FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to an apparatus and method for forming information, apparatuses and methods for controlling an operation of a device, and apparatuses and method for issuing a signal. The apparatuses and methods of the present invention have particular, but by no means exclusive, application to transportation devices such as an elevator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Systems for monitoring a transportation device such as an elevator are used for monitoring and recording various aspects of the transportation device. For example, a video surveillance system can be used to monitor and record the activities of persons travelling in the elevator. Unfortunately, images captured by existing video monitoring systems cannot be readily searched to directly locate specific images of interest. To locate an image of interest it is generally necessary to go through all captured images to find the required image(s) , which can be a rather tedious and time consuming task.

In addition to having a system for monitoring a transportation device, it is often desirable to have a system for controlling the operation of the transportation device. Such a system can allow, for example, the operation of the transportation device to be restricted in certain circumstances. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for forming information, the apparatus comprising a processing means that is arranged to establish a link between an identifier of an object and an image of the object to thereby form the information.

An advantage of the apparatus is that it can be used to form images (the information) that can be easily searched to directly locate specific images of interest that contain the object. The images of iiαterest can be directly located by using the link, whiαti effectively points to the image of interest. The linlc thereby minimises the need to search all images that may have been captured, for those images that contain the object. The identifier can effectively be used as an index for the image.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to cooperate with an identification system, which is arranged to obtain the identifier from an elect-tromagnetiα signal transmitted by a device associated witli the object, and a video monitoring system that is arranged to capture the image. Being able to cooperate with, the identification system and the video monitoring system is advantageous because the apparatus does not need to incorporate the functional aspects that these systems provide, which means that the cost of the apparatus can be kept to a minimum. Furthermore, the apparatus can be used with a preinstalled identification system and video monitoring system.

Preferably, the video monitoring system is arranged to monitor a passenger compartment of an elevator, and capture the image when the object is located in the passenger compartment of the elevator. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling an operation of a device that can be used by a person, the apparatus comprising a processing means that is arranged to determine a first identifier of the person and a second identifier of an object that is possessed by the person, the processing means also being arranged to control the operation of the device based on the first identifier and the second identifier.

An advantage of the apparatus is that it can be used, for example, to restrict an ability of the person to use an elevator (that is, the device) if the second identifier of the object is not associated with the first identifier of the person. This has a particular benefit of minimising theft from a building. In this scenario, the object could be a laptop computer and unless the person's identifier is associated with the second identifier of the laptop the apparatus could effectively shutdown the elevator (exert control) to prevent the person leaving the building with the laptop. On the other hand, if the first identifier of the person is associated with the second identifier of the laptop, the apparatus would not shutdown the operation of the elevator so that they can leave with the laptop.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine the first identifier and the second identifier by cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the first identifier and the second identifier from electromagnetic signals transmitted by devices associated with the person and the object.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to control the device by cooperating with a control system that is arranged to control the device. Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for controlling an operation of a device that can be used by one or more persons, the apparatus comprising a processing means that is arranged to determine a first number of identifiers of the persons and an estimate of a second number of the persons, the processing means also being arranged to control the operation of the device based on the first number and the second number.

An advantage of the apparatus is that it can be used, for example, to shutdown the operation of an elevator (that is, the device) if it contains unauthorised occupants. This is effectively achieved by checking for a discrepancy between the first number and the second number. In particular, if the second number is significantly higher than the first number the apparatus can assume there are unauthorised persons in the elevator. In this regard, the first number of identifiers reflects the number of authorised persons in the elevator.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine the first number of identifiers by cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifiers from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a device that is associated with the persons, the processing means being further arranged to determine the estimate by cooperating with a control system that is arranged to control the device, the processing means also being arranged to cooperate with the control system in order to control the device.

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that there are many different ways to obtain the estimate, and that obtaining this information from the control system is just one way. One such alternative way to obtain the estimate is by using a thermic overhead directional sensor. A description on the various techniques that can be employed can be found at www.infodev.ca/AN/article/tecnoAN.shtml.

Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for issuing a signal, the apparatus comprising a processing means arranged to determine an identifier of a person using a device and a status of the device, the processing means also being arranged to issue a signal based on the identifier and the status of the device.

