Voice activated elevator passenger interface configuration device
An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator passenger interface configuration device includes a configuration input that allows an authorized individual to input an indication of a desired functionality of at least one selected elevator passenger interface that is configured to receive audible passenger input. A processor determines at least one operation executable by the elevator passenger interface to provide the desired functionality based on the indication of the desired functionality. Memory associated with the processor at least temporarily stores information regarding the operation. A configuration output is configured to communicate information regarding the operation from the memory to the elevator passenger interface.
1 . An elevator passenger interface configuration device, comprising:
a configuration input that allows an authorized individual to input an indication of a desired functionality of at least one selected elevator passenger interface that is configured to receive audible passenger input;
a processor that determines at least one operation executable by the at least one selected elevator passenger interface to provide the desired functionality based on the indication of the desired functionality;
a memory associated with the processor, the memory at least temporarily storing information regarding the at least one operation;
a configuration output that is configured to communicate the information regarding the at least one operation from the memory to the at least one selected elevator passenger interface;
the configuration input allows a first type of authorized individual to input a first set of possible indications of desired functionality; and
the configuration input allows a second type of authorized individual, different from the first type of authorized individual, to input a second set of possible indications of desired functionality that are different from the first set of possible indications of desired functionality.
2 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein
the desired functionality comprises an ability to receive a passenger request spoken in at least one selected language,
the desired functionality comprises an ability to provide a response in the at least one selected language, and
the response is at least one of audible or visible.
3 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein
the desired functionality comprises an ability to receive a passenger request for elevator service to any of a predetermined plurality of destinations,
the desired functionality comprises an ability to provide a response to a received passenger request for elevator service to a selected destination, and
the response includes information regarding the selected destination.
4 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the indication of the desired functionality comprises at least one custom operation corresponding to a characteristic of an environment that includes the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
5 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein:
the first set of possible indications are for at least commissioning, installing or updating the at least one selected elevator passenger interface;
the second set of possible indications are for customizing the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
6 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the first type of authorized individual is an elevator system specialist or an elevator technician and the second type of individual is a building owner or building manager.
7 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the second set of possible indications includes indications of at least one of a scheduled announcement, an advertisement, a building directory, and a custom voice command that a passenger can provide to the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
8 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the configuration output is configured to communicate with the at least one selected elevator passenger interface from a location that is remote from the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
9 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , comprising a housing and wherein the configuration input, the processor, the memory and the configuration output are all supported by the housing.
10 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 9 , wherein the housing is configured to be carried by an individual and the configuration output is configured to communicate with the at least one selected elevator passenger interface using a short range wireless communication protocol.
11 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the configuration output includes a hardware connection that is configured to establish a physical connection with an input port of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
12 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the desired functionality includes integrating at least one aspect of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface with at least one other building system at a location of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
13 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the configuration input is voice-activated.
14 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the processor determines the at least one operation by interpreting the indication of the desired functionality or compiling the indication of the desired functionality.
15 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein:
the elevator passenger interface configuration device comprises the configuration input, the processor, the memory, and the configuration output that communicates the information regarding the at least one operation to the at least one selected elevator passenger interface via a communication connection;
the at least one selected elevator passenger interface is associated with requests for elevator service and comprises a passenger input, a passenger output, and a passenger display; and
any input to the configuration input is via an individual that is authorized to configure the functionality of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
16 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 15 , wherein the elevator passenger interface configuration device is separate from the at least one selected elevator passenger interface and is separate from an elevator car that responds to requests for elevator service made by a passenger to the passenger input.
17 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 1 , wherein the configuration input allows a third type of authorized individual, different from the first type of authorized individual and the second type of authorized individual, to input a third set of possible indications of desired functionality that are different from the first set of possible indications of desired functionality and the second set of possible indications of desired functionality.
18 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 17 , wherein the first type of authorized individual is an elevator system deployment specialist, the second type of individual is a building owner or building manager, and the third type of individual is a mechanic or technician.
