WO2012093985A1

WO2012093985A1 - Elevator control for disabled persons

Info

Publication number: WO2012093985A1
Application number: PCT/US2011/000031
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel MAST; Bradley HEDRICK; Patricia MALIK; Mark Smart; Jeff Miller; John KOSHAK
Original assignee: The Board Of Trustees Of The University Of Illinois
Priority date: 2011-01-07
Filing date: 2011-01-07
Publication date: 2012-07-12

Abstract

A technique of the present application includes: providing two way remote wireless communication to an elevator system to demand elevator service with equal facilitation as if using traditional elevator buttons and to receive elevator information to be displayed on the wireless device, recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with a remote control device; and controlling operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile. Alternatively or additionally, the elevator system includes a wireless communication device with a receiver to receive the information and a transmitter to transmit information to the remote control device to provide the user feedback.

Description

ELEVATOR CONTROL FOR DISABLED PERSONS

BACKGROUND The present invention relates to elevator control, and more particularly, but not exclusively relates to methods, systems, devices, and apparatus to remotely control elevators by accessibility challenged individuals.

All elevator systems typically require input from a physical pressing of a pushbutton, touching a touch screen, turning a keyswitch, and similar devices. While the force requirements for these input devices and their location is accessible for access challenged persons, in some cases these input devices are still unavailable to

accessibly challenged persons due to physical limitations of their conditions. Elevator car control, including elevator car calling, poses several challenges to the disabled - particularly those who are wheelchair bound. For instance, calling buttons are often difficult for a disabled person to use.

Even when access is available, the time it takes to ingress and egress elevators may exceed the timer settings of the elevator, leading to loss of use of the elevator or being struck by the closing doors. In addition, in the event of an elevator entrapment, the use of emergency communication is sometimes impossible.

To address these challenges, various schemes have been proposed that utilize a remote control device to call elevator cars. Unfortunately, these schemes still tend to suffer from various shortcomings. For example, they may require line-of-sight to operate correctly or conversely are unable to adequately distinguish between a close elevator car and one farther away - perhaps even in a different building from that desired. Thus, there is a need to provide a modality or handheld device that will provide input to elevator function without having to require movements beyond near proximity to the person and yet still provide a desired level of distinction between different elevator cars and/or elevator banks. This system should be easy to use and to install.

Accordingly, there is an ongoing demand for further contributions in this area of technology. SUMMARY

One embodiment of the present invention includes a unique technique to control elevators. Other embodiments include unique methods, systems, devices, and apparatus involving remote elevator control. Further embodiments, forms, features, aspects, benefits, and advantages of the present application shall become apparent from the description and figures provided herewith.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

Fig. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a wireless elevator control arrangement.

Fig. 2 is a diagrammatic view of one form of a wireless remote control for the arrangement of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 3 is a diagrammatic view of another form of a wireless remote control for the arrangement of Fig. 1 .

Fig. 4 is flowchart of one procedure for operating the arrangement of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is flowchart of another procedure for operating the arrangement of Fig. 1.

1 .

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF SELECTED EMBODIMENTS

For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.

One embodiment of the present invention is an elevator car control system including a wireless communication device that is a two-way communication with a wireless remote control device operated by a disabled user. Alternatively or

additionally, an elevator car control system is responsive to the location of a disabled user to determine elevator car arrival time and/or perform other control operations for the system as desired. In a further embodiment, an elevator car control system is responsive to a disabled users profile reported by a wireless remote control device to the system.

Fig 1 depicts elevator car control arrangement 20 of a further embodiment of the present application. Arrangement 20 includes elevator car control system 22. System 22 includes vertically moving elevator cars 24 in operative communication with controller 30. System 22 further includes electric motors, hydraulic lifts, and/or such other devices as would be desired to provide motive power in response to controller commands or the like. Controller 30 includes the necessary interface to existing elevator operational controllers (if any) to input a demand to cars 24 in response to commands from controller 30, such as a retrofit application. Alternatively, controller 30 may include all the control logic of a standard elevator controller in addition to that corresponding to the innovative operations described hereinafter. Controller 30 includes memory 32. Controller 30 is in operative communication with standard elevator car control buttons external to cars 24 to call cars in the typical fashion (not shown to preserve clarity). Also, controller 30 is in operative communication with internal controls to request floor, hold doors open, close doors, request emergency services, and the like as are standard inside a typical elevator car 24 (not shown to preserve clarity).