An advantage of the apparatus is that it can be used, for example, to trigger an alarm in relation to an elevator (that is, the device) . For instance, if the person seeks to travel to a particular floor (the status of the device) that the person's identifier is not associated with, then the apparatus can issue the signal to trigger an alarm, which could alert security personnel to the fact that the person is attempting to travel to a floor that they are not entitled to visit.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine whether the person leaves a predefined area, and issue the signal based on whether the person has left the predefined area and the status of the device.

An advantage of this feature is that it can be used to trigger an alarm if, for example, the person exits the elevator (device) at a floor that the person is not entitled to be on. The predefined area being the passenger compartment of the elevator. Preferably, the processing means is arranged to control the device such that it cannot be operated unless the person is in the predefined area.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine the identifier by cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifier from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a device that is associated with the person.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine the status and control the device by cooperating with a control system that is arranged to control the device.

Preferably, the signal is arranged to set off an alarm.

Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided an apparatus for issuing a signal, the apparatus comprising a processing means arranged to determine a first identifier of a person making use of a device, the processing means being further arranged to issue a signal if the identifier meets a criterion.

An advantage of this aspect of the present invention is that when applied to an elevator it can be used to trigger an alarm if the first identifier does not meet the criterion. The criterion could be, for example, that the identifier is invalid or not registered.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine a second identifier of an object possessed by the person, and issue the signal based on the first identifier and the second identifier.

Preferably, the processing means is arranged to determine the first identifier and the second identifier by cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifiers from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by devices that are associated with the person and the object.

Preferably, the signal is arranged to set off an alarm.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of forming information, the method comprising the step of establishing a link between an identifier of an object and an image of the object to thereby form the information.

Preferably, the step of establishing the link comprises the steps of: cooperating with an identification system, which is arranged to obtain the identifier from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a device associated with the object; and cooperating with a video monitoring system that is arranged to capture the image.

Preferably, the video monitoring system is arranged to monitor a passenger compartment of an elevator, and capture the image when the object is located in the passenger compartment of the elevator.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling an operation of a device that can be used by a person, the method comprising the steps of: determining a first identifier of the person and a second identifier of an object that is possessed by the person; and controlling the operation of the device based on the first identifier and the second identifier.

Preferably, the step of determining the first identifier and the second identifier comprises the step of cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the first identifier and the second identifier from electromagnetic signals transmitted by devices associated with the person and the object.

Preferably, the step of controlling the operation of the device comprises cooperating with a control system that is arranged to control the device.

Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to an eighth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of controlling an operation of a device that can be used by one or more persons, the method comprising the steps of: determining a first number of identifiers of the persons and an estimate of a second number of the persons; and controlling the operation of the device based on the first number and the second number.

Preferably, the step of determining the first number comprises the steps of: cooperating with an. identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifiers from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a device that is associated with the persons; and determining the estimate by cooperating with a control system arranged to control the device. Preferably, the step of controlling the operation comprises cooperating with the control system in order to control the device.

Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of issuing a signal, the method comprising the steps of: determining an identifier of a person using a device and a status of the device; and issuing a signal based on the identifier and the status of the device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: determining whether the person leaves a predefined area; and issuing the signal based on whether the person has left the predefined area and the status of the device.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of controlling the device such that it cannot be operated unless the person is in the predefined area.

Preferably, the step of determining the identifier comprises cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifier from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by a device that is associated with the person.

Preferably, the method further comprises the step of determining the status by cooperating with a control system that is arranged to control the device.

Preferably, the signal is arranged to set off an alarm. Preferably, the device comprises an elevator.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of issuing a signal, the method comprising the steps of: determining a first identifier of a person making use of a device; and issuing a signal if the identifier meets a criterion.

Preferably, the method further comprises the steps of: determining a second identifier of an object possessed by the person; and issuing the signal based on the first identifier and the second identifier.

Preferably, the steps of determining the first identifier and the second identifier comprise the step of cooperating with an identification system that is arranged to obtain the identifiers from an electromagnetic signal transmitted by devices that are associated with the person and the object.

Preferably, the signal is arranged to set off an alarm.

According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer program which, when executed by a computing device, allows the computing device to carry out the method according to any of the fifth to eighth aspects of the present invention.

