Networked Door Operator Centralized Control System
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing door operator systems only respond to commands provided by local or remote users, lacking the ability to adjust or control door status based on centralized or distributed control systems, environmental variances, or sensor data.
Innovation Solution
A door operator system that communicates with a central control device, distributed control devices, other door operators, or the cloud, incorporating intelligence and learning capabilities to adjust door statuses based on schedules, operational variances, and sensor data, including a locking feature to control door positions and prevent opening.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If door operators respond only to local or remote user commands, then the system is simple to operate, but the system lacks adaptability to environmental variances and centralized control
Solution Approach 1:
The door operator system incorporates sensors that detect environmental conditions (such as temperature, humidity, air quality) and feed this information back to the controller. The controller automatically adjusts door operation parameters based on sensor feedback, enabling adaptability to environmental variances without requiring complex manual intervention
Solution Approach 2:
The door operator system performs self-adjustment based on pre-programmed schedules and sensor data. The controller autonomously determines when doors should open or close, how long they should remain open, and at what speed, without requiring continuous user input. This self-service capability provides adaptability while maintaining operational simplicity
2Productivity
If multiple door operators are controlled by separate local systems, then each door operates independently, but the system lacks centralized coordination and optimization
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple door operator controls into a single centralized controller that manages all door operators within the facility. This unified control system coordinates door operations across multiple entrances and exits, optimizing overall door operation efficiency while maintaining individual door independence through modular communication protocols
Solution Approach 2:
The centralized controller serves multiple functions: it controls all door operators, monitors environmental sensors, manages access credentials, and coordinates with security systems. This multi-functional approach improves overall system productivity by eliminating the need for separate control systems for each door while managing complexity through integrated design
3Productivity
If door operators lack learning capabilities, then the system is easier to manufacture, but the system cannot optimize operations based on usage patterns
Solution Approach 1:
The door operator system incorporates sensors that detect usage patterns (frequency of door opening, time of day, duration of door open state) and feed this data back to the controller. The controller analyzes this feedback and automatically optimizes operational parameters such as door hold-open duration, closing speed, and scheduling, enabling productivity improvement through data-driven decisions
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-programs multiple operational profiles and schedules that can be automatically selected based on detected usage patterns. Rather than requiring complex real-time calculations, the controller chooses from pre-prepared optimization strategies, balancing manufacturing simplicity with operational intelligence
Data Source
AI summary
An access control system for a plurality of door operators that are each respectively coupled to one of a plurality of doors providing an entrance to or exit from a building. A system controller monitors the status of each of the doors real time and controls the operation of each of the door operators based on the monitored status. The system controller adjusts the status of one or more door operators as a function of the determined status of one or more other door operators. Door operator commands are provided by the system controller to selected door operators to, for example, extend the opening time of one or more doors due to current activity by other door closers. The system controller is configured adjust the status of an entire group of doors or a sub-group group of doors depending on the status of the door operators.