Having Call Button With Indicator Patents (Class 187/395)
  • Patent number: 12162724
    Abstract: An elevator system may include an elevator car that is configured to transport a passenger between floors of a building as well as a sensor system in the elevator car that is configured to detect a passenger's location, orientation, and/or height. The elevator system may further include a touchscreen that can display a virtual car operating panel at a location on the touchscreen that is based on the location, orientation, and/or height of the passenger. The virtual car operating panel may be configured to receive input from the passenger regarding a destination floor. The touchscreen may be configured to display a virtual car operating panel for each passenger based on each passenger's location, orientation, and/or height on the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: TK ELEVATOR INNOVATION AND OPERATIONS GMBH
    Inventors: Sergio Roth, Andrew Evert, Nejib Masghouni, Alison Powers, Viktor Scheinmann
  • Patent number: 11926504
    Abstract: A system and a method of implementing and using a preset elevator call using an elevator system and a mobile device are provided. The method includes generating the preset elevator call that includes programmed conditions that include a destination floor, storing the preset elevator call in a user profile on the mobile device and at least one corresponding triggering condition, retrieving the preset elevator call based on detecting the corresponding triggering condition, and executing the retrieved preset elevator call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2024
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Lucien Wedzikowski, Adam Kuenzi, Bradley Armand Scoville, Kelly Martin Dubois, Ashley Chapman, Paul A. Simcik, Eric C. Peterson
  • Patent number: 10968073
    Abstract: A touchless keyboard system for operating an elevator through an existing touch-sensitive keyboard of the elevator, the touchless keyboard system including a touchless detection device comprising at least one sensor for detecting non-touch indications from users for opted floors, an actuation device comprising at least one actuator for physical engaging buttons of the existing touch-sensitive keyboard of the elevator corresponding to the opted floors, and a controller in communication with the detection device and with the actuation device for receiving and processing output signals from the at least one sensor and controlling movement of the at least one actuator based on the processed output signals. The touchless keyboard system further comprises a touchless keyboard housing for receiving the touchless detection device and the actuation device, where the touchless keyboard housing is operatively mountable to the touch-sensitive keyboard of the elevator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: UNITED ARAB EMIRATES UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Fady S Alnajjar, Waleed Ahmed, Munkhjargal Gochoo
  • Patent number: 10745240
    Abstract: A multi-use interface for use in an elevator includes an input device to receive input and a selection device associated with the input device, the selection device to select between an operation mode and a service mode, wherein the operation mode allows the input device to receive a standard elevator function input, the multi-use interface generating a standard elevator function output in response to the standard elevator function input, and the service mode allows the input device to receive a service function input, the multi-use interface generating a service function output in response to the service function input.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Aurélien Fauconnet, Nicolas Guillot
  • Patent number: 10577219
    Abstract: A method of controlling an elevator system (2) comprising at least one elevator car (6), which is configured for travelling between a plurality of landings (8), comprises the steps of: displaying a hold button (26) on a mobile device (20) if the at least one elevator car (6) has stopped at a landing (8) and holding the elevator car (6) at the current landing (8) if the hold button (26) is operated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Maren Ifland, Donald F. Cominelli
  • Patent number: 10343873
    Abstract: Methods and systems for reporting issues in an elevator system are provided. The reporting system includes a display located within an elevator car, an input device configured to receive input from a passenger within the elevator car, and a computing system having a processor and a memory, the computing system configured to generate a user interface on the display and configured to receive input from the input device, wherein the memory includes a list of possible issues related to the elevator car. The computing system is configured to generate a user report based on the received input, and transmit the user report to a remote location.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventor: Gilles Bruno
  • Patent number: 10336574
    Abstract: In an elevator operation panel, a front part of a casing includes a frame body and a front surface plate. The frame body includes a first vertical frame and a second vertical frame. A fixing member is laid across the first vertical frame and the second vertical frame. A holding member for holding the front surface plate on the frame body is fixed to the fixing member. The holding member includes a holding portion that overlaps a vertical direction end portion of a front surface of the front surface plate, and a fastening portion that projects rearward from the holding portion and is screwed to the fixing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2019
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Hiroshi Okuda
  • Patent number: 10049831
    Abstract: A trigger assembly and scanner terminal are described. The trigger assembly includes two parts. A rigid first part stores a pressure sensitive switch and a printed circuit board. An elastic second part contacts the pressure sensitive switch in response to a level of pressure applied to the trigger assembly. The first part and second part are formed from a continuous piece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: DATALOGIC IP TECH S.R.L.
