Centralized Remote Elevator Rescue With Verified Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevators often require manual rescue operations due to malfunctions, which can be delayed by the time it takes for a serviceman to arrive, trapping passengers inside the elevator car.
Innovation Solution
A remote service system enables centralized remote operation of multiple elevators by verifying the correct elevator through shared secrets, challenge-response authentication, or visual/audio signals, and establishing a secure data connection to perform operations like bypassing safety contacts and activating rescue drives.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual rescue operation is performed locally at elevator site, then safety and control are maintained, but response time increases due to serviceman arrival delay
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical system of physical presence (serviceman traveling to elevator site) with an electronic/communication system. The remote service system communicates with the elevator controller via data connection to perform rescue operations remotely, eliminating the time loss associated with physical travel while maintaining safety through verified control.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a communication computer and data connection as intermediaries between the remote service system and the elevator controller. This intermediary enables remote operation by transmitting control signals and verification data, allowing the serviceman to operate the elevator remotely without physical presence at the site.
2Loss of time
If remote operation is enabled without verification, then response time is reduced, but security and correct elevator identification are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs verification as a preliminary action before enabling remote operation. The remote service system verifies the elevator's identity and authenticity through challenge-response authentication or visual/audible signal verification before establishing control, ensuring that the correct elevator is operated while maintaining fast response time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the elevator provides verification responses (visual signals, audible signals, or authentication data) to the remote service system. This feedback loop ensures that the remote service system correctly identifies and verifies the elevator before establishing control, preventing unauthorized or incorrect elevator operation.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an aspect, there is provided a method for remote operation of a plurality of elevators in a centralized manner by a remote service system, the remote service system comprising a remote communication computer and wherein each of the plurality of elevators comprises an elevator controller associated with a communication computer. The method comprises receiving, by a remote service system from the communication computer associated with an elevator, a rescue request associated with the elevator; providing, by the remote service system, a verification to distinguish the elevator associated with the rescue request among the plurality of elevators; enabling, by the remote communication computer, a data connection with the communication computer associated with the elevator to control the verified elevator; and performing, by the remote service system, at least one remote operation associated with the verified elevator using the enabled data connection.