Method and system for dispatching elevators

Abstract

To provide a system capable of determining a travel duration between locations when assigning elevator cars.SOLUTION: A method for dispatching an elevator car includes determining a first duration for each of a plurality of first elevator cars to travel from a current location to a first location, and dispatching at least one of the first elevator cars to the first location when the first duration of the at least one first elevator car is less than a threshold duration. The method includes determining a second duration for an occupant to travel from the first location to a second location, and each of a plurality of second elevator cars to travel from the current location to the second location, when the first duration for the plurality of first elevator cars exceeds the threshold duration. The method includes dispatching at least one of the second elevator cars to the second location when the second duration of the at least one second elevator car is less than the threshold duration.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 5

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems and methods for controlling elevator traffic, and more particularly to an example elevator control system that dispatches elevator cars based on travel times for a group of elevator cars. [Background technology]

[0002] Elevator systems may commonly employ a dispatch method based on the travel time required to service a call request. In such systems, an estimated travel time for each elevator car may be determined when a call request is received. The elevator car located near the call location and having the shortest travel time to the call location will be dispatched to the call request's location. In some cases, an elevator car at another location may have the shortest travel time and be dispatched to the call request. The ride seeker who originated the call request may be instructed to travel to another location to board the ride. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] U.S. Patent No. 3,851,733 [Patent Document 2] U.S. Patent Publication No. 2017 / 0121147 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, assigning an elevator car that is far away (relative to the origin of the call request) can result in passengers missing the elevator car that arrives at that location due to the time required for the passenger to travel to the elevator car location. As a result, the passenger must issue another call request for a different elevator car, which can result in reduced traffic and longer wait times. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] By providing a system that can determine travel times between locations when assigning elevator cars, instances of dispatching elevator cars that may not arrive in time for passengers seeking travel can be minimized, thereby increasing traffic flow and reducing passenger wait times.

[0006] According to one example, a method for dispatching elevator cars includes determining a first required time for each of a plurality of first elevator cars to move from a current location to a first location, and dispatching the at least one first elevator car to the first location if the first required time for at least one of the first elevator cars is less than a threshold required time; determining a second required time for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location and (ii) each of a plurality of second elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location when the first required time for each of the plurality of first elevator cars exceeds the threshold required time; and dispatching the at least one second elevator car to the second location if the second required time for at least one of the second elevator cars is less than the threshold required time.

[0007] According to another example, a system for dispatching elevator cars includes at least one service controller operably connected to a plurality of elevator cars and configured to determine current locations of the plurality of elevator cars, the plurality of elevator cars including a first subset and a second subset; and a dispatch controller operably connected to the service controller of at least one of the plurality of elevator cars and configured to receive data indicating the current locations of the plurality of elevator cars, the dispatch controller configured to determine a first required time for each of the first subset of elevator cars to move from the current location to a first location, and configured to dispatch at least one elevator car of the first subset to the first location in response to at least one of the first durations not exceeding a threshold duration; configured to determine a second duration for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location and (ii) each of the second subset of elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location in response to at least one of the first durations of the first subset of elevator cars exceeding a threshold duration; and configured to dispatch at least one elevator car of the second subset to the second location in response to the second duration of at least one of the second subset of elevator cars not exceeding the threshold duration.

[0008] According to a further example, a system for controlling traffic of a plurality of elevator cars comprises a processor and a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a plurality of operations, the plurality of operations including: determining a first duration for each of a plurality of first elevator cars to move from a current location to a first location; and dispatching the at least one first elevator car to the first location if the first duration for at least one of the first elevator cars is less than a threshold duration; and when the first duration for each of the plurality of first elevator cars exceeds the threshold duration, determining a second duration for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location and (ii) each of a plurality of second elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location; and dispatching the at least one second elevator car to the second location if the second duration for at least one of the second elevator cars is less than the threshold duration. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] 1 illustrates a dispatch system including one or more devices communicating over a network. [Figure 2] 2 is a schematic diagram of a work environment including multiple elevator cars at different locations interacting with the dispatch system shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a top view of the elevator car interior from the working environment shown in FIG. 2. [Figure 4] 2 is a schematic diagram of the hardware components of a computer device from the dispatch system shown in FIG. 1 . [Figure 5] 2 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for dispatching elevator cars with the dispatch system shown in FIG. 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various exemplary embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in conjunction with the embodiments illustrated in the accompanying drawings. These drawings illustrate different aspects of the present disclosure, and where appropriate, reference numerals indicating similar structures, components, materials, and / or elements in different figures are similarly numbered. It is understood that various combinations of structures, components, and / or elements other than those specifically shown are contemplated and are within the scope of the present disclosure. There are many aspects and embodiments described herein. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize that features of a particular aspect or embodiment may be used in combination with any or all features of the other aspects or embodiments described in this disclosure.

[0011] The dispatch system of the present disclosure may be in the form of a variety of embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the figures and further described below. Both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are not limiting of the features as claimed. As used herein, the terms "comprises," "includes," and other variations thereof are not intended to be exclusive, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus including a list of elements is inclusive of only those elements, but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent in such process, method, article, or apparatus. Additionally, the term "exemplary" is used herein to mean "example" rather than "ideal." Note that all numerical values ​​disclosed or claimed herein (including all disclosed values, limits, and ranges) may have a + / -10% variation from the disclosed numerical value (unless a different variation is specified). Furthermore, in the claims, values, limits, and / or ranges mean + / -10% of the value, limit, and / or range.

