Distributed Wireless Modules for Elevator Call Assignment

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in reliably processing elevator calls, particularly in ensuring that calls are received and managed effectively across multiple wireless communication modules, which can lead to inefficiencies and potential failures in call assignment.

Innovation Solution

A distributed processing system is implemented, where multiple wireless communication modules are deployed in the elevator service area, each associated with call units, capable of independently assigning call units based on operation states and communicating with terminal devices to manage elevator calls, reducing reliance on centralized processing and enhancing system robustness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a centralized processing system is used for elevator call management, then call assignment can be controlled from a single point, but system robustness deteriorates and data transmission overhead increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem robustnessVSAvoidcentralized processing structure
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the centralized call processing function into multiple distributed wireless communication modules deployed across different locations in the elevator service area. Each module can independently perform call assignment operations, eliminating the single point of failure in centralized systems and improving overall system robustness through spatial distribution of processing capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication modules as intermediary devices between terminal devices and call controllers. These modules receive elevator calls from terminal devices, perform local call assignment based on operation states, and communicate with relevant call controllers, thereby distributing the processing load and reducing direct communication overhead between terminal devices and central controllers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If multiple wireless communication modules are deployed for call processing, then system robustness improves, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecall processing reliabilityVSAvoidnumber of wireless communication modules
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent designs wireless communication modules with multi-functional capabilities, allowing each module to perform multiple operations including receiving elevator calls from terminal devices, determining operation states of call units, performing call assignment decisions, and communicating with multiple call controllers. This universal design reduces the need for specialized dedicated devices for each function, thereby managing complexity while maintaining robustness through distribution.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Loss of energy

If call assignment is performed locally by wireless communication modules, then data transmission overhead is reduced, but communication coordination complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transmission overheadVSAvoidcommunication coordination mechanism
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements local call assignment processing where each wireless communication module independently determines operation states of associated call units and performs call assignment decisions based on local information and predefined criteria. This local processing approach minimizes the need for continuous data transmission between central controllers and individual modules, reducing overall data transmission overhead while maintaining efficient call management.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP4219369B1Distributed processing system and method for processing elevator calls
Publication Date: 2024.10.16 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4219369B1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4219369B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219369B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to elevator technology and Internet of things technology, in particular to a distributed processing system (201) for processing an elevator call, a method for processing an elevator call using the distributed processing system (201), and a computer readable storage medium on which a computer program for realizing an elevator call generation method is stored. A distributed processing system (201) for processing an elevator call according to an aspect of the present application comprises a plurality of wireless communication modules (201A, 201B, 201C) deployed in an elevator service area, each of the wireless communication modules (201A, 201B, 201C) is associated with one or more call units (E1, E2, E3, E4) and configured to: perform a call assignment operation in response to an elevator call from a terminal device (202A, 202B) specifying it as a target wireless communication module (201A, 201B, 201C); and return a message about call assignment to the terminal device (202A, 202B).