Abstract: An elevator control system includes an entrance person authentication section provided at a predetermined distance from an elevator hall for permitting a visitor to use an elevator and register a call of the elevator. A storage section stores a predetermined estimated move time value for the visitor to move from the entrance person authentication section to the hall. An arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A timer starts to count based on permission of the entrance person authentication section and sets an arrival time value when the arrival detection section detects the elevator arriving at the hall. A display notifies a passenger in a car or at the hall of a presence of the visitor. If the arrival time value is shorter than the estimated move time value, the display is activated.

Abstract: A service controller for crowded elevator cars includes an illuminating apparatus (4) furnished in a top part of a car (1) that is configured to illuminate the car (1) interior, at least one elongated light sensor unit (8) constituted by multiple light sensors (10) on a base member (9) and installed along corner regions (7a, 7b) formed between a vertical wall surface (5) of the car and the car's floor surface (6), and a judgment device (11) that is configured to determine whether there is passenger boarding space in the car (1) based on the output of the light sensors (10).

Abstract: Passenger transportation system (4) including a hallway (2) providing access to at least one transport car (6, 8, 10, 12) and a control for controlling the movement of the cars, characterized by a passenger trajectory tracking device (16) including a data processing means for monitoring the access areas to the cars (6, 8, 10, 12).

Abstract: An elevator apparatus has a car suspended by a main rope through the intermediation of a shackle spring. The car is equipped with a displacement sensor for measuring the displacement amount of the main rope with respect to the car. The displacement sensor is electrically connected to an abnormality control device mounted on the car. The abnormality control device obtains the magnitude of the tension of the main rope based on information from the displacement sensor, and selectively outputs a braking command signal to one of the following devices: an operation control device, a brake device, and an emergency stop device, according to the magnitude of the tension of the main rope.

Abstract: A system for sanitizing an enclosed structure comprises a first sensor, a second sensor, a third sensor, a germicidal ultraviolet light source, a motor, and a controller. The first sensor detects the presence of humans or animals within the enclosed structure. The second sensor detects the position of at least one door of the enclosed structure. The third sensor detects tampering with the system. The ultraviolet light source provides electromagnetic radiation in the ultraviolet range. The motor moves the ultraviolet light source from an inactive position to an active position and from the active position to the inactive position. The controller receives inputs from the first sensor, the second sensor, and the third sensor, and transmits outputs to the ultraviolet light source and the motor.

Abstract: A rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects crowdedness or uncrowdedness of an elevator region at a rescue floor. An evacuation guidance device installed in a building reports to those stranded in the building accessibility information representing accessibility of those stranded in the building to the elevator region at the rescue floor from a stair region when the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device detects that the elevator region of the rescue floor is uncrowded. An emergency control device has an evacuation operation performability determining portion for determining whether or not those stranded in the building can be conveyed from the rescue floor to the evacuation floor. The emergency control device also has an evacuation guidance device control portion for controlling the evacuation guidance device based on information from the evacuation operation performability determining portion and information from the rescue floor crowdedness detecting device.

Abstract: A method for exchange of data between a mobile communications unit carried by a user and at least one of a first communications unit, a second communications unit and a computer unit positioned at different locations in an environment such as a building. When the first communications unit and the mobile communications unit are spaced at a predetermined distance, a near-field radio connection is generated within this distance. After data exchange between the mobile communications unit and the first communications unit, the data are communicated by the first communications unit to the computer unit. When the second communications unit and the mobile communications unit are spaced from one another at the predetermined distance, a near-field radio connection is generated within this distance. A data exchange takes place between the mobile communications unit and the second communications unit by the near-field radio connection.

