Method for communicating with an elevator system by means of a mobile terminal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for communicating with an elevator system (1) by means of a mobile terminal (5), and to such an elevator system (1) or to such a mobile terminal (5). The method can comprise the following steps: - sending a request from the mobile terminal (5) to the elevator system (1) or from an elevator controller (8); - generating a coded light signal by means of an operator control panel (2), which is arranged outside an elevator shaft (3), in response to this request; - detecting the coded light signal by means of the mobile terminal (5); - sending a confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal to the elevator system (1); and - authorizing the mobile terminal (5) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

Description

[0001] Communication procedure with an elevator system using a mobile terminal

[0002] Description

[0003] The present invention relates to a method for communicating with an elevator installation by means of a mobile terminal and to such an elevator installation or such a mobile terminal.

[0004] An elevator system is used to transport people within buildings, with an elevator car being moved 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 can be serviced and / or require maintenance. To service such components or to perform regular maintenance work, the elevator system is put into a maintenance mode in which automatic operation of the elevator car is disabled or the elevator car is only allowed to travel at walking speed using manual control.

[0005] According to the EN81-20 standard, a control device must be installed on the roof of an elevator car and in the shaft pit to manually control the elevator car during maintenance work. Maintenance work requires service personnel to step onto the roof or descend into the shaft pit. This is potentially dangerous and could easily lead to accidents. Therefore, several safety-related technical factors must be reviewed before service personnel enter an elevator shaft or start an elevator for maintenance. In addition, certain criteria must be met for maintenance work, such as making certain preparations or implementing various concrete safety measures (check-in process). This could be challenging for service personnel, especially if they are not yet competent.Even if the service personnel are sufficiently trained, they cannot always know precisely about all the necessary measures, because the elevators and the safety instructions are very complex and can vary greatly from one to another.

[0006] Among other things, there may be a need for a safety measure that ensures that service personnel can enter and, in particular, exit an elevator shaft safely. An elevator system may not be put into normal operation while a technician is still in the shaft. Therefore, a so-called check-out process must be implemented to avoid such a dangerous scenario as far as possible. Thus, personnel safety must be ensured both during and after maintenance work. This need should be met, if possible, independently of the facilities or equipment of an elevator system.

[0007] The invention is based on the object of ensuring the operational safety of an elevator system not only during maintenance work, but also afterwards when the elevator system is switched back to normal operation.

[0008] This object can be achieved by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are defined in the dependent claims and the following description.

[0009] 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:

[0010] - Sending a request, e.g. for access to the elevator system, from the mobile terminal to the elevator system;

[0011] - generating a coded light signal by means of a control panel located outside a lift shaft of the lift system in response to this request;

[0012] - Detecting the coded light signal using the mobile terminal;

[0013] - Sending a confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal to the elevator system; and

[0014] - Authorize the mobile terminal to communicate with the elevator system.

[0015] 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.

[0016] To confirm the detection of the coded light signal, the detected coded light signal or the data from the detected coded light signal 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). Because the mobile terminal receives a light signal generated by the elevator system and sends this light signal back to the elevator system either directly or in a modified form, such as in digital data packets, via a feedback path as feedback or confirmation, the elevator system will then acknowledge that a communication connection via the light signal exists between it and the mobile terminal.The elevator system can therefore be reliably used in maintenance mode because, on the one hand, it is possible to carry out a prescribed (complex) check-in process using the mobile terminal; on the other hand, the current position of service personnel can be easily determined. The elevator system can also be safely transferred from maintenance mode to normal operation without dangerous movement of the elevator car when personnel are present in the shaft, or potentially even with potential risk if a check-out process is to be carried out using the mobile terminal.

[0017] The mobile terminal can be authenticated by the elevator system if the request from the mobile terminal contains, for example, its identity. To create a secure connection, the detection of the coded light signal is pre-checked in such a way that, before the light signal is generated, a coded test light signal is generated using the mobile terminal's control panel, and the coded test light signal is 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 by the mobile terminal without any problems. This means that secure communication exists between the mobile terminal and the elevator system.

[0018] In order to detect accidental changes to transmitted raw data—here, 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 carried out with the addition of a check value, and / or the transmission of the detected light signal or its data can also be carried out with the check value. Using the check value, an error that may have occurred during storage or transmission of data can be detected. The check value can be designed so that errors during data transmission, such as those caused by noise on a line or a wired or wireless network, are detected with a high degree of probability. Specifically, the check value can be developed to protect against frequent communication errors in order to quickly and appropriately ensure the integrity of the transmitted data or signals.

[0019] 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. This means that the light signal can be coded 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 in graphics. For example, instead of displaying a QR code, the corresponding information can be transmitted in the form of light signal sequences. As a rule, a control panel of an elevator system does not include a screen; if at all, then the control panel, as a COP (Car Operation Panel), is usually located in an elevator car. In this case, service personnel can only begin their work once they are in the elevator car. This advantageous embodiment makes it possible to reduce the cost of the control panel.Second, the communication between the mobile terminal and the elevator system can be secured. Directly displaying information, such as a QR code, is not secure, because the QR code is accessible to unauthorized personnel.

