Patent Description:
Commonly, elevator cars are organized into an elevator group (i.e., and elevator bank) that serves an elevator lobby. Passengers that desire to call an elevator car must press an elevator call button to call a first elevator car. The elevator call button remains illuminated until the first elevator car arrives, which prevents further elevator calls from being place. Thus, if a large crowd is located in the elevator lobby, additional passenger must wait for the first elevator car called to arrive prior to calling an additional elevator car, which may lead to increased wait times for large crowds at in elevator lobbies.

<CIT> describes a group management method and system for an elevator system in which elevator cars are successively dispatched to serve passengers at a lobby according to the preambles of claims <NUM> and <NUM>, respectively. <CIT> describes an elevator control system including a device for detecting, in a desired identification area, contact patterns directed onto the floor surface of an elevator lobby, and in which elevator calls are classified on the basis of the detected contact pattern. <CIT> describes a passenger transportation system in which the movement of elevator cars is controlled based on the movement of passengers as determined using a passenger trajectory tracking device.

According to the invention, a method of operating a building elevator system having a plurality of elevator systems organized into an elevator group is provided. The method including: detecting crowd data within an elevator lobby proximate the elevator group on a landing; determining a level of crowdedness in response to the crowd data; determining at least two elevator cars of the plurality of elevator systems are required in response to the level of crowdedness; dispatching an elevator car of a first elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; dispatching an elevator car of a second elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; and coordinating an arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing and an arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Some embodiments may include adjusting at least one of a velocity of the elevator car of the first elevator system and a velocity of the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that prior to dispatching the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system, the method further includes: determining the elevator car of the first elevator system is proximate the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that prior to dispatching the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system, the method further includes: determining the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system are proximate the landing.

Some embodiments may include adjusting at least one of a dispatch time of the elevator car of the first elevator system and a dispatch time of the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing is equivalent to the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Some embodiments may include that the crowd datsa includes a location of individuals within an elevator lobby, and wherein the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing and the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing are coordinated in response to the location of individuals within the elevator lobby.

Some embodiments may include that the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing is before the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Some embodiments may include that the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing is after the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Some embodiments may include displaying the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing on a display device located on the landing; and displaying the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing on a second display device located on the landing.

According to the invention, a building elevator system having a plurality of elevator systems organized into an elevator group is also provided. The building elevator system including: a crowd detecting device located proximate the elevator group on each landing; a processor; a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations, the operations including: detecting, using the crowd detection device, crowd data within an elevator lobby proximate the elevator group on a landing; determining a level of crowdedness in response to the crowd data; determining at least two elevator cars of the plurality of elevator systems are required in response to the level of crowdedness; dispatching an elevator car of a first elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; dispatching an elevator car of a second elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; and coordinating an arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing and an arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Some embodiments may include that the operations further include: adjusting at least one of a velocity of the elevator car of the first elevator system and a velocity of the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that prior to dispatching the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system, the operations further includes: determining the elevator car of the first elevator system is proximate the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that prior to dispatching the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system, the operations further includes: determining the elevator car of the first elevator system and the elevator car of the second elevator system are proximate the landing.

Some embodiments may include that the operations further include: adjusting at least one of a dispatch time of the elevator car of the first elevator system and a dispatch time of the elevator car of the second elevator system.

Some embodiments may include that the crowd data includes a location of individuals within an elevator lobby, and wherein the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing and the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing are coordinated in response to the location of individuals within the elevator lobby.

Some embodiments may include that the operations further include: displaying the arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing on a display device located on the landing; and displaying the arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing on a second display device located on the landing.

