NZ724949B2

NZ724949B2 - Configuring terminal devices

Info

Publication number: NZ724949B2
Application number: NZ724949A
Authority: NZ
Inventors: Paul Friedli
Original assignee: Inventio Ag
Priority date: 2014-05-23
Filing date: 2015-05-13
Publication date: 2021-03-19

Abstract

The invention relates to configuring terminal devices in, for example, an access control system or an elevator system. Configuring of terminal devices is known, but these configurations are not optimised for use with a device identifier that is input into the device. Thus, the present invention provides a method, comprising: receiving, using a terminal device (220, 222) in a building, a device identifier for the terminal device; sending the device identifier from the terminal device (220, 222) to a configuration server (210); receiving configuration information for the terminal device (220, 222) from the configuration server (210), the configuration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device (220, 222) in the building; and configuring the terminal device (220, 222) based on the configuration information. vides a method, comprising: receiving, using a terminal device (220, 222) in a building, a device identifier for the terminal device; sending the device identifier from the terminal device (220, 222) to a configuration server (210); receiving configuration information for the terminal device (220, 222) from the configuration server (210), the configuration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device (220, 222) in the building; and configuring the terminal device (220, 222) based on the configuration information.

Description

ring Terminal Devices ption This disclosure relates to conﬁguring terminal devices in, for example, an access control system or an elevator system. onic systems in buildings or at other locations often comprise multiple electronic devices that are connected by a network. In at least some cases, one or more of these devices is conﬁgured by inputting conﬁguration information for that particular device. However, conﬁguring the s can be time-consuming and error-prone.

WO2013012409A1 describes a system for controlling the appearance of an elevator passenger interface device. A user can conﬁgure an appearance ﬁle, which is then used to provide an image ﬁle to the passenger interface device. A plurality of passenger interface devices can be conﬁgured over a network using a SGI‘VCI‘.

U820060265386Al describes a method for conﬁguring a thin client connected to a communications k. The thin client sends a request for conﬁguration information to a conﬁguration server. The request for conﬁguration information es information on the thin client. The conﬁguration server generates a conﬁguration ﬁle containing conﬁguration information based on the received thin client information. The ration ﬁle is then sent by the conﬁguration server to the thin , which uses the conﬁguration ﬁle for conﬁguration.

Further options for conﬁguring electronic devices could be ageous. This is addressed by at least some of the embodiments d by the .

An electronic terminal device can be conﬁgured using a device identiﬁer that is input into the device. The terminal device sends the device identiﬁer to a conﬁguration server. The conﬁguration server responds by sending conﬁguration information to the terminal device based on the device identiﬁer. (followed by page 2A) In a first aspect, the present ion provides, in a terminal device, a method for configuring the terminal device when installed in a building, comprising the following steps: receiving, at the terminal device installed in the building, a device identifier for the terminal device, wherein the device identifier comprises information enabling the terminal device to be distinguished from one or more other terminal devices in the building, wherein a respective device identifier for the al devices in the building are created using a computer-based layout tool in that a layout of one or both of a building or system and access control system within at least one defined space in the building is generated, the layout including information comprising (i) locations of one or more of walls and other building structures, room access doors, elevator shafts, elevator access doors and (ii) ons of the terminal devices which after configuration will e or call entry devices and access control devices within the building, and wherein the device fiers for the terminal devices are created either randomly, semi-randomly or based on operator-selection of and allocation of an identifier to the terminal device(s); sending, by the terminal device, the device identifier from the terminal device to a configuration server; receiving, by the terminal device, configuration information for the terminal device from the uration server, the configuration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device in the building; and onfiguring the terminal device using the configuration information.

In one embodiment, the configuration information includes an orientation of the terminal device relative to a surface of the building. This es flexibility in laying out electronic systems in the building.

In yet another embodiment, the configuration information includes an elevator group with which the terminal device works. And in a further embodiment, the al device includes a destination call input device for an or system.

These embodiments allow use of the terminal device in connection with an elevator .

In one embodiment, the terminal device es a lock for a door. This embodiment allows use of the terminal device in connection with an access system. - 2A - (followed by page 3) In one embodiment, the device identifier includes a string or a number. The string or number may be used regardless of whether the terminal device is used in connection with an elevator system or an access system.

In one embodiment, the device identifier is received by the terminal device over a wireless connection. This also improves flexibility in laying out electronic systems in the ng.