[0012] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary dispatch system 100, which may include an operation controller 105, a paging device 110, an input device 120, a counting device 125, and a dispatch controller 130. One or more devices of dispatch system 100 may communicate with each other in any configuration via network 115. For example, devices of dispatch system 100 may be communicatively connected to each other via wired or wireless connections, etc. In some embodiments, network 115 may be a wide area network (“WAN”), a local area network (“LAN”), a personal area network (“PAN”), etc. Network 115 may also include the Internet, and information and / or data provided between devices of dispatch system 100 may occur online (e.g., from a location remote from other devices or networks connected to the Internet). In other embodiments, network 115 may utilize Bluetooth technology and / or radio frequencies.

[0013] The traffic controller 105 may be operably connected to the transport unit and may be configured to detect and transmit operational data of the transport unit to one or more devices of the dispatch system 100, such as the dispatch controller 130. For example, the traffic controller 105 may measure and record one or more parameters (e.g., operational data) of the transport unit, including, but not limited to, current location, direction of travel, speed of travel, door position, status, etc. The traffic controller 105 may include a computing device having one or more hardware components (e.g., a processor, memory, sensors, communication modules, etc.) for generating, storing, and transmitting the operational data. As described in further detail herein, the traffic controller 105 may be operably connected to elevator cars located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one traffic controller 105 for each elevator car.

[0014] Continuing with reference to FIG. 1 , the call device 110 may be located outside the transport unit and may be configured to receive user input from one or more riders seeking access to the transport unit. For example, the user input may indicate a call requesting transportation from the transport unit. The call device 110 may be configured to transmit the call request to one or more devices of the dispatch system 100, such as, for example, the dispatch controller 130. The call device 110 may include a keypad, a touchscreen display, a microphone, buttons, switches, etc. The call device 110 may further be configured to receive user input from multiple locations indicating a current location (e.g., a first location) and / or a destination location of the call request.

[0015] As described in further detail herein, call devices 110 may be located within a building, and dispatch system 100 may have at least one call device 110 for each floor of the building. Call devices 110 may be configured to transmit messages from one or more devices of dispatch system 100 (e.g., dispatch controller 130) that identify an elevator car assigned to arrive at a floor of the building to respond to a call request. Messages may be communicated by call devices 110 via a variety of suitable manners, including, for example, text, voice, graphics, etc.

[0016] Input device 120 may be located inside a transport unit and configured to receive user input from one or more occupants of the transport unit. For example, the user input may indicate a command requesting redirection of the transport unit. Input device 120 may be configured to transmit commands to one or more devices of dispatch system 100, such as dispatch controller 130. Input device 120 may include a keypad, a touchscreen display, a microphone, buttons, switches, etc. As described in detail herein, input device 120 may be located in an elevator car, and dispatch system 100 may include at least one input device 120 for each elevator car in a building. In other embodiments, input device 120 may be omitted entirely from dispatch system 100.

[0017] 1 , counting devices 125 may be located within a transport unit and may be configured to detect and transmit occupancy data of the transport unit to one or more associated devices of dispatch system 100, such as dispatch controller 130. For example, counting devices 125 may measure and record the number of items located within the transport unit, including, but not limited to, passengers, personal belongings, bags, luggage, etc. Counting devices 125 may include optical systems directed within the transport unit, such as, for example, sensors, cameras, light beams, infrared detectors, etc. As described in further detail herein, counting devices 125 may be connected to elevator cars located within a building, and dispatch system 100 may include at least one counting device 125 for each elevator car in the building.

[0018] The dispatch controller 130 may be located outside the transport unit and may be configured to receive data (e.g., operational data, call requests, redirect commands, occupancy data, etc.) from one or more devices of the dispatch system 100. The dispatch controller 130 may further be configured to determine the dispatch of at least one transport unit of the plurality of transport units in response to a call request received from a ride seeker requesting a ride. The dispatch controller 130 may include a computing device (see FIG. 4) operable to execute one or more processes (see FIG. 5) for dispatching at least one transport unit to pick up the ride seeker in the shortest amount of time. As described in further detail herein, the dispatch controller 130 may be operably connected to multiple elevator cars located within a building, and the dispatch system 100 may include at least one dispatch controller 130 for each building.

[0019] Referring now to FIG. 2 , dispatch system 100 may be utilized in a work environment 200, such as a building (e.g., a facility, a factory, a store, a school, a home, an office, and various other structures). In this example, the transport unit may include one or more elevator cars within the building. It should be understood that work environment 200 is merely exemplary, and dispatch system 100 may be utilized in a variety of other suitable environments other than those shown and described herein without departing from the scope of this disclosure. In this example, work environment 200 may include multiple floors, e.g., first floor 204A, second floor 204B, third floor 204C, and fourth floor 204D, defining multiple locations within a building. It should be understood that in other embodiments, the construction of work environment 200 may include additional and / or fewer floors.