Abstract: An elevator system and method where an evacuation elevator control portion devises an evacuation plan making use of an elevator based on disaster information in the event of a disaster, and generates a command to perform an evacuation operation based on the evacuation plan. The evacuation elevator control portion further determines a number of people remaining inside a building and transmits the information outside of the building. An elevator operation control portion is provided for operating an elevator according to the command.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, a system and a computer program for the effective evacuation of a building in an emergency, in which at least one elevator can be used as an evacuation aid. In the method the group control of the elevators monitors the numbers of people on the different floors of the building. The floor on which it is assumed are most people is set at each moment of monitoring for a greater priority in an evacuation situation. Taking into account the limited supply power a free elevator car is directed to the floor of the greatest priority, at which the elevator is filled. The full elevator is directed without stopping to the exit floor of the building. The system monitors by means of detectors the safety of the different parts of the building and directs people if necessary to a safe evacuation location to wait for an elevator. A so-called Traffic Forecaster can be used as an aid in defining the priorities.

Abstract: In an image monitoring apparatus for an elevator, image recording means records an image in a car photographed by a camera, and monitors based on the image in the car whether or not there is a violent behavior of a passenger in the car. The image recording means makes a recording density of the image in the car higher than usual when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected. The operation control means homes the car on a predetermined floor when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected by the image recording means.

Abstract: In the method of the present invention an evacuation mode is presented in an elevator system, which receives destination calls i.e. operates in accordance with so-called destination control. In the method the destination floor calls given on the evacuation floors of the building are changed in the event of an exceptional incident such that the destination floor becomes an exit floor of the building. In the method the elevator car is filled as flail as possible on one floor and the travel time to the exit floor is minimized by directing the elevator car to the escape floor without intermediate stops. The passengers to be evacuated are shown information relating to the evacuation on a display located on the destination call panel and/or inside the car of the evacuation elevator.

Abstract: In an image monitoring apparatus for an elevator, image recording means records an image in a car photographed by a camera, and monitors based on the image in the car whether or not there is a violent behavior of a passenger in the car. The image recording means makes a recording density of the image in the car higher than usual when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected. The operation control means homes the car on a predetermined floor when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected by the image recording means.

Abstract: In an image monitoring apparatus for an elevator, image recording means records an image in a car photographed by a camera, and monitors based on the image in the car whether or not there is a violent behavior of a passenger in the car. The image recording means makes a recording density of the image in the car higher than usual when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected. The operation control means homes the car on a predetermined floor when the violent behavior of the passenger in the car is detected by the image recording means.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method, a device, a computer program and a system for detecting the arrival in the elevator car/departure from the elevator car of elevator passengers. In the method the vertical acceleration values of the elevator car are received from the acceleration sensor and the passengers arriving in the elevator car and/or leaving the elevator car are detected on the basis of the vertical acceleration measurements of the acceleration sensor.

Abstract: An elevator control system high in security and capable of enhancing operation efficiency is realized.

Abstract: A method and call system for an elevator car located within a building that may react to a passenger's approach and arrival in front of the actual elevator door. The system makes use of a sensor located near to an exterior door of the building containing the elevator, and a second different sensor located near to the actual elevator bank in which the arriving passenger would intend to enter. The system may also make use of identifying a passenger based upon a predetermined identification or authorization to include automatic communication through to the elevator for initial entrance floor location as well as an exit floor location based upon the predetermined passenger's identification and/or authorization.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a controller that uses one of a plurality of fuzzy logic algorithms for assigning an elevator car to service a passenger request. One example uses a passenger's desired destination as indicated by the passenger service request prior to the passenger entering an elevator car. One example includes multiple fuzzy logic algorithms, each corresponding to a particular relationship between an elevator car's current assignments, a passenger's desired destination, a source landing of the passenger's request, or a combination of them.

Abstract: An elevator control system (24) provides elevator dispatch and door control based on passenger data received from a video monitoring system. The video monitoring system includes a video processor (16) connected to receive video input from ut least one video camera (12). The video processor (16) tracks objects located within the field of view of the video camera, and calculates passenger data parameters associated with each tracked object. The elevator controller (24) provides elevator dispatch (26), door control (28), and security functions (30) based in part on passenger data provided by the video processor (16). The security functions may also be based in part on data from access control systems (14).

Abstract: A dynamic display and monitor system for use in or near an elevator includes a display mechanism mounted proximate an elevator landing, the display mechanism including a video monitor; a player mechanism remote from and operatively connected with the display mechanism, the player mechanism configured to feed substantially continuous visual content to the video monitor for display thereon; and an Internet-based server mechanism operatively coupled with the player mechanism over the Internet for programming the visual content for feeding by the player mechanism to the video monitor of the display mechanism.