Controller 30 is operatively coupled to wireless communication device 40.

Wireless communication device 40 includes a receiver (RXR) and a transmitter (TXR) operable for wireless transmission to a wireless remote control device 50 to be operated by a disabled user. Device 40 implements wireless communication to facilitate control by a disabled user D, who typically would be unable to operate standard elevator controls external to cars 24 and/or internal to cars 24 - or at least not without some greater than normal degree of difficulty. Arrangement 20 further illustrates disabled user D in wheelchair W holding wireless remote control device 50.

Controller 30 may be provided as a single component or a collection of operatively coupled components; and may be comprised of digital circuitry, analog circuitry, or a hybrid combination of both of these types. In a multi-component form, it may have one or more components remotely located relative to the others. Also, controller 30 can include multiple processing units arranged to operate independently, in a pipeline processing arrangement, in a parallel processing arrangement, and/or such different arrangement as would occur to those skilled in the art. In one embodiment, controller 30 is a programmable microprocessing device of a solid-state, integrated circuit type that includes one or more processing units and memory. Controller 30 can include one or more signal conditioners, modulators, demodulators, Arithmetic Logic Units (ALUs), Central Processing Units (CPUs), microcontrollers, limiters, oscillators, control clocks, amplifiers, filters, format converters, communication ports, clamps, delay devices, memory devices, and/or different circuitry or functional components as would occur to those skilled in the art to perform the desired operations.

Memory 32 may be of one or more types. Memory 32 can be of a solid-state variety, electromagnetic variety, optical variety, or a combination of these forms.

Furthermore, memory 32 can be volatile, nonvolatile, or a mixture of these types. Some or all of memory 32 can be of a portable type, such as a disk, tape, memory stick, cartridge, or the like. Memory 32 can be at least partially integrated with controller 30 and/or may be in the form of one or more components or units. Device 40 is configured to provide appropriate signal conditioning to transmit and receive desired information (data), and correspondingly may include: filters, amplifiers, limiters, modulators, demodulators, CODECs, digital signal processing, signal format converters, and/or different circuitry or functional components as would occur to those skilled in the art to perform the desired communications. Device 40 depicts RXR and TXR separately. However, these components/functions can be combined in a transceiver (not shown) that typically utilized at least some hardware in common to both transmit and receive operations, such as suitable Radio Frequency (RF) front end circuitry. In alternative embodiments, it should be appreciated that communication may only be one-way, including just an RXR for instance. The transmitter TXR and receiver RXR included in device 40 may be independent of one another, or at least partially combined in an integral unit.

Wireless remote control device 50 can be a, dedicated input/output device with radio capability, for disabled user D to control system 22, or alternatively can be a mobile/cellular telephone, a wireless Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an access key card, smart card, or the like. Tuming to Fig. 2, a PDA form of device 50 is depicted as wireless remote control device 150. Device 150 includes display 152 that may be of a liquid crystal, LED, or similar type. Device 150 further includes input keys 154, an audio microphone input 156 and an audio output 158 in the form of a loudspeaker or the like. Device 150 further including an RXR and TXR typical of PDA.

Turning to Fig. 3, a dedicated input/output device with radio capability utilizing a sip and puff type of input system 250 is depicted that may be used in lieu of, or in addition to, device 50 or device 150. Device 250 provides for operation by profoundly disabled person's that typically would not be able to manipulate a device 50 or 150. Instead, air is drawn or blown across a sensor to provide for control of device 250.

Typically, device 250 is utilized when the disability provides for little, if any, arm or hand motion.

Fig. 4 depicts one procedure 220 for operating arrangement 20; where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. Procedure 220 can be implemented through operating logic of wireless remote control device 50, 150, 250, controller 30 and/or device 40, as appropriate. Procedure 220 begins with operation 222 in which the disabled user D activates wireless remote control device 50, 150, or 250 to request an elevator car 24. In operation 222, a corresponding wireless signal is sent to receiver RXR of device 40. Data/information corresponding to this car request is provided from device 40 to controller 30. Alternatively or additionally, the

data/information requesting a particular elevator car 24 when there are multiple cars or banks to choose from may be provided in operation 222. Controller 30 responds by generating one or more appropriate control signals and correspondingly controls system 22 in operation 224. Procedure 220 continues with operation 226. In operation 226, device 40 sends wireless information to wireless remote control device 50, 150, or 250 with transmitter TXR. This transmission may be in response to data/information from controller 30, generated internal to device 40, and/or from such other source as would occur to those skilled in the art.

