Abstract:
Embodiments are directed to providing, by a watch, an indication of a plurality of functions associated with an elevator system, receiving, by the watch, a selection of at least one of the functions, and communicating, by the watch, the selection of the at least one of the functions over a communication channel.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Existing conveyance devices, such as elevators, are equipped with hardware to facilitate use and control. The hardware used represents an expense to a provider of the conveyance device or to an owner of a building where the conveyance device is located. 
         [0002]    A user may request elevator service by depressing buttons on a hall call device located in proximity to an elevator hoist-way or entering a service request on a fixture, such as a kiosk located in a lobby of a building. Alternatively, applications associated with a smartphone may be used to request elevator service. The applications may be built on TCP/IP or other data protocols. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0003]    An embodiment is directed to a method comprising: providing, by a watch, an indication of a plurality of functions associated with an elevator system, receiving, by the watch, a selection of at least one of the functions, and communicating, by the watch, the selection of the at least one of the functions over a communication channel. 
         [0004]    An embodiment is directed to a watch comprising: at least one processor, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the watch to: provide an indication of a plurality of functions associated with an elevator system, receive a user selection of at least one of the functions, and communicate the selection of the at least one of the functions over a communication channel coupled to the watch. 
         [0005]    An embodiment is directed to a controller of a conveyance system, comprising: at least one processor, and memory having instructions stored thereon that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the controller to: receive a user selection provided at a watch coupled to the controller of at least one function of a plurality of functions associated with the conveyance system, and engage in an action corresponding to the selection of the at least one function. 
         [0006]    Additional embodiments are described below. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]    The present disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not limited in the accompanying figures in which like reference numerals indicate similar elements. 
           [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram illustrating an exemplary computing system; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2  illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a system architecture using one or more communication techniques; and 
           [0011]      FIG. 4  illustrates a flow chart of an exemplary method. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0012]    It is noted that various connections are set forth between elements in the following description and in the drawings (the contents of which are included in this disclosure by way of reference). It is noted that these connections in general and, unless specified otherwise, may be direct or indirect and that this specification is not intended to be limiting in this respect. In this respect, a coupling between entities may refer to either a direct or an indirect connection. 
         [0013]    Exemplary embodiments of apparatuses, systems, and methods are described for enabling a watch to request conveyance device service and control one or more parameters associated with the operation of the conveyance device. In some embodiments, the watch may communicate with a smart device that may be in possession of a user. The smart device may, in turn, communicate with a server or (a controller of) the conveyance device. In some embodiments, the watch may communicate with the conveyance device. 
         [0014]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , an exemplary computing system  100  is shown. The system  100  is shown as including a memory  102 . The memory  102  may store executable instructions. The executable instructions may be stored or organized in any manner and at any level of abstraction, such as in connection with one or more applications, processes, routines, procedures, methods, functions, etc. As an example, at least a portion of the instructions are shown in  FIG. 1  as being associated with a first program  104   a  and a second program  104   b.    
         [0015]    The instructions stored in the memory  102  may be executed by one or more processors, such as a processor  106 . The processor  106  may be coupled to one or more input/output (I/O) devices  108 . In some embodiments, the I/O device(s)  108  may include one or more of a keyboard or keypad, a touchscreen or touch panel, a display screen, a microphone, a speaker, a mouse, a button, a remote control, a joystick, a printer, a telephone or mobile device (e.g., a smartphone), a sensor, etc. The I/O device(s)  108  may be configured to provide an interface to allow a user to interact with the system  100 . 
         [0016]    The memory  102  may store data  110 . The data  110  may include data provided by one or more sensors, such as a two-dimensional (2D) or three-dimensional (3D) sensor. The data  110  may be processed by the processor  106  to control one or more parameters associated with a conveyance device. 
         [0017]    The system  100  is illustrative. In some embodiments, one or more of the entities may be optional. In some embodiments, additional entities not shown may be included. For example, in some embodiments the system  100  may be associated with one or more networks. In some embodiments, the entities may be arranged or organized in a manner different from what is shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0018]    Turning now to  FIG. 2 , an exemplary system block diagram  200  in accordance with one or more embodiments is shown. The system  200  may include a watch  206 , such as a wrist-watch or other jewelry that a person might ordinarily wear. The watch  206  may be a smart watch. 
         [0019]    The watch  206  may be linked (e.g., wirelessly linked) to a device  212 . The device  212  may include one or more of a tablet, a phone, a laptop, a personal computer (PC), etc. The device  212  may be a smart device. 
         [0020]    The device  212  may communicate via a communication path  218  to one or more systems. For example, the device  212  may communicate with an elevator system  224  and a secondary system  230  (or one or more controllers associated with the systems  224  and  230 ). The secondary system  230  may include a building system or other non-elevator system. 
