According to the embodiments of the invention, methods and apparatuses are used for observing the movements of passengers on transport conveyors and presenting advertisements thereon. Steps on an escalator or other conveyer employ touch screens and/or detectors which determine the brand & style of a shoe placed on the step. An image-forming module projects advertisements and other media content onto a transparent glass surface that is viewable by the passengers. The media content is selectively displayed based on the brand and/or style of passengers' shoes. Passengers may interact with the media content via the touch screen by carrying out gestures with their feet. Passenger interest in certain ads is detectable and may be used for consumer research purposes.

A passenger transport system includes a three-phase drive motor, a control device and an inverter module having power semiconductor switches. The gate electrodes of the power semiconductor switches are driven directly by the control device. The inverter module is connected on the input side to a DC source and on the output side to the three-phase drive motor. Between the DC source and the inverter module there is a DC circuit, wherein drive signals that can be modulated on the DC circuit can be generated by the control device, and the inverter module has a demodulator, by which demodulator the drive signals can be converted into control voltages assigned to the individual gate electrodes of the power semiconductor switches.

A passenger transport system includes a three-phase drive motor, a control device and an inverter module having power semiconductor switches. The gate electrodes of the power semiconductor switches are driven directly by the control device. The inverter module is connected on the input side to a DC source and on the output side to the three-phase drive motor. Between the DC source and the inverter module there is a DC circuit, wherein drive signals that can be modulated on the DC circuit can be generated by the control device, and the inverter module has a demodulator, by which demodulator the drive signals can be converted into control voltages assigned to the individual gate electrodes of the power semiconductor switches.

A drive chain (2a, 2b) for a chain drive comprises a plurality of chain links (10, 20) and joints (30) respectively connecting two of the chain links (10, 20) forming the drive chain (2a, 2b). The drive chain (2a, 2b) further comprises a plurality of carrier elements (40), each of said carrier elements (40) being linked to one of the chain links (10, 20) or joints (30) and supporting at least two support/engagement elements (43, 44), which are configured for supporting the drive chain (2a, 2b) and/or for engagement with an appropriate turnaround element (50; 90) for driving the drive chain (2a, 2b).

A drive chain (2a, 2b) for a chain drive comprises a plurality of chain links (10, 20) and joints (30) respectively connecting two of the chain links (10, 20) forming the drive chain (2a, 2b). The drive chain (2a, 2b) further comprises a plurality of carrier elements (40), each of said carrier elements (40) being linked to one of the chain links (10, 20) or joints (30) and supporting at least two support/engagement elements (43, 44), which are configured for supporting the drive chain (2a, 2b) and/or for engagement with an appropriate turnaround element (50; 90) for driving the drive chain (2a, 2b).

A belt-driven escalator (2) includes a plurality of escalator steps (4) arranged to travel along an inclined conveyance path (101), a drive belt (10) connected to the plurality of escalator steps (4), a drive system (24) arranged to drive the drive belt (10) so as to propel the plurality of escalator steps (4) along the inclined conveyance path (101); and a belt support structure (22). The belt support structure (22) includes a plurality of support wheels (206) and a support belt (212) extending over the plurality of support wheels (206). The support belt (212) is arranged to provide support to the plurality of escalator steps (4) via the drive belt (10).

A belt-driven escalator (2) includes a plurality of escalator steps (4) arranged to travel along an inclined conveyance path (101), a drive belt (10) connected to the plurality of escalator steps (4), a drive system (24) arranged to drive the drive belt (10) so as to propel the plurality of escalator steps (4) along the inclined conveyance path (101); and a belt support structure (22). The belt support structure (22) includes a plurality of support wheels (206) and a support belt (212) extending over the plurality of support wheels (206). The support belt (212) is arranged to provide support to the plurality of escalator steps (4) via the drive belt (10).

Disclosed is an escalator system having: escalator steps; and a plurality of state sensors including a master sensor and slave sensors, wherein the slave sensors are secured to different ones of the escalator steps, wherein the master sensor is configured to: receive slave sensor data from the slave sensors; and transmit data to an escalator call center upon detecting an occurrence of a fault condition from the slave sensor data.

Disclosed is an escalator system having: escalator steps; and a plurality of state sensors including a master sensor and slave sensors, wherein the slave sensors are secured to different ones of the escalator steps, wherein the master sensor is configured to: receive slave sensor data from the slave sensors; and transmit data to an escalator call center upon detecting an occurrence of a fault condition from the slave sensor data.

Provided is a guide shoe for a passenger conveyor, including: a base portion to be slid across a skirt guard provided along a moving direction of a plurality of steps that are movably provided; and a weight containing a material having a specific gravity larger than a specific gravity of a material of the base portion, which is provided to the base portion.