Patent Description:
In order to ensure passenger comfort elevator systems commonly place limits on many motion parameters of an elevator car including but not limited to speed, acceleration, and jerk.

<CIT> discloses an elevator system includes a car, a hoist motor for elevating and lowering the car, a brake for limiting car movement, an input device for selecting a destination for a run, and a controller. The controller receives a command from the input device and controls operation of the hoist motor and the brake. The controller has a loss reduction mode wherein the controller selects a velocity profile for the run that varies according to car load, run direction, and run distance to reduce a combined set of energy losses for the run.

<CIT> discloses a control apparatus for an elevator to be operated with a speed pattern of which is changed based on a load of the elevator, in which a control parameter is automatically set within a short period of time, so that the capability of a drive apparatus is independent of the size of driving resistance and mechanical loss that varies with each elevator, is suitably configured, and, consequently, the elevator is operated with high efficiency, wherein the control device includes: a driving model which is used to calculate the speed command value of the elevator becomes; and an item for automatically setting a parameter of the driving model based on driving data during a travel of the elevator when the elevator is installed and adjusted.

<CIT> discloses an elevator system including a propulsion power assembly with a power rating below that required to move a fully loaded elevator car using a contract or design motion profile. Its propulsion power assembly may use more than one motion profile based upon existing load conditions. A first motion profile may include a first power parameter limit for load conditions at or below a selected load threshold that is less than a maximum load capacity of the car. Its propulsion power assembly uses a second motion profile with a lower power parameter limit for other load conditions. Electrical current may be the power parameter selected as a decision parameter dictating which profile to select based on an existing load. Its propulsion power assembly may select a speed limit and/or electrical current limit based on an existing load and maintain a speed to stay within the selected limit.

<CIT> shows controlling the movement of elevator cars within a single hoistway to prevent the cars from becoming too close while servicing assigned stops. Example control techniques include controlling door operation of at least one of the elevator cars to effectively slow down a follower car or speed up a leader car for increasing a distance between the cars in an area within the hoistway where the cars would otherwise be too close to each other. Disclosed example techniques also include dynamically altering the motion profile of at least one of the cars and adding an additional stop for one of the cars.

<CIT> shows a passenger conveyance system including a depth-sensing sensor within a passenger conveyance enclosure for capturing sensor data from within the passenger conveyance enclosure. A processing module in communication with the depth-sensing sensor receives the sensor data, the processing module using the depth-sensing sensor data to determine that the passenger conveyance enclosure is empty. A passenger conveyance controller receives the empty passenger conveyance enclosure determination from the processing module to control operation of the passenger conveyance system in response to the empty passenger conveyance enclosure determination.

According to the invention, a method of operating an elevator system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car to operate using a motion parameter having a greater magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the method may include the features of claim <NUM>.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the motion parameters include at least one of a speed of the elevator car, an acceleration of the elevator car, and a jerk of the elevator car.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the elevator system is a ropeless multi-car elevator system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the method may include that the occupancy status is continuously detected and updated throughout the movement of the elevator car.

According to another aspect of the invention, an elevator system according to claim <NUM> is provided.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator system may include that the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car to operate using a motion parameter having a greater magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, further embodiments of the elevator system may include the features of claim <NUM>.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator system may include that the motion parameters include at least one of a speed of the elevator car, an acceleration of the elevator car, and a jerk of the elevator car.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator system may include that the elevator system is a ropeless multi-car elevator system.

In addition to one or more of the features described above, or as an alternative, further embodiments of the elevator system may include that the occupancy status is continuously detected and updated throughout the movement of the elevator car.

According to another aspect of the invention, a computer program product tangibly embodied on a computer readable medium according to claim <NUM> is provided.

Further embodiments of the computer program may include that the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car to operate using a motion parameter having a greater magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile.

Technical effects of embodiments of the present disclosure include adjusting the motion profile of an elevator car when the elevator car is empty so that the elevator car could reach a destination faster.

