The present application relates to the field of conveyor communication systems.

BACKGROUND

In a modern conveyor communication system, i.e. a communication system of an escalator or a moving walk, more and more data is sent and received by different entities of a conveyor system. The controller may receive information from a safety switch or switches or various sensors, and then based on this information control the conveyor system.

A conveyor communication system may use, for example, a RS485 or a controller area network (CAN) based bus for data communication. These solutions, however, need protocol converters and gateways, making development and upgrade of the system troublesome.

It would be beneficial to have a solution that would alleviate at least one of these drawbacks.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a conveyor communication system for a conveyor. The conveyor may comprise landing regions and an intermediate section between the landing regions carrying an endless conveyance band comprising conveyance elements configured to transport people. The conveyor communication system comprises a first controller configured to control an operation of the conveyor, and a plurality of components, each of the plurality of components being connected to the first controller directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components. The communication between the plurality of components and the first controller is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the conveyor communication system further comprises a second controller configured to control the operation of the conveyor, the second controller being directly connected to the first controller. At least part of the plurality of components are directly connected to the second controller. The term "second controller being directly connected to the first controller" may refer to an implementation of a point to point Ethernet bus extending between the first controller and the second controller .

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the conveyor communication system further comprises at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment connected to the first controller and/or the second controller, wherein at least some of the plurality of components are connected to the at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment comprises a multi-drop Ethernet bus segment comprising a plurality of safety switched grouped into the multi-drop Ethernet bus segment.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the conveyor communication system further comprises a gateway directly connected to the first controller, the gateway providing a data connection to external data networks. In an implementation form of the first aspect, the conveyor communication system further comprises a drive directly connected to the first controller.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the conveyor communication system further comprises a drive integrated with the first controller.

In an implementation form of the first aspect, the plurality of components comprises at least one of: a camera, a person detection sensor, a sensor, audio means, a display, a safety switch, a traffic light, a warning light, a people flow counter and a safety user interface .

According to a second aspect, there is provided a conveyor comprising landing regions, an intermediate section between the landing regions carrying an endless conveyance band comprising conveyance elements configured to transport people, and a conveyor communication system according to the first aspect. The conveyance elements may comprise, for example, steps or pallets. The intermediate section may be longitudinal for transporting people between the landing regions, i.e. from one landing region to another. The intermediate section may comprise, for example, a truss and an electrical drive for driving the endless conveyance band.

In an implementation form of the second aspect, the first controller is disposed in a first landing region of the landing regions.

In an implementation form of the second aspect, a first group of components of the plurality of components is disposed in the first landing region with the first controller, the first group of components of the plurality of components being connected to the first controller directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components, and wherein the communication between the first group of components of the plurality of components disposed in the first landing region and the first controller is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

In an implementation form of the second aspect, the second controller is disposed in a second landing region of the landing regions, and wherein the second controller is connected directly to the first controller .

In an implementation form of the second aspect, a second group of components of the plurality of components is disposed in the second landing region with the second controller, the second group of components of the plurality of components being connected to the second controller directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components, and wherein the communication between the second group of components of the plurality of components in the second landing region and the second controller is provided by Ethernet-based communication .

In an implementation form of the second aspect, the conveyor further comprises a first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment, wherein the first group of components of the plurality of components in the first landing region are connected to the first controller via the first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment.

In an implementation form of the second aspect, the conveyor further comprises a second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment, wherein the second group of components of the plurality of components in the second landing region are connected to the second controller via the second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment.

In an implementation form of the second aspect, the conveyor comprises an escalator or a moving walk.

By means of the present disclosure, one or more of the following advantages may be achieved:

- Availability of many Ethernet physical layers allows scaling of communication bandwidth without software modifications.

Possibility to easily add, for example, to retrofit, optional devices such as advertisement displays, cameras and person presence sensors.

- The controller can be very small in size as discrete wiring is replaced with few Ethernet ports. This may also that amount of cabling within the conveyor system may be reduced.

Optimal shortest distance routing of communication cables due to simultaneous use of a star and a daisy chained topology.

- An Ethernet based conveyor communication system allows an easy implementation of new services because protocol converters and gateways are not needed. It is also easier to add new services after the installation of the conveyor system.

Remote diagnostics and maintenance of each component is easy with transparent communication.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1A illustrates a conveyor communication system according to an example embodiment.

