Abstract: An elevator system includes a hoistway, an elevator car configured to travel in the hoistway, and a pit located at a bottom of the hoistway. A safety chain is configured to enable or disable motion of the elevator car, and a sensor assembly is configured to initiate opening the safety chain to disable motion of the elevator car upon detection of a person in a detection region of the sensor assembly in the hoistway. A test device is configured to test operation of the sensor assembly to detect malfunctioning and/or tampering of operation of the sensor assembly.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to managing user profiles. An example method includes, at a computer system in communication with a display generation component and an input device: receiving, via the input device, a user input including a request to access a first restricted media item; and in response to the user input: in accordance with a determination the user input is a voice input and the voice input corresponds to a user profile authorized to access the first restricted media item using voice inputs, initiating playback of the first restricted media item; and in accordance with a determination the user input is a voice input and the voice input does not correspond to a user profile authorized to access the first restricted media item using voice inputs: forgoing initiating playback of the first restricted media item; and causing display, at the display generation component, of a validation user interface.

Abstract: An elevator control device recognizes a destination floor of a user from a voice of the user input to a voice input device, registers a voice car call corresponding to the recognized destination floor, generates stop floor information including a stop floor at which a car stops before the car arrives at the destination floor after the registration of the voice car call, and performs, as a voice announcement that follows the generated stop floor information, any one of a first announcement for notifying of the stop floor in order of floors at which the car stops and a second announcement for notifying of how many floors the car stops at before arriving at the destination floor.

Abstract: A safety net system is provided for an elevator system that includes an elevator pit. The safety net system includes a sensor and a processor. The sensor is arranged in a plane along a bottom of the elevator pit and is configured to perform sensing to sense an object disposed along the plane and to generate data corresponding to results of the sensing. The processor is operably coupled to the sensor and is configured to analyze the data and to determine whether the data is indicative of a person in the elevator pit based on analysis results.

Abstract: A method for transportation includes providing a vehicle with a cab and having a moveable actuator coupled to a propulsion unit to move the propulsion unit between a first position above the cab during lift-off and a second position during lateral flight. The system can receive hand control gestures as captured by cameras/sensors. A flight computer determines vehicle control options based on the model, a current state of the vehicle and the environment of the vehicle.

Abstract: A braking device for an elevator with a rail-guided car, which encompasses a guide rail and holds a braking element in position on one side of the guide rail and holds another braking element in position on the opposite side of the guide rail, wherein at least one of the braking elements is held in its standby position by a switchable retaining magnet against the force of an automatic actuator. The braking element is automatically driven in between the basic body and the guide rail, if the car moves at the point in time at which the braking element abuts against the guide rail. The retaining magnet is equipped with an air gap reducing agent, which reduces or eliminates an air gap between the retaining magnet and the braking element such that the retaining magnet keeps the braking element magnetically trapped again, as soon as it is switched accordingly.

Abstract: A method of operating a safety net system of an elevator system is provided. The method includes installing a sensor in an elevator pit of the elevator system and executing a learning phase of the sensor to verify successful installation of the sensor. The executing of the learning phase includes causing the sensor to sense physical characteristics of a portion of the elevator pit when the elevator pit is known to have certain physical characteristics to generate a background reading, comparing the background reading against a reading associated with known physical characteristics of the portion of the elevator pit and verifying the successful installation of the sensor based on results of the comparing.

Abstract: Communication for an elevator service request in the field of elevator technologies. A wireless signal device for broadcasting a wireless signal according to the present invention is capable of communicating with an elevator controller of an elevator system, establishing a wireless connection with a personal mobile terminal based on the wireless signal, receiving an elevator service request command from the personal mobile terminal, and sending the received elevator service request command to the elevator controller for elevator service control. The wireless signal device comprises: an elevator service request command responding unit configured to generate an elevator service request command data packet that has been responded to according to the elevator service request command that has been received; and a broadcasting unit configured to broadcast the elevator service request command data packet that has been responded to.

Abstract: Elevator systems and methods for displaying information associated with the elevator systems. The systems including an elevator car located within an elevator shaft, a display located within the elevator car, and an elevator emergency monitoring system having an elevator shaft monitoring device mounted on the elevator car and configured to capture an image of the elevator shaft. The elevator car is operable in an emergency mode of operation such that an image captured by the elevator shaft monitoring device is displayed on the display within the elevator car.

