Electro-mechanical and electronically controlled access devices are described for automatically controlling passage between two areas, and where a plurality of such access control devices may be ganged or clustered to provided additional throughput and directional control, including stacking a plurality of access control devices side by side within a cluster. Each access control device contains multiple rotatable and moveable door panels. The door panels are controlled by various drive mechanisms to enable passage through the device, while ensuring by the use of sensors that door panels avoid touching subjects as they traverse the device. The direction of flow through a device according to these embodiments is electronically controlled and may be changed from time to time. At any instant in time while being traversed, the flow through each device is unidirectional. Multiple devices within a cluster can be directionally controlled according to traffic, demand, time of day, or other factors.

A system and method for communicating with a barrier operator system to direct operation of a barrier. The system and method may include adaptively updating an expected time duration for an operational sequence that includes occurrence of an event relating to operation of the barrier operator system and receipt of a status message from the barrier operator system. The system may monitor and record the elapsed time for the operational sequence, and determine the expected time duration for the operational sequence based on the recorded history of elapsed times. If the status message is not received within the expected time duration after occurrence of the event, the system may transmit a status request message to the barrier operator system to obtain information relating to the status of the barrier operator system or the barrier, or both.

A refrigerator and a method for controlling the same are disclosed, which may automatically open or close a door and a method for controlling the same. The refrigerator may automatically open or close door(s) of the refrigerator by controlling a motor. After lapse of a predetermined time after the door of the refrigerator has been closed, the refrigerator operates a motor with an output used when the door is not opened, such that the refrigerator may remove noise while simultaneously maintaining a constant door opening time when the door is opened. In addition, when the door opening signal time is detected, the refrigerator may immediately opens the door.

An example door closer includes a casing and a pinion rotatably mounted to the casing. The pinion is operable to rotate through a plurality of movement zones, and the door closer is configured to exert forces on the pinion as the pinion moves through the plurality of movement zones. The door closer further includes a plurality of adjustment mechanisms, each operable to adjust the force exerted on the pinion as the pinion travels through a corresponding movement zone. The casing is provided with indicia that correlate each of the adjustment mechanisms to the corresponding movement zone.

A system is provided which is designed for the management of the data and data files associated with the manufacturing, installation, operation and maintenance of a door motor control system typically found on industrial doors and gates. The system uses elements and programs useful to anyone familiar with common technologies such as APPs on Smartphones, thumb drives and touch screen display technologies. Since this familiarity already exists as a standard expertise among a broad range of people, the training component necessary to achieve competency in the field of motorized doors can be greatly reduced.

A method, apparatus and system is disclosed for automatically opening and closing a garage door without user intervention. A vehicle-mounted mobile transmitter autonomously and continuously transmits a repeating signal pattern when power is applied to the transmitter as a vehicle is started by a user. A movable barrier gateway device receives the signals from the mobile transmitter and compares an identification code contained in each of the signals to an identification code stored in memory. When a match is found, the movable barrier gateway device sends a signal to a movable barrier controller to open the garage door, and keep the door open as long as the movable barrier gateway continues to receive the signals from the mobile transmitter.

One general aspect includes a method to indicate the space available to open a vehicle door, the method including: sensing, via a processor, a horizontal distance between the vehicle door and an object in an environment surrounding a vehicle; determining, via the processor, if the horizontal distance is greater than or less than a first threshold value; determining, via the processor, if the horizontal distance is greater than or less than a second threshold value; and providing, via the processor, an indicator based on the determination of whether the horizontal distance is greater than or less than the first threshold value and the determination of whether the horizontal distance is greater than or less than the second threshold value.

A secure passageway is described where a subject is required to pass through two or more chambers in order to travel between two areas, typically where one area is secure and the other is not. For a passageway including first and second chambers, three electronically controlled doorways are included: one between the two chambers; one between a first chamber and a first area; and one between the second chamber and a second area. Sensors are included to determine how many subjects have entered a chamber. Sensors are also included to determine if a subject represents a threat. Subjects determined to represent a threat may be detained or encouraged to reverse direction and exit the passageway through the door where they entered. When a subject is determined to represent a threat, an alarm is optionally sounded.

An interlocking occupant step apparatus and method for a vehicle, includes a powered door, a powered occupant step, a kick sensor, and a controller having processing circuitry. While in an interlocking state, the processing circuitry detects a first gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a kick, upon detection of the first gesture signal, controls operation of the powered occupant step to move the occupant step to an extended position, and controls operation of the powered door to move to an opened position. The processing circuitry detects a second gesture signal from the kick sensor, for example resulting from a lateral swing, the second gesture signal being for a second gesture different from the first gesture. Upon detection of the second gesture signal, the processing circuitry switches to a non-interlocking state.

The present invention provides a storage system that is capable of actively monitoring the state of the product being stored and providing remote notifications to the user regarding the state of the stored product.