Elevator operator interface with virtual activation
US9463955B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventor
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 14, 2014 |
| Grant date | Oct 11, 2016 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Dec 17, 2034 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC B)Performing Operations; Transporting
- CPC primaryB66B2201/4638
- WIPO fieldHandling
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
An elevator activation system provides virtual activation of one or more buttons by passengers. An optical sensor or time-of-flight camera is positioned near buttons of the elevator and projects an optical curtain over buttons of the elevator. Disturbances in the optical curtain are detected and an exact location of a disturbance in the optical curtain is communicated to a sensor controller which then virtually activates a button correlated to the particular location of the disturbance. The sensor controller communicates with an elevator controller such that the elevator is controlled based on the particular function activated in response to virtual activation of the button. The elevator activation system may further include a user feedback feature configured to signify to a passenger that a button has been virtually activated without physically contacting the button.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.