Construction time use of elevators

Abstract

According to one aspect, there is provided a method for optimizing construction time usage transport capacity of an elevator system serving a plurality of floors in a building and including at least one elevator. The method includes operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of floors of the plurality of floors. A predetermined subset of floors is determined using related parameters based at least in part on the at least one construction time.

Description

Background Art

[0001] Elevators can be used during the building construction phase, and the traffic profile of the elevators can change daily. During the construction phase, elevators are mainly used for transporting construction materials and equipment. During Construction Time Usage (CTU), the elevators may be used very intensively and waiting times may increase. During CTU, the amount of construction materials and equipment transported with the elevators may be large, and it may take some time to load and unload the transported construction materials and equipment.

[0002] In addition, during CTU, it may be challenging to transport construction materials, equipment, and personnel in an efficient manner. During CTU, if the elevators can be freely used, this results in a large number of stops at the floors and may make the use of the elevators inefficient. Summary of the Invention

[0003] According to a first aspect, there is provided a method for optimizing the conveying capacity of an elevator system during construction time usage, the elevator system serving a plurality of floors in a building and including at least one elevator. The method includes operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the plurality of floors. The predetermined subset of floors is determined at least in part based on at least one construction time usage related parameter.

[0004] In an implementation of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining a destination call; associating the destination call with a travel group among a plurality of travel groups based on the destination call; allocating an elevator car to the travel group; and causing the transmission of a travel instruction associated with the destination call.

[0005] In an embodiment of the first aspect, at least one construction time usage related parameter includes at least one of the following: a destination floor associated with at least one tool; the weight of at least one tool; the construction phase of the construction project; the critical work phase of the construction project; and the materials associated with the construction project.

[0006] In an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further includes: transmitting a travel instruction associated with the destination call through a mobile application associated with a user or a web-based user interface.

[0007] In an embodiment of the first aspect, the method further includes: obtaining wireless connection information of a passenger associated with at least one of the plurality of floors; and modifying the predetermined subset of floors based on the wireless connection information of the passenger.

[0008] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor; and modifying a predetermined subset of floors based on the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor.

[0009] In an implementation form of the first aspect, the method further includes: determining that the number of detected mobile devices at a floor exceeds a predetermined threshold; and including the floor in a predetermined subset of floors when the amount of detected mobile devices at the floor exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0010] According to a second aspect, there is provided a device for use during a construction time of at least one elevator car of an elevator system in a building, the building including a plurality of floors. The device includes means for operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the plurality of floors. The predetermined subset of floors is determined at least in part based on at least one construction time usage related parameter.

[0011] In an implementation of the second aspect, the device further includes: means for obtaining a destination call; means for associating the destination call with a travel group among a plurality of travel groups based on the destination call; means for allocating an elevator car to the travel group; and means for causing transmission of a travel instruction associated with the destination call.

[0012] In an implementation form of the second aspect, at least one construction time usage related parameter includes at least one of the following: a destination floor associated with at least one tool; the weight of at least one tool; a construction phase of a construction project; a critical work phase of a construction project; and materials associated with a construction project.

[0013] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the device further includes means for transmitting a travel instruction associated with the destination call through a mobile application associated with a user or a web-based user interface.

[0014] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the device further includes: means for obtaining wireless connection information of passengers associated with at least one of the plurality of floors; and means for modifying a predetermined subset of floors based on the wireless connection information of passengers.

[0015] In an implementation form of the second aspect, the device further includes: means for determining the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor; and means for modifying a predetermined subset of floors based on the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor.

[0016] In one implementation of the second aspect, the apparatus further includes: means for determining that the number of mobile devices detected at a floor exceeds a predetermined threshold; and means for including the floor in a predetermined subset of floors when the amount of mobile devices detected at the floor exceeds the predetermined threshold.

[0017] According to a third aspect, there is provided an elevator system including at least one elevator configured to serve a plurality of floors of a building, and the apparatus of the second aspect.