FIG. IB illustrates a conveyor communication system according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates a conveyor communication system according to another example embodiment.

FIG. ID illustrates a conveyor communication system according to another example embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conveyor system according to an example embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description illustrates a conveyor communication system that comprises a first controller configured to control an operation of an conveyor, and a plurality of components, each of the plurality of components being connected to the first controller directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components. The communication between the plurality of components and the first controller is provided by Ethernet-based communication. The illustrated solution may also enable, for example, a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system. The illustrated solution may also enable easier implementation of new services as protocol converters and gateways are not needed.

FIG. 1A illustrates a conveyor communication system 100 for a conveyor according to an example embodiment. The conveyor may comprise, for example, an escalator or a moving walk. The conveyor communication system 100 comprises a controller 102. The conveyor communication system 100 further comprises a plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, wherein each of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C are connected to the controller 102 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A- 118C. The communication between the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C and the controller 102 is provided by Ethernet-based communication. The term "being directly connected to" may refer to an implementation of an Ethernet bus extending between two entities.

The conveyor communication system 100 may further comprise a drive 104 connected to the controller 102. In another example embodiment, the drive 104 may be integrated with the controller 102. The drive 104 operates a motor 106 that causes the conveyor to move. If the drive 104 is integrated with the controller 102 and thus the number of ports in the controller 102 is reduced, the size of the controller 102 may be made smaller.

The conveyor communication system 100 may comprise one or more safety switches 118A-118C connected to the controller 102. The safety switches 118A-118C may provide safety related functions for the conveyor. For example, if a safety switch triggers, a signal is sent to the controller 102, and the controller 102 then may stop the conveyor if the signal is a critical signal.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 100 may comprise at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160 connected to the controller 102. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, system components 110-116, i.e. a display 110, audio means 112, a person detection sensor 114 and a camera 116, are connected to a first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, the safety switches 118A-118C are connected to a second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160. The multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160 may comprise, for example, 10BASE-T1S multi-drop Ethernet bus. The use of the multi-drop Ethernet bus segments 158, 160 enable a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system.

Further, in an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 100 may comprise a gateway 108 directly or indirectly connected to the controller 102. The gateway 108 may provide a data connection to one or more external data networks.

FIG. IB illustrates a conveyor communication system 120 according to another example embodiment. The conveyor communication system 100 comprises a first controller, i.e. a lower controller 122. The conveyor communication system 120 further comprises a plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, wherein each of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C are connected to the lower controller 102 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A- 118C. The communication between the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C and the lower controller 122 is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

The conveyor communication system 120 may further comprise a drive 104 connected to the lower controller 122. In another example embodiment, the drive 104 may be integrated with the lower controller 122. The drive 104 operates a motor 106 that causes the conveyor to move. If the drive 104 is integrated with the lower controller 122 and thus the number of ports in the lower controller 122 is reduced, the size of the lower controller 122 may be made smaller. The conveyor communication system 120 may comprise one or more safety switches 118A-118C connected to the lower controller 122. The safety switches 118A-118C may provide safety related functions for the conveyor. For example, if a safety switch triggers, a signal is sent to the lower controller 122, and the lower controller 122 then may stop the conveyor if the signal is a critical signal.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 120 may comprise at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160 connected to the lower controller 122. In the example illustrated in FIG. IB, system components 110-116, i.e. a display 110, audio means 112, a person detection sensor 114 and a camera 116, are connected to a first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, the safety switches 118A-118C are connected to a second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160. The multi drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160 may comprise, for example, 10BASE-T1S multi-drop Ethernet bus. The use of the multi-drop Ethernet bus segments 158, 160 enable a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system.

The conveyor communication system 120 may further comprise a second controller, i.e. an upper controller 124. Two separate controllers may be used, for example, when the conveyor is long, and due to cabling, it may be more preferable to user separate controllers. Similarly to the lower controller 122, one or more safety switches 134A-134C and system components 126- 132, i.e. a display 126, audio means 128, a person detection sensor 130 and a camera 132, may be connected to the upper controller 124. The safety switches 134A- 134C and the system components 126-132 may be arranged in two multi-drop Ethernet bus segments 162, 164, as illustrated in FIG. IB. Further, in an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 120 may comprise a gateway 108 directly or indirectly connected to the lower controller 122. The gateway 108 may provide a data connection to one or more external data networks. In another example embodiment, the gateway 108 may be connected to the upper controller 124. FIG. 1C illustrates a conveyor communication system 136 according to another example embodiment. The conveyor communication system 136 comprises a controller 102. The conveyor communication system 102 further comprises a plurality of components 104, 106, 140-146, 118A-118C, wherein each of the plurality of components 104, 106,

140-146, 118A-118C are connected to the controller 102 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104, 106, 140-146, 118A-118C.

