Depth Sensor Elevator Dispatch for Passenger Recognition

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator control systems relying on manual signaling can be inefficient and inappropriate for certain users or security environments, particularly in terms of passenger intent recognition and destination accuracy.

Innovation Solution

A depth sensor-based passenger conveyance system that uses sensors like structured light, LIDAR, and biometric data to track passengers, alerting them of incorrect destinations or conveyance enclosures and ensuring secure and efficient passenger routing through encryption and authentication.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual signaling (button pushing) is used for elevator control, then the system is simple and easy to operate, but it is inefficient and inappropriate for certain users or security environments

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator traffic performanceVSAvoidcontrol system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical button pushing with automated optical sensing systems. Depth sensors capture 3D sensor data to automatically detect passenger presence, position, and intent without requiring physical interaction with buttons, thereby improving efficiency while reducing mechanical operation requirements

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system enables self-service operation where the elevator automatically detects and responds to passenger needs without manual signaling. The depth sensing system autonomously identifies passenger intent and triggers appropriate elevator responses, eliminating the need for users to manually press buttons

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Measurement precision

If depth sensors and biometric data are used for passenger tracking, then destination accuracy and security are improved, but system complexity and data processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger destination recognition accuracyVSAvoidsensor and processing system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The depth sensing system serves multiple functions simultaneously: it detects passenger presence, determines passenger position, recognizes passenger intent, and provides security verification. This multi-functionality achieves high measurement precision while avoiding the need for separate specialized devices for each function

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent combines depth sensing data with biometric data processing in an integrated system. The control system merges information from multiple sensor types to achieve accurate passenger identification and destination recognition, reducing overall system complexity through consolidation

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If automated passenger tracking and alerting systems are implemented, then security and passenger experience are enhanced, but the system requires more sophisticated processing and monitoring capabilities

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger routing accuracyVSAvoidtracking and alerting system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements continuous feedback loops where depth sensors monitor passenger movement in real-time, the control system processes this data to track passenger progress toward the destination, and alerting mechanisms provide feedback to passengers about their routing status. This automated feedback system enhances reliability while managing complexity through systematic information flow

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

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

Enhances passenger experience by improving wait times, ride efficiency, and security through accurate passenger tracking and destination management, while maintaining privacy and security.

Implementation Method 1

the depth-sensing sensor comprises a structured light measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectStructured light measurement:

Implementation Method 2

the depth-sensing sensor comprises a structured light measurement, phase shift measurement, time of flight measurement

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectTime of flight measurement: Time of Flight

Implementation Method 3

the depth-sensing sensor comprises scanning LIDAR, flash LIDAR

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLIDAR: LIDAR

Data Source

PatentEP3075697B1System and method for passenger conveyance control and security via recognized user operations
Publication Date: 2020.01.08 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3075697B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3075697B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3075697B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A passenger conveyance system (20) includes a processing module in communication with one or more sensors (284) to receive depth map data, and one or more security sensors (280) to receive security data, the processing module using the depth map data and the security data to calculate passenger data that is operable to recognize a particular passenger. An elevator controller (32) receives the passenger data from the processing module, wherein the elevator controller (32) controls an elevator dispatch control function in response to the particular passenger.