(12) United States Patent
`Gazdzinski
`
`(10) Patent N0.2
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`*Oct. 30, 2012
`
`US008301456B2
`
`(54) ELECTRONIC INFORMATION ACCESS
`SYSTEM AND METHODS
`
`(76) Inventor: Robert F. Gazdzinski, San Diego, CA
`(Us)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term ofthis
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`This patent is subject to a terminal dis-
`claimem
`
`JP
`
`(21) App1.No.: 13/357,487
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`Jan. 24, 2012
`
`(65)
`
`_
`_
`_
`Pnor Pubhcatlon Data
`US 2012/0192289 A1
`Jul. 26, 2012
`
`Related US. Application Data
`
`(60) Continuation of application No. 12/711,692, ?led on
`Feb- 24, 2010: HOW Pat- NO- 8>117>037s which is a
`continuation of application No. 11/506,975, ?led on
`Aug. 17, 2006, noW Pat. No. 7,711,565, Which is a
`division ofapplication No. 10/935,957, ?led on Sep. 7,
`2004, noW Pat. No. 7,093,693, Which is a division of
`application No. 10/651,451, ?led on Aug. 29, 2003,
`noW Pat. No. 6,988,071, Which is a continuation of
`application No. 09/330,101, ?led on Jun. 10, 1999,
`noW Pat. No. 6,615,175.
`
`(51) Int- Cl-
`(200901)
`G1 0L 15/00
`(52) U-s- Cl- -------- -- 704/273; 187/384; 187/391; 340/52
`(58) Field of Classi?cation Search ................ .. 704/273;
`187/384, 391; 340/52
`See application ?le for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
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`3,388,376 A
`6/1968 Magee
`4,534,056 A
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`
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`i
`gljjjilvnsrgeeftail‘l'
`5,042,620 A
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`5,159,163 A 10/1992 Behjet et e1~
`(Continued)
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`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
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`(Continued)
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`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`D.K. Kahaner (Mar. 16, 1991)“Hitachi 1991 Technology Exhibition,
`Tokyo,” Asian Technology Information Program, pp. 1-14.
`_
`(Continued)
`
`Primary Examiner i Daniel D Abebe
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm *GaZdZinski & Associates,
`PC
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An electronic information access system and associated
`methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system com
`prises an antenna adapted to receive electromagnetic energy,
`the electromagnetic energy encoding ?rst data associated
`With at least one person; and processing apparatus in signal
`communication With the antenna. The processing apparatus is
`con?gured to: access a ?rst database containing second data
`relating to the one or more certain persons; analyZe at least
`portions of the ?rst data and the second data to determine if
`the at least one person is authorized to access the information;
`and if the at least one person is authorized access, facilitate
`doWnload of the information to a personal electronic device
`(PED) of the at least one person.
`
`54 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`~l80
`
`lziljLlENT
`v3
`{5056151347
`
`am’;
`INTERNEf
`
`310 EINTERFACE
`INTERFACE mi EU
`
`171 @ OPTICAL
`
`MODJDEMOD. 320
`
`SERVER
`
`OPTICAL
`MOD/DEMOD. 322
`
`, “147
`
`WVR 2006
`Volkswagen v. WVR
`IPR2016-00177
`
`1
`
`

`
`5551532 A
`1
`1
`
`9/1996 Ku ersmith
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`
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`4/1993 Kupersmith 61111.
`..
`512551341 A 10/1993 Nakallma
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`“994 Mal“ etal'
`213221983:
`13133;‘ g’ilglhegteilal
`5,485,897 A
`1/1996 Matsumoto 61111.
`212331532‘:
`13133; FD91%1‘1¥1e“i1~
`517491443 A
`“998 Rréfnageta'
`1
`1
`518441181 A 12/1998 Amqetal
`518871139 A
`3/1999 Mad1?°neta1~
`gggég: $333 illiléldliieétaii
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`9/ 1999 DiFf?IlZa
`5,979,757 A 11/1999 Tracy etal.
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`3/2001 Drop
`6,206,142 B1
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`6,223,160 B1
`4/2001 Kostkaetal.
`6,236,968 B1
`5/2001 Kanevsky et al.
`6,332,127 B1
`12/2001 Bandefa et 31~
`613491797 Bl
`ZZZOOZ Nefwllljlet 31'
`gigs; et' a1
`10/2002 HerZ
`'
`10/2002 Newell et a1,
`1/2003 Narayanaswamiet al.
