A method, an arrangement and an elevator system for controlling an elevator

Abstract

An arrangement, an elevator system and a method for controlling an elevator, wherein the elevator (100) comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The method comprises changing the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

Description

[0001] A METHOD, AN ARRANGEMENT AND AN ELEVATOR SYSTEM FOR CONTROLLING AN ELEVATOR

[0002] Technical Field

[0003] The invention concerns in general the technical field of elevator technology. Especially the invention concerns a method, an arrangement and an elevator system for controlling an elevator.

[0004] Background

[0005] Elevators are commonly used in residential and commercial buildings. In residential buildings, elevators serve as a means of transport for residents and their possessions and occasionally can also be used when people are moving into or out of apartments. Similarly, in commercial settings, elevators are regularly used by companies to relocate their offices or establishments.

[0006] Conventional elevator systems, designed primarily for the transportation of people, often encounter significant limitations when it comes to transportation of large items or freight. One issue arises when a person attempts to transport sizable or numerous items within the elevator car. In such cases, the elevator doors tend to close rapidly, posing an inconvenience and potential safety hazard to users. One common solution is to place or insert an object between the doors, but this is not a safe solution for the users as it can create a tripping hazard.

[0007] Furthermore, when a person attempts to unload the elevator car, which is loaded with multiple items, another user may inadvertently call the elevator from a different floor. As a result, the elevator car may be summoned to another floor, leaving the personal items inside the elevator car vulnerable to theft. Simultaneously, the person responsible for the items is then unable to continue transporting the items which reserves the elevator car and causes inconvenience for all users.

[0008] Hence, there is a need to develop solutions in order to mitigate the described drawbacks. Summary

[0009] An objective of the invention is to present a method, an arrangement and an elevator system for controlling an elevator.

[0010] The objectives of the invention are reached by the method, the arrangement and the elevator system as defined by the respective independent claims.

[0011] According to a first aspect, the invention relates to a method for controlling an elevator, wherein the elevator comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The method comprises changing the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

[0012] In one embodiment of the invention the determined differences in elevator usage relate to at least one of the following: determined or measured load, destination of the elevator car, time of a trip, elevator car door open timing data, elevator car door close timing data. In one embodiment of the invention the detected patterns of elevator usage relate to at least one of the following: a predefined number or trips in a predefined duration between certain floors, e.g. the ground floor and a certain upper floor, door opening times being longer than a predefined threshold value and / or changes in weight in the elevator car being faster or bigger than predefined threshold levels.

[0013] In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor, such as a camera, a microwave radar, a lidar, is arranged to an elevator car and / or an elevator waiting area so that the sensor is able to detect presence and / or movement of objects and / or persons in the elevator car and / or the elevator waiting area, wherein the method further comprises detecting differences in elevator usage and / or detecting patterns in elevator usage based at least in part on the data from the at least one sensor.

[0014] In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises detecting based on the data from the at least one sensor at least one of the following patterns: a person carrying or moving objects, items on the elevator landing or waiting area, items in the elevator car without a person inside the elevator car, a person or persons carrying multiple items to and / or in an elevator car, items in the elevator car and / or in the elevator waiting area having bigger size as a predefined threshold size or a predefined form, such as pallet jack, hand truck.

[0015] In one embodiment of the invention the method further comprises utilizing machine learning in analyzing elevator related data and / or sensor data for recognizing the changes or patterns of elevator usage for changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0016] In one embodiment of the invention the first operating mode is a passenger transportation mode, and the second operating mode is a freight transportation and / or a moving mode.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention the elevator car door closing waiting time is longer and / or closing speed is slower in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode.

[0018] In one embodiment of the invention the operating mode of the elevator is changed from the second operating mode to the first operating mode based on the elevator being idle for a predefined time and / or the criteria of the mode change from the first mode to the second mode being not anymore fulfilled, e.g. when the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage do not fulfil the criteria used for changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0019] In one embodiment of the invention the elevator comprises at least one display in which at least one operating mode which is active, such as the second operating mode, is indicated, and / or wherein the at least one display is arranged to the elevator car and / or the elevator waiting area.