In a further embodiment, the method includes ting the configuration information using a computer-based layout tool. Such a tool can be used to create the device fiers for the terminal devices.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a ng control system, comprising: a configuration server; and at least one terminal device installed in the ng, the terminal device coupled to the uration server, the terminal device ed and programmed to: receive a device identifier for the terminal device when installed in the building, wherein the device identifier comprises information enabling the terminal device to be distinguished from one or more other terminal devices in the building, wherein a respective device identifier for the terminal devices in the building are created using a computer-based layout tool in that a layout of one or both of a building elevator system and access control system within at least one defined space in the building is generated, the layout including ation comprising (i) locations of one or more of walls and other ng structures, room access doors, elevator shafts, elevator access doors and (ii) locations of the terminal devices which after configuration will provide elevator call entry devices and access control devices within the building, and wherein the device identifiers for the terminal devices are created either randomly, semi-randomly or based on operator-selection of and tion of an fier to the terminal device(s); send the device identifier to the configuration server; receive uration information for the terminal device from the configuration server, the configuration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device in the ng; and self-configure the terminal device using the configuration information.

A system includes a configuration server, and a terminal device in a building. The al device is coupled to the conﬁguration server and programmed to receive a device identiﬁer for aterminal device in a building, to send the device identiﬁer to a conﬁguration , to receive conﬁguration ation for the terminal device from the conﬁguration server, and to conﬁgure the terminal device based on the conﬁguration information. The conﬁguration information includes a physical location of the terminal device in the building.

In one embodiment, the system includes a removable storage medium d to the conﬁguration server, wherein the removable e medium storing the conﬁguration information.

Further embodiments comprise a computer-based device conﬁgured to perform one or more of the disclosed s.

At least some embodiments of the disclosed methods can be implemented using a er or computer—based device that performs one or more method acts, the computer or computer-based device having read instructions for performing the method acts from one or more computer-readable storage media. The computer- readable storage media can comprise, for example, volatile memory components (such as DRAM or SRAM), nonvolatile memory components (such as hard drives, l disks, Flash RAM, or ROM), or both. The computer-readable storage media do not cover pure transitory signals. The methods disclosed herein are not performed solely in the human mind.

The disclosure refers to the following , in which: FIG. I shows a plan view of a building floor. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a building system. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method for conﬁguring a terminal . shows a block diagram of another exemplary embodiment of a method for conﬁguring a terminal device. depicts an exemplary signal exchange between system components. shows an e of an elevator system layout that was generated using a layout tool. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method of creating device identiﬁers using a computer—based layout tool. shows an exemplary embodiment of one type of supporting documentation. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a computer. shows a plan view of a building ﬂoor 100. The ﬂoor 100 comprises a lobby area 102, which is accessible through an exterior door 110. From the lobby 102, rooms A, B, and C can be accessed through or doors 120, 122, and 12 , respectively. The lobby 102 also provides access to one or more elevators 130, 132, which provide access to other floors in the building. In room A, an additional elevator 134 is also accessible. In some cases, the elevators 130, 132 are passenger elevators, while the elevator 134 is a service or t elevator. In other cases, all of the elevators 130, 132, 134 are ger ors, or they are all service or freight ors.

Although many of the disclosed embodiments are described in the context of a system arranged within a building, further embodiments comprise a system that is only partially in a building or that is not in a building. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a ng system 200. Generally, the system 200 can be used in a setting such as the building ﬂoor 100, as well as in other settings. The system 200 comprises a conﬁguration server 210 and one or more terminal devices 220, 222. Generally, a terminal device is a computer-based component that has an assigned physical location within an area 2015/060586 (e.g., with the ng floor 100) and that communicates with other components in the system 200. Possible examples of terminal devices can include call entry terminals for an elevator system, and electronic locks for an access control system. In the particular t of the ﬂoor 100 of call entry terminals 140, 142, 144 of the elevator system are terminal devices. The electronic locks 150, 152, 154, 156 of which control access to the doors 110, 120, 122, 124, are also terminal devices.

Returning to the system 200 further comprises a data storage component 260, which stores ration information related to the terminal devices 220, 222. The data e component 260 can be internal or external to the conﬁguration server 210, and can comprise any computer-readable storage medium. In particular cases, the data storage component 260 comprise a MultiMedia Card (MMC) or a secure digital (SD) card.

In some cases, the system 200 further comprises a programming station 250. In particular embodiments, the system 200 comprises an elevator control unit 230, which directs the operation of one or more elevators. In additional embodiments, the system 200 also ses an access control system 240. The system 200 can comprise a database 270, which contains user information, other information, or both.