[0020] Work environment 200 may further include one or more elevator shafts with at least one elevator car disposed within each elevator shaft. In this example, work environment 200 includes a first elevator shaft 202 with at least one first elevator car 210, a second elevator shaft 212 with at least one second elevator car 220, and a third elevator shaft 222 with at least one third elevator car 230. Each of elevator shafts 202, 212, and 222 may be located at a different location on each of multiple floors 204A-204D. In other words, at each of the plurality of floors 204A-204D, the first elevator shaft 202 may be located at a first location "A," the second elevator shaft 212 may be located at a second location "B" different from the first location "A," and the third elevator shaft 222 may be located at a third location "C" different from the first location "A" and the second location "B." Although not shown, the work environment 200 may include additional (e.g., multiple) elevator shafts, elevator cars, elevator shafts, and locations in which the elevator cars are located. Thus, it should be understood that the work environment 200 may include multiple first elevator shafts 202 including multiple first elevator cars 210, multiple second elevator shafts 212 including multiple second elevator cars 220, multiple third elevator shafts 222 including multiple third elevator cars 230, etc.

[0021] Each elevator car 210, 220, 230 may be connected to a pulley system 208 configured to move the elevator car 210, 220, 230 within the elevator shaft 202, 212, 222 relative to the floors 204A-204D. It should be understood that the pulley system 208 may include various mechanical and / or electrical mechanisms for moving the elevator cars 210, 220, 230 within the elevator shaft 202, 212, 222, including, but not limited to, motors, cables, counterweights, pulleys, etc.

[0022] 2, each elevator car 210, 220 may include at least one operation controller 105 operably connected to sheave system 208, for example, via a wireless and / or wired connection 209. The operation controller 105 is configured to measure operation data from elevator car 210, 220 by detecting relative motion of sheave system 208. Each elevator car 210, 220 may further include at least one input device 120 disposed within the cabin of elevator car 210, 220 for receiving user input from one or more occupants 10 located within the cabin.

[0023] Each floor 204A-204D may include one or more call devices 110 and access doors 206 at a respective elevator shaft 202, 212, 222 on that floor 204A-204D that provide access to the elevator cars 210, 220, 230 when the elevator doors 207 of the elevator cars 210, 220, 230 are at their respective floor 204A-204D locations. The call devices 110 may be configured to receive user input from one or more ride seekers 20 at one of a plurality of locations on one of the floors 204A-204D. For example, the call devices 110 may be configured to receive user input indicating a call requesting transportation via at least one of the elevator cars 210, 220, 230. The call device 110 may be configured to transmit a call request to the dispatch controller 130, which may include data indicating a current location within the work environment 200 from which the call request is originating (e.g., a first location "A" on the first floor 204A). The call request may further include data indicating a destination location within the work environment 200 from which the ride seeker is seeking transportation (e.g., the fourth floor 204D).

[0024] 2, each elevator car 210, 220, 230 may further include at least one counting device 125 disposed within the cabin. The counting device 125 may be disposed along an interior wall (e.g., the ceiling) of each elevator car 210, 220, 230 and configured to detect the number of occupants 10 within the cabin. In some embodiments, the counting device 125 may be operable to distinguish one or more detected occupants 10 within the elevator car 210, 220, 230.

[0025] 3 , counting device 125 may detect items present in the cabin that occupy the volume of elevator cars 210, 220, 230 (e.g., passengers 10, incidental items 12, etc.) and items in the cabin that do not occupy the volume of elevator cars 210, 220, 230 (e.g., rails 14, etc.). Counting device 125 may measure the number of items in elevator cars 210, 220, 230 and record such measurements as occupancy data. As described further herein, counting device 125 may be configured to transmit occupancy data for each elevator car 210, 220, 230 (e.g., occupancy data 144) to dispatch controller 130 via network 115.

[0026] Referring now to FIG. 4 , dispatch controller 130 may include a computing device incorporating multiple hardware components that enable dispatch controller 130 to receive data (e.g., operational data, call requests, commands, occupancy data, etc.), process information (e.g., passenger capacity), and / or perform one or more processes (see FIG. 5 ). An exemplary hardware configuration of dispatch controller 130 may include at least one processor 132, at least one communication module 134, a user interface 136, and at least one memory 138. In some embodiments, dispatch controller 130 may include a computer, a mobile user device, a remote station, a server, cloud storage, etc. Although in the illustrated embodiment, dispatch controller 130 is shown and described herein as a device separate from other devices of dispatch system 100, in other embodiments, one or more aspects of dispatch controller 130 may be integrated with one or more other devices of dispatch system 100. In other words, the exemplary hardware configuration of the dispatch controller 130 shown and described herein may be integrated with one or more of the operation controller 105, the calling device 110, the input device 120, and / or the counting device 125.

[0027] The processor 132 may include any computing device capable of executing machine-readable instructions, which may be stored on a non-transitory computer-readable medium, such as the memory 138. By way of example, the processor 132 may include a controller, an integrated circuit, a microchip, a computer, and / or any other computing processing unit operable to perform the computations and logical operations necessary to execute a program. As described in detail herein, the processor 132 is configured to perform one or more operations according to instructions stored in the memory 138, such as the dispatch logic 140. The communications module 134 may facilitate communication between the dispatch controller 130 and one or more other devices in the dispatch system 100, such as over the network 115. The user interface 136 may include one or more input and output devices, including one or more input ports and one or more output ports. The user interface 136 may include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse, a touchscreen, etc. as input ports. The user interface 136 may further include, for example, a monitor, a display, a printer, etc. as output ports. The user interface 136 may be configured to receive user input indicating various commands, including, but not limited to, commands to define and / or adjust a threshold duration 148 stored in the memory 138.

