Proximity-Based Visitor Calling System for Multifamily Housing

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Solution Overview

Problem

Visitors to multifamily housing units often waste time and effort trying to contact dwellers, especially when the dweller is not at home or resides on an upper floor, as existing systems lack efficient calling mechanisms.

Innovation Solution

An information processing apparatus that receives identification and position information from a visitor's terminal, determines proximity to the building, and transmits image data for calling the dweller when within a predetermined range, enabling easy communication via a terminal and intercom system.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of time

If a visitor goes to a dwelling to call the dweller using a traditional calling apparatus, then the dweller can be contacted, but the visitor wastes time and effort especially when the dweller is not at home or resides on an upper floor

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime and effort wasted by visitorVSAvoidease of calling dweller

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary actions by automatically detecting the visitor's presence through position information and proactively notifying the dweller before the visitor arrives at the dwelling. The calling apparatus initiates the call sequence in advance, eliminating the need for the visitor to physically go to the dwelling first.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The calling apparatus serves as an intermediary between the visitor and the dweller. It receives position information from the visitor's terminal, determines proximity to the building, and automatically initiates communication with the dweller's terminal, mediating the interaction without requiring the visitor to physically present at the dwelling.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If the visitor uses a terminal to call the dweller remotely, then the visitor can contact the dweller without going to the dwelling, but the system requires complex position information processing and determination mechanisms

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of calling dwellerVSAvoidcomplexity of position information processing

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The calling apparatus performs self-service by automatically processing position information and determining whether the visitor is within the predetermined range. The system autonomously executes the determination process and initiates calling without requiring complex user operations or manual intervention.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system replaces manual mechanical operations (visitor physically going to the dwelling and operating a calling apparatus) with automated electronic processes. Position information is processed electronically, and calling is initiated automatically through digital communication between terminals.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS20240314235A1Information processing apparatus and method for calling

Publication Date: 2024.09.19 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO LTD

AI summary

An information processing apparatus includes a receiver configured to receive, from a terminal of a visitor, identification information for identifying a building and position information of the terminal of the visitor, a controller configured to determine whether the terminal of the visitor is positioned within a predetermined range from the building based on position information of the building related to the identification information and the position information of the terminal of the visitor, and a transmitter configured to transmit, to the terminal of the visitor, first image data for calling a terminal of a dweller of the building, the calling to be performed by the visitor, when the terminal of the visitor is positioned within the predetermined range from the building.