Elevator system and elevator operating devices for different operating modes
Patent Information
- Application Number
- EP2023731195
- Authority / Receiving Office
- EP · EP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2022-06-29
- Filing Date
- 2023-06-06
- Publication Date
- 2025-05-07
- Estimated Expiration
- 2043-06-06
Smart Images
Figure 1.1
Abstract
Description
[0001] ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND ELEVATOR CONTROL DEVICES FOR DIFFERENT OPERATING MODES
[0002] Description
[0003] The technology described here generally relates to an elevator system. Embodiments of the technology relate in particular to an elevator operating device, its application in an elevator system, and a method for operating such an elevator operating device.
[0004] In buildings with elevator systems, elevator control devices are located on each floor, allowing passengers to call an elevator. According to a well-known elevator control technology, an elevator control device located on a floor has mechanical push buttons with which the passenger can select the desired direction of travel (up / down); this control technology is also referred to below as up / down direction control. Pressing one of these buttons initiates an elevator call, whereupon an elevator controller confirms the elevator call at the elevator control device and makes an elevator car available for boarding at that floor. For example, an elevator car is moved to the floor (boarding floor) and its elevator door is opened.The elevator car is equipped with a car control device (car call device) with which the person in the elevator car can enter the desired destination floor; the latter is also referred to as a car call.
[0005] According to another known control technology, also known as destination call control, an elevator control panel located on a floor has buttons or fields displayed on a touch-sensitive screen that are assigned to individual destination floors. By pressing or touching a button assigned to the desired destination floor, an elevator call, known as a destination call, can be entered. Entering a destination call results in the boarding floor and the destination floor; in this case, call entry in the elevator car is no longer possible.
[0006] Elevator systems equipped with a destination call control can be advantageously used in buildings with a large number of floors and correspondingly high traffic volumes. In contrast, elevator systems with an up / down direction control are used in buildings with a relatively small number of floors. An elevator system that uses both control technologies is also known, for example, from US Pat. No. 7,766,129 B2. In this elevator system, two types of elevator control devices are installed in the building; for example, for cost reasons, a destination call control elevator control device is only provided for a floor with high traffic volumes.Although these known approaches consider traffic volume and the associated costs for the choice of control technology, some buildings may have different or even more complex building-specific requirements, and thus also for the elevator system within them. Therefore, there is a need for a technology that allows these requirements to be better met.
[0007] One aspect of the technology described here relates to an elevator operating device comprising a bus interface device, a memory device, a display system, and a control device communicatively connected to the bus interface device, the display system, and the memory device. The bus interface device is configured to communicate with an elevator controller of an elevator installation via the communication bus system. The memory device stores configuration data and electronic instructions for selectable operating modes of the elevator operating device. A first operating mode is configured for processing an elevator call indicating a direction of travel, and a second operating mode is configured for processing an elevator call indicating a destination floor.The display system has a touch-sensitive screen and is configured to display a graphical user interface on the touch-sensitive screen. The control device is configured to read the configuration data and electronic instructions for a selected operating mode from the memory device and to operate the elevator operating device according to the selected operating mode.
[0008] Another aspect of the technology relates to an elevator system with a number of such elevator operating devices. The elevator system also has an elevator control system, at least one elevator car that can be moved between floors of a building under the control of the elevator control system and driven by a drive motor, and a communications bus system. The elevator operating devices are communicatively connected to the communications bus system and arranged on the floors for inputting an elevator call.
[0009] Another aspect of the technology relates to a method for operating an elevator operating device in such an elevator system. The elevator operating device is connected to the communication bus system of the elevator system. The method comprises generating a configuration input mask on the graphical user interface, which the touch-sensitive screen of the screen system displays under the control of the control device of the elevator operating device. The configuration mask comprises a first selection input field for the first operating mode of the elevator operating device and a second selection input field for the second operating mode of the elevator operating device.When the screen system detects that the first selection input field has been touched, configuration data and electronic instructions for the first operating mode are read from the memory device, and the elevator control device is configured for the first operating mode according to the read configuration data and electronic instructions. When the screen system detects that the second selection input field has been touched, configuration data and electronic instructions for the second operating mode are read from the memory device, and the elevator control device is configured for the second operating mode according to the read configuration data and electronic instructions.
[0010] According to one embodiment of the technology described here, an elevator operating device is created which stores configuration data and electronic instructions for a plurality of selectable operating modes of the elevator operating device. The elevator operating device can therefore be adapted on site to an elevator installation and its requirements in a building. This means, for example, that the elevator operating device can be configured to input and process an elevator call that indicates the direction of travel, or that it can be configured to input and process an elevator call that indicates the destination floor. A single elevator operating device can therefore be configured for one or the other operating mode as required. Both operating modes can also be used in an elevator installation. An elevator operating device on a first floor can, for example,be configured for the first operating mode, while an elevator control device on a second floor, for example, can be configured for the second operating mode. Despite the different operating modes, the two elevator control devices, according to one exemplary embodiment, have the same external appearance or design.
