Automatic door with simplified setting system of the presence and / or movement sensor

Abstract

An automatic door (100) is described, comprising: at least one movable leaf (105), a motor (110) adapted to activate the leaf (105), an electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) having a predefined detection field (A) and adapted to detect the presence and / or movement within said detection field (A), and an electronic control unit (125) configured to control the operation of the motor (110) based on the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120); wherein the electronic control unit (125) is configured to: show on a display (130) a digital image (D) of the detection field (A), said digital image (D) being generated by said electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) and consisting of a grid of pixels (P), allow selecting at least one set of pixels (P) forming the digital image (D) shown on said display (130), inhibit the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in a portion of the detection field (A) corresponding to the set of selected pixels (P).

Description

[0001] AUTOMATIC DOOR WITH SIMPLIFIED SETTING SYSTEM OF THE PRESENCE

[0002] AND / OR MOVEMENT SENSOR

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to automatic doors, for example sliding, swinging, revolving, telescopic, folding, roto-translating or any other type of door, mainly of the type used at the entrance of the buildings and / or to separate interior rooms thereof.

[0005] Prior art

[0006] As is known, an automatic door generally comprises at least one movable leaf (precisely sliding, swinging, telescopic, etc.), and a motor, typically an electric motor, which is adapted to activate the movement of the leaf, often through an appropriate mechanism.

[0007] The operation of the motor and, consequently, the activation of the leaf is managed by an electronic control unit which usually makes use of an optical presence and / or movement sensor.

[0008] This optical sensor, which may be for example an infrared sensor, detects the presence and / or movement of bodies (people, animals or objects) in an area in front of the door, and the electronic control unit is configured to move the leaf to an open position of the door, when the sensor detects one of these bodies, and to move it to a closed position, when the body is no longer detected.

[0009] A drawback of these systems consists in the possibility of frequent unintentional openings and closures of the door, due for example to the presence, within the area scanned by the optical sensor, of movable objects (e.g. plants, self-propelled devices, etc.), which could make movements due to external stresses (e.g. wind) or due to their operation, or of fixed objects (e.g. desks, drink dispensers, etc.), the use of which may involve the repeated passage of people.

[0010] To counteract this drawback, it is therefore necessary to adjust the area scanned by the optical sensor, in such a way as to exclude as much as possible the areas occupied by the aforesaid objects.

[0011] Nowadays, the optical sensors currently used in the automatic doors are able to scan an area that has an almost constant shape, for example substantially rectangular, which can often only be resized and / or slightly displaced.

[0012] Consequently, the adjustment possibilities are very limited and do not always allow to effectively exclude any critical areas, without compromising or in any case without worsening the efficiency of the automatic door opening and closing system.

[0013] Furthermore, in the current optical sensors, the aforesaid adjustments can only be performed by activating mechanisms (e.g. knobs or levers), for example capable of varying their position and / or orientation, and / or by acting on electronic components (e.g. potentiometers or DIP switches), for example capable of configuring the IR transmitter and / or the IR receiver of the sensor.

[0014] These are therefore activities that generally require the intervention of experienced installation technicians, with specific tools, as well as a rather long execution time, making the adjustment operations of the optical sensor relatively complex and cumbersome.

[0015] Exposure of the invention

[0016] An object of the invention is to solve the mentioned drawbacks of the prior art, by making available an automatic door in which the adjustment of the sensor is easy, quick and intuitive.

[0017] Another object is that of reaching the mentioned objective within the context of a simple, rational and relatively cost-effective solution.

[0018] These and other objects are met thanks to the characteristics of the invention as set forth in the independent claims. The dependent claims outline preferred and / or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention but not strictly necessary for its attainment.

