WO2019002821A1

WO2019002821A1 - An elevator control system and an elevator system

Info

Publication number: WO2019002821A1
Application number: PCT/GB2018/051625
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lewis Robert
Original assignee: Avire Limited
Priority date: 2017-06-28
Filing date: 2018-06-13
Publication date: 2019-01-03
Also published as: GB201710356D0; AU2018294650A1; GB2563891B; CN111094168A; GB2563891A

Abstract

An elevator control system (11), including: a controller (113) configured to receive one or more level request signals, and to control the movement of an elevator car based on the or each level request signal; a car control panel (112) configured to output a first level request signal requesting that the elevator car (12) is moved to a level (22) indicated by the first level request signal; a call interface panel (116) located outside of the one or more elevator cars and configured to output a desired destination signal including an indication of a destination level; and an interception unit (115) configured to intercept the first level request signal, wherein: the interception unit is further configured to: receive the desired destination signal and, based on the desired destination signal, to output to the controller an emulated level request signal for instructing the controller to control the elevator car in accordance with the desired destination signal; and output the first level request signal to the controller after a delay such that the first level request signal is output subsequent to the emulated level request signal.

Description

Title: An elevator control system and an elevator system Description of Invention

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an elevator control system and an elevator system. Elevator (or lift) systems have developed considerably in recent years.

Conventionally such systems included a central controller which is communicatively linked to call buttons on each level served by the elevator system. Inside each elevator car is a car control or operating panel which allows users to select a desired level and which is also communicatively coupled to the central controller. Therefore, users are able to call a car to a starting level by actuation of a call button for that level. If there is more than one car servicing that level, then the central controller will determine which car is to respond to the call button actuation. The user can then select the desired floor using the car control panel, and the central controller controls movement of that car accordingly.

More recently, elevator systems have incorporated what is generally referred to as "destination control" capabilities. Such modern elevator systems direct specific users to specific cars to provide greater efficiency and speed of operation, and can also provide improved security. Therefore, for example, a user's desired destination may be made available to the central controller. The central controller receives the user's desired destination and determines which car should service that user. The user is then directed to a specific car to carry the user to the desired destination. Typically, the central controller determines which car should service the user based on, for example, one or more desired destinations for one or more other users. In such systems, the car does not typically include a car control panel (which would normally allow a user to select a desired level). Instead, the destination is controlled based on the received desired destination - which may be determined based on a manually entered input (e.g. a receptionist entering a desired level for a visitor to a building or the user entering a desired level) or may be automatically entered based on the identity of the user. Destination control allows for more efficient use of the elevator system to be achieved. In addition destination control allows for a greater level of security to be implemented within a building - as cars can be selected to avoid stopping at particular secure levels and/or cars carrying visitors can be controlled to stop at the desired destination only.

To convert an existing elevator system to include destination control typically requires replacement of the entire system - with a new controller, new car control panels, new call buttons, and the like. This is, therefore, an expensive and complex task. There is, nevertheless, a desire to update or upgrade conventional elevator systems to include destination control capabilities. Embodiments seek to alleviate one or more problems associated with the prior art.

According an aspect provides an elevator control system, including: a controller configured to receive one or more level request signals, and to control the movement of an elevator car based on the or each level request signal; a car control panel configured to output a first level request signal requesting that the elevator car is moved to a level indicated by the first level request signal; a call interface panel located outside of the one or more elevator cars and configured to output a desired destination signal including an indication of a destination level; and an interception unit configured to intercept the first level request signal, wherein: the interception unit is further configured to: receive the desired destination signal and, based on the desired destination signal, to output to the controller an emulated level request signal for instructing the controller to control the elevator car in accordance with the desired destination signal; and output the first level request signal to the controller after a delay such that the first level request signal is output subsequent to the emulated level request signal.

The interception unit may be configured to receive a plurality of desired destination signals and to generate a queue of corresponding emulated level request signals based on the plurality of desired destination signals.

The first level request signal may be placed in the queue of emulated level request signals.

An elevator control system may further include a car position sub-system configured to determine the position of the elevator car, wherein the interception unit may be configured to output one or more of the emulated level request signals and/or the first level request signal in the queue based on a car position signal output by the car position sub-system. An elevator control system may further include a call button configured to output a call signal, and wherein the interception unit is configured to block, selectively, the call signal from receipt by the controller based on a mode of operation of the interception unit.

The interception unit may be configured to operate in a first mode in which the call signal is passed to the controller or a corresponding emulated call signal is passed to the controller during a first predetermined period, and a second mode in which the call signal is blocked from receipt by the controller during a second predetermined period.

The first predetermined period may be an off-peak period and the second predetermined period is a peak period.

An elevator control system may further including a call button, wherein the call button and the call interface panel may be located on different levels such that a first call signal output by the call button requests an elevator car is moved to a different level to a level indicated as an origin level for the desired destination signal.

An elevator control system may further include a commander unit which is communicatively coupled to the car control panel, wherein the interception unit is configured to disable at least part of the car control panel using the commander unit.

The car control panel may be configured to output a second level request signal requesting that the elevator car is moved to a level indicated by the second level request signal and the interception unit may be further configured to

output the second level request signal to the controller after a delay such that the second level request signal is output subsequent to the emulated level request signal.

Another aspect provides an elevator control system, including: a controller configured to receive one or more call signals and one or more level request signals, and to control the movement of one or more elevator cars based on the received signals; a call button configured to output a first call signal requesting that an elevator car of the one or more elevator cars is moved to a level associated with the call button; a call interface panel located outside of the one or more elevator cars and configured to output a desired destination signal including an indication of a destination level; and an interception unit configured to receive the first call signal, wherein: the interception unit is further configured to: pass the first call signal to the controller or output to the controller an emulated first call signal corresponding with the call; and receive the desired destination signal and, based on the desired destination signal, to output to the controller an emulated call signal or an emulated level request signal for instructing the controller to control an elevator car in accordance with the desired destination signal.

The elevator control system may further include a car position sub-system configured to determine the position of the elevator car, wherein the interception unit may be configured to output one or more of the emulated level request signals in the queue based on a car position signal output by the car position sub-system.

The elevator control system may further include a further call button configured to output a further call signal, and wherein the interception unit may be configured to block, selectively, the further call signal from receipt by the controller based on a mode of operation of the interception unit.

The interception unit may be configured to operate in a first mode in which the further call signal is passed to the controller or a corresponding emulated further call signal is passed to the controller during a first predetermined period, and a second mode in which the further call signal is blocked from receipt by the controller during a second predetermined period.

