Patent Description:
Elevators can vary in usage as occupancy levels at lobby areas change over time. Some advanced elevator systems enable passengers to remotely call for an elevator using an application on a mobile device. However, variability of crowd size can make it difficult to accurately predict an elevator car arrival time and may result in other passengers in the crowd taking an elevator car called by someone else. Further, crowds arriving at unexpected times can result in less efficient elevator car dispatching for systems that rely upon time-based priority scheduling of elevator cars.

<CIT> describes an elevator system including driving elements configured to drive a car from a waiting area from which at least one passenger boards the car, and a sensor configured to identify a presence of more than one passenger intending to board a car in the waiting area. The sensor is configured to determine a characteristic of the more than one passenger and a controller is configured to drive more than one car to the waiting area when a capacity of the car is less than the characteristic of the more than one passenger.

According to a first aspect of the invention, a method is provided according to claim <NUM>.

In some embodiments the crowd data is captured by a sensing system.

Some embodiments may include where adjusting the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled on-demand in response to an enable command.

Some embodiments may include where adjusting the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled based on one or more of a predetermined schedule and an artificial intelligence algorithm configured to predict formation of a crowd.

Some embodiments may include where adjusting the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled based on verification of an active subscription to a crowd control service.

Some embodiments may include providing a priority request to schedule an empty elevator car targeting a selected user, and adjusting the dispatching schedule to incorporate the priority request.

Some embodiments may include determining a travel impact on a user based on the crowd data, and outputting a notification of a travel plan adjustment for the user based on the travel plan.

Some embodiments may include where the travel impact comprises an estimated delay for crowd reduction at the lobby area, and the notification of the travel plan adjustment includes a message indicating that a subsequent notification will be sent based on a crowd size reduction dropping below a predetermined threshold.

Some embodiments may include where the notification of the travel plan adjustment includes an identification of a priority elevator car dispatched for the user.

According to a second aspect of the invention, a system is provided according to claim <NUM>.

Some embodiments may include a system where adjustment of the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled on-demand in response to an enable command.

Some embodiments may include a system where adjustment of the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled based on one or more of a predetermined schedule and an artificial intelligence algorithm configured to predict formation of a crowd.

Some embodiments may include a system where adjustment of the dispatching schedule is selectively enabled based on verification of an active subscription to a crowd control service.

Some embodiments may include a system where the dispatching system is configured to provide a priority request to schedule an empty elevator car targeting a selected user and adjust the dispatching schedule to incorporate the priority request.

Some embodiments may include a system where the travel impact comprises an estimated delay for crowd reduction at the lobby area, and the notification of the travel plan adjustment includes a message indicating that a subsequent notification will be sent based on a crowd size reduction dropping below a predetermined threshold.

Some embodiments may include a system where the notification of the travel plan adjustment includes an identification of a priority elevator car dispatched for the user.

In some embodiments, the methods disclosed herein may be computer-implemented. In some embodiments a non-transitory computer-readable medium may comprise instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to carry out any of the exemplary methods disclosed herein.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include monitoring and adjusting elevator dispatch scheduling based on crowd data.

The counterweight <NUM> is configured to balance a load of the elevator car <NUM> and is configured to facilitate movement of the elevator car <NUM> concurrently and in an opposite direction with respect to the counterweight <NUM> within an elevator hoistway <NUM> and along the guide rail <NUM>.

The controller <NUM> is located, as shown, in a controller room <NUM> of the elevator hoistway <NUM> and is configured to control the operation of the elevator system <NUM>, and particularly the elevator car <NUM>. When moving up or down within the elevator hoistway <NUM> along guide rail <NUM>, the elevator car <NUM> may stop at one or more landings <NUM> as controlled by the controller <NUM>.

Although shown and described with a roping system including tension member <NUM>, elevator systems that employ other methods and mechanisms of moving an elevator car within an elevator hoistway may employ embodiments of the present disclosure.

