Abstract: A method for operating an elevator installation includes receiving a destination call of a passenger at a control unit and selecting an elevator car from a set of available elevator cars for transporting the passenger. The elevator car is selected such that elevator car spacing rules are observed. The method further includes determining an arrival time of the selected elevator car at the boarding floor, and determining a first arrival time of the passenger at an elevator landing corresponding to the selected elevator car on the boarding floor. The method includes directing, under the proviso that the first arrival time of the passenger at the elevator landing precedes the arrival time of the selected elevator car by a defined margin, the passenger to a waiting zone of a set of available waiting zones. The waiting zone is selected such that waiting zone spacing rules are observed.

Abstract: An elevator trip based on destinations and activity parameters of a user is planned by a system having an elevator controller of an elevator installation, a storage device storing building plan data and a route planning computer. The user's trip inquiry, including a desired destination and a desired activity parameter, is received by the planning computer. Building plan data is read from the storage device by the planning computer. The current location of the user is determined by the planning computer, which calculates at least one route proposal based on the user's location, the destination and the activity parameter. The route proposal is communicated to the user. Upon receipt of a confirmation that the user selected the route proposal, a control signal identifying a boarding floor and a destination floor is transmitted by the planning computer to the elevator controller. The elevator installation is controlled according to the control signal.

Abstract: An elevator installation for a building includes an elevator controller to move from one floor to another floor and a plurality of sensor units. Each sensor unit is located on a floor and configured to generate an electrical signal that is indicative of a noise level in its vicinity. A processing unit analyzes received electrical signals to determine if there is an increased noise level on a floor on which the sensor unit generating that electrical signal is located, and to detect that a source of noise moves to distinguish it from a non-moving source of noise that may also be responsible for an increased noise level, and generates a control signal for the elevator controller that is indicative of the floor with the increased noise level. The elevator controller in response to the control signal causes the elevator car to move to the floor with the increased noise level.

Abstract: Environment information associated with a user can be exchanged between an elevator system and a building environmental system. The user can adjust environmental settings in one context (e.g., in an elevator car of the elevator system), and the settings can be carried over to another context (e.g., a room serviced by the building environmental system). Information exchange can be aided by a database that records information for user preferences.

Abstract: An electronic bridge system includes a first interface to couple to an electrical or electro-mechanical installation to receive system information from the installation, and a second interface to couple to a second component of the installation, wherein the second component is to be bypassed or interrupted by the bridge system. Further, the system includes a bridge circuit coupled to the second interface and having a control port, and a safety circuit coupled to the first interface and having an output coupled to the control port. The bridge circuit is configured to cause bypassing or interrupting the second component upon activation, and the safety circuit is configured to output one of an enable signal and a disable signal as a function of the system information, wherein the enable signal activates the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A safety system for a lift installation includes a safety helmet having an integrated person position indicator being a transmitter and/or receiver and an installation position indicator mounted in lift installation, especially in the lift shaft. The indicators cooperate to automatically determine potential risk situations for an engineer wearing the safety helmet such an approaching lift cage or an approaching counterweight. The safety system automatically triggers an appropriate safety function, for example, stopping of the lift cage.

Abstract: A user can be detected and identified at or near an elevator installation. A record for the user can be read from a database, and based on information in the record, a personalized building action can be performed for the user. A portion of the building can thus be “prepared” for the user.

Abstract: An electronic bridge system includes a first interface to couple to an electrical or electro-mechanical installation to receive system information from the installation, and a second interface to couple to a second component of the installation, wherein the second component is to be bypassed or interrupted by the bridge system. Further, the system includes a bridge circuit coupled to the second interface and having a control port, and a safety circuit coupled to the first interface and having an output coupled to the control port. The bridge circuit is configured to cause bypassing or interrupting the second component upon activation, and the safety circuit is configured to output one of an enable signal and a disable signal as a function of the system information, wherein the enable signal activates the bridge circuit.

Abstract: A user can be detected and identified at or near an elevator installation. A record for the user can be read from a database, and based on information in the record, a personalized building action can be performed for the user. A portion of the building can thus be “prepared” for the user.

Abstract: Environment information associated with a user can be exchanged between an elevator system and a building environmental system. The user can adjust environmental settings in one context (e.g., in an elevator car of the elevator system), and the settings can be carried over to another context (e.g., a room serviced by the building environmental system). Information exchange can be aided by a database that records information for user preferences.