In one embodiment, the information sent to disabled user D is an estimate of the time before the car 24 requested arrives. Alternatively or additionally, directions, a map, and/or other information relating to the arriving car 24 is provided to the user D. In a further embodiment, the information sent in operation 226 may include the circumstance when more than one car 24 has been requested, perhaps in different buildings, or different elevators within the same bank. Furthermore, when more information is needed from user D to determine a given control action to perform with system 22, then operation 226 may be performed to request the additional information before any control actions are taken in operation 224. These and other forms of two-way communication allows a true equivalent functionality for users, and assures that the system is operating correctly.

Fig. 5 depicts another procedure 320 for operating arrangement 20; where like reference numerals refer to like features previously described. Procedure 320 can be implemented through operating logic of wireless remote control device 50, 150, 250, controller 30 and/or device 40, as appropriate. Procedure 320 begins with operation 322 in which the disabled user D activates wireless remote control device 50, and sends a command to receiver RXR of device 40. Data/information corresponding to this command is provided from device 40 to controller 30. Alternatively or additionally, the data/information requesting a particular elevator car 24, when there are multiple cars or banks to choose from, may be provided in operation 322. Controller 30 responds by generating one or more appropriate control signals and correspondingly controls system 22.

Procedure 320 continues with operation 324. In operation 324, the controller 30 determines location of the wireless remote control 50, 150, or 250 and correspondingly the user D. This location can be reported as Global Positioning System (GPS) provided from a GPS receiver included in wireless remote control device 50, 150, or 250; and/or can be reported based on data/information about locale as transmitted by user D via device 50, 150, or 250. GPS information is typically available for many forms of cell phone, dedicated input/output device with radio capability, PDA, and the like, and/or can be included in more dedicated forms of wireless remote control. Alternatively or additionally, location information can be gathered by triangulation, as reported by device 50, 150, or 250 and/or through operations of controller 30 and/or device 40.

Procedure 220 continues with operation 326. In operation 326, controller 30 times arrival of the requested elevator car 24 based on the location information determined in operation 324. This determination can further be based on the estimated travel time and/or historical evidence of speed and route being taken by user D to system 22. In lieu of or in addition, a profile of salient behavior, travel patterns, commonly followed routes, or the like, can be used by controller 30 and stored in memory 32 and/or reported by device 50, 150, or 250 that can be used to adjust operation of system 22. In one nonlimiting example, the profile includes

data/information about the schedule of user D, the likely floor or floors to be visited by user D, meetings or appointments scheduled for user D, and the like to adjust operation of system 22. In another nonlimiting example, device 40 sends data/information as in operation 226 that offers user D a choice among routes, elevator cars 24, or the like base at least in part on profile information. In still another nonlimiting example, the profile is used to determine if any assistance should be made available for user D as user D approaches system 22. Advanced dispatching is also possible. For example, when an accessibility challenged student demonstrates a consistent pattern of behavior, the elevator system can react in different ways to accommodate earlier reaction by parking at known floors in anticipation of the students repeated pattern of use. In another feature of the present application, it has been discovered that standard wireless remote controls may be unable to distinguish between wireless- responsive elevator cars for the disabled located in different buildings or banks within the same building. To address this shortcoming, it has been found that a wireless communication protocol such as BLUETOOTH or other gain sensitive radio frequency systems provides a good compromise between the desired degree of advance request for an elevator car 24 and the inability to distinguish between cars 24 of different elevator systems/banks. In certain embodiments, it is envisioned that for multiple car elevator banks, only one of cars 24 may be enabled to respond to device 50, 150, or 250; and/or system 22 may be configured to activate different cars with different devices 50, 150, or 250. In yet another embodiment, it has been found that a wireless handheld remote control paired with a wireless control device mounted in or on only one of elevator cars 24 in multiple elevator banks that has a range of approximately 1000 ft. (320 m) provides a desired degree of discrimination/selectivity. To additionally gain discrimination, the handheld device can include a building selection capability to assure correct handheld operation.

