Operating mode setting for automatic doors

A control arrangement (20) for an entrance system (10) having one or more movable door members (D1 . . . Dm) and an automatic door operator (30) for causing movements of the one or more movable door members (D1 . . . Dm) between closed and open positions is provided. The control arrangement (20) comprising a controller (32) configured to control operation of the automatic door operator (30) in a selected operating mode among a plurality of operating modes. The control arrangement (20) is characterized in that it comprises communication means (58), and the controller (32) is configured to communicate via the communication means (58) with an external computing resource (110) to set the selected operating mode.

This application is a 371 of PCT/EP2018/066512 filed on Jun. 21, 2018, published on Jan. 3, 2019 under publication number WO 2019/002062, which claims priority benefits from Swedish Patent Application No. 1730176-3 filed on Jun. 29, 2017, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to the technical field of entrance systems having one or more movable door members. More specifically, the present invention relates to a control arrangement for an entrance system having one or more movable door members and an automatic door operator for causing movements of the one or more movable door members between closed and open positions. The present invention also relates to an entrance system comprising such a control arrangement, to a computerized system and to a method of operating such an entrance system.

BACKGROUND

Entrance systems having automatic door operators are frequently used for providing automatic opening and closing of one or more movable door members in order to facilitate entrance and exit to buildings, rooms and other areas. The door members may for instance be swing doors, sliding door or revolving doors.

Entrance systems having automatic door operators are typically used in public areas during long periods of time and under varying conditions in terms of time of day (e.g. opening hours), time of week (e.g. work days or holidays), time of year (e.g. seasonal variations), passage frequencies, etc. To this end, entrance systems typically have a plurality of different operating modes in which the automatic door operators may be operated. Examples of different operating modes are, without limitation or prejudice, automatic operation, exit operation, forced open operation, forced closed operation, lock door operation, manual operation and summer position operation.

Conventionally, an operator panel is provided at the entrance system, typically in the form of a box which is installed next to the movable door members. A human operator may set the current operating mode by pressing a button on the operator panel.

However, the present inventors have identified problems and shortcomings in this respect. An operator panel box requires space, cabling and installation work, in addition to the fact that the box itself obviously has a cost. In some public areas, it may be difficult to install an operator panel box properly because of space constraints or the surface materials of the public area in question. Also, due to its location in a public area, the operator panel box will be exposed not only to environmental wear and tear, but also to a risk of vandalism, manipulation or usage by unauthorized people.

Accordingly, there is room for improvements in this field.

SUMMARY

An object of the present invention is therefore to provide one or more improvements in the field of entrance systems having automatic door operators for causing movements of one or more movable door members between closed and open positions.

Accordingly, a first aspect of the present invention is a control arrangement for an entrance system having one or more movable door members and an automatic door operator for causing movements of the one or more movable door members between closed and open positions. The control arrangement comprises a controller configured to control operation of the automatic door operator in a selected operating mode among a plurality of operating modes. The control arrangement is characterized in that it comprises communication means and that the controller is configured to communicate via the communication means with an external computing resource to set the selected operating mode.

The provision of such a control arrangement will solve or at least mitigate one or more of the problems or drawbacks identified in the above, as will be clear from the following detailed description section and the drawings.

A second aspect of the present invention is an entrance system comprising one or more movable door members, an automatic door operator for causing movements of the one or more movable door members between closed and open positions, and a control arrangement according to the first aspect of the present invention.

A third aspect of the present invention is a computerized system comprising an entrance system according to the second aspect of the present invention and an external computing resource. The communication means of the control arrangement of the entrance system comprises a wide-area data communication network interface and the external computing resource is a cloud-based computing resource configured to communicate an instruction over a wide-area data communication network to the controller of the control arrangement of the entrance system for setting the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator of the entrance system.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is a method of operating an entrance system having one or more movable door members and an automatic door operator for causing movements of the one or more movable door members between closed and open positions. The method comprises providing an external computing resource, receiving an instruction from the external computing resource and setting an operating mode of the automatic door operator in accordance with the received instruction, the operating mode being selected among a plurality of operating modes.

In different embodiments, the one or more movable door members may, for instance, be swing door members, sliding door members, revolving door members, sectional door members or pull-up door members.

Embodiments of the invention are defined by the appended dependent claims and are further explained in the detailed description section as well as in the drawings.

