Patent Description:
During the installation, testing, or maintenance of an elevator system, for example, before the elevator system runs normally, certain components of the elevator system need to be tested or field-configured to ensure that all components can implement corresponding functions normally. At present, these jobs all require the staff to manually complete a series of operations. The staff need to meet high operational requirements; the process is complex and involves a heavy workload.

Especially after a new component to be tested or field-configured is introduced into the elevator system, for example, wireless beacons mounted in the elevator system to realize automatic elevator call, the manual workload of testing or field configuration of the wireless beacons is further increased due to the large number of the wireless beacons in the elevator system.

<CIT> describes a system and a method of connecting to wireless hardware of an elevator system during installation.

<CIT> describes a computer system configured to cause a mechanical action based on transient data stored on a user's mobile device.

According to an aspect of the present invention, a field configuration apparatus of an elevator system is provided as recited in claim <NUM>.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal is further provided with a user verification module configured to verify the identity of a user who tests the wireless beacon by using the mobile terminal.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless beacon is further provided with a communication authorization module configured to determine whether to authorize establishment of the third wireless connection with the mobile terminal.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the user verification module is configured to verify the identity based on a user name and a password input by the user.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal is further configured to adjust signal strength of the wireless signal broadcast by the wireless beacon.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the mobile terminal is further configured to acquire current state information of the corresponding component in the elevator system that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon.

In the field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless beacon is a Bluetooth module or Bluetooth Low Energy module, and the wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal or Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, a field configuration method of an elevator system is provided as recited in claim <NUM>.

The field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a user verification step in which a user verification module verifies the identity of a user who tests the wireless beacon by using the mobile terminal.

The field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a communication authorization step of determining whether to authorize establishment of the third wireless connection with the mobile terminal.

In the field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the user verification step, the identity is verified based on a user name and a password input by the user.

In the field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention, in the step of inputting configuration parameters, a corresponding configuration parameter is input to adjust signal strength of the wireless signal broadcast by the wireless beacon.

The field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a step of:
acquiring current state information of the corresponding component in the elevator system that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon.

In the field configuration method according to an embodiment of the present invention, the wireless beacon is a Bluetooth module or Bluetooth Low Energy module, and the wireless signal is a Bluetooth signal or Bluetooth Low Energy signal.

The above features and operations of the present invention will become more evident according to the following descriptions and accompanying drawings.

The above and other objectives and advantages of the present invention will become more complete and clearer from the following detailed descriptions with reference to the accompanying drawings. Identical or similar elements are represented with identical reference signs.

Some of the block diagrams shown in the accompanying drawings are functional entities that do not necessarily correspond to physically or logically independent entities. These functional entities can be implemented in the form of software, or implemented in one or more hardware modules or integrated circuits, or implemented in different processing devices and/or microcontroller devices.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an elevator system to which the present invention is applied. The elevator system <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is installed in a building. The elevator system <NUM> includes multiple elevator cars <NUM> that move up and down in hoistways of the building, for example, elevator cars <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>. Movement or stop of each elevator car <NUM> in the hoistway, that is, each elevator car <NUM>, is under the control of an elevator controller <NUM> in the elevator system <NUM>. Generally, the elevator controller <NUM> needs to acquire service request commands regarding elevator call directions and service request commands regarding destination floors from various elevator landing zones (or referred to as elevator lobbies) <NUM>, thus controlling operation of the elevator based on the commands, for example, controlling scheduling of the elevator cars <NUM>.

In the elevator system <NUM> of the embodiment as shown in <FIG>, the service request commands regarding elevator call directions and the service request commands regarding destination floors are from wireless beacons <NUM> and wireless beacons <NUM>, respectively. The elevator system <NUM> is provided with the wireless beacons <NUM>. The wireless beacons <NUM> can be mounted in the elevator landing zones <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> (as shown in <FIG>). For example, a wireless beacon <NUM>-<NUM> is mounted in the elevator landing zone <NUM>-<NUM> of the Floor <NUM>, a wireless beacon <NUM>-<NUM> is mounted in the elevator landing zone <NUM>-<NUM> of the Floor <NUM>, and a wireless beacon <NUM>-n is mounted in the elevator landing zone <NUM>-n of Floor n. It should be understood that each elevator landing zone <NUM> can be provided with one or more wireless beacons <NUM>, so that wireless signals broadcast by the wireless beacons <NUM> can effectively substantially cover each elevator landing zone <NUM>. It should be appreciated that the wireless signals broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> can effectively substantially cover the interior of the elevator car <NUM> when the car door of the elevator car <NUM> is opened.

