Elevator system and operating terminal having graphical user interface and haptic feedback

Abstract

An operating terminal (4) of an elevator system (1) has a terminal body (3), a central control and processing unit (56) mounted to the terminal body (3), and a panel (46) mounted to the terminal body (3) and movable with respect to the terminal body (3) between a released position and a pressed position. The panel (46) has a functional indicator (36, 38, 40) perceivable and selectable by a user (8), and representing an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal (4). A touch sensor (58) is arranged to coincide with the functional indicator (36, 38, 40) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56). The touch sensor (58) generates a touch signal indicative of the user (8) selecting the assigned. The central control and processing unit (56) is adapted to register the assigned function upon detecting the touch signal and an activation signal resulting from the panel's pressed position.

Description

[0001] ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND OPERATING TERMINAL HAVING GRAPHICAL USER INTERFACE AND HAPTIC FEEDBACK

[0002] Description

[0003] The technology described herein relates in general to an elevator system in a building. Embodiments of the technology relate in particular to an elevator system having elevator operation terminals for passengers with impaired mobility, to a method for operating such an elevator system, and to an elevator operation terminal for such an elevator system.

[0004] In buildings having elevator systems, elevator operating terminal are provided on individual floors to allow users to call an elevator. An elevator operating terminal arranged on a floor can have up / down buttons such that a user can input the desired direction of travel. In this elevator system, a car operating terminal in the elevator car is provided for the user in the elevator car to input the desired destination floor. In another elevator system, the user can already input the destination floor on an elevator operating terminal on the floor. For this purpose, the elevator system is equipped with destination call control technology, and the elevator operating terminals arranged on the floors each have either a keyboard, a touch-sensitive screen, and / or a data acquisition device (e. g. in the form of an RFID card reader known from EP 0699617 B1) for input of the destination floor.

[0005] It is typically a requirement that elevator operating terminals are conveniently and reliably operable for users with impaired mobilities. The impaired mobilities can affect vision, hearing or physical mobility, for example. Different approaches are known for meeting these requirements. Elevator operating terminals, for example, which each have or display a special button (e. g., a symbol for or a pictogram of a wheelchair) are generally known. If this button is actuated, the elevator system switches to an impairment-friendly operating mode. In addition, it is known from EP 2 331 443 Bl, for example, that an elevator operating terminal having a touch-sensitive screen changes to a special input mode when a type of wandering movement is detected on the touch screen.

[0006] Although the approaches mentioned facilitate the operation of an elevator installation by a user with impaired mobility, touch-sensitive screens having a smooth surface can nevertheless represent a difficulty in operation, in particular for users with impaired vision. There is therefore a need for a technology which facilitates the use an operating terminal and, hence, the elevator system by such a user.

[0007] One aspect of the technology described herein relates to an elevator system having an elevator controller, an elevator car movable under control of the elevator controller between floors of a building, and an operating terminal communicatively coupled to the elevator controller. The operating terminal includes a terminal body, a central control and processing unit mounted to the terminal body, and a panel mounted to the terminal body and movable with respect to the terminal body between a released position and a pressed position. The panel is provided with at least one functional indicator perceivable and selectable by a user, wherein the at least one functional indicator represents an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal. Further, the operating terminal includes at least one electronic touch sensor arranged to coincide with the at least one functional indicator and coupled to the central control and processing unit. The at least one electronic touch sensor is adapted to generate an electrical touch signal indicative of the user touching the at least one functional indicator. The central control and processing unit is adapted to register the assigned function upon detecting the electrical touch signal and an electrical activation signal resulting from the panel's pressed position caused by the user pressing on the panel.

[0008] The operating terminal according to the technology described herein may be used to replace an existing operating terminal that may not be suitable for users with impaired mobilities. An elevator system with such an existing operating terminal may be modernized in that at least some of the existing operating terminals are replaced with the operating terminal according to the technology described herein. Accordingly, another aspect relates to an operating terminal as such. The operating terminal includes a terminal body, a central control and processing unit mounted to the terminal body, and a panel mounted to the terminal body and movable with respect to the terminal body between a released position and a pressed position. The panel is provided with at least one functional indicator perceivable and selectable by a user, wherein the at least one functional indicator represents an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal. Further, the operating terminal includes at least one electronic touch sensor arranged to coincide with the at least one functional indicator and coupled to the central control and processing unit. The at least one electronic touch sensor is adapted to generate an electrical touch signal indicative of the user touching the at least one functional indicator. The central control and processing unit is adapted to register the assigned function upon detecting the electrical touch signal and an electrical activation signal resulting from the panel's pressed position caused by the user pressing on the panel.

[0009] Another aspect relates to a method of operating the elevator system having such elevator operating terminals for inputting elevator calls. The method includes receiving an electrical touch signal indicative of a user selecting the assigned function by touching the at least one functional indicator, wherein the electrical touch signal is generated by the at least one electronic touch sensor and received by the central control and processing unit. Further, the method includes receiving by the central control and processing unit an electrical activation signal indicative of the user pressing the panel into its pressed position, and registering the assigned function upon the central control and processing unit receiving the electrical touch signal and the electrical activation signal.