[0020] In one embodiment of the invention in the second operating mode the elevator doesn’t serve other floors and / or the elevator car stays in the destination floor with doors open until a person enters the elevator car. In one embodiment of the invention wherein the elevator comprises multiple elevators which form an elevator group, the elevator which is in the second operating mode is not active in an elevator group as long as the elevator uses the second operating mode.

[0021] According to a second aspect, the invention relates to an arrangement, such as an elevator control unit, for controlling an elevator, wherein the elevator comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The arrangement is configured to change the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the detected differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

[0022] In one embodiment of the invention the arrangement is configured to perform a method according to any embodiment of the invention.

[0023] According to a third aspect, the invention relates to an elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises at least one elevator shaft along which at least one elevator car is configured to travel between a plurality of floors, and an arrangement according to any embodiment of the invention.

[0024] According to a fourth aspect, the invention relates to a computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, an arrangement or an elevator control unit, cause the computer, the arrangement or the elevator control unit to carry out a method according to any embodiment of the invention.

[0025] According to a fifth aspect, the invention relates to a computer-readable medium comprising the computer program according to any embodiment of the invention.

[0026] One advantage of the method, the arrangement, and the elevator system according to the invention is that the solution of the invention is able to better and more safely handle the situations in which the elevator is used for transporting large items or many items. With the solution of the invention also door opening and closing times can be optimized for situations where items are moved with an elevator designed for passenger traffic so there’s no need to block elevator door with items. Thus, hazardous situations can be avoided. It is also possible to prevent a lift full of items being sent to serve users with at least some embodiments of the invention.

[0027] Also, in some embodiments of the invention there is improved communication about when elevator is constantly reserved for moving large amounts of items because the operating mode of the elevator is indicated, e.g. to all elevator users. The displays for indicating the used operating mode can be arranged to landings and / or to elevator cars.

[0028] The invention can also be utilized during construction of a building when transporting material to the different areas of the building. With the solution of the invention this can be done in an efficient and safe manner.

[0029] The exemplary embodiments of the invention presented in this patent application are not to be interpreted to pose limitations to the applicability of the appended claims. The verb "to comprise" is used in this patent application as an open limitation that does not exclude the existence of also un-recited features. The features recited in dependent claims are mutually freely combinable unless otherwise explicitly stated.

[0030] The expression "a number of’ may herein refer to any positive integer starting from one (1 ). The expression "a plurality of’ may refer to any positive integer starting from two (2), respectively.

[0031] The novel features which are considered as characteristic of the invention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method of operation, together with additional objectives and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.

[0032] Brief descriptions of the drawings

[0033] The embodiments of the invention are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings. Figure 1 illustrates schematically an elevator system according to an example embodiment of the invention.

[0034] Figure 2 illustrates schematically an elevator car and an elevator waiting area according to one example embodiment of the invention.

[0035] Figure 3 illustrates schematically an elevator waiting area according to one example embodiment of the invention.

[0036] Figure 4 illustrates one example method according to one example embodiment of the invention.

[0037] Description of some embodiments

[0038] Figure 1 illustrates schematically an example elevator in which solution of the invention can be used. The elevator 100 according to an example embodiment may comprise an elevator car 110 arranged to be moved in an elevator shaft 112. The moving of the elevator car 110 may be implemented by a hoisting rope or belt 113 in connection with a traction sheave 114 or the like. Furthermore, the elevator 100 comprises an elevator motor arranged to operate, such as rotate by the rotor thereof, the traction sheave 114 for moving the elevator car 110, if not essentially directly coupled to the hoisting rope 113. The traction sheave 114 may be connected, via a mechanical connection, directly or indirectly via a gear to a shaft of the motor. The elevator 100 may comprise a machine room or be machine roomless, such as have the motor in the elevator shaft 112.

