(12) United States Patent
`Gazdzinski
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`USOO6615175B1
`
`(54) “SMART" ELEVATOR SYSTEMAND
`METHOD
`
`(76) Inventor: Robert F. Gazdzinski, 5862D Mission
`Center Rd., San Diego, CA (US) 92123
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`y
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 0 days.
`
`* ) Notice:
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 09/330,101
`(22) Filed:
`Jun. 10, 1999
`(51) Int. Cl." ................................................ G10L 15/22
`(52) U.S. Cl. ....................... 704/275; 704/246; 704/251;
`187/396
`(58) Field of Search ................................. 704/251, 246,
`704/271, 272, 273, 275; 187/384,392,
`396
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`4,534.056 A * 8/1985 Feilchenfeld et al. ....... 704/272
`4,577,177 A
`3/1986 Marubashi
`4,708.224. A 11/1987 Schrooder ................... 187/388
`4,749,062 A
`6/1988 Tsuji et al.
`4,979,593 A 12/1990 Watanabe et al.
`4,995,479 A
`2/1991 Fujiwara et al.
`5,042,620 A 8/1991 Yoneda et al.,
`5,056,629. A 10/1991 Tsuji et al.
`5,200,583 A * 4/1993 Kupersmith et al. ........ 187/384
`5.255,341. A 10/1993 Nakajima
`5,287,266 A
`2/1994 Malec et al.
`5,295,064 A
`3/1994 Malec et al.
`5,485,897 A
`1/1996 Matsumoto et al.
`5,551,532 A
`9/1996 Kupersmith
`5,606,154 A
`2/1997 Doigan et al.
`5,749,443 A * 5/1998 Romao ....................... 187/384
`5,844,181 A 12/1998 Amo et al.
`5,955,710 A * 9/1999 DiFranza .................... 187/396
`6,073,727 A * 6/2000 DiFranza et al. .
`... 187/396
`6,082.500 A * 7/2000 Amo et al. .......
`... 187/391
`6,202,008 B1 * 3/2001 Beckert et al. ............... 701/33
`6,206,142 B1 * 3/2001 Meacham .........
`... 187/392
`6,223,160 B1
`4/2001 Kostka et al. .............. 704/275
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`D. K. Kahaner (Mar. 16, 1991) “Hitachi 1991 Technology
`Exhibition, Tokyo,' Asian Technology Information Pro
`gram, pp. 1-14.
`
`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,” Internet VC Watch, pp. 1-2.
`Stevens Institute of Technology, Spring 1999 Final Report,
`pp. 1-12.
`Kenji Yoneda, et al. (Dec., 1997) “Multi-Objective Elevator
`Supervisory-Control System with Individual Floor-Situa
`tion Control,” Hitachi Review, p. 1.
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Primary Examiner Daniel Abebe
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Gazdzinski & Associates
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`An information and control System for perSonnel transport
`devices. In one embodiment, the information and control
`System is coupled to the elevator System of a building, and
`includes a touch panel input device, a flat panel display
`having a touch Sensitive Screen, and Speech recognition and
`Synthesis Systems Serving each elevator car. The Speech
`recognition and Synthesis Systems and input device(s) are
`operatively coupled to a processor and Storage devices
`having a plurality of different types of data Stored thereon.
`Each elevator car is also a client connected to a LAN, WAN,
`intranet, or Internet, and capable of eXchanging data with
`and retrieving data therefrom. Functions performed by the
`information and control System include a voice-actuated
`building directory, download of Selected data to personal
`electronic devices (PEDs), monitoring of areas adjacent to
`the elevator car on destination floors, and control of lighting
`and Security monitoring in Selectable areas of destination
`floors. The system is also optionally fitted with an RFID
`interrogator/reader capable of recognizing RFID tags carried
`by passengers on the elevator, thereby granting access to
`various controlled locations automatically after password
`authentication. The RFID system also allows the authenti
`cated passenger(s) to control utilities Such as lighting and
`HVAC within specific Zones on their destination floors. The
`information and control System is also optionally equipped
`with an occupancy estimating Sub-System which allows
`elevator cars to bypass calling floors when their capacity is
`reached or exceeded.
