Disclosed is an escalator system that has: an escalator step; and load sensors secured to the escalator step, wherein the load sensors are configured to: sense an escalator loading; and transfer, to an escalator controller, sensor data indicative of the escalator loading.

An escalator device includes a plurality of steps, wherein both sides of each step are provided with mounting portions and step wheels rotatably mounted to the mounting portions; step wheel guide rails fixedly arranged on both sides of the escalator device for guiding the step wheels of each step, during the operation of the escalator device, the step wheels of each step move along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively; and anti-detachment guide rails arranged on both sides of the escalator device, during the movement of the step wheels of each step along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively, the anti-detachment guide rails are located above and spaced apart from anti-detachment portions of each step, a piezoelectric sensor is provided on the surface of the anti-detachment guide rail facing the anti-detachment portion.

An escalator device includes a plurality of steps, wherein both sides of each step are provided with mounting portions and step wheels rotatably mounted to the mounting portions; step wheel guide rails fixedly arranged on both sides of the escalator device for guiding the step wheels of each step, during the operation of the escalator device, the step wheels of each step move along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively; and anti-detachment guide rails arranged on both sides of the escalator device, during the movement of the step wheels of each step along the step wheel guide rails on both sides respectively, the anti-detachment guide rails are located above and spaced apart from anti-detachment portions of each step, a piezoelectric sensor is provided on the surface of the anti-detachment guide rail facing the anti-detachment portion.

A diagnostic step for a passenger conveyor comprises at least one camera for shooting at least one lateral side of the interior space of the passenger conveyor, at least one directional microphone pointed to said at least one lateral side of the interior space of the passenger conveyor and an analyzer unit which receives image data from the camera and sound data from the directional microphone and transmits the data to an outside network.

A diagnostic step for a passenger conveyor comprises at least one camera for shooting at least one lateral side of the interior space of the passenger conveyor, at least one directional microphone pointed to said at least one lateral side of the interior space of the passenger conveyor and an analyzer unit which receives image data from the camera and sound data from the directional microphone and transmits the data to an outside network.

Provided is an abnormality detection device, in which a sound signal acquisition unit connected to a passenger conveyor converts a sound wave around each of inspection guide shoes mounted to a step into a sound signal. A sound signal analysis unit analyses the sound signal and extracts a sound pressure or a main frequency. The controller has not only a function as a command unit configured to command an operation for causing the step to run but also a function as an abnormality determination unit configured to determine an abnormality in skirt guards based on the sound pressure or the main frequency. The sound signal analysis unit in the abnormality detection device analyzes the sound signal acquired by the sound signal acquisition unit under a state in which the step is caused to run, and extracts the sound pressure or the main frequency.

Provided is a man conveyor apparatus (1), including: steps (17) connected in an endless manner; two or more drive motors (4a and 4b), each being configured to circulate the steps (17); a load detection device (10) configured to detect a load of the drive motors (4a and 4b); and a controller (11) configured to control an operation and stop of each of the drive motors (4a and 4b), wherein the controller (11) increases or decreases the number of the drive motors to be driven in accordance with a value of the load detected by the load detection device (10) and changes a drive motor to be driven as a main motor each time the number of drive motors to be driven is decreased.

Provided is a man conveyor apparatus (1), including: steps (17) connected in an endless manner; two or more drive motors (4a and 4b), each being configured to circulate the steps (17); a load detection device (10) configured to detect a load of the drive motors (4a and 4b); and a controller (11) configured to control an operation and stop of each of the drive motors (4a and 4b), wherein the controller (11) increases or decreases the number of the drive motors to be driven in accordance with a value of the load detected by the load detection device (10) and changes a drive motor to be driven as a main motor each time the number of drive motors to be driven is decreased.

In some embodiments, a stairway system may include a staircase having a plurality of steps and including a plurality of actuators. Each step may be coupled to one or more actuators and may be configured to move vertically in coordination with one or more other steps to provide a virtual platform to carry a user from a first elevation to a second elevation as the user moves. A control system may cause the virtual platform to move continuously along the staircase by progressively adjusting a sequential set of steps to a common elevation, such that a user can walk forward across a level platform formed from two or more steps while the virtual platform changes elevation carrying the user.

In some embodiments, a stairway system may include a staircase having a plurality of steps and including a plurality of actuators. Each step may be coupled to one or more actuators and may be configured to move vertically in coordination with one or more other steps to provide a virtual platform to carry a user from a first elevation to a second elevation as the user moves. A control system may cause the virtual platform to move continuously along the staircase by progressively adjusting a sequential set of steps to a common elevation, such that a user can walk forward across a level platform formed from two or more steps while the virtual platform changes elevation carrying the user.