Abstract: An elevator apparatus includes a safety circuit section including a plurality of abnormality detection units, a safety control device, failure detection unit, and circuit changeover unit. The safety control device controls electric power supply to a driving device and a brake device in accordance with a content of an abnormality detected by the abnormality detection units. The failure detection unit detects a failure of the safety control device. When the failure of the safety control device is detected, the circuit changeover unit forms a failure-time circuit in which the electric power supply to the driving device and the brake device is interrupted directly by the abnormality detection unit.

Abstract: An elevator load bearing member (30) monitoring device includes a controller (42) that applies a selected electrical signal to tension members (32) of the load bearing member (30). In one example, connectors (40) are associated with ends of the load bearing member (30) to establish an electrical interface between the controller (42) and the tension members (32). The connectors (40) facilitate establishing electrical circuit loops along the tension members (32) such that only non-adjacent tension members are energized at a selected time. A variety of circuit configurations are disclosed. The applied electrical signal in one example has a potential that is negative compared to a ground potential of a hoistway in which the elevator belt is used. In another example, the electrical signal comprises a plurality of pulses and has a duty cycle that is on the order of about one percent.

Abstract: In a network for a safety system in a transportation system, the transportation system includes a shaft and a car arranged in the shaft. A first wall node is at a first end of the shaft and a second wall node is at a second end of the shaft to communicate safety messages with the car. Each wall node includes at least one wireless transceiver connected to one or more antennas. Each car in the shaft includes at least two wireless transceiver connected to one or more antennas, wherein the first transceiver of the car uses a first frequency and the second transceiver of the car uses a second frequency to communicate each safety messages in duplicate. A wired backbone connects the set of wall nodes to a controller of the safety system of the transportation system.

Abstract: Provided is a destination floor indication device of an elevator which is excellent in the viewability of destination floor indications and can rapidly indicate destination floors.

Abstract: An intelligent destination elevator control system streamlines the efficiency and control of destination elevators. The system monitors a building's population and predicts elevator traffic conditions. The system may monitor attributes of the destination elevators. Based on the monitored data, the system may generate a data structure that renders time-tables and target elevator service quality parameters that may control the destination elevators.

Abstract: A method of guiding a user in an environment particularly in a building, utilizes at least one first communications unit communicating data to a mobile second communications unit carried by the user. The first communications unit transmits a contact signal within a predetermined range for establishing contact with the second communications unit. If the second communications unit is located within the range and receives the contact signal, contact is established between the first communications and the second communications unit. In order to enable guidance of the user through the environment by means of the second communications unit, data are communicated from the first communications unit to the second communications unit.

Abstract: An exemplary method of assigning calls to elevator cars includes ensuring that a passenger separation requirement is satisfied. The passenger separation requirement is satisfied when a passenger belonging to one service group is not carried in the same elevator car simultaneously with another passenger belonging to a different service group, for example. A call is assigned to an elevator car to carry a passenger belonging to the one service group while the elevator car is assigned to carry or is already carrying another passenger belonging to the different service group.

Abstract: A solution for the allocation of destination calls in an elevator system includes one or more single-deck elevators and one or more multi-deck elevators, in which system the passenger enters a destination call via a destination call device. The destination call entered by the passenger is received, an elevator type to serve the destination call is selected on the basis of an elevator type selection criterion, and the destination call is allocated to an elevator consistent with the elevator type thus selected.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention concerning operation of an elevator, a traveling mode of the elevator is prevented if it is established that an elevator load exceeds a limit value. During normal operation, the limit value is equal to a first limit value. If it is established that a special situation is present (e.g., an evacuation situation or a peak traffic situation) the system is switched over to a special situation mode. In the special situation mode, the limit value is equal to a second limit value, which is higher than the first limit value.

Abstract: An elevator car includes a foldable handrail mounted on top of the car. Safety switches are associated with the foldable handrail including a first safety switch and a second safety switch. The first safety switch is closed only when the handrail is folded in a fully retracted position. The second safety switch is closed when the handrail is unfolded in a fully deployed position. A safety chain is associated with the first and second safety switches for supplying power to an elevator drive system in a normal operation or an inspection operation depending on the state of the first and second safety switches.

Abstract: A synthetic fiber rope can be used to the limit of failure by setting a sensitivity of detection of the state of wear of the rope. Strands of the rope have indicator fibers or indicator yarn that have a high probability of losing electrical conductivity and thereby indicate a worn cable. The indicator yarn consists of indicator fibers and of synthetic fibers, the indicator yarn fibers being inferior in relation to stress than the synthetic fibers of the strands.

