Elevator system with door operator translator (dot) and associated methods

A door operator translator for an elevator system having an elevator controller and a door operator, and comprising:

• a communications module configured to communicate with the elevator controller over a serial communications bus;
• a microcontroller coupled to the communications module and configured to receive commands from the elevator controller sent over the serial communications bus, and to translate the commands to discrete output signals;
• an output driver module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to provide the discrete output signals over discrete hardwired outputs to the door operator;
• and
• an input module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to receive discrete input signals over discrete hardwired inputs from the door operator.

A method for operating a door operator translator within an elevator system having an elevator controller and a door operator, the method comprising:

• operating a communications module to communicate with the elevator controller over a serial communications bus;
• operating a microcontroller coupled to the communication module to receive commands from the elevator controller sent over the serial communications bus, and to translate the commands to discrete output signals;
• operating an output driver module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to provide the discrete output signals over discrete hardwired outputs to the door operator;
• and
• operating an input module coupled to the microcontroller and configured to receive discrete input signals over discrete hardwired inputs from the door operator.