Elevator maintenance management

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided an apparatus for enabling elevator maintenance. The apparatus comprises at least one processor; and at least one memory storing instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform: establishing a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car; providing maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step- by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and during the maintenance guidance, controlling a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step.

Description

[0001] ELEVATOR MAINTENANCE MANAGEMENT

[0002] BACKGROUND

[0003] As elevator systems continue to evolve with increasing complexity to meet the escalating performance and safety demands , performing various maintenance operations , for example , the control and reset o f , for example , safety systems associated with an elevator system, have become more complicated and challenging . There may be multiple steps associated with the maintenance operations , and a maintenance person may have di f ficulties in performing the maintenance operations .

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] According to a first aspect , there is provided an apparatus for providing elevator maintenance guidance . The apparatus comprises at least one processor ; and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : establishing a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car ; providing maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step-by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and during the maintenance guidance , controlling a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step .

[0006] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the response comprises a voice response received via the connection and provided by a microphone in the elevator car . In an implementation form of the first aspect , the at least one memory stores instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : during the maintenance guidance , receiving a response associated with a step of the maintenance guidance from an elevator controller associated with the elevator car ; and generating the content of a subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the response .

[0007] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the at least one memory stores instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : analyzing, using arti ficial intelligence , the response to the previous step ; and generating, using the arti ficial intelligence , the content of the subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the analyzed response .

[0008] In an implementation form of the first aspect , the maintenance guidance device comprises an emergency phone of the elevator car .

[0009] According to a second aspect , there is provided a system comprising an elevator system comprising an elevator car, and an apparatus according to the first aspect .

[0010] According to a third aspect , there is provided a method for providing elevator maintenance guidance . The method comprises establishing, by an apparatus , a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car ; providing, by the apparatus , maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step-by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and during, by the apparatus , the maintenance guidance , controlling a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step .

[0011] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the response comprises a voice response received via the connection and provided by a microphone in the elevator car .

[0012] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the method further comprises : during the maintenance guidance , receiving, by the apparatus , a response associated with a step of the maintenance guidance from an elevator controller associated with the elevator car ; and generating the content o f a subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the response .

[0013] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the method further comprises : analyzing, by the apparatus using arti ficial intelligence , the response to the previous step ; and generating, by the apparatus , using the arti ficial intelligence , the content of the subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the analyzed response .

[0014] In an implementation form of the third aspect , the maintenance guidance device comprises an emergency phone of the elevator car .

[0015] According to a fourth aspect , there is provided a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the fi fth, sixth or seventh aspect . According to a fi fth aspect , there is provided a computer-readable medium comprising a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method of the fi fth, sixth or seventh aspect .

[0016] According to a sixth aspect , there is provided an apparatus for providing elevator maintenance guidance . The apparatus comprises means for establishing a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car ; means for providing maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step- by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and means for controlling during the maintenance guidance a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step .

[0017] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] The accompanying drawings , which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this speci fication, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention . In the drawings :

[0019] FIG . 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment .

[0020] FIG . 2A illustrates a system according to an example embodiment . FIG . 2B illustrates a system according to an example embodiment .

[0021] FIG . 3 illustrates a flow diagram of a method for providing elevator maintenance guidance according to an example embodiment .

[0022] DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0023] Various example and embodiments discussed below illustrate a solution for providing elevator maintenance guidance . The guidance is provided via an apparatus connected to a maintenance guidance device associated with an elevator car of an elevator system . The apparatus is configured to provide maintenance guidance via a connection established with the maintenance guidance device to a maintenance person in the elevator car or close to the elevator car .

[0024] FIG . 1 il lustrates a block diagram of an apparatus 100 according to an example embodiment . The apparatus 100 may be , for example , a computer or a server computer, connected to an elevator system . In another example embodiment , the apparatus 100 may be an internal entity of the elevator system .

[0025] The apparatus 100 comprises one or more processors 102 , and one or more memories 104 that comprise computer program code . The apparatus 100 may also include a first communication interface 108 configured to enable communication with other entities or network elements . Although the apparatus 100 is depicted to include only one processor 102 , the apparatus 100 may include more than one processor . In an example embodiment , the memory 104 is capable of storing instructions , such as an operating system and / or various applications . Furthermore , the processor 102 is capable of executing the stored instructions . In an example embodiment , the processor 102 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single core processors . For example , the processor 102 may be embodied as one or more of various process ing devices , such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor ( DSP ) , a processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits such as , for example , an application speci fic integrated circuit (AS IC ) , a field programmable gate array ( FPGA) , a microcontroller unit (MCU) , a hardware accelerator, a special-purpose computer chip, or the like . In an example embodiment, the processor 102 may be configured to execute hard-coded functionality . In an example embodiment , the processor 102 is embodied as an executor of software instructions , wherein the instructions may speci fically configure the processor 102 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed .

[0026] The memory 104 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices , one or more non-volatile memory devices , and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices . For example , the memory 104 may be embodied as semiconductor memories ( such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM) , EPROM ( erasable PROM) , flash ROM, RAM ( random access memory) , etc . ) .

[0027] In an embodiment , the at least one memory 104 may store program instructions 106 that , when executed by the at least one processor 102 , cause the apparatus 100 to perform the functionality of the various embodiments discussed herein . Further, in an embodiment , at least one of the processor 102 and the memory 104 may constitute means for implementing the functionality discussed herein .

[0028] FIG . 2A illustrates a system according to an example embodiment . The system comprises an elevator system 200 comprising at least one elevator car . A maintenance guidance device 202 is associated with the elevator car and may be arranged, for example , in the elevator car . The maintenance guidance device 202 refers , for example , to a device having a speaker to provide audible signals or to a device connected to a separate speaker . The apparatus 100 is configured to establish a connection with the maintenance guidance device 202 and provide maintenance guidance via the connection to a maintenance person in the elevator car . The maintenance guidance device 202 may have a built- in microphone or a microphone can be connected to the maintenance guidance device 202 to enable real-time feedback in the form of audio data to the apparatus 100 .

[0029] FIG . 2B illustrates a system according to another example embodiment . The system comprises an elevator system 200 comprising at least one elevator car . A maintenance guidance device 202 is associated with the elevator car and may be arranged, for example , in the elevator car . The maintenance guidance device 202 refers , for example , to a device having a speaker to provide audible signals or to a device connected to a separate speaker . The apparatus 100 is configured to establish a connection with the maintenance guidance device 202 and provide maintenance guidance via the connection to a maintenance person in the elevator car . The elevator system 200 further comprises an elevator controller 204 communicatively connected to the apparatus 100 . The elevator controller 204 is configured to transmit , during the maintenance guidance , one or more responses associated with one or more steps of the maintenance guidance to the apparatus 100 .

[0030] FIG . 3 illustrates a block diagram of a method for providing elevator maintenance guidance according to an example embodiment . The steps discussed herein may be performed, for example , by the apparatus 100 .

[0031] At 300 , the apparatus 100 may be configured to establish a connection with the maintenance guidance device 202 in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car . The connection may be a data connection or a cal l connection between the apparatus 100 and the maintenance guidance device 202 .

[0032] At 302 , the apparatus 100 may be configured to provide maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step-by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation . The maintenance guidance may comprise , for example , instructions in the form of verbal instructions .

[0033] At 304 , during the maintenance guidance , the apparatus 100 may be configured to control a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step . The maintenance guidance may refer to a guidance process in which the guidance proceeds further only after receiving a response to a previous step . The response may be triggered by an action performed by the maintenance person . In an example embodiment , the subsequent step in the instructions may be controlled based on the response to the previous step . In addition to this , background information and / or other retrieved information may be taken into account when controlling the subsequent step in the instructions . In another example embodiment , the subsequent step in the instructions may be controlled at least partly based the response to the previous step . For example , the subsequent step in the instructions may be controlled based on the interaction performed so far relating to two or more earlier steps . In addition to this , background information and / or other retrieved information may be taken into account when controlling the subsequent step in the instructions .

[0034] In an example embodiment , the response comprises a voice response received via the connection and provided via a microphone in the elevator car . In other words , the connection between the apparatus 100 and the maintenance guidance device 202 may be a two-way call via which the maintenance person may provide feedback to the apparatus 100 . Thus , the maintenance personnel can report their actions to the apparatus through the microphone after each step . Depending on the feedback, the apparatus 100 may either proceed to the next step or veri fy the correctness of the action performed .

[0035] In another example embodiment , the apparatus 100 may be configured to , during the maintenance guidance, receive a response associated with a step of the maintenance guidance from an elevator controller associated with the elevator car, and generate the content o f a subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the response . The response from the elevator controller may be triggered by at least one action of the maintenance person in response to an instruction provided via the speaker . For example , the apparatus 100 may be configured to instruct the maintenance person to "push stop button" . When the maintenance person then completes the action, i . e . , pushes the stop button, the elevator controller 204 receives an indication of the action and transmits message indicative of the action to the apparatus 100 . Depending on the message , the apparatus 100 can either proceed to the next step or veri fy the correctness of the action performed .

[0036] In an example embodiment , the apparatus 100 may be configured to analyze , using arti ficial intelligence , the response to the previous step, i . e . to the instruction provided to the maintenance person, and generate , using the arti ficial intelligence , the content of the subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the analyzed response . The use of arti ficial intelligence enables the apparatus 100 to determine a correct action to an event performed by the maintenance person . In an example embodiment , generative arti ficial intelligent and text-to-speech may be used to generate the step-by-step instructions .