Abstract: A method, computer system, and computer program product for cognitive elevator advertisements are provided. The embodiment may include identifying one or more passengers utilizing real-time sensor data. The embodiment may also include determining a preference value of each identified passenger for a plurality of product categories based on a plurality of data related to past purchase histories or purchasing patterns received from a plurality of databases simultaneously or almost simultaneously. The embodiment may further include computing corrected passenger preference values for the plurality of product categories based on unprejudiced preference values of the passengers multiplied by the preference values assigned to each product category. The embodiment may also include determining one or more targeted advertisements for one or more targeted passengers based on each computed passenger preference values.

Abstract: The application discloses a placement system for a door of a wafer pod, including a loadport. A docking interface is formed in the loadport, a placement mechanism is arranged on one side surface of the loadport, and includes a swing component, a follower component, and a docking plate. The swing component and the follower component are respectively connected to the docking plate, and the swing component can drive the docking plate to place the docking plate obliquely above the docking interface. By utilizing the space at the top of the loadport, the structural layout of the loadport is more reasonable; and the docking plate is placed nearly horizontally after the door is placed at a designated position, and provides a supporting force to the door, so that dependence on the vacuum suction is decreased, thereby avoiding the influences due to fluctuations of air pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for detection of a malfunction in an elevator. The system includes an elevator cab, a server, at least one sensor, and a controller. The controller receives a signal captured by the at least sensor and transmit to the server. The server processes the transmitted signal and prognostically detects the malfunction in the elevator cab.

Abstract: A suspension member arrangement for an elevator includes a suspension member having a plurality of electrically conductive load-bearing cords commonly embedded in an electrically isolating matrix material, a first connector and a second connector each attached to the suspension member and electrically contacting the cords within the suspension member in a contacted end region thereof. The first connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a first group of the cords being a first plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The second connector electrically contacts and electrically interconnects in parallel a second group of the cords being a second plurality of directly neighboring ones of the cords. The suspension member arrangement facilitates electrically contacting the cords of the suspension member using a simple type of connector whereby deteriorations in characteristics of the suspension member can be electrically detected with high accuracy.

Abstract: A presence detection system includes a support layer operable to act as an underlying surface for supporting object(s), a sensor layer disposed beneath the support layer and operable to output readings indicating the presence of object(s) supported on the support layer and a controller for receiving the presence readings from the sensor layer and determining, based on the readings, an indicator of the occupancy status and/or an occupancy level of the support layer. The presence detection system can be used within an access gate system whereby the access gate is operated to a blocking position upon the presence detection system detecting more than one human supported on the support layer, this operation overriding a reading of an authenticated user token. The presence detection system can also be used within an elevator system wherein the elevator door subsystem and the elevator displacement subsystem are controlled based on an occupancy level detected by the detection system.

Abstract: This application relates to a method and an apparatus for monitoring a state of a passenger transport system such as, for example, an escalator. The method includes monitoring the state of the passenger transport system using an updated digital double data record that reflects characterizing properties of components of the passenger transport system in an actual configuration of the passenger transport system in a machine-processable manner after the assembly and installation thereof in a building. The updated digital double data record can be obtained, for example, by accurately surveying the passenger transport system and using signal values from sensors housed in the passenger transport system, and allows conclusions as to the present or future state of the passenger transport system, based on which maintenance measures can be planned efficiently and adequately.

Abstract: Embodiments include a method and system for detecting mechanics in an elevator system. The system includes a controller configured to communicate with one or more anchors, and a tag configured to transmit a signal, wherein the signal includes an identifier and location information. The system also includes one or more anchors, wherein the one or more anchors are configured to detect the signal from the tag, wherein the controller is configured to execute a safety action response to detecting the signal from the tag.

Abstract: Elevator access systems having an access control module operably connected to an elevator system and an access device located within the access control module and removable therefrom, wherein when the access device is within the access control module a normal mode of operation of the elevator system is activated and when the access device is removed from the access control module, the elevator system enters a safety mode of operation.

