Solid state control system

Claim 2

A control system for a Conveyor car serving a plurality of stops, said system operating in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors, a first plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming controlling switching means having a plurality of circuit terminals, predetermined ones of which are connected by said conductors to predetermined ones of said first plurality of solid state components and to said associated control equipment to receive the control signals produced thereby, predetermined others of said circuit terminals also being connected by electrical conductors to said first plurality of solid state components, said other circuit terminals and their associated conductors being unnecessary for said controlling switching means to be operable in said predetermined manner, said controlling switching means when so connected operating in a predetermined manner in response to said control signals to control said car to serve said stops according to a particular mode of operation, a second plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming auxiliary switching means, wherein electrical conductors also connect the auxiliary switching means to certain of said circuit terminals and to said associated control equipment and transmit signals therebetween which cause said controlling switching means to operate in response to the same control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner and to control said car differently than according to said particular mode of operation notwithstanding the interconnections between said first plurality of solid state components and the connections from said first plurality of solid state components to said circuit terminals remain unaltered and said circuit terminals receive said same control signals.

Claim 3

A control system for a Conveyor car serving a plurality of stops, said system operating in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors, a first plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming controlling switching means having a plurality of circuit terminals, predetermined ones of which are connected by said conductors to predetermined ones of said first plurality of solid state components and to said associated control equipment to receive the control signals produced thereby, predetermined others of said circuit terminals also being connected by electrical conductors to said first plurality of solid state components, said other circuit terminals and their associated conductors being unnecessary for said controlling switching means to be operable in said predetermined manner, said controlling switching means when so connected operating in a predetermined manner in response to said control signals to control said car to serve said stops according to a particular mode of operation, a second plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming auxiliary switching means, wherein electrical conductors also connect the auxiliary switching means to certain of said circuit terminals and to said associated control equipment and transmit signals therebetween which cause said controlling switching means to operate in response to the same control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner and to control said car differently than according to said particular mode of operation notwithstanding the interconnections between said first plurality of solid state components and the connections from said first plurality of solid state components to said circuit terminals remain unaltered and said circuit terminals receive said same control signals.

Claim 4

A control system for a Conveyor car serving a plurality of stops, said system operating in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of electrical conductors, a first plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming controlling switching means having a plurality of circuit terminals, predetermined ones of which are connected by said conductors to predetermined ones of said first plurality of solid state components and to said associated control equipment to receive the control signals produced thereby, predetermined others of said circuit terminals also being connected by electrical conductors to said first plurality of solid state components, said other circuit terminals and their associated conductors being unnecessary for said controlling switching means to be operable in said predetermined manner, said controlling switching means when so connected operating in a predetermined manner in response to said control signals to control said car to serve said stops according to a particular mode of operation, a second plurality of solid state circuit components interconnected by electrical conductors and forming auxiliary switching means, wherein electrical conductors also connect the auxiliary switching means to certain of said circuit terminals and to said associated control equipment and transmit signals therebetween which cause said controlling switching means to operate in response to the same control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner and to control said car differently than according to said particular mode of operation notwithstanding the interconnections between said first plurality of solid state components and the connections from said first plurality of solid state components to said circuit terminals remain unaltered and said circuit terminals receive said same control signals.

Claim 5

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said call registering devices include hall call registering devices located at said stops and said controlling switching means includes a hall call stop switch which operates to stop said car in response to registered hall calls according to said particular mode of operation, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said hall stop switch whereby a signal applied thereto prevents said switch from operating to stop said car.

Claim 6

A control system according to claim 2, wherein electrical conductors connect said auxiliary switching means to the other circuit terminal connected to said hall stop switch whereby the operation of said auxiliary switching means prevents said hall stop switch from operating notwithstanding that part of the controlling switching means which otherwise operates to cause said hall stop switch to operate to stop said car has so operated.

Claim 7

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said associated control equipment includes door means which opens and closes to permit passenger transfers and wherein said controlling switching means includes a door time switch which according to said particular mode of operation operates a predetermined time after the door means opens to enable it to close, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said door time switch whereby a signal applied thereto delays the operation of said switch for a period longer than said predetermined time.

Claim 8

A control system according to claim 4, wherein an electrical conductor connects said auxiliary switching means to the other circuit terminal connected to said door time switch whereby the operation of the auxiliary switching means delays said door time switch from operating for a period after the door means opens longer than said predetermined time.