    Inventors: Giovanni Minafò, Simone Paolizzi
  • Patent number: 10000366
    Abstract: An exemplary brake device includes a brake element configured to apply a braking force to resist rotation of an associated component. A mounting member is configured to mount the brake device to a stationary surface. The mounting member is at least partially moveable relative to the stationary surface responsive to a torque on the brake device. A sensor provides an indication of a force associated with any movement of the mounting member relative to the stationary surface responsive to the torque.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: James L. Hubbard, Daryl J. Marvin, Stephen R. Nichols, Harold Terry
  • Patent number: 9952702
    Abstract: An input device for generating a control signal includes a control panel, which is formed by a plate-shaped element and has a front side and a rear side, an input zone on the front side, wherein the position of the input zone is marked by a marking on the front side and wherein the control panel is arranged to be deflectable at least in the region of the input zone and a sensor, which is mounted on a region of the rear side opposite the input zone, that detects deflection of the control panel occurring in the region of the input zone, wherein the sensor generates or varies an electrical signal when a user of the input device by exertion of a pressure force on the input zone produces a sufficient deflection of the control panel in the region of the input zone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Adrian Bünter
  • Patent number: 9856108
    Abstract: A method and an apparatus for interchanging data between at least one sensor unit arranged in an elevator shaft of an elevator system and a monitoring unit of a service center which is locally remote from the elevator system, wherein an elevator car which moves vertically in the elevator shaft, include a first communication unit arranged at the elevator car. Data are transmitted from the at least one sensor unit to the first communication unit via a first communications network on the basis of the position of the elevator car and are stored by the first communication unit. The stored data are transmitted from the first communication unit to a second communication unit on the basis of at least one rule and are transmitted from the second communication unit to the monitoring unit via a second communications network.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Assignee: INVENTIO AG
    Inventor: Martin Kusserow
  • Patent number: 9565742
    Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device via wireless communication. The remote control device may include a base portion and a rotating portion supported by the base portion so as to be rotatable about the base portion. The remote control device may include a control circuit and a wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be operably coupled to the rotating portion and to the wireless communication circuit. The control circuit may be configured to translate a force applied to the rotating portion of the remote control device into a control signal and to cause the communication circuit to transmit the control signal to the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Swatsky, Chris Dimberg, Timothy S. Majewski, Robert C. Newman, Jr., Daniel Curtis Raneri
  • Patent number: 9376289
    Abstract: An elevator control system includes a control power supply, a computing core in communication with the control power supply, a communication power supply in communication with the computing core, and a sleep monitor in communication with the control power supply, the computing core, and the communication power supply. The sleep monitor is disposed to selectively turn on/off the control power supply and the computing core, and the sleep monitor is disposed to selectively change an operating state of the communication power supply to a low voltage state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2016
    Assignee: OTIS ELEVATOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Peter Herkel, Juergen Gewinner, Axel S. Pfeffer, Dirk H. Tegtmeier, Gianfranco Giannini, Michael Mann
  • Patent number: 9340167
    Abstract: The invention relates to an interior trim part of a vehicle, in particular a motor vehicle, comprising a composite having a carrier (30) and a decorative element (10) on one side of the carrier, the decorative element comprising a viewing side (11) visible to an observer from the interior (100) of the vehicle comprising a substantially continuously closed surface at least in a partial region (B1), characterized in that the composite is thinner within the partial region (B1) facing away from the viewing side perpendicular to the viewing side, and is capable of ultrasonic vibration in the thinned region (B1), and by an ultrasonic sensor having an ultrasonic transducer, wherein the ultrasonic transducer is connected to the side of the composite facing away from the viewing side (11) over the entire surface of the thinned area (B1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: LISA DRAEXLMAIER GMBH
    Inventor: Michael Steckel
  • Patent number: 9193564
    Abstract: An elevator display device has a light-emitting display unit, a resin cover, and a metallic tone film. The resin cover is disposed in front of the light-emitting display unit so as to cover the light-emitting display unit, and transmits light from the light-emitting display unit. The metallic tone film is disposed on the cover, and transmits the light from the light-emitting display unit. The metallic tone film is made of a nano-layered film that is optically designed to have a metallic sheen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2015
    Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eiji Yuasa
  • Publication number: 20150075919
    Abstract: The object of the invention is call panel for an elevator. The call panel comprises an essentially planar front surface and a center panel bounding the front surface, and at least one call pushbutton separate from the display panel and belonging to the front surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Publication date: March 19, 2015
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Niklas LÖFBERG, Timo TIAINEN, Maija PURSIAINEN, Rauno HATAKKA
  • Patent number: 8872387
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a non-contact switch which is used for an elevator or general automatic doors, and comprises: buttons B including a push button or an optical sensor button for selecting an elevator movement or opening an automatic door; a pair of long sensor blocks 10, which are installed adjacent to or above the push button and arranged so as to face each other with a gap 12 equivalent to the width of one to two human fingers therebetween; and a plurality of sensors S which are installed in a single file on the surfaces of the sensor blocks that face each other, wherein a sensor detects movement of a human finger moving with the gap 12 at or above a predetermined length or at or above a predetermined speed and selects an upward or downward movement for a destination floor for the elevator or opens the automatic door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Inventor: Il Shik Yoon
  • Patent number: 8807287
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a universal elevator operation plate to overcome the problems of the existing operation plate which is provided with floor buttons corresponding to the number of the floors of a building. The elevator operation plate of the present invention uses floor election buttons to show the numeric “0-9”, a clear button, a floor confirmation button, and a number/letter switch button to achieve floor election operation to indicate the floor by number or letter. The present invention can be produced in standardization to lower the cost.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Inventor: Ming Li
  • Patent number: 8763762
    Abstract: A lift system comprises a call input device and at least one touchscreen for inputting a call for a lift. The touchscreen has at least one functional identifier. When a functional identifier is touched, at least one input signal is generated. The call input device converts into a special input mode for a time-specific or location-specific generation of several input signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Lukas Finschi
  • Patent number: 8757329
    Abstract: A call input device includes at least one touch screen for entering at least one call for an elevator installation. At least one switch protrudes from at least one area of the call input device outside of the touch screen in at least one first input area of the touch screen.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Dennys Taiana
  • Patent number: 8350680
    Abstract: A system for maintaining an electrically operated folding wall comprising: (a) a maintenance detecting means; (b) a time measuring means; (c) a first time alarm means for detecting a preset time for a maintenance reminder; (d) a second time alarm means far detecting a preset time for maintenance; (e) a first maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is soon required; f) a second maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is required; (g) a preventing means for preventing the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall from functioning after the second time alarm detects that the time measuring means has reached the preset time for maintenance; (h) a resetting means for resetting the time measured by the time measuring means after the required maintenance has been performed; and (i) a restarting means for restarting the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall after the required service has been performed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventors: Stephen F. Cole, Kathleen Cole
  • Patent number: 8348022
    Abstract: An arrangement for the call apparatus and display apparatus of an elevator has a body part which includes at least call buttons and other actuators, such as apertures for the display elements. The body part is essentially universal such that the number, size, shape and placement location of the apertures of the body part are arranged to be suited for the use of as many display variations and/or call button variations as possible, and in that an essentially thin light-attenuating film-like layer is disposed in front of the body part, which layer is fitted to allow light produced by the display elements through, but covers the apertures and other features in the body part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Niko Rusanen, Timo Tiainen, Maija Pursiainen, Jussi Laurila, Aapo Saari
  • Patent number: 8336678
