WO2022038303A1

WO2022038303A1 - Controlling audio-visual stimuli inside an elevator car

Info

Publication number: WO2022038303A1
Application number: PCT/FI2020/050538
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jonas NORDFORS; Sakke Ahoniemi; Sami KAPANEN; Noora LINDHOLM
Original assignee: Kone Corporation
Priority date: 2020-08-19
Filing date: 2020-08-19
Publication date: 2022-02-24

Abstract

According to an example embodiment, a method (200) for controlling audio-visual environment inside an elevator car is provided. The method (200) comprises: obtaining (202) predetermined audio-visual settings (111) pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings (111) comprise respective default settings (111a) for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli and corresponding toned-down settings (111b) for at least one of said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli; receiving (204) a tone-down request that includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings (111a) with corresponding toned-down settings (111b); and controlling (206) generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings (111a) or toned-down settings (111b) in dependence of said tone-down request (131).

Description

Controlling audio-visual stimuli inside an elevator car

TECHNICAL FIELD

The example and non-limiting embodiments of the present invention relate to controlling audio-visual stimuli generated inside an elevator car.

BACKGROUND

Many modern elevators systems incorporate various possibilities for controlling environmental aspects and/providing additional services within an elevator car. Examples in this regard include control of lighting within the elevator and provision of audible information or entertainment via a speaker system arranged in the elevator car and/or via one or more display devices arranged in the elevator car.

While such systems provide interesting possibilities for providing the passengers of the elevator car with audible and/or visual information for entertainment or information purposes, on the other hand some passengers may find audio-visual stimuli such as excessive lighting, unsolicited lighting effects and/or audio-visual content unpleasant or even disturbing. Moreover, passengers that suffer from conditions such as sensory overload or sensory defensiveness (e.g. sensory processing sensitivity, sensory processing disorder), migraine, epilepsy, etc. may find the lighting applied and/or the audio-visual content provided inside the elevator overwhelming to an extent constituting a health risk.

SUMMARY

It is an object of the present invention to provide a technique that facilitates reducing or eliminating discomfort that may arise from excessive audio visualstimuli generated inside an elevator car.

According to an example embodiment, a control system for controlling audiovisual environment inside an elevator car is provided, the control system comprising: a memory arranged to store predetermined audio-visual settings pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings comprise respective default settings for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli; a controller, communicatively coupled to the memory, for controlling generation of the one or more aspects of audiovisual stimuli inside the elevator car, the controller arranged to: receive a tonedown request that includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings with corresponding toned-down settings, and control generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings or toned-down settings in dependence of said tone-down request.

According to another example embodiment, an elevator car comprising a control system according to the example embodiment described in the foregoing and one or more of the following elements arranged to operate under control of the controller: a lighting system comprising one or more light fixtures and/or light sources arranged for illuminating the interior of the elevator car, a sound reproduction system comprising one or more loudspeakers arranged to emit sound inside the elevator car, a display system comprising one or more display devices arranged inside the elevator car.

According to another example embodiment, a method for controlling audiovisual environment inside an elevator car is provided, the method comprising: obtaining predetermined audio-visual settings pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings comprise respective default settings for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli and corresponding toned-down settings for at least one of said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli; receiving a tone-down request that includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings with corresponding toned-down settings; and controlling generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings or toned-down settings in dependence of said tonedown request. According to another example embodiment, a computer program for controlling audio-visual environment inside an elevator car is provided, the computer program comprising computer readable program code configured to cause performing at least the method according to the example embodiment described in the foregoing when said program code is executed on one or more computing apparatuses.

The computer program according to the above-described example embodiment may be embodied on a volatile or a non-volatile computer- readable record medium, for example as a computer program product comprising at least one computer readable non-transitory medium having the program code stored thereon, which, when executed by one or more computing apparatuses, causes the computing apparatuses at least to perform the method according to the example embodiment described in the foregoing.

The exemplifying embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" and its derivatives are used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also unrecited features. The features described hereinafter are mutually freely combinable unless explicitly stated otherwise.

Some features of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Aspects of the invention, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of some example embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, where

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of some logical elements of a control system according to an example; Figure 2 illustrates a block diagram of some logical elements of a control system according to an example;

Figure 3 illustrates a method according to an example; and

Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of some components of an apparatus according to an example.

DESCRIPTION OF SOME EMBODIMENTS

Figure 1 illustrates a block diagram of some logical elements of a control system 100 for controlling audio-visual environment inside an elevator car of an elevator system. The control system comprises a memory 110 for storing predetermined audio-visual settings 111 pertaining to generation of audiovisual stimuli inside the elevator car, where the audio-visual settings 111 comprise at least respective default settings 111 a for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. The control system 100 further comprises a controller 120 for controlling generation of the audio-visual stimuli in the elevator car. The controller 120 is arranged to receive a tone-down request 131 from a user input device 130, where the tone-down request 131 includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings 111 a with corresponding toned-down settings 111 b, and the controller 120 is further arranged to control generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings 111 a or toned-down settings 111 b in dependence of the tone-down request 131 .

