Mobile Wireless Access Point Data Transfer in Conveyance Systems

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conveyance systems, such as elevator systems, face challenges with low network signal strength at certain locations along their travel paths, making effective wireless communication difficult.

Innovation Solution

Implementing mobile wireless access points that store data via short-range wireless protocols and then transmit it to a local gateway device when within range, which further communicates with a remote system using long-range wireless protocols, ensuring data transfer across the conveyance system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If wireless communication is used in conveyance systems, then data transfer capability is improved, but network signal strength becomes insufficient at certain locations

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer capabilityVSAvoidnetwork signal strength
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the data transfer process into multiple stages: data is first transferred to a mobile access point on the conveyance apparatus, then to a local gateway device when in range, and finally to a remote system. This segmentation allows data to be transmitted in chunks rather than requiring continuous end-to-end connectivity, resolving the contradiction between data transfer capability and signal strength reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile access point on the conveyance apparatus performs preliminary data reception and storage before the conveyance apparatus reaches locations with adequate signal strength. Data is buffered locally and transmitted to the local gateway device when the apparatus is in range, ensuring data transfer capability is maintained even when network signal strength is insufficient at certain locations.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If mobile wireless access points are deployed on conveyance apparatus, then data transfer reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedata transfer reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile access point on the conveyance apparatus serves multiple functions: it acts as a wireless communication interface, a local data buffer, and a relay node for data transmission. By combining these functions into a single device, the system improves data transfer reliability without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The local gateway device serves as an intermediary between the mobile access point on the conveyance apparatus and the remote system. It receives data from the mobile access point when in range and handles the complex task of forwarding data to the remote system, thereby distributing system complexity across multiple components rather than concentrating it in one place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Reliability

If data is stored locally on mobile access point, then continuous data communication is ensured, but memory requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontinuous data communicationVSAvoidmemory capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The mobile access point stores only the data that needs to be transmitted during the current conveyance trip, rather than maintaining large buffers for all possible data. The local gateway device on the ground handles the bulk data storage and management, allowing the mobile access point to have minimal memory requirements while still ensuring continuous data communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentEP3626665B1Conveyance system data transfer
Publication Date: 2024.10.02 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3626665B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3626665B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3626665B1 patent drawingFigure 3~5

AI summary

The method for data transfer in a conveyance system including: moving a conveyance apparatus (103a) and a mobile wireless access point (210) attached to the conveyance apparatus (103a) to a location where the mobile wireless access point (210) is within wireless range of a communication node (280); receiving data from the communication node (280) when the mobile wireless access point (210) is within wireless range of the communication node (280); and conveying the data to a local gateway device (240) or a second mobile wireless access point (210) attached to a second conveyance apparatus (103b).