<FIG> depicts a multicar, ropeless elevator system <NUM> that may be employed with embodiments of the present disclosure. As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, <FIG> depicts a multicar, ropeless elevator system <NUM>, however the embodiments disclosed herein may be incorporated with other elevator systems that are not multicar, ropeless elevator systems or that include any other known elevator configuration. In addition, an elevator car <NUM> of the elevator system <NUM> may include two or more compartments (ex: double deck elevator). As seen in <FIG>, the elevator system <NUM> includes an elevator shaft <NUM> having a plurality of lanes <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM>. While three lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> are shown in <FIG>, it is understood that various embodiments of the present disclosure and various configurations of a multicar, ropeless elevator system may include any number of lanes, either more or fewer than the three lanes shown in <FIG>. In each lane <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>, multiple elevator cars <NUM> can travel in one direction, i.e., up as shown by arrow <NUM> or down as shown by arrow <NUM>, or multiple cars within a single lane may be configured to move in opposite directions, as shown by arrow <NUM>. For example, in <FIG> elevator cars <NUM> in lanes <NUM> and <NUM> travel up in the direction of arrow <NUM> and elevator cars <NUM> in lane <NUM> travel down in the direction of arrow <NUM>. Further, as shown in <FIG>, one or more elevator cars <NUM> may travel in a single lane <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Elevator systems can be operated with the same motion parameter limits regardless of whether a passenger is detected in the elevator car, which may lead to inefficient use of the elevator system.

As shown, above the top accessible floor of the building is an upper transfer station <NUM> configured to impart lateral motion in the direction of arrow <NUM> to the elevator cars <NUM> to move the elevator cars <NUM> between lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. Lateral motion may include any motion in the lateral direction, such as, for example, horizontal lateral motion as shown by arrow <NUM> and diagonal lateral motion as shown by arrow <NUM> and arrow <NUM>. Lateral motion may be undertaken by the elevator car <NUM> without a transfer station, such as, for example an elevator system serving pyramid shaped buildings. It is understood that upper transfer station <NUM> may be located at the top floor, rather than above the top floor. Similarly, below the first floor of the building is a lower transfer station <NUM> configured to impart lateral motion to the elevator cars <NUM> to move the elevator cars <NUM> between lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. It is understood that lower transfer station <NUM> may be located on the first floor, rather than below the first floor. Although not shown in <FIG>, one or more intermediate transfer stations may be configured between the lower transfer station <NUM> and the upper transfer station <NUM>. Intermediate transfer stations are similar to the upper transfer station <NUM> and lower transfer station <NUM> and are configured to impart lateral motion to the elevator cars <NUM> at the respective transfer station, thus enabling transfer from one lane to another lane at an intermediary point within the elevator shaft <NUM>. Further, although not shown in <FIG>, the elevator cars <NUM> are configured to stop at a plurality of floors <NUM> to allow ingress to and egress from the elevator cars <NUM>.

In the illustrated embodiment the elevator system <NUM> includes a designated parking area <NUM>. The designated parking area <NUM> may be used to store elevator cars <NUM> when not in use. As shown in <FIG>, the designated parking area <NUM> may be located below the first floor of the building, however it is understood that the designated parking area <NUM> may be located on any other floor of the building or also above the top floor of the building. If an elevator system <NUM> does not include a designated parking area <NUM> then one of the lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, or <NUM> may be shut off to elevator car traffic and used to store the elevators cars <NUM>.

Elevator cars <NUM> are propelled within lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM> using a propulsion system such as a linear, permanent magnet motor system having a primary, fixed portion, or first part <NUM>, and a secondary, moving portion, or second part <NUM>. The first part <NUM> is a fixed part because it is mounted to a portion of the lane, and the second part <NUM> is a moving part because it is mounted on the elevator car <NUM> that is movable within the lane.

The first part <NUM> includes windings or coils mounted on a structural member <NUM>, and may be mounted at one or both sides of the lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, relative to the elevator cars <NUM>.