         [0021]    The watch  206  may include one or more components or devices to facilitate the use or control of the elevator system  224  by a user associated with the watch  206  or the device  212 . The components and devices are described below. 
         [0022]    The watch  206  may include a display  206 - a  that may be used to provide a user with visual indicators or instructions. 
         [0023]    The watch  206  may include audio equipment  206 - b , such as a microphone or speakers, that may enable a user to generate commands and receive feedback in an auditory manner. 
         [0024]    The watch  206  may include a camera  206 - c , that may be used to take pictures or video of an environment, such as an area in proximity to the elevator system  224 . In some embodiments, the camera  206 - c  may be used to take a picture of a bar code in a manner similar to a bar code scanner. 
         [0025]    The watch  206  may include an accelerometer or gyroscope  206 - d  that may be used for purposes of, e.g., determining a position of the watch  206 . 
         [0026]    The watch  206  may include one or more sensors  206 - e  that may be used to determine and identify gestures that may be engaged in by a user associated with the watch  206 . 
         [0027]    The watch  206  may include a compass  206 - f  that may be used to provide a user of the watch  206  with a sense of direction as in connection with a conventional compass. 
         [0028]    The watch  206  (and associated devices  206 - a  through  206 - f ) may be configured to provide any number of functions, denoted generally as  248  in  FIG. 2 , with respect to the system  200  or the elevator system  224 . The functions  248  are described in further detail below. 
         [0029]    A user may use the watch  206  to request elevator service (Request Svc). The service may be requested using one or more touch screens or buttons, audio capabilities, etc. 
         [0030]    The watch  206  may be used to enter a destination (e.g., a destination floor) and obtain an assignment of an elevator or elevator car, potentially in a visual and/or auditory fashion. 
         [0031]    Analytics may be provided, for example, in connection with facial, finger, or code recognition using the camera  206 - c.    
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the watch  206  may be used to direct the user to and from an elevator or elevator car, potentially based on the accelerometer/gyro  206 - d  and the compass  206 - f  in combination with a building positioning system (BPS). In this manner, the functionality provided by the watch  206  may be similar to the use of a global positioning system (GPS). The BPS may monitor different users in a building to optimize dispatching operations. 
         [0033]    Elevator car speed, position, or an estimated time of arrival for an elevator car arriving at a floor or landing of origin or destination may be provided by the watch  206 , e.g., using display  206 - a  or audio equipment  206 - b.    
         [0034]    Gesture-based interaction may be provided by the sensor(s)  206 - e . For example, a user may wave her hand up and the elevator system  224  may recognize such a gesture as an up hall call. Similarly, the user may wave her hand down and the elevator system  224  may recognize this latter gesture as a down hall call. Gestures may be used to control the elevator doors. 
         [0035]    In some embodiments, the watch  206  may be used to identify a user. Such a feature/function may be useful where access to a resource (e.g., a floor or landing) is restricted to authorized persons. In some embodiments, controls associated with the elevator system  224  may be based on an identity of a user. 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, the watch  206  may be used to modify an elevator ride experience. For example, a user may control music playing in the elevator system  224 , lighting within the elevator system  224 , on-screen content available in the elevator system  224 , etc. Access rights to control such features may be based on an identity of a user of the watch  206 . 
         [0037]    Turning now to  FIG. 3 , a system  300  in accordance with one or more embodiments is shown. The system  300  is shown as including a watch  306  (which may correspond to the watch  206 ), a device  312  (which may correspond to the device  212 ), a server  318  (which may include a cloud server), and an elevator  324  (which may be a part of the elevator system  224 ). The system  300  is shown in four exemplary configurations, labeled #1-4 in  FIG. 3 . These configurations #1-4 are described in further detail below. 
         [0038]    In the first configuration #1, the watch  306  may communicate with the device using a first communication technique (CT1). The device  312  may communicate with the server  318  using a second communication technique (CT2). The server  318  may communicate with the elevator  324  using a third communication technique (CT3). 
         [0039]    In the second configuration #2, the watch  306  may communicate with the device  312  using the first communication technique CT1. The device  312  may communicate with the elevator  324  using the second communication technique CT2. 
         [0040]    In the third configuration #3, the watch  306  may communicate with the elevator  324  using the first communication technique CT1. 
         [0041]    In the fourth configuration #4, the watch may communicate with the elevator  324  using a fourth communication technique (CT4). 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, each of communication techniques CT1-CT4 may correspond to one or more of: Bluetooth communications, WIFI/Cell communications, Internet communications, and near field communications (NFC). Other standards, protocols, or techniques may be used. In the context of NFC communications, the watch  306  may talk directly to, e.g., the elevator  324  when in close range of or proximate to the elevator  324 , which may be analogous to a user swiping an access card over a reader in RFID communications. 
