Wireless Elevator Signaling for Accessibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Elevator systems pose difficulties for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, elderly, or physically handicapped, as they struggle to locate and use destination entry devices or traditional hall call buttons, especially during emergency situations when elevators are restricted and stairways may be inaccessible.

Innovation Solution

A wireless signaling system that assigns an elevator car to an individual's intended destination, providing audible tones and delayed door closure to facilitate entry, and maintains a database for tracking the individual's location, ensuring assistance during emergencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If destination entry techniques are used to increase traffic volume capacity, then elevator system productivity is improved, but accessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals deteriorates because they cannot locate destination entry devices or see visual indications

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetraffic volume capacityVSAvoidaccessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces visual indication systems with acoustic signaling systems. Audio signals are transmitted to mobile devices carried by passengers, substituting the mechanical/visual hall call buttons and car arrival indicators with wireless acoustic communication, enabling blind or visually impaired individuals to receive car arrival and destination information

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces mobile devices as an intermediary between the elevator control system and passengers. The mobile device receives wireless signals from the elevator system and presents information through audio outputs, serving as a mediator that bridges the gap between traditional elevator infrastructure and accessibility needs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If visual indication above car entrance is used to show assigned car, then information delivery is improved, but accessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals deteriorates because they cannot see the indication

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinformation deliveryVSAvoidaccessibility for blind or visually impaired individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes visual indication above the car entrance with acoustic signals transmitted wirelessly to mobile devices. The audio signals convey car arrival and destination information, replacing the visual display mechanism with an acoustic communication system that is accessible to blind or visually impaired passengers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Device complexity

If traditional hall call buttons are used for receiving calls, then device simplicity is improved, but accessibility for elderly or physically handicapped individuals deteriorates because they have difficulty using the buttons

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinterface simplicityVSAvoidaccessibility for elderly or physically handicapped individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces physical hall call buttons with wireless communication through mobile devices. Passengers can initiate elevator calls by interacting with their mobile device interfaces, which then communicate wirelessly with the elevator control system, eliminating the need for physical button pressing and accommodating elderly or physically handicapped individuals

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Reliability

If elevators are restricted to fire department operation during fire alarm, then safety is improved, but accessibility for blind or physically handicapped individuals deteriorates because they cannot exit the building conveniently

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefire safetyVSAvoidexit accessibility for disabled individuals

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a wireless communication system as an intermediary between the elevator control system and disabled passengers during emergencies. The system transmits audio signals to mobile devices, providing real-time information about elevator status, floor locations, and emergency procedures, enabling blind or physically handicapped individuals to navigate the emergency situation independently

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS7882938B2Elevator system control providing specialized service features to facilitate a passenger accessing an assigned elevator car

Publication Date: 2011.02.08 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

An elevator system (20) includes a transceiver (22) that receives at least one wirelessly transmitted signal (24). In one example, a signaling device (26) includes a plurality of switches (28) that can be activated to provide a signal indicating a desired or intended destination. The signal also provides an indication of the individual from whom the signal is received. A system controller (30) responds to the signal by assigning an elevator car (32) to travel to the intended destination. When the elevator car (32) is situated to receive the individual, in the event that another wireless signal is received, the system provides at least one access feature including delaying closing an elevator car door or generating an audible sound to guide the individual to the car. In one example, the system maintains information regarding expected locations of individuals providing such signals to facilitate providing assistance to them for exiting a building, for example.