Elevator Control System Using Meeting Data for Destination Dispatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator control systems struggle to anticipate and manage short-duration peak passenger demands from non-lobby floors, such as meeting rooms, leading to potential long waiting times due to unpredictable arrival and departure patterns of large groups.
Innovation Solution
An elevator control system that integrates with a calendar system and user interface to generate control commands for elevator car destinations, utilizing meeting information and location sensors to optimize elevator allocation and operation during peak periods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the elevator control system uses traditional detection methods (hall call buttons, keypad input, credential readers), then the system can detect passenger presence, but it cannot anticipate short-duration peak demands from non-lobby floors
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary action by obtaining meeting information from calendar systems in advance, allowing the elevator control system to proactively dispatch cars to meeting floors before passengers arrive, rather than waiting for hall call buttons to be pressed
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary component (meeting information system/calendar system) that provides advance notice of peak demand events to the elevator control system, enabling the system to anticipate and prepare for passenger surges without direct passenger input
2Productivity
If the elevator system dispatches more cars to meeting floors during peak periods, then passenger waiting time is reduced, but system complexity increases due to need for meeting information integration
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator control system is enhanced with multi-functionality by integrating calendar system access and meeting information processing capabilities, allowing the same system to handle both traditional hall call requests and proactive meeting-floor dispatching
Solution Approach 2:
The system obtains meeting information in advance from calendar systems, allowing proactive elevator dispatch decisions to be made before peak demand occurs, improving service capacity without requiring complex real-time detection mechanisms
3Loss of time
If the system proactively dispatches elevators based on meeting information, then passenger waiting time is reduced, but energy consumption increases due to additional car movements
Solution Approach 1:
The system applies partial action by dispatching elevators based on meeting information only when it determines that passenger demand is likely, rather than continuously dispatching cars, thus reducing unnecessary energy consumption while still improving waiting times during actual peak periods
Solution Approach 2:
The elevator dispatch strategy is made dynamic by adjusting car allocation based on meeting information and actual passenger detection, allowing the system to optimize between service quality and energy consumption in real-time rather than following a fixed dispatch schedule
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator control system including an elevator management system obtaining meeting information from at least one of a calendar system and a user interface; the elevator management system generating a control command in response to the meeting information; and an elevator controller controlling destinations of one or more elevator cars in response to the control command.