[0020] According to an advantageous embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, the position of the mobile terminal can be determined through communication with the elevator system. This also makes it easy to determine the current position of a service personnel. This not only allows determining whether a technician is outside an elevator shaft, but also determining which floor the technician is currently located on, because the individual control panels are individually identifiable.

[0021] According to a second aspect of the invention, a mobile / portable terminal for an elevator system is provided. 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 configured to communicate with the elevator system in such a way that the mobile terminal sends a request to the elevator system; - the mobile terminal detects a coded light signal when the coded light signal is generated by a control panel located outside an elevator shaft of the elevator system in response to the request,

[0022] - the mobile terminal confirms the detection of the coded light signal to the elevator system; and

[0023] - the mobile terminal is authorized by the elevator system to communicate with the elevator system.

[0024] 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, so that the elevator system is informed that a communication connection via the light signal exists between it and the mobile terminal.

[0025] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the second aspect of the invention, the detection of the coded light signal can be pre-checked in such a way that the mobile terminal detects a coded test light signal, wherein the test light signal is generated before the light signal by means of the control panel upon this request, and the mobile terminal of the elevator system transmits the detected test light signal or its data.

[0026] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the transmission of the detected test light signal or its data and / or the detected light signal or its data is carried out with the addition of a check value. Thus, it is possible to monitor whether accidental errors have occurred during the transmission or storage of the test light signal.

[0027] According to an advantageous embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, maintenance and 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 stopping floor or any desired stopping position using the mobile terminal. Therefore, service personnel do not always have to be on the roof of the elevator car or in the shaft pit during maintenance work, but rather inside the elevator car or outside the shaft.

[0028] According to a third aspect of the invention, an elevator system is provided with an operating panel, wherein the operating panel is arranged outside an elevator shaft of the elevator system. The elevator system can communicate with a mobile terminal in such a way that the elevator system receives a request from the mobile terminal; a coded light signal is generated by an operating 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.

[0029] The control panel does not need to be equipped with a screen. The control panel can, for example, be a simple control panel with just one or two call buttons (up and down call buttons). Light-emitting diodes (LEDs) are known to be used as a light source for such buttons to illuminate a button to display an arrow symbol. In this case, the call button or both call buttons are illuminated a specific number of times within a predetermined period of time, for example, so that the control panel can emit a temporal sequence of light signals. Furthermore, each button can be illuminated independently for different lengths of time. This means that the light signal can be encoded in the time domain, e.g., like Morse code.

[0030] 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.

[0031] 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 before the light signal by means of the control panel in response to this request and is then detected by the mobile terminal, the mobile terminal of the elevator system transmits the detected test light signal or its data.

[0032] According to an advantageous embodiment according to the third aspect of the invention, the transmission of the detected test light signal or its data and / or the detected light signal or its data is carried out with the addition of a check value in order to monitor whether accidental errors have occurred during the transmission of the test light signal.

[0033] Furthermore, a computer program can be provided that includes instructions that cause a processor, such as a processor of the mobile terminal, to execute the method specified above when the computer program is executed by the processor. The computer program can be stored on a computer-readable medium (USB, server, cloud, or a storage unit of the mobile terminal).

[0034] It should be 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 installation between normal and inspection operation, on the other. A person skilled in the art will recognize that the features can be combined, adapted, or exchanged as appropriate to achieve further embodiments of the invention.

[0035] 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.

[0036] They show:

[0037] FIG 1 A schematic representation of an elevator system according to the invention and a mobile terminal according to the invention,

[0038] FIG 2 A schematic representation of a communication between a control panel of the elevator system and the mobile terminal,

[0039] FIG 3 A flow chart illustrating an implementation of a method according to the invention,

[0040] FIG 4 Graphic representation of the method according to the invention with a preliminary test. Fig. 1 illustrates details of an elevator system 1 according to the invention and a mobile terminal 5 according to the invention. An elevator car 7 can travel in an elevator shaft 3 between different floors. A shaft door 6 is provided on each floor. An operating 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, e.g., a smartphone, or move it up and down, so that he can easily stop 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 wired. The necessary safety measures (e.g.,A checklist (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. The technician 9 can receive all the necessary information via the mobile terminal 5 when the mobile terminal 5 communicates with the elevator system 1. The mobile terminal 5 can also be connected to the Internet. For this purpose, the elevator system 1 can also be informed of the presence or current position of the technician 9. In addition to determining whether a technician 9 is outside or inside the elevator shaft 3, the position of an operating panel 2 can be used to determine which floor the technician is currently on, since the operating panel 2, as the LOP, can indicate the specific floor. A potentially dangerous scenario can therefore be avoided as much as possible.The elevator system 1 can therefore be reliably used in maintenance mode or returned to normal operation.

