Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car to travel vertically in a first lane and a second lane; a propulsion system to impart force to the elevator car; a transfer station to move the elevator car horizontally from the first lane to the second lane; and a control system to supervise travel of the elevator car, the control system to supervise a first intersection between the first lane and the transfer station such that no more than one of vertical elevator car travel and horizontal elevator car travel is permitted at the first intersection at a given time.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a first elevator car (28) constructed and arranged to move in a first lane (30, 32, 34) and a first propulsion system (40) constructed and arranged to propel the first elevator. An electronic processor of the elevator system is configured to selectively control power delivered to the first propulsion system (40). The electronic processor includes a software-based power estimator configured to receive a first weight signal and a nm trajectory signal for calculating a power estimate and comparing the power estimate to a maximum power allowance. The electronic processor is configured to output an automated command signal if the power estimate exceeds the maximum power allowance.

Abstract: A method includes generating a depth stream from a scene associated with a conveyance device; processing, by a computing device, the depth stream to obtain depth information; recognizing a gesture based on the depth information; and controlling the conveyance device based on the gesture.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system is provided. The method comprising: detecting an occupancy status of the elevator car, the occupancy status comprising at least one of occupied and unoccupied; selecting a motion profile of the elevator car in response to the occupancy status, the motion profile comprising at least one of an unoccupied motion profile, an occupied motion profile, an occupied lateral movement motion profile, a power-save motion profile, and an occupied descent motion profile; and moving the elevator car in accordance with the motion profile selected.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided comprising: a first elevator car compartment configured to transport passengers through a hoistway from a first location to a second location; a plurality of sensors configured to capture data, the plurality of sensors comprising at least one of a first sensor located in the first elevator compartment and a second sensor located in an elevator lobby; a control system configured to analyze the captured data and determine information in response to the captured data; and a plurality of monitors configured to display the information from the plurality of sensors, the plurality of monitors comprising at least one of a first monitor located in the first elevator compartment and a second monitor located in the elevator lobby.

Abstract: A system and method for user localization and acoustic voice interface are provided. The system including a locator system that includes at least one sensor that detects a location of a user and generates a location value, a listening system that includes a microphone array that includes at least one microphone, wherein the listening system receives the location value and collects an audio signal from the location defined by the location value, and a signal processor that generates a control signal based on at least the audio signal.

Abstract: An electromagnetic propulsion system includes a plurality of primary windings and a permanent magnet arranged to move with respect to the plurality of primary windings. A secondary winding of the system is disposed in a non-moving relationship with the permanent magnet. An excitation energy is applied to the plurality of primary windings for creating a magnetic field that includes a base component and low frequency harmonic components. The base component substantially contributes toward motion between the plurality of primary windings and the permanent magnet and the low frequency harmonic components substantially contributes toward generating an electro-motive force in the secondary winding based on displacement between the plurality of primary windings and the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A gesture and location recognition system and method are provided. The system includes a sensor device that captures a data signal of a user and detects a gesture input from the user from the data signal, wherein a user location can be calculated based on a sensor location of the sensor device in a building and the collected data signal of the user, a signal processing device that generates a control signal based on the gesture input and the user location, and in-building equipment that receives the control signal from the signal processing device and controls the in-building equipment based on the control signal.

Abstract: A gesture-based interaction system for communication with an equipment-based system includes a sensor device and a signal processing unit. The sensor device is configured to capture at least one scene of a user to monitor for at least one gesture of a plurality of possible gestures, conducted by the user, and output a captured signal. The signal processing unit includes a processor configured to execute recognition software and a storage medium configured to store pre-defined gesture data. The signal processing unit is configured to receive the captured signal, process the captured signal by at least comparing the captured signal to the pre-defined gesture data for determining if at least one gesture of the plurality of possible gestures are portrayed in the at least one scene, and output a command signal associated with the at least one gesture to the equipment-based system.

Abstract: A method and intent recognition system that triggers voice recognition is provided. The intent recognition system includes an intent recognition device that detects a user location and/or behavior in a building and detects a triggering event based on the user location and/or behavior that suggests the user wants to input a service request, a prompt device that is triggered to provide a prompt based on the detecting by the intent recognition device and the detected triggering event, a listening device that receives an auditory input from the user, a signal processing device that processes the received auditory input and generates a control signal, and in-building equipment that receives the control signal from the signal processing device and controls the in-building equipment based on the control signal.