[0028] Continuing to refer to FIG. 4 , memory 138 may include various programmed algorithms and data that support the operation of dispatch system 100. Memory 138 may include any type of computer-readable medium suitable for storing data and algorithms, such as, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, a hard drive, and / or any device capable of storing machine-readable instructions. Memory 138 may include one or more data sets, including, but not limited to, operation data 142 received from operations controller 105, occupancy data 144 obtained from counting device 125, call assignment data 146 for each of the plurality of elevator cars 210, 220, and 230, and duration data 150. Memory 138 may further include threshold durations 148 that may be previously programmed and / or adjusted by a user of dispatch system 100, such as, for example, via user interface 136.

[0029] As described further herein, occupancy data 144 may include a real-time number of passengers 10 detected within the cabin of each elevator car 210, 220, 230 by counting device 125. Call assignment data 146 may include call requests received from passengers 20 located at one of the plurality of floors 204A-204D for transportation by at least the plurality of elevator cars 210, 220, 230. Dispatch controller 130 may be configured to store occupancy data 144 in memory 138 and associate the number of passengers 10 with the corresponding elevator cars 210, 220, 230. Dispatch controller 130 may be further configured to store call assignment data 146 in memory 138 and determine the current number of stops assigned to each elevator car 210, 220, 230. As described herein, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine a minimum duration for each movement of the plurality of elevator cars 210, 220, 230 based on at least one or more of the operational data 142, the occupancy data 144, and the call assignment data 146.

[0030] Additionally, memory 138 may include non-transitory computer-readable media storing machine-readable instructions, such as dispatch logic 140. In one example, dispatch logic 140 may include executable instructions that enable dispatch system 100 to determine which elevator car of multiple elevator cars 210, 220, 230 to dispatch in response to receiving a call request at first location “A” for transportation to a destination location. Dispatch logic 140 may further facilitate determining the passenger capacity of each elevator car 210, 220, 230 based on the number of passengers physically present in each elevator car 210, 220, 230. Dispatch logic 140 may further facilitate determining the least amount of time (e.g., duration data 150) required for each of the multiple elevator cars 210, 220, 230 to travel to a location based on one or more of operation data 142, occupancy data 144, and / or call assignment data 146. As described in further detail herein, the dispatch system 100 may be configured to determine at least one elevator car 210, 220, 230 having the shortest required time (e.g., required time data 150) to travel to a first location in response to a call request from a ride seeker 20.

[0031] 5, an exemplary method 300 is shown for determining travel times for multiple elevator cars and dispatching the elevator car with the shortest travel time using dispatch system 100. It should be understood that the steps shown and described herein, and the order in which they are presented, are merely exemplary, and that additional steps and / or fewer steps may be added and included in various configurations without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

[0032] In step 302, dispatch system 100 may receive a call request at a first location “A” of multiple locations within work environment 200. The call request may be issued, for example, in response to ride seeker 20 activating call device 110 at first location “A” proximate a first plurality of elevator shafts 202 on first floor 204A. Call device 110 may transmit the call request to dispatch controller 130 over network 115, and the call request may include data indicating first location “A” from which the call request originated. The call request may further include data indicating a destination location within work environment 200 to which ride seeker 20 is traveling (e.g., fourth floor 204D).

[0033] In step 304, if the call request originates from a location proximate to the plurality of first elevator shafts 202 on the first floor 204A, the dispatch controller 130 may retrieve operation data 142 from corresponding operation controllers 105 of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 located within the plurality of first elevator shafts 202. The dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine various movement parameters of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 from the operation data 142, such as, for example, the current position of each first elevator car 210 relative to the first elevator shaft 202, the current direction of movement of each first elevator car 210, and the current traveling speed of each first elevator car 210.

[0034] It should be appreciated that in response to determining that one or more first elevator cars 210 are not traveling toward first location "A," dispatch controller 130 may be configured to remove that particular first elevator car 210 from further consideration. In other words, dispatch controller 130 may determine that an elevator car traveling in a direction other than toward first location "A" (relative to the elevator car's current location) is not the best elevator car to respond to the call request. In this example, work environment 200 includes first elevator car 210 located between fourth floor 204D and third floor 204C and traveling toward first floor 204A.

[0035] In some embodiments, the dispatch controller 130 may be further configured to determine whether the current location of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 is short of first position “A” or whether the first elevator car 210 has moved beyond first position “A.” In other words, the dispatch controller 130 may determine that an elevator car currently located beyond first position “A” is not the best elevator car to respond to the call request. In response to determining that one or more of the plurality of first elevator cars are not located short of first position “A,” the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to remove those first elevator cars 210 from further consideration. In this example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the first elevator car 210 is between the fourth floor 204D and the third floor 204C, and the dispatch controller 130 may determine that the first elevator car 210 is currently located short of the first floor 204A (e.g., first position “A”).

[0036] 5 , in step 306, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine the number of calls assigned (e.g., by the dispatch controller 130) to each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 and having (pick-up) positions between the current position of each first elevator car 210 and first position “A.” In other words, the dispatch controller 130 may determine how many stops, if any, each first elevator car 210 has between its current position and first position “A” (e.g., first floor 204A). It should be understood that the number of calls previously assigned to each first elevator car 210 is relative to when the call request (step 302) was received by the dispatch controller 130.

