Elevator Wall Imaging System for Passenger Experience
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Solution Overview
Problem
Elevator passengers often experience claustrophobia and boredom due to a lack of information and limited space within the elevator car, which existing systems fail to address effectively.
Innovation Solution
An elevator car wall imaging system that generates images and sounds representing real-time weather conditions from an exterior environment, using a projection system and sound generation device connected to a network, to simulate weather conditions such as precipitation, wind, and sky conditions on interior surfaces like side walls, ceiling, and floor.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the elevator car maintains a simple interior structure, then the device complexity is low, but the passenger experience is boring and claustrophobic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent projects images of exterior environments onto the interior walls of the elevator car, creating a virtual copy of the outside world. This allows passengers to see weather conditions, landscapes, and other environmental elements without actually leaving the confined space, thereby improving passenger experience while maintaining a relatively simple physical interior structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions the interior walls from two-dimensional surfaces to three-dimensional immersive displays by projecting images across multiple walls. This dimensional transformation creates an enveloping effect that reduces claustrophobia while adding visual interest without requiring complex architectural modifications.
2Loss of information
If the elevator car provides real-time weather information, then the information availability is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The projected images serve multiple functions simultaneously: they provide weather information, create an immersive environment, reduce claustrophobia, and entertain passengers. By making the imaging system multi-functional, the patent justifies the added complexity through diverse benefits rather than a single purpose.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously updates the projected images based on real-time weather data from external sources, creating a feedback loop where current environmental conditions are immediately reflected in the elevator interior. This ensures information accuracy while dynamically adapting to changing conditions.
3Loss of information
If the elevator car uses projection systems on interior walls, then the visual information is improved, but the manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of constructing complex physical windows or transparent walls to provide visual information, the patent uses projection systems to create virtual images on standard interior walls. This approach provides rich visual information while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of alternative physical solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces potential mechanical structures (such as transparent barriers, movable walls, or complex window systems) with optical projection systems. This substitution achieves visual information delivery through light-based technology rather than mechanical construction, simplifying manufacturing.
Data Source
AI summary
An elevator car wall imaging system (20) is provided. The elevator car wall imaging system (20) includes an interior region of an elevator car, the interior region defined by a floor, a ceiling and a plurality of interior side walls. The elevator car wall imaging system (20) also includes an image generator (22) operatively connected to a network, the image generator (22) configured to generate an image on at least one a portion of at least one of the plurality of interior side walls, the image representing a weather condition currently present in an exterior environment surrounding a structure within which the elevator car is disposed.