Abstract: A system determines the position of an elevator car movable in an elevator installation shaft. A transmitter emits modulated electromagnetic radiation with a first modulation frequency as a first output signal, a sensor cell receives electromagnetic radiation reflected by a detected object as an original measurement signal, and an evaluation unit, communicating with the transmitter and the sensor cell, delays the original measurement signal thus generating a delayed measurement signal, determines a first phase offset between the original measurement signal and the first output signal, determines a second phase offset between the delayed measurement signal and the first output signal, selects either the first phase offset or the second phase offset based upon a selection condition to determine a position of the elevator car within a portion of the elevator shaft, and determines the elevator car position based upon the elevator shaft portion and the position within the portion.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining the position of an elevator car, movably arranged in an elevator shaft of an elevator unit, use a 3D sensor, an evaluation unit in communication with the sensor, and a marking element actively emitting electromagnetic radiation. The sensor has a plurality of sensor cells and the evaluation unit uses measurement data received from the sensor to determine a distance from each sensor cell to a part of an object detected by the sensor. The sensor is arranged to detect the marking element and a region around the marking element as the object. The evaluation unit determines those sensor cells that detect the marking element and determines the position of the elevator car based on the determined distances to the detected object of those sensor cells and/or of sensor cells that are arranged in a region adjacent to those sensor cells.

Abstract: A system and method determine the position of an elevator car movably arranged in an elevator shaft of an elevator system. The system has a 3D sensor, an evaluation unit communicating with the sensor, and a marking element. The sensor has a plurality of sensor cells and the evaluation unit uses measurement data received from the sensor to determine a distance from each sensor cell to a part of a detected object. The sensor is arranged such that in a normal mode of the system it detects the marking element as the object. The evaluation unit determines the position of the elevator car in the elevator shaft based on distances from sensor cells to the detected part of the object, continuously performs a test as to whether the sensor detects the marking element and brings the system into an error mode as soon as the test is negative.

Abstract: A method for forming a guide structure in an elevator shaft provides a guide structure configured to guide an elevator car during vertical travel in the elevator shaft. The method includes the following steps: moving a tool, such as a milling tool, vertically along the elevator shaft, wherein the tool is precisely positioned with respect to the horizontal position thereof within the elevator shaft, and forming the guide structure by removing material on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft using the tool.

Abstract: A top module for closing off an elevator shaft of an elevator system has a first top module side wall and a top module ceiling, a first guide rail piece fixed by a bracket on the first top module side wall, and a drive unit connected to the first guide rail piece. The top module can assume an operating state and a transport state. In the operating state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume operating positions, and a car of the elevator system can be moved in the elevator shaft closed off with the top module. In the transport state, the first guide rail piece and the drive unit assume transport positions that deviate from the operating positions.

Abstract: A method for placing a call for an elevator system, the elevator system including a mobile communication device carried by a user of the elevator system, a beacon that emits a beacon signal, and a controller of the elevator system, wherein the method includes the steps of: capturing the beacon signal by the mobile communication device; recognizing a gesture of the user by the mobile communication device; identifying an intention of the user to use the elevator system, wherein the recognized gesture and the captured beacon signal are used for this purpose; displaying a user interface on the mobile communication device for sending an elevator call; and sending the call to the controller.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a beacon adapted for broadcasting, when activated, a beacon signal to a mobile device carried by a user, a sensor device, and a controller adapted for selectively activating the beacon. A method for operating the elevator system includes capturing a capture of a user by the sensor device, the capture including capture data indicative of a user activity. The method further includes inferring, from the capture data, an intention data indicative of the user's intention to perform an elevator boarding, and, under the condition that the intention data indicates an intention of the user to perform an elevator boarding, activating the beacon to broadcast a beacon signal, and receiving, by the controller, an instruction signal sent by a mobile device upon having received the beacon signal.

Abstract: An elevator installation erection method includes installing in an elevator shaft: a construction phase elevator system having a self-propelled elevator car whose usable lifting height is adapted to an increasing elevator shaft height; at least one guide rail in the elevator shaft guiding the elevator car along its travel path; and a drive system driving the elevator car and including a primary part attached to the elevator car and a secondary part attached along the elevator car travel path, wherein the guide rail and the secondary part are gradually extended upwards during the construction phase, wherein the self-propelled elevator car transports persons and/or material for the construction of the building and passengers and freight for floors already used as residential or business premises, and wherein after the elevator shaft has reached its final height the construction phase elevator system is replaced by a final elevator system.

Abstract: A method controls a drone along a shaft having adjoining first and second shaft walls. A drone sensor system detects an environment and/or a state of flight, an actuator system controls the drone, and a control device controls the actuator system. Method steps include: control device receiving sensor data generated by sensor system; determining actual distances of drone relative to first and second shaft walls from sensor data; and generating control signal actuating actuator system such that drone flies based on deviation of actual distances from target distances and a target flight route to a target position. An actual flight route is determined from the sensor data, and the control signal is generated based on a deviation of the actual flight route from the target flight route. Door regions and/or height markings in the shaft are recognized from the sensor data to determine the actual flight route.

