Patents by Inventor Frank Higgins

Frank Higgins 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: 11312594
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes capturing image data from a video camera at a conveyance system. Analytics of the image data can be initiated to determine a plurality of conditions of the conveyance system. A status of the conditions can be summarized as a metadata output. The metadata output can be transmitted to a support system operable to initiate a corrective action responsive to the status of the conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Stella M. Oggianu, Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20220106158
    Abstract: A method of monitoring a conveyance apparatus within a conveyance system including: detecting, using a magnetometer, a first magnetic signature within the conveyance system at a first time, the magnetometer being attached to the conveyance apparatus; comparing the first magnetic signature detected to a plurality of magnetic signatures contained in a magnetic signature lookup table, wherein each of the plurality of magnetic signatures in the magnetic signature lookup table are assigned to a specific location along a conveyance path of the conveyance system; and determining a location of the conveyance apparatus at the first time by matching the first magnetic signature to one of the plurality of magnetic signatures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins, Sanket Mhadgut
  • Patent number: 10961082
    Abstract: An elevator system is provided. Aspects includes at least one elevator car and a camera affixed to the at least one elevator car, wherein the camera is operated by a controller. The controller is configured to automatically capture, from the camera, media associated with a set of locations, wherein the set of locations are associated with the at least one elevator car. A transceiver transmits one or more sequences of the media captured from the camera.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20200148505
    Abstract: According to an aspect, a method includes capturing image data from a video camera at a conveyance system. Analytics of the image data can be initiated to determine a plurality of conditions of the conveyance system. A status of the conditions can be summarized as a metadata output. The metadata output can be transmitted to a support system operable to initiate a corrective action responsive to the status of the conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Inventors: Stella M. Oggianu, Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins
  • Patent number: 10597254
    Abstract: A method for automating maintenance of a conveyance system includes performing automated maintenance tasks on the conveyance system; storing results of the automated maintenance tasks in a maintenance database; and providing maintenance tasks to the mobile device, each maintenance task including a maintenance task identifier and a maintenance task status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sally Day Mahoney, Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins, Yosef Haimes, Mick Maurer, Tony Black, Leslie C. Watterson
  • Patent number: 10577222
    Abstract: Elevator systems having an elevator car within an elevator shaft are described. The systems include a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings within the elevator shaft with at least one landing positioning element installed within the elevator shaft and positioned relative to at least one landing door. An inspection system is configured with a detector located on the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the landing positioning element in an inspection region to determine if a position of the elevator car relative to the landing door is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Daniel M. Tripp, Sr., Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
  • Patent number: 10577221
    Abstract: Elevator systems and methods for inspection having an elevator car within an elevator shaft are described. A plurality of landing doors are located at respective landings within the elevator shaft and a landing door gib is located on one of the landing doors and subject to inspection. The landing door gib includes an indicator element thereon, and an inspection system is arranged with a detector located on an exterior of the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the indicator element in an inspection region.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20200002125
    Abstract: Embodiments include a system and method for scheduling maintenance based on remote monitoring data and service data analytics. The embodiments include a controller configured monitor performance of one or more units, a remote system configured to store service data associated with the one or more units, and a processor operably coupled to the controller and the remote system. The processor is configured to receive monitoring data from the controller for the one or more units, and receive service data for the one or more units. The remote system is also configured to generate a health score based at least in part on the monitoring data and the service data. The processor is further configured to predict a failure based at least in part on the health score, and execute an action based at least in part on the generated health score.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2018
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Liaskas, Nikola Trcka, Teems E. Lovett, Frank Higgins, Sally Day Mahoney
  • Publication number: 20190202659
    Abstract: An elevator system is provided. Aspects includes at least one elevator car and a camera affixed to the at least one elevator car, wherein the camera is operated by a controller. The controller is configured to automatically capture, from the camera, media associated with a set of locations, wherein the set of locations are associated with the at least one elevator car. A transceiver transmits one or more sequences of the media captured from the camera.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 2, 2018
    Publication date: July 4, 2019
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180327221
    Abstract: Elevator systems having an elevator car within an elevator shaft, a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings within the elevator shaft, at least one landing positioning element installed within the elevator shaft and positioned relative to at least one landing door, and an inspection system comprising a detector located on the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the landing positioning element in an inspection region to determine if a position of the elevator car relative to the landing door is within a predetermined range.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Daniel M. Tripp, SR., Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180327219
