Patents by Inventor Stephen Richard Nichols

Stephen Richard Nichols has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11932512
    Abstract: A method of communication between a robot and an elevator system using a robot communication system including: collecting data on a landing of a building using a sensor system of the robot; and transmitting the data to the elevator system of the building, the data being transmitted to the elevator system directly from the robot, through a cloud computing network, or through a building system manager.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, Michael P. Keenan, Jr., Nicholas Cope, James Sorrels, Mohip Joarder
  • Patent number: 11814266
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a platform and a plurality of supports configured to selectively engage a nearby structure. The plurality of supports include at least a first support and a second support. The first and second supports alternate between engaging the nearby structure to support the platform while the other one of the supports is disengaged from the nearby structure. At least one of the first and second supports is configured to move relative to the platform while engaging the nearby structure to cause vertical movement of the platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2023
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Tadeusz Pawel Witczak, John-Paul Clarke
  • Publication number: 20220177265
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system interface includes a voice-activated input that is configured to receive audible input from a user. A processor is configured to determine a response to the audible input based on a content of the audible input and at least one other factor. An output provides at least an audible indication of the determined response.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Arthur HSU, Stephen Richard NICHOLS, Harrison DANIELS
  • Publication number: 20220177266
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Harrison DANIELS, Stephen Richard NICHOLS, Marija TRCKA
  • Publication number: 20220177269
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a device includes an elevator passenger interface configured to allow a passenger to place a call for elevator service by indicating at least one of an intended destination and an intended direction. The elevator passenger interface includes at least one sound detector. A processor is configured to determine a number of passengers intending to travel to the intended destination or in the intended direction based on at least an indication from the sound detector regarding voice detection and to associate the determined number of passengers with the call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Harrison DANIELS, Arthur HSU, Stephen Richard NICHOLS
  • Publication number: 20220063959
    Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a platform and a plurality of supports configured to selectively engage a nearby structure. The plurality of supports include at least a first support and a second support. The first and second supports alternate between engaging the nearby structure to support the platform while the other one of the supports is disengaged from the nearby structure. At least one of the first and second supports is configured to move relative to the platform while engaging the nearby structure to cause vertical movement of the platform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2020
    Publication date: March 3, 2022
    Inventors: Stephen Richard NICHOLS, Tadeusz Pawel WITCZAK, John-Paul CLARKE
  • Publication number: 20210284504
    Abstract: A method of collecting data using a robot data collection system including: collecting data on a landing of a building using a sensor system of a robot; transmitting the data to a conveyance system of the building; and adjusting operation of the conveyance system in response to the data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Michael P. Keenan, JR., James Sorrels, Sam Wong, Kayla Geer
  • Publication number: 20210284485
    Abstract: A method of controlling a first elevator system comprising a first elevator car is including: receiving a first elevator call from a first robot for the first elevator system to transport the first robot from a first elevator bank on a landing to a destination landing; and adjusting operation of at least one of the first robot and the first elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Michael P. Keenan, JR., Enrico Manes, Nicholas Cope, Yu Zhang, Shenhong Wang
  • Publication number: 20210284490
    Abstract: A method of communication between a robot and an elevator system using a robot communication system including: collecting data on a landing of a building using a sensor system of the robot; and transmitting the data to the elevator system of the building, the data being transmitted to the elevator system directly from the robot, through a cloud computing network, or through a building system manager.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, JR., Michael P. Keenan, JR., Nicholas Cope, James Sorrels, Mohip Joarder
  • Publication number: 20210284492
    Abstract: A method of assisting an individual using a robot concierge system including: determining that the individual is in need of assistance using a sensor system of a robot assigned to the conveyance system; and assisting the individual through the robot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 16, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Osamu Sakai, Atsushi Yamada, Hideyuki Honma, Stephen Richard Nichols, Michael P. Keenan, JR.
  • Publication number: 20210284494
    Abstract: A method of operating a first elevator system including a first elevator car including detecting an individual using a sensor system of a first robot; and notifying a dispatcher of the first elevator system that the individual was detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Inventors: Yu Zhang, Shenhong Wang, Stephen Richard Nichols, Michael P. Keenan, JR.
