The present invention relates to a refrigerator which allows a user to open the doors of the refrigerator easily. The present invention relates to a refrigerator and a method for controlling same, the refrigerator being capable of preventing the doors of the refrigerator from automatically opening due to a malfunction.

A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.

An access control system for restricting access through a passageway includes a shaft rotatable about a central axis; a barrier fixed to the shaft to rotate therewith; and a brake assembly. The brake assembly includes a sun gear rotatable about the central axis, a carrier, and a ring gear, wherein one of the carrier or the ring gear is fixed against rotation and the other of the carrier or ring gear is connected to the shaft to rotate therewith. A plurality of planet gears are rotatably connected to the carrier, each planet gear being disposed between and engaging with each of the sun gear and the ring gear. An electromagnetic brake comprises an electromagnet and an armature. The armature is connected to or integral with the sun gear to rotate and move axially therewith. At least one of the electromagnet or the armature is moveable between an operative position and an inoperative position.

A method for controlling a vehicle door includes: collecting a knocking signal; determining, based on the knocking signal, whether the knocking signal is effective; in response to determining that the knocking signal is effective, obtaining status information of a vehicle, where the status information includes a vehicle door status, a vehicle speed, and a lock status of the vehicle; and in response to determining that the status information of the vehicle meets a condition, controlling the vehicle door to be opened.

A universal garage door opener (UGDO) system for a vehicle is disclosed. The UGDO system includes one or more transceivers configured to transmit and receive UGDO data via one or more antennas, a microcontroller operable to control the one or more transceivers to implement UGDO functionality, and a vehicle interface configured to exchange signals between the microcontroller and at least one vehicle subsystem of the vehicle, wherein at least the one or more antennas, the microcontroller, and the vehicle interface are embedded into and integrated with connected vehicle communication port positioned in proximity to a roof of the vehicle.

An apparatus for controlling bus doors (14, 16) that are arranged as a pair of doors that move in coordinated relation between door open positions and door closed positions, enables passengers to access an interior area (12) of a bus (10). The apparatus includes an actuator (28, 226). The actuator includes a drive lever (34, 228) that is selectively rotationally movable between rotational positions in which both of the doors are in the open positions and in the closed positions. Exemplary arrangements include at least one controller (128) that is operative to prevent the doors from causing damage to or from being damaged by engagement with obstructions. The controller further enables a bus driver or other authorized user to control access to the interior area of the bus using a user mobile device (144).

A universal garage door opener (UGDO) system for a vehicle is disclosed. The UGDO system includes one or more transceivers configured to transmit and receive UGDO data via one or more antennas, a microcontroller operable to control the one or more transceivers to implement UGDO functionality, and a vehicle interface configured to exchange signals between the microcontroller and at least one vehicle subsystem of the vehicle, wherein at least the one or more antennas, the microcontroller, and the vehicle interface are embedded into and integrated with connected vehicle communication port positioned in proximity to a roof of the vehicle.

A pet access control system according to various aspects of the present technology may comprise a door unit interoperable with a security panel holder. The door unit covers a passage through a structure, such as through the wall or door of a building. The door unit may include a connector that may be mounted on a legacy security panel holder or a dedicated mounting system for the door unit. The door unit may operate in conjunction with a pet identification system to automatically identify and grant access only to authorized pets. In various embodiments, the door unit may be controlled remotely, such as via a web browser on a remote computer or an app running on a smartphone.

A vehicle door control system includes a door assembly, which includes a side door and a liftgate. The door assembly includes an actuation assembly that adjusts each of the side door and the liftgate between opened and closed positions. A sensor assembly defines a rear sensor field, a first side sensor field, and a second side sensor field. A controller determines whether a person in at least one of the rear sensor field, the first side sensor field, and the second side sensor field is a recognized passenger, determines a speed of the recognized passenger, determines whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, and activates the actuation assembly to open at least one of the liftgate and the side door based on whether the recognized passenger is carrying an object, where timing of activation of the actuation assembly is based on the speed of the recognized passenger.

A controlling method of a vehicle includes: detecting a location of a user around the vehicle in response to receiving opening closing signals for opening and closing a power tail gate of the vehicle, respectively; and controlling opening and closing speeds of the power tail gate according to a distance between the vehicle and the user when opening and closing the power tail gate, respectively, in response to receiving the respective opening and closing signals of the power tail gate.