It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, or components, but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components, or groups thereof. All terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to “a/an/the [element, device, component, means, step, etc]” are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, device, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

FIG. 1is a schematic block diagram illustrating an entrance system10in which the inventive aspect of the present invention may be applied. The entrance system10comprises one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm, and an automatic door operator30for causing movements of the door members D1. . . Dm between closed and open positions. InFIG. 1, a transmission mechanism40conveys mechanical power from the automatic door operator30to the movable door members D1. . . Dm.FIG. 2illustrates one embodiment of the automatic door operator30in more detail.

Pursuant to the invention, a control arrangement20is provided for the entrance system10. The control arrangement20comprises a controller32, which may be part of the automatic door operator30as seen in the embodiment ofFIG. 2, but which may be a separate device in other embodiments. The control arrangement20also comprises a plurality of sensors S1. . . Sn. Each sensor is connected to the controller32by wired connections, wireless connections, or any combination thereof. As will be exemplified in the subsequent description of the three different embodiments inFIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C, each sensor is configured to monitor a respective zone Z1. . . Zn at the entrance system10for presence or activity of a person or object. The person may be an individual who is present at the entrance system10, is approaching it or is departing from it. The object may, for instance, be an animal or an article in the vicinity of the entrance system10, for instance brought by the aforementioned individual. Alternatively, the object may be a vehicle or a robot.

The control arrangement20further comprises communication means58for communicating with an external device66and/or an external computing resource110(as seen inFIGS. 4-6). The communication means58may have a network interface for connecting to one or more communications network(s)90. The network interface may comply with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, including but not limited to GSM, UMTS, LTE, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA and TD-SCDMA. Alternatively or additionally, the network interface may comply with any commercially available standard for data communication, such as for instance TCP/IP. Alternatively or additionally, the network interface may comply with one or more short-range wireless data communication standards such as Bluetooth®, WiFi (e.g. IEEE 802.11, wireless LAN), Near Field Communication (NFC), RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) or Infrared Data Association (IrDA).

Further, the communication means58may have a wireless transceiver for interaction with an external device66. In an advantageous embodiment, the wireless transceiver is capable of short-range wireless data communication such as, for instance, Bluetooth®, WLAN/WiFi, NFC (Near Field Communication), RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) or IrDA (Infrared Data Association).

The communication network58and its functions will be described more with reference toFIGS. 4-6.

The embodiment of the automatic door operator30shown inFIG. 2will now be described in more detail. The automatic door operator30may typically be arranged in conjunction with a frame or other structure which supports the door members D1. . . Dm for movements between closed and open positions, often as a concealed overhead installation in or at the frame or support structure.

In addition to the aforementioned controller32, the automatic door operator30comprises a motor34, typically an electrical motor, being connected to an internal transmission or gearbox35. An output shaft of the transmission35rotates upon activation of the motor34and is connected to the external transmission mechanism40. The external transmission mechanism translates the motion of the output shaft of the transmission35into an opening or a closing motion of one or more of the door members D1. . . Dm with respect to the frame or support structure.

The controller32is configured for performing different functions of the automatic door operator30in the different operational states of the entrance system10, using inter alia sensor input data from the plurality of sensors S1. . . Sn. Hence, the outputs of the plurality of sensors S1. . . Sn are connected to data inputs of the controller32. At least some of the different functions performable by the controller32have the purpose of causing desired movements of the door members D1. . . Dm. To this end, the controller32has at least one control output connected to the motor34for controlling the actuation thereof.

The controller32may be implemented in any known controller technology, including but not limited to microcontroller, processor (e.g. PLC, CPU, DSP), FPGA, ASIC or any other suitable digital and/or analog circuitry capable of performing the intended functionality.

The controller32also has an associated memory33. The memory33may be implemented in any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM or flash memory. In some embodiments, the memory33may be integrated with or internal to the controller32. The memory33may store program instruction for execution by the controller32, as well as temporary and permanent data used by the controller32.