Abstract: The subject matter of this specification can be implemented in, among other things, a method that includes storing first client information identifying a first client device, identifying a location of the first client device, and identifying a first remote access session that provides the first client device access to resources of the remote access system. The method further includes receiving access information identifying an access device and a user account associated with the first client information. The access information indicates that the user account has been successfully authenticated by the access device. The method further includes, in response to the receipt of the access information, causing the first client device to connect to the first remote access session with the remote access system as a background process of the client device while a user interface of the client device remains locked.

Abstract: An elevator derailment detecting device according to the present invention detects the opened and closed states of contacts at first and second safety relays 82 and 83 (steps S1 and S2). Since a first NO contact 82b is closed, a first NC contact 82c is opened, a second NO contact 83b is closed, and a second NC contact 83c is opened, it is determined that there is no circuit failure. Then, the opened and closed state of the contactless relay 84 is detected (step S3). When the contactless relay NO contact 84b is closed and the contactless relay NC contact 84c is opened, it is determined that the counterweight 21 of the elevator 11 is in a derailed state.

Abstract: A control unit, an elevator-monitoring apparatus and a method are used to monitor a maintenance mode of an elevator installation. The control unit has a controller and a memory device, wherein the controller receives a first signal when a locking device of shaft door is locked and receives a second signal when the locking device is unlocked. The controller compares a chronological signal sequence of first signals and second signals with a reference sequence stored in the memory device for actuation of the locking device and, if the signal sequence of the first signals and second signals matches the reference sequence, ends the maintenance mode and releases a car of the elevator installation for a traveling operation.

Abstract: A method and device detect non-uniform and uniform deterioration states in an elevator suspension member having first and second groups of electrically conductive cords. First ends of the groups are electrically connected to an alternating voltage generator arrangement and second ends are electrically connected to each other through first and second resistors via a neutral point at which electrical resistances of the groups are the same in a non-deteriorated state of the suspension member. The method includes: applying first and second alternating voltages to the first end of the first and second groups, respectively; determining a neutral point voltage between the neutral point and an electrical reference potential; determining difference voltages between first and second difference measurement points located between the second ends of the groups and the respective resistors; and determining the deterioration state based on both the determined neutral point voltage and the determined difference voltage.

Abstract: An automatic elevator safety system includes an elevator safety circuit and an external server. The elevator safety circuit is configured for monitoring the operation of an elevator system comprising at least one elevator car traveling along a hoistway, and an elevator control configured for controlling the movement of the elevator car. At least one of the elevator control and the elevator safety circuit is configured for sending data comprising information about the current state of the elevator system to the external server, in particular in case a safety issue has been detected. The external server is configured for (A) receiving the data sent by the at least one elevator safety circuit; (B) analyzing the received data; and (C) depending on the result of the analysis, sending commands to the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator system is provided. Aspects includes an elevator car, a sensor, and a projector affixed to the elevator car, wherein the projector is operated by a controller and the controller is configured to receive an indication of a presence of a passenger in the elevator car. A car operating panel is projected, by a projector, in the elevator car, wherein the car operating panel comprises a virtual element. An activation of the virtual element from the passenger is sensed by a sensor and an action is initiated based at least in part on sensing the activation of the virtual element.

Abstract: A monitoring device for monitoring a passenger transport system includes at least one sensor, a control unit, a bus, and at least one bus node connected to the bus. The bus node has a microprocessor and an inspection unit for data exchange with the control unit. A first program module in the microprocessor detects a state change of the sensor that is connected to an input of the microprocessor via a transmission line and spontaneously transmits a corresponding state message to the control unit. A second program module in the inspection unit, after receiving an instruction from the control unit, transmits an activation signal to a coupling point in the bus node that simulates a state change of the sensor, the activation signal being superimposed on a sensor signal and/or being coupled into a power supply line connected to the sensor.

Abstract: The present application relates to a continuously conveying passenger transport system which can be walked on and is designed as an escalator or moving walkway and a mobile device charging device for wirelessly electrically charging at least one mobile device during a passenger transport.

