Abstract: An electrical connector device (40) for use with an elevator load bearing member (30) assembly includes at least one electrical connector member (42) for making electrically conductive contact with at least one tension member (32). A clamping member (45) supports the electrical connector member and facilitates manipulating the connector member to pierce through a coating (34) over the tension members (32). The clamping member (45) in one example has first (46) and second (48) portions received on opposite sides of the load bearing member (30). An adjuster (50) facilitates adjusting the relative positions of the clamping member portions to urge the electrical connector member through the coating and into electrically conductive contact with the tension member.

Abstract: An elevator installation, and a method of operating such an elevator installation, has at least one car and at least one equipment for detecting a car position wherein the equipment includes a code mark pattern and a sensor device. The code mark pattern is mounted along the travel path of the car and has a plurality of code marks arranged in a single track. The sensor device is mounted at the car and contactlessly scans the code marks with a plurality of sensors arranged in a single track.

Abstract: An elevator machine (20) assembly useful in an elevator system (10) includes a motor frame (26) that supports a motor (24) for selectively rotating a motor shaft (28). A brake (36) selectively applies a braking force to resist rotation of the motor shaft (28). At least one load sensor (46) resists undesirable movement of the brake (36) and provides an indication of a load that results from applying the braking force. A disclosed example includes using a first resistive member (46) to resist movement of the brake (36) relative to the motor frame (26) when the load is below a threshold load and using a second resistive member (60) to resist movement when the load exceeds the threshold load.

Abstract: An elevator control system includes an entrance person authentication section 12 provided at a predetermined distance from an elevator hall for permitting a visitor 7 to use an elevator and registering a call of the elevator; a storage section 30m for storing a predetermined estimated move time value for the visitor 7 to move from the entrance person authentication section 12 to the hall; an arrival detection section 34 for detecting the elevator arriving at the hall; a timer 30t for starting to count based on permission of the entrance person authentication section 12 and setting an arrival time value when the arrival detection section 34 detects the elevator arriving at the hall; and a display 37 for notifying a passenger 8 in a car 3 or at the hall of a presence of the visitor 7. If the arrival time value is shorter than the estimated move time value, the display 37 is activated.

Abstract: In the invention a method is presented for ensuring operating safety in an elevator system, an elevator system, and a safety device of an elevator system. The elevator system includes at least an elevator car, elevator ropes, an elevator motor, a traction sheave and at least two holding brakes, which holding brakes are arranged to prevent movement of the elevator car when the elevator is stopped. According to the invention the first holding brake is engaged at the end of an elevator run, and the other holding brakes are engaged with a delay. When one holding brake is engaged, the state of motion of the elevator and any slipping of the brake is monitored. If the brake is detected as slipping, a procedure for preventing a hazardous situation is performed.

Abstract: The present invention combines a residential elevator and automatic pet door with an intelligence component comprised of a Programmable Logic Controller with programmed intelligence that enables interoperability between the residential elevator and automatic pet door. In practice a pet will wear a collar with an attached or embedded transmitter. As the pet approaches the elevator door, the swing door will open and the accordion gate will open. If the elevator is at another level when the pet approaches, a call will be submitted to bring the elevator to the pet's level. The swing door and gate will open automatically when the elevator arrives. The gate and door will remain open long enough for the pet to enter the elevator and close automatically. The call to another floor will automatically be submitted to the elevator based on the current floor location.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system for monitoring the operation of the safety circuit of an elevator, said safety circuit containing safety switches connected in series with a contactor and a static circuit. In the method, the current flowing in the safety circuit is measured and the state of the safety circuit is determined on the basis of the measured current. The measurement of the safety circuit current is preferably performed without a galvanic connection to the safety circuit. The state of the safety circuit is determined on the basis of the magnitude of the measured current, from which the positions of the safety switches during the current measurement can be inferred.

Abstract: A method for setting the parameters of electronic motor controls of hoisting equipment with a control mechanism (10) for the hoisting equipment with at least one hoisting switch (5), one lowering switch (6) and one emergency shutoff switch (4) and with a display (8) in which the following steps are preformed:(i) starting of the parameter setup mode,(ii) automatic, sequential run-through and display of all parameters,(iii) binary selection of a displayed parameter, if so desired,(iv) changing of the setting of the selected parameter, if so desired,(v) saving of the changes,(vi) termination of the parameter setup mode.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for thermally protecting an electromagnetic actuator used to suppress vibrations in an elevator installation. The apparatus includes a temperature evaluation unit that determines an actual temperature of the actuator on the basis of a signal proportional to a current supplied to the actuator. A limiter restricts the current supplied to the actuator if the actual temperature of the actuator as determined by the temperature evaluation unit is greater than a predetermined temperature.