Abstract: A hoisting machine and an elevator system including the hoisting machine are provided. The hoisting machine includes a measuring arrangement for determining the position and/or movement of the rotor of a hoisting machine. The measuring arrangement includes a magnetic band whose magnetic property is so implemented that it varies in the longitudinal direction of the band.

Abstract: Fixtures (22, 27) at a doorway (13) of a landing (14) are formed integrally with a door frame (17, 17a). The fixtures include electronic modules (42, 46, 54) and energy storage devices (43, 47, 55). Power may be supplied by a generator (32) rotated by a pinion (34) in response to a rack (35) on a hoistway door (20), or by electrical contacts (58) disposed on the hoistway side of the door frame which touch contacts (65) on an elevator car door (63) when the door is open, thereby receiving power over a line (66) from the elevator car; or power may be provided by an inductive coupler (70). The fixtures (22, 27) may be within the profile of the door frame (17), or extend outwardly from the profile of the door frame (17a).

Abstract: An arrangement for the call apparatus and display apparatus of an elevator has a body part which includes at least call buttons and other actuators, such as apertures for the display elements. The body part is essentially universal such that the number, size, shape and placement location of the apertures of the body part are arranged to be suited for the use of as many display variations and/or call button variations as possible, and in that an essentially thin light-attenuating film-like layer is disposed in front of the body part, which layer is fitted to allow light produced by the display elements through, but covers the apertures and other features in the body part.

Abstract: A system for maintaining an electrically operated folding wall comprising: (a) a maintenance detecting means; (b) a time measuring means; (c) a first time alarm means for detecting a preset time for a maintenance reminder; (d) a second time alarm means far detecting a preset time for maintenance; (e) a first maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is soon required; f) a second maintenance schedule indicator for indicating that maintenance is required; (g) a preventing means for preventing the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall from functioning after the second time alarm detects that the time measuring means has reached the preset time for maintenance; (h) a resetting means for resetting the time measured by the time measuring means after the required maintenance has been performed; and (i) a restarting means for restarting the electrical operation circuit of the folding operable wall after the required service has been performed.

Abstract: A method, an elevator system control unit, computer-readable media and an elevator installation for allocation of a user to the elevator installation, which is provided with a plurality of elevator cars and with a destination call control unit, wherein the user lodges a destination call at the destination control unit using a communications unit. The destination call control unit determines a group of elevator cars for serving the destination call and makes the group known to the user by the communications unit. The user selects an elevator car from the group by the communications unit. In addition, information for guiding the user to the selected elevator car is communicated to the user by the communications unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for setting up a number of operating units in a lift system having a number of floors. The operating units are connected in series. A first operating unit is connected to a central controller, and at least one operating unit is provided on each floor. Configuration data with an address data packet is sent from the controller to the operating units. The address data packet has a number of addresses, which permits the fixing of an address for each operating unit. The invention further relates to a lift system for carrying out the method.

Abstract: In a safety system for an elevator, slip detection means detects a slip between a drive sheave and a main rope. A safety gear is mounted to a car, the safety gear being electrically operated by an actuator to cause the car to make an emergency stop regardless of whether a running direction of the car is upward or downward. A safety gear controller cuts power supply to a hoisting machine motor and causes the safety gear to make a braking operation upon detection of the slip between the drive sheave and the main rope by the slip detection means.

Abstract: An electronic information access system and associated methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system comprises an antenna adapted to receive electromagnetic energy, the electromagnetic energy encoding first data associated with at least one person; and processing apparatus in signal communication with the antenna. The processing apparatus is configured to: access a first database containing second data relating to the one or more certain persons; analyze at least portions of the first data and the second data to determine if the at least one person is authorized to access the information; and if the at least one person is authorized access, facilitate download of the information to a personal electronic device (PED) of the at least one person.

Abstract: The device for controlling movement of a plurality of elevator cars in a single hoistway includes a door monitor module (46) that facilitates controlling movement of elevator cars (22, 24). The door monitor module (46) is configured to determine when at least one door (30) along a hoistway (26) is open. The door monitor module (46) places a first relay (52) in a selected operative state if a first elevator car (22) is stopped at a landing corresponding to the at least one open door. The door monitor module (46) places a second relay (56) in a selected operative state if a second elevator car (24) is stopped at a landing corresponding to the at least one open door. The door monitor module (46) is also configured to place both relays (52, 56) into the selected operative state if neither of the elevator cars (22, 24) is stopped at a landing corresponding to an open door (30) along a hoistway (26).