[0011] For the aforementioned on-site configuration, it is advantageous that the control device of the elevator operating device is configured to control the screen system to display a configuration input mask on the graphical user interface. The configuration mask comprises a first selection input field for the first operating mode and a second selection input field for the second operating mode. Upon touching the first selection input field, the elevator operating device is configured according to the configuration data and the electronic instructions for the first operating mode. Upon touching the second selection input field, the elevator operating device is configured according to the configuration data and the electronic instructions for the second operating mode. The configuration input mask is designed so that selecting an operating mode is simple and intuitive. Once selected, the elevator operating device configures itself.
[0012] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the control device is configured to control the screen system in the first operating mode to display direction fields on the graphical user interface, and in the second operating mode to control the screen system to display destination floor fields on the graphical user interface. The direction fields can be displayed in a known manner. The destination floor fields can include numbers and / or floor information (e.g., names, parking levels, information on services (e.g., restaurants), etc.). In addition, further information can be displayed according to both operating modes.
[0013] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the control device is configured to generate a first request message in the first operating mode, which includes an address of the elevator controller, an identifier of the elevator operating device, and a direction of travel, and to generate a second request message in the second operating mode, which includes the address of the elevator controller, the identifier of the elevator operating device, and an indication of a destination floor. In both operating modes, the respective request message is sent to the elevator controller via the bus interface device and the communication bus system.
[0014] In one embodiment, which can be used in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the bus interface device stores data and instructions for specified communication bus technologies, in particular their transmission methods, communication protocols, and / or frame structures. The bus interface device is configured to communicate via the communication bus system according to one of the stored communication bus technologies. Since the bus interface device stores characteristics of the aforementioned bus technologies, the elevator operating device is bus-independent and can be selectively connected to any communication bus system configured according to a bus technology suitable for use in an elevator system.
[0015] In an embodiment that may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the elevator controller is communicatively connected to the communication bus system and configured to make the car available on the first floor upon receipt of an elevator call indicating a direction of travel from an elevator operating device arranged on a first floor and configured for the first operating mode, and to move the car to the destination floor upon receipt of a car call input in the car indicating a destination floor.
[0016] In an embodiment that may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the elevator controller is communicatively connected to the communication bus system and configured to, upon receipt of an elevator call indicating a destination floor from an elevator operating device arranged on a first floor and configured for the second operating mode, provide the car on the first floor, and, upon receipt of a status signal indicating a closed elevator door, move the car to the destination floor specified in the elevator call.
[0017] In an embodiment that may be applicable in conjunction with one or more of the preceding embodiments, the elevator installation further comprises a destination call control device that is communicatively connected to the elevator control and the communication bus system.
[0018] Various aspects of the improved technology are explained in more detail below using exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the figures. In the figures, like elements have like reference numerals. They show:
[0019] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a building with several floors and an exemplary elevator system;
[0020] Fig. 2A-2C are schematic representations of exemplary user interfaces of an elevator operating device arranged on a floor in the elevator system according to Fig. 1;
[0021] Fig. 3A-3D schematic representations of possible applications of the elevator operating device; and
[0022] Fig. 4 is a schematic representation of an exemplary elevator operating device; and
[0023] Fig. 5 is an exemplary representation of an embodiment of a method for operating an elevator operating device.
[0024] Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary situation in a building 2 having several floors L0, L, Ln served by an elevator system 1. Floor L0 can be an entrance hall of building 2, into which people enter building 2 and from which they exit building 2. If a person enters floor L0, from there—with appropriate access authorization—each floor L, Ln of building 2 served by elevator system 1 can be reached. For reasons of illustration, Fig. 1 shows only an elevator control 8, a drive machine 14, a support means 16 (e.g. steel cables or flat belts), an elevator car 10 suspended from the support means 16 and movable in a shaft 18 (hereinafter also referred to as car 10) and a number of elevator operating devices 4, which are communicatively connected to the elevator control 8 by a communication bus system 22.Those skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system 1 can also comprise several cars 10 in one or more shafts 18, which are controlled by a group control system. Instead of a traction elevator shown in Fig. 1, the elevator system 1 can also comprise one or more hydraulic elevators.