According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention there is provided a computer readable medium comprising the computer program according to the ninth aspect of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Notwithstanding any other embodiments that may fall within the scope of the present invention, an embodiment of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to figure 1, which provides a diagram of a system embodying the present invention.

AN EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

With reference to figure 1, which illustrates the system 11 according to the embodiment of the present invention, the system 11 comprises: an elevator 13; an elevator control system 15; a video monitoring system 17; a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system 19; a computing device 21; and a database 23.

With regard to the elevator control system 15, persons skilled in the art will readily appreciate that this is basically the electronic control system that is commonly located in an elevator motor room and which controls the general operation of the elevator 13, such as moving the elevator 13 from one floor to another floor.

The video monitoring system 17 comprises a video camera 25 that is located in the passenger compartment of the elevator 13, and which is positioned to capture video footage of the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. The video camera 25 has an output socket (not shown in figure 1) from which the camera 25 outputs a video signal containing images of the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. The video monitoring system 17 also comprises a computer 27 that has a video capture card that has an input socket (both of which are not shown in figure 1) for receiving a video signal. Using a combination of software and the video capture card, the computer 27 produces a digitised version of a video signal received on the input socket of the video capture card. The digitised version of the video signal is placed on an output port (not shown in figure 1) of the computer 27. The video surveillance system 17 also comprises a video cable 29 that is connected to the output socket of the camera 25 and the input socket of the video capture card in the computer 27. The video cable 29 effectively enables the video signal from the camera 25 to be transferred to the video capture card in the computer 27.

The RFID system 19 comprises one or more relatively small devices 31 that emit a RF signal that is encoded with a unique identifier. Each of the devices 31 is located on an object, such as a person 33 or laptop computer 35. The RFID system 19 also comprises an antenna 37 located in the passenger compartment of the elevator 13, and which is arranged to λpick-up' the RF signal emitted from the devices 31. The RFID system 19 further comprises a computer 39 that is arranged to decode the unique identifier encoded in the RF signal emitted from the devices 31. In this regard, the computer 39 comprises an RF front end (not shown in figure 1) that converts the RP signal down to a base-band signal that can be processed by the computer 39. In order to transfer the RF signal picked- up by the antenna 37, the RFID system 19 comprises a coaxial cable 41 that is connected to the antenna 37 and an RF input socket of the RF front end in the computer 39.

The computing device 21 comprises a processing means that comprises software running on computer hardware. The computing device 21 is also interfaced to the elevator control system 15, the video monitoring system 17, and the RFID system 19. More specifically, the interface to the video monitoring system 17 enables the computing device 21 to receive images of the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. The interface to the RFID system 19 enables the computing device 21 to receive the unique identifier encoded in the RF signals emitted from the devices 31. The interface to the elevator control system 15 basically enables the computing device 21 to receive information about the elevator 13 (such as what floor the elevator is located) and, as is discussed in the following paragraphs of this specification, exert control over the elevator 13.

One of the specific operations that the computing device 21 is arranged to perform is the creation of video footage that can be readily searched for images of objects, for example the person 33 or the laptop 35, associated with the RFID devices 31. To create this video footage, the computing device 21 is arranged to cooperate with the video monitoring system 17 to receive an image of the objects (such as the person 33 and the laptop 35) in the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. By cooperating with the RFID system 19, the computing device 21 obtains the unique identifier (which is encoded in the RF signal emitted by the devices 31) that is associated with the object (for example, the person 33 or laptop 35) in the image received from the video monitoring system 17. Once the computing device 21 has obtained the image and the unique identifier, the computing device 21 arranges to have them stored in the database 23. In this regard it is noted that the computing device 21 is arranged to cooperate with the database 23 to store the image and the unique identifier. The computing device 21 is arranged to cooperate with the database 23 such that it maintains a link between the unique identifier and the image. Furthermore, the database 23 is arranged such that all images of a particular object can be searched for based on the unique identifier to which the images are linked.