In another feature of the present application, communications to/from device 50, 150, and 250 are encrypted to prevent unsecure control of system 22. In still other embodiments, device 50, 150, and/or 250 can be used to provide special concierge or express elevator services for business executives, elected officials, security details, delivery services, emergency services, or the like. Further features for a wireless system include the use of security features built into the handheld device carried by a user. These security features can be used to prevent unauthorized access to specific landings in a building for example. For executives or elected officials who use a preferred elevator program in order to have both a dedicated ride and priority in elevator use, such aspects can be enhanced by providing the elevator system with this information even from an executive's office, prior to entering an elevator lobby. In another specific example, hospital emergency operation and "Code Blue" could also be initiated with the use of this technology inputting into the elevator system, thus reducing the travel time for those emergency situations that arise today, but require lobby presence to turn a key switch or push a button. In a further embodiment, device 50, 150, and 250 are equipped to provide a disabled user D a way to contact emergency services from within car 24 and/or just external to cars 24. In one instance, in order to assure emergency communications are available, the handheld device will have the capability to cause the HELP button to activate emergency communications in the event of elevator entrapment. In still another embodiment, device 50, 150, and/or 250 provides for an extended elevator door opening option to allow disabled persons more time to ingress and egress from car 24. Alternatively or additionally, procedures 220 and 320 and variants described previously can be combined, with or without certain operations omitted or duplicated. As to other embodiments, a specific need in the accessibility community is typically to provide an handheld device that has a minimal number of button presses. With the ability of two way communication, the use of elevator destination dispatching is possible. This is a system whereby the handheld device is used to enter the user's destination, then a signal from the elevator system confirms the demand and instructs the user what elevator is going to be their elevator. The user then enters the elevator and does not have to enter a car call; it is already registered in the elevator system. This type of system tends to reduce the number of button presses to a minimum.

While accessibility is one feature of the present application, the ability to provide elevator demand information in an elevator system can be an additional or alternative aspect in order to provide reductions in dispatching time. In certain embodiments, such reductions can be accomplished by having advanced input provided by a user (disabled or able-bodied) from further away than the typical fixed location of traditional elevator buttons. The time can be saved by having an elevator pre-dispatched as the user is still walking toward the elevator lobby.

Many other embodiments of the present application are also envisioned. For example, a method of the present application includes: wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from a remote control device operated by a disabled user;

controlling operation of the elevator system in response to the information; and wirelessly transmitting other information to the remote control device from the elevator system. In another example, an apparatus includes an elevator system and further includes means for wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from a remote control device operated by a disabled user; means for controlling operation of the elevator system in response to the information; and means for wirelessly transmitting other information to the remote control device from the elevator system.

Still another embodiment includes: an elevator system including one or more elevator cars, an elevator car controller and a wireless communication device in operative communication with the elevator car controller; and a wireless remote control device operable by a disabled user, the wireless communication device being

responsive to a command from the wireless remote control device to control operation of the elevator system with the elevator car controller and wirelessly send information to the wireless remote control device.

A further embodiment comprises: wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from a remote control device operated by a disabled user; determining location of the disabled user relative to the elevator system; and timing arrival of an elevator car of the system as a function of the location.

Yet another embodiment is directed to an apparatus including an elevator system and further including: means for wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from a remote control device operated by a disabled user; means for determining location of the disabled user relative to the elevator system; and means for timing arrival of an elevator car of the system as a function of the location.

A further embodiment, comprises: an elevator system including one or more elevator cars, an elevator car controller and a wireless communication device in operative communication with the elevator car controller; and a wireless remote control device operable by a disabled user approaching the elevator system to report location to the wireless communication device, the elevator car controller being responsive to the location to time operation of at least one of the one or more elevator cars.

Another embodiment includes: recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with a remote control device; wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from the remote control device operated by a disabled user; and controlling operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile. Yet another embodiment includes an apparatus with means for recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with a remote control device; means for wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from the remote control device operated by a disabled user; and means for controlling operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile.

Any theory, mechanism of operation, proof, experiment, result, simulation, or finding stated herein is meant to further enhance understanding of the present invention and is not intended to make the present invention in any way dependent upon such theory, mechanism of operation, proof, experiment, result, simulation, or finding. It should be understood that while the use of the word preferable, preferably or preferred in the description above indicates that the feature so described may be more desirable, it nonetheless may not be necessary and embodiments lacking the same may be contemplated as within the scope of the invention, that scope being defined by the claims that follow. In reading the claims it is intended that when words such as, "a," "an," "at least one," "at least a portion" are used there is no intention to limit the claim to only one item unless specifically stated to the contrary in the claim. Further, when the language "at least a portion" and/or "a portion" is used the item may include a portion and/or the entire item unless specifically stated to the contrary. While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the selected embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes, modifications and equivalents that come within the spirit of the invention as defined herein or by any of the following claims are desired to be protected.

