Abstract: A control system for elevators controls the operations of a plurality of elevator apparatuses. The elevator apparatuses have cars and elevator doorways provided at each landing floor. The control system for the elevators is equipped with a landing call registration device, a landing call automatic registration portion, a response selection portion, a passenger traveling time period calculation portion, and an opening/closing control portion. The landing call registration device is provided at the landing floor to be operable at the landing floor. The landing call automatic registration portion sets as a car call floor the landing floor whose landing call registration device is operated, and makes a car call registration for stopping one of the cars at the car call floor.

Abstract: The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.

Abstract: A method of providing video information to a display monitor within an elevator located in a building, which includes receiving first data defining a category of video information, receiving second data, associated with the category of video information and defining at least one source of the video information; and retrieving from the source, over a data communications path and on the basis of the first data and the second data, the video information to be displayed on the monitor within the elevator.

Abstract: An elevator hall display device. A destination floor registration device includes destination buttons and assigned car display panels. An elevator group supervisory controller includes a hall destination call registration section that registers a hall destination call corresponding to an operation of a destination button, an assigned car decision section that decides an assigned car to respond to the hall destination call, an assigned car display mode controller that sets a display mode of the assigned car, and an assigned car display that makes the assigned car displayed on an assigned car display panel in the set display mode. The assigned car display mode controller sets the assigned car display to a first display mode until a predetermined time elapses from start of display of the assigned car on the assigned car display panel, and sets the display of the assigned car to a second display mode after the predetermined time elapses.

Abstract: A conveyor passenger interface system includes a passenger reception area (10) having a mechanism (14) for receiving a voice request from a passenger. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the voice request receiving mechanism (14) is a sound dome. The system further includes a device (18) responsive to the voice request for identifying a conveyor for transporting the passenger to a desired location and for identifying the conveyor to the passenger. The system of the present invention has utility in elevator systems as well as other transportation systems.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) uses destination entry dispatching techniques. A passenger interface device (22) operates in a first mode to allow passengers (24) to enter destination requests for elevator service. The passenger interface (22) operates in a second mode to provide at least one additional feature to an authorized individual. The additional feature may be at least one of a service-related function, a security-related function, a monitoring-related function or a communication-related function.

Abstract: Lighting equipment of an elevator car and a method for guidance of persons in an elevator provides a floor indication that communicates to the passenger, in a simple and clear manner, reaching of his or her destination floor, even in high buildings with numerous floors. The lighting equipment has a light source and a control of the light source, which produces a color effect relative to the floor indication.

Abstract: For entry of calls in an elevator system, a destination call is entered outside the elevator car if the starting floor is a floor with intensive departing traffic. On other floors, a collective-control up or down call is entered traditionally and then a destination call in the elevator car. An identified regular customer may be allowed to select and confirm a destination floor from among one or more preprogrammed alternatives. Destination preprogrammed floors most frequently used are stored, the starting floor being fixed. Preprogrammed floors can be set for several different starting floors separately. For occasional customers system or regular customers going to floors other than preprogrammed floors, a call is entered as a destination call in the elevator lobby on floors with intensive departing traffic and as an up or down call according to collective control in the elevator lobby and on other floors.

Abstract: An elevator control system includes an entrance person authentication section provided at a predetermined distance from an elevator hall for permitting a visitor to use an elevator and register a call of the elevator. A storage section stores a predetermined estimated move time value for the visitor to move from the entrance person authentication section to the hall. An arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A timer starts to count based on permission of the entrance person authentication section and sets an arrival time value when the arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A display notifies a passenger in a car or at the hall of a presence of the visitor. If the arrival time value is shorter than the estimated move time value, the display is activated.

Abstract: An information and control system for personnel transport devices. In one embodiment, the information and control system is coupled to the elevator system of a building, and includes a touch panel input device, a flat panel display having a touch sensitive screen, and speech recognition and synthesis systems serving each elevator car. The speech recognition and synthesis systems and input device(s) are operatively coupled to a processor and storage devices having a plurality of different types of data stored thereon. Each elevator car is also a client connected to a LAN, WAN, intranet, or Internet, and capable of exchanging data with and retrieving data therefrom. Functions performed by the information and control system include a voice-actuated building directory, download of selected data to personal electronic devices (PEDs), monitoring of areas adjacent to the elevator car on destination floors, and control of lighting and security monitoring in selectable areas of destination floors.