Abstract: An elevating device based on fluid control includes a pump and a cylinder that are connected to each other by a flow path, wherein the cylinder and a reservoir are connected to each other by a flow path via a fixed flow valve that allows fluid to flow at a predetermined flow rate. When a lowering operation of a table section is carried out, a pump-valve control unit brings a flow rate of discharge of the fluid by the pump and a flow rate of the fluid returned to the reservoir through the fixed flow valve into equilibrium and thereafter sets the flow rate of discharge of the fluid by the pump smaller than the predetermined flow rate thereby to reduce the amount of the fluid held in the cylinder.

Abstract: An elevator destination floor display unit is installed in an elevator boarding area or an elevator car. The elevator destination floor display unit has a display portion having a screen selectively displaying destination floor representations relating to all floors, and a display control portion which arranges and displays, in a matrix form, only destination floor representations of destination floors registered on the screen. Therefore, the unit decreases the area of the required display space, makes it possible to visually recognize destination floor representations with ease, and possesses a high degree of freedom for installation.

Abstract: A method and device for maintenance of an elevator installation or an escalator installation communicates the presence of a maintenance technician at the elevator or escalator installation to a remote service center. The service center is thus informed about that the maintenance technician has to maintain or is maintaining or has maintained a specific installation and is in a position of checking the quality of this maintenance. The maintenance operations are recorded as a maintenance record and communicated to the service center. For example, the maintenance record contains details about which maintenance technician on which day of the year and for how long has undertaken which maintenance operations on a specific elevator or escalator installation. The quality of a thus detected maintenance can then be compared with a quality standard. In addition, the maintenance operations performed are thus uniquely detected and can be evaluated.

Abstract: A device and a method for informing passengers of an elevator installation in a building includes at least one information display at at least one start floor and/or at least one second information display in at least one car. The first information display indicates the arrival time of a car at a start or destination floor and the second information display indicates the arrival time of the car at a destination floor.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and an elevator system for monitoring elevators by using a virtual elevator group. The method for monitoring elevators in an elevator system including a plurality of elevators classified into a plurality of elevator groups, and at least one virtual elevator group including a plurality of elevators, at least one of which is included in a different elevator group and displaying the elevator related information on the elevators included in the selected virtual elevator group.

Abstract: A rescue braking system provides a smoother elevator car movement by mechanically lifting or applying the brake. The rescue braking system incrementally adjusts the force applied to the brake based on the speed and location of the elevator car. Therefore, it can effectively eliminate the jerky vibration and noises caused by the fully on-off brake systems and make the passengers feel more comfortable when the elevator car drifts to the nearest floor door.

Abstract: An elevator system has on each floor hall call buttons that are inter-connected with piconet modules (15), such as modules conforming to BLUETOOTH™ specifications; similar piconet modules (16) may be associated with hall fixtures such as lanterns and gongs; similar piconet modules (50) may be associated with hoistway doors, on each floor, so as to form a wireless communication system with a similar piconet module (19) at the controller (18); and a piconet module (40) may be associated with the car operating panel. A module (43) may be interconnected with the car door lock switch; a module (44) may be interconnected with a safety switch; modules (48) and (49) may be interconnected with lower and upper limit switches; and a module (49) may be interconnected with an overspeed detector, so as to form a safety chain.

Abstract: An elevator drive unit including a traction sheave supported by a shaft rotatably supported by a pair of bearings. Mounted on opposite free ends of the shaft are rotors of a pair of electric motors. Cage-housings on a pair of spaced bearing end-plates retain the stators of the motors. A plurality of frequency converters operating in a master/slave mode to supply electrical power to the motors.

Abstract: An elevator monitoring terminal includes a storage unit and a processing unit. The storage unit stores screen-displayed data including monitor-related screens related to an elevator monitoring operation, and the processing unit displays the monitor-related screens in the screen-displayed data read from the storage unit on a display unit.

Abstract: A method of controlling an elevator installation with several elevators, in which destination call inputs of passengers are input by destination call input apparatus and in which at least one traffic criterion, which characterizes a traffic intensity, of the elevator installation is measured by an elevator control, wherein the elevator control allocates cost-optimizing elevators to the destination call inputs. In order to obtain an energy saving without prejudicing the transport capacity of the elevator installation, the elevator control additionally allocates energy-optimizing elevators to the destination call inputs in dependence on the traffic criterion.