The various components of the system 200 can be communicatively coupled to each other through a k 280. In different embodiments, the network 280 comprises wired connections, wireless tions, or both. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 300 for conﬁguring a terminal device, such as the terminal devices 220, 222 of In a method act 310, the terminal device receives a device identifier through an input-output interface. The device ﬁer comprises information that allows the terminal device to be guished from one or more other terminal s in the system. The device identiﬁer can take the form of a number, a string, another type of information, or any combination of these.

WO 77020 In a method act 320, the al device sends the device identiﬁer to a ration server.

In response, the terminal device receives, from the server, conﬁguration information for the terminal device. The conﬁguration information may be send in XML or any other suitable format. This occurs in a method act 330. The conﬁguration information allows the al device to conﬁgure itself for operation with the building , for example, with an elevator system or with an access control system. The conﬁguration information can specify, for example: a physical location of the terminal device; an orientation of the terminal 1O device relative to another surface (e.g., landscape orientation, portrait orientation); an elevator group with which the terminal device operates; type of building (e.g., ofﬁce building, hospital, hotel or apartment).

Based on the conﬁguration information, the terminal device conﬁgures itself in a method act 340. The terminal device can then operate with the building system. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 400 for conﬁguring a al device, such as the terminal s 220, 222 of Generally, the method 400 is performed by a conﬁguration server, such as the conﬁguration server 210 of In a method act 410, the conﬁguration server receives a device identiﬁer from a terminal device. In a method act 420, the conﬁguration server determines the conﬁguration information for the terminal device based on the device identiﬁer. For example, the conﬁguration information can be read by the conﬁguration server from a computer—readable medium, such as the data storage component 260 of In a method act 430, the conﬁguration server sends the conﬁguration ation to the terminal device.

The terminal device can thus conﬁgure itself using the conﬁguration information. s an exemplary signal exchange between components of at least some of the disclosed embodiments. In a signal 510, a device identiﬁer is icated from a device identiﬁer source to a terminal device. In some cases, the device identiﬁer source is a person who inputs the device identiﬁer into the terminal device through a user interface (e.g., a keypad, a touchscreen, or another interface). In other cases, the device identiﬁer source is a er- readable storage device from which the terminal device reads the device identiﬁer.

This reading can occur in a wired or wireless manner. The storage device could comprise, for example, an RFID (radio-frequency identiﬁcation) tag, an NFC (near-ﬁeld communication) tag, an optical code, or an MMC or other type of removable e .

In a signal 520, the terminal device communicates the device identiﬁer to the ration server. Upon determining the conﬁguration information, the server sends the conﬁguration ation to the terminal device in a signal 530. The terminal device can then conﬁgure itself using the ration information.

In some embodiments, the device identiﬁers for terminal devices in a system are created using a computer-based layout tool, such as a er-assisted design (CAD) tool. The CAD tool can be run on the programming n 250, for example. CAD tools are generally known in many industries; one example of a CAD tool used for elevator system layouts is Leegoo Builder from EAS Engineering Automation Systems GmbH of Germany. shows an example of an elevator system layout 600 that was ted using a layout tool. The layout 600 depicts floor two of a ten-ﬂoor elevator installation. The floor is served by passenger elevators A, B, and C, and by a service elevator S. The layout includes three ation call terminals 610, 612, 614. In this particular layout, the terminals 610, 612, 614 are PORT terminals, available from the Schindler Group of Switzerland. The layout 600 depicts, among other things, the physical location of the elevators and the terminals on the building ﬂoor. shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a method 700 of creating device identiﬁers using a computer-based layout tool. In a method act 710, a layout of the elevator system is created. The layout can include information about, for example: the locations of walls, doors, and other building structures; the location of elevator , doors, call entry devices, and other elevator system elements; how elements of the elevator system are connected to each other, including wiring information; other information; or any combination of these. The layout can be created using manual input, using automated techniques, or using both.

In a method act 720, device identiﬁers for one or more terminal s are created and associated with the corresponding ration information. In some cases, the device identiﬁers are based on manual input from a user (e.g., the user selects the identiﬁers). In other cases, the device identiﬁers are generated according to a n, generated randomly, or generated pseudo—randomly. shows examples of possible device identiﬁers, which in this case are ed with the layout 600. In this depiction, callout box 620 shows that the terminal 610 has been ed a device identiﬁer P". (In this particular embodiment, the device identiﬁer is referred to as "ID".) Callout boxes 622 and 624 show device identiﬁers for the terminals 612 and 614, respectively. In this particular embodiment, the callout boxes 620, 622, 624 also show additional information about the respective als, namely: a name for the terminal (e.g., "P+2/l"); a type name for the terminal (e.g., "PORT 1.1"); a color for the terminal (e.g., "white"); and a mounting style for the terminal (e. g., "W" for wall-mounted, "P" for pedestal-mounted).

