Mobile Car Operating Panel for Elevator Accessibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
In larger elevator cars, occupants face difficulties in accessing the car operating panel due to high occupancy, making it challenging to select desired landing stops, especially when visibility is blocked.
Innovation Solution
A mobile car operating panel system that establishes communication between a mobile device and a mobile wireless access point associated with the car operating panel, allowing users to control and observe the panel through a user interface on their device, determining proximity using signal strength or tracking movement, and enabling commands to be registered for stop landings within a threshold distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If occupants use the traditional fixed car operating panel, then the panel is always accessible to anyone in the elevator car, but accessibility becomes difficult during high occupancy when crowds block visibility and access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a virtual copy of the car operating panel by projecting its functionality onto a mobile device. The mobile device displays a user interface that replicates the panel's button functions, allowing occupants to interact with the elevator control system without physically accessing the original panel. This copying approach resolves the accessibility issue by providing an alternative control interface that is not blocked by crowds.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device serves as an intermediary between the occupant and the car operating panel. Instead of directly interacting with the physical panel, the occupant uses the mobile device's display and input interface to send commands to the panel through wireless communication. This intermediary approach allows occupants to maintain control functionality even when the original panel is inaccessible due to crowding.
2Ease of operation
If occupants request someone else to press the landing call button, then the button can be pressed, but the requester cannot confirm that the desired landing was selected due to blocked visibility
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device provides real-time feedback to the occupant about the panel's status and the results of button presses. The display shows the current elevator position, selected landings, and other panel information, allowing the occupant to confirm that their requested landing was successfully selected. This feedback mechanism eliminates the information loss problem by continuously updating the occupant with panel status information.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device creates a visual copy of the panel's status information on its display. Instead of relying on visibility of the physical panel, the mobile device's screen reproduces the panel's display content, including button press confirmations and elevator status. This copying approach ensures that the occupant can always see the panel's state, regardless of physical blocking in the elevator car.
3Ease of operation
If a mobile device is used to control the panel, then accessibility is improved in crowded conditions, but additional devices and communication infrastructure are required
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device performs multiple functions: it serves as the user interface for controlling the panel, displays status information, provides feedback to the occupant, and communicates wirelessly with the panel. By consolidating these multiple functions into a single device that occupants already carry, the system avoids adding significant complexity while achieving improved accessibility during high occupancy.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables users to control and observe the car operating panel remotely, ensuring accessibility and accuracy of commands even in crowded conditions, enhancing user experience by allowing control and observation of elevator actions through a mobile device.
Implementation Method 1
the proximity between the mobile device and the car operating panel is determined based on a signal strength between the mobile device and the car operating panel
Implementation Method 2
the proximity between the mobile device and the car operating panel is determined based on tracking movement of the mobile device within the elevator car
Implementation Method 3
the proximity between the mobile device and the car operating panel is determined based on a beacon operably coupled to the mobile wireless access point and configured to communicate with the mobile device
Implementation Method 4
the proximity between the mobile device and the car operating panel is determined based on a triangulation between the mobile device, the car operating panel, and at least one more wireless communication source
Data Source
AI summary
A method of providing a mobile car operating panel system includes establishing communication between a mobile device and a mobile wireless access point associated with a car operating panel within an elevator car. A user interface provided on the mobile device is operable to command the car operating panel through the mobile wireless access point. A proximity between the mobile device and the car operating panel is determined. A car call is registered to command a stop landing of the elevator car based on verifying the proximity of the mobile device to the car operating panel within a threshold distance and an input through the user interface on the mobile device indicating the stop landing.