Abstract: A system for automatically determining video quality receives video input from one or more surveillance cameras (16a, 16b . . . 16N), and based on the received input calculates a number of video quality metrics (40). The video quality metrics are fused together (42), and provided to decision logic (44), which determines, based on the fused video quality metrics, the video quality provided by the one or more surveillance cameras (16a, 16b . . . 16N). The determination is provided to a monitoring station (24).

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: 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: An elevator door lock includes a locking member (40) that moves into an unlocked position responsive to contact with at least one door coupler member (32, 34). In disclosed examples, the locking member (40) comprises an arm that is pivotally supported by one of the door coupler members (34). The other coupler member (32) contacts a contact portion (42) on the locking member (40) to move the locking member into an unlocked position as the first coupler member (32) moves toward the second coupler member (34). In a disclosed example, a magnetic coupling between the coupler members maintains the locking member (40) in an unlocked position.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes elevator car doors (30) that are moved by a door mover (34) between fully open and fully closed positions. An encoder (38, 38?) provides an absolute indication of a current door position. The encoder (38, 38?) also provides a fully closed door position indication that can be used by a machine controller (40) for controlling when an elevator car (22) is allowed to move within a hoistway. Using an encoder that provides an absolute door position indication allows for eliminating a separate gate switch that otherwise has been used for providing a fully closed door position indication.

Abstract: An alarm filter (22) for use in a security system (14) to reduce the occurrence of nuisance alarms receives sensor signals (S1-Sn, Sv) from a plurality of sensors (18, 20) included in the security system (14). The alarm filter (22) produces an opinion output as a function of the sensor signals and selectively modifies the sensor signals as a function of the opinion output to produce verified sensor signals (S1?-Sn?).

Abstract: A strategy for minimizing or avoiding the so-called stack effect within buildings (20) includes controlling the temperature within a vertically extending shaft (40) such as an elevator hoistway or stairwell. Controlling the air pressure at each of a plurality of levels (A, B, C, D) within the useable or occupied space of a building (20) allows for controlling a pressure differential between the useable or occupied space and an interior of the shaft (40). Maintaining appropriate pressure differential levels allows for minimizing or avoiding the stack effect that otherwise results in undesirably large drafts between the building interior and the outside, surrounding environment.

Abstract: An elevator door assembly (20) includes a single vane member (32) associated with a hoistway door (26). A magnetic device (36) on a car door (24) establishes a magnetic coupling with the vane member (32) to cause the hoistway door (26) to move with the car door (24) in at least two opposite directions. In a disclosed embodiment, a control (38) selectively powers the magnetic device (36), which comprises an electromagnet.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a position of a moveable platform includes a plurality of transponder modules. The transponder modules include an electromagnetic transmitter adapted to emit an electromagnetic signal, and an acoustic receiver adapted to receive an acoustic signal. At least two of the plurality of transponders are disposed about the position to be measured. The apparatus also includes at least one transceiver module affixed to the moveable platform, which transceiver modules includes an acoustic transmitter adapted to emit an acoustic signal, an electromagnetic receiver adapted to receive an electromagnetic signal. The apparatus also includes a timing mechanism for measuring a plurality of durations between an emission of the acoustic signal and a receipt of the electromagnetic signal, and a computing mechanism for processing the plurality of durations to compute the position.

Abstract: An elevator door assembly (20) includes an electromagnet (30) use as part of a door coupler for coupling elevator car doors (24) to elevator hoistway doors (26). A disclosed example includes an electromagnet core (40) with a gap (50) in one of four sides of the core. The gap (50) directs and concentrates magnetic flux of the electromagnet (30) to concentrate an attractive force for coupling the electromagnet (30) with a vane (32). Disclosed examples includes unique geometric and dimensional relationships to achieve a desired goodness factor.

Abstract: A positioning system comprising 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: An elevator system (20) includes at least one vertical shaft (32) extending between at least two levels (24, 36) of a building (22). One of the levels (24) includes at least one passageway (28) between an interior of the building and the outside environment. At least one second shaft (40) extends between the other building level (36) and at least one other level within the building. The interior of the second shaft (40) is isolated from airflow on the building level (24) that includes the passageway (28) to the outside environment. Disclosed examples include enclosures (52) for isolating the first shaft (32) from airflow on at least one of the levels to which the first shaft provides access.

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: A passenger interface device (20) includes at least one input member (22, 24, 26) having a contact surface (28) that is adapted to be touched by an individual. A disinfectant (30) is on the contact surface (28). The disinfectant (30) comprises a radiation-activated material. A source of radiation (32) irradiates the disinfectant (30) to disinfect the contact surface of the passenger interface device. In one example, titanium dioxide is used as a photocatalyst that disinfects the contact surface responsive to ultraviolet light radiation.

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 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 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.

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 relates to a position referencing system and method for horizontal or vertical conveyance, e.g., an elevator. The position referencing system includes a plurality of spaced apart color elements or reflectors (42) attached to a static structure (40), such as a door frame in a hoistway or guideway, a light source (12) for illuminating one of the reflectors, and a sensing device (10, 48, 48?) for capturing an image of the illuminated reflector. The image captured by the sensing device is used to determine the position and/or speed of the conveyance, e.g., an elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator includes a car follower (22) associated with each of a pair of guide rails (25), and carrying electromagnets (24) which are spaced from electromagnets (26) on an elevator car (28). The electromagnets on the car and car follower create a repulsive force tending to center the car between the car follower electromagnets associated with the two guide rails. Preferably, the car follower electromagnets are interconnected into a single car follower such that they move together.