Abstract:
A system for allocating elevator use based on an individual request includes a request module that receives a reservation request of an elevator car from a user, an allocation module that identifies a reserved elevator car based on the reservation request; and a mechanical control module that moves the reserved elevator car in response to commands provided by the user and the reservation request.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 62/182,046, filed Jun. 19, 2015, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates generally to an elevator system and, more specifically, to an elevator system that allows a user to reserve an elevator for a specified amount of time. 
         [0003]    Elevator behavior can be undesirable for users performing specialized tasks, or for users with limited mobility. When a user of an elevator system would like to move large quantities of items, for example, the door times, number of stops, and timeliness of elevator arrival can disrupt the completion of this task. Additionally, a user with limited mobility may require extra load time not afforded by default elevator settings. In addition, a user may wish to decrease a wait time beyond typical elevator operation. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION 
       [0004]    According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a system for allocating elevator use based on an individual request includes a request module that receives a reservation request of an elevator car from a user; an allocation module identifies a reserved elevator car based on the reservation request; and a mechanical control module that moves the reserved elevator car in response to commands provided by the user and the reservation request. 
         [0005]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a service quality monitoring module monitors a quality of service of an elevator bank that includes the reserved elevator car. 
         [0006]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a service quality monitoring module sets a service threshold and instructs the allocation module to deny the reservation request in response to a quality of service falling below a service threshold. 
         [0007]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include a service threshold generated based on historical elevator data that includes historical elevator traffic of an elevator bank of the reserved elevator car. 
         [0008]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifying time parameters for elevator car reservation that include at least one of a day, a time and location for a reservation. 
         [0009]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifying an independent service that dedicates a reserved elevator car for operation by the user. 
         [0010]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifying that an alternate elevator car may be available when the user provides notification of arrival at the reserved elevator car. 
         [0011]    According to a non-limiting embodiment of the present disclosure, a method for allocating elevator use based on an individual request comprises receiving a reservation request of an elevator car from a user, identifying a reserved elevator car based on the reservation request, and moving the reserved elevator car in response to commands provided by the user and the reservation request. 
         [0012]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include monitoring a quality of service of an elevator bank that includes the reserved elevator car. 
         [0013]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include setting a service threshold and instructing the allocation module to deny the reservation request in response to a quality of service falling below a service threshold. 
         [0014]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include generating the service threshold based on historical elevator data that includes historical elevator traffic of an elevator bank of the reserved elevator car. 
         [0015]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifies time parameters for elevator car reservation that include at least one of a day, a time and location for a reservation. 
         [0016]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifies an independent service that dedicates a reserved elevator car for operation by the user. 
         [0017]    In addition to one or more of the features described above or below, or as an alternative, further embodiments could include the reservation request specifies that an alternate elevator car may be available when the user provides notification of arrival at the reserved elevator car. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0018]    The subject matter is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the present disclosure are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an elevator system; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  illustrates an elevator controller in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; 
           [0021]      FIG. 3  illustrates a device running a software application in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an elevator system  10  may include a stationary support structure  11  that may generally be an integral part of a multi-story building, and at least one lane or hoistway (i.e., three hoistways  13 ,  15 ,  17  illustrated) having boundaries generally defined by the structure  11 . The system  10  further includes at least one car  14  that travels within at least one of the hoistways  13 ,  15 ,  17 . The car  14  may travel in a vertical direction, and may further be in a dedicated upward direction in hoistway  24  and a dedicated downward direction in hoistway  13  (as one, non-limiting, example). It is further contemplated and understood that the elevator system  10  may be self-propelled, and may have multiple cars  30  traveling in any one hoistway  13 ,  15 ,  17  with the multiple cars traveling in an upward direction in hoistway  15  and a downward direction in hoistway  13 . 
         [0023]    The elevator system  10  may further include at least one transfer station  30  generally located at or above the top floor and at or below the bottom floor. The at least one transfer station  30  may impart horizontal movement of the cars  14 , thereby facilitating transfer of the cars  14  between hoistways  13 ,  15 ,  17 . Although not shown in  FIG. 1 , one or more intermediate transfer stations, similar to station  30  may be used between the first floor and the top floor. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  illustrates an elevator controller  200  in accordance with one embodiment. The elevator controller  200  generates signals that move the cars  14 . The elevator controller  200  is configured to communicate with a device  202 , for example, that allows a user to provide a reservation request to the elevator controller  200 . The reservation request can specify time parameters for elevator operation. The reservation request can further specify whether the elevator controller  200  must have an elevator car available when the user arrives at an elevator platform, or whether a user is requesting independent, dedicated service of an elevator car. When a user requests independent service, the elevator controller  200  may specifically allocate an individual elevator car of the elevator cars  14  for the user. 