19 . The elevator passenger interface configuration device of claim 18 , wherein:
the first set of possible indications of desired functionality is a first number of possible passenger interface functionalities that allows the elevator system deployment specialist to configure an overall operation of passenger interfaces;
the second set of possible indications of desired functionality is a second number of possible passenger interface functionalities that is less than the first number of possible passenger interface functionalities to allow the building owner or the building manager to adjust customization features and/or functionalities; and
the third set of possible indications of desired functionality is a third number of possible passenger interface functionalities that is less than the first number of possible passenger interface functionalities and greater than the second number of possible passenger interface functionalities to allow the mechanic or the technician to configure at least one of an installation, maintenance, updating, or repair procedure.
20 . A method of using a configuration device for configuring an elevator passenger interface, the method comprising:
receiving, at a configuration input of the configuration device, an indication of a desired functionality of at least one selected elevator passenger interface that is configured to receive audible passenger input;
determining, by a processor of the configuration device, at least one operation executable by the at least one selected elevator passenger interface to provide the desired functionality based on the indication of the desired functionality;
at least temporarily storing information regarding the at least one operation in a memory of the configuration device;
communicate the information regarding the at least one operation from the memory to the at least one selected elevator passenger interface;
the configuration input allowing a first type of authorized individual to input a first set of possible indications of desired functionality; and
the configuration input allowing a second type of authorized individual, different from the first type of authorized individual, to input a second set of possible indications of desired functionality that are different than the first set of possible indications of desired functionality.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein
the desired functionality comprises an ability to receive a passenger request spoken in at least one selected language,
the desired functionality comprises an ability to provide a response in the at least one selected language, and
the response is at least one of audible or visible.
22 . The method of claim 20 , wherein
the desired functionality comprises an ability to receive a passenger request for elevator service to any of a predetermined plurality of destinations,
the desired functionality comprises an ability to provide a response to a received passenger request for elevator service to a selected destination, and
the response includes information regarding the selected destination.
23 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the indication of the desired functionality comprises at least one custom operation corresponding to a characteristic of an environment that includes the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
24 . The method of claim 20 , wherein the desired functionality includes integrating at least one aspect of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface with at least one other building system at a location of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
25 . The method of claim 20 , comprising communicating with the at least one selected elevator passenger interface
from a location that is remote from the at least one selected elevator passenger interface or using a short range wireless communication protocol.
26 . The method of claim 20 , including:
providing the configuration device to comprise the configuration input, the processor, the memory, and an output;
communicating, via the output, the information regarding the at least one operation to the at least one selected elevator passenger interface via a communication connection;
associating the at least one selected elevator passenger interface with requests for elevator service, wherein the at least one selected elevator passenger interface comprises a passenger input, a passenger output, and a passenger display; and
having any input to the configuration input be via an individual that is authorized to configure functionality of the at least one selected elevator passenger interface.
27 . The method of claim 26 , including having the configuration device be separate from the at least one selected elevator passenger interface and be separate from an elevator car that responds to requests for elevator service made by a passenger to the passenger input.
28 . The method of claim 20 , including the configuration input allowing a third type of authorized individual, different from the first type of authorized individual and the second type of authorized individual, to input a third set of possible indications of desired functionality that are different from the first set of possible indications of desired functionality and the second set of possible indications of desired functionality.
29 . The method of claim 28 , wherein the first type of authorized individual is an elevator system deployment specialist, the second type of individual is a building owner or building manager, and the third type of individual is a mechanic or technician.
30 . The method of claim 29 , including:
providing the first set of possible indications of desired functionality as a first number of possible passenger interface functionalities that allows the elevator system deployment specialist to configure an overall operation of passenger interfaces;
providing the second set of possible indications of desired functionality as a second number of possible passenger interface functionalities that is less than the first number of possible passenger interface functionalities to allow the building owner or the building manager to adjust customization features and/or functionalities; and
providing the third set of possible indications of desired functionality as a third number of possible passenger interface functionalities that is less than the first number of possible passenger interface functionalities and more than the second number of possible passenger interface functionalities to allow the mechanic or the technician to configure at least one of an installation, maintenance, updating, or repair procedure.