Elevator Call Interface Using Optical Codes for Hygienic Access
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing elevator call input methods, such as electromechanical keypads, touchscreens, and RFID card readers, are undesirable for hygiene and convenience, particularly during pandemics, and require technical complexity that limits user-friendliness for diverse user groups.
Innovation Solution
An elevator system with optical codes displayed on a touchscreen that can be detected by a communication device or manually touched, allowing users to input calls flexibly and hygienically, with optional confirmation via the device or screen.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional electromechanical keypads or touchscreens are used for elevator call input, then the system is simple to implement, but hygiene is compromised and user-friendliness for diverse user groups is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an optical code (QR code or barcode) as an intermediary between the user and the elevator control system. Instead of directly touching the control panel, users scan the optical code with their mobile device camera, which then communicates with the elevator system. This intermediary eliminates direct contact with shared surfaces while maintaining ease of use through familiar smartphone scanning behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical touch interface (keypads, touchscreens, RFID readers) with an optical-based system. The optical code displayed on the panel is scanned by the mobile device's camera, substituting mechanical contact with optical detection. This eliminates wear and contamination issues associated with mechanical components while providing a contactless interface.
2Reliability
If RFID card readers or mobile phone apps are used for elevator call input, then hygiene is improved through contactless operation, but device complexity and time consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the existing display unit serve multiple functions: it displays elevator floor information to users and simultaneously presents the optical code for scanning. This eliminates the need for separate RFID readers, mobile phone apps, or dedicated scanning devices. The universal display unit approach reduces system complexity while maintaining contactless operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses the user's existing mobile device (which they already have and use daily) to perform the scanning function. The mobile device's camera and processing capabilities are leveraged without requiring additional specialized equipment at the elevator panel. This self-service approach minimizes added complexity while providing contactless operation.
3Ease of operation
If optical codes are displayed on the elevator control panel, then user-friendliness and hygiene are improved, but the system requires additional technical components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the optical code display function with the existing display unit that shows elevator floor information. Instead of adding a separate scanning device or interface element, the system combines multiple functions (information display and call input) into a single integrated display. This reduces the number of separate components while maintaining enhanced user-friendliness.
Data Source
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AI summary
An elevator installation (1) comprises an elevator control (15), an elevator cab (22) which, upon actuation by the elevator control (15), is displaceable from a first floor (L, F1, F2) to a second floor (L, F1, F2) by means of a drive machine (14), and a number of elevator operating devices (6, 10) which are arranged on floors (F1, F2) of the building (2) and connected to the elevator control (15). One of the elevator operating devices (6) comprises a control device (40, 42) and a visual display unit (24), with the control device (40, 42) receiving data for an optical code (26) and data for a floor indicator (28) from the elevator control (15) in order to control the visual display unit (24) in accordance with the data for the optical code (26). The visual display unit (24) displays the optical code (26) in a display field (30). The control device (40, 42) is moreover configured to control the visual display unit (24) to display a floor indicator (28) in the display field (30), to detect coming into contact with the optical code (26) depicted in the display field (30) by the user (4, 5) and, upon detection of contact, to generate an elevator call to a floor (L, F1, F2) represented by the floor indicator (28).