[0018] According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer program including instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0019] According to a fifth aspect, there is provided a computer-readable medium including a computer program, the computer program including instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method of the first aspect.

[0020] According to a sixth aspect, there is provided an apparatus for use during a construction time of at least one elevator car of an elevator system in a building, the building including a plurality of floors. The apparatus includes:

[0021] at least one processor and at least one memory storing instructions which, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform: operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the plurality of floors. Determining the predetermined subset of floors at least in part based on at least one construction-time usage-related parameter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] The 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:

[0023] Figure 1 A system according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0024] Figure 2 An example of a method according to an example embodiment is shown.

[0025] Figure 3 A block diagram of an apparatus according to an example embodiment is shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The various examples and embodiments discussed herein disclose a solution in which a device (e.g., a site controller for construction site use (CTU)) can be arranged in an elevator system. The device can be configured to control and / or monitor the construction time use of at least one elevator car of the elevator system. The device can be configured to provide a connection to at least one local construction site data source, where the at least one local construction site data source is configured to track personnel and / or material flow during construction time use. The device can also be configured to provide a connection to at least one site manager application and at least one backend system, the at least one site manager application being configured to access data provided by the device, the at least one backend system being configured to provide construction project data associated with the construction site. The device can be configured to monitor and / or control the construction time use of at least one elevator car based on data obtained via a first communication interface and a second communication interface.

[0027] As used herein, the term "transportable entity" can refer to any object transported using at least one elevator car during CTU, e.g., a specific material, a batch of materials, a tool, or a person.

[0028] Figure 1 A system according to an example embodiment is shown. Figure 1 The system shown can be applied, for example, during the construction time use (CTU) of a building.

[0029] The system includes a site controller 100 (or site hub) that can be connected to an elevator controller 104 via a site application programming interface (API) 102. This enables the site controller 100 to provide instructions to the elevator controller 104, e.g., to assign elevator calls. In another example embodiment, the functionality of the site controller 100 can be implemented by the elevator controller 104, an elevator group controller, or an elevator drive, and thus the API 102 and a separate site controller 100 are not required. The site controller 100 generally can refer to an entity configured to enable access or connection to various different system elements.

[0030] The site controller 100 can be configured to provide a connection to at least one local construction site data source 106A, 106B, 106C, where the at least one local construction site data source can be configured to track the use of personnel and / or material flow during construction times. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more construction site data sources can be configured to track the flow of people, and one or more construction site data sources can be configured to track the flow of materials. In an exemplary embodiment, one or more construction site data sources can be configured to track both the flow of people and the flow of materials. The connection to at least one local construction site data source 106A, 106B, 106C can be implemented, for example, using at least one of the following technologies: Wi-Fi connection, physical Ethernet connection, or IoT mesh connection, depending on the location. For example, when high data throughput is required, a Wi-Fi connection can be used. IoT mesh connection can be used for small, inexpensive, and / or battery-powered devices that do not send too much data, for example.

[0031] Generally, at least one local construction site data source 106A, 106B, 106C can refer to external sensors, automation systems, and / or data sources that store and provide information about which tools, materials, and personnel (i.e., transportable entities) are going to be or are currently being transported in the elevator. Different site data can be arranged in a single data source (e.g., a database) or multiple data sources. Any suitable tracking and / or identification system can be used to track and / or identify tools, materials, and people, such as Bluetooth, radio frequency identification (RFID) with application of RFID tags, wireless positioning, etc. The local construction site data sources 106A, 106B, 106C and / or the backend system 112 can include identification information associated with each transportable entity. The identification information can be stored in, for example, a remotely readable device or tag, such as a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, which is attached to or otherwise associated with the transportable entity. Then, the construction site can include one or more readers that are capable of remotely reading the identification information when the corresponding transportable entity is loaded into / unloaded from the elevator. The readers can be arranged at appropriate locations inside or outside the elevator.