Abstract: The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.

Abstract: Elevator call devices (41, 41a, 66, 75) have a programmable touch screen (42, 66, 74) which can be programmed to display (a) ten-key destination call buttons (46), (b) up hall call and down hall call buttons (58), or (c) N-key destination buttons (65), as well as buttons (50-53, 60, 63) which identify utilization of major floors of the building, including functions such as cafeteria, sky lobby, parking, public transport, and lobby, as well as tenants. A controller (78) programs the touch screen in dependence on (d) traffic volume, (e) time of day, (f) floor of the building where the touch screen is disposed or (g) identity of a particular passenger (VIP) in the vicinity of a touch screen.

Abstract: A destination floor registering apparatus that can at any time and appropriately afford information on each floor to elevator users. For this purpose, a floor information display is provided for each destination button so that the contents of displays of the floor information display become visible from an operation surface of each of the destination buttons which a user operates in registering a desired destination floor, and the contents of displays of the floor information display are changed at any time according to operation conditions. Furthermore, information is displayed by a continuous change in colors, characters, or graphics to positively communicate the contents of displays of the floor information display to the user.

Abstract: A guidance system and a method for guiding passengers in an elevator system. The elevator system including a number of elevators, receiving and allocating passenger's destination call data, and implementing data transfer between the elevator system and the guidance system. The guidance system storing guiding messages into the guidance system and a number of reproduction devices for reproducing the guiding messages in the elevator system. Stored in the guidance system are a number of guiding messages, of which number a guiding message corresponding to the route has been defined for at least one route in the elevator system, which guiding message can be reproduced along the route in question. In the method, a number of guiding messages are stored into the guidance system, of which number a guiding message corresponding to the route is defined for at least one route in the elevator system, which guiding message is reproduced along the route in question.

Abstract: A floor selection station (39a) has at least one switch button (45-51, 70, 93) which visually handicapped people use in selecting floors, and a speaker (54) to emit a sound uniquely ndicative of which elevator to board. Stations (39a, 39c) have a plurality of buttons with Braille indications of groups of floors (45-51) or individual floors (33). A station (39b) has only one button (70). Near or at each elevator lobby related to a group of floors serving a building, a floor identifier (39, 42) identifies with color, and optionally a symbol such as letter, each floor which is served by the group of elevators related to that lobby. At each elevator (26-29) there is an elevator indicator (32-35) which displays the same color, and optionally the same symbol, as displayed for any floor which the respective elevator is currently assigned to serve, and a speaker (32a 35a) which emits the same sound as at the floor selection station until the assigned elevator is dispatched.

Abstract: Provided is an elevator control apparatus in a building in which a plurality of elevators are installed, the apparatus including: a congestion information detecting means (1B1) for detecting a landing area congestion state at each story floor and in each operating direction of all the elevators and generating congestion degree information about the entire building based on the landing area congestion state; a service state detecting means (1B2) for measuring waiting time for landing area call registrations at all the elevators, calculating an average value of the waiting time, and generating service state information about the entire building based on the average value; and a guidance display means (1B3) for displaying the congestion degree information and the service state information.

Abstract: A display system includes multiple monitor units which each include an enclosure, a display screen, a communication port, a storage device, and a control circuit. A communications conduit sequentially connects the monitor units and is selectively connectable with a general purpose computer. Each monitor unit is individually addressable over the communications conduit by a general purpose computer for receiving individualized control information and image information therefrom. The control circuit of each of the monitor units is configured to store the control information and the image information within the storage device, and is further configured to act in accordance with the stored control information to selectively provide at least some of the stored image information to the display screen. The control circuit does not include a general purpose computer and is unable to operate an off-the-shelf operating system. An elevator system is also provided, as are methods of displaying information.