Abstract: A passenger detector (10) for use in a passenger conveyor system (12) is provided that includes a structured light source (34), a structured light detector (36), and a controller (38). The structured light source (34) is operable to project light (40) into a detection area (32) in a predetermined projected pattern. The structured light detector (36) is operable to generate reflected light signals indicative of light (40) reflected back toward the structured light detector (36) from the detection area (32). The controller (38) is operable to receive the reflected light signals from the structured light detector (36), and operable to process the reflected light signals to make a determination as to whether a passenger is disposed within a detection area (32).

Abstract: A monitoring system and a monitoring method for a passenger conveying device, and the passenger conveying device. The monitoring system comprises an imaging sensor and/or a depth sensing sensor for sensing a monitoring area of the passenger conveying device to acquire data frames; and a processing device for performing data processing on the data frames to monitor whether the monitoring area is abnormal, and configured to comprise: a background acquisition module for acquiring a background model based on data frames sensed when the monitoring area is in a normal state; a foreground detection module for comparing data frames sensed in real time with the background model to obtain a foreground object; a foreground feature extraction module for extracting a corresponding foreground object markup feature from the foreground object; and a state judgment module for judging whether the foreground object belongs to an abnormal population.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the field of passenger conveyor technologies, and provides a monitoring system of a passenger conveyor and a monitoring method thereof. In the monitoring system and detection method of the present invention, a monitored object of the passenger conveyor is sensed by using an imaging sensor and/or a depth sensing sensor to acquire a data frame, and the data frame is analyzed by a processing apparatus to monitor whether the monitored object is in a normal state. The monitored object may include a landing plate, a step, a barrier used in a maintenance and repair working condition and/or a step speed, and the like.

Abstract: A ropeless elevator system (10) includes a plurality of elevator cars (14) configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane (13, 15, 17), a propulsion system (16, 18) to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, and a controller (46). The controller is configured to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, and to selectively operate in an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars performs a predetermined task and is prevented from performing the in-group mode service demands.

Abstract: A ropeless elevator system includes a plurality of elevator cars configured to travel in a hoistway having at least one lane, a propulsion system to impart force to each elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars, and a controller. The controller is programmed to operate in an in-group mode where the plurality of elevator cars perform service demands, an out-of-group mode where at least one selected elevator car of the plurality of elevator cars is prevented from performing the group service mode service demands, and a transition mode where the at least one selected elevator car is prepared and transitioned from operation in the in-group mode to operation in the out-of-group mode.

Abstract: A transfer station (40) for a ropeless elevator system hoistway (11) is provided. The transfer station (40) includes a first lane (13, 15, 17), a second lane (13, 15, 17), and a parking area (42) located proximate one of the first lane (13, 15, 17) and the second lane (13, 15, 17). The transfer station (40) also includes a plurality of carriages (46) moveable within the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17), and the parking area (42), the plurality of carriages (46) configured to support and move an elevator car (14). The transfer station (40) further includes a cassette (44) configured to support and move the plurality of carriages (46). The transfer station (40) yet further includes a guiding member (48) engaged with the cassette (44), wherein the position of each of the plurality of carriages (46) relative to the first lane (13, 15, 17), the second lane (13, 15, 17) and the parking area (42) is modified by horizontal or vertical movement of the cassette (44).

Abstract: A protective device for a transportation system, wherein the protective device is disposed at each platform landing in a shaft and configured to direct falling objects away from moving components of the transportation system within the shaft.

Abstract: A sensor system for a passenger conveyance system includes a multiple of 3D sensors mounted to a movable structure within a vertical shaft and/or a horizontal shaft and a processing module in communication with the multiple of 3D sensors, the processing module operable to identify an obstruction within the horizontal or vertical shaft.

Abstract: An elevator notice system for an elevator system includes at least one hoistway defined by a structure having a plurality of areas with each area having at least one gate and at least one car in each of the at least one hoistway. At least one of the at least one gate is associated with a respective hoistway. The elevator notice system includes a controller and a programmable display. The controller is configured to control the display and track the current location and scheduled destination of each of the at least one car in each of the at least one hoistway. The programmable display includes a car identification portion displaying a car identification type associated with a specific car of the at least one car, and is configured to display at least a next area destination associated with the specific car.

Abstract: A method of operating a multi-car elevator system for a fire service sequence including the steps of: controlling, using a control system, a plurality of components of the multi-car elevator system, the controlling includes operating at least one of a first elevator car and a second elevator in at least one elevator lane; confirming the first elevator car is free of occupants; moving the first elevator car to a parking area; and confirming the second elevator car is free of occupants.