Abstract: A machining device includes a driving shaft provided with a brake and driven by a motor, a detector that detects a state quantity of the driving shaft, and a controller that controls the driving shaft based on the state quantity. The controller includes a switch command unit that outputs a switch command for switching the brake between on and off states, a vibration command unit that outputs a vibration command for rotating the motor minutely in forward and reverse directions at a first time point after the switch command is output and at a second time point temporally spaced at an interval from the first time point, and a determination unit that determines a state of the brake based on the state quantity detected at the first time point while the vibration command is being output and the state quantity at the second time point.

Abstract: A door operation controller for an elevator includes at least one sensor arranged in a doorway at a landing for detecting moving direction and/or moving speed of a person or an object in or near the doorway during a time period from when the elevator door is opened until when the elevator door is closed at the landing. The controller is configured to control door operation in response to the detection of a person's or object's movement in or near the doorway at the landing.

Abstract: Elevator systems having an elevator car located within an elevator shaft, the elevator car moveable between a plurality of floors of a building, a car operating panel located within the elevator car and having a plurality of buttons operable for selection of a destination floor of the plurality of floors, a digital readable marker located within the elevator car that is at least one of scannable and readable by a user device, and a digital storage system having information stored thereon, the information including directory information, wherein the directory information includes information associated with the floors selectable by operation of the plurality of buttons. When a user device scans or reads the digital readable marker, the digital storage system transmits the directory information to the user device so that the user device can display the directory information to a passenger.

Abstract: Depth cameras may be placed within an elevator car hoistway to capture depth images of the elevator rope. 3D sensing software may be used to identify the rope within the depth images and assign tracking points to locations along the rope. Tracked images are saved over time and compared to prior tracked images to determine the movement of tracked points between images. Movement of tracked points may be used to determine the velocity, acceleration, frequency of wave motion, and other characteristics of the rope during a period of time. When measured characteristics exceed specified thresholds, the system may take one or more actions to mitigate the undesirable behavior or provide notification of the undesirable behavior.

Abstract: The invention concerns a rescue apparatus, an elevator as well as a retrofit kit. The rescue apparatus comprises a brake control unit having input terminals for connecting to a power supply, output terminals for connecting to a magnetizing coil of an electromagnetic brake, at least one controllable brake opening switch associated with at least one of the input terminals and adapted, in an open state, to prevent supply of current from the power supply to the magnetizing coil and, in a closed state, to allow supply of current from the power supply to the magnetizing coil. The rescue apparatus further comprises a control cable comprising one or more control signal wires and a remote control panel coupled via the control cable to the brake control unit.

Abstract: Elevator systems including an elevator car having a first elevator car door and an openable ceiling, the openable ceiling comprising a ceiling frame and an openable panel, the openable panel moveable from an open position to a closed position relative to the ceiling frame, an imaging device mounted to the openable panel and configured to capture image data of a detection zone that includes at least an opening formed by the first elevator car door when the openable panel is in the closed position, and a display located within the elevator car to display an image associated with the image data received from the imaging device. The openable panel is openable to create an access way that permits access from an interior of the elevator car to a top exterior of the elevator car.

Abstract: A method for generating maintenance data of an elevator door system includes detecting a first event during closing or opening of a door of the elevator door system and defining a time stamp of the first event, wherein the first event is opening or closing of a safety circuit; detecting at least one second event during said closing or opening of the door of the elevator door system and defining time stamp of the at least one second event; defining a difference value by comparing the time stamp of the first event and the time stamp of the at least one second event; comparing the difference value to previously stored one or more difference values; and generating maintenance data of the elevator door system. A system is provided to perform at least partly the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solution for diagnosing an operational condition of at least one device of an elevator car. The solution comprises the at least one device, an image capturing device, at least one reflective surface arranged to a position in an elevator car forming a path of reflection between the image capturing device and a portion of the at least one device, and a control device, In the solution the at least one device is caused to set the operating state and the image capturing device is configured to capture an image at least on the portion of the at least one device seen by the image capturing device through the at least one reflective surface, the image data is analyzed and based on that the operational condition of the device is concluded.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator or escalator system is provided. The method includes alerting a mechanic of a shutdown of a vehicle of the elevator or escalator system and providing data indicative of an occupancy condition of the vehicle to the mechanic so that the mechanic can execute, in any order, a verification of a no-occupancy condition, a switch of a mode of operation of the elevator or escalator system to a recovery mode and an inspection for faults. The method further includes initiating an overspeed (OS) switch reset routine in an event the mechanic confirms that an actuation of the OS switch is an exclusive cause of the shutdown and remotely triggers the OS switch reset routine accordingly.