Abstract: In an elevator system floors each include: a hall registration device that places a plurality of car calls for moving a car to destination floors different from one another; and a display device that displays the car that has been assigned the plurality of car calls. A limit value setting mechanism sets, for each of the plurality of floors separately, a limit value for limiting a count of the plurality of car calls that can be assigned to the same car. A count-up mechanism obtains, when a new car call is made, a call count of each car by a given method, based on information about the plurality of car calls that have been assigned to the car. A candidate car selector compares the limit value set to a floor where the new car call is made and the call count of the each car, to thereby select, as a candidate car, the car to which the new car call can be assigned from among the cars.

Abstract: A safety arrangement of an elevator includes a mechanical safety device (3, 4, 11) that ensures the safety of the elevator hoistway (2) and that can be moved into a use position (2), and which safety arrangement of an elevator includes a detector (5) of intrusion into the elevator hoistway, which detector is fitted to receive measuring data (6) from the sensors (7) that determine the status of the entrances (9, 10) of the elevator hoistway, and also to determine intrusion into the elevator hoistway (2) from the measuring data received, and after verifying an intrusion to switch into an operating mode (8) in which driving with the elevator is prevented.

Abstract: A device for surveying an enclosed structure (10) includes a platform (24) configured to longitudinally traverse the structure (10), at least one first distance) sensor (48) connected to the platform (24) and configured to measure a lateral distance between a point on the platform (24) and a wall of the structure (10), at least one second distance sensor (50) connected to the platform (24) and configured to measure a longitudinal distance between a point on the platform (24) and a first end of the structure (10), and a transport machine (22) configured to move the platform (24) substantially longitudinally within the structure (10).

Abstract: A security system for an elevator has a car position sensor, which is adapted to determine if a car is at a landing. The security system further has an indicator, which is located at the landing. The indicator is adapted to emit a warning signal if the car is not at the landing.

Abstract: An evacuation support apparatus for an elevator causes an elevator to perform an evacuation operation for conveying people stranded in a building including a plurality of floors to an evacuation floor in an emergency. Further, the evacuation support apparatus for an elevator includes rescue floor setting means for setting the floor determined based on a predetermined condition as a rescue floor, the floor being selected from the plurality of floors, and response floor setting means for registering a call only for the floor on which a call input device for specific persons is operated in a case of the evacuation operation as the call for an evacuation response floor, the call input device for specific persons and a call input device for general persons being provided on each of the plurality of floors. The elevator includes a common car which moves in a reciprocating manner between the rescue floor and the evacuation floor in the case of the evacuation operation.

Abstract: An elevator system and a brake control circuit include a first switch that controls the electricity supply of the winding of the brake, which switch is connected in a controlled manner with the control of the electricity supply of the winding of the brake, and thus the braking function is controlled.

Abstract: An elevator system including an elevator shaft and at least one elevator cab which can move in the elevator shaft. The elevator system has a distributed control system having a first evaluation unit, respectively associated with the at least one elevator cab, and has at least one second evaluation unit, associated with the elevator shaft. A bus link connects the first evaluation unit and the at least one second evaluation unit to one another. The first evaluation unit has a set of limit curves containing limit curves for the actuation of a braking device and/or a safety gripping device that are calculated and scaled in line with a current operating state, the first evaluation unit being configured to trigger the safety gripping device or the braking device if one of the limit curves is exceeded. Defined ends of the limit curves limit a scope of movement for the at least one elevator cab.

Abstract: A method of providing video information to a display monitor within an elevator located in a building, which includes receiving first data defining a category of video information, receiving second data, associated with the category of video information and defining at least one source of the video information; and retrieving from the source, over a data communications path and on the basis of the first data and the second data, the video information to be displayed on the monitor within the elevator.

Abstract: A near-optimal scheduling method for a group of elevators uses advance traffic information. More particularly, advance traffic information is used to define a snapshot problem (24) in which the objective is to improve performance for customers. To solve the snapshot problem (24), the objective function is transformed into a form to facilitate the decomposition of the problem into individual car subproblems (26). The subproblems (26) are independently solved using a two-level formulation, with passenger to car assignment (28) at the higher level, and the dispatching of individual cars (30) at the lower level. Near-optimal passenger selection and individual car routing (38) are obtained. The individual cars are then coordinated through an iterative process (40, 42) to arrive at a group control solution that achieves a near-optimal result for passengers.

