Patents Assigned to Inventio AG
  • Patent number: 10730720
    Abstract: A method monitors at least one suspension apparatus in an elevator system, wherein the suspension apparatus includes at least one electrically conducting tension load carrying member that is surrounded by an electrically insulating jacket. The method includes the steps of: repeated determination of a value of an electrical characteristic of at least one tension load carrying member or of a group of tension load carrying members; establishment of a mean value on the basis of the determined values; and comparison of the mean value established with a reference value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Florian Dold
  • Patent number: 10723586
    Abstract: A method for driving an elevator car brake device, an elevator system for executing the method, and a computer program implementing the method involve the brake device including at least one automatically releasable pressure element effecting a braking action and an electromagnet automatically releasing the pressure element, wherein a respectively required braking torque of the car is ascertained using a model of the elevator system, a direction of car travel, a state of load of the car and a desired car deceleration. A drive signal for driving the electromagnet is generated based on the braking torque and is supplied to the electromagnet, wherein, when the car is braked, an actual car deceleration is ascertained and calibration is performed based on the ascertained actual car deceleration, specifically calibration of the ascertained required braking torque or calibration of the drive signal that is generated based on the ascertained required braking torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christian Studer, Andrea Cambruzzi
  • Patent number: 10713912
    Abstract: An access-monitoring device of an elevator installation includes at least one video unit, wherein the video unit is connected to a control unit via a communications network. The video unit records at least one image of a defined monitoring space of the access-monitoring device. The video unit filters out a non-changing part of the at least one image and evaluates the remaining image part as to whether there is an object in the monitoring space. In the case of there being an object in the monitoring space, the video unit communicates data to the control unit. The control unit checks, in dependence on the data communicated, the authorization of the object in the monitoring space and determines either the direction of movement or the location of the object within the monitoring space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Philippe Wagner
  • Patent number: 10703604
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a control unit, a bus, a plurality of bus-nodes connected via the bus with the control unit, and a plurality of safety-state detection devices connected with the control unit via the bus-nodes. A method of commissioning the elevator system includes the steps: A) verification by the control unit of the safety-state detection means that are connected to the bus; B) checking of the functional capability of the safety-state detection means that are connected; C) checking by the control unit of the safety functions of the elevator system based on a change in state of a safety-state detection means; and D) release of the elevator system for a normal operation only after positive execution by the control unit of the steps A) to C), wherein the release is accompanied by a change in state of the control unit from an unsecured state into a secured state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, Ivo Lustenberger, Martin Hess
  • Patent number: 10696522
    Abstract: A method for refinishing a surface structure of shaft material of an elevator, which extends along a shaft, enables the use of image data to determine an absolute position and/or speed of an elevator car. The elevator includes the elevator car, which is movable in the shaft, a camera, which is arranged at the elevator car and generates the image data from the surface structure, and an evaluating unit, which determines the absolute position and/or the speed of the elevator car from the image data. The surface structure is refinished at least locally in order to increase a distinctiveness of the surface structure in the image data. The shaft material can be, for example, a guide rail, a fastening element of the guide rail, or a shaft wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Karl Weinberger
  • Patent number: 10689232
    Abstract: The application relates to a floor covering of an escalator or moving walkway. The floor covering has a floor covering support, a first covering element and at least one adjoining covering element. At least one device which predetermines a single-possible, correct installation position of the covering elements on the floor covering support is arranged between at least the first covering element and the adjoining covering element, wherein, in the correct installation position, the first covering element and the adjoining covering element are arranged to be flush with the floor covering support and, in an incorrect installation position, at least part of the adjoining covering element is arranged in a visibly protruding manner on the floor covering support due to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Alexander Pfeiler, Gerhard Kleewein, Manfred Gartner, Georg Wagenleitner
  • Patent number: 10683193
