Elevator Call Request Management via Dynamic Usage Limits

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face difficulties in managing excessive mobile elevator call requests, which can lead to system overload and inefficient operation, as users may unintentionally or intentionally submit too many requests.

Innovation Solution

A system that includes a user interface on mobile devices and a management interface for building managers to set and enforce usage limits on mobile elevator call requests, restricting excessive requests and preventing system overload by activating an overuse alarm and imposing timeouts on devices that exceed these limits.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If mobile devices are allowed to submit elevator call requests without restrictions, then user convenience is improved, but system overload and inefficient operation occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidsystem operation efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically changes parameters including call request thresholds, time intervals between requests, and penalty durations based on system conditions and user behavior patterns, allowing flexible adjustment to balance convenience and efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If usage limits are enforced on mobile elevator call requests, then system overload is prevented, but user flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem stabilityVSAvoiduser flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements dynamic limits that adjust based on current system conditions, user history, and contextual factors, rather than applying static restrictions, thereby maintaining reliability while preserving user flexibility through adaptive behavior

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback to users about their usage patterns, pending penalties, and system status, allowing users to understand and adjust their behavior while the system learns from user responses to refine its enforcement strategies

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Object-affected harmful factors

If penalties are imposed on excessive callers, then abusive use is prevented, but user experience deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveabusive use preventionVSAvoiduser experience

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system converts potentially harmful excessive calls into beneficial system optimization by using penalty mechanisms to discourage abusive patterns while providing alternative access methods, thereby preventing system overload while maintaining user experience for legitimate needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Data Source

PatentEP3326951B1Elevator activity level management of mobile device access

Publication Date: 2024.09.18 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3

AI summary

A method of managing mobile elevator call requests from a mobile device (208) is provided. The method includes: receiving an elevator call parameter from a management interface (400); receiving at least one mobile elevator call request from a mobile device (208); comparing the mobile elevator call request to the elevator call parameter; and restricting the mobile device (208) from sending additional mobile elevator call requests when the mobile elevator call request conflicts with the elevator call parameter.