[0010] The various aspects of the technology disclosed herein facilitate the use of an operating terminal and, hence, of the overall elevator system, by a user with impaired mobility even though the operating terminal has no actual physical push button that lets the user feel that a desired function has been selected, e. g., that the button has been pushed. While physical push buttons provide a well-known look and feel, in certain buildings such buttons may not be favored, e. g., for design reasons; instead, touch-screen like surfaces may be preferred. Therefore, instead of a push-button equipped operating terminal, the operating terminal is provided with a sensor-enabled touch-sensitive surface with one or more markings for specified functions, wherein the operating terminal is adapted to provide haptic feedback when the user selects a desired function and "pushes" the corresponding marked surface. The movable panel of the operating terminal includes the sensor-enabled touch-sensitive surface; the sensor detects a touching and selecting of the function, and haptic feedback is provided by the panel being moved or "pushed" into the pressed position by the user. In response to detecting both the touched / selected function and the moved / pushed panel, the selected function is registered.

[0011] There are several options for movably mounting the panel to the terminal body which provide for additional design freedom. In one embodiment, an axis or joint is provided that is arranged to couple the panel to the terminal body. The panel is mounted to pivot about the axis. For example, the axis may serve as a hinge that connects the panel to the terminal body. In another embodiment, a push-button mechanism is provided that is arranged to couple the panel to the terminal body. The panel is mounted to move essentially perpendicular to a surface plane of the terminal body. As such, the panel may move like a push button.

[0012] In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the operating terminal includes a switch mounted to the terminal body and coupled to the central control and processing unit. The switch is arranged to be activated by the panel in the pressed position. The switch may be integrated in the axis or joint, or configured as a separate switch mounted between the terminal body and panel. The arrangement is such that the user must exert a set minimum force, i. e., more than a mere touching, to push the panel in the pressed position against a biasing force. The arrangement is configured so that its activation causes haptic feedback, which may be accompanied with an audible sound ("click").

[0013] In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the panel includes the at least one electronic touch sensor coupled to the central control and processing unit. The at least one electronic touch sensor is assigned to the at least one functional indicator. For example, in case the user touches the at least one functional indicator, the at least one electronic touch sensor detects that touching. In one embodiment, the at least one electronic touch sensor is implemented by a touch-sensitive display device. In addition to be perceivable by touching, the at least one functional indicator may be displayed by the touch-sensitive display device, which also detects the touching.

[0014] In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the assigned function of the at least one functional indicator is a restricted-mobility function (e. g., symbolized through a wheelchair), wherein the at least one functional indicator includes an embossment indicative of the restricted-mobility function. For example, a functional indicator may include a symbol, an icon, a pictogram, a number, a character / letter, a word / text, or a combination thereof, which may be visible and perceptible (tactile) through a corresponding embossment or relief. The embossment may be similar to or conform to the Braille tactile writing system. In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the panel is provided with three functional indicators. In one embodiment, these functional indicators are horizontally arranged. A first functional indicator indicates the restricted-mobility function ("wheelchair"), by pressing it, the user selects an accessibility function. In one embodiment, the first functional indicator can have the function of a "select button". A second functional indicator indicates a down function, and a third functional indicator indicates an up function. For example, pressing and releasing the "up" or “down” indicator announces the next floor, respectively, above or below a previously announced floor. The user can then select a desired floor, and enter a corresponding call, by pressing the "select button" during a pause following a floor announcement. If no floor is selected during the pause, the operating terminal resumes announcing the next floor when the up or down indicator is pressed again. In buildings with more than ten floors, pressing the up or down indicator for over three seconds, for example, presents floor selection options in groups of ten, starting from the last announced floor.

[0015] It is contemplated that in another embodiment, the panel may include more or less functional indicators. Further, the functional indicators may be arranged differently and may be assigned to different functions. For example, more than three functional indicators may be arranged in form of a matrix. Any function in addition to the accessibility function may be specific to the building and / or the floor the operation terminal is installed.

[0016] In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the panel is further provided with an indicator for a recognition device, wherein the recognition device is adapted to obtain a credential presented by the user. The recognition device may include a terminal for capturing a biometric feature, a terminal for capturing an optical code, a reader for a magnetic stripe card or a chip card, or a transmitting and receiving terminal for radio signals. Accordingly, the credentials can, for example, be in the form of a biometric feature (e. g., fingerprint, iris pattern, speech / voice characteristics) or an access code captured from a magnetic card, chip card or RFID card or from an electronic terminal (NFC-, Bluetooth- or cellular network-based). In one embodiment, which may be applicable in connection with one or more of the embodiments disclosed herein, the operating terminal includes a touch-sensitive screen system mounted to the terminal body separate from the panel. The touch-sensitive screen system is coupled to the central control and processing unit and adapted to generate a graphical user interface for display on a user-facing side of a touch-sensitive screen of the touch-sensitive screen system. In this embodiment, users without impaired mobilities can use the touch-sensitive screen system, as is known in the art, and users with impaired mobilities can use the least one functional indicator.