The wireless beacon <NUM> can specifically be a Bluetooth module, for example, a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) module. Bluetooth signals broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> all the time or constantly can effectively substantially cover the elevator landing zone <NUM> where the wireless beacon <NUM> is located. The Bluetooth signals can be, for example, BLE signals correspondingly.

When a passenger carrying a personal mobile terminal <NUM> walks toward the wireless beacon <NUM> of the elevator landing zone <NUM>, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> can automatically sense a corresponding wireless signal, and for example, when signal strength of the sensed wireless signal is greater than or equal to an elevator call trigger threshold, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> automatically establishes a wireless connection <NUM> with the wireless beacon <NUM> and generates and sends a service request command regarding an elevator call direction. The service request command can be received by the wireless beacon <NUM> and then sent to the elevator controller <NUM>.

As shown in <FIG> again, each elevator car <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> is further provided with a wireless beacon <NUM> used to broadcast wireless signals. For example, the elevator car <NUM>-<NUM> is provided with a wireless beacon <NUM>-<NUM>, and the elevator car <NUM>-<NUM> is provided with a wireless beacon <NUM>-<NUM>.

The wireless beacon <NUM> can specifically be a Bluetooth module, for example, a BLE module. Wireless signals broadcast or transmitted by the wireless beacon <NUM> all the time or constantly can substantially effectively cover the area in the elevator car <NUM> where the wireless beacon <NUM> is mounted. The wireless signals can be, for example, BLE signals correspondingly.

Each personal mobile terminal <NUM> (for example, personal mobile terminal <NUM>-<NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM>) can determine signal strength of the received wireless signal (broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>). In an embodiment, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) to determine the signal strength of the received wireless signal (for example, BLE signal). Generally, the signal strength of the wireless signal attenuates with its propagation distance. Therefore, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> that receives the wireless signal can roughly determine the distance from the personal mobile terminal <NUM> to the wireless beacon <NUM> or the wireless beacon <NUM> according to the magnitude of the signal strength.

When the passenger carrying the personal mobile terminal <NUM> enters each elevator car <NUM>, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> can automatically sense the wireless signal broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>, and for example, when the signal strength of the sensed wireless signal is greater than or equal to a registration trigger threshold, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> automatically establishes a wireless connection <NUM> with the wireless beacon <NUM> (for example, <NUM>-<NUM>) and generates and sends a service request command regarding a destination floor. The service request command can be received by the wireless beacon <NUM> and then sent to the elevator controller <NUM>.

The personal mobile terminal <NUM> can be, for example, various smart terminals having a Bluetooth connection function, and can be carried by the passenger conveniently. For example, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> can be a smart phone, a wearable smart device (such as a smart bracelet), a personal digital assistant (PAD), etc., and can be installed with a corresponding application program (such as APP) to implement its automatic elevator call function.

In an application scenario of the elevator system <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, when the wireless beacon <NUM> broadcasts a corresponding wireless signal, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> carried by the passenger close to the wireless beacon <NUM> can receive the wireless signal automatically, and the personal mobile terminal <NUM> automatically establishes a wireless connection <NUM> with the corresponding wireless beacon <NUM> based on the wireless signal. Moreover, when establishing the wireless connection <NUM>, the personal mobile terminal <NUM> sends a service request command regarding an elevator call direction (for example, an "up" or "down" service request command). Correspondingly, the wireless beacon <NUM> receives the service request command regarding an elevator call direction sent from the personal mobile terminal <NUM>, and the wireless beacon <NUM> can further send the service request command to the elevator controller <NUM>, so that the elevator controller <NUM> controls the operation of the one or more elevator cars <NUM> in the elevator system <NUM> based on the service request command. The above process can be automatically implemented without requiring the passenger to operate the personal mobile terminal <NUM>. The implementation process is simple and convenient.

Further, when the elevator car <NUM> is dispatched and stops on a corresponding landing floor, the passenger enters the elevator car <NUM>. The personal mobile terminal <NUM> carried by the passenger will automatically sense the wireless signal sent by the wireless beacon <NUM> mounted on the elevator car <NUM>, so as to establish a handshake connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> based on the wireless signal, that is, a wireless connection <NUM> is established. The personal mobile terminal <NUM> automatically sends a service request command regarding a destination floor, so as to automatically complete a registration operation of the destination floor, which neither requires the passenger to manually press down a floor button mounted on a destination floor registration control panel nor requires the passenger to manually operate the personal mobile terminal <NUM>. The above process can be automatically implemented without requiring the passenger to operate the personal mobile terminal <NUM>. The implementation process is simple and convenient.