The second part <NUM> includes permanent magnets mounted to one or both sides of cars <NUM>, i.e., on the same sides as the first part <NUM>. The second part <NUM> engages with the first part <NUM> to support and drive the elevators cars <NUM> within the lanes <NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>. First part <NUM> is supplied with drive signals from one or more drive units <NUM> to control movement of elevator cars <NUM> in their respective lanes through the linear, permanent magnet motor system. The second part <NUM> operably connects with and electromagnetically operates with the first part <NUM> to be driven by the signals and electrical power. The driven second part <NUM> enables the elevator cars <NUM> to move along the first part <NUM> and thus move within a lane <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>.

Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the first part <NUM> and second part <NUM> are not limited to this example. In alternative embodiments, the first part <NUM> may be configured as permanent magnets, and the second part <NUM> may be configured as windings or coils. Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of propulsion may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The first part <NUM> is formed from a plurality of motor segments <NUM> (seen in <FIG>), with each segment associated with a drive unit <NUM>. Although not shown, the central lane <NUM> of <FIG> also includes a drive unit for each segment of the first part <NUM> that is within the lane <NUM>. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that although a drive unit <NUM> is provided for each motor segment <NUM> (seen in <FIG>) of the system (one-to-one) other configurations may be used without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. Further, those of skill in the art will appreciate that other types of propulsion may be employed without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. For example, a magnetic screw may be used for a propulsion system of elevator cars. Those of skill in the art will also appreciate that the embodiments disclosed herein may also be applied to roped elevator systems and hydraulically operated elevator systems. Thus, the described and shown propulsion system of this disclosure is merely provided for explanatory purposes, and is not intended to be limiting.

Turning now to <FIG>, a view of an elevator system <NUM> including an elevator car <NUM> that travels in lane <NUM> is shown. Elevator car <NUM> is guided by one or more guide rails <NUM> extending along the length of lane <NUM>, where the guide rails <NUM> may be affixed to a structural member <NUM>. For ease of illustration, the view of <FIG> only depicts a single guide rail <NUM>; however, there may be any number of guide rails positioned within the lane <NUM> and may, for example, be positioned on opposite sides of the elevator car <NUM>. Elevator system <NUM> employs a linear propulsion system as described above, where a first part <NUM> includes multiple motor segments 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d each with one or more coils <NUM> (i.e., phase windings). The first part <NUM> may be mounted to guide rail <NUM>, incorporated into the guide rail <NUM>, or may be located apart from guide rail <NUM> on structural member <NUM>. The first part <NUM> serves as a stator of a permanent magnet synchronous linear motor to impart force to elevator car <NUM>. The second part <NUM>, as shown in <FIG>, is mounted to the elevator car <NUM> and includes an array of one or more permanent magnets <NUM> to form a second portion of the linear propulsion system of the ropeless elevator system. Coils <NUM> of motor segments 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d may be arranged in one or more phases, as is known in the electric motor art, e.g., three, six, etc. One or more first parts <NUM> may be mounted in the lane <NUM>, to co-act with permanent magnets <NUM> mounted to elevator car <NUM>. Although only a single side of elevator car <NUM> is shown with permanent magnets <NUM> the example of <FIG>, the permanent magnets <NUM> may be positioned on two or more sides of elevator car <NUM>. Alternate embodiments may use a single first part <NUM>/second part <NUM> configuration, or multiple first part <NUM>/second part <NUM> configurations.

In the example of <FIG>, there are four motor segments 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d depicted. Each of the motor segments 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d has a corresponding or associated drive 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d. A system controller <NUM> provides drive signals to the motor segments 122a, 122b, 122c, 122d via drives 120a, 120b, 120c, 120d to control motion of the elevator car <NUM>. The system controller <NUM> may be implemented using a microprocessor executing a computer program stored on a storage medium to perform the operations described herein. Alternatively, the system controller <NUM> may be implemented in hardware (e.g., field programmable gate array (FPGA), application specific integrated circuits (ASIC),) or in a combination of hardware/software. The system controller <NUM> may include power circuitry (e.g., an inverter or drive) to power the first part <NUM>. Although a single system controller <NUM> is depicted, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that a plurality of system controllers may be used. For example, a single system controller may be provided to control the operation of a group of motor segments over a relatively short distance, and in some embodiments a single system controller may be provided for each drive unit or group of drive units, with the system controllers in communication with each other. In an embodiment, the system controller <NUM> controls the simultaneous operation of multiple elevator cars <NUM>.