[0017] In the following, various aspects of the improved technology are explained in more detail by means of exemplary embodiments in connection with the figures. All figures are merely schematic illustrations of methods and terminals or their components according to exemplary embodiments of the improved technology. In particular, distances and size relations are not reproduced to scale in the figures. In the figures, identical elements have identical reference signs. In the drawings:

[0018] Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary elevator system in a building with several floors;

[0019] Fig. 2 - 5 show various illustrations of an exemplary operating terminal used in the elevator system of Fig. 1;

[0020] Fig. 6 shows a schematic illustration of an operating terminal with exemplary components; and

[0021] Fig. 7 shows an example of an embodiment of a method for operating of the elevator system's operating terminal.

[0022] Fig. 1 shows a schematic illustration of an exemplary embodiment of an elevator system 1 in a building; the building can in principle be any type of multilevel building (e. g., residential building, hotel, office building, sports station, etc. In the following, components and functions of the elevator system 1 are explained as far as they seem helpful for an understanding of the technology described here. The building shown in Fig. 1 has a plurality of floors LI, L2, L3 served by the elevator system 1, i. e., a user 8 can be transported from a boarding floor to a destination floor by the elevator system 1 after inputting a call at an operating terminal 4 while at the boarding floor. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the elevator system 1 has an elevator car 6 that is movable along a travel path in the building. For example, the travel path extends along a vertical elevator shaft 10, without being limited to such a travel path. In the following, embodiments of the technology disclosed herein are described with reference to the exemplary elevator system 1 shown in Fig. 1.

[0023] The elevator system 1 shown in Fig. 1 also comprises an elevator controller (EC) 12, a drive machine (M) 14, a counterweight 18, a signal transmission system 20 (also referred to as hanging cable), a suspension means 16 (one or more steel ropes or flat belts) and a plurality of deflection pulleys 24. The suspension means 16 has two ends, each end being attached to a fixed point 22 in the elevator shaft 10. Between the fixed points 22, the suspension means 16 partially wraps around the deflection pulley 24 on the counterweight 18, a traction sheave of the drive machine 14 and the deflection pulleys 24 on the elevator car 6. The elevator system 1 shown is thus a traction elevator, wherein further details, such as, for example, guide rails for the elevator car 6 and guide rails for the counterweight 18 are not shown in Fig. 1. The elevator controller 12 is connected to the drive machine 14 and controls it to move the elevator car 6 in the shaft 10. The function of a traction elevator, the components of which and the tasks of an elevator control 12 are generally known to the person skilled in the art. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the technology described here is not limited to use in a traction elevator. The person skilled in the art will also recognize that the elevator system 1 can comprise a plurality of elevator cars 6 or multi-deck cars in one or more elevator shafts 10 or can comprise one or more groups of elevators controlled by a group controller.

[0024] In Fig. 1, an operating terminal 4 is arranged on each floor LI, L2, L3 and is coupled to the elevator controller 12 by means of a communication connection 26. The communication connection 26 may be implemented wired (e. g., by individual lines or a communication bus) and / or wireless. Each of these operating terminals 4 can have, for example, a terminal identifier (also referred to as a terminal ID) by which an operating terminal 4 is identifiable and addressable; for example, the operating terminal 4 sends a call along with its terminal ID to the elevator controller 12 which confirms the call to the operating terminal 4 identified by the terminal ID. In this case, information about an elevator allocated to serve the call can also be sent. As shown in Fig. 1, a further operating terminal 4 is arranged in the elevator car 6 and connected to the elevator controller 12 by means of the signal transmission system 20. The floor-side operating terminal 4 may be referred to as floor terminal and the car-side operating terminal may be referred to as car terminal. For illustration purposes, the operating terminals 4 are shown with the same symbol and the same reference numeral is used. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the configurations of the operating terminals 4 depend on the control technology (up / down directional call control technology or destination call control technology) applied in the elevator system 1. For example, when the destination call control technology is used, a floor terminal allows a user 8 to enter a destination floor, while the car terminal may allow the user 8 only, e. g., to signal an emergency and / or to affect the closing of the elevator doors. When the up / down directional call control technology is used, a floor terminal is configured only for inputting a desired direction of travel, e. g., it may have a button-like feature entry of the upward direction and a button-like feature for entry of the downward direction, while the car terminal allows inputting a destination floor. Embodiments of the technology described herein are in the following described with reference to the destination call control technology and operating terminals arranged on the floors LI, L2, L3.

