Wireless Signal Guidance for Elevator Cabin Entry

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Solution Overview

Problem

In complex building structures with multiple elevator cabins, passengers often face difficulties in identifying the correct elevator cabin when multiple cabins arrive at the same floor simultaneously, leading to potential entry into the wrong cabin.

Innovation Solution

A system comprising wireless signal broadcasting components in elevator cabins and personal mobile terminals, where the terminals receive and identify distinct wireless signals to guide passengers to the correct elevator cabin through signal intensity and ID information, enabling hand-free operation and reducing errors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If multiple elevator cabins land at the floor station at substantially the same time, then the elevator system can serve multiple destinations efficiently, but the passenger may enter into the wrong elevator cabin

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveelevator system efficiencyVSAvoidpassenger entry accuracy
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously monitors wireless signal intensities from multiple elevator cabins in real-time and provides feedback to the mobile terminal. The terminal processes this feedback to determine the correct cabin based on signal strength variations, ensuring accurate passenger guidance even when multiple cabins are present simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A wireless signal broadcasting component is introduced as an intermediary between the elevator cabins and the passenger's mobile terminal. This intermediary transmits unique identification information and position data, enabling the passenger to identify the correct cabin without direct visual contact or manual interaction with the elevator system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If the system uses wireless signal broadcasting components and mobile terminals to guide passengers, then passenger guidance accuracy is improved, but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger entry accuracyVSAvoidguidance system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes universal mobile terminals that passengers already possess, eliminating the need for specialized guidance devices. The wireless signal broadcasting components are integrated into existing elevator infrastructure, allowing the system to perform multiple functions including identification, positioning, and guidance using standard technologies.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The passenger's own mobile terminal serves as the guidance device, leveraging existing hardware and software capabilities. The system automatically processes wireless signals and provides navigation instructions without requiring manual operation or specialized equipment, enabling the passenger to guide themselves to the correct elevator cabin.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Ease of operation

If the system provides detailed guidance information to passengers, then the ease of operation is improved, but the loss of information processing time increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepassenger guidance convenienceVSAvoidsignal processing time
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system provides just enough guidance information needed for passenger navigation - specifically, directional instructions based on wireless signal intensity. Rather than overwhelming the passenger with complete system data, the terminal processes signals and delivers concise, actionable guidance that balances information completeness with processing efficiency.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

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

The system effectively guides passengers into the correct elevator cabin, enhancing passenger experience and operational efficiency by preventing wrong cabin entries and allowing for hands-free operation from elevator call to destination arrival.

Implementation Method 1

a first wireless signal broadcasting component, which is installed in one of a plurality of elevator cabins, broadcasts an identifiable first wireless signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic radiation: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

an intensity of the received first wireless signal is determined, and based on the intensity of the received first wireless signal, movement of the passenger relative to one of the plurality of elevator cabins is determined

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectSignal intensity detection: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3656717B1Smart guidance for controlling passenger to enter correct elevator car
Publication Date: 2023.08.30 OTIS ELEVATOR CO
  • EP3656717B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3656717B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3656717B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention relates to guiding passengers to enter into the right elevator cabin and pertains to the technical field of intelligent control of elevators. The device for guiding a passenger to enter into the right elevator cabin provided by the present invention comprises: first wireless signal broadcasting components installed in a plurality of the elevator cabins for broadcasting identifiable first wireless signals, and a personal mobile terminal carried by the passenger, wherein the personal mobile terminal is configured to determine movement of the passenger relative to one of the plurality of elevator cabins on the basis of the change of intensity of the received first wireless signal, and to further judge whether the movement is a movement for entering into the right elevator cabin. The present invention can realize automatically guiding the passenger to enter into the right elevator cabin by means of change of vibration signal and/or voice prompt signals.