Abstract: A dynamic display and monitor system for use in or near an elevator includes a display mechanism mounted proximate an elevator landing, the display mechanism including a video monitor; a player mechanism remote from and operatively connected with the display mechanism, the player mechanism configured to feed substantially continuous visual content to the video monitor for display thereon; and an Internet-based server mechanism operatively coupled with the player mechanism over the Internet for programming the visual content for feeding by the player mechanism to the video monitor of the display mechanism.

Abstract: An elevator destination floor display unit is installed in an elevator boarding area or an elevator car. The elevator destination floor display unit has a display portion having a screen selectively displaying destination floor representations relating to all floors, and a display control portion which arranges and displays, in a matrix form, only destination floor representations of destination floors registered on the screen. Therefore, the unit decreases the area of the required display space, makes it possible to visually recognize destination floor representations with ease, and possesses a high degree of freedom for installation.

Abstract: A device and a method for informing passengers of an elevator installation in a building includes at least one information display at at least one start floor and/or at least one second information display in at least one car. The first information display indicates the arrival time of a car at a start or destination floor and the second information display indicates the arrival time of the car at a destination floor.

Abstract: A wall plate for use in an elevator installation has a glass part divided into segments, the transparency of which is individually controllable with physical magnitude information signals. A control device is connected to the segments for controlling the transparency on the basis of qualitative and quantitative state information and by linking the state information with the controlling magnitude information signals.

Abstract: An elevator call registration device selectively switches between display of an operation screen for allowing a user to designate a registration for moving a car to an arbitrary destination floor from among a plurality of destination floors and display of a registered-floor screen for displaying the destination floor that is designated through operation on the operation screen and registered with an elevator control device.

Abstract: An automatic announcing device for an elevator which enables fine voice volume adjustment according to the environment of use in which a guidance announcement is made and which allows an easy and efficient voice volume adjustment operation.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method and an apparatus for the input call needed in an elevator system by means of a wireless call input device. The call input device may be a device provided with a display and a keypad, designed especially for this use. In a preferred embodiment, the call input device is the user's mobile telephone and the system utilizes technology consistent with the Bluetooth standard. RFID technology or the use of bar codes is also possible. For the user a profile is created which contains the user's name, statistical information regarding the destination floors most frequently selected by the user, and possible additional services. The user can input a call from an elevator lobby before arriving to the elevator. After the system has allocated the most suitable elevator to the user, corresponding information is presented on the display of the call input device. This information can be accompanied by guidance information and information about an estimated waiting time.

Abstract: In a multi-deck-elevator-equipped building control system, operating modes of an elevator control portion include a double operating mode. In the double operating mode, only a first cage is permitted to stop at first cage stop floors, and only a second cage is permitted to stop at second cage stop floors that are distinct from the first cage stop floors. A building fixture control portion has a first group control portion for associatively controlling an electrical fixture on the first cage stop floors and a second group control portion for associatively controlling an electrical fixture on the second cage stop floors.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) utilizes destination entry dispatching techniques. A controller (28) receives an automated destination request that includes a prestored, primary destination. This allows for seamlessly integrating building access and destination entry for the elevator system. A passenger interface (40) allows a passenger to override a prestored destination. The elevator controller (28) allows for override or secondary destination requests to be made at various intervals between receipt of the initial request and arrival of an initially assigned car at an appropriate level to let the passenger board the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator installation includes an elevator car moved in an elevator shaft between floors in a building. A shaft door for closing the elevator shaft is arranged at each floor. A method for representing information on the shaft doors makes possible a qualitatively high-grade projection of an image on the shaft door. The shaft doors are formed to be at least partly transparent, wherein a projector is arranged in the elevator shaft and projects an image onto the side of the shaft door facing the elevator shaft.

Abstract: An elevator system utilizes a destination entry control technique and delays indicating which car is assigned to a request to allow an individual to arrive near an elevator lobby. An elevator group assignment is made responsive to a destination request. An indication regarding the group assignment is provided to a passenger within a first time from the receipt of the request. A second indication regarding a car assigned to carry that passenger to the desired destination is provided at a second, later time from the request. Separating out the group assignment indication and the car assignment indication is accomplished in one example by providing separate interfaces at different locations within a building.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one individual user profile with multimedia contents is stored for each elevator user. When a user is identified, the multimedia contents in the associated user profile are presented. The user manages his or her own multimedia contents in the associated user profile.

