Abstract: A method of operating an elevator system using a touchless elevator communication system including: generating a first two-dimensional sensor curtain using a first sensor curtain generation device, the first two-dimensional sensor curtain being located in front of a display that displays one or more selection options; generating a second two-dimensional sensor curtain using a second sensor curtain generation device located in front of the first two-dimensional sensor curtain, the first two-dimensional sensor curtain being located between the second two-dimensional sensor curtain and the display; detecting the object in the second two-dimensional sensor curtain; determining a second curtain location of the object in the second two-dimensional sensor curtain; mapping the second curtain location of the object in the second two-dimensional sensor curtain to a selection option of the one or more selection options; and identifying on the display that the object is pointing to the selection option.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car and a drive mechanism connected with the elevator car. The drive mechanism moves with the elevator car in a vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes at least one drive member that is configured to engage a vertical structure near the elevator car, selectively climb along the vertical structure to cause movement of the elevator car, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical structure. A biasing mechanism urges the drive member in a direction to engage the vertical structure. The biasing mechanism applies a biasing force based upon a condition of the elevator car. The biasing force changes based upon a change in the condition.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move along a car mover track in a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover has a first tire of a first wheel that is configured to engage the car mover track when the car mover moves along the car mover track, wherein one or more of the first tire and the car mover track has an engagement feature for increasing traction between the first tire and the car mover track.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a cab configured to accommodate at least one passenger or item inside the cab. A motorized module includes a base, a connector supported on the base and at least one drive member supported on the base. The connector is configured to selectively establish a releasable connection between the motorized module and the cab. The drive member is configured to engage a vertical surface, climb along the vertical surface to selectively cause vertical movement of the base, and selectively prevent movement of the base when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical surface. At least one motor is associated with the drive member to selectively cause the drive member to climb along the vertical surface. The motorized module is vertically movable independent of the cab when the motorized module is released from the cab.

Abstract: A method of generating an elevator call using a mobile device including: detecting a first advertisement emitted by a first beacon, the first beacon being located at a first location and the first beacon is configured to emit the first advertisement a first selected range away from the first beacon; determining that an individual will be boarding an elevator system based on at least the first location of the first beacon; and transmitting the elevator call to a dispatcher of the elevator system based on determining that the individual will be boarding the elevator system or authorizing a previously placed elevator call to the dispatcher based on determining that the individual will be boarding the elevator system.

Abstract: A passenger customization system including: a processor; and a memory including computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations. The operations including: detecting that an individual is within a selected range of an elevator system; obtaining a passenger attribute of the individual; and adjusting a component of the elevator system in response to the passenger attribute.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator passenger interface system, includes a visual detector configured to detect a visible image that includes an indication of a request for elevator service. A processor interprets the indication and provides an output that is useable by an elevator system to control an elevator car to respond to the request for elevator service.

Abstract: An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; a first motor brake mechanically connected to the first electric motor, the first motor brake configured to slow the elevator car; and a brake condition based monitoring system configured to detect when the first motor brake is dragging.

Abstract: An elevator system including: an elevator car configured to travel through an elevator shaft; a first guide beam extending vertically through the elevator shaft, the first guide beam including a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a beam climber system configured to move the elevator car through the elevator shaft, the beam climber system including: a first wheel in contact with the first surface; and a first electric motor configured to rotate the first wheel; and a controller configured to determine wheel slippage in a low friction area along the first guide beam.

Abstract: Disclosed is ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move the elevator car along a hoistway lane and to operate autonomously, wherein the car mover has an Autonomous Car Separation Assurance (ACSA) system that has: a sensor configured to provide sensor data representing positional information of the elevator car, a motion control system configured to control motion of the car mover, wherein the ACSA system is configured to estimate an operational state of the elevator car by processing the sensor data and velocity data, representing velocity of the car mover within the hoistway lane, via a State Observe Filter, and wherein the ACSA system is configured to control the car mover to avoid a collision between the elevator car and another object in response to estimating the operational state of the elevator car.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to operate autonomously and move along a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover is connected to a top or bottom of the elevator car, via a coupling device.

Abstract: Disclosed is a ropeless elevator system having: a car mover operationally connected to an elevator car, the car mover configured to move along a car mover track in a hoistway lane, thereby moving the elevator car along the hoistway lane, wherein the car mover has a first tire of a first wheel that is configured to engage the car mover track when the car mover moves along the car mover track, wherein one or more of the first tire and the car mover track has an engagement feature for increasing traction between the first tire and the car mover track.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator system includes a cab configured to accommodate at least one passenger or item inside the cab. A motorized module includes a base, a connector supported on the base and at least one drive member supported on the base. The connector is configured to selectively establish a releasable connection between the motorized module and the cab. The drive member is configured to engage a vertical surface, climb along the vertical surface to selectively cause vertical movement of the base, and selectively prevent movement of the base when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical surface. At least one motor is associated with the drive member to selectively cause the drive member to climb along the vertical surface. The motorized module is vertically movable independent of the cab when the motorized module is released from the cab.

Abstract: An aspect includes a system with a communication interface configured to receive a mobile device location indicator at a first location and a second location. The system also includes a memory system and a processing system configured to perform operations. The operations include detecting a mobile device at the first location and observing a current state of one or more conditions present during detection of the mobile device. A travel prediction of the mobile device between the first location and the second location is determined based on a travel history of the mobile device and the current state of the one or more conditions. A command is output to a dispatching system based on detection of the mobile device at the first location and the travel prediction of the mobile device to align with a predicted arrival of the mobile device at the second location.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of a method of configuring an elevator management device includes issuing a predetermined series of commands to perform a corresponding series of elevator system functions; for each of the series of elevator system functions, automatically determining a respective portion of an elevator controller that is active during a corresponding one of the activated series of elevator system functions; automatically generating information including a relationship between the respective portions of the elevator controller and the corresponding ones of the activated series of elevator system functions; and configuring the elevator management device to communicate with the elevator controller based on the information.

Abstract: An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator includes an elevator car and a drive mechanism connected with the elevator car. The drive mechanism moves with the elevator car in a vertical direction. The drive mechanism includes at least one drive member that is configured to engage a vertical structure near the elevator car, selectively climb along the vertical structure to cause movement of the elevator car, and selectively prevent movement of the elevator car when the drive member remains in a selected position relative to the vertical structure. A biasing mechanism urges the drive member in a direction to engage the vertical structure. The biasing mechanism applies a biasing force based upon a condition of the elevator car. The biasing force changes based upon a change in the condition.