In a method act 730, the device identiﬁers and the conﬁguration information are written to a computer-readable storage device. Using the storage device, the device identiﬁers and the conﬁguration information can then be erred, directly or indirectly, to a conﬁguration server.

In some embodiments, supporting documentation for the system layout is created in a method act 740. Generally, "supporting documentation" refers to documents that may be useful in ling or otherwise implementing at least a portion of a planned elevator system. shows an exemplary embodiment of one possible type of supporting documentation, namely a terminal detail list 800. The list 800 contains information about al devices in an elevator installation. A column 810 indicates a floor number for a given terminal device. A column 820 indicates a ﬂoor name for a given terminal device. (In this particular example, the ﬂoor name is the same as the ﬂoor index, but this need not always be the case.) A column 830 indicates the device identiﬁer for a terminal device. Column 840 indicates a terminal descriptor (name) for a terminal device. Columns 850 and 860 indicate the X- and Y—coordinates, respectively, of a al device on its particular ﬂoor. Other ments of the terminal detail list 800 can contain other types of ation.

In further embodiments, the supporting documentation comprises a list of parts to be used for a planned installation. The list of parts can include prices for one or more of the parts.

In additional embodiments, the supporting documentation comprises wiring diagrams. The wiring diagrams show, for example, how to connect terminal devices, a conﬁguration server, an elevator control unit, and other components.

In some embodiments, the supporting documentation comprises layout diagrams that show the positions of various system ents within a ﬂoor. Such diagrams can be similar to those shown in shows a block diagram of an exemplary embodiment of a er 900 (e.g., part of a terminal device, part of a conﬁguration server, part of an access control system, part of an elevator control unit, part of a reader, part of a database, part of a programming station) that can be used with one or more technologies disclosed in this application. The computer 900 comprises one or more processors 910. The processor 910 is coupled to a memory 920, which ses one or more computer—readable storage media storing software instructions 930.

When executed by the processor 910, the software instructions 930 cause the processor 910 to perform one or more of the method acts sed in this application. Further embodiments of the computer 900 can comprise one or more additional ents. In at least some ments, the er 900 can connect to other computers or electronic devices h a network 940. In particular embodiments, the computer 900 works with one or more other computers, which are located locally, remotely, or both. One or more of the disclosed methods can thus be performed using a buted computing system.

The computer 900 can also se an input/output device (1/0 device) 940 allowing the computer 900 to exchange information with a person or with another electronic device.

Although at least some of the embodiments bed in this application are described in the context of an elevator installation, the embodiments are also generally applicable to access-control systems using electronic locks. For example, any of the locks 150, 152, 154, 156 of can serve as terminal devices. Thus, for example, the lock 150 can be conﬁgured using a device identiﬁer, which the lock 150 sends to a ration server. The lock 150 can then be conﬁgured to work with an access control system, with additional s (e.g., elevator control unit), or with both.

In one non-limiting example, a worker installs a destination call terminal on a building ﬂoor. In this case, the ation call terminal is a PORT terminal.

After connecting the al to the elevator system network, the worker inputs a device identiﬁer ("EFADSH") using a touch screen on the PORT terminal. The terminal sends the device identiﬁer to a conﬁguration server, which is also connected to the elevator system network. In this case, the conﬁguration server is a PORT Technology Gateway (PTG) from Schindler Group of rland.

Based on the device identiﬁer, the conﬁguration server determines conﬁguration information for this particular ation call terminal. Particularly, the conﬁguration server reads the conﬁguration information from an MMC that is ted to the server. The conﬁguration server then sends the conﬁguration information to the destination call terminal. The destination call terminal then conﬁgures itself using this information. In this example, the terminal conﬁgures itself to operate with a ﬁrst of two elevator groups in the building (e.g., to place destination calls with the ﬁrst elevator group). The terminal also conﬁgures itself to operate its sensitive display in a landscape orientation. Thus, the terminal is properly conﬁgured by inputting only one piece of information (i.e., so the device identiﬁer).

