WO2020079318A1

WO2020079318A1 - A transportation infrastructure device

Info

Publication number: WO2020079318A1
Application number: PCT/FI2018/050750
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ari Koivisto; Antti Ruhanen; Jesse TERTSUNEN; Tero NIEMELÄ; Ilkka OTSALA; Janne JÄPPINEN
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2018-10-16
Filing date: 2018-10-16
Publication date: 2020-04-23

Abstract

According to an aspect, there is provided a transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) comprising at least one processor (102); at least one memory (104); and a reader module (106). The at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to receive an authentication to enter a configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device; receive, from the reader module (106), user associated information about a user; determine at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device; and associate the user associated information with the determined at least one operation.

Description

A TRANSPORTATION INFRASTRUCTURE DEVICE

BACKGROUND

Access to premises may be implemented using, for example, various keys and access control cards. If an access control card is used, there usually are certain access rights associated with the access card. The same may apply to various transportation systems, for example, to elevator systems. A user may be given an access control card or other remotely readable medium that can be read by a transportation infrastructure device, for example, a destination operating panel (DOP) of an elevator system. The access control card or other remotely readable medium may have been configured to include certain features for a user using the access control card or other remotely readable medium. These features are added by an access control system. This means that complicated and expensive systems have to be established to manage and configure the access control card or other remotely readable medium.

Thus, there is a need for a solution that would simplify the configuring process associated with the access control card or other remotely readable medium.

SUMMARY

According to a first aspect, there is provided a transportation infrastructure device of a transportation infrastructure, the device comprising at least one processor, at least one memory and a reader module. The at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor, causes the transportation infrastructure device to receive an authentication to enter a configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device; receive, from the reader module, user associated information about a user; determine at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure; and associate the user associated information with the determined at least one operation. This enables a solution where existing cards used by a user may be linked to operations associated with the transportation infrastructure device.

In an embodiment, the at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor, causes the transportation infrastructure device to subsequently receive the user associated information about the user; and perform the at least one operation in response to subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user. Thus, the user does not have to make any manual selections via the transportation infrastructure device.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the transportation infrastructure device further comprises a touch-sensitive display, and wherein determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device comprises receiving user input via the touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor, causes the transportation infrastructure device to receive the authentication to enter the configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device based on user input via the touch-sensitive display. This enables a solution where the user is able to initiate the configuration mode himself without any additional authentication procedures from other parties.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the authentication comprises a code sequence. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor, causes the transportation infrastructure device to determine the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device based on the code sequence .

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the at least one memory comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor, causes the transportation infrastructure device to receive the authentication via the reader module.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the reader module comprises a card reader module. This enables a solution where a variety of existing card may be used with the transportation infrastructure device.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the reader module comprises a camera module, and wherein the user associated information about the user comprises facial data of the user.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the transportation infrastructure device comprises a destination operating panel. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the transportation infrastructure device comprises an elevator car operating panel.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the transportation infrastructure device comprises one of an elevator system device, an escalator system device, an automatic door and an access gate. According to a second aspect, there is provided a method comprising receiving an authentication to enter a configuration mode of a transportation infrastructure device of a transportation infrastructure; receiving, from a reader module, user associated information about a user; determining at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure; and associating the user associated information with the determined at least one operation.

In an embodiment, the method further comprises subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user; and performing the at least one operation in response to subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device comprises receiving user input via a touch-sensitive display.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the method further comprises receiving the authentication to enter the configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device based on user input via the touch- sensitive display.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the authentication comprises a code sequence.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the method further comprises determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device based on the code sequence. In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the method further comprises receiving the authentication via the reader module.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the reader module comprises a card reader module.

In an embodiment, in addition or alternatively, the transportation infrastructure device comprises one of an elevator system device, an escalator system device, an automatic door and an access gate.

According to a third aspect, there is provided a computer program comprising program code which, when executed by at least one processing unit, causes the at least one processing unit to perform the method of the first aspect.