In addition to being able to store the unique identifier and the image in the database 23, the computing device 21 is arranged to control the operation of the elevator. In this regard, the computing device 21 is arranged to interact with the elevator control system 15 to detect the presence of the person 33 in the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. On detecting the presence of the person 33 in the passenger compartment of the elevator 13, the computing device 21 interacts with the RFID system 19 to obtain the unique identifier that is in the RF signal emitted by the device 31a that is associated with the person 33. The computing device 21 also interacts with the RFID system 19 to obtain the unique identifier encoded in the RF signal emitted by the device 31b associated with the laptop 35 (or any other object) if the person carries it in to the passenger area of the elevator 13. Once these identifiers have been obtained from the RFID system 19, the computing device 21 interacts with the database 23 to see if the unique identifier of the laptop 35 is associated with the unique identifier of the person 33. In this regard, it is noted that the database 23 is preconfigured to specify whether the unique identifier of the laptop 35 (or any other object) is associated with the unique identifier of the person 33.

If as a result of checking the database 23 the computing device 21 determines that the unique identifier of the laptop 35 is not associated with the unique identifier of the person 33, then the computing device 21 interacts with the elevator control system 15 in a manner that causes the system 15 to prevent the person 33 from using the elevator 13. This aspect of the computing device 21 is particularly useful for ensuring that only authorised persons can leave the building with the laptop 35 (or any other object) . Of course, if the unique identifier of the laptop is associated with the unique identifier of the person 33, the computing device 21 will not instruct the elevator control system 15 to prevent the elevator 13 from being used .

The computing device 21 is also arranged to control the operation of the elevator 13 in another way. In this regard, upon determining that the passenger compartment of the elevator 13 contains people (which as mentioned previous is achieved by interacting with the elevator control system 15) , the computing device 13 uses the elevator control system 15 to obtain an estimate of the number of persons contained in the elevator 13. As persons skilled in the art will appreciate, the elevator control system 15 can estimate the number of persons in the elevator 13 by, for instance, obtaining a weight of the elevator 13. Subsequent to obtaining the estimated number of persons from the elevator control system 15, the computing device 21 interrogates the RFID system 19 to determine the number of unique identifiers it detected for the persons currently in the elevator 13. If the computing device 21 determines that the estimate of the number of persons obtained from the elevator control system 15 is significantly greater that the number of persons that the RFID system 19 indicated were present, the computing device 21 interacts with the elevator control system 15 to prevent the elevator 13 from being used. The reason the computing device 21 does this is to prevent an unauthorised person (that is a person without an RFID tag) from making use of the lift. Assuming that the estimate of the number of persons obtained from the elevator control system 15 is roughly the same as the number of persons obtained from the RFID system 19, the computing device 21 will not instruct the elevator control system 15 to prevent the elevator 13 from being used.

In addition to controlling the elevator 13, the computing device 21 can be used to issue a signal that is capable of activating an alarm in relation to the elevator 13. In order to achieve this the computing device 21 is arranged to interact with the elevator control system 15 to determine when the person 33 is present in the passenger area of the elevator 13. The computer system 13 also interacts with the elevator control system 15 to determine what the person 33 is instructing the elevator 13 to do (that is, a status of the elevator 13) . For instance, the person 33 may be instructing the elevator 13 to take them from the 2nd floor to the 21st floor. Following on from this the computing device 21 interacts with the RFID system 19 to determine the unique identifier encoded in the RF signal emitted from the RFID device 31a associated with the person 33. By checking authorisation information contained in the database 23, the computing device 21 is arranged to determine whether the person 33 has the right to travel from the 2nd floor to the 21st floor. If the computing device 21 determines that the person 33 does not have this right, it is arranged to issue a signal that alerts, for example, security personnel about the person's 33 attempt to travel to the 21st floor.

In regard to issuing the signal, it is noted that the computing device 21 is capable of interacting with the RFID system 19 to determine whether the person 33 has exited the passenger compartment of the elevator 13. On checking that the person has left the elevator 13, the computing device 21 is capable of issuing the signal if it is determined that the person 33 has left the elevator at an unauthorised floor. Furthermore, the computing device 21 can interact with the elevator control system 15 to prevent the elevator 13 from being operated unless the person 33 is in the elevator 13.

The computing device 21 is also arranged to issue the signal if it is determined that the identifier of the person 33 (which was obtained from the RFID system 19) is not authorised to use the elevator 13. Similarly, if the computing device 21 determines that the identifier of the person 33 and the identifier of the object (eg the laptop 35) are not related to each other, the computing device 21 will issue the signal.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention described herein is susceptible to variations and modifications other than those specifically described. It should be understood that the invention includes all such variations and modifications which fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.