Abstract: An electronic motor drive produces a required motion profile for an elevator door operator actuated by a three-phase, line-powered linear induction motor (LIM) by means of an array of TRIAC switches producing selected forces from the LIM. The TRIAC drive is capable of producing acceleration, deceleration or free coast in either the open or close direction of door operation. When controlled by an algorithm such as a "time-optimal switch point" or "bang-bang" control, the TRIAC drive produces the required motions from the linear induction motor for elevator door operation. The motor windings may be switchable between delta and wye hookups to provide two distinct thrust levels. Phase angle modulation may be used to provide finer control of thrust.

Abstract: A system for controlling elevator cars in a building having a plurality of floors includes a group controller for controlling operation of the elevator cars. The group controller predicts lobby single source traffic for determined periods. When the predicted traffic is below certain limit, cars are assigned to a lobby hall call on demand after hall call registration. When the predicted traffic is above certain limit, cars are assigned to the lobby hall call at intervals. Accordingly, car assignment is scheduled at those intervals. The schedule interval is varied based on predicted traffic and predicted round trip time of the cars. The cars are assigned to hall calls if they arrive within a schedule window. The schedule window comprises a lower and an upper tolerance that are selected around a scheduled time.

Abstract: An elevator control data intercommunication programmer including a main board equipped with master and slave CPUs for controlling the operation of the elevator, EEPROMs for providing operation data to the CPUs, a DSP for controlling vector operation of the elevator's motor, and a data communication port for data communication with an external microprocessor unit. Through the data communication port, data can be programmed in the EEPROMs, so that the elevator operation data (parameters) in the memory of a failed CPU can be copied to another CPU for replacement.

Abstract: An image reading unit has a line sensor for reading a document and producing image data. A line counter counts the number of lines that are scanned during a period from a start of reading by the image reading unit until a time point when an edge of the document is read. A ROM stores, in advance, a corresponding relationship between error accumulation values and the numbers of lines. A control section reads out, from the ROM, an error accumulation value corresponding to the number of lines counted by the line counter, and determines the position of the edge of the document in the auxiliary scanning direction by subtracting the readout error accumulation value from a product of the counted number of lines and the auxiliary scanning pitch, thereby detecting a document length in the auxiliary scanning direction.

Abstract: A method for scaling a position versus time profile for elevator car doors includes a step for generating a time scaling factor and a distance scaling factor. The scaling factors allow a previously stored position versus time profile to be used for all subsequent operations of the elevator car doors.

Abstract: A voltage converter and a method for converting AC to DC. A MOSFET (42, 118) conveys current from a full wave rectifier to charge a capacitor (60) that supplies current to a load (64). In a first embodiment, two transistors (32, 34) are connected as a differential pair to control the voltage applied to the gate of the MOSFET, referenced to a zener voltage developed across zener diode (36) that is connected to the emitters of the two transistors. In a second embodiment, a single transistor controls the voltage applied to the gate of the MOSFET, relative to a zener voltage of a zener diode (132). The MOSFET charges the capacitor while the voltage applied to its gate from the rectified signal is greater than the voltage across the capacitor.

Abstract: A procedure for determining the position of an elevator car in which the code data contained in code units mounted in the building is read by means of a code data detector unit (4) in such manner that a code unit containing floor data and door zone data is mounted essentially close to the threshold of the landing door on each floor and that the detector unit reading the floor data and door data is mounted essentially close to the threshold of the car.

Abstract: A neutral point clamped (NPC) inverter control system including a DC power source to output DC voltage having a neutral point, an NPC inverter to convert the DC voltage into AC voltage in three phases through a PWM control, a mode selecting unit to decide a first and a second PWM modes by comparing amplitude of voltage reference with a prescribed value that is defined by a minimum pulse width, a first voltage reference conversion means to add a prescribed bias value at which a polarity changes to positive/negative within a fixed period to secure the minimum pulse width to voltage references in respective phases in a first PWM mode, a second voltage reference conversion means to fix the voltage reference in one phase by a value that secures the minimum pulse width when voltage reference in one phase is smaller than a prescribed value that is defined by the minimum pulse width in a second PWM mode and correct voltage references of other two phases so as to make line voltage to a value corresponding to the volta

Abstract: The invention relates to a waiting time display (5) on a landing. The waiting time display (5) is active from the moment when the landing call button (6) is pressed to the moment when the call is reset. The waiting time display (5) receives from the group control unit (1) information about the order of magnitude of the waiting time and the rate of diminution of the order of magnitude of the waiting time, which is used by the waiting time display (5) to decrease the waiting time displayed.

Abstract: A elevator system including a group controller for controlling the dispatching of elevator cars to the lobby. The group controller predicts lobby single source traffic for short periods. When the predicted traffic is below certain limit, cars are assigned to a lobby hall call on demand after hall call registration. When the predicted traffic is above certain limit, cars are assigned to the lobby hall call at intervals. Accordingly, car assignment is scheduled at those intervals. The traffic threshold at which the scheduled mode is activated and the traffic threshold at which it is deactivated is learned by the system. The schedule interval is varied based on predicted traffic and predicted round trip time of the cars. The number of cars assigned and sent to the lobby is varied based on predicted traffic. In order to avoid oscillations in selecting the service mode, proper delays are used to activate and deactivate the scheduled service.

