Elevator Beacon Auto-Ranging for Correct Bank and Landing Assignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems struggle to accurately determine the location of a passenger making a call via a mobile device, as they lack the ability to automatically associate the call with the correct elevator bank and landing, complicating the dispatch of elevator cars.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus using beacons (wireless nodes) to calibrate the range of wireless signals, allowing elevator systems to associate passenger device calls with specific elevator banks and landings, utilizing a calibration application on a mobile device to establish the desired distance and signal strength for accurate location determination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Extent of automation
If manual elevator call buttons are used on walls, then the system is simple and reliable, but the system cannot automatically determine passenger location for mobile device calls
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces beacons as intermediary devices that transmit wireless signals to mobile devices. These beacons serve as mediators between the elevator system and passengers, enabling automatic location determination without requiring complex modifications to the entire elevator system. The beacons are placed at specific locations and establish communication ranges that allow the system to identify which elevator bank and landing a passenger is near based on beacon detection.
2Measurement precision
If beacons are deployed to enable automatic call assignment, then location accuracy improves, but calibration complexity and time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service calibration mechanism where the system automatically determines optimal beacon ranges by analyzing wireless signal strength measurements taken at known distances during installation. The calibration process uses the mobile device's communication capabilities to measure signal strength at the desired distance, automatically calculates the appropriate range parameters, and configures the beacon without requiring manual intervention or complex calibration procedures. This eliminates the need for technicians to manually adjust each beacon's transmission parameters.
3Area of stationary object
If beacon range is extended to cover larger areas, then fewer beacons are needed, but location precision decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent dynamically adjusts the beacon's operational parameters, specifically the wireless signal transmission power and detection threshold, to optimize the balance between coverage area and location precision. During calibration, the system measures signal strength at the desired distance and configures the beacon's range parameter to match that distance. This ensures that each beacon covers the intended area while maintaining sufficient signal strength differentiation to accurately determine passenger location and prevent overlap with adjacent beacon zones.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables automatic calibration of beacon ranges for elevator call systems, ensuring accurate assignment of elevator calls to the correct elevator bank and landing, improving the efficiency of elevator dispatch.
Implementation Method 1
detecting a wireless signal emitted by the beacon using a communication device of the calibrator mobile device
Data Source
AI summary
A method of calibrating a beacon for an elevator call system including: determining when a calibrator mobile device is located at a desired distance away from the beacon on a specific landing, the beacon being associated with one or more specific elevator systems at a specific elevator bank on the specific landing; detecting a wireless signal emitted by the beacon using a communication device of the calibrator mobile device when the calibrator mobile device is located at the desired distance; and establishing the desired distance as a selected range of the beacon for locating a passenger device for an elevator call received from the passenger device. The elevator call system is configured to assign future elevator calls received from the passenger mobile device detected to be within the selected range of the beacon to the one or more specific elevator systems at the specific elevator bank on the specific landing.