Abstract: A procedure, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one user profile with multimedia contents is provided for an associated elevator user. When the user is identified in proximity to the elevator system, the multimedia carried in his user profile are presented to him.

Abstract: A method of communicating information to elevator users utilizes a building server to store elevator user personal information profiles and information to be communicated. When an elevator user is identified, the building server communicates a portion of the stored information based upon the associated profile. The building server functions as a data manager and is connected to various different sources of data to collect the information to be communicated. The data sources can include videos, movies, the Internet, the elevator control, the building control center, etc. An identification unit controls access by the elevator users. The elevator user is able to receive the communicated information on a display unit in the vicinity of or in the elevator car.

Abstract: A method for allocating an elevator in a destination floor elevator system. An elevator group includes several elevators, a passenger data terminal for reserving elevators for use by passengers, and an elevator group control system for controlling the elevators in response to signals from the passenger data terminal. The method includes inputting the size and destination floor of the group of passengers into the control system of the elevator group, allocating one or more elevators to the group of passengers by utilizing the size and destination floor of the group, and informing the members of the group of passengers about the allocation.

Abstract: A method for displaying an image on a plurality of displays, each if which is in one of a plurality of elevator cabs. The method includes inspecting a playlist having first data leading to first information to be displayed; at least in part on the basis of the first data, retrieving the first information; assembling second data, the second data being representative of the image that includes the first information; and distributing the image to each display.

Abstract: An elevator display system includes elevator display monitors, each of which is positioned within an elevator to display video information. When in operation, each elevator display monitor has display areas for displaying information independently of each other. Each display monitor has a corresponding processing system. Each such processing system is configured to provide, to its associated elevator display monitor, information for each display area on that monitor. A remote server sends, to each of the processing systems, scheduling information for scheduling display of information.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one individual user profile with multimedia contents is stored for each elevator user. When a user is identified, the multimedia contents in the associated user profile are presented. Dining a group transport, the individual user profiles associated with the users in the group are linked in a collective travelling profile for presentation of selected multimedia contents.

Abstract: The invention features a system for displaying video information to passengers of an elevator in accordance with a play list defining a sequence of messages. The video information messages can include combinations of digital advertising, “real-time” general information, as well as, building-related information. The system includes an elevator display unit having a display monitor for displaying video information to the passengers, and a local server which, receives scheduling information associated with the video information over a data communication path and, in accordance with the scheduling information, generates a play list used to display at the elevator display unit.

Abstract: A device for controlling a elevator installation with multiple deck cars which are simultaneously accessible at a main stopping point by different main stopping floors includes a call registering device by which a passenger can input a destination floor. In order to enable a more rapid filling of the building, a conversion unit responds to the destination call travel orders already allocated to and/or demanded of the multiple car having the deck which is to be allocated to the passenger to minimize the number of stops of the car. An indicating device indicates to the passenger the allocated car deck and/or the main stopping floor thereof.

Abstract: An elevator system having multiple elevator cars efficiently assigns cars and communicates the car assignments to the potential passengers. A hallway intuitive user interface is readily adapted to installations having varying numbers of elevator cars with varying floor access by incorporating a graphical display that is rendered accordingly. Moreover, a combination of visual, textual and aural indications are given to the passenger that the destination entered is valid and assigned to a car. For those instances where a potential passenger fails to enter a destination correctly, the elevator system retains a traditional elevator control interface in the elevator car.

Abstract: A system and display for providing guidance to elevator passengers generates call data and transmits the call data to the group control systems of one or more elevator banks. The group control systems process the call data to produce group call data and distribute the group call data to an elevator controller of the elevator bank. The guidance system also includes a display device which displays the group call data for one or more group control systems.

Abstract: A panel for an elevator installation has a predetermined number of floor buttons for generating hall calls or car call commands wherein a single floor button or a floor button combination is provided for each floor. The panel can be converted by a converter button or a sensor so that all floors are also selectable by a decade keyboard formed by a portion of all the floor buttons. All floors are thus selectable comfortably and without restriction even by handicapped persons.