Claim 9

A control system according to claim 3, wherein said associated control equipment includes door means which opens and closes to permit passenger transfers and wherein said controlling switching means inclUdes a door time switch which according to said particular mode of operation operates a predetermined time after the door means opens to enable it to close, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said door time switch whereby a signal applied thereto delays the operation of said switch for a period longer than said predetermined time.

Claim 10

A control system according to claim 6, wherein an electrical conductor connects said auxiliary switching means to the other circuit terminal connected to said door time switch whereby the operation of the auxiliary switching means delays said door open time switch from operating for a period after the door means opens longer than said predetermined time.

Claim 11

A control system according to claim 7, wherein a second one of said other circuit terminals is also connected to said door time switch whereby a signal applied thereto delays the operation of said switch for a still longer period than said previously mentioned period.

Claim 12

A control system according to claim 8, wherein one of said predetermined ones of said circuit terminals is also connected to said door time switch whereby a signal applied thereto operates said switch prior to the elapse of said predetermined time.

Claim 13

A control system according to claim 4, wherein said controlling switching means includes a door open switch which operates to a first condition to cause the door means to open and operates to a second condition in response to the operation of said door time switch to cause the door means to close, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said door open switch whereby a signal applied thereto causes said door open switch to remain in its first condition notwithstanding said door time switch has operated.

Claim 14

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said controlling switching means includes a start switch which operates to enable said car to start according to said particular mode of operation, and one of said predetermined ones of said circuit terminals is connected to said start switch whereby a signal applied thereto operates said switch to enable said car to start differently than according to said particular mode of operation.

Claim 15

A control system according to claim 11, wherein said controlling switching means includes an auxiliary start switch which operates when said controlling switching means is operating in said predetermined manner to cause said start switch to operate and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said auxiliary start switch whereby a signal applied thereto prevents said auxiliary start switch from operating.

Claim 16

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor car is an elevator car and said controlling switching means includes a higher call switch which operates in response to the registration of a call above the location of the car, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said higher call switch whereby a signal applied thereto causes the operation of said higher call switch notwithstanding a call is not in registration above the location of the car.

Claim 17

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor car is an elevator car and said controlling switching means includes a lower call switch which operates in response to the registration of a call below the location of the car, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said lower call switch whereby a signal applied thereto causes the operation of said lower call switch notwithstanding a call is not in registration below the location of the car.

Claim 18

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor car is an elevator car and said controlling switching means includes an up direction establishing switch which operates in response to particular conditions when said controlling switching means is operating in said predetermined manner to establish the up direction as the direction of travel for said car, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said up dirEction establishing switch whereby a signal applied thereto operates said up direction establishing switch to establish the up direction of travel for said car notwithstanding said particular conditions do not exist.

Claim 19

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said conveyor car is an elevator car and said controlling switching means includes a down direction establishing switch which operates in response to particular conditions when said controlling switching means is operating in said predetermined manner to establish the down direction as the direction of travel for the car, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said down direction establishing switch whereby a signal applied thereto operates said down direction establishing switch to establish the down direction of travel for said car notwithstanding said particular conditions do not exist.

Claim 20

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said controlling switching means includes a call stop switch which operates to enable said car to stop in response to registered calls according to said particular mode of operation and one of said predetermined ones of said circuit terminals is connected to said call stop switch whereby a signal applied thereto prevents said switch from operating to enable said car to stop.

Claim 21

A control system according to claim 17, wherein said controlling switching means includes an auxiliary call stop switch which operates under certain conditions when said controlling switching means is operating in said predetermined manner to cause said call stop switch to operate and one of said predetermined ones of said circuit terminals is connected to said auxiliary call stop switch whereby a signal applied thereto causes said auxiliary call stop switch to operate notwithstanding said certain conditions do not exist.

Claim 22

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said controlling switching means includes a direction maintaining switch which operates when said controlling switching means is operating in said predetermined manner to maintain an established direction of travel for said car so that it operates according to said particular mode of operation and one of said predetermined ones of said circuit terminals is connected to said direction maintaining switch whereby a signal applied thereto prevents said switch from operating notwithstanding the conditions are such that it otherwise would so operate in accordance with the predetermined manner of operation of said controlling switching means.

Claim 23

A control system according to claim 2, wherein said controlling switching means includes a hall call responsive switch which operates to enable said car to travel in response to hall calls according to said particular mode of operation, and one of said other circuit terminals is connected to said hall call responsive switch whereby a signal applied thereto prevents said switch from operating.

Claim 24

A control system according to claim 1, wherein said controlling switching means includes predetermined switches, each of which has an input connected to one of said other circuit terminal through an electrical conductor which enables auxiliary switching means to be connected thereto.

Claim 25

A control system according to claim 21, wherein a predetermined switch is capable of being connected through associated electrical conductors to more than one of said second solid state circuit components.

Claim 26

A control system for an elevator car serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths and forming controlling switching circuits, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the switching circuits of Its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the controlling switching circuits of different boards through respective circuit terminals and also connecting said circuits through said terminals to receive the control signals produced by said associated control equipment thereby forming elevator control circuitry which operates in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, said elevator control circuitry including control switches and wherein said circuit terminals include control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on their associated printed circuit boards to control switches mounted thereon whereby said control switches have the capacity to be connected through said control switch terminals to auxiliary switching circuits by auxiliary wiring means so that without altering said elevator control circuitry it can be made capable of operating in response to the same control signals produced by said call registering devices and said car position indicating means in a manner different from said particular manner.

Claim 27

A control system for an elevator car serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths and forming controlling switching circuits, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the switching circuits of Its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the controlling switching circuits of different boards through respective circuit terminals and also connecting said circuits through said terminals to receive the control signals produced by said associated control equipment thereby forming elevator control circuitry which operates in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, said elevator control circuitry including control switches and wherein said circuit terminals include control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on their associated printed circuit boards to control switches mounted thereon whereby said control switches have the capacity to be connected through said control switch terminals to auxiliary switching circuits by auxiliary wiring means so that without altering said elevator control circuitry it can be made capable of operating in response to the same control signals produced by said call registering devices and said car position indicating means in a manner different from said particular manner.

Claim 28

A control system according to claim 23, wherein said control switches include starting and stopping switches which operate according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to enable the car to start and to stop and wherein individual conductor paths connect said starting and stopping switches to individual control switch terminals.

Claim 29

A control system according to claim 24, wherein said control switches include up and down direction establishing switches which operate according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to establish the up and the down direction, respectively, as the preferred direction of travel for the car and wherein individual conductor paths connect the up direction establishing switch and the down direction establishing switch to individual control switch terminals.

Claim 30

A control system according to claim 25, wherein said control switches include higher and lower call switches which operate according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to indicate the registration of a call above and below the location of the car, respectively, and wherein individual conductor paths connect the higher call switch and the lower call switch to individual control switch terminals.

Claim 31

A control system according to claim 26, wherein said associated control equipment includes door means which opens and closes to permit passenger transfer and wherein said control switches include a door open switch which operates according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to cause the door means of said car to open and a control switch terminal is connected to said door open switch by an individual conductor path.

Claim 32

A control system according to claim 27, wherein said control switches include a door time switch which operates according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to maintain said door means open for a predetermined period and a control switch terminal is connected to said door time switch by a conductor path on its associated printed circuit board.

Claim 33

A control system according to claim 28, wherein said call registering devices include hall call registering devices and said stopping switches include a call stop switch and a hall call stop switch which operate according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to enable said car to stop in response to calls and in response to hall calls, respectively, and individual conductor paths connect the call stop switch and the hall call stop switch to individual control switch terminals.

Claim 34

A control system according to claim 29, wherein said control switches include a direction maintaining switch which operates according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to maintain an established direction of travel for the car and a control switch terminal is connectEd to said direction maintaining switch by an individual conductor path.

Claim 35

A control system according to claim 30, wherein said elevator control circuitry includes a hall call responsive switch which operates according to said particular manner to enable said higher and lower call switches to operate in response to hall calls and a control switch terminal is connected to said hall call responsive switch by a conductor path on its associated printed circuit board.

Claim 36

A control system according to claim 31, wherein said starting switches include a start switch and an auxiliary start switch each of which operates according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to enable said car to start and individual conductor paths connect said start switch and said auxiliary start switch to individual control switch terminals.

Claim 37

A control system according to claim 32, wherein said control switches include an auxiliary call stop switch which operates according to said particular manner in response to said control signals to enable said car to stop in response to calls and a control switch terminal is connected to said auxiliary call stop switch by a conductor path on its associated printed circuit board.

Claim 38

A control system for an elevator car serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths which transmit signals between said components, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the electrical components of different boards through respective circuit terminals and transmitting signals therebetween, said wiring means also connecting said electrical components through said terminals to receive said control signals thereby forming controlling switching logic circuits for said car operable in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, said controlling switching logic circuits including a plurality of control switches which operate in response to signals they receive while said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner, and wherein said circuit terminals include control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on their associated printed circuit boards to control switches mounted thereon whereby said control switches are capable of receiving through said control switch terminals and of operating in response to a plurality of auxiliary signals in addition to the signals they receive while said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner.

Claim 39

A control system for an elevator car serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths which transmit signals between said components, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the electrical components of different boards through respective circuit terminals and transmitting signals therebetween, said wiring means also connecting said electrical components through said terminals to receive said control signals thereby forming controlling switching logic circuits for said car operable in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, said controlling switching logic circuits including a plurality of control switches which operate in response to signals they receive while said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner, and wherein said circuit terminals include control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on their associated printed circuit boards to control switches mounted thereon whereby said control switches are capable of receiving through said control switch terminals and of operating in response to a plurality of auxiliary signals in addition to the signals they receive while said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner.

Claim 40

A control system according to claim 34, including auxiliary switching logic circuits for generating said auxiliary signals and auxiliary wiring means connecting said auxiliary switching logic circuits to said associated control equipment and to control switch terminals of said controlling switching logic circuits for transmitting said auxiliary signals thereto, wherein the auxiliary switching logic circuits include unidirectional conducting devices, one each of which is connected in predetermined ones of the auxiliary circuits which are connected by the auxiliary wiring means to predetermined ones of said control switch terminals, whereby one auxiliary circuit which generates an auxiliary signal which is transmitted through said auxiliary wiring means to a particular control switch terminal is isolated from any other auxiliary circuit which generates an auxiliary signal which is transmitted through said auxiliary wiring means to said particular control switch terminal.

Claim 41

A control system accorDing to claim 35, wherein said associated control equipment includes door means which opens and closes to permit passenger transfers, and wherein while said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner the car is controlled to operate as an attendantless single car collective elevator which starts in response to and answers every registered call as it encounters the landings for which the calls are registered and in answering each the door means opens and is maintained open for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 42

A control system according to claim 36, wherein said auxiliary switching logic circuits include at least one auxiliary printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, said board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said board by conductor paths associated therewith and wherein said auxiliary wiring means connects both control switch terminals and other circuit terminals of the printed circuit boards of said controlling switching logic circuits to circuit terminals of said auxiliary circuit board and transmits signals therebetween.

Claim 43

A control system according to claim 37, wherein the electrical components of said auxiliary switching logic circuits include auxiliary control switches having output terminals, predetermined ones of which are connected by separate associated conductor paths to two of said unidirectional conducting devices.

Claim 44

A control system according to claim 38, wherein the control switches of said controlling switching logic circuits which are connected to said predetermined control switch terminals are transistor logic switches having expander nodes which are connected to said predetermined control switch terminals.

Claim 45

A control system according to claim 39, wherein said transistor logic switches having expander nodes are integrated circuit modules of the diode transistor class.

Claim 46

A control system according to claim 34, including auxiliary switching logic circuits for generating said auxiliary signals and auxiliary wiring means connecting said auxiliary switching logic circuits to said associated control equipment in predetermined circumstances and to control switch terminals of said controlling switching logic circuits for transmitting said auxiliary signals thereto which cause said control switches to operate in a manner differently than when said controlling switching logic circuits are operating in said particular manner.

Claim 47

A control system according to claim 41, wherein said controlling switching logic circuits are operable in said particular manner in response to said control signals notwithstanding the failure of said auxiliary switching logic circuits to operate.

Claim 48

A control system according to claim 41, wherein said controlling switching logic circuits are operable in said particular manner notwithstanding the failure of said auxiliary switching logic circuits to a first condition and wherein said auxiliary switching logic circuits are removably connected to said controlling circuits whereby if said auxiliary circuits fail to a second condition they are readily disconnectable without disturbing said controlling circuits whereupon said controlling circuits are operable in said particular manner.

Claim 49

A control system according to claim 43, including a plug-in receptacle to which said auxiliary wiring means is connected and wherein said auxiliary switching logic circuits include at least one auxiliary printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, said board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said board by conductor paths associated therewith, said plug-in receptacle removably receiVing said circuit terminals whereby said auxiliary switching logic circuits are disconnected by removing said circuit terminals from said receptacle.

Claim 50

A control system for a conveyor car serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, said system comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths which transmit signals between said components, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the electrical components of different boards through respective circuit terminals and transmitting signals therebetween, said wiring means also connecting said electrical components through said terminals to receive said control signals thereby forming controlling switching logic circuits for said car operable in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, auxiliary switching logic circuits, auxiliary wiring means connecting said auxiliary switching logic circuits to circuit terminals of said controlling switching logic circuits and under predetermined conditions to said associated control equipment thereby transforming the operation of said controlling switching logic circuits in response to said control signals to a manner different from said particular manner, said controlling switching logic circuits being operable in said particular manner in response to said control signals notwithstanding the failure of said auxiliary switching logic circuits to operate to a first condition, said auxiliary switching logic circuits being removably connected to said controlling circuits so that if said auxiliary circuits fail to a second condition they are readily disconnectable without disturbing said controlling circuits whereupon said controlling circuits are operable in said particular manner.

Claim 51

A control system for a conveyor car serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices and a car position indicating means, said system comprising a plurality of printed circuit boards, each board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths which transmit signals between said components, each board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths associated with said board, wiring means interconnecting the electrical components of different boards through respective circuit terminals and transmitting signals therebetween, said wiring means also connecting said electrical components through said terminals to receive said control signals thereby forming controlling switching logic circuits for said car operable in a particular manner in response to said control signals to control said car, auxiliary switching logic circuits, auxiliary wiring means connecting said auxiliary switching logic circuits to circuit terminals of said controlling switching logic circuits and under predetermined conditions to said associated control equipment thereby transforming the operation of said controlling switching logic circuits in response to said control signals to a manner different from said particular manner, said controlling switching logic circuits being operable in said particular manner in response to said control signals notwithstanding the failure of said auxiliary switching logic circuits to operate to a first condition, said auxiliary switching logic circuits being removably connected to said controlling circuits so that if said auxiliary circuits fail to a second condition they are readily disconnectable without disturbing said controlling circuits whereupon said controlling circuits are operable in said particular manner.

Claim 52

A control system according to claim 45, including a plug-in receptacle to which said auxiliary wiring means is connected and wherein said auxiliary switching logic circuits include at least one auxiliary printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, said board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said board by conductor paths associated therewith, said plug-in receptacle removably receiving said circuit terminals whereby said auxiliary switching logic circuits are disconnected by removing said circuit terminals from said receptacle.

Claim 53

A control system for a plurality of elevator cars serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by hall call registering devices common to the cars as well as car call registering devices and car position indicating means individual to each car, comprising individual car switching logic circuits individual to each car, group switching logic circuits common to the cars connected to each of the individual car switching logic circuits and together controlling said cars to operate in response to said control signals as a supervised group according to a predetermined mode, wherein each of said individual car switching logic circuits is operable by itself without cooperating with any of said group switching logic circuits to control its associated car to operate in a particular manner in response to the control signals produced by said hall call registering devices and its associated car call registering devices and car position indicating means upon the failure of said group switching logic circuits to operate in their intended manner.

Claim 54

A control system for a plurality of elevator cars serving a plurality of landings in response to control signals produced by hall call registering devices common to the cars as well as car call registering devices and car position indicating means individual to each car, comprising individual car switching logic circuits individual to each car, group switching logic circuits common to the cars connected to each of the individual car switching logic circuits and together controlling said cars to operate in response to said control signals as a supervised group according to a predetermined mode, wherein each of said individual car switching logic circuits is operable by itself without cooperating with any of said group switching logic circuits to control its associated car to operate in a particular manner in response to the control signals produced by said hall call registering devices and its associated car call registering devices and car position indicating means upon the failure of said group switching logic circuits to operate in their intended manner.

Claim 55

A control systeM according to claim 47, wherein each of said individual car switching logic circuits is operable to control its associated car in said particular manner upon the failure of said group switching logic circuits to a first condition and wherein said group switching logic circuits are removably connected to each of said individual car switching logic circuits whereby if said group switching logic circuits fail to a second condition they are readily disconnectable without disturbing any of said individual car switching logic circuits whereupon each of said individual car switching logic circuits is operable to control its associated car in said particular manner.

Claim 56

A control system according to claim 48, including group wiring means connecting said group switching logic circuits to each of said individual car switching logic circuits and a plug-in receptacle to which said group wiring means is connected and wherein said group switching logic circuits include at least one printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, said board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said board by conductor paths associated therewith, said plug-in receptacle removably receiving said circuit terminals whereby said group switching logic circuits are disconnected by removing said circuit terminals from said receptacle.

Claim 57

A control system for a plurality of conveyor cars serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices for said stops and car position indicating means individual to each car, comprising one set of a first plurality of electrical components for each car, a first plurality of electrical conductors for each car interconnecting said associated first plurality of electrical components and connecting them to said associated control equipment to receive said control signals thereby forming individual car control circuitry, each operable in a predetermined manner in response to said control signals to control its associated car, a second plurality of electrical components common to the cars, and a second plurality of electrical conductors interconnecting said second plurality of electrical components and forming group supervisory control circuitry, said second plurality of electrical conductors also connecting said group supervisory control circuitry to each said individual car control circuitry which together and with said cars and said associated control equipment comprise a group supervisory control system which performs particular operations in response to said control signals to control said cars as a supervised group according to a predetermined mode, and wherein the connections between said group supervisory control circuitry and each said individual car control circuitry causes each of the latter to operate in response to the same control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner notwithstanding the associated interconnections between the first plurality of electrical components of each said individual car control circuitry and the connections between each said individual car control circuitry and said associated control equipment remain unaltered.

Claim 58

A control system for a plurality of conveyor cars serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated control equipment including call registering devices for said stops and car position indicating means individual to each car, comprising one set of a first plurality of electrical components for each car, a first plurality of electrical conductors for each car interconnecting said associated first plurality of electrical components and connecting them to said associated control equipment to receive said control signals thereby forming individual car control circuitry, each operable in a predetermined manner in response to said control signals to control its associated car, a second plurality of electrical components common to the cars, and a second plurality of electrical conductors interconnecting said second plurality of electrical components and forming group supervisory control circuitry, said second plurality of electrical conductors also connecting said group supervisory control circuitry to each said individual car control circuitry which together and with said cars and said associated control equipment comprise a group supervisory control system which performs particular operations in response to said control signals to control said cars as a supervised group according to a predetermined mode, and wherein the connections between said group supervisory control circuitry and each said individual car control circuitry causes each of the latter to operate in response to the same control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner notwithstanding the associated interconnections between the first plurality of electrical components of each said individual car control circuitry and the connections between each said individual car control circuitry and said associated control equipment remain unaltered.

Claim 59

A control system according to claim 50, including a plurality of group printed circuit boards for said group upon which are mounted said second plurality of electrical components and wherein said second plurality of electrical conductors include both printed circuit conductor paths on each of said plurality of group printed circuit boards interconnecting the electrical components on each board and group wiring means, each of said group printed circuit boards including a plurality of group circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths on said board, said group wiring means being connected to respective group circuit terminals thereby interconnecting the electrical components on different boards and connecting the group supervisory control circuitry to each said individual car control circuitry, said group supervisory control circuitry including group control switches which are connected through respective conductor paths to receive group signals from the rest of said group supervisory control system while it is cooperating with each said individual car control circuitry to control said cars as a supervised group according to said predetermined mode, said group circuit terminals including group control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on their associated printed circuit boards to group control switches mounted thereon whereby said group control switches are capable of receiving through said group control switch terminals and of operating in response to a plurality of auxiliary group signals in addition to the group signals they receive while said cars are controlled to operate as a supervised group according to said predetermined mode.

Claim 60

A control system according to claim 51, including auxiliary group circuitry common to all cars and auxiliary group wiring means connecting said associated control equipment to said auxiliary group circuitry to enable it to generate said auxiliary group signals and connecting said group control switches through said group control switch terminals to said auxiliary group circuitry to enable it to transmit said auxiliary signals to said group control switches which cause them to operate to control said cars as a supervised group in a manner different than according to said predetermined mode.

Claim 61

A control system according to claim 52, wherein said auxiliary group circuitry includes at least one auxiliary printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, said auxiliary board also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said auxiliary board by conductor paths associated therewith and wherein said auxiliary group wiring means connects circuit terminals of said auxiliary group circuitry to group control switch terminals as well as to said associated control equipment.