Turning now toFIG. 3A, a first embodiment of an entrance system in the form of a sliding door system410is shown in a schematic top view. The sliding door system410comprises first and second sliding doors or wings D1and D2, being supported for sliding movements4501and4502in parallel with first and second wall portions460and464. The first and second wall portions460and464are spaced apart; in between them there is formed an opening which the sliding doors D1and D2either blocks (when the sliding doors are in closed positions), or makes accessible for passage (when the sliding doors are in open positions). An automatic door operator (not seen inFIG. 3Abut referred to as30inFIGS. 1 and 2) causes the movements4501and4502of the sliding doors D1and D2.

The sliding door system410comprises a plurality of sensors, each monitoring a respective zone Z1-Z6. The sensors themselves are not shown inFIG. 3A, but they are generally mounted at or near ceiling level and/or at positions which allow them to monitor their respective zones Z1-Z6. To facilitate the reading, each sensor will be referred to as Sx in the following, where x is the same number as in the zone Zx it monitors (Sx=S1-S6, Zx=Z1-Z6).

A first sensor S1is mounted at a lateral position to the far left inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z1. The first sensor S1is a side presence sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object occupies a space between the outer lateral edge of the sliding door D1and an inner surface of a wall or other structure462when the sliding door D1is moved towards the left inFIG. 3Aduring an opening state of the sliding door system410. The provision of the side presence sensor S1will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be hit by the outer lateral edge of the sliding door D1, and/or jammed between the outer lateral edge of the sliding door D1and the inner surface of the wall462, by triggering abort and preferably reversal of the ongoing opening movement of the sliding door D1.

A second sensor S2is mounted at a lateral position to the far right inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z2. The second sensor S2is a side presence sensor, just like the first sensor S1, and has the corresponding purpose—i.e. to detect when a person or object occupies a space between the outer lateral edge of the sliding door D2and an inner surface of a wall466when the sliding door D2is moved towards the right inFIG. 3Aduring the opening state of the sliding door system410.

A third sensor S3is mounted at a first central position inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z3. The third sensor S3is a door presence sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object occupies a space between or near the inner lateral edges of the sliding doors D1and D2when the sliding doors D1are moved towards each other inFIG. 3Aduring a closing state of the sliding door system410. The provision of the door presence sensor S3will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be hit by the inner lateral edge of the sliding door D1or D2, and/or be jammed between the inner lateral edges of the sliding doors D1and D2, by aborting and preferably reversing the ongoing closing movements of the sliding doors D1and D2.

A fourth sensor S4is mounted at a second central position inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z4. The fourth sensor S4is a door presence sensor, just like the third sensor S3, and has the corresponding purpose—i.e. to detect when a person or object occupies a space between or near the inner lateral edges of the sliding doors D1and D2when the sliding doors D1are moved towards each other inFIG. 3Aduring a closing state of the sliding door system410.

The side presence sensors S1and S2and door presence sensors S3and S4may for instance be active IR (infrared) sensors.

A fifth sensor S5is mounted at an inner central position inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z5. The fifth sensor S5is an inner activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the sliding door system410from the inside of the premises. The provision of the inner activity sensor S5will trigger the sliding door system410, when being in a closed state or a closing state, to automatically switch to an opening state for opening the sliding doors D1and D2, and then make another switch to an open state when the sliding doors D1and D2have reached their fully open positions.

A sixth sensor S6is mounted at an outer central position inFIG. 3Ato monitor zone Z6. The sixth sensor S6is an outer activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the sliding door system410from the outside of the premises. Similar to the inner activity sensor S5, the provision of the outer activity sensor S6will trigger the sliding door system410, when being in its closed state or its closing state, to automatically switch to the opening state for opening the sliding doors D1and D2, and then make another switch to an open state when the sliding doors D1and D2have reached their fully open positions.

The inner activity sensor S5and the outer activity sensor S6may for instance be radar (microwave) sensors.

A second embodiment of an entrance system in the form of a swing door system510is shown in a schematic top view inFIG. 3B. The swing door system510comprises a single swing door D1being located between a lateral edge of a first wall560and an inner surface of a second wall562which is perpendicular to the first wall560. The swing door D1is supported for pivotal movement550around pivot points on or near the inner surface of the second wall562. The first and second walls560and562are spaced apart; in between them an opening is formed which the swing door D1either blocks (when the swing door is in closed position), or makes accessible for passage (when the swing door is in open position). An automatic door operator (not seen inFIG. 3Bbut referred to as30inFIGS. 1 and 2) causes the movement550of the swing door D1.

