Control device for an elevator system

Abstract

The invention relates to a control device for an elevator system, which control device has an input device (100) for the inputting of control commands into the control device by a user, the input device (100) having at least one first input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) that can be actuated by the user, characterized in that a first control command can be input into the control device by means of the input device (100) by actuating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a first predefinable manner and a second control command different from the first control command can be input into the control device by means of the input device by actuating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a second predefinable manner.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an elevator system and a method for modernizing an elevator system. State of the art

[0002] In conventional elevator systems, control commands, such as a car call, a destination call, or a door opening or closing command, are entered into a control device via user-operated input devices. Input devices typically have keys or buttons as input elements that respond to a user's corresponding press. In more recent elevator systems, touchscreens are also used in this context, with definable input areas on the touchscreen, so-called input buttons, replacing conventional input keys or buttons and thus serving as input elements.

[0003] It is perceived as a disadvantage that in conventional elevator systems only one input command is assigned to each input element. If, for example, the functionality of an elevator system is expanded during modernization, which entails an increase in the number of possible input commands, it is usually necessary to replace an existing input device with a new one that has the corresponding number of input elements. Apart from the fact that this is associated with increased costs, such expanded input devices also require a larger installation space, which can necessitate further modifications, for example in an elevator car. Alternatively, it is also possible to make the individual input elements smaller and / or closer together, but this impairs user-friendliness.

[0004] The following publications describe some types of input / operating systems or control devices for elevator systems: EP 2471735 A1, WO 2013 / 178285 A1, WO 2016 / 124810 A1, WO 2016 / 198548 A1, WO 2010 / 031850 A1.

[0005] Based on this, the present invention aims to provide flexibly operable and expandable control devices for elevator systems.

[0006] According to the invention, a control device for an elevator system, a corresponding elevator system, and a method for modernizing an elevator system are proposed, having the features of the independent patent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims and the following description.

[0007] According to the invention, a control device for an elevator system is proposed, which has an input device for the input of control commands into the control device by a user. The input device has at least one first input element that can be actuated by the user. A first control command can be input into the control device via the input device by actuating the input element in a first predefinable manner, and a second control command, which is different from the first control command, can be input into the control device via the input device by actuating the input element in a second predefinable manner.

[0008] The invention is applicable to conventional control systems where only landing calls are made on the floor side, and the actual destination floor is entered in the car. The invention can be used both on a floor-side input device for entering car calls and on a car-side input device for entering destination floors.

[0009] The invention can also be advantageously used in destination call controls in which the user enters a desired destination floor as a control command into a floor-side input device.

[0010] The input element is expediently designed as an input element that can be actuated by pressing, in particular as an input key or input button of a touchscreen.

[0011] It is provided that by actuating the input element in the first predefined manner, a destination call can be entered as the first control command. By actuating the input element in the second predefined manner, as the second control command, a destination call can advantageously be entered and a property linked to the destination call can be entered. This means that, in addition to the destination call, a property linked to the destination call can advantageously be entered when actuating the input element in the second predefined manner, in particular by actuating the input element for a longer period. Such an input option with regard to a property linked to the destination call advantageously does not exist when actuating the input element in the first predefined manner, in particular by briefly actuating the input element.According to an advantageous embodiment, the property linked to the target call can be entered directly, i.e., directly together with the actuation of the input element in the second predefined manner. According to a further advantageous embodiment, however, the property linked to the target call can be entered indirectly. This means that, in this case, by actuating the input element in the second predefined manner, the option of entering a property linked to the target call is provided, whereby the input can be made, in particular, by further actuation of the input element or another input element.

[0012] The property linked to the destination call comprises at least one of the following properties: speed of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; acceleration of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; jerk of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call. Furthermore, the property linked to the destination call preferably also comprises at least one of the following properties: space available in the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; door closing speed of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; travel time from the starting floor to the destination floor. In particular, it is provided that a selection of properties is offered, wherein one or more properties can be selected from this selection, in particular by actuating the input element or another input element.

[0013] A further advantageous embodiment of the control device provides that the input device comprises a display device, wherein by actuating the input element in the second predefined manner, a selection of the enterable properties linked to the destination call is additionally displayed on the display device as the second control command. In particular, it is provided that when the input element is actuated in the first predefined manner, a destination call is registered. Furthermore, it is particularly provided that when the input element is actuated in the second predefined manner, a destination call is entered and the selection of the properties linked to the destination call is displayed on the display device, and when at least one of the properties is selected, the destination call is registered.