[0025] In the embodiment of the elevator installation 1 described here, the person on one of the floors L0, L, Ln enters a travel request on an elevator operating device 4 arranged there, whereby an elevator call is registered. The floor L0, L, Ln on which the person is located when entering the call and from which they wish to be transported to a destination floor can also be referred to below as the boarding floor or call input floor. As explained in more detail elsewhere in this description, the person can touch a button or a displayed field to enter the call, whereupon the person is confirmed that the elevator call has been registered on the elevator operating device 4; for example, the button or field can be illuminated. The elevator control 8 then makes an elevator car 10 available for boarding on the boarding floor, i.e.If the elevator car 10 is not located at the boarding floor, it is moved there and its car door is opened together with a shaft door. Otherwise, only the car door of the elevator car 10 already located there is opened, which also opens the shaft door. The car door and the shaft doors are referenced in Fig. 1 with the reference numeral 6; on a floor L0, L, Ln on which the car 10 is located, the shaft door and the car door there each form an elevator door 6.
[0026] In Fig. 1, the elevator train control 8 is an up / down direction control. The elevator operating devices 4 arranged on floors L, Ln are configured to display buttons or fields for inputting a desired direction of travel (up or down). The elevator operating device 4 arranged on floor L0 is configured to display buttons or fields for inputting a destination floor. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this arrangement and the configuration of the elevator operating devices 4 are exemplary.
[0027] Fig. 1 also shows a car call device 11 arranged in the elevator car 10. The car call device 11 is connected to the elevator control system 8 via a communication line 20. A destination floor can be entered at this car call device 11 (car call), particularly when a person on floor L, Ln can only enter the desired direction of travel. The availability of the car call device 11 for call input may depend on the building 2 and / or the elevator system 1; depending on the situation, the car call device 11 can, for example, be activated or deactivated; it can also be covered when not in use.
[0028] The elevator operating devices 4 each have a screen system (5, 37) comprising a touch-sensitive screen 5 (hereinafter also referred to as touchscreen 5) and a screen controller 37 (Fig. 4). A control device 50 (CPU) (Fig. 4) present in the elevator operating device 4 controls the screen controller 37 to display a graphical user interface 36 (Fig. 4) with situation-appropriate content on the touchscreen 5. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this control occurs according to the current situation of the elevator system 1.
[0029] When an elevator operating device 4 is put into operation, e.g., in conjunction with the commissioning of the elevator system 1 or at a later time, the elevator operating device 4 is in a basic state. In this basic state, according to one exemplary embodiment, the elevator operating device 4 is not configured for any of the operating modes described here. In the basic state, in particular, the screen system and a configuration interface device 34 shown in Fig. 4 are activated, so that the elevator operating device 4 can be configured for an operating mode. The touchscreen 5 displays, for example, a configuration input mask 41 shown in Fig. 2A on the graphical user interface 36. The configuration input mask 41 can be displayed, for example, after a technician has activated a configuration mode by entering a password.
[0030] The configuration mask 41 shown comprises, for example, a first selection input field 40. 1, upon selection of which the elevator operating device 4 for a direction call input and a
[0031] REVISED SHEET (RULE 91) ISA / EP corresponding operating mode is configured, and a second selection input field 42.1, upon selection of which the elevator operating device 4 is configured for the input of a destination floor and a corresponding operating mode. In Fig. 2A, in addition to the selection input fields 40.1, 40.2, the corresponding call input options are symbolically represented. During commissioning, the technician can select one of the selection input fields 40.1, 42.1 (symbolized by a finger) in order to configure the elevator operating device 4 according to one of the two operating modes. In one embodiment, the elevator operating device 4 is designed to essentially configure itself (iewithout significant intervention by the technician) according to the selected operating mode; a central control device (50) of the elevator operating device 4 loads, for example, data and computer instructions (software) according to the selected operating mode from a storage device (32). Those skilled in the art will recognize that the configuration input mask 41 can display additional display and / or input fields; submasks can also be defined that can be opened starting from the configuration input mask 41.
[0032] In Fig. 2B, touchscreen 5 displays two travel direction fields 40.2 on the graphical user interface 36. The elevator operating device 4 is therefore configured for inputting a direction call. For example, during the aforementioned commissioning, the technician selected the selection input field 40.1 shown in Fig. 2A. The touchscreen 5 shown in Fig. 2C displays an exemplary number of fields or buttons on its graphical user interface 36; these fields or buttons are referred to below as destination floor fields 42.2. In this case, the technician selected the selection input field 42.1 shown in Fig. 2A during commissioning.
