US5035302A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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"Artificial Intelligence" based learning system predicting "Peak-Period" times for elevator dispatching
Assignee: Otis Elevator Co
•
Filing: 1990-03-02
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Granted: 1991-07-30
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Expires: 2010-03-02
Abstract
Abstract The present invention is directed to an elevator dispatching system for controlling the assignment of elevator cars. More particularly, the present invention is directed to a method of determining the commencement and/or conclusion of UP-PEAK and DOWN-PEAK periods of operation. For example, for commencing UP-PEAK operation, a lobby boarding count is predicted, based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby. The predicted lobby boarding count is compared with a predetermined threshold value. If the predicted lobby boarding count is greater than the predetermined threshold value, UP-PEAK is commenced. In the preferred embodiment, the predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building's population. Additionally, the present invention is directed to a method of adjusting the threshold value based on actual passenger traffic. For example, once UP-PEAK is commenced, the load of the first few elevators leaving the lobby within a predetermined time interval is determined, and the threshold value is adjusted based on their determined load. If the determined load is greater than a certain percentage of the elevator car's capacity, indicative of starting UP-PEAK too late, the threshold value is decreased. Similarly, if the determined load is less than a certain percentage of the elevator car's capacity, indicative of starting UP-PEAK too soon, the threshold value is increased.
Inventors
- 👤 Kandasamy Thangavelu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 07:58
CPC Classifications
B; B66; B66B; B66B1/00; B66B1/24; B66B1/2408; B66B2201/00; B66B2201/20; B66B2201/222; B66B2201/40; B66B2201/402; B66B2201/403
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 72
Claim 1
Independent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the commencement of an UP-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby boarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and commencing UP-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby boarding count is greater than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the commencement of an UP-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby boarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and commencing UP-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby boarding count is greater than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators leaving the lobby during said specific time interval if UP-PEAK operation was commenced at the beginning thereof; and adjusting said predetermined percentage based on said determined load.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 3, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 65 percent.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 2, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of increasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 6, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 50 percent.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 1, wherein said predetermined percentage of the building's population is about 2 percent.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1, said method further comprising the steps of: adjusting the beginning of the predetermined time period based on the starting time of UP-PEAK operation, said adjusted predetermined time period to be used for obtaining a subsequent day's historical information.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 10, wherein said predetermined time period is adjusted to begin about 15 minutes before the previous day's starting time of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the conclusion of an UP-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby boarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and concluding UP-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby boarding count is less than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the conclusion of an UP-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby boarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and concluding UP-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby boarding count is less than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 12, said method further comprising the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators leaving the lobby during said specific time interval if UP-PEAK operation was concluded at the beginning thereof; and adjusting said predetermined percentage based on said determined load.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 35 percent.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 13, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of increasing said predeterminded percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 17, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 25 percent.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said predetermined percentage of the building's population is about 1.5 percent.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 12, said method further comprising the steps of: adjusting the end of the predetermined time period based on the concluding time of UP-PEAK operation, said adjusted predetermined time period to be used for obtaining a subsequent day's historical information.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 21, wherein said predetermined time period is adjusted to end about 15 minutes after the previous day's ending time of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the commencement of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby deboarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and commencing DOWN-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby deboarding count is greater than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the commencement of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby deboarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and commencing DOWN-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby deboarding count is greater than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 23, said method further comprising the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators arriving at the lobby during said specific time interval if DOWN-PEAK operation was commenced at the beginning thereof; and adjusting said predetermined percentage based on said determined load.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 25, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 65 percent.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 24, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of increasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 28, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 50 percent.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 23, wherein said predetermined percentage of the building's population is about 2 percent.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 23, said method further comprising the steps of: adjusting the beginning of the predetermined time period based on the starting time of DOWN-PEAK operation, said adjusted predetermined time period to be used for obtaining a subsequent day's historical information.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 32, wherein said predetermined time period is adjusted to begin about 15 minutes before the previous day's starting time of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the conclusion of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby deboarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and concluding DOWN-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby deboarding count is less than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