[0039] The elevator 100 may comprise at least one, or at least two, hoisting machinery brake(s) 116 configured for resisting or, preferably, preventing the movement of the motor, that is the rotor thereof, directly or via the traction sheave 114 or components thereof and / or therebetween. Furthermore, the elevator 100 may comprise a brake controller 125 configured to operate at least one of the at least one hoisting machinery brake 116. The brake controller 125 may further be in connection with other elements of the elevator 100, such as an elevator control unit and / or a safety system. The brake controller 125 may comprise an actuator (not shown) for operating the brake 116 or at least be in connection with such an actuating device. There may additionally be, at least in some embodiments, a counterweight 118 arranged in connection with the elevator car 110 such as is known to a person skilled in the art of elevators. Still further, the elevator 100 may additionally comprise a guide rail 117 or rails 117 arranged into the elevator shaft 112 for guiding the movement of the elevator car 110.

[0040] The elevator 100 of Fig. 1 can further comprise a converter unit. The converter unit may comprise, or substantially be, an inverter or a frequency converter for connecting to and controlling the operation of the motor, and a controller in connection with the converter unit, wherein the controller is configured to operate the converter unit to provide electrical power (signals), such as having variable voltage and variable frequency, to the windings of the motor. The controller may be a separate controller device or be comprised in the converter unit, for instance.

[0041] Still further, the converter unit may be arranged to be fed by an electrical power source, such as of the elevator 100, for example from an external electrical power grid or mains power supply, or another power source, for example, a battery system. Additionally, the electrical power source may intake electrical power from the converter unit.

[0042] There may be one or several devices arranged between the electrical power source and the converter unit, such as input filter(s), circuit breaker(s), and / or contactor(s) or relay(s), and / or a device for charging the energy storage element(s) of the converter unit.

[0043] The elevator 100 preferably comprises landings 119 or landing floors 119 and, for example, landing floor doors and / or openings, between which the elevator car 110 is arranged to be moved during the normal operation of the elevator 100, such as to move persons and / or items between said floors 119.

[0044] In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor 111 can be arranged to the elevator car, which sensor is able to observe presence and movement of objects or persons in the elevator car and / or in the vicinity of the elevator car. In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor 115 can be arranged to the elevator waiting area, which sensor is able to observe presence and movement of objects or persons in the elevator waiting area and / or in the vicinity of the elevator waiting area.

[0045] The elevator may comprise at least one a control unit 120 unit for controlling the operation of the elevator and / or the safety system of the elevator. The control unit 120 may be a separate device or may be comprised in the other components of the elevator such as in or as a part of the electrical drive. The control unit may also be implemented in a distributed manner so that, e.g., one portion of the conveyor control unit may be comprised in the electrical drive and another portion in the elevator car. The control unit may also be arranged in distributed manner at more than two locations or in more than two devices. In one embodiment of the invention the control unit is configured to control the power units supplying power to the conveyor system. The elevator control unit can also be configured to collect status information of an elevator car and fault information when an elevator fails.

[0046] The movement of the elevator car can be at least partly controlled by an elevator control unit. When the elevator car is configured to arrive to a desired landing, the speed of the elevator car is instructed to be decelerated so that the elevator car may be stopped at the landing. Deceleration is an operation of reducing the speed of the elevator car from normal operating speed to a lower speed and / or to a stop. Deceleration may also be referred to as slowdown. Then the elevator waits at the landing for the next elevator ride. At the landing the doors of the elevator can be kept open and / or closed.

[0047] In the solution of the invention the elevator comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The method comprises changing the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

[0048] In one embodiment of the invention the operating mode of the elevator can be changed between the first operating mode and the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage. In one embodiment information can be received from an elevator control unit, which can for example report information relating to at least one of the following: elevator load, destination, time of trips, door open times, door close times. In one embodiment of the invention patterns can be recognized based on this information for changing between the first and second operating mode of the elevator.

[0049] In one embodiment of the invention, e.g. for an elevator in a residential building, frequent trips between the ground floor and one upper floor can be recognized. In one embodiment of the invention this can be used as a criterion for activating automatically the second operating mode. In one embodiment of the invention this can be combined with determined long door open times. In one embodiment of the invention frequent trips (e.g. as described above) and / or door opening times being longer than a predefined duration can be used to activate the second operating mode.