`
`25 Claims, 24 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`C}-
`PROCESSOR
`
`SS
`
`WIDEO &
`LGHTING
`CONTROLCkT
`
`$123
`era
`
`83
`S
`EEWATOR
`- CONTROL
`CIRCUIT
`
`
`
`LAN
`CSRD
`-------...-...----------
`
`PC
`
`R
`TO:EROW
`CENTRAL
`SERWER
`(120)
`
`SPEEC
`SYNTIESIS
`WODULE
`
`2
`
`SIORAGE-108
`DEWICE
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 1 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`JXO TORILNOO
`
`?? OFICIA
`
`|ONIJIHOITI
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 2 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175
`
`
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 3 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`NVM ‘NVT
`
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`LEINWRILNI
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`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 4 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`USER SELECT
`"BUILDING DIRECTORY."
`FUNCTION KEY
`
`SYSTEM
`PROGRAMMED
`FOR AUDIO
`OR VISUAL
`PROMPT
`
`
`
`AUDIO
`
`RETRIEWE CELPFILE
`
`SYNTHESIZE
`WOICE PROMPT
`("NAME")
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`VISUAL
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE BUILDING
`DIRECTORY FILE
`
`
`
`DISPLAY DIRECTORY
`FILE ON DISPLAY
`DEVICE
`
`
`
`SAMPLE WOICE
`AND DIGITIZE
`
`RETRIEVE BLDG.
`DIRECTORY FILES
`
`
`
`CALCULATE
`CONTRATING
`
`COMPARE SAMPLED
`WOICE WITH DIRECTORY
`FILE
`
`
`
`
`
`LOCATE & RETRIEWE
`GRAPHICFILE
`FOR SELECTED ENTRY
`
`
`
`DISPLAY GRAPHICFILE
`
`FLOOR
`SELESTED
`
`SAMPLE
`MATCH
`FILE
`
`CONT.
`RATING
`ENABLED
`
`
`
`GENERATE SEQUENCE
`LIST OF MATCHES
`
`SYNTHESIZE PROMPT
`
`SYNTHESIZENEXT PROMPT
`BASED ON MATCHES
`
`USER INPUT
`
`
`
`SYNTHESIZE PROMPT
`
`SEARCH
`APPEND
`9
`YES
`
`FIG. 4
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet S of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`S
`
`N N
`
`N
`N
`
`lar
`
`1.
`1.
`1.
`
`E
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 7 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`?II
`
`
`
`Q9 'OIH
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 9 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`?II
`
`CIVOTINAAOCI
`CIVOTINAAOCI
`
`
`
`‘NICI "OCITI?I
`
`\{HHIWANA
`
`
`
`L 'OIH
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 10 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`098
`
`\{OOGI
`
`NOSNÉIS
`
`-OHOIW008
`
`TORIJINQOL) LI?//08|º?_ __ (_______;
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 11 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`804
`
`804
`
`FIG. 9
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 12 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`COMPARE # OF
`ADJACENT PAIRS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ANY
`PAIR MEMBER
`KTHRESHOLD
`
`
`
`COMPUTE
`CORRECTION
`
`APPLY
`CORRECTION
`TOOMAXU
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OBTAIN SIGNAL
`FROMEACH SENSOR
`
`
`
`COUNT# OF
`NON-ZERO OUTPUTS
`
`SUMALL NON-ZERO
`OUTPUTS
`
`SCALE TO OBTAINOE
`
`
`
`OBTAIN # OF FLOORS
`SELECTED IN CAR
`
`
`
`COMPARE OE, OMINP,
`OMINS, & OMAXC
`AND CHOOSE LARGEST
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERATE
`BYPASS CONTROL
`SIGNAL
`
`FIG. 10
`
`NEXT
`FLOOR
`REACHED
`9
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 13
`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`08CIIA
`
`
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`£ I "OIH
`
`£99 I\{HAIRICI
`
`ORGIA
`
`IXIO
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
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`Sheet 15 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
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`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 16 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`?II
`
`
`
`(TAART CIRLOATAS
`
`NO HNOZ
`JISNVRIL NI MARIA)
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`ANO NI NAHIA)
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`HNOZ CIHLOHTOEHS
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`(TAART CIRILO?IT?S NO
`
`NAHIA
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`LISNWRIL
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`SVEINHV
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`SRIOOGINIOLWAHTOEH
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`
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`ACIISIQO AARIA)
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`(TEART
`([HLOHTHS NO
`
`NI MARIA)
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`NOIL?HOA HRIHLONW
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`(TGART
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`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 17 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`009 I
`
`ZOSI
`
`ar
`
`W.
