HK1113921A - Method of assigning a user to an elevator system and such an elevator system - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a method for assigning a user to a lift system with several lifts, whereby the user makes a target call and at least one lift is identified to operate the target call and is announced to the user by means of an acoustic signal identifying the lift.

Traditionally, the priority of the user to an elevator system is given by means of optical signalling units, such as the indicator units provided in the area of the shaft doors. After the target call is made, the user must observe the indicator units of the various elevators in the atrium of the respective floor in order to be able to identify which elevator he must enter in order to be transported to the desired target elevator.

WO 2005/118450 A1 provides for a multi-lift elevator system, with a so-called elevator identifier in the area of each floor and elevator, which emits a sound signal identifying the respective elevator or group of elevators. The sound image of the melodies is designed in such a way that a variety of different melodies are available for the different elevators. A target call is provided by a target generation unit that has a variety of speakers and a speaker. The switches assigned to the different targeted units are marked in different colors.

However, such an elevator system has the disadvantage that to identify the large number of elevators, it is necessary to create clearly distinguishable melodies for the user and, consequently, to train comparatively elaborate acoustic signalling units, such as MP3 players or the like.

The purpose of the invention is to develop a method for the assignment of a user to an elevator system of the type described at the outset in such a way that the assignment of the user is carried out by means of the acoustic signal in a simple way and with simple components.

To solve this problem, a method of the type described at the outset in accordance with claim 1 is provided for by the invention in which all the signals for the different lifts are produced exclusively by means of a single single frequency signal tone, the different signals for each lift being distinguishable to the user by a predetermined signal duration and/or at least a predetermined signal interruption.

The method of the invention is based on the finding that, when the elevator is announced, the identification of different elevators by the signal tone having a specific frequency is achieved by the signal tone being interrupted by pauses, lasting for a specific period of time and/or configured by a combination of these design features. The signal can be designed in a way that is similar to a signal code, i.e. by means of characters of different lengths with optional pauses in between.

Beneficial training in the method of the invention is described in claims 2 to 5.

In the case of further advancement of the process, the signals are configured by means of a pre-defined signal code, preferably using Morse code.

In the case of multiple lifts suitable for the purpose of the call, the signals for each of the lifts identified may be given at a time interval.

In a further advantageous training, the user gives the call to the destination by pressing at least one switch of a call to the destination unit once or several times. For example, a call to the destination unit with only one switch may be provided in the access area of each floor of the elevator system, which allows the user to indicate the desired call to the destination by pressing the switch often. For example, the user presses the switch five times to communicate his call to the destination for transport to the fifth floor. The call to the destination unit may also include an acoustic signal unit, so that any signaling of the switch is confirmed by a one-frequency signal.

In another design, the user is guided to the destination call unit by an acoustic signal, which ensures that a visually impaired person entering a building is first guided to the destination call unit by an acoustic signal in the form of a one-frequency signal or a melody consisting of a variety of tones, so that the person can make his or her destination call.

In addition, to address the above problem, a multi-lift elevator system is proposed in accordance with claim 6 to have at least one destination call transmitter to transmit a destination call, one destination call controller to determine an elevator to operate the destination call and at least one acoustic signal transmitter to assign the user to the elevator determined, all the signals identifying the different elevators being generated exclusively by a single single frequency signal tone, the different signal transmitters being distinguishable by a predetermined signal duration and/or at least a predetermined signal signature for the user.

The advantageous design of the lift system of the invention is described in claims 7 to 10.

A lifting system so designed takes advantage of the advantages of the method of the invention. In accordance with the above explanations of the method of the invention, it is advantageous if the signals are configured to designate different lifts by means of a pre-defined signal code, preferably by means of Morse code.

Preferably, the call centre is located in the front of the elevator and has at least one switch; preferably, the call centre comprises several switches, each of which is marked with a haptic means of identifying the switch function, for example the target floor assembly; for example, a telephone keyboard or a number of switches corresponding to the floors may be provided, each of which is marked with a designated surface with a name of the target floor identifiable by the touch of a visually impaired person in braille; preferably, the call centre is located in the area of the elevator door, in the area of the lift or cabin and/or the front of the elevator, respectively.

The advantage of this is that the destination call unit has another switch, marked with an optically and haptically recognizable handicap symbol. e function of this button is that the acoustic signals are generated only when this button is pressed before the destination is entered to prevent the environment from being permanently sounded with signal tones.

The advantage is that the destination call unit is equipped with an RFID reader and the disabled person has a card or mobile phone that can be read by this reader. In connection with this card, the destination and the type of disability are stored. The disabled person must bring this card close to the destination call unit's reader to trigger the destination call and only automatically receive the acoustic guidance aid.

The method and device of the invention are explained below by means of an example.

A lift system according to the invention comprises several lifts that can be operated between a large number of floors. To control the lift, a control unit is provided with a target call control unit that receives a target call from a user and then determines at least one elevator suitable for handling the target call. To determine the target call, a target call unit is provided in each frontal area of the elevator with a target call unit with a number of switches corresponding to the number of floors. Each switch is equipped with a haptic means of protection in the form of blinds to mark a lift. The remote lift door is equipped with an acoustic signal unit. This signal unit comprises a small signal unit, which is placed around each door, to indicate the speed of the lift, which is then separated from the frequency of the lift.

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In addition, provision may be made for another acoustic signal unit located in or on the lift compartment to give the same signal once the lift compartment has reached the exit floor and the lift compartment and exit compartment doors have been opened to inform the user that he can now enter the lift compartment.

The example described concerns both the process and the lifting system of the invention and is particularly characterised by the fact that the use of a single-frequency signal transmitter allows the use of a relatively simple acoustic signal unit and does not require the use of a large number of elaborate sound melodies.

Claims (10)

1. A procedure for assigning a user to a multi-lift elevator system, whereby the user makes a target call and identifies at least one elevator to operate the target call and is communicated to the user by means of an acoustic signal identifying the elevator, characterised by all the different signal identifying the elevator being produced exclusively by means of a single single frequency signal tone, whereby the different signals identifying each elevator are distinguishable by a predetermined signal duration and/or at least a predetermined signal interruption for the user.
2. The method described in claim 1 is characterised by the configuration of the signals by means of a pre-defined signal code, preferably Morse code.
3. The method described in claim 1 or 2 is characterised by the detection of several lifts and the emission of the signals determined for each of the lifts detected at a time interval.
4. A process according to one of the claims 1 to 3 characterised by the user giving the destination call by pressing at least one switch of a destination call unit once or more.
5. The method described in claim 4 is characterised by the user being guided by an acoustic signal to the target call unit.
6. Elevator system consisting of several elevators, at least one destination call receiving unit to transmit a destination call, a destination call control unit to determine an elevator to operate the destination call and at least one acoustic signal unit to transmit an acoustic signal to the user to the elevator being determined, characterised by all the different elevator signals being generated exclusively by a single one-frequency signal tone, the different signals of each elevator being distinguishable by a predetermined signal duration and/or at least a predetermined signal interruption for the user.
7. The 'elevator' according to claim 6 is characterised by the configuration of the signals by means of a pre-defined signal code, preferably Morse code.
8. Elevator system according to claim 6 or 7, characterised by the location of the destination call unit in the forward area of the elevator and at least one switch.
9. Elevator system according to one of the claims 6 to 8 characterised by the Destination Calling Unit comprising several switches, each switched with a haptic means to designate a specific destination.
10. Elevator system according to one of the claims 6 to 9 characterised by the position of the signal unit in the area of the lift door, in the area of the lift cabin and/or in the forward area of the elevator.