[0033] Fig. 3A - 3D show various application examples of an elevator operating device 4 according to the technology described here. The elevator operating device 4 is represented by the graphical user interface 36, a control device 50 (CPU), and a bus interface device 30 (Bus IF). The communication bus system 22 connects the bus interface device 30 to a control system component (8, 12) of the elevator installation 1, with the elevator controller 8 controlling the drive machine 14. The elevator operating device 4 according to the technology described here can be configured for one of these application examples. This is advantageous because, depending on the building 2, it may be desired or necessary for all elevator operating devices 4 in the building 2 to have the same external design and shape, regardless of the operating mode for which they are configured.
[0034] In Fig. 3A, the elevator operating device 4 shown is configured for the direction call input and the corresponding operating mode. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any other elevator operating device 4 present in the elevator installation 1 can also be configured for this operating mode. The graphical user interface 36 displays the travel direction fields 40.2. The elevator operating device 4 sends an entered direction call as a direction call message via the bus communication system 12 to the elevator control 8 (up / down direction control), which controls the drive machine 14 accordingly to prepare the car 10 for a boarding floor. The direction call message includes, for example, an identifier of the (sending) elevator operating device 4 and the desired direction of travel. The identifier provides the location of the elevator operating device 4 or the boarding floor.Once the person has entered the car 10, they can enter the desired destination floor as a car call on the elevator control device 11 located there. If the elevator control 8 detects that the car 10 is ready to depart, e.g., a door sensor or safety circuit indicates that the elevator door 6 is closed, the elevator control 8 controls the drive motor 14 according to the car call to move the car 10 to the destination floor.
[0035] In Fig. 3B, the elevator operating device 4 shown is configured for the input of a destination floor and the corresponding operating mode. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any other elevator operating device 4 present in the elevator installation 1 can also be configured for this operating mode. The graphical user interface 36 displays the destination floor fields 42.2. The elevator operating device 4 sends an entered destination floor call as a destination floor call message via the bus communication system 12 to the elevator controller 8, which then controls the drive machine 14 accordingly to position the car 10 at the boarding floor. The destination floor call message includes, for example, an identifier of the (sending) elevator operating device 4, from which the location of the elevator operating device 4 or the boarding floor can be determined.
[0036] In one embodiment, the destination floor call message includes information about the desired destination floor. The destination floor can be stored in the elevator control system 8. If the car 10 provided at the boarding floor is ready for departure after the person has boarded, e.g., a door sensor or safety circuit indicates that the elevator door 6 is closed, the elevator control system 8 moves the car 10 to the (stored) destination floor. In another embodiment, the destination floor call message contains no information about the destination floor. According to this embodiment, it is stored in the elevator operating device 4 until the car 10 is ready for departure. The elevator operating device 4 then transmits the destination floor in another message addressed to the elevator control system 8.In both embodiments, the movement to the destination floor takes place without the person in the car 10 having to make a car call; in one embodiment of the elevator system 1, this may not be provided.
[0037] In Fig. 3C, elevator operating devices 4 for different operating modes are provided in the elevator installation 1. This means that the elevator installation 1 can contain both elevator operating devices 4 for entering destination floors and elevator operating devices 4 for entering direction calls. Such an elevator installation 1 can arise, for example, if there is a need in a building 2 to enable the entry of destination calls on at least one floor L0, L, Ln, e.g., in an entrance hall with high passenger traffic; as also shown in Fig. 1. The elevator operating device 4 arranged on this floor L0 is configured accordingly, and its graphical user interface 36 displays the destination floor fields 42.2. On other floors L, Ln, the elevator operating devices 4 each display the travel direction fields 40.2 on their graphical user interfaces 36.The processing of the calls entered at these elevator operating devices 4 (direction calls, destination floor calls) takes place as described in connection with Fig. 3A and Fig. 3B.
[0038] In Fig. 3D, the elevator installation 1 is configured with a destination call control device 12 (DCS). The person skilled in the art will recognize that an elevator installation 1 with a destination call control device 12 is particularly installed in buildings with a large number of floors and more than one car 11 (elevator). Several elevators of the elevator installation 1 can be organized into one or more elevator groups. Accordingly, the elevator operating device 4 is configured to enter a destination floor, and its graphical user interface 36 displays the destination floor fields 42.2. In the schematic representation of Fig. 3D, the elevator operating device 4 is connected to the destination call control device 12, which is also connected to the elevator controller 8. The destination call control device 12 processes the entered destination floor (i.e., a destination call) according to an allocation algorithm. The destination call results in the boarding floor (e.g.,using the identifier of the elevator operating device 4) and the destination floor. The allocation algorithm determines an elevator to serve the destination call. The destination call control device 12 can then control the elevator control 8 of the assigned elevator.