[0037] Further, it should be understood that calls previously assigned to first elevator car 210 that do not include a location between the current location and first location "A" do not result in an en route stop. Accordingly, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to ignore any previous calls assigned to first elevator car 210 that have a (boarding) location after first location "A" when determining the number of calls in step 306. In one example, as seen in FIG. 2 , first elevator car 210 may include a call previously assigned at third floor 204C, and as a result, dispatch controller 130 may determine that first elevator car 210 includes one stop location between the current location of first elevator car 210 and first floor 204A (e.g., first location "A").

[0038] 5 , in step 308, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to analyze collected operation data 142 (step 304) and call assignment data 146 (step 306) for the plurality of first elevator cars 210 to determine a minimum required time (e.g., a first required time) for each first elevator car 210 to travel from its respective current location to first location "A." For example, dispatch controller 130 may analyze the travel distance between the current location of each first elevator car 210 and first location "A" when determining the minimum required time. Dispatch controller 130 may also analyze the travel speed of each first elevator car 210 when determining the minimum required time.

[0039] By way of further example, dispatch controller 130 may determine that the minimum travel time required for each first elevator car 210 to travel to first location "A" will increase based on the number of existing calls assigned to the first elevator car 210. In other words, dispatch controller 130 may evaluate the number of stops assigned to each first elevator car 210 between the current location and first location "A" when determining the minimum travel time for each first elevator car 210. For example, dispatch controller 130 may calculate a predefined increment (e.g., travel time data 150) for the minimum travel time for each stop assigned to a particular first elevator car 210. The predefined increment may be programmed into memory 138 and may include various suitable values ​​ranging from approximately 1 second to approximately 120 seconds, with approximately 60 seconds being particular. In some embodiments, the value of the predefined increment may be selectively modified by a user of dispatch system 100, such as via user interface 136.

[0040] In step 310, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to compare the minimum travel time of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 with threshold travel time 148. As described in detail above, threshold travel time 148 may define the maximum time an elevator car is allowed to travel from its current location to first location "A." In other words, an elevator car determined to have a minimum travel time that exceeds threshold travel time 148 may not be the optimal elevator car for responding to the call request. In response to determining in step 310 that two or more of the plurality of first elevator cars have a minimum travel time that is less than threshold travel time 148, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine in step 312 the number of occupants 10 present in those two or more first elevator cars 210.

[0041] For example, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine the number of occupants 10 in each first elevator car 210 (wherein the shortest duration is less than threshold duration 148) by retrieving occupancy data 144 from each first elevator car's respective counting device 125. In some embodiments, counting device 125 may be configured to detect the total number of occupants 10 and / or objects 12 located in first elevator car 210 (see FIG. 3). Thus, dispatch controller 130 may consider one or more objects 12 detected by counting device 125 when determining the number of occupants 10 in step 312. Each counting device 125 may transmit a signal indicative of the respective occupancy data 144 of the first elevator car 210 to dispatch controller 130 via network 115.

[0042] 5 , in step 314, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine an occupancy ratio for each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 based on at least the number of occupants 10 in the elevator cars (step 312) and the maximum passenger capacity of each elevator car. In some embodiments, the maximum passenger capacity of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 may be communicated to dispatch controller 130 from counting device 125 via network 115. In other embodiments, dispatch controller 130 may store the maximum passenger capacity of each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 in memory 138. It should be understood that the maximum passenger capacity may be determined based on the size and / or shape of the cabin of each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210.

[0043] In this example, the first elevator cars 210 may be of substantially similar size and / or shape such that their respective maximum passenger capacities are relatively similar. In other examples, the first elevator cars 210 may be of various sizes and / or shapes such that their respective maximum passenger capacities differ from one another. In this example, the first elevator car 210 may have a total occupancy of one person and a maximum passenger capacity of six people. The dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine that the first elevator car 210 has an occupancy ratio of approximately 1:6 (e.g., approximately 16.67%).

[0044] 5 , in step 316, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 that has a greater available maximum passenger capacity than the remaining plurality of first elevator cars 210. The dispatch controller 130 may compare the occupancy ratios of each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 to determine the at least one first elevator car 210 with the greatest available passenger capacity. The dispatch controller 130 may assign the call request received in step 302 to the first elevator car 210 of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 that has the greatest available passenger capacity (having a travel time less than the threshold travel time 148). In step 318, the dispatch controller may be configured to dispatch the at least one first elevator car 210 to first location “A.”

[0045] If two or more first elevator cars 210 have similar occupancy ratios, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to compare their shortest travel times to determine the best first elevator car 210 to dispatch. For example, the dispatch controller 130 may assign the call request to the first elevator car 210 that has the shortest travel time to move to first location "A." In other embodiments, the dispatch controller 130 may compare the shortest travel times of multiple first elevator cars 210 to each other, even if the first elevator cars 210 have different occupancy ratios. In this case, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to dispatch at least one first elevator car 210 of the multiple first elevator cars 210 that has the shortest travel time, even if another car 210 has a larger available maximum passenger capacity.

[0046] It should be appreciated that if dispatch controller 130 determines (in step 310) that only one first elevator car 210 has a minimum duration that is less than threshold duration 148, dispatch controller 130 may abandon performance of steps 312-316. In this case, the first elevator car 210 identified in step 310 may be dispatched to first location "A" in step 318. In other embodiments, method 300 may omit steps 312-316 entirely, such that dispatch controller 130 may be configured to dispatch at least one first elevator car 210 having the shortest minimum duration in step 318.