[0019] In particular, an embodiment of the present invention makes available an automatic door, comprising:

[0020] - at least one movable leaf, for example sliding, swinging, revolving, telescopic, folding, roto-translating or any other type,

[0021] - a motor adapted to activate the leaf,

[0022] - an electromagnetic radiation sensor, for example an optical sensor, that for operation detects and / or exploits visible or non-visible light, for example infrared or ultraviolet, or a sensor (e.g. radar) that detects and / or exploits other electromagnetic radiation, for example a microwave or millimetre wave sensor, having a predefined detection field, for example a predefined field of view, and adapted to detect the presence and / or movement within said detection field, and

[0023] - an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the motor based on the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor, wherein the control unit is configured to: - show on a display a digital image of the detection field, said digital image consisting of a grid of pixels, for example but not necessarily in number equal to or greater than 900 pixels, and being preferably but not necessarily generated by said electromagnetic radiation sensor,

[0024] - allow selecting at least one set of the pixels forming the digital image shown on said display,

[0025] - inhibit the electromagnetic radiation sensor from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in a portion of the detection field corresponding to the set of selected pixels.

[0026] Thanks to this solution, the adjustment of the area scanned by the electromagnetic radiation sensor can be carried out by anyone, without the need for any specific instrumentation or expertise.

[0027] In fact, simply by observing the digital image on the display, a user can immediately become aware of the presence, within the detection field of the electromagnetic radiation sensor, of any critical areas, occupied for example by self-propelled devices, plants or objects in proximity of which a frequent presence of people can be expected.

[0028] In an extremely intuitive way, by continuing to observe the digital image on the display, he / she will then be able to select the pixels of one or more image portions, or of one or more portions of the detection field, which include (comprise) the aforesaid critical areas, so that subsequently the electromagnetic radiation sensor, in the normal operation of the automatic door, will not detect or neglect any presence or movement in those areas.

[0029] It should be specified that the selection may be direct, i.e. a selection of the pixels that correspond to the image portion(s) to be inhibited, or an indirect selection, i.e. a selection of the pixels that correspond to the portions to be included in the detection, since the latter also corresponds (by exclusion) to a selection of the pixels to be inhibited.

[0030] According to an aspect of the invention, the electronic control unit can be configured to allow selecting the aforesaid set of pixels through the steps of:

[0031] - showing on the display, superimposed on the digital image, a graphic grid, for example having a number of cells greater than or equal to 20,

[0032] - allowing selecting a plurality of the cells of said graphic grid, and

[0033] - acquiring as a set of selected pixels all the pixels included in the selected cells.

[0034] In this way, especially if the pixels of the digital image are very numerous, it is advantageously possible to make the selection step easier and faster.

[0035] In addition or alternatively, the electronic control unit can be configured to allow selecting the aforesaid set of pixels through the steps of:

[0036] - allowing tracking, superimposed on the digital image, a closed line defining a perimeter,

[0037] - acquiring as a set of selected pixels all the pixels outside said perimeter.

[0038] Thanks to this solution, the selection of the set of pixels can be more intuitive and even faster.

[0039] In any case, the set of selected pixels will be able to define a portion of the detection field having size, position and shape as desired (although remaining within the detection field), thereby allowing an extremely precise, versatile and effective adjustment of the area in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor will be inhibited from carrying out the detection.

[0040] In this way, the automatic door can be easily and quickly adapted to any environmental context, without compromising or worsening its functionality.

[0041] Another important advantage of this solution is that, thanks to the wide versatility of adjustment, it is possible to make automatic doors of different types and / or sizes and / or number of movable leaves using a single model of electromagnetic radiation sensor.

[0042] For example, whether the automatic door is large, or the automatic door is small, it may comprise the same electromagnetic radiation sensor model, having a detection field large enough to cover the areas in front of the larger doors, then simply resize / shape, each time, the portion of the detection field in which the sensor will carry out the detection and excluding the others.

[0043] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the electromagnetic radiation sensor may comprise a so-called TOF-camera (Time Of Flight Camera).

[0044] It is a device that measures the time it takes for a signal (usually a pulse of light or an electromagnetic wave) to travel from the device to an object and back.

[0045] In this way, the time-of-flight camera is able to establish the distance between itself and all objects within its detection field, thus being able to immediately and reliably recognize the presence of bodies (people, animals and / or objects) and / or their movement.

[0046] Through this technology, the time-of-flight camera is also able to generate the digital image of the detection field. In particular, said time-of-flight camera can be adapted to generate the digital image, for example in the form of a grayscale digital image, and a depth map of the detection field. A depth map is essentially a digital image of the detection field, where however each pixel of the image has a colouring representative of the time of flight or equivalently of the distance of the corresponding point in space with respect to the camera.