According to a fourth aspect, there is provided a computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising program code which, when executed by at least one processing unit, causes the at least one processing unit to perform the method of the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description help to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings : FIG. 1A illustrates a transportation infrastructure device according to an embodiment.

FIG. IB illustrates a transportation infrastructure device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 1C illustrates a transportation infrastructure device according to another embodiment.

FIG. ID illustrates a transportation infrastructure device according to another embodiment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to at least some of the aspects, a solution is provided that enables the use of publicly used identification means, for example, a driving license card, a library card, a bus card, a bank card, a credit card, facial recognition data etc., to be used as an identification medium of a user, and to this identification medium one or more operations associated with a transportation infrastructure device are associated. This enables a solution where, when the transportation infrastructure device subsequently reads the identification medium, the associated one or more operations may be performed by the transportation infrastructure device.

FIG. 1A illustrates a transportation infrastructure device 100A according to an embodiment. The transportation infrastructure device 100A may be, for example, a destination operating panel (DOP) or a car operating panel (COP) of an elevator system. And more generally, the transportation system device may comprise one of an elevator system device, an escalator system device, an automatic door and an access gate. The transportation infrastructure device 100A further comprises a reader module 106 connected to the at least one processor 102. The at least one memory 104 comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor 102 causes the transportation infrastructure device 100A to receive an authentication to enter a configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device 100A; receive, from the reader module 106, user associated information about a user; determine at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure; and associate the user associated information with the determined at least one operation. The transportation infrastructure may comprise at least one of an elevator system, an escalator system, an automatic door system and an access gate system.

The user associated information may refer the user himself, for example, to facial recognition data, or, for example, to an identifier associated with a card used by the user and read by the reader module 106. When the transportation infrastructure device 100A subsequently receives the user associated information, the earlier associated at least one operation may be performed with the transportation infrastructure device 100A.

In some embodiments, the user associated information may relate to a user in vicinity of the transportation infrastructure device 100A. This means that the user may be standing close to the transportation infrastructure device 100A.

In some embodiments, the reader module 106 may comprise a card reader module. The card reader module may be able to read cards remotely without contact, for example, using radio frequency or bar code based solutions, or the card reader module may require contact with the card, for example, a magnetic stripe card or a chip card. Further, in some embodiments, the user may not be standing close to the transportation infrastructure device 100A. Instead, he may have given his card to another person, for example, at a reception desk to associate the user associated information with the determined at least one operation.

Further, in some embodiments, the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure may involve may relate only to the transportation infrastructure device 100A. In other embodiments, the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure may relate to multiple transportation infrastructure devices. For example, after the association, the associated operation may be performed from all destination operating panels (DOP) of an elevator system. This also may mean that the transportation infrastructure device used for making the association may send information about the association to a managing entity of the transportation infrastructure, and the managing entity may then perform possible configurations also for other transportation infrastructure devices in the transportation infrastructure .

The at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device 100A may refer, for example, to a home floor call, a group call, a VIP call, a language selection for the transportation infrastructure device 100A, access to certain floors etc. In other words, when the association between the user associated information and the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device 100A has been made, the user is able to initiate the at least one operation merely by providing the user associated information via the reader module 106, without having to separately manually select any functions with the transportation infrastructure device 100A.

In some embodiments, the authentication may be received from the reader module 106. In an embodiment, the reader module 106 may read a master card that puts the transportation infrastructure device 100A to the configuration mode. When the transportation infrastructure device 100A is in the configuration mode, a subsequently read card with the reader module 106 may be associated with the at least one operation.

In some embodiments, the reader module 106 may comprise a camera module. In this embodiment, the user associated information about the user may comprise facial recognition data about the user. In other words, the transportation infrastructure device 100A may comprise a camera that can be used to store facial recognition data of a nearby user. This data can then be used as the user associated information to which the at least one operation can be associated with. After the association, when the user subsequently comes close to the transportation infrastructure device 100A and the user is recognized based on the facial recognition data, the transportation infrastructure device 100A then performs the associated at least one operation.

