Dynamic Elevator Keypad Activation for Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face issues with erroneous keyings due to decimal numeric keypads allowing entry of any floor number, leading to incorrect calls and access control limitations, which complicate and slow down the call-giving process.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a destination operating panel with a decimal numeric keypad where activated buttons are visually or vibrationally distinguished from deactivated ones, using a touch-sensitive display to show active buttons and hide inactive ones, and integrating access control systems to restrict button activation based on passenger permissions, allowing only permitted buttons to be used during the call-giving process.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a decimal numeric keypad is provided for giving destination calls, then the system allows entry of any floor number, but this leads to erroneous keyings and incorrect calls

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor number entry capabilityVSAvoidcall accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The keypad buttons are dynamically activated or deactivated based on the current call-giving phase. During the first phase, only certain buttons are activated; during the second phase, different buttons are activated. This dynamic activation prevents erroneous keyings by restricting available buttons according to the current operational state and access control rules.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

Different buttons on the keypad have different states (activated/deactivated) depending on the call-giving phase and access control permissions. This local differentiation ensures that only appropriate buttons are available for pressing at each stage, preventing incorrect floor number entries while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If all buttons on the decimal numeric keypad are always active, then the system is simple to operate, but access control limitations cannot be enforced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebutton operation simplicityVSAvoidaccess control flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The button activation state changes dynamically based on the call-giving phase and passenger access rights. In the first phase, buttons corresponding to accessible floors are activated; in the second phase, additional buttons may be activated. This maintains ease of operation while enforcing access control flexibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system preliminarily determines which buttons should be activated based on the current phase and access control rules before allowing input. This preliminary filtering ensures that only permitted buttons are available, combining operational simplicity with access control enforcement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Productivity

If the system provides all floor numbers as options, then the call-giving process is fast, but erroneous calls increase due to lack of guidance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecall-giving speedVSAvoidcall correctness

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The set of available buttons changes dynamically during the call-giving process. In the first phase, only buttons for currently accessible floors are active; in the second phase, the system transitions to allowing all permitted buttons. This dynamic progression maintains speed while preventing erroneous calls through phased availability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary activation of only the necessary buttons based on current access rights and call-giving phase. This preliminary selection narrows down the options to relevant buttons only, maintaining fast operation while preventing erroneous calls by excluding inappropriate options beforehand.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the destination operating panel displays all buttons, then the interface is simple, but it increases the complexity of access control management

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepanel interface simplicityVSAvoidaccess control integration

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The display dynamically shows only the activated buttons rather than all buttons. This dynamic filtering maintains interface simplicity while integrating access control management, as the system automatically determines which buttons to display based on current phase and permissions without requiring complex manual configuration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system self-determines which buttons to display and activate based on the current call-giving phase and access control rules. This self-service approach simplifies the interface by automatically filtering buttons while managing access control complexity internally without requiring external intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9902591B2Method for giving destination calls in an elevator system and an elevator system

Publication Date: 2018.02.27 KONE OYJ

AI summary

A method for giving destination calls to an elevator system using a destination operating panel that includes a keypad for giving the destination calls, including identifying a call giving phase and activating buttons of the keypad on the basis of the call giving phase.