Abstract: A video content analysis (VCA) system generates an output regarding a detected condition that provides an indication of a confidence level regarding the detected condition. One example VCA system determines whether a first characteristic of a detected object in a field of vision of the video content analysis system satisfies a first criterion. If so, a first signal is generated under selected conditions. The VCA system also determines whether a second characteristic of the detected object satisfies a corresponding second criterion. If so, a second, different signal is generated if the first and second criteria are satisfied. The first and second signals indicate respective, different confidence levels that an event has occurred. A disclosed example includes a VCA as part of a security system.

Abstract: An electromagnetic door lock assembly (30) includes a first portion (32) supported relative to hoistway doors (22) and a second portion (34) supported for movement with an elevator car (24). The first and second portions cooperate so that electromagnetic interaction between them unlocks a set of hoistway doors (22) for access to the car (24), for example. In disclosed embodiments, a first portion (32) of the actuator has at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (36A, 36B) and at least one moveable portion (38). The second portion (34) that moves with the car (24) includes at least one stationary electromagnetic portion (44). Magnetic interaction between the first and second portions (32, 34) causes selected movement of the moveable portion (38) for selectively locking or unlocking the doors (22).

Abstract: A catalyst-carrier supporting material of a catalytic converter excellent in heat resistance and capable of maintaining a sufficient holding capability for supporting the catalyst-carrier for a long duration even in the environments exceeding 950° C.

Abstract: A positioning system having a plurality of transponder modules each located at a known location for receiving an electromagnetic signal and emitting a light signal, at least one transceiver module for emitting an electromagnetic signal and receiving the light signal, and apparatus processing the received light signal to determine a position of the at least one transceiver module.

Abstract: A method for detecting flame and smoke using spatial analysis of video input (40) provided by a video detector. The video input (40) consists of a number of individual frames, wherein analysis is performed on each individual frame to detect and outline regions that may contain smoke or flame (42). Based on the defined outline or boundary of each detected region, spatial features associated with the region are extracted (52), such as perimeter/area and surface area/volume. The extracted spatial features are related to one another (54) to determine the likelihood that the region contains smoke or flame. Extracted spatial features may be related to one another using a power law relationship that provides an indication of the turbulence associated with a bounded region, wherein turbulence is a characteristic of both flame and smoke.

Abstract: An exemplary electromagnetic coupling device includes an electromagnet and a vane member that is selectively magnetically coupled with the electromagnet. A non-magnetic slider layer is supported on one of the electromagnet or the vane member such that the slider layer is between the electromagnet and the vane member. The slider layer maintains a spacing between the electromagnet and the vane member. In a disclosed example, the electromagnetic coupling device is used for coupling an elevator car door to a hoistway door for moving the doors in unison between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A method for recognizing fire using block-wise processing of video input provided by a video detector. Video input is divided into a plurality of frames (42), and each frame is divided into a plurality of blocks (44). Video metrics are calculated with respect to each of the plurality of blocks (46), and blocks containing the presence of fire are identified based on the calculated video metrics (74). The detection of a fire is then communicated to an alarm system.

Abstract: An assembly (20) for controlling movement of an automatically moveable door panel (22) includes a sensor (30, 32, 34) positioned on at least one of a door panel (22) or a door frame member (24, 26). The sensitive portion provides an indication of when an object is in contact with or in very close proximity to a sensitive portion. A sensitive portion is established over an area of the door or door frame member at which an object may become caught during automated door movement. A disclosed example includes using an electromechanical film as a sensor so that the sensitive portion is responsive to pressure applied by the object on the sensitive portion. Another disclosed example includes a field effect sensor that generates an electric field that is at least partially interrupted when an object contacts or comes in very close proximity to the sensitive portion.

Abstract: An elevator door lock assembly (30) includes a sensor device (40) for providing an indication of a properly locked door. A plurality of proximity sensor elements (42, 44) interact with activating elements (52, 54) when the door lock assembly (30) is properly locked. In disclosed examples, a specific geometric pattern of the sensor elements (42, 44) and the activating elements (52, 54) provides redundancy and tampering protection. In a disclosed example, an output from the sensor device (40) provides an indication of a condition of the door lock and a building level location of a plurality of sensor devices.

