Portable Elevator Locator with Real-Time Video Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face difficulties in identifying their allocated elevator in large or busy elevator lobbies, especially with portable call-giving apparatuses, leading to increased walking times and unnecessary traffic, as existing systems lack the ability to provide real-time location information due to unknown user locations.
Innovation Solution
A method and apparatus that transmit a real-time view of the elevator system landscape to a user's display, using graphics to clearly indicate the location of their allocated elevator, which can be a video image analyzed for identifiers and presented with arrows, icons, or coloring to facilitate easy identification, even when the user is not close to the elevator.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If traditional elevator call systems are used in large or busy elevator lobbies, then the system structure remains simple, but users cannot quickly locate their allocated elevator leading to increased walking times and unnecessary traffic
Solution Approach 1:
A portable call-giving apparatus serves as an intermediary between the user and the elevator system. It receives destination calls, communicates with the control system to obtain allocated elevator information, and provides this information to the user through display and acoustic output, thereby resolving the location identification problem without requiring complex changes to the existing elevator infrastructure
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical location identification methods (physical signs, visual indicators in the lobby) with electronic information processing and output. The portable apparatus uses display screens and acoustic signals to convey elevator location information, substituting mechanical/physical indication systems with electronic communication methods
2Adaptability or versatility
If portable call-giving apparatuses are used, then users gain mobility and flexibility, but the system cannot provide location information since it does not know the user's location
Solution Approach 1:
The portable call-giving apparatus performs self-location identification by analyzing the camera image to detect the elevator currently visible in the field of view. The apparatus uses image processing to identify elevator identifiers (such as numbers or codes) in the captured image, thereby determining its own relative position to elevators without requiring external location tracking systems
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional location tracking systems (GPS, RFID tags, or other hardware-based location detection) with vision-based location identification. The portable apparatus uses a camera and image processing algorithms to determine its position relative to elevators, substituting mechanical location tracking with optical detection and computational analysis
3Ease of operation
If the allocated elevator information is displayed textually (e.g., 'Elevator B'), then the system remains simple, but users cannot quickly identify the elevator in a busy lobby
Solution Approach 1:
The display system uses color-coded indicators to represent different elevators. Each elevator is assigned a specific color that matches the color displayed on or near the actual elevator car. The portable apparatus displays this color information along with the elevator identifier, enabling users to quickly locate their allocated elevator by matching colors in the lobby environment
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional text-only display to multi-dimensional information presentation by incorporating color, graphical icons, and directional indicators. The display shows not only the elevator identifier (text) but also color codes, graphical representations of the elevator location, and directional arrows, adding multiple dimensions to the information presentation to enhance quick identification
Data Source
AI summary
A method for identifying an elevator allocated by an elevator system for a user of the elevator system is provided, which elevator system includes a plurality of elevators, and an apparatus that communicates with the elevator system, more particularly with the control system of it, and that is available to a user, which apparatus includes a display. In the method a real-time view of the landscape behind the display is transmitted via the display to the front of the display to the user, and predetermined graphics are presented to the user on the display at a point that transmits to the user a real-time view of the allocated elevator, or in the immediate proximity of said point. An arrangement for identifying an elevator allocated by an elevator system for a user of the elevator system, and also to an elevator arrangement is provided, which implement the aforementioned method.