Claims

What is claimed is: 1. A method, comprising:

wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from a remote control device operated by a disabled user;

controlling operation of the elevator system in response to the information; and wirelessly transmitting other information to the remote control device from the elevator system.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein:

the sending of the information includes at least one of: a request for an elevator car from a landing, a request to hold doors of an elevator car open, a request for emergency assistance, and a request to go to a designated elevator landing; and

the controlling of the operation includes moving the elevator car in accordance with the request.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the other information includes at least one of: an estimate of the time until elevator arrival, identification of which of several elevator cars will arrive, and identification of an elevator car selected in a destination dispatch.

4. The method of claim 1 , which includes:

recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with the remote control device; and

regulating operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is in the form of at least one of: a cellular telephone , dedicated input/output device with radio capability, or a PDA.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote control device is in the form of a dedicated input/output device with radio capability,

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the remote control device includes a puff and sip sensing input device.

8. The method of claim 1 , which includes inputting a demand for any particular elevator landing as a destination with the remote control device.

9. The method of claim 1 , which includes calling for emergency assistance with the remote control device.

10. The method of claim 1 , which includes delaying elevator door closure with the remote control device.

11. The method of claim 1 , which includes providing a selectable security

authorization to prevent unauthorized persons from misusing the system.

12. An apparatus, comprising:

an elevator system including one or more elevator cars, an elevator car controller and a wireless communication device in operative communication with the elevator car controller; and

a wireless remote control device operable by a disabled user, the wireless communication device being responsive to a command from the wireless remote control device to control operation of the elevator system with the elevator car controller and wirelessly send information to the wireless remote control device.

13. The apparatus of claim 12, further comprising:

means for recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with the remote control device; and means for regulating operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile.

14. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the remote control device is in the form of at least one of: a cellular telephone, and a PDA.

15. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the remote control device is in the form of a dedicated input/output device with radio capability,

16. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the remote control device includes a puff and sip sensing device for inputting the command.

17. The apparatus of claim 12, which includes means for calling for emergency assistance with the remote control device.

18. The apparatus of claim 12, which includes means for inputting a demand for any particular landing as a destination with the remote control device.

19. The apparatus of claim 12, which includes means for selectable security authorizations to prevent unauthorized persons from misusing the system.

20. The apparatus of claim 12, wherein the wireless communication device includes a receiver and a transmitter.

21. A method, comprising:

determining location of the disabled user relative to the elevator system; and timing arrival of an elevator car of the system as a function of the location.

22. The method of claim 21 , wherein the sending of the information includes a request for an elevator car; and which includes moving the elevator car in accordance with the request.

23. The method of claim 21 , which includes:

24. The method of claim 21 , wherein the remote control device is in the form of a cellular telephone or a PDA.

25. The method of claim 21 , wherein the remote control device is in the form of a dedicated input/output device with radio capability.

26. The method of claim 21 , wherein the remote control device includes a puff and sip sensing device.

27. The method of claim 21 , which includes delaying elevator door closure with the remote control device.

28. An apparatus, comprising:

a wireless remote control device operable by a disabled user approaching the elevator system to report location to the wireless communication device, the elevator car controller being responsive to the location to time operation of at least one of the one or more elevator cars.

29. The apparatus of claim 28, further comprising:

means for recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with the remote control device; and

means for regulating operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile.

30. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the remote control device is in the form of a cellular telephone, dedicated input/output device with radio capability, or a PDA.

31. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the remote control device is in the form of a dedicated input/output device with radio capability.

32. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the remote control device includes a puff and sip sensing device.

33. The apparatus of claim 28, which includes means for calling a help service with the remote control device.

34. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the wireless communication device includes a receiver and a transmitter.

35. A method, comprising:

recording a disabled user's elevator use profile with a remote control device; wirelessly sending information to an elevator system from the remote control device operated by a disabled user; and

controlling operation of the elevator system in accordance with the disable user's elevator use profile.