Elevator Virtual Button Calibration for Contactless Keypad Layout

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevators pose a risk of cross-infection due to the need to touch physical call buttons during operation, which limits the effectiveness of biochemical disinfection methods.

Innovation Solution

A calibration method and system for virtual buttons that determine the layout and position of virtual buttons using a camera to capture depth images and user interactions, allowing contactless operation through a virtual keypad zone.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Object-affected harmful factors

If physical call buttons are used in the elevator, then the operation is simple and reliable, but there is a risk of cross-infection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-infection riskVSAvoidcontactless operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy of the physical button interface. A camera captures the physical button layout and generates corresponding virtual buttons displayed on a screen. Users interact with the virtual buttons through touch or gesture, which then triggers the actual elevator function. This copying approach eliminates direct contact with physical buttons while maintaining the familiar button interface paradigm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical button pressing system with an optical recognition and display system. Instead of physically pressing buttons, the system uses a camera to capture the button area, processes the image to generate virtual buttons, and uses touch screen or gesture recognition to detect user input. This substitution eliminates mechanical contact while preserving the button interface functionality.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If virtual buttons are introduced to eliminate contact, then cross-infection risk is reduced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecross-infection riskVSAvoidvirtual button calibration system

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a self-calibration mechanism where the system automatically captures the physical button layout using the camera, processes the images to determine button positions and arrangements, and generates the corresponding virtual button interface without requiring manual configuration. This self-service approach reduces the operational complexity of setting up the virtual button system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent performs preliminary calibration by capturing and analyzing the physical button layout before the actual use. The system stores the determined button positions and arrangements in advance, so that when the virtual button interface is activated, it is already properly configured and ready for immediate use without requiring real-time adjustment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS12479696B2Calibration method and system for virtual buttons, elevator and storage medium

Publication Date: 2025.11.25 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A calibration method and system for virtual buttons, an elevator, and a storage medium. The method includes: receiving a first designation regarding a layout of the virtual buttons in a virtual keypad zone; receiving a second designation regarding a number of the virtual buttons; and determining a position of each of the virtual buttons in the virtual keypad zone according to the first designation and the second designation.