[0032] In an exemplary embodiment, at least one local construction site data source 106A, 106B, 106C can include one or more of the following:

[0033] - Material and waste tracking system

[0034] - Personnel positioning and identification system

[0035] - Asset location and usage management system

[0036] - Site condition monitoring system.

[0037] A materials and waste tracking system can provide information such as where materials and / or tools are located and how much waste has accumulated during the construction phase. A personnel location and identification system can provide information such as the location of personnel and the identity of the personnel at that location. An asset location and utilization management system can provide information such as the location of one or more assets that can be used at the construction site and their associated locations. Assets can refer to, for example, materials, tools, employees, etc. The asset location and utilization management system can also track the utilization rate of one or more assets, such as the time, location, and / or duration for which an asset is used during the construction phase, the location and / or duration for which a particular employee works at the construction site during the construction phase, etc. This can then provide management information, for example, to a backend system 112. A site condition monitoring system can provide information such as the status associated with the construction site. The status can refer to, for example, the readiness of the construction site, safety and health issues (e.g., the number of reported accidents, the number of accident-free days), temperature, humidity, particulate matter levels, etc.

[0038] The site controller 100 can also be configured to provide connections, for example, via an application programming interface (API), to at least one client application 110 configured to access data provided by the site controller 100 and to at least one backend system 112 configured to provide construction project data associated with the construction site. The site controller 100 can connect to external systems and external systems or clients to connect to the site controller 100 via the API 108. For example, an elevator call can be assigned from the mobile device of a person working at the site. Additionally or alternatively, an elevator call can be automatically scheduled and assigned, for example, by a cloud-based management entity (such as the backend system 112). Generally, one or more backend systems 112 can refer to automated systems and data sources that provide information about the costs and / or priorities of different materials, tools, and personnel to be transferred with at least one elevator.

[0039] In an exemplary embodiment, the local construction site data sources 106A, 106B, 106B, and / or the backend system 112 may store information associated with one or more transportable entities. A transportable entity may refer to, for example, at least one of materials, tools, a batch of materials, people, etc. Additionally, one or more attributes may be associated with the transportable entity and may be pre-known, for example, weight, dimensions, priority, time window when the transportable entity is needed at a specific location, destination floor, identifier, etc. Different transportable entities may have different priorities. In other words, the local construction site data sources 106A, 106B, 106B, and / or the backend system 112 may include any information that characterizes the transportable entity in some way. Then, based on the information stored in the site data sources 106A, 106B, 106B, and / or the backend system 112, the site controller 100 may be able to optimize the use of the elevator during CTU.

[0040] In an example embodiment, the client application 110 may execute in a device (e.g., the user's mobile device). The client application 110 may be used, for example, to initiate elevator calls, track materials, tools, and / or personnel.

[0041] In an example embodiment, the backend system 112 may refer to one or more external project planning systems from which data indicating where items should go can be obtained. The project planning system may include, for example, a cloud-based construction project planning tool that provides an API to read data into other systems.

[0042] In an example embodiment, the backend system 112 may refer to one or more logistics systems to obtain identification information of different materials, for example, a cloud-based system for tracking material deliveries and supply lines. The logistics system may provide an API to access logistics information that can be used by the site controller 100 for decision-making.

[0043] In an example embodiment, the backend system 112 may refer to one or more tool rental systems to obtain information on what types of tools are being used, how they are being used, and for what work tasks during CTU. The tool rental system may refer to a cloud-based system that provides tool rental information to the APIs, which the site controller 100 can use for decision-making.

[0044] In an exemplary embodiment, the site controller 100 may be configured to obtain a request for an elevator call from a mobile device via the second communication interface 110 and allocate the elevator call based on the request. For example, the site controller 100 may provide information originating from the backend system 112 and / or the site data sources 106A, 106B, 106C to the user of the mobile device, and the user may make an elevator call via the site controller 100 at an appropriate time with appropriate tools, materials, and / or personnel.

