Hands-Free Elevator Call via Mobile Signal Strength Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator systems require manual operation for calling elevators, which can be difficult for passengers with mobility issues or carrying items, leading to a suboptimal user experience.
Innovation Solution
An automatic elevator call system using a personal mobile terminal with a short-range communication unit to detect wireless signals, determine signal strength, and send elevator service requests when the signal strength meets a predetermined threshold, allowing for hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual button pressing is used for elevator calls, then the system structure remains simple, but accessibility and ease of operation deteriorate for passengers with mobility issues or carrying items
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an automatic detection and recognition system using image processing and optical character recognition (OCR) technology. The system captures images of destination floor displays and automatically extracts the floor number, eliminating the need for manual button selection and significantly improving ease of operation for all passengers including those with mobility issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service operation by automatically detecting the destination floor through image recognition and autonomously selecting the corresponding button. The elevator control system processes the captured image, identifies the floor number, and triggers the appropriate call without requiring any manual input from the passenger, making the service truly hands-free and accessible.
2Ease of operation
If automatic detection systems are implemented, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system achieves multi-functionality by using a single image capture device that serves multiple purposes: capturing destination floor information, identifying floor numbers through OCR, and potentially recognizing other visual cues in the elevator environment. This universal approach consolidates what could be multiple separate systems into one integrated solution, reducing overall complexity despite the advanced capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary image processing layer that acts as a mediator between the physical button interface and the control system. The OCR and image recognition algorithms serve as intelligent intermediaries that translate visual information into control signals, simplifying the user interaction while managing system complexity through software-based abstraction rather than direct hardware complexity.
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 enabling hands-free and convenient elevator calls, improving accessibility for passengers with mobility issues or carrying items, and optimizing elevator service requests.
Implementation Method 1
a short range communication unit configured to detect the wireless signal that is broadcast by the wireless signal apparatus in the elevator system
Implementation Method 2
a signal strength determining unit configured to determine the signal strength value of the detected wireless signal
Data Source
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AI summary
The present disclosure provides an automatic elevator call system 20 and a method for requesting an elevator service belonging to the field of elevator intelligent control technologies. The automatic elevator call system 20 includes a wireless signal apparatus 120, 130 that is installed in an elevator system and broadcasts a corresponding wireless signal around, wherein the automatic elevator call system 20 detects the wireless signal and a signal strength value thereof by using a personal mobile terminal 200 carried by a passenger and automatically sends an elevator service request command to the wireless signal apparatus 120, 130 when the signal strength value is greater than or equal to a predetermined threshold. The present disclosure may further improve elevator call experience of passengers.