[0039] Call allocation can be performed by the destination call control device 12 alone (centralized) or in cooperation with the elevator operating devices 4 of the elevator system 1 (decentralized). Such allocation algorithms are known to those skilled in the art; a (decentralized) allocation algorithm in cooperation with the elevator operating devices is described, for example, in: Koehler, Jana, et al., An AI-Based Approach to Destination Control in Elevators, AI Magazine, Vol. 23, No. 3, 2002, pp. 59-78. According to a decentralized allocation algorithm, the elevator operating device 4, at which the destination call is entered, sends the destination call information via the bus communication system 12 to each elevator (or its computer unit) of the elevator installation 1. Each elevator separately evaluates whether it is possible to serve the destination call and how much "effort" it would require (the "effort" can also be referred to as "cost") to serve the destination call.Each elevator sends a response back to the (requesting) elevator operating device 4; the response indicates whether the destination call can be served or not, and if so, how much effort would be required. After the elevator operating device 4 has received all responses, it selects the elevator with the least effort. This selection is then sent with another message to the elevator control system of the respective elevator. In this exemplary embodiment, the entirety of the elevator operating devices 4 and the computer units can represent the destination call control system 12.
[0040] Fig. 4 shows a schematic representation of an embodiment of an elevator operating device 4. In this representation, the elevator operating device 4 is connected to the elevator controller 8 (or via the destination call control device 12) via the communication bus system 22. The elevator operating device 4 has a bus interface device 30 (Bus IF), a control device 50 (CPU), a memory device 32, a configuration interface device 34, and a screen system with a screen controller 37 (CTRL) and a touchscreen 5 (for illustration, exemplary displayable graphical user interfaces 36 with travel direction fields 40.2 and destination floor fields 42.2 are shown).
[0041] The bus interface device 30 is connected to the control device 50 and configured to communicate with the elevator controller 8 via the communication bus system 22. The communication bus system 22 may, for example, comprise a CAN bus system (Controller Area Network), wherein its transmission method, communication protocol, and frame structure are used. In another exemplary embodiment, the communication bus system 22 may comprise a proprietary bus system, wherein a transmission method, a communication protocol, and a frame structure may also be specified for it. Such a proprietary bus system is, for example, a Biobus system disclosed in EP 1 876 129 B1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the technology described here is not limited to these bus systems and can also be used in conjunction with other bus systems suitable for elevator systems.
[0042] The bus interface device 30 is configured to communicate according to one of these bus technologies. In one embodiment, the bus interface device 30 stores data and instructions for at least one characteristic of the mentioned bus technologies, e.g., the transmission method, the communication protocol, and / or the frame structure of one of these bus technologies. The bus interface device 30 thus stores the characteristics of the mentioned bus technologies, with one of these bus technologies being used during operation.
[0043] In one embodiment, the bus interface device 30 automatically detects which communication bus system 22 it is connected to and according to which bus technology this communication bus system 22 operates, for example, depending on the voltage level of the communication bus system 22 (e.g., approximately 5 V for a CAN bus system and approximately 24 V for a Biobus system). In another embodiment, the bus technology of the communication bus system 22 can be entered into the elevator operating device 4 during configuration. Since the bus interface device 30 stores the characteristics of the aforementioned bus technologies, the elevator operating device 4 is bus-independent, i.e., it can be selectively connected to any communication bus system 22 configured according to one of the aforementioned bus technologies.
[0044] The storage device 32 is connected to the control device 50 and stores configuration data and electronic instructions for the operating modes mentioned in connection with Figs. 3A-3D. These data and instructions can be stored during the manufacture of the elevator operating device 4 (or prior to its delivery), so that the stored data and instructions are available for the aforementioned operating modes during configuration in building 2. In another exemplary embodiment, the data and instructions for the operating mode selected during configuration (cf. Fig. 2A) can be provided by the elevator control 8, downloaded, and stored in the storage device 32 as part of the configuration. Storage devices and storage technologies (e.g., semiconductor memories) suitable for storing these data and instructions are known to those skilled in the art.
[0045] The control device 50 is designed to control the screen system so that it displays the graphical user interface 36 in accordance with the configuration. The functioning of a screen system with a touchscreen 5, its control, and the generation of a graphical user interface are known to those skilled in the art, so that further explanations in this regard do not appear necessary at this point. The control device 50 controls the screen system, for example, so that the touchscreen 5 displays one of the graphical user interfaces 36 shown in Fig. 2A-2C. The skilled person recognizes that these graphical user interfaces 36 are exemplary, can have additional information or content, and / or can be designed in a different way. The skilled person also recognizes that, by means of the graphical user interface 36, for example, a call confirmation and / or elevator information (e.g.an indication of the elevator assigned to serve the elevator call) can be communicated. The call confirmation and the elevator information can be communicated visually and / or acoustically. The control device 50 is configured to process stored data and execute stored instructions (e.g., computer programs), including reading data and instructions from and / or storing them in the storage device 32, in order to operate the elevator operating device 4 according to one of the aforementioned operating modes. The control device 50 is also configured to operate the configuration interface device 34 within the framework of the aforementioned configuration. In Fig. 4, the operating mode for entering the direction of travel is illustrated in the lower half of the control device 50, while the operating mode for entering a destination floor is illustrated in the upper half.
