Elevator Call Control System for Group Coordination

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems do not efficiently coordinate elevator calls to allow multiple individuals traveling together to share an elevator car, especially when they are on different boarding floors.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating an elevator call control system that receives a first elevator call and determines if the individual is traveling with another individual by detecting the location of both mobile devices within a selected range, allowing the system to assign and schedule an elevator car to transport both individuals to their respective destination floors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the elevator system only responds to explicit elevator calls from mobile devices, then the control system complexity remains low, but individuals traveling together on different floors cannot share an elevator car

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveAbility to coordinate elevator calls for individuals traveling togetherVSAvoidElevator call control system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by detecting mobile devices within a selected range of the first mobile device before the elevator arrives, and preliminarily assigns the elevator car to transport both individuals together, even though the second individual has not yet explicitly called the elevator

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses the first mobile device as an intermediary to detect the presence of the second mobile device within a selected range, thereby indirectly identifying individuals traveling together without requiring direct communication between all devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the system waits for explicit elevator calls from all individuals, then system operation remains simple, but elevator usage efficiency decreases and wait times increase

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveElevator usage efficiencyVSAvoidElevator wait time
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary assignment of the elevator car to transport both individuals together based on detecting the second mobile device within range, rather than waiting for the second individual to explicitly call the elevator, thereby reducing wait time and improving efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically detects and coordinates elevator calls for individuals traveling together without requiring manual input from all users, allowing the system to self-optimize elevator usage based on detected proximity of mobile devices

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentEP3643661B1Associated mobile elevator calls
Publication Date: 2025.05.14 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3643661B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3643661B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3643661B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

A method of operating an elevator call control system (200) comprising: receiving a first elevator call (302) from a first individual (402a) carrying a first mobile device (208a), the first elevator call (302a) including a destination request to travel from a first boarding floor to a first destination floor; determining that the first individual (402a) carrying the first mobile device (208a) is traveling with a second individual (402b), wherein the second individual (402b) is traveling to a second destination floor; assigning an elevator car (103) to the first elevator call (302a); and scheduling the elevator car (103) to transport the first individual (402a) carrying the first mobile device (208a) and the second individual (402b) together to at least one of a first destination floor and the second destination floor.