TAG DETECTION IN ELEVATOR SYSTEMS

Abstract

An elevator system (2, 102) includes an elevator car (4, 104), a tag detection device (16, 116) arranged to detect the presence of tags (18, 20; 118, 120) in the elevator car (4, 104) and a control system (13). The control system (13) is arranged to determine if the tag detection device (16, 116) detects at least one of a set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) 10 present in the elevator car (4, 104) and, if at least one of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected in the elevator car (4, 104), to prevent at least one travel operation of the elevator car (4, 104) until all or none of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected to be present in the elevator car (4, 104).

Claims

1. An elevator system (2, 102) comprising: an elevator car (4, 104); a tag detection device (16, 116) arranged to detect the presence of tags (18, 20; 118, 120) in the elevator car (4, 104); and a control system (13) arranged: to determine if the tag detection device (16, 116) detects at least one of a set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) present in the elevator car (4, 104); and if at least one of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected in the elevator car (4, 104), to prevent at least one travel operation of the elevator car (4, 104) until all or none of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is detected to be present in the elevator car (4, 104).

2. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein each of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) comprises a unique identifier.

3. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the association of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is determinable from a reference device (17) comprising information identifying the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120).

4. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein information identifying the tags of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is stored in a computer memory (17) accessible by the tag detection device (16, 116) and/or the control system (13).

5. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the association of the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) is determinable from the tags themselves.

6. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the set of associated tags (18, 20; 118, 120) comprises RFID tags.

7. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tag detection device (16, 116) comprises an RFID detection device comprising at least one antenna (117, 119).

8. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the antenna (117, 119) is mounted to, housed in or comprised by at least a portion of the elevator car (4, 104).

9. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the tag detection device (16, 116) comprises a transmission antenna (117) and a reception antenna (119) comprised by respective opposing portions of the elevator car (4, 104).

10. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the at least one travel operation comprises one or more of: processing an elevator call, operating a door (8, 108), or moving the elevator car (4, 104).

11. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a door (8, 108) operable to close a doorway between the elevator car (4, 104) and a landing (6,106), and wherein the control system (13) is arranged to prevent closing of the door (8, 108) until all or none of the set of associated tags (18, 20, 118, 120) is detected to be present in the elevator car (4, 104).

12. The elevator system (2, 102) as claimed in claim 1, arranged to switch off the tag detection device (6, 106) once the elevator doors (8, 108) have completely closed, or once the elevator car (4, 104) has departed.

13. A method of operating an elevator system (2, 102) comprising an elevator car (4, 104), the method comprising: detecting in the elevator car (4, 104) at least one of a set of associated tags (18, 20, 118, 120); preventing at least one travel operation of the elevator car (4, 104) until all or none of the set of associated tags (18, 20, 118, 120) is detected in the elevator car (4, 104).

Description

DRAWING DESCRIPTION

[0027] One or more non-limiting examples will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

[0028] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate an elevator system according to an example of the present disclosure;

[0029] FIG. 3 illustrates an elevator system according to another example of the present disclosure; and

[0030] FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating operation of the elevator system shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, an elevator system 2 comprises an elevator car 4 operable to transport passengers within a building (not shown). The elevator car 4 is shown adjacent a landing region 6, from which passengers can board the elevator car 4.

[0032] The elevator car 4 is accessed from the landing region 6 through a doorway that is closable by a door 8. The elevator car 4 comprises a call input interface 7 where passengers can input an elevator call. The operation of the door 8 (i.e. opening and closing) is controlled by a door controller 10. The door controller 10 itself receives commands from an elevator controller 12. The elevator controller 12 may, for instance, also provide commands to a drive system 14 that drives the elevator car 2 to move (e.g. in response to an elevator call input by a passenger via the call input interface 7). Together, the door controller 10 and the elevator controller 12 form a control system 13.