    Abstract: The present invention presents a call panel of an elevator or of an elevator system including one or more display elements, a front plate covering the call panel, in connection with which front plate a touch sensor is fitted, and also a control unit to which the display elements and also the touch sensor are connected. The detection area of the touch sensor covers both an active area, and a passive area, where the active area additionally utilizes display elements, while the passive area lacks display capability and remains outside at least some of the aforementioned active area, in which one or more touch-sensitive pushbuttons are disposed in the passive area. The control unit is arranged to react to a touch of the touch-sensitive pushbuttons specified for the aforementioned detection area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Kone Corporation
    Inventors: Vesa Poutiainen, Niko Rusanen
  • Patent number: 8253548
    Abstract: An elevator system (10) includes a wireless batteryless hall call switch module (22) that transmits a unique wireless code when a person presses a hall call button (32, 34) requesting elevator service. A hall indicator module (24) includes an RF transceiver (64) that receives the wireless code from the switch module (22), activates a display to indicate that a button has been pushed, and transmits the hall call information to the elevator control system (14). When the elevator controller (14) informs the transceiver (64) of car arrival, the hall indicator module (24) causes the display to indicate car arrival.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jae-Hyuk Oh, Norbert A. M. Hootsmans
  • Publication number: 20120097488
    Abstract: A call input device comprises at least one touch screen for entering at least one call for an elevator installation. At least one switch protrudes from at least one area of the call input device outside of the touch screen in at least one first input area of the touch screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2009
    Publication date: April 26, 2012
    Inventor: Dennys Taiana
  • Publication number: 20120031711
    Abstract: A method for determining a destination call for use by an elevator installation with a control unit and at least one destination call device includes ascertaining several destination calls and making them known to the user by the destination call device. A destination call is selected by a change in position of the user and/or a data communication is activated between the destination call device and a communications unit, which is carried by the user, within a defined range of a radio link section of the destination call device and thereupon a destination call is selected by a change in position of the communications unit inside or outside the radio link section. The selected destination call is communicated to the control unit for serving the destination call.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2008
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventors: Bernhard Gerstenkorn, Daniel Ottiger
  • Publication number: 20120031708
    Abstract: A control unit for an elevator installation comprises a cover and a base. The control unit further comprises a lock which can lock the cover to the base or release it from the base. The lock comprises a locking bar with a magnet, wherein this locking bar is movable back and forth between a closed position and an open position by movement of a magnetic lock on a surface of the cover. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the closed position by a first magnetic element and the cover is locked. The locking bar with the magnet is stabilized in the open position by a second magnetic element and the cover is released.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 4, 2011
    Publication date: February 9, 2012
    Inventor: Marco Aluisetti
  • Publication number: 20120024638
    Abstract: The present invention presents a call panel of an elevator or of an elevator system, which call panel comprises one or more display elements, a front plate covering the call panel, in connection with which front plate a touch sensor is fitted, and also a control unit to which the display elements and also the touch sensor are connected. The detection area of the touch sensor comprises active areas covered by the display elements as well as a passive area that remains outside at least some of the aforementioned active area, for which passive area one or more touch-sensitive pushbuttons are specified. The control unit is arranged to react to a touch of the touch-sensitive pushbuttons specified for the aforementioned detection area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2011
    Publication date: February 2, 2012
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Vesa POUTIAINEN, Niko RUSANEN
  • Publication number: 20110024240
    Abstract: The object of the invention is an arrangement for the call apparatus and display apparatus of an elevator. The arrangement (1, 17) comprises a body part (5, 18), which comprises at least call buttons (8) and other actuators (3), such as apertures (6, 7, 19) for the display elements (16). The body part (5, 18) is essentially universal such that the number, size, shape and placement location of the apertures (6, 7, 19) of the body part (5, 18) are arranged to be suited for the use of as many display variations and/or call button variations as possible, and in that an essentially thin light-attenuating film-like layer (9, 20) is disposed in front of the body part (5, 18), which layer is fitted to allow light produced by the display elements through, but covers the apertures (6, 7, 19) and other features in the body part (5, 18).