[0025] The operating terminal 4 can be arranged at a desired location on a floor LI, L2, L3, e. g., on a building wall or freestanding at a desired location. The location can be, e. g., an anteroom in front of one or more elevator (shaft) doors or an entrance to an elevator lobby. While the location is relatively freely selectable, there are specifications (e. g. according to a standard (e. g., EN81-70) or of legal nature) in terms of in which height range the operating terminal 4 or a user interface of the operating terminal 4 is to be arranged. This is to ensure that the operating terminal 4 is located at a height at which the operating terminal 4 or the user interface can be reached by a user 8 and displayed information can be perceived, whether or not the user 8 has a reduced mobility, e. g., a user 8 with impaired eyesight or a user 8 in a wheelchair.

[0026] In addition to the arrangement of an operating terminal 4, its usability by a user 8 with reduced mobility is to be considered. The operating terminal 4 according to the technology described herein is provided with a functionality that improves its usability for such a user 8. Fig. 2 - Fig. 5 show various illustrations of an exemplary operating terminal 4 used in the elevator system 1 of Fig. 1. Referring initially to the front-view illustration of the operating terminal 4 shown in Fig. 1 on floors LI, L2 and in Fig. 2, the operating terminal 4 includes a body 3 with a touch-sensitive screen system 2. Another embodiment of the operating terminal 4 shown in Fig. 1 on floor L3 provides the functionality that improves its usability for the user 8 with impaired mobility, but does not have a touch-sensitive screen system.

[0027] The body 3 is a structure to which other components of the operating terminal 4 can be mounted. The body 3 can at least partially be arranged in a housing, or such a housing may serve as the body, the structure to which the other components are mounted. For example, an operating terminal 4 mounted to a building wall or to a free-standing pedestal may have a housing, while an operating terminal set at least partially into a building or car wall may not have a separate housing.

[0028] In the illustrated embodiment, the body 3 has a generally rectangular shape (without being limited to such a shape) and is shown in an upright position; with reference to this position, terms such a left, right, upper, lower, or similar may be used. The touch- sensitive screen system 2 is arranged within about an upper half of the body. As shown in Fig. 2, the touch-sensitive screen system 2 is oriented towards a user-accessible side of the operating terminal 4.

[0029] The touch-sensitive screen system 2 is configured to generate a graphical user interface 30 for display on a touch-sensitive screen 28 of the touch-sensitive screen system 2. For example, the graphical user interface 30 shown in Fig. 2 depicts selectable destination floors (e. g., indicators for floors 1 - 9, the indicators may be labeled with names of residents or enterprises or services). The touch-sensitive screen 28 is hereinafter referred to as "touch screen 28". The operating mode and principal structure of a touch-sensitive screen system 2 having a touch screen 28 are generally known to the person skilled in the art; the person skilled in the art knows in particular, for example, from the programming and use of smartphones or other electronic terminals having graphical user interfaces, how text, symbols, pictograms, input and output fields, etc. are generated on a touch screen and displayed on the graphical user interface, and how to react when a user touches a certain area of the touch screen for selecting content represented by a symbol, pictogram or field (e. g., for entering a selection or command). In Fig. 2, the touch-sensitive screen system 2 with its graphical user interface 30 is shown above a section 42 provided for an accessibility functionality (hereinafter also "accessibility section 42") the user 8 may use to cause the operating terminal 4 to switch into another operational mode, as described elsewhere in this description. Below the accessibility section 42 a representation for a recognition device 44 (which is optional and not part of the touch-sensitive screen system 2 and described below) is shown. The accessibility section 42 is at least partially provided on a panel 46, and includes at least one functional indicator cognizable by the user 8, either by being visible or perceptible (tactile). A visible functional indicator may include, for example, a symbol, an icon, a pictogram, a number, a character / letter, a word / text, or a combination thereof. The visible functional indicator may be a marking on a user-facing surface of the panel 46, with or without illumination (e. g., background illumination). A perceptible (tactile) functional indicator may include an embossment or relief, for example, of a symbol, a pictogram, an icon, a number, a character / letter, word / text, or a combination thereof, wherein the embossment may conform to the Braille tactile writing system. It is contemplated that a functional indicator may be visible and perceptible / tactile.

[0030] In the example of Fig. 2, three functional indicators 36, 38, 40 are shown: an indicator 40 intended for use by a user 8 with restricted mobility ("accessibility indicator 40" indicated through an illustration of a wheelchair), an indicator 38 of an upward direction ("up indicator 38"), and an indicator 36 for a downward direction "down indicator 36"). The accessibility indicator 40 is placed between the up and down indicators 38, 36. The three functional indicators 36, 38, 40 are horizontally arranged, without being limited to such an arrangement. The illustrated accessibility indicator 40 includes a wheelchair pictogram, however, it is contemplated that the wheelchair pictogram is not limited to an impaired walking, but representative of any restricted mobility of the user 8, e. g., impaired vision, hearing, or walking or other impaired motor skills. Further, it is contemplated that in other embodiments the functional indicators 36, 38, 40 can be arranged differently, or other or a different number of functional indicators can be used.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 2 - Fig. 5, the panel 46 covers a lower (user-facing) part of the body. The panel 46 is pivotable about an axis 32 at a bottom edge of the body. In the front-view illustration of Fig. 2, for example, the axis 32 extends from left to right and the panel 46 is pivotable out of the plane of projection. A hinge may be used to implement the axis 32. In one embodiment, the hinge can be provided with a spring mechanism, or a separate spring mechanism may be provided, that urge the panel 46 away from the body, as illustrated in Fig. 4 by an arrow that points away from the body. In another embodiment shown in Fig. 5, a push-button mechanism 50 is provided that is arranged to couple the panel 46 to the terminal body 3. The panel 46 is mounted to move essentially perpendicular to a surface plane of the terminal body 3. As such, the panel may move like a push button.

