Patent Publication Number: US-11649136-B2

Title: Conveyance apparatus location determination using probability

Description:
BACKGROUND 
     The embodiments herein relate to the field of conveyance systems, and specifically to a method and apparatus for monitoring a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system. 
     Conveyance systems, such as, for example, elevator systems, escalator systems, and moving walkways may require periodic monitoring to perform diagnostics. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to an embodiment, a method of monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system is provided. The method including: obtaining a starting location position probability distribution of the conveyance apparatus within the conveyance system; detecting motion of the conveyance apparatus away from the probable starting location for a period of time; determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; determining a direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining a probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time in response to the starting location position probability distribution and at least one of the distance traveled, the direction of motion, and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting an acceleration of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the acceleration and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: obtaining a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the velocity of the conveyance apparatus and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that obtaining a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus is determined in response to the acceleration of the conveyance apparatus detected during the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting a first air pressure at the probable starting location of the conveyance apparatus; detecting a second air pressure at the conclusion of the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the first air pressure and the second air pressure. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: activating an alert when the probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time is less than a selected probability. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the conveyance system is an elevator system and the conveyance apparatus is an elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include: determining the probable destination location, wherein the probable destination location is a possible destination location of the plurality of possible destination locations having the probability that is highest amongst the plurality of possible destination locations. 
     According to another embodiment, a sensing apparatus for monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system is provided. The sensing apparatus including: a processor; and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations including: determining a starting location position probability distribution of the conveyance apparatus within the conveyance system; detecting motion of the conveyance apparatus away from the probable starting location for a period of time; determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; determining a direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining a probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time in response to starting location position probability distribution and at least one of the distance traveled, the direction of motion, and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting an acceleration of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the acceleration and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: obtaining a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the velocity of the conveyance apparatus and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that obtaining a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus is determined in response to the acceleration of the conveyance apparatus detected during the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting a first air pressure at the probable starting location of the conveyance apparatus; detecting a second air pressure at the conclusion of the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the first air pressure and the second air pressure. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the operations further include: activating an alert when the probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time is less than a selected probability. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the conveyance system is an elevator system and the conveyance apparatus is an elevator car. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that the operations further include: determining the probable destination location, wherein the probable destination location is a possible destination location of the plurality of possible destination locations having the probability that is highest amongst the plurality of possible destination locations. 
     According to another embodiment, a computer program product tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium is provided. The computer program product including instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: determining a starting location position probability distribution of the conveyance apparatus within the conveyance system; detecting motion of the conveyance apparatus away from the probable starting location for a period of time; determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; determining a direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining a probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time in response to starting location position probability distribution and at least one of the distance traveled, the direction of motion, and the period of time. 
     In addition to one or more of the features described herein, or as an alternative, further embodiments may include that determining a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time further includes: detecting an acceleration of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the acceleration and the period of time. 
     Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include determining a probability that a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system is at a possible destination location based upon distance that the conveyance apparatus has travelled. 
     The foregoing features and elements may be combined in various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly indicated otherwise. These features and elements as well as the operation thereof will become more apparent in light of the following description and the accompanying drawings. It should be understood, however, that the following description and drawings are intended to be illustrative and explanatory in nature and non-limiting. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
         FIG.  1    is a schematic illustration of an elevator system that may employ various embodiments of the present disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is a schematic illustration of a sensor system for the elevator system of  FIG.  1   , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  3    is a schematic illustration of the location of sensing apparatus of the sensor system of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; 
         FIG.  4    is a schematic illustration of a sensing apparatus of the sensor system of  FIG.  2   , in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure; and 
         FIG.  5    is a flow chart of a method of monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Conveyance systems, such as, for example, elevator systems, escalator systems, and moving walkways may require periodic monitoring to perform diagnostics using a variety of sensors. The sensors may be one way sensing apparatus that only communicate data rather than receiving data, thus saving power. Such sensing apparatus may require a location of the conveyance system to supplement detected data and must detect the location of the conveyance system by itself. When tracking the location of the conveyance apparatus through a one-way sensing apparatus, the tracked location may become uncertain at times and embodiments disclosed herein seek to address this issue. 