[0046] The processing of a direction of travel entered at a direction of travel field 40.2 is illustrated in Fig. 4 by a call recognition module 38 and a call processing module 28 (EC ADR + Ln) in the control device 50. The call recognition module 38 and the call processing module 28 are shown in a path between the bus interface device 30 and the graphical user interface 36 (direction of travel fields 40.2). The call recognition module 38 recognizes the desired direction of travel and makes this information (the person's travel request) available to the call processing module 28. The call processing module 28 thus generates a request message (data packet) addressed to the elevator control 8 (EC ADR) and containing floor information (EC ADR + Ln), i.e., an indication of the floor Ln on which the elevator operating device 4 is located and a car 10 is to be provided. The request message can also indicate the direction of travel. If elevator system 1 has several elevators (i.e.If the elevator call is to be served by a single elevator (i.e., multiple elevator cars 10), an algorithm of the elevator control 8 can use the travel direction information to select a car 10 that can serve this elevator call most quickly, for example. According to an exemplary algorithm, all other elevators can be queried as to whether and with what effort they can be served by one elevator.
[0047] The bus interface device 30 feeds the request message into the communication bus system 22 according to the communication protocol specified for the communication bus system 22. The elevator control 8 confirms receipt of the request message with an acknowledgment message (ACK (EC)) via the communication bus system 22 and places the assigned car 10 at the boarding floor; depending on the situation, the elevator control 8 initiates the movement of the assigned car 10 to the boarding floor. The elevator operating device 4 confirms the entered elevator call to the person, for example, visually perceptibly using the graphical user interface 36. For illustration, the communication between the call processing module 28 and the elevator control 8 is represented by various line types. In the car 10, the person can enter the desired destination floor using the elevator operating device 8 located there.
[0048] The processing of a destination floor entered at a destination floor field 42.2 is illustrated in Fig. 4 by a destination floor recognition module 24 and a destination floor processing module 26 (ADR / L0->Ln) 28 (EC ADR + Ln) in the control device 50. The destination floor recognition module 24 and the destination floor processing module 26 are shown as an example in a path between the bus interface device 30 and the graphical user interface 36 (destination floor fields 42.2). The destination floor recognition module 24 recognizes the desired destination floor and makes this destination information available to the destination floor processing module 26. As explained above, the entry of a destination floor on a floor results in the boarding floor (in Fig. 1 and Fig. 4 this is floor L0) and the destination floor. From this (ieDestination floor above or below the boarding floor) also determines the direction of travel of the cabin 10, which transports the person to the desired destination floor.
[0049] If the elevator operating device 4 shown in Fig. 4 is used in an elevator installation 1 according to Fig. 3B, the destination floor processing module 26 (ADR / L0->Ln) generates a request message (data packet) addressed to the elevator controller 8 and comprising floor information, i.e., an indication of the floor L0 on which the elevator operating device 4 is located and on which a car 10 is to be provided, and an indication of the destination floor Ln. The bus interface device 30 feeds the request message into the communication bus system 22 in accordance with the communication protocol defined for the communication bus system 22. Upon receipt of the request message, the elevator controller 8 stores the destination floor and confirms receipt of the request message with an acknowledgment message (ACK, #X) via the communication bus system 22. The acknowledgment message indicates the assigned car 10 (#X).The car 10 serving the elevator call is accordingly positioned on the boarding floor; depending on the position of the car 10, the drive motor 14 may move the car 10 to the boarding floor. If the elevator control system 8 detects that the car 10 is ready to depart, e.g., a door sensor or safety circuit indicates that the elevator door 6 is closed, the elevator control system 8 controls the drive motor 14 according to the stored destination floor to move the car 10 to the destination floor.
[0050] If the elevator operating device 4 is used in an elevator installation 1 with a destination call control device 12 according to Fig. 3D, the elevator operating device 4 is configured for the input of a destination call. In one embodiment, the elevator installation 1 comprises a plurality of cars 10 or elevators, wherein all elevator operating devices 4 of the elevator installation 1 are designed for a destination call input. The destination floor processing module 26 processes the destination call by generating a request message (data packet) addressed to the destination call control device 12 and comprising floor information, i.e., an indication of the floor L0 on which the elevator operating device 4 is arranged and on which a car 10 is to be provided. The bus interface device 30 feeds the request message into the communication bus system 22 according to the communication protocol specified for the communication bus system 22.
