Elevator Control Device Synchronizes Announcement Timing
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Solution Overview
Problem
In elevator systems where users register their destination floor in advance, existing notification methods often fail to ensure that visually impaired users can distinctly hear announcements about the assigned car, due to timing and volume issues, particularly when the landing operation panel is installed close or separate from the elevator car.
Innovation Solution
An elevator control device and method that synchronizes the announcement timing of the car name with the user's arrival at the landing by measuring the time elapsed since the assignment command is received, allowing the car to open its door and only issuing the announcement when the user is likely to hear it, thus preventing overlap and ensuring timely notification.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Speed
If the announcement is issued immediately when the car arrives at the landing, then the notification timing is prompt, but the user may fail to hear the announcement if they have not yet arrived at the landing
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by issuing the first announcement at the landing operation panel when the destination floor is registered, preparing the user in advance. The second announcement in the car is then timed to occur after the user has had time to move to the landing, ensuring the user is present to hear both announcements without missing either due to timing conflicts.
2Ease of operation
If the landing operation panel is installed close to the elevator car, then the user can quickly access it, but announcements may overlap when the car is already stopped at the floor
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the timing of the second announcement based on the car's operational state. When the car is already stopped at the destination floor when the user registers, the system delays the second announcement until after the door opening operation is completed, preventing overlap with the first announcement and ensuring both announcements are heard clearly without information loss.
3Area of stationary object
If the landing operation panel is installed separate from the landing, then space is optimized, but the user may not hear the car arrival announcement in time
Solution Approach 1:
The system compensates for the time delay caused by the user traveling from a separately installed landing operation panel to the landing by issuing the first announcement in advance at the panel location. This preliminary notification ensures the user is aware of the assigned car before arriving at the landing, allowing the second announcement to be heard clearly without the user being late.
4Productivity
If multiple announcements are issued simultaneously, then information is delivered quickly, but the user cannot distinguish the car name due to overlapping sounds
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses periodic action by issuing announcements at distinct time intervals rather than simultaneously. The first announcement is issued when the destination is registered, and the second announcement is issued after a predetermined period when the car arrives at the landing. This time separation ensures both announcements are heard clearly without overlapping, preventing loss of car name recognition while maintaining efficient information delivery.
Data Source
AI summary
Each of a plurality of cars includes an in-car notification device configured to receive an announcement command from one of the individual car control devices, to thereby execute an announcement of the name of its own car. When an assignment command is received from a group management device, each of a plurality of individual car control devices causes the car to perform a door opening operation after causing the car to arrive at a floor on which a user is to ride in the car, and outputs the announcement command when it is determined after the door opening operation is finished that an elapsed period of time since the reception of the assignment command is equal to or longer than a period of time required for the user to arrive at an elevator landing after registering a destination floor call on the landing operation panel.