         [0043]    Turning now to  FIG. 4 , a method  400  is shown. The method  400  may be executed in connection with one or more systems, components, or devices, such as those described herein. The method  400  may be used to control the operation and functionality of an elevator from a user device, e.g., a watch. 
         [0044]    In block  402 , the watch may communicate with another entity or device, potentially over a communication channel. For example, the another entity or device may include a smart device (e.g., a phone), a server, an elevator or controller of the elevator, etc. The communication may be initiated by the watch or by the another device. The communication may be based on a user input. The communication may be based on the watch being within a threshold distance of the another device. The communication over the communication channel may occur using one or more communication techniques. The communication may be used to provide data or information of any kind or type. 
         [0045]    In block  404 , one or more functions associated with the elevator may be provided. For example, the watch may be configured to present a user with all of the functions associated with the elevator, or a subset of the functions that the user has access rights to. 
         [0046]    In block  406 , the watch may receive a selection of one or more of the functions of block  404 . The selection may be communicated over the communication channel of block  402 . 
         [0047]    In block  408 , one or more actions may be engaged based on the selection of block  406 . For example, if the selection of block  406  includes a user request for elevator service based on an upward hand/watch gesture, an elevator car call may be placed for an elevator car to arrive at the floor that the user is currently located at to take the user in an upward direction (e.g., a high-numbered floor than the floor number the user is currently located at), and the user may be provided an indication via the watch as to an estimate as to when the elevator car is expected to arrive at the user&#39;s current floor. Similarly, the user may be requested to take a picture of herself using a camera integrated in the watch if access to one or more floors is restricted to authorized persons. Any number of actions may be taken in block  408 , potentially based on the selection functionality of block  406 . 
         [0048]    The method  400  is illustrative. In some embodiments, one or more blocks or operations (or a portion thereof) may be optional. In some embodiments, the blocks may execute in an order or sequence different from what is shown in  FIG. 4 . In some embodiments, additional blocks not shown may be included. 
         [0049]    Embodiments of the disclosure may provide user convenience, as the user might not need to take a phone out of her pocket or handbag to request service or engage functionality. Elevator calls may be placed in advance of when a user gets to a building or elevator. Aspects of the disclosure may be sued to provide on-trend integration into next generation ubiquitous devices. In some embodiments, a user may access elevator functionality in an anonymous fashion. If a user elects to register with an elevator system, additional services or features may be provided (e.g., VIP, elevator car preferences, etc.). Aspects of the disclosure may enhance features and capabilities for those with disabilities. For example, a watch may have voice capabilities, haptic feedback, etc. 
         [0050]    A building owner or provider of elevator infrastructure may leverage one or more aspects of the disclosure to more efficiently provide elevator service and to control one or more elevators. For example, in accordance with one or more aspects of the disclosure, users may invest in hardware in lieu of a similar investment that might otherwise be made by the building owner or provider of the elevator infrastructure. The users might ordinarily invest in the hardware anyway, and thus, the hardware might not represent an additional or incremental cost. 
         [0051]    While some of the examples described herein related to elevators, aspects of this disclosure may be applied in connection with other types of conveyance devices, such as a dumbwaiter, an escalator, a moving sidewalk, a wheelchair lift, etc. 
         [0052]    As described herein, in some embodiments various functions or acts may take place at a given location and/or in connection with the operation of one or more apparatuses, systems, or devices. For example, in some embodiments, a portion of a given function or act may be performed at a first device or location, and the remainder of the function or act may be performed at one or more additional devices or locations. 
         [0053]    Embodiments may be implemented using one or more technologies. In some embodiments, an apparatus or system may include one or more processors, and memory storing instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the apparatus or system to perform one or more methodological acts as described herein. Various mechanical components known to those of skill in the art may be used in some embodiments. 
         [0054]    Embodiments may be implemented as one or more apparatuses, systems, and/or methods. In some embodiments, instructions may be stored on one or more computer program products or computer-readable media, such as a transitory and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium. The instructions, when executed, may cause an entity (e.g., an apparatus or system) to perform one or more methodological acts as described herein. 
         [0055]    Aspects of the disclosure have been described in terms of illustrative embodiments thereof. Numerous other embodiments, modifications and variations within the scope and spirit of the appended claims will occur to persons of ordinary skill in the art from a review of this disclosure. For example, one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the steps described in conjunction with the illustrative figures may be performed in other than the recited order, and that one or more steps illustrated may be optional.