Wireless beacons <NUM> and <NUM> are introduced into the elevator system <NUM> illustrated above, and thus it is necessary to perform a functional test on each of the wireless beacons <NUM> and <NUM>, for example, after the mounting and before use. If the test is performed manually, it will be complex and time-consuming to test each of the wireless beacons <NUM> and <NUM>, and it involves an enormous workload to test a large number of wireless beacons.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of a modular structure of a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention; <FIG> is a schematic diagram of an application scenario in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to test a wireless beacon; and <FIG> is a schematic diagram of another application scenario in which a mobile terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention is used to test a wireless beacon. The mobile terminal <NUM> can be used to test a wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> mounted in the elevator system <NUM> as shown in FIG. The mobile terminal <NUM> of the present invention is described below with reference to <FIG>.

As shown in <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> can be carried by an operator or user <NUM> who is authorized to test wireless beacons. The mobile terminal <NUM> can specifically be, for example, various smart terminals having a Bluetooth connection function, and can be carried by the user <NUM> conveniently. For example, the mobile terminal <NUM> can be a smart phone, a personal digital assistant (PAD), and so on, and can be installed with a corresponding application program (such as APP) to implement its automatic test function. The wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> under test is provided with a wireless signal broadcasting unit <NUM> that is configured to broadcast a wireless signal <NUM> of a certain form. The mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a corresponding short-range communication unit to sense the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> and to establish a wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> when corresponding conditions are met. If the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> is a Bluetooth signal, the short-range communication unit of the mobile terminal <NUM> can be a Bluetooth communication unit accordingly.

In order to ensure security authorization of the test, on the one hand, a user verification module <NUM> can be configured in the mobile terminal <NUM>, and the user verification module <NUM> can verify the identity of a user who uses the mobile terminal <NUM> to test the wireless beacon. Specifically, the user <NUM> logs in to a corresponding test APP of the mobile terminal <NUM> through corresponding pre-allocated user name and password. The user verification module <NUM> can verify the identity based on the user name and password input by the user <NUM>, so that the security authorization for the user <NUM> to operate the APP is accomplished on the side of the mobile terminal <NUM>. On the other hand, a communication authorization module <NUM> is configured on the side of the wireless beacon <NUM>. The communication authorization module <NUM> determines whether to authorize establishment of a wireless connection with the mobile terminal <NUM> that attempts to establish the wireless connection. Specifically, the mobile terminal <NUM> that attempts to establish the wireless connection with the wireless beacon sends a corresponding Token through the test APP. The communication authorization module <NUM> performs a verification operation (for example, perform decryption and verification or other operations) on the token. If the verification succeeds, the communication authorization module <NUM> determines to authorize the mobile terminal <NUM> to establish the wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. Otherwise, the mobile terminal <NUM> is not authorized to establish the connection, and the mobile terminal <NUM> cannot carry out subsequent tests.

It will be appreciated that the security authorization mechanism is not limited to the above example, and those skilled in the art can implement other authorization mechanisms based on the above teaching.

As shown in <FIG> again, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a recording module <NUM> configured to record various test results and/or other information, so that the user <NUM> can conveniently keep track of the test results. The test results can be presented in a variety of easy-to-read ways.

As shown in <FIG> again, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a connection testing module <NUM>. The connection testing module <NUM> can accomplish connection testing in two aspects. The first aspect is to test whether the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> can successfully establish a wireless connection with the mobile terminal <NUM> (after verification and authorization). The second aspect is to test whether the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> can successfully establish a communication connection with the elevator controller <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> can automatically send a corresponding connection request test command after sensing the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>, thereby testing whether the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> can successfully establish a wireless connection with the mobile terminal <NUM>. If the wireless connection is established successfully, the mobile terminal <NUM> will receive a corresponding response; otherwise, the mobile terminal <NUM> cannot receive the corresponding response. The recording module <NUM> will record a test result indicating that the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> cannot establish the wireless connection. Further, the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> will send a corresponding command to the elevator controller <NUM>. If the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> normally establishes a communication connection with the elevator controller <NUM>, the elevator controller <NUM> will receive a corresponding response returned by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> and then return the corresponding response to the mobile terminal <NUM>; otherwise, the elevator controller <NUM> cannot receive the corresponding response. The recording module <NUM> will record a test result indicating that the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> cannot establish the communication connection.

