Elevator system with elevator operating device for passengers with limited mobility - Patents.com

Abstract

The elevator system (1) includes an elevator operating device (4) and an activation device (6). The elevator operating device (4) is connected to an elevator control unit (13) and is located on a floor (L, L1). The elevator operating device (4) includes a first wireless device (5), an audio device (9), and a touchscreen (11) for inputting a passenger's (P) desired destination floor and outputting progress information. The activation device (6) includes an actuation device (38) accessible to the passenger (P) and a second wireless device (7) for wireless communication with the first wireless device (5); the activation device (6) is located within wireless range of the elevator operating device (4). When the actuation device (38) is activated by the passenger (P), the second wireless device (7) transmits an activation wireless signal. The elevator operating device (4) then switches from a normal operating mode to a special operating mode in which an operation command is generated in response to a call input by the passenger (P). Once the call entry is complete, the system switches to normal operation mode.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The technology described herein relates generally to elevator systems in buildings. Design implementations of the technology specifically relate to elevator systems with elevator operating devices for passengers with limited mobility, and methods for operating such elevator systems. [Background technology]

[0002] In buildings equipped with elevator systems, elevator operating devices are arranged on each floor, allowing passengers to call the elevator. In known elevator systems, the elevator operating devices arranged on the floors have up / down buttons so that passengers can input their desired direction of travel. In this elevator installation, the elevator cars have car operating devices, which allow passengers in the elevator cars to input their desired destination floor. In other known elevator systems, passengers can already input their destination floor on the elevator operating device for that floor. For this purpose, elevator systems are equipped with destination call control technology, and the elevator operating devices arranged on the floors each have either a keypad, a touch-sensitive screen, and / or a data acquisition device (e.g., in the form of an RFID card reader, as known from EP 0 699 617 B1) for inputting the destination floor.

[0003] Elevator operating devices must be convenient and reliably operable even for passengers with limited mobility. Physical disabilities can affect, for example, vision, hearing, or physical mobility. Various approaches are known to meet these requirements. For example, elevator operating devices are commonly known that each have or display a special button (e.g., a wheelchair symbol). When this button is activated, the elevator system switches to a disability-friendly operating mode. In addition, it is known, for example from EP 2 331 443, that an elevator operating device with a touch-sensitive screen changes to a special input mode when certain stray movements are detected on the touchscreen. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] European Patent No. 0699617 [Patent Document 2] European Patent No. 2331443 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] While the above-described approaches facilitate operation of elevator systems by passengers with physical disabilities, touch-sensitive screens with smooth surfaces can nevertheless present difficulties in operation, especially for passengers with limited vision. Thus, there is a need for technology to facilitate operation.

[0006] One aspect of the technology described herein relates to an elevator system in which an elevator car controlled by an elevator control can be moved between floors. The elevator system includes an elevator operating device and an activation device. The elevator operating device is communicatively connected to the elevator control and disposed on a floor. The elevator operating device has a first wireless device, an audio device, and a touch-sensitive screen for inputting a passenger's desired destination floor and outputting progress information. The activation device has an actuation device accessible to the passenger and a second wireless device for wirelessly communicating with the first wireless device. The activation device is disposed on one of the floors within wireless range of the elevator operating device disposed thereon, and the second wireless device is configured to transmit an activation wireless signal when the actuation device is activated by a passenger. The elevator operating device is configured to switch from a normal operating mode to a special operating mode when the activation wireless signal is received by the first wireless device, generate operation instructions in the special operating mode in response to a call input by a passenger, and switch to the normal operating mode when the call is input.

[0007] Another aspect of the present technology relates to a method for operating an elevator system in which elevator operating devices communicatively connected to an elevator control are located on floors and an activation device is located on one of the floors within wireless range of the elevator operating device located thereon, the elevator operating device having a normal operating mode and a special operating mode. The method includes receiving, by the elevator operating device, an activation signal initiated by a passenger at the activation device. After receiving the activation signal, the special operating mode of the elevator operating device is activated, and the elevator operating device switches from the normal operating mode to the special operating mode. The elevator operating device then executes a routine for operating instructions, whereby the elevator operating device assists the passenger who initiated the activation signal in the event of a call input at the elevator operating device. When the passenger completes the call input, a destination call is transmitted by the elevator operating device to the elevator control. The elevator operating device communicates progress information to the passenger, the progress information being determined by the elevator control and indicating an elevator car servicing the destination call. When the communication of the progress information is finished, the special operation mode of the elevator operating device is deactivated and the elevator operating device switches from the special operation mode to the normal operation mode.

