Elevator Ethernet Bus Fault Management

The patent merges multiple different internal data transmission solutions into a single Ethernet-based communication system. All elevator system nodes (doors, motors, controllers, etc.) communicate through a unified Ethernet bus, eliminating the need for separate communication protocols and physical layers for different devices. This consolidation reduces system complexity while maintaining the ability to meet various communication needs through software configuration and Ethernet's inherent versatility.

The patent makes the Ethernet bus serve multiple functions simultaneously - it handles both safety-critical communications and general control data transmission through a single unified infrastructure. By implementing virtualization and prioritization mechanisms within the Ethernet protocol, the system achieves redundant safety communication capabilities without requiring separate physical bus structures, thus maintaining safety while reducing complexity and enabling Ethernet compatibility.

The patent implements dynamic node activation and deactivation based on fault detection. When a fault is detected in a specific elevator system node, the controller dynamically switches off only the affected node while keeping other nodes operational. This dynamic response maintains service availability by isolating faults while preserving maximum system functionality through selective node operation rather than complete system shutdown.

The patent applies different communication priorities to different types of data traffic based on their criticality. Safety-related Ethernet frames are assigned high priority and continue to be transmitted fully even during fault conditions, while non-critical data transmission is reduced or suspended. This local quality differentiation ensures that communication efficiency improves for critical data while maintaining necessary information flow for safety and essential operations.