The toned-down settings 111 b comprise respective toned-down settings that may be applied to replace the corresponding default settings for at least one aspect of audio visual stimuli. In the example illustrated in Figure 1 , the toned- down settings 111 b are stored in the memory 110, in other words the audiovisual settings 111 stored in the memory 110 may include both the default settings 111 a and the toned-down settings 111 b. In another example, which is illustrated in a block diagram of Figure 2, the toned-down settings 111 b are included in the tone-down request 131 (or are otherwise transmitted together with the tone-down request 131 ) and are hence received at the controller 120 from the user interface device 130. Consequently, in the latter example the audio-visual settings 111 include the default settings stored in the memory 110 and the toned-down settings received from the user interface device 130.

In context of the present disclosure, the term audio-visual stimuli is to be construed broadly, encompassing only audible stimuli, only visible stimuli or both audible and visible stimuli. The audible stimuli may encompass any sounds generated or reproduced inside the elevator car under control of the controller 120, whereas the visual stimuli may encompass any visible effects generated or reproduced inside the elevator car under control of the controller 120. Examples of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli to be generated inside the elevator car comprise lighting provided inside the elevator car, sound output generated inside the elevator car and images displayed inside the elevator car. Hence, the default settings 111 a and the toned-down settings 111 b may comprise respective definitions for the following aspects: the lighting provided inside the elevator car, the sound output generated inside the elevator car and the images displayed inside the elevator car. Herein, the images displayed inside the elevator car may refer to still images and/or to video (i.e. a sequence of images) displayed therein.

Referring back to Figures 1 and 2, the control system 100 may further comprise one or more of the following: a lighting control subsystem 140 for controlling light output from a lighting system 141 arranged for illumination of interior of the elevator car, an audio control subsystem 150 for controlling sound output via a sound reproduction system 151 arranged inside the elevator car, and a display control subsystem 160 for controlling displaying of images via a display system 161 arranged in the elevator car. Each of the lighting control subsystem 140, the audio control subsystem 150 and the display control subsystem 160 (to extent they are included in the control system 100) may be arranged to operate under control of the controller 120 in accordance with the respective aspect of the audio-visual settings 111.

The lighting control subsystem 140 may be provided as a component of the controller 120 or it may be a separate element that is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 via a wired or wireless communication network or communication link. The lighting control subsystem 140 is communicatively coupled to the lighting system 141 arranged in the elevator car, where the communicative coupling may be provided using a wired or wireless communication network or communication link.

The lighting system 141 comprises one or more light fixtures and/or light sources arranged for illuminating the interior of the elevator car. The lighting control subsystem 140 may enable adjusting one or more characteristics of light output of the lighting system 141 under control of the controller 120. Examples of such adjustable characteristics of the light output include light intensity, color of light, color temperature of light, etc. The default settings 111 a and the toned-down settings may comprise respective lighting settings that define one or more characteristics of the light output to be applied inside the elevator car.

The audio control subsystem 150 may be provided as a component of the controller 120 or it may be a separate element that is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 via a wired or wireless communication network or communication link. The audio control subsystem 150 is communicatively coupled to the sound reproduction system 151 arranged in the elevator car, where the communicative coupling may be provided using a wired or wireless communication network or communication link.

The sound reproduction 151 system comprises one or more loudspeakers arranged to emit sound inside the elevator car. The audio control subsystem 150 may enable adjusting one or more characteristics of the sound output (e.g. the sound played back) via the sound reproduction system 151 under control of the controller 120. Examples of such adjustable characteristics of the sound output include volume (e.g. intensity) of the sound output, spectral characteristics of the sound output, dynamic range of the sound output, etc. The default settings 111a and the toned-down settings may comprise respective audio settings that define one or more characteristics of the sound output provided inside the elevator car. The display control subsystem 160 may be provided as a component of the controller 120 or it may be a separate element that is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 via a wired or wireless communication network or communication link. The display control subsystem 160 is communicatively coupled to the display system 161 arranged in the elevator car, where the communicative coupling may be provided using a wired or wireless communication network or communication link.

The display system 161 system comprises one or more display devices arranged inside the elevator car. The one or more display devices may include a touch-sensitive display (e.g. a touchscreen) that also enables receiving user input from passengers of the elevator car. The display control subsystem 160 may enable adjusting one or more characteristics of images displayed via the display system 161 under control of the controller 120. Examples of such adjustable characteristics include brightness of the images, contrast of the images, dynamic range of the images, etc. The default settings 111 a and the toned-down settings 111 b may comprise respective display settings that define one or more characteristics of the images displayed via the display system 161 of the elevator car.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, the controller 120 may be arranged to control generation of the audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car based on the audio-visual settings 111 in dependence of the tone-down request 131 . The controller 120 may comprise or may be provided using one or more computing devices comprising respective one or more processors arranged to execute one or more computer programs to provide at least some aspects of operation of the controller 120. Hence, the controller 120 may be provided as a controller apparatus (e.g. using a single computer apparatus) or as a controller system (e.g. using two or more computer apparatuses).

