Issue 4/2010


07/02/10

Destination-Based Call and Display Systems

John Trett and Charlie Simpkins

Proper display systems optimize the performance of a destination system, by getting people in the right place more quickly to optimize traffic flow. They ease the transition to a destination system by giving the people the information they need to be more confident of knowing they are doing the right thing. This reduces any training time and cost that may be incurred, and allows systems to be introduced and accepted in a faster time frame.
Category: Issue 4/2010
Posted by: Editor

C.E. Electronics is discussing their destination based call and display system. They are able to interface to many controllers and supply call requests from full colour TFT touch panels, keypads, and handicap buttons, to display clearly the selected car and destination landings on TFT displays, indicators and illuminated landing displays. They are interfacing to CAN, Echelon, Ethernet, and RS232/RS485 controller signals. The TFT/LCD screens and indicators show destination-based information from floor selection to elevator selection and much more. The TFT graphics are full colour and customized to the customer’s requirements.

1. Introduction
Passengers and building owners are increasingly expecting better landing call response times from their elevators. Several options are available to elevator companies to achieve this including making them move faster, and increasing the number of cars. However a much more economical and efficient way of achieving this is to use destination control. The main advantage of using destination control is you use the existing elevator equipment to get the passengers using the elevators to the floor they want to go to in the least amount of time.
Many controlling algorithms have been written to control and optimize the dispatching of the elevators. However the human element is not so predictable especially if they are unfamiliar with the building and controls.
To maximize the “human speed” you need to have a process that is “intuitively obvious”, that moves the humans along to the proper locations to optimize elevator operation.
To do this requires products that passengers understand how to operate to enter their destination floor. A touch screen display works very well for entering hall calls as the passengers get immediate feedback on which way to walk (and therefore move out of the way) as the display shows them exactly which elevator they need to go to and how to get there.
Facilities for those with disabilities are also required so they are able to take advantage of the destination dispatching without unduly delaying the elevators.
A landing display at the elevator entrance showing which floors an elevator is going to has many benefits. People will forget what elevator they need to stand in front of if they are talking or get distracted. The display will encourage people to go to the elevator they have been assigned to, to verify that the elevator control system really did register their call. This gets them over in front of the elevator so they will be able to get on faster because they are closer. Also, if passengers see what floors an elevator is stopping at, they would tend to organize themselves in the elevator for better exit times. If you know you’re the last stop, you will tend to stand in the back of the elevator instead of in the front.
Landing car identification displays illuminating the elevator number or letter when the elevator arrives and arrival gongs alert the passengers to prepare to board the elevator car and further improve the “human speed”.
Destination displays in the elevator cars have the advantage of showing what floors the car is stopping at. If the display is properly positioned it will be much easier for everyone in the elevator to see verses the car buttons going out (which must be at handicap level). It can also show car position and hall call stops so people do not get off at the wrong floor, assuming it is only going to stop at the buttons that are lit. This further improves the “human speed”.
In response to this C.E. Electronics has developed a number of products and controller interfaces, which can be used easily by controller manufacturers to give the information required in many different forms. The software is so flexible that the system can be customized to meet the demands of consultants, architects and building owners. The products have been successfully brought onto the market and are at the forefront of technology.
The basic elements are
a) An easy interface to the controller, interfacing to CAN, Echelon, Ethernet, RS232/RS485 and discrete controller signals.
b) Only 3 unscreened shaft wires from the interface to the displays.
c) TFT screens with full computer capability, able to work unsupported.
d) Touch screens to place calls (may need additional wiring).
e) Keypads and DDA/ADA buttons for use by passengers with disabilities.
f) Indicators and message units to display position and destination floors.
g) Indicators and message units to identify elevator destination selection.
h) Custom software allowing the customer to decide where and how to display information.
i) A computer link to a host computer, which can update the elevators automatically with new information.
j) Modular design, which can include other elements such as Speech and Gongs.
k) Ability to add further interfaces to display other information such as TV, Video and Traffic information.
The system is able to send signals to the controller dispatch system such as
a) Destination floors requested.
b) Identification of passengers with disabilities.
The system is able to display
a) Floor position in both numeric and text form.
b) Car destination floors in both numeric and text form.
c) Elevator selection for destination control.
d) Car direction, both Travelling and Arrival (next direction).
e) Floor associated messages when the Car arrives at the floor.
f) Priority and Emergency messages.
g) Timed messages e.g. Fire Alarm testing, Morning and Evening information.
h) Landing displays show the position and direction of all Cars in a Group.
Other elements able to be attached to the system include
a) Speech
b) Hall Lantern Arrival
c) Arrival Gong
d) Remote Display
e) Security Access
This paper discusses the specification, structure and application of this product.
2. Interfaces to product
C.E. Electronics has developed a number of controller interfaces to send and receive signals to and from the controller, including elevator position and direction and floor destination signals. The software allows them to recognize and process signals in many forms including CAN, Echelon, Ethernet, RS232/RS485 and discrete controller signals.
C.E. Electronics has developed software to process signals from touch screens and keypads and DDA/ADA handicap buttons.
C.E. Electronics has developed their Micro- Comm TM 3-unscreened-shaft-wire protocol for serially linking their controller interface to all the elements used in fixtures to give information to passengers. The 3-shaft-wires are low voltage, unscreened, and able to carry the information over long distances. Many different products can be connected to the Micro- CommTM 3-shaft-wire system including 16 segment and dot matrix indicators, message units, arrival gongs, speech units, hall lanterns, and car identification lanterns.
3. Controller interface – central control unit
A unit is attached to the elevator controller to receive signals including
  • Position
  • Emergency Recall
  • Arrival Direction
  • Nudging
  • Travelling Direction
  • Slowing
  • Selected Destination Car
  • Doors Closing
  • Destination Floors
  • Doors Opening
  • Car Overloaded
  • Attendant Service
  • Fire Recall
  • Seismic Signals
A unit is attached to the controller to send signals such as
  • Destination Floor
  • Disabled passenger recognition
The interface consists of a Central Control Unit, which accepts and sends signals as
  • CAN, Echelon, Ethernet, RS232/RS485 and discrete signals
This allows for easy connection to the controller. Our software engineers have developed many interfaces with individual controller manufacturers to be integrated with their controller systems.
4. TFT screen with touch screen capabilities
The TFT screen is available in many sizes from 110 mm (4.3”) to 480 mm (19”) diagonal. It is only 60 mm deep so can usually be incorporated in fixtures and Car Operating Panels.
    