[0033] The elevator system 2 also comprises a tag detection device 16 that is arranged to detect the presence of tags such as a first tag 18 and a second tag 20 in the elevator car 4. The tag detection device 16 cannot detect tags outside of the elevator car 4 (i.e. its range of detection is effectively limited to the inside of the elevator car 4). The first tag 18 and the second tag 20 comprise unique identifying information (e.g. a stored unique ID number). The tag detection device 16 is operable to detect the unique identifying information of tags present in the elevator car 4.

[0034] The elevator controller 12 comprises a reference device 17 (e.g. a computer memory) which stores information that identifies the first 18 and second tag 20 as making up a set of associated tags. For instance, the reference device 17 may store a database of ID codes of associated tags. The reference device 17 may alternatively form part of the tag detection device 16 or any other suitable component including a remote server.

[0035] In some examples the tag detection device 16 may comprise an RFID transmitter/receiver pair and the tags 18, 20 comprise RFID tags, although other tag technologies may also be used (e.g. where the tag detection device 16 comprises a camera and the tags 18, 20 comprise optical labels such as printed alphanumeric characters, barcodes or QR codes).

[0036] In the example illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first tag 18 is carried by or otherwise attached to a first entity (not shown) that intends to travel in the elevator car 4. For instance, the first tag 18 may be located in an item of clothing worn by an elevator passenger. The second tag 20 is carried by or otherwise attached to an entity associated with the passenger, such as a dog, a child or a piece of luggage. The first and second tags 18, 20 form a set of associated tags, as they are attached to entities that should not be separated. As mentioned above, the reference device 17 stores this association.

[0037] In the situation depicted in FIG. 1, the entity carrying the first tag 18 has entered the elevator car 4, but the entity carrying the second tag 20 has not. The tag detection device 16 thus detects the presence of only the first tag 18 and informs the elevator controller 12 accordingly. The elevator controller 16, using the information stored in the reference device 17, determines that the first tag 18 is one of a set of associated tags which also includes the second tag 20, and thus determines that an incomplete set of associated tags is present in the elevator car 4. To avoid separating the first and second tags 18, 20, the elevator controller 12 prevents at least one travel operation of the elevator car 4. For instance, the elevator controller 12 may prevent the door controller 10 from closing the door 8, disable the call input interface 7 to prevent elevator calls from being input, and/or prevent any movement of the elevator car 4 by the drive system 14. This ensures that the entities carrying the tags 18, 20 are not separated by the door 8 closing and/or the elevator car 4 departing from the landing 6.

[0038] At a later time, shown in FIG. 2, the entity carrying the second tag 20 has entered the elevator car 4. At this time, the tag detection device 16 detects the first tag 18 and the second tag 20 (because they are both in the elevator car 4), i.e. all of the set of associated tags. The tag detection device 16 informs the elevator controller 12 accordingly. The elevator controller 12 determines that all of the set of associated tags are present in the elevator 4 and stops preventing the at least one travel operation of the elevator car 4, allowing the two entities carrying the first and second tags 18, 20 to travel to their destination.

[0039] Of course, the elevator controller 12 also prevents at least one travel operation of the elevator car 4 if only the second tag 20 is detected in the elevator car 4, until both or neither of the first and second tags 18, 20 are present in the elevator car 4.

[0040] FIG. 3 shows illustrates another example of the present disclosure. An elevator system 102 comprises an elevator car 104 operable to transport passengers within a building. The elevator car 104 is shown adjacent a landing region 106, from which passengers can board the elevator car 104. The elevator car 104 is accessed from the landing region 106 through a doorway that is closable by a door 108 (e.g. an elevator car door coupled to a landing door). The operation of the door 108 (i.e. opening and closing) is controlled by a door controller (not shown).

[0041] The elevator system 102 also comprises a tag detection device 116 comprising an RF transmission antenna 117 and an RF reception antenna 119. The RF transmission and reception antennae 117, 119 are mounted on opposing side walls of the elevator car 104. This ensures that the tag detection device 116 has a range of detection that substantially matches the internal space of the elevator car 104 without extending significantly outside the elevator car 104.

