, parked, and made available more precisely. Unnecessary empty trips can be prevented, thus also reducing the elevator system's energy consumption.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the method according to the invention, personal identification means can also be used to provide individualized personal information. For example, if the barrier 140 or one of the turnstiles 142, 144 detects which person is passing through, improved personal information can be generated that takes into account which specific floor an expected destination call will likely refer to and with what probability (person x has their office on floor 134 and will very likely make a corresponding destination call). Such person identification can be implemented, for example, using RFID tags or facial recognition. This type of information enables a more refined forecast of future loads on the elevator system.

[0041] As explained, it is assumed that floors 132 to 134 are office floors. For example, when a person locks an office door, it is possible to send corresponding information as person information to elevator control 200. This also allows for refinements to a forecast for future loads on the elevator system.

[0042] Overall, systems that require touching certain devices or equipment, as well as contactless systems, can be used to identify potential passengers in the elevator system. Furthermore, systems that use artificial intelligence to identify potential passengers and provide the necessary information are conceivable. Information included in the forecast includes, in particular, an entry or arrival floor, a destination floor, a time of arrival at the elevators, and, if applicable, special needs of a passenger (for example, for the optimal use of a cabin accessible for people with disabilities). Detailed information on passenger groups can also be recorded and transmitted to the elevator control system 200. In addition, it is possible for a destination call to be made when the passenger is at the elevator car orThe ticket can be automatically issued using suitable personal identification means once it has arrived at the devices 202. The allocation can then be communicated to the passenger via the provided devices 202 or personalized display devices (such as a smartphone carried on board).

Claims

1. Method for controlling an elevator installation (100) comprising a plurality of cabins (112-120) which can each stop at a number of floors (130-135), calls placed outside the cabins being assigned to one of the cabins by means of an elevator controller (200) on the basis of at least one assignment criterion, the current traffic situation of the elevator installation (100) being taken into account during the assignment, characterized in that a forecast of a future traffic situation of the elevator installation (100) is created and is taken into account during the assignment, the forecast being created taking into account personal information relating to persons who are in a predetermined environment of the elevator installation or a section of the elevator installation (100) or enter a predetermined environment of the elevator installation or move away from a predetermined environment of the elevator installation, the personal information being obtained by means of at least one separation device (140, 142, 144) in the environment of the elevator installation, and at least one personnel lock (142, 144) and / or at least one barrier installation being provided as the separation apparatus and after being acquired, the personal information is taken into account over predeterminable periods of time and these periods are correlated with a time-dependent probability.

2. Method according to Claim 1, characterized in that the personal information is presence information.

3. Method according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the elevator controller (200) carries out a destination call control.

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the plurality of floors are subdivided into partially overlapping zones (111, 113), and the elevator controller (200) is set up to carry out a transfer floor control function, cross-zone destination calls being processed as at least two partial destination calls, the personal information being obtained on the basis of at least one partial destination call.

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the personal information is also obtained by means of at least one person recognition device.

6. Method according to Claim 5, characterized in that at least one infrared barrier, a facial or gesture recognition device, a lock device or a machine to be operated is provided as the person recognition device.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the personal information is taken into account in a form weighted according to predetermined or predefined probabilities.

8. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the forecast is created taking into account personal identification data obtained using personal information.

9. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the elevator controller (200) moves at least one cabin (112-120) to a predetermined floor and / or parks it on a predetermined floor on the basis of a created forecast.

10. System for carrying out a method as claimed in one of the preceding claims.

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