Abstract: A method and a catching device are used to catch a traveling body in an elevator system wherein traveling body is movable along a rail. The catching device includes a first braking element, a second braking element, a first guide element, a second guide element and an actuating element. The first braking element and the second braking element are brought into contact with the rail for braking. A first linear bearing is formed between the first braking element and the first guide element and a second linear bearing is formed between the second braking element and the second guide element. Both guide elements are moved between a rest position and a braking initial position, the actuating element moving the two guide elements from the rest position into the braking initial position.

Abstract: A building system includes an elevator system installed in a building. First and second waiting zones for users of the elevator system are specified, wherein the second waiting zone is located in an access region to an elevator of the elevator system. The building system further includes a call input apparatus that receives an elevator call from a user located in the first waiting zone or in a fixed environment of the first waiting zone, and a control apparatus that is communicatively connected to the call input apparatus. In response to a call input from the first waiting zone, the control apparatus can either request the user to wait there until they are called to go into the second waiting zone or can request them to immediately enter the second waiting zone. An allocated elevator can be communicated to the user in the first or second waiting zone.

Abstract: A method and construction site device for vertical transportation during a building construction phase include a climbing formwork platform arranged in a currently uppermost region of the building for concreting at least part of the building core, an elevator car intermittently adjusted to a current building height in a first elevator shaft by hoisting a mechanical platform to a higher level and fixing it there, a construction elevator temporarily installed in a second elevator shaft and attached to the climbing formwork platform with a construction elevator car vertically movable in a construction elevator frame, and wherein people and/or material are transported to a floor associated with an access opening of the construction elevator by the elevator system and then are transported from this floor to a floor situated in the currently uppermost region of the building or to the climbing formwork platform by the construction elevator.

Abstract: An aligning device is used for aligning a guide rail of an elevator system. The guide rail is held on a shaft wall of an elevator shaft and is displaceable in at least two horizontal directions, oriented crosswise with respect to each other, before a final fixation. The aligning device has a detection device that is configured to detect, in an automated manner, a position deviation of the guide rail from a nominal position, and has a hammer mill that is configured to hammer the guide rail in an automated manner depending on the detected position deviation by exerting pulse-like strikes in one of the horizontal directions toward the nominal position.

Abstract: A method for planning and at least partially installing an elevator system in an elevator shaft includes automated installation steps carried out by an automated mounting device. The method steps include: deriving a target layout of the elevator system from target dimensions of the elevator shaft, establishing the installation steps to be carried out by the automated mounting device, checking that the automated installation steps can be carried out by the mounting device, detecting several actual dimensions of the elevator shaft, deriving an actual layout of the elevator system from the target layout and the detected actual dimensions, planning the automated installation steps based upon the actual layout and carrying out the automated installation steps with the mounting device.

Abstract: An aligning device for aligning a guide rail of an elevator system has lower and upper rail bracket parts and at least two movement elements. The lower rail bracket part is fixed to an elevator shaft wall and the upper rail bracket part holds a guide rail. The lower and upper rail bracket parts each have a connecting region for fixing to one another. The movement elements move the lower rail bracket part relative to the upper rail bracket part. Each of the movement elements interacts with both of the connecting regions of the rail bracket parts. Each of the movement elements is rotatable about an axis of rotation and interacts, eccentrically with respect to the axis of rotation, with at least one of the rail bracket parts so as to abut laterally opposite contact surfaces of this rail bracket part.

Abstract: A method for detecting an entry into an elevator car of an elevator system by a passenger uses a mobile device carried by the passenger. The mobile device has at least one, but in particular a plurality of sensors, with which the mobile device detects and evaluates measured values. An entry into the elevator car is then detected on the basis of comparing the measured values with at least one stored signal pattern.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an elevator car that is movable in an elevator shaft in the vertical direction, a closed support belt guided about a lower deflection roller and an upper deflection roller and a drive machine driving the support belt. A drive connection is made between the support belt and the elevator car with a coupling device arranged on the elevator car that is coupled to a coupling element of the support belt. The coupling element is a connection element that connects two free ends of the support belt together.

Abstract: A method for forming a guide structure in an elevator shaft provides a guide structure configured to guide an elevator car during vertical travel in the elevator shaft. The method includes the following steps: moving a tool, such as a milling tool, vertically along the elevator shaft, wherein the tool is precisely positioned with respect to the horizontal position thereof within the elevator shaft, and forming the guide structure by removing material on a shaft wall of the elevator shaft using the tool.

Abstract: An elevator system includes first and second elevator cars movable vertically in a first elevator shaft, a closed support belt routed around lower and upper deflection rollers, a drive machine driving the support belt, and an actuable coupling device arranged on each of the first and second elevator cars. The support belt has first and second coupling elements to and from which the coupling devices can be coupled and decoupled whereby a drive connection between the respective elevator car and the support belt can be established and released. A coupled elevator car is moved in the first elevator shaft by the support belt driven by the drive machine. The coupling elements are arranged such that they are not routed around the deflection rollers during movement of the first elevator car from a lower end position to an upper end position or vice versa.

Abstract: A method and a catching device are used to catch a traveling body in an elevator system wherein traveling body is movable along a rail. The catching device includes a first braking element, a second braking element, a first guide element, a second guide element and an actuating element. The first braking element and the second braking element are brought into contact with the rail for braking. A first linear bearing is formed between the first braking element and the first guide element and a second linear bearing is formed between the second braking element and the second guide element. Both guide elements are moved between a rest position and a braking initial position, the actuating element moving the two guide elements from the rest position into the braking initial position.