         [0025]    The elevator controller  200  includes a request module  204 , an allocation module  206 , a service quality module  208  and a mechanical control module  210 . The request module  204  evaluates a reservation request from the user. The request module  204  may be connected to the Internet, a local-area-network, or any other type of network, for example, in a wired or wireless connection. The device  202  may be a smartphone, tablet, computer, or kiosk running a website or smartphone application as described in more detail below. 
         [0026]    The reservation request may specify time parameters for elevator car reservation. The time parameters may indicate a day, time and location for a reservation, along with the desired availability of the elevator car. For example, if a user is performing a task where storage of belongings is required in the elevator car, the user may request independent service as the desired availability of the elevator car. 
         [0027]    An allocation module  206  of the elevator controller  200  is configured to communicate with the request module  204 . The allocation module  206  identifies a reserved elevator car based on the reservation request. The allocation module  206  can track the total reserved time that an elevator car or cars of an elevator bank have been reserved over a given time period. 
         [0028]    For example, an administrator, such as a building manager, can define a maximum total time that elevator cars can be reserved over a given time period (e.g., one hour per day, four hours per week, six hours per month, etc.). If the total reserved time has been exceeded at the time of the request, the allocation module  206  can deny the reservation request. The allocation module  206  communicates with the request module  204 , and the request module  204  transmits a message to the user. The message may notify the user that the reservation request for an elevator car has been denied. 
         [0029]    The allocation module  206  may also communicate with the service quality monitoring module  208 . The service quality monitoring module  208  monitors a quality of service of elevator cars of the elevator bank that are not subject to a reservation. Additionally, the service quality monitoring module  208  may monitor the quality of service of all cars operating within the elevator bank prior to the request. 
         [0030]    A service threshold may be set by the service quality monitoring module  208  to maintain a minimum quality of service of the elevator cars of the elevator bank. The service threshold may include or be computed based on an average wait time, average transit time, etc. If the service threshold is not met, i.e. a minimum level of service is not provided, the service quality monitoring module  208  may transmit a message to the allocation module  206  indicating that the reservation request cannot be granted. Alternatively or additionally, the allocation module  206  may terminate an active reservation after a reservation has been granted, depending on whether the service threshold continues to be met. 
         [0031]    Additionally, the service quality monitoring module  208  may store historical traffic data of the elevator bank. A specific time period, such as a weekday between 4 PM and 6 PM may be an exceptionally busy time for the elevator bank, meaning that the elevator bank may be required to accommodate a high volume of passengers during this time period. The service quality monitoring module  208  may preemptively conclude that the service threshold will not be met if a reservation is granted during a specific, historically high volume time period. Accordingly, the service quality monitoring module  208  may instruct the allocation module  206  that a request should not be granted during the specific, high-volume time period. 
         [0032]    The allocation module  208  may be in communication with the mechanical control module  210  of the elevator controller  200 . The mechanical control module  210  controls motion of the reserved elevator car and the elevator cars that have not been reserved of the elevator cars  14 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIG. 3  with continuing reference to  FIG. 2 ,  FIG. 3  represents a device  300  running a software application in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure. Alternatively, the device  300  can access a website, an external kiosk etc. to make a reservation request. In addition, the device may be a portable smart phone, a portable smart tablet, or be affixed to a kiosk of an elevator system, for example. The software application may run in conjunction with an existing elevator management software. 
         [0034]    The device  300  may prompt a user to enter request parameters including a day  302 , a time  304  and a duration  306  in which an elevator is to be reserved. A user may enter the day  302 , time  304  and duration  306  within the software application as shown. The user may submit the request parameters to the request module  204 . After processing, the request module  204  may notify the user that a request has been granted or denied on the device. 
         [0035]    While the present disclosure has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the present disclosure is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate in spirit and/or scope. Additionally, while various embodiments have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the present disclosure may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the present disclosure is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims. Modifications and equivalents may be made to the features of the claims without departing from the scope of the invention.