[0045] Figure 2 An example of a method for optimizing the use of the conveying capacity during construction time of an elevator system is shown, which serves multiple floors in a building and includes at least one elevator. The method may be implemented by a device, for example, the site controller 100, an elevator controller, or an elevator controller implementing the functions of the site controller 100.

[0046] At 200, the elevator system may allow the elevator system to operate in a mode that only serves a predetermined subset of the multiple floors. The predetermined subset of floors may be determined based at least in part on at least one construction time usage related parameter. For example, a building may have 30 floors, but at least one elevator of the elevator system may only serve floors 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30. If a passenger is going to, for example, floor 22, the passenger may be instructed to use a specific elevator to first travel to floor 20 and then take the stairs to floor 22.

[0047] The subset of floors may be determined based at least in part on at least one criterion, for example, one or more of the following:

[0048] - Destination floors associated with at least one tool. For example, some tools used at a construction site may be expensive rental tools and may be required on certain floors. This information may be used when determining the subset of floors.

[0049] - The weight of at least one tool and / or material. Different tools and materials used at a construction site may have different weights, and the weight of some tools or materials may be too high such that it is unreasonable or impossible to transport the tools / materials in the stairs. Therefore, if the destination of some tools or materials is known, this information may be used when determining the subset of floors.

[0050] - The size of at least one tool and / or material. Different tools and materials used at a construction site may have different sizes, and the size of some tools or materials may be too large such that it is unreasonable or impossible to transport the tools / materials in the stairs. Therefore, if the destination of some tools or materials is known, this information may be used when determining the subset of floors.

[0051] - The construction phase of a construction project. Different phases of a construction project may impose different burdens on the floors of a building being traveled. This information can be used when determining a subset of floors.

[0052] - The critical work phases of a construction project. During a construction project, some work phases may be more critical than others. The personnel, materials, and / or tools associated with the critical work phases can be used as criteria when determining a subset of floors.

[0053] - Materials related to a construction project. During various phases of a construction project, some materials may be more critical than others. The need for materials can be used as a criterion when determining a subset of floors.

[0054] In an example embodiment, a destination call can be obtained. The destination call can be associated with a travel group among a plurality of travel groups, e.g., based on a source floor, a destination floor, the number of passengers, and / or travel time. In an example embodiment, passengers traveling to the same floor or nearly the same floor can be grouped into the same group. An elevator car can be assigned to the travel group, and a travel instruction associated with the destination call can be sent. For example, if a passenger making a destination call is using a mobile application with his / her mobile device, the mobile application can be used to provide the travel instruction to the passenger. In another example embodiment, the user can use a web-based user interface via a browser of the mobile device. For example, if a passenger is traveling to floor 22 and the building's elevator can only travel to floors 1, 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25, an instruction "Destination floor: 22, join group B, leave at floor 20 and continue two floors by stairs" can be provided to the passenger via the mobile application or the web-based user interface. As a supplement or alternative to the mobile application, some other means for providing information to passengers can be used, e.g., voice announcements or displays provided in the lobby area.

[0055] In an example embodiment, the apparatus can be configured to obtain wireless connection information of passengers associated with at least one of a plurality of floors and modify a predetermined subset of floors based on the wireless connection information of the passengers. For example, an elevator system can provide a wireless connection to each floor via, e.g., Bluetooth and / or Wi-Fi. The apparatus can be configured to determine the number of detected passengers, i.e., the number of mobile devices of the detected passengers. This information can then be used to determine whether to modify the predetermined floor subset. For example, if the amount of detected mobile devices at a floor exceeds a predetermined threshold, the floor can be included in the floor subset. This enables, e.g., dynamic partitioning based on the number of passengers at the floors of a building.