Abstract: An elevator safety system comprises: at least one position sensor, which is configured for determining a position value representing the position of the elevator car within the hoistway; at least one door sensor, which is configured for detecting whether the at least one door is closed; a limit setting unit, which is configured for determining an operation status of the elevator car and for setting at least one position limit according to the determined operation status; and a comparison unit, which is configured for comparing the determined position value with the set position limit and for determining an error condition, if the position value is not in compliance with the at least one position limit and the at least one door sensor indicates that at least one door is not closed.

Abstract: An installation gauge for use in an elevator hoistway is provided. The installation gauge includes a platform assembly and a frame assembly configured to support the platform assembly. The frame assembly includes one or more safety assemblies and one or more guide assemblies. Opposing guide shoes are connected to each of the one or more guide assemblies. The opposing guide shoes are centered about a guide rail and configured to determine a centerline of the guide rail. A lift assembly is configured to facilitate hoisting of the platform assembly and the frame assembly within the elevator hoistway. A plurality of safety ropes couples the lift assembly to the one or more safety assemblies. A climbing rope is attached to the lift assembly. The determination of the centerline of the guide rail can be used as a basis to install other hoistway equipment.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for monitoring condition of a rope of a hoisting device, which rope comprises one or more load bearing members oriented to extend parallel with longitudinal direction of the rope throughout the length thereof. The method comprises measuring strains of one or more portions of a load bearing member of the rope; and comparing the measured strains of one or more portions of a load bearing member of the rope with at least one reference. The invention also relates to a hoisting device implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for ascertaining phase currents of an electric machine including a converter and stator including stator windings (phase number of at least three), in which the phase currents of measuring phases (at least two), are measured, the phase currents being measured in a measuring interval when the active switching elements of the measuring phases in a lowside path of the converter are activated in a switching interval delimited by a switching-on point-in-time and switching-off point-in-time, the phase currents of the remaining phases being determined arithmetically from the measured phase currents so that the measured phase currents, a spatial angle of the measuring phases, and a spatial angle of the remaining phases are used for arithmetic determination, in which the measuring interval is selected to be with respect to time outside a switching-on point-in-time or switching-off point-in-time of at least one of the active switching elements of the stator phases.

Abstract: A system and method for communicating with a barrier operator system to direct operation of a barrier. The system and method may include adaptively updating an expected time duration for an operational sequence that includes occurrence of an event relating to operation of the barrier operator system and receipt of a status message from the barrier operator system. The system may monitor and record the elapsed time for the operational sequence, and determine the expected time duration for the operational sequence based on the recorded history of elapsed times. If the status message is not received within the expected time duration after occurrence of the event, the system may transmit a status request message to the barrier operator system to obtain information relating to the status of the barrier operator system or the barrier, or both.

Abstract: A destination call, as an example of an action, is automatically generated in an elevator system when detected current connection data correspond to a stored behavior pattern for the usage of the elevator system. A communicative link between a sensor in a sensor system that comprises a multitude of sensors and the mobile electronic device of a passenger is detected, and connection data about the communicative link are recorded. The connection data are compared with data stored in a memory device containing at least one behavior pattern in order to determine whether the connection data correspond to a stored behavior pattern.

Abstract: An elevator system drive unit moves an elevator car in an elevator shaft to at least two shaft access doors under control of a control unit. The car does not move or moves only to a limited extent if an individual is in the shaft. A monitoring unit and sensor (switching contact) detect changes in state in at least one of the doors using a sequence of pulses monitoring signal. The monitoring unit has a battery and can be switched to an autonomous mode when the elevator system is entirely or partially disabled. The monitoring unit, in the autonomous mode, records state data from the sensor and is connected to a safeguard unit that reads and evaluates the recorded state data, and prevents the elevator system from being put into the normal mode of operation if a change in the state of one of the monitored doors has been detected.

