Elevator Identifier Display for User Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current elevator systems lack effective communication methods that allow users to accurately identify their assigned elevator car, leading to potential missed or incorrect entries, as users must continuously monitor displays for availability without insight into the system's timing.

Innovation Solution

A display device with an identifier manager that assigns temporary identifiers to elevator cars executing transport orders, displayed at boarding locations, allowing users to visually recognize their assigned car among others, with features like FIFO memory to manage identifiers and ensure clarity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If only the identifier of the next elevator car is displayed at the boarding location, then the display device shows minimal information, but the user cannot gain insight into when their assigned elevator car will arrive and must continuously monitor the display

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveUser insight into elevator system timingVSAvoidDisplay information structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is segmented into multiple sections: a first section showing identifiers of upcoming elevator cars and a second section showing the current position of the assigned elevator car. This segmentation allows users to simultaneously see both the timing information (when their car will arrive) and position information (where it is now) without overwhelming the display with a single complex data stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent adds a temporal dimension to the display by showing not just the current identifier but also a sequence of upcoming identifiers in the first section. This transforms the display from a static single-value indicator to a dynamic temporal sequence, giving users insight into the timing of their elevator car's arrival without requiring continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Reliability

If the display shows only the current elevator car identifier, then the display remains simple, but users may miss their assigned elevator car or enter the wrong one

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveCorrect elevator car identificationVSAvoidDisplay content
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The display is divided into two functional sections: the first section displays a sequence of upcoming elevator car identifiers for timing reference, while the second section prominently displays the current position and identifier of the user's assigned elevator car. This segmentation ensures users can reliably identify their correct car by comparing the second section against the sequence in the first section, reducing errors without overwhelming complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The system provides feedback by continuously updating the display with both the sequence of upcoming identifiers and the current position of the assigned car. This dual-feedback mechanism allows users to verify their assigned car's identity and track its approach, ensuring they board the correct elevator while the display remains manageable through structured presentation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Loss of time

If multiple identifiers are displayed simultaneously, then users can track their assigned car better, but the display device becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveWaiting time for elevatorVSAvoidDisplay structure
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

By segmenting the display into two distinct sections with different functions, the patent allows multiple identifiers to be shown simultaneously without creating a confusing single block of information. The first section shows upcoming identifiers for timing awareness, while the second section focuses on the current assigned car, enabling users to plan their wait and recognize their car without excessive display complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different parts of the display have different qualities and information densities: the first section presents a sequence of identifiers for temporal context, while the second section provides focused, high-visibility information about the current assigned car. This local differentiation allows the display to convey multiple pieces of information efficiently while maintaining clarity and avoiding uniform complexity across the entire display.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentEP2121499B1Display device and communication method for a lift system
Publication Date: 2021.02.17 INVENTIO AG
  • EP2121499B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2C
  • EP2121499B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4C
  • EP2121499B1 patent drawing

AI summary

A display device for a lift system with at least one lift shaft (1.1, 1.2), in which several lift cabins (2.1-2.4) travel, comprises an allocation manager, in order to allocate an identifier ("A1", "A2", "A3") to a lift cabin carrying out a transport job and a display (5.60, 5.70, 5.100), provided for a boarding location (4.6, 4.7, 4.10) for output of an identifier, wherein the display can simultaneously display the identifier for several lift cabins.