Method for the call allocation in an elevator group

Abstract

A method for the call allocation in an elevator group uses a call allocation unit of an elevator group control. In the call allocation unit, passenger flow data of the elevator group is used to adapt call allocation parameters to improve the performance of the elevator group. The public traffic data is retrieved from at least one public transportation system, and is used to supplement expected passenger flow data for the adaption of call allocation parameters.

Claims

1. A method for the call allocation in an elevator group using a call allocation unit of an elevator group control, in which call allocation unit passenger flow data in the elevator group is used to adapt call allocation parameters of elevator components to improve the performance of the elevator group, the method comprising the step of: retrieving public traffic data from at least one public transportation system, the public traffic data being used to supplement expected passenger flow data for the adaption of call allocation parameters, wherein the public traffic data is used to decide on the number of elevators of the elevator group to serve elevator calls, set a certain traffic type for the setting of the call allocation unit or switch between continuous call allocation and destination call allocation.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the public traffic data is obtained via a public communication network from the public transportation system, in a General Transit Feed Specification (GTFS) format.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the public traffic data is updated by real-time data about the current schedule and/or traffic density as forwarded by the public transportation system via the public communication network.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein a forecast unit is used to obtain expected passenger flow data, which forecast unit uses a correlation between past public traffic data and correlated passenger flow data to obtain an estimate of the expected passenger flow data in connection with the current public traffic data, which estimated passenger flow data is used to adapt the call allocation parameters.

5. An elevator group, comprising several elevators controlled by a common elevator group control, which group control comprises a call allocation unit for the allocation of elevators to elevator calls, which call allocation unit is connected with a traffic processing unit, which is configured to retrieve and process passenger flow data of the elevator group to optimise call allocation parameters of the call allocation unit, wherein the traffic processing unit is connected with a data interface configured to obtain public traffic data form a public transportation system, whereby the traffic processing unit is configured to process the public traffic data into expected passenger flow data for the adaption of call allocation parameters, and wherein the public traffic data is used to decide on the number of elevators of the elevator group to serve elevator calls, set a certain traffic type for the setting of the call allocation unit or switch between continuous call allocation and destination call allocation.

6. The elevator group according to claim 5, wherein the traffic processing unit comprises a forecast unit comprising a memory for a traffic history of the elevator group, which forecast unit is configured to process the public traffic data into expected passenger flow data based on past and/or statistic correlations between the public traffic data and the correlated passenger flow.

7. The elevator group according to claim 6, wherein the forecast unit comprises a memory, configured to store public traffic data and correlated passenger flow data or corresponding correlation data.

8. The elevator group according to claim 5, wherein the elevator group control comprises a data interface with a public communication network.

9. The elevator group according to claim 5, comprising operating panels with destination push-buttons for destination call allocation and up/down push-buttons for continuous call allocation and wherein the call allocation unit is configured to switch between continuous call allocation and destination call allocation in response to the public traffic data.

10. The method according to claim 2, wherein a forecast unit is used to obtain expected passenger flow data, which forecast unit uses a correlation between past public traffic data and correlated passenger flow data to obtain an estimate of the expected passenger flow data in connection with the current public traffic data, which estimated passenger flow data is used to adapt the call allocation parameters.

11. The method according to claim 3, wherein a forecast unit is used to obtain expected passenger flow data, which forecast unit uses a correlation between past public traffic data and correlated passenger flow data to obtain an estimate of the expected passenger flow data in connection with the current public traffic data, which estimated passenger flow data is used to adapt the call allocation parameters.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is hereinafter described with respect to the enclosed drawing. In this drawing

(2) FIG. 1 shows an elevator group having a connection to a communal transport system for the optimization of call allocation, and

(3) FIG. 2 a detailed view of an operating panel as used in the elevator group of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) FIG. 1 shows an elevator group 10 having an elevator group control 12 controlling several elevators 14, 16, 18. Each elevator 14, 16, 18 has an operation panel 20 which is more detailed shown in FIG. 2. Each operating panel 20 comprises destination call buttons 22, up/down call buttons 24 as well as a display 26.