Fields are set up on the display to show the information required.
    
The information on the larger displays is stored on the TFT screen’s hard disc and can be changed remotely to suit the customer requirements. Text and graphic files can be included.
5. TFT screen
The TFT screen is a full computer with storage memory, and with it’s own special software, and is able to store all the information required on the screen. The special software is compiled to work with WindowsTM so that customers can use their own graphics and text. Video is supported on the larger screens.
6. TFT screen messages
The most useful feature of the TFT screen is its’ ability to display messages to the passengers. The customer can decide where the display elements appear on the TFT screen and the presentation of the message. Messages can include
  • Multi-Car position and direction
  • Priority Messages
  • Floor Messages
  • Scheduled Messages
  • Destination Floors
  • Advertisements
  • Car designation for destination control
7. Facilities for the disabled
The button entry system allows passengers with impaired vision to enter their requests for destination floors, and gives signals to the controller to, for example, give an elevator more dwell time with the door open, to allow the passenger to reach and enter the Car. The button is large with tactile and braille symbols, and an associated speaker gives audible message as to how to select the destination floor, and which elevator to go to.
A large tactile keypad system is available for security access. This is also linked to a speaker system.
8. Destination floor displays
The message units are available in various sizes and orientations, and display the destination floors. They are particularly useful on the landing next to the Car entrance, and in the Car.
They scroll if there are more destination floors than can be displayed all at once.
9. Car identification on the landing
Car identification signs give the passengers more help in selecting the correct Car. They illuminate when the Car arrives and an arrival gong sounds. They can be flat to the wall or as a flag depending on the lobby layout.
10. Designing the system and updating the TFT layout
C.E. Electronics has available development engineers specifically to provide customers, consultants, architects and elevator companies with solutions to their destination-based call and display systems. They work with controller manufacturers to customize the products to the individual choices and requirements. They use software designed by C.E. Electronics to customize the system and displays . The customer can be supplied with this software to enable them to update the TFT screen images. Many cars can be linked to one central computer using copper, fibre or Ethernet links, and individual TFT screen graphics changed remotely.
11. Reliability
The TFT screens have successfully passed test for vibration and screen deterioration with age. They are mounted on special frames to pass load and shock tests. The indicator front viewing panels are made of acrylic. For vandal resistant sites a laminated polycarbonate/acrylic lens is used for extra strength. The protocols de signed by C.E. Electronics are very robust and pass EMC standards for noise immunity.
12. Adding other units to the system
The C.E. Electronics MicroCommTM 3-shaftwire system has all the information necessary to allow many different products in the C.E. range to be connected, including 16 Segment and Dot Matrix Indicators, Arrival Gongs, Speech Units, Hall Lanterns and Scrolling Message Units. All units are connected serially (daisy chained) so minimum additional wiring is required. This makes it an ideal system for modernization. Other links and protocols include CAN, Echelon, Ethernet and RS232/RS485.
13. Conclusions
In this paper we have explained the specification and structure of the C.E. Electronics destination-based call and display systems , and how they can be used to give superior information to the passenger, design freedom to the Architect, and suitable signals to the controller. They allow the most modern dispatching algorithms to be used, and give the passengers the “intuitively obvious” commands, that enable them to move along to the proper locations to optimize elevator operation.
Biographical details
John Trett is Managing Director of C.E. Electronics Ltd., in the UK for 15 years. Previously he was Technical Director of Memco Ltd., and Managing Director of Formula Systems Ltd., and has a number of patents in the door safety edge fi eld. His responsibilities include: Developing new display and control products and markets within the European Elevator Industry.
Charles A. Simpkins is Director Sales & Marketing of CE Electronics Inc., in the USA for 16 years. Previously he was Area Manager for Pioneer Electronics. His responsibilities include: Developing new display and control products and markets within the Elevator Industry using the latest Electronic technology, and overseeing the Sales and Marketing of these functions worldwide. He works directly with the Elevator majors to develop new peripheral products.
4/2010

^ Top