[0047] This depth map can then be used (e.g. analysed) by the electromagnetic radiation sensor to detect the presence and / or movement of bodies that are, or come to be, in the detection field.

[0048] The digital image (e.g. in grayscale) can instead be used to allow selecting the portion of the detection field in which to carry out the aforesaid detection, as explained above.

[0049] In this context, it is preferable that the depth map consists of the same pixels as the digital image, i.e. the same number and / or arrangement.

[0050] In other words, it is preferable that the grid of pixels forming the digital image coincide with the grid of pixels forming the depth map.

[0051] With this measure, in fact, a perfect match is obtained between the portion of the detection field defined by the selected pixels on the digital image and the portion of the detection field in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor is effectively inhibited from detecting presences and / or movements.

[0052] However, it is not excluded that, in other less precise but nonetheless functional embodiments, the grid of pixels forming the digital image may simply be superimposable on the grid of pixels forming the depth map, for example that each pixel of the first corresponds to a plurality of pixels of the second or vice versa.

[0053] It is also not excluded that, in some embodiments, the depth map generated by the time- of-flight camera may also constitute the digital image on which to base the selection of pixels.

[0054] That is, it is not excluded that the time-of-flight camera can only be adapted to generate the depth map and that it is directly shown on the display to select the pixels.

[0055] Finally, it is not excluded that the electromagnetic radiation sensor may comprise a video camera (or camera) of another type, for example for taking traditional digital images and / or a stereoscopic camera, and that it is adapted to detect the presence and / or movement for example by means of visual processing software of such images.

[0056] In this case, at least one of the digital images taken by the video camera can also be shown on the display, as part of the selection of pixels and therefore of the definition of the portion of the detection field in which to inhibit the detections of the electromagnetic radiation sensor.

[0057] According to a preferred aspect of the invention, the display on which the digital image is shown may be a touchscreen.

[0058] Thanks to this solution, incorporating both an output device (viewer display) and an input device (touch panel), the touchscreen makes pixel selection extremely intuitive and simple.

[0059] In other embodiments, however, the display could only be a viewer display and the electronic control unit could be connected with a different input device, for example with a keyboard, a mouse or other, adapted to allow the manual selection of the pixels of the digital image that is shown on the display.

[0060] In any case, another preferred aspect of the invention provides that the display, and possibly the related input device, may belong to a portable electronic device, for example a smartphone, a tablet computer or a laptop computer, which is connected (or connectable) with the electronic control unit via a wireless or wired connection.

[0061] In this way, the pixel selection activities are even more convenient and can be carried out on multiple automatic ports always using the same portable device.

[0062] Another embodiment of the present invention also makes available a method for setting (adjusting) an automatic door, wherein the automatic door comprises:

[0063] - at least one movable leaf,

[0064] - a motor adapted to activate the leaf,

[0065] - an electromagnetic radiation sensor, for example an optical sensor or a sensor (e.g. radar) that detects and / or exploits other electromagnetic radiation, for example a microwave and / or millimetre wave sensor, having a predefined detection field, for example a predefined field of view, and adapted to detect the presence and / or movement within said detection field, and

[0066] - an electronic control unit configured to control the operation of the motor based on the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor, and wherein the method provides the steps of:

[0067] - showing on a display a digital image of the detection field, said digital image consisting of a grid of pixels and being preferably but not necessarily generated by said electromagnetic radiation sensor,

[0068] - selecting at least one set of the pixels forming the digital image shown on said display,

[0069] - inhibiting the electromagnetic radiation sensor from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in a portion of the detection field corresponding to the set of selected pixels.

[0070] This embodiment of the invention achieves the same effects and advantages that have been previously described with reference to the automatic door, in particular that of simplifying, speeding up and making it more intuitive to adjust the areas scanned by the electromagnetic radiation sensor.

[0071] All subordinate aspects of the invention outlined with reference to the automatic door are understood to be naturally applicable, mutatis mutandis, also to the corresponding adjustment method.

[0072] Brief description of the drawings

[0073] Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

[0074] Figure 1 is a front view of an automatic door according to an embodiment of the present invention, the leaves of the automatic door being in the closed position.