As shown in <FIG> again, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a service request testing module <NUM>. The service request testing module <NUM> is mainly used to automatically test whether each wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> can normally receive a service request command <NUM>. The service request testing module <NUM> is configured to send the service request command <NUM> to the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> to enable the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> to automatically complete a service request test for the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. With respect to the elevator system <NUM> illustrated in <FIG>, the service request test includes two methods. The first aspect is a service request test for elevator call directions with respect to the wireless beacon <NUM>. The second aspect is a service request test for destination floors with respect to the wireless beacon <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the service request testing module <NUM> can be configured to send to the wireless beacon <NUM> (if the wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> is established successfully) a service request test command 231a regarding destination floors to enable the wireless beacon <NUM> to automatically complete a registration request test for all destination floors to be tested. For example, the service request test command 231a regarding destination floors includes registration requests for all the destination floors. If a registration operation on a certain destination floor is not successful, the registration request test conducted by the wireless beacon <NUM> for the destination floor fails, and the recording module <NUM> will record information indicating that the registration request test conducted by the wireless beacon <NUM> for the corresponding destination floor fails.

In an embodiment, the service request testing module <NUM> can be configured to send to the wireless beacon <NUM> (if the wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> is established successfully) a service request test command 231b regarding elevator call directions to enable the wireless beacon <NUM> to automatically complete a service request test for all elevator call directions. For example, the service request test command 231b regarding elevator call directions includes elevator requests for all the elevator call directions (for example, "up" and "down"). If an elevator call request operation in a certain elevator call direction is not successful, the elevator call request test conducted by the wireless beacon <NUM> for the elevator call direction fails, and the recording module <NUM> will record information indicating that the registration request test conducted by the wireless beacon <NUM> for the corresponding elevator call direction fails.

In an embodiment, all the above destination floors to be tested with respect to the wireless beacon <NUM> includes floors corresponding to all the wireless beacons <NUM> to be tested. For example, the destination floors to be tested include all the floors, and the elevator car <NUM> will stop on all the floors, so as to complete automatic tests for the wireless beacons <NUM> on all the floors.

As shown in <FIG> again, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a wireless signal testing module <NUM>. The wireless signal testing module <NUM> is configured to test signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> sensed at a corresponding position point relative to the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. As shown in <FIG>, two position points 310a and 310b are shown as an example. 310a denotes a certain position point in the elevator car <NUM>. The wireless signal testing module <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> located at the position point 310a not only can test the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>, but also can test the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> if it can also sense the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>. 310b denotes a certain position point in the elevator landing zone <NUM>. The wireless signal testing module <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> located at the position point 310b can test the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>. The position point 310b can be set at a position where the signal strength is predetermined to be equal to an elevator call trigger threshold. If the signal strength at the position point 310b is normal, an elevator call request command will be automatically triggered and sent, for example, at the position point 310b when the passenger <NUM> carries the personal mobile terminal <NUM>. The foregoing signal strength value obtained by testing will be recorded in the recording module <NUM>; for example, the signal strength value can be used for adjusting the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. It should be understood that the selection of the specific position point is not limited, and the position point can be set according to specific requirements.

As shown in <FIG> again, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with a field configuration module <NUM>. The field configuration module <NUM> can enable the mobile terminal <NUM> to establish a wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. The field configuration module <NUM> can further input configuration parameters <NUM> to configure the wireless beacon (<NUM> or <NUM>) or a corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM> that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon. The component is configurable, and is one or more of an elevator call control panel <NUM>, a destination floor registration control panel <NUM>, the elevator controller <NUM>, a display component and a sound playing component in the elevator car <NUM>, a display component in the elevator landing zone. In an embodiment, the wireless beacon <NUM> can be integrated with the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The elevator call control panel <NUM> establishes a connection with the elevator controller <NUM> through, for example, a bus. Specifically, a Remote Serial Link (RSL) communication connection can be established between the elevator call control panel <NUM> and the elevator controller <NUM> or other components of the elevator system <NUM> based on, for example, but not limited to, an RSL protocol. According to the characteristic that the wireless beacon <NUM> can establish a communication connection with the configurable components of the elevator system <NUM> and can conveniently establish, for example, a Bluetooth connection with the mobile terminal <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> can input configuration parameters <NUM> to conveniently configure corresponding components. The configuration operation for the corresponding components can be completed in the place where the wireless beacon <NUM> is provided. In addition, the operation is relatively simple, so that a relatively complex configuration operation can be implemented.

