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BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Electromechanical door holders and automatic door operators are two types of devices that provide automatic functions with respect to doors. Electromechanical door holders generally include a door closer and apparatus that arrests the operation of the door closer. Electromechanical door holders may be attached to the structure adjacent to a door, such as a door frame or wall, and a pivotable arm extends from the door operator to the door, or alternatively, the electromechanical door holder may be mounted to the door, and the pivotable arm may extend to the adjacent structure. The door closer is intended to provide a smooth, controlled closing action to the door after the door has been opened and released. 
         [0002]    Many conventional door closers are mechanically actuated and have a piston and a plurality of springs and valved ports. The piston moves through a reservoir filled with a hydraulic fluid, such as oil. The piston is coupled to the door closer&#39;s arm through a rack and pinion such that, as the door is opened, the piston is moved in one direction and, as the door is closed, the piston is moved in the opposite direction. As the piston moves, it displaces hydraulic fluid, which may be forced through various ports. The force exerted by the door closer depends on loading of a compression spring and the speed of the action depends on the open or closed status of the ports. The ports are adjustable (open or closed) via needle valves that control flow of hydraulic fluid between chambers, and the compression spring setting may or may not be adjustable based on the construction of the door closer. The valves may be operated with solenoids connected to a power supply. Energizing a solenoid may close a valve, prevent flow of hydraulic fluid, and thereby provide a hold-open feature to the door closer, making an electromechanical door holder. 
         [0003]    With respect to door operators, the purpose of a door operator is to open and close a door. In general, a door operator may be mounted similarly to an electromechanical door holder. Automatic, hinged doors with door operators generally include motorized door openers and door closers that may be powered or spring assisted. The door may open manually or automatically upon actuation of a switch often placed on a wall proximate to the door. When automatic operation is initiated, the door commonly proceeds through a sequence that includes starting the motor, the motor driving the door to an open position, the door being held open for a set period, and then the motor turning off or reversing direction to allow the door closer to close the door. 
         [0004]    A variety of automatic door operators is known. A typical door operator includes an electric motor and a linkage assembly for operatively coupling the drive shaft of the motor to a door so that the door will be opened and closed when the drive shaft rotates. Activation of the door operator is initiated by means of an electric signal generated in a variety of ways such as, for example, a pressure switch, an ultrasonic or photoelectric presence sensor, motion sensors, radio transmitters, wall switches, and the like. The door may then be closed under power or with a door closer, as used in an electromechanical door holder. 
         [0005]    The automatic, predetermined timing of closing of an automatic door with either a door operator or a door holder creates the opportunity for the door to close on a person who or an object that does not or cannot pass through the doorway in sufficient time to avoid the closing door. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0006]    In accordance with one embodiment described herein, a door control apparatus may be in electrical communication with an electromechanical door holder for operative connection to a hinged door, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position. The hinged door may be mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, with the structure including a door frame and a wall. The door control apparatus includes control circuitry and a sensor. The sensor is adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door. The sensor is connected to the control circuitry and is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event. Upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open. The door control apparatus may further include a light emitter that is also connected to the control circuitry, which is operable to signal the light emitter to produce light. 
         [0007]    The light emitter may further be adapted to direct light to form an image on the floor in a second designated area. When the second designated area is illuminated, the door is not in the process of closing. The control circuitry may also be operable to signal the light emitter to change the light status a first predetermined time after the sensor detects nothing in the first designated area, and may be adapted to signal the electromechanical door holder to initiate door closing after a second predetermined time, with the first and second predetermined times being measured by a timer in the control circuitry. The light emitter may be, for example, a laser generator or a light emitting diode lamp. 
         [0008]    In accordance with another embodiment described herein, a door motion controller is provided for applying force to a hinged door, the hinged door being above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position. The hinged door is mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, with the structure including a door frame and a wall. The door motion controller includes an electromechanical door holder adapted to operatively connect to the hinged door, and a door control apparatus. The door control apparatus is adapted to be in electrical communication with the electromechanical door holder and includes control circuitry and a sensor. The sensor is adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door. The sensor is connected to the control circuitry, and is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event. Upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal the electromechanical door holder to hold the door open. The door control apparatus may further include a light emitter that is also connected to the control circuitry, which is operable to signal the light emitter to produce light. 
