Abstract: Elevator reassignment information is communicated to passengers in a group elevator system (10). The group elevator system (10) includes a group of elevators (14a, 14b, 14c) that is operable to transport each of the passengers to one of a plurality of floors (L, F2, F3, F4, F5). A destination entry input device (30, 35) at each floor permits each passenger to enter destination input information. A dispatch controller (20) assigns an elevator to each passenger based on the destination input information. When service of a dispatched elevator is terminated, a communication device (46, 50) communicates elevator reassignment instructions to passengers assigned to or located in the dispatched elevator.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) uses destination entry dispatching techniques. A passenger interface device (22) operates in a first mode to allow passengers (24) to enter destination requests for elevator service. The passenger interface (22) operates in a second mode to provide at least one additional feature to an authorized individual. The additional feature may be at least one of a service-related function, a security-related function, a monitoring-related function or a communication-related function.

Abstract: Elevator reassignment information is communicated to passengers in a group elevator system (10). The group elevator system (10) includes a group of elevators (14a, 14b, 14c) that is operable to transport each of the passengers to one of a plurality of floors (L, F2, F3, F4, F5). A destination entry input device (30, 35) at each floor permits each passenger to enter destination input information. A dispatch controller (20) assigns an elevator to each passenger based on the destination input information. When service of a dispatched elevator is terminated, a communication device (46, 50) communicates elevator reassignment instructions to passengers assigned to or located in the dispatched elevator.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a moving object, such as an elevator car in an elevator shaft, includes the steps of mounting a leading sensor and a lagging sensor to the moving object and spacing the leading sensor from the lagging sensor by an offset distance, mounting a plurality of spaced apart position indicators along a pathway of the moving object, transmitting signals representative of object position from the leading sensor and the lagging sensor to a controller as the sensors pass the spaced apart position indicators, and filling any gaps in the signal gathered from one of the sensors by using a correction factor established from the position sensed by the other sensor and the offset distance. A system for performing the method is described.

Abstract: A floor selection station (39a) has at least one switch button (45-51, 70, 93) which visually handicapped people use in selecting floors, and a speaker (54) to emit a sound uniquely ndicative of which elevator to board. Stations (39a, 39c) have a plurality of buttons with Braille indications of groups of floors (45-51) or individual floors (33). A station (39b) has only one button (70). Near or at each elevator lobby related to a group of floors serving a building, a floor identifier (39, 42) identifies with color, and optionally a symbol such as letter, each floor which is served by the group of elevators related to that lobby. At each elevator (26-29) there is an elevator indicator (32-35) which displays the same color, and optionally the same symbol, as displayed for any floor which the respective elevator is currently assigned to serve, and a speaker (32a 35a) which emits the same sound as at the floor selection station until the assigned elevator is dispatched.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) uses destination entry dispatching techniques. A passenger interface device (22) operates in a first mode to allow passengers (24) to enter destination requests for elevator service. The passenger interface (22) operates in a second mode to provide at least one additional feature to an authorized individual. The additional feature may be at least one of a service-related function, a security-related function, a monitoring-related function or a communication-related function. Various such features are disclosed.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) utilizes destination entry dispatching techniques. A controller (28) receives an automated destination request that includes a prestored, primary destination. This allows for seamlessly integrating building access and destination entry for the elevator system. A passenger interface (40) allows a passenger to override a prestored destination. The elevator controller (28) allows for override or secondary destination requests to be made at various intervals between receipt of the initial request and arrival of an initially assigned car at an appropriate level to let the passenger board the elevator car.

Abstract: An elevator system utilizes a destination entry control technique and delays indicating which car is assigned to a request to allow an individual to arrive near an elevator lobby. An elevator group assignment is made responsive to a destination request. An indication regarding the group assignment is provided to a passenger within a first time from the receipt of the request. A second indication regarding a car assigned to carry that passenger to the desired destination is provided at a second, later time from the request. Separating out the group assignment indication and the car assignment indication is accomplished in one example by providing separate interfaces at different locations within a building.

Abstract: A method for determining a position of a moving object, such as an elevator car in an elevator shaft, includes the steps of mounting a leading sensor and a lagging sensor to the moving object and spacing the leading sensor from the lagging sensor by an offset distance, mounting a plurality of spaced apart position indicators along a pathway of the moving object, transmitting signals representative of object position from the leading sensor and the lagging sensor to a controller as the sensors pass the spaced apart position indicators, and filling any gaps in the signal gathered from one of the sensors by using a correction factor established from the position sensed by the other sensor and the offset distance. A system for performing the method is described.

Abstract: A floor selection station (39a) has at least one switch button (45-51, 70, 93) which visually handicapped people use in selecting floors, and a speaker (54) to emit a sound uniquely ndicative of which elevator to board. Stations (39a, 39c) have a plurality of buttons with Braille indications of groups of floors (45-51) or individual floors (33). A station (39b) ) has only one button (70). Near or at each elevator lobby related to a group of floors serving a building, a floor identifier (39, 42) identifies with color, and optionally a symbol such as letter, each floor which is served by the group of elevators related to that lobby. At each elevator (26-29) there is an elevator indicator (32-35) which displays the same color, and optionally the same symbol, as displayed for any floor which the respective elevator is currently assigned to serve, and a speaker (32a 35a) which emits the same sound as at the floor selection station until the assigned elevator is dispatched.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting non-contact linear door displacement comprising a tubular motor formed of a stator (1) formed from a plurality of magnets (21) arranged along a linear axis (15), and at least one thrust block (3) each formed of at least one electrically conductive coil encircling the stator (1) at a distance sufficient to facilitate electro-mechanical interaction between the plurality of coils and the stator (1), at least one door (5) attached to at least one of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) via a hanger (9) and the at least one door (5) capable of a movement in the direction of the linear axis (15), a rolling component (11) to enable movement of the hanger (9) in the direction of the linear axis (15), and a control mechanism (70) for sensing the position of each of the at least one door (5) and issuing an electrical control signal to each of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) so as to affect the movement of the at least one door (5).

