Method and system for the presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations

• US 7,000,735 B2
• Filed: 02/27/2003
• Issued: 02/21/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 03/01/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Original Assignee: Inventio AG (Schindler Holding AG)
• Inventors: Meyer, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): SALATA, ANTHONY J
• Application Number:
  US10/375,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20030164268A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,090 Days
• Field of Search: 187/247, 187/248, 187/391, 187/392, 187/393, 187/396, 705/10, 705/14, 455/414, 455/426, 455/566, 704/275, 704/246, 704/251, 235/375, 456414-415
• US Class Current: 187/391
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 3/008 Displaying information not related to the elevator, e.g. weather, publicity, internet or TV
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/02 Marketing; Price estimation or determination; Fundraising

Abstract

A system presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one user profile with multimedia contents is provided for an associated elevator user. When the user is identified in proximity to the elevator system, the multimedia contents carried in his user profile are presented to him. The multimedia contents are made available to the elevator installation through a protective wall.

Claims

1. A method for the presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations to identified users comprising the steps of:

a. providing for a user of an elevator installation a user profile including multimedia contents preferences selected by the user;

b. storing multimedia contents in a contents database separated from the elevator installation by a protective wall, the stored multimedia contents including selected multimedia contents associated with the multimedia contents preferences of the user;

c. identifying the user when the user is within a predetermined proximity to the elevator installation;

d. transmitting from the elevator installation a request for the selected multimedia contents based on the user profile with the multimedia contents preferences through the protective wall to the contents database; and

e. transmitting the selected multimedia contents from the contents database through the protective wall to the elevator installation and presenting the selected multimedia contents to the user at an output device.

2. The method according to claim 1 including a step of obtaining the multimedia contents from at least one provider.

3. The method according to claim 1 including a step of providing the output device adjacent a hallway door to the elevator installation.

4. The method according to claim 1 including a step of providing the output device in an elevator car of the elevator installation.

5. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step e, is performed by presenting the selected multimedia contents in a predetermined sequence.

6. The method according to claim 5 wherein when the presentation sequence is not completed before the user leaves the predetermined proximity to the elevator installation, a current stage in the presentation sequence is noted and the next time said steps c, and d, are performed said step e, is performed by presenting the selected multimedia contents beginning at the noted current stage in the predetermined sequence.

7. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step a, is performed by the user selecting the multimedia contents preferences as at least one of information preferences, music preferences, scent preferences and light preferences.

8. The method according to claim 1 wherein said step a, is performed by the user entering the selected multimedia contents preferences at the output device.

9. The method according to claim 8 wherein said step a, is performed by the user confirming the user entered selected multimedia contents preferences at the output device.

10. A method forte presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations to identified users comprising the steps of:

a. providing for a user of an elevator installation a user profile including multimedia contents preferences selected by the user;

b. storing multimedia contents in a contents database separated from the elevator installation by a protective wall, the stored multimedia contents including selected multimedia contents associated with the multimedia contents preferences of the user;

c. identifying the user when the user is within a predetermined proximity to the elevator installation;

d. transmitting a request for the selected multimedia contents based on the user and the user profile with the multimedia contents preferences from the elevator installation through the protective wall to the contents database;

e. transmitting the selected multimedia contents from the contents database to the elevator installation through the protective wall and presenting the selected multimedia contents to the user at a first output device adjacent a hallway door to the elevator installation when the user is proximate the first output device; and

presenting the selected multimedia contents to the user at a second output device in an elevator car of the elevator installation when the user is in the elevator car.

11. The method according to claim 10 wherein said step a, is performed by the user selecting the multimedia contents preferences as at least one of information preferences, music preferences, scent preferences and light preferences.

12. The method according to claim 10 wherein said step a, is performed by the user entering the selected multimedia contents preferences at at least one of the first and second output devices.

13. The method according to claim 12 wherein said step a, is performed by the user confirming the user entered selected multimedia contents preferences at the at least one of the output devices.

14. The method according to claim 10 wherein said step e, is performed by presenting the selected multimedia contents in a predetermined sequence.

15. The method according to claim 14 wherein when the presentation sequence is not completed before the user leaves the predetermined proximity to the elevator installation, a current stage in the presentation sequence is noted and the next time said steps c, and d, are performed said step e, is performed by presenting the selected multimedia contents beginning at the noted current stage in the predetermined sequence.

16. A system for the presentation of multimedia contents in elevator installations to identified users comprising:

recognition means for recognizing an identification code of a user of an elevator installation;

examination means connected to said recognition means for identifying the recognized identification code;

an identification database for storing a user profile with multimedia contents preferences selected by the user and being connected to said examination means;

a contents database storing multimedia contents including selected multimedia contents associated with the multimedia contents preferences and being connected to said examination means and said identification database;

a protective wall connected between said contents database and said examination means and between said contents database and said identification database; and

a plurality of output devices positioned at floors and in a car of the elevator installation and connected to said examination means for presenting to the user on a one of said output devices in proximity to the user said selected multimedia contents when the recognized identification code is identified by said examination means.

17. The system according to claim 16 wherein at least one of said output devices includes means for the user to enter said multimedia contents preferences into said identification database.

18. The system according to claim 17 wherein said at least one output device includes means for the user to confirm entry of said multimedia contents preferences into said identification database.