Abstract: A method for improving a video-processing algorithm (36) identifies Video data (48) that may have been misinterpreted by the video-processing algorithm (36). The identified video data (48) is provided to a monitoring center (38) that uses the identified video data (48) to modify and improve upon the video-processing algorithm (36). An improved video-processing algorithm (49) is able to correctly analyze the identified video data (48).

Abstract: An electromagnetic coupling device includes a vane member and an electromagnet. The electromagnet includes a core having a plurality of poles comprising at least four poles. An electrically conductive winding has a first portion surrounding a first one of the poles and a second portion surrounding a second one of the poles. The winding is selectively energized for selectively magnetically coupling the electromagnet and the vane member such that the vane member and the electromagnet are movable together in a desired direction.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring a position of a moveable platform comprising a plurality of RFID tags encoded with location information situated at known locations and a plurality of visual markers situated at precise, known locations. An RF reader attached to a moveable platform reads the RFID tags to determine the approximate location of the platform. A camera apparatus attached to the moveable platform scans the visual marker. The scanned image is processed to provide the precise position information of the platform.

Abstract: A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.

Abstract: An elevator control system (18) provides elevator dispatch and door control based on passenger data received from a video processing device (12). The video processing device (12) includes a video processor (14) connected to receive video input from at least one video camera (10) and memory (16). The video processor (14) anonymously monitors passengers using color index analysis of each passenger. Based on the monitored position of each passenger, video process (14) calculates passenger data parameters such as location, direction, speed and estimated time of arrival at an elevator door, and provides one or more of the passenger data parameters to elevator control system (18). Based in part on the passenger data received, elevator controller (18) provides elevator dispatch, elevator door control, and security functions.

Abstract: A brake mechanism (10) for an elevator (2) is activated in response to an electronic control signal to prevent movement of an elevator car (16) under predetermined conditions. The brake mechanism is preferably a safety mechanism (10) and does not require a governor sheave, a governor rope, or a tension sheave. The safety mechanism in one disclosed example utilizes a solenoid actuator (22b) and an electric motor (40) and gear box assembly (42) to move safety wedges (18) into engagement with a guide rail (20) to stop the elevator car (16). The safety wedges (18) are held in a non-deployed position during normal elevator operation. If there is a power loss or if elevator car speed exceeds a predetermined threshold, an electronic control signal activates the safety mechanism (10) causing the solenoid to release, which causes the safety wedges (18) move in a direction opposite to that of a safety housing (12) mounted for movement with the elevator car (16).

Abstract: A positioning system for a moveable platform comprising at least one active array comprised of at least one light emitting element for transmitting a binary encoded identification, where the encoding may be spatial or temporal, positioned at a known location, at least one camera for acquiring an image of the at least one active array, component for receiving the binary encoded identification from the image, component for processing the image to determine the position of the active array with respect to the moveable platform, and component for combining the received binary encoded identification and the determined position to calculate a position of the moveable platform.

Abstract: A position reference system for use with a conveyance, such as an elevator (12). The system includes a code affixed to or embedded within a suspension device or primary motion coupling such as a rope or coated steel belt (16). A reader (28) in a fixed location determines the position of the conveyance.

Abstract: The present invention describes a system and method for surveillance cameras that maintain proper mapping of a mapped region of interest with an imaged region of interest based on feedback received regarding the current orientation of a surveillance camera. The system or method first determines the location of the imaged region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view based on mechanical or imaged feedback, or a combination of both. The system or method then remaps the mapped region of interest within the surveillance camera's imaged current field of view such that the mapped region of interest is coextensive with the imaged region of interest.

Abstract: An elevator control system (24) provides elevator dispatch and door control based on passenger data received from a video monitoring system. The video monitoring system includes a video processor (16) connected to receive video input from ut least one video camera (12). The video processor (16) tracks objects located within the field of view of the video camera, and calculates passenger data parameters associated with each tracked object. The elevator controller (24) provides elevator dispatch (26), door control (28), and security functions (30) based in part on passenger data provided by the video processor (16). The security functions may also be based in part on data from access control systems (14).

Abstract: A positioning system for an elevator cab (37) includes transponder modules (10) having a unique ID for receiving a signal (39) and emitting an ultrasonic signal when the signal is equivalent to the unique ID with a determination of position based on the time duration of the signals.