131 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building having a predetermined population, a method of determining the conclusion of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation, said method comprising the steps of: obtaining historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a plurality of predetermined time intervals, said time intervals being within a predetermined time period; predicting a lobby deboarding count for a specific predetermined time interval based on said historical information; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with a predetermined percentage of the building's population; and concluding DOWN-PEAK operation at the beginning of said specific time interval if said predicted lobby deboarding count is less than said predetermined percentage of the building's population.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 34, said method further comprising the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators arriving at the lobby during said specific time interval if DOWN-PEAK operation was concluded at the beginning thereof; and adjusting said predetermined percentage based on said determined load.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 36, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 36, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 35 percent.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 35, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined percentage comprises the step of increasing said predetermined percentage by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 39, wherein said predetermined amount is about 0.25 percent.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 39, wherein said predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity is about 25 percent.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 34, wherein said predetermined percentage of the building's population is about 1.5 percent.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 34, said method further comprising the steps of: adjusting the end of the predetermined time period based on the concluding time of DOWN-PEAK operation, said adjusted predetermined time period to be used for obtaining a subsequent day's historical information.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 43, wherein said predetermined time period is adjusted to end about 15 minutes after the previous day's ending time of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building, the system having a method of determining the commencement of an UP-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby boarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby boarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with said predetermined threshold value; commencing UP-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby boarding count is greater than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during at least a portion of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building, the system having a method of determining the commencement of an UP-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby boarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby boarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with said predetermined threshold value; commencing UP-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby boarding count is greater than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during at least a portion of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 45, wherein said predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building population.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 45, wherein the step of adjusting said threshold value comprises the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators leaving the lobby during a predetermined time interval within UP-PEAK operation; and adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 47, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 47, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of increasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building, the system having a method of determining the conclusion of an UP-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby boarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby boarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a first predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with said predetermined threshold value; concluding UP-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby boarding count is less than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from a lobby level to various floors in a building, the system having a method of determining the conclusion of an UP-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby boarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby boarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a first predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby boarding count with said predetermined threshold value; concluding UP-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby boarding count is less than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers boarding the elevators at the lobby during a second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of UP-PEAK operation.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 50, wherein said predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building population.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method of claim 50, wherein the step of adjusting said threshold value comprises the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators leaving the lobby during said second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of UP-PEAK operation; and adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 52, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of increasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building, the system having a method of determining the commencement of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby deboarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby deboarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with said predetermined threshold value; commencing DOWN-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby deboarding count is greater than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during at least a portion of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
134 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building, the system having a method of determining the commencement of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby deboarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby deboarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with said predetermined threshold value; commencing DOWN-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby deboarding count is greater than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during at least a portion of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 55, wherein said predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building population.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 55, wherein the step of adjusting said threshold value comprises the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators arriving at the lobby during a predetermined time interval within DOWN-PEAK operation; and adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 57, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 57, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of increasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building, the system having a method of determining the conclusion of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby deboarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby deboarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a first predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with said predetermined threshold value; concluding DOWN-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby deboarding count is less than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
139 words
In an elevator dispatching system controlling the assignment of elevator cars from various floors to a lobby level in a building, the system having a method of determining the conclusion of a DOWN-PEAK period of operation based on a predicted lobby deboarding count and a predetermined threshold value, a method of adjusting said threshold value comprising the steps of: predicting said lobby deboarding count based on historical information of the number of passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a first predetermined time interval; comparing said predicted lobby deboarding count with said predetermined threshold value; concluding DOWN-PEAK operation if said predicted lobby deboarding count is less than said predetermined threshold value; and adjusting said threshold value based on actual passengers deboarding the elevators at the lobby during a second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of DOWN-PEAK operation.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 60, wherein said predetermined threshold value is a predetermined percentage of the building population.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
54 words
The method of claim 60, wherein the step of adjusting said threshold value comprises the steps of: determining the load of at least the first two elevators arriving at the lobby during said second predetermined time interval after the conclusion of DOWN-PEAK operation; and adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of decreasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is greater than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 62, wherein said step of adjusting said predetermined threshold value based on said determined load comprises the step of increasing said predetermined threshold value by a predetermined amount if said determined load is less than or equal to a predetermined percentage of the elevator car's capacity.
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| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-07-29 | 2003-01-28 | 2003-07-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |