Otis Elevator Company

Gary M Meguerdichian

Paul A Stranieri

Barry G Blackaby

David M Hughes

Joseph Bittar

Vlad Zaharia

Wade A Montague

Bertram F Kupersmith

Richard J Mangini

Richard K Pulling

William Weirsman

Isabel B Hovey

Robert E Greenstien

Michael Flynn

An elevator system () includes a transceiver () that receives at least one wirelessly transmitted signal (). In one example, a signaling device () includes a plurality of switches () that can be activated to provide a signal indicating a desired or intended destination. The signal also provides an indication of the individual from whom the signal is received. A system controller () responds to the signal by assigning an elevator car () to travel to the intended destination. When the elevator car () is situated to receive the individual, in the event that another wireless signal is received, the system provides at least one access feature including delaying closing an elevator car door or generating an audible sound to guide the individual to the car. In one example, the system maintains information regarding expected locations of individuals providing such signals to facilitate providing assistance to them for exiting a building, for example.

Elevator system control providing specialized service features and individual location information

Elevator system control providing specialized service features to facilitate a passenger accessing an assigned elevator car

An elevator system () utilizes destination entry dispatching techniques. A controller () receives an automated destination request that includes a prestored, primary destination. This allows for seamlessly integrating building access and destination entry for the elevator system. A passenger interface () allows a passenger to override a prestored destination. The elevator controller () allows for override or secondary destination requests to be made at various intervals between receipt of the initial request and arrival of an initially assigned car at an appropriate level to let the passenger board the elevator car.

Automatic destination entry system with override capability

A system and method for determining the availability of an elevator car for response to hall calls includes a plurality of infrared sensors disposed to monitor the presence of an object within an elevator car. The cross-sectional area occupied by an object, or objects, within an elevator car is determined by the number of sensors generating output signals based upon reflections of transmitted radiation from such an object. The system monitors the cross-sectional area availability of the elevator car and categorizes the car as to its availability for responding to a hall call.

System and method for determining the availability of an elevator car

The data processor (OCSS) 35 of an elevator car that can be transferred from a group 38 of elevators (a swing car) is switched out of a ring of similar data processors 31-34 into another ring of data processors 36, 37 which comprise a separate group 39 (FIG. 2 ). Or, the processor 35 can be swung from the group 38 into operation by itself in the simplex mode (FIGS. 3 and 4) when connected (66) to a separate hall call button and enunciator lantern riser 56.

Elevator car and riser transfer

Elevator hall traffic sensor housing

Elevator commands, such as car calls, are entered through a wireless, hand-held transmitter. A command is received and registered as if it were directly entered on the car-operating panel. Transmission of some calls is delayed after the call is entered on the transmitter.

Method for privately controlling an elevator

An elevator has a car position transducer that provides an output signal indicating car location. A car controller causes that signal to be stored in a memory. The controller compares the stored signal with a current transducer output and stores the current signal when the difference between the two exceeds a preset amount. A detector senses the elevator system power level and connects a backup power supply to the memory and the transducer when there is a power loss. A car motion detector senses the transducer output and removes the backup power from the transducer when the car stops moving.

Backup position signaling in an elevator

A digital signal having N bits is converted to a signal having Y of the N bits, according to their order of significance in the N-bit signal. Y is less than N. The Y-bit signal is converted to an analog voltage. The analog voltage provides an indication of information represented by the selected Y bits in the N-bit signal.

Growing community of inventors

Waterbury, CT, United States of America

Gary M Meguerdichian