[0056] Figure 3FIG. 0 shows a block diagram of an apparatus 300 according to an example embodiment. The apparatus 300 may be, for example, a computer or a server computer, and it may be configured to implement the functions of the site controller 100. In an example embodiment, the apparatus 300 may be integrated as part of an elevator controller, an elevator group controller, or an elevator drive, as a separate circuit board / module, or as integrated hardware. In another example embodiment, the apparatus 300 may be implemented, for example, using additional software modules in an elevator controller, an elevator group controller, or an elevator drive. In other words, the apparatus 300 may refer to, for example, an elevator controller, an elevator group controller, or an elevator drive configured to implement the features discussed herein.

[0057] The apparatus 300 includes one or more processors 302 and one or more memories 304 including computer program code. The apparatus 300 may also include at least one communication interface 308 configured to provide wireless and / or wired connections. Although the apparatus 300 is depicted as including only one processor 302, the apparatus 300 may include more than one processor. In an example embodiment, the memory 304 is capable of storing instructions, such as an operating system and / or various applications.

[0058] Furthermore, the processor 302 is capable of executing the stored instructions. In an example embodiment, the processor 302 may be embodied as a multi-core processor, a single-core processor, or a combination of one or more multi-core processors and one or more single-core processors. For example, the processor 302 may be embodied as one or more of various processing devices, such as a coprocessor, a microprocessor, a controller, a digital signal processor (DSP), processing circuitry with or without an accompanying DSP, or various other processing devices including integrated circuits, such as, for example, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), a microcontroller unit (MCU), a hardware accelerator, a dedicated computer chip, etc. In an example embodiment, the processor 302 may be configured to execute hard-coded functions. In an example embodiment, the processor 302 is implemented as an executor of software instructions, where the instructions may specifically configure the processor 302 to perform the algorithms and / or operations described herein when the instructions are executed.

[0059] The memory 304 may be embodied as one or more volatile memory devices, one or more non-volatile memory devices, and / or a combination of one or more volatile memory devices and non-volatile memory devices. For example, the memory 304 may be embodied as semiconductor memory (such as mask ROM, PROM (programmable ROM), EPROM (erasable PROM), flash ROM, RAM (random access memory), etc.).

[0060] In one embodiment, at least one memory 304 may store program instructions 306 that, when executed by at least one processor 302, cause the device 300 to perform the functions of the various embodiments discussed herein. Additionally, in an embodiment, at least one of the processor 302 and the memory 304 may constitute a component for implementing the discussed functions. The device 300 may be configured to operate an elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the multiple floors, where the predetermined subset of floors is determined at least in part based on at least one construction time usage-related parameter.

[0061] One or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may implement a solution for optimizing the use of an elevator during the CTU phase. Additionally, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may implement a solution that significantly helps to increase capacity without any additional material costs. Reducing unnecessary stops that only serve a few people will increase the overall elevator capacity. This means that more people and materials can be moved during the day, and the overall process at the construction site is improved. Additionally, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may implement a solution where people will reach their destinations faster, for example, during the morning rush hour. Additionally, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may implement a solution for saving energy, time, elevator hardware, and downtime by reducing unnecessary stops. Additionally, one or more of the examples and example embodiments discussed above may implement a solution where unnecessary (and typically also short) trips to floors are avoided, thereby freeing up capacity for more important trips. Additionally, one or more of the examples and exemplary embodiments discussed above may implement a solution where less elevator maintenance is required during construction time usage due to the avoidance of unnecessary stops.

[0062] Example embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic, or a combination of software, hardware, and application logic. Example embodiments may store information related to the various methods described herein. This information may be stored in one or more memories, such as hard disks, optical disks, magneto-optical disks, RAM, etc. One or more databases may store the information for implementing example embodiments. Data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, etc.) included in one or more of the memories or storage devices listed herein may be used to organize the databases. The methods described with respect to example embodiments may 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.

[0063] The components of an example embodiment can include a computer-readable medium or memory for storing instructions programmed according to the teachings and for storing data structures, tables, records, and / or other data described herein. In an example embodiment, application logic, software, or an instruction set is maintained on any of a variety of conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" can be any medium or component that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport 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 a computer-readable storage medium, which can be any medium or device that can contain or store 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.

