Elevator system

Claim 2

An elevator system, comprising: an elevator car mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for moving said elevator car to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, control means providing a speed pattern signal for said motive means, to direct the movement of the elevator car with respect to time in accordance with the speed pattern signal, and modifying means related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, modifying the speed pattern signal provided by said control means in response to the intensity of demand for elevator service.

Claim 3

The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means includes a clock synchronized according to anticipated demands for elevator service.

Claim 4

The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means includes counting means responsive to the number of requests for elevator service.

Claim 5

The elevator system of claim 1 including timing means for timing the registration times of at least certain of the requests for elevator service, with the modifying means including said timing means.

Claim 6

The elevator system of claim 1 including load responsive means for determining the load in the elevator car relative to its capacity, with the modifying means including said load weighing means.

Claim 7

The elevator system of claim 1 including means responsive to the status of the elevator car, preventing the modification of the speed pattern by the modifying means when said modification would result in a step in the speed pattern signal.

Claim 8

The elevator system of claim 1 wherein the modifying means provides at least first and second signals related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, providing a speed pattern signal having a predetermined profile when the demand for elevator service is light, and with the second signal modifying at least one parameter of the speed pattern signal by increasing the magnitude thereof, when the demand for elevator service increases to a predetermined level.

Claim 9

The elevator system of claim 7 wherein the at least one parameter of the speed pattern modified by the second signal is the maximum velocity portion of the speed pattern signal.

Claim 10

The elevator system of claim 7 wherein the at least one parameter of the speed pattern signal modified by the second signal is the maximum acceleration portion of the speed pattern signal.

Claim 11

The elevator system of claim 1 including timing means responsive to the modification of the speed pattern signal for preventing a subsequent modification thereof for a predetermined period of time.

Claim 12

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, control means for each of said elevator cars, providing a speed pattern signal for its associated motive means, to direct the movement of the associated elevator car with respect to time in accordance with the speed pattern signal, and modifying means related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, modifying the speed pattern signal provided by each of said control means in response to the intensity of demand for elevator service.

Claim 13

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, control means for each of said elevator cars, providing a speed pattern signal for its associated motive means, to direct the movement of the associated elevator car with respect to time in accordance with the speed pattern signal, and modifying means related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, modifying the speed pattern signal provided by each of said control means in response to the intensity of demand for elevator service.

Claim 14

The elevator system of claim 11 wherein the modifying means includes means for selectively modifying the speed pattern signals associated with the plurality of cars, according to the intensity of demand for service made on each individual elevatoR car.

Claim 15

An elevator system, comprising: an elevator car mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for moving said elevator car to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling requests for elevator service when a request for service is answered, first control means to alternatively generate first and second signals for said motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value, a first parameter related to the movement of the elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first parameter to a second maximum value, which exceeds the first maximum value, second control means operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demands below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when said second control means is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to the first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 16

An elevator system, comprising: an elevator car mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for moving said elevator car to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling requests for elevator service when a request for service is answered, first control means to alternatively generate first and second signals for said motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value, a first parameter related to the movement of the elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first parameter to a second maximum value, which exceeds the first maximum value, second control means operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demands below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when said second control means is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to the first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 17

The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the first parameter is the velocity of the elevator car.

Claim 18

The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the first parameter is the acceleration of the elevator car.

Claim 19

The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the second parameter is the anticipated demand for elevator service based on time, and the second control means includes a clock synchronized with this parameter such that it operates in its first condition during the time of day that the intensity of demand for elevator service is normally below a predetermined level, and it operates in its second condition when the intensity of demand normally is at and above this level.

Claim 20

The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the second parameter is the number of unanswered requests for elevator service which exist at any given time, and the second control means includes counting means for determining the current number of such requests.

Claim 21

The elevator system of claim 13 including timing means for timing the registration times of at least certain of the requests for elevator service, and wherein the second parameter is related to the registration times of the requests, and the second control means is responsive to said timing means.

Claim 22

The elevator system of claim 13 including load responsive means for determining the load in the elevator car relative to its capacity, and wherein the second parameter is related to the magnitude of said load, and the second control means is responsive to said load responsive means.

Claim 23

The elevator system of claim 13 wherein the means for registering requests for elevator service includes floor call means for registering requests for elevator service from at least certain of the floors, and car call means for directing the elevator car to the selected floors in response to requests by passengers in the car, the second parameter is the number of of unanswered requests for elevator service from said floor call means, and the second control means includes counting means for determining the current number of such requests.

Claim 24

The elevator system of claim 20 wherein the second parameter also includes the number of unanswered requests from said car call means.

Claim 25

The elevator system of claim 13 including means responsive to the first control means, preventing the first control means from generating a predetermined one of its signals for a predetermined period of time after switching to the opposite one of its signals.

Claim 26

The elevator system of claim 13 including means responsive to the first control means of the elevator car, and to the status of the elevator car, preventing a change in the signal generated by the first means from affecting the motive means until the elevator car has completed a run.

Claim 27

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars, each of said elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling a request for elevator service when the request for service is answered, first control means for each of said elevator cars, said first control means alternatively generating first and second signals for its associated motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value a first parameter related to movement of its associated elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first predetermined parameter to a second maximum value, which exceeds the first maximum value, and second control means for each of said elevator cars, said second control means being operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demand below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when its associated second control means is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to a first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 28

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars, each of said elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling a request for elevator service when the request for service is answered, first control means for each of said elevator cars, said first control means alternatively generating first and second signals for its associated motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value a first parameter related to movement of its associated elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first predetermined parameter to a second maximum value, which exceeds the first maximum value, and second control means for each of said elevator cars, said second control means being operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demand below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when its associated second control means is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to a first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 29

The elevator system of claim 24 wherein the first parameter is velocity.