         [0009]    In accordance with another embodiment described herein, a door assembly that may be positioned above a floor proximate to a structure including a door frame and wall is provided. The door assembly includes a hinged door, a door motion device, and door control apparatus. The hinged door is pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and mounted to the structure surrounding the door in the closed position. The door motion device is adapted to operatively connect to the hinged door. The door control apparatus is adapted to be in electrical communication with the door motion device and includes control circuitry, a sensor, and a light emitter. The sensor is adapted to detect a person, object, or both in a first designated area proximate to the door. The sensor is connected to the control circuitry, and is operable to signal the control circuitry upon a detection event. The light emitter is also connected to the control circuitry. Upon a detection event the control circuitry is operable to signal the light emitter to produce light and is operable to signal the door motion device to hold the door open. 
         [0010]    In accordance with another embodiment described herein, a method of operating a hinged door using an electromechanical door holder is provided. The hinged door being may be above a floor and pivotally movable between a closed position and a fully open position, and may be mounted to a structure surrounding the door in the closed position, with the structure including a door frame and a wall. The method may include a sensor detecting a person, object, the door moving to an open position, or a combination thereof in a first designated area, the sensor signaling control circuitry. A timer in the control circuitry is started, and the control circuitry signals the electromechanical door holder and the electromechanical door holder maintains the door in an open position. The sensor may continue to detect a person or object in the first designated area and signaling the control circuitry to keep the door open, and when the sensor detects nothing in the first designated area, signaling the control circuitry may be ceased. The control circuitry may signal a light emitter to produce light. The light emitter may direct light to form an image on a second designated area on the floor. The control circuitry may signal the light emitter to flash the light for a set period. If the sensor again detects a person or object in the first designated area, the sensor may signal the control circuitry, and the control circuitry may signal the electromechanical door holder to keep the door open and signaling the light emitter to produce constant light. If the sensor detects nothing in the first designated area by the end of the set period, the control circuitry may signal the light emitter to turn off the light and signal the electromechanical door holder to initiate closing of the door. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    For a more complete understanding of embodiments of a door control apparatus and associated methods, reference should now be had to the embodiments shown in the accompanying drawings and described below. In the drawings: 
           [0012]      FIGS. 1 and 2  are perspective views of two embodiments of installed door control apparatus. 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is an elevation view of an embodiment of a door control apparatus as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a bottom plan view of the embodiment of the door control apparatus as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIGS. 5-11  are plan views of various embodiments of configurations of installed door control apparatus. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 12A-12B  are a flow chart of the operation of a door control apparatus embodiment used in conjunction with an electromechanical door holder. 
           [0017]      FIGS. 13A-13D  are a flow chart of the operation of a door control apparatus embodiment used in conjunction with an automatic door operator including a door closer. 
           [0018]      FIGS. 14A-14D  is a flow chart of the operation of a door control apparatus embodiment used in conjunction with an automatic door operator with motor-driven open and close functions. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0019]    Certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation on the embodiments described. For example, words such as “top”, “bottom”, “upper,” “lower,” “left,” “right,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “upward,” and “downward” merely describe the configuration shown in the figures. Indeed, the referenced components may be oriented in any direction and the terminology, therefore, should be understood as encompassing such variations unless specified otherwise. 
         [0020]    As used herein, the term “open position” for a door means a door position other than a closed position, including any position between the closed position and a predetermined fully open position as limited only by structure around the door frame, which can be up to 180° from the closed position. 
         [0021]    Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate corresponding or similar elements throughout the several views, two embodiments of a door control apparatus are shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  respectively, and are generally designated at  20   a  and  20   b . The door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b  is mounted adjacent to door motion device  22   a ,  22   b , and both are mounted adjacent to a door  24  in a door frame  26  for movement of the door  24  relative to the frame  26  between a closed position and an open position. The door motion device  22   a ,  22   b  is operatively connected to the door  24  with an arm operator arm assembly  28 . The door motion device may be an electromechanical door holder  22   a  with a door closer including at least one spring, valve, and solenoid  30  as shown in  FIG. 1 , or an automatic door operator  22   b , connected to an opening switch  32  and a motor  34  with wiring  36 , and optionally with a door closer including at least one spring, valve, and solenoid  30 . The door  24  may be of a conventional type and is pivotally mounted to the frame  26  for movement from the closed position, as shown in  FIG. 1 , to an open position for opening and closing an opening through a building wall  40  to allow a user to travel from one side of the wall  40  to the other side of the wall  40 . The wall  40  may be of any material, for example, drywall, paneling, brick, block, glass (block or window), and so forth. 