       FIG.  1    is a perspective view of an elevator system  101  including an elevator car  103 , a counterweight  105 , a tension member  107 , a guide rail  109 , a machine  111 , a position reference system  113 , and a controller  115 . The elevator car  103  and counterweight  105  are connected to each other by the tension member  107 . The tension member  107  may include or be configured as, for example, ropes, steel cables, and/or coated-steel belts. The counterweight  105  is configured to balance a load of the elevator car  103  and is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car  103  concurrently and in an opposite direction with respect to the counterweight  105  within an elevator shaft  117  and along the guide rail  109 . 
     The tension member  107  engages the machine  111 , which is part of an overhead structure of the elevator system  101 . The machine  111  is configured to control movement between the elevator car  103  and the counterweight  105 . The position reference system  113  may be mounted on a fixed part at the top of the elevator shaft  117 , such as on a support or guide rail, and may be configured to provide position signals related to a position of the elevator car  103  within the elevator shaft  117 . In other embodiments, the position reference system  113  may be directly mounted to a moving component of the machine  111 , or may be located in other positions and/or configurations as known in the art. The position reference system  113  can be any device or mechanism for monitoring a position of an elevator car and/or counter weight, as known in the art. For example, without limitation, the position reference system  113  can be an encoder, sensor, or other system and can include velocity sensing, absolute position sensing, etc., as will be appreciated by those of skill in the art. 
     The controller  115  is located, as shown, in a controller room  121  of the elevator shaft  117  and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system  101 , and particularly the elevator car  103 . For example, the controller  115  may provide drive signals to the machine  111  to control the acceleration, deceleration, leveling, stopping, etc. of the elevator car  103 . The controller  115  may also be configured to receive position signals from the position reference system  113  or any other desired position reference device. When moving up or down within the elevator shaft  117  along guide rail  109 , the elevator car  103  may stop at one or more landings  125  as controlled by the controller  115 . Although shown in a controller room  121 , those of skill in the art will appreciate that the controller  115  can be located and/or configured in other locations or positions within the elevator system  101 . In one embodiment, the controller may be located remotely or in the cloud. 
     The machine  111  may include a motor or similar driving mechanism. In accordance with embodiments of the disclosure, the machine  111  is configured to include an electrically driven motor. The power supply for the motor may be any power source, including a power grid, which, in combination with other components, is supplied to the motor. The machine  111  may include a traction sheave that imparts force to tension member  107  to move the elevator car  103  within elevator shaft  117 . 
     Although shown and described with a roping system including tension member  107 , elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator shaft may employ embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, embodiments may be employed in ropeless elevator systems using a linear motor to impart motion to an elevator car. Embodiments may also be employed in ropeless elevator systems using a hydraulic lift to impart motion to an elevator car.  FIG.  1    is merely a non-limiting example presented for illustrative and explanatory purposes. 
     In other embodiments, the system comprises a conveyance system that moves passengers between floors and/or along a single floor. Such conveyance systems may include escalators, people movers, etc. Accordingly, embodiments described herein are not limited to elevator systems, such as that shown in  FIG.  1   . In one example, embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable conveyance systems such as an elevator system  101  and a conveyance apparatus of the conveyance system such as an elevator car  103  of the elevator system  101 . In another example, embodiments disclosed herein may be applicable conveyance systems such as an escalator system and a conveyance apparatus of the conveyance system such as a moving stair of the escalator system. 
       FIG.  2    is a view of a sensor system  200  including a sensing apparatus  210 , according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The sensing apparatus  210  is configured to detect sensor data  202  of the elevator car  103  and transmit the sensor data  202  to a remote device  280 . Sensing data  202  may include but is not limited to pressure data  314 , vibratory signatures (i.e., vibrations over a period of time) or accelerations  312  and derivatives or integrals of accelerations  312  of the elevator car  103 , such as, for example, distance, velocity, jerk, j ounce, snap . . . etc. Sensing data  202  may also include light, sound, humidity, and temperature, or any other desired data parameter. The pressure data  314  may include atmospheric air pressure within the elevator shaft  117 . In an embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to transmit sensor data  202  that is raw and unprocessed to the controller  115  of the elevator system  101  for processing. In another embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to process the sensor data  202  prior to transmitting the sensor data  202  to the controller  115 . In another embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to transmit sensor data  202  that is raw and unprocessed to a remote system  280  for processing. In yet another embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to process the sensor data  202  prior to transmitting the sensor data  202  to the remote device  280 . 
