Elevator Call-Out Unit Sequencing for Automatic Floor Binding

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Solution Overview

Problem

The manual configuration of call-out units in elevator systems, particularly in large and high-rise buildings, is labor-intensive and time-consuming due to the need for establishing binding relationships between call-out units and their respective floors.

Innovation Solution

A control unit powers on call-out units in sequence according to a preset order, enabling them to return identification messages, and automatically assigns or updates identifications and binding relationships based on these messages, using wireless or wired communication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is used to establish binding relationships between call-out units and floors, then configuration accuracy can be ensured, but installation time and labor intensity increase significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration accuracyVSAvoidinstallation time
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The call-out units automatically perform configuration by transmitting their identifiers to the controller and receiving binding relationships without manual intervention. The system self-configures by having each call-out unit send its identifier and receive the corresponding floor binding information automatically.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The manual mechanical configuration process is replaced with an automated electronic communication system where call-out units transmit identifiers and receive binding relationships through wireless or wired communication protocols, eliminating the need for manual on-site configuration operations.

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

2Manufacturing precision

If manual configuration is performed on-site for each call-out unit, then binding relationship accuracy is maintained, but labor costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding relationship accuracyVSAvoidinstallation ease
Core Design Contradiction:
Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The call-out units automatically configure themselves by transmitting identifiers and receiving binding relationships from the controller, eliminating the need for manual on-site configuration operations and reducing labor costs while maintaining accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The configuration process uses identifier transmission and binding relationship assignment that can be replicated automatically for each call-out unit without requiring manual intervention, making the configuration process as easy as deploying the hardware units themselves.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Productivity

If automated configuration is implemented for call-out units, then installation efficiency improves, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconfiguration efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The manual configuration process is replaced with automated electronic communication where call-out units transmit identifiers and receive binding relationships through existing wireless or wired communication protocols, achieving automation without adding significant system complexity.

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

4Reliability

If call-out units are configured manually in high-rise buildings with multiple floors, then binding relationships can be established, but the process becomes extremely time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebinding relationship establishmentVSAvoidconfiguration speed
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

Each call-out unit automatically transmits its identifier to the controller and receives its binding relationship information without manual intervention, enabling simultaneous configuration of multiple units across different floors and dramatically increasing configuration speed while maintaining reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system prepares binding relationship information in advance and automatically assigns it to call-out units as they transmit their identifiers, eliminating the need for sequential manual configuration and enabling parallel processing of multiple floor assignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP4289777B1Apparatus, method and elevator system for managing a plurality of call-out units
Publication Date: 2026.01.28 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP4289777B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4289777B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4289777B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present application relates to elevator technology, in particular to an apparatus and a method for managing a plurality of call-out units, an elevator system comprising the apparatus, and a computer-readable storage medium for implementing the method. An apparatus for managing a plurality of call-out units in accordance with an aspect of the present application comprises: a processor; and memory and storing configuration information about the plurality of call-out units and computer program capable of running on the processor, wherein the plurality of call-out units are deployed on a plurality of floors, the running of the computer program on the processor causes: A. powering on the plurality of call-out units in sequence (101) according to a preset floor order to cause the plurality of call-out units to return response messages containing their respective identifications in sequence; and B. if a response message received from a call-out unit of one of the floors does not contain an identification (201), assigning a corresponding identification to the call-out unit (203) and establishing a binding relationship (204) between the floor to which the call-out unit belongs and the identification as assigned in the configuration information.