Elevator Controller Security Violation Handling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems lack effective control mechanisms to restrict access to specific areas for security purposes, such as preventing unauthorized individuals from entering or leaving sensitive areas like post-natal hospital wards, mental health facilities, or courthouses, where security violations can occur.
Innovation Solution
A controller system that detects security violations by monitoring elevator access with sensors and indicators, preventing affected elevator cars from moving until the condition is resolved, and temporarily disabling service to or from the affected landing, while allowing other elevators to continue operating between other areas, with override options for authorized personnel.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If elevator systems allow free access to all floors for convenience, then ease of operation is improved, but security control deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by implementing security control specifically at restricted landings rather than throughout the entire elevator system. The controller selectively prevents elevator cars from stopping at or departing from specific landings where security violations are detected, while allowing normal operation at other landings. This localized approach maintains convenience for unauthorized areas while enforcing security where needed.
2Reliability
If elevator service is restricted at a landing due to security violation, then security control is improved, but productivity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the elevator system control by allowing different elevator cars to operate independently based on security conditions. When a security violation is detected at a landing, only the affected elevator car is restricted from servicing that landing, while other elevator cars continue to provide service. This segmentation minimizes the impact on overall system productivity while maintaining security control.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts elevator service based on real-time security conditions. The controller continuously monitors for security violations and dynamically modifies elevator car operations by preventing movement from or service to affected landings only when violations are detected. When no violations are present, normal service continues uninterrupted, optimizing productivity while maintaining security readiness.
3Reliability
If all elevator cars are restricted during security violation, then security control is improved, but loss of time deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements segmentation by restricting only the specific elevator car involved in or near the security violation rather than all elevator cars system-wide. The controller identifies the affected elevator car and landing, and applies restrictions selectively to that car, allowing other elevator cars to continue normal operations. This reduces the time loss for legitimate passengers using other elevators while maintaining security control over the problematic area.
Data Source
AI summary
An exemplary method of controlling a plurality of elevator cars includes determining that there is a security violation condition involving at least one of the elevator cars at a landing. That elevator car is prevented from moving from the landing until the condition is resolved. The other elevator cars are controlled such that they do not provide elevator service to or from the landing until the condition is resolved.