Elevator auditing with recommended action, reason and severity in maintenance messages

• US 6,543,583 B1
• Filed: 07/02/2001
• Issued: 04/08/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Otis Elevator Company (Otis Worldwide Corp.)
• Inventors: Lence Barreiro, Juan A., Moon, Chouhwan
• Primary Examiner(s): Salata, Jonathan
• Application Number:
  US09/899,007
• Time in Patent Office: 645 Days
• Field of Search: 187/247, 187/248, 187/316, 187/391, 187/393, 702/179, 702/182-185, 49/25, 49/28
• US Class Current: 187/391
• CPC Class Codes: B66B 5/0025 for maintenance or repair

Abstract

Information including normal and abnormal operating conditions and events, resulting from operation of elevator car and landing doors, is monitored and recorded (FIGS. 1-28), compared and combined with other information and with thresholds to detect notable events and conditions and generate corresponding messages including a reason for the message, severity of the related event or condition, and optionally, a general maintenance recommendation. The maintenance messages include adjusting or cleaning: car door vane (A-D), landing door lock at a given floor (E-L), car door closed switch (M-R), car door track or sill (S-Y), landing door track or sill (Z-EE), door drive belt (FF, GG), elevator car door motor or door controller mechanism (HH-MM), and car guide rails (FFF); and include adjusting or replacing: door position encoder (NN, OO), between-door safety device (PP-SS), door open/close buttons (TT-XX), landing and car call buttons (YY-AAA) and lights (BBB, CCC), and car rail guides (DDD, EEE).

Claims

1. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and .having a car and at least one of (a) a car door with (i) a door closed sensor, (ii) a track, (iii) a sill, (iv) a motor driving the door through a traction loop, (v) a door controller mechanism, and (vi) a position encoder (b) a landing door with (i) a door lock and door lock switch, (ii) a track, and (iii) a sill, (c) a door vane interacting with rollers or guides to cause a corresponding landing door to move in response to movement of said car door, (d) a between-door safety device, (e) a door button switch selected from a door open button and a door close button, (f) a call button switch with a light, related to a given landing, selected from car call buttons and landing call buttons, and (g) having (i) a pair of car guide rails and (ii) a car juxtapositioned with said rails by (iii) car rail guides, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(FFF):

(A) determining, from a landing door lock opening when the car door is either too far open or not open enough, too often, at an excessive number of landings, that a door vane is mispositioned, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including directing that the related door vane be moved accordingly;

(B) determining that a landing door lock switch fails to close when the landing door closes, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failures;

(C) determining that a landing door lock switch opens without a door open command, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(D) determining that a landing door lock switch is not open when the related landing door is open, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(E) determining, from a landing door lock opening when the car door is either too far open or not open enough, and there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, too often, at a small number of landings, that the door lock alignment is wrong, and generating a reason and severity portion of a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof directing that the door lock at such landing be moved a corresponding amount in an appropriate direction;

(F) determining that the landing door lock switch at a landing fails to close when the landing door closes, too often, and generating a reason and severity portion of a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failure;

(G) determining that the landing door lock switch opens at a landing without a door open command, too often, when there is no maintenance message of paragraphs. (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(H) determining, from a landing door lock switch rebounding from closed to open when the door closes with a high final closing speed, insufficiently often, when there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, that the door lock has excessive friction, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the deficient number of rebounds;

(I) determining that a landing door has operated more times than a related periodic inspection threshold number of times, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess of such times over the threshold;

(J) determining, from a landing door lock switch rebounding from closed to open when the door closes with a low final closing speed and there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, too often, that cleaning of the switch is required, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such rebounds;

(K) determining that the total number of landing door lock switch operations exceeds a related threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the number of such operations;

(L) determining that a landing door lock switch is not open when the related landing door is open, for a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such switch not opening at such landing;

(M) determining that the car door closed switch fails to close when the car door is closed, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failures;

(N) determining that the car door-closed switch is closed when the car door is open, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(O) determining that the car door closed switch opens without a door open command with the car door fully closed at a landing, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(P) determining that the car door closed switch opens without a door open command with the car door fully closed when the car is moving, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(Q) determining that, on average, the car door closed switch does not close until the car door is closed too far, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof and directing that the car door closed switch be moved correspondingly;