[0014] Further advantageously, a control device for an elevator system is provided, which has an input device for inputting control commands into the control device by a user, wherein the input device is a touchscreen. The touchscreen comprises, in particular, a plurality of operable softkeys as input elements, wherein the plurality of operable softkeys advantageously comprise selectable destination floors. It is advantageously provided that a destination call is triggered by selecting a destination floor in a first predefined manner, in particular as a first actuation of the input element. This means that a user selects their destination floor via the touchscreen, and by selecting the destination floor, a corresponding destination call is made.Furthermore, it is advantageously provided that by selecting a destination floor in a second predefined manner, in particular as a second actuation of the input element, a destination call is triggered and, in addition, a selection menu appears on the touchscreen, via which a further control command can be entered in a further operating step. In particular, a longer press of the corresponding softkey is provided for selecting the destination floor in the second predefined manner compared to selecting the destination floor in the first predefined manner. Alternatively or additionally, it can be provided that a simple touch of the destination floor represents the input in the first predefined manner and a simple touch of the destination floor with a subsequent increase in the pressure exerted on the softkey represents the input in the second predefined manner.In particular, it can be provided that a user touches the softkey for selecting their destination floor and holds this softkey down for a longer period, for example three seconds. This selects the corresponding destination floor by the control device. In addition, the user is now given the option of selecting at least one property, in particular a property that the elevator car provided for serving the destination call should have. One such selectable property can be, for example, that the elevator car provides sufficient space to accommodate a hospital bed. By selecting the property, a destination call for the selected destination floor is advantageously registered, so that a elevator car that serves the destination floor and fulfills the selected property can be provided.

[0015] In particular, it is provided that the control command that can be entered via the selection menu relates to a requirement for a property of the car that is to be made available to serve the destination call, wherein the property relates in particular to one of the following properties: speed of the provided car; space available in the provided car; door closing speed of the provided car.

[0016] Different configurations are conceivable for actuating the input element in the first and second predefined ways, in particular depending on whether the input element is designed as a softkey or a hardkey. Advantageously, the first way of actuating the input element is designed as pressing the input element for a first period of time that is shorter than a first threshold value, and the second way of actuating the input element is designed as pressing for a period of time that is longer than a second threshold value, wherein the first and second threshold values are in particular the same. In particular, this configuration can be represented as a short or a long press of an input element.

[0017] Advantageously, the first manner of actuating the input element comprises a first number of actuations, and the second manner of actuation comprises a second number of actuations. Such an actuation has analogies to the actuation of a computer by means of a single click or double click.

[0018] It is also advantageously possible to configure the first method of actuating the input element as a first sequence of actuations, and the second method of actuation as a second sequence of actuations of the input element. Morse code or rhythmic inputs are particularly suitable here.

[0019] It is also advantageous to provide the first method of actuating the input element as an actuation of the input element alone or an actuation of the input element in combination with a second input element, and to provide the second method of actuation as an actuation of the input element in combination with a third input element. This allows a large number of control commands to be defined in a particularly simple manner using appropriate key combinations or input element combinations with a limited number of input elements.

[0020] According to a preferred embodiment, the first control command is a destination call or a car call, and the second control command is a door hold and / or door close command. In a particularly advantageous manner, it is possible, for example by continuously pressing an input element within a car, i.e. when entering a car call, to first select a corresponding destination floor and at the same time to keep the elevator door open. This thus corresponds initially to a first type of actuation and then immediately to a second type of actuation. The control device can be designed such that immediately after the input element has been actuated, the elevator door is closed, which thus corresponds to a further control command with a corresponding further type of actuation.

[0021] According to a further preferred embodiment, the first control command is a command to move a car at a first speed, and the second control command is a command to move a car at a second speed. In this way, users can easily select a preferred speed in modern elevator systems that allow travel at different speeds. This selection option is particularly important in so-called panoramic elevators, which have transparent walls, since many users find higher speeds uncomfortable.

[0022] According to a further preferred embodiment, the first control command is a command to summon a first type of cabin, and the second control command is a command to summon a second type of cabin. For example, this could involve a choice of summoning a standard cabin, on the one hand, or a cabin that is accessible or has other functional features, on the other hand. Such cabins can, for example, be of a different size or be equipped with input devices designed for disabled people.

[0023] It is also conceivable that at least one further control command can be input into the control device by actuating the input element in at least one further way.