     The processing of the sensor data  202  may reveal data, such as, for example, a number of elevator door openings/closings, elevator door time, vibrations, vibratory signatures, a number of elevator rides, elevator ride performance, elevator flight time, probable car position (e.g. elevation, floor number), releveling events, rollbacks, elevator car  103   x, y  acceleration at a position: (i.e., rail topology), elevator car  103   x, y  vibration signatures at a position: (i.e., rail topology), door performance at a landing number, nudging event, vandalism events, emergency stops, etc. 
     The remote device  280  may be a computing device, such as, for example, a desktop or cloud computer. The remote device  280  may also be a mobile computing device that is typically carried by a person, such as, for example a smartphone, PDA, smartwatch, tablet, laptop, etc. The remote device  280  may also be two separate devices that are synced together, such as, for example, a cellular phone and a desktop computer synced over an internet connection. The remote device  280  may also be a cloud computing network. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to the controller  115  or the remote device  280  via short-range wireless protocols  203  and/or long-range wireless protocols  204 . Short-range wireless protocols  203  may include but are not limited to Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HaLow (801.11ah), zWave, Zigbee, or Wireless M-Bus. Using short-range wireless protocols  203 , the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to directly to the controller  115  or to a local gateway device  240  and the local gateway device  240  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to the remote device  280  through a network  250  or to the controller  115 . The network  250  may be a computing network, such as, for example, a cloud computing network, cellular network, or any other computing network known to one of skill in the art. Using long-range wireless protocols  204 , the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to the remote device  280  through a network  250 . Long-range wireless protocols  204  may include but are not limited to cellular, satellite, LTE (NB-IoT, CAT M1), LoRa, Satellite, Ingenu, or SigFox. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  may be configured to detect sensor data  202  including acceleration in any number of directions. In an embodiment, the sensing apparatus may detect sensor data  202  including accelerations  312  along three axis, an X axis, a Y axis, and a Z axis, as show in in  FIG.  2   . The X axis may be perpendicular to the doors  104  of the elevator car  103 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . The Y axis may be parallel to the doors  104  of the elevator car  103 , as shown in  FIG.  2   . The Z axis may be aligned vertically parallel with the elevator shaft  117  and pull of gravity, as shown in  FIG.  2   . Vibratory signatures may be generated along the X-axis and the Y-axis as the elevator car  103  moves along the Z-axis. 
       FIG.  3    shows a possible installation location of the sensing apparatus  210  within the elevator system  101 . In the illustrated embodiment shown in  FIG.  3   , the sensing apparatus  210  may be installed on the door hanger  104   a  of the elevator system  101 . It is understood that the sensing apparatus  210  may also be installed in other locations other than the door hanger  104   a  of the elevator system  101 . In another embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  may be attached to a door header  104   e  of a door  104  of the elevator car  103 . In another embodiment, the primary sensing apparatus  201  may be located on a door header  104   e  proximate a top portion  104   f  of the elevator car  103 . In another embodiment, the sensing apparatus  210  is installed elsewhere on the elevator car  103 , such as, for example, directly on the door  104 . 
     As shown in  FIG.  3   , the sensing apparatus  201  may be located on a door hanger  104   a . The doors  104  are operably connected to the door header  104   e  through a door hanger  104   a  located proximate a top portion  104   b  of the door  104 . The door hanger  104   a  includes guide wheels  104   c  that allow the door  104  to slide open and close along a guide rail  104   d  on the door header  104   e . Advantageously, the door hanger  104   a  is an easy to access area to attach the sensing apparatus  210  because the door hanger  104   a  is accessible when the elevator car  103  is at landing  125  and the elevator door  104  is open. Thus, installation of the sensing apparatus  210  is possible without taking special measures to take control over the elevator car  103 . For example, the additional safety of an emergency door stop to hold the elevator door  104  open is not necessary as door  104  opening at landing  125  is a normal operation mode. The door hanger  104   a  also provides ample clearance for the sensing apparatus  210  during operation of the elevator car  103 , such as, for example, door  104  opening and closing. Due to the mounting location of the sensing apparatus  210  on the door hanger  104   a , the sensing apparatus  210  may detect open and close motions (i.e., acceleration) of the door  104  of the elevator car  103  and a door at the landing  125 . Additionally mounting the sensing apparatus  210  on the hanger  104   a  allows for recording of a ride quality of the elevator car  103 . 