Abstract: A method of operating an elevator installation having an elevator control with a plurality of functions (F1, . . . Fn+m) for controlling the elevator installation, wherein the plurality of functions comprises at least one optional function (Fn+1, . . . Fn+m) which is activatable at the time of configuring of the elevator control and can be made available by an activation for control during the operation of the elevator installation. After the activation, a deactivation of the optional function (Fn+1, . . . Fn+m) takes place automatically in accordance with a predetermined criterion, wherein the optional function after deactivation is no longer available for control of the elevator installation in operation.

Abstract: An elevator system that includes a film sensor is arranged on the inner surface of a wall panel in the elevator car, and a prescribed control operation is performed when the detection output of the film sensor exceeds a prescribed level. This system allows for a quick response to an emergency at low cost, and can be used in a variety of locations without influencing the layout and design of the elevator car.

Abstract: A device (30) for making electrically conductive contact with at least one tension member in an elevator belt (22) also provides a restraining feature to support loads on the belt. A connector portion (32) is secured to the belt. In one example, the connector portion (32) includes clamping members (40, 42) that are received on opposite sides of the belt. One of the clamping members supports a plurality of electrically conductive connector members (52) that establish electrical contact with selected tension members (24) within the belt (22). A plurality of load transferring members (66) are supported by the other clamping member in one example. A restraining portion (34) is adapted to be secured in a fixed position relative to a selected structure (36) within the elevator system.

Abstract: An elevator car operating panel has push buttons corresponding to floors of a building, wherein the push buttons act on switch contacts registering elevator calls, and wherein the push buttons are mounted on the switch contacts.

Abstract: An elevator call registration device selectively switches between display of an operation screen for allowing a user to designate a registration for moving a car to an arbitrary destination floor from among a plurality of destination floors and display of a registered-floor screen for displaying the destination floor that is designated through operation on the operation screen and registered with an elevator control device.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and a system for ensuring the operation of the safety circuit of an elevator or escalator, said safety circuit containing safety contacts (10, 12, 14) connected in series with a contactor (16). In the method, the largest bypass current coming to the contactor in a fault situation is defined, a testing device (202) is connected in series with the safety circuit, said testing device containing at least one resistor (26), which is used to produce a desired test current that is larger than the largest bypass current, and the neutral point (18) of the safety circuit is shifted if the contactor (16) remains energized by the aforesaid test current.

Abstract: An automatic announcing device for an elevator which enables fine voice volume adjustment according to the environment of use in which a guidance announcement is made and which allows an easy and efficient voice volume adjustment operation.

Abstract: The present invention automatically detects the onset of instability of an elevator active ride control system and activates a system shutdown if it occurs. As an elevator car is guided along rails by guide elements, a plurality of sensors mounted on the car measure vibration transverse to a direction of travel. The signals from the sensors are input to a controller which in turn produces a controller output signal. This signal is used to energize an actuator positioned between the car and the guide elements and thereby dampen the vibrations acting on the car. As instability sets in, a controller signal increases. The controller signal is monitored by a comparator such that the actuator is deactivated if the controller signal becomes greater than a predetermined value.

Abstract: Supervisory control of an elevating machine is performed in a remote supervisory center via a general public line. The general public line has multiple networks including a high-speed digital network for transmitting large quantities of information from the elevating machine to the center and a low-communication-cost public network for transmitting a control command from the center to the elevating machine. A network selector selects the high-speed digital network in the case of transmission of a large quantity of information and the low-communication-cost public network in the case of transmission of the control command, and causes the selected network to perform transmission. For security, the control encodes and decodes transmitted information individually for each of the networks, and performs collation and authentication of a specific code, which has been added to the control command at the center, at the elevating machine.

Abstract: In an elevator control apparatus, a power supply voltage monitoring circuit monitors a power supply voltage supplied to a processing portion. A voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit outputs a monitoring input voltage forcible change signal for forcibly changing a power supply voltage input to the power supply voltage monitoring circuit in response to a control signal from the processing portion. A voltage abnormality detection signal from the power supply voltage monitoring circuit is input to the voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit. The processing portion checks the soundness of the power supply voltage monitoring circuit by reading data held by the voltage monitoring soundness checking function circuit.

