# US 11,027,952 B2 · Lifting system for lifting a vehicle and method for operating the lifting system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,027,952 B2 - Document ID: US11027952B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 14/902,984 - Filed: 2014-07-03 - Published: 2016-06-30 - Granted: 2021-06-08 - Earliest claimed: 2013-07-10 - Assignees: Stertil B.V. - Applicants: Stertil B.V. - Inventors: Johan Luinge - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11027952B2 ## CPC - B66F 3/46: Combinations of several jacks with means for interrelating lifting or lowering movements - B66F 7/16: by one or more hydraulic or pneumatic jacks - B66F 7/20: by several jacks with means for maintaining the platforms horizontal during movement - B66F 7/28: Constructional details, e.g. end stops, pivoting supporting members, sliding runners adjustable to load dimensions - B66F 9/20: Means for actuating or controlling masts, platforms, or forks (power take-off from vehicle transmissions, combined with vehicle propulsion systems B60K) - B66F 17/00: Safety devices, e.g. for limiting or indicating lifting force - G06F 3/0482: Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus - B66F: HOISTING, LIFTING, HAULING OR PUSHING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, e.g. DEVICES WHICH APPLY A LIFTING OR PUSHING FORCE DIRECTLY TO THE SURFACE OF A LOAD ({invalid lifting devices A61G7/10; } mounting artificial islands on piles or like supports E02B17/00; scaffolding combined with lifting devices E04G1/22; lifting devices for sliding forms E04G11/24; lifting of buildings E04G23/06; shores or struts E04G25/00; lifts or other hoisting devices on ladders E06C7/12; props for mining E21D15/00) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) ## Abstract The invention relates to a lifting system for lifting a load, such as a vehicle, and a method for lifting a load. The lifting system includes: one or more lifting devices; a group controller arranged to operate the lifting devices; and a user interface unit including a transmitter and/or receiver configured for communication with the group controller, a processor, a display device, and input means configuring the user interface unit to receive user input. The user interface unit is adapted to communicate command signals to the group controller on basis of the user input and adapted to receive and display information obtained from the group controller. The lifting system includes a network interface unit including a network transmitter and/or network receiver configured for communication to an external network. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A lifting system for lifting a vehicle, the lifting system comprising: at least two lifting devices operable to raise and lower the vehicle; a group controller arranged to operate the lifting devices; a user interface unit comprising a transmitter and/or receiver configured for communication with the group controller, a processor, a display device, and input means configuring the user interface unit to receive user input, wherein the user interface unit being adapted to communicate command signals to the group controller on basis of the user input and adapted to receive and display information obtained from the group controller; and a network interface unit comprising a network transmitter and/or network receiver configured for communication to an external network, and a connection configured for communication with the group controller, wherein the group controller comprises a communication optimizer for determining an appropriate communication route in the lifting system, wherein the communication optimizer is adapted to select a first communication route to send the command signals from a first lifting device to a second lifting device, and, upon receiving an indication that the first communication route is disturbed, select a second communication route to send the command signals from the first lifting device to the second lifting device, wherein the second communication route is different from the first communication route, and wherein the indication that the first communication route is disturbed comprises an absence of a receipt confirmation within a specified period of time. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the communication involves one or more of the following: vehicle documentation, tasks, health and safety information, service and maintenance indication, software updates, utilisation data, authorization and identification data, position data. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The lifting system according to claim 2, wherein the group controller comprises a graphical interface builder configured for building appropriate graphical interface in response to the selected lifting devices in the lifting system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The lifting system according to claim 2, wherein the display device comprises a touch-sensitive display. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the display device comprises a touch-sensitive display. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The lifting system according to claim 5, wherein the touch-sensitive display is adapted to receive multi-touch input. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The lifting system according to claim 5, further comprising an ID-reader. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the group controller comprises a graphical interface builder configured for building appropriate graphical interface in response to the selected lifting devices in the lifting system. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, further comprising an ID-reader. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, further comprising a breath analyser. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, further comprising a positioning system for carrying out a location determination of each lifting device. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The lifting system according to claim 11, further comprising an identification system co-operating with the controller for identifying at least each selected lifting device on the basis of the position determinations. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein one lifting device is configured as master device and at least one lifting device as slave device. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The lifting system according to claim 1, wherein the first communication route is a direct communication route from the first lifting device to the second lifting device and the second communication route is an indirect communication route wherein at least one intermediate lifting device receives the command signals from the first lifting device and forwards the command signals to the second lifting device. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A method for operating a lifting system, comprising the steps: providing a lifting system according to claim 1; selecting, by the communication optimizer, a first communication route to send the command signals from a first lifting device to a second lifting device; receiving, at the communication optimizer, an indication that the first communication route is disturbed, wherein the indication that the first communication route is disturbed comprises an absence of a receipt confirmation within a specified period of time; selecting, by the communication optimizer, a second communication route to send the command signals from the first lifting device to the second lifting device, wherein the second communication route is different from the first communication route; and lifting a vehicle. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, further comprising the steps of: generating a graphical user interface (GUI) from at least one processor, the GUI being displayed in at least one display device of the user interface unit; receiving input from at least one user; and altering at least one function of the lift based on the input of at least one user. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the step of remotely accessing the user interface unit. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) The method of claim 15, further comprising the steps of: identifying a user by associating the user with an ID-means presented to an ID-reader; and receiving user input associated with system settings on the display. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) The method according to claim 15, wherein the first communication route is a direct communication route from the first lifting device to the second lifting device and the second communication route is an indirect communication route wherein at least one intermediate lifting device receives the command signals from the first lifting device and sends the command signals to the second lifting device. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: receiving, at the communication optimizer, an indication that the second communication route is disturbed; and selecting, by the communication optimizer, a third communication route to send the command signals from the first lifting device to the second lifting device, wherein the third communication route is different from both the first and second communication routes.