    Abstract: A floor cover arrangement for covering an underfloor space of a passenger conveyor includes a plurality of cover plates configured to be installed such that the they adjoin each other in a sequence along a longitudinal direction of the underfloor space and form a walking surface covering the underfloor space; a frame comprising a frame rail extending underneath the multiplicity of cover plates in the longitudinal direction; and a plurality of connectors, each connector being configured for fixedly connecting one of the cover plates with the frame. Each connector cooperates with the frame rail such that the connector is displaceable in the longitudinal direction and is fixed in both directions orthogonal to the longitudinal direction, and when arranged at a fixation location associated to one of the cover plates, cooperates with the associated cover plate in a form-fitting manner such that the cover plate is fixed in a direction orthogonal to the walking surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Lisa Liu, Thomas Novacek, Bill Xu, Cui Yao
  • Patent number: 10676318
    Abstract: A control system of an elevator can be communicated with by a mobile control device to execute a maintenance and/or installation for the elevator. The control system includes a receiving element for receiving a request to establish a communication connection from the mobile control device, at least one processor to perform a first identification whether the mobile control device is authorized to communicate with the elevator, the at least one processor to perform a second identification whether a user of the mobile control device is authorized for using this mobile control device and/or for servicing this elevator, the at least one processor for matching a right of access of the mobile control device to the elevator depending on results of the first and the second identification, and a communication element to establish the requested communication connection according the matched right of access of the mobile control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Elena Cortona, Frankie Schmid
  • Patent number: 10662031
    Abstract: A roller guide for an elevator car includes at least one roller rotatably mounted on an axis. The roller guide further includes a support element for supporting the axis, and at least one braking element for the roller for damping vertical oscillations of the elevator car. The brake element is a magneto-rheological fluid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Valerio Villa
  • Patent number: 10662027
    Abstract: A method for operating a safety system having a control unit, a bus, a plurality of bus nodes connected to the control unit via the bus, and a plurality of participants connected to the control unit via the bus nodes, wherein at least one participant is designated as a temporary participant. The method includes the step of logging the temporary participant out of the safety system by giving notice of a disconnection of the temporary participant from the safety system by a manipulation and disconnecting the temporary participant from the safety system. The safety system can be used with an elevator system for carrying out the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, Ivo Lustenberger, Martin Hess
  • Patent number: 10662025
    Abstract: An operating panel for an elevator includes a panel plate having an opening, a key switch arrangement and, optionally, a human machine interface attached to the panel plate. The switch arrangement includes a cover arrangement, a hinge and a key switch. The key switch is attached to the cover arrangement and is activated or deactivated by a key for transmitting activation signals to the elevator control upon activation. The cover arrangement is attached to the panel plate via the hinge and is displaced between a first configuration in which the key switch is arranged behind the cover arrangement and a second pivoted configuration in which the key switch is accessible from the front side of the panel plate. Thus, the key switch is protectively stored in the first configuration, providing splash water protection and an attractive visual appearance, and is pivoted to the second configuration when needed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Hugo Felder, Quan Fu Zhuo
  • Patent number: 10611604
    Abstract: An elevator system includes a suspension apparatus that has a plurality of tension members in a common jacket. The tension members of the suspension apparatus are electrically interconnected in an electric circuit which includes a current source or a voltage source and a measuring device. The measuring device is connected between a first group of the tension members and a second group of the tension members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Urs Lindegger
  • Patent number: 10577808
    Abstract: In a method for modernizing a building, a former stairwell of the building is converted such that an elevator shaft of an elevator system to be constructed can be provided in the former stairwell. The elevator shaft is provided in the former stairwell of the building such that stepless access is facilitated to specific floors of the building from an elevator car of the elevator system, which car can be provided in the elevator shaft. A new staircase is constructed outside the former stairwell. In addition, a former staircase is removed from the former stairwell. Furthermore, access bridges are disposed next to the elevator shaft in the former stairwell, thereby enabling flush access from the new staircase to the specific floors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Lennart Svensson-Hilford, Sönke Mestemacher
  • Patent number: 10577220