[0024] Advantageously, the control device according to the invention is designed such that, depending on the input of a first, second, or possibly further control command, the user is provided with haptic, visual, or acoustic feedback via at least one input element or another component of the control device. For example, an input element may illuminate in different colors depending on whether the first or the second method of inputting a control command was selected. Correspondingly different acoustic or vibratory feedback is also conceivable.

[0025] The method according to the invention for modernizing an elevator installation, in which a control device is provided which has an input device with at least one input element to which a control command executable by actuating the input element is assigned, is characterized in that, within the scope of the modernization, a modification of the control device takes place such that at least two control commands are assigned to the at least one input element, wherein the at least two control commands can be selectively executed by different ways of actuating the input element such that by actuating the input element in a first predefinable way, a destination call is entered as a first control command, and by actuating the input element in a second predefinable way, a destination call and a property linked to the destination call are entered as a second control command,wherein the property associated with the destination call comprises at least one of the following properties: speed of the car provided to serve the destination call; acceleration of the car provided to serve the destination call; jerk of the car provided to serve the destination call.

[0026] Advantageously, after the modernization, the control device is designed according to one of the advantageous, preferred or otherwise mentioned embodiments specified above.

[0027] Further advantages and embodiments of the invention will become apparent from the description and the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The invention is illustrated schematically in the drawing using an exemplary embodiment and is described below with reference to the drawing. In the drawing: Fig. 1 schematically shows a preferred embodiment of an input device of a control device of an elevator system, which is designed according to the invention, upon actuation of an input element in a first manner; Fig. 2 which in Fig. 1 shown input device when the same input element is actuated in a second manner; and Fig. 3a, Fig. 3b in a simplified schematic representation, a further embodiment of a control device for an elevator system with an input device.

[0029] A preferred embodiment of an input device according to the invention is designated 100 in the figures. The input device serves to input control commands into a control device of an elevator system, wherein the control device and the elevator system are shown purely schematically and designated 10 and 1, respectively. In the illustrated embodiment, the input device 100 is designed as a touchscreen, with individual input elements 112a-112f, 114, 116 being designed as touchscreen input buttons. In the illustrated example, the input device has six input buttons 112a-112f, one input button 114, and another input button 116.

[0030] All input buttons 112a - 112f, 114, 116 can be operated in a first manner, as in Fig. 1 are clearly illustrated. Each input button 112a-112f is assigned a floor E (ground floor) to 5 (5th floor). Merely as an example, input button 114 can be used to call up information, and input button 14 can be used to call up special functions. Fig. 1 The operation of the input button 112a is shown in a first manner for entering a first control command. It is assumed that a user, schematically represented by finger 120, according to the representation of the Fig. 1 briefly presses the input button 112 assigned to ground floor E. "Briefly" is understood here, in particular, to mean a period of time below a preset threshold. This brief press represents, within the meaning of the invention, an actuation in a first manner, with this actuation being assigned a floor selection. In the example shown, a user selects ground floor E as the destination.

[0031] Conveniently, the corresponding input button 112a generates haptic feedback for the user regarding the input command.

[0032] In the present example, this is shown as the corresponding input button 112a lighting up.

[0033] If the user presses the input button 112a for a period of time longer than the preset threshold, this represents an actuation of the input button 112a in a second manner, with this second manner of actuation being assigned a further control command. This is shown in Fig. 2 , in which it is assumed that the user has pressed the input button assigned to the ground floor for a corresponding length of time. It can be seen that in this case, two further input buttons 112b, 112d, namely the input buttons assigned to the first and third floors, are now displayed with the same number of inputs as in Fig. 1 The situation shown may appear in a modified graphic. One of these input buttons, 112d, now indicates the possibility of entering a control command "FAST TRAVEL," symbolized by a wide arrow, for a car travel at a higher speed, and another of these input buttons, 12b, correspondingly indicates the possibility of entering a control command "SLOW TRAVEL," symbolized by a narrow arrow, for a car travel at a lower speed. It is also conceivable, for example, to assign another input button to a control command "NORMAL TRAVEL" for a car travel at normal speed, whereby this possibility is Fig. 2 is not shown. ln the Fig. 2 In the situation depicted, a user now has the option of selecting or requesting a car travel at the appropriate speed, for example, by briefly pressing one of the corresponding input buttons 112b, 112d. This option takes into account the fact that, for example, certain users find faster car travel unpleasant. This option is particularly important for panoramic elevators, where users can see the surroundings of the car through transparent walls during the car's travel.