[0075] Figure 2 is the automatic door of Figure 1 shown with the leaves in the open position and in which some elements have been omitted to highlight other details of the automatic door.

[0076] Figure 3 is a side view of the automatic door in Figure 1 .

[0077] Figure 4 is a plan view from the automatic door in Figure 1 .

[0078] Figure 5 shows the display of a smartphone on which the digital image of the detection field of the electromagnetic radiation sensor of the automatic door of Figure 1 is shown, before the selection of the pixels.

[0079] Figure 6 shows the display of Figure 5, after selection of the pixels of the digital image.

[0080] Detailed description

[0081] With exemplary and non-limiting reference to the aforesaid Figures, an automatic door 100 is described below.

[0082] The automatic door 100 can be used as a front door of buildings or to separate interior rooms thereof.

[0083] However, it is not excluded that a similar automatic door 100 can be used for other purposes, for example to open and close storage compartments of warehouses or container furniture.

[0084] In general, the automatic door 100 is adapted to be applied to an opening, obtained for example in a wall structure or in any other structure, and comprises one or more movable leaves 105, each of which can assume a closed position, in which it at least partially obstructs the opening, for example to prevent the passage of people, animals or objects, and an open position, in which it allows said passage.

[0085] In the example shown, the automatic door 100 comprises in particular two movable leaves 105 which, when both are in the closed position (see Fig. 1 ), can completely obstruct the opening, while when both are in the open position (see Fig. 3), maximize the degree of opening thereof.

[0086] In other embodiments, the automatic door 100 could however comprise a single movable leaf 105 or a number of movable leaves 105 greater than the two illustrated.

[0087] In the example shown, each movable leaf 105 of the automatic door 100 is of the sliding type.

[0088] However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the movable leaves 105 of the automatic door 100 may be swinging, revolving, telescopic, folding, roto-translating or any other type.

[0089] The automatic door 100 further comprises at least one motor 110, preferably an electric motor, which is generally adapted to activate the movement of one or more (or all) of the movable leaves 105, for example through a suitable activation mechanism.

[0090] In the illustrated embodiment (see Fig. 2), the automatic door 100 comprises, for example, a single motor 110, which is adapted to activate the movement of both movable leaves 105, preferably through a belt or chain transmission system 115.

[0091] However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the automatic door 100 may comprise, for each movable leaf 105, a respective motor 110 and possibly a respective activation mechanism.

[0092] In any case, the automatic door 100 also comprises an electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, which is adapted to detect the presence and / or movement of bodies (e.g. people, animals or objects) in an area S in front of the automatic door 100, from one of the two sides thereof.

[0093] This electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 can be positioned at a higher level than the movable leaves 105 and, for example, substantially in the middle of the opening to which the automatic door 100 is associated.

[0094] Preferably, the automatic door 100 may also comprise a second analogous electromagnetic radiation sensor (not illustrated), also adapted to detect the presence and / or movement of bodies (e.g. people, animals or objects) in an area in front of the automatic door 100, but on the opposite side with respect to the area S scanned by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0095] The automatic door 100 finally comprises an electronic control unit 125, illustrated only schematically in the figures, which is configured to control the operation of the motor 110 on the basis of (in response to) the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0096] For example, the electronic control unit 125 may be configured to activate the motor 110 to move the movable leaves 105 towards the open position, when the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 detects the presence and / or movement of a body in the area in front of the automatic door 100; and to allow the movement of the movable leaves 105 towards the closed position when said presence and / or movement is no longer detected by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0097] The movement towards the closed position can be obtained by the electronic control unit 125 by actively activating the motor 110 in the opposite direction, or by simply ensuring that the latter does not oppose a recall action operated for example by a spring system. Returning to the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 it may be an optical sensor, i.e. a sensor that detects and / or exploits visible or non-visible light, for example infrared or ultraviolet, or a sensor (e.g. radar) that detects and / or exploits other electromagnetic radiation, for example a microwave or millimetre wave sensor.