  • Patent number: 11040850
    Abstract: A method of assigning a destination floor to an elevator call associated with a mobile device is provided. The method including: receiving a first elevator call to travel from a first floor, the first floor is a boarding floor for the first elevator call; detecting a location of a mobile device relative to an elevator car of an elevator system; moving the elevator car from the first floor to a second floor in response to the first elevator call; determining when the mobile device exits the elevator car at the second floor in response to the location of the mobile device, the second floor is a destination floor for the first elevator call; receiving a second elevator call from the mobile device; and establishing the second floor as a destination floor for the second elevator call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Paul A. Simcik, Derk Oscar Pahlke, Markus Mueller, Stephen Richard Nichols
  • Patent number: 11040849
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for preventing an unintended call for a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system is provided. The conveyance system comprising a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method comprising: detecting a first interaction between the mobile device and the first location device; determining a travel direction of the first mobile device; and automatically filtering a second interaction between the mobile device and a second location device to prevent an unintended call to a conveyance apparatus in response to the travel direction of the mobile device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Harrison Daniels, Bradley Armand Scoville, Sam Wong, Paul A. Simcik, Stephen Richard Nichols, Yew Hung Leong
  • Patent number: 10947086
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the first location device, a signal by the mobile device and detecting, by the second location device, the signal by the mobile device. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the elevator system, the call for the elevator car in response to the detection by the second location device of the signal subsequent to the detection of the signal by the first location device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, Harrison Daniels, Paul A. Simcik
  • Patent number: 10947085
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the mobile device, a first triggering signal by the first location device and detecting, by the mobile device, a second triggering signal by the second location device subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the mobile device, the call for the elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the second triggering signal subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, Harrison Daniels, Paul A. Simcik
  • Publication number: 20210024326
    Abstract: A method for crowd prediction in an elevator system includes logging the number of calls across a period of time and generating a first time series for an average number of calls; collecting external influence data and generating a second time series for the external influence data; performing a cross-correlation test on the first and second time series; when a cross-correlation between the first and second time series is determined, performing a causality test on the first and second time series; and when a causal relationship between the first and second time series is determined, using the causal relationship to predict an expected number of calls in the elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Inventors: David R. Polak, Stephen Richard Nichols, Matteo Rucco, Cecilia Tonelli, Andrea De Antoni, Jose Miguel Pasini, Giacomo Gentile
  • Publication number: 20190382235
    Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling elevators are provided. The methods include at least one of receiving and determining, at an elevator system computing device, a call probability associated with at least one of a movement, a position, a speed, and a direction of a user of the elevator system, scheduling, with a dispatching system, an elevator car operation based on at least the call probability, and controlling, with an elevator controller, the operation of an elevator car based on the scheduled elevator car operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Inventors: Derk Oscar Pahlke, Arthur Hsu, Stephen Richard Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190300333
    Abstract: A method of assigning a destination floor to an elevator call associated with a mobile device is provided. The method including: receiving a first elevator call to travel from a first floor, the first floor is a boarding floor for the first elevator call; detecting a location of a mobile device relative to an elevator car of an elevator system; moving the elevator car from the first floor to a second floor in response to the first elevator call; determining when the mobile device exits the elevator car at the second floor in response to the location of the mobile device, the second floor is a destination floor for the first elevator call; receiving a second elevator call from the mobile device; and establishing the second floor as a destination floor for the second elevator call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Inventors: Paul A. Simcik, Derk Oscar Pahlke, Markus Mueller, Stephen Richard Nichols
  • Publication number: 20190263626
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a computer-implemented method for preventing an unintended call for a conveyance apparatus of a conveyance system is provided. The conveyance system comprising a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method comprising: detecting a first interaction between the mobile device and the first location device; determining a travel direction of the first mobile device; and automatically filtering a second interaction between the mobile device and a second location device to prevent an unintended call to a conveyance apparatus in response to the travel direction of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2018
    Publication date: August 29, 2019
    Inventors: Harrison Daniels, Bradley Armand Scoville, Sam Wong, Paul A. Simcik, Stephen Richard Nichols, Yew Hung Leong
  • Publication number: 20190161316
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method a sequence triggering of a call for an elevator car of an elevator system. The elevator system including a first location device and a second location device. The computer-implemented method including detecting, by the mobile device, a first triggering signal by the first location device and detecting, by the mobile device, a second triggering signal by the second location device subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal. The computer-implemented method also including automatically executing, by the mobile device, the call for the elevator car of the elevator system in response to the detection of the second triggering signal subsequent to the detection of the first triggering signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Publication date: May 30, 2019
    Inventors: Stephen Richard Nichols, Bradley Armand Scoville, Harrison Daniels, Paul A. Simcik