Elevator Call Automation via Mobile Location Signals

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional elevator systems in high-rise buildings require passengers to navigate complex multi-segment trips, which can be challenging for visitors who need to learn the layout of the building to reach their destination efficiently.

Innovation Solution

A computer-implemented method and system using multiple location devices and a mobile device to automatically trigger elevator calls, allowing passengers to travel from any source floor to any destination floor through sequential interactions, eliminating the need for manual navigation and providing a hands-free user interface for multi-segment trips.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If conventional elevator systems are used in high-rise buildings, then passengers can reach their destinations, but passengers must learn the building layout and manually navigate complex multi-segment trips

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of elevator trip navigationVSAvoidcomplexity of multi-segment trip process
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system automatically executes elevator calls without requiring manual input from passengers. The mobile terminal detects location information and automatically triggers the appropriate elevator calls, allowing the system to serve itself rather than requiring passengers to navigate complex multi-segment trips manually

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical navigation (passengers physically going to elevators based on learned building layouts) with an automated electronic system using mobile terminals, location devices, and automatic call execution to determine and execute elevator trips

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Extent of automation

If automatic call execution is implemented for multi-segment trips, then passenger convenience is improved, but system automation complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomation of elevator call executionVSAvoidcomplexity of location device coordination
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the automatic call execution into distinct segments: location detection by mobile terminal, signal transmission to location devices, determination of trip segments, and execution of individual elevator calls. This segmentation manages complexity by breaking down the automated process into manageable, independent components

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile terminal acts as an intermediary between passengers and the elevator system. It detects location information, determines the appropriate trip segments, and triggers elevator calls, simplifying the interaction while managing the complexity of coordinating multiple location devices and elevator cars

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3922587B1Sequence triggering for automatic calls & multi-segment elevator trips
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3922587B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3922587B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3922587B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A computer-implemented method for a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system is provided. The elevator system includes a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method comprises detecting, by the first location device, a first triggering signal outputted by a mobile terminal; detecting, by the second location device, a second triggering signal outputted by the mobile terminal; automatically executing, by the elevator system, a second call for a second elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the second triggering signal by the second location device subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal by the first location device; and automatically executing, by the elevator system, a first call for a first elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the first triggering signal by the first location device, wherein the second call is one of a plurality of calls of a multi-segment elevator trip within the elevator system.