In some embodiments the method may be computer-implemented. A non-transitory computer-readable medium may comprise instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out the method outlined hereinabove. Thus, the disclosure extends to a non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out a method comprising: detecting crowd data within an elevator lobby proximate the elevator group on a landing; determining, using a crowd detection device, a level of crowdedness in response to the crowd data; determining at least two elevator cars of the plurality of elevator systems are required in response to the level of crowdedness; dispatching an elevator car of a first elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; dispatching an elevator car of a second elevator system of the plurality of elevator systems to the landing; and coordinating an arrival time of the elevator car of the first elevator system at the landing and an arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include utilizing a crowd detection device to call multiple elevator cars in response to a level of crowdedness detected.

Referring now to <FIG> with continued reference to <FIG>. As seen in <FIG>, a building elevator system <NUM> within a building <NUM> may include multiple different individual elevator systems 101a-101d organized in an elevator group <NUM> (e.g., elevator banks). The elevator systems 101a-101d include a first elevator system 101a having an elevator car 103a, a second elevator system 101b having an elevator car 103b, a third elevator system 101c having an elevator car 103c, and a fourth elevator system 101d having an elevator car 103d. It is understood that while four elevator systems 101a-101d are utilized for exemplary illustration, embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to building elevator systems <NUM> having two or more elevator systems <NUM>. It is also understood that while nine landings 125a-125i are utilized for exemplary illustration, embodiments disclosed herein may be applied to building elevator systems <NUM> having any number of landings.

Further, the elevator system 101a-101d illustrated in <FIG> is organized into a single elevator group <NUM> for ease of explanation but it is understood that the elevator systems 101a-101d may be organized into one or more elevator groups. The elevator group <NUM> may contain one or more elevator systems <NUM>. The elevator group <NUM> serves a plurality of landings <NUM> comprising landings 125a-125i. It is understood that while the elevator group <NUM> serves every landing 125a-125i illustrated within the building <NUM> for exemplary illustration, embodiments disclosed herein may include elevator group having multiple elevator systems where each elevator system serves a different range of landings and not all the landings 125a-125i of the building <NUM>.

Each landing 125a-125i in the building <NUM> of <FIG> may have an elevator call device 89a-89i. The elevator call device 89a-89i sends an elevator call <NUM> to the dispatcher <NUM> including the source of the elevator call <NUM>. The elevator call device <NUM>-89i may include a destination entry option that includes the destination of the elevator call <NUM>. The elevator call device 89a-89i may be a push button and/or a touch screen and may be activated manually or automatically. For example, the elevator call <NUM> may be sent by an individual entering the elevator call <NUM> via the elevator call device 89a-89i. The elevator call device 89a-89i may also be activated to send an elevator call <NUM> by voice recognition or a passenger detection mechanism in the hallway, such as, for example a weight sensing device, a visual recognition device, depth sensing device, radar device, a laser detection device, and/or any other desired device capable of sensing the presence of a passenger. The elevator call device 89a-89i may be activated to send an elevator call <NUM> through an automatic elevator call system that automatically initiates an elevator call <NUM> when an individual is determined to be moving towards the elevator system in order to call an elevator or when an individual is scheduled to activate the elevator call device 89a-89i. The elevator call device 89a-89i may also be a mobile device configured to transmit an elevator call <NUM>. The mobile device may be a smart phone, smart watch, laptop, or any other mobile device known to one of skill in the art.

The controllers 115a-115d can be combined, local, remote, cloud, etc. The dispatcher <NUM> may be local, remote, cloud, etc. The dispatcher <NUM> is in communication with the controller 115a-115d of each elevator system 101a-101d. Alternatively, there may be a controller <NUM> that is common to all of the elevator systems 101a-101d and controls all of the elevators system 101a-101d. The dispatchers <NUM> may be a 'group' software that is configured to select the best elevator car <NUM> assigned to the dispatcher <NUM>. The dispatchers <NUM> manage the elevator call devices 89a-89i related to the elevator group <NUM>.

The dispatcher <NUM> is configured to control and coordinate operation of multiple elevator systems 101a-101d. The dispatcher <NUM> may be an electronic controller including a processor and an associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor 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 may be but is not limited to a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium.