Claim 30

The elevator system of claim 24 wherein the first parameter is acceleration.

Claim 31

The elevator system of claim 24 including timing means for timing at least certain of the requests for elevator service and indicating when a request for elevator service has been registered for a predetermined period of time, assignment means assigning an elevator car to a request for elevator service which has been registered for the predetermined period of time, and wherein the second parameter is the assignment of the elevator car to a request for service which has been registered for the predetermined period of time, with the second control means being in its first condition when its associated elevator car is not assigned to such a request, and in its second condition when it is.

Claim 32

The elevator system of claim 24 including load responsive means for each of the plurality of elevator cars for determining the load in its associated elevator car relative to its capacity, and wherein the second parameter is related to the magnitude of said load, and the second control means is responsive to said load responsive means.

Claim 33

The elevator system of claim 24 including timing means operable from a first condition to a second condition at predetermined times synchronized with the anticipated peak demands for elevator service in the structure, providing the first condition during periods when peak demands are not anticipated and the second conditions when peak demands are anticipated, and wherein the first control means of said plurality of elevator cars are responsive to said timing means to provide the first signal in response to the first condition of said timing means and the second signal in response to the second condition of said timing means.

Claim 34

The elevator system of claim 24 including means responsive to the first means, preventing the first means from generating a predetermined one of its signals for a predetermined period of time after switching to the opposite one of its signals.

Claim 35

The elevator system of claim 24 including means responsive to the first control means of each of the elevator cars, and to the status of each of the elevator cars, preventing a change in the signal generated by the first means from affecting the associated motive means until the elevator car has completed a run.

Claim 36

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars, each of said elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling a request for elevator service when the request for service is answered, first control means for each of said elevator cars, said first control means alternatively generating first and second signals for its associated motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value a first parameter related to movement of its associated elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first predetermined parameter to a second maximum value which exceeds the first maximum value, second control means operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demand below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means of the plurality of elevator cars each being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when it is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to a first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 37

An elevator system, comprising: a plurality of elevator cars, each of said elevator cars mounted for movement in a structure having a plurality of floors, motive means for each of said elevator cars for moving their respective elevator cars to serve the floors, means for registering requests for elevator service, means for canceling a request for elevator service when the request for service is answered, first control means for each of said elevator cars, said first control means alternatively generating first and second signals for its associated motive means, said first signal limiting to a first maximum value a first parameter related to movement of its associated elevator car with respect to time, and said second signal limiting the first predetermined parameter to a second maximum value which exceeds the first maximum value, second control means operable between first and second conditions in response to a second parameter related to the intensity of demand for elevator service, with the first and second conditions indicating demand below and above a predetermined level, respectively, said first control means of the plurality of elevator cars each being responsive to said second control means, providing the first signal when it is in its first condition, to limit the first parameter to a first maximum value, and providing the second signal when said second control means is in its second condition, to limit the first parameter to the second maximum value.

Claim 38

The elevator system of claim 32 wherein the second parameter is anticipated demand for elevator service based on time and the second control means includes a clock synchronized with this parameter to provide the first condition when the anticipated demand is below a predetermined level and the second condition when the anticipated demand is at and above the predetermined level.

Claim 39

The elevator system of claim 32 wherein the means for registering requests for elevator service includes means for registering floor calls from the plurality of floors and the second parameter is unanswered floor calls, and the second control means includes counting means for counting the number of unanswered floor calls, said second control means being in its first condition when the number of such calls is below a predetermined value, and in its second condition when the number of such calls is at and above this value.

Claim 40

The elevator system of claim 34 wherein the means for registering requests for elevator service also includes means for registering car calls from the plurality of elevator cars with the second parameter also including car calls, and the second control means includes counting means for counting the number of car calls, as well as the number of unanswered floor calls.

Claim 41

The elevator system of claim 32 including timing means for timing the registration times of at least certain of the requests for elevator service, and wherein the second parameter is related to the registration times of the requests, and the second control means is responsive to said timing means.

Claim 42

The elevator system of claim 32 including timing means for timing the registration times of at least certain of the requests for elevator service, and means for indicating when a request has been registered for a predetermined period of time, and wherein the second parameter is related to requests which has been registered for the predetermined period of time, and the second control means switches to its second predetermined condition when a predetermined number of requests have been registered for the predetermined period of time.

Claim 43

The elevator system of claim 32 including load responsive means for determining the load in at least certain of the elevator cars relative to their capacity, and wherein the second parameter is related to the magnitude of said load, and the second control means is responsive to said load responsive meanS.

Claim 44

The elevator system of claim 38 wherein the load responsive means includes means for indicating when the load in its associated elevator car reaches a predetermined magnitude, with the second control means operating in its second condition when a predetermined number of cars reach this predetermined load magnitude, and otherwise operating in its first condition.

Claim 45

The elevator system of claim 32 including means responsive to the first means, preventing the first means from generating a predetermined one of its signals for a predetermined period of time after switching to the opposite one of its signals.

Claim 46

The elevator system of claim 32 including means responsive to the first control means of each of the elevator cars, and to the status of each of the elevator cars, preventing a change in the signal generated by the first means from affecting the associated motive means until the elevator car has completed at least a predetermined portion of a run.