Elevator Dispatching via Mobile Presence Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems cannot determine whether the user who made a call using their mobile device actually boards the elevator car, leading to inefficiencies in resource allocation and potential missed connections.

Innovation Solution

The system receives elevator calls from mobile devices, detects the presence of the device within the elevator car using sensors that connect via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or audio transmissions, and adjusts operations based on detected devices, ensuring the elevator moves only to the destination floors of users who have boarded.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elevator system uses traditional call buttons and control methods, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but the system cannot determine whether the user actually boards the elevator car

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of user boarding verificationVSAvoidcomplexity of detection system

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces traditional mechanical button-pressing interaction with wireless communication technology. Mobile devices use Wi-Fi or Bluetooth to communicate with the elevator system, eliminating the need for physical contact and enabling automatic presence detection through wireless signal recognition, thereby improving reliability without requiring complex mechanical detection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces mobile devices as intermediaries between users and the elevator system. The mobile device serves as a mediator that carries unique identifiers and communicates with the elevator control system, enabling indirect verification of user presence and intent while keeping the elevator system itself relatively simple

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Productivity

If the elevator moves to every requested destination without verification, then all potential users are served, but energy is wasted on unnecessary trips and time is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveelevator utilization efficiencyVSAvoidenergy consumption for unnecessary movements

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the elevator control system continuously monitors wireless signals from mobile devices to determine actual boarding status. Based on this feedback, the system dynamically adjusts elevator operations - confirming trips when users board and canceling trips when users don't board, thereby optimizing energy consumption and productivity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary verification of user presence before the elevator completes its trip. By detecting mobile devices in advance and confirming boarding status, the system can preemptively cancel unnecessary trips or reassign elevators, preventing wasted energy consumption rather than addressing it after the fact

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If the system waits for a long period to confirm user presence, then false cancellations are reduced, but the response time and user experience deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccuracy of presence detectionVSAvoidtime delay in elevator response

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses periodic detection of wireless signals from mobile devices during the elevator's operation. Instead of continuous monitoring or single-point checking, the system periodically verifies presence at key moments (when elevator arrives, when doors open, during boarding period), balancing detection accuracy with response time by checking at strategically timed intervals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution allows the elevator control system to accurately verify if a mobile device has boarded and adjusts operations accordingly, optimizing elevator movements and resource allocation by canceling unnecessary calls and reassigning elevators as needed.

Implementation Method 1

connecting to the first mobile device using at least one of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectWi-Fi wireless signal detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

connecting to the first mobile device using at least one of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBluetooth wireless signal detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 3

emitting an audio transmission from the first mobile device; detecting the audio transmission using a sensor proximate the elevator car

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAudio transmission detection: Sound

Data Source

PatentUS10647545B2Dispatching optimization based on presence

Publication Date: 2020.05.12 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A method of calling an elevator car from a mobile device is provided. The method comprising: receiving a first elevator call from a first mobile device on a first floor, the first elevator call including a destination request to travel to a second floor; moving an elevator car to the first floor in response to the first elevator call; detecting whether the first mobile device is within the elevator car at the first floor; and adjusting operation of the elevator car in response to each mobile device detected within the elevator car.