Robot-Elevator Communication via Building System Mediation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conveyance systems such as elevators, escalators, and moving walkways are typically designed to interact only with humans, lacking integration with robots, which hinders efficient communication and coordination between robots and these systems.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that enable communication between robots and elevator systems using a robot communication system, where data collected by robot sensors is transmitted to the elevator system through a cloud computing network or a building system manager, allowing direct or indirect communication pathways.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If conveyance systems are designed to interact only with human beings, then the system design is simple and straightforward, but the system cannot communicate or coordinate with robots
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a building system manager as an intermediary component that mediates communication between robots and elevator systems. The manager receives data from robot sensor systems, processes it, and transmits appropriate commands to the elevator control system, enabling robot-elevator coordination without requiring direct integration between the two systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The building system manager serves multiple functions: it acts as a communication gateway for robots, a data processing center for sensor information, a command routing system for elevators, and a coordination hub for multiple conveyance systems. This multi-functionality allows a single component to handle diverse communication needs without increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If direct communication pathways are implemented between robots and elevator systems, then communication efficiency is improved, but system complexity and integration difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the communication functions for multiple conveyance systems (elevators, escalators, moving walkways) into a single building system manager. This consolidation allows efficient communication with all conveyance systems through one integrated interface, improving productivity while managing complexity through unified architecture rather than multiple separate integration pathways.
3Productivity
If sensor data from robots is collected and transmitted to conveyance systems, then coordination and operation efficiency are enhanced, but data transmission infrastructure complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The building system manager serves as a data transmission intermediary that receives sensor data from robots, processes and filters the information, and transmits only necessary commands to conveyance systems. This mediation reduces the complexity of direct data transmission infrastructure by consolidating communication pathways and filtering data at a central point.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of communication between a robot and an elevator system using a robot communication system including: collecting data on a landing of a building using a sensor system of the robot; and transmitting the data to the elevator system of the building, the data being transmitted to the elevator system directly from the robot, through a cloud computing network, or through a building system manager.