Abstract: Access prevention systems of elevator landing door locks including a landing door lintel for a landing door of an elevator system, a lock mechanism mounted to the lintel and arranged to enable unlocking of the elevator landing door, and an indicator feature on the lintel and aligned with the lock mechanism to indicate a location of a blocked locking mechanism, wherein the indicator feature is at least one of frangible or breakable to permit access to the lock mechanism when the indicator feature is broken.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to a system and method of initiating elevator service by entering an elevator call with a call input device operating a program including a plurality of graphical objects displayed on a graphic user interface, in communication with an elevator system. The method includes the steps: selecting a current floor graphical object from the plurality of graphical objects; and selecting a destination floor graphical object from the plurality of graphical objects.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for displaying images and a passenger density. The apparatus includes a receiver receives original images obtained by a plurality of cameras respectively installed in a plurality of passenger cars and a passenger density calculated from the original images; a thumbnail generator for determining the sizes of thumbnail images corresponding to the original images according to the number of cameras and generating thumbnail images according to the determined sizes; and a screen for collecting the thumbnail images and displaying the thumbnail images together with information indicating the density.

Abstract: Elevator control system, comprising an elevator control device for operating an elevator car which is adapted to be operated within an elevator shaft, and an inspection control station configured to communicate with the elevator control device for operating at least one function of an elevator system in an inspection or maintenance operation mode, and configured for attachment at a storing location, wherein the storing location is at the elevator car or within the elevator shaft or in proximity of the elevator shaft. The inspection control station is adapted to be detachable from the storing location and configured to operate as remote inspection control station when detached from the storing location through wireless communication with the elevator control device, and is configured to be movable and operable in the inspection or maintenance operation mode from inside and outside of the elevator car and within the elevator shaft.

Abstract: An elevator door monitor eliminates the need to use customized input devices or modules in an elevator door monitoring system. The elevator door monitor employs differential amplifier circuits, one circuit for each of a plurality of signals to be monitored regarding an elevator car, each signal corresponding to a separate input into a microcontroller unit (“MCU”). Each differential amplifier circuit electrically communicates with a respective input terminal of the MCU, which can include a memory resource storing settings associated with respective elevator control parameters. A user can enter each setting using a peripheral input device. These settings provide system customization in lieu of hardware components, allowing the elevator door monitor to function as a universal system that can monitor a variety of elevators.

Abstract: In one aspect, a method for managing streaming of video content to a client device includes providing the video content to a content distribution network for storage in a plurality of geographically separated resources of the content distribution network, dynamically selecting an advertisement media clip based on statistical information associated with a user of the client device, and receiving, from the client device via a packet-based telecommunication network, signaling to have the stored video content streamed to the client device.

Abstract: A system and method of measuring and diagnosing the ride quality of an elevator system, including (a) operating the mobile device to acquire ride quality data, (b) operating the mobile device to transmit ride quality data to an external computing device, (c) operating the external computing device to compare the acquired ride quality data to pre-determined system data to create performance data, (d) operating the external computing device to perform a ride quality diagnostics based at least in part on the performance data, and (e) operating the external computing device to transmit the ride quality diagnostics to the mobile device.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car drive assembly configured to drive at least one elevator car to a plurality of floors serviced by the elevator system. A mobile electronic device inputs a ride request to deliver an available elevator car among the at least one elevator car to a floor location containing the mobile electronic device. An electronic elevator controller is in signal communication with the elevator drive assembly and the mobile electronic device. The electronic elevator controller is configured to determine an unavailability of an originally assigned elevator car selected to perform the ride request, and to transmit reassignment information to the mobile electronic device indicating modification of the ride request.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for using an elevator system in a building having several vertically spaced floors served by an elevator system, particularly by one or more vertically traveling elevator cars of an elevator system, said floors comprising at least a first floor, a second floor, and a plurality of intermediate floors positioned vertically between the first and second floor, the elevator system being configured to have several modes, including at least a normal operating mode and an evacuation operating mode, in which normal operating mode a car of the elevator system is used to serve a first set of floors, and in which evacuation operating mode said elevator car is used to serve a second set of floors different from said first set of floors; the method comprising evacuating passengers from the first floor to the second floor, the evacuating comprising changing the mode of the elevator system from the normal operating mode to the evacuation operating mode; and determining the second set of floo