Elevator wireless communication infrastructure using piconet modules

Abstract

An elevator system has on each floor hall call buttons that are inter-connected with piconet modules (), such as modules conforming to BLUETOOTH™ specifications; similar piconet modules () may be associated with hall fixtures such as lanterns and gongs; similar piconet modules () may be associated with hoistway doors, on each floor, so as to form a wireless communication system with a similar piconet module () at the controller (); and a piconet module () may be associated with the car operating panel. A module () may be interconnected with the car door lock switch; a module () may be interconnected with a safety switch; modules () and () may be interconnected with lower and upper limit switches; and a module () may be interconnected with an overspeed detector, so as to form a safety chain. A prospective passenger () may carry a portable device with a piconet module () to request elevator service and receive acknowledgment, and maintenance personnel () may use a personal ditigal assistant having a piconet module () therein to acquire current and historical information about the elevator and to issue executable commands to the elevator system.