         [0022]    In both embodiments of door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b , a light in the visible spectrum may be projected onto the ground or floor  50  that may indicate an illuminated area  52  that communicates that the door  24  is not about to close. The illuminated area  52  may correspond to a “safe zone” in which a person or object may be located to prevent the door from closing when the person or object is detected by a sensor in the door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b . Alternatively, the position of the light may not necessarily correspond to the range of the sensor. The visible light may be from various types of light emitters, for example, laser light  54   a  from a laser generator  60   a  as in the door control apparatus  20   a  of  FIG. 1 , or light emitting diode (LED) light  54   b  from an LED lamp  60   b  as in the door control apparatus  20   b  of  FIG. 2 . The sensor will cause the door  24  to be held open when an area near the doorway  58  is occupied, with the range and orientation of the sensor provided as determined by one of ordinary skill in the art. A line of laser light  54   a  may outline the illuminated area  52  or may take the form of lines, words, or another pattern making an image on the floor, while an LED will light a spot  54   b  on the floor to indicate the illuminated area  52 . While the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 and 2  as described reflect the areas detected by the sensor and illuminated by the light emitter as generally corresponding to one another, it is contemplated that the light may be directed to one area while the sensor is set to detect movement in another direction, or a larger, overlapping area. 
         [0023]    As shown, the shape of the laser light line  54   a  on the floor  50  is a rectangle, but the light may be an oval or any possible shape as selected by one of ordinary skill in the art, and may include words  62  or other indicia, such as arrows  64 . Green light may be used in one embodiment to signal that the door  24  is not about to close; flashing green or yellow light could signal that the door  24  is going to close. An LED may light a spot  54   b  of colored light, such as a soft green glow, on the floor  50  to designate the illuminated area  52 , shown as an oval in  FIG. 2 . In addition, a selectively lighted display  66  may be provided on one or both sides of the door  24  to alert people that the door is about to open or that the doorway  58  is indeed safe to enter without an expectation of the door closing. The illuminated area  52  may be lit green, for example, when it is safe to enter the doorway  58 , and may flash when the door  24  is about to close. The display  66  may also flash, for example, on the “pull side”  70  of the door, towards which the door will open, when someone from the opposite “push side”  72  is going to open the door, and display  66  may flash in a green or yellow light when the door  24  is about to open. The door motion device  22   a ,  22   b , door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b , switch  32 , and display  66  are connected with wiring  36  to an electrical power source  74 . 
         [0024]    An embodiment of the door control apparatus  20  is shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 . The door control apparatus  20  includes a housing  80 , which is shown only in part, a mounting board, which in this embodiment includes electronic circuitry and is a printed circuit board (PCB)  82 , a light emitter shown as an LED lamp  60   b , or alternatively laser generator  60   a , a sensor  84 , and electrical wiring  86  to connect the PCB  82  to the door motion device  22  and the electrical power source  74 . Laser generator  60   a  is shown schematically, and may also represent any type of light emitter. The light emitter  60  and sensor  84  are mounted and electrically connected to the PCB  82 , which may alternatively be any other type of mounting member. Control circuitry  83  may be included on the PCB or otherwise associated with any mounting member. The PCB  82  may be substantially a rectangle shape and is adjustably mounted to the housing  80  with hardware  88  in each corner of the PCB  82  that allows directing of the LED  60   b  and sensor  84  based on angling of the PCB  82 . In the door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b  shown, the angling of the PCB  82  is performed through the vertical movement  90  available at each corner. The door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b  may also be configured to permit angling of the light emitter  60   a ,  60   b  and sensor  84  in different directions, for example, on different sides of the doorway  42 . Optionally, the light emitter  60   a ,  60   b  may be omitted. The light emitter  60   a ,  60   b  and sensor  84  may also be mounted separately, such as in different housings on the same or opposite sides of the doorway  58 . 