The first predetermined period may be an off-peak period and the second predetermined period is a peak period. The call button and the call interface panel may be located on different levels such that the first call signal requests an elevator car is moved to a different level to a level indicated as an origin level for the desired destination signal. The elevator control system may further include a car control panel configured to output a first level request signal indicating a destination level to which an associated elevator car is to move, wherein the interception unit may be configured to block, selectively, the first level request signal from receipt by the controller.

The elevator control system may further include a commander unit which is communicatively coupled to the car control panel, wherein the interception unit may be configured to block the level request signal by disabling at least part of the car control panel using the commander unit. The elevator control system may further include a commander unit which is communicatively coupled to the car control panel, wherein the interception unit may be configured to block the first level request signal by instructing the commander unit to block the first level request signal.

The first level request signal may be blocked when the associated elevator car is travelling in a first direction.

The first call signal may be a request that an elevator car is moved to the level associated with the call button and for subsequent movement of that elevator car in a first direction, the call button may be further configured to output a second call signal requesting an elevator car is moved to the level associated with the call button and for subsequent movement of that elevator car in a second direction, and the interception unit may be configured to block the second call signal from being received by the controller.

The first direction may be downward and the second direction may be upward.

Another aspect provide an elevator system including: at least one elevator car; an elevator drive mechanism configured to drive movement of the elevator car; and an elevator control system for controlling the operation of the elevator drive mechanism. Embodiments are described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a schematic view of an elevator control system;

Figure 2 shows a simplified view of elevator doors and levels; Figure 3 shows a simplified view of an elevator system;

Figure 4 shows a simplified view of an elevator system;

Figure 5a and 5b show call interface panels;

Figure 6 shows a schematic view of a car control panel;

Figure 7 shows a simplified view of an elevator system;

Figure 8 shows a schematic view of an interception unit;

Figure 9 shows a simplified view of an elevator system; and

Figures 10a and 10b show car destination displays. With reference figures 1 and 2 for example, embodiments of the present invention may include an elevator control system 1 1 which may form part of an elevator system 1 in a multi-storey (i.e. multi-level) building 2.

The elevator system 1 includes one or more elevator cars 12 (as shown in figures 3, 4, 7, and 9, for example) which are configured and arranged to service the multi-storey building 2 in order to move people (i.e. users) and objects between levels 22 (i.e. storeys or floors) within the multistorey building 2.

The or each elevator car 12 may be provided in a respective elevator shaft 21 of the multi- storey building 2 and may be driven between levels 22 by a drive mechanism 13 of the elevator system 1 (which may be a cable drive mechanism or any other suitable mechanism). The drive mechanism 13 is controlled by the elevator control system 1 1 to move the or each elevator car 12 to collect people and/or objects from one level 22 and to transport those people and/or objects to another level 22.

The elevator control system 1 1 may include elevator call buttons 1 1 1 provided on each level 22 - see figure 5b - generally outside of the elevator car(s) 12. These may be positioned adjacent elevator doors 23 providing access to the elevator car 12 in the elevator shaft 21 (the elevator car 12 also having doors which generally operated in a synchronous manner with the elevator doors 23 of a particular level 22 when the elevator car 12 is adjacent the elevator doors 23 for that level 22). Of course, an elevator car 12 may have only a single elevator door 23 or may have a pair of elevator doors 23. The elevator call buttons 1 1 1 for a particular level may include an upward call button 1 1 1 a and/or may include a downward call button 1 1 1 b. A user actuates the elevator call button 1 1 1 at their present level 22 which indicates their intended direction of travel. The elevator call buttons 1 1 1 may, however, only include a single elevator call button 1 1 1 on a level 22 - e.g. when there is only one available direction of movement. Actuation of an elevator call button 1 1 1 causes the transmission of a call signal - which may be an up call signal (if an upward call button 1 1 1 a is actuated) or a down call signal (if a downward call button 1 1 1 b is actuated). The call signal may be indicative of a request for an elevator car 12 at a particular level 22.

The elevator control system 1 1 may include a car control panel 1 12 (also known as a car operating panel) for the or each elevator car 12 - see figure 6 for example. The car control panel 1 12 for an elevator car 12 is provided inside the elevator car 12, and includes a user interface 1 12a to enable a person entering the elevator car 12 to select a desired destination level 22. As such, the user interface 1 12a may include a user actuatable item 1 12b for each level 22 which is served by that elevator car 12. The user interface 1 12a may include one or more additional user actuatable items 1 12b for sounding an alarm, holding the elevator doors 23 open, closing the elevator doors 23, and the like. The car control panel 1 12 is, therefore, configured to output one or more level request signals (e.g. on interaction of the user with the user interface 1 12a, such as actuation of a user actuatable item 1 12b). The level request signal may be indicative of a request for movement of an elevator car 12 to a particular level 22 (as indicated by the level request signal). The or each user actuatable item 1 12b and further or additional user actuatable item 1 12b may be collectively referred to as user actuatable items 1 12b.

In some embodiments, the or each car control panel 1 12 may include a respective commander unit 1 12c. The commander unit 1 12c may be configured to control or override one or more aspects of the operation of the car control panel 1 12. For example, the commander unit 1 12c may be configured to disable or enable one or more parts of the user interface 1 12a. This may include, for example, disabling or enabling one or more of the user actuatable items 1 12b. If a user actuatable item 1 12b is disabled, then the car control panel 1 12 may be prevented from sending one or more associated signals (such as a level request signal). In some embodiments, the commander unit 1 12c may not prevent the sending of one or more associated signals from the user interface 1 12a but may prevent one or more of the associated signals from reaching the intended recipient - e.g. by blocking the or each associated signal. In some such embodiments, therefore, the user interface 1 12a is not disabled and operates as normal - its outputs (e.g. the level request signals) may, however, be prevented from reaching the normal recipient. The commander unit 1 12c may part of the car control panel 1 12 or may be a separate unit which is coupled to an output from the car control panel 1 12 (e.g. to an output from the user interface 1 12a of the car control panel 1 12). The commander unit 1 12c may be configured to replace or supplement a conventional car controller (i.e. a controller configured to manage the operation of the car control panel 1 12) which might conventionally have been provided as part of the car control panel 1 12. The commander unit 1 12c may be configured operate in conjunction with such a conventional car controller such that the conventional car controller operates as normal but outputs therefrom many be blocked, delayed, re-ordered, or otherwise managed by the commander unit 1 12c.