[0032] In one embodiment, the body includes a switch 34 arranged to be activated by the panel 30. The switch 34 is arranged between an internal panel side and the body 3, as exemplary shown in Fig. 4. In the illustrated position of the panel 46, depending on a particular implementation, the switch 34 may then assume an open position or a closed position, breaking or making an electrical connection which results in a switch signal. In Fig. 3, an illustrated finger presses against the panel 46 and, hence, acts against the spring mechanism, as indicated by an arrow that points towards the body, and the panel 46 presses against the switch 34 which makes or breaks the electrical connection. In Fig. 4, the pressure by the finger is released and the panel 46 pivots back in direction of the indicated arrow. In addition to causing the switch 34 to make or break the electrical connection, the panel 46 provides haptic feedback; the user 8, therefore, gets the feeling of effectively pressing, e. g., a push-button.

[0033] At least within the accessibility section 42, the panel 46 is touch sensitive. For example, an electronic touch screen device or an electronic sensor device may be provided, each being adapted to generate an electrical sensor signal in response to the finger being very close to or touching the accessibility section 42. An electrical communications line, e. g., a flexible flat cable, connects the electronic touch screen device or the electronic sensor device to a processing device mounted to the body. The processing device is further connected to the switch 34 to detect its open and closed position. Inputs to the processing device are, therefore, the sensor signal and the switch signal.

[0034] Briefly, while the electronic touch screen device or the electronic sensor device detect a touching of one of the functional indicators 36, 38, 40 by the user 8, they do not give haptic feedback. According to the technology described herein, haptic feedback is given by the pivotable panel 46. For example, if the user 8 selects and presses the accessibility indicator 40, the associated touching is detected by the electronic touch screen device, and the actual pressing of sufficient force is detected by the switch 34 when acted upon by the panel 46. Therefore, the user's selection of the accessibility indicator 40 is registered if both the sensor signal and the switch signal are present. Similarly, the selection of the other functional indicators 36, 38 is processed.

[0035] Fig. 6 shows a schematic representation of an example of an operating terminal 4 which may be arranged in the elevator system 1 according to Fig. 1 on a floor LI, L2, L3. Depending on the control technology used in the elevator system 1, the operating terminal 4 may be arranged on a floor LI, L2, L3 or in the elevator car 6. The operating terminal 4 is communicatively connected to the elevator controller 12 via the communication network 26 (or the hanging cable 20 when arranged in the elevator car 6). The operating terminal 4 includes in one embodiment a housing for positioning the operating terminal 4 on a building wall (or a wall of the elevator car 6) or on a pedestal that stands on a building floor. A person skilled in the art recognizes that such a housing may not be necessary if the operating terminal 4 is installed completely or in part in a building wall or in a door frame of a floor-side elevator door.

[0036] In the embodiment shown, the operating terminal 4 includes: the touch-sensitive screen system 2 comprising the touch screen 28, the switch 34, a communication terminal 48 (PoE), a sensor system 58, and an illumination device 62. In one embodiment, the touch screen 28 has a transparent glass cover which closes the housing externally and / or on a user side. The outer surface of the glass cover is a touch surface which the user 8 may touch, for example, when inputting a call. A person skilled in the art recognizes that the glass cover can have a planar or curved glass plate. An electroacoustic transducer 52 (e. g., a loudspeaker) can be provided in order to generate acoustic feedback (voice announcement), e.g., when touching the touch screen 28.

[0037] The touch-sensitive screen system 2 comprises a processor 54. The processor 54 is connected to a central control and processing unit 56 (PU) and communicates, for example, with the elevator controller 12 and detects a signal when the user 8 touches the touch surface of the touch screen 28 using a finger. The processor 54 is configured to operate the graphical user interface 30 to display, for example, the destination floors, as shown in Fig. 2. The sensor system 58 is assigned to the accessibility section 42 and connected to the central control and processing unit 56; it can include a processor 60 and a touch screen that is controlled by the processor 60 and covers an area assigned to the accessibility section 42. When the user 8 touches the accessibility section 42, e. g., within an area assigned to one of the functional indicators 36, 38, 40 (e. g., their assignments are stored in a memory device of the processor 60), the processor 60 determines which functional indicator 36, 38, 40 the user 8 touches based on a sensor signal generated in response to the touching. The touching determined by the sensor system 58 is further processed by the central control and processing unit 56. It is contemplated that instead of a touch screen, an individual sensor connected to an input of the central control and processing unit 56 can be used for each functional indicator 36, 38, 40.