[0098] In any case, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 generally has a predefined detection field A, for example a predefined field of view, where by detection field (or field of view) is meant the portion of (three-dimensional) space that the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, for example the optical sensor or the radar, is able to perceive / frame / monitor. The detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 is generally oriented downward and its intersection with the floor defines the area S that the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 is capable of scanning.

[0099] Any body entering and / or moving within the detection field A, for example but not necessarily being in the area S, can be detected by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 and, as mentioned, cause for example the opening of the movable leaves 105 of the automatic door 100.

[0100] It should be specified here that, in order to carry out this detection and all the other functions that have been and / or will be described herein, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 may make use of electronic apparatuses, for example processors or microprocessors.

[0101] These electronic apparatuses can be distinguished from the electronic control unit 125 and be in communication with it for data transmission, or they can coincide with the electronic control unit 125 or in any case be part of it.

[0102] In other words, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 may be equipped with electronic apparatuses dedicated to the execution of its functions, or the operations / processing carried out by these electronic apparatuses, or a part thereof, could be carried out directly by the electronic control unit 125.

[0103] That said, in addition to detecting presence and / or movement, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 can be adapted to generate (e.g. similarly to a camera or video camera) a digital image D of its detection field A.

[0104] In other words, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 can be adapted to capture / frame the entire portion of space that falls within its detection field A (the same detection field A in which it is adapted to carry out the presence and / or movement detection) and to produce a digital image D (typically two-dimensional) of the portion of space thus cap- tured / framed.

[0105] However, it is not excluded that the digital image D can be generated by a device (e.g. video camera or camera) separated from the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, provided that the framing of said device (and therefore the digital image D) coincides with the detection field A.

[0106] The digital image D may consist of a plurality of pixels P, preferably arranged according to a grid distribution.

[0107] For example, the digital image D may be rectangular and the grid of pixels P may comprise rows and columns (of pixels) oriented parallel to the longer sides and respectively to the shorter sides of the rectangle, i.e. to its width and height.

[0108] The pixels P forming the digital image D are represented, by way of example only, in Figures 5 and 6. Figures 1 and 4 show the area S falling within the detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 ideally divided into portions corresponding to the pixels P of the digital image D.

[0109] Obviously, the number, shape and arrangement of the pixels P represented in the figures is merely indicative. In particular, the sizes of the pixels P were significantly increased to make them understandable.

[0110] In fact, it is preferable, although not necessary, that the digital image D generated by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 comprises a number of pixels P equal to or greater than 900. Indicatively, the width of the grid of pixels P forming the digital image D may be equal to or greater than 36 pixels, while the height thereof may be greater than or equal to 25 pixels.

[0111] In general, the digital image D may be indifferently either coloured or grayscale, as long as it corresponds exactly to an image of the detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, i.e. of the space in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 is able to carry out the detection.

[0112] In order to be able both to detect the presences and / or movements and to generate the digital image D, the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 may comprise a time-of-flight camera, i.e. a so-called TOF-camera (Time Of Flight Camera), whose field of view constitutes the detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0113] As explained above, a time-of-flight camera is a device that measures the time it takes for a signal (usually a light pulse or an electromagnetic wave, for example an infrared light pulse) to travel from the device to an object and back.

[0114] Therefore, the time-of-flight camera can generally comprise an apparatus for emitting the light pulse (e.g. infrared) and a member (e.g. chip) sensitive to the emitted light pulse, which is adapted to detect the moment when said pulse returns to the device,

[0115] Similar to the sensitive member of any other camera or video camera, the sensitive member of the time-of-flight camera is able to perceive light only within a predefined portion of the surrounding space, which defines the field of view of the camera and, consequently, the detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0116] The time-of-flight camera may also comprise electronic apparatuses, connected with the emission apparatuses and with the sensitive element, which are adapted to measure the time of flight and possibly (but not necessarily) to calculate the distance.

[0117] The distance can for example be calculated using the formula: where c is the speed of the light pulse and t is the measured time.

[0118] The electronic apparatuses of the time-of-flight camera can be distinguished from the electronic apparatuses of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, or they can coincide with the latter or at least be part of them.

[0119] In other words, it is possible that the time-of-flight camera constitutes or is integrated into the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0120] In any case, the electronic apparatuses of the time-of-flight camera can be adapted to generate a depth map of the portion of space falling within the detection field A.

