Dynamic Elevator Call Reassignment for Delayed Cars

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems lack the ability to efficiently reassign elevator calls when the initially assigned elevator car encounters operational faults, is delayed in traffic, or when the passenger fails to board within a specified time, leading to inefficiencies and prolonged wait times.

Innovation Solution

The system detects the location of a mobile device using building sensors and determines if the assigned elevator car cannot serve the call due to operational faults, traffic delays, or passenger boarding issues. It then reassigned the elevator call to another car based on passenger wait time preferences and user settings, ensuring optimal route selection and minimizing wait times.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the initially assigned elevator car is used to serve the call, then the assignment is simple and direct, but the system cannot adapt to operational faults, traffic delays, or passenger boarding issues

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveability to reassign elevator callsVSAvoidreassignment decision system
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator assignment system transitions from a static initial assignment to a dynamic reassignment process. The system continuously monitors elevator car status, passenger boarding status, and traffic conditions, and automatically reassigns calls when delay conditions are detected. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction by enabling the system to respond to changing conditions without requiring complex manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements feedback mechanisms by monitoring elevator car status, passenger presence detection, and actual vs. scheduled arrival times. When feedback indicates a delay condition (operational fault, traffic delay, or passenger failure to board), the system triggers reassignment. This feedback loop enables adaptive reassignment while maintaining manageable system complexity through automated decision-making.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Loss of time

If the system waits for the assigned elevator car to become available, then the assignment remains stable, but passenger wait time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger wait timeVSAvoidelevator car availability
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of elevator car status and predicts potential delays before they significantly impact passenger wait time. By detecting delay conditions early (operational faults, traffic patterns, or passenger boarding issues), the system can proactively reassign calls to alternative elevator cars, reducing passenger wait time while maintaining reliable service through advance planning.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

Continuous feedback on elevator car performance and status enables the system to identify reliability issues before they cause excessive delays. When feedback indicates an elevator car is running late or experiencing problems, the system responds by reassigning calls, thereby reducing passenger wait time while maintaining overall system reliability through automated redistribution of calls.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the system monitors and reassesses elevator car status continuously, then reassignment accuracy improves, but system complexity and computational load increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedelay condition detection accuracyVSAvoidmonitoring and decision system
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system applies monitoring and reassignment logic selectively rather than uniformly across all elevator cars and calls. Delay condition detection focuses on specific parameters (operational faults, traffic delays, passenger boarding status) for assigned elevator cars. This localized approach improves measurement precision for critical parameters while avoiding the complexity of comprehensive continuous monitoring of all system elements.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The system monitors changes in key parameters (elevator car status, arrival time deviations, passenger presence) to trigger reassignment decisions. By focusing on parameter changes rather than continuous absolute monitoring, the system achieves accurate delay condition detection with reduced computational complexity. Reassignment is triggered when parameters cross threshold values indicating delay conditions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

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 dynamically reassign elevator calls, reducing wait times and improving passenger satisfaction by ensuring that the most efficient elevator car is assigned to serve the passenger's destination.

Implementation Method 1

detecting a location of the mobile device... detecting, using a building sensor, a wireless signal of the mobile device

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectWireless signal detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3643658B1Passenger specified elevator reassignment criteria
Publication Date: 2025.04.16 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3643658B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643658B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643658B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method of reassigning an elevator call for an elevator car (103) comprising: receiving an elevator call (302) from a mobile device (208), the elevator call (302) including a destination request to travel from a boarding floor to a destination floor; assigning a first elevator car (103a) to the elevator call (302); activating an alert on the mobile device (208) that the first elevator car (103a) has been assigned to the elevator call (302); determining that the first elevator car (103a) cannot serve the elevator call (302); assigning a second elevator car (103b) to the elevator call (302); and activating an alert on the mobile device (208) indicating that the second elevator car (103b) has been assigned to the elevator call (302).