(R) determining that the car door closed switch has operated a number of times that exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold;

(S) determining that the car door does not open fully at a final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not opening fully and (2) the average amount by which the car door does not open fully;

(T) determining that the car door does not close fully at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not closing fully and (2) the average amount by which the car door does not close fully;

(U) determining, from the average time required to open or close the car door at low constant door motor current, being too high at a given landing, for an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive friction when opening or closing the car door, respectively, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the ratio of (1) such average time required for the car door to open or close, respectively, to (2) a proper time for doing so;

(V) determining, from the average distance that the car door moves in the closing direction after door motor current ceases when the car door has opened, at an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive resistance to holding the car door open, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) said average distance and (2) a proper open position for the car door;

(W) determining, from the average distance that the car door moves in the opening direction after door motor current ceases when the car door has closed, at an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive resistance to holding the car door closed, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) said average distance and (2) a proper closed position for the car door;

(X) determining, from the car door slowing down while opening or closing, too often, at an excessive number of landings, that there is an excessive impediment to car door movement, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the maximal amount of slowing down, (2) the frequency of encountering excessive impediments to car door movement, and (3) the car door position where the maximal amount of slowing down occurred;

(Y) determining that the number of car door operations has exceeded a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the excess;

(Z) determining that the car door does not open fully at a final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not opening fully at any landing and (2) the average error in the open position at said any landing;

(AA) determining that the car door does not close fully at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, too often, at a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not closing fully at any landing and (2) the average error in the closed position at said any landing;

(BB) determining, from the average time required to open or close the car door with constant door motor current being too high, at any given landing, at a small number of landings, that there is excessive friction when opening or closing, respectively, said given landing door and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including a ratio of (1) the actual average time for opening or closing, respectively, said given landing door to (2) a respective proper time;

(CC) determining, from the average distance that the car door moves in the closing direction after door motor current ceases when the car door has been opened at any given landing, at a small number of landings, that there is excessive resistance to holding the given landing door open, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the difference between (1) said average distance and (2) a proper position for said given landing door;

(DD) determining, from the car door slowing down while opening or closing at a given landing, too often, for a small number of landings, that there is an excessive impediment to movement of said given landing door and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of encountering excessive impediments to movement of said given landing door;

(EE) determining that the total number of operations of a given landing door exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess of said operations over said threshold;

(FF) determining from an excessive average open position of the car door, when opened with a constant low door motor current with no landing door coupled thereto, that the door-driving flexible traction loop is loose, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the amount of such excess;

(GG) determining that the number of door operations exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(HH) determining that the car door does not open fully, at a high final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at any given landing, for an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of the car door not opening fully and (2) the average error of the open position;

(II) determining that the speed of the car door as it becomes fully open or fully closed is too frequently excessive at an excessive number of said landings, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of excessive speed and (2) the average of the related excessive speed;

(JJ) determining that the speed of the car door as the landing door lock switch opens or closes is too frequently excessive or deficient and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of occurrence of the related excessive or deficient speed;

(KK) determining that the car door too frequently does not fully close at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not fully closing and (2) the average related closed position error;

(LL) determining that the time required to open or close the car door normally is not stable at an excessive number of landings, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the variation in respective opening or closing time;

(MM) determining, from the position of the car door when it opens without command, that the door controller has opened the car door without command too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency thereof;

(NN) determining that the position indicated by the door position encoder when the car door closed sensor opens differs excessively from a true door closed position, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency thereof and (2) an instruction to also check the car door closed sensor;

(OO) determining that the number of car door operations exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold;

(PP) determining that the frequency of operation of the between-door safety device, when passengers are unlikely to be interacting with the door, is excessive, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said frequency;

(QQ) determining that the frequency of operation of the between-door safety device at any given landing, when passengers are likely to be interacting with the door, is deficient, for an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said frequency;

(RR) determining that the between-door safety device remains operated for an excessive period of time, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(SS) determining that the between-door safety devices has operated in excess of a related periodic inspection threshold number of times, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said excess;

