Patent Description:
Passenger vertical lift systems (elevators, lifts, and the like) may be equipped with an obstacle detection system. Such systems may include light curtains, radar sensing, acoustic and ultrasonic interrogation, and camera systems spanning from visible to long wavelength infrared. <CIT>discloses the use of light emitting means as contactless proximity switches. "<NPL>) discloses an architecture for lidar systems based on optically coherent detection.

Obstacle detection systems may work well when the obstacle is in a vertical plane defined by a door frame. Detection normal to the door opening, however, may be a challenge because motion may be out of a plane of detection and sensors detect activity based upon receiving reflected energy from an acoustic, optical or electromagnetic transmitted energy source. Unwanted reopening of an elevator door may occur due to stray signals from reflections of persons in a vicinity of an elevator door even though there may be no intent to enter the elevator. This may lead to a relatively high false alarm rate (FAR). Conversely, improper settings or poor detector system discriminations may lead to injuries due to undetected obstacles. Consequently, alternative means of obstacle detection both in and out of plane are sought having lower FAR and fewer missed detections.

According to a first aspect, there is provided an elevator system as claimed in claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments, the first instructions include closing the first door.

In some embodiments, the first sensor monitors the entryway and transmits instructions to reopen upon sensing motion into and/or out of the entryway and otherwise transmits instructions to close.

In some embodiments, the first sensor is capable of continuously monitoring the entryway.

In some embodiments, the system comprises a plurality of sensor including the first sensor and a second sensor, the first sensor being a LIDAR sensor and the second sensor being a RADAR sensor.

In some embodiments, the first controller monitors for first instructions over a plurality of frequencies, including a frequency applicable to LIDAR and frequency applicable to RADAR.

In some embodiments, upon receiving conflicting instructions from the plurality of sensors the first controller reopens the first door.

In some embodiments, the plurality of sensors are operationally disposed in one or more of an entryway frame and an entryway landing.

According to a second aspect there is provided a method of monitoring an elevator entryway in an elevator system, as claimed in claim <NUM>. The elevator system and entryway of the method including one or more of the above disclosed features and elements.

LIDAR systems are active ranging systems based upon time-of-flight of light to and from an obstacle. Similarly, RADAR systems are active ranging systems based upon time-of-flight of radio waves to and from an obstacle. They may both be routinely utilized as detection inputs for autonomous driving systems. These systems may improve autonomous detection by permitting the detection system to scan for obstacles in the vertical, horizontal, forward, and backward. Using LIDAR, detailed 3D maps of a region may enable a relatively higher level of object discrimination, and thus may provide a lower FAR and fewer missed detections. These systems (formed using free space optics) may be relatively large, draw relatively considerable power, may be relatively difficult to install, and may be costly.

Photonic integrated circuits (PICs) may be utilized in safety systems where superior target discrimination in 3D may lead to enhanced system performance and fidelity. A LIDAR system-on-a-chip may be used for modest bandwidth communication via binary bit transfer (Frequency Modulation, FM), and/or light intensity variation (Amplitude Modulation, AM). LIDAR may therefore permit the incorporation of wireless communication capabilities in addition to local obstacle detection and discrimination. Thus, LIDAR may be utilized for landing door jamb protection sensors rather than cabling for multiple floors, which may make wiring such a system relatively difficult. A usage of LIDAR for wireless communications may enable relatively reduced wiring and relatively easy differentiation of sensor signals to the door controller to reverse or stop an elevator door.

<FIG> illustrate additional technical features associated with one or more disclosed embodiments. Features and elements disclosed in FIGS. having nomenclature that is the same or similar to that in <FIG> may be similarly construed even though numerical identifiers may differ.

<FIG> discloses an elevator system <NUM> comprising an elevator entryway <NUM> having a landing <NUM> and frame <NUM> with a top <NUM> spaced from the landing <NUM> in a height wise direction H. The frame <NUM> may include a plurality of sides including a first side <NUM> and a second side <NUM> mutually spaced in a widthwise direction W. The landing <NUM> may extend in a depth wise direction D away from the frame <NUM>. Reference labels in this document such as "first" and "second" facilitate describing the disclosed embodiments and do not identify a priority or ordering of any features or elements unless expressly indicated.

The elevator entryway <NUM> may include a first mechanized door <NUM> and a first controller <NUM> operationally connected to the first door <NUM> for opening and closing the first door <NUM>, providing access to an elevator car <NUM>. Reference to the first door <NUM> herein may also be construed as reference to the first controller <NUM>. Similarly, reference to other components herein controlled by respective controllers may also be construed as reference to the respective controllers.

