Elevator Controller Allocating Cars by Passenger Count

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In elevator systems, when the number of waiting passengers exceeds the capacity of an elevator car, passenger waiting times increase, and ridership convenience decreases due to inefficient service allocation.

Innovation Solution

A controller system that uses video data to determine the number of passengers and allocates multiple elevator cars to handle the demand, displaying information on arrival times and passenger counts to optimize service distribution.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a single elevator car is assigned to service a lobby call, then the device complexity is minimized, but the passenger waiting time increases when passenger count exceeds elevator capacity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger waiting timeVSAvoidelevator service allocation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts elevator car assignment based on real-time passenger count detection. When passenger count exceeds elevator capacity, the system automatically transitions from single-car to multi-car service mode, optimizing response time without requiring complex manual intervention or fixed allocation rules

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses video data to continuously monitor passenger count at the lobby and feeds this information back to the controller. This feedback loop enables the system to make informed decisions about elevator car assignment, reducing waiting time by dispatching additional cars when passenger demand exceeds single-car capacity

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Ease of operation

If multiple elevator cars are assigned to service a lobby call when passenger count exceeds capacity, then passenger waiting time is reduced, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveridership convenienceVSAvoidservice allocation system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-assessment by automatically detecting passenger count via video data and making autonomous decisions about elevator car assignment. This self-service capability improves ridership convenience without requiring complex manual control systems or operator intervention

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces traditional mechanical or manual elevator dispatch mechanisms with an automated video-based detection and control system. This substitution simplifies the overall control architecture while enabling sophisticated multi-car coordination based on real-time passenger count

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

3Measurement precision

If video data analysis is used to detect passenger count, then service allocation accuracy is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger count detection accuracyVSAvoiddetection system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system introduces video data as an intermediary medium between the physical passenger count and the controller's decision-making process. This intermediary enables accurate non-contact detection of passenger count, improving measurement precision without requiring direct physical sensors or complex contact-based detection systems

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentEP3677532A1System and method for assigning elevator service based on a detected number of passengers
Publication Date: 2020.07.08 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3677532A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3677532A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3677532A1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Disclosed is an elevator system (200) having a controller (210) configured for: rendering a first determination that an elevator service call is placed at a first lobby (220), rendering a second determination that captured video data indicates a plurality of passengers (240) including a first passenger (250) is at the first lobby (220), and executing a first communication to instruct a first elevator car (225) to effect elevator service at the first lobby (220) based on the first determination and the second determination.