[0038] In one embodiment, the illumination device 62 is used to illuminate the touch screen 28 and the accessibility section 42. In a manner controlled by the central control and processing unit 56, the illumination device 62 can light up the graphical user interface 30 and the functional indicators 36, 38, 40 such that they and any displayed content can be perceived by the user 8, in particular in poor lighting conditions. The illumination device 62 can also illuminate fields or areas with colored light in order to confirm the input of an elevator call to the user 8. In one embodiment, the illumination device 62 comprises one or more LED light sources.

[0039] Depending on the building and / or the elevator system 1, the operating terminal 4 may include the recognition device 44 to receive a credential of the user 8. The recognition device 44 can be provided in the building, for example, if users have to identify themself as being authorized before the operating terminal 4 can be enabled for a call input or a call is registered. The credentials can, for example, be in the form of a biometric feature (e. g., fingerprint, iris pattern, speech / voice characteristics) or an access code captured from a magnetic card, chip card or RFID card or from an electronic terminal (NFC-, Bluetooth- or cellular network-based). Users 8 present the credentials when they want to input the elevator calls. The recognition device 44 is configured in accordance with the credentials provided in the elevator system 1. This means that the recognition device 44 has, for example, a terminal for capturing a biometric feature, a terminal for capturing an optical code, a reader for a magnetic stripe card or a chip card, or a transmitting and receiving terminal for radio signals. The skilled person recognizes that the operating terminal 4 may be configured for more than one of these alternatives.

[0040] The credentials captured by the recognition device 44 are forwarded to the elevator controller 12, which carries out or initiates the authorization check, for example, by checking whether the captured credential is assigned to an authorized user 8 in a database. The check can be carried out, for example, by an access control function of the elevator system 1 or of an (separate) access control system. If the user 8 is authorized to access, the elevator operating terminal 4 can be enabled, or an entered elevator call can be registered by the elevator controller 12.

[0041] In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the recognition device 44 is configured for transmitting and receiving radio signals (TX / RX). The recognition device 44 can include an RFID reader or a radio module which communicates with a portable communication terminal (e.g., mobile radio / mobile phone, smartphone, tablet PC) of a user 8. As an alternative, a reader for an optical code presented by the user 8 (for example a barcode, QR code or color code) can be provided.

[0042] The communication network 26 connects the elevator operating terminals 4 to the elevator controller 12 and thus makes communication possible between the elevator controller 12 and the elevator operating terminals 4. For this communication, the elevator operating terminals 4 and the elevator controller 12 can be directly or indirectly connected to the communication network 26. The communication network 26 can comprise a communication bus system, individual data lines, a wireless communications system or a combination thereof. Depending on the implementation of the communication network 26, individual addresses and / or identifiers can be allocated to the elevator controller 12 and each elevator operating terminal 6, such that, for example, the elevator controller 12 can send a message to a desired elevator operating terminal 4 in a targeted manner. Communication can take place in accordance with a protocol for wired or wireless communication, for example the Ethernet protocol. In one embodiment, the operating terminals 4 are supplied with electrical energy via the communication network 26 using power of Ethernet (PoE) technology.

[0043] In one embodiment, the central control and processing unit 56 is configured to put the operating terminal 4 into an inactive state in order to reduce its consumption of electrical energy. In this standby or energy-saving state, the control and processing terminal 56 switches off the illumination terminal 62. The switch-off can take place if no user 8 has been at or in the vicinity of the elevator operating terminal 4 for a set period of time. For this purpose, a dedicated sensor (not shown) can be used to detect the presence and / or a movement of a user 8. The dedicated sensor can be provided in the operating terminal 4 and can include a motion sensor that operates according to one of known functional principles, e.g., actively using electromagnetic waves (RF, UWB (ultra wideband) technology, microwaves or Doppler radar), using ultrasound (ultrasonic motion detector) or passively using infrared radiation (PIR sensor, pyroelectric infrared sensor) from the environment. If the operating terminal 4 is in the energy-saving state and the presence of a user 8 is detected, the central control and processing terminal 56 switches the operating terminal 4 to an active state.

[0044] In one exemplary embodiment, the signal transmission system 20 comprises an electric cable provided, for example, in a traction elevator for transmitting electrical energy and electrical signals and extending between the elevator car 6 and a fixed point to which the elevator controller 12 is coupled. For this purpose, the electrical cable has electrical power and signal lines. For example, the electrical cable supplies electrical energy to the elevator car 6 and transmits signals (e. g., load, status, and / or car call information) to and from the elevator car 6. The electrical cable is also known to the person skilled in the art as a (flat) traveling cable. Terminals that couple the traveling cable, on the one hand, to the elevator controller 12 and its power / voltage supply and, on the other hand, to the elevator car 6 and its electrical and electronic components are therefore known to the person skilled in the art. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the car terminal 4 is electrically coupled to the traveling cable.