[0050] In one embodiment of the invention, a combination of door open time longer than a predefined value and rising elevator load can be recognized as a pattern to trigger the second operating mode of the elevator.

[0051] In one embodiment of the invention the operating mode of the elevator can be changed from the second operating mode to the first operating mode when the recognized pattern is not recognized anymore, the criteria for changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode are not anymore fulfilled and / or the elevator is in idle state for a duration that is longer than a predefined duration.

[0052] In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor, such as a camera, a microwave radar, a lidar or other sensor can be used to recognize situations in which the elevator should change the mode from the first operating mode to the second operating mode and / or use the second operation mode. In one embodiment of the invention machine learning and Al can be utilized when analyzing data from the sensors which is used to decide when the change between the first operating mode and the second operating mode should be done. In the solution of the invention the second operating mode of an elevator can be used for example in a situation in which a person is moving into or out from an apartment in a residential building. There can be corresponding situations also in commercial buildings, like offices, when a company is moving in or out. In these situations people are (or a person is) carrying items into elevator and in the solution of the invention, when the elevator system notices the situation, it can change the operation mode of the elevator so that the determined situation is taken into account. One way of taking this into account can be that e.g. the doors of the elevator car are kept open longer in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode so that it’s easier for example to pack the elevator.

[0053] The moving situation can be also problematic for the other users in the building. For the others, the elevator is reserved constantly for a long period of time, and this can cause frustration. In one embodiment of the invention, when the second operating mode is activated, a display, e.g. an elevator landing screens, can inform users about this. This can help other users to understand the situation and adjust their way of moving in the building. In one embodiment of the invention, e.g. with advanced landing devices, a request to free the elevator for some time can be done.

[0054] Another situation which may cause problems, is a situation in which one person makes an elevator call when another person is packing or unloading the elevator car with multiple items in the elevator car. Sometimes the elevator car then travels based on the elevator call to another floor with personal items inside of the elevator car. In one embodiment of the invention, this could be prevented in the second operating mode of the elevator so that the elevator doesn’t serve other floors when the second operating mode is activated. In one embodiment of the invention, the elevator doesn’t serve other floors when the second operating mode is activated and when there are items inside the elevator car.

[0055] Another situation in which the solution of the invention can be used is a situation where large items are moved with the elevator. This requires lots of care from the users of the elevator as it’s e.g. easy to get hurt when trying to fit something like a sofa, a bicycle, or a pallet of goods in an elevator. In these cases the person moving the large items can have their both hands in use when the doors starts closing. In one embodiment of the invention this situation can be taken into account by using the second operating mode of the elevator and in one embodiment of the invention in the second operating mode the elevator doors can be kept open for the user when the system recognizes, e.g. by a sensor, that a person is moving or carrying large objects.

[0056] Also, cases where so large object is put inside the elevator car that user can’t fit in the elevator car can be problematic. In these cases, it can be hard for the user to reach the car operating panel and user needs to run after the elevator for unloading before any other user calls the full elevator to another floor. Also, these cases can be taken into account by using the second operating mode of the elevator. In one embodiment of the invention, the second operating mode can be activated when recognizing the situation in which the user does not fit in the elevator car. In one embodiment of the invention the elevator car stays in the second operating mode in the destination floor, e.g. doors open, until the user gets there. In one embodiment of the invention, e.g. with advanced landing devices, the elevator call can be done on landing, e.g. on the elevator waiting area.

[0057] In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor can be used to recognize a person or persons carrying multiple items in an elevator car and / or elevator landing or waiting area and this information can be used in deciding that the second operating mode should be activated. In one embodiment of the invention also situations can be recognized with the at least one sensor in which there are objects or items in the elevator car. In this case the elevator can activate the second operating mode.

[0058] In one embodiment of the invention at least one sensor can be used to recognize large items or objects, such as a pallet jack or a hand truck which is on the elevator landing or waiting area or in the elevator car. Based on this the elevator can change the operating mode to the second operating mode.