The communication between the plurality of components 104, 106, 140-146, 118A-118C and the controller 102 is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

The conveyor communication system 136 may further comprise a drive 104 connected to the controller 102. In another example embodiment, the drive 104 may be integrated with the controller 102. The drive 104 operates a motor 106 that causes the conveyor to move. If the drive 104 is integrated with the controller 102 and thus the number of ports in the controller 102 is reduced, the size of the controller 102 may be made smaller.

The conveyor communication system 136 may comprise one or more safety switches 118A-118C connected to the controller 102. The safety switches 118A-118C may provide safety related functions for the conveyor. For example, if a safety switch triggers, a signal is sent to the controller 102, and the controller 102 then may stop the conveyor if the signal is a critical signal.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 136 may comprise at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 connected to the controller 102. In the example illustrated in FIG. 1C, the safety switches 118A-118C are connected to a multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160. The multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 may comprise, for example, 10BASE-T1S multi-drop Ethernet bus. The use of the multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 enable a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system.

Further, some of the system components may be connected directly to the controller 102. In this example, a display 140, audio means 142, a person detection sensor 144 and a camera 146 may directly be connected to the controller 102 using a point-to-point Ethernet bus. The point-to-point Ethernet bus may be, for example, 100BASE-TX or 10BASET1L point-to-point Ethernet bus. With the use of the point-to-point Ethernet buses and the multi-drop Ethernet bus segments, a desired number of ports at the controller 102 may be applied.

Further, in an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 136 may comprise a gateway 108 directly or indirectly connected to the controller 102. The gateway 108 may provide a data connection to one or more external data networks.

FIG. ID illustrates a conveyor communication system 148 according to another example embodiment. The conveyor communication system 148 comprises a first controller, i.e. a lower controller 122. The conveyor communication system 148 further comprises a plurality of components 104, 106, 118A-118C, 140-146, wherein each of the plurality of components 104, 106, 118A-118C, 140-146 are connected to the lower controller 122 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104, 106, 140-146, 118A-118C. The communication between the plurality of components 104, 106, 140-146, 118A-118C and the lower controller 122 is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

The conveyor communication system 148 may further comprise a drive 104 connected to the lower controller 122. In another example embodiment, the drive 104 may be integrated with the lower controller 122. The drive 104 operates a motor 106 that causes the conveyor to move. If the drive 104 is integrated with the lower controller 122 and thus the number of ports in the lower controller 122 is reduced, the size of the lower controller 122 may be made smaller.

The conveyor communication system 148 may comprise one or more safety switches 118A-118C connected to the lower controller 122. The safety switches 118A-118C may provide safety related functions for the conveyor. For example, if a safety switch triggers, a signal is sent to the lower controller 122, and the lower controller 122 then may stop the conveyor if the signal is a critical signal.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 148 may comprise at least one multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 connected to the lower controller 122. In the example illustrated in FIG. ID, the safety switches 118A-118C are connected to a multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160. The multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 may comprise, for example, 10BASE-T1S multi drop Ethernet bus. The use of the multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 160 enable a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system.

Further, some of the system components may be connected directly to the lower controller 122. In this example, a display 140, audio means 142, a person detection sensor 144 and a camera 146 may directly be connected to the lower controller 122 using a point-to-point

Ethernet bus. The point-to-point Ethernet bus may be, for example, 100BASE-TX or 10BASET1L point-to-point

Ethernet bus. With the use of the point-to-point

Ethernet buses and the multi-drop Ethernet bus segments, a desired number of ports at the lower controller 122 may be applied.

The conveyor communication system 148 may further comprise a second controller, i.e. an upper controller 124. Two separate controllers may be used, for example, when the conveyor is long, and due to cabling, it may be more preferable to user separate controllers.