The dispatcher <NUM> is in communication with each of the elevator call devices 89a-89i of the building elevator system <NUM>. The dispatcher <NUM> is configured to receive each elevator call <NUM> transmitted from the elevator call devices 89a-89i. The dispatcher <NUM> is configured to manage the elevators calls <NUM> coming in from each elevator call device 89a-89i and command one or more elevator systems 101a-101d to respond to elevator calls <NUM>.

According to the invention, each landing 125a-125i in the building <NUM> of <FIG> includes a crowd detection device 90a-90i located proximate the elevator group <NUM> on each landing 125a-125i. The crowd detection device 90a-90i may include a camera. The crowd detection device 90a-90i is determined to detect crowd data <NUM> proximate the elevator systems 101a-101d and/or within an elevator lobby <NUM> proximate the elevator systems 101a-101d. An elevator lobby <NUM> is defined as an area located proximate the elevator system 101a-101d on each landing 125a-125i and is not limited to the landing 125a that is lowest, as illustrated in <FIG>. The crowd data <NUM> may include number of individuals located in the elevator lobby <NUM> and a location of each of the individuals located in the elevator lobby <NUM> (e.g., what elevator system 101a-101d are the individuals near). A level of crowdedness <NUM> may be determined in response to the crowd data <NUM> detected. The level of crowdedness <NUM> may include a number of individuals <NUM>, a concentration of individuals <NUM>, a crowding score (e.g., a scale of one-to-ten with one being empty and ten being full), or any other desired metric for determining a rough approximation of the crowdedness <NUM>. Individuals <NUM> being located proximate the elevator systems 101a-101d and/or within the elevator lobby <NUM> is indicative that the individuals <NUM> would like to board an elevator car 103a-103d of the elevator systems 101a-101d.

In one embodiment, the crowd detection device 90a-90i is able to detect crowd data <NUM> and determine a level of crowdedness <NUM> through image pixel counting. The crowd data <NUM> may include a current image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and a stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM>. For example, the crowd detection device 90a-90i may utilize pixel counting by capturing a current image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and comparing the current image of the elevator lobby <NUM> to a stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM> that illustrates the elevator lobby <NUM> with zero individuals <NUM> present or a known number of individuals <NUM> present. The number of pixels that are different between the stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and the current image of the elevator lobby <NUM> may correlate with how crowded (i.e. the level of crowdedness <NUM>) the elevator lobby <NUM> is with individuals <NUM>. It is understood that the embodiments disclosed herein are not limited to pixel counting to determine a level of crowdedness <NUM> and thus a level of crowdedness <NUM> may be determined utilizing other method including but not limited to video analytics software. Video analytics may identify individuals <NUM> from stationary objections and count each individual separately to determine a total number of individuals <NUM>.

The level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM> may be determined using a machine learning, deep learning, and/or artificial intelligence module. The artificial intelligence module can be located in the crowd detection device 90a-90i or in a separate module in the elevator lobby <NUM> or on the landing <NUM>. The separate module may be able to communication with the detection device 90a-90i and/or the dispatcher <NUM> to communicate the level of crowdedness <NUM> to the dispatcher <NUM>. The level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM> may be expressed in the crowd data <NUM> as a percentage from zero-to-one-hundred percent indicating what percentage of pixels have are different between the stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and the current image of the elevator lobby <NUM>. The level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM> may be expressed in the crowd data <NUM> as a scale of one-to-ten (e.g., one being empty and ten being full) indicating what percentage of pixels have are different between the stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and the current image of the elevator lobby <NUM>. The level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM> may be expressed in the crowd data <NUM> as a number of individuals <NUM>, which may be determined in response to the number of pixels have that are different between the stock image of the elevator lobby <NUM> and the current image of the elevator lobby <NUM>. It is understood that the level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM> may be expressed as any other desired metric for determining a rough approximation of the crowdedness <NUM>.