    Abstract: A position-determination system for an elevator uses a camera arranged on an elevator car, which camera has a sensor with a defined number of light-sensitive pixels for generating image data of a surface structure of hoistway material arranged along a travel path of the elevator car. An analysis unit, based on the image data, determines a position and/or velocity of the elevator car. The position-determination system recognizes a reference pattern with a specified dimension which lies in a capturing range of the camera, wherein, based on the reference pattern, the analysis unit performs a scaling of the image data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Raphael Bitzi, Daniel Scherrer, Steven Brossi
  • Patent number: 10562738
    Abstract: An elevator system has a drive, a car, a plurality of safety function components for providing safety functions at various positions, and a safety monitoring system with a plurality of safety monitoring units for monitoring all of the safety function components. The monitoring units have an input interface for reading in data or signals and an output interface for outputting control signals to an assigned member of the safety function components, at least some of the monitoring units being connected via data exchange channels. The monitoring units are organized in a master-slave hierarchy, with one unit designed as a master unit, and at least one other unit designed as a slave unit. The decentralized and distributed monitoring units, each having data processing capability, and the master-slave organization result in the elevator system exhibiting a high security level with low cabling complexity and cost expenditure, in particular for high rise elevators.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Astrid Sonnenmoser, David Michel, Reto Tschuppert
  • Patent number: 10562741
    Abstract: The application relates to a method for modernizing an existing escalator or an existing moving walkway. The method can include removing all the electrical and mechanical parts from the existing framework of the existing escalator or of the existing moving walkway, the existing framework having two framework side parts and a base structure connecting said framework side parts, and the framework side parts being connected to each other by means of cross members disposed at a distance from the base structure; and replacing the existing cross members of the existing framework with new cross members, the two framework side parts of the existing framework being connected to each other in a mutually stabilising manner at least one point at a distance from the base structure of the framework, during replacement of the cross members.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Christoph Eder, Eva Karall, Jürg Burri, Michael Matheisl, Walter Thierer, Wolfgang Klein, Richard Schütz
  • Patent number: 10562737
    Abstract: A lift system for protecting the privacy of passengers. The lift system having a lift car that can be moved between floors of a building. The lift car having a video camera arranged in the lift car. The video camera being a part of a video system that also includes a video monitor for displaying information relating to the interior of the lift car. A video control device is communicatively connected to and controls the video system in a selective manner according to one of several operating modes. The several operating modes include a first operating mode in which the video system is deactivated or activation is blocked, so that the video system remains in an inactive state, if a passenger asks for the video system to be deactivated. When in the first operating mode the video system remains in the inactive state for as long as the passenger is in the lift car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Paul Friedli, Lukas Finschi
  • Patent number: 10562133
    Abstract: What is described is a method for producing a framework-like supporting structure for a passenger transport system, such as a moving staircase, in which an entire production sequence is divided into at least three separate joining steps which can be performed by coordinated semi- or fully automated joining stations that cooperate with each other. Each of the joining stations comprises at least one retention device and at least one welding robot, as well as optionally at least one handling robot. The joining steps to be performed in the individual joining stations are configured so that interim products can be produced efficiently and harmonized with a subsequent joining step in a subsequent joining station. Interim products can be forwarded sequentially and at optimized, short intervals from joining station to joining station, to be able to provide a finished, load-bearing supporting structure at the end of the sequence.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventors: Manfred Gartner, Richard Schütz, Thomas Koukal
  • Patent number: 10556774
    Abstract: A method and an arrangement for determining elevator data based on the position of an elevator car of an elevator system includes the elevator car having a flag reading sensor, the elevator car being movably arranged in a hoistway and can be moved by a drive with a suspension rope over a traction sheave, and the elevator car can be stopped at a plurality of stopping positions of the hoistway. Each stopping position has a flag marker with a flag height. Movement of the elevator car is determined by a control unit connected to an encoder at the traction sheave. When leaving a stopping position, the travelled distance of the elevator car between the stopping position and a flag edge is measured and a stopping inaccuracy is determined by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Valerio Villa
  • Patent number: D883126
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Tobias Friedli