Elevator Controller Proximity Monitoring for Call Cancellation

Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems face inefficiencies due to remote requests that cannot be utilized, leading to wasted power and delays for other passengers, as existing systems do not effectively monitor user proximity to the elevator landing.

Innovation Solution

An elevator system with a network-capable controller that monitors user location via GPS data and communicates with devices to assign or cancel elevator calls based on user proximity, ensuring efficient resource allocation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the elevator services remote requests without monitoring user proximity, then all requests are served, but power is wasted and delays occur for other passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice completion rateVSAvoidpower consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of user proximity to the elevator landing before assigning the elevator to service the request. By checking whether the user is already at the landing area in advance, the system avoids unnecessary elevator dispatches, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable service completion for valid requests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user's location relative to the elevator landing and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust elevator assignment decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to cancel requests when users are already at the landing, preventing wasted energy while maintaining service reliability for genuine needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

2Reliability

If the elevator services remote requests without monitoring user proximity, then all requests are served, but delays occur for other passengers

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveservice completion rateVSAvoidwait time for other passengers

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary monitoring of user proximity to the elevator landing before assigning the elevator to service the request. By checking whether the user is already at the landing area in advance, the system avoids unnecessary elevator dispatches, thereby reducing power consumption while ensuring reliable service completion for valid requests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system continuously monitors the user's location relative to the elevator landing and uses this feedback information to dynamically adjust elevator assignment decisions. This feedback mechanism allows the system to cancel requests when users are already at the landing, preventing wasted energy while maintaining service reliability for genuine needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of energy

If the system monitors user proximity using GPS data, then unutilized calls are canceled, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower consumptionVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses GPS data as an intermediary indicator of user location rather than implementing complex direct monitoring infrastructure. By leveraging the existing GPS capability in user devices, the system obtains proximity information through a simple communication interface, avoiding the need for complex monitoring hardware or infrastructure while achieving effective call cancellation for unutilized requests

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11795031B2System and method for servicing remote elevator calls based on proximity to elevator landing

Publication Date: 2023.10.24 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

Disclosed is an elevator system having an elevator, the elevator having an elevator landing and an elevator controller, the controller capable of communicating over a network with a device, and the device may be located within an area positionally associated with the landing, the controller: receives from the device, a request for elevator service at the landing, effects monitoring the device relative to the area, effects a first response upon determining that the device is inside the area, otherwise effects a second response.