The commander unit 1 12c may be configured to control the user interface 1 12a of the car control panel 1 12 to present information to a user (who may be an occupant of the elevator car 12 in which the car control panel 1 12 is provided). This information may be presented in one or more of a visual display of the user interface 1 12a and an audible information signal (e.g. a spoken message, a beep, or an alarm) generated by the user interface 1 12a. As such, in some embodiments, the user interface 1 12a may be generally operative - displaying information to the user, for example. In some embodiments, the commander unit 1 12c is not provided. In some such embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may provide functionality described as part of the commander unit 1 12c such as the delaying, blocking, re-ordering, or otherwise managing of level request signals. The elevator control system 1 1 may include a car position sub-system 1 14 (see figure 1 , for example). The car position sub-system 1 14 is configured to determine the location of the elevator car 12 with which the car position sub-system 1 14 is associated. As will be appreciated, each elevator car 12 may be associated with its own car position sub-system 1 14 and, therefore, the elevator control system 1 1 may include one or more car position sub- systems 1 14. The or each car position sub-system 1 14 may include, therefore, a sensor mounted to the elevator car 12 with which the sub-system 1 14 is associated and a sensor detectable material mounted within the elevator shaft 21 . Sensor detectable material may be provided for each level 22 serviced by the elevator car 12. The sensor may be configured to detect the sensor detectable material. The sensor detectable material may be encoded and the sensor may be configured to read the information encoded on the sensor detectable material - the encoded information may include an indication of the level 22 at which that information is encoded. Accordingly, the car position sub-system 1 14 may determine the elevator car 12 location by reading the encoded information. In some instances, the car position sub-system 1 14 is configured to count sensed sensor detectable material. In such instances, if the car position sub-system 1 14 provided with a reference level 22 and a direction of travel, then the car position sub-system 1 14 can determine the current level 22 using this counting process. The car position sub-system 1 14 may, therefore, be configured to output a car position signal. The car position signal may be indicative of the position (i.e. location) of the elevator car 12 - such as a current level 22 indication.

The elevator control system 1 1 may include a controller 1 13 (see figures 1 , 3, 4, 7, and 9, for example). The controller 1 13 is communicatively coupled -through wired connections - with the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 , the respective car control panel 1 12 for the or each elevator car 12 of the elevator system 1 , and the or each car position sub-system 1 14.

The controller 1 13 may be of a conventional type which is configured to receive one or more call signals (i.e. elevator call signal generated by actuation of the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 ) and to control the operation of the drive mechanism 13 to deliver an elevator car 12 to service the or each call signal. As will be appreciated, the call signal may include an intended direction of travel (e.g. through user actuation of an upward or downward call button 1 1 1 a, 1 1 1 b) and so may be an upward or a downward call signal.

The controller 1 13 may be further configured, in the conventional manner, to receive one or more level request signals (e.g. elevator level requests generated by user operation of the car control panel 1 12 such as through use of the user interface 1 12a which may include user actuation of a user actuatable item 1 12b). The controller 1 13 is configured to control operation of the drive mechanism 13 to move the elevator car 12 to the level 22 indicated in the or each level request signal.

As will be understood, the controller 1 13 may receive a second call signal and/or a second level request signal for a particular elevator car 12 before a first (earlier) call signal and/or a first (earlier) level request signal has been acted on and the requested operation concluded. Therefore, the controller 1 13 may be configured to order and prioritise the movement of the elevator car 12 (using the drive mechanism 13) in accordance with the signals which are received (e.g. on a first-come-first-served basis).

As will also be understood, the controller 1 13 may be configured to control the operation of more than one elevator car 12 for the same levels 22 - determining which of the plurality of elevator cars 12 services each request for an elevator car 12.

In some embodiments, the elevator control system 1 1 may include one or more call interface panels 1 16 - see figure 5a, for example. A call interface panel 1 16 of the elevator control system 1 1 may be provided instead of or in addition to elevator call buttons 1 1 1 . As such, a call interface panel 1 16 may be associated with a particular level 22 serviced by an elevator car 12 and may be located generally adjacent elevator doors 23 providing access to the elevator car 12. The call interface panel 1 16 may be provided outside of the elevator car 12. In some embodiments, a respective call interface panel 1 16 is provided in association with (i.e. on) more than one level serviced by the elevator car 12. In some embodiments, a respective call interface panel 1 16 is provided in association with each of a plurality of levels serviced by the elevator car 12 (which may be all levels serviced by the elevator car 12).

In some embodiments, a call interface panel 1 16 is only provided in association with a subset of levels serviced by the elevator car 12. For example, in some embodiments, a call interface panel 1 16 may be provided only in relation to a main lobby level 22 (i.e. a level 22 at which a majority of users enter the building 2 and/or transition between elevator cars 12, and/or a level 22 at which a majority of users receive directions for their movement within the building 2) - see figure 4, for example. Accordingly, the main lobby level 22 may be a ground floor/level of the building 2 and/or may be a sky lobby (but could equally be a basement level 22 if, for example, underground access and/or parking is provided).

The or each call interface panel 1 16 may include a user interface 1 16a which is configured to display information to a user on a display 1 16d of the call interface panel 1 16. This information may include, for example, one or more of the destination level(s) for the associated elevator car 12, the current level 22 of the associated elevator car 12, the current direction of travel of the associated elevator car 12, the future direction of travel of the associated elevator car 12 (i.e. after the elevator car 12 has stopped at that level 22), an identifier for the user(s), an identifier (or identifiers) of an occupier (or occupiers) of the destination level(s) associated with the elevator car 12, an identifier of the elevator car 12 which is to service the user, the direction of that elevator car 12 from the call interface panel 1 16, and the like. Thus, in figure 5a, the display 1 16d indicates that the user has been allocated elevator car "A" which is to the right of the call interface panel 1 16.

The user interface 1 16a of the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be configured to receive one or more user inputs and may, therefore, include one or more user actuatable elements 1 16b. A user actuatable element 1 16b may, for example, include a button or a graphical element on a touch sensitive display screen (that display screen may be, for example, the user interface 1 16a). In some embodiments, the or each user actuatable element 1 16b enables a user to input an identifier for the user, an identifier of an occupier of a desired destination level, a desired destination level, a desired direction of travel, and the like. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 includes a user identification sensor 1 16c which is configured to read information associated with the user in order to identify that user and/or their authorisation to request (i.e. call) an elevator car 12. The user identification sensor 1 16c may be configured to read a code form an identity card - e.g. optically (capturing an image of a numerical code or a barcode or QR code) or by interrogating a radio frequency ID tag of the card, for example - or from a user device (e.g. using near field communication to identify an electronic device (such as a mobile telephone or smart watch) of the user). The user identification sensor 1 16c may alternatively or additionally be configured to read information about the user themselves - e.g. a biometric identifier (such as a fingerprint or by using facial recognition).

