Method of controlling intelligent destination elevators with selected operation modes

• US 8,151,943 B2
• Filed: 08/19/2008
• Issued: 04/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 08/21/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pieter J De Groot
• Original Assignee: Pieter J De Groot
• Inventors: de Groot, Pieter J.
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US12/194,121
• Publication Number:
  US 20090050417A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,330 Days
• Field of Search: 187/247, 187380-389, 187391-393
• US Class Current: 187/382
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 1/2458 For elevator systems with multiple shafts and a single car per shaft
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/103 Destination call input before entering the elevator car
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/211 Waiting time, i.e. response time
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/212 Travel time
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/213 where the number of stops is limited
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/214 Total time, i.e. arrival time
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/222 Taking into account the number of passengers present in the elevator car to be allocated
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/225 Taking into account a certain departure interval of elevator cars from a specific floor, e.g. the ground floor
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/232 where the time needed for a passenger to arrive at the allocated elevator car from where the call is made is taken into account
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/402 by historical, statistical or predicted traffic data, e.g. by learning
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 2201/403 by real-time traffic data

Abstract

A method of controlling an intelligent destination elevator control system streamlines the control of two or more destination elevators. Operations of a group of destination elevators are monitored to gain experience about how the population is served by the group of destination elevators that serves a building or a building zone. The analysis of measured and/or modeled data and conditions with data about traffic patterns and traffic characteristics enables the system to dynamically control the destination elevators. The system may enhance passengers'"'"' experience through efficiency and/or with an improved comfort level.

Claims

1. A computer implemented method that facilitates operation of a group of destination elevators, comprising:

retaining a data structure, in a data warehouse, that represents modes of operations of a group of destination elevators that satisfy predetermined traffic conditions, the modes of operations comprising timing parameters for operating the group of destination elevators;

identifying a subset of modes of operations from the data warehouse based on a first selected operation parameter;

selecting a mode of operation from the subset of modes of operations that satisfies a second selected operation parameter;

programming a processor with a timing parameter based on the selected mode of operation, the processor driving an elevator control system that operates the group of destination elevators; and

assigning passengers to one of an elevator in the group of destination elevators until a maximum number of destinations provided by the selected mode of operation is reached.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising assigning passengers to the elevator in the group of destination elevators until a maximum number of additional stops on a downward trip is reached, the maximum number being defined by the selected mode of operation.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising monitoring a period of time that a first elevator in the group of destination elevators is at a destination floor.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising adjusting the mode of operation for a second elevator in the group of destination elevators when the first elevator in the group of destination elevators remains at the destination floor beyond a predetermined stopping threshold time period, and programming the processor with the mode of operation for the second elevator.

5. The method of claim 1, where the timing parameter based on the selected mode of operation is a round trip travel time for a next departing elevator in the group of destination elevators.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising monitoring the round trip travel time for the next departing elevator in the group of destination elevators.

7. The method of claim 6, further comprising dynamically adjusting the data structure with an updated round trip travel time of the one of the elevator in the group of destination elevators.

8. The method of claim 1, further comprising selecting a second mode of operation for a next departing elevator in the group of destination elevators when a transport capacity parameter of the one of the elevator will not satisfy anticipated transportation demand, and programming the processor with the second mode of operation for the next departing elevator.

9. The method of claim 8, where the second mode of operation comprises a direct trip pattern to one or more selected destinations.

10. The method of claim 1, further comprising dynamically adjusting the data structure with updated timing parameters for the one of the elevators in group of destination elevators based on the operation of the one of the elevator in the group of destination elevators.