Similarly to the lower controller 122, system components 150-156, i.e. a display 156, audio means 154, a person detection sensor 152 and a camera 150, may directly be connected to the upper controller 124 using a point-to- point Ethernet bus. The point-to-point Ethernet bus may be, for example, 100BASE-TX or 10BASET1L point-to-point Ethernet bus.

FIG. 2 illustrates a conveyor system according to an example embodiment.

The conveyor system comprises a conveyor 202 that comprises landing regions and an intermediate section between the landing regions carrying an endless conveyance band comprising conveyance elements, for example, steps or pallets, configured to transport, for example, people. The conveyor 202 may comprise, for example, an escalator or a moving walk. In the escalator, the landing regions may be arranged at different levels or floors. In the moving walk, the landing regions may be arranged at the same level, for example, in airports, or at different levels, for example, at shopping centers, leading from a starting floor to a destination floor. The conveyor communication system 200 may comprise any of the examples and embodiments discussed earlier.

In an example embodiment, the first controller 102, 122 may be disposed in a first landing region of the landing regions. Further, a first group (or part) of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126- 132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 may disposed in the first landing region with the first controller 102, 122. Further, the first group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 may be connected to the first controller 102, 122 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A- 118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156. Further, the communication between the first group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126- 132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 disposed in the first landing region and the first controller 102, 122 is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

As illustrated by FIGS. IB and ID, a second controller 124 may be arranged and it may be disposed in a second landing region of the landing regions. The second controller 124 is connected directly to the first controller 102, 122. A second group (or part) of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A- 118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 may be disposed in the second landing region with the second controller 124, the second group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 being connected to the second controller 102, 122 directly or indirectly via another component of the plurality of components 104- 116, 118A-118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156. The communication between the second group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126- 132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 disposed in the second landing region and the second controller 102, 122 is provided by Ethernet-based communication.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor system further comprises a first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160, 162, 164. The first group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 in the first landing region are connected to the first controller 102, 122 via the first multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160, 162, 164.

In an example embodiment, the conveyor system further comprises a second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160, 162, 164. The second group of components of the plurality of components 104-116, 118A-118C, 126-132, 134A-134C, 140-146, 150-156 in the second landing region are connected to the second controller 102, 122 via the second multi-drop Ethernet bus segment 158, 160, 162, 164.

Further, in an example embodiment, the conveyor communication system 148 may comprise a gateway 108 directly or indirectly connected to the controller 102. The gateway 108 may provide a data connection to one or more external data networks. In another example embodiment, the gateway 108 may be connected to the upper controller 124. It is evident that the various components discussed above are only examples, and any additional components that can be used with a conveyor communication system can be used, for example, cleaning devices or elements, warning lights, various displays, people flow counters, presence sensor, traffic lights etc. can be used. Further, even if some examples of the point-to-point and multi-drop Ethernet implementations have been discussed, any presently applicable existing or future Ethernet implementation may be used.

At least some of the above discussed example embodiments may enable a simple and efficient solution for adding new system nodes to the conveyor communication system. Further, at least some of the above discussed example embodiments may enable easier implementation of new services as protocol converters and gateways are not needed. It may also be easier to add new services after the installation of the conveyor system. Further, when using multi-drop Ethernet bus segments in the conveyor system, the number of ports needed at a controller may be reduced. Thus, depending on the implementation, star topology and daisy chaining of system elements may be used together. Further, as the communication it Ethernet based, no message conversion is needed between different segments of a conveyor communication system.

Further, by means of the present disclosure, one or more of the following advantages may be achieved:

- Availability of many Ethernet physical layers allows scaling of communication bandwidth without software modifications.

Possibility to easily add, for example, to retrofit, optional devices such as advertisement displays, cameras and person presence sensors.

- The controller can be very small in size as discrete wiring is replaced with few Ethernet ports. This may also that amount of cabling within the conveyor system may be reduced.

Optimal shortest distance routing of communication cables due to simultaneous use of a star and a daisy chained topology.

Remote diagnostics and maintenance of each component is easy with transparent communication.

Example embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like. One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases.

All or a portion of the example embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and/or software art(s). Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, the example embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s). Thus, the examples are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or software. Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the examples can include software for controlling the components of the example embodiments, for driving the components of the example embodiments, for enabling the components of the example embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include a computer program for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the example embodiments. Computer code devices of the examples may include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs), Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, and the like. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer-readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like. While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole, in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.