Abstract: An elevator with an all optical control apparatus having a control unit with a light source, a photodetector, an optical feeding fiber, and an optical feedback fiber. The light source is coupled to the optical feeding fiber and the optical feedback fiber is coupled to the photodetector. The all optical control apparatus further includes a member that can be manually actuated. The member has a fiber input and a fiber output. The fiber input is optically coupled to the optical feeding fiber and the fiber output is optically coupled to the optical feedback fiber. The member, when actuated, influences a light path between the fiber input and the fiber output in a manner that is detectable at the photodetector.

Abstract: The present invention deals with a method and an apparatus for the input call needed in an elevator system by means of a wireless call input device. The call input device may be a device provided with a display and a keypad, designed especially for this use. In a preferred embodiment, the call input device is the user's mobile telephone and the system utilizes technology consistent with the Bluetooth standard. RFID technology or the use of bar codes is also possible. For the user a profile is created which contains the user's name, statistical information regarding the destination floors most frequently selected by the user, and possible additional services. The user can input a call from an elevator lobby before arriving to the elevator. After the system has allocated the most suitable elevator to the user, corresponding information is presented on the display of the call input device. This information can be accompanied by guidance information and information about an estimated waiting time.

Abstract: An improved dumbwaiter system that incorporates an LCD display which is connected to the system controller that provides installation and troubleshooting assistance in addition to standard operating information. The system teaches means for switching between manual and automatic modes within a standard operational configuration. The dumbwaiter of the present invention can switch into a manual mode by using the standard configuration, after the user enters a sequence of keys on a keypad, the LCD display will indicate the switch to manual mode and will confirm that appropriate safeties are in place prior to moving the car. The present invention also includes an interface to enable the dumbwaiter to operation in conjunction with other electronically controlled household amenities. The dumbwaiter is also supplied with a complimentary laundry basket and rolling cart. The baskets and carts are designed in such a manner to integrated with the cab of the dumbwaiter.

Abstract: A method for automatic checking of the availability of an elevator installation having at least one elevator ascertains at least one first estimated value for a use frequency of the elevator for a first time period and/or a second estimated value for the use frequency for a second time period that begins later than the first time period. A measurement value for the use frequency for the first time period is determined and the measurement value compared with at least one of the estimated values. If the measurement value is smaller by a predetermined amount, at least one predetermined command for carrying out at least one test of the elevator installation is given, wherein in the case of availability of the elevator installation the test leads to a desired reaction. Subsequently, at least one reaction of the elevator installation is registered and compared with the desired reaction.

Abstract: The elevator system of this present invention for multistory buildings includes at least one elevator shaft, each of which having a plurality of elevator units and at least one interlocking means, and an elevator control system. The elevator unit includes an elevator car and its guide means, a counterweight and its guide means, a drive means, and an elevator control system. The interlocking means includes a coupling mechanism and a bi-directional one-way clutch mechanism, and connecting means such as gears. The elevator system is operated by a plurality of computers including the schedule computer, shaft computers, and car computers. The acceleration (and deceleration) rate of the following elevator car is determined from the distance between the car and its leading car, the speeds of the two cars, and the acceleration rate of the leading car.

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: A method and a system for generating a request for elevator service in which the elevator user receives with his/her terminal a general transmission of information about the elevator system from base stations placed in the elevator lobby of the building. By way of the terminal, a service request is generated on the basis of the goal and the information provided by the general transmission. The service request is transmitted further to an elevator group controller via an edge server and a local server. The edge server checks the request for correctness, and the local server functions as a point of connection between the elevator group and the external world.

Abstract: A method of checking elevator installations with a car, an elevator drive and an elevator controller with a memory avoids or at least reduces errors by a person carrying out the check and enables convenient and reliable checking of the elevator installation. A check program including all steps necessary for the check is set up on the basis of stored configuration data of the elevator installation in the elevator controller and in dependence on a selected mode of operation. In addition, the steps are displayed in a predetennined sequence on an indicating and control unit and necessary inputs for working down the steps are input by way of the indicating and control unit.

Abstract: The systems and methods of present invention invoke an elevator communication system for providing communication between a plurality of hall fixture devices and at least one elevator system controller. The elevator communication system includes at least one elevator door interlock wiring circuit, which has a first and a second portion. A first transceiver device is coupled to the first portion of the door interlock wiring for transmitting and receiving signals between the at least one elevator system controller and the plurality of hall fixture devices over the interlock wiring. A second transceiver device is coupled to the second portion of the door interlock wiring for transmitting and receiving the signals between the at least one elevator system controller and the plurality of hall fixture devices over the interlock wiring.