In some embodiments, as shown in <FIG>, the elevator car <NUM> includes an on-board controller <NUM> with one or more transceivers <NUM> and a processor, or CPU, <NUM>. The on-board controller <NUM> and the system controller <NUM> collectively form a control system where computational processing may be shifted between the on-board controller <NUM> and the system controller <NUM>.

The on-board controller <NUM> and the system controller <NUM> may each include at least one processor and at least one associated memory comprising computer-executable instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to perform various operations. The processor may be but is not limited to a single-processor or multi-processor system of any of a wide array of possible architectures, including FPGA, central processing unit (CPU), ASIC, digital signal processor (DSP) or graphics processing unit (GPU) hardware arranged homogenously or heterogeneously. The memory may be a storage device such as, for example, a random access memory (RAM), read only memory (ROM), or other electronic, optical, magnetic or any other computer readable medium.

In some embodiments, the processor <NUM> of on-board controller <NUM> is configured to monitor one or more sensors (ex: occupancy detection system <NUM> discussed further below) and to communicate with one or more system controllers <NUM> via the transceivers <NUM>. In some embodiments, to ensure reliable communication, elevator car <NUM> may include at least two transceivers <NUM> configured for redundancy of communication. The transceivers <NUM> can be set to operate at different frequencies, or communication channels, to minimize interference and to provide full duplex communication between the elevator car <NUM> and the one or more system controllers <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the on-board controller <NUM> interfaces with a load sensor <NUM> to detect an elevator load on a brake <NUM>. The brake <NUM> may engage with the structural member <NUM>, a guide rail <NUM>, or other structure in the lane <NUM>. Although the example of <FIG> depicts only a single load sensor <NUM> and brake <NUM>, elevator car <NUM> can include multiple load sensors <NUM> and brakes <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the elevator car <NUM> may include an occupancy detection system <NUM> in operable communication with the on-board controller <NUM>. The occupancy detection system <NUM> is configured to detect the occupancy status of the elevator car <NUM>. The occupancy status may be at least one of occupied or unoccupied. In an embodiment, the occupancy status may be continually update through the movement of the elevator car <NUM>. Occupied may mean that there are passengers in the elevator car <NUM> and/or particular objects that require safe handling. An object that requires safe handling may be an object such as, for example, an object on wheels that may move in the elevator or an object with a high center of gravity that may tip over in the elevator. In an alternate embodiment, the occupancy status may be fine-tuned further to differentiate between different types of passengers, such as, for example younger thrill seekers who might enjoy a faster elevator ride as opposed to someone using a walking cane who might require a gentler elevator ride. Unoccupied may mean that the elevator car <NUM> is free of passengers and/or objects that require safe handling.

The occupancy detection system <NUM> may use a variety of ranging sensors and/or presence detection devices such as, for example, a visual detection device, a weight detection device, a laser detection device, a thermal image detection device, a depth detection device, a motion detection device, an odor detection device, RADAR, ultrasonic sensor, and pyroelectric sensors. The visual detection device may be a camera that utilizes visual recognition to identify individual passengers and/or objects in the elevator car <NUM>. The weight detection device may be a scale to sense the amount of weight in an elevator car <NUM> and then determine if passengers and/or objects are present from the weight sensed. The laser detection device may detect how many passengers walk through a laser beam to determine if there are passengers present in the elevator car <NUM>. The thermal detection device may be an infrared or other heat sensing camera that utilizes detected temperature to identify individual passengers and objects in the elevator car <NUM>. The depth detection device may be a <NUM>-D, <NUM>-D, ranging or other depth/distance detecting sensor that utilizes the detected distance to an object and/or passenger to determine if anything is present in an elevator car <NUM>. One example of a depth detection device is LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). The motion detection device may be a motion detection sensor to detect motion in the elevator car <NUM> and determine if a passenger is present in the elevator car <NUM>. The odor detection device may be an odor detector configured to determine if a passenger and/or object is present in the elevator car <NUM> such as, for example an electronic nose. As may be appreciated by one of skill in the art, in addition to the stated methods, additional methods may exist to detect passengers and one or any combination of these methods may be used to determine whether there are passengers and/or object in the elevator car <NUM>.