[0059] In one embodiment of the invention information from both the elevator system and the sensors can be utilized when the determining differences in elevator usage and / or detecting patterns in elevator usage and / or deciding when the change between the first operating mode and the second operating mode is done. In one embodiment of the invention in the second operating mode the automatic door closing can be disabled e.g. so that the elevator doors remain open until manually closed by a person.

[0060] Figure 2 illustrates schematically an elevator car and an elevator waiting area according to one example embodiment of the invention. In this example a person

[0061] 203 is carrying an object 205, e.g. a large object, from the elevator waiting area

[0062] 204 to elevator car 210. The person 203 and the object 205 can be recognized e.g. by a sensor 201 arranged to the elevator car 210. Based on the recognized object, e.g. the object being large and / or having predefined dimensions or shape, the elevator can automatically switch the operating mode from the first operating mode (which can be a normal operating mode) to the second operating mode (which can be an operating mode to be used during transporting large items, e.g. a moving or transporting mode). In this example embodiment the active operating mode can be indicated in the display 202 of the elevator car 210. In one embodiment of the invention an instruction or other information can be displayed in the display, e.g. in addition to the active operating mode of the elevator, such as a message of “Load your items into the elevator carefully” as in the example of Figure 2. This can be done for example only when the second operating mode of the elevator is active.

[0063] Figure 3 illustrates schematically an elevator waiting area according to one example embodiment of the invention. The waiting area can comprise a sensor 301 , which can be used e.g. for recognizing a presence of a person and / or an object which in one example embodiment can be transported with the elevator. A door 303 can be arranged to the elevator waiting area through which a person can enter the elevator car. The elevator waiting area can also comprise a display 302 which is able to present the active operating mode of the elevator. With the display it is possible for the other users of the elevator to see that the elevator is in the second operating mode, and this can have effect for the elevator usage. In one embodiment of the invention the display of the waiting area can be arranged in connection with the operating panel arranged in each floor and / or status display of the elevator arranged in each floor. In one embodiment of the invention an instruction or other information can be displayed in the display, e.g. in addition to the active operating mode of the elevator. In the example of Figure 3 a message of “Elevator in freight mode” is presented in the display when the operating mode of the elevator is the second operating mode. Each elevator waiting area of the elevator system can comprise a sensor and / or a display for example as illustrated in Figure 3. In this example the waiting area 304 can be in some other floor as in the example of Figure 2. In this case the person of Figure 2 is able to see from the display 202 of the elevator car that the elevator has the second operating mode active and at the same time other persons in other floors can see the active operating mode from displays 302 arranged to the waiting areas.

[0064] Figure 4 illustrates one example method according to one example embodiment of the invention. The example method comprises using at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode. At least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode. The method comprises changing the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

[0065] An arrangement, an elevator unit, a control unit or a controller of the system (e.g. an elevator control unit) may comprise one or more processors, one or more memories being volatile or non-volatile for storing portions of computer program code and any data values and possibly one or more user interface units. The mentioned elements may be communicatively coupled to each other with e.g. an internal bus. The one or more processors of the processing unit may be any suitable processor for processing information and control the operation of the unit, among other tasks. In one embodiment of the invention the at least one processor is configured to cause the arrangement to implement a method according to any embodiment of the invention. The memory unit may store portions of computer program code and any other data, and the processing unit may cause the unit to operate as described above by executing at least some portions of the computer program code stored in the memory unit. Furthermore, the one or more memories of the memory unit may be volatile or nonvolatile. Moreover, the one or more memories are not limited to a certain type of memory only, but any memory type suitable for storing the described pieces of information may be applied in the context of the invention. The communication unit may be based on at least one known communication technologies, either wired or wireless, in order to exchange pieces of information as described earlier. The communication unit can provide an interface for communication with any external unit, such as the brake control unit of the drive unit, positioning system, database and / or any external systems. The unit can also comprise a user interface comprising I / O devices, such as buttons, keyboard, touch screen, microphone, loudspeaker, display and so on, for receiving input and out-putting information.