[0008] The technology described herein creates an elevator system in which an activation device according to the technology described herein can be advantageously used in combination with known elevator operating devices in which a destination floor is entered on a touch-sensitive screen (touchscreen). Using such touch-sensitive screens can be challenging, especially for passengers with limited vision. For passengers, especially those with low vision, the technology described herein has the advantage that a desired destination floor can be comfortably entered on an elevator operating device with a touchscreen. The activation device allows such passengers to activate a special operating mode of the elevator operating device, such as is used in elevator systems with destination call control technology. In this special operating mode, the passenger is assisted during call entry. However, passengers without physical disabilities can still use the elevator operating device to which they are already familiar.

[0009] With respect to the elevator operating device, the activation device can be considered as an extension component. Since communication between the activation device and the elevator operating device is performed wirelessly, little installation effort is required. Furthermore, in one exemplary embodiment, known and commonly available wireless technologies, in particular Bluetooth, are used. (registered trademark) technology is used.

[0010] Compared to the elevator operation device, the activation device has reduced functionality and only needs to generate and emit an activation signal. Depending on the design of the activation device, an acoustic signal generator and / or a lighting device may be provided. Therefore, according to the technology described herein, the activation device has low technical complexity and is therefore also inexpensive.

[0011] In an exemplary embodiment, the elevator operating device and the at least one activation device each have a housing, and the housing of the at least one activation device is disposed adjacent to the housing of the elevator operating device located next to the activation device. The housing of the activation device can be disposed on the housing of the elevator operating device. In an exemplary embodiment, the activation device can be disposed on the passenger-side front surface of the elevator operating device; for example, it can be glued to the front surface of the elevator operating device. This allows the at least one activation device to be flexibly and independently disposed from the elevator operating device. The housings may be in contact with each other or may be disposed at a greater or lesser distance from each other.

[0012] Flexibility with respect to placement is also provided in that, in one exemplary embodiment, the activation device is equipped with a battery or another form of storage for electrical energy. In one exemplary embodiment, the activation device is equipped with a push button along with an electrodynamic energy converter. When the push button is pressed, the electrodynamic energy converter activates the Bluetooth (registered trademark) It provides the energy for transmitting the signal, so the activation device does not need to have a separate wire for power.

[0013] Various aspects of the improved techniques are described in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments in conjunction with the drawings, in which like elements are numbered the same in each figure. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a situation in a building with multiple floors and an example of an elevator system; [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of an exemplary elevator operating device and an exemplary activation device arranged on a floor in the elevator system according to FIG. 1. [Figure 3]1 is a diagrammatic example of an exemplary embodiment of a method for operating an elevator system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0015] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an example of a situation in a building 2 having multiple floors L, L1 served by an elevator system 1. Floor L may be an entrance hall of the building 2 through which passengers P access the building 2 and through which they also leave the building 2. Once passenger P enters floor L, each floor L, L1 of the building 2 can be reached from that floor by the elevator system 1, with appropriate access permissions. For illustrative purposes, only one elevator control 13, a driving machine 14, a suspension means 16 (e.g., steel cables or flat belts), an elevator car 10 (hereinafter also referred to as car 10) suspended by the suspension means 16 and movable within a shaft 18, and several elevator operating devices 4, 4a and activation devices 6 are shown in FIG. 1 of the elevator system 1. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the elevator system 1 may also include multiple cars 10 in one or more shafts 18 controlled by a group control. Instead of a traction elevator (shown in FIG. 1), the elevator system 1 can also have one or more hydraulic elevators.

[0016] The elevator system 1 can be configured according to any of the control technologies mentioned above (up / down control or destination call control). Those skilled in the art will recognize that depending on the control technology implemented in the building 2, the elevator operating devices 4, 4a will be configured and arranged accordingly. Since the mentioned control technologies are known to those skilled in the art, a detailed description is not deemed necessary; hereinafter, this is described only to the extent that it is deemed helpful in understanding the technology described herein.