[0051] The destination call control device 12 executes an allocation algorithm, e.g., according to the disclosure in the above-mentioned Koehler document, to determine a car 10 that can serve the destination call most "cost-effectively." This allocation occurs very quickly, so that receipt of the request message can be confirmed with an acknowledgment message (ACK, #X) via the communication bus system 22, which also indicates the elevator or car 10 (#X) assigned to serve the destination call. The elevator operating device 4 communicates the assigned car 10 to the person. The destination call control device 12 controls the elevator controller 8 of the assigned elevator to move the assigned car 10 to the boarding floor L0 (if it is not already there) via its drive motor 14 and make it available for boarding, for example, by opening the elevator door 6.If the car 10 is ready at the boarding floor, the elevator control 8 generates a signal that is transmitted to the destination call control device 12. The destination call control device 12 responds by transmitting the destination floor to the elevator control 8. The car 10 then moves from the boarding floor to the destination floor. A car call, i.e., entering the destination floor in the car 10, is generally not possible.
[0052] With an understanding of the above-described basic system components of the elevator system 1 and their functionalities, the following describes, with reference to Fig. 5, an exemplary method for operating an elevator operating device 4, such as can be used in the elevator system 1 shown in Fig. 1. The description is made with reference to the operation of the elevator operating device 4 after installation in the elevator system 1 or in the building 2 and connection to the communication bus system 22. The elevator operating device 4 is supplied with electrical energy. The method begins in a step S1 and ends in a step S10.
[0053] In a step S2, the configuration input mask 41 is generated. The configuration mask 41 is displayed on the graphical user interface 36, which the touch-sensitive screen 5 of the screen system displays under the control of the control device 50 of the elevator operating device 4. As shown, for example, in Fig. 2A, the configuration mask 41 comprises a first selection input field 40.1 for the first operating mode of the elevator operating device 4 and a second selection input field 42.1 for the second operating mode of the elevator operating device 4.
[0054] In step S3, a touched selection input field 40.1, 42.1 is detected. Detection is performed by the screen system. Depending on the detected selection input field 40.1, 42.1, the method proceeds to step S4 or step S7.
[0055] In step S4, upon detection of a touch on the first selection input field 40.1, configuration data and electronic instructions for the first operating mode are read from the memory device 32. In a step S5, the elevator operating device 4 is then configured for the first operating mode according to the read-in configuration data and electronic instructions. Once configured in this way, the travel direction fields 40.2 are displayed in a step S6, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2B.
[0056] In step S7, upon detection of a touch on the second selection input field 42.1, configuration data and electronic instructions for the second operating mode are read from the memory device 32. In a step S8, the elevator operating device 4 is configured for the second operating mode according to the read-in configuration data and electronic instructions. Once configured in this way, the destination floor fields 42.2 are displayed in a step S9, as shown, for example, in Fig. 2C.
[0057] In both branches, the process ends in step S10.
Claims
Patent claims 1. Elevator operating device (4), comprising: a bus interface device (30) configured to communicate with an elevator control (8) of an elevator installation (1) via a communication bus system (22); a memory device (32) that stores configuration data and electronic instructions for selectable operating modes of the elevator operating device (4), wherein a first operating mode is configured to process an elevator call indicating an input direction of travel, and wherein a second operating mode is configured to process an elevator call indicating an input destination floor; a screen system (5, 37) comprising a touch-sensitive screen (5) and configured to display a graphical user interface (36) on the touch-sensitive screen (5);and a control device (50) which is communicatively connected to the bus interface device (30), the display system (5, 37) and the memory device (32), wherein the control device (50) is designed to read the configuration data and the electronic instructions for a selected operating mode from the memory device (32) and to operate the elevator operating device (4) according to the selected operating mode.; 2. Elevator operating device (4) according to claim 1, wherein the control device (50) is designed to control the screen system (5, 37), to display a configuration input mask (41) on the graphical user interface (36), wherein the configuration mask (41) comprises a first selection input field (40.1) for the first operating mode and a second selection input field (42.1) for the second operating mode, to configure the elevator operating device (4) according to the configuration data and the electronic instructions for the first operating mode upon touching the first selection input field (40.1), and to configure the elevator operating device (4) according to the configuration data and the electronic instructions for the second operating mode upon touching the second selection input field (42.1).