[0047] The dispatch controller 130 may be configured to communicate with the call device 110 to transmit a message to the ride seeker 20 at the first location “A” (e.g., the first floor 204A). For example, the dispatch controller 130 may transmit the identification of the first elevator car 210 that has been dispatched to the first location “A.” In other embodiments, the dispatch controller 130 may identify the first elevator shaft 202 of the plurality of first elevator shafts 202 into which the first elevator car 210 will arrive. The message may be transmitted via the call device 110 in a variety of suitable formats, including, for example, via a display (e.g., in text format, image format, etc.), a speaker (e.g., in audio format), etc.

[0048] Returning to step 310, in response to determining that each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 has a travel time that exceeds the threshold travel time 148, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to remove the plurality of first elevator cars 210 from further consideration. In step 320, the dispatch controller 130 may retrieve operation data 142 from corresponding service controllers 105 of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 located at various locations other than the first location "A" within the work environment 200. That is, if the dispatch controller 130 determines that none of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 has a travel time that is less than the threshold travel time 148, the dispatch controller 130 may consider the plurality of second elevator cars 220 (e.g., located proximate to the second location "B") and the third elevator car 230 (e.g., located proximate to the third location "C").

[0049] Dispatch controller 130 may take into account the multiple elevator cars 220, 230, even though the second elevator car 220 and the third elevator car 230 are located further away from first location "A" (e.g., a location within work environment 200 closer to the location where the call request originated) than the first elevator car 210. Dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine various movement parameters of the multiple second elevator cars 220 from operational data 142, such as, for example, the current position of each second elevator car 220 relative to a corresponding second elevator shaft 212, the current direction of travel of each second elevator car 220, and the current speed of travel of each second elevator car 220. Dispatch controller 130 may also determine similar movement parameters of the multiple third elevator cars 230.

[0050] In response to determining that one or more second or third elevator cars 220, 230 are not moving toward first floor 204A, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to remove those particular elevator cars 220, 230 from further consideration. Dispatch controller 130 may also be configured to determine whether the current locations of multiple second and third elevator cars 220, 230 are located short of first floor 204A. In this example, with second elevator car 220 stopped at fourth floor 204D and third elevator car 230 stopped at second floor 204B in work environment 200, dispatch controller 130 may determine that second elevator car 220 and third elevator car 230 are located short of first floor 204A.

[0051] Continuing to refer to FIG. 5, in step 322, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine how many stops, if any, second elevator car 220 is expected to make between its current location and second location "B" (e.g., first floor 204A). Dispatch controller 130 may similarly determine the number of calls assigned to third elevator car 230 that have a (pick-up) position between each third elevator car 230's respective current location and third location "C" (e.g., first floor 204A). In this example, second elevator car 220 may have a call assigned to second floor 204B, and third elevator car 230 may have no calls assigned. Thus, dispatch controller 130 may determine that second elevator car 220 has one stop between second elevator car 220's current location and second location "B."

[0052] In step 324, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to analyze operation data 142 (step 322) and call assignment data 146 (step 324) for the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 to determine a minimum travel time for each elevator car 220, 230 to travel from its respective current location to second location "B" and / or third location "C." For example, dispatch controller 130 may analyze the travel distance between each elevator car 220, 230's respective current location and the corresponding second location "B" and / or third location "C" when determining the minimum travel time. Dispatch controller 130 may also analyze the travel speed of each elevator car 220, 230 when determining the minimum travel time. By way of further example, dispatch controller 130 may determine an additional travel time required to travel to each of elevator cars 220, 230 if the elevator car 220, 230 includes an existing call assignment. Dispatch controller 130 may also evaluate the number of stops assigned to each elevator car 220, 230 when determining the shortest travel time for each elevator car 220, 230.

[0053] Continuing with reference to FIG. 5 , in step 326, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to modify the calculation of the minimum travel time for elevator cars 220, 230 based on the distance ride seeker 20 needs to travel (e.g., walk) from first location “A” to each of second location “B” and third location “C.” Dispatch controller 130 may include data (e.g., travel time data 150) indicative of the time required to travel from first location “A,” where the call request originated, to second location “B,” where second elevator car 220 is located, based on the distance between first location “A” and second location “B.” Dispatch controller 130 may be configured to consider the distance required for ride seeker 20 to travel between locations “A” and “B” when determining the minimum travel time (e.g., second travel time) for each of the plurality of second elevator cars 220.

[0054] The dispatch controller 130 may further include data indicating the time required for the ride seeker 20 to travel between the first location "A" and the third location "C" where the third elevator car 230 is located, based on the distance between the first location "A" and the third location "C." The dispatch controller 130 may further be configured to consider the distance required for the ride seeker 20 to travel between the locations "A" and "C" when determining the shortest travel time (e.g., the third travel time) for each of the plurality of third elevator cars 230.

[0055] Thus, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to modify (e.g., increase) the minimum travel times for multiple elevator cars 220, 230 based on the distance between first location "A" and second location "B" or third location, respectively, when determining the minimum travel times for elevator cars 220, 230. In other embodiments, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to calculate the distance between first location "A" and at least one of second location "B" or third location "C."