Advantageously by being able to detect whether there are passengers in the elevator car <NUM>, a motion profile of the elevator car <NUM> may be adjusted. The elevator car <NUM> moves according to the motion profile dictated by the system controller <NUM>. The motion profile will place limits on motion parameters of the elevator car <NUM> to ensure passenger comfort. Motion parameters may include but are not limited to speed, acceleration, and jerk of the elevator car <NUM>. Any further derivatives of the position of the elevator car <NUM> may also be included in the motion parameters. The system controller <NUM> may adjust the motion profile depending on the direction of travel of the elevator car <NUM>. For instance, the motion profile may include motion parameters with a smaller magnitude when traveling laterally with passengers due to decreased passenger stability in the lateral direction as seen by arrow <NUM>. For example, the elevator car <NUM> will accelerate and decelerate slower when operating in the lateral occupied motion profile in comparison to the occupied motion profile due to the decreased passenger stability in the lateral direction <NUM>. Thus, the limits on speed, acceleration and jerk may be decreased when traveling in the lateral direction.

The system controller <NUM> also may adjust the motion profile based on whether there are passengers within the elevator car <NUM> and thus there may be an occupied motion profile and an unoccupied motion profile. The occupied motion profile may be used when there are passengers in the elevator car <NUM> and the unoccupied motion profile may be used when there are no passengers in the elevator car <NUM>. The unoccupied motion profile may include motion parameters with a higher magnitude than the occupied motion profile. Advantageously, the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> travel through the route faster. For example, the elevator car <NUM> is able to accelerate and decelerate faster operating in the unoccupied motion profile than the occupied motion profile. The unoccupied motion profile may also allow more jerk in the elevator car <NUM> than would typically be allowed with passengers. In another embodiment, there may be a power-save motion profile configured to help the elevator system save power when there is no demand for the elevator car. In the power-save motion profile the elevator car may operate with a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile. For instance, operating the elevator car <NUM> at a lower speed allows the elevator system <NUM> to save power. Further there may also be an occupied descent motion profile that may operate with motioning parameters having a smaller magnitude than comparable motion parameters of the occupied motion profile. The occupied descent motion profile may be used when the elevator car <NUM> is determined to be occupied and traveling in the downward direction, as shown by arrow <NUM>. For example, the occupied descent motion profile may help slow the velocity of the elevator car <NUM> so that it does not descend too fast.

Turning now to <FIG> while continuing to reference <FIG>, <FIG> shows a flow diagram illustrating a method <NUM> of operating the elevator system <NUM> of <FIG> and <FIG>, according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. At block <NUM>, an occupancy status of an elevator car <NUM> is detected. As mentioned above, the occupancy status comprises at least one of occupied and unoccupied. In an embodiment, the elevator system <NUM> detects that the occupancy status using at least one of a visual detection device, a weight detection device, a laser detection device, a thermal image detection device, a depth detection device, a motion detection device, an odor detection device, a RADAR device, an ultrasonic sensor, and a pyroelectric sensor. In another embodiment, the occupancy status is continuously detected and updated throughout the movement of the elevator car <NUM>.

At block <NUM>, a motion profile of the elevator car <NUM> is selected in response to the occupancy status. As mentioned above, the motion profile comprises at least one of an unoccupied motion profile, an occupied motion profile, an occupied lateral movement motion profile, a power-save motion profile, and an occupied descent motion profile.