Claim 62

A control system according to claim 52, wherein each said individual car control circuitry includes a plurality of individual car printed circuit boards upon which are mounted one set of said first plurality of electrical components and wherein each of said first plurality of electrical conductors include both printed circuit conductor paths on each of the associated plurality of individual car printed circuit boards interconnecting the electrical components on each said board and individual car wiring means, each said individual car printed circuit board for each car including a plurality of individual car circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of its associated board by conductor paths on said board, said individual car wiring means for each car being connected to respective individual car circuit terminals thereby interconnecting the electrical components on different individual car boards for that car, each said individual car control circuitry including car control switches which are connected through respective conductor paths to receive individual car signals from the rest of its associated individual car control circuitry and from said group supervisory control circuitry while it is operating as a member of said supervised group according to said predetermined manner, said individual car circuit terminals for each car including individual car control switch terminals connected by conductor paths on the associated individual car printed circuit boards to car control switches mounted thereon whereby said car control switches for each car are capable of receiving through their associated Ndividual car control switch terminals and of operating in response to a plurality of auxiliary individual car signals in addition to the individual car signals they receive while their associated car is operating as a member of said supervised group according to said predetermined mode.

Claim 63

A control system according to claim 54, including auxiliary individual car circuits for each car and auxiliary individual car wiring means for each car connecting said auxiliary group circuitry to the associated auxiliary individual car circuits to enable them to generate said auxiliary individual car signals and connecting associated individual car control switch terminals to the associated auxiliary individual car circuits to enable them to transmit the associated auxiliary individual car signals to said associated individual car control switches, wherein the auxiliary individual car circuits for each car includes a unidirectional conducting device which is connected in the associated auxiliary individual car circuits which are connected through the auxiliary wiring means to the associated individual car control switch terminals, whereby an auxiliary individual car circuit which generates an auxiliary individual car signals which is transmitted through such auxiliary individual car wiring means to a particular individual car control switch terminal is isolated from any other circuit which generates a signal which is transmitted to said particular individual car control switch terminal.

Claim 64

A control system according to claim 55, wherein each said auxiliary individual car circuits includes at least one auxiliary individual car printed circuit board including a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths and a plurality of electrical components mounted thereon interconnected by associated conductor paths, each said board for each car also including a plurality of circuit terminals connected to various ones of the electrical components of said board by conductor paths associated therewith and wherein said auxiliary individual car wiring means for each car connects circuit terminals of its associated auxiliary individual car circuits to individual car control switch terminals as well as other individual car circuit terminals of said individual car control circuitry for that car.

Claim 65

A control system according to claim 56, wherein said auxiliary individual car wiring means for each car also connects an individual car circuit terminal of the associated auxiliary individual car circuits to a circuit terminal of said auxiliary group circuitry.

Claim 66

For use in control systems for conveyor cars, apparatus capable of being arranged in different systems to operate in different manners to provide different operating characteristics to the cars thereof, each car of each system serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated call registering devices and associated car position indicating means, said apparatus for each car of each system including a first plurality of circuit boards, each board including a plurality of electrical components, first wiring means for each car of each system for interconnecting the electrical components of the first circuit boards of its associated car and for connecting them to receive the control signals produced by the associated call registering devices and car position indicating means to form individual conveyor car control circuitry, the control circuitry of each car being operable in a predetermined manner in response to identical control signals to provide its associated car with predetermined operating characteristics, auxiliary circuit boards for cars whose control circuitry is to be operable in response to said control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner to provide said cars with operating characteristics different from said predetermined ones, each auxiliary circuit board including a plurality of electrical components, and auxiliary wiring means for each auxiliary circuit board for connecting The electrical components of its associated auxiliary circuit board to the control circuitry provided for the associated car to make said associated control circuitry operable in its specifically different manner, wherein the first circuit boards of one car are interchangeable with the corresponding first circuit boards of another car with the control circuitry of both retaining the ability to operate in said predetermined manner notwithstanding the control circuitry of said one car is operable in response to identical control signals in a manner different from that of said other car so as to provide said one car with operating characteristics different from said other car.