Abstract: A device for surveying an enclosed structure (10) includes a platform (24) configured to longitudinally traverse the structure (10), at least one first distance) sensor (48) connected to the platform (24) and configured to measure a lateral distance between a point on the platform (24) and a wall of the structure (10), at least one second distance sensor (50) connected to the platform (24) and configured to measure a longitudinal distance between a point on the platform (24) and a first end of the structure (10), and a transport machine (22) configured to move the platform (24) substantially longitudinally within the structure (10).

Abstract: An elevator installation includes a cage, a counterweight which balances the cage and a supporting and/or drive means at which the cage and the counterweight are suspended. The elevator installation has a sound pick-up designed for detecting solid-borne sound generated at the counterweight.

Abstract: An elevator system in which a controller monitors whether or not a speed of an ascending/descending body reaches a preset overspeed. At a time of maintenance work, a stopper is interposed between a buffer and the ascending/descending body to limit a lowered position of the ascending/descending body. A stopper detector detects installation of the stopper onto at least one of the buffer and the ascending/descending body. When the stopper is detected by the stopper detector, the controller lowers a set value of the overspeed.

Abstract: A transportation system and a method are provided for backing up the operational state of a transportation system. The transportation system includes a control apparatus for controlling the operation of the transportation system. The control apparatus further includes capacitive energy storage and a power supply backup circuit adapted to maintain power supply from the said energy storage to a storage circuit for a given length of time in connection with an operational anomaly in power supply to the control apparatus.

Abstract: A destination entry input device (30, 35) is commissioned in a group elevator system (10). The destination entry input device (30, 35) is connected to a dispatch controller (20). A network address is input into the destination entry input device (30, 35) corresponding to an installation location of the destination entry input device (30, 35). When the network address is input, installation location information related to the installation location of the destination entry input device is downloaded to the destination entry input device (30, 35) and verified.

Abstract: An elevator system in which a controller monitors whether or not a speed of an ascending/descending body reaches a preset overspeed. At a time of maintenance work, a stopper is interposed between a buffer and the ascending/descending body to limit a lowered position of the ascending/descending body. A stopper detector detects installation of the stopper onto at least one of the buffer and the ascending/descending body. When the stopper is detected by the stopper detector, the controller lowers a set value of the overspeed.

Abstract: During elevator modernization, a cross-dispatching system receives hall calls and assigns each hall call to either a group of existing elevator car controllers or a group of new elevator car controllers. The cross-dispatching system creates an inter group relative system response (iRSR) value for the hall call for both the existing group of elevators and the new group of elevators, based upon information from each group such as car location, in-service status, load, and direction. If the group assigned the hall call does not answer the call within a redispatch time period, the cross-dispatching system again calculates the iRSR for each group and reassigns the hall call.

Abstract: An elevator system including a car call registration device by which an elevator user registers a car call before riding on a car and a group supervisory controller with a building specification data storage section in which building specification data including specially-assigned floors is stored. Further, a specially-assigned floor judgment section judges whether a departure floor is a specially-assigned floor when a car call is registered, and a traffic condition judgment section judges the traffic condition of elevators within a building. A car assignment is performed based on the traffic condition judgment section judging by the specially-assigned floor judgment section that the departure floor is a specially-assigned floor, and a car assignment is performed based on a building specification stored in the building specification data storage section when the specially-assigned floor judgment section judges the departure floor is not a specially-assigned floor.

Abstract: In an elevator system, a group supervisory control apparatus selects a car responding to a destination call registration performed on a landing destination operating panel. A limit value of the number of destination call registrations for stop floors existing in the same direction from the same stop floor is set in the group supervisory control apparatus in a manner corresponding to the stop floor. The group supervisory control apparatus counts the number of destination call registrations for the stop floors existing in the same direction from the same stop floor in response to the destination call registration performed on the landing destination operating panel, and limits the number of destination call registrations to be allocated to the single car according to a limit value corresponding to the stop floor.

Abstract: A destination floor indication device that enables elevator users to get to know destination floors that have already been registered easily and in a short time. For this purpose, a destination floor indication device installed in a hall or car of the elevator is includes an indication part that indicates registered destination floors to elevator users, and indication contents of this indication part are controlled by an indication control part. It is ensured through the control by the indication control part that when the number of indications of registered destination floors exceeds a prescribed specified value, the size of indications of destination floors is made smaller than when the specified value is not exceeded, whereby all registered destination floors are caused to be indicated in the indication part.

