Depth Sensor Passenger Detection in Elevator Enclosures
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator systems face challenges in quickly and accurately detecting passengers trapped inside during malfunctions, which hinders timely rescue efforts and affects passenger experience and traffic performance.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a depth-sensing sensor within the elevator enclosure to capture 3D depth map data, processed by a module that detects objects, classifies them, and communicates their presence, location, and type, with features like human shape modeling and spurious data rejection, enabling accurate passenger detection and unoccupied car confirmation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional sensors are used for passenger detection, then the system complexity is low, but the detection accuracy and speed are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical contact-based sensors with depth-sensing technology that uses optical fields (structured light, time of flight, or stereo vision) to detect passenger presence. This substitution enables non-contact, accurate 3D depth mapping of the elevator car interior, significantly improving detection precision while maintaining reasonable system complexity through integrated camera modules and processing algorithms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from 2D image capture to 3D depth mapping by introducing depth-sensing capabilities. The depth-sensing sensor captures depth information along the Z-axis, creating a three-dimensional representation of the elevator car interior. This dimensional enhancement allows for more accurate passenger detection, volume calculation, and spatial awareness without requiring multiple sensors throughout the space.
2Reliability
If depth-sensing sensors are deployed for accurate passenger detection, then detection precision improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The depth-sensing sensor system is designed to perform multiple functions: detecting passenger presence, calculating passenger volume, determining car occupancy status, and enabling rescue operations. By consolidating these functions into a single integrated system rather than using separate sensors for each function, the patent improves reliability while controlling overall system complexity through multi-functional design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a processing module that acts as an intermediary between the depth-sensing sensor and the control system. This module handles the complex tasks of processing depth map data, detecting objects, classifying them as passengers or other objects, and communicating results to the control system. By placing this intermediary layer, the patent isolates the complexity of data processing from both the sensor hardware and the control logic, improving system reliability while managing complexity through modular architecture.
3Loss of time
If rapid passenger detection is implemented, then rescue response time is reduced, but system complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous or periodic depth scanning of the elevator car interior, maintaining an updated depth map even when no malfunction is detected. This preliminary action ensures that when a malfunction occurs, the system already has current depth information ready for immediate processing, eliminating the need to wait for data collection during emergency situations and thus reducing rescue response time while using standard processing capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces slow, manual inspection methods or complex multi-sensor arrays with a single depth-sensing camera that can rapidly capture and process 3D depth maps. This substitution enables real-time passenger detection and classification, providing immediate information for rescue operations without requiring complex hardware configurations or manual intervention, thereby reducing response time while keeping system complexity manageable.
4Measurement precision
If 3D depth map data is captured and processed, then object classification accuracy improves, but data processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential features from the full 3D depth map data that are necessary for passenger detection and classification. Rather than processing every detail of the depth information, the system focuses on identifying depth discontinuities, calculating occupied volume, and detecting characteristic passenger shapes. This extraction approach maintains high classification accuracy while significantly reducing data processing complexity by eliminating unnecessary computational steps.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables rapid detection of passengers and confirmation of an empty elevator, improving rescue response times and enhancing passenger experience by optimizing elevator operations and traffic flow.
Implementation Method 1
the depth-sensing sensor or technology may include a structured light measurement, phase shift measurement, time of flight measurement
Data Source
AI summary
A passenger conveyance system includes a depth-sensing sensor within a passenger conveyance enclosure for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view that includes a passenger conveyance door. A processing module in communication with the depth-sensing sensor to receive the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data to determine that the passenger conveyance enclosure is empty. a passenger conveyance controller receives the passenger data from the processing module to control operation of a passenger conveyance door in response to an empty car determination.