Using a position detection device with an elevator system

• US 8,684,142 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2012
• Issued: 04/01/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Inventors: Finschi, Lukas
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US13/660,336
• Publication Number:
  US 20130048435A1
• Time in Patent Office: 523 Days
• Field of Search: 187/247, 187380-388, 187391-399
• US Class Current: 187/392
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/2408 where the allocation of a call to an elevator car is of importance, i.e. by means of a supervisory or group controller
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/468 Call registering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/48 Adaptations of mechanically-operated limit switches for cranes B66C13/50; for winding mechanisms B66D1/56
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/223 Taking into account the separation of passengers or groups
• 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

Using a position detection device, a position of a person in a building area outside of an elevator system is detected. It is determined that the person has not actuated a destination call for the elevator system within a preset period of time. As a result of the determination, a security measure is activated.

Claims

1. An elevator operation method, comprising:

detecting, using a position detection device, a position of a person in an area of a building, the area of the building being outside of an elevator system that serves the building;

determining that the person has not actuated a destination call for the elevator system within a preset period in time; and

activating a security measure as a result of the determining that the person has not actuated a destination call.

2. The elevator operation method of claim 1, the area of the building comprising an entry region of the building.

3. The elevator operation method of claim 1, the position detection device comprising a camera.

4. The elevator operation method of claim 1, the position detection device comprising a movement sensor.

5. The elevator operation method of claim 1, the security measure comprising monitoring one or more floors of the building using one or more cameras.

6. The elevator operation method of claim 1, the security measure comprising limiting a number of floors of the building served by the elevator system.

7. An elevator operation method, comprising:

detecting, using a position detection device, a position of a person in an area of a building, the area of the building being outside of an elevator system that serves the building;

determining that the person has not placed a call for the elevator system within a given time period; and

sending, to a computer, the determination that the person has not placed the call for the elevator system, the computer activating a security measure for the elevator in response to the determination.

8. The elevator operation method of claim 7, the call for the elevator system comprising a destination call.

9. The elevator operation method of claim 7, the call for the elevator system comprising an elevator call.

10. The elevator operation method of claim 7, the position detection device being positioned at an entrance of the building.

11. A computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon instructions that, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to perform a method, the method comprising:

detecting, using a position detection device, a position of a person in an area of a building, the area of the building being outside of an elevator system that serves the building;

determining that the person has not placed a call for the elevator system within a preset period in time; and

activating a security measure as a result of the determining that the person has not placed the call for the elevator system.

12. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, the security measure comprising blocking an entrance or an exit.

13. The computer-readable storage medium of claim 11, the call for the elevator system comprising a destination call.

14. A system, comprising:

a position detection device, the position detection device being positioned in an area of a building, the area of the building being outside of an elevator system that serves the building;

a destination call input terminal for the elevator system; and

a computer-based control unit that, when activated, performs a method, the method comprising,

detecting, using the position detection device, a position of a person in the area of the building,

determining that the person has not made a destination call using the destination call input terminal within a preset time period, and

activating a security measure as a result of the determining.

15. The system of claim 14, the position detection device comprising a camera.

16. The system of claim 14, the position detection device comprising a chip reader.

17. The system of claim 14, the area of the building comprising a lobby.

18. A computer-based control unit, comprising:

a processor; and

a computer-readable storage medium having encoded thereon instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to,

detect, using a position detection device, a position of a person in an area of a building, the area of the building being outside of an elevator system that serves the building,

determine that the person has not placed a call for the elevator system within a preset period in time, and

activating a security measure as a result of the determining.

19. The computer-based control unit of claim 18, the instructions further causing the processor to send to a computer the determination that the person has not placed the call for the elevator system.

20. The computer-based control unit of claim 18, the instructions further causing the processor to activate a security measure as a result of the determining that the person has not placed the call for the elevator system.