[0017] If the elevator system 1 is equipped with a destination call control unit, the elevator operating device 4 is located on the floor L, L1 and is connected to the destination call control unit 12 (DCC) via a communication network 22. A passenger P can input a desired destination floor in the elevator operating device 4 on the floor L, L1. After the passenger P inputs the destination floor (i.e., inputs a destination call), information on the landing floor and the destination floor becomes available. The landing floor is determined by the location of the elevator operating device 4 where the destination floor is input. The destination call control unit 12 assigns an elevator car 10 to the input destination call, and the elevator control unit 8 controls the movement of the assigned elevator car 10 according to the destination call. A request to move to a destination floor cannot usually be input inside the car 10; an elevator system 1 equipped with a destination call control unit does not have the elevator operating device 4a and activation device 6 in the car 10 shown in dashed lines in FIG. 1.

[0018] If the elevator system 1 is equipped with an on / off control, an elevator operating device 4 is arranged on the floors L, L1 where the passenger P can input the desired direction of travel; the (floor-side) elevator operating device 4 shown in FIG. 1 may consist of a touch-sensitive screen displaying two directions of travel or may be configured as two directional buttons. The destination call control 12, also shown in FIG. 1, is not provided in an elevator system 1 equipped with an up / down control. The elevator operating devices 4 on each floor L, L1 are connected to the elevator control unit 13 via a communication network 22. The desired destination floor is then input within the car 10 by the elevator operating device 4a arranged therein. A communication line 20 connects the (car-side) elevator operating device 4a to the elevator control unit 13. The current position of the car 10 (and thus the landing floor) can be stored in the elevator control unit 13; it is derived from the last trip made by the car 10.

[0019] In the following, the description of an exemplary embodiment of the technology described herein is primarily based on an elevator system 1 equipped with a destination call control unit. A passenger P can input a desired destination floor L, L1 on an elevator operating device 4 on floor L, L1. For this purpose, the elevator operating device 4 is equipped, for example, with a touch-sensitive screen 11, respectively; the touch-sensitive screen 11 is also referred to hereinafter as a touch screen 11. The embodiment of such a touch screen 11 and the technology used therein for application, in particular the display and input options on the flat user interface of the touch screen 11, are known to those skilled in the art. For example, the elevator operating device 4 can display the destination floor (e.g., in the form of individual numbered fields) and possibly related floor-specific information (e.g., restaurants, parking, foyers) on the user interface. The car 10 to which the elevator call is assigned to handle the elevator call can be communicated to the passenger P by a display on the user interface and by a voice message via the audio device 9.

[0020] According to the technology described herein, the elevator operating device 4 includes a wireless device 5 disposed together with a touch screen 11 within a housing 24 of the elevator operating device 4, and the activation device 6 includes a wireless device 7 disposed within the housing of the activation device 6. The wireless device 7 is configured to transmit an activation wireless signal when the activation device 6 is actuated by a passenger P. The wireless device 7 transmits the activation wireless signal with a wireless power and directional characteristics selected to ensure that the activation wireless signal can be received within a specified wireless range and direction. The wireless device 5 of the elevator operating device 4 is disposed within the wireless range and configured to receive the activation wireless signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the transmission and reception of the activation wireless signal is performed using Bluetooth. (registered trademark)The communication is performed according to a technology such as Bluetooth Low-Energy (BLE). Those skilled in the art will recognize that other wireless technologies such as Wi-Fi HaLow / IEEE802.11ah and Zigbee may also be implemented.

[0021] The technology described herein can be advantageously used in the situation shown in FIG. 1 . Briefly summarized, by way of example, the technology described herein allows passengers P with physical limitations, particularly those with limited vision or total blindness, to comfortably and reliably input elevator calls in elevator systems 1 in which touchscreens 11 are provided for call input. However, passengers P without physical disabilities can continue to use elevator operating devices 4 that they are familiar with from known elevator systems 1 with destination call control technology. For example, blind passengers P may be guided to one of the activation devices 6. For this purpose, a blind guidance system may be provided, including, for example, an acoustic signal generator generating a clocked harmonic sound signal with a low clock frequency (e.g., about 1-4 Hz or lower) and / or a tactile ground guidance system consisting of, for example, optically and tactilely contrasting ground indicators (grooved and knobby panels).