The crowd detection device 90a-90i may transmit the crowd data <NUM> to the dispatcher <NUM>. The dispatcher <NUM> may analyze the crowd data <NUM> and determine a level of crowdedness <NUM> of the elevator lobby <NUM>. Alternatively, the crowd detection device 90a-90i may determine a level of crowdedness <NUM> and transmit the level of crowdedness <NUM>. In response to the level of crowdedness <NUM>, the dispatcher <NUM> may determine whether an elevator car 103a-103d should be sent to the landing 125a-125i where the crowd data <NUM> was detected, how many elevator car 103a-103d should be sent to the landing 125a-125i where the crowd data <NUM> was detected, how fast each elevator car 103a-103b should be sent to the landing 125a-125i where the crowd data <NUM> was detected and/or when each elevator car 103a-103b should be sent (e.g., departure to and/or arrival at) to the landing 125a-125i where the crowd data <NUM> was detected. For example, if the elevator lobby <NUM> on a first landing 125a is showing a level of crowdedness <NUM> as "FULL" or "HALF FULL" in response to the crowd data <NUM>, the dispatcher <NUM> may dispatch multiple elevator cars 103a-103d to arrive at the first landing 125a to clear the "FULL" or "HALF FULL" elevator lobby <NUM>. The multiple elevator cars 103a-103d may be dispatched to arrive simultaneously at the first landing 125a or in a sequential order at the first landing 125a. Advantageously, conventional elevator systems do not have the ability to adjust the number of elevator cars 103a-103d that are sent to a landing 125a-125i in response to crowd data <NUM> from that landing 125a-125i. In conventional elevator systems, individuals must repeatedly press an elevator call button to request a single elevator car at a time.

Additionally, there may be a display device <NUM> on each landing 125a-125i to visually indicate how long (e.g., a countdown time) until each elevator car 103a-103d of each elevator system 101a-101d arrives at each landing 125a-125i. Advantageously, the display devices <NUM> will allow individuals <NUM> waiting in the elevator lobby <NUM> to know which elevator cars 103a-103d will arrive soon and thus the individuals can crowd around the correct elevator systems 101a-101d.

Referring now to <FIG>, while referencing components of <FIG> and <FIG>. <FIG> shows a flow chart of method <NUM> of operating a building elevator system <NUM> having a plurality of elevator systems 101a-101d organized into an elevator group <NUM>, in accordance with the invention. In an embodiment, the method <NUM> may be performed by the dispatcher <NUM> and/or the crowd detection device 90a-90i.

At block <NUM>, crowd data <NUM> is detected within an elevator lobby <NUM> proximate the elevator group <NUM> on a landing <NUM>. An elevator lobby <NUM> is defined as an area located proximate the elevator system 101a-101d on each landing 125a-125i and is not limited to the landing 125a that is lowest, as illustrated in <FIG>. At block <NUM>, a level of crowdedness <NUM> is determined in response to the crowd data <NUM>. In an embodiment, the level of crowdedness <NUM> is determined through image pixel counting. At block <NUM>, it is determined that at least two elevator cars <NUM> of the plurality of elevator systems <NUM> are required in response to the level of crowdedness <NUM>. For example, the level of crowdedness <NUM> may exceed a threshold level of crowdedness. The threshold level of crowdedness may represent the maximum number of individuals <NUM> a single elevator car <NUM> may carry or an optimized number of individuals <NUM> that a single elevator car <NUM> may carry. The optimized number of individuals <NUM> may be a number of individual <NUM> that would be better served by two elevator cars <NUM> rather than a single elevator car <NUM>. At block <NUM>, an elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a of the plurality of elevator systems <NUM> is dispatched to the landing <NUM>. At block <NUM>, an elevator car 103b of a second elevator system 101b of the plurality of elevator systems 101a-101d to the landing <NUM>.