(TT) determining that the frequency of a door button switch being operated, when passenger interaction with the door is unlikely, is excessive, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency thereof;

(UU) determining that door open button activity is lower than expected during a period in which there are at least a threshold number of door reversals, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(VV) determining that door close button activity is lower than expected, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(WW) determining that the average duration of a door button being operated, over a last given number of operations, is too long, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including said average duration;

(XX) determining that the total number of times a door button has been operated exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the related threshold;

(YY) determining that call button usage per run to the corresponding landing is lower than expected, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of use and the related landing;

(ZZ) determining that the average duration of a call button being operated, over a last given number of operations, is too long, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including said average duration and the related landing;

(AAA) determining that the number of times that a call button has been operated exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess and the related landing;

(BBB) determining that the ratio of (1) the number of call button operations for a landing to (2) the number of related stops for that landing is excessive, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the related landing;

(CCC) determining that either (1) the number of operations of a call button or (2) the total time a call button has been operated, is excessive, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess and the related landing;

(DDD) determining, from the position of the car door, when the landing door lock at any given landing opens, varying excessively, at an excessive number of landings, that the position of landing door lock operation is inconsistent and that there is excessive side-to-side car displacement, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof, including said variation and said given landing;

(EEE) determining that the total distance traveled by the car exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold; and

(FFF) determining, from the position of the car door when the landing door lock at any given landing opens varying excessively, at a small number of landings, that the position of landing door lock operation is inconsistent, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said variation and said given landing.

2. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having a car and at least one of (i) a car door (ii) a landing door with a door lock, and (iii) a door vane interacting with rollers or guides to cause a corresponding landing door to move in response to movement of said car door, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(L):

(A) determining, from a landing door lock opening when the car door is either too far open or not open enough, too often, at an excessive number of landings, that a door vane is mispositioned, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including directing that the related door vane be moved accordingly;

(B) determining that a landing door lock switch fails to close when the landing door closes, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failures;

(C) determining that a landing door lock switch opens without a door open command, too often, at an excessive number of landings and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(D) determining that a landing door lock switch is not open when the related landing door is open, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(E) determining, from a landing door lock opening, when the car door is either too far open or not open enough, when there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, too often, at a small number of landings, that the door lock alignment is wrong, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof and directing that the door lock at such landing be moved a corresponding amount in an appropriate direction;

(F) determining that the landing door lock switch at a landing fails to close when the landing door closes, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failure;

(G) determining that the landing door lock switch opens at a landing without a door open command, too often, when there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(H) determining, from a landing door lock switch rebounding from closed to open when the door closes with a high final closing speed, insufficiently often, when there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, that the door lock has excessive friction and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the deficient number of rebounds;

(I) determining that a landing door has operated more times than a related periodic inspection threshold number of times and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess of such times over the threshold;

(J) determining, from a landing door lock switch rebounding from closed to open when the door closes with a low final closing speed and there is no maintenance message of paragraphs (A)-(D) to adjust a door vane, too often, that cleaning of the switch is required and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such rebounds;

(K) determining that the total number of landing door lock switch operations exceeds a related threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the number of such operations; and

(L) determining that a landing door lock switch is not open when the related landing door is open, for a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such switch not opening at such landing.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

said maintenance messages of paragraphs (A)-(D) also direct that the position of the related door vane be adjusted.

4. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

said maintenance messages of paragraphs (E)-(G) also direct that the alignment of the related landing door lock be adjusted.

5. A method according to claim 2 wherein:

said maintenance messages of paragraphs (H)-(L) also direct that the related landing door lock be cleaned or adjusted.

6. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having (i) a car door with (ii) a car door switch, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(F);

(A) determining that the car door closed switch fails to close when the car door is closed, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such failures;

(B) determining that the car door switch is closed when the car door is open, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(C) determining that the car door closed switch opens without a door open command with the car door,fully closed at a landing, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(D) determining that the car door closed switch opens without a door open command with the car door fully closed when the car is moving, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of such openings;

(E) determining that, on average, the car door closed switch does not close until the car door is closed too far, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof and directing that the car door closed switch be moved correspondingly; and

(F) determining that the car door closed switch has operated a number of times that exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold.