The swing door system510comprises a plurality of sensors, each monitoring a respective zone Z1-Z4. The sensors themselves are not shown inFIG. 3B, but they are generally mounted at or near ceiling level and/or at positions which allow them to monitor their respective zones Z1-Z4. Again, each sensor will be referred to as Sx in the following, where x is the same number as in the zone Zx it monitors (Sx=S1-S4, Zx=Z1-Z4).

A first sensor S1is mounted at a first central position inFIG. 3Bto monitor zone Z1. The first sensor S1is a door presence sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object occupies a space near a first side of the (door leaf of the) swing door D1when the swing door D1is being moved towards the open position during an opening state of the swing door system510. The provision of the door presence sensor S1will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be hit by the first side of the swing door D1and/or be jammed between the first side of the swing door D1and the second wall562; a sensor detection in this situation will trigger abort and preferably reversal of the ongoing opening movement of the swing door D1.

A second sensor S2is mounted at a second central position inFIG. 3Bto monitor zone Z2. The second sensor S2is a door presence sensor, just like the first sensor S1, and has the corresponding purpose—i.e. to detect when a person or object occupies a space near a second side of the swing door D1(the opposite side of the door leaf of the swing door D1) when the swing door D1is being moved towards the closed position during a closing state of the swing door system510. Hence, the provision of the door presence sensor S2will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be hit by the second side of the swing door D1and/or be jammed between the second side of the swing door D1and the first wall560; a sensor detection in this situation will trigger abort and preferably reversal of the ongoing closing movement of the swing door D1.

The door presence sensors S1and S2may for instance be active IR (infrared) sensors.

A third sensor S3is mounted at an inner central position inFIG. 3Bto monitor zone Z3. The third sensor S3is an inner activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the swing door system510from the inside of the premises. The provision of the inner activity sensor S3will trigger the sliding door system510, when being in a closed state or a closing state, to automatically switch to an opening state for opening the swing door D1, and then make another switch to an open state when the swing door D1has reached its fully open position.

A fourth sensor S4is mounted at an outer central position inFIG. 3Bto monitor zone Z4. The fourth sensor S4is an outer activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the swing door system510from the outside of the premises. Similar to the inner activity sensor S3, the provision of the outer activity sensor S4will trigger the swing door system510, when being in its closed state or its closing state, to automatically switch to the opening state for opening the swing door D1, and then make another switch to an open state when the swing door D1has reached its fully open position.

The inner activity sensor S3and the outer activity sensor S4may for instance be radar (microwave) sensors.

A third embodiment of an entrance system in the form of a revolving door system610is shown in a schematic top view inFIG. 3C. The revolving door system610comprises a plurality of revolving doors or wings D1-D4being located in a cross configuration in an essentially cylindrical space between first and second curved wall portions662and666which, in turn, are spaced apart and located between third and fourth wall portions660and664. The revolving doors D1-D4are supported for rotational movement650in the cylindrical space between the first and second curved wall portions662and666. During the rotation of the revolving doors D1-D4, they will alternatingly prevent and allow passage through the cylindrical space. An automatic door operator (not seen inFIG. 3Cbut referred to as30inFIGS. 1 and 2) causes the rotational movement650of the revolving doors D1-D4.

The revolving door system610comprises a plurality of sensors, each monitoring a respective zone Z1-Z8. The sensors themselves are not shown inFIG. 3C, but they are generally mounted at or near ceiling level and/or at positions which allow them to monitor their respective zones Z1-Z8. Again, each sensor will be referred to as Sx in the following, where x is the same number as in the zone Zx it monitors (Sx=S1-S8, Zx=Z1-Z8).

First to fourth sensors S1-S4are mounted at respective first to fourth central positions inFIG. 3Cto monitor zones Z1-Z4. The first to fourth sensors S1-S4are door presence sensors, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object occupies a respective space (sub-zone of Z1-Z4) near one side of the (door leaf of the) respective revolving door D1-D4as it is being rotationally moved during a rotation state or start rotation state of the revolving door system610. The provision of the door presence sensors S1-S4will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be hit by the approaching side of the respective revolving door D1-D4and/or be jammed between the approaching side of the respective revolving door D1-D4and end portions of the first or second curved wall portions662and666. When any of the door presence sensors S1-S4detects such a situation, it will trigger abort and possibly reversal of the ongoing rotational movement650of the revolving doors D1-D4.

