Patents by Inventor Mary Ann Valk

Mary Ann Valk 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: 6357554
    Abstract: Elevator cars (10) have floors (11) including a matrix of elements (12) including a weight sensing cell (18) to determine weight distribution in the car for controlling the position of a moveable hitch (33-36) on the car and for allocating calls to the cars depending upon the weight distribution. Transmitters (26) borne by passengers (25) transmit identification portions, and may also transmit personal preferences of the passenger with respect to the elevator ride. The system may store personal preferences in a data base indexed by personal identification numbers, limiting the required transmission to only the identification number. Correlation (FIG. 4) of identification numbers with the cell indicating by weight where a passenger is located may be achieved in each element of the floor or in a controller. A group controller (22) may allocate calls based upon weight distribution and/or preferences of passengers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2002
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Mary Ann Valk, David J. Sirag, Jr., Robert G. Morgan