Abstract: A method of controlling an intelligent destination elevator control system streamlines the control of two or more destination elevators. Operations of a group of destination elevators are monitored to gain experience about how the population is served by the group of destination elevators that serves a building or a building zone. The analysis of measured and/or modeled data and conditions with data about traffic patterns and traffic characteristics enables the system to dynamically control the destination elevators. The system may enhance passengers' experience through efficiency and/or with an improved comfort level.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method and system for producing services in the communication system of a building. In the method of the invention, the communication system includes at least one terminal device applicable for local-area communication, at least one communication unit, at least one server controlling the communication system, at least one base station for implementing a local-area network in the communication system, and a local network for implementing mutual data transfer between the communication unit, the server controlling the communication system and the base station. In the method, a number of service folders are generated in the terminal device and a service folder applicable to the purpose in each case is selected. From the selected service folder, a service request is selected which is transmitted from the terminal device to the communication system, where the service request is executed in one or more sub-stages using one or more communication units.

Abstract: In an elevator apparatus, an actuator for generating a vibration-damping force against the lateral vibration of a car is provided in parallel to elastic member for preventing the lateral vibration of the car. The actuator is controlled by a vibration-damping control unit. The vibration-damping control unit estimates a natural frequency of the lateral vibration of the car, determines a gain value on the basis of the estimated natural frequency and a rigidity value of the elastic member, and drives the actuator in accordance with an instruction signal obtained by multiplication of the determined gain value.

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 safety device for an elevator system includes a retractable element mounted on a support. The retractable element has a stopping position in which a catch portion of the retractable element projects from the support to engage a triggering member of a safety brake associated with an elevator car as the elevator car traveling in a selected direction approaches a selected vertical position, and a retracted position. An actuator selectively controls the position of the retractable element. A position sensor is responsive to the position of the retractable element to make sure that it is in its stopping position when needed.

Abstract: Controlling the movement of elevator cars (22, 24) within a single hoistway (26) prevents the cars from becoming too close while servicing assigned stops. Example control techniques include controlling door operation of at least one of the elevator cars (22, 24) to effectively slow down a follower car or speed up a leader car for increasing a distance between the cars in an area within the hoistway (26) where the cars would otherwise be too close to each other.

Abstract: A method and also a control and data-transmission system is presented, with which the installation location of at least one safety bus component connected to the control and data-transmission system (10) can be checked. For this purpose, in two separate communications cycles, a respective position identifier, which had been allocated to the safety bus components (60) in a prior configuration process, is transmitted to each safety bus component via a non-safety communications control device (30). The safety bus components compare the position identifiers received in the two communications cycles to the contents of a memory, in which a reference position identifier has already been stored or which is still empty.

Abstract: An elevator system and a method for accelerating the starting of travel in an elevator system are provided. The elevator system includes an elevator control system for implementing controlled motion of an elevator car; a door mechanism control system for implementing controlled movement of the elevator car door; and a door coupler, for forming a mechanical coupling between elevator car door and landing door; and a controller of fast start of travel, which has an input for elevator car position data, an input for landing door position data, an input for car door position data, and at least one output for activating the elevator motor power supply circuit and the elevator brake release circuit.

Abstract: Components of an elevator system are cooled using natural convective airflow in conjunction with thermoelectric heating and cooling. Rising air within the hoistway is funneled into a cold air duct (20) and a warm air duct (22). As air flows vertically upward through the cool air duct (20) and the warm air duct (22), a thermoelectric module (14) cools air in the cool air duct (20) and heats air in the warm air duct (22). The cool air stream in the cool air duct (20) is circulated past the elevator component (12), and is drawn upward into a common exhaust duct (28) by the faster flowing warm air stream in the warm air duct (22).

Abstract: Provided, on each floor of a building, are an elevator installation zone, in which an elevator is installed, a neighboring zone which neighbors the elevator installation zone, and is in communication with the elevator installation zone through a first communication port, and an external zone which is in communication with the neighboring zone through a second communication port different from the first communication port. The first communication port is opened and closed by a first fire door, and the second communication port is opened and closed by a second fire door. A fire evacuation support system manages an operation of the elevator based on information from a plurality of fire detectors provided on each floor when a fire occurs in the building.

Abstract: In an elevator derailment detecting apparatus, first and second conducting wires are disposed parallel to a direction of raising and lowering of an ascending/descending body inside a hoistway. First and second contacts that respectively contact the first and second conducting wires if the ascending/descending body disengages from a guide rail are mounted to the ascending/descending body. The first conducting wire is set to positive electric potential, and the second conducting wire is set to ground electric potential. The detecting portion detects by the presence or absence of conduction between the first contact and the first conducting wire whether or not the ascending/descending body is disengaged from the guide rail.