[0121] A depth map is basically a digital image of the detection field A, where each pixel of the image has a colouring representative of the time of flight and therefore of the distance of the corresponding point in space with respect to the camera.

[0122] This depth map, for example the variation to which this map may be subject over time, can be analysed by the electronic apparatus of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 to recognize the presence and / or movement of bodies that are, or come to be, in the detection field A.

[0123] In addition to generating the depth map, through the same sensitive element, the time-of- flight camera may also be able to generate a digital image of the detection field A, for example in grayscale, which may constitute the aforesaid digital image D.

[0124] Being generated by the same sensitive element, this digital image D can be composed of a grid of pixels coincident or in any case superimposable with the grid of pixels that forms the depth map.

[0125] However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the depth map and the digital image D can be generated by distinct sensitive elements of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, provided that they have the same detection field A and that, preferably, they are capable of generating images formed by coincident or at least superimposable pixel grids. On the other hand, it is also not excluded that, in some embodiments, the digital image D may be directly constituted by the depth map used for detection.

[0126] Finally, it is also not excluded that the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 may comprise a video camera (or camera) of another type, for example for taking traditional digital images, and that its electronic apparatuses are adapted to detect the presence and / or movement for example by means of visual processing algorithms of such images.

[0127] In this case, at least one of the digital images taken by the video camera may constitute the digital image D.

[0128] However, by exploiting the digital image D, the electronic control unit 125 may be configured to allow a setting (or adjustment) of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120.

[0129] Specifically, the electronic control unit 125 may be configured to show said digital image D on a display 130 (see Fig. 5), for example on the display of an electronic device 135.

[0130] Preferably, this electronic device 135 is a smartphone or any other portable electronic device, for example a tablet computer or a laptop computer, which can be connected to the electronic control unit 125 via a wireless connection.

[0131] However, it is not excluded that, in other embodiments, the electronic device 135 may be a fixed device and / or that it may be connected (or connectable) with the electronic control unit 125 via a wired connection system.

[0132] The electronic control unit 125 can then be configured to allow, for example to a user, the selection, for example manually, of at least one set (or subset) of the pixels P forming the digital image D shown on the display 130.

[0133] Such selection may take place through an input device, such as a keyboard or mouse, associated with the electronic device 135 and / or the electronic control unit 125.

[0134] More preferably, the display 130 may however be a touchscreen (monitor) and the selection of the pixels P of the digital image D may take place by direct contact with the display 130 itself.

[0135] In any case, once the selection has been made, the electronic control unit 125 may be configured to inhibit the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in the portion of the detection field A corresponding to the set of selected pixels.

[0136] This limitation can be obtained simply by disregarding any presences and / or movements detected within the selected portion, or by excluding a priori the portions of the detection field A that are within the selected portion from the logics (algorithms) that allow to detect any presences and / or movements.

[0137] For example, in the case of using the depth map, the electronic control unit 125 may ignore, in evaluating the presence and / or movement, all the pixels of the depth map corresponding to the selected pixels of the digital image D.

[0138] It is wished to remind that the selection of pixels P of the digital image D can be direct or indirect.

[0139] In a direct selection, the user may be prompted to select pixels P corresponding to the portion of the detection field A in which he / she desires the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 to be inoperative, i.e., in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 has not to carry out the detection.

[0140] In an indirect selection, the user may instead be prompted to select the pixels P corresponding to the portion of the detection field A in which he / she wishes the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 to be operative, i.e. in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 remains able to perform the detections.

[0141] Also in this second case, in fact, a selection of the pixels P in which the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120 is inhibited is automatically obtained by exclusion.

[0142] To make the selection particularly convenient and intuitive, the electronic control unit 125 can be configured to show on the display 130, superimposed on the digital image D, a graphic grid G and to allow selecting groups of cells of said graphic grid G.

[0143] In the illustrated example, the graphic grid G coincides with the grid of pixels P that form the digital image D.

[0144] Especially if the digital image D was formed by a very high number of pixels P, the graphic grid G could however only be superimposed on the grid of pixels P of the digital image D, and each cell of the graphic grid G could therefore contain a plurality of said pixels P.

