Interface Device for Elevator Destination Entry Integration

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing destination entry systems for elevators face challenges in integrating with building security systems, requiring complex and costly upgrades or new infrastructure, which deters adoption due to high expenses and complexity.

Innovation Solution

A destination entry system with an interface device that facilitates communication between the destination entry system and the security system, allowing credential verification and authorization without the need for extensive upgrades, by using an interface device to correlate user credentials with authorized areas and communicate this information to the destination entry system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If the destination entry system is integrated with the security system using conventional methods, then user authentication before elevator assignment is achieved, but the complexity and cost of the system increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser authenticationVSAvoidsystem integration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a credential receiver device as an intermediary component that bridges the destination entry system and the security system. This device receives credentials from users and communicates authentication results to the destination entry system without requiring deep integration between the two systems, thereby maintaining reliability while reducing complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system is divided into separate functional modules: the destination entry system, the security system, and the credential receiver device. Each module operates independently with well-defined interfaces, allowing the authentication function to be achieved without coupling the entire systems together, thus reducing integration complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the destination entry system is integrated with the security system using conventional methods, then secure elevator assignment is achieved, but the cost of upgrading infrastructure increases prohibitively

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecure elevator assignmentVSAvoidinstallation cost

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The credential receiver device serves as a cost-effective intermediary that leverages existing security infrastructure without requiring expensive upgrades. It communicates with both the destination entry system and the security system using standard protocols, achieving secure elevator assignment at minimal infrastructure investment

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The credential receiver device is designed to work with multiple different security systems and destination entry systems using universal communication protocols. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for custom, expensive integrations for each specific system combination, thereby reducing overall installation costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Device complexity

If credential verification is performed inside the elevator car, then integration with security system is simplified, but user convenience deteriorates as users must present credentials after boarding

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration complexityVSAvoiduser convenience

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs credential verification in advance at the destination entry device before the user boards the elevator. This preliminary authentication ensures that only authorized users can request elevator service, while maintaining simplicity in system integration through the credential receiver device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Adaptability or versatility

If existing security infrastructure is upgraded to accommodate destination entry system, then full integration capability is achieved, but the complexity and expense becomes prohibitively high

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveintegration capabilityVSAvoidinfrastructure upgrade complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The credential receiver device acts as an adaptable intermediary that can interface with various existing security infrastructures without requiring them to be upgraded. It provides the necessary integration capability through standardized communication protocols, achieving versatility without infrastructure complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS10202256B2Interfacing destination entry system with building security using switches

Publication Date: 2019.02.12 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A system and method for interfacing a destination entry system with existing security infrastructure of a space. The destination entry system may include at least one destination entry device configured to receive a destination request from a user and an interface device to facilitate communication between the destination entry system and a security system). The interface device may be configured to receive credentials of the user from the security system, co-relate the credentials with areas within a space that the user is authorized to access, identify which one of the at least one destination entry device originated the destination request from the user and communicate the authorized areas and the identified one of the at least one destination entry device to the destination entry system.