User sensing exit device

1. A method, comprising:

retrofitting an existing door operator assembly to thereby provide a retrofitted door operator assembly, wherein the existing door operator assembly comprises a latch and lacks a user-sensing device, and wherein the retrofitting comprises:

installing a sensor to the existing door operator assembly; and

placing the sensor in communication with a latch actuator; and

operating the retrofitted door operator assembly, wherein the operating comprises:

sensing, with the sensor, a user located a distance from the sensor; and

in response to the sensing, transmitting an actuating signal to the latch actuator; and

in response to the actuating signal, operating the latch actuator to transition the latch from a latched state to an unlatched state; and

wherein the installing comprises replacing a removable component of the existing door operator assembly with a retrofit component comprising a window through which the sensor is operable to sense the user.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the door operator assembly comprises an exit device.

3. The method of claim 2 , wherein installing the sensor to the existing door operator assembly comprises installing the sensor to the exit device, and wherein the removable component of the existing door operator assembly is a removable component of the exit device.

4. The method of claim 2 , wherein operating the latch actuator includes transitioning the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state before the user exerts a force on either the exit device or a door to which the exit device is mounted.

5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the exit device is mounted to a door, and wherein transitioning the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state reduces a force required to open the door.

6. The method of claim 2 , wherein operating the latch actuator includes transitioning the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state before the user reaches the exit device.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the sensing the user comprises detecting the user in response to the user performing a predetermined gesture.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the door operator assembly is coupled with a door, and wherein transitioning the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state reduces a force required to open the door.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the retrofitting provides the retrofitted door operator assembly with a user-sensing capability not previously present in the existing door operator assembly.

10. A method, comprising:

retrofitting an existing door operator assembly to thereby provide a retrofitted door operator assembly, wherein the existing door operator assembly comprises a latch, and wherein the retrofitting comprises:

removing a removable component of the existing door operator assembly;

replacing the removable component with a retrofit component comprising a window through which a sensor is operable to sense a user located a distance from the sensor; and

placing the sensor in communication with a latch actuator; and

operating the retrofitted door operator assembly, comprising:

sensing, with the sensor, the user located the distance from the sensor;

in response to the sensing, transmitting an actuating signal to the latch actuator; and

in response to the actuating signal, operating the latch actuator to transition the latch from a latched state to an unlatched state;

wherein the door operator assembly comprises an exit device including a housing assembly and a push pad movably mounted to the housing assembly;

wherein the sensor is mounted to the exit device;

wherein the door operator assembly is coupled with a door and further comprises a powered door operator; and

wherein the method further comprises operating the powered door operator to reduce a force required to open the door.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the push pad is movably mounted to the housing assembly and is operable to move the latch from the latched state to the unlatched state.

12. A method, comprising:

retrofitting an exit device including a removable component, wherein the retrofitting comprises replacing the removable component with a retrofit component of a retrofit kit, the retrofit kit further comprising a sensor mounted to the retrofit component and a controller electrically coupled to the sensor;

the retrofit kit configured to perform the steps of:

(a) detecting, via the sensor, a user located a distance from the sensor, the sensor transmitting an output signal in response to the detecting;

(b) receiving the output signal by the controller, the controller transmitting an actuating signal in response to receiving the output signal; and

(c) receiving the actuating signal at a latch actuator, thereby actuating the latch actuator.

13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the actuating the latch actuator results in transitioning a latch mechanism between a latched state and an unlatched state.

14. The method of claim 13 , wherein transitioning the latch mechanism between the latched state and the unlatched state occurs before the user reaches the exit device.

15. The method of claim 13 , wherein transitioning the latch mechanism between the latched state and the unlatched state occurs before the user exerts a force on the exit device.

16. The method of claim 12 , wherein the removable component comprises one of a push pad, a mechanical case, or a center case.

17. The method of claim 12 , wherein actuating the latch actuator reduces a force required to open a door on which the exit device is mounted.

18. The method of claim 12 , wherein the retrofitting provides the exit device with a user-sensing capability not previously present in the exit device.

19. A method, comprising:

retrofitting an existing door operator assembly to thereby provide a retrofitted door operator assembly, the existing door operator assembly comprising a removable component and a latch, wherein the retrofitting comprises:

replacing the removable component with a retrofit component, the retrofit component comprising a sensor opening and a sensor aligned with the sensor opening, wherein the removable component lacks an opening corresponding to the sensor opening; and

placing the sensor in communication with a latch actuator such that the latch actuator retracts the latch in response to the sensor detecting a user located a distance from the sensor.

20. The method of claim 19 , further comprising operating the retrofitted door operator assembly, wherein the operating comprises:

detecting, by the sensor, the user located the distance from the sensor;

in response to the sensing, transmitting an actuating signal to the latch actuator; and

in response to the actuating signal, operating the latch actuator to transition the latch from a latched state to an unlatched state.