In an example, by taking display color configuration of a display panel of the elevator call control panel <NUM> as an example, the user <NUM> carrying the mobile terminal <NUM> moves to the position of the wireless beacon <NUM> corresponding to the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The wireless beacon <NUM> establishes a communication connection with the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> can sense a wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> and establish a wireless connection <NUM>. The user <NUM> inputs a configuration parameter <NUM>, for example, a configuration parameter <NUM> that represents blue, through a corresponding interface of an APP on the mobile terminal <NUM>. The configuration parameter <NUM> can be sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> through the wireless connection and then transmitted to the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The elevator call control panel <NUM> sets the display color of the display panel to, for example, blue according to the configuration parameter <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the field configuration module <NUM> is further configured to adjust signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>. The field configuration module <NUM> can input a configuration parameter <NUM> about signal strength based on the signal strength value of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> tested by the wireless signal testing module <NUM> at, for example, the position point 310b (as shown in <FIG>). The configuration parameter <NUM> is sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> through the wireless connection <NUM>, so as to adjust the signal strength of the wireless beacon <NUM>. As such, the signal strength tested at, for example, the position point 310b is basically equal to the elevator call trigger threshold. Thus, the passenger <NUM> can accurately and automatically trigger an elevator call when carrying the personal mobile terminal <NUM>, thereby improving the experience of the passenger <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the field configuration module <NUM> is further configured to acquire current state information of the wireless beacon (<NUM> or <NUM>) or the corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM> that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon. As such, the state information can be easily obtained. The user <NUM> can easily keep track of the state information of the wireless beacon and various components, and the maintenance workload of the user <NUM> can be greatly reduced especially in the maintenance process.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a wireless beacon testing method according to an embodiment of the present invention. The process of the testing method is illustrated in detail below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the working principle of the mobile terminal <NUM> is illustrated.

As shown in <FIG>, wireless beacons in the elevator system <NUM> that need to be tested include the wireless beacon <NUM> in the elevator car <NUM> and n wireless beacons <NUM>-<NUM> to <NUM>-n of Floor <NUM> to Floor n.

First of all, in step S510, user verification and communication verification are performed. In this step, the identity of the user <NUM> who uses the mobile terminal to test the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> is verified. Specifically, the user <NUM> logs in to a corresponding test APP of the mobile terminal <NUM> through corresponding pre-allocated user name and password, and the identity is verified based on the name and password input by the user <NUM>, so that security authorization for the user <NUM> to operate the APP is completed on the side of the mobile terminal <NUM>. At the same time, it is determined whether to authorize establishment of a wireless connection with the mobile terminal <NUM> that attempts to establish the wireless connection. Specifically, the mobile terminal <NUM> that attempts to establish the wireless connection with the wireless beacon sends a corresponding Token through the test APP. The communication authorization module <NUM> of the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> performs a verification operation (for example, perform decryption and verification or other operations) on the token. If the verification succeeds, the communication authorization module <NUM> determines to authorize the mobile terminal <NUM> to establish the wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. Otherwise, the mobile terminal <NUM> is not authorized to establish the connection, and the mobile terminal cannot carry out subsequent tests.

It should be noted that for different wireless beacons, the communication verification process may be required before each test, or the communication verification process may be performed only once. The user verification process can be performed only once for different wireless beacons.

After the verification in step S510 succeeds, the mobile terminal <NUM> is put into the elevator car <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. Step S521 is performed to test whether the wireless beacon <NUM> in the elevator car <NUM> can successfully establish a wireless connection <NUM> with the mobile terminal <NUM>. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," step S522 is performed.

In step S522, it is tested whether the wireless beacon <NUM> in the elevator car <NUM> can successfully establish a communication connection with the elevator controller <NUM>. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," step S531 is performed. As such, the connection test for the wireless beacon <NUM> in the elevator car <NUM> is completed.

In step S531, a service request test for the wireless beacon <NUM> is performed. That is, the mobile terminal <NUM> automatically sends to the wireless beacon <NUM> a service request test command regarding each destination floor, so as to enable the wireless beacon <NUM> to automatically complete a registration request test for all destination floors to be tested.

