IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,337,232
Granted Patent B2
US 10,337,232 · App. 14/773,154 · Granted Jul 2, 2019

Method for opening doors

Inventors: Paul Nicholay Fagersand (Oslo, NO); Audun Olav Brandal (Oslo, NO)
Assignee: STOPLIGHT AS
E05F15/73E05F15/78E05F15/79E05Y2400/44E05Y2400/82E05Y2400/852E05Y2400/858E05Y2400/86E05Y2800/00E05Y2800/106
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,337,232
App. No.
14/773,154
Granted
Jul 2, 2019
Kind
B2
Abstract

A method and device for opening a door in a hygienic manner, is done by positioning a foot or hand in a specific defined area so that a light beam that is directed towards the area is interrupted within a set range of distances such that an automatic opening mechanism for the door is activated.

Claims (18)

1. A method for opening a door in a hygienic manner, comprising:

emitting and directing a single light beam from a device contained in a door switch towards a specific defined area on a floor;

placing a foot on the defined area which is a marked spot on the floor in the proximity to a door to be opened;

detecting whether the single light beam is interrupted and also a distance from the device emitting the light beam to where in a path of the single light beam the interruption occurred; and

activating an opening mechanism for the door when the distance is within a set range of distances corresponding only to a particular distance above the marked spot along the path of the single light beam.

2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein in the activating step, the opening mechanism for the door is activated when the single light beam is interrupted for a given length of time, and within the set range of distances along the path of the single light beam.

3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the marked spot on the floor is configured as a print of a foot.

4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the marked spot on the floor is placed next to a wall in proximity of a door that is to be opened.

5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the marked spot on the floor is placed in a natural walking zone 1 to 3 meters from the door to be opened.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the marked spot on the floor is raised so that the marked spot on the floor can be felt.

7. A method for opening a door in a hygienic manner, comprising:

emitting and directing a single light beam from a device contained in a door switch towards a specific defined area on a ceiling;

moving a hand above head height towards the defined area which is a marked spot on the ceiling in the proximity to a door to be opened;

detecting whether the single light beam is interrupted and also a distance from the device emitting the light beam to where in a path of the single light beam the interruption occurred; and

activating an opening mechanism for the door when the distance is within a set range of distances corresponding only to a particular distance below the marked spot along the path of the single light beam.

8. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the marked spot on the ceiling is configured as a print of a hand.

9. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the marked spot on the ceiling is placed next to a wall of the door that is to be opened.

10. The method according to claim 7 , wherein the marked spot on the ceiling is placed in a natural walking zone 2 to 5 meters from the door to be opened.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 10, 2015
From: FAGERSAND, PAUL NICHOLAY; BRANDAL, AUDUN OLAV
To: STOPLIGHT AS
Reel/Frame 036530/0304 →
Priority Claims (1)
NO 20130351 · Mar 7, 2013 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20160010383A1 · Jan 14, 2016
Cited By (1)
US 12,442,166