Elevator Handwriting Input Recognition for Floor Selection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator touch screens with numerous floor buttons can be difficult for passengers with poor vision to navigate and prone to incorrect selections due to button size, and secure access credential input is challenging using traditional touch screens.

Innovation Solution

A computing device processes handwriting inputs for elevator floor selection and access credentials, using optical character recognition and confirmation messages to ensure accurate interpretation and secure access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If all floor buttons are displayed on a single touch screen, then all floors are accessible for selection, but passengers with poor vision cannot see the identifiers and fingers are too large to accurately press the buttons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor accessibilityVSAvoidbutton selection accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a handwriting recognition system. Instead of requiring passengers to physically locate and press small buttons on a touch screen, the system accepts handwritten floor numbers or credentials. The touch screen detects handwriting inputs and uses optical character recognition to interpret them, eliminating the need for precise button pressing while maintaining full floor accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Device complexity

If traditional touch screen buttons are used for floor selection, then the interface is simple, but secure access credential input is difficult and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidcredential input accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with a handwriting recognition system. Instead of requiring passengers to locate and press small buttons on a touch screen, the system accepts handwritten floor numbers or credentials. The touch screen detects handwriting inputs and uses optical character recognition to interpret them, eliminating the need for precise button pressing while maintaining full floor accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If handwriting input is accepted for floor selection, then navigation complexity is reduced, but input recognition accuracy must be ensured

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefloor selection simplicityVSAvoidhandwriting recognition accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a confirmation feedback mechanism for handwriting recognition. After the system interprets the handwritten input, it displays a confirmation message showing the interpreted floor number or credential to the passenger. The passenger can then confirm or correct the interpretation before the elevator proceeds, ensuring accurate recognition while maintaining simple operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentUS10173861B2Handwriting input for elevator destination floor input

Publication Date: 2019.01.08 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A method includes receiving, by a computing device including a processor, a handwriting input including a selection of a destination floor associated with an elevator system, determining, by the computing device, that the handwriting input selection is recognizable, presenting, by the computing device, a message that requests confirmation that the input selection is interpreted correctly based on determining that the handwriting input selection is recognizable, receiving, by the computing device, a response to the message that confirms the input selection, and causing, by the computing device, the elevator system to provide access to the destination floor based on the response.