In some embodiments, a user may be required to identify themselves - e.g. using the user identification sensor 1 16c and/or entering information using the or each user actuatable element 1 16b. This information may then be used to identify the destination level for the user. In some embodiments, the user is required to enter the destination level. In some embodiments, the user's identity may be used to determine which levels the user can access. Therefore, on identifying themselves, a user may be presented with a sub-set of levels which can be accessed (e.g. via the display 1 16d) or the user's entry of a desired level may be cross-checked with the permitted levels for that user before an elevator car 12 is called. The or each call interface panel 1 16 may perform these tasks and/or may communicate with a permissions server to perform these tasks (the permissions server may be local within the building 2 or may be remote, and likewise the permissions server may form part of the elevator control system 1 1 or not). The call interface panel 1 16 may, therefore, be configured to receive a desired destination level 22 (e.g. on input from a user or based on the identity of a user). The call interface panel 1 16 may be associated with a particular level 22 on which that call interface panel is located 1 16. In some embodiments, the call interface panel 1 16 is configured to output a desired destination signal which includes an indication of the desired destination level 22 for the user (as received by the call interface panel 1 16). The desired destination signal may include an indication of the level 22 associated with the call interface panel 1 16 - i.e. a level 22 at which the user is located and/or from which the user requires an elevator car 12; this level 22 may be referred to as a level of origin, for example. According to embodiments of the present invention, the elevator control system 1 1 includes an interception unit 1 15 (see figures 4, 7, 8, and 9, for example).

The interception unit 1 15 may be fitted to a generally conventional elevator system such as is shown in figure 3 (noting that a conventional car control panel 1 12 would not include the commander unit 1 12c). The various parts of this system have been given corresponding reference numerals to those used in the description of embodiments of the present invention, for ease of understanding only.

The interception unit 1 15 is configured to intercept one or more signals which are output by one or more of the car control panel(s) 1 12 and the car position sub-system(s) 1 14 (and may be configured to intercept one or more signals output by the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 ) before these signals are received by the controller 1 13. Accordingly, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to intercept one or more call signal(s), level request signal(s), and/or car position signal(s). The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to prevent one or more of the signals from reaching the controller 1 13. The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to buffer (i.e. temporarily store and release) one or more of the signals. The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to buffer and re-order a plurality of the signals. As such, the interception unit 1 15 may be communicatively coupled (e.g. through wired connections) to the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 , the car control panel(s) 1 12, the car position subsystem^) 1 14, and/or the controller 1 13. The interception unit 1 15 may also be communicatively coupled to the call interface panel(s) 1 16 - e.g. through a wired or wireless connection.

The interception unit 1 15 is further configured to generate one or more emulated signals which are sent to the controller 1 13. The one or more emulated signals may be, for example, an emulated call signal, and an emulated level request signal, and an emulated car position signal. The one or more emulated signals may be received signals which are buffered by the interception unit 1 15 and which may be re-ordered by the interception unit 1 15.

An emulated signal may be a signal of the same format as the corresponding signal which the controller 1 13 is configured to receive and process. Indeed, an emulated signal may be a signal which the controller 1 13 would have otherwise (without the presence of the interception unit 1 15) received but may be delayed and/or re-ordered with respect to another such signal. The delay may be dependent on a current elevator car position, for example. Accordingly, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to output signals to the controller 1 13 which the controller 1 13 acts upon as if those signals had originated from one or more of the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 , the car control panel(s) 1 12, and/or the car position sub-system(s) 1 14. This results in the controller 1 13 controlling the operation of the drive mechanism(s) 13 based on the emulated signals. In other words, the controller 1 13 may be substantially unaware that the emulated signals are not signals from the other parts of the elevator control system 1 1 .

The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to perform a learning operation in which signals are intercepted by the interception unit 1 15 and are identified (e.g. by a user) to the interception unit 1 15 so that the interception unit 1 15 learns the content of signals for particular purposes. So, for example, the interception unit 1 15 may be provided with a level request signal (e.g. by the use of the car control panel 1 12) for a particular level and this level may then be associated with that signal by the interception unit 1 15. This could be achieved by the interception unit 1 15 requesting the level request signal for a particular level and the car control panel 1 12 being operated to provide that signal, or by the car control panel 1 12 being operated to provide that signal and a user providing an input to the interception unit 1 15 to indicate the associated level (the input being the provision of another signal to the interception unit 1 15 from another device (e.g. a programmer device) or by the actuation of at least one button on the interception device 1 15. Thus, the interception unit 1 15 may buffer stored signals - such as level request signals - as part of the learning operation, or otherwise, to be output as emulated level request signals as described herein.

The emulated call signal may be sent by the interception unit 1 15 to the controller 1 13 such that it is received by the controller 1 13 at an interface of the controller 1 13 which would be and/or is communicatively coupled to the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 . The emulated level request signal may be sent by the interception unit 1 15 to the controller 1 13 such that it is received by the controller 1 13 at an interface of the controller 1 13 which would be and/or is communicatively coupled to the car control panel(s) 1 12. The emulated level car position signal may be sent by the interception unit 1 15 to the controller 1 13 such that it is received by the controller 1 13 at an interface of the controller 1 13 which would be and/or is communicatively coupled to the car position sub-system(s) 1 14.

Accordingly, the interception unit 1 15 may include a first input interface 1 15d which is configured to receive one or more call signals and so may be communicatively coupled with the or each elevator call button 1 1 1 . The interception unit 1 15 may include a second input interface 1 15e which is configured to receive one or more car position signals and so may be communicatively coupled with the or each car position sub-system 1 14. The interception unit 1 15 may include a third input interface 1 15g which is configured to receive one or more level request signals and so is communicatively coupled with the or each car control panel 1 12 (e.g. with the commander unit(s) 1 12c thereof if provided). The third input interface 1 15g may be an input/output interface 1 15g which is configured to output one or more commands to the or each car control panel 1 12 (e.g. to disable or enable one or more operations thereof, such as one or more parts of the user interface 1 12a (which may include disabling one or more of the user actuatable items 1 12b and/or presenting information to the occupants (i.e. users) of that elevator car 12 visually or audibly via the user interface 1 12a). The interception unit 1 15 may include a fourth interface 1 15h which may be an input/output interface which is configured to send and receive information to and from the or each call interface panel 1 16. Accordingly, the fourth interface 1 15h may be communicatively coupled to the or each call interface panel 1 16.