FIG. IB illustrates a transportation infrastructure device 100B according to another embodiment. The transportation infrastructure 100B of FIG. IB is similar to the transportation infrastructure 100A of FIG. 1A with the exception that transportation infrastructure device 100B comprises a touch-sensitive display 108. In some embodiments, the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure may be determined based on user input received via the touch-sensitive display 108. For example, the user may configure and associate desired operations with the user associated information via the touch-sensitive display 108. For example, the user may set a specific floor as a home floor or to select a default language for the user .

In some embodiments, the authentication to enter the configuration mode may be received based on user input via the touch-sensitive display 108. The view on the touch-sensitive display 108 may comprise an icon or a selection button selectable by the user. This enables a solution where the configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device 108B can be entered easily by the user and no additional mechanisms for setting the transportation infrastructure device 100B to the configuration mode is needed.

In some embodiments, the authentication may comprise a code sequence. The code sequence may comprise alphabetical characters, it may be alpha-numeric or just numeric. As an example, the user may have received the code sequence from an entity managing the transportation infrastructure. The code sequence may have a limited validity period within which the user is able to may enter the configuration mode and perform configuration operations. The code sequence may be a single use code sequence, or it can be used multiple times.

Further, in some embodiments, the transportation infrastructure device 100B may be able to determine the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device 100B based on the code sequence. In an example, the user may have requested a code sequence, for example, from a management system associated with the transportation infrastructure. The user may also have identified that he wishes to associate certain features with an existing card, for example, a bus card. The managing system then send the code sequence as a response to the user's request. The requested features have been coded to the code sequence or the code sequence is otherwise associated with the requested features. When the user inputs the code sequence to the transportation infrastructure device, the transportation infrastructure device is able to determine the features based on the code sequence, and the features are then associated with the card or other user associated information that the transportation infrastructure device next reads or receives. Thus, the user only has to input the code sequence to the transportation infrastructure device without having to further select any features with the transportation infrastructure device at that point.

In some embodiments, the transportation infrastructure device 100B may have a wired or wireless connection to a control system, and the transportation infrastructure device 100B may send the code sequence to the control system in order to receive a response comprising actions to be performed by the transportation infrastructure device 100B.

FIG. 1C illustrates a transportation infrastructure device 100C according to another embodiment. The transportation infrastructure device 100C of FIG. 1C is similar to the transportation infrastructure device 100A of FIG. 1A with the exception that the transportation infrastructure device 100C comprises also a camera module 110. As in the example illustrated in FIG. 1A, the authentication to enter the configuration mode of the elevator system device 100C may be received from the reader module 106. The reader module 106 may comprise, for example, a card reader module. The card reader module may be able to read cards remotely without contact, for example, using radio frequency or bar code based solutions, or the card reader module may require contact with the card, for example, a magnetic stripe card or a chip card.

The camera module 110 can be used to store facial recognition data of a nearby user. This data can then be used as the user associated information to which the at least one operation can be associated with. After the association, when the user subsequently comes close to the transportation infrastructure device 100A and the user is recognized based on the facial recognition data, the transportation infrastructure device 100C then performs the associated at least one operation.

FIG. ID illustrates a transportation infrastructure device 100D according to another embodiment. The transportation infrastructure device 100D of FIG. ID is similar to the transportation infrastructure device 100C of FIG. 1C with the exception that the transportation infrastructure device 100D comprises also a touch- sensitive display 108. As in the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1C, the authentication to enter the configuration mode may be received via the reader module 106. Similarly, the user associated information about the user in vicinity of the transportation infrastructure device 100D may be received via the camera module 110. The at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device 100D may be determined based on user input received via the touch-sensitive display 108. For example, the user may configure and associate desired operations with the user associated information via the touch-sensitive display 108. For example, the user may set a specific floor as a home floor or to select a default language for the user .

FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment.

At 200, an authentication to enter a configuration mode of a transportation infrastructure device is received. As discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-1D, the authentication may be received from the reader module 106 or it may comprise a code sequence received via the touch-sensitive display 108.

At 202 user associated information about a user is received from a reader module. As discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-1D, the reader module may comprise a card reader module or a camera module.

At 204 at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure of a transportation infrastructure is determined. As discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-1D, the at least one operation may be determined based on user input via the touch-sensitive display. The user may determine the at least one operation by selecting desired features or operation via the touch-sensitive display. In another embodiment, user requested features may have been coded to a code sequence or the code sequence is otherwise associated with the requested features. When the user inputs the code sequence to the transportation infrastructure device, the transportation infrastructure device is able to determine the at least one feature based on the code sequence .

At 206, the user associated information is associated with the determined at least one operation. When the transportation infrastructure device then subsequently receives the user associated information, the earlier associated at least one operation may be performed with the transportation infrastructure device.

The steps 200-206 discussed above or discussed in relation to FIGS. 1A-1D may be performed by executing a computer program comprising program code. The computer program may be stored in the memory 104 of the transportation infrastructure device 100A, 100B, 100C,

100D.

Example embodiments may be implemented in software, hardware, application logic or a combination of software, hardware and application logic. The example embodiments can store information relating to various methods described herein. This information can be stored in one or more memories, such as a hard disk, optical disk, magneto-optical disk, RAM, and the like. One or more databases can store the information used to implement the example embodiments. The databases can be organized using data structures (e.g., records, tables, arrays, fields, graphs, trees, lists, and the like) included in one or more memories or storage devices listed herein. The methods described with respect to the example embodiments can include appropriate data structures for storing data collected and/or generated by the methods of the devices and subsystems of the example embodiments in one or more databases.

All or a portion of the example embodiments can be conveniently implemented using one or more general purpose processors, microprocessors, digital signal processors, micro-controllers, and the like, programmed according to the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the computer and/or software art(s) . Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the example embodiments, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the software art. In addition, the example embodiments can be implemented by the preparation of application-specific integrated circuits or by interconnecting an appropriate network of conventional component circuits, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the electrical art(s) . Thus, the examples are not limited to any specific combination of hardware and/or software. Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the examples can include software for controlling the components of the example embodiments, for driving the components of the example embodiments, for enabling the components of the example embodiments to interact with a human user, and the like. Such computer readable media further can include a computer program for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the example embodiments. Computer code devices of the examples may include any suitable interpretable or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries (DLLs) , Java classes and applets, complete executable programs, and the like.

As stated above, the components of the example embodiments may include computer readable medium or memories for holding instructions programmed according to the teachings and for holding data structures, tables, records, and/or other data described herein. In an example embodiment, the application logic, software or an instruction set is maintained on any one of various conventional computer-readable media. In the context of this document, a "computer-readable medium" may be any media or means that can contain, store, communicate, propagate or transport the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer- readable medium may include a computer-readable storage medium that may be any media or means that can contain or store the instructions for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device, such as a computer. A computer readable medium can include any suitable medium that participates in providing instructions to a processor for execution. Such a medium can take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, transmission media, and the like.

While there have been shown and described and pointed out fundamental novel features as applied to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the devices and methods described may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the disclosure. For example, it is expressly intended that all combinations of those elements and/or method steps which perform substantially the same state change in substantially the same way to achieve the same results are within the scope of the disclosure. Moreover, it should be recognized that structures and/or elements and/or method steps shown and/or described in connection with any disclosed form or embodiments may be incorporated in any other disclosed or described or suggested form or embodiment as a general matter of design choice. Furthermore, in the claims means-plus- state change clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited state change and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures.