In an example, the one or more computing devices applied to implement the controller 120 may also host the memory 110, whereas in another example the memory 110 may be provided in another computing device (e.g. in a server device) that is separate from the one or more computing devices applied in implementing the controller 120 and that is communicatively coupled to the controller 120 via a wired or wireless communication network or communication link. The controller 120 may obtain the audio-visual settings 111 to extent they are stored in the memory 110 e.g. by reading or downloading them from the memory 110.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, the default settings 111 a may include respective default settings for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli to be generated inside the elevator car, e.g. one or more of the following: default lighting settings that define one or more default characteristics of the light output to be applied within the elevator car, default audio settings that define one or more default characteristics for the sound output inside the elevator car, default display settings that define one or more default characteristics for displaying images via the display system 161 of the elevator car. Along similar lines, the toned-down settings 111 b may include respective toned-down settings for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli to be generated in the elevator car, e.g. one or more of the following: toned- down lighting settings that define one or more toned-down characteristics of the light output to be applied within the elevator car, toned-down audio settings that define one or more toned-down characteristics for the sound output inside the elevator car, and/or toned-down display settings that define one or more toned-down characteristics of the video output displayed via the display system 161 of the elevator car.

For each of the lighting settings, the audio settings and the video settings (to extent they are applied in the control system 100), the respective toned-down settings define at least one characteristic that results in introducing a respective aspect of audio visual stimuli in a manner that is reduced and/or more neutral (and hence toned down) in comparison to application of the corresponding characteristic of the respective default settings, thereby making the audio-visual environment inside the elevator car more acceptable also for passengers suffering from conditions such as sensory overload or sensory defensiveness. As an example, the toned-down lighting settings may include at least one toned-down characteristic for the light output that is toned down (e.g. reduced) in comparison to the corresponding characteristic defined in the default lighting settings. Non-limiting examples in this regard include the following:

- the default lighting settings may define a default light intensity, whereas the toned-down lighting settings may define a toned-down light intensity that is lower than the default light intensity,

- the default lighting settings may define a default color of light, whereas the toned-down lighting settings may define a toned-down color of light that closer to a predefined reference color (such as white) than the default color of light,

- the default lighting settings may define a default color temperature of light, whereas the toned-down lighting settings may define a toned- down color temperature of light that is closer to a predefined reference color temperature (e.g. warm white at 2700 K) than the default color temperature of light,

- the default lighting settings may define a default profile for variation of light intensity over time, whereas the toned-down lighting settings may disable variation of light intensity over time or define toned-down profile for variation of light intensity over time that defines reduced variation of light intensity and/or reduced frequency of light intensity variation in comparison to the default profile,

- the default lighting settings may define a default profile for variation of light color over time, whereas the toned-down lighting settings may disable variation of light color over time or define toned-down profile for variation of light color over time that defines reduced variation of light color and/or reduced frequency of light color variation in comparison to the default profile.

In this regard, e.g. the lower light intensity, soother color or color temperature of light defined and/or reduced or disabled variation of light intensity and/or color over time that may be defined in the toned-down lighting settings may be applicable for reducing or completely eliminating discomfort that may be experienced e.g. by passengers suffering from a condition such as sensory overload or sensory defensiveness under lighting characteristics defined in the default lighting settings.

In another example, the toned-down audio settings may comprise at least one toned-down characteristic for the sound output that is toned down (e.g. reduced) in comparison to the corresponding characteristic defined in the default audio settings. Alternatively, the toned-down audio settings may define completely disabling generation of the sound output inside the elevator car. Non-limiting examples of toned-down characteristics of the sound output include the following:

- the default audio settings may define a default sound volume (e.g. sound intensity) for the sound output, whereas the toned-down audio settings may define a toned-down sound volume for the sound output that is lower than the default sound volume,

- the default audio settings may define a default spectral shaping for the sound output (e.g. flat or unmodified audio spectrum), whereas the toned-down audio settings may define a toned-down spectral shaping for the sound output that involves de-emphasis of sounds at one or more predefined frequency sub-ranges (e.g. ones below a lower cut-off frequency and/or ones above a higher cut-off frequency) in comparison to the default spectral shaping,

- the default audio settings may define a default dynamic range for the sound output, whereas the toned-down audio settings may define a toned-down dynamic range for the sound output that is reduced in comparison to the default dynamic range

- the default audio settings may define a default sound profile for the sound output that enables a set of one or more sound items to be played back inside the elevator car, whereas the toned-down audio settings may define a toned-down sound profile that defines disabling playback of at least one of the one or more sound items, - the default audio settings may define a default noise cancellation profile that disables application of a noise cancellation functionality inside the elevator car, whereas the toned-down audio settings may define a toned-down noise cancellation profile that enables application of the noise cancellation functionality in the elevator car for cancelling the noise originating from the elevator shaft.

In this regard, e.g. the lower sound volume, the spectral shaping, reduction of dynamic range, disabling of at least one sound item and/or enabling usage of the noise cancellation functionality that may be defined in the toned-down audio settings may be applicable for reducing or completely eliminating discomfort that may be experienced e.g. by passengers suffering from a condition such as sensory overload or sensory defensiveness under lighting characteristics defined in the default lighting settings.