`
`- - - - - - -
`W
`W - - - - - -
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`SI "OIH
`
`
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`
`
`LOSI
`
`TORILNOO|
`DIOOTI
`
`IZI
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`
`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 18 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`READER
`ACCESS
`PASSWORD
`FILE
`OF DATABASE
`
`PASSWORD
`MATCH
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`GENERATE
`ONTROL
`SIGNS REMOVING
`BLOCKFROM
`AUTHORIZED FLOORS
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ENABLEUTILITY
`FUNCTION KEYS
`
`START
`
`USERENTER
`ELEVATOR CAR
`
`READER
`ACTIVATE
`
`READER INTERROGATE
`RFID TAG
`
`RFID TAG DECRYPT
`READER EMISSION
`
`
`
`
`
`A TENEG
`UTHEN
`
`
`
`TAG EMIT RFID
`SIGNAL
`
`USER SELECT
`DESIRED FUNCTIONS
`
`
`
`READER DECRYPT
`RFIDEMISSION
`
`
`
`DISPLAY
`"INCORRECT
`PASSWORD."
`WARNING
`
`READER ACCESS
`DATABASE
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`ACCESS
`AUTHORIZED
`Y
`READERENABLE
`INPUT DEVICE
`
`USERENTER PASSWORD
`
`FIG. 16
`
`TASSMIT
`RECOGNIZED"
`WARNING
`
`DEACTIVATE
`READER
`
`LOG DATA
`IN DATABASE
`
`
`
`DISAY
`AUTHORIZED"
`WARNING
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 19
`
`

`

`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 20 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`
`
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PARSE IMAGE
`DATA ADDRESS
`FROMALL
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE ALL
`IMAGE DATA
`
`
`
`ALLOCATE ONE
`IMAGE DATA
`FILE TO EACH DISPL.
`
`SET
`AMBIGUITYFLAG
`
`SAMPLE SPEECH
`OF OCCUPANTS
`
`SYER
`SPEECHTO
`DIGITAL FORMAT
`
`
`
`COMPARE
`SAMPLED
`SPEECH TO
`LIBRARY
`
`
`
`
`
`MATCH
`ANY LIBRARY
`WORD
`
`IDENTIFY
`SUB-FILE(S)
`
`SUB FILE
`MATCH
`PREVIOUS
`SUB-FILES
`
`PARSE IMAGE/
`AUDIO FILE
`ADDRESS(ES)
`
`RETRIEVE
`IMAGE/AUDIO
`FILES
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`IMAGE
`OR AUDIO
`DATA
`CURRENTLY
`IN USE
`)
`
`
`
`DISPLAY!PLAY
`RETRIEVED
`DATAON
`ALL DISPLAYS
`FOR PREDETERMINED
`PERIOD
`
`FIG. 18a
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 21 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`{{OWWI
`
`SSTRICICIW
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`

`

`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 22 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`START
`
`NEWCALL
`SGNA, RECD
`
`SELECTED
`BY OCCUPANTS
`
`
`
`CALL SIGNAL
`PRESENT
`
`
`
`PARSEID
`DATA
`
`RETRIEVE
`IMAGE/AUDIO
`DATA FOR ID
`
`
`
`DISPLAY!PLAY
`RETRIEVED
`DATA
`
`
`
`FLOOR
`REACHED
`
`
`
`DETERMINE DIRECTION
`OF TRAVEL
`
`ORDER CALL SIGNALS
`BASED ON DIRECTION
`
`SELECT NEXTFLOOR
`TO BE ENCOUNTERED
`
`ESTIMATE TIME TO NEXT
`FLOORENCOUNTERED
`
`TIME >
`PRESETWALUE
`
`Y
`ACCESS BLDG. DIRECTORY
`FOR NEXT FLOOR
`
`
`
`MULTIPLE
`TENANTS ON
`FLOOR
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`OTHER
`CALL SIGNALS
`PRESENT
`
`SELECTED
`BY CAR OCCUP
`
`N
`DETERMINE
`DIRECTION
`
`ORDER
`CALL SIGNALS
`
`SELECT
`NEXT FLOOR
`
`SELECT NEXT
`FLOOR + 1
`
`RUNTENANT
`SELECTION
`ROUTINE
`
`FIG. 18C
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`U.S. Patent
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`Sep. 2, 2003
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`Sheet 23 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
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`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`SAMPLE
`SPEECH
`
`CONVERT
`TO DIGITAL
`
`COMPARE
`TO LIBRARY
`
`MATCH
`WORD
`9
`
`PARSE SUB-FILE
`ID
`
`RETRIEVE
`SUB-FILE
`STATISTICFILE
`
`INCREMENT
`STATISTIC
`FILEBY ONE
`
`STORE
`STATISTIC
`FILE
`
`WAIT PRESET
`PERIOD
`
`FIG. 18d
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
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`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`RETRIEVE
`STATISTIC
`FILES FOR
`ALLK SUB-FILES
`
`RETRIEVE
`HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILES FOR
`ALLKSUB-FILES
`
`
`
`COMPARE
`HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILE
`DISTRIBUTION TO
`STATISTICAL FILES
`DISTRIB.
