Search

EP-3822209-B1 - ELEVATOR SYSTEM WITH MESH NETWORK HAVING PROXY-TRANSCEIVER

EP3822209B1EP 3822209 B1EP3822209 B1EP 3822209B1EP-3822209-B1

Inventors

  • KUENZI, ADAM
  • KLOPFENSTEIN, Troy

Dates

Publication Date
20260506
Application Date
20201111

Claims (15)

  1. A method for connecting a first device (240a) that is configured for moving to a non-moving network, comprising: transmitting data over a wired data line (330) from the first device to a second device (240g), wherein the second device is stationary; transmitting the data from the second device over a wireless network (300); receiving further data by the second device (240g) from the wireless network (300); and transmitting the further data from the second device (240g) to the first device (240a); wherein: the first device (240a) is affixed to a lift (220) in a hoistway (225) of an architectural structure (200) and the second device (240g) is fixed within the architectural structure so that the second device is stationary when the lift moves; and the method includes operating the lift based on the further data, characterized in that the wireless network (300) is a mesh network and in that the method includes: the second device (240g) obtaining location data representing a current physical location of the first device (240a) or the lift (220), and the second device transmitting the location data to the first device; the first device (240a) transmitting the location data to a mobile device (400) inside the lift (220) over Bluetooth; and the mobile device (400): displaying the location data; displaying information relevant to a next floor the lift (220) is traveling to; and/or prompting a passenger to take predetermined actions available on the next floor.
  2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first device (240a) is a card reader.
  3. The method of claim 2, wherein the data represents a maintenance request and/or a data audit request following the card reader (240a) reading a card, and the data further represents a maintenance update data and/or data responsive to the data audit request.
  4. The method of claim 3, wherein the further data represents a firmware update for the card reader (240a) and operating the lift (220) includes updating the firmware on the card reader,
  5. The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the further data represents data responsive to the audit request and operating the lift includes illuminating on a lift control panel (315) an updated set of floors available to the lift.
  6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lift (220) is an elevator car.
  7. The method of claim 6, wherein: the wired data line (330) is connected to an elevator rope (340) in the hoistway (225).
  8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein: the second device (240g) is installed in an elevator control room (320).
  9. A system comprising: a lift (220) that is configured to move between levels in a hoistway (225) of an architectural structure (200); a first device (240a) fixed to the lift (220); and a second device (240g) fixed within the architectural structure so that the second device is stationary when the lift moves, the first device (240a) and the second device (240g) are configured for bi-directional data communication over a wired data line (330), and the second device (240g) is configured as a transceiver to communicate over a wireless network (300) within the architectural structure, wherein the system is configured to: receive further data by the second device (240g) from the wireless network (300); and transmit the further data from the second device (240g) to the first device (240a); and operate the lift based on the further data, characterized in that the wireless network (300) is a mesh network and in that : the second device (240g) is configured to: obtain location data representing a current physical location of the first device (240a) or the lift (220); and transmit the location data to the first device; the first device (240a) is configured to transmit the location data to a mobile device (400) inside the lift (220) over Bluetooth; and the mobile device (400) is configured to: display the location data; display information relevant to a next floor the lift (220) is traveling to; and/or prompt a passenger to take predetermined actions available on the next floor.
  10. The system of claim 9, wherein the first device (240a) is a card reader.
  11. The system of claim 9 or 10, wherein the lift (220) is an elevator car.
  12. The system of claim 11, wherein: the wired data line (330) is connected to an elevator rope (340) in the hoistway (225).
  13. The system of claim 11 or 12, wherein: the system includes an elevator control room (320) in which the second device (240g) is installed.
  14. The system of any of claim 9 to 13, wherein the wired data line (330) comprises a CAN bus.
  15. The system of any of claims 9 to 14, wherein the architectural structure (200) is a hotel.

Description

The embodiments herein relate to a method and system for connecting a first device that is configured for moving to a non-moving network. For instance, a non-limiting example may relate to elevator systems and more specifically to an elevator system with a mesh network having a proxy-transceiver. In a hotel, a guest may access a card reader with a prior encoded guest card and the reader may determine on the spot if access can be granted. A reader may be mounted as a door lock on a guest door, mounted near an access-controlled entrance, or mounted as a lift reader inside an elevator for controlling access control to floors. There are times where access control parameters for the guest need to be adjusted and the reader requires a configuration update. For example, if a guest is moved from one room to another, the lift reader may need to know to allow that guest to a different floor. If a guest were to have their stay extended, the lift reader may need to know to allow this guest to access the lift for an extended time period. Also, there may be a need to upgrade the programming in the reader, upgrade firmware remotely, etc. These maintenance operations may require the ability to remotely communicate with the reader. The maintenance of the reader becomes an issue in a system where the lift reader has no ability to communicate with the access control system. Additionally, adding a radio transmitter such as Bluetooth will help, but does not address connectivity issues. Since the reader moves around with the elevator car and in/out of Bluetooth range when doors are opened and closed, it becomes very difficult to have the reader work properly within a wireless network. US 2019/210837 A1 discloses an elevator system comprising a communication circuit configured for establishing a data connection between the elevator system and a remote service center. US 2015/251875 A1 discloses a method for resetting a safety system of an elevator installation. According to a first aspect, a method for connecting a first device that is configured for moving to a non-moving network is provided. The method comprises: transmitting data over a wired data line from the first device to a second device, wherein the second device is stationary; transmitting the data from the second device over a wireless network; receiving further data by the second device from the wireless network; and transmitting the further data from the second device to the first device; wherein: the first device is affixed to a lift in a hoistway of an architectural structure and the second device is fixed within the architectural structure so that the second device is stationary when the lift moves; and the method includes operating the lift based on the further data, wherein the wireless network is a mesh network and the method includes: the second device obtaining location data representing a current physical location of the first device or the lift, and the second device transmitting the location data to the first device; the first device transmitting the location data to a mobile device inside the lift over Bluetooth; and the mobile device: displaying the location data; displaying information relevant to a next floor the lift is traveling to; and/or prompting a passenger to take predetermined actions available on the next floor. Optionally, the first device is a card reader. Optionally, the data represents a maintenance request and/or a data audit request following the card reader reading a card, and the data further represents a maintenance update data and/or data responsive to the data audit request. Optionally, the further data represents a firmware update for the card reader and operating the lift includes updating the firmware on the card reader. Optionally, the further data represents data responsive to the audit request and operating the lift includes illuminating on a lift control panel an updated set of floors available to the lift. Optionally, the lift is an elevator car. Optionally, the wired data line is connected to an elevator rope in the hoistway. Optionally, the second device is installed in an elevator control room. According to a second aspect, a system is provided. The system comprises: a lift that is configured to move between levels in a hoistway of an architectural structure; a first device fixed to the lift; and a second device fixed within the architectural structure so that the second device is stationary when the lift moves, the first device and the second device are configured for bi-directional data communication over a wired data line, and the second device is configured as a transceiver to communicate over a wireless network within the architectural structure, wherein the system is configured to: receive further data by the second device from the wireless network; and transmit the further data from the second device to the first device; and operate the lift based on the further data, wherein the wireless network is a mesh network