In a further example, the toned-down display settings may comprise at least one toned-down characteristic for the displayed images that is toned down (e.g. reduced) in comparison to the corresponding characteristic defined in the default display settings. Alternatively, the toned-down display settings may define completely disabling displaying of images inside the elevator car. Nonlimiting examples of toned-down characteristics of the displayed images include the following:

- the default display settings may define a default brightness for the displayed images, whereas the toned-down display settings may define a toned-down brightness for the displayed images that is lower than the default brightness,

- the default display settings may define a default contrast for the displayed images, whereas the toned-down display settings may define a toned-down contrast for the displayed images that is lower than the default contrast,

- the default display settings may define a default dynamic range for the displayed images, whereas the toned-down display settings may define a toned-down dynamic range for the displayed images that is reduced in comparison to the default dynamic range

- the default display settings may define a default color palette for the displayed images, whereas the toned-down settings may define a toned-down color palette for the displayed images that reduces the number of different colors shown via the display system (e.g. grayscale or black and white)

- the default display settings may define a default display profile that allows a first maximum frequency for changes (e.g. arbitrary changes) from one image content to another, whereas the toned-down settings may define a toned-down display profile that defines a reduced maximum frequency for changes from one image content to another.

In this regard, e.g. the lower brightness, lower contrast, reduction of dynamic range, reduced color palette and/or reduced image content change frequency that may be defined in the toned-down display settings may be applicable for reducing or completely eliminating discomfort that may be experienced e.g. by passengers suffering from a condition such as sensory overload or sensory defensiveness under lighting characteristics defined in the default video settings.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, the controller 120 may be arranged to control generation of the audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car based on the audio-visual settings 111 in dependence of the tone-down request 131 . According to an example, the at least one request included in the tone-down request 131 may comprise a general request to replace the default settings 111 a with the corresponding toned-down settings 111 b for all those aspects of audio-visual stimuli for which respective toned-down settings 111 b are available in the audio-visual settings 111 , whereas in another example the at least one request included in the tone-down request 131 may comprise a respective separate request to replace the default settings 111a with the corresponding toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audiovisual stimuli. As an example of the latter, the tone-down request 131 may separately request application of the toned-down lighting settings, the toned- down audio settings and/or the toned-down video settings as replacement to the corresponding default settings. In contrast, absence of a request that calls for usage of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for a certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli may be considered as a(n implicit) request to apply the respective default settings 111 a.

Consequently, the controller 120 is arranged to control respective operation of the lighting control subsystem 140, the audio control subsystem 150 and the display control subsystem 160 (to extent they are included in the control system 100) in accordance with the received tone-down request 131 or absence thereof. A tone-down request that specifies usage of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for at least one aspect of audio-visual stimuli may be considered as a request to apply a toned-down mode for the elevator car and, consequently, the controller 120 operating accordingly may be considered to implement the toned-down mode for the elevator car.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, the controller 120 may be arranged to receive the tone-down request 131 from the user interface device 130. In this regard, the user interface device 130 may comprise a processor arranged to execute a computer program and the user interface device 130 may be communicatively coupled to the controller 120 via a wired or wireless communication network or communication link. The user interface device 130 may comprise a user interface (III), which comprises one or more user- operable Ul elements that enable a passenger to select application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general and/or application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. The Ul elements may comprise, for example, respective push-buttons or respective designated areas of a touch-sensitive display or a touch-sensitive panel provided as part of the user interface device 130. The user interface device 130 may, in response to receiving one or more user selections via the Ul, compose the tone-down request 131 such that the at least one request therein corresponds to the received one or more user selections and transmit the composed tone-down request 131 to the controller 120.

In a variation of the above example, the user interface device 130 may comprise one or more cameras for capturing images of gestures made by a passenger, which cameras may (at least conceptually) constitute part of the Ul of the user interface device 130. The user interface device 130 may be further arranged to apply image analysis (e.g. machine vision or a corresponding technology) on captured images to recognize one or more gestures made by the passenger and compare the recognized gestures to one or more predefined gestures that are each associated with a respective manner of applying the toned-down settings 111 b, e.g. application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general and/or application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. In case the recognized gesture is found to match one of the predefined ones, the user interface device 130 may compose and transmit the tone-down request 131 including request(s) to apply the toned-down settings 111 b associated with the recognized one of the one or more predefined gestures.

Along the lines described in the foregoing, in one example the applicable toned-down settings 111 b may be stored in the memory 110 (cf. Figure 1 ) and hence the request(s) included in the tone-down request 131 may identify the toned-down settings 111 b to applied in the controller 120 instead of the corresponding default settings 111 a, whereas in another example the applicable toned-down settings are transmitted from the user interface device 130 to the controller 120 in or together with the tone-down request 131 (cf. Figure 2) to make them available in the controller 120 as replacement to the corresponding default settings 111 a.

According to an example, the user interface device 130 may comprise a control panel or a corresponding user interface apparatus provided in a landing (e.g. in an elevator lobby) or inside the elevator car that enables a passenger entering the elevator car to request application of the toned-down mode at least for the duration of his/her elevator journey. The control panel may include a Ul of the kind described in the foregoing and it may operate to compose and transmit the tone-down request 131 along the lines described in the foregoing.

