Evacuation of buildings with elevator systems

• US 10,306,411 B2
• Filed: 07/26/2016
• Issued: 05/28/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Inventors: Finschi, Lukas, Troesch, Florian
• Primary Examiner(s): Yacob, Sisay
• Application Number:
  US15/748,985
• Publication Number:
  US 20190020978A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,036 Days
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/006 for guiding passengers to their assigned elevator car
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/021 the abnormal operating conditions being independent of the system alarm systems in general G08B
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/022 where the abnormal operating condition is caused by a natural event, e.g. earthquake
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/024 where the abnormal operating condition is caused by an accident, e.g. fire
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/025 where the abnormal operating condition is caused by human behaviour or misbehaviour, e.g. forcing the doors
• CPC Class Codes: G01C 21/206 specially adapted for indoor navigation
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 1/68 Marker, boundary, call-sign, or like beacons transmitting signals not carrying directional information
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/02 Indoor
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 2205/06 Emergency
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 5/0295 Proximity-based methods, e.g. position inferred from reception of particular signals
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/205 Building evacuation
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 7/066 guiding along a path, e.g. evacuation path lighting strip
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/02 Services making use of location information
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/024 Guidance services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/029 Location-based management or tracking services
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/33 for indoor environments, e.g. buildings
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/80 Services using short range communication, e.g. near-field communication [NFC], radio-frequency identification [RFID] or low energy communication
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]

Abstract

During an evacuation situation in a building that is equipped with an elevator system and in which a plurality of fixed point markers are arranged at defined sites, an escape route is transmitted to a person by means of a mobile device. The fixed point markers store data that can be received by the mobile device. An instantaneous position of the mobile device can be determined when the mobile device uses data received from a fixed point marker to access a database in which the data is linked to a site of the fixed point marker. The ascertainment of the escape route to a destination is based on the instantaneous position of the mobile device. The person is registered on reaching the destination when the mobile device is detected at the destination.

Claims

1. A method for controlling a safety system for guiding a person during an evacuation situation in an area equipped with an elevator system, in which a plurality of fixed point markers have been arranged at fixed locations, wherein the fixed point markers store data that is received by a mobile device carried by the person, comprising:

determining an instantaneous position of the mobile device in the area when the mobile device, by means of an identifier received from a first fixed point marker, accesses a database in which the identifier is linked to a location of the first fixed point marker;

ascertaining an escape route in the area to a destination on the basis of the instantaneous position of the mobile device;

transmitting escape route information to the mobile device; and

registering the person on reaching the destination when the mobile device is detected at the destination by means of a second fixed point marker.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining new positions of the mobile device in order to track a change in position of the mobile device.

3. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

determining whether a newly determined position deviates from the escape route.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising:

determining a new escape route on the basis of the newly determined position and transmitting new escape route information to the mobile device.

5. The method according to claim 3, further comprising:

sending a warning notice to the mobile device when there is new escape route information.

6. The method according to claim 1, in which the fixed point markers are equipped with Bluetooth technology.

7. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

determining whether the person has a physical limitation.

8. The method according to claim 7, in which, if the person has a physical limitation, the escape route is also determined on the basis of this physical limitation.

9. The method according to claim 8, in which the determined escape route comprises use of the elevator system when the person has limited mobility.

10. The method according to claim 7, in which whether a person has a physical limitation is determined by means of access to a user profile in which a physical limitation has been registered or by means of analysis of the person'"'"'s movement.

11. The method according to claim 7, in which escape route information is transmitted to the mobile device with a command to convey the escape route information to the person audibly if the physical limitation is limited vision.

12. The method according to claim 1, further comprising:

controlling the elevator system in accordance with the determined escape route, in order to transport an elevator car to a floor on which the determined escape route proceeds.

13. The method according to claim 1, in which the escape route is also determined on the basis of a current situation parameter, wherein a situation parameter is determined by means of a plurality of sensors present in the area.

14. A system for guiding a person during an evacuation situation in an area equipped with an elevator system, comprising:

a plurality of fixed point markers each at a defined site, wherein the fixed point markers store an identifier that is received by a mobile device carried by the person; and

a safety system with a processor and a memory for storing instructions, which when executed by the processor cause the processor to;

determine an instantaneous position of the mobile device in the area when the mobile device, by means of an identifier received from a first fixed point marker, accesses a database in which the identifier is linked to a location of the first fixed point marker,

ascertain an escape route in the area to a destination, the determination being based on the instantaneous position of the mobile device,

transmits escape route information to the mobile device, and

registers the person on reaching the destination when the mobile device is detected at the destination by means of a second fixed point marker.

15. The system according to claim 14, in which the fixed point markers are equipped with Bluetooth technology and emit an identifier that the mobile device receives when in radio range.

16. The system according to claim 14, in which a fixed point marker is arranged in an elevator car of the elevator system.

17. The system according to claim 14, further comprising:

a plurality of sensors in the area with which situation parameters are determined, wherein a situation parameter is used to determine the escape route.