Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: A cover plate according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a mounting plate and a control system, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The cover plate includes a support substrate, a cover plate coupler, and an electronic device. The support substrate includes an opening sized and shaped to receive a spindle of a door hardware apparatus associated with the rose assembly. The cover plate coupler is configured to releasably couple with a mounting plate coupler of the mounting plate. The electronic device is mounted to the support substrate, and includes a first electrical connector accessible from the rear side of the cover plate and configured for electrical connection with a second electrical connector of the control system, and an electronic component electrically connected with the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving sensor data from a plurality of sensors of a door device associated with a door, analyzing the sensor data to determine behavior data indicative of a behavior of the door device, and comparing the behavior data to a plurality of representative data associated with a plurality of door faults to determine a corresponding likelihood that the sensor data corresponds with each of the door faults.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: A door closer diagnostics system including a door closer, a server, and a mobile device having a display and at least one sensor. The mobile device is configured to (i) generate, by the at least one sensor, motion data indicative of motion of the door as the door is moved from an open position to a closed position, and (ii) transmit the motion data to the server. The server is configured to analyze the motion data to (i) determine a duration the door was in each of a plurality of door movement zones between the open and closed positions, (ii) determine at least one adjustment to the door closer for a successful installation of the door closer based on the duration the door was in each of the door movement zones, and (iii) transmit at least one installation instruction corresponding with the at least one adjustment to the mobile device.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and devices are disclosed herein for incorporating a power-saving sleep mode into electronic devices using an activity-based switch device. These switch devices may have with a communication module having more advanced electronics, such as wireless communications features. These switch devices may be built into electronic devices and/or batteries during manufacture, and/or may also be retrofitted into already existing electronic devices and/or batteries. A switch device may be placed between a power source, such as a battery, and the electronic device. When activity or motion is detected, the switch closes to connect the power source to the electronic device, thus turning the portable electronic device “on” as normal. However, when activity is not detected for a meaningful amount of time, the switch opens and disconnects power from the electronic device to conserve power, thus placing the portable electronic device into a power-saving sleep mode to conserve the power source.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes receiving audio input by a microphone of an access control device that controls access through a passageway, processing an audio signal associated with the audio input to identify and authenticate a user, determining a command corresponding with the audio signal in response to identification and authentication of the user, and performing at least one action that corresponds with the command.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes transmitting a wireless power signal from an electrical device connected to line power, receiving the wireless power signal at an electronic access control device, and operating the electronic access control device using electrical power harvested from the wireless power signal. In certain forms, the method further includes adjusting an orientation of the antenna by which the wireless power signal is transmitted.

Abstract: A door closer diagnostics system including a door closer, a server, and a mobile device having a display and at least one sensor. The mobile device is configured to (i) generate, by the at least one sensor, motion data indicative of motion of the door as the door is moved from an open position to a closed position, and (ii) transmit the motion data to the server. The server is configured to analyze the motion data to (i) determine a duration the door was in each of a plurality of door movement zones between the open and closed positions, (ii) determine at least one adjustment to the door closer for a successful installation of the door closer based on the duration the door was in each of the door movement zones, and (iii) transmit at least one installation instruction corresponding with the at least one adjustment to the mobile device.

Abstract: A retrofit module configured for use with a door closer having a pinion. The retrofit module generally includes a case, an output shaft, a motor, and a control assembly. The output shaft is rotatably mounted in the case, and is configured for rotational coupling with the pinion. The motor is mounted to the case, and is operable to rotate the output shaft in a door-opening direction. The control assembly is mounted to the case, and is configured to operate the motor to drive the output shaft in the door-opening direction in response to an actuating signal.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes removing a battery cover from an outer assembly of a lock device, removing a battery pack from the lock device in response to removing the battery cover, wherein removing the battery pack comprises disconnecting two electrical contacts of the battery pack from two corresponding electrical contacts of the lock device, and electrically coupling two electrical contacts of a retrofit assembly to the two corresponding electrical contacts of the lock device, wherein the retrofit assembly includes an energy storage device, a wireless power receiver configured to store generated power in the energy storage device, a boost regulator, and a microcontroller configured to adjust an output voltage of the boost regulator to indicate a power level of the energy storage device and a charging status of the energy storage device.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining, by a server, a location of a door in an architectural drawing and a room function of a room secured by the door based on an analysis of the architectural drawing, determining, by the server, proper access control hardware to be installed on the door based on the room function, a category of access control hardware, and a predictive machine learning model associated with the category of access control hardware, and generating, by the server, a specification based on the determined proper access control hardware.

Abstract: A cover plate according to certain embodiments is configured for use with a mounting plate and a control system, and has a front side and a rear side opposite the front side. The cover plate includes a support substrate, a cover plate coupler, and an electronic device. The support substrate includes an opening sized and shaped to receive a spindle of a door hardware apparatus associated with the rose assembly. The cover plate coupler is configured to releasably couple with a mounting plate coupler of the mounting plate. The electronic device is mounted to the support substrate, and includes a first electrical connector accessible from the rear side of the cover plate and configured for electrical connection with a second electrical connector of the control system, and an electronic component electrically connected with the first electrical connector.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes determining, by a server, a location of a door in an architectural drawing and a room function of a room secured by the door based on an analysis of the architectural drawing, determining, by the server, proper access control hardware to be installed on the door based on the room function, a category of access control hardware, and a predictive machine learning model associated with the category of access control hardware, and generating, by the server, a specification based on the determined proper access control hardware.

Abstract: A method according to one embodiment includes generating, by at least one sensor, motion data indicative of motion of a door having a door closer as the door is moved from an open position to a closed position, analyzing the motion data to determine a duration the door was in each of a plurality of door movement zones between the open position and the closed position, determining at least one adjustment to the door closer for a successful installation of the door closer based on the duration the door was in each of the plurality of door movement zones, and displaying at least one installation instruction corresponding with the at least one adjustment on a graphical user interface of a mobile device.

Abstract: An apparatus according to one embodiment includes a door closer having a pinion adapted to be operably coupled to a door and rotate in a first direction in response to opening the door and to rotate in a second direction in response to closing the door, and a power boost module operably coupled to the pinion. The power boost module includes a motor adapted to generate electrical energy via rotational movement of the pinion and supply a boost force to the pinion to assist closing the door, a gearing operably coupled to the pinion and the motor and structured to back drive the motor to generate the electrical energy in response to rotation of the pinion, and an energy storage device adapted to store the electrical energy generated by the motor and supply stored electrical energy to the motor for the boost force.

Abstract: A dynamic energy harvesting and variable harvesting force system is disclosed. A boost converter increases a motor voltage as a motor current associated with the motor voltage propagates through the boost converter thereby generating a boost voltage associated with the changing motor current. A power storage device stores energy harvested by the boost converter when the boost voltage exceeds an energy storage threshold. A controller dynamically adjusts a harvesting force applied by the motor so that the harvesting force is relative to the force applied to the motor. The controller also dynamically adjusts the harvested energy stored by the power storage device by adjusting the charging of the power storage device, ensuring that the boost voltage threshold is maintained. The boost voltage when maintained within the boost voltage threshold enables the power storage device to store the harvested energy without impacting the harvesting force applied by the motor.

Abstract: An exemplary method includes transmitting a wireless power signal from an electrical device connected to line power, receiving the wireless power signal at an electronic access control device, and operating the electronic access control device using electrical power harvested from the wireless power signal. In certain forms, the method further includes adjusting an orientation of the antenna by which the wireless power signal is transmitted.