In another example, the user interface device 130 may comprise a user device such as a mobile phone (e.g. a smartphone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or another portable device comprising one or more processors arranged to execute an elevator access application and that enables communicative coupling to the controller 120 via a wireless communication network or communication link. Herein, the elevator access application may provide a Ul of the kind described in the foregoing and it may operate to compose and transmit the tone-down request 131 along the lines described in the foregoing.

In another example, the user device may serve as a personal access device of the respective user in context of an elevator system within which the elevator car is operated, where the user device is capable of short-range wireless communication with the elevator system upon entering the elevator car and where the user device is associated with a passenger identification (ID) that uniquely identifies the respective passenger within the elevator system. In this regard, the elevator system may store, e.g. in an access server, a preconfigured user profile associated with the respective passenger ID, where the user profile comprises selections with respect to application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general and/or application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. In such a scenario the passenger may use the user device to identify him/herself to the elevator system upon (or before) entering the elevator car and, consequently, the elevator system may automatically issue, e.g. from the access server, the tone-down request 131 corresponding to the user selections available in the associated user profile to the controller 120 (not illustrated in Figures 1 and 2).

In a variation of the above example, the user device may be in communication with a(n indoor) positioning system applied at the landing (e.g. in an elevator lobby) and/or in a building in which the elevator system is operated, which positioning system is coupled to the elevator system. Consequently, explicit registration of the passenger with the elevator system may not be necessary but the elevator system may receive, via the positioning system, an indication of the passenger entering the elevator car, which may result in automated issuance of the tone-down request corresponding to the user selections available in the associated user profile to the controller 120.

In a further variation of the above examples, a device other than the user device may serve as the personal access device that enables identification of the user upon entering the elevator car, either directly with the elevator system or via the positioning system. Examples of such devices include a smartcard, an electronic key fob, an electronic identity card or an electronic access badge of other type provided with short-range wireless communication capability. Non-limiting examples of suitable wireless communication techniques for communication between the personal access device and the elevator system (or the positioning system) include near-field communication (NFC) technology, radio-frequency identification (RFID), Bluetooth, Bluetooth Low Energy, Bluetooth Mesh Networking, wireless local area networking (e.g. WiFi technology), ZigBee or other techniques of personal area networking, etc. In a further variation of the above example, a biometric characteristics such as a fingerprint may be applied for user identification instead of a personal access device.

In yet another example, the user input device 130 may comprise a user device such as a mobile phone (e.g. a smartphone), a tablet computer, a laptop computer, or another portable device comprising one or more processors arranged to execute a quick response (QR) code reader application, whereas one or more QR codes may be provided at the landing that enables entry to the elevator car. The one or more QR codes may include a first QR code that is associated with selecting application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general for the upcoming elevator journey and/or one or more second QR codes that are associated with the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. The passenger may apply the QR reader in the user device to read the QR code(s) of his/her choosing in order to select application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for his/her elevator journey accordingly. Consequently, the user device 130 may compose, in response to using the QR reader to read at least one of the QR codes, the tone-down request 131 such that the at least one request therein corresponds to the read QR codes and transmit the composed tone-down request 131 to the controller 120

Along the lines described in the foregoing, the tone-down request 131 serves as a request for temporary application of the toned-down settings 111 b instead of the corresponding default settings 111 a for one or more aspects of audiovisual stimuli, i.e. for temporary application of a toned-down mode. In particular, the toned-down mode may be requested or intended for the duration of the elevator journey of the passenger having requested the application of the toned-down mode.

While some of the examples described above pertain to activation of the toned- down mode via the Ul of the interface device, according to an example the Ul of the user interface device 130 may further comprise user-operable Ul elements that enable the passenger to deselect or deactivate application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general and/or application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. As in the case of activation of the usage of the toned-down settings 111 b, these Ul elements may comprise, for example, respective push-buttons or respective designated areas of a touch-sensitive display or panel provided as part of the user interface device 130, actuation of which may result in the user interface device 130 transmitting to the controller 120 a message that serves as a request to terminate application of the toned-down settings 111 b in general and/or application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. Consequently, the controller 120 may terminate application of the respective toned-down settings 1 11 b in response receiving such a termination request.

In case the toned-down mode has been activated via usage of the user device or another device as a personal access device (or via usage of a biometric characteristic) upon entering the elevator car, the same personal access device (or the same biometric characteristic) may be applied upon exiting the elevator car at the destination floor, which in turn may invoke providing the controller 120 with a request to terminate application of the toned-down mode. Consequently, the controller 120 may terminate application of the respective toned-down settings 111 b in response receiving such a termination request.

In another example, application of the toned-down settings 111 b may be automatically terminated when the passenger who requested application of the toned-down mode has completed his/her elevator journey. In this regard, the controller 120 may receive an indication concerning the passenger who requested application of the toned-down mode reaching his/her destination floor and/or exiting the elevator car at the destination floor and, consequently, the controller 120 may terminate application of the toned-down mode in response receiving such a termination request. In this regard, the controller 120 may obtain knowledge of the destination floor, for example, via a transport request received together or substantially at the same time with the tone-down request 131 that served to initiate application of the toned-down mode.