[0034] Within the scope of the invention, other different actuations for entering different control commands of an input button or a plurality of input buttons are also conceivable. Examples include a single press or tap as a first actuation method, and a second or further actuation method, a second or further press or tap of the same input button.

[0035] Another example includes, as a first manner of actuation, pressing an input button with a lower force, and as a second manner of actuation, pressing it with a higher force. Another example of a first manner of actuation is simultaneously pressing a first input button combination, for example, two of the input buttons 112a-112f or one of the input buttons 112a-112f and one of the further input buttons 114, 116, with a second manner of actuation being simultaneously pressing a different input button combination. Another example in this context is pressing or tapping an input button or a number of input buttons in a specific temporal sequence with longer and / or shorter actuations, in the manner of a Morse code signal.

[0036] According to a further example, the first control command, which is entered by pressing an input button in a first way, can be a car call or a destination call, with which the request for a car to travel to a specific floor is communicated from the car or from the floor to the control device, and the second control command, which is entered by pressing the input button or a combination of input buttons in a second way, can be a door closing command. In this way, for example, particularly in the case of an input device that is to be newly configured, an input button for a door closing command can be dispensed with. As part of a modernization of an elevator system, for example, existing input devices can also be modified accordingly, so that an input button that was required for a door closing command before the modernization can be used for a new function after the modernization.Such a modification is particularly advantageous for elevator systems that use conventional buttons or switches as input elements.

[0037] Another example is the ability to call different booth types. For example, a short press of an input button can request a standard booth, while a longer press can request a specially equipped booth. This configuration is particularly advantageous in hospitals or residential settings for people with disabilities or infirmities.

[0038] Finally, another possibility is the opening of menu bars, as is familiar from computer technology. For example, if an input element is pressed for a sufficiently long time or repeatedly pressed, a digital selection option can open, for example in the form of a vertical or horizontal menu bar.

[0039] In addition to the above-described lighting up of an input button as feedback or acknowledgment for a user, other types of haptic feedback are also conceivable, i.e. in the form of acoustic, vibratory or optical signals.

[0040] With reference to Fig. 3a und Fig. 3b An advantageous embodiment of a control device 10 for an elevator system 1 is explained in more detail. Fig. 3a und Fig. 3b Each of these has an input device 100 of the control device 10. The control device 10 is shown only symbolically. The control device 10 is connected to the input device 100.

[0041] Furthermore, the control device 10 is connected to an elevator system 1, which is also shown only symbolically. In this exemplary embodiment, a touchscreen is provided as the input device. This touchscreen can, in particular, comprise a plurality of operable softkeys, whereby the number of softkeys can vary depending on the input situation. Fig. 3a It is shown that the input device 100 has a touch-sensitive area 120 in which a destination floor can be set by vertical swiping movements upwards or downwards. The selectable destination floor is particularly highlighted as an operating element 112a, namely as a softkey. Above and below the operating element 112a there are further softkeys 112b and 112c which display the adjacent floors to the floor displayed in the softkey 112a. By displaying the corresponding floors it is clear to the elevator user in which direction a swiping movement must be made in order to set a floor. Furthermore, an adjacent floor can advantageously also be selected directly by pressing the softkeys 112b or 112c, in particular if the destination floor is not immediately displayed in the softkey 112a by a quick swiping movement.However, as a typical operating scenario, the swiping motion displays the selectable destination floor on softkey 112a and selects it via softkey 112a. In this exemplary embodiment, an elevator user has set the 16th floor as the destination floor. By pressing softkey 112a—and thus by selecting the set destination floor in a first predefined manner, in particular by briefly touching softkey 112a for less than two seconds—a destination call for the 16th floor is registered as the destination floor in control device 10. Input device 100 is then available for further operation by other elevator users.If an elevator user, deviating from the brief touch of the softkey 112a in the first predefined manner, has actuated the softkey 112a in a second predefined manner, in particular by pressing the softkey 112a for a long time, in particular for four seconds, the 16th floor is selected as the destination floor and, in addition, a selection menu 130 appears on the touchscreen, in particular by popping up. This is illustrated by way of example in . Fig. 3bshown. In a display area 140 of the input device 100, the elevator user is shown that the 16th floor has been selected as the destination floor. In addition, the selection menu 130 is shown on the input device 100. Via this selection menu 130, a further control command can be entered in a further operating step. In this exemplary embodiment, this further control command relates to properties that the elevator car provided for serving the destination call to the 16th floor should fulfill. In this exemplary embodiment, corresponding selectable properties are shown in fields 131, 132, 133. Depending on the respective configuration, the number of selectable properties can vary. By touching the corresponding fields 131, 132, 133, an elevator user can specify which properties the elevator car used to transport the elevator user to the 16th floor should have.Floor by the elevator car provided by the control device 10 should fulfill. In particular, it can be provided that the selection menu 130 relates in particular to the transport of wheelchair users by means of the elevator system 1. A wheelchair user as the elevator user can select that there is sufficient space for transport with the wheelchair in the elevator car to be provided and, moreover, the door closing speed of the provided elevator car is slower than in normal operation. The corresponding selection of the properties can be made by touching the fields 131, 132, 133 and confirmed by pressing the softkey 135. Once the selected properties have been confirmed, in this exemplary embodiment the call for the 16th floor is made by pressing the softkey.Floor is registered as the destination floor with the correspondingly selected properties in the control device 10 and a corresponding car of the elevator system 1 is provided to serve this call.

