Elevator Dispatch Using Call Codes for Robot Ride Sharing
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance systems such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways are typically designed to accommodate only human passengers, and there is a need for coordinating interactions between these systems and robots, including determining whether robots can use the elevators and managing elevator calls efficiently.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus for controlling elevator systems to accommodate robot traffic, including determining if an elevator can accommodate a robot call, instructing the robot to move to another elevator system if the current one is busy, and managing elevator calls to prioritize robot traffic based on call codes and ride-share preferences.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the elevator system is designed to accommodate only human passengers, then the system design is simple and straightforward, but it cannot serve robot traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator control system is enhanced to handle multiple types of users (humans and robots) through a unified call management framework. The system uses call codes to identify different user types and applies appropriate dispatching strategies for each, allowing the same physical elevator infrastructure to serve diverse purposes without requiring separate systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces call codes as a parameter to differentiate between human and robot elevator requests. By changing the state representation of elevator calls to include user type information, the system can apply different coordination rules and dispatching algorithms appropriate for each user category while using the same underlying elevator hardware.
2Productivity
If the elevator system prioritizes human passengers, then human service quality is maintained, but robot traffic experiences delays and inefficiency
Solution Approach 1:
The system determines robot ride-share preferences in advance and uses this information to make pre-coordination decisions. By knowing whether a robot prefers to ride alone or with others before the elevator arrives, the system can proactively plan dispatch sequences that minimize overall waiting time for both humans and robots, rather than making reactive decisions that cause delays.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates robot ride-share preferences as feedback information that influences subsequent dispatch decisions. This feedback loop allows the control system to continuously optimize the balance between human service quality and robot productivity by adjusting elevator assignment based on accumulated knowledge of robot preferences and current system state.
3Productivity
If multiple robots are assigned to the same elevator car, then elevator utilization is optimized, but robots with conflicting ride-share preferences cannot be accommodated
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments robot elevator requests based on their ride-share preferences, creating separate coordination groups. Robots that prefer to ride alone are processed differently from those open to sharing, allowing the system to maximize elevator utilization within each segment while respecting the specific preferences of each robot. This segmentation enables fine-grained control over elevator assignment.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts elevator assignment strategies based on real-time robot preferences and system state. Rather than using a fixed assignment rule, the control system flexibly modifies dispatch decisions to accommodate varying robot preferences while maintaining high overall utilization. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt to changing conditions and preference patterns.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A method of controlling a first elevator system (101) comprising a first elevator car (103) is including: receiving a first elevator call from a first robot (202) for the first elevator system (101) to transport the first robot (202) from a first elevator bank (112) on a landing to a destination landing; and adjusting operation of at least one of the first robot (202) and the first elevator system (101).