[0056] In step 328, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to compare the minimum journey times of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 with threshold journey times 148. In response to determining that two or more of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 have minimum journey times that are less than threshold journey times 148, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine the number of occupants 10 in each of the two or more elevator cars 220, 230 in step 330. For example, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine the number of occupants 10 in each elevator car 220, 230 (whose minimum journey times are less than threshold journey times 148) by retrieving occupancy data 144 from counting devices 125 of each elevator car 220, 230.

[0057] 5, at step 332, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine an occupancy ratio for each of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 based on at least the number of occupants 10 detected in the elevator cars (step 330) and the maximum capacity of each elevator car. In this example, second elevator car 220 may have a total occupancy of two and a maximum capacity of six, while third elevator car 230 may have a total occupancy of one and a maximum capacity of five. Dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine that the occupancy ratio (ratio) for second elevator car 220 is 2:6 (e.g., approximately 33.33%) and that for third elevator car 230 is 1:5 (e.g., approximately 20%).

[0058] In step 334, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to determine at least one of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 that has a greater maximum available passenger capacity than the remaining elevator cars 220, 230. The dispatch controller 130 may be configured to compare the occupancy ratios of each of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 to determine at least one second elevator car 220 or third elevator car 230 that has the greatest available passenger capacity. The dispatch controller 130 may assign the call request received in step 302 to the elevator car 220, 230 with the greatest available passenger capacity (having a travel time less than the threshold travel time 148). In step 336, the dispatch controller 130 may dispatch the elevator car 220, 230 with the greatest available passenger capacity to the corresponding location “B” or “C” on the first floor 204A.

[0059] If two or more second elevator cars 220 and / or third elevator cars 230 have similar occupancy ratios, dispatch controller 130 may compare their respective shortest travel times to determine the optimal elevator car 220, 230 to dispatch. For example, dispatch controller 130 may dispatch the second elevator car 220 with the shortest travel time to travel to second location "B" or the third elevator car 230 with the shortest travel time to travel to third location "C." In other embodiments, dispatch controller 130 may compare the shortest travel times of multiple elevator cars 220, 230 with each other even if the elevator cars 220, 230 have different occupancy ratios. In this case, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to dispatch at least one of the plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 that has the shortest minimum travel time, even if the other plurality of elevator cars 220, 230 has a greater maximum available passenger capacity.

[0060] It should be appreciated that if dispatch controller 130 determines (in step 328) that only one second elevator car 220 or third elevator car 230 has a minimum journey time that is less than threshold journey time 148, dispatch controller 130 may abandon execution of steps 330-334. In this case, the elevator car 220, 230 identified in step 328 may be dispatched in step 336. In other embodiments, method 300 may omit steps 330-334 entirely, and in step 336, dispatch controller 130 may be configured to dispatch at least the second elevator car 220 or the third elevator car 230 with the shortest minimum journey time.

[0061] Returning to step 328, in response to determining that each of the plurality of second and third elevator cars 220, 230 has a travel time that exceeds the threshold travel time 148, the dispatch controller 130 may be configured to remove the plurality of second and third elevator cars 220, 230 from further consideration. In this case, the dispatch controller 130 may assign the call request received in step 302 to one of the plurality of first elevator cars 210, even though each first elevator car 210 has a shortest travel time that exceeds the threshold travel time 148. In this case, the dispatch controller 130 may determine the number of passengers in each of the plurality of first elevator cars 210 (step 312), the occupancy ratio (step 314), and the maximum available passenger capacity (step 316). In step 318, dispatch controller 130 may dispatch a first elevator car 210 with the largest available passenger capacity among the plurality of first elevator cars 210. Alternatively, dispatch controller 130 may omit steps 312-316 and, in step 318, dispatch at least one first elevator car 210 with the shortest minimum required travel time.

[0062] All technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure pertains, unless otherwise specified. As used herein, the singular includes the plural unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

[0063] The above description is illustrative and not intended to be limiting. Those skilled in the art may make various modifications and / or variations without departing from the general scope of the present disclosure. For example, as noted above, the above-described embodiments (and / or aspects thereof) may be used in combination with each other. In addition, portions of the above-described embodiments may be omitted without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the various embodiments without departing from their scope. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reviewing the above description.

[0064] [Example 1] 1. A method for dispatching an elevator car, comprising: determining a first required time for each of the plurality of first elevator cars to move from a current location to a first location; dispatching at least one first elevator car to the first location if the first duration of the at least one first elevator car is less than a threshold duration; determining a second duration for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location and (ii) for each of a plurality of second elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location when the first duration for each of the plurality of first elevator cars exceeds the threshold duration; dispatching at least one second elevator car to the second location when the second duration of the at least one second elevator car is less than the threshold duration; A method comprising:

[0065] [Example 2] dispatching the at least one first elevator car to the first location if the first duration of the at least one first elevator car is less than the first durations of the remaining first elevator cars; dispatching the at least one second elevator car to the second location when the second duration of the at least one second elevator car is less than the second durations of the remaining second elevator cars. The method described in Example 1 above.

[0066] [Example 3] Determining the first duration for each of the plurality of first elevator cars includes: receiving operational data from each of the plurality of first elevator cars; determining from the operational data a direction of travel, a speed of travel, a number of assigned calls, and the current location of each of the first plurality of elevator cars; The method described in Example 1 above.

