Elevator Riddle – Puffer

1. Await instructions of first floor (Idle/Standby on Ground/First Floor)

2. Scan for Instructions received from floor number corresponding “UP” and “DOWN” buttons located on each floor. Int as “Summon” button.

3. When a “Summon” request is received, proceed to that floor.

4. When you arrive you must come to a complete stop, open your doors to let any passengers in, and you may not close your doors until everyone has boarded.

5. Scan for weight limit (Set at 3000 pounds.) If weight scan exceeds 3000 pounds, open doors a play “beeping” sound repeatedly until weight decreases to under 3000 pounds. If weight is under 3000 pounds proceed to next step.

6. Scan for instructions from buttons placed inside of the elevator (“Destination” Button) that will request you to proceed to a certain number in which you must proceed to that floor (assuming no other floors are already in queue.)

7. Create a queue system. Floors requested that are withing current direction and have not been passed yet are prioritized. Floors that are in opposite directions or have already been passed are placed further down in the queue but never ignored.

8. Follow the queue and proceed to stops in that order. You must pick up any stops going the same direction as you are currently going as per the earliest request, but only if it is a floor you have not passed yet. (You may not switch directions until all stops have been reached) Remember to follow step 4 at each stop.

9.Once you have completed all stops you may return to the ground/first floor to idle/standby for a new request (“UP” or “DOWN” button requests. “Summon” / “Destination” Requests.)

This entry was posted in Riddle. Bookmark the permalink.

1 Response to Elevator Riddle – Puffer

  1. davidbdale's avatar davidbdale says:

    These are brilliant, Puffer. I can’t believe I didn’t see your massive improvements in the middle of October, but I’m here now to express my appreciation.

    I particularly like that you identify the Standby mode of operation, and that you create a priority order.

    I hesitate to offer my own solutions to certain problems because you are doing so well on your own, but if I may suggest a couple of things about certain numbers:

    4. When you arrive you must come to a complete stop, open your doors to let any passengers in, and you may not close your doors until everyone has boarded.
    —”Arrive” is ambiguous in this instruction. STOP is clear, and maybe it could relate to the STANDBY mode if you had one. Those are niceties.
    —But my more strenuous recommendation is that you not INSTRUCT the elevator to act in response to something it “can’t know.”
    —The elevator doesn’t know if anybody is waiting to enter, or hesitating to exit, or seated in a wheelchair, . . . .
    —Maybe a Time Limit?
    —Maybe it closes the doors UNLESS the sensor indicates something is in the doorway? Maybe both?

    5. Scan for weight limit (Set at 3000 pounds.) If weight scan exceeds 3000 pounds, open doors a play “beeping” sound repeatedly until weight decreases to under 3000 pounds. If weight is under 3000 pounds proceed to next step.
    —This is brilliant.

    Provisionally graded in appreciation for your terrific draft. Regrade still available if you make significant improvements. Don’t forget to put the post into Feedback Please and ask for a Regrade.

Leave a comment