`5/2003 HerZ et al.
`7/2003 TreyZ etal.
`8/2003 Ford et al.
`
`634603036 B1
`6,466,232 B1
`6,504,571 Bl
`6,571,279 B1
`6,587,835 B1
`6,606,644 B1
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`Page 2
`
`9/2003 Gazdzinski
`6,615,175 B1
`légggi giacaullgy
`23352;‘; El
`yno set al.
`,
`,
`10/2004 Schuster 61111.
`6,801,792 B1
`1/2006 Gioscia 61111.
`6,990,312 B1
`11/2006 Kohdaetal.
`7,136,853 B1
`282%; E; 1358317) iaresetali 31
`2004/0104842 A1
`6/2004 Druryetal.
`2005/0239402 A1 10/2005 Giosciaetal.
`2006/0069749 A1
`3/2006 HerZ 61111.
`2007/0255838 A1* 11/2007 Hassan etal. ............... .. 709/227
`2009/0077100 A1
`3/2009 Hancocketal.
`2010/0023392 A1
`1/2010 Merriman etal.
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`preuteselet '
`’
`’
`7,765,588 B2* 7/2010 Sahotaetal. ................... .. 726/9
`
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`JP
`
`3/1977
`52039237 A
`9/1989
`01226681 A
`03272977 A 12/1991
`05017083 A
`1/1993
`05058564 A
`3/1993
`05201624 A
`8/1993
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Karen Jacobs (Dec. 7, 1999) “Elevator Maker to Add Commercial
`Touch,” The Wall Street Journal, pp. 1-2.
`Lewis Perdue (Jul. 20, 1999) “Forget Elevator Music, Here Comes
`Elevator Internet,” InternetVC Watch, pp. 1-2.
`Stevens Institute ofTechnology, Spring 1999 Final Report, pp. 1-12.
`KenjiYoneda, et al. (Dec. 1997) “Multi-Objective Elevator Supervi
`sory-Control System With Individual Floor-Situation Control,”
`Hitachi Review, p. 1.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`35
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`
`US. Patent
`
`0a. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 0f 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`4
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`US. Patent
`
`0a. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 0f 24
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`US. Patent
`
`0a. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 0f 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`USER SELECT
`"BUILDING DIRECTOR "
`FUNCTION KEY
`
`AUDIO
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`
`APPEND
`
`FIG. 4
`
`6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of 24
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`US 8,301,456 B2
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`US. Patent
`
`0a. 30, 2012
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`Sheet 6 0f 24
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`U.S. Patent
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`Oct. 30, 2012
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`Sheet 8 of 24
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`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
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`Sheet 12 0f 24
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`US 8,301,456 B2
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 13 of 24
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`US 8,301,456 B2
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`US. Patent
`
`0a. 30, 2012
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`Oct. 30, 2012
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`Sheet 18 0f 24
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`US 8,301,456 B2
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`
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 19 of 24
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`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`PARSE IMAGE
`DATAADDRESS
`FROM ALL
`
`RETRIEVE ALL
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`
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` . . _ _ . . . . . . . . . _ . -4
` SUB FILE
`
`
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`
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`
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`
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`
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` FIG. 18a
`
`
`
`22
`
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`IMAGE/AUDIO
`FILES
`
`22
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
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`
`
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`
`NEW CALL
`SIGNAL REC’D
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`
`PARSE ID
`DATA
`
`
`SELECT NEXT FLOOR
`
`RETRIEVE
`TO BE ENCOUNTERED
`
`
`IMAGE/AUDIO
`DATA FOR ID
`
`ESTIMATE TIME TO NEXT
`FLOOR ENCOUNTERED
`
`ORDER
`CALL SIGNALS
`
`SELECT
`NEXT FLOOR
`
`SELECT NEXT
`FLOOR + 1
`
`
` DISPLAY/PLAY
`
`
`
`RETRIEVED
`DATA
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`7 FIG. I80
`
`
`
`24
`
`
`
`TIME _>_
`PRESET VALUE
`0
`
`REACHED
`
` FLOOR
`?
` ACCESS BLDG. DIRECTORY
`FOR NEXT FLOOR. RUN TENANT
`SELECTION
`ROUTINE
`
`MULTIPLE
`TENANTS ON
`
`FLOOR
`
`24
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE
`SUB-FILE
`STATISTIC FILE
`
`INCREMENT
`STATISTIC
`FILE BY ONE
`
`STATISTIC
`
`FILE
`
`WAIT PRESET
`PERIOD
`
`WITH LARGEST D STORE
`
`
` WAIT PREDET.