Further, in step S532, it is judged whether the registration request test for a corresponding destination floor is successful. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," the elevator car <NUM> will run and stop according to the destination floor successfully registered, that is, step S540 is performed, in which the elevator car <NUM> stops on the next destination floor (for example, Floor <NUM>) registered, and the car door is opened.

In step S551, a connection test for the wireless beacon <NUM> is performed. When the car door is opened, the mobile terminal <NUM> in the elevator car <NUM> can sense the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> in the elevator landing zone <NUM>-<NUM> of the Floor <NUM>, and first test whether the wireless beacon <NUM> of the floor can successfully establish a wireless connection <NUM> with the mobile terminal <NUM>. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," a further test is conducted, and step S552 is performed.

In step S552, it is tested whether the wireless beacon <NUM> of the floor can successfully establish a communication connection with the elevator controller <NUM>. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," step S561 is performed. As such, the connection test for the wireless beacon <NUM> mounted in the elevator landing zone <NUM> of the Floor is completed.

It will be appreciated that the communication verification step in step S510 can also be performed prior to step S551.

In step S561, a service request test command regarding an elevator call direction is sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> of the floor to enable the wireless beacon <NUM> to automatically complete an elevator call request test for all elevator call directions. In this step, a service request test command regarding "up" and "down" elevator call directions is sent automatically.

In step S562, it is judged whether the elevator call request test for the corresponding elevator call directions is successful. If the judgment result is "no," a corresponding record is made, that is, step S590 of recording is performed. If the judgment result is "yes," it indicates that the elevator call function of the wireless beacon <NUM> is normal, and then step S570 is performed to judge whether the elevator car has stopped on all the destination floors. If the judgment result is "no," step S540 is performed again, and the elevator car <NUM> continues to run upward and stop floor by floor. Step S551 to step S562 are repeated for the wireless beacon <NUM> of each floor, until the wireless beacons <NUM> of all the floors are tested.

It will be appreciated that in the testing method of the above embodiment, the mobile terminal <NUM> according to the embodiment of the present invention is put into a certain elevator car <NUM>, then the test for the wireless beacon <NUM> and the wireless beacons <NUM> of all the floors can be completed automatically, and test results can be recorded automatically. The operation is very convenient, simple and efficient, thereby greatly reducing the test workload for the wireless beacons <NUM> or <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a wireless beacon testing method according to another embodiment of the present invention. The process of the testing method is illustrated in detail below with reference to <FIG>, <FIG> and <FIG>, and the working principle of the mobile terminal <NUM> is illustrated.

First of all, in step S610, user verification and communication verification that are the same as those in step S510 as shown in <FIG> are performed.

After the verifications in step S610 succeed, step S620 is performed, in which the mobile terminal <NUM> is placed at a corresponding position point. As shown in <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> is placed at a position point 310b in the elevator landing zone <NUM>, or the mobile terminal <NUM> is placed at a certain position point 310b in the elevator car <NUM>. It should be understood that the selection of the specific position point is not limited, and the position point can be set according to specific requirements.

Further, in step S630, signal strength of the sensed wireless signal <NUM> is tested. In combination with <FIG>, the mobile terminal <NUM> located at the position point 310a not only can test signal strength of a wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> but also can test signal strength of a wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> if the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> can also be sensed. The wireless signal testing module <NUM> of the mobile terminal <NUM> located at the position point 310b can test the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>.

It should be noted that an ideal value of the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> at the position point 310a or 310b can be obtained in advance, and the user <NUM> can compare the magnitude of the signal strength obtained by testing and the corresponding ideal value to judge whether the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> needs to be adjusted.

In step S640, the above signal strength value obtained by testing will be recorded. The recorded signal strength value can be used for, for example, adjusting the signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that the above step S620 to step S640 can be repeated to implement the signal strength testing process multiple times or implement the signal strength testing process for multiple position points. Moreover, the above step S620 to step S640 can be applied to the process of the testing method as shown in <FIG>, for example, they are completed between step S532 and step S540 or completed between step S540 and step S551.