7. A method according to claim 6 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the car door closed switch be cleaned or adjusted.

8. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system having at least one door system component selected from (i) a car door track and (ii) a car door sill, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(G):

(A) determining that the car door does not open fully at a final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not opening fully and (2) the average amount by which the car door does not open fully;

(B) determining that the car door does not close fully at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, too often, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not closing fully and (2) the average amount by which the car door does not close fully;

(C) determining, from the average time required to open or close the car door at low constant door motor current, being too high at a given landing, for an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive friction when opening or closing the car door, respectively, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the ratio of (1) such average time required for the car door to open or close, respectively, to (2) a proper time for doing so;

(D) determining, from the average distance that the car door moves in the closing direction after door motor current ceases when the car door has opened, at an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive resistance to holding the car door open, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) said average distance and (2) a proper open position for the car door;

(E) determining, from the average distance that the car door moves in the opening direction after door motor current ceases when the car door has closed, at an excessive number of landings, that there is excessive resistance to holding the car door closed, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) said average distance and (2) a proper closed position for the car door;

(F) determining, from the car door slowing down while opening or closing, too often, at an excessive number of landings, that there is an excessive impediment to car door movement, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the maximal amount of slowing down, (2) the frequency of encountering excessive impediments to car door movement, and (3) the car door position where the maximal amount of slowing down occurred; and

(G) determining that the number of car door operations has exceeded a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including an indication of the excess.

9. A method according to claim 8 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the related car door track or car door sill be cleaned or adjusted.

10. A method auditing the operation of an elevator door system having at least one door system component selected from (i) a landing door track and (ii) a landing door sill, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(H):

(A) determining that the car door does not open fully at a final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not opening fully at any landing and (2) the average error in the open position at said any landing;

(B) determining that the car door does not close fully at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, too often, at a small number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not closing fully at any landing and (2) the average error in the closed position at said any landing;

(C) determining, from the average time required to open or close the car door with constant door motor current being too high, at any given landing, at a small number of landings, that there is excessive friction when opening or closing, respectively, said given landing door and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including a ratio of (1) the actual average time for opening or closing, respectively, said given landing door to (2) a respective proper time.

(D) determining, from average distance that the car door closes after door motor current ceases when the car door has been opened at any given landing, that there is excessive resistance to holding the given landing door open, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the difference between (1) said average amount and (2) a proper position for said given landing door;

(E) determining, from the car door slowing down while opening or closing at a given landing, too often, for a small number of landings, that there is an excessive impediment to movement of said given landing door and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of encountering excessive impediments to movement of said given landing door; and

(F) determining that the total number of operations of a given landing door exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess of said operations over said threshold.

11. A method according to claim 10 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the door track or door sill related to any said given landing be cleaned or adjusted.

12. A method of auditing an elevator system serving a plurality of floors and having (i) at least one car door driven by a motor through a flexible traction loop and (ii) at least one landing door which can be engaged by a corresponding door vane to be opened thereby, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A), (B):

(A) determining from an excessive average open position of the car door, when opened with a constant low door motor current with no landing door coupled thereto, that the door-driving flexible traction loop is loose, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the amount of such excess; and

(B) determining that the number of door operations exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof.

13. A method according to claim 12 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that said loop be adjusted.

14. A method of serving an elevator system auditing the operation of a plurality of landings and having (i) at least one elevator car door and (ii) related door motor and door controller mechanism, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(F):

(A) determining that the car door does not open fully, at a final opening speed above a threshold speed, too often, at any given landing, for an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of the car door not opening fully and (2) the average error of the open position;

(B) determining that the speed of the car door as it becomes fully open or fully closed is too frequently excessive at an excessive number of said landings, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of excessive speed and (2) the average of the related excessive speed;

(C) determining that the speed of the car door as the landing door lock switch opens or closes is too frequently excessive or deficient and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of occurrence of the related excessive or deficient speed;

(D) determining that the car door too frequently does not fully close at a final closing speed above a threshold speed, at an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency of not fully closing and (2) the average related closed position error;

(E) determining that the time required to open or close the car door normally is not stable at an excessive number of landings, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the variation in respective opening or closing time; and

(F) determining, from the position of the car door when it opens without command, that the door controller has opened the car door without command too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency thereof.

