Elevator Code Update Gateway for Staged Deployment
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Solution Overview
Problem
Software updates in passenger conveyance systems like elevators can cause disruptions if performed ad-hoc and may lead to customer dissatisfaction, necessitating a more controlled and efficient method to minimize service interruptions.
Innovation Solution
A system and method involving a component management system (CMS) and an elevator system controller (ESC) with a gateway that manages the installation of updated code through preliminary and secondary installations, using a virtual system for testing and strategic deployment based on utilization patterns and locations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If software updates are performed ad-hoc, then updates can be applied quickly, but service disruptions occur and customer satisfaction decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by installing the software update on a virtual system first, allowing testing and validation before actual deployment to physical components. This preliminary installation phase enables identification of potential issues without affecting live service, thus maintaining service continuity while still enabling timely updates.
Solution Approach 2:
The update process is segmented into distinct phases: preliminary installation on virtual system, testing phase, and secondary installation on physical components. This segmentation allows the update to be applied in controlled stages, preventing simultaneous disruption across the entire system while maintaining update efficiency.
2Productivity
If software updates are performed ad-hoc, then updates can be applied quickly, but more updates and disruptions may result from customer dissatisfaction
Solution Approach 1:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms where the ESC monitors the virtual system performance and customer satisfaction levels. Based on this feedback, the system can adjust update strategies, pause updates if dissatisfaction is detected, or proceed with secondary installation if satisfaction is confirmed, thereby managing complexity through informed decision-making.
Solution Approach 2:
The ESC automatically monitors update status, customer satisfaction, and system performance without requiring constant human intervention. The system self-regulates the update process by deciding when to proceed to secondary installation or when to pause based on predefined criteria, reducing management complexity while maintaining efficient update deployment.
3Stability of the object's composition
If updates are installed on all components simultaneously, then updates are applied uniformly, but service disruptions occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the component population into virtual system components and physical system components, and further divides physical components into subsets based on location or utilization patterns. Updates are applied first to virtual components, then progressively to physical components in segmented batches, ensuring consistency while preventing simultaneous disruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The system applies different update strategies to different subsets of components based on their specific characteristics such as location, utilization patterns, or criticality. Less critical or less utilized components may receive updates first or during off-peak times, while critical components are updated during maintenance windows, maintaining service continuity while ensuring uniform eventual coverage.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator system for installing updated code on elevator components in a building, the system having: a component management system (CMS); an elevator system controller (ESC) in the building, operationally coupled to the components; a gateway that communicates with the ESC and the components over a first network and with the CMS over a second network, wherein the gateway is configured to: receive a first signal from the CMS that includes a notification of the updated code for the components; receive a second signal from the ESC that includes instructions for a preliminary installation of the updated code, and thereafter execute the preliminary installation; and receive a third signal from the ESC that includes instructions for a secondary installation of the updated code on the components, and thereafter execute the secondary installation.