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).
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Patent number: 11312594Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 28, 2019Date of Patent: April 26, 2022Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Stella M. Oggianu, Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20220106158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 12, 2021Publication date: April 7, 2022Inventors: Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins, Sanket Mhadgut
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Patent number: 10961082Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 2, 2018Date of Patent: March 30, 2021Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20200148505Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2019Publication date: May 14, 2020Inventors: Stella M. Oggianu, Ankit Anand Gupta, Frank Higgins
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Patent number: 10597254Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 30, 2017Date of Patent: March 24, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Sally Day Mahoney, Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins, Yosef Haimes, Mick Maurer, Tony Black, Leslie C. Watterson
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Patent number: 10577222Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Sandeep Sudi, Daniel M. Tripp, Sr., Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
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Patent number: 10577221Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 12, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Sandeep Sudi, Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20200002125Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2018Publication date: January 2, 2020Inventors: Peter Liaskas, Nikola Trcka, Teems E. Lovett, Frank Higgins, Sally Day Mahoney
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Publication number: 20190202659Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 2, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20180327221Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Daniel M. Tripp, SR., Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20180327219Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 12, 2017Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: Sandeep Sudi, Sally Day Mahoney, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20180282112Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2017Publication date: October 4, 2018Inventors: Sally Day Mahoney, Sandeep Sudi, Frank Higgins, Yosef Haimes, Mick Maurer, Tony Black, Leslie C. Watterson
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Patent number: 8789659Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 21, 2012Date of Patent: July 29, 2014Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20120261217Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 21, 2012Publication date: October 18, 2012Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
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Patent number: 8230978Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 13, 2007Date of Patent: July 31, 2012Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
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Patent number: 8127894Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 23, 2005Date of Patent: March 6, 2012Assignee: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Ismail Agirman, Christopher S. Czerwinski, Jeffrey M. Izard, Edward D. Piedra, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins, HanJong Kim
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Publication number: 20100044160Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 13, 2007Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANYInventors: Ismail Agirman, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins
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Publication number: 20090301819Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2005Publication date: December 10, 2009Applicant: Otis Elevator CompanyInventors: Ismail Agirman, Christopher S. Czerwinski, Jeffrey M. Izard, Edward D. Piedra, Vladimir Blasko, Frank Higgins, HanJong Kim
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Patent number: 6296317Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: October 2, 2001Assignee: Carnegie Mellon UniversityInventors: 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
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Patent number: 6203111Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 29, 1999Date of Patent: March 20, 2001Inventors: 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