15. A method according to claim 14 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the door motor or door controller mechanism be adjusted.

16. A method of auditing operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having (i) a car door with (ii) a door position encoder and (iii) a door closed sensor, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A), (B):

(A) determining that the position indicated by the door position encoder when the car door closed sensor opens differs excessively from a true door closed position, too often, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including at least one of (1) the frequency thereof and (2) an instruction to also check the car door closed sensor; and

(B) determining that the number of car door.operations exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold.

17. A method according to claim 16 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the door position encoder be adjusted or replaced.

18. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having a between-door safety device, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A)-(D):

(A) determining that the frequency of operation of the between-door safety device, when passengers are unlikely to be interacting with the door, is excessive, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said frequency;

(B) determining that the frequency of operation of the between-door safety device at any given landing, when passengers are likely to be interacting with the door, is deficient, for an excessive number of landings, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said frequency;

(C) determining that the between-door safety device remains operated for an excessive period of time and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(D) determining that the between-door safety devices has operated in excess of a related periodic inspection threshold number of times and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said excess.

19. A method according to claim 18 wherein:

said maintenance messages also direct that the between-door safety device be adjusted or replaced.

20. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system having a door and at least one of a door open button, a door close button, a call button switch with a light, related to a given landing, selected from car call buttons and landing call buttons, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A) through (J):

(A) determining that the frequency of a door button switch being operated, when passenger interaction with the door is unlikely, is excessive, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency thereof;

(B) determining that door open button activity is lower than expected during a period in which there are at least a threshold number of door reversals, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(C) determining that door close button activity is lower than expected and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof;

(D) determining that the average duration of a door button being operated, over a last given number of operations, is too long, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including said average duration;

(E) determining that the total number of times a door button has been operated exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the related threshold;

(F) determining that call button usage per run to the corresponding landing is lower than expected, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the frequency of use and the related landing;

(G) determining that the average duration of a call button being operated, over a last given number of operations, is too long, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including said average duration and the related landing;

(H) determining that the number of times that a call button has been operated exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess and the related landing;

(I) determining that the ratio of (1) the number of call button operations for a landing to (2) the number of related stops for that landing is excessive, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the related landing; and

(J) determining that either (1) the number of operations of a call button or (2) the total time a call button has been operated, is excessive, and generating a respectively corresponding maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess and the related landing.

21. A method according to claim 20 wherein:

the maintenance messages of steps (A)-(H) also direct that the related button be adjusted or replaced.

22. A method according to claim 20 wherein:

the maintenance messages of steps (I) and (J) also direct that the related button light be replaced.

23. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having (i) a pair of car guide rails and (ii) a car juxtapositioned with said rails by (iii) car rail guides, which method comprises performing at least one of the following steps (A), (B):

(A) determining, from the position of the car door, when the landing door lock at any given landing opens, varying excessively, at an excessive number of landings, that the position of landing door lock operation is inconsistent and that there is excessive side-to-side car displacement and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof, including said variation and said given landing; and

(B) determining that the total distance traveled by the car exceeds a related periodic inspection threshold and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including the excess over the threshold.

24. A method according to claim 23 wherein:

said maintenance message also directs that the car rail guides be adjusted or replaced.

25. A method of auditing the operation of an elevator system serving a plurality of landings and having (i) a pair of car guide rails and (ii) a car juxtapositioned with said rails by (iii) car rail guides, which method comprises determining, from the position of the car door, when the landing door lock at any given landing opens, varying excessively, at a small number of landings, that the position of landing door lock operation is inconsistent, and generating a maintenance message indicative thereof including said variation and said given landing.

26. A method according to claim 25 wherein:

said maintenance message also directs that the side-to-side clearance of the car guide rails be adjusted.