The applicant hereby discloses in isolation each individual feature described herein and any combination of two or more such features, to the extent that such features or combinations are capable of being carried out based on the present specification as a whole, in the light of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art, irrespective of whether such features or combinations of features solve any problems disclosed herein, and without limitation to the scope of the claims. The applicant indicates that the disclosed aspects/embodiments may consist of any such individual feature or combination of features. In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made within the scope of the disclosure.

Claims

1. A transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of a transportation infrastructure; the device comprising:

at least one processor (102);

at least one memory (104); and

a reader module (106);

wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to:

receive an authentication to enter a configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device ;

receive, from the reader module (106), user associated information about a user;

determine at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure; and

associate the user associated information with the determined at least one operation.

2. The transportation infrastructure device

(100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of claim 1, wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to:

subsequently receive the user associated information about the user; and

perform the at least one operation in response to subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user.

3. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 2, further comprising a touch-sensitive display (108), and wherein determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device comprises receiving user input via the touch-sensitive display (108) .

4. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of claim 3, wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to:

receive the authentication to enter the configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device based on user input via the touch-sensitive display (108) .

5. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the authentication comprises a code sequence.

6. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of claim 4, wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to:

determine the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device based on the code sequence.

7. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 3, wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to: receive the authentication via the reader module (106) .

8. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 7, wherein the reader module (106) comprises a card reader module .

9. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 6, wherein the reader module (106) comprises a camera module, and wherein the user associated information about the user comprises facial recognition data about the user.

10. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of claim 9, further comprising a second reader module (106), wherein the at least one memory (104) comprises program code which, when executed on the at least one processor (102), causes the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) to:

receive the authentication via the second reader module (106).

11. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of claim 10, wherein the second reader module (106) comprises a card reader module.

12. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 11, wherein the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B,

100C, 100D) comprises a destination operating panel.

13. The transportation infrastructure device

(100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 11, wherein the transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B,

100C, 100D) comprises an elevator car operating panel.

14. The transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of any of claims 1 - 11, wherein the transportation system device (100A, 100B, 100C,

100D) comprises one of an elevator system device, an escalator system device, an automatic door and an access gate .

15. A method comprising:

receiving an authentication to enter a configuration mode of a transportation infrastructure device (100A, 100B, 100C, 100D) of a transportation infrastructure ;

receiving, from a reader module (106), user associated information about a user;

determining at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure; and

associating the user associated information with the determined at least one operation.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising: subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user; and

performing the at least one operation in response to subsequently receiving the user associated information about the user.

17. The method of any of claims 15 - 16, wherein determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device comprises receiving user input via a touch- sensitive display (108).

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: receiving the authentication to enter the configuration mode of the transportation infrastructure device based on user input via the touch-sensitive display (108) .

19. The method of any of claims 15 - 18, wherein the authentication comprises a code sequence.

20. The method of claim 18, further comprising: determining the at least one operation associated with the transportation infrastructure device based on the code sequence.

21. The method of claim 15 17, further comprising :

receiving the authentication via the reader module (106) .

22. The method of any of claims 15 - 21, wherein the reader module (106) comprises a card reader module .

23. The method of any of claims 15 - 21, wherein the reader module (106) comprises a camera module, and wherein the user associated information about the user comprises facial recognition data about the user.

24. The method of claim 23, further comprising: receiving the authentication via the second reader module (106).

25. The method of claim 23, wherein the second reader module (106) comprises a card reader module.

26. The method of any of claims 15 - 25, wherein the transportation system device (100A, 100B,

100C, 100D) comprises one of an elevator system device, an escalator system device, an automatic door and an access gate.

27. A computer program comprising program code which, when executed by at least one processing unit, causes the at least one processing unit to perform the method of any of claims 15 - 26.

28. A computer readable medium comprising a computer program comprising program code which, when executed by at least one processing unit, causes the at least one processing unit to perform the method of any of claims 15 - 26.