[0045] With the understanding of the above-described principal system components of the elevator system 1 and its functionalities, a description of an exemplary method for operating the elevator system 1 having several operating terminals 4 is provided below with reference to Fig. 7. The exemplary description is provided with reference to an operating terminal 4 arranged on one of the floors LI, L2, L3 and having the three functional indicators 36, 38, 40 shown in Fig. 2. Further, the description considers a situation in which a user 8 with impaired mobility, e. g., the user 8 is blind, is present on one of the floors LI, L2, L3 and intends to enter an elevator call. The elevator system 1 is in operation. The method described with reference to Fig. 7 starts in a step SI and ends in a step S5. The person skilled in the art will recognize that the division into the steps shown is exemplary, and that one or more of these steps can be divided into one or more sub-steps, or that several of the steps can be combined into one step.

[0046] Referring to a step S2, an electrical touch signal is received by the central control and processing unit 56. The electrical touch signal is generated by the electronic touch sensor 58 when the user 8 touches the functional indicator 36, 38, 40 assigned to the electronic touch sensor 58. The electrical touch signal may be indicative of the user 8 intending to select the assigned function. However, the blind user 8 may have to move a finger over the user-facing side of the operating terminal 4 to orientate itself, find and recognize one or more tactile markings. During that process, the finger may sequentially touch several functional indicators 36, 38, 40, wherein each time a touch signal is generated.

[0047] In a step S3, an electrical activation signal is received by the central control and processing unit 56. The activation signal is indicative of the user 8 pressing the panel 46 into its pressed position to actually select the assigned function.

[0048] In a step S4, the assigned function is registered upon the central control and processing unit 56 receiving the electrical touch signal and the electrical activation signal. For example, if the blind user 8 finally recognizes the desired functional indicator 36, 38, 40 and selects the assigned function by pressing against the panel 46 at the location of the functional indicator 36, 38, 40, two signals are simultaneously present: the touch signal and the activation signal. In this case, the assigned function is registered; for example, an elevator call is registered at the elevator control 12 which controls the elevator car 6 according to the elevator call. The method ends in the step S5.

[0049] In one exemplary scenario, the blind user 8 may first try to recognize the restricted- mobility function indicated by the functional indicator 40 "wheelchair" . An embossment in Braille writing may assist the user 8. By pressing the functional indicator 40, the user 8 selects the accessibility function in which the operating panel 4 aids the user 8 with entering an elevator call. In one embodiment, the functional indicator 40 can have the additional function of a "select button". For example, the operating panel 4 may generate audible instructions for using the operating panel 4. After pressing the functional indicator 40, the operation terminal 4 may start announcing one or more destination floors. For example, pressing and releasing the "up" or “down” functional indicator 38, 36 announces the next floor, respectively, above or below a previously announced floor. The user 8 can then select a desired floor, and thereby enter a corresponding call, by pressing the "select button" (functional indicator 40) during a pause following a floor announcement. If no floor is selected during the pause, the operating terminal 4 resumes announcing the next floor when the "up" or "down" functional indicator 38, 36 is pressed again. In buildings with more than ten floors, pressing the "up" or "down" functional indicator 38, 36 for over three seconds, for example, presents floor selection options in groups of ten, starting from the last announced floor.

[0050] The operating terminal 4 performs various processing tasks, as represented by "processor" components such as the central control and processing unit 56, the processors 54, 60 and other processing devices. A "processor" is implemented as hardware can run computer program code. Specifically, the specification teaches that the term "processor" is synonymous with terms like controller and computer and should be understood to encompass not only computers having different architectures such as single / multi- processor architectures and sequential (Von Neumann) / parallel architectures but also specialized circuits such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processing devices and other devices.

Claims

Claims1. Elevator system (1), comprising: an elevator controller (12), an elevator car (6) movable under control of the elevator controller (12) between floors (LI, L2, L3) of a building, and an operating terminal (4) communicatively coupled to the elevator controller (12), wherein the operating terminal (4) comprises: a terminal body (3), a central control and processing unit (56) mounted to the terminal body (3), a panel (46) mounted to the terminal body (3) and movable with respect to the terminal body (3) between a released position and a pressed position, the panel (46) being provided with at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) perceivable and selectable by a user (8), wherein the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) represents an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal (4), and at least one electronic touch sensor (58) arranged to coincide with the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), the at least one electronic touch sensor (58) generating an electrical touch signal indicative of the user (8) touching the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40), wherein the central control and processing unit (56) is adapted to register the assigned function of the of the touched at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) upon detecting the electrical touch signal and an electrical activation signal resulting from the panel's pressed position caused by the user (8) pressing on the panel (46).

2. Elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the operating terminal (4) further comprises an axis (32) arranged to couple the panel (46) to the terminal body (3), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to pivot about the axis (32).

3. Elevator system according to claim 1, wherein the operating terminal (4) further comprises a push-button mechanism (50) arranged to couple the panel (46) to the terminal body (3), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to move essentially perpendicular to a surface plane of the panel (46).

4. Elevator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating terminal(4) further comprises a switch (34) mounted to the terminal body (3) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), wherein the switch (34) is arranged to be activated by the panel (46) in the pressed position.

5. Elevator system according to any preceding claim 1, wherein the panel (46) includes the at least one electronic touch sensor (58), in particular a touch-sensitive screen device, coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), wherein the at least one electronic touch sensor (58) is assigned to the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40).

6. Elevator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the assigned function of the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) is a restricted-mobility function, wherein the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) includes an embossment indicative of the restricted-mobility function.

7. Elevator system according to claim 6, wherein the panel (46) is provided with three functional indicators (36, 38, 40), wherein a first functional indicator (40) indicates the restricted-mobility function, wherein a second functional indicator (36) indicates a down function, and wherein a third functional indicator (38) indicates an up function.

8. Elevator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the panel (46) is further provided with an indicator for a recognition device (44), wherein the recognition device (44) is adapted to obtain a credential presented by the user (8).

9. Elevator system according to any preceding claim, wherein the operating terminal (4) further comprises a touch-sensitive screen system (2) mounted to the terminal body (3), coupled to the central control and processing unit (56) and adapted to generate a graphical user interface (30) for display on a user-facing side of a touch-sensitive screen (28) of the touch-sensitive screen system (2), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to the terminal body (3) separate from the touch-sensitive screen system (2).

10. Operating terminal (4) for an elevator system (1) according to one of claims 1 - 9, comprising: a terminal body (3),a central control and processing unit (56) mounted to the terminal body (3), a panel (46) mounted to the terminal body (3) and movable with respect to the terminal body (3) between a released position and a pressed position, the panel (46) being provided with at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) perceivable and selectable by a user (8), wherein the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) represents an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal (4), and at least one electronic touch sensor (58) arranged to coincide with the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), the at least one electronic touch sensor (58) is adapted to generate an electrical touch signal indicative of the user (8) touching the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40), wherein the central control and processing unit (56) is adapted to register the assigned function upon detecting the electrical touch signal and an electrical activation signal resulting from the panel's pressed position caused by the user (8) pressing on the panel (46).

11. Operating terminal (4) according to claim 10, further comprising an axis (32) or a push-button mechanism (50), wherein the axis (32) is arranged to couple the panel (46) to the terminal body (3), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to pivot about the axis (32), and wherein the push-button mechanism (50) is arranged to couple the panel (46) to the terminal body (3), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to move essentially perpendicular to a surface plane of the panel (46).

12. Operating terminal (4) according to one of claims 10 - 11, further comprising a switch (34) mounted to the terminal body (3) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), wherein the switch (34) is arranged to be activated by the panel (46) in the pressed position.

13. Operating terminal (4) according to one of claims 10 - 12, wherein the panel (46) includes at least one electronic touch sensor (58), in particular a touch screen, coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), wherein the at least one electronic touch sensor (58) is assigned to the accessibility section (42).

14. Operating terminal (4) according to one claims 10 - 13, further comprising a touch- sensitive screen system (2) mounted to the terminal body (3), coupled to the centralcontrol and processing unit (56) and adapted to generate a graphical user interface (30) for display on a user-facing side of a touch-sensitive screen (28) of the touch-sensitive screen system (2), wherein the panel (46) is mounted to the terminal body (3) separate from the touch-sensitive screen system (2).

15. Method of operating an elevator system (1) having an elevator car (6), an elevator controller (12) and elevator operating terminals (4) which are communicatively connected to the elevator controller (12) and are arranged for inputting an elevator call, wherein an elevator operating terminal (4) comprises a terminal body (3), a central control and processing unit (56) mounted to the terminal body (3), a panel (46) mounted to the terminal body (3) and movable with respect to the terminal body (3) between a released position and a pressed position, the panel (46) being provided with at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) perceivable and selectable by a user (8), wherein the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) represents an assigned function facilitated by the operating terminal (4), at least one electronic touch sensor (58) arranged to coincide with the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40) and coupled to the central control and processing unit (56), wherein the method comprises: receiving an electrical touch signal indicative of the user (8) touching the at least one functional indicator (36, 38, 40), wherein the electrical touch signal is generated by the at least one electronic touch sensor (58) and received by the central control and processing unit (56); receiving an electrical activation signal indicative of the user (8) pressing the panel (46) into its pressed position, wherein the activation signal is received by the central control and processing unit (56); and registering the assigned function upon the central control and processing unit (56) receiving the electrical touch signal and the electrical activation signal.

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