(5) In the vicinity of the landing door of each elevator 14, 16, 18 an elevator display 28 is provided as well as a loudspeaker 30 or other audio output means, e.g. a bell or the like.

(6) The elevator group control 12 comprises a call allocation unit 32 with a traffic processing unit 34. The traffic processing unit can also be located outside of the call allocation unit 32. The traffic processing unit 34 is connected with a forecast unit 35 as well as with a memory 39 for storing historical and statistical traffic data of the elevator group. The elevator control 12 is connected via a data interface 37 to a public communication network 36, e.g. internet and/or a mobile phone network, to which a server 38 of a public transportation system is connected, for example of a communal public transportation system. The public transportation system server 38 provides public traffic data, particularly travelling schedules as well as passenger data via the public communication network 36 to the traffic processing unit 34 of the allocation unit 32. Accordingly, the call allocation unit 32 is able to adapt call allocation parameters for the call allocation of the elevators 14, 16, 18 to given floor calls given via the operating panels 20 to the different elevators 14, 16, 18. Further, the elevator group control 12 is able to set operating parameters of elevator components as e.g. doors, motor etc.

(7) The invention works as follows. The traffic processing unit 34 of the call allocation unit 32 gets via data interface 37 and the public communication network 36 public traffic data from the public transportation service server 38, particularly real time schedule data of the different lines of the public transportation system as well as passenger numbers. This public traffic data is fed to a forecast unit 35 in the traffic processing unit. The forecast unit 35 compares the real time public traffic data from the public transportation system server 38 with past public traffic data and/or statistical data and corresponding passenger flow data of the elevator group 10. Via this comparison, the allocation unit calculates information about when and in what amount the passenger flow will change based upon the public traffic data. The call allocation unit 32 is then able to adapt the call allocation parameters of the call allocation unit as for example passenger riding time, passenger waiting time, energy consumption, as well as operating parameters of elevator components, e.g. putting elevators in and out of service, changing door opening times as well as elevator speed and/or acceleration. Via the change of these call allocation parameters as well as elevator operation parameters, the elevator group control is able to optimally cope with the expected passenger flow calculated or estimated from the real time public traffic data.

(8) The call allocation unit 32 is even able to switch between destination call control and continuous call control. In continuous call control, the destination call buttons 24 are deactivated which may e.g. be indicated by switching off their illumination and the up/down push-buttons 24 of the operation panel 20 are activated, which can be indicated by illumination. This may also be indicated in the display 26 of the operating panel so that passengers do not use the wrong push-buttons. In this continuous call control, the elevator displays 28 are initiated to only illuminate up/down arrows according to the travel direction of an arriving elevator 14, 16, 18 just before its arrival. The upcoming arrival of an elevator is also indicated acoustically via the loudspeaker 30 or other acoustic means.

(9) If on the other hand destination call control is activated, the illumination of the up/down push-buttons 24 is switched off and the destination call push-buttons 24 are illuminated. The destination call push-buttons 22 may also be a decade keyboard for issuing two digit destination floors. After inputting the destination floor, the allocated elevator is immediately displayed on the display 26 of the operating panel 20. The elevator display 28 shows the destination floors of the corresponding elevator 14, 16, 18.

(10) Accordingly, the invention allows the optimal adaptation of the elevator group to passenger flows.

(11) The above-mentioned embodiment should not be limiting the invention but this may be varied within the scope of the appended patent claims.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(12) 10 elevator group 12 elevator group control 14 first elevator 16 second elevator 18 third elevator 20 operating panel 22 destination call push-buttons 24 up/down push-buttons 26 operating panel display 28 elevator display 30 loudspeaker 32 allocation control unit 34 traffic processing unit 35 forecast unit 36 public communication network 37 data interface 38 server of public transportation system 39 memory