[0145] Thus, for example, by selecting a cell of the graphic grid G, the user will be able to automatically select all the corresponding pixels P of the digital image D.

[0146] By way of example, it is preferable that the graphic grid G is formed by a number of cells greater than or equal to 20.

[0147] In addition or alternatively, the electronic control unit 125 may be configured to allow tracking, superimposed on the digital image D, for example by the user, a closed line defining a perimeter, and to acquire as a set of selected pixels P all the pixels P outside said perimeter.

[0148] Regardless of the mode of selection, the proposed solution advantageously allows anyone to carry out the setting / adjustment of the area scanned by the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, without the need for any specific instrumentation or expertise. In fact, by simply observing the digital image D on the display 130, the user can immediately become aware of the presence, within the detection field A of the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, of any critical areas, for example areas that are occupied by plants, self-propelled devices or objects, such as a coffee table T, in proximity of which the frequent presence of people can be expected, and which could therefore cause repeated unintentional openings of the automatic door 100.

[0149] In an extremely intuitive way, by continuing to observe the digital image D on the display 130, the user will then be able to select the pixels P of a portion of the digital image D, that is, of a portion of the detection field A, which comprises the aforesaid critical zones - in the example of Figure 6 the pixels P marked by a cross - so that subsequently the electromagnetic radiation sensor 120, in the normal operation of the automatic door 100, will not be able to detect any presences and / or movements in those zones.

[0150] Obviously, a person skilled in the art will be able to make numerous technical-applicative modifications, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention as hereinbelow claimed.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An automatic door (100) comprising:- at least one movable leaf (105),- a motor (110) adapted to activate the leaf (105),- an electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) having a predefined detection field (A) and adapted to detect the presence and / or movement within said detection field (A), and- an electronic control unit (125) configured to control the operation of the motor (110) based on the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120), wherein the electronic control unit (125) is configured to:- show on a display (130) a digital image (D) of the detection field (A), said digital image (D) consisting of a grid of pixels (P),- allow selecting at least one set of the pixels (P) forming the digital image (D) shown on said display (130),- inhibit the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in a portion of the detection field (A) corresponding to the set of selected pixels (P).

2. An automatic door (100) according to claim 1 , wherein the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) comprises a time-of-flight camera.

3. An automatic door (100) according to claim 2, wherein said time-of-flight camera is adapted to generate the digital image (D) and a depth map of the detection field.

4. An automatic door (100) according to claim 3, wherein said electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) is adapted to detect the presence and / or movement through an analysis of said depth map.

5. An automatic door (100) according to claim 3 or 4, wherein said depth map consists of the same pixels (P) as the digital image (D).

6. An automatic door (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (125) is configured to allow selecting said set of pixels (P) through the steps of:- showing on the display (130), superimposed on the digital image (D), a graphic grid (G),- allowing selecting one or more cells of said graphic grid (G), and- acquiring as a set of pixels (P) all the pixels (P) included in the selected cells.

7. An automatic door (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the electronic control unit (125) is configured to allow selecting said set of pixels through the steps of:- allowing tracking, superimposed on the digital image (D), a closed line defining a perimeter,- acquiring as a set of selected pixels (P) all the pixels (P) outside said perimeter.

8. An automatic door (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display (130) is a touch screen.

9. An automatic door (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said display (130) belongs to a portable electronic device (135) adapted to be connected with the electronic control unit (125) by a wireless or wired connection.

10. A method for setting an automatic door (100), wherein the automatic door (100) comprises:- at least one movable leaf (105),- a motor (110) adapted to activate the leaf (105),- an electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) having a predefined detection field (A) and adapted to detect the presence and / or movement within said detection field (A), and- an electronic control unit (125) configured to control the operation of the motor (110) based on the detection carried out by the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120), and wherein the method provides the steps of:- showing on a display (130) a digital image (D) of the detection field (A), said digital image (D) consisting of a grid of pixels (P),- selecting at least one set of the pixels (P) forming the digital image (D) shown on said display (130),- inhibiting the electromagnetic radiation sensor (120) from carrying out the presence and / or movement detection in a portion of the detection field (A) corresponding to the set of selected pixels (P).

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