As an example, additionally or alternatively, the controller 120 may obtain knowledge of the destination floor (and hence the floor at which the toned- down mode is to be terminated) based on the active transport requests: in case there is only a single active transport call upon receiving the tone-down request 131 or received shortly after the tone-down request, the toned-down mode may be terminated upon reaching the destination floor specified in the single active transport request. In another example in this regard, in case there may be a plurality of (e.g. two or more) active transports requests upon or shortly after reception of the tone-down request 131 , the toned-down mode may be terminated in response to one of the following: a timer of predefined duration triggered in response to receiving the tone-down request 131 elapsing, the transport direction of the elevator car changing, all transport requests that were active upon or shortly after reception of the tone-down request 131 having been served. The examples described in the foregoing, at least implicitly, assume a single set of toned-down settings 111 b for any aspect of audio-visual stimuli. In further examples, however, the respective toned-down settings for a certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli may comprise two or more sets of toned-down settings 111 b for the certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli. In such an example, for each aspect of audio-visual stimuli for which two or more toned-down settings 111 b are available, the Ul in the user interface device 130 may comprise user interface element(s) that enable selecting the desired one of the two or more sets of toned-down settings 111 b for the respective aspect of audio-visual stimuli and the user interface device 130 composes the tonedown request 131 such that the respective request included therein identifies (or includes) the selected one of the two or more sets of toned-down settings available for the respective aspect of audio-visual stimuli. Consequently, the controller 120 may apply the set of the toned-down settings 111 b identified (or included) in the tone-down request 131 in generation of the respective aspect of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car.

In an example, the two sets of toned-down settings 111 b for a certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli may comprise a first set that defines a first toned-down value for at least one characteristic of said certain aspect and a second set that defines a second toned-down value for the at least one characteristic of said certain aspect, where the second toned-down value is reduced in comparison to the corresponding default characteristic to a larger extent than the first toned-value. An example in this regard involves light intensity of the light output inside the elevator car: the default settings 111 a may define a first (high) light intensity, the first set of toned-down settings 111 b may define a second (intermediate) light intensity that is lower than the first light intensity, and the second set of toned-down settings 111 b may define a third (low) light intensity that is lower than the second light intensity.

In another example, the two sets of toned-down settings 111 b for a certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli may comprise a first set that defines a toned- down value for at least one characteristic of said certain aspect and a second set that defines disabling generation of the certain aspect of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car. An example in this regard involves sound volume applied inside the elevator car: the default settings 111a may define a first (high) sound volume, the first set of toned-down settings 111 b may define a second (low) volume that is lower than the first volume, and the second set of toned-down settings 111 b may define disabling the sound output inside the elevator car. Another example in this regard involves brightness applied for images displayed inside the elevator car: the default settings 111a may define a first (high) brightness, the first set of toned-down settings 111 b may define a second (low) brightness that is lower than the first brightness, and the second set of toned-down settings 111 b may define disabling displaying of images inside the elevator car.

The operations pertaining to controlling audio-visual environment inside the elevator car described in the foregoing with references to the control system 100 and/or to the controller 120 therein may be described as steps of a method. As an example in this regard, Figure 3 depicts a flowchart illustrating a method 200, which may be carried out, for example, by the controller 120 in the course of its operation. Respective operations described with references to blocks 202 to 206 pertaining to the method 200 may be implemented, varied and/or complemented in a number of ways, for example as described with references to the control system 100 and/or to the controller 120 in the foregoing and in the following.

The method 200 commences from obtaining predetermined audio-visual settings 111 pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings 111 comprise respective default settings 111 a for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli and corresponding toned-down settings 111 b for at least one of said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli, as indicated in block 202. The method 200 further comprises receiving a tone-down request that includes a request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings 111 a with corresponding toned-down settings 111 b, as indicated in block 204, and controlling generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings 111 a or toned-down settings 111 b in dependence of the tone-down request 131 , as indicated in block 206.

Figure 4 schematically illustrates some components of an apparatus 300 that may be employed to implement the control system 100 and/or the controller 120 therein. The apparatus 300 comprises a processor 310 and a memory 320. The memory 320 may store data and computer program code 325. The apparatus 300 may further comprise communication means 330 for wired or wireless communication with other apparatuses and/or user I/O (input/output) components 340 that may be arranged, together with the processor 310 and a portion of the computer program code 325, to provide the user interface for receiving input from a user and/or providing output to the user. In particular, the user I/O components may include user input means, such as one or more keys or buttons, a keyboard, a touchscreen or a touchpad, etc. The user I/O components may include output means, such as a display or a touchscreen. The components of the apparatus 300 are communicatively coupled to each other via a bus 350 that enables transfer of data and control information between the components.

The memory 320 and a portion of the computer program code 325 stored therein may be further arranged, with the processor 310, to cause the apparatus 400 to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller 120 and/or the control system 100 described in the foregoing. The processor 310 is configured to read from and write to the memory 320. Although the processor 310 is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate processing components. Similarly, although the memory 320 is depicted as a respective single component, it may be implemented as respective one or more separate components, some or all of which may be integrated/removable and/or may provide permanent I semi-permanent/ dynamic/cached storage.

