Elevator Control System Beacon Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current elevator systems cannot accurately determine the destination floor for a user based on their mobile device calls, as they lack the ability to confirm if the user boards the elevator and fails to learn and predict the user's destination floors effectively.

Innovation Solution

The system uses sensors and mobile devices to detect proximity and communicate via beacons, determining the distance and learning the user's destination floors by analyzing call history and timing to predict future calls, ensuring the elevator car moves to the correct floor based on user behavior.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the system uses passive transmission of identifier by mobile device, then the system can receive elevator calls, but it cannot determine whether the user actually boards the elevator car

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedestination determination accuracyVSAvoiduser boarding status information
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback by detecting the mobile device's presence in the elevator car using sensors (e.g., Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, cameras) and using this feedback information to confirm whether the user actually boarded. This feedback loop allows the system to distinguish between users who called the elevator and those who actually boarded, thereby accurately determining destination floors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces intermediary components such as sensors, beacons, and detection devices that act as mediators between the mobile device and the elevator control system. These intermediaries detect and transmit information about user presence and boarding status, enabling the system to accurately track whether users board the elevator and predict their destination floors.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system stores destination call history entries, then it can predict floor information, but it lacks the ability to confirm user boarding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator operation efficiencyVSAvoiddestination prediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses feedback from sensor detections (mobile device presence, proximity detection) to validate and refine destination predictions. By continuously receiving feedback on actual user behavior and boarding status, the system can accurately determine whether stored call history predictions match actual destinations, thereby improving both productivity and measurement precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by storing destination call history and making predictions before the user actually boards. This preliminary data collection and analysis, combined with real-time detection, allows the system to prepare for efficient elevator operation while maintaining accurate destination determination through subsequent verification.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Measurement precision

If the system uses sensors and beacons to detect proximity, then it can determine user location, but it increases device complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser location detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor and detection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs universal detection mechanisms that serve multiple functions: sensors and beacons not only detect user presence and location but also confirm boarding status, predict destinations, and provide feedback for system optimization. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby managing complexity while maintaining high measurement precision.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the user's own mobile device as a detection tool through beacon transmission and sensor interaction. The mobile device itself participates in the detection process, reducing the need for complex external detection infrastructure. This self-service approach maintains accurate location detection while minimizing added system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

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

This solution enables the elevator control system to accurately receive and predict destination calls, ensuring the elevator car moves to the correct floor by learning user behavior, improving the efficiency and accuracy of elevator operations.

Implementation Method 1

a sensor configured to detect a location of a mobile device using a wireless beacon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless beacon detection:

Implementation Method 2

determining a distance between the elevator car and the mobile device in response to a strength of the beacon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal strength detection:

Data Source

PatentEP3569544B1Seamless elevator call from mobile device application
Publication Date: 2023.05.10 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3569544B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3569544B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

A method of assigning a destination floor to an elevator call associated with a mobile device is provided. The method including: receiving a first elevator call to travel from a first floor, the first floor is a boarding floor for the first elevator call; detecting a location of a mobile device relative to an elevator car of an elevator system; moving the elevator car from the first floor to a second floor in response to the first elevator call; determining when the mobile device exits the elevator car at the second floor in response to the location of the mobile device, the second floor is a destination floor for the first elevator call; receiving a second elevator call from the mobile device; and establishing the second floor as a destination floor for the second elevator call.