An elevator control system for controlling a plurality of elevators in an elevator bank includes a processor in communication with a non-transitory memory, and a networking device. The processor executes software instructions that cause the elevator control system to receive an elevator call placed by at least one of a user and a mobile device of the user. The elevator control system wirelessly communicates with the mobile device to determine an elevator criteria set by the user on the mobile device via an elevator control application. The elevator criteria comprises a preference and a requirement. The software instructions allow the processor to determine whether an elevator in the elevator bank meets the requirement and the preference, and an elevator that meets at least the requirement is automatically assigned to the user.

A method for controlling elevator cars of an elevator system according to one example includes assigning free elevator cars of the elevator system to one of either general service or express priority service (EPS). A destination dispatch controller receives an express priority service (EPS) call. The EPS call can indicate a request for priority service from an EPS call originating location to an EPS call final destination. The controller can determine whether any active EPS assigned car can service the EPS call. A particular elevator car can be an active EPS car when the particular car is carrying out EPS service. When a specific active EPS car can service the EPS call, the controller assigns the specific EPS car to the EPS call. Upon completion of the EPS call, the controller unassigns the EPS car to a free car.

An elevator system for a building comprises an elevator controller and an elevator car movable in an elevator shaft. At least one first floor or first floor area for a first user group and at least one second floor or second floor area for a second user group are defined in the building. A memory device saves this definition and an operating mode assigned thereto for each user group. During operation, a first elevator call is received and analyzed by the elevator controller to determine a first call input floor and/or a first destination floor. An operating mode is ascertained based on the first call input floor and/or the first destination floor. According to this operating mode, the elevator car is controlled by the elevator controller.

When a specific destination floor call is made, the control unit assigns an elevator of which waiting time is within the reference time from the plurality of elevators to the specific destination floor call, the waiting time being a time from a time when the specific destination floor call is made to a time when the specific user can get on an elevator at the specific floor. Further, when a general destination floor call is made, the control unit assigns one of the plurality of elevators in response to the general destination floor call such that an elevator of which waiting time to the specific destination floor call that is made after the general destination floor call is within the reference time is left.

In an elevator system, floor terminals can be actuated by a control unit in one of at least two operating modes. A screen unit of a floor terminal can generate a user interface with a functional scope dependent on the operating mode. An individual functional scope can be defined for each operating mode. The control unit can determine a local traffic volume at the first floor terminal location. The local traffic volume can be compared with at least one threshold value that is defined for the traffic volume at the first floor terminal to generate a comparison result. A desired operating mode of the first floor terminal can be defined based on the comparison result and the operating mode in which the control unit actuates the first floor terminal. The first floor terminal can be actuated in the defined desired operating mode.

An information processing apparatus includes a controller configured to predict a state of congestion of an elevator installed in a building and generate, based on the predicted state of congestion, a proposal message to propose a departure time for the building to a user planning to travel to the building.