Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically controlling the opening and closing of a door by: (a) ultrasonically monitoring a predetermined approach area located in front of the door for the entry of an object into the approach area and the movement of the object towards the closed door; (b) ultrasonically monitoring a predetermined opening-door protect area laterally outwardly of the outer end of the closed door, and a predetermined closing-door protect area inwardly of the inner end of the door for the presence of an object in the opening-door and closing-door protect areas; and (c) controlling a drive in response to the above monitoring operations.