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: KONE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Niko Rusanen, Timo Tiainen, Maija Pursiainen, Jussi Laurila, Aapo Saari
  • Patent number: 7837012
    Abstract: The present invention provides an elevator controller including: a main control unit for controlling running of an elevator, in which the main control unit predictively calculates a continuous temperature state of a predetermined componential equipment of the elevator and performs an operation control of the elevator based on the predicted temperature state such that the componential equipment is not overloaded. Accordingly, a temperature rise in the componential equipment is suppressed, thereby enabling to prevent the elevator from becoming inoperable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2010
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Masaya Sakai, Takaharu Ueda
  • Patent number: 7798291
    Abstract: An emergency device for installing in an elevator car of an elevator installation, with an emergency control region, which is to be opened from the interior of the elevator car by an emergency key, wherein a key switch is arranged in the emergency control region so as to transfer the elevator installation to an emergency operation by the same emergency key. Mounted in the elevator car is a key mechanism which has a mechanical profile insert with a key slot and is designed so that through insertion of the emergency key into the key slot and turning the emergency control region is mechanically unlocked. The key switch includes an electromechanical key insert with a key slot and is so designed that through insertion of the emergency key into the key slot and turning the elevator installation can be switched over to the emergency operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Hugo Felder
  • Patent number: 7714244
    Abstract: “BUTTON PANEL FOR ELEVATORS, LIFTS OR SIMILAR MACHINERY”, wherein said button has a new functional shape in such way that its four parts fit together perfectly and also fits with the elevator panel that may be put together with it.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2010
    Inventor: Marta Elena De Pedro
  • Publication number: 20100078266
    Abstract: An improved elevator system and control method thereof is provided for effectively scheduling elevator cars and reducing hoistway spaces. The elevator system of the present invention includes at least one hoistway and at least two elevator cars operating independently in the hoistway. The elevator system schedules multiple elevator cars for multiple calls on the basis of information obtained by analyzing various signals provided from the button panels installed at elevator cars and elevator entrances of a building, thereby improving operation efficiency of the elevator system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 31, 2007
    Publication date: April 1, 2010
    Inventor: Sung Sik Choi
  • Patent number: 7597177
    Abstract: A method of providing non-contact data selection, comprising the steps of providing at least one data selection, transmitting at least one signal in proximity to the at least one data selection, altering the path of the at least one transmitted signal through interaction with a selection device, detecting at least one altered signal, and determining selection of the selection device from the at least one altered signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Jae-Hyuk Oh, Alberto Vecchiotti, John Milton-Benoit, Pei-Yuan Peng, Norbert A. M. Hootsmans
  • Patent number: 7562748
    Abstract: An elevator call button assembly (20) includes at least one call button (50) having a surface (70) that is touchable by an individual to indicate a desired call in the elevator system. A responder (56) provides a tactile indication that the call has been successfully placed. In one example, the responder (56) comprises a vibrating motor that moves a moveable member (52) once the system controller (68) has successfully received a signal indicating the desired call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Paul A. Stranieri, Dang V. Nguyen
  • Patent number: 7404471
    Abstract: An elevator car operating panel includes a plurality of push buttons corresponding to floors of a building, wherein the push buttons act on a touch screen to register elevator calls. The push buttons are mounted on an outer surface of the touch screen at locations corresponding to sensors behind the touch screen. A method to modernize and/or update a touch screen elevator car operating panel includes mounting at least one push button on a touch screen to act on the touch screen to register elevator calls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hugo Felder, Dennys Taiana
  • Patent number: 7404470