Abstract: Floor number displays informative to the elevator passengers at the landing and in the elevator car when the passengers issue destination calls to the elevator.

Abstract: An information and control system for personnel transport devices. In one embodiment, the information and control system is coupled to the elevator system of a building, and includes a touch panel input device, a flat panel display having a touch sensitive screen, and speech recognition and synthesis systems serving each elevator car. The speech recognition and synthesis systems and input device(s) are operatively coupled to a processor and storage devices having a plurality of different types of data stored thereon. Each elevator car is also a client connected to a LAN, WAN, intranet, or Internet, and capable of exchanging data with and retrieving data therefrom. Functions performed by the information and control system include a voice-actuated building directory, download of selected data to personal electronic devices (PEDs), monitoring of areas adjacent to the elevator car on destination floors, and control of lighting and security monitoring in selectable areas of destination floors.

Abstract: A system for displaying information in elevator cabs includes a central server for compiling and transmitting information to be displayed and a plurality of individually-addressable displays in elevator cabs for receiving the information. Each display has two or more display areas for displaying different portions of the information.

Abstract: A method for imputing a voice message recording for a particular floor served by an elevator car includes the steps of sensing elevator car positions (21), sensing that a selected car operating panel button has been held down (22) and enabling a voice input process (23). A device for displaying Braille information to an elevator user includes an elongated panel (42) having a central Braille character panel (31) and two buttons (32, 33) disposed at opposite ends of the elongated panel for causing the displayed information to move backward and forward. A plurality of actuators (38), and probes (35) extruding through the Braille panel form Braille characters.

Abstract: A method for communication with a transportation system utilizes a human-machine interface with a control unit that constantly checks for the presence of contactlessly communicating information carriers. If a user with an information carrier is located in the reception range, the control unit requires the information carrier to transfer at least identification data of the user to the control unit. The control unit then displays an individualized communication surface matched to the respective user on the basis of the received data.

Abstract: A display apparatus within elevator cabs or elevator waiting areas that facilitates the simultaneous display of advertising and general news information is described. Broadcast from a remote control center, advertising and general news information updates are transmitted to, and stored in a server located within a building and then forwarded to a display memory and subsequently displayed on a monitor according to a remotely modifiable program schedule. The display is updated such that it contains a copy of the latest broadcast schedule, as well as the advertisement and information programming, and automatically displays a days program according to the most current broadcast schedule. The display units as well as the building server are each individually addressable thus allowing groups of displays to be simultaneously updated from a remote centralized location with information such as news updates, customized advertising information and the like.

Abstract: A method for inputting a voice message recording for a particular floor served by an elevator car includes the steps of sensing elevator car positions (21), sensing that a selected car operating panel button has been held down (22) and enabling a voice input process (23). A device for displaying Braille information to an elevator user includes an elongated panel (42) having a central Braille character panel (31) and two buttons (32, 33) disposed at opposite ends of the elongated panel for causing the displayed information to move backward and forward. A plurality of actuators (38), and probes (35) extruding through the Braille panel form Braille characters.

Abstract: An automatically illumination control device of an elevator display screen serves for displaying the position and maintenance of the elevator. A light sensor for detecting the intensity of light is installed to the display screen. The light sensor detects the illumination of the environment light and the illumination of the display screen is controlled automatically by using a control circuit so as to present a soft light which is warm to the visual sense. Moreover, the automatically illumination control device has the advantages of power saving and long lifetime.

Abstract: Fixture for an Elevator System A fixture using an electrophoretic display system is disclosed. Various construction details are developed which enable simplification of the wiring system for the elevator system.

Abstract: A display apparatus within elevator cabs or elevator waiting areas that facilitates the simultaneous display of advertising and general news information is described. Broadcast from a remote control center, advertising and general news information updates are transmitted to, and stored in, a display memory and subsequently displayed on a screen according to a remotely modifiable program schedule. The display is updated such that it contains a copy of the latest broadcast schedule, as well as the advertisement and information programming, and automatically displays a days program according to the most current broadcast schedule. The display units are each individually addressable thus allowing groups of displays to be simultaneously updated from a remote centralized location with information such as news updates and the like.