Remote Elevator Service via User Device Interface

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current elevator systems require users to be present at an elevator landing to make service requests, limiting remote access and user convenience, and there is a need for improved management and user experience in building elevator systems.

Innovation Solution

A method and user device interface that allows users to make elevator service requests remotely using a smartphone or similar device, featuring scrollable wheels for selecting origination and destination floors, with options for swiping inputs to generate and manage service requests, and storing data for recent trips to facilitate easy access.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If users make elevator service requests through mechanical, electrical, or electromechanical devices located within or as part of the elevator system, then the elevator system can receive input from users, but users must be present at an elevator landing to make requests, which limits remote access and user convenience

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser convenienceVSAvoidremote access capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

A communication module serves as an intermediary between the user device and the elevator control system. The user device (smartphone, tablet, or computer) communicates elevator service requests to the elevator system through wireless or wired network connections, eliminating the need for users to be physically present at elevator landings while maintaining reliable communication through this intermediate component.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If a remote mechanism using personal user devices is implemented for elevator service requests, then user experience is improved and elevator management is enhanced, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser experienceVSAvoidsystem complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The elevator control system incorporates a communication module that handles multiple functions: receiving service requests from user devices, transmitting status information to users, and integrating with existing elevator control mechanisms. This multi-functional approach consolidates remote communication capabilities within the existing control system rather than adding separate dedicated systems, thereby managing complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system automatically processes remote service requests received from user devices through the communication module, routing them to the appropriate elevator control logic without requiring manual intervention. The system self-manages the integration between remote digital interfaces and physical elevator operations, reducing operational complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Adaptability or versatility

If elevator service requests are made remotely using user devices, then access flexibility is improved, but ensuring reliable communication and accurate request transmission becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess flexibilityVSAvoidrequest transmission reliability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The communication module implements feedback mechanisms that confirm successful transmission of service requests from user devices to the elevator control system. The system transmits status information back to user devices, confirming receipt and processing of requests, which ensures reliable communication and allows users to verify that their requests were successfully transmitted.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3318523B1Elevator service request using user device
Publication Date: 2022.02.23 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3318523B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3318523B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3318523B1 patent drawingFigure 4A~4B

AI summary

Methods and systems for making elevator service requests, the methods including populating, by a computing device comprising a processor, a recents list with at least one retained floor pair [626], wherein each retained floor pair [626] includes an origination floor and a destination floor, displaying the recents list on a display of a user interface [600], receiving a user input on the recents list indicating a new elevator service request related to one of the retained floor pairs [626], generating an elevator service request packet based on the new elevator service request, and transmitting the elevator service request packet to an elevator controller to make an elevator service request.