`
`
`INCREMENT
`SINCE LAST
`COMPARISON
`?
`
`
`
`FIG. 18d
`
`25
`
`
` RETRIEVE
`
`STATISTIC
`FILES FOR
`ALL K SUB—FILES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE
`HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILES FOR
`
`
`ALLKSUBFHES
`
`
`
`
`
`HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILE
`DISTRIBUTION TO
`STATISTICAL FILES
`DISTRIB.
`
`
`
`
`LARGEST D
`
`RETRIEVE DATA
`FILE FOR SUB-FILE
`
`SELECT
`SUB—FILE WITH
`
`DISPLFQQIEDATA
`
`UPDATE HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILE FOR
`
`FILE DISPLAYED
`
`
`
`PERIOD
`
`SAMPLE
`SPEECH
`
`CONVERT
`TO DIGITAL
`
`COMPARE
`I
`To LIBRARY
`
`PARSE SUB-FILE
`
` COMPARE
`
`
`
`ID
`
`25
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`Oct. 30, 2012
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`
`
`USER SELECT DEDICATED
`
`FUNCTION KEY OR TOUCH
`SCREEN FUNCTION KEY
`
`
`
` PROCESSOR GENERATE
`
`ID CODE FOR
`SELECTED FUNCTION
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR RETRIEVE
`
`STORED "TAG" FILE FOR
`ADVERTISING SUB-FILES
`
`
`
` COMPARE GENERATED
`
`ID CODE TO TAG
`ASSOCIATED WITH ONE
`
`(OR MORE) SUB-FILES
`
` PROCESSOR SEQUENCE
`
`TAGS
`
`
`
` PROCESSOR RETRIEVE
`
`DATA FILE FOR nTH
`SUB-FILE IN SEQUENCE
`
`
`
`DISPLAY nTH
`SUB-FILE DATA FILE
`
`WAIT PREDETERMINED
`PERIOD
`
`
`
`
`
`LAST
`TAG FILE
`DISPLAYED
`‘?
`I N
`
`INCREMENT I1:
`n=n+1
`
`
`
`
`FIG. 19
`
`
`
`26
`
`26
`
`

`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`2
`
`ing, yet these require the user to manually or visually locate
`the name of the person, firm, or store which they are looking
`for, and remember the location information associated there-
`with. Additionally, such directories often do not provide pre-
`cise location information, but rather merely a floor number
`and/or suite number. The user often times does not have a
`
`graphical representation of the desired location in relation to
`the elevators, thereby resulting in additional wasted time in
`finding the location once off of the elevator. Even if a graphi-
`cal display is provided, it often requires the user to spatially
`orient themselves to determine relative location.
`
`Security is also a concern when riding elevators late at
`night or to remote locations. Many elevator systems are used
`partly or entirely within parking garages, which often may be
`sparsely populated at off hours. People are all too frequently
`assaulted or robbed when departing from elevators under
`such conditions. Unfortunately, existing elevator systems do
`not have the facility to provide the occupant(s) with the ability
`to selectively observe the area immediately surrounding the
`elevator doors on one or more destination floors, or otherwise
`take precautions to enhance their security.
`Another problem associated with existing elevator systems
`relates to their loading capacity. Often, especially at peak use
`hours such as during the noon hour, the call buttons for several
`different floors within a building will be activated, and eleva-
`tor cars which are at or near their loading capacity will
`respond. With no additional room available in the elevator, the
`person depressing the call button on a given floor is left to wait
`for the elevator doors to close, depress the call button again,
`and wait for another (hopefully partially vacant) car to arrive.
`This process not only delays the person waiting for the car, but
`also those on the elevator car(s), and those waiting on other
`floors.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
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`25
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`30
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`1
`ELECTRONIC INFORMATION ACCESS
`SYSTEM AND METHODS
`
`This application is a continuation of and claims priority to
`co-owned and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/711,692
`filed Feb. 24, 2010 now U.S. Pat. No. 8,117,037 and entitled
`ADAPTIVE INFORMATION PRESENTATION APPARA-
`TUS AND METHODS, which is a continuation ofand claims
`priority to co-owned and U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`11/506,975 filedAug. 17, 2006 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,711,565
`and entitled “SMART ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND
`
`METHOD”, which is a divisional of and claims priority to
`co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/935,957 filed
`Sep. 7, 2004 and entitled “SMART ELEVATOR SYSTEM
`AND METHOD”, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,093,693, which is a
`divisional of co-owned U.S. patent application Ser. No.