Abstract: A group controller for controlling elevator cars in a building having a plurality of floors includes a traffic and traffic rate estimator for providing fuzzy estimates of traffic and traffic rate; a closed loop fuzzy logic controller for providing a control parameter in response to the fuzzy estimates of traffic and traffic rate and in response to an elevator control system output variable; and an elevator dispatcher for controlling the operation of the elevator cars during single source traffic conditions in response to the control parameter.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining if an elevator car is level with respect to a landing in a hoistway comprises a transceiver for transmitting a signal, a first reflector having a varying reflectance between a maximum reflectance end and a minimum reflectance end, a second reflector having a varying reflectance between a maximum reflectance end and a minimum reflectance end, and a processor. The first reflector transmits a first reflected signal in response to the signal transmitted by the transceiver and the second reflector transmits a second reflected signal in response to the signal transmitted by the transceiver. The first reflector and the second reflector are adjacently aligned such that the maximum reflectance end of the first reflector is adjacent to the minimum reflectance end of the second reflector, and the minimum reflectance end of the first reflector is adjacent to the maximum reflectance end of the second reflector.

Abstract: A method for performing a correction run by an elevator system having an elevator car following a loss of an elevator car position information includes: detecting a terminal landing magnet in response to the loss of the elevator position information; moving the elevator car away from a predetermined terminal landing until the terminal landing magnet is not detected; running the elevator car toward the predetermined terminal landing in response to not detecting the terminal landing magnet in said moving step; detecting two magnets simultaneously in response to running the elevator car toward the predetermined landing terminal; stopping the elevator car in response to simultaneously detecting the two magnets; and resetting the elevator position information in response to said stopping step.

Abstract: A system for group managing plural elevator cars according to a group management algorithm including plural parameters includes a seeking apparatus for seeking the optimum parameter set, the optimum set being taken from combinations of parameter values given to the group management algorithm. Some new sets are produced by crossover or mutation in the operation of the system. Excellent sets are accumulated in a memory using additional registrations in which excellent sets are additionally stored in the memory and deletions in which impaired sets are deleted from the memory. The optimum set is selected from the accumulated sets, so that the system can efficiently seek the optimum set.

Abstract: A control apparatus for use in an elevator is constructed in a compact and low-cost design without degrading the quality of service of the elevator by minimizing the current flowing through a hoisting motor. The control apparatus includes a load sensor and a speed command generator.

Abstract: A method for monitoring a manual elevator door system comprising the steps of: providing a plurality of sensor signals; detecting the sensor signals; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that an elevator car is stopped at a landing; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a car door of the elevator car is open; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is unlocked; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a hoistway door is closed; determining in response to detecting the sensor signals that a call has been assigned to the elevator car during a time that the hoistway door is closed; and providing a performance data signal in response to said determinations wherein said performance data signal is representative that the manual elevator door system is in a non-alarm condition.

Abstract: An electronic controller arrangement for an elevator car includes an auxiliary controller including instructions for disconnecting a main operational controller from a door operator when either a Phase I (emergency car recall operation); or a Phase II (in-car operation during emergency); special emergency service signal is detected by the auxiliary controller and for performing all door control operations during the Phase I or Phase II emergency condition.

Abstract: A modular elevator control housing with an easily accessibly interior is disclosed. The housing comprises a generally rectangular, elongated casing that is conveniently placed on a wall adjacent to an elevator. The housing protectively encloses elevator operational controls. The housing may replace an existing control housing, mounting over the existing elevator outlet and using existing holes. Alternatively, the housing may be originally installed during building construction. The housing comprises a chassis covered by a display. The chassis comprises a subframe that secures the housing to the wall and a top and bottom cover. The subframe comprises a base bounded by integral, projecting side flanges. Chassis sidewalls are secured to the subframe sides. The inner surfaces of the sidewalls define multiple, parallel channels. Two of the channels seat fasteners to secure the top and bottom covers to the sidewalls. One of the channels captivates fasteners that secure the sidewalls to the subframe.

Abstract: A load compensation calibration method for an elevator controller includes the steps of moving an elevator car in a first direction, the first direction a first creep speed region; determining the time to travel a given distance; during the first run; determining a first actual creep speed of the first creep speed region; determining a difference between a dictated creep speed and the first actual creep speed; determining a first compensation frequency for minimizing the difference between the dictated creep speed and the first actual creep second; moving the elevator car in a second direction, the speed direction including a second creep speed region; determining the time to travel a given distance during the second run; determining a second actual creep speed of the second creep speed region; determining a difference between a dictated creep speed and the second actual creep speed; determining a second compensation frequency for minimizing the difference between the dictated creep speed and the second actua

Abstract: A family of power converter is invented. Each of these converter accomplishes zero voltage switching to minimize switching losses. Also by the application of coupled inductor, conduction losses can also be minimized. The basic embodiment comprises of two switches connected across the input source. The switches are driven by asymmetrical driving pulses with variable duty cycle. A capacitor is connected to the node joining the two switches and an inductor is in turn connected to it. This inductor is connected to an output filter through a diode. The output filter comprises of an inductor and capacitor and diode combinations. This output filter inductor has two coupled windings which minimize conduction losses. The basic embodiment can be modified to provide converter with boost output or negative output. The embodiment can also be modified for isolated converter with transformer in both half bridge and full bridge circuit.