[0042] FIG. 3 also shows a first tag 118 and a second tag 120. The first tag 118 is attached to the handle end of a dog leash 122, which is held by a passenger 124. The second tag 120 is attached to a collar 125 worn by a dog 126. The dog leash 122 is connected to the collar 125. The first and second tags 118, 120 are passive RFID tags which store unique ID codes.

[0043] The tag detection device 116 is operable to detect the presence and unique ID code of any RFID tag located in the elevator car 104. The tag detection device 116 transmits a radio signal from the RF transmission antenna 117 which is received by any RFID tag located in the elevator car 104. This radio signal induces an electric current in the RFID tag which in turn causes the RFID tag to produce a second radio signal that encodes its unique ID code. The second radio signal is received by the RF reception antenna 119.

[0044] The operation of the elevator system 102 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4.

[0045] In the situation illustrated in FIG. 3, the passenger 124 and the dog 126 are in the process of exiting the elevator car 104. The dog 126 (and thus the second tag 120) has already left the elevator car 104, but the passenger 124 (and the first tag 118) remains in the elevator car 104. Although the dog leash 122 passes through the doorway, its slim profile means that it is not detected by a conventional obstruction detector monitoring the doorway (not shown). In step 202, the door 108 begins to close in preparation for the elevator car 104 to travel to its next destination.

[0046] At step 204, the RF transmission antenna 117 transmits a radio signal in the elevator car 102. This is picked up by the first tag 118, which thus emits a second radio signal in which its unique ID code is encoded. In step 206 the RF reception antenna 119 detects the second radio signal and identifies the unique ID code of the first tag 118.

[0047] The tag detection device 116 relays this information to an elevator controller (not shown), which comprises a reference device (also not shown) containing a database of ID codes of associated tags. Using the information stored in the reference device, the elevator controller determines that the first tag 118 is part of a set of associated tags (with the second tag 120).

[0048] In step 208, the elevator system 102 checks if both of the first and second tags 118, 120 are detected (i.e. if all of the set of associated tags are in the elevator car 102). Because the second tag 120 has already left the elevator car 104, it is not detected by the tag detection device 116. Thus the elevator controller in step 210 prevents the door 108 from closing, to prevent the first and second tags 118, 120 from being separated by the closed door 108. Of course, if only the second tag 120 were detected by the tag detection device 116 in step 208 (e.g. if the passenger 124 leaves the elevator car 104 before the dog 126) the elevator controller would also prevent the door 108 from closing in step 210. In step 212 the elevator controller opens the door 108. After a short delay, the process returns to step 202 and begins to close the door 108 again.

[0049] At a subsequent time (e.g. after several repetitions of the process shown in FIG. 4, the passenger 124 leaves the elevator car 104. Thus at step 206 the first tag 118 is not detected in the elevator car 104 (i.e. none of the set of associated tags is detected to be present in the elevator car 104). Thus the door closing is not prevented. At step 214 the elevator system 102 checks whether the door 108 is closed. If it is still closing, the process returns to step 204 and continues to monitor for any tags in the elevator car (in case one or more tags re-enter the elevator). Once the door 108 finally closes the elevator car 104 can travel in step 216. Alternatively, the elevator car 104 can travel if both tags 118, 120 are detected in the elevator car in step 208 and the door is closed (step 214). Thus, travel operation of the elevator car 104 is prevented until none or all of the set of associated tags (i.e. the first and second tag 118, 120) is present in the elevator car 104. This means that the dog 126 and its owner 124 are not separated by the closed door 108, the leash 120 is not trapped in the closed door 108 and the elevator car 104 does not travel whilst the dog and its owner are separated.

[0050] While the disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of examples, it should be readily understood that the disclosure is not limited to such disclosed examples. Rather, the disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, 10 but which are commensurate with the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, while various examples of the disclosure have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the disclosure may include only some of the described examples. Accordingly, the disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.