Automatic Door Behavior Detection for Adaptive Movement Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing automatic door systems are agnostic to the actual desire of the person or object to pass through the door, often opening indiscriminately, which can lead to inefficient or unsafe door operations.

Innovation Solution

A method for operating an automatic door system using an analysis unit with a measure module and an adaption module to determine and adapt to the expected behavior of detected objects, considering individual and kinematic properties, and using machine learning algorithms to predict and adjust door movements based on real-time feedback.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the door system opens the door for any person or object close to the door using a simple proximity sensor, then the door system is simple and easy to operate, but the door system is agnostic and cannot determine the actual desire of the person to pass through the door

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveease of operationVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system continuously captures images, recognizes objects, determines their behavior (expected and actual), and uses this feedback loop to adapt the measure module. The feedback mechanism allows the system to learn from actual object behavior and improve its ability to determine whether objects want to pass through the door, resolving the contradiction between simplicity and adaptability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary actions by capturing images and recognizing objects before the door operation occurs. By determining the expected behavior and actual behavior of objects in advance, the system can make informed decisions about door operation, improving adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Device complexity

If the door system always opens the door in the same manner, then the door system is simple to control, but the door system cannot provide door movement specific to the actual situation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice complexityVSAvoidadaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The system dynamically adjusts door operation measures based on the determined behavior of detected objects. Instead of fixed door opening patterns, the system adapts its behavior in real-time based on whether objects are expected to pass through the door, providing situation-specific door movements while maintaining relatively simple control logic through the automated measure determination process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes operational parameters (door opening speed, opening angle, timing) based on the determined measure from object behavior analysis. By adjusting these parameters dynamically, the system provides adaptability without significantly increasing device complexity, as the changes are driven by automated image recognition and behavior determination.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

3Measurement precision

If the door system uses advanced technologies like radar or camera to detect persons' intent, then the door system can determine whether a person wants to pass through, but the system becomes more complex and requires location-specific calibration

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement precisionVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a camera that serves multiple functions: detecting objects, recognizing them, determining their behavior, and providing continuous monitoring feedback. This multi-functional approach improves measurement precision for determining object intent while avoiding the need for multiple separate sensors, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs self-calibration and adaptation by continuously learning from actual object behavior through the adaption module. Instead of requiring manual location-specific calibration, the system automatically adjusts its behavior based on feedback from real-world observations, improving measurement precision while reducing the complexity of installation and configuration.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

4Productivity

If the door system continuously monitors and adapts to object behavior, then the door system can provide situation-specific door movements, but the system requires continuous image capture and analysis which increases processing complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveproductivityVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs image capture, object recognition, and behavior determination at periodic intervals rather than continuously processing every possible data point. This periodic approach allows the system to maintain high productivity by responding timely to object behavior while limiting processing complexity through structured, interval-based analysis rather than constant monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

Data Source

PatentEP4405553B1Method for operating an automatic door system as well as system having an automatic door system
Publication Date: 2025.08.20 ASSA ABLOY ENTRANCE SYST AB
  • EP4405553B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4405553B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4405553B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

A method for operating an automatic door system (14) is provided. The door system (14) comprises at least one door (16), at least one drive unit (22), a camera (24) and an analysis unit (12) having a measure module (32) and an adaption module (34). The method comprises the following steps: recognizing at least one object by the analysis unit (12) in a recording, determining a measure based on the recognized object and the expected behavior using the measure module (32), controlling the drive unit (22) according to the determined measure, recognizing the actual behavior of the object in the recording after the drive unit (22) has been actuated, determining a deviation of the actual behavior from the expected behavior, and adapting the measure module (32) based on the deviation by the adaption module (34). Further, a system (10) is provided.