`10/651,451 filed Aug. 29, 2003 and entitled “SMART
`ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD”, now U.S. Pat. No.
`6,988,071, which is a continuation of co-owned U.S. patent
`application Ser. No. 09/330,101 filed Jun. 10, 1999 and
`entitled “SMART ELEVATOR SYSTEM AND METHOD”,
`now U.S. Pat. No. 6,615,175, each ofthe foregoing incorpo-
`rated into the present application by reference in its entirety.
`This application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser.
`No. 12/703,666 filed Feb. 10, 2010 entitled “Adaptive Adver-
`tising Apparatus and Methods”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,065,155,
`U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/704,431 filed Feb. 11,
`2010 entitled “Adaptive Advertising Apparatus and Meth-
`ods”, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,078,473, and 12/711,851 filed on
`Feb. 24, 2010 entitled “ADAPTIVE INFORMATION PRE-
`SENTATION APPARATUS AND METHODS”, now U.S.
`Pat. No. 8,065,156, each of which is incorporated herein by
`reference in its entirety.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to the field ofpersonnel trans-
`port apparatus, and specifically to elevators and similar
`devices for transporting people from one location to another
`which incorporate various information technologies.
`2. Description of Related Technology
`Elevators and similar personnel transport devices (such as
`moving walkways or shuttles) are important aspects of mod-
`em urban life. Commonly used in office buildings, airports,
`shopping malls, and other large structures, these devices
`transport large numbers of people and equipment between
`two locations on a routine basis. Elevators in particular are
`widely used throughout the world.
`Depending on loading, a person may spend up to several
`minutes on an elevator during travel between floors. Signifi-
`cant amounts of time may also be spent waiting for the eleva-
`tor to arrive when called. This time is usually “dead” from the
`standpoint that very little can be accomplished or very few
`tasks undertaken during these few minutes. However, often
`times an individual may require information which will be of
`use after leaving the elevator. For example, the person may
`wish to obtain travel information such as directions to the
`
`nearest airport or public transportation node, or the location
`of a nearby restaurant. Weather-related information or trafiic
`reports may also be useful. A plethora of different types of
`information, including financial data, breaking news head-
`lines, sports scores and the like may also be of interest to one
`waiting for or riding on an elevator or other transport device.
`An associated problem relates to determining the location
`of a person, firm, or store within a building when unfamiliar.
`Building directories are often posted in the lobby ofthe build-
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`In addition to the foregoing, many elevators must have a
`means of restricting access to certain floors during certain
`time periods while not interfering with other operations.
`These elevators generally also include means by which cer-
`tain users may gain access to the restricted floors, such as a
`magnetic striped card which is inserted into a card reader on
`the elevator. However, such card readers are prone to wear and
`having to re-swipe the card several times in order to obtain
`access. Furthermore, as the card wears due to repeated swip-
`ing or bending (such as when left in the pocket of the indi-
`vidual carrying the card), the card will be more prone to
`failure and will eventually require replacement. Also, such
`cards are prone to unauthorized use. Someone stealing or
`finding the lost card can simply insert it into the card reader of
`the elevator and gain access to the restricted floor(s). It is also
`noted that since access is restricted to certain floors typically
`during late-night or weekend hours, HVAC and lighting sys-
`tems are typically turned off or dormant in order to conserve
`energy. Hence, when the user arrives at one ofthese restricted
`access floors, several minutes are typically spent turning on
`the HVAC, lights, and any other number of electrical devices.
`Some systems require the user to insert their magnetic strip
`card in a separate reader, such as in the control room for the
`HVAC (which is typically located on a different floor), in
`order to initiate equipment operation. This is obviously time
`consuming and cumbersome.
`Lastly, there is often an element of discomfort associated
`with riding an elevator car, especially when several individu-
`als are present in the car. Due in part to minimal space within
`the car and nothing to occupy the occupants attention visu-
`ally, there is a natural tendency for one to stare up, down, or
`forward at the door of the elevator, or at the visual floor
`indicators so as to avoid prolonged eye contact with the other
`occupants.
`27
`
`50
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`
`27
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`

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`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`3
`Heretofore, many of the technologies necessary to address
`the aforementioned issues have not been available or, alter-
`natively, have been cost or space prohibitive to implement.