At least some of the disclosed embodiments allow for conﬁguring a terminal device for operation on a network Without inputting detailed conﬁguration information for the device. Instead, the device can be red by inputting only the device identiﬁer. It is not necessary for each terminal device to be dually conﬁgured before installation (e.g., at the factory where the terminal devices are made). The installation of a al device can thus proceed more quickly, with a lower error rate, or both. Installation can thus be less expensive compared to other methods. Since installation of the terminal device is simpler compared to other procedures, installation workers require less time and less training.

Although some embodiments of the various methods disclosed herein are described as sing a n number of method acts, further embodiments of a given method can comprise more or fewer method acts than are explicitly disclosed herein. In additional ments, method acts are performed in an order other than as disclosed herein. In some cases, two or more method acts can be combined into one method act. In some cases, one method act can be divided into two or more method acts.

Having illustrated and described the principles of the disclosed technologies, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed embodiments can be 2O d in arrangement and detail without departing from such ples. In View of the many possible embodiments to which the principles of the disclosed technologies can be applied, it should be ized that the illustrated embodiments are only examples of the technologies and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention. Rather, the scope of the invention is deﬁned by the following claims and their equivalents. I therefore claim as my invention all that comes within the scope of these claims.

Patent

Claims

Claims 1.

1. In a terminal device, a method for configuring the terminal device when installed in a building, comprising the following steps: receiving, at the terminal device led in the building, a device identifier for the terminal device, wherein the device identifier comprises information enabling the terminal device to be distinguished from one or more other terminal devices in the building, n a respective device identifier for the al devices in the building are created using a computer-based layout tool in that a layout of one or both of a building elevator system and access control system within at least one defined space in the building is generated, the layout including information sing (i) locations of one or more of walls and other building ures, room access doors, elevator shafts, elevator access doors and (ii) locations of the al devices which after configuration will provide elevator call entry devices and access control devices within the building, and n the device identifiers for the terminal devices are created either randomly, semi-randomly or based on operator-selection of and allocation of an identifier to the terminal device(s); sending, by the terminal device, the device identifier from the terminal device to a configuration server; ing, by the terminal device, configuration information for the terminal device from the configuration server, the configuration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device in the building; and self-configuring the terminal device using the configuration information.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the device identifier comprises a string or a number.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein after creation of the device identifier(s) each is associated with configuration information which includes the type of terminal device to which the identifier is allocated and one or more of device name, a ng style for the terminal device such as wall-mounted, pedestal-mounted, and orientation data of the al device relative to a surface of the building.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the device identifier(s) and corresponding configuration ation are stored in a computer-readable storage device for direct or indirect transfer to the configuration .

5. The method of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the configuration information further comprises assignment information of an elevator group which the terminal device(s) is/are to work with.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the terminal device(s) comprises a ation call input device for an elevator system in the building.

7. The method of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the terminal device(s) comprises a lock for a door in the building.

8. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device identifier is received by the terminal device over a wireless connection.

9. The method of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the device fier is received through a manual input interface of the terminal device.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the manual input interface is a keypad or touchscreen.

11. A building control , comprising: a configuration server; and at least one terminal device installed in the building, the terminal device coupled to the uration server, the terminal device arranged and programmed to: receive a device identifier for the terminal device when installed in the building, wherein the device identifier ses information enabling the terminal device to be distinguished from one or more other terminal devices in the building, wherein a respective device fier for the terminal devices in the building are created using a computer-based layout tool in that a layout of one or both of a building or system and access control system within at least one defined space in the building is generated, the layout ing information comprising (i) locations of one or more of walls and other building structures, room access doors, elevator shafts, elevator access doors and (ii) ons of the terminal devices which after configuration will provide or call entry devices and access control devices within the ng, and n the device identifiers for the terminal devices are created either randomly, semi-randomly or based on operator-selection of and allocation of an identifier to the terminal device(s); send the device identifier to the configuration server; receive configuration information for the terminal device from the configuration server, the uration information comprising a physical location of the terminal device in the building; and self-configure the terminal device using the configuration information.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the device identifier ses a string or a number.

13. The system of claim 12, n after creation of the device identifier(s) each is associated with configuration information which includes the type of terminal device to which the identifier is allocated and one or more of device name, a mounting style for the terminal device such as wall-mounted, pedestal-mounted, and orientation data of the terminal device relative to a surface of the building.

14. The system of claim 13, n the device identifier(s) and corresponding configuration information are stored in a computer-readable storage device for direct or ct transfer to the configuration server.

15. A method according to claim 1, substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings. 16 A system according to claim 11, substantially as herein described or exemplified with reference to the accompanying drawings.