Abstract: Elevator hall call devices have a programmable touch screen which can be programmed to display (a) ten-key destination call buttons, (b) up hall call and down hall call buttons, or (c) N-key destination buttons, as well as buttons 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 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 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: A method of assigning destination calls to cars (A-F) in an elevator system (20) having a plurality of hoistways (21-23) in which there is more than one car in each hoistway includes determining (33) the time for each car to respond to the call Among the cars with an acceptable response time, a determination is made regarding (34) the amount of additional delay in the hoistway that assignment of the call to one car will impose on the either car in the same hoistway. The call is assigned to that car which creates the least additional delay for cars in any hoistway.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes an underslung car (22). A plurality of load bearing members (32-38) are closer together behind the elevator car and spaced farther apart near a front of the elevator car (22). A plurality of sheaves (40-44) are supported for vertical movement with the car and rotational movement relative to the car (22) such that the load bearing members (32-38) can be arranged in a 2:1 roping ratio and extend underneath the car (22). A disclosed example includes sheaves (40-44) rotatable about sheave axes that are at oblique angles relative to corresponding edges of the elevator car (22).

Abstract: One of a plurality of cars (17, 18) traveling in a hoistway (10) of an elevator system (9) may be diverted to the hoistway overhead (31) or pit (36) to enable another of the cars to gain access to a floor near or at a terminal floor (11, 14). When such car is at its last stop with doors open, visual (40) and audible (41) indicators present (57, 58) messages to the effect that this is the last stop and passengers should exit. After car doors are closed (66), visual and audible messages (68, 69) relate to the car going to the pit or overhead and that passengers may push any button (to reopen doors). Thereafter, the car moves (75, 76) to the overhead (31) or the pit (36) and presents (82, 83) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers did not exit at the correct floor and must wait while the other car makes a stop.

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: One of a plurality of cars (17, 18) traveling in a hoistway (10) of an elevator system (9) may be diverted to the hoistway overhead (31) or pit (36) to enable another of the cars to gain access to a floor near or at a terminal floor (11, 14). When such car is at its last stop with doors open, visual (40) and audible (41) indicators present (57, 58) messages to the effect that this is the last stop and passengers should exit. After car doors are closed (66), visual and audible messages (68, 69) relate to the car going to the pit or overhead and that passengers may push any button (to reopen doors). Thereafter, the car moves (75, 76) to the overhead (31) or the pit (36) and presents (82, 83) visual and audible messages to the effect that passengers did not exit at the correct floor and must wait while the other car makes a stop.

Abstract: A pair of elevator cars (23, 24) traveling in the same hoistway (27) in response to a controller (28) may stop with the doors closed, or remain at a stop with the doors open, whenever one of the cars has to wait until another car moves out of the way before the one elevator car can proceed to finish service to its passengers. Within each cab (30) both a sign (29) and a loudspeaker (33) may present the same message to the passengers, assuring them that the operation is normal and that there is no need for alarm.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes an underslung car (22). A plurality of load bearing members (32-38) are closer together behind the elevator car and spaced farther apart near a front of the elevator car (22). A plurality of sheaves (40-44) are supported for vertical movement with the car and rotational movement relative to the car (22) such that the load bearing members (32-38) can be arranged in a 2:1 roping ratio and extend underneath the car (22). A disclosed example includes sheaves (40-44) rotatable about sheave axes that are at oblique angles relative to corresponding edges of the elevator car (22).

Abstract: A method of assigning destination calls to cars (A-F) in an elevator system (20) having a plurality of hoistways (21-23) in which there is more than one car in each hoistway, the method comprising determining (33) the time for each car to respond to the call; and among the cars with acceptable response time, determining (34) the amount of additional delay in the hoistway that assignment of the call to one car will impose on the either car in the same hoistway, and assigning (35) the call in that car which creates the least additional delay for cars in any hoistway.

Abstract: A conveyor passenger interface system is described. The 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.