The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to receive a desired destination signal from one of the one or more call interface panels 1 16 and, in response, to send to the controller 1 13 an emulated call signal and/or an emulated level request signal to service the user's request (i.e. to move an elevator car 12 to the origin level 22 to collect the user and then to the destination level 22 to deliver the user). The interception unit 1 15 may determine the origin level 22 based on the content of the desired destination signal (which may include an indication of this level 22) or based on a predetermined location (e.g. a known level 22 associated with the call interface panel 1 16). If there is more than one call interface panel 1 16 and the call interface panels 1 16 are on multiple levels, then each call interface panel 1 16 may be configured to send an identifier for the call interface panel 1 16 sending the desired destination signal (so that the level associated with that call interface panel 1 16 can be determined and used as the indication of the origin level). The interception unit 1 15 may include a fifth interface 1 15f which is an output interface 1 15f configured to output one or more emulated signals to the controller 1 13. As such, the fifth interface 1 15f may be communicatively coupled to the controller 1 13.

In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may include a sixth interface 1 15i which is configured to receive one or more occupancy signals indicative of the space available in one or more of the elevator cars 12.

Accordingly, in some embodiments, the elevator system 1 may include an occupancy sensor 1 18 associated with one of the one or more elevator cars 12 (the or each occupancy sensor 1 18 may form part of the elevator control system 1 1 ). In some embodiments, each of the one or more elevator cars 12 may include its own occupancy sensor 1 18.

The or each occupancy sensor 1 18 is configured to output the signal representative of the space available in the respective associated elevator car 12. The occupancy sensor 1 18 could take a number of difference forms. For example, the occupancy sensor 1 18 may be configured to determine the weight of all or part of the elevator car 12 including its occupants and to compare this weight to a threshold weight. In such an example, therefore, the space available in the elevator car 12 may be based on a weight the elevator car 12 may carry (rather than a volume of available space). In some examples, the occupancy sensor 1 18 may be configured to capture an image of the interior of the elevator car 12, to analyse the image, and to determine if there is available space. In some examples, the occupancy sensor 1 18 may include a pressure sensor which is configured to identify the weight and/or location of object or occupants on a floor of the elevator car 12, and to analyse this information to determine if there is available space. In some embodiments, the or each occupancy sensor 1 18 may output a signal which is then analysed by the interception unit 1 15 to determine if there is space for more occupants within the associated elevator car 12.

In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 is configured to determine the expected number of occupants based on its operation - as described herein - and to determine the signal indicative of the occupancy of the elevator car 12 internally - i.e. without the use of the occupancy sensor 1 18 (which may not be provided in some embodiments or which may be provided to confirm an internally determined signal). In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 includes a seventh interferace 1 15j which is configured to communicatively couple the interception unit 1 15 with one or more car destination displays 1 17 (as described herein).

Although the first to seventh interfaces 1 15d,e,f,g,h,i,j, have been described as separate interfaces, it will be understood that one or more of the interfaces may be combined in some embodiments.

The interception unit 1 15 may further include a processor 1 15a which is configured to communicate with the first to seventh interfaces 1 15d,e,f,g,h,i,j, - receiving signals therefrom and transmitting signals thereto. The received signals may be one or more car position signals, call signals, level request signals, signals to control the operation of one or more car control panels 1 12, signals from one or more call interface panels 1 16, signals to one or more call interface panels 1 16, and emulated signals to the controller 1 13. The processor 1 15a may be configured to execute a program which is stored as a set of executable instructions on a computer readable storage medium 1 15b of the interception unit 1 15. These executable instructions may cause the interception unit 1 15 to perform one or more of the operations described herein, e.g. in accordance with one or more modes of operation of the interception unit 1 15.

The interception unit 1 15 may include an external communication interface 1 15c which is configured to send and receive information to and from an external source. This external source may be a server, for example, and the external communication interface 1 15c may be a wired and/or wireless network communication interface 1 15c which is communicatively coupled to a server which may be located remotely. The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to output information about the operation of the unit 1 15 and/or the elevator control system 1 1 to the server for collation and analysis - e.g. for use in monitoring the operation of the elevator system 1 , identifying faults, and the like. The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to receive information which is then use to modify or update one or more aspects of its operation (e.g. changing one or more settings of the interception unit 1 15). This received information may be used, therefore, to update or change one or more executable instructions which are stored on the computer readable storage medium 1 15b. The interception unit 1 15 may have at least two modes of operation.

In a first mode of operation (also called a "normal" or "pass-through" mode), the interception unit 1 15 receives one or more signals and outputs one or more corresponding emulated signals to the controller 1 13. These one or more corresponding emulated signals may be substantially identical to the received one or more signals. In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 is configured to receive the one or more signals, read the one or more signals, and then generate the corresponding one or more emulated signals (which may be buffered and/or reordered signals as described herein). However, in some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 is configured to pass the one or more received signals through the interception unit 1 15 such that the one or more corresponding emulated signals are, in fact, the one or more received signals (in such embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may or may not read the one or more received signals as they pass through the interception unit 1 15). In other words, in some embodiments, in this mode of operation, one or more of the first to fourth interfaces 1 15d, g, h, e may be communicatively coupled to the fifth interface 1 15f. As will be appreciated, therefore, this first mode of operation allows the elevator control system 1 1 to function without modification by the interception unit 1 15. As such, the elevator control system 1 1 may operate in a substantially conventional manner - ensuring an elevator car 12 is provided to service a call signal generated from the elevator call buttons 1 1 1 and then moving the elevator car 12 in accordance with the level request signal generated by the car control panel 1 12.

In some embodiments, any call interface panels 1 16 which have been used in place of elevator call buttons 1 1 1 may be configured to operate as elevator call buttons 1 1 1 when the interception unit 1 15 is in this mode of operation. As such, the call interface panel 1 16 may, for example, provide the user with the option to call an elevator car 12 without specifying the desired level. The call interface panel 1 16 may then generate a call signal which is passed to the controller 1 13 in the same manner as a call signal from a call button 1 1 1 . The call interface panel 1 16 may, in such embodiments, enable the user to indicate a desired direction of travel and may generate an upward call signal or a downward call signal depending on the user input to the call interface panel 1 16 - for example, the display 1 16d may display up and down options which are selectable by the user using the user actuatable elements 1 16b.