`
`SELECT
`SUB-FILE WITH
`LARGESTA
`
`RETRIEVE DATA
`FILE FOR SUB-FILE
`WITH LARGESTA
`
`DISPLAY DATA
`FILE
`
`UPDATE HISTORICAL
`DISPLAY FILE FOR
`FILE DISPLAYED
`
`
`
`WAIT PREDET.
`PERIOD
`
`INCREMENT
`SINCE LAST
`COMPARISON
`
`
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`U.S. Patent
`
`Sep. 2, 2003
`
`Sheet 24 of 24
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
`
`START
`
`USER SELECT DEDICATED
`FUNCTION KEY OR TOUCH
`SCREENFUNCTION KEY
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`
`PROCESSOR GENERATE
`ID CODE FOR
`SELECTED FUNCTION
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`PROCESSOR RETRIEVE
`STORED"TAG" FILE FOR
`ADVERTISING SUB-FILES
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`COMPARE GENERATED
`ID CODE TO TAG
`ASSOCIATED WITH ONE
`(ORMORE) SUB-FILES
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`
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`PROCESSOR SEQUENCE
`TAGS
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`PROCESSOR RETRIEVE
`DATAFILE FOR nTH
`SUB-FILEINSEQUENCE
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`DISPLAY nTH
`SUB-FILE DATA FILE
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`WAIT PREDETERMINED
`PERIOD
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`LAST
`TAGFILE
`DISPLAYED
`')
`N
`INCREMENT n:
`n = n + 1
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`FIG. 19
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 25
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`US 6,615,175 B1
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`1
`SMART' ELEVATOR SYSTEMAND
`METHOD
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. Field of the Invention
`The present invention relates to the field of personnel
`transport 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
`modern 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. Sig
`nificant amounts of time may also be spent waiting for the
`elevator 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 traffic reports may also be useful. A plethora
`of different types of information, including financial data,
`breaking news headlines, 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 of the
`building, 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 associ
`ated therewith. Additionally, such directories often do not
`provide precise 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 graphical 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 eleva
`tors 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 Secu
`rity.
`Another problem associated with existing elevator SyS
`tems 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 elevator cars which are at or near their loading
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`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.
`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
`certain 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 Swiping or bending (Such as when left in the pocket
`of the individual 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 systems are typically turned off or
`dormant in order to conserve energy. Hence, when the user
`arrives at one of these 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 con
`Suming and cumberSome.
`Lastly, there is often an element of discomfort associated
`with riding an elevator car, especially when Several indi
`viduals are present in the car. Due in part to minimal Space
`within the car and nothing to occupy the occupants attention
`Visually, 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.
`Heretofore, many of the technologies necessary to address
`the aforementioned issues have not been available or,
`alternatively, have been cost or space prohibitive to imple
`ment. However, recent advances in data networking, thin or
`flat panel display technology, personal electronics, and
`Speech recognition and compression algorithms and pro
`cessing have enhanced the viability of Such features from
`both technological 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
`different 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 occu
`pants 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
`The present invention Satisfies the aforementioned needs
`by providing an improved elevator information and control
`System and method of operating the same
`
`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
`Lennox Industries Inc. v. Rosen Technologies LLC, IPR2023-00715, Page 26
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`3
`In a first aspect, the present invention provides an
`improved elevator information and control System which
`enables an user to rapidly locate a desired firm or individual.
`In a first embodiment, the System includes an interactive
`building directory having a speech recognition System and
`other input device Such as a touch pad. The user utilizes the
`input device to activate the System, and then Speaks the
`name of the firm or individual whose location is desired. A
`Speech generation algorithm and processor generates Speech
`(and/or a graphical representation via a minimum profile flat
`panel display) based on data retrieved from a database per
`the user's request. The user is also prompted to determine if
`they desire to select the floor of the firm or individual that
`they were trying to locate. The user then may use the Speech
`recognition System, or alternatively the aforementioned
`input device, to respond. The database also maintains data
`on other nearby buildings in case the user is at the wrong
`location.