    Abstract: An elevator car operating panel has push buttons corresponding to floors of a building, wherein the push buttons act on switch contacts registering elevator calls, and wherein the push buttons are mounted on the switch contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hugo Felder, Dennys Taiana, Marco Aluisetti
  • Patent number: 7398865
    Abstract: An elevator car operating panel for registering elevator calls has a plurality of touch sensitive buttons freely configurable to correspond to floors of a building according to a specified configuration. The buttons are configured to be lighted with light of a first color when active in the specified configuration so as to be visible, and are configured to not be lighted when inactive in the specified configuration so as to be invisible.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Hugo Felder, Dennys Taiana, Marco Aluisetti
  • Patent number: 7380641
    Abstract: An elevator with an all optical control apparatus having a control unit with a light source, a photodetector, an optical feeding fiber, and an optical feedback fiber. The light source is coupled to the optical feeding fiber and the optical feedback fiber is coupled to the photodetector. The all optical control apparatus further includes a member that can be manually actuated. The member has a fiber input and a fiber output. The fiber input is optically coupled to the optical feeding fiber and the fiber output is optically coupled to the optical feedback fiber. The member, when actuated, influences a light path between the fiber input and the fiber output in a manner that is detectable at the photodetector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 3, 2008
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventor: Murilo Lopes Dos Santos
  • Publication number: 20080029349
    Abstract: A non-personal-contact electric switch apparatus includes an actuator-reception well which includes a minimum internal dimension which is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension of an actuator. The actuator-reception well includes a pair of opposed light transmissive regions. A light emitter is located adjacent to a first of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well. The light emitter projects a light beam. A light receiver/light sensitive switch is located adjacent to a second of the light transmissive regions outside the actuator-reception well. The light receiver/light sensitive switch is responsive to the light beam emitted by the light emitter that is broken by the actuator. Since the minimum internal dimension of the actuator-reception well is substantially greater than a maximum outer dimension of an actuator, when the actuator is inserted into the actuator-reception well, the actuator does not physically contact the inside of the actuator-reception well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Inventor: James W. Poppell
  • Publication number: 20070251766
    Abstract: Lighting equipment of an elevator car and a method for guidance of persons in an elevator provides a floor indication that communicates to the passenger, in a simple and clear manner, reaching of his or her destination floor, even in high buildings with numerous floors. The lighting equipment has a light source and a control of the light source, which produces a color effect relative to the floor indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Publication date: November 1, 2007
    Inventor: Alex Oberer
  • Patent number: 7284639
    Abstract: A signal for warning of danger in the car is sent to a monitoring chamber without a suspect noticing, and the interior of the car is monitored without alarming the suspect. A call for service is registered upon activating the car manipulating panel and an alarm is registered upon further activation of the car manipulating panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2007
    Assignee: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Hiromitsu Sasaki, Hideaki Saso
  • Patent number: 7246689
    Abstract: An elevator hall call device inductively receives an electrical signal from an interlock wiring circuit by means of a coupling device. The elevator hall call device comprises a capacitive device which stores electrical charge based on the electrical signal received from the interlock wiring circuit by means of the coupling device. Hall call circuitry sends and receives signaling information between at least one elevator controller over the interlock wiring circuit, where the hall call circuitry is coupled to the capacitive device for receiving electrical power based on the stored electrical charge in the capacitive device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2007
    Assignee: Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.