The door presence sensors S1-S4may for instance be active IR (infrared) sensors.

A fifth sensor S5is mounted at an inner non-central position inFIG. 3Cto monitor zone Z5. The fifth sensor S5is an inner activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the revolving door system610from the inside of the premises. The provision of the inner activity sensor S5will trigger the revolving door system610, when being in a no rotation state or an end rotation state, to automatically switch to a start rotation state to begin rotating the revolving doors D1-D4, and then make another switch to a rotation state when the revolving doors D1-D4have reached full rotational speed.

A sixth sensor S6is mounted at an outer non-central position inFIG. 3Cto monitor zone Z6. The sixth sensor S6is an outer activity sensor, and the purpose is to detect when a person or object approaches the revolving door system610from the outside of the premises. Similar to the inner activity sensor S5, the provision of the outer activity sensor S6will trigger the revolving door system610, when being in its no rotation state or end rotation state, to automatically switch to the start rotation state to begin rotating the revolving doors D1-D4, and then make another switch to the rotation state when the revolving doors D1-D4have reached full rotational speed.

The inner activity sensor S5and the outer activity sensor S6may for instance be radar (microwave) sensors.

Seventh and eighth sensors S7and S8are mounted near the ends of the first or second curved wall portions662and666to monitor zones Z7and Z8. The seventh and eighth sensors S7and S8are vertical presence sensors. The provision of these sensors S7and S8will help avoiding a risk that the person or object will be jammed between the approaching side of the respective revolving door D1-D4and an end portion of the first or second curved wall portions662and666during the start rotation state and the rotation state of the revolving door system610. When any of the vertical presence sensors S7-S8detects such a situation, it will trigger abort and possibly reversal of the ongoing rotational movement650of the revolving doors D1-D4.

The vertical presence sensors S7-S8may for instance be active IR (infrared) sensors.

The entrance system10in any of the embodiments described above have a plurality of different operating modes in which the automatic door operator30may be operated.

In prior art systems, an operator panel is provided at the entrance system, typically in the form of a box which is installed next to the movable door members. A user may set the current operating mode by pressing a button on the operator panel. As stated in the background section, an operator panel box requires space, cabling and installation work, in addition to the fact that the box itself obviously has a cost. In some public areas, it may be difficult to install an operator panel box properly because of space constraints or the surface materials of the public area in question. Also, due to its location in a public area, the operator panel box will be exposed not only to environmental wear and tear, but also to a risk of vandalism, manipulation or usage by unauthorized people.

According to the inventive concept, as will be described more in detail with reference toFIG. 4-7, the user may set the current operating mode wirelessly by using an external device66to communicate with the controller32of the control arrangement20over a suitable wireless interface or over a data network. Hence, no operator panel is needed thus eliminating or at least migrating the problems described above.

One operating mode may be a first automatic operating mode in which the controller32controls the automatic door operator30to cause movements of the one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm based on sensor input data from the plurality of sensors S1. . . Sn, allowing bidirectional passage through the entrance system10. Hence, people are allowed both to walk into and/or exit an area through the entrance system10. The passage will in the following be referred to a passage of people. However as would be readily understood by a person skilled in the art, the entrance system described herein may also be used for passage of animals, vehicles, robots or the like.

Another operating mode may be second automatic operating mode in which the controller32controls the automatic door operator30to cause movements of the one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm based on sensor input data from the plurality of sensors S1. . . Sn, allowing unidirectional passage through the entrance system10. This mode may be also be referred to as Exit (Automatic Exit Only), in which the entrance system10is operated in a situation in which all people shall leave the premises where the entrance system is installed, for instance when a shopping mall closes for the day, or when an escape situation has occurred

An additional operation mode may be a first forced-position operating mode in which the controller32controls the automatic door operator30to cause the one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm to remain in steady open positions, allowing bidirectional passage through the entrance system10. This mode may also be referred to as Open, in which all the movable door members D1. . . Dm take steady open positions not involving movements of the door members D1. . . Dm by the automatic door operator. This mode may for example be beneficial during the summer in hot weather conditions where it may be desirable to ventilate.