Turning now to <FIG>, an exemplary system <NUM> for managing elevator dispatching in accordance with one or more embodiments is shown. The system <NUM> may include one or more elevator systems <NUM> managed as an elevator group <NUM> accessible at multiple landings. Within a structure, such as a building, in which the elevator group <NUM> is installed, there can be one or more lobby areas <NUM> at one or more floors where crowds <NUM> may gather. For instance, lobby areas <NUM> may be on a ground floor or another level, such as a sky lobby or a floor with conference rooms, ball rooms, or other such areas where larger crowds may congregate. The system <NUM> includes a sensing system <NUM> configured to capture crowd data associated with a lobby area <NUM> of an elevator system <NUM>. The sensing system <NUM> can include one or more sensors <NUM> and sensor control <NUM>. In systems where multiple sensors are employed, the sensors <NUM> may be a common type of sensor or varied. Any type of sensor <NUM> suitable for moveable object detection may be employed. For example, sensors that rely on infrared, radar, video, LIDAR, time of flight, floor pressure sensors, and suitable alternatives, may be utilized. The sensors <NUM> may be positioned in various locations. For example, the sensors <NUM> may be located on the floor of a lobby area <NUM>, or at elevated positions fixed to a structure in the lobby area <NUM>. Sensor control <NUM> can be an edge computing node with image tracking, classification, and counting logic using one or more techniques known in the art to observe and track a number of people in the crowd <NUM> which may be quantified as crowd data. In some embodiments, the crowd data tracking <NUM> can include tracking an occupancy level in one or more lobby areas <NUM> and within elevator cars <NUM> of the elevator systems <NUM>.

The system <NUM> can also include an elevator dispatch control <NUM> that is configured to receive the crowd data from the sensor control <NUM>. The elevator dispatch control <NUM> can adjust a dispatching schedule <NUM> of one or more elevator cars <NUM> of the elevator group <NUM> of elevator systems <NUM> based on the crowd data. For example, the dispatching schedule <NUM> can be adjusted to position an increased number of elevator cars <NUM> in close proximity to floors of the lobby area <NUM> with increased crowds. Elevator dispatch control <NUM> can interface with controllers <NUM> of <FIG> as an example of elevator controllers. The elevator dispatch control <NUM> can also interface with a network <NUM>, which can be part of a cloud computing environment configured to communicate with a plurality of devices. As one example, a server <NUM> can be connected to network <NUM> and implemented using known computing equipment (e.g., processor, memory, I/O devices, network communications, etc.). The server <NUM> may be implemented using the same equipment the elevator dispatch control <NUM> or may be a separate component. The network <NUM> may be a local network (e.g., <NUM>. xx) or a wide range network (e.g., cellular) and may be implemented using known wired and/or wireless network protocols. The sensor control <NUM> and elevator dispatch control <NUM> can also be implemented using known processing circuitry, memory systems, communication interfaces and the like to execute instructions embodied in a non-transitory format.

The network <NUM> can also communicate with a plurality of user devices, such as mobile devices <NUM>, that can be associated with the crowd <NUM> or a manager/supervisor system. Examples of mobile devices <NUM> can include a phone, a laptop, a tablet, smartwatch, etc. One or more of the mobile devices <NUM> may be associated with a particular user. The user may use his/her mobile device(s) <NUM> to request an elevator car <NUM> of <FIG>. A request can be a call that allows an empty or partially filled elevator car <NUM> to be dispatched to a floor. The request can be manually initiated (e.g., on-demand) or initiated in response to sensor data. For automated requests based on sensor data, there can be a plurality of rules defined and/or predetermined schedules established. Rule-based systems can incorporate machine learning and artificial intelligence to dynamically define rules and further refine rules over a period of time. Artificial intelligence algorithms may be trained with a set of training data prior to deployment and further refined in the field to align with usage patterns of a particular building design and flow of traffic (e.g., passengers and/or cargo) for the elevator systems <NUM>. Artificial intelligence algorithms can learn to predict timing, size, and locations of the crowd <NUM> and automatically set or modify dispatching profiles predictively before the crowd <NUM> arrives or fully forms, for instance, at lobby area <NUM>.

The request for an elevator car <NUM> may be conveyed or transmitted from the mobile device <NUM> over one or more networks <NUM>. For example, the request may be transmitted via the Internet and/or a cellular network. The request may then be routed through server <NUM> to the elevator dispatch control <NUM>.

The elevator dispatch control <NUM> may select a resource (e.g., an elevator system <NUM> or elevator car <NUM>) that is suited to fulfill a service request, potentially based on one or more considerations, such as power consumption/efficiency, quality of service (e.g., reduction in waiting time until a user or passenger arrives at a destination floor or landing), etc..

