Wireless, self-contained elevator call request entry system

• US 7,958,971 B2
• Filed: 10/04/2005
• Issued: 06/14/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/04/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Mangini, Richard J., Stranieri, Paul, Pulling, Richard J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US12/088,977
• Publication Number:
  US 20080264731A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,079 Days
• Field of Search: 187/247, 187380-389, 187391-396, 187/901, 709/219
• US Class Current: 187/396
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/463 Touch sensitive input devices
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/468 Call registering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 19/007 method for modernisation of elevators
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4615 Wherein the destination is registered before boarding
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/463 Wherein the call is registered through physical contact with the elevator system
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4676 for checking authorization of the passengers

Abstract

A wireless, portable call request entry kiosk (14) has a control panel (19) with keys (20, 21) and a display panel for entering calls and informing passengers of the responding elevator. The kiosk has wireless communication (42, 56) with a building (43) where the kiosk is located, to transmit call requests to a dispatching controller (48). The kiosk operates on a rechargeable source such as a battery (51). A sensor (52) determines a lull in traffic, causing the kiosk to operate in a low power consumption mode.

Claims

1. An elevator call request entry system by means of which passengers will indicate a desire for elevator service to commence at a floor lobby (25) of a building (43), characterized by:

a wireless, portable call entry kiosk (14) having a controller (40) and rechargeable power source (51);

means (20) disposed within the kiosk for registering a passenger request for elevator service at a lobby of the building where the kiosk is located;

a dispatching controller (48) fixed within the building and interconnected with elevators (26-29) controlled thereby;

a wireless transmission means (42, 46) for communicating requests for elevator service from said kiosk to said dispatching controller;

a sensor (52) disposed within said kiosk to determine a lull in passenger traffic; and

wherein said controller (40) causes operation of said kiosk in a low power consumption mode in response to said sensor indicating a lull in passenger traffic.

2. A system according to claim 1 further characterized by:

a charging station (53, 54) fixed within said building (43) for charging said rechargeable power source (51).

3. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said wireless transmission means (42, 46) is implemented with Ethernet transmission.

4. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said means (20) for registering a passenger request is a tactile key switch panel.

5. A system according to claim 1 wherein:

said means (20) for registering a passenger request is a programmable touch responsive screen.

6. An elevator call request entry system that allows a passenger to indicate a desired destination, comprising:

a wireless, portable call entry kiosk including a controller, a rechargeable power source, a sensor and a transceiver, the controller being configured for registering a passenger request for elevator service, the transceiver being configured for communicating between the kiosk and a dispatching controller associated with elevators, the sensor being configured to determine a lull in passenger traffic and wherein the controller causes said kiosk to operate in a lower power consumption mode responsive to an indication from the sensor regarding a lull in passenger traffic.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the sensor is configured to detect at least one of presence or movement of an individual in a vicinity of the kiosk.

8. An elevator call request device, comprising

a kiosk including a base that is configured to support the kiosk in a selected position on a floor of an elevator lobby, the base being configured to allow the kiosk to be moved from the selected position to another position on at least one of the floor of the elevator lobby or another floor;

a rechargeable power source supported by the kiosk; and

a controller supported by the kiosk, the controller receiving power from the rechargeable power source, the controller being configured to register a passenger request for elevator service; and

a transceiver supported by the kiosk for communicating between the controller and a dispatching controller located remotely from the kiosk.

9. The device of claim 8, comprising

a sensor supported by the kiosk, the sensor being configured to detect at least one of presence or movement of a passenger in a vicinity of the kiosk.

10. The device of claim 9, wherein the controller instigates a low power consumption mode responsive to an indication from the sensor regarding a lull in passenger traffic in the vicinity of the kiosk.

11. The device of claim 10, comprising an input device configured to allow a passenger to place a request for elevator service and wherein the controller causes the input device to enter the low power consumption mode responsive to the indication from the sensor.

12. A method of providing elevator service, comprising the steps of:

positioning a wireless, portable call entry kiosk in a first location where a base of the kiosk is supported on an elevator lobby floor in a selected position;

receiving a passenger request for elevator service at the kiosk from each of a plurality of elevator passengers while the kiosk is in the selected position;

wirelessly communicating the received passenger requests between the kiosk and a dispatching controller that is configured to control elevators for providing the desired elevator service for each of the passengers; and

subsequently moving the kiosk to place the base in a second, different position on at least one of the elevator lobby floor or another floor surface.

13. The method of claim 12, comprising charging a rechargeable power source of the kiosk when the kiosk is in the second position.

14. The method of claim 12, comprising

determining if there is a lull in passenger traffic;

and

operating the kiosk in a low power consumption mode responsive to determining that there is a lull in passenger traffic.