A further operating mode may be a second forced-position operating mode in which the controller32controls the automatic door operator30to cause the one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm to remain in steady closed positions, prohibiting passage through the entrance system. This mode, also referred to as Lock Door, may for example be used when no people are allowed into the premises where the entrance system is installed, for instance when a shopping mall is closed for the day.

Yet another operating mode may be a manual operating mode in which the controller32controls the automatic door operator30to allow manual movement of the one or more movable door members D1. . . Dm.

As is readily understood by those skilled in the art, other operating modes than those described herein could be used in the inventive concept.

Now turning toFIG. 4, a computerized system1is shown. The computerized system1comprises an entrance system10as described herein, an external computing resource110and an external device66. As soon will be described, the entrance system10is in communication with one or several communication network(s)90, the external device66and/or the external computing resource110.

The external computing resource110is preferably a cloud-based computing resource. The term external computing resource may refer to include software and hardware components that are accessible over a network. Some non-limiting examples of a computing resource may include software (such as applications, file utilities, etc.), storage resources (for example, disk drives, magnetic tapes, etc.), network resources, memory resources, processing resources, and the like. The external computing resource110may further be in communication with an associated database112. The associated database112may for example be responsible for saving operational data and/or saving user credentials, as will be described more in the following.

The external device66may be a mobile terminal such as a mobile phone or a tablet computer, a portable computer or any other portable electronic device that the user68is carrying. The external device66comprises a display, which may be a non-touch display or a touch-sensitive display. In the following, the display will be referred to as a touch-sensitive display that acts both as a display means and as an input means, thereby forming a user interface.

The external device66may have a network interface for connecting to one or more communications network(s)90, to the external computing resource110and/or to connect to the controller32of the control arrangement20of the entrance system10. The network interface may comply with any commercially available mobile telecommunications standard, including but not limited to GSM, UMTS, LTE, D-AMPS, CDMA2000, FOMA and TD-SCDMA. Alternatively or additionally, the network interface may comply with one or more short-range wireless data communication standards such as Bluetooth®, WiFi (e.g. IEEE 802.11, wireless LAN), Near Field Communication (NFC), RF-ID (Radio Frequency Identification) or Infrared Data Association (IrDA).

The external device66may further have a control unit being responsible for general device operations. Any commercially available central processing unit (CPU) or digital signal processor (DSP), or other programmable electronic logic device such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or field-programmable gate array (FPGA), may be used to implement the control unit.

Additionally, the external device66may have a memory which is operatively connected to the control unit of the external device. The memory may be implemented by any known memory technology, including but not limited to E(E)PROM, S(D)RAM and flash memory, and it may also include secondary storage such as a magnetic or optical disc. Physically, the memory may consist of one unit or a plurality of units, which together constitute the memory on a logical level.

The external device66further comprises a user interface (e.g. the aforementioned touch-sensitive display) that is configured to receive an operating mode setting command91by a user68via the user interface. The operating mode setting command91represents the chosen operating mode and is generated once the user68selects an operating mode in the user interface of the display. The display may for example list a number of available operating modes which the user may choose from.

As seen inFIG. 4, the mobile device66is configured to cause the external computing resource110to communicate an instruction96for setting the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30of the entrance system10. This is triggered by a client-side application (“app”) in the mobile device66communicating with a server-side application in the external computing resource110over the communication network(s)90, as seen at92and93inFIG. 4.

In response, the external computing resource110is configured to communicate the instruction96to the controller32of the control arrangement20of the entrance system10for setting the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30. The instructions96comprises information relating to the selected operating mode. The instruction96is transmitted over the communication network(s)90to the controller32of the control arrangement20, via the communication means58, as seen at94inFIG. 4.

In a preferred embodiment, the communication network90is a wide-area data communication network90. As already described with reference toFIG. 1, the communication means58of the control arrangement20comprises at least a wide-area data communication network interface58ain order to be able to communicate with the external computing resource110.

It may be beneficial to restrict the access to the control arrangement20of the entrance system10so that only certain users, such as authorized personnel, may be able to change the operating mode. If the entrance system10is arranged in a store, it may for example be beneficial that all the store personnel have access to change the operating mode while the customers visiting the shop are refused access.

