Smartwatch Elevator Navigation and Destination Handling

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative Solutions
Generate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Users face difficulties in efficiently navigating and using elevator systems in unfamiliar environments, as existing technologies lack effective orientation and communication tools.

Innovation Solution

A smartwatch equipped with a navigation system, including position detection and communication means, that interacts with an elevator and guide system to provide destination calls and navigation guidance, using map data and beacons for accurate positioning and data exchange.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a smartwatch integrates both destination handling unit and navigation system, then user orientation capability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser orientation capabilityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the destination handling unit and navigation system into a single integrated smartwatch device. The destination handling unit processes elevator destination calls while the navigation system provides positional tracking and route guidance, merging these functions into one device to improve user orientation capability without requiring multiple separate devices.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The smartwatch is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a destination call device for elevator systems and as a navigation device with position detection and map display capabilities. This universal design allows the same device to perform multiple functions including destination selection, elevator allocation reception, and real-time navigation guidance.

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

2Productivity

If the smartwatch provides real-time navigation and destination information, then user efficiency in unfamiliar environments is improved, but information processing requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveuser efficiencyVSAvoidinformation processing requirements
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements feedback mechanisms where the smartwatch continuously receives position data from the navigation system and destination data from the destination handling unit, then processes and displays this information in real-time. The system also receives feedback from the elevator system about allocated elevators and updates the user accordingly, creating a closed-loop information flow that improves efficiency while managing information processing through systematic feedback cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

3Measurement precision

If the navigation system continuously detects position and exchanges data with destination handling unit, then orientation accuracy is improved, but energy consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveorientation accuracyVSAvoidenergy consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The navigation system and destination handling unit exchange data at periodic intervals rather than continuously. The position detection means updates location information at scheduled times, and data exchanges between the navigation system and destination handling unit occur periodically, maintaining orientation accuracy while reducing energy consumption compared to continuous operation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP3365630B1Smartwatch and elevator and guide system
Publication Date: 2024.01.24 KONE OYJ
  • EP3365630B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3365630B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3365630B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The invention refers to a smartwatch (10) comprising a destination handling unit (32) which is configured to issue a destination call in an elevator system (40) of an environment (50), which smartwatch has input means (15, 16) for entering destination data as well as output means (13, 16) for indicating an allocated elevator (48a-f) of said elevator system (40). The smartwatch (10) comprises a navigation system (34, 21) including a memory with map data of the environment (50), which navigation system (34, 21) comprises position detection means (26, 28, 30) for detecting the location of the smartwatch (10) within the environment (50), and a navigation output connected with the output means (13, 16), whereby the navigation system (34, 21) is coupled with the destination handling unit (32) to issue a destination call based on data of the position detection means (26, 28, 30) and/or for providing navigation guide data based on an issued destination call.