In a second mode of operation (also called an "intercept" or "destination control" mode), the interception unit 1 15 is configured to receive signals and output emulated signals to the controller 1 13 in order to provide destination control functionality. The output emulated signals may be different from signals received by the interception unit 1 15 - i.e. they may not be signals which are simply repeated through the interception unit 1 15, as in the first mode of operation. In some embodiments, however, the output emulated signals are buffered and/or reordered signals which the interception unit 1 15 has previously received.

In some embodiments, some signals which are received by the interception unit 1 15 in the second mode of operation are repeated as emulated signals (or the actual received signal may be passed through the interception unit 1 15). For example, in some embodiments, the car position signal or signals may be passed through or repeated as emulated car position signals in this second mode of operation in much the same manner as in the first mode. In some embodiments, there is no need for the interception unit 1 15 to repeat to pass through the car position signal or signals because both the interception unit 1 15 and the controller 1 13 may be communicatively coupled to the same communication channel over which the car position signal or signals are provided.

Similarly, if the elevator control system 1 1 includes any call buttons 1 1 1 , then call signals generated by at least some of those call buttons 1 1 1 may be passed through, or repeated as emulated call signals by, the interception unit 1 15, or the controller 1 13 may be configured to receive such signals directly in any event.

In the second mode of operation, the interception unit 1 15 may block (i.e. prevent from being received by the controller 1 13) or may buffer (and/or reorder) one or more call signals and/or one or more level request signals. This may include, for example blocking upward call signals but not blocking downward call signals, or vice versa. In some embodiments, a level request signal from a car control panel 1 12 may not be blocked but may be queued (e.g. buffered and delayed) for later provision to the controller 1 13 (e.g. as may occur in the first mode).

In the second mode of operation, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to use one or more call interface panels 1 16 to determine the desired destination levels of one or more users. As discussed above, this may be achieved through input of the desired destination or based on the identity of the user.

The interception unit 1 15 may receive these one or more desired destination levels from a call interface panel 1 16 or call interface panels 1 16 and select an elevator car 12 to service the or each user. In an elevator system 1 in which there are multiple elevator cars 12, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to determine which elevator car 12 is to service which users according to a scheme which may be intended to provide one or more of faster and more efficient operation. In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to prioritise one or more users based on the identity of the user (as determined by the call interface panel 1 16) and/or the desired destination (e.g. the occupier of a particular level may require prioritised access for those travelling to that level and/or a business may prioritise access to a level including the main reception of an organisation over other levels).

The interception unit 1 15 may then instruct the call interface panel 1 16 from which the user request was received and/or at which the user was identified to provide the user with an indication of the allocated elevator car 12. This may be achieved, for example, by displaying an identifier for the elevator car 12 on the display 1 16d and/or providing an audible instruction to the user with the identifier of the allocated elevator car 12. The interception unit 1 15 may be further configured to cause the presentation of other information to the user - such as the direction of that allocated elevator car 12 from the call interface panel 1 16, for example.

In some embodiments, the elevator control system 1 1 includes one or more car destination displays 1 17 (see figures 10a and 10b, for example). In some embodiments, at least one level 22 is provided with a main car destination display 1 17, such as that shown in figure 10a. The main car destination display 1 17 may indicate one or more elevator cars 12 which service that level 22 (indicated by the letters in figure 10a) along with the level or levels 22 which that elevator car 12 has been allocated by the interception unit 1 15 (i.e. the levels 22 at which that elevator car 12 will stop).

In some embodiments, the or each elevator car 12 is associated with its own car destination display 1 17 (as shown in figure 10b, for example). This individual car destination display 1 17 may be provided instead of or in addition to the main car destination display 1 17, for example. The individual car destination display 1 17 may provide an identifier for the elevator car 12 with which it is associated (car "D" in the case of figure 10b) and/or may provide an indication of the levels 22 which have been allocated to that elevator car 12 by the interception unit 1 15 (levels "19" and "21 " in the example of figure 10b).

The car destination display 1 17, whether the main or individual, may be provided generally adjacent the elevator doors 23 on that level 22, next to elevator doors 23 associated with that particular elevator car 12 (e.g. in the case of the individual display), next to each set of elevator doors 23, inside each elevator car 12, in a lobby area, in a reception area, or the like.

Accordingly, the or each car destination display 1 17 may be communicatively coupled to the interception unit 1 15 and configured to receive and display information supplied by the interception unit 1 15. In some embodiments, the or each car destination display 1 17 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 1 13 and configured to receive and display information supplied by the controller 1 13.

The or each car destination display 1 17 may also provide an indication of the or each elevator car's direction of travel after it stops at a particular level 22. The interception unit 1 15 is configured to send emulated signals to the controller 1 13 in order to control the operation of the one or more elevator cars 12 to provide the destination control functionality in the second mode of operation. In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may queue any received level request signals to be sent to the controller 1 13 after a predetermined period (i.e. after a delay) or at the end of a series of movements of that elevator car 12 according to the destination control functionality.

Accordingly, a user's desired destination, as determined using one of the one or more call interface panels 1 16, is used to generate an associated emulated level request signal for that level for the elevator car 12 which the interception unit 1 15 has selected to service the user - this emulated level request signal is sent from the interception unit 1 15 to the controller 1 13. As mentioned above, the user is directed to that elevator car 12 through the call interface panel 1 16 and/or the or each car destination display 1 17.

That selected elevator car 12 then arrives at the user's current level, with the desired destination already selected through the emulated level request signal which was sent by the interception unit 1 15 to the controller 1 13. Once an elevator car 12 has left the user's previous level - such as a ground or lobby level - the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to detect this movement through the associated car position signal. The interception unit 1 15 may then send another emulated level request signal to the controller 1 13. This emulated level request signal may be an emulated level request signal indicating the user's previous level. This to cause the controller 1 13 to control the movement of the elevator car 12 back to that level after the highest floor in its current operation has been reached (each operation may include stops at more than one level due to there being, for example, more than one user allocated to that elevator car 12 by the interception unit 1 15 with different desired levels). As the elevator car 12 returns to the user's previous level (e.g. a ground or lobby level), then the interception unit 1 15 may send one or more further emulated level request signals to the controller 1 13 indicating levels which are to be serviced after the elevator car 12 has reached the user's previous level. As will be appreciated, these one or more further emulated level request signals may be sent by the interception unit 1 15 dependent on the car position signal for that elevator car 12 - so that the emulated level request signal for a particular level is sent after the elevator car 12 has passed that level (e.g. to prevent the controller 1 13 causing the elevator car 12 to stop at that level before the elevator car 12 has returned to the original level 22). Alternatively, the emulated level request signals may be sent once the elevator car 12 has returned to the original level 22.

