Connection Port Monitoring for Elevator Remote Service Continuity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Mechanics or technicians often disconnect the communication port from the gateway device during servicing, leading to a disconnected state that prevents remote monitoring of passenger carrying systems like elevators and escalators.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device that determines the connection status of a service tool port by checking for threshold distance and time criteria, sends alerts to authorized individuals via mobile stations, and manages connection restoration times to ensure continuous remote monitoring.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the communication port is disconnected from the gateway device during servicing, then the technician can perform maintenance operations, but remote monitoring of the system is disrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system continuously monitors the connection status of the communication port and provides feedback by sending notifications to the communication device when disconnection is detected. This feedback mechanism ensures that the disconnection is intentional and not accidental, resolving the contradiction by maintaining awareness of the connection state while allowing necessary maintenance operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system sends a first notification to the communication device before declaring the connection as intentionally disconnected. This preliminary action gives the technician advance warning and opportunity to reconnect if the disconnection was accidental, while still allowing maintenance operations to proceed when intentionally performed.
2Reliability
If the system sends frequent notifications about connection status, then accidental disconnections are prevented, but communication device usability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements periodic monitoring of connection status with structured notification intervals. Instead of continuous or excessive notifications, the system checks at defined periods and sends notifications only when specific conditions are met (disconnection detected, criteria satisfied), reducing unnecessary communications while maintaining reliable monitoring.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies partial action by sending notifications selectively based on satisfied criteria rather than continuously. The notification is sent only when the disconnection meets specific conditions (time threshold, distance threshold), avoiding excessive notifications while ensuring reliable detection of intentional disconnections.
3Reliability
If the system requires immediate reconnection notification, then remote monitoring continuity is maintained, but technician workflow is interrupted
Solution Approach 1:
The system sends a first notification as a preliminary warning before requiring immediate reconnection. This gives the technician advance notice and opportunity to reconnect without interrupting the workflow. Only if the disconnection persists and criteria are satisfied does the system send a second notification, balancing monitoring continuity with workflow efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts the monitoring and notification behavior based on the duration and context of disconnection. The criteria for sending notifications (time thresholds, distance thresholds) allow the system to adapt its response to the specific situation, maintaining reliability when needed while avoiding unnecessary interruptions to technician workflow.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method (30) of remotely maintaining a connection status of a connection port of a passenger carrying system includes determining that the connection port is not connected to an authorized device (32), determining whether at least one criterion is satisfied while the connection port is not connected to an authorized device (40, 44), and providing a notice to an authorized individual when the at least one criterion is satisfied and the connection port is not connected to an authorized device (46).