       FIG.  4    illustrates a block diagram of the sensing apparatus  210  of the sensing system of  FIGS.  2  and  3   . It should be appreciated that, although particular systems are separately defined in the schematic block diagram of  FIG.  4   , each or any of the systems may be otherwise combined or separated via hardware and/or software. As shown in  FIG.  4   , the sensing apparatus  210  may include a controller  212 , a plurality of sensors  217  in communication with the controller  212 , a communication module  220  in communication with the controller  212 , and a power source  222  electrically connected to the controller  212 . 
     The plurality of sensors  217  may include an inertial measurement unit (IMU) sensor  218  configured to detect sensor data  202  including accelerations  312  of the sensing apparatus  210  and the elevator car  103  when the sensing apparatus  210  is attached to the elevator car  103 . The IMU sensor  218  may be a sensor, such as, for example, an accelerometer, a gyroscope, or a similar sensor known to one of skill in the art. The accelerations  312  detected by the IMU sensor  218  may include accelerations  312  as well as derivatives or integrals of accelerations, such as, for example, velocity, jerk, jounce, snap . . . etc. The IMU sensor  218  is in communication with the controller  212  of the sensing apparatus  210 . 
     The plurality of sensors  217  may also include additional sensors including but not limited to a light sensor  226 , a pressure sensor  228 , a microphone  230 , a humidity sensor  232 , and a temperature sensor  234 . The light sensor  226  is configured to detect sensor data  202  including light exposure. The light sensor  226  is in communication with the controller  212 . The pressure sensor  228  is configured to detect sensor data  202  including pressure data  314 , such as, for example, atmospheric air pressure within the elevator shaft  117 . The pressure sensor  228  may be a pressure altimeter or barometric altimeter in two non-limiting examples. The pressure sensor  228  is in communication with the controller  212 . The microphone  230  is configured to detect sensor data  202  including audible sound and sound levels. The microphone  230  is in communication with the controller  212 . The humidity sensor  232  is configured to detect sensor data  202  including humidity levels. The humidity sensor  232  is in communication with the controller  212 . The temperature sensor  234  is configured to detect sensor data  202  including temperature levels. The temperature sensor  234  is in communication with the controller  212 . 
     The controller  212  of the sensing apparatus  210  includes a processor  214  and an associated memory  216  comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor  214 , cause the processor  214  to perform various operations, such as, for example, processing the sensor data  202  collected by the IMU sensor  218 , the light sensor  226 , the pressure sensor  228 , the microphone  230 , the humidity sensor  232 , and the temperature sensor  234 . In an embodiment, the controller  212  may process the accelerations  312  and/or the pressure data  314  in order to determine a probable location of the elevator car  103 , discussed further below. The processor  214  may be but is not limited to a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including field programmable gate array (FPGA), central processing unit (CPU), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC), digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory  216  may be a storage device, such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium. 
     The power source  222  of the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to store and supply electrical power to the sensing apparatus  210 . The power source  222  may include an energy storage system, such as, for example, a battery system, capacitor, or other energy storage system known to one of skill in the art. The power source  222  may also generate electrical power for the sensing apparatus  210 . The power source  222  may also include an energy generation or electricity harvesting system, such as, for example synchronous generator, induction generator, or other type of electrical generator known to one of skill in the art. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  includes a communication module  220  configured to allow the controller  212  of the sensing apparatus  210  to communicate with the remote device  280  or controller  115  through at least one of short-range wireless protocols  203  and long-range wireless protocols  204 . The communication module  220  may be configured to communicate with the remote device  280  using short-range wireless protocols  203 , such as, for example, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, HaLow (801.11ah), Wireless M-Bus, zWave, Zigbee, or other short-range wireless protocol known to one of skill in the art. Using short-range wireless protocols  203 , the communication module  220  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to a local gateway device  240  and the local gateway device  240  is configured to transmit the sensor data to a remote device  280  through a network  250 , as described above. The communication module  220  may be configured to communicate with the remote device  280  using long-range wireless protocols  204 , such as for example, cellular, LTE (NB-IoT, CAT M1), LoRa, Ingenu, SigFox, Satellite, or other long-range wireless protocol known to one of skill in the art. Using long-range wireless protocols  204 , the communication module  220  is configured to transmit the sensor data  202  to a remote device  280  through a network  250 . In an embodiment, the short-range wireless protocol  203  is sub GHz Wireless M-Bus. In another embodiment, the long-range wireless protocol is Sigfox. In another embodiment, the long-range wireless protocol is LTE NB-IoT or CAT M1 with 2G fallback. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  includes a location probability module  330  configured to determine a probability of the elevator car  103  being at a plurality of possible destination locations along the elevator shaft  117 . The probability of the elevator car  103  being at a plurality of possible destination locations along the elevator shaft  117  may be determined in response to a probable starting location and a distance traveled away from that probable starting location. The plurality of possible destination locations may be fixed locations along the elevator shaft  117 , such as for example, the landings  125  of the elevator shaft  117 . The locations may be equidistantly spaced apart along the elevator shaft  117  or intermittently spaced apart along the elevator shaft  117 . 