A first sensor <NUM> is operationally connected to the entryway <NUM>, for example in the landing <NUM> or on or near the frame <NUM>. The first sensor <NUM> is illustrated at the landing <NUM> though such illustration is not limiting. The first sensor <NUM> is a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor. The first sensor <NUM> may comprise separate sensors, that is, a LIDAR sensor and a RADAR sensor. A second controller <NUM> may be operationally connected to the first sensor <NUM>. According to an embodiment the first sensor <NUM> and the second controller <NUM> may comprise a unitary package, which may be relatively small and compact for placement around the entryway. According to an embodiment the system <NUM> may comprise a plurality of doors including the first door <NUM> and a second door <NUM>. The plurality of doors may be center opening doors.

Turning to <FIG>, an entryway monitoring process S200 is disclosed. Process steps are sequentially numbered in this document to facilitate discussion but are not intended to identify a specific sequence of preformation such steps or a requirement to perform such steps unless expressly indicated. The first door <NUM> may perform the step S210 of initiating closing. It is during this time when a potential injury could occur. The first door <NUM> may perform step S220 of monitoring for instructions over a frequency applicable to LIDAR and/or RADAR communications. The first sensor <NUM> performs step S230 of interrogating the elevator entryway <NUM> to determine whether there is motion into or out of the entryway. When motion is detected, the first sensor <NUM> performs step S240 of providing first instructions to the first door <NUM>. At step S250 the first door <NUM> may execute the first instructions.

According to an embodiment the first instructions are reopening the first door <NUM>. This occurs when the sensor detects a potential hazard, such as movement around the entryway <NUM> interpreted as a person entering or exiting the elevator. According to an embodiment the first instructions are to close <NUM>. This may be the default instruction, enable the elevator door to normally close. According to an embodiment the first sensor <NUM> transmits the first instructions over the scanning interrogation frequency. By transmitting over this frequency, the need to utilize a telecommunications infrastructure is minimized.

The above embodiments disclose utilization of a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, which may be negligibly sized, for obstacle detection, discrimination, and communication. In addition, the above embodiments may relate to the usage of LIDAR signals and/or RADAR signals a means of effecting wireless communications to a door controller to initiate reopening of an elevator door. Such communications may be advantageous for usage as detection systems where the sensors may be landing mounted or when additional wiring may be less desirable.

In addition to the above identified features and associated benefits, the disclosed embodiments may satisfy additional needs. Many door detection systems may be required to provide enhanced sensing capabilities. For example, systems may be required to sensing objects on a landing in addition to along a plane of the door. In addition LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors in detection systems may be applicable for providing door jamb protection in door detection systems. Door jamb protection may be useful on both landing and elevator car doors. Positioning LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors on each landing in a multi-landing facility is advantageous over a wired solution that may require cabling to a top of the hoistway from each floor, which may then be utilized for sending a signal to a door controller to halt a door opening motion.

Several issues may accompany a wired door jamb protection solution, which may be addressable by using a sensor as a communication device. Such a solution may result in a communication frequency a LIDAR sensor and/or a RADAR sensor uses to sense objects may also be utilized to send an open/close signal to the door controller. By using a LIDAR sensor and/or a RADAR sensor as a communication device, additional communication hardware may be avoided, which may reduce costs.

Another concern with wired solutions is where landing sensors are wired in series. An activation or issue with an upstream sensor may impact the ability to use downstream sensors. Having parallel wiring for each landing sensor, however, may be very difficult for installation in high rise buildings. It would also allow for wiring cost reduction.

On the other hand, elevator car mounted LIDAR sensors and/or RADAR sensors wirelessly communicating open/close commands to a door controller may save cabling costs and save space on a top of an elevator car. Wireless communication may be achieved through Wi-Fi though a benefit may be through using the LIDAR sensor and/or RADAR sensor itself as certain technologies may require additional technological investments to operate smoothly. For example Wi-Fi may require the creation of a system of routers, repeaters and access points on the sensor side as well as access points and receives within the elevator cab.

As described above, embodiments can be in the form of processorimplemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as a processor.

Claim 1:
An elevator system (<NUM>) comprising an elevator entryway (<NUM>), the elevator entryway (<NUM>) including:
a first door (<NUM>),
a first controller (<NUM>) operationally connected to the first door (<NUM>) for opening and closing the first door (<NUM>) to provide access to an elevator (<NUM>),
a first sensor (<NUM>) operationally connected to the entryway (<NUM>), the first sensor (<NUM>) being a light detection and ranging (LIDAR) sensor and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR) sensor, wherein the first sensor monitors the entryway (<NUM>) and transmits first instructions, wherein the first instructions include reopening or closing the first door, and wherein the first sensor transmits instructions to reopen upon sensing motion into and/or out of the entryway (<NUM>);
wherein when the first door (<NUM>) is closing:
the first controller (<NUM>) monitors for the first instructions over a frequency applicable to light detection and ranging (LIDAR) and/or a radio detection and ranging (RADAR), and
upon receiving the first instructions, the first controller (<NUM>) executes the first instructions.