Abstract: An elevator system utilizes a destination entry control technique and delays indicating which car is assigned to a request to allow an individual to arrive near an elevator lobby. An elevator group assignment is made responsive to a destination request. An indication regarding the group assignment is provided to a passenger within a first time from the receipt of the request. A second indication regarding a car assigned to carry that passenger to the desired destination is provided at a second, later time from the request. Separating out the group assignment indication and the car assignment indication is accomplished in one example by providing separate interfaces at different locations within a building, for example. A disclosed example includes making the group assignment and car assignments at separate times corresponding to a difference in time between receipt of the initial request and the passenger's expected or actual arrival in the vicinity of the assigned elevator group.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) utilizes destination entry dispatching techniques. A controller (28) receives an automated destination request that includes a prestored, primary destination. This allows for seamlessly integrating building access and destination entry for the elevator system. A passenger interface (40) allows a passenger to override a prestored destination. The elevator controller (28) allows for override or secondary destination requests to be made at various intervals between receipt of the initial request and arrival of an initially assigned car at an appropriate level to let the passenger board the elevator car.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting non-contact linear door displacement comprising a tubular motor formed of a stator (1) formed from a plurality of magnets (21) arranged along a linear axis (15), and at least one thrust block (3) each formed of at least one electrically conductive coil encircling the stator (1) at a distance sufficient to facilitate electro-mechanical interaction between the plurality of coils and the stator (1), at least one door (5) attached to at least one of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) via a hanger (9) and the at least one door (5) capable of a movement in the direction of the linear axis (15), a rolling component (11) to enable movement of the hanger (9) in the direction of the linear axis (15), and a control mechanism (70) for sensing the position of each of the at least one door (5) and issuing an electrical control signal to each of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) so as to affect the movement of the at least one door (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting non-contact linear door displacement comprising a tubular motor formed of a stator (1) formed from a plurality of magnets (21) arranged along a linear axis (15), and at least one thrust block (3) each formed of at least one electrically conductive coil encircling the stator (1) at a distance sufficient to facilitate electro-mechanical interaction between the plurality of coils and the stator (1), at least one door (5) attached to at least one of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) via a hanger (9) and the at least one door (5) capable of a movement in the direction of the linear axis (15), a rolling component (11) to enable movement of the hanger (9) in the direction of the linear axis (15), and a control mechanism (70) for sensing the position of each of the at least one door (5) and issuing an electrical control signal to each of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) so as to affect the movement of the at least one door (5).

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting non-contact linear door displacement comprising a tubular motor comprising a stator (1) formed from a plurality of magnets (21) arranged along a linear axis (15), and at least one thrust block (3) each comprising at least one electrically conductive coil encircling the stator (1) at a distance sufficient to facilitate electromechanical interaction between the plurality of coils and the stator (1), at least one door (5) attached to at least one of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) via a hanger (9) and the at least one door (5) capable of a movement in the direction of the linear axis (15), a rolling component (11) to enable movement of the hanger (9) in the direction of the linear axis (15), and a control mechanism (70) for sensing the position of each of the at least one door (5) and issuing an electrical control signal to each of the plurality of thrust blocks (3) so as to affect the movement of the at least one door (5).

Abstract: Directionally sensitive motion detectors at the entrances to elevator cars provide a running count of passenger population aboard the cars. Passengers wear portable devices that transmit personal IDs, and a check of IDs of passengers on the elevator along with the total passenger count will determine if each of the passengers exiting the elevator corresponds to an ID authorized to enter a particular floor of the building, or determine if each of the passengers aboard the car corresponds to an ID authorized to make a particular trip (the particular elevator at a particular time). Unauthorized exit may cause an alarm or other events. If any passenger does not have an ID authorized for a secure trip, an announcement urges the unauthorized passenger to leave for some period of time, following which an alarm is sounded and the elevator is prevented from moving. Pairs of motion detectors may provide directional sensitivity, or doppler motion detectors may be used.

Abstract: Load cells 35, 56 on antirotation dowel pins 28a or load mounts 49 indicate brake reaction forces in the disk brake 8, 8a of an elevator. Vertical load cells 72, 73 on bending load cell 80 indicate vertical brake reaction loads on a rail 60. A table indicating the load of an empty car at each of the landings served by the car permits subtracting load components relating to ropes, chains and cables to provide a live load indication prior to brake release; this may be used to determine if the load exceeds the maximum permissible load for the car.

Abstract: Apparatus for determining the position of an elevator car within a hoistway that includes a code rail containing optically readable indicia that is being mounted within the hoistway adjacent to the path of travel of the car. At least one camera is mounted upon the car for movement therewith for scanning the code rail indicia and providing data indicative of the car's position to the car controllers.

Abstract: An elevator system includes an inspection device that provides information regarding a condition of the elevator rope or belt. The inspection device preferably is positioned to inspect an entire portion of the rope or belt that is most likely to wear as the elevator cab travels between chosen locations. In some situations, the inspection device is at a fixed position within an elevator hoistway. In other situations, the inspection device is supported for movement relative to other elevator system components. In one example, the inspection device is supported on the cab and moves with the cab through the hoistway. A variety of factors are considered for determining the portion of the rope or belt that is most likely to wear and the ideal placement of the inspection device relative to the other elevator system components.