In embodiments, a system, such as the elevator dispatch control <NUM> or server <NUM>, can use crowd data to alert passengers, use in-car space data to dispatch empty elevator cars <NUM> to users and communicate assignments to a management system. Elevator cars <NUM> with empty space can be identified and allocated through the dispatching schedule <NUM> to help users move themselves, luggage, companions, and the like to a desired location. In some embodiments, crowd data is used to determine when a lobby area <NUM> is sufficiently clear to notify a user to proceed to the lobby area <NUM>. In other embodiments, where a user is in position to ride an elevator car <NUM> from the lobby area <NUM> to a desired area, the system <NUM> (e.g., elevator dispatch control <NUM> or server <NUM>) can prioritize the user to send a premium elevator car <NUM> to a location of the user in the lobby area <NUM>, e.g., an empty or substantially empty elevator car <NUM>. People counting techniques can be used to measure wait times to improve the user experience.

Further, crowd sensing features can be a subscription-based service that an operator of the elevator systems <NUM>, e.g., a building owner pays for to ensure an improved user experience. For example, crowd sensing can be selectively enabled for certain locations within a building, such as the lobby area <NUM>. Further, timing of enablement of crowd sensing can change over time. For instance, if a large conference is scheduled, the elevator dispatching schedule <NUM> can be predictively adjusted based on schedule data. Further, on-demand crowd sensing can be selectively enabled for particular floors or any floors. Trending data can also be captured to better understand a history of user movement and crowds <NUM>.

<FIG> depicts a process <NUM> for managing elevator dispatching in an example embodiment and is described in reference to <FIG>. At block <NUM>, crowd data associated with a lobby area <NUM> of an elevator system <NUM> is captured. The crowd data can be captured by a sensing system <NUM>, such as a video camera, and image processing performed by the sensor control <NUM> or other device.

At block <NUM>, a dispatching schedule <NUM> of one or more elevator cars <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> can be adjusted, for instance, by the elevator dispatch control <NUM> based on the crowd data. Adjusting the dispatching schedule <NUM> can be selectively enabled on-demand in response to an enable command, for instance, through a graphical user interface. Adjusting the dispatching schedule <NUM> can be selectively enabled based on a predetermined schedule. Adjusting the dispatching schedule can be selectively enabled based on verification of an active subscription to a crowd control service. At block <NUM>, the system <NUM> can output a notification of the adjustment to the dispatching schedule <NUM>.

In embodiments, the system <NUM> can provide a priority request to schedule an empty elevator car <NUM> targeting a selected user, and the dispatching schedule <NUM> to incorporate the priority request can be adjusted. The notification of the adjustment to the dispatching schedule <NUM> includes a message transmitted to one or more mobile devices <NUM> associated with one or more targeted users, e.g., which can be part of crowd <NUM>. The travel impact on a user is determined based on the crowd data. A notification of a travel plan adjustment for the user is output based on the travel impact. The travel impact can include an estimated delay for crowd reduction at the lobby area <NUM>. The notification of the travel plan adjustment can include a message indicating that a subsequent notification will be sent based on a crowd size reduction dropping below a predetermined threshold. The notification of the travel plan adjustment can include an identification of a priority elevator car <NUM> dispatched for the user.

<FIG> depicts a process <NUM> for user travel plan adjustment associated with an elevator system <NUM> in an example embodiment and is described in reference to <FIG>. At block <NUM>, crowd data associated with a lobby area <NUM> of an elevator system <NUM> can be captured. At block <NUM>, a travel impact for a user can be determined based on the crowd data. At block <NUM>, a notification of a travel plan adjustment can be output for the user based on the travel impact.

As described above, embodiments can be in the form of processor-implemented processes and devices for practicing those processes, such as the elevator controller, access server and/or monitoring server. 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, 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 an device for practicing the embodiments.

Claim 1:
A method comprising:
capturing crowd data associated with a lobby area (<NUM>) of an elevator system (<NUM>);
determining a travel impact for a user based on the crowd data;
adjusting a dispatching schedule (<NUM>) of one or more elevator cars of the elevator system based on the crowd data; and
outputting a notification of the adjustment to the dispatching schedule;
characterized by:
outputting a notification of a travel plan adjustment for the user based on the travel impact, wherein the notification of the adjustment to the dispatching schedule (<NUM>) includes a message transmitted to one or more mobile devices (<NUM>) associated with one or more targeted users.