The interception unit 1 15 is configured to receive indications of desired destinations, and to queue corresponding emulated level request signals for transmission to controller 1 13. The interception unit 1 15 may, therefore, hold such a queue in relation to each elevator car 12 of the elevator system 1 (or at least those operating in the second mode of operation, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to operate at least one elevator car 12 in accordance with the first mode whilst also operating at least one elevator car 12 in accordance with the second mode). The queue may be released, such that the queued emulated level request signal(s) are sent to the controller 1 13, on arrival of the associated elevator car 12 at the user's previous level 22 (or another predetermined level 22). The individual queued emulated level request signals may be released once the associated elevator car 12 has passed the level 22 to which the emulated level request signal relates. In some embodiments, a level request signal may be received during operation in the second mode and this level request signal may be delayed and inserted into the queue of emulated level request signals (e.g. between two emulated level request signals or at the end of the queue).

Thus, once the elevator car 12 returns to the user's previous level 22, then the controller 1 13 will have received (and the interception unit 1 15 will have sent) one or more (e.g. a series or sequence) of emulated level request signals indicating the levels at which that elevator car 12 is to stop after it leaves the user's previous level again.

If a user entered the elevator car 12 during a particular run and caused a level request signal to be sent using the car control panel 1 12, then that level request signal may be acted on by the controller 1 13 but this action may be delayed by use of the interception unit 1 15. As such, the controller 1 13 may cause the elevator car 12 to travel to the level indicated by that level request signal at the end, for example, of a run of the elevator car 12 according to the emulated level request signals (e.g. as the last stop before returning to the user's previous level again). This may enable a user to travel to their desired level but may effectively penalise the user for not using the destination control functionality provided by the interception unit 1 15. In some instances, if the interception unit 1 15 determines that there is already an emulated level request signal queued for a level request signal received as a result of a user operating the car control panel 1 12, then the interception unit 1 15 may not act separately in response to the received level request signal - as that request is already effectively being serviced.

In some embodiments, a level request signal received from operation of the car control panel 1 12 may be processed by the interception unit 1 15 when there are no other requests for use of that elevator car 12.

As will be appreciated, the references to a user's previous level, or the 'original' level, are references to a "home" level (or "origin level") to which the elevator car 12 is controlled (by the interception unit 1 15) to return. It will be appreciated, that the home level may change between movements or runs of the elevator car 12 - such that the home level may be one level for one or more first runs and then changed to a second level for one or more further runs. Accordingly, the home level may be set to a basement or car park level early in the morning (when most of a building's 2 workers may arrive by car) and then change to a lobby level later in the morning (when there may be more users (such as visitors) entering requiring elevators at that lobby level). The home level may, however, always be a lobby level in some embodiments.

In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may be configured to disable all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 or ignore level request signals sent by the or each car control panel 1 12 when in the second mode of operation. In some embodiments, however, level request signals are either passed on to the control unit 1 13 (as they would be in the first mode of operation) or may, in some embodiments, be treated by the interception unit 1 15 as new desired destination level requests associated with that car 12 (and may be queued with other desired destination requests for that car 12 accordingly, although they may be delayed as described herein). In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 is configured to ignore level request signals (or disable all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 or delay the level request signals from being sent to the controller 1 13) at all times, and/or at one or more predetermined times, and/or during one or more predetermined movements of the elevator car 12 (such as a downward movement of the elevator car 12 or an upward movement in some embodiments), and/or if the elevator car 12 has stopped on a level 22 due to a call signal from a call button 1 1 1 .

In embodiments and operations in which all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 is disabled, it may still be necessary to leave one or more of the user actuatable items 1 12b enabled and to handle signals generated by the actuation thereof in the normal manner. This may include, for example, an alarm button, door open or hold button, or door close button.

The disabling of all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 may be achieved by the interception unit 1 15 issuing a signal to the commander unit 1 12c. Similarly, enabling or re- enabling all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 may be achieved by the interception unit 1 15 issuing a signal to the commander unit 1 12c.

In some embodiments, the or each car control panel 1 12 may be at least partially provided by a touchscreen display. Accordingly, when all or part of the or each car control panel 1 12 is disabled, the disabled user actuatable item(s) 1 12b may not be displayed. In some embodiments, therefore, the touchscreen display may be used to display other information to the user when additional space is freed through the disabling of one or more user actuatable items 1 12b. This other information may include, for example, advertisements or information about the building 2, for example. As will be understood, therefore, the car control panel 1 12 may be different when the interception unit 1 15 is in the first mode compared to the second mode - with other information and/or user actuatable items 1 12b presented.

In some embodiments, one or more elevator call buttons 1 1 1 may be disabled or call signals from such call buttons 1 1 1 ignored during the second mode of operation. In some embodiments, any call signals may be provided to the controller 1 13 - via the interception unit 1 15 or directly - in the second mode of operation. Accordingly, the controller 1 13 may allocate an elevator car 12 to service such requests in the normal manner - whilst still in the second mode of operation. In some embodiments, the one or more elevator call buttons 1 1 1 may be disabled or the call signals ignored dependent on whether there is available space in one or more elevator cars 12, as determined internally by the interception unit 1 15 or through the received occupancy signal (as described herein). In some embodiments, the second mode of operation is always enabled - i.e. for all or substantially all of the time that the elevator system 1 is operating.

In some embodiments, the second mode of operation may be enabled during one or more predetermined periods - with the first mode of operation being enabled at other times. The one or more predetermined periods may include, for example, one or more peak periods during the day - such as when users are likely to arrive or leave the building or otherwise move between levels.

The first and second modes of operation are not, in some embodiments, mutually exclusive. Instead, the mode of operation of the interception unit 1 15 may be different in relation to different elevator cars 12 and may be different depending on the position of the elevator car 12. Accordingly, the interception unit 1 15 may implement a destination control functionality on one or more levels 22 and block use of the call buttons 1 1 1 on those one or more levels 1 1 1 (preventing call signals from those call buttons 1 1 1 from reaching the controller 1 13). Furthermore, the interception unit 1 15 may block level request signals when the elevator car 12 is at levels with call interface panels 1 16; in some embodiments, level request signals sent when the elevator car 12 is at other levels 22 may be passed or emulated (as described herein). In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 may be used to enable destination control functionality during peak hours and to disable that functionality during off-peak hours.