[0066] The specific examples provided in the description given above should not be construed as limiting the applicability and / or the interpretation of the appended claims. Lists and groups of examples provided in the description given above are not exhaustive unless otherwise explicitly stated.

Claims

Claims1 . A method for controlling an elevator,- wherein the elevator (100) comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein the method comprises: changing the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns of elevator usage.

2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the determined differences in elevator uses relate to at least one of the following: determined or measured load, destination of the elevator car, time of a trip, elevator car door open timing data, elevator car door close timing data, and / or wherein the detected patterns of elevator usage relate to at least one of the following: a predefined number or trips in a predefined duration between certain floors, e.g. the ground floor and a certain upper floor, door opening times being longer than a predefined threshold value and / or changes in weight in the elevator car being faster or bigger than predefined threshold levels.

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one sensor (111 , 115, 201 , 301 ), such as a camera, a microwave radar, a lidar, is arranged to an elevator car (110, 210) and / or an elevator waiting area (204, 304) so that the sensor (111 , 115, 201 , 301 ) is able to detect presence and / or movement of objects (205) and / or persons (203) in the elevator car (110, 210) and / or the elevator waiting area (204, 304), wherein the method further comprises detecting differences in elevator usage and / or detecting patterns in elevator usage based at least in part on the data from the at least one sensor (111 , 115,201. 301 ).

4. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the method comprises detecting based on the data from the at least one sensor (111 , 115,201 . 301 ) at least one of the following patterns:- a person (203) carrying or moving objects (205),- objects (205) on the elevator landing or waiting area (204, 304),- objects (205) in the elevator car (110, 210) without a person inside the elevator car (110, 210),- a person (203) or persons carrying multiple objects (203) to and / or in an elevator car (110, 210),- objects in the elevator car (110, 210) and / or in the elevator waiting area (204, 304) having bigger size as a predefined threshold size or a predefined form, such as pallet jack, hand truck.

5. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the method further comprises utilizing machine learning in analyzing elevator related data and / or sensor data for recognizing the changes or patterns of elevator usage for changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

6. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the first operating mode is a passenger transportation mode, and the second operating mode is a freight transportation and / or a moving mode.

7. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the elevator car door closing waiting time is longer and / or closing speed is slower in the second operating mode than in the first operating mode.

8. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the operating mode of the elevator is changed from the second operating mode to the first operating mode based on the elevator being idle for a predefined time and / or the criteria of the mode change from the first mode to the second mode being not anymore fulfilled, e.g. when the determined differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage do not fulfil the criteria used for changing from the first operating mode to the second operating mode.

9. A method according to any previous claim, wherein the elevator comprises at least one display in which at least one operating mode which is active, such as the second operating mode, is indicated, and / or wherein the at least one display (202, 302) is arranged to the elevator car (110, 210) and / or the elevator waiting area (204, 304).

10. A method according to any previous claim, wherein in the second operating mode the elevator doesn’t serve other floors and / or the elevator car (110, 210) stays in the destination floor with doors open until a person enters the elevator car (110, 210), and / or wherein the elevator comprises multiple elevators which form an elevator group and the elevator which is in the second operating mode is not active in the elevator group as long as the elevator uses the second operating mode.11 . An arrangement, such as an elevator control unit, for controlling an elevator, wherein the elevator (100) comprises at least two operating modes for operating the elevator, the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein at least some operating parameters are different between the first operating mode and the second operating mode, wherein the arrangement is configured to: change the operating mode of the elevator from the first operating mode to the second operating mode based on the detected differences in elevator usage and / or detected patterns in elevator usage.

12. An arrangement according to claim 11 wherein the arrangement is configured to perform any of the method of claims 2 - 10.

13. An elevator system, wherein the elevator system comprises: at least one elevator shaft (112) along which at least one elevator car (110, 210) is configured to travel between a plurality of floors (119), and an arrangement according to claim 11 or 12.

14. A computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, an arrangement or an elevator control unit, cause the computer, the arrangement or the elevator control unit to carry out the method according to any of claims 1 - 10.

15. A computer-readable medium comprising the computer program according to claim 14.

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