Apparatus and methods for servicing an elevator system having a plurality of elevator cars under the supervision of a supervisory system processor. The system processor makes assignments to the cars according to a predetermined strategy. The servicing tool is connectable to the elevator system such that the positions of the cars in the building, the assignments to the cars by the system processor, and the status of the elevator cars, are displayed on a panel position and motion indicator or display. The servicing tool also includes pushbuttons for entering car and hall calls, and a mode select switch. The mode select switch includes an operating mode in which the system processor is maintained operational, and the controls of the cars are maintained operational, except the cars are inhibited from moving. The servicing method includes inhibiting the cars from moving while predetermined calls are entered into the system. The assignments to the cars, the change in assignments, and the change in the status of the cars as each call is entered, are noted by viewing the display. The display image, after each call is entered, may be compared with the correct image or response of the system processor and cars, to quickly check the system processor and car controllers to determine if they are operating properly.

An emergency intercommunication system for an elevator has an interphone unit and an intercommunication command switch located in an elevator car. A telephone number input apparatus for inputting the desired telephone number is provided in an elevator hall, in connection with a register apparatus for storing the input telephone number. An intercommunication command detecting section for detecting the actuation of the switch is provided in connection with an emergency call apparatus for automatically dialing the stored telephone number to connect the interphone unit with a telephone having the telephone number when the actuation of the switch is detected by the detecting apparatus. Preferably, an identification number input apparatus is provided in the elevator hall so that the register apparatus stores the telephone number only when it is input together with a predetermined identification number.

An elevator rescue system provides rescue signals from a remote control station. The rescue signals typically operate a release mechanism such as the brake to allow the elevator to move to an appropriate door zone. The rescue signals are preferably sent from a remote control station such as may typically monitor a number of elevators. Essentially, the rescue signal is initiated when the remote control station receives a signal from the elevator monitoring system that a particular elevator is likely to have trapped passengers. As an initial step, the remote control station ensures there is no safety reason not to move the elevator, and then remotely commands operation of an elevator component that allows the elevator cab to move.

When a start failure detecting circuit detects a start failure of an elevator cage, a signal transmitting and receiving device automatically dials a telephone number of a maintenance and service company to connect a telephone line thereto and at the same time transmits a recorded signal from a signal recording device to the maintenance and service company over the telephone line. The maintenance and service company decides how serious the start failure is on the basis of the transmitted recorded signal. When the start failure is determined as being less serious, the maintenance and service company transmits a restoration signal to the signal transmitting and receiving device. In response to the restoration signal, a reset circuit generates a reset signal to bring the control board back to the same condition as when the power supply is initially switched on, to thereby restore the disabled elevator.

An elevator system including at least one elevator car mounted for movement in a building to serve the floors therein, and pushbuttons for entering calls for elevator service. Calls for elevator service initiated by the pushbuttons are visually displayed in a predetermined order on a display in which the display positions for such calls are not specifically related to a specific floor, but which may be used to indicate a call associated with any floor of the building. In a preferred embodiment, the calls are stacked or compressed to provide a predetermined uniform physical spacing between adjacent calls of the predetermined order. The predetermined order and predetermined spacing are maintained as new calls are entered on the display, and answered calls are deleted therefrom.