Hence, in some embodiments the external computing resource110is further configured to require verification of user credentials of the user68of the external device66in order to communicate the instruction96for setting the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30. The verification of the user credentials may be done automatically or manually by the user. The user may for example log into a specific account in the server-side application on the external computing resources110. The allowed user credentials may be saved in the external computing resource110and/or in its associated database112. Alternatively, verification may be done by a trusted third-party service provided on the Internet. The user may receive feedback on a successful or unsuccessful verification of the user credentials.

Providing feedback to the user of operational data of the entrance system10may in some case be valuable. The operational data may for example pertain to usage statistics about the entrance system10such as the number of openings of the door members D1. . . Dm, the number of changes of operating mode, passage count, etc. Additionally, or alternatively, the operational data may pertain to an indication of a need for maintenance or repair of the entrance system10.

The controller32of the control arrangement20of the entrance system10may hence be configured to communicate operational data to the external computing resource110. The operational data may be save in the associated database112. The external computing resource110may compute statistics and/or transmit unprocessed data to the mobile device66. The mobile device66may be configured to receive the operational data from the external computing resource110, and present the received operational data to the user via the user interface in the display of the mobile device66.

FIG. 5shows another embodiment of a computerized system1. In addition to what has been described with reference toFIG. 4, the mobile device66is also able to communicate directly with the communication means58of the control arrangement20of the entrance system10. In order to achieve the respective communication with the mobile device66and the external computing resource110, the communication means58of the control arrangement20comprises a short-range wireless communication interface58band a wide-area data communication network interface58a.

The short-range wireless communication interface58bis used to communicate directly with the mobile device66. This communication may be used to permit or deny the selection of operating mode of the automatic door operator30. In one embodiment, the controller32of the control arrangement20is configured to permit setting of the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30only when the mobile device66is within operative range of the short-range wireless communication interface58b. Hence, if the mobile device66is outside of the operative range of the short-range wireless communication interface58ba selection of an operating mode would not be permitted by the controller32of the control arrangement20of the entrance system10.

FIG. 6shows an embodiment of a computerized system1comprising a plurality of entrance systems10. . .10p. In embodiments with several entrance systems it may be beneficial for the user68to be able to choose different operating modes for the different entrance systems10. . .10pand/or to choose an operating mode that applies to all entrance systems10. . .10p.

In one embodiment the user68is able to choose from one of the plurality of entrance systems10. . .10pvia the user interface of the mobile device66. The external device66is configured to let the user choose one of the plurality of entrance systems10. . .10pvia the user interface and apply the received operating mode setting command91to the chosen entrance system. In this way, the operating mode is only applied to the selected entrance system.

The mobile device66may also be configured to apply the received operating mode setting command91to a plurality of entrance systems10. . .10p. If the computerized system1comprises a first and a second entrance system10,10′, the user may apply the operating mode selection to both the first entrance system10and the second entrance system10′, or even all entrance systems10,10′,10p.

Reference is made toFIG. 7which illustrates a method of operating an entrance system10involving the inventive functionality.

Hence, in a first step710, an external computing resource110as described herein is provided.

A second step720involves receiving an instruction96from the external computing resource110. The operating mode is selected among a plurality of operating modes and the instruction96comprises information relating to the selected operating mode.

A third step730involves setting an operating mode of the automatic door operator30in accordance with the received instruction.

The method may further comprise a fourth step740of providing a mobile device66having a user interface. The mobile device comprises a display on which the user interface is visible.

In a fifth step750, an operating mode setting command91is received by a user68via the user interface of the mobile device66.

A sixth step760involves communicating with the external computing resource110, and a seventh step770step involves causing the external computing resource110to communicate the instruction96for setting the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30of the entrance system10.

FIGS. 8Aand B illustrates optional method steps of operating an entrance system10. In one embodiment, as shown inFIG. 8A, the method further involves a first step810of providing a control arrangement20having a communication means58comprising a short-range wireless communication interface58b. A next step820involves permitting setting of the selected operating mode of the automatic door operator30of the entrance system10only when the mobile device66is within operative range of the short-range wireless communication interface58b.

Additionally or alternatively, as shown inFIG. 8B, the method may further involve the step830of communicating operational data to the external computing resource110. A next step840involves receiving the operational data from the external computing resource110. In a next step850, the received operational data is presented to the user68via the user interface.

The invention has been described above in detail with reference to embodiments thereof. However, as is readily understood by those skilled in the art, other embodiments are equally possible within the scope of the present invention, as defined by the appended claims.