[0022] When passenger P activates the activation device 6, it sends an activation wireless signal, causing the elevator operation device 4 to switch from the normal operation mode to the special operation mode. In the normal operation mode, the elevator operation device 4 generates a graphical user interface on which passenger P can perform known operations by touching and reading information, for example. In the special operation mode, the elevator operation device 4 generates an operation command in response to a call input by passenger P. The activation device 6 is disposed on or within the elevator operation device 4. Thus, when passenger P activates the activation device 6, passenger P is also located on or near the elevator operation device 4. Thus, the operation command generated by the elevator operation device 4 can be perceived by passenger P; in particular, can be heard. If passenger P follows the operation command and interacts with the elevator operation device 4 accordingly, passenger P is therefore assisted during the call input. Once the call entry is completed by transmitting progress information to the passenger P (e.g., which car 10 is assigned, arrival time at the landing floor, and / or boarding locations starting from the location of the elevator operating device 4), the elevator operating device 4 switches back to normal operating mode.

[0023] In both FIG. 1 and certain embodiments, the passenger-side activation device 6 can be comprised of an identification device 26. The identification device 26 can have, for example, a wheelchair symbol or other markings on the user interface to identify its intended use for a passenger P with a physical disability. Depending on the embodiment, the identification device 26 can include an illumination device 44, shown in FIG. 2, for example, to illuminate the user interface. Additionally, the acoustic signal generator 42, also shown in FIG. 2, can be understood to be included in the identification device 26.

[0024] FIG. 2 shows a schematic diagram of an exemplary embodiment of an elevator operating device 4 and an activation device 6 that can be used on floors L, L1 of the elevator system 1 according to FIG. 1. The elevator operating device 6 is communicatively connected to an elevator control unit 13 (EC / DCC) via a communication network 22. The elevator operating device 4 has a housing 24, which can be disposed on a building wall, an elevator door frame, or standing on a floor. The activation device 6 has a housing 36, which can be disposed on or above a building wall, an elevator door frame, or the elevator operating device 4. In the elevator car 10, the elevator operating device 4a is disposed on or above the car interior wall or the elevator operating device 4a. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the housings 24, 36 can be omitted when the elevator operating device 4 and the activation device 6 are installed on a building wall or a floor-side elevator door frame. Those skilled in the art will also recognize that the elevator operating device 4 and activation device 6 are located at heights that are convenient or prescribed by standards.

[0025] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the touchscreen 11, the central control and processing device 32 (CPU), the lighting device 34, the audio device 9 (e.g., comprising an electroacoustic transducer) and the communication device 30 (PoE, Power over Ethernet) are arranged in a housing 24 of the elevator operating device 4. Also arranged in the housing 24 is a wireless device 5 for receiving (RX) an activation wireless signal. The central control and processing device 32 is communicatively connected to the mentioned components to ensure the operation and tasks of the elevator operating device 4.

[0026] The touchscreen 11 comprises a processor 28 which controls the operation of the touchscreen 11 and generates, among other things, the user interface. A transparent glass panel (not shown) covers the touchscreen 11 so that the input fields shown on the user interface are visible to passengers. The processor 28 is connected to a central control and processing device 32 and generates a signal when, for example, a passenger P touches an input field with his or her finger. The input fields are assigned to destination floors and can also display floor-specific information. The structure and function of touchscreens are known to those skilled in the art and therefore no further explanation appears necessary.

[0027] The lighting device 34 serves to illuminate the entire user interface of the elevator operating device 4 or only certain areas thereof. Controlled by the central control and processing device 32, the lighting device 34 can illuminate the user interface in such a way that the displayed input fields can be perceived by the (non-visually impaired) passenger P, especially in poor lighting conditions. The lighting device 34 can also illuminate the user interface or individual input fields with colored light, for example, to confirm the input of an elevator call. In an exemplary embodiment, the lighting device 34 comprises one or more LED light sources.

[0028] On the elevator operating device 4, a passenger can select a destination floor by touching one of the displayed input buttons, thus entering an elevator call (destination call) to the desired destination floor. Once a car 10 is allocated to this destination call, the central control and processing device 32 activates the touch screen 11 (or its processor 28) to display on the user interface 28 an identifier (e.g., letters or numbers) and possibly directional information of the car 10 responding to the destination call. Furthermore, the central control and processing device 32 can activate the audio device 9 to generate a corresponding voice message (e.g., car and directional information). This particularly aids passengers P with limited eyesight in locating themselves within the building after entering a call.