When enabled (e.g. in the second mode of operation), the level request signals may be blocked or otherwise disabled or ignored when the elevator car 12 is travelling in one direction (e.g. upwardly) but may be enabled when the elevator car 12 is travelling in the opposing direction (e.g. downwardly). Similarly, the call buttons 1 1 1 may be enabled for call signals of a particular direction (e.g. downward) generation but disabled for another direction (e.g. upward) call signal generation. Thus, users can travel in one direction using the conventional parts of the elevator control system 1 1 (i.e. the conventional call buttons 1 1 1 and car control panel 1 12) but may be forced to use the car interface panels 1 16 when travelling in another direction.

In some embodiments, the interception unit 1 15, at least in the second mode of operation, is configured to use emulated level request signals only to control (using the controllers 1 13) the movement of the elevator car 12. As will be appreciated, there are numerous different combinations of operability which can be achieved by the use of the interception unit 1 15 of some embodiments. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 is provided in addition to elevator call buttons 1 1 1 on one or more levels. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be provided as a wall mounted panel. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be provided in a kiosk 1 16e (see figure 8, for example) which may be a freestanding kiosk 1 16e. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be provided in an elevator lobby area. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be provided outside of an elevator lobby. In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be provided in a building reception area.

In some embodiments, the or each call interface panel 1 16 may be at least partially integrated with an entrance system - such as one or more turnstiles or gates. The entrance system may be used to identify the user and, therefore, to determine the desired destination - the identity of the user also being used by the entrance system to determine whether or not to allow admittance of the user through the entrance system. In some embodiments, the elevator control system 1 1 includes a security console which is configured to communicate with the interception unit 1 15. The security console may provide information about which elevator car 12 has been allocated to service which levels 22. The interception unit 1 15 may be configured to receive an indication, from the security consoles for example, of one or more levels 22 which are to be blocked and in relation to which, therefore, the interception unit 1 15 will not issue an emulated level request signal (i.e. the interception unit 1 15 may be prohibited or prevented from issuing an emulated level request signal in relation to any and all of one or more blocked levels). The one or more blocked levels may be stored in the interception unit 1 15 (e.g. in the computer readable storage medium 1 15b thereof). In some embodiments, the security console may be used to communicate with the interception unit 1 15 to allocate an elevator car 12 to a priority service - during which time the elevator car 12 is controlled to service a particular level as determined by the priority service (e.g. as entered into the security console) and not to service other levels 22. Such an operation may be required to provide fast access to particular levels 22 - e.g. for the emergency services. In embodiments, the interception unit 1 15 and one or more other parts of the elevator control system 1 1 may be retrofitted to an existing elevator system 1 or elevator control system 1 1 - such as is depicted in figure 3.

Therefore, in some embodiments, a destination control system can be retrofitted to an existing elevator control system 1 1 without the need to replace the existing controller 1 13. In addition, in some embodiments, many of the other parts of the existing elevator system 1 may be retained. This makes the provision of a destination control system less expensive, less disruptive, and more efficient. Indeed, embodiments allow selective operation of the destination control functionality - with the original functionality retained (e.g. for off-peak operation).

Whilst the communicative coupling between the call interface panels 1 16 has been shown as a wired communication line running in the elevator shaft 21 in some figures (and not in figure 9), a wired communication line need not pass through the elevator shaft 21 or may pass through the elevator shaft 21 in any embodiments. In some embodiments, the communicative couplings described herein may be wired or wireless or a combination of the two.

When used in this specification and claims, the terms "comprises" and "comprising" and variations thereof mean that the specified features, steps or integers are included. The terms are not to be interpreted to exclude the presence of other features, steps or components.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, or the following claims, or the accompanying drawings, expressed in their specific forms or in terms of a means for performing the disclosed function, or a method or process for attaining the disclosed result, as appropriate, may, separately, or in any combination of such features, be utilised for realising the invention in diverse forms thereof.

Claims

1 . An elevator control system, including:

a controller configured to receive one or more level request signals, and to control the movement of an elevator car based on the or each level request signal;

a car control panel configured to output a first level request signal requesting that the elevator car is moved to a level indicated by the first level request signal;

a call interface panel located outside of the one or more elevator cars and configured to output a desired destination signal including an indication of a destination level; and

an interception unit configured to intercept the first level request signal, wherein:

the interception unit is further configured to:

receive the desired destination signal and, based on the desired destination signal, to output to the controller an emulated level request signal for instructing the controller to control the elevator car in accordance with the desired destination signal; and

output the first level request signal to the controller after a delay such that the first level request signal is output subsequent to the emulated level request signal.

2. An elevator control system according to claim 1 , wherein the interception unit is configured to receive a plurality of desired destination signals and to generate a queue of corresponding emulated level request signals based on the plurality of desired destination signals.

3. An elevator control system according to claim 2, wherein the first level request signal is placed in the queue of emulated level request signals.

4. An elevator control system according to claim 2 or 3, further including a car position subsystem configured to determine the position of the elevator car, wherein the interception unit is configured to output one or more of the emulated level request signals and/or the first level request signal in the queue based on a car position signal output by the car position subsystem.

5. An elevator control system according to any preceding claim, further including a call button configured to output a call signal, and wherein the interception unit is configured to block, selectively, the call signal from receipt by the controller based on a mode of operation of the interception unit.

6. An elevator control system according to claim 5, wherein the interception unit is configured to operate in a first mode in which the call signal is passed to the controller or a corresponding emulated call signal is passed to the controller during a first predetermined period, and a second mode in which the call signal is blocked from receipt by the controller during a second predetermined period.

7. An elevator control system according to claim 6, wherein the first predetermined period is an off-peak period and the second predetermined period is a peak period.

8. An elevator control system according to any preceding claim, further including a call button, wherein the call button and the call interface panel are located on different levels such that a first call signal output by the call button requests an elevator car is moved to a different level to a level indicated as an origin level for the desired destination signal.

9. An elevator control system according to any preceding claim, further including a commander unit which is communicatively coupled to the car control panel, wherein the interception unit is configured to disable at least part of the car control panel using the commander unit.

10. An elevator control system according to any preceding claim, wherein the car control panel is configured to output a second level request signal requesting that the elevator car is moved to a level indicated by the second level request signal and the interception unit is further configured to

1 1 . An elevator system including:

at least one elevator car;

an elevator drive mechanism configured to drive movement of the elevator car; and an elevator control system according to any preceding claim for controlling the operation of the elevator drive mechanism.