Wireless Elevator Call Kiosk with Battery Power and Traffic Sensors

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing elevator call entry systems are often wired, making them difficult to install in architecturally significant buildings and inflexible, especially during peak traffic periods, with high installation costs and potential aesthetic compromises.

Innovation Solution

A self-contained, portable wireless kiosk powered by a rechargeable battery, equipped with capacitive sensors or passive infrared motion detectors, allowing for flexible placement and low power consumption, and compatible with various input methods including touch screens, access cards, and biometric identification, which communicates wirelessly with a building dispatching controller.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If wired call entry kiosks are installed, then reliable power and communication are provided, but installation costs increase and architectural aesthetics are compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvepower and communication reliabilityVSAvoidinstallation cost and architectural impact

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces wired mechanical connections with wireless communication technology. The call entry kiosk uses wireless transceivers to communicate with the elevator control system, eliminating the need for physical wiring through walls and architectural structures. This substitution maintains communication reliability while avoiding installation costs and aesthetic compromises associated with wired systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces wireless communication signals as an intermediary medium between the call entry kiosk and the elevator control system. Instead of direct physical connections, information is transmitted through electromagnetic waves, serving as a mediator that connects the two systems without requiring physical infrastructure modification

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Stability of the object's composition

If fixed wired kiosks are used, then stable operation is achieved, but flexibility during peak traffic periods is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveoperational stabilityVSAvoidflexibility during peak traffic

Core Design Contradiction:

Stability of the object's compositionVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the call entry system dynamic by using portable wireless kiosks that can be moved to different locations based on traffic patterns. During peak periods, additional kiosks can be deployed to high-traffic areas, and existing kiosks can be repositioned. This dynamic deployment strategy maintains operational stability while providing the flexibility needed to adapt to varying traffic demands

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If wireless portable kiosks are used, then installation flexibility and aesthetic preservation are improved, but power supply reliability may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinstallation flexibilityVSAvoidpower supply reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent addresses power supply reliability by using rechargeable battery technology with changing operational parameters. The kiosks can operate in different power modes depending on battery charge levels, and the system monitors and manages power consumption to ensure continuous operation. This allows the portable kiosks to maintain reliable power supply while preserving installation flexibility

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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 solution provides a flexible, cost-effective, and aesthetically neutral elevator call entry system that can adapt to varying traffic demands, reducing installation costs and preserving architectural integrity, while enabling efficient traffic management in complex buildings.

Implementation Method 1

the portable wireless kiosk of the invention is powered by a rechargeable, portable power source, such as a battery

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBattery (electricity): Battery (electricity)

Implementation Method 2

optionally may include capacitive sensors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapacitance: Capacitance

Implementation Method 3

passive infrared motion detectors

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectInfrared Radiation: Infrared Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS7958971B2Wireless, self-contained elevator call request entry system

Publication Date: 2011.06.14 OTIS ELEVATOR CO

AI summary

A wireless, portable call request entry kiosk (14) has a control panel (19) with keys (20, 21) and a display panel for entering calls and informing passengers of the responding elevator. The kiosk has wireless communication (42, 56) with a building (43) where the kiosk is located, to transmit call requests to a dispatching controller (48). The kiosk operates on a rechargeable source such as a battery (51). A sensor (52) determines a lull in traffic, causing the kiosk to operate in a low power consumption mode.