Abstract: Provided is a fire control system of an elevator which rescues remainders in a building to a rescue floor by causing an elevator car to perform evacuating operations when a fire detector installed in the building works, characterized in that the fire control system of an elevator includes: individual identification sending means which each individual who utilizes the elevator carries and in which a resident room number, a resident floor, information on characteristics of each individual, etc. are registered; individual identification receiving means provided in each elevator hall; and a controller which calls an elevator car and performs car-call registration of a destination floor on the basis of information sent from the individual identification sending means to the individual identification receiving means.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a system for executing elevator control actions from a remote terminal in a remote control system. The remote control system comprises a remote terminal, one or more monitoring cameras as well as interface and data transfer means for the transmission of camera information, elevator status data and/or control commands between the elevator and the remote control system. The monitoring cameras are so directed that their combined image area substantially covers the operating area of the elevator. The remote terminal comprises a display device for the display of image information and elevator status data and means for starting elevator control functions. In the method, the operating area of the elevator is imaged by a monitoring camera or cameras, whose image information as well as the elevator status information is displayed on the display device of the remote terminal.

Abstract: In an elevator group supervisory control apparatus, an estimation processing unit determines an estimated in-cage load in departing from a departure floor and estimates at least one of speed, acceleration, and jerk rate of the car in accordance with the estimated in-cage load to determine an estimated arrival time. An assignment unit selects and assigns a car serving as a response to a hall call on the basis of information from the estimation processing unit when the hall call is issued.

Abstract: An elevator system (20) includes a sensor (30, 36) for detecting the presence of an individual within a hoistway (24). A controller (32) prevents movement of an elevator car (22) whenever an individual is in the hoistway (24). A pit override device (34) provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the elevator car (22) if someone is in a pit (26). A car top override device (38) selectively provides an override signal to the controller (32) permitting movement of the car. A disclosed example includes controlling at least one light (40) within the hoistway (24) in conjunction with movement or attempted movement of the elevator car (22).

Abstract: A method and an elevator call entry system for calling an elevator in a building (1) to a passenger's (3) starting floor. The passenger's (3) arrival is detected by means of a first remote sensing device (5), which is placed at a first distance from the elevator. Next, an elevator call is generated to serve the passenger (3) detected by the remote sensing device (5). The call generated by the first remote sensing device (5) is confirmed on the basis of a detection made by a second remote sensing device (7), which is located at a second distance from the elevator, the second distance being shorter than the first distance.

Abstract: An elevator car overload warning system which includes a weight sensor for sensing the weight of a load in the elevator car, a control unit connected to the sensor for detecting signals emitted from the sensor and thereby computing the weight of the load in the car and an annunciator connected to the control unit and positioned within the car for annunciation to passengers within the car that the load limit of car has been exceeded.

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 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 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, 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. Dining a group transport, the individual user profiles associated with the users in the group are linked in a collective travelling profile for presentation of selected multimedia contents.

Abstract: In an elevator call registration system, elevator-related information is constantly transmitted from an elevator call registration server, and a call registration reservation for a desired elevator can be made by selecting contents from the information. Therefore, it is not necessary for the user to access a site where necessary contents are stored, enabling an easy call registration reservation. Further, since the call registration detects that the user is approaching the reserved elevator, the car is positioned at a good time and the user can smoothly go to a desired floor.

Abstract: There is provided a double-deck elevator which does not cause any impacts or vibrations on each cage when adjusting the spacing in the vertical direction between upper and lower cages. Loads on an upper support beam from right and left support arms for hoisting and supporting the upper cage are measured by right and left upper measuring units. Similarly, loads on a lower support beam from right and left support arms for hoisting and supporting the lower cage are measured by right and left lower measuring units. Because the magnitude of the loads on the right and left screw shafts can be obtained correctly, any impacts or vibrations caused on each cage can be prevented when adjusting the spacing in the vertical direction by correctly controlling the drive torque output from right and left drive motors.

