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 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 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: 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 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 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 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 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: One embodiment relates to a door operator including an operator body including a rotatable pinion, an arm connected to the pinion, an inductive sensor mounted adjacent the arm, and a controller in communication with the inductive sensor. The inductive sensor includes an inductor comprising a plurality of nested coils, and each of the coils is curved about the pinion. The controller is configured to provide the inductive sensor with a varying power signal, and the inductive sensor is configured to inductively link the inductor to the arm in response to the varying power signal. The inductive sensor has a characteristic which varies in response to the rotational position of the arm when the inductor is inductively linked with the arm. The controller is further configured receive information relating to the characteristic, and to determine the rotational position of the arm based upon the received information.

Abstract: One embodiment relates to a door operator including an operator body including a rotatable pinion, an arm connected to the pinion, an inductive sensor mounted adjacent the arm, and a controller in communication with the inductive sensor. The inductive sensor includes an inductor comprising a plurality of nested coils, and each of the coils is curved about the pinion. The controller is configured to provide the inductive sensor with a varying power signal, and the inductive sensor is configured to inductively link the inductor to the arm in response to the varying power signal. The inductive sensor has a characteristic which varies in response to the rotational position of the arm when the inductor is inductively linked with the arm. The controller is further configured receive information relating to the characteristic, and to determine the rotational position of the arm based upon the received information.

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: An agile switched-load transmitter for a communications system for a power distribution network comprises a resonant transponder (T1) with a variable primary frequency. The transmitter significantly increases the bandwidth for communications, significantly lessens the effect of bandwidth noise, and greatly improves both the quality of communications and data throughput. Switches (S1, S2) selectively connect the transponder to the communications systems and control current flow through a resonant circuit of the unit, particularly the timing between charging and discharging of a capacitive component thereof. This allows the frequency of operation of the transmitter to be controlled so an inbound signal has a frequency within a range of selected frequencies, rather than a fixed frequency, and enables the transponder to deliver an output signal of relatively high power that propagates through the power distribution network with relatively little loss in signal strength.

Abstract: An agile switched-load transmitter for a communications system for a power distribution network comprises a resonant transponder (T1) with a variable primary frequency. The transmitter significantly increases the bandwidth for communications, significantly lessens the effect of bandwidth noise, and greatly improves both the quality of communications and data throughput. Switches (S1, S2) selectively connect the transponder to the communications systems and control current flow through a resonant circuit of the unit, particularly the timing between charging and discharging of a capacitive component thereof. This allows the frequency of operation of the transmitter to be controlled so an inbound signal has a frequency within a range of selected frequencies, rather than a fixed frequency, and enables the transponder to deliver an output signal of relatively high power that propagates through the power distribution network with relatively little loss in signal strength.

Abstract: A meter (M) installed by a utility at a customer site to measure the usage of a commodity supplied by the utility to the customer comprises an enclosure (E) in which is installed measuring apparatus (A) for measuring the amount of usage of the commodity by the customer at any one time. A web server (S) provides information obtained from the measuring apparatus and the utility to the customer. A wireless connection (C) between the web server and a customer device (D) allows the information and utility provided information to be displayed to the customer as well as enabling the device to obtain information from the meter so to determine when, and for how long, the device can be most cost efficiently operated.