Elevator systems and methods are provided. The systems include an elevator car movable within an elevator shaft, the elevator car includes an elevator car door interlock device operable to open and close elevator car doors, a plurality of landing doors located at respective landings along the elevator shaft, wherein each landing door includes a landing door interlock device operable to open and close a respective landing door, wherein each landing door interlock device is engageable by the elevator car door interlock device to enable operation of the elevator car doors and the respective landing door simultaneously. An elevator component inspection system is configured with a detector located on the top of the elevator car and arranged to monitor the interlock devices, wherein the detector obtains inspection data associated with the elevator car door interlock device and the plurality of landing door interlock devices.

An elevator monitoring system and method includes cabin-based radars monitor doors and passengers within a cabin; waiting zone radars monitor passengers in a waiting zone; a central processor analyzes data from the various monitors and executes an elevator control function to control the elevator system. The door state is determined by detecting reflections from internal angles within the cabin and a door management system manages door operation safely by monitoring a proximal zone around the automatic door, detecting moving objects and obstructions.

An elevator monitoring system and method includes cabin-based radars monitor doors and passengers within a cabin; waiting zone radars monitor passengers in a waiting zone; a central processor analyzes data from the various monitors and executes an elevator control function to control the elevator system. The door state is determined by detecting reflections from internal angles within the cabin and a door management system manages door operation safely by monitoring a proximal zone around the automatic door, detecting moving objects and obstructions.

A method and a device for monitoring an elevator car door acquire one or more distances based on light emitted toward the car door by a distance measuring device and reflected at the car door as a function of a current closed state of the car door. Information about the current closed state of the car door is derived solely by comparing the acquired distance with a previously acquired reference distance, and a signal which represents the information can be fed to a remotely arranged control center. The monitoring device can be installed as a retrofit component that is capable of working autonomously in existing elevator systems, does not need to receive any data from a controller of the car door or the elevator system and only requires a relatively simple data processing device that only needs to carry out a comparison of detected distance values with reference values.

A method and a device for monitoring an elevator car door acquire one or more distances based on light emitted toward the car door by a distance measuring device and reflected at the car door as a function of a current closed state of the car door. Information about the current closed state of the car door is derived solely by comparing the acquired distance with a previously acquired reference distance, and a signal which represents the information can be fed to a remotely arranged control center. The monitoring device can be installed as a retrofit component that is capable of working autonomously in existing elevator systems, does not need to receive any data from a controller of the car door or the elevator system and only requires a relatively simple data processing device that only needs to carry out a comparison of detected distance values with reference values.

An elevator door safety system has a motion sensor and a proximity or door sensor defined in a fire-rated elevator entrance assembly. The sensors work together to determine when to open a closing door. The invention further defines a method of controlling an elevator door providing a motion sensor and providing a door sensor, wherein signals from each sensor are sent to a control board to determine when to open elevator doors in response to detecting a person in a detection area in an elevator entrance area.

An elevator door safety system has a motion sensor and a proximity or door sensor defined in a fire-rated elevator entrance assembly. The sensors work together to determine when to open a closing door. The invention further defines a method of controlling an elevator door providing a motion sensor and providing a door sensor, wherein signals from each sensor are sent to a control board to determine when to open elevator doors in response to detecting a person in a detection area in an elevator entrance area.

An illustrative example embodiment of an elevator door interface monitor includes at least one hook having a portion that is configured to be situated across the interface and moveable responsive to contact with an item situated at least partially in the interface. An indicator provides an indication of an item in the interface based on movement of the hook responsive to contact with the item.

According to one embodiment, an elevator passenger detection system comprises an image capturing unit, a detection area setting unit, and a detection processing unit. The image capturing unit captures an image in a predetermined range including a vicinity of a doorway at which a door is opened or closed, from an inside of a car. The detection area setting unit sets a detection area on a front return panel provided on at least one of sides of a doorway of the car, on the captured image obtained by the image capturing unit. The detection processing unit detects presence of a passenger or an object, based on the image in the detection area set by the detection area setting unit.

According to one embodiment, an elevator passenger detection system comprises an image capturing unit, a detection area setting unit, and a detection processing unit. The image capturing unit captures an image in a predetermined range including a vicinity of a doorway at which a door is opened or closed, from an inside of a car. The detection area setting unit sets a detection area on a front return panel provided on at least one of sides of a doorway of the car, on the captured image obtained by the image capturing unit. The detection processing unit detects presence of a passenger or an object, based on the image in the detection area set by the detection area setting unit.