[0067] [Example 4] determining the number of assigned calls includes calls from locations between the current location and the first location of each of the plurality of first elevator cars; The method described in Example 3 above.

[0068] [Example 5] determining a distance between the current location of each of the plurality of first elevator cars and the first location; dispatching at least one first elevator car among the plurality of first elevator cars that has a shortest distance to the first location; The method described in Example 3 above.

[0069] [Example 6] Prior to dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location, the method further comprises: comparing the first travel time for each of the plurality of first elevator cars to the threshold travel time; determining the passenger capacity of each of the first elevator cars having the first duration less than the threshold duration. The method described in Example 1 above.

[0070] [Example 7] determining the passenger capacity of each of the first plurality of elevator cars includes determining a number of passengers in each of the first plurality of elevator cars; The method described in Example 6 above.

[0071] [Example 8] determining a ratio between the number of occupants in each of the first plurality of elevator cars and the maximum passenger capacity of each of the first plurality of elevator cars; The method described in Example 7 above.

[0072] [Example 9] comparing the ratios of each of the first plurality of elevator cars to one another; determining that at least one of the first elevator cars has an available ratio greater than the ratios of the remaining first elevator cars. The method described in Example 8 above.

[0073] [Example 10] dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location includes dispatching at least one first elevator car from the plurality of first elevator cars that has the greatest available ratio to the remaining plurality of first elevator cars; The method described in Example 9 above.

[0074] [Example 11] each of the plurality of first elevator cars including a counting device configured to generate data indicative of a number of occupants within the plurality of first elevator cars; The method described in Example 7 above.

[0075] [Example 12] and dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location when the second duration of each of the plurality of second elevator cars exceeds the threshold duration. The method described in Example 1 above.

[0076] [Example 13] Prior to dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location, the method includes: comparing the first travel times of each of the plurality of first elevator cars with one another; dispatching at least one first elevator car of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location when the first required time of the at least one first elevator car is shorter than the first required times of the remaining plurality of first elevator cars; The method described in Example 12 above.

[0077] [Example 14] Prior to dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars to the first location, the method includes: determining a number of occupants in each of the plurality of first elevator cars; dispatching at least one of the plurality of first elevator cars having the fewest number of occupants relative to the remaining plurality of first elevator cars; The method described in Example 12 above.

[0078] [Example 15] Prior to determining the first duration for each of the first plurality of elevator cars, the method includes: receiving a call for the elevator car, the call being from the first location of a plurality of locations; The method described in Example 1 above.

[0079] [Example 16] 1. A system for dispatching elevator cars, comprising: at least one traffic controller operably connected to a plurality of elevator cars and configured to determine current positions of the plurality of elevator cars, the plurality of elevator cars including a first subset and a second subset; a dispatch controller operatively connected to the operations controller of at least one of the plurality of elevator cars and configured to receive data indicative of the current positions of the plurality of elevator cars; Equipped with The dispatch controller configured to determine a first required time for each of the first subset of elevator cars to move from the current location to a first location; configured to dispatch at least one elevator car of a first subset of the elevator cars to the first location in response to the first duration of at least one of the first subset of elevator cars not exceeding a threshold duration; configured to determine, in response to the first duration of at least one of the first subset of elevator cars exceeding the threshold duration, a second duration for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location, and (ii) for each of the second subset of elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location; configured to dispatch at least one elevator car of a second subset of the elevator cars to the second location in response to the second duration of at least one of the second subset of elevator cars not exceeding the threshold duration. system.

[0080] [Example 17] further comprising at least one counting device operably connected to the plurality of elevator cars, the at least one counting device configured to determine a number of occupants in each of the plurality of elevator cars; the dispatch controller is operatively connected to the at least one counting device of the plurality of elevator cars such that the dispatch controller receives data indicative of the number of occupants in the plurality of elevator cars; The system described in Example 16 above.

[0081] [Example 18] The dispatch controller configured to determine a total occupancy in each of the first plurality of elevator cars; configured to dispatch at least one elevator car of the first subset to the first location in response to the total dwelling number of at least one elevator car of the first subset being less than the total dwelling number of the remaining first subset of elevator cars; The system described in Example 17 above.

[0082] [Example 19] The dispatch controller configured to compare the first duration times of each of the first subset of elevator cars to each other when the second duration times of each of the second subset of elevator cars exceed the threshold duration time; configured to dispatch at least one of the first subset of elevator cars to the first location when the first duration of at least one of the first subset of elevator cars is less than the first duration of the remaining first subset of elevator cars. The system described in Example 16 above.

[0083] [Example 20] 1. A system for controlling traffic on a plurality of elevator cars, comprising: a processor; a memory storing instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform a plurality of operations; Equipped with The plurality of operations include: determining a first required time for each of the plurality of first elevator cars to move from a current location to a first location; dispatching at least one first elevator car to the first location if the first duration of the at least one first elevator car is less than a threshold duration; determining a second duration for (i) an occupant to move from the first location to a second location and (ii) for each of a plurality of second elevator cars to move from the current location to the second location when the first duration for each of the plurality of first elevator cars exceeds the threshold duration; dispatching at least one second elevator car to the second location when the second duration of the at least one second elevator car is less than the threshold duration; Including, the system.

Claims

[Claim 1] The method described in the specification.

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