Claim 67

For use in control systems for conveyor cars, apparatus capable of being arranged in different systems to operate in different manners to provide different operating characteristics to the cars thereof, each car of each system serving a plurality of stops in response to control signals produced by associated call registering devices and associated car position indicating means, said apparatus for each car of each system including a first plurality of circuit boards, each board including a plurality of electrical components, first wiring means for each car of each system for interconnecting the electrical components of the first circuit boards of its associated car and for connecting them to receive the control signals produced by the associated call registering devices and car position indicating means to form individual conveyor car control circuitry, the control circuitry of each car being operable in a predetermined manner in response to identical control signals to provide its associated car with predetermined operating characteristics, auxiliary circuit boards for cars whose control circuitry is to be operable in response to said control signals in a manner different from said predetermined manner to provide said cars with operating characteristics different from said predetermined ones, each auxiliary circuit board including a plurality of electrical components, and auxiliary wiring means for each auxiliary circuit board for connecting The electrical components of its associated auxiliary circuit board to the control circuitry provided for the associated car to make said associated control circuitry operable in its specifically different manner, wherein the first circuit boards of one car are interchangeable with the corresponding first circuit boards of another car with the control circuitry of both retaining the ability to operate in said predetermined manner notwithstanding the control circuitry of said one car is operable in response to identical control signals in a manner different from that of said other car so as to provide said one car with operating characteristics different from said other car.

Claim 68

Apparatus according to claim 58, wherein the first circuit boards for each car are printed circuit boards and the first wiring means interconnecting the electrical components of the first printed circuit boards for each car includes a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths on each board which interconnect the electrical components mounted thereon, said first printed circuit boards for each car including control circuit terminals each being connected by a conductor path to an electrical component on its associated board notwithstanding the parts to form the individual car control circuitry are complete without such connections.

Claim 69

For use in control systems for single conveyor cars as well as for pluralities of conveyor cars which operate as supervised groups, apparatus according to claim 59 which when used in systems for pluralities of elevator cars is operable in different manners to control different groups according to different modes of operation, said apparatus including a second plurality of circuit boards for each system which includes a plurality of cars which operate as a supervised group, each second circuit board including a plurality of electrical components, second wiring means for each such system for interconnecting the electrical components of the second circuit boards to form group control circuitry and for connecting said group control circuitry of each system to the individual conveyor car control circuitry of each car of that system to form combined control circuitry, the combined control circuitry of each such system being operable in a particular manner in response to identical control signals to control its associated cars as a supervised group according to a predetermined mode of operation, an auxiliary group circuit board for each system including a plurality of cars which are to operate as a supervised group and whose combined control circuitry is to be operable in response to said control signals in a manner different from said particular manner to control its associated cars according to a mode of operation different from said predetermined mode, each auxiliary group circuit board including a plurality of electrical components, and auxiliary group wiring means for each auxiliary group circuit board for connecting the electrical components of its associated auxiliary group circuit board to the combined control circuitry provided for the associated group to make said associated combined control circuitry operable in its specifically different manner, wherein the second circuit boards of one plural car system are interchangeable with the corresponding second circuit boards of another such system notwithstanding the combined control circuitry of said one system is operable in response to identical control signals in a manner different from that of said other system so as to control the cars of said one system according to a mode of operation different from that of the cars of said other system.

Claim 70

Apparatus according to claim 60, wherein the second circuit boards for each plural car system are printed circuit boards and the second wiring means for each such system includes a plurality of printed circuit conductor paths on each board which interconnect the electrical components mounted thereon, said second printed circuit boards for each such system including group cOntrol circuit terminals each being connected by a conductor path to an electrical component on its associated board notwithstanding the parts to form the group control circuitry are complete without such connections.

Claim 71

Apparatus according to claim 61, including an auxiliary individual car circuit board for each car of a plural car system whose combined control circuitry is to operate in a manner different from said particular manner so as to control the cars of said system according to a mode of operation different from said predetermined mode, each said auxiliary individual car circuit board including a plurality of electrical components, and auxiliary wiring means for each such auxiliary circuit board for connecting the electrical components of its associated board to the combined control circuitry and to the electrical components of the auxiliary group circuit board provided for the associated system.

Claim 72

Apparatus according to claim 62, wherein auxiliary group wiring means is provided for each plural car system for which an auxiliary group circuit board is provided for connecting the electrical components of the associated auxiliary group circuit board to group control circuit terminals of the second printed circuit boards provided for the associated system.