Elevator Operating Panel With Integrated Fingerprint Scanner

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems require separate installation space and wiring for individual recognition devices, leading to increased costs and design constraints.

Innovation Solution

An integrated elevator operating panel with a touch panel that includes a scanner function for fingerprint identification, allowing users to access operation screens based on fingerprint recognition, eliminating the need for separate recognition devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a separate individual recognition device is installed alongside the operating panel, then fingerprint recognition functionality is achieved, but installation space requirements increase and wiring complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition functionalityVSAvoidinstallation space and wiring
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the fingerprint scanner directly into the touch panel structure of the operating panel. The scanner is embedded within the display assembly, allowing the operating panel to simultaneously serve as both the user interface and the biometric recognition device, thereby eliminating the need for separate installation space and wiring connections.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The operating panel is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as the elevator control interface and simultaneously functions as the fingerprint recognition device. This multi-functional design allows a single component to replace what would traditionally require separate devices, reducing overall system complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Measurement precision

If separate installation space is allocated for the individual recognition device, then recognition accuracy is maintained, but overall system cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefingerprint recognition accuracyVSAvoidsystem cost
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the fingerprint scanner with the touch panel, the patent eliminates the need for separate housing, mounting structures, and wiring harnesses that would be required for a standalone recognition device. This integration reduces material costs, assembly costs, and maintenance costs while preserving the scanner's recognition accuracy through direct contact with the user's finger on the display surface.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Temperature

If the operating panel and individual recognition device are installed at a distance, then thermal management is improved, but wiring length increases and design flexibility is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvethermal managementVSAvoidwiring length
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSLength of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The integration of the scanner within the touch panel assembly eliminates the need for extended wiring connections between separate devices. The scanner is electrically connected to the control circuitry through internal traces and connections within the same assembly, drastically reducing wiring length and associated design constraints.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2471735B1Elevator operating panel
Publication Date: 2020.02.12 MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORP
  • EP2471735B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2471735B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP2471735B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

There is provided an elevator operating panel capable of saving the space, reducing the cost, and improving the design. For this purpose, the elevator operating panel is configured so as to include a touch panel provided in at least one of a hall and a car of an elevator and a display controller for causing an operation screen of the elevator to be displayed in a display part of the touch panel. The touch panel has a scanner function and takes in a fingerprint of a user by means of the scanner function when a finger of the user touches the display part. The display controller identifies a fingerprint based on the user's fingerprint taken in by the touch panel and causes the operation screen of the elevator according to the user specified by the fingerprint identification to be displayed in the display part of the touch panel.