Remote elevator call placement with provisional call verification

• US 6,109,396 A
• Filed: 11/09/1998
• Issued: 08/29/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Sirag, David, Winston, Charles R., Morgan, Robert G.
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US09/189,161
• Time in Patent Office: 659 Days
• Field of Search: 187/384, 187/389, 187/391, 187/392, 187/385, 187/387, 187/398, 187/381
• US Class Current: 187/381
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/468 Call registering systems
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4615 Wherein the destination is registered before boarding
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/4653 wherein the call is registered using portable devices

Abstract

A remote control device transmits a request for elevator service while a passenger is some distance from the elevator; the call may be assigned to an elevator car, but the car stops for that particular passenger only if the call is verified by the passenger approaching the immediate vicinity of the elevator. In one embodiment, tags identifying beacons that cause requests to be made remotely of, in proximity with, and within the elevator identify the location from where each request is made. In other embodiments, which may use key operated devices, limited-sensitivity receivers, or receivers with directional reception patterns, including overlapping patterns, may be utilized to distinguish between elevator call requests made remotely and made in the vicinity of the elevator. Other methods of verifying presence of the calling device at the elevator may be used.

Claims

1. A method for remotely entering calls for service by selected ones of a plurality of elevators between floors of a structure, comprising:

(a) transmitting a call message indicative of a request for elevator service from a device carried by a person while said person is at a position on a given floor separated from the elevator by a distance equivalent to a walking time of between five and twenty seconds;

(b) assigning said request for service to a selected one of said elevators;

(c) entering a hall stop for said selected elevator to stop at said floor in response to said message;

(d) determining if said person carrying said device is or is not in the immediate vicinity of said elevators; and

alternatively,

(e) if said person is in the vicinity of said selected elevator when said selected elevator reaches a stop control point for said given floor, causing said selected elevator to stop at said floor;

or

(f) if said person is not in the vicinity of said selected elevator when said selected elevator reaches said stop control point, cancelling said hall stop unless a hall stop has been entered for said given floor for another passenger.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

said call message includes a message portion identifying a destination floor; and

said step (e) includes entering a call stop for said selected elevator to stop at said destination floor.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein:

said step (f) includes assigning said request for service to a second one of said elevators and entering a hall stop for said second elevator to stop at said given floor.

4. A method for remotely entering calls for service by selected ones of a plurality of elevators between floors of a structure, comprising:

(a) transmitting a call message indicative of a request for elevator service from a device carried by a person, said request including service from an origin floor to a destination floor;

(b) assigning said request for service to a selected one of said elevators;

(c) entering a hall stop to cause said selected elevator to stop at said origin floor in response to said message and open its door for access thereto by passengers;

(d) determining if said person carrying said device is within the cab of said elevator; and

alternatively

(e) if said person is within said cab, entering a call stop for said elevator to stop at said destination floor;

or

(f) if said person is not within said cab, not entering said call stop for said destination floor.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said step (f) further comprises:

assigning said request for service to another one of said elevators.

6. A method for remotely entering calls for service by selected ones of a plurality of elevators between floors of a structure, comprising:

(a) transmitting a call message indicative of a request for elevator service from a device carried by a person while said person is at a position on a given floor separated from the elevator by a distance equivalent to a walking time of between five and twenty seconds, said request including service from an origin floor to a destination floor;

(b) assigning said request for service to a selected one of said elevators;

(c) entering a hall stop to cause said selected elevator to stop at said origin floor in response to said message and open its door for access thereto by passengers;

(d) determining if said person carrying said device is or is not in the immediate vicinity of said elevators; and

alternatively,

(e) if said person is in the vicinity of said selected elevator when said selected elevator reaches a stop control point for said given floor, causing said selected elevator to stop at said floor;

or

(f) if said person is not in the vicinity of said selected elevator when said selected elevator reaches said stop control point, cancelling said hall stop unless a hall stop has been entered for said given floor for another passenger;

(g) determining if said person carrying said device is within the cab of said elevator; and

alternatively

(h) if said person is within said cab, entering a call stop for said elevator to stop at said destination floor;

or

(i) if said person is not within said cab, not entering said call stop for said destination floor.