[0029] The wireless device 5 is configured to receive the activation wireless signal, convert it into an electrical activation signal, and forward it to the central control and processing device 32. When the central control and processing device 32 recognizes it as an activation signal, it switches the elevator operating device 4 from a normal operating mode to a special operating mode. In the special operating mode, the central control and processing device 32 executes a defined and stored routine, as described elsewhere in this description in connection with FIG.

[0030] In an exemplary embodiment of the elevator operating device 4, an alternative or additional possibility of call input may be provided, in which a portable communication device of the passenger P (e.g., a mobile wireless device / cell phone, smartphone, tablet PC) may be used for call input, and the communication between the wireless device 5 and the communication device may also be performed via, for example, the above-mentioned Bluetooth (registered trademark) It is done according to the technology.

[0031] In the illustrated exemplary embodiment, the wireless device 7, the acoustic signal generator 42, the processor 40, the actuation device 38, and the (optional) lighting device 44 are disposed within the housing 36 of the activation device 6. The processor 40 is directly or indirectly connected to designated components; for example, the actuation device 38 generates an actuation signal when actuated by the passenger P, and the processor 40 controls the wireless device 7. The wireless device 7 then sends the activation signal.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, the processor 40 controls the acoustic signal generator 42 to generate an audible sound signal. The sound signal can be, for example, a clocked harmonic (audible) sound signal having a low clock frequency. In the field of assisting the blind, acoustic signal generators are known that generate sound signals having clock frequencies of, for example, approximately 1-4 Hz. The sound signal serves as a position signal, based on which the passenger P can locate himself in space and move in the direction of the signal generator 42.

[0033] In one exemplary embodiment, the functionality of the actuation device 38 and the functionality of the wireless device 7 are managed by a module, e.g., BLE (Bluetooth (registered trademark) The device may be integrated into a push button transmitter module (PTM 215B from EnOcean GmbH, Germany) configured according to Bluetooth technology. This module combines multiple push buttons or toggle switches with Bluetooth (registered trademark) The wireless device includes an electrodynamic energy converter for supplying energy to the module. When one of the push buttons is pressed, the electrodynamic energy converter activates the Bluetooth (registered trademark) Those skilled in the art will recognize that the activation device 6 may further be provided with a battery, for example, to operate the acoustic signal generator 42 and possibly the (optional) lighting device 44 even when the push button is not pressed and the electrodynamic energy converter is not supplying electrical energy.

[0034] The communication network 22 connects the elevator operating devices 4 to the elevator control 13, thus enabling communication between the elevator control 13 and the elevator operating devices 4. For this communication, the elevator operating devices 4 and the elevator control 13 may be directly or indirectly connected to the communication network 22. The communication network 22 may include a communication bus system, individual data lines, or a combination thereof. Depending on the implementation of the communication network 22, individual addresses and / or identifiers may be assigned to the elevator control 13 and each elevator operating device 4, so that, for example, the elevator control 13 can send messages to the desired elevator operating device 4 in a targeted manner. Communication may be performed according to a protocol for wired communication, such as an Ethernet protocol. As mentioned above, in an exemplary embodiment, the elevator operating devices 4 are supplied with electrical energy via the communication network 22 (PoE).

[0035] With an understanding of the above-described basic system components of elevator system 1 and their functions, an example of a method for operating elevator system 1 shown in FIG. 1, and in particular one of its elevator operating devices 4, will now be described with reference to FIG. 3. FIG. 3 shows an example of a flowchart of the method; it begins with step S1 and ends with step S10. Those skilled in the art will recognize that this division into steps is exemplary, and that one or more of the steps can be divided into one or more sub-steps, or several steps can be combined into a single step.

[0036] The method will be described with reference to a passenger P with one of the mentioned visual impairments. It is assumed here that the passenger P is already located on a floor L, L1 and can reach the activation device 6 located there; for example, the passenger P wants to use the elevator to be transported from this floor L, L1 to the destination floor L, L1, and has therefore traveled to the activation device 6 with the aid of the sound signal and / or the blind guidance system. As shown in FIG. 1 , the elevator operating device 4 is located close to the activation device 6. The elevator system 1 is equipped with a destination call control, according to which the user interface of the elevator operating device 4 shows, for example, numbered input fields corresponding to the destination floor and possibly related floor-specific information. The elevator operating device 4 is in a normal operating mode, indicated by step S2 in FIG. 3; in another representation of the flowchart, step S2 can even be omitted.

