Mobile Elevator Arrival Interface with Dynamic Visual Indicators

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator systems face challenges in accurately displaying the arrival time of an assigned elevator car due to changing demand, making it difficult to provide precise information to users.

Innovation Solution

A method that includes receiving an elevator call on a mobile device, determining the estimated elevator car arrival time, and generating a user interface with dynamic components that change appearance based on the arrival time, such as size, color, or position, to visually indicate the arrival time to the user.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If the elevator system provides real-time arrival time updates to mobile devices, then user information awareness is improved, but system complexity and data transmission requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrival time informationVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the arrival time indication function from traditional elevator hall displays and transfers it to users' mobile devices. The mobile device receives elevator call data, calculates estimated arrival times, and presents them through dynamic visual indicators, separating the information delivery function from fixed infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the elevator control system and the user. It receives raw elevator call and status data, processes this information to determine estimated arrival times, and presents it in an user-friendly format with dynamic visual indicators, bridging the gap between system data and user understanding.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If the system uses dynamic visual indicators that change with arrival time, then user understanding of arrival status is improved, but energy consumption and processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearrival status clarityVSAvoidmobile device energy
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The dynamic visual indicators update periodically or event-driven rather than continuously. The indicator changes appearance (size, color, position) at key moments such as when the elevator is approaching, has arrived, or when estimated arrival time is recalculated, reducing unnecessary processing and energy consumption while maintaining clear status communication.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

3Adaptability or versatility

If the elevator assignment changes in response to demand, then system adaptability is improved, but accuracy of predicted arrival time deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator assignment flexibilityVSAvoidarrival time prediction accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors actual elevator positions and updates estimated arrival times based on real-time feedback. When elevator assignments change or new calls are received, the mobile device recalculates arrival estimates using current system state data, ensuring accuracy is maintained despite dynamic reassignments.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3326950B1Elevator car arrival indication on a mobile device
Publication Date: 2022.07.20 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3326950B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3326950B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3326950B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A method for presenting an estimated elevator car arrival time, the method comprising: receiving an elevator call at a mobile device; obtaining the estimated elevator car arrival time in response to the elevator call; and generating a user interface depicting the estimated elevator car arrival time, the user interface depicting the estimated elevator car arrival time including a dynamic component that changes appearance in response to the estimated elevator car arrival time.