<FIG> is a schematic structural diagram of a field configuration apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in <FIG>, the field configuration apparatus <NUM> can configure a configurable component in the elevator system <NUM> by using the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> in the elevator system <NUM> in the embodiment as shown in <FIG>. The wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> is configured to establish a communication connection with the corresponding configurable component in the elevator system <NUM>, for example, the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> can establish a serial communication connection with the elevator controller <NUM>, the elevator call control panel <NUM>, the destination floor registration control panel <NUM> and the like. The field configuration apparatus <NUM> further includes the mobile terminal <NUM> in the embodiment as shown in <FIG>. The mobile terminal <NUM> is configured to enable the field configuration apparatus <NUM> to establish a wireless connection with the selected wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>, and further configured to input configuration parameters <NUM> to configure a corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM> that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>, for example, the elevator call control panel <NUM>. Specifically, the mobile terminal <NUM> is provided with the field configuration module <NUM> as shown in <FIG> and can be further provided with the user verification module <NUM> as shown in <FIG>. As such, during field configuration of a component of the elevator system <NUM>, security authorization is performed corresponding to the configuration operation.

In the field configuration apparatus <NUM>, according to the characteristic that the wireless beacon <NUM> can establish a communication connection with the configurable components of the elevator system <NUM> and can conveniently establish, for example, a Bluetooth connection with the mobile terminal <NUM>, the mobile terminal <NUM> can input configuration parameters <NUM> to conveniently configure the corresponding components. The configuration operation of the corresponding components can be completed in the place where the wireless beacon <NUM> is provided. In addition, the operation is relatively simple, so that a relatively complex configuration operation can be implemented.

In an example, by taking display color configuration of a display panel of the elevator call control panel <NUM> as an example, the user <NUM> carrying the mobile terminal <NUM> moves to the position of the wireless beacon <NUM> corresponding to the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The wireless beacon <NUM> establishes a communication connection with the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The mobile terminal <NUM> can sense a wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> and establish a wireless connection <NUM>. The user <NUM> inputs a configuration parameter <NUM>, such as a configuration parameter <NUM> that represents blue, through a corresponding interface of an APP on the mobile terminal <NUM>. The configuration parameter <NUM> can be sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> through the wireless connection and then input to the elevator call control panel <NUM>. The elevator call control panel <NUM> sets the display color of the display panel to, for example, blue according to the configuration parameter <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the field configuration apparatus <NUM> can be further configured to adjust signal strength of the wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM>. The field configuration module <NUM> in the mobile terminal <NUM> of the field configuration apparatus <NUM> can input a configuration parameter <NUM> about signal strength based on a signal strength value of a wireless signal <NUM> broadcast by the wireless beacon <NUM> tested by the wireless signal testing module <NUM> at, for example, the position point 310b (as shown in <FIG>). The configuration parameter <NUM> is sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> through the wireless connection <NUM>, so as to adjust signal strength of the wireless beacon <NUM>. As such, the signal strength tested at, for example, the position point 310b is basically equal to an elevator call trigger threshold. Thus, the passenger <NUM> can accurately and automatically trigger an elevator call when carrying the personal mobile terminal <NUM>, thereby improving the experience of the passenger <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the field configuration apparatus <NUM> is further configured to acquire current state information of or the corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM> that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon. As such, the state information can be easily obtained. The user <NUM> can easily keep track of the state information of the wireless beacons and various components, and the maintenance workload of the user <NUM> can be greatly reduced especially in the maintenance process.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a field configuration method for a component of an elevator system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The process of the field configuration method is illustrated in detail below with reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, and the working principle of the field configuration apparatus <NUM> is illustrated.

In an installation or maintenance process of the elevator system <NUM>, it is assumed that adjustment and configuration need to be performed for one or more components. First of all, in step S710, the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> establishes a communication connection with the corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM> (for example, the elevator call control panel <NUM>). The step can be omitted if the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> has established a communication connection with the corresponding component in the elevator system <NUM>.

In step S720, when the mobile terminal <NUM> gets close to the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> on site, the mobile terminal <NUM> will automatically establish a wireless connection with the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM>. The wireless connection needs to be maintained for a long time in the subsequent configuration process.

In step S730, state information of the corresponding component is read. The content or type of the state information is different for different components. As such, the mobile terminal <NUM> can conveniently obtain the state information. The user <NUM> can easily keep track of the state information of the wireless beacon and various components, and especially in the maintenance process, the maintenance workload of the user <NUM> can be greatly reduced.

In step S740, a configuration parameter <NUM> is input. For example, the user <NUM> inputs corresponding configuration parameter <NUM> through a corresponding interface of an APP on the mobile terminal <NUM>. The configuration parameter <NUM> can be sent to the wireless beacon <NUM> through the wireless connection and then transmitted to the corresponding configured component.