`However, recent advances in data networking, thin or flat
`panel display technology, personal electronics, and speech
`recognition and compression algorithms and processing have
`enhanced the viability of such features from both technologi-
`cal and commercial perspectives.
`Based on the foregoing, there is a need for an improved
`elevator system and method of operation which will reduce
`the time spent waiting for and travelling on the elevator car,
`reduce the frustration associated with repeated stops at dif-
`ferent floors, and allow the occupants of the elevator (as well
`as those waiting for the car) to use their time more efficiently
`and obtain needed information. Additionally, such an elevator
`system would enhance the security of the occupants upon
`egress, and allow for automatic recognition of an individual in
`order to provide access to certain restricted locations and
`initiation of certain functions such as lighting and HVAC.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`In a first aspect of the invention, an information system
`associated with a transport apparatus is disclosed. In one
`embodiment, the system comprises: an antenna adapted to
`receive electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy
`encoding first data associated with at least one person; and
`processing apparatus in signal communication with the
`antenna. The processing apparatus is configured to: access a
`first database containing second data relating to the one or
`more certain persons; analyze at least portions ofthe first data
`and the second data to determine if the at least one person is
`authorized to access the information; and if the at least one
`person is authorized access, facilitate download of the infor-
`mation to a personal electronic device (PED) of the at least
`one person.
`In a second aspect of the invention, an information system
`disposed within a building is disclosed. In one embodiment,
`access to information of the information system being autho-
`rized for only one or more certain persons, and the system
`comprises: an interrogator; an antenna adapted to receive
`electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy encoding
`first data associated with a person, the electromagnetic energy
`being received when the person brings a radio frequency
`device having the first data stored thereon in proximity to the
`interrogator; and processing apparatus in signal communica-
`tion with the antenna. In one variant, the processing apparatus
`is configured to: access a first database containing second
`data relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at
`least portions ofthe first data and the second data to determine
`ifthe person is authorized to access the information; and ifthe
`at least one person is authorized access, facilitate download of
`the information to a personal electronic device (PED) of the
`person when they are in the building.
`In another embodiment, the system comprises: an interro-
`gator; an antenna means for receiving electromagnetic
`energy, the electromagnetic energy encoding first data asso-
`ciated with a person,
`the electromagnetic energy being
`received when the person brings a radio frequency device
`having the first data stored thereon in proximity to the inter-
`rogator; and means for processing apparatus in signal com-
`munication with the antenna means, the means for processing
`configured to: access a first database containing second data
`relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at least
`portions of the first data and the second data to determine if
`the person is authorized to access the information; and when
`it is determined that the at least one person is authorized
`
`4
`
`access, facilitate download of the information to a personal
`electronic device (PED) of the person.
`In a third aspect of the invention, an information system
`associated with a building is disclosed. In one embodiment,
`the access to information of the information system being
`authorized for only one or more certain persons, the certain
`persons also utilizing the building, and the system comprises:
`an antenna adapted to receive electromagnetic energy, the
`electromagnetic energy encoding first data associated with at
`least one person; and processing apparatus in signal commu-
`nication with the antenna. The processing apparatus is con-
`figured to: access a first database containing second data
`relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at least
`portions of the first data and the second data to determine if
`the at least one person is authorized to access the information;
`and if the at least one person is authorized access, facilitate
`download of the information to a personal electronic device
`(PED) of the at least one person.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the infor-
`mation and control system of the invention, showing those
`components local to each elevator car.
`FIG. 2 is a plan view of a first embodiment of the interface
`panel ofthe information and control system ofFIG. 1, includ-
`ing the touch keypad and the display device.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the infor-
`mation and control system network architecture.
`FIG. 4 is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of one
`embodiment of the building directory sub-system of the
`invention.
`
`FIG. 5 is a plan view of one embodiment of a building
`directory sub-system graphic location file, as shown on the
`display device of the information and control system.
`FIG. 6a is a plan view of one embodiment of a network
`input device having dedicated function keys thereon.
`FIGS. 6b and 6c illustrate one embodiment of an exem-
`
`plary coordinated graphic weather display according to the
`present invention.
`FIG. 7 is a plan view of one embodiment of the PED data
`download terminal of the invention.
`
`FIG. 8 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the capac-
`ity sensing sub-system according to the present invention.
`FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment of the elevator
`floor sensor array used in conjunction with the capacity sens-
`ing sub-system of FIG. 8.
`FIG. 10 is a logic diagram illustrating the method of opera-
`tion of the capacity sensing sub-system of FIG. 8.
`FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of
`the monitoring and security sub-system of the present inven-
`tion.
`FIG. 12 illustrates one embodiment of the elevator car
`
`touch panel used in conjunction with the monitoring and
`security sub-system of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the
`monitoring and security sub-system of the present invention.
`FIGS. 14a and 14b are plan views of one embodiment of
`the parking and video monitoring displays, respectively, of
`the monitoring and security sub-system of FIG. 11.
`FIG. 15 is a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of
`the identification and access sub-system of the present inven-
`tion.
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
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`60
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`
`FIG. 16 is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of the
`identification and access sub-system of FIG. 15.
`28
`
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`
`US 8,301,456 B2
`
`5
`FIG. 17 is a plan View of one embodiment of a utility
`services selection display associated with the identification
`and access sub-system of FIG. 15.
`FIG. 18a is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of a
`first embodiment of the prompt mode of the adaptive adver-
`tising sub-system of the invention.
`FIG. 18b illustrates the library data file structure used in
`conjunction with the advertising sub-system of the invention.
`FIG. 18c is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of a
`second embodiment of the advertising sub-system of the
`invention.
`
`FIG. 18d is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of a
`third embodiment of the adaptive advertising sub-system of
`the invention.
`
`FIG. 19 is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of a
`fourth embodiment of the adaptive advertising sub-system of
`the invention.
`
`DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`Reference is now made to the drawings listed above,
`wherein like numerals refer to like parts throughout.
`It is noted that while the system and methods of the inven-
`tion disclosed herein are described primarily with respect to
`an elevator car, certain aspects of the invention may be useful
`in other applications,
`including, without limitation, other
`types of personnel transport devices such as trams or shuttles
`or moving walkways, or stationary devices such as kiosks
`within the lobby or elevator waiting areas of a building. As
`used herein, the term “building” is meant to encompass any
`structure, whether above ground or underground, permanent
`or temporary, used for any function.
`General Description
`Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, one embodiment of an
`improved elevator information system is generally described.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the system 100 includes an input device
`102, speech recognition (SR) module 104, central processor
`106 with associated motherboard 121, video RAM 107, non-
`volatile storage device 108 containing a database (not
`shown), graphics co-processor 109, volatile or dynamic stor-
`age device 110 with associated DMA module 139, audio
`amplifier and speaker module 111, speech synthesis module
`112, micro-controller 123, PCI slots 147, and display device
`113. The system also includes a serial bus with universal
`asynchronous receiver transmitter (UART) 117 or alterna-
`tively universal serial bus (USB), as described in greater
`detail below with respect to FIG. 7. As shown in FIG. 2, the
`input device 102 of the present embodiment is a touch-sen-
`sitive keypad and/or display screen of the type well known in
`the electrical arts. The input device 102 includes a variety of
`different functional keys 114 on a keypad 116 (and/or on a
`touch-sensitive display screen 113, as described below)
`which allow the user to initiate a query of the database either
`manually via the keypad 116, display device 113, or audibly
`through the speech recognition module 104.
`As shown in FIG. 1, the speech recognition module 104 of
`the present invention includes a high quality, high SNR audio
`microphone 118, analog-to-digital converter (ADC) 141, and
`linear predictive coding (LPC)-based spectral analysis algo-
`rithm run on a digital signal processor 125 having associated
`SR module RAM 127. It will be recognized that other forms
`of spectral analysis, such as MFCC (Mel Frequency Cepstral
`Coefficients) or cochlea modeling, may be used. Phoneme/
`word recognition in the present embodiment is based on
`HMM (hidden Markov modeling), although other processes
`such as, without limitation, DTW (Dynamic Time Warping)
`or NNs (Neural Networks) may be used. Myriad speech rec-
`
`6
`ognition systems and algorithms are available, all considered
`within the scope of the invention disclosed herein.
`In the present embodiment, CELP-based voice data com-
`pression is also utilized for transmission and storage of voice
`data, CELP algorithms in general are useful for converting
`analog speech to a compressed digital format which is more
`rapidly and easily manipulated and stored within a digital
`system using less bandwidth and memory. CELP algorithms
`and low bit rate vocoder technology are well known in the
`signal processing art, and accordingly will not be described
`further herein. Note that as used herein, the term CELP is
`meant to include any and all variants ofthe CELP family such
`as, but not limited to, ACELP, VCELP, and QCELP. It is also
`noted that while CELP is used as the basis of compression
`within the system 100, other types of compression