Conveyance Component Data Transfer via Signal Strength Assessment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance systems, such as elevators and escalators, face challenges with inconsistent network signal strength along their travel paths, leading to ineffective wireless communication at certain locations, which hinders data transfer between system components.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus that determine network signal strength along the travel path to optimize data transfer by storing data until a location with sufficient signal strength is reached, using a combination of short-range and long-range communication protocols, and adjusting data transmission based on signal thresholds and component proximity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If data transfer is attempted at all locations along the travel path, then data transmission frequency is improved, but data loss increases due to weak network signal strength

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transmission frequencyVSAvoiddata loss

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assessment of network signal strength at different locations along the travel path before attempting data transfer. By evaluating signal conditions in advance and selecting optimal transfer locations, the system avoids data loss that would occur at locations with weak signals while maintaining high data transmission frequency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If data is stored until optimal signal conditions are reached, then data transfer reliability is improved, but data transfer time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoiddata transfer time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors network signal strength and uses this feedback to dynamically determine the optimal moment for data transfer. By implementing feedback-based signal quality assessment, the system ensures data is transmitted only when signal conditions meet reliability thresholds, while minimizing waiting time through real-time monitoring rather than fixed delays.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless communication is used throughout the travel path, then communication flexibility is improved, but communication effectiveness deteriorates in areas with weak signals

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication effectiveness

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies different communication strategies to different locations along the travel path based on local signal quality characteristics. By identifying and categorizing locations with weak signals versus strong signals, the system optimizes data transfer timing and methods for each local condition, maintaining communication flexibility while ensuring effectiveness in all areas.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP3578492B1Conveyance system data transfer

Publication Date: 2022.07.27 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

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AI summary

A method for data transfer in a conveyance system includes moving a conveyance system component along a travel path, the conveyance system component including a memory; and transferring data, by at least one of sending data from the memory or receiving data to the memory, in response to available network signal strength.