[0037] When passenger P activates activation device 6, in particular its actuation device 38, wireless device 7 sends an activation signal. In step S3, wireless device 5 of elevator operating device 4 receives the activation signal. In one exemplary embodiment, the activation signal is transmitted to wireless device 5 by another Bluetooth (registered trademark) It may be coded and / or include an identifier so that the elevator operating device 4 clearly recognizes that it is emanating from a nearby located activation device 6 and not from the transmitter.

[0038] In response to the received activation signal, elevator operation device 4 switches from the normal operation mode to the special operation mode in step S4. In the special operation mode, audio device 9 can be activated for voice output and voice input in one embodiment. In another exemplary embodiment, touch screen 11 can be activated for character and / or gesture recognition in addition to or instead of audio device 9.

[0039] In the special operating mode, the elevator operating device 4 executes a routine for operating instructions in step S5. The operating instructions may consist, for example, of one or more (stored) voice messages from the audio device 9 greeting the passenger P, informing the passenger P where he or she is, and prompting him or her to speak the desired destination floor as a number or a floor-specific indication (e.g., restaurant, parking lot, entrance hall). The audio device 9 may be equipped with a voice recognition module for such voice input. The voice message generated by the audio device 9 may inform the passenger P of the recognized destination floor and prompt the passenger P to confirm it or repeat the destination floor.

[0040] In one exemplary embodiment, the audio device 9 can generate a voice message indicating floors reachable from the current floor, and the passenger P can respond at the desired destination floor by saying, for example, "Stop." In conjunction with such a voice message, the touch screen 11 can be controlled to display the currently announced floor and prompt the passenger P to touch the touch screen 11 at the desired destination floor.

[0041] In one embodiment, the voice message can prompt the passenger P to produce proof of authentication. The proof of authentication can be configured, for example, in the form of a card-like carrier with an integrated RFID transponder or with an optical code (e.g., a barcode or QR code) displayed. The voice message can also indicate where the proof of authentication should be displayed on the elevator operating device 4. Based on the proof of authentication, a destination call to a defined destination floor can be triggered.

[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, the operational instructions may consist of audio device 9 prompting passenger P to touch touchscreen 11 and write with a finger the desired destination floor number or floor-specific information (e.g., restaurant). Touchscreen 11 or the processor 28 and / or central control device 32 controlling it may be configured for such forms of character or handwriting recognition. A voice message generated by audio device 9 may inform passenger P of the recognized destination floor and prompt passenger P to confirm it or make a new input.

[0043] In step S6 it is checked whether the call entry is completed. In an exemplary embodiment, the call entry is considered to be finished when the passenger P confirms the voice or text entry that he or she made and that has been recognized by the audio device 9. If so, the method proceeds along the YES branch to step S7, otherwise the method proceeds along the NO branch back to step S5.

[0044] In step S7, the destination call is sent from the elevator operating device 4 to the elevator control unit 13. When the destination call is received, information about the landing floor and the destination floor is available, so the allocation algorithm can use this information to select and allocate a car 10 for this trip. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the destination call control unit 12 receives the destination call. Such allocation algorithms are known to those skilled in the art, for example, from EP 1276691. Those skilled in the art will recognize that, depending on the design of the elevator system 1, the allocation algorithm can also be performed with the involvement of floor-side elevator operating devices 4, for example, as described in EP 1276691. The selected elevator car 10 is sent to the elevator operating device 4 as progress information. Depending on the configuration of the elevator system 1, the progress information can include additional information, such as when the car 10 is expected to arrive at that floor. The control system 8, among other things, controls the drive machine 14 so that the allocated car 10 is moved according to the destination call.

[0045] In step S8, the progress information is communicated to the passenger P using the elevator operating device 4. The audio device 9 can generate corresponding voice messages for this purpose. Depending on the elevator system 1 and the building, the voice messages can also include route or direction information (e.g., turn left, turn right). The elevator operating device 4 can be configured to repeat the communication of the progress information to the passenger P automatically or on request.