    Abstract: Elevator systems and methods for inspection having an elevator car within an elevator shaft, a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings within the elevator shaft, a landing door gib located on one of the landing doors and subject to inspection, the landing door gib having an indicator element thereon, and an inspection system comprising a detector located on an exterior of the elevator car and arranged to detect the presence of the indicator element in an inspection region.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2017
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20180282112
    Abstract: A method for automating maintenance of a conveyance system includes performing automated maintenance tasks on the conveyance system; storing results of the automated maintenance tasks in a maintenance database; and providing maintenance tasks to the mobile device, each maintenance task including a maintenance task identifier and a maintenance task status.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Inventors: Sally Day Mahoney, Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins, Yosef Haimes, Mick Maurer, Tony Black, Leslie C. Watterson
  • Patent number: 8789659
    Abstract: A system continuously drives a motor during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive delivers power to the motor from a main power supply during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply during the power failure operating condition. A controller operates the regenerative drive to provide available power on the regenerative drive to the backup power supply during the normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20120261217
    Abstract: A system continuously drives a motor during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive delivers power to the motor from a main power supply during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply during the power failure operating condition. A controller operates the regenerative drive to provide available power on the regenerative drive to the backup power supply during the normal operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2012
    Publication date: October 18, 2012
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
  • Patent number: 8230978
    Abstract: A system (10) continuously drives an elevator hoist motor (14) during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) delivers power to the hoist motor (14) from a main power supply (17) during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply (24) during the power failure operating condition. A controller (12) operates the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to provide available power on the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to the backup power supply (24) during the normal operating condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
  • Patent number: 8127894
    Abstract: A hoist motor (12) for an elevator (14) is continuously driven from an irregular power supply (16). A regenerative drive (10) delivers power between the power supply (16) and the hoist motor (12). A controller (11) measures a power supply voltage in response to a detected change in the power supply voltage and controls the regenerative drive (10) to adjust a nominal motion profile of the elevator (14) in proportion with an adjustment ratio of the measured power supply voltage to a normal power supply voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Christopher S. Czerwinski, Jeffrey M. Izard, Edward D. Piedra, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins, HanJong Kim
  • Publication number: 20100044160
    Abstract: A system (10) continuously drives an elevator hoist motor (14) during normal and power failure operating conditions. A regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) delivers power to the hoist motor (14) from a main power supply (17) during the normal operating condition and from a backup power supply (24) during the power failure operating condition. A controller (12) operates the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to provide available power on the regenerative drive (30, 34, 36) to the backup power supply (24) during the normal operating condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2007
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
  • Publication number: 20090301819
    Abstract: A hoist motor (12) for an elevator (14) is continuously driven from an irregular power supply (16). A regenerative drive (10) delivers power between the power supply (16) and the hoist motor (12). A controller (11) measures a power supply voltage in response to a detected change in the power supply voltage and controls the regenerative drive (10) to adjust a nominal motion profile of the elevator (14) in proportion with an adjustment ratio of the measured power supply voltage to a normal power supply voltage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 23, 2005
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Ismail Agirman, Christopher S. Czerwinski, Jeffrey M. Izard, Edward D. Piedra, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins, HanJong Kim
  • Patent number: 6296317
    Abstract: A mining machine having a position sensing and control apparatus is claimed. The mining machine has a vehicle body having forward and rearward ends and movable along a mine floor. A cutter head is mounted on the forward end of the mining machine for upward and downward movement relative to the vehicle body. A conveyor mounted on the vehicle body conveys material cut by the cutter head. The position sensing and control apparatus has at least one light source and at least one imaging device mounted on the machine. The position sensing and control apparatus captures images of natural features of an interior surface of a mine, digitizes the images and determines the distance between the imaging device and the natural feature to determine positional change of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2001
    Assignee: Carnegie Mellon University
    Inventors: Mark Ollis, Christopher C. Fromme, Timothy Ennis Hegadorn, Alonzo James Kelly, John Bares, Herman Herman, Anthony J. Stentz, Richard McCargo Moore, Jr., David K. Herdle, Frank Higgins, Bryan G. Campbell
  • Patent number: 6203111
    Abstract: A mining machine comprising a vehicle body having forward and rearward ends, the vehicle body being movable along a mine floor, a cutter head mounted on the forward end of the vehicle body, and a position sensing and control apparatus including first and second generally vertical, generally parallel surfaces on the vehicle body, an off-board light source emitting a light beam that strikes the surfaces, an imaging device for imaging both of the plates in a single image, and a computer receiving the single image from the camera, the computer using the single image to determine at least one of the roll, yaw and lateral offset of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2001
    Inventors: Mark Ollis, Steven John Scheding, Christopher C. Fromme, Jorgen Pederson, John Bares, Herman Herman, Anthony J. Stentz, David K. Herdle, Frank Higgins, Bryan G. Campbell