[0037] In an example embodiment , the maintenance guidance device comprises an emergency phone of the elevator car . This enables to implement the discussed solution with any existing elevator car that includes an emergency phone .

[0038] In an example embodiment , the maintenance guidance device may acknowledge an action performed by the maintenance person before providing further instructions . For example , the maintenance guidance device may first provide via the connection that "Step 1 : shut the car roof" . Once the action has been performed, the maintenance guidance device provides via the connection that "Step 1 accompli shed, proceed to step 2 . Push stop button and release it" .

[0039] One or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may simpli fy the process of resetting safety systems in an elevator . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution in which, by leveraging the existing speaker and microphone system, maintenance personnel can receive guidance and of fer feedback during the process , thus enhancing ef ficiency and minimi zing errors . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution that provides clearer instructions than traditional signaling methods , thus reducing the risk of accidents and improving safety measures . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution that eliminates the need for physical manuals or extensive training sessions for new maintenance personnel , as they can receive real-time , step-by-step guidance directly in their workspace . Further, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may enable a solution that streamlines the installation and maintenance process by providing concise instructions to the maintenance personnel . This may reduce the necessity for calls to the technical help desk or for more experienced personnel to be on-site .

[0040] Example embodiments may be implemented in software , hardware , application logic or a combination of software , hardware and application logic . The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein . This information can be stored in one or more memories , such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like . One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments . The databases can be organi zed using data structures ( e . g . , records , tables , arrays , fields , graphs , trees , lists , and the like ) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein . The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and / or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases .

[0041] The components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures , tables , records , and / or other data described herein . In an example embodiment , the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media . In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store , communicate , propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus , or device , such as a computer . A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution . Such a medium can take many forms , including but not limited to , non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like .

[0042] While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof , it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit o f the disclosure . For example , it is expres sly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure . Moreover, it should be recogni zed that structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice . Furthermore , means-plus- function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents , but also equivalent structures .

[0043] The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features , to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present speci fication as a whole , in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art , irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims . The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects / embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features . In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modi fications may be made within the scope of the disclosure .

Claims

CLAIMS1 . An apparatus for providing elevator maintenance guidance , the apparatus comprising : at least one processor ; and at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : establishing a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car ; providing maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step-by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and during the maintenance guidance , controlling a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step .2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the response comprises a voice response received via the connection and provided by a microphone in the elevator car .3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , the at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : during the maintenance guidance , receiving a response associated with a step of the maintenance guidance from an elevator controller associated with the elevator car ; and generating the content of a subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the response .4 . The apparatus according to any of claims 1- 3 , the at least one memory storing instructions that , when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to at least perform : analyzing, using arti ficial intelligence , the response to the previous step ; and generating, using the arti ficial intelligence , the content of the subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the analyzed response .5 . The apparatus according to any one of claims 1 - 4 , wherein the maintenance guidance device comprises an emergency phone of the elevator car .6 . A system comprising : an elevator system comprising an elevator car ; and an apparatus according to any one o f claims 1- 5 .7 . A method for providing elevator maintenance guidance , the method comprising : establishing, by an apparatus , a connection with a maintenance guidance device in an elevator car to guide a maintenance person in the elevator car ; providing, by the apparatus , maintenance guidance via the connection to the maintenance person in the elevator car, the maintenance guidance comprising step-by-step instructions for the maintenance person provided via a speaker in the elevator car to perform at least one maintenance operation; and during, by the apparatus , the maintenance guidance , controlling a subsequent step in the instructions based at least in part on a response to a previous step .8 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the response comprises a voice response received via the connection and provided by a microphone in the elevator car .9 . The method according to claim 7 , wherein the method further comprises : during the maintenance guidance, receiving, by the apparatus , a response associated with a step of the maintenance guidance from an elevator controller associated with the elevator car ; and generating, by the apparatus , the content of a subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the response .10 . The method according to any of claims 7 - 9 , wherein the method further comprises : analyzing, by the apparatus using arti ficial intelligence , the response to the previous step ; and generating, by the apparatus using the arti ficial intelligence , the content of the subsequent step of the maintenance guidance based on the analyzed response .11 . The method according to any one of claims 7 - 10 , wherein the maintenance guidance device comprises an emergency phone of the elevator car .12 . A computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause an apparatus to perform the method o f any one of claims 7 - 11 .13 . A computer-readable medium compri sing a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by at least one processor, cause anapparatus to perform the method of any one of claims 7- 11.

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