    Inventors: Randolph W. Huff, James A. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 7152715
    Abstract: The present invention provides a snap-fit constructible elevator hall fixture assembly having a wall plate, a bezel, and a hall fixture. A snap-fit coupling attaches the wall plate to the bezel, and a snap-fit coupling attaches the hall fixture to the bezel. The fixture can be either a directional lantern indicator or a hall call push-button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: Thyssen Elevator Capital Corp.
    Inventor: Gary Meyer
  • Patent number: 7040458
    Abstract: An elevator system having multiple elevator cars efficiently assigns cars and communicates the car assignments to the potential passengers. A hallway intuitive user interface is readily adapted to installations having varying numbers of elevator cars with varying floor access by incorporating a graphical display that is rendered accordingly. Moreover, a combination of visual, textual and aural indications are given to the passenger that the destination entered is valid and assigned to a car. For those instances where a potential passenger fails to enter a destination correctly, the elevator system retains a traditional elevator control interface in the elevator car.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitec America, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven Edson Forsythe, Koji Sakata, Joseph P. Rennekamp, John F. Miller, Jr.
  • Patent number: 7021428
    Abstract: A panel for an elevator installation has a predetermined number of floor buttons for generating hall calls or car call commands wherein a single floor button or a floor button combination is provided for each floor. The panel can be converted by a converter button or a sensor so that all floors are also selectable by a decade keyboard formed by a portion of all the floor buttons. All floors are thus selectable comfortably and without restriction even by handicapped persons.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2006
    Assignee: Inventio AG
    Inventors: Lin Han, Paul Friedli
  • Patent number: 6854566
    Abstract: A programmable switching device that employs a Hall Effect sensor and a moving magnet is disclosed. The Hall Effect sensor is electrically connected to a programmable microprocessor that is programmed to detect changes in Hall Effect voltages at the sensor. The programmable switching device may also be configured as a rotary switching device. By using a plurality of magnets and Hall Effect transducers and orienting some magnets with their polarities in different directions, a temper-proof switch can be achieved. The programmable switching device may be connected to a serial bus that is interfaced with an elevator controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Assignee: Thyssenkrupp Elevator Capital Corp.
    Inventors: Robert H. Sweet, James A. Nickerson, Michael A. Palazzola
  • Patent number: 6845850
    Abstract: An elevator button/switch arrangement includes a face plate; nine buttons mounted to the face plate; a button actuation portion associated with each button and suppling an output signal when a respective button is actuated; a 4-pin connector connected with each button actuation portion; a COP interface board receiving the output signals from the pin connectors and supplying motor control signals to a motor to control movement of an elevator; and an interface board including a 40-pin connector connected with the 4-pin connectors, a 20-pin connector connected with the COP interface board, and wiring connected between the 40-pin connector and the 20-pin connector for reducing the number of output signals from the 36 active pins to a maximum of 20 output signals for supply to the COP interface board from the 20-pin connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2005
    Assignee: Regency Elevator Products Corp.
    Inventor: Ernest W. Schneck
  • Publication number: 20040245052
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an elevator installation has actuating elements on a front surface. The control apparatus includes an insert in the form of a key-operated switch cylinder which has a recess or a key slot. The insert is mounted in a side surface that is one of a lateral side wall of a housing, an end surface of an elevator car handrail and a side surface of a column. The recess opens transversely to the front surface. A separate auxiliary actuating element is received into the recess in the direction of an axis extending parallel to the front surface. The insert is mechanically actuatable by rotation of the auxiliary actuating element about the axis in order to trigger specific functions in conjunction with the control of the elevator installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Inventor: Hugo Felder
  • Publication number: 20040154874
    Abstract: A method for imputing a voice message recording for a particular floor served by an elevator car includes the steps of sensing elevator car positions (21), sensing that a selected car operating panel button has been held down (22) and enabling a voice input process (23).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Publication date: August 12, 2004
    Applicant: Otis Elevator Company
    Inventors: Yoshinobu Tsukamoto, Toshiro Takahashi, Jyoji Tanigawa