     The location probability module  330  may utilize various approaches to determine a probability of the elevator car  103  being at a plurality of possible destination locations along the elevator shaft  117 . In one example approach, the location probability module  330  may calculate probabilities independently for every start floor and then sum probabilities of end positions (i.e., destination location/landing/floor) with weights taken from start floors distribution. In another example approach, the location probability module  330  may calculate conditional probabilities for all combinations of start floor and destination floor. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  also includes a distance from acceleration derivation module  320  configured to determine a distance traveled of the elevator car  103  within the elevator shaft  117  in response to the acceleration of the elevator car  103  detected along the Y axis. The sensing apparatus  210  may detect an acceleration along the Y axis shown at  322  and may integrate the acceleration to get a velocity of the elevator car  103  at  324 . At  326 , the sensing apparatus  210  may also integrate the velocity of the elevator car  103  to determine a distance traveled by the elevator car  103  within the elevator shaft  117  during the acceleration  312  detected at  322 . The direction of travel of the elevator car  103  may also be determined in response to the acceleration  312  detected. The location probability module  330  may then determine the probability of the elevator car  103  being at a plurality of possible destination locations along the elevator shaft  117  in response to a probable starting location and a distance traveled away from that probable starting location. The probable starting location may be based upon tracking the past operation and/or movement of the elevator car  103 . 
     The sensing apparatus  210  may also include a distance from pressure derivation module  310 . The sensing apparatus  210  may detect a change in pressure as the elevator car  103  is in motion using the pressure sensor  228 . A distance traveled by the elevator car  103  within the elevator shaft  117  may be determined in response to the change in pressure via the pressure data  314  through either a look up table or a calculation of altitude using the barometric pressure change in two non-limiting embodiments. The direction of travel of the elevator car  103  may also be determined in response to the change in pressure detected via the pressure data  314 . The location probability module  330  may then determine the probability of the elevator car  103  being at a plurality of possible destination locations along the elevator shaft  117  in response to a probable starting location and a distance traveled away from that probable starting location. 
     Referring now to  FIG.  5   , while referencing components of  FIGS.  1 - 3   .  FIG.  5    shows a flow chart of a method  500  of monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system, in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In an embodiment, the conveyance system is an elevator system  101  and the conveyance apparatus is an elevator car  103 . At block  504 , a starting location position probability distribution of the conveyance apparatus within the conveyance system is obtained. For example, in an elevator system  101 , the starting location position probability distribution will depict the probability that each landing  125  of an elevator system  101  may be the probable starting location. At block  506 , motion of the conveyance apparatus away from the probable starting location for a period of time is detected. 
     At block  508 , a distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time is determined. In one embodiment, the distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time may be determined by: detecting an acceleration of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the acceleration and the period of time. In another embodiment, the distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time may be determined by: detecting a first air pressure at the probable starting location of the conveyance apparatus; detecting a second air pressure at the conclusion of the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the first air pressure and the second air pressure. 
     In another embodiment, the distance traveled by the conveyance apparatus during the period of time may be determined by: obtaining a velocity of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time; and determining the distance travelled by the conveyance apparatus in response to the velocity of the conveyance apparatus and the period of time. The velocity may be a standard operating velocity of the conveyance apparatus or a detected velocity. The sensing apparatus  210  may utilize a look up table for a distance travelled over the time period based upon the standard operating velocity of the conveyance apparatus or the detected velocity of the conveyance apparatus. 