Abstract: A system for transporting persons/goods in elevator installations and/or on escalators includes a control device and a computer program product for commanding the system. At least one person/goods is recognized by at least one recognition device via at least one identification code which recognized code is passed to the control device. For each recognized identification code at least one user profile has been stored and is used as a transportation profile to command operation of the system. At least two of the user profiles are linked to form a shared transportation profile to command operation of the system.

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: An elevator operation management and control system includes a traffic data collecting section for collecting traffic data for finding a traffic amount, a traffic amount calculating section for calculating the traffic amount based on the traffic data collected by the traffic data collecting section, a traffic flow calculating section for calculating an estimated traffic flow of the elevator users moving between floors based on the traffic amount calculated by the traffic amount calculating section, a control parameter setting section for setting control parameters for controlling operations of the elevators based on the estimated traffic flow calculated by the traffic flow calculating section and an operation control section for controlling the operations of the elevators based on the control parameters set by the control parameter setting section, eliminating the need for preparing and storing combinations of a large number of traffic flow patterns and traffic amounts obtained from the traffic flow patterns

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: An elevator information communication system in which communication cables are reduced in number with a simple configuration to make efficient communication possible at a low cost. The elevator information communication system includes a notification device arranged in the elevator system, an information input device for forming notification data for the notification device to receive, and an elevator control device connected to the notification device to output a notification command and having a relay unit connected to the information input device to relay the notification data from the information input device to the notification device.

Abstract: A potential elevator passenger or occupant (bearer) carries a portable transmitting device with which he must overtly indicate his intent to take an elevator trip before interrogation by a beacon will cause an elevator call to be automatically registered for him, or indicate his intent before gaining access to a space. The intent to take a trip is cancelled when the bearer enters an elevator car, requiring an additional overt act prior to entering an automatic elevator call the next time that the bearer approaches an elevator. Default destinations (floors or spaces) may be signified for the bearer, depending on the floor where the device is located, or the bearer may establish an alternative destination, the alternative destination being cancelled from the device when the bearer enters an elevator or gains access to a space. The intent may be managed and a default destination may be provided either by the portable device or by a system in the building.

Abstract: An elevator system includes a scanner installed in a call registerer of an elevator hall and/or on a jamb of an elevator hall for scanning the elevator hall or an area proximate the elevator hall; an image recognizing section for recognizing an image captured by the scanner unit; and operation mode selecting unit for switching an operation mode of the elevator based on recognition information supplied by the image recognizing section.

Abstract: This device allows an implicit or explicit input of destination calls on elevator installations. After a corresponding inquiry by a detector, an information transmitter transmits data. This data can contain direct information about the desired destination floor and/or serve as identification of the elevator user and thereby enable access to information about the destination floor which is stored in a memory. The memory is contained in a processing unit of an elevator control. Communication between the detector and the information transmitter takes place, for example, without contact. Using the received data the destination floor is evaluated in the processing unit and communicated to the elevator control. The assignment is communicated to the passenger on a display. The process of inputting a call takes place automatically and independent of the orientation of the information transmitter.

Abstract: An image monitoring apparatus for detecting a confined passenger in an elevator just from an image, without using a dedicated sensor. The image monitoring apparatus includes an image acquirer for acquiring an image; a door area definer for defining a door defining area for the image; a door extracter for extracting a door image from the door defining area of the image; a door open/closed state sensor for determining whether the door is open or closed; a passenger area definer for defining a passenger defining area; a passenger extracter for extracting a passenger image from the passenger defining area of the image; a passenger presence determination for determining whether a passenger is present; a decision unit for determining whether a passenger is confined in the closed space by whether the door is open or closed and the passenger presence determination; and an alarm for issuing an alarm if a passenger has been confined in the closed space.

Abstract: An administrative controlling apparatus for elevators, for calling an elevator before a passenger's operation of a hall call button when a passenger who has come to an elevator hall is detected by passenger detection devices. The direction in which the passenger would like to go is predicted based upon the hall call and past passengers. Accordingly, the past usage is regarded as a basis for a statistical learning process. On this basis, the selection of a stand-by elevator or the selection of a tentative allocation elevator is effected. Also, a call is interrupted in accordance with the absence or presence of an elevator call.

