Elevator Mobile Communication via QR Code Address Resolution

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing internet communication between a mobile device and an elevator is complex and time-consuming due to dynamic IP-addresses, often requiring dedicated applications, reducing user-friendliness.

Innovation Solution

A method involving optical scanning of a visual code containing a fixed hardware address of the elevator, transmitting this address to a network node to determine the internet address, and communicating with the elevator based on this address, allowing direct or indirect communication through a proxy node, eliminating the need for dedicated applications.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If floating and dynamic IP-addresses are used for elevators, then network flexibility and adaptability are improved, but communication establishment becomes complicated and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork flexibilityVSAvoidcommunication establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-assigning static IP addresses to elevators and pre-configuring the mapping between elevator identifiers and IP addresses in a central server. This allows the system to resolve communication addresses quickly without real-time negotiation, thus reducing communication establishment time while maintaining network flexibility through the centralized mapping mechanism.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a central server as an intermediary that maintains the mapping between elevator identifiers and IP addresses. This mediator resolves the contradiction by providing a centralized authority that can quickly translate dynamic elevator identifiers into static IP addresses, eliminating the need for complex peer-to-peer address resolution while preserving network adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If dedicated applications are required for elevator communication, then communication reliability is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoiduser-friendliness

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by enabling standard web browsers to communicate with elevators using conventional HTTP protocols. Instead of requiring dedicated elevator communication applications, the system allows any modern browser to function as an elevator interface, thus improving ease of operation while maintaining communication reliability through standardized web technologies.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent substitutes the mechanical system of dedicated elevator communication applications with the more accessible web browser interface. By replacing the specialized software requirement with universal web browsing capability, the system improves ease of operation while maintaining reliable communication through standardized web protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Speed

If direct communication between mobile device and elevator is established, then communication speed is improved, but security deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication speedVSAvoidsecurity risk

Core Design Contradiction:

SpeedVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a gateway server as an intermediary between mobile devices and elevators. This gateway maintains the mapping between elevator identifiers and IP addresses, and routes communications through a secure channel. This approach preserves communication speed by providing efficient address resolution while improving security by controlling and monitoring all communications through the gateway.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of operation

If visual codes with fixed hardware addresses are scanned, then communication establishment simplicity is improved, but measurement precision requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication establishment simplicityVSAvoidcode scanning accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses visual codes (such as QR codes) as optical copies of elevator identifier information. Instead of requiring direct electronic communication or complex identification processes, the system creates a visual representation of the elevator's hardware address that can be easily scanned by mobile devices. This improves ease of operation while the redundancy in the code format helps compensate for measurement precision requirements.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3670413B1Method for electronic elevator communication with mobile devices

Publication Date: 2023.08.16 SPYRA GRZEGORZ KAROL DR

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AI summary

Method for electronic communication between a mobile device (100) and an elevator (101), comprising the steps of optically (S101) scanning a visual code (103) comprising a fixed hardware address (MAC1) of the elevator (101) by the mobile device (100); transmitting (S102) the fixed hardware address (MAC1) from the mobile device (100) to a network node (105); determining (S103) an internet address (IP1) of the elevator (101) based on the fixed hardware address (MAC1) by the network node (105); and communicating (S104) with the elevator (101) based on the internet address (IP1).