`In a Second aspect of the invention, the information and
`control System further includes a network interface that is
`coupled to the aforementioned input and display devices. In
`one embodiment, the network (e.g., Internet) interface is
`configured to provide rapid access to a variety of Web Sites
`or URLS of interest, Such as those providing local weather,
`directions from the elevator to local points of interest, Stock
`market quotations, breaking news headlines, etc. Preset
`functions are provided which enable the user to access,
`download, and display the desired information with a single
`actuation of the input device. A plurality of different input/
`display devices are disposed within the Smart elevator to
`allow multiple occupants to obtain information Simulta
`neously.
`In a third aspect of the invention, the Smart elevator
`includes one or more data terminals which are compatible
`with personal electronic devices (PEDs) so as to allow an
`occupant of the elevator to download a predetermined or
`adaptively determined “package' of data for later retrieval
`or use. Such data may include news, weather, financial data,
`listings of building tenants, firm resumes, parking rates,
`hours of operation, and the like. In one embodiment, the
`download of data is initiated automatically upon the inser
`tion of the PED into the data terminal, thereby reducing the
`time necessary to download to a minimum.
`In a fourth aspect of the invention, the information and
`control System includes a Sensor array and logic which
`detects the loading of the elevator car and Selectively
`bypasses floors when the car's capacity is met, unless the
`floor is Selected by one of the occupants of the car. In one
`embodiment, the flooring of the elevator car is equipped
`with piezoelectric Sensors that generate Signals based on the
`preSSure applied to them. This pressure is correlated to the
`weight and location of the occupants in the car, and with the
`number of different floors selected, to derive an estimate of
`the occupancy. When the capacity of the elevator is reached
`as determined by this estimate, any Subsequent call signals
`received by the System are routed to another available car.
`In a fifth aspect of the invention, the aforementioned
`display device within the car may be configured to provide
`a Video display of the area immediately Surrounding acceSS
`to the elevator on certain floors, Such as parking garages.
`The user can over-ride the car Stopping at that floor if
`desired, contact Security, and/or initiate temporary addi
`tional lighting in the area via a Series of fixed or “Soft”
`function keys. A motion Sensor is also optionally used to
`provide the elevator user with information regarding the
`presence of moving objects in areas adjacent to but out of
`View of the Video units. When accessing a parking garage or
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`Structure, the user may also input the location of their car
`using additional function keys, lighting and Security moni
`toring of the path between the elevator and the car is then
`initiated to enhance user Safety.
`In a sixth aspect of the invention, an RFID tag and reader
`System is employed to uniquely identify occupants and
`provide them access to certain floors. RFID monitors with
`limited ranges are placed in certain locations near the
`elevator access points. These monitors interrogate the RFID
`tags and initiate a call signal for Specific floor during
`after-hours operation. The user is then required to authen
`ticate via a password input via the input device located
`inside elevator. The elevator System can optionally notify
`security (and/or the destination floor) of the individual’s
`destination and identity, and maintain a record of access. The
`user may also optionally perform other functions Such as
`lighting and environmental control from the elevator. The
`user's RFID tag may also be programmed to interface with
`the aforementioned PED data download device Such that the
`tag pre-configures the System for download.
`In an Seventh aspect of the invention, the aforementioned
`display devices and information and control System are
`programmed to provide adaptive advertising or information
`display. In one embodiment, the Speech recognition System
`previously described is used to Select and display informa
`tion based on one or more parameters including Statistical or
`anecdotal Sampling of the Speech patterns of the occupants.
`Alternatively, information entered via the aforementioned
`input device (and network interface) may be used as a
`determinant in the adaptive advertising System.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`information 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 of the information and control system of FIG. 1,
`including the touch keypad and the display device.
`FIG. 3 is a block diagram of one embodiment of the
`information 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
`capacity Sensing Sub-System according to the present inven
`tion.
`FIG. 9 is a plan view of one embodiment of the elevator
`floor Sensor array used in conjunction with the capacity
`sensing sub-system of FIG. 8.
`FIG. 10 is a logic diagram illustrating the method of
`operation 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.
`
`US 6,615,175 B1
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`LENNOX EXHIBIT 1020
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`S
`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
`invention.
`FIG. 16 is a logic diagram illustrating the operation of the
`identification and access sub-system of FIG. 15.
`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 inven
`tion.
`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.
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`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
`invention 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 func
`tion.
`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 storage device 110 with associated DMA module
`139, audio amplifier and speaker module 111, speech syn
`thesis 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 alternatively 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-Sensitive 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
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`6
`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 mod
`ule 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 algorithm run on a dig