3. Elevator operating device (4) according to claim 2, wherein the control device (50) is designed to control the screen system (5, 37) in the first operating mode, to display direction of travel fields (40.2) according to the first operating mode on the graphical user interface (36), and to control the screen system (5, 37) in the second operating mode, to display destination floor fields (42.2) according to the second operating mode on the graphical user interface (36).
4. Elevator operating device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the control device (50) is designed to generate a first request message in the first operating mode, which comprises an address of the elevator control (8), an identifier of the elevator operating device (4) and a direction of travel, and to send it to the elevator control (8) via the bus interface device (30) and the communication bus system (22), and to generate a second request message in the second operating mode, which comprises the address of the elevator control (8), the identifier of the elevator operating device (4) and an indication of a destination floor, and to send it to the elevator control (8) via the bus interface device (30) and the communication bus system (22).
5. Elevator operating device (4) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein data and instructions for defined communication bus technologies, in particular their transmission methods, communication protocols and / or frame structures, are stored in the bus interface device (30), and wherein the bus interface device (30) is designed to communicate via the communication bus system (22) according to one of the stored communication bus technologies.
6. Elevator installation (1), comprising: an elevator control (8); an elevator car (10) which is movable between floors (L0, L, Ln) of a building (2) under the control of the elevator control (8) and driven by a drive machine (14); a communication bus system (22); and Elevator operating devices (4) according to one of claims 1 - 5, which are communicatively connected to the communication bus system (22) and are arranged on the floors (L0, L, LN) for inputting an elevator call.
7. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 6, wherein the elevator control (8) is communicatively connected to the communication bus system (22) and is designed, upon receipt of an elevator call indicating a direction of travel from an elevator operating device (4) arranged on a first floor (L, L0, Ln) and configured for the first operating mode, to make the car (10) available on the first floor, and upon receipt of a car call input in the car (10) indicating a destination floor, to move the car (10) to the destination floor.
8. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 6, wherein the elevator control (8) is communicatively connected to the communication bus system (22) and is designed, upon receipt of an elevator call indicating a destination floor from an elevator operating device (4) arranged on a first floor (L, L0, Ln) and configured for the second operating mode, to provide the car (10) on the first floor, and upon receipt of a status signal indicating a closed elevator door (6), to move the car (10) to the destination floor specified in the elevator call.
9. Elevator installation (1) according to claim 6, further comprising a destination call control device (12) which is communicatively connected to the elevator control (8) and the communication bus system (22).
10. A method for operating an elevator operating device (4) according to one of claims 1-5 in an elevator installation (1) according to one of claims 6-9, wherein the elevator operating device (4) is connected to the communication bus system (22) of the elevator installation, comprising: Creating a configuration input mask (41) on the graphical user interface (36) which the touch-sensitive screen (5) of the screen system (5, 37) displays under the control of the control device (50) of the elevator operating device (4), wherein the configuration mask (41) has a first selection input field (40.1) for the first operating mode of the elevator operating device (4) and a second selection input field (42.1) for the second operating mode of the Elevator operating device (4) comprises; upon detection by the screen system (5, 37) of a touch of the first selection input field (40.1), reading in configuration data and electronic instructions for the first operating mode from the memory device (32) and configuring the elevator operating device (4) for the first operating mode according to the read-in configuration data and electronic instructions; and upon detection by the screen system (5, 37) of a touch of the second selection input field (40.1), reading in configuration data and electronic instructions for the second operating mode from the memory device (32) and configuring the elevator operating device (4) for the second operating mode according to the read-in configuration data and electronic instructions.
11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising, in the first operating mode, controlling the screen system (5, 37) by the control device (50) to display direction of travel fields (40.2) on the graphical user interface (36) and, in the second operating mode, controlling the screen system (5, 37) by the control device (50) to display destination floor fields (42.2) on the graphical user interface (36).
12. The method according to any one of claims 10 - 11, further comprising, in the first operating mode, generating a first request message by the control device (50), the first request message comprising an address of the elevator controller (8), an identifier of the elevator operating device (4), and a direction of travel, and sending the first request message via the bus interface device (30) and the communication bus system (22) to the elevator controller (8), and in the second operating mode, generating a second request message by the control device (50), the second request message comprising the address of the elevator controller (8), the identifier of the elevator operating device (4), and an indication of a destination floor, and sending the second request message via the bus interface device (30) and the communication bus system (22) to the elevator controller (8).
13. Method according to one of claims 10 - 12, wherein data and instructions for defined communication bus technologies, in particular their transmission methods, communication protocols and / or frame structures, are stored in the bus interface device (30), and wherein the bus interface device (30) is designed to communicate via the communication bus system (22) according to one of the stored communication bus technologies.