In an elevator, the status information of the receivers, and possibly also of the transmitters, of a light curtain of the elevator is transmitted from the control unit of the light curtain as a response to a query or as messages. The control system of the elevator car is configured to receive the responses or status information and to analyze i) the status information contained therein of at least one receiver the status information contained therein of at least one receiver and of at least one transmitter relating to it, for changing or adjusting the operating mode of the elevator or for giving a control command to the operating system of the elevator.