[0041] 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. 2 shows communication between the elevator system 1 and the mobile terminal 5. The mobile terminal 5 is connected to a controller 8 of the elevator system 1 via a LAN (Local Area Network). When maintenance work for the elevator system 1 needs to be started or ended, a corresponding check-in / check-out process must be carried out. The mobile terminal 5 first sends a request via application software (e.g., an app) to a controller 8 of the elevator system 1, whereby the request can contain an identity of the mobile terminal 5. The elevator system 1 can thus authenticate the mobile terminal 5. The control panel 2 then generates a coded light signal. The control panel 2 comprises, for example, two arrow keys, each key having an LED.The mobile terminal 5 receives the light signal and converts it into data that can be processed by the computer processor. The mobile terminal 5 then transmits the detected light signal to the controller 8 in the form of converted data. To detect a possible random error in the detection of the light signal, a check value is added to the transmission of the light signal. By checking whether the check value has been changed, a change in the transmitted light signal can be detected. If the check value is not changed, 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 the elevator system 1 or to access the elevator system 1.

[0042] Fig. 3 illustrates a method according to the invention for communicating with the elevator system 1 using the mobile terminal 5. It is assumed that maintenance work should be performed on an elevator system 1, shown in Fig. 1. Thus, the following steps, numbered "S," are to be performed:

[0043] S 1 : Sending a request from the mobile terminal 5 to the elevator system 1 ;

[0044] S2: The elevator system 1 authenticates the mobile terminal 5 if the request contains an identity of the mobile terminal 5;

[0045] S3: Generating a coded light signal (light signal sequence) using the control panel 2;

[0046] S4: Detecting the coded light signal by the mobile terminal 5;

[0047] S5: The mobile terminal 5 sends the data for transmitting the detected coded light signal to the elevator system 1 so that this detection is confirmed;

[0048] S6: Elevator system 1 authorizes mobile terminal 5 to communicate with it.

[0049] To ensure detection of the light signal and communication in this way, the data is appended with a check value, e.g., when stored or transmitted. Accordingly, the process will be as shown in Fig. 4, where the first two steps S1 ' and S2' are the same as the first two steps of the process in Fig. 3:

[0050] 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 light signal sequence;

[0051] S4': Detecting the test light signal by the mobile terminal 5, wherein the mobile terminal 5 can convert the test light signal, for example, into digital data;

[0052] S5': The mobile terminal 5 sends the data with a check value added to a controller 8 of the elevator system 1, thereby informing the controller 8 of this check value; S6': The controller 8 instructs the control panel 2 to generate a renewed light signal;

[0053] S7': Generation of a coded light signal using an operating panel 2;

[0054] S8': Detecting the coded light signal by means of the mobile terminal 5. At the same time, the mobile terminal 5 also converts the light signal into digital data;

[0055] S9': The mobile terminal 5 sends the data of the detected light signal to the controller 8 again with the addition of the test value;

[0056] S10': Controller 8 checks whether the test value has been changed?

[0057] SU ': If the check value has not been changed, the controller 8 assumes that the data of the detected light signal has not been changed either. Thus, 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 check 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 signaled. Another advantageous option is to shut down the entire elevator system 1.

[0058] In summary, embodiments of the method presented here allow a safety hazard in an elevator shaft to be avoided at an early stage.

[0059] Finally, it should be noted that terms such as "having," "comprising," 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 signs in the claims are not to be considered as limitations.

[0060] 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 as appropriate, and that features described in particular for the method can be applied analogously to the device, and vice versa, to achieve further embodiments of the invention.

Claims

Patent 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) arranged outside a lift shaft (3) of the lift installation (1) in response to this request; - detecting the coded light signal by means of the mobile terminal (5); - sending a confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal to the lift system (1); and - Authorizing the mobile terminal (5) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

2. Method according to claim 1, in which - Transmitting the detected coded light signal or the data of the detected coded light signal to the lift installation (1) as confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal.

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the detection of the coded light signal is pre-checked such that - before the light signal is counteracted, 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 its data is transmitted to the lift system (1).

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

5. Method according to one 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 light signal sequence.

6. Method according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the position of the mobile terminal (5) can be determined by communication with the elevator system (1).

7. Mobile terminal (5) for a lift installation (1), wherein the mobile terminal (5) is designed for communication with the lift installation (1) in such a way that - the mobile terminal (5) sends a request to the elevator system (1); - that the mobile terminal (5) detects a coded light signal when the coded light signal is generated in response to the request by a control panel (2) arranged outside a lift shaft (3) of the lift installation (1); - the mobile terminal (5) confirms the detection of the coded light signal to the lift system (1); 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, to confirm the detection of the coded light signal, the mobile terminal (5) transmits the detected coded light signal or its data to the elevator system (1).

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

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

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

12. Lift installation (1), with a control panel (2) outside a lift shaft (3) of the lift installation (1), wherein the lift installation (1) is designed such 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, which is detectable by the mobile terminal (5); - the lift system (1) receives confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal from the mobile terminal (5); and - the elevator system (1) authorizes the mobile terminal (5) to communicate with the elevator system (1).

13. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 12, wherein the detected coded light signal or its data can be transmitted to the elevator installation (1) as confirmation of the detection of the coded light signal.

14. Elevator installation (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 before 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) of the elevator system (1) transmits the detected test light signal or its data.

15. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the transmission of the detected test light signal or its data and / or the detected light signal or its data is carried out with the addition of a test value.

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