Elevator Object Detection via Passenger-Item Matching

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Solution Overview

Problem

Passengers frequently forget objects in elevator cars, leading to instances where items such as luggage or briefcases are left behind without notification, resulting in potential loss or inconvenience.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses imaging devices and credential detection to match passengers with their objects within the elevator car, determining if the passenger has exited without taking their belongings, and generating a notification if the object is left behind, utilizing a controller to authenticate access to the object tracking service and process images for matching and exit detection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If an imaging device is used to match passengers with objects, then the ability to detect forgotten objects is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary object tracking service that acts as a mediator between the imaging device and the passenger notification system. This service layer processes images, matches passengers with objects, and manages the notification logic, thereby reducing the complexity of direct integration while improving detection reliability through specialized processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is segmented into distinct functional modules: credential detection module, imaging device module, object tracking service module, and notification module. Each module performs a specific function independently, making the overall system more manageable and easier to maintain while improving detection accuracy through specialized processing at each stage.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If credential detection is implemented to authorize access, then the security and authorization control is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveauthorization controlVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary credential detection and verification before allowing access to the object tracking service. By checking credentials in advance (at the elevator entrance or before object tracking is activated), the system ensures authorized access without adding complex ongoing verification mechanisms throughout the entire elevator journey.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If continuous image processing is performed to track passenger exit, then the detection of forgotten objects is improved, but the energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedetection accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of continuous image processing, the system uses periodic action by triggering image capture and processing at specific events: when the elevator door opens, when the elevator stops at a floor, or when the passenger exits. This periodic processing maintains detection accuracy while significantly reducing energy consumption compared to continuous monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3674241A1Notification of objects in elevator system
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3674241A1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3674241A1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3674241A1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for notifying a passenger of an object left in an elevator car (103), the method including determining if the passenger is authorized to access an object tracking service; when the passenger is authorized to access the object tracking service, using an imaging device (2021, 2022) to match the passenger to an object; determining that the passenger has exited the elevator car (103); and when the passenger has exited the elevator car (103) without taking the object, generating a notification.