Elevator Controller Communication Bridge for Signal Loss
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Solution Overview
Problem
Passengers entering an elevator during active mobile calls often experience disconnection due to weak or lost GSM signals within the elevator, as existing elevator systems fail to maintain stable communication.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with a controller that establishes a communications bridge between devices over multiple networks, including a personal area network, wide area network, and cellular network, allowing for seamless transfer of calls using VoIP and selectively terminating the bridge as needed, with features like interactive panels and independent bridge management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If passengers use mobile phones in elevators, then communication is enabled, but GSM signal becomes weak or lost causing disconnection
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator controller acts as an intermediary device that receives calls from mobile phones via Bluetooth when GSM signal is weak, and relays them through alternative communication networks (WiFi, cellular data, or landline) to maintain the communication connection throughout the elevator journey
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically changes communication parameters by switching between different network types (GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth, landline) based on signal strength and availability, selecting the most appropriate communication channel to maintain call quality
2Reliability
If multiple communication networks are integrated, then communication reliability improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The elevator controller is designed with multi-functionality to handle multiple communication protocols and networks (GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth, landline) within a single device, allowing it to adapt to different communication scenarios without requiring separate specialized devices
Solution Approach 2:
The controller serves as a central intermediary that manages all communication interfaces, simplifying the system architecture by having one intelligent node coordinate between passengers' mobile devices and various network infrastructures rather than requiring direct connections between multiple components
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is an elevator system having an elevator including a controller, wherein the controller is configured to communicate over a plurality of networks with a plurality of devices, the plurality of networks including a first network and a second network and the plurality of devices including a first device and a second device, the first device being within or proximate the elevator, wherein the plurality of devices are configured to communicate over a third network, and wherein, while the plurality of devices are communicating over the third network, the controller selectively effects a communications bridge over the plurality of networks between the plurality of devices and supersedes the communication over the third network.