Claims

1. Control device for an elevator system, comprising an input device (100) for a user to input control commands into the control device, wherein the input device (100) comprises at least one first input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) that can be operated by the user, wherein a first control command can be entered into the control device via the input device (100) by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a first predefinable manner, and a second control command, which is different from the first control command, can be entered into the control device via the input device (100) by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a second predefinable manner, wherein by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in the first predefinable manner as the first control command a destination call can be input, characterized in that by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in the second predefinable manner as the second control command a destination call can be input and a characteristic associated with the destination call can be entered, wherein the characteristic associated with the destination call comprises at least one of the following characteristics: speed of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; acceleration of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; jerk of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call.

2. Control device according to claim 1, characterized in that the characteristic associated with the destination call further also includes at least one of the following characteristics: space available in the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; door closing speed of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; travel time.

3. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (100) comprises a display device, wherein by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in the second predefinable manner as the second control command a selection of the characteristics, that can be input and are associated with the destination call, is additionally displayed on the display device.

4. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the input device (100) is a touch screen with a plurality of operable softkeys, wherein the plurality of operable softkeys comprises selectable destination floors, wherein a destination call is triggered by selecting a destination floor in a first predefinable manner as operation of the input element, and wherein a destination call is triggered by selecting a destination floor in a second predefinable manner as operation of the input element and in addition a selection menu appears on the touch screen, via which menu a further control command can be input in a further operating step.

5. Control device according to claim 4, characterized in that the control command that can be entered via the selection menu relates to a requirement for a characteristic of the elevator car that is to be provided for serving the destination call, wherein the characteristic relates in particular to one of the following characteristics: speed of the provided elevator car; space available in the provided elevator car; door closing speed of the provided elevator car.

6. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the first control command is a destination call or an elevator car call and the second control command is a door closing command.

7. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the first control command is a command for moving an elevator car at a first speed and the second control command is a command for moving an elevator car at a second speed.

8. Control device according to claim 1, wherein the first control command is a command for calling a first type of elevator car and the second control command is a command for calling a second type of elevator car.

9. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first type of operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) is pressing of the input element for a first period of time, which is shorter than a first threshold value, and the second type of operating the input element is pressing of the input element for a period of time, which is longer than a second threshold value, wherein the first and the second threshold value are in particular the same.

10. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first type of operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) comprises a first number of operations or a first sequence of operations, and the second type of operation comprises a second number of operations or a second sequence of operations of the input element.

11. Control device according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first type of operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) comprises an operation of only the input element or an operation of the input element in combination with a second input element (112a-112f, 114, 116), and the second type of operating comprises an operation of the input element in combination with a third input element (112a-112f, 114, 116).

12. Elevator system comprising a control device according to any one of the preceding claims.

13. Method for modernizing an elevator system, in which a control device is provided, which comprises an input device (100) having at least one input element (112a-112f, 114, 116), to which a control command is associated, that can be executed by operating the input element, characterized in that, as part of the modernization, the control device is modified in such a way that at least two control commands are assigned to the at least one input element (112a-112f, 114, 116), wherein the at least two control commands can be executed selectively by different ways of operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in such a way that by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a first predefinable manner as a first control command a destination call is input and by operating the input element (112a-112f, 114, 116) in a second predefinable manner as a second control command a destination call and a characteristic associated with the destination call are input, wherein the characteristic associated with the destination call comprises at least one of the following characteristics: speed of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; acceleration of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call; jerk of the elevator car provided for serving the destination call.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the control device is configured according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 11 after modernization.

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