Unified Remote Access for Elevator Control Subsystems
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator control systems require direct physical access or individual remote connections for each subsystem, making it inefficient for troubleshooting and maintenance, especially when multiple subsystems need to be accessed simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A method and system for remote access to multiple elevator control subsystems, allowing a remote user to establish connections via a communication unit, determining local connection status, and enabling remote access logic to manage arbitration and priority between local and remote connections, with configurable timeout periods for maintaining or interrupting connections.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If direct physical access or individual remote connections are used for each subsystem, then troubleshooting and maintenance can be performed, but the process becomes inefficient and time-consuming when multiple subsystems need to be accessed simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges multiple individual subsystem access points into a single unified remote access interface. The host computer can simultaneously access multiple elevator control subsystems (door control, motion control, drive control, operational control) through one connection, eliminating the need to physically connect to each subsystem individually and significantly reducing maintenance time
Solution Approach 2:
The remote access system provides universal functionality to access all elevator control subsystems through a single interface. The host computer can switch between different subsystems (door control subsystem, motion control subsystem, drive control subsystem, operational control subsystem) and perform multiple functions including monitoring, diagnostics, and parameter adjustment without requiring separate access mechanisms for each subsystem
2Ease of operation
If remote access is enabled to improve maintenance efficiency, then physical presence is reduced, but connection management and arbitration between local and remote connections become complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a communication unit as an intermediary between the host computer and the elevator control subsystems. This communication unit manages the complexity of connection arbitration, handling the coordination between local service equipment connections and remote host computer connections, thereby simplifying the overall system architecture while enabling sophisticated connection management
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the host computer receives status information from the elevator control subsystems and can query connection states. The system provides feedback about local connection status to the remote host, enabling intelligent arbitration decisions. Timeout mechanisms and connection state monitoring provide continuous feedback to manage connection priorities dynamically
Data Source
AI summary
A method and system for remote access to multiple subsystems (102) of an elevator control system (104) are provided. The method includes receiving a request to establish a remote connection at an elevator control subsystem (112) from a remote user system (110). The method also includes determining whether a local connection is established between the elevator control subsystem (112) and service equipment (120). The method further includes establishing the remote connection in response to determining that the local connection is not established between the elevator control subsystem (112) and the service equipment (120). The method additionally includes sending a time since the service equipment (120) was last active and providing an option to complete the remote connection in response to determining that the local connection is established, the elevator control subsystem (112) is operating in a first mode of operation, and a configurable local activity timeout period has not expired.