Touchless Elevator Interface Using Infrared Beam Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional elevator call button systems increase the risk of viral and bacterial transmission among users due to physical contact, and frequent sanitization is costly and not entirely effective, especially during pandemics.
Innovation Solution
A touchless elevator interface device using a sensor module with infrared beams and an application-specific integrated circuit chip to detect interruptions in the beams, allowing users to select floors without physical contact, and a sensor control system to communicate the selection to the elevator control system.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If physical elevator call buttons are used, then the elevator control system can easily detect user selections, but the risk of viral and bacterial transmission increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical button-pressing system with an optical sensing system. Infrared emitters and receivers detect when a user's finger blocks the beam, converting mechanical contact detection into optical non-contact detection. This eliminates physical contact while maintaining easy floor selection through the same intuitive blocking motion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary optical field (infrared beam) between the user and the elevator control system. Instead of direct mechanical contact, the user's finger blocks the infrared beam as an intermediary mechanism to transmit the selection signal, eliminating direct contact with the button surface while still enabling floor selection.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If frequent sanitization of elevator buttons is performed, then viral and bacterial transmission is reduced, but the cost and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interaction from the physical button surface entirely. By using optical sensing that detects finger blocking without contact, the system removes the need for sanitization of the button surface, eliminating the associated costs and labor while maintaining hygiene safety.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If a dedicated elevator operator is assigned, then physical contact between riders and buttons is eliminated, but the risk of droplet or aerosol transmission to the operator increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the human operator intermediary with an automated optical sensing system. The infrared beam detection and electronic coupling automatically process floor selections without human intervention, eliminating both the physical contact risk for riders and the droplet/aerosol transmission risk to operators.
4Object-affected harmful factors
If repeated use of oxidizing agents for sanitization is applied, then viral and bacterial transmission is reduced, but physical damage to the elevator control system occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the user interaction from the physical button surface, eliminating the need for oxidizing agent sanitization. This removes the source of chemical damage to the control system while maintaining hygiene safety through contactless optical detection.
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
Reduces the risk of viral and bacterial transmission by eliminating physical contact and decreases the need for frequent sanitization, providing a cost-effective solution for reducing the spread of pathogens.
Implementation Method 1
each sensor having an emitter configured to outwardly emit at least one infrared beam
Data Source
AI summary
A touchless elevator call button selection device utilizing a plurality of infrared beams is disclosed along with its method of use. By using beams of light to detect the position of a user's hand, the touchless elevator call button selection device allows the user to interface with the elevator control system without physically coming into contact with the elevator control system.