[0064] While the basic novel features applied to its preferred embodiments have been shown and described and pointed out, it should be understood that various omissions, substitutions, and changes in the form and details of the described devices and methods can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and / or method steps that perform substantially the same function in substantially the same way to achieve the same result are within the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, it should be recognized that the structures and / or elements and / or method steps shown and / or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiment can be incorporated as a matter of general design choice into any other disclosed or described or proposed form or embodiment. Moreover, the means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and cover not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures.

[0065] The applicant hereby discloses each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features in isolation, provided that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole by the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art, regardless of whether such features or combinations of features solve any of the problems disclosed herein, and without limiting the scope of the claims. The applicant states that the disclosed aspects / embodiments can consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A method for optimizing the use of conveying capacity during construction time of an elevator system, the elevator system serving multiple floors in a building and including at least one elevator, the method comprises: operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the multiple floors; wherein the predetermined subset of floors is determined at least in part based on at least one construction time usage related parameter.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprises: obtaining a destination call; associating the destination call with a travel group among a plurality of travel groups based on the destination call; allocating an elevator car for the travel group; and causing transmission of a travel instruction associated with the destination call.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one construction time usage related parameter includes at least one of the following: destination floors associated with at least one tool; weight of at least one tool; construction phase of a construction project; critical work phase of a construction project; and materials related to a construction project.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprises: causing transmission of a travel instruction associated with the destination call via a mobile application associated with a user or via a web-based user interface.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, further comprises: obtaining wireless connection information of passengers associated with at least one of the multiple floors; and modifying the predetermined subset of floors based on the wireless connection information of the passengers.

6. The method according to claim 5, further comprises: determining the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor; and modifying the predetermined subset of floors based on the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at the at least one floor.

7. The method according to claim 6, further comprises: determining that the amount of detected mobile devices at a floor exceeds a predetermined threshold; and including the floor in the predetermined subset of floors when the amount of detected mobile devices at the floor exceeds the predetermined threshold.

8. An apparatus (100) for use of construction time of at least one elevator car in an elevator system in a building, the building including multiple floors, the apparatus (100) comprises: means for operating the elevator system in a mode that allows the elevator system to serve only a predetermined subset of the multiple floors; wherein the predetermined subset of floors is determined at least in part based on at least one construction time usage related parameter.

9. The apparatus according to claim 8, further comprises: means for obtaining a destination call; means for associating the destination call with a travel group among a plurality of travel groups based on the destination call; means for allocating an elevator car for the travel group; and means for causing transmission of a travel instruction associated with the destination call.

10. The apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the at least one construction time usage related parameter includes at least one of the following: destination floors associated with at least one tool; weight of at least one tool; The construction stage of a construction project; The critical working stage of a construction project; and Materials related to the construction project.

11. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 - 10, further comprising: means for transmitting travel instructions associated with the destination call via a mobile application associated with a user or via a web - based user interface.

12. The apparatus according to any one of claims 8 - 11, further comprising: means for obtaining wireless connection information of a passenger associated with at least one of the plurality of floors; and means for modifying a predetermined subset of floors based on the wireless connection information of the passenger.

13. The apparatus according to claim 12, further comprising: means for determining the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at at least one floor; and means for modifying a predetermined subset of floors based on the number of detected mobile devices of passengers at the at least one floor.

14. The apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising: means for determining that the amount of detected mobile devices at a floor exceeds a predetermined threshold; and means for including the floor in the predetermined subset of floors when the amount of detected mobile devices at the floor exceeds the predetermined threshold.

15. An elevator system, comprising: at least one elevator configured to serve a plurality of floors of a building; and the apparatus (100) according to any one of claims 1 - 14.

16. A computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 - 7.

17. A computer - readable medium comprising a computer program, the computer program comprising instructions for causing an apparatus to perform the method according to any one of claims 1 - 7.

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