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 plurality of hoistways (11, 12) in a building serving a plurality of floors utilizes destination call entry panels (22, 22A) having buttons (23) with which passengers can enter destination call requests. A display (26, 26a) adjacent the request buttons provides an indication of the car that is assigned to answer the passenger's request by a controller (27), which indication is also presented on illuminatable signs (16-19, 40, 41), utilizing either colors, letters or other easily identifiable and rememberable indications. As the car assigned to the call approaches the landing upon which the call was made, an illuminatable sign, adjacent the hoistway of the assigned car, will present the same color or indicia as was presented to the passenger upon entering the passenger's desired destination; the controller does not announce approaching cars that are not assigned a call at that landing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for including the telecommunication connections needed in the use of remote monitoring of automatically operated equipment in contracts between a company maintaining said equipment and a client owning said equipment. According to the method of the invention, the above-mentioned company takes care of the administration of the telecommunication connections, including the acquisition and opening of the aforesaid telecommunication connections as well as the invoicing concerning them.

Abstract: A method of communicating information to elevator users utilizes a building server to store elevator user personal information profiles and information to be communicated. When an elevator user is identified, the building server communicates a portion of the stored information based upon the associated profile. The building server functions as a data manager and is connected to various different sources of data to collect the information to be communicated. The data sources can include videos, movies, the Internet, the elevator control, the building control center, etc. An identification unit controls access by the elevator users. The elevator user is able to receive the communicated information on a display unit in the vicinity of or in the elevator car.

Abstract: A control apparatus for an elevator installation has actuating elements on a front surface. The control apparatus includes an insert in the form of a key-operated switch cylinder which has a recess or a key slot. The insert is mounted in a side surface that is one of a lateral side wall of a housing, an end surface of an elevator car handrail and a side surface of a column. The recess opens transversely to the front surface. A separate auxiliary actuating element is received into the recess in the direction of an axis extending parallel to the front surface. The insert is mechanically actuatable by rotation of the auxiliary actuating element about the axis in order to trigger specific functions in conjunction with the control of the elevator installation.

Abstract: A method, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one individual user profile with multimedia contents is stored for each elevator user. When a user is identified, the multimedia contents in the associated user profile are presented. The user manages his or her own multimedia contents in the associated user profile.

Abstract: A procedure, a system and a computer program product presents multimedia contents in elevator installations. At least one user profile with multimedia contents is provided for an associated elevator user. When the user is identified in proximity to the elevator system, the multimedia carried in his user profile are presented to him.

Abstract: A method for the operation of an elevator installation, wherein the operating parameters for achieving a desired performance are determined by simulation of the operation of the elevator installation, the operating parameter and the desired performance are included in a protocol, the elevator installation is operated with the operating parameter, the actual performance produced by the elevator installation is measured and the actual performance is compared with the desired performance.

Abstract: A method of applying photo-luminescent pigment to a substrate, such as an aluminum or metal strip containing channels or depressions, includes preparing a dry powder formulation including a photo-luminescent pigment and a carrier/fixer, depositing the dry powder formulation onto the substrate surface, and heating to fuse the dry powder formulation to the substrate surface. The photo-luminescent pigment can be applied using an apparatus which includes a hopper adapted to contain a dry powder formulation, one or more orifices adapted to allow transfer of the dry powder formulation from the hopper to a substrate surface and a guide rail system for locating the substrate surface in both a fixed horizontal plane and a fixed vertical plane below the hopper and orifice.

Abstract: A method of assigning a user to an elevator system with several elevators wherein a user issues a destination call, at least one elevator is determined to serve the destination call and is announced to the user by an acoustic signal that identifies the elevator. All of the signals that designate the different elevators are exclusively formed by one single single-frequency signal tone, the various signals that identify the individual elevators being distinguishable to the user by a predefined signal duration and/or at least one predefined signal interruption. The invention further relates to an elevator system that is equipped for this method.

Abstract: A method for allocating an elevator in a destination floor elevator system. An elevator group includes several elevators, a passenger data terminal for reserving elevators for use by passengers, and an elevator group control system for controlling the elevators in response to signals from the passenger data terminal. The method includes inputting the size and destination floor of the group of passengers into the control system of the elevator group, allocating one or more elevators to the group of passengers by utilizing the size and destination floor of the group, and informing the members of the group of passengers about the allocation.

Abstract: A method for displaying an image on a plurality of displays, each if which is in one of a plurality of elevator cabs. The method includes inspecting a playlist having first data leading to first information to be displayed; at least in part on the basis of the first data, retrieving the first information; assembling second data, the second data being representative of the image that includes the first information; and distributing the image to each display.