Elevator Queue Sensing for Accurate Waiting Time Estimation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator waiting time estimation methods struggle to accurately calculate waiting times during congestion without requiring complex algorithms or large-scale system configurations.
Innovation Solution
A device comprising sensors, such as cameras or laser sensors, to detect queueing positions and times, along with a processing unit to calculate waiting times based on queueing start and boarding times, excluding users who do not board the elevator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If image analysis and continuous tracking of each person is used to calculate waiting time, then waiting time can be accurately calculated during congestion, but complex algorithms and large-scale system configuration are required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information needed for waiting time calculation - specifically the number of people in the queue and their positions - rather than tracking all movement details of each individual. This selective extraction of critical data reduces computational complexity while maintaining measurement accuracy for waiting time estimation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses image analysis to create a simplified representation or copy of the queue state (number of people, their positions) rather than maintaining complex continuous tracking data for each person. This copied information is sufficient for calculating waiting time without requiring the full complexity of individual movement tracking.
2Ease of operation
If the time from call button press to elevator dispatch is used as waiting time, then the system is simple to operate, but accurate waiting time cannot be obtained when congestion occurs and the dispatched elevator cannot be boarded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the traditional mechanical/timing-based waiting time measurement (call button press to elevator dispatch) with an optical sensing system using cameras and image analysis. This substitution enables accurate tracking of actual queue conditions and boarding events, providing precise waiting time measurement while maintaining ease of operation through automated image processing.
Data Source
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AI summary
A queueing start measurement unit which measures arrival of an elevator user at a preset location; a boarding measurement unit which measures boarding of the elevator user in an elevator car; a storage unit which stores an arrival time measured by the queueing start measurement unit and a boarding time measured by the boarding measurement unit; and a waiting time calculation unit which, on the basis of the arrival time and the boarding time stored in the storage unit, calculates a waiting time for which the elevator user is expected to wait before boarding the elevator car are provided. As a result, it is possible to calculate a waiting time at an elevator landing area with simple processing and a simple configuration.