In step S750, the corresponding component is configured based on the configuration parameter <NUM>. For example, as in the above example, the elevator call control panel <NUM> sets the display color of the display panel to blue according to the configuration parameter <NUM>.

It will be appreciated that by repeating step S740 and step S750, configuration for many aspects of the same component can be implemented. By repeating step S710 to step S750, configuration operations for different components of the elevator system <NUM> can be implemented.

It will be appreciated that the field configuration method in the embodiment as shown in <FIG> can be performed together with the testing method in the embodiment as shown in <FIG>. For example, the testing method in the embodiment as shown in <FIG> is performed first and then the field configuration method in the embodiment as shown in <FIG> is performed.

It should be noted that although the elevator system <NUM> in the embodiment shown in <FIG> is illustrated, those skilled in the art will understand that the mobile terminal <NUM>, the field configuration apparatus <NUM>, the testing method or the field configuration method in the above embodiments is not limited to the application in the elevator system <NUM> in the above examples for mounting, debugging or maintenance, and can also be applied to elevator systems in other examples. For example, they can be applied to an elevator system in which wireless beacons are only mounted in elevator landing zones (no wireless beacon is mounted in the elevator car) to realize an automatic elevator call.

It should be noted that the mobile terminal <NUM> in the above embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by using computer program instructions, e.g., implemented by a specific APP. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, or another programmable data processing device to form the mobile terminal <NUM> in the embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, the processor of the computer or another programmable data processing device may execute these instructions to create units or components for implementing functions/operations designated in these flowcharts and/or blocks and/or one or more flowchart blocks.

Similarly, the wireless beacon <NUM> or <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> in the above embodiment of the present invention can be implemented by using computer program instructions, for example, implemented through a special program, and these computer program instructions can be provided to a processor to constitute the control module in the embodiment of the present invention. Moreover, units or components for implementing functions/operations designated in the flowcharts and/or blocks and/or one or more flowchart blocks can be created according to the instructions executed by a processor of a computer or another programmable data processing device.

Besides, these computer program instructions may be stored in a computer readable memory. These instructions can instruct the computer or another programmable processor to implement functions in specific manners, such that these instructions stored in the computer readable memory construct a product including instruction components for implementing functions/operations designated in one or more blocks of the flowcharts and/or block diagrams.

It should be further noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/operations shown in the blocks may not take place according to the sequence shown in the flowchart. For example, two blocks shown sequentially may be performed substantially at the same time, or these blocks sometimes may be executed in a reversed order, which specifically depends on the functions/operations involved.

It should be noted that elements (including the flowcharts and block diagrams in the accompanying drawings) disclosed and depicted in this text refer to logic boundaries between elements. However, according to software or hardware engineering practices, the depicted elements and functions thereof can be executed on a machine by using a computer executable medium. The computer executable medium has a processor that can execute a program instruction stored thereon. The program instruction serves as a single-chip software structure, an independent software module, or a module using an external program, code, service or the like, or any combination thereof. Moreover, all these execution solutions may fall within the scope of the disclosure.

Although different non-limitative implementation solutions have components that are specifically illustrated, the implementation solutions of the present invention are not limited to these specific combinations. Some of the components or features from any non-limitative implementation solution may be combined with features or components from any other non-limitative implementation solution.

Although specific step sequences are shown, disclosed and required, it should be understood that the steps may be implemented in any sequence, separated, or combined, and they will still benefit from the disclosure unless otherwise specified.

Claim 1:
A field configuration apparatus (<NUM>) of an elevator system (<NUM>), comprising:
a wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>) configured to establish a communication connection with a corresponding configurable component in the elevator system (<NUM>), wherein the configurable component comprises one or more of: an elevator call control panel, a destination floor registration control panel, an elevator controller, a display component in the elevator car (<NUM>), a sound playing component in the elevator car (<NUM>), a display component in the elevator landing zone (<NUM>-n); and
a mobile terminal (<NUM>) configured to enable the mobile terminal (<NUM>) to establish a third wireless connection with the wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>) and input configuration parameters (<NUM>) to configure the corresponding configurable component in the elevator system (<NUM>) that is communicatively connected with the wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>),
wherein the wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>) is mounted in an elevator landing zone (<NUM>-n) and/or an elevator car (<NUM>) of the elevator system (<NUM>) and broadcasts a corresponding wireless signal around, and the wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>) can further receive an elevator call request command from a personal mobile terminal (<NUM>) that establishes a fourth wireless connection with the wireless beacon (<NUM>; <NUM>).