If there are more than two elevator systems <NUM> present in the building <NUM>, then the dispatcher <NUM> may need to determine which two elevator systems <NUM> of the plurality of elevator systems 101a-101d will send elevator cars <NUM>. For example, prior to dispatching the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a and the elevator car 103b of a second elevator system 101b the method <NUM> further comprises: determining that the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a is proximate the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b, thus it would be advantageous to dispatch the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a and the elevator car 103b of a second elevator system 101b. In another example, prior to dispatching the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a and the elevator car 103b of a second elevator system 101b the method <NUM> further comprises: determining that the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a and the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b are located proximate the landing <NUM> where the elevator call <NUM> originated, thus it would be advantageous to dispatch the elevator car 103a of a first elevator system 101a and the elevator car 103b of a second elevator system 101b.

At block <NUM>, an arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> is coordinated with an arrival time of the elevator car <NUM> of the second elevator system 101b at the landing. The arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> may be coordinated with an arrival time of the elevator car <NUM> of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM> such that the arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> is approximately equivalent to the arrival time of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM>. The arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> may be coordinated with an arrival time of the elevator car <NUM> of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM> such that the arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> is before the arrival time of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM>. The arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> may be coordinated with an arrival time of the elevator car of the second elevator system at the landing <NUM> such that the arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> is after the arrival time of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM>. The crowd data <NUM> may also include a location of individuals in the elevator lobby <NUM> and the dispatcher may coordinate the arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> with the arrival time of the elevator car <NUM> of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM> based upon the location of the individuals <NUM>. For example, based on the crowd location, the dispatcher <NUM> might open furthest elevator car <NUM> first so that individuals <NUM> waiting to board a closer elevator car <NUM> do not block other individuals <NUM> trying to board the further elevator car <NUM>.

The coordination at block <NUM> may be accomplished by adjusting at least one of a velocity of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a and a velocity of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b. In one example, the velocity of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a is increased and the velocity of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b is decreased. In another example, the velocity of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a is decreased and the velocity of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b is increased. The coordination at block <NUM> may also be accomplished by adjusting at least one of a dispatch time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a and a dispatch time of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b.

The method <NUM> may further include that the arrival time of the elevator car 103a of the first elevator system 101a at the landing <NUM> is displayed on a display device <NUM> located on the landing <NUM> and the arrival time of the elevator car 103b of the second elevator system 101b at the landing <NUM> is displayed on a second display device <NUM> located on the landing <NUM>.

As described above, embodiments can be in the form of processor-implemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as processor. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code (e.g., computer program product) containing instructions embodied in tangible media, such as network cloud storage, SD cards, flash drives, floppy diskettes, CD ROMs, hard drives, or any other computer-readable storage medium, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into and executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the embodiments. Embodiments can also be in the form of computer program code, for example, whether stored in a storage medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, loaded into and/or executed by a computer, or transmitted over some transmission medium, such as over electrical wiring or cabling, through fiber optics, or via electromagnetic radiation, wherein, when the computer program code is loaded into an executed by a computer, the computer becomes a device for practicing the embodiments.

Claim 1:
A method of operating a building elevator system (<NUM>) having a plurality of elevator systems (101a-101d) organized into an elevator group (<NUM>), the method comprising:
detecting crowd data (<NUM>) within an elevator lobby (<NUM>) proximate the elevator group (<NUM>) on a landing (125a-125i);
determining a level of crowdedness in response to the crowd data (<NUM>);
determining that at least two elevator cars (103a-103d) of the plurality of elevator systems (101a-101d) are required in response to the level of crowdedness;
dispatching an elevator car (103a) of a first elevator system (101a) of the plurality of elevator systems (101a-101d) to the landing (125a-125i); and
dispatching an elevator car (103b) of a second elevator system (101b) of the plurality of elevator systems (101a-101d) to the landing (125a-125i);
characterized in that the method comprises:
coordinating an arrival time of the elevator car (103a) of the first elevator system (101a) at the landing (125a-125i) and an arrival time of the elevator car (103b) of the second elevator system (101b) at the landing (125a-125i).