Multi-purpose sensor and data link

• US 6,651,028 B2
• Filed: 12/13/2001
• Issued: 11/18/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Kosowsky, Lester H., Gryzbowski, Richard
• Primary Examiner(s): Bui, Bryan
• Application Number:
  US10/015,511
• Publication Number:
  US 20030115015A1
• Time in Patent Office: 705 Days
• Field of Search: 702/140, 702/142, 702/143, 702/149, 702/150, 702/159, 702/70-75, 342/42, 342/44, 342/50, 342/51, 340/870.18, 340/870.25, 340/870.26, 340/989-993
• US Class Current: 702/159
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/325 using transmission of coded signals, e.g. P.S.K. signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/584 adapted for simultaneous range and velocity measurements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/82 wherein continuous-type signals are transmitted
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/02 of systems according to group G01S13/00

Abstract

Modulating digital data onto a carrier frequency and then amplitude modulating the result with a waveform of a different frequency permits measuring position and velocity of an elevator cab while transmitting digital data to the cab.

Claims

1. A method for determining a range and a velocity of an object compared to a station while communicating data therebetween, comprising the steps of:

providing a reflector on said object;

modulating digital data at said station onto a first waveform using one of phase modulation and frequency modulation to produce a first output;

amplitude modulating said first output with a second waveform to produce a second output comprising a carrier-no-carrier signal;

transmitting said second output from said station to said object;

generating a return signal by reflecting a first portion of said second output from said reflector;

receiving said return signal at said station and processing said return signal to obtain said range and said velocity of said object; and

processing a second portion of said second output at said object to recover said digital data modulated onto said first waveform at said station.

2. A method according to claim 1, further comprising the steps of:

modulating digital data at said object onto said first waveform using one of base modulation and frequency modulation to produce a third output;

transmitting said third output from said object to said station; and

processing said third output at said station to recover said digital data modulated onto said first waveform at said object.

3. A method according to claim 2, wherein said object is disposed at a top of an elevator cab and said station is disposed at a top of an elevator hoistway.

4. A method according to claim 1, wherein said object is disposed at a top of an elevator cab and said station is disposed at a top of an elevator hoistway.

5. A system for determining a range and a velocity of an object compared to a station and for communicating data therebetween, comprising:

reflector disposed on said object for reflecting a signal;

a first modulator for modulating digital data at said station onto a first waveform using one of phase modulation and frequency modulation to produce a first output;

a second modulator for amplitude modulating said first output with a second waveform to produce a second output comprising a carrier-on-carrier signal;

a transmitter for transmitting said second output from said station to said object;

a receiver at said station for receiving a return signal comprising a reflected first portion of said second output and processing said return signal to obtain said range and said velocity of said object; and

a processor for processing a second portion of said second output at said object to recover said digital data modulated onto said first waveform at said station.

6. A system according to claim 5, further comprising:

means for modulating digital data at said object onto said first waveform using one of phase modulation and frequency modulation to produce a third output;

means for transmitting said third output from said object to said station; and

means for processing said third output at said station to recover said digital data modulated onto said first waveform at said object.

7. A system according to claim 6, wherein said object is disposed at a top of an elevator cab and said station is disposed at a top of an elevator hoistway.

8. A system according to claim 5, wherein said object is disposed at a top of an elevator cab and said station is disposed at a top of an elevator hoistway.