[0046] In step S9, the elevator operating device 4 switches from the special operating mode back to the normal operating mode. In an exemplary embodiment, the switching occurs a specified period of time after the progress information was communicated in step S8. The method ends in step S10.

Claims

1. An elevator system (1) in which an elevator car (10) controlled by an elevator control unit (13) is movable between floors (L, L1), an elevator operating device (4) communicatively connected to an elevator control (13) and located on a floor (L, L1), the elevator operating device (4) having a first wireless device (5), an audio device (9), and a touch-sensitive screen (11) for inputting a passenger's (P) desired destination floor and outputting progress information; an activation device (6) having an activation device (38) accessible to a passenger (P) and a second wireless device (7) for wirelessly communicating with the first wireless device (5), the activation device (6) being located on one of the floors (L, L1) within wireless range of an elevator operating device (4) located thereon, the second wireless device (7) being configured to transmit an activation wireless signal when the activation device (38) is activated by the passenger (P); The elevator system (1) is configured such that the elevator operation device (4) switches from a normal operation mode to a special operation mode when an activation wireless signal is received by a first wireless device (5), generates an operation command in response to a call input by a passenger (P) in the special operation mode, and switches back to the normal operation mode when the call input is completed.

2. 2. The elevator system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elevator operating device (4) is configured to confirm call input through an audio device (9) and / or a touch-sensitive screen (11).

3. 3. The elevator system (1) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating instructions comprise voice instructions communicated through an audio device (9).

4. 4. The elevator system (1) according to claim 1, wherein the elevator operating device (4) has a housing (24), the activation device (6) has a housing (36), and the housing (36) of the activation device (6) is arranged adjacent to the housing (24) of the elevator operating device (4) that is located next to the activation device (6).

5. 4. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the elevator operating device (4) has a housing (24), the activation device (6) has a housing (44), and the housing (44) of the activation device (6) is arranged on the housing (24) of the elevator operating device (4).

6. 6. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the activation device (6) has an identification device (26) on the passenger side, which identifies the activation device (6) for use by a passenger (P) with physical limitations.

7. 7. The elevator system (1) according to claim 6, wherein the activation device (6) comprises an acoustic signal generator (42) for generating an audible position signal.

8. 8. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the touch-sensitive screen (11) is configured to display input fields assigned to destination floors, to detect a touch in one of the input fields, and to display progress information determined for the destination call.

9. 9. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the second wireless device (7) is configured to transmit an activation radio signal according to Bluetooth technology and the first wireless device (5) is configured to receive an activation radio signal according to Bluetooth technology.

10. 10. The elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the elevator control (13) is configured in a special operating mode to determine progress information for an incoming call and to communicate the determined progress information to passengers (P) by means of the elevator operating device (4).

11. 11. A method for operating an elevator system (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising: elevator operating devices (4) communicatively connected to an elevator control (13) arranged on the floors (L, L1); an activation device (6) arranged on one of the floors (L, L1) within wireless range of the elevator operating device (4) arranged thereon; and the elevator operating device (4) having a normal operating mode and a special operating mode, receiving an activation signal initiated by a passenger (P) at an activation device (6) via an elevator operating device (4); activating a special operation mode of the elevator operating device (4) after receiving the activation signal, whereby the elevator operating device (4) switches from a normal operation mode to the special operation mode; Executing a routine for an operation command by the elevator operating device (4), whereby the elevator operating device (4) assists the passenger (P) who initiated the activation signal during a call input at the elevator operating device (4); After the call input by the passenger (P) is completed, the elevator operating device (4) transmits the destination call to the elevator control unit (13); communicating progress information via an elevator operating device (4), the progress information being determined by an elevator control (13) and indicating an elevator car (10) serving a destination call; deactivating the special operation mode of the elevator operating device (4) when the communication of the progress information is completed, so that the elevator operating device (4) switches from the special operation mode to a normal operation mode; A method comprising:

12. 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the activation radio signal is emitted by the second wireless device (7) according to Bluetooth technology and the activation radio signal is received by the first wireless device (5) according to Bluetooth technology.

13. 13. The method of claim 11 or 12, further comprising generating an audible location signal by an acoustic signal generator (42) of the activation device (6).

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