     At block  510 , a direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus during the period of time is determined. In one embodiment, the direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus may be determined in response to the acceleration of the conveyance apparatus detected during the period of time. In another embodiment, the direction of motion of the conveyance apparatus may be determined in response to the first air pressure and the second air pressure. 
     At block  512 , a probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time is determined in response to the starting location position probability distribution and at least one of the distance traveled, the direction of motion, and the period of time. A probable destination location may be determined amongst the plurality of possible destination location. The probable destination location may be a possible destination location of the plurality of possible destination locations having the probability that is highest amongst the plurality of possible destination locations. 
     In a first example, if the plurality of possible destinations of include five vertical landings and the distance traveled is two vertical landings upward, the probability of the bottom two landings being a probable destination location is low to zero, because the conveyance system cannot move up two landings to the bottom two vertical landings. Further, the probable starting location then may adjust the probability that one of the remaining three top landing is the probable destination. 
     The probabilities determined may be a weighted probability based on distance traveled. In another example, if hoistway is tall (e.g., landings  125  are spaced four meters apart) and a current location of the elevator car  103  is unknown then all floors may have same probability of being the probable starting location of the elevator car  103 . If the elevator car  103  travels up about twenty meters then it may be determined that the top four landings  125  are less likely to be the start position as the elevator car  103  most likely not move upward 20 meters from any of the top four landings  125  if the landings  125  are spaced four meters apart. Therefore, the probability is lowest for top landing  125  and then the probability increases for the next three landings  125  moving away from the top landing  125 . 
     An alert may be activated when the probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time is less than a selected probability. If the probability of the conveyance apparatus being at each of a plurality of possible destination locations at a conclusion of the period of time is less than a selected probability then it may be understood that the sensing apparatus  210  is uncertain of a location of the conveyance apparatus. The alert may be an audible, visual, and/or vibratory alert on a computing device (e.g., remote device  280 ) to alert the user of the computing device that the sensing apparatus  210  is uncertain of a location of the conveyance apparatus. 
     The sensing apparatus  210  may perform a learning run and a learning mode. During a learning run, the sensing apparatus  210  is configured to define a floor map using just a sensing apparatus  210 . The floor map may be utilized later by the sensing apparatus to apply probabilities. During a learning mode, the sensing apparatus  210  is learning the floor map of the elevator shaft  117  and assuming that the sensing apparatus  210  is constantly lost. For example, learning mode or learning run may start from a smallest determined elevator system (e.g.,  2  stops). If the elevator car  103  moves upward it may be determined that the probability of a bottom landing  125  being the possible destination location is now about 0% and the probability of an upper landing  125  being the possible destination location is about 100%. Next, if elevator car  103  moves further up to stop at a second landing then it may be determined that at least three landings  125  exist along the elevator shaft  114 . If the elevator car  125  then moves down to a third landing  125  but not as far as to reach the second landing  125  then it may be determined that there is a landing between the second landing and the third landing  125  and there are at least four landings  125 . A new landing  125  may only be added if the new measured location is more than a selected distance away from a previously detected landing  125 , which is to avoid detecting the same landing  125  and misinterpreting it as two different landings  125 . The learning mode or learning run may continue until all the floors have been reached. The learning mode or learning run may end when each detected landing  125  has been visited twice or a specific motion of the elevator car  103  was detected (e.g., ex. one landing  125  up, two landings  125  down, one landing  125  up). Once the learning mode or learning run is completed then the probable starting location may be given a 100% probability. 
     While the above description has described the flow process of  FIG.  5    in a particular order, it should be appreciated that unless otherwise specifically required in the attached claims that the ordering of the steps may be varied. 
     The term “about” is intended to include the degree of error associated with measurement of the particular quantity and/or manufacturing tolerances based upon the equipment available at the time of filing the application. 
     The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. 
     Those of skill in the art will appreciate that various example embodiments are shown and described herein, each having certain features in the particular embodiments, but the present disclosure is not thus limited. Rather, the present disclosure can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions, combinations, sub-combinations, or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the scope of the present disclosure. Additionally, while various embodiments of the present disclosure 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.