Abstract: The present invention prepares a rule base for storing therein a plurality of control rule sets, predicts a group management performance such as a waiting time distribution which is obtained when applying an arbitrary rule set stored in the rule base to the current traffic situation, and selects the optimal rule set in accordance with the performance prediction result. In addition, a weight database for storing therein weight parameters of a neural net corresponding to the rule sets and performance learning measure for correcting the weight parameters in the weight database in accordance with the learning result of the neural net is provided, whereby the prediction of the group management performance by the neural net using the corrected weight parameters is carried out.

Abstract: Each elevator corridor of an elevator system has a transponder beacon disposed near each access to the corridor, each potential passenger, including regular tenants and visitors, carries a responder, such as an RFID responder, so as to provide an indication of entrance into and exit from the elevator corridor. Passengers that are not visitors have a history developed as to the likely travel route of each passenger as the passenger enters the elevator lobby; that is, whether the passenger is likely to take the elevator at this time, or likely to exit the elevator corridor to some other facility. Entered calls can be cancelled if the passenger leaves the lobby, and passenger travel patterns are updated with each passage through the elevator lobby.

Abstract: A system is provided for displaying an audio/video signal in an elevator car. The system includes a signal storage assembly for storing the audio/video signal to be displayed, a display supported on the elevator car for displaying the audio/video signal, and a sensor fixed to the elevator car for sensing a condition indicative of the presence of a user in the elevator car. A controller is also provided which is connected to the signal storage assembly and to the first sensor for initiating display of the audio/video signal in response to the sensed condition of the first sensor.

Abstract: The estimation of the amount of time required by a given elevator to reach a given hall call, known as remaining response time (RRT), can be improved by using not only the present car position, its direction, and the number of intervening stops for already boarded passengers, but also the destination of each waiting passenger. An elevator controller is shown with an algorithm for estimating RRT using such detailed destination information.

Abstract: An elevator call button transmits infrared radiation into the space adjacent an elevator, and a call request is recognized by infrared radiation reflected from a potential passenger to an infrared receiver. Thus not only is contact with the button not required, the use of a finger or like-sized object is not required in order to place a call.

Abstract: A remote control device transmits a request for elevator service while a passenger is some distance from the elevator; the call may be assigned to an elevator car, but the car stops for that particular passenger only if the call is verified by the passenger approaching the immediate vicinity of the elevator. In one embodiment, tags identifying beacons that cause requests to be made remotely of, in proximity with, and within the elevator identify the location from where each request is made. In other embodiments, which may use key operated devices, limited-sensitivity receivers, or receivers with directional reception patterns, including overlapping patterns, may be utilized to distinguish between elevator call requests made remotely and made in the vicinity of the elevator. Other methods of verifying presence of the calling device at the elevator may be used.

Abstract: A safety system for detecting an obstruction approaching closing doors includes a transmitter stack and a detector stack. Each transmitter stack includes a plurality of transmitter three-dimensional lenses. Each detector stack includes a plurality of detector three-dimensional lenses. The three-dimensional lenses are offset from the corresponding optical devices to angle an outgoing or incoming signal. The present invention results in more compact packaging for the safety system and in reduced cost of the assembly therefor.

Abstract: There is provided an elevator shaftway intrusion detector which utilizes an image detector including a camera for generating a detection field within a zone of detection including the elevator shaft-side roof and floor and an image processing means for generating a detection signal upon an attempted entry. A power supply and switching network are employed for applying power from the power supply to the image detector and processor which are responsive to the detection signal for applying power from the power supply to a detection indicator such as a siren.

Abstract: Remote control devices borne by potential passengers are alerted to initiate a request for elevator service by beacons in the building. The beacon alert message includes a tag identifying the floor on which the beacon is located and a position on the floor at which the beacon is located. The floor description tags prevent transmissions of the remote device from being recognized on floors other than the floor on which the device was alerted by a beacon, whereby transmission power of the remote devices may be quite high to assure reception anywhere on the floor, while being ignored on adjacent floors.