In an embodiment, the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> to operate using a motion parameter having a greater magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile when the occupancy status detected is occupied. For instance, a speed is comparable to another speed, an acceleration is comparable to another acceleration, a jerk is comparable to another jerk, and so on and so forth. In one example, the elevator car <NUM> is able to accelerate and decelerate faster operating in the unoccupied motion profile than the occupied motion profile. In another example, the elevator car <NUM> will accelerate and decelerate slower when operating in the occupied motion profile in comparison to the unoccupied motion profile to ensure passenger comfort. As described above, the motion profile places limits on motion parameters of the elevator car <NUM> to ensure passenger comfort. Motion parameters may include but are not limited to speed, acceleration, and jerk of the elevator car <NUM>. Any further derivatives of the position of the elevator car <NUM> may also be included in the motion parameters.

In an embodiment, the occupied lateral movement motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> to operate using a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile when the occupancy status detected is occupied and the direction of travel includes a lateral motion. For example, the elevator car <NUM> will accelerate and decelerate slower when operating in the lateral occupied motion profile in comparison to the occupied motion profile due to decreased passenger stability in the lateral direction <NUM>.

In an embodiment, the occupied descent motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> to operate using a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile when the occupancy status detected is occupied and the direction of travel includes a downward motion. For example, the elevator car <NUM> may reduce its velocity when descending with passengers. In an embodiment, the power-save motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> to operate using a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile when the occupancy status detected is unoccupied. For example, the elevator car <NUM> may move at a slower velocity when unoccupied in order to save power.

As mentioned above, the system controller <NUM> also may adjust the motion profile based on whether there are passengers within the elevator car <NUM>. The occupied motion profile may be used when there are passengers in the elevator car <NUM> and the unoccupied motion profile may be used when there are no passengers in the elevator car <NUM>. Advantageously, the unoccupied motion profile allows the elevator car <NUM> to travel through the route segment faster. For instance, the elevator car <NUM> may be allowed to accelerate faster than would typically be allowed with passengers. The unoccupied motion profile may also allow more jerk in the elevator car <NUM> than would typically be allowed with passengers.

At block <NUM>, the elevator car <NUM> is moved in accordance with the motion profile selected. In an embodiment, the elevator car is moved along a route. The route is composed of at least one route segment. For example, a route segment may be that the elevator car <NUM> moves from a first floor to a second floor. The route may be determined prior to moving the elevator car <NUM>. In an embodiment, the route is determined by the system controller <NUM> and the route execution is monitored by the on-board controller <NUM> to ensure that the route is carried out. In another embodiment, the route is determined for the elevator car <NUM> after receiving an elevator call from a floor <NUM> and the route includes a stop for the elevator car at the floor <NUM>. In another embodiment, the route is determined for the elevator car <NUM> after receiving destination floor car call, such as, for example a passenger within the elevator car <NUM> pressing a button to select a destination floor. An elevator call may be a passenger pressing an elevator call button on the floor <NUM> requesting the elevator car <NUM> come to the floor <NUM> to pick up the passenger.

Claim 1:
A method of operating an elevator system (<NUM>), the method comprising:
detecting an occupancy status of the elevator car (<NUM>), the occupancy status comprising at least one of occupied and unoccupied;
detecting a direction of travel of an elevator car (<NUM>);
selecting a motion profile of the elevator car (<NUM>) in response to the occupancy status, the motion profile comprising at least one of an unoccupied motion profile, an occupied motion profile, an occupied lateral movement motion profile, and an occupied descent motion profile; and
moving the elevator car (<NUM>) in accordance with the motion profile selected;
characterized in that
the elevator system (<NUM>) detects the occupancy status using at least one of a visual detection device, a laser detection device, a thermal image detection device, a depth detection device, a motion detection device, an odor detection device, a RADAR device, an ultrasonic sensor, and a pyroelectric sensor;
the occupied lateral movement motion profile allows the elevator car (<NUM>) to operate using a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile; and/or
the occupied descent motion profile allows the elevator car (<NUM>) to operate using a motion parameter having a smaller magnitude than a comparable motion parameter of the occupied motion profile.