The computer program code 325 may comprise computer-executable instructions that implement at least some aspects of operation of the user device 110 or the elevator maintenance server 120 described in the foregoing when loaded into the processor 310. As an example, the computer program code 325 may include a computer program consisting of one or more sequences of one or more instructions. The processor 310 is able to load and execute the computer program by reading the one or more sequences of one or more instructions included therein from the memory 320. The one or more sequences of one or more instructions may be configured to, when executed by the processor 310, cause the apparatus 300 to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller 120 and/or the control system 100 described in the foregoing. Hence, the apparatus 300 may comprise at least one processor 310 and at least one memory 320 including the computer program code 325 for one or more programs, the at least one memory 320 and the computer program code 325 configured to, with the at least one processor 310, cause the apparatus 300 to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller 120 and/or the control system 100 described in the foregoing.

The computer program code 325 may be provided e.g. a computer program product comprising at least one computer-readable non-transitory medium having the computer program code 325 stored thereon, which computer program code 325, when executed by the processor 310 causes the apparatus 300 to perform at least some aspects of operation of the controller 120 and/or the control system 100 described in the foregoing. The computer-readable non-transitory medium may comprise a memory device or a record medium such as a CD-ROM, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc or another article of manufacture that tangibly embodies the computer program. As another example, the computer program may be provided as a signal configured to reliably transfer the computer program.

Reference(s) to a processor herein should not be understood to encompass only programmable processors, but also dedicated circuits such as field- programmable gate arrays (FPGA), application specific circuits (ASIC), signal processors, etc. Features described in the preceding description may be used in combinations other than the combinations explicitly described.

Claims

23

Claims

1 . A control system (100) for controlling audio-visual environment inside an elevator car, the control system (100) comprising: a memory (110) arranged to store predetermined audio-visual settings (111 ) pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings (111 ) comprise respective default settings (111 a) for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli; a controller (120), communicatively coupled to the memory (110), for controlling generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, the controller (120) arranged to: receive a tone-down request (131 ) that includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings (111 a) with corresponding toned-down settings (111 b), and control generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings (11 1a) or toned-down settings (111 b) in dependence of said tone-down request (131 ).

2. A control system (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the audio-visual settings (111 ) further comprise the toned-down settings (111 b) corresponding to the default settings (111 a) for at least one of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli.

3. A control system (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the tone-down request further includes the toned-down settings (1 11 b) corresponding to the default settings (111 a) for at least one of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tone-down request includes a request to replace the default settings (111 a) with the corresponding toned-down settings (111 b) for each of said one or more audio-visual stimuli for which toned-down settings (111 b) are available. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the tone-down request includes a respective request to replace the respective default settings (111 a) with the corresponding toned-down settings (111 b) for at least one of said one or more audio-visual stimuli. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein, for each of said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli, default settings (111 a) for the respective aspect of audio-visual stimuli define at least one default characteristic for the respective aspect of the audio-visual stimuli, and toned-down settings (111 b) for the respective aspect of audio visual stimuli define corresponding at least one more toned-down characteristic for the respective aspect of the audio-visual stimuli that is reduced in comparison to said at least one default characteristic. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli comprise one or more of the following: light output provided inside the elevator car sound output generated inside the elevator car, images displayed inside the elevator car. A control system (100) according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the toned-down settings (111 b) for the respective aspect of audio-visual stimuli define disabling generation of the respective aspect of audio visual stimuli inside the elevator car. A control system (100) according to claim 7, wherein said at least one default characteristic for the light output and the corresponding at least one toned-down characteristic for the light output comprise one or more of the following: a default light intensity and a toned-down light intensity that is lower than the default light intensity, a default color of light and a toned-down color of light that is closer to a predefined reference color than the default color of light, a default color temperature of light and a toned-down color temperature of light that is closer to a predefined reference color temperature than the default color temperature, a default profile for variation of light intensity over time and a toned-down profile for variation of light intensity over time that defines reduced variation of light intensity in comparison to the default profile, a default profile for variation of light color over time and a toned-down profile for variation of light color over time that defines reduced variation of light color and/or reduced frequency of light color variation in comparison to the default profile. A control system (100) according to claim 7 or 9, wherein said at least one default characteristic for the sound output and the corresponding at least one toned-down characteristic for the sound output comprise one or more of the following: a default sound volume and the toned-down sound volume that is lower than the default sound volume, 26 a default spectral shaping and a toned-down spectral shaping that involves de-emphasis of sounds at one or more predefined frequency sub-ranges in comparison to the default spectral shaping, a default dynamic range and a toned-down dynamic range that is reduced in comparison to the default dynamic range, a default sound profile for the sound output that enables a set of one or more sound items to be played back inside the elevator car and a toned- down sound profile that defines disabling playback of at least one of said one or more sound items, a default noise cancellation profile that disables application of a noise cancellation functionality in the elevator car and a toned-down noise cancellation profile that enables application of the noise cancellation functionality in the elevator car for cancelling the noise originating from the elevator shaft. A control system (100) according to any of claims 7, 9 or 10, wherein said at least one default characteristic for the displayed images and the corresponding at least one toned-down characteristic for the displayed images comprise one or more of the following: a default brightness and a toned-down brightness that is lower than the default brightness, a default contrast and a toned-down contrast that is lower than the default contrast, a default dynamic range and a toned-down dynamic range that is reduced in comparison to the default dynamic range a default color palette and a toned-down color palette that defines application of reduced number of different colors in comparison to the default color palette, 27 a default display profile and a toned-down display profile that allows a lower frequency for changes from one image content to another in comparison to the default display profile.

12. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11 , further comprising a user interface device (130) that is communicatively coupled to the controller (120), wherein the user interface device (130) comprises a user interface, Ul, arranged to enable application of at least part of the toned-down settings (111 b) via user selection, and wherein the user interface device (130) is arranged to generate the tone-down request (131 ) in accordance with the user selection received via the Ul.

13. A control system (100) according to claim 12, wherein the Ul enables selecting one or more of the following: application of the respective toned-down settings (111 b) for all those aspects of audio-visual stimuli for which respective toned-down settings (111 b) are available, application of the respective toned-down settings (111 b) for a selected aspect of audio-visual stimuli.

14. A control system (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the Ul comprises one or more user-operable Ul elements for selecting application of at least part of the toned-down settings (111 b), and wherein the user interface device (130) is arranged to: compose, in response to receiving one or more user selections via the Ul, the tone-down request (131 ) such that the at least one request therein corresponds to the one or more user selections received via the Ul; and transmit the composed tone-down request (131 ) to the controller (120). 28 A control system (100) according to any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the user interface device (130) comprises one of the following: a control panel arranged inside the elevator car, a control panel arranged in a landing that enables entry to the elevator car, a portable user device. A control system (100) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the III comprises one or more cameras for capturing images of gestures made by a user and wherein the user interface device (130) is arranged to: recognize, via analysis of captured images, one or more gestures made by the user; compare a recognized gesture to one or more predefined gestures that are each associated with a respective application of at least part of the toned-down settings (111 b); compose, in response to the recognized gesture matching one of the one or more predefined gestures, the tone-down request (131 ) such that the at least one request therein corresponds to said at least part of the toned- down settings (111 b) associated with the respective one of the one or more predefined gestures; and transmit the composed tone-down request (131 ) to the controller (120). A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the user interface device (130) comprises a portable user device provided with a quick response, QR, code reader for reading at least one of one or more QR codes arranged in a landing that enables entry to the elevator car, where each QR code is associated with a respective selection of toned-down parameters 111 b, and wherein the user interface device (130) is arranged to: 29 compose, in response to reading at least one of said one or more QR codes, the tone-down request (131 ) such that the at least one request therein corresponds to the QR codes read using said QR reader; and transmit the composed tone-down request (131 ) to the controller (120).

18. A control system (100) according to claim 17, wherein said one or more QR codes include respective QR codes for selecting one or more of the following: application of the respective toned-down settings (111 b) for all those aspects of audio-visual stimuli for which respective toned-down settings (111 b) are available, application of the respective toned-down settings (111 b) for a selected aspect of audio-visual stimuli.

19. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 11 , wherein the user interface device (130) comprises a portable user device serving as a personal access device for accessing the elevator car and wherein the controller (120) is arranged to receive, in response to a user entering the elevator car, from an access server, the tone-down request (131 ) including said at least one request defined in accordance with predefined user selections with respect to application of at least part of the toned- down settings (111 b) included in a preconfigured user profile stored in the access server for said user.

20. A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 19 comprising a controller apparatus arranged to implement the controller (120) and the memory (110). 30 A control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 20, wherein the control system (100) comprises or is communicatively coupled to one or more of the following elements arranged to operate under control of the controller (120): a lighting control subsystem (140) for controlling light output from a lighting system (141 ) arranged for illumination of interior of the elevator car, an audio control subsystem (150) for controlling sound output via a sound reproduction system (151 ) arranged in the elevator car, a display control subsystem (160) for controlling displaying of images via a display system (161 ) arranged in the elevator car. An elevator car comprising the control system (100) according to any of claims 1 to 21 and one or more of the following elements arranged to operate under control of the controller (120): a lighting system (141 ) comprising one or more light fixtures and/or light sources arranged for illuminating the interior of the elevator car, a sound reproduction system (151 ) comprising one or more loudspeakers arranged to emit sound inside the elevator car, a display system (161 ) comprising one or more display devices arranged inside the elevator car. A method (200) for controlling audio-visual environment inside an elevator car, the method (200) comprising: obtaining (202) predetermined audio-visual settings (111 ) pertaining to generation of audio-visual stimuli inside the elevator car, wherein in the audio-visual settings (111 ) comprise respective default settings (111 a) for one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli and corresponding toned- 31 down settings (111 b) for at least one of said one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli; receiving (204) a tone-down request that includes at least one request to temporarily replace at least part of the default settings (111 a) with corresponding toned-down settings (111 b); and controlling (206) generation of the one or more aspects of audio-visual stimuli in accordance with the respective default settings (111 a) or toned- down settings (111 b) in dependence of said tone-down request (131 ). A computer program comprising computer readable program code configured to cause performing of the method according to claim 23 when said program code is run on one or more computing apparatuses.