         [0025]    The light emitter may be any LED lamp  60   b  or other type of light emitter that projects a discernable lighted area on the floor as selected by one of ordinary skill in the art, such as a high intensity discharge lamp (spot light) or a laser light  60   a . Appropriate light emitters include for LED, Light Engines, from Lighting Sciences Group Corp. of Satellite Beach, Fla., the Atlas I series, 216 lumens, green color, and for lasers, a laser generator as selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. The sensor  84  may be a sensor that detects the presence or motion of a person or object in an area at least as large as, or larger than, the illuminated area  52 . Sensors appropriate for use with door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b  include passive infrared type motion sensors such as those made by Panasonic Electric Works Co., Ltd., MP Motion Sensor, and in particular the 10 m detection type, low current consumption, with a detection range of 110 degrees horizontal and 93 degrees vertical. This sensor detects changes in infrared radiation that occur when there is movement by a person or object that has a different temperature than the environment. Another sensor appropriate for use with the door control apparatus  20   a ,  20   b , which may be mounted separately from the housing  80 , is a microwave sensor such as that manufactured by BEA Inc. of Pittsburgh, Pa., Eagle Motion Sensor, which operates at 24.125 GHz with a planar antenna with motion detection based on the Doppler effect. Other types of sensors, such as ultrasonic or photoelectric may be selected as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0026]    As an alternative embodiment, the lamp designated as  60 ,  60   a , or  60   b  may be instead a sound emitter, such as a speaker, other sound transducer, or producer of sound as known by one of ordinary skill in the art. The sound emitter may be mounted separately from the rest of the apparatus, or may be located as shown. Yet further, the part  60 ,  60   a , or  60   b  may designate both a light emitter and a sound emitter. The sound emitter may be selectively signaled to alarm when the door is opening, is about to close, or is closing. 
         [0027]    The control circuitry  83  uses a constant current source which supplies power needed to the light emitter. Overall product functionality may be controlled by an eight bit microcontroller. User adjustments for delay time, number of warning flashes and, where an LED is used, LED light intensity, may be provided. Cold contact relay switches may be controlled by the microcontroller to switch a solenoid and an external alarm. Control circuitry  83  associated with the PCB  82 , other mounting member, or the door control apparatus  20  overall, may further include features such as an embedded processor, memory, a digital signal processor, a motion sensor chip, and a laser control chip, as selected by one of ordinary skill in the art. 
         [0028]    The door motion device  22  may be any automatic door operator or electromechanical door holder, such as the 6900 Series Powermatic® automatic door operator or 7200 Series Electromechanical Closer-Holder models from Norton Door Controls of Monroe, N.C., an ASSA ABLOY Group company. 
         [0029]    Hardware  88  in each corner to fasten the PCB  82  to the housing  80  and to provide adjustability may include a blind self-cinching fastener  92  such as PEM® brand manufactured by PennEngineering of Danboro, Pa., a spring  94 , two washers  96 , and a hex socket machine screw  98 . 
         [0030]      FIGS. 5-11  show various configurations of a door  24 , door frame  26 , door motion device  22 , and door control apparatus  20 , which may include a laser generator  60   a  or an LED lamp  60   b  or other light emitter (not shown). The rectangle on the floor  50  represents laser light  54   a  designating the illuminated area  52 , while the oval on the floor represents LED light  54   b . The illuminated area  52  is lit substantially on the pull side  70  of the door, and detection by the sensor  84  also includes the area on the pull side  70 . Two alternative, exemplary, schematic, sensing orientations and ranges 100 are shown in each figure, one of each of which generally corresponds with the illuminated area  52  and the other does not. 
         [0031]    The door motion device  22  in  FIGS. 5-10  may be an electromechanical door holder  22   a , or an automatic door operator  22   b  that is not programmed to open the door in response to a signal from the sensor  84 .  FIG. 5  shows the door motion device  22  including a door closer  102 , and the door control apparatus  20  both mounted to the door frame  26  on the pull side  70  of the door  24 .  FIG. 6  shows the door motion device  22  and the door control apparatus  20  both mounted to the door frame  26  on the push side  72  of the door  24 .  FIG. 7  shows the door motion device  22  and door control apparatus  20  mounted on opposite sides of the door frame  26 , with the door motion device  22  being on the pull side  70  and the door control apparatus  20  being on the push side  72 .  FIG. 8  again shows the door motion device  22  and door control apparatus  20  mounted on opposite sides of the door frame  26 , but with the door motion device  22  being on the push side  72  and the door control apparatus  20  being on the pull side  70 .  FIGS. 9 and 10  show the door motion device  22  mounted to the pull side  70  of the door  24 , with the door control apparatus  20  being mounted to the door frame  26  on the push side  72  in  FIG. 9  and to the pull side  70  in  FIG. 10 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 11  shows a door motion device  22  that may be of any type, including an automatic door operator  22   b  that is programmed to open the door in response to a signal from the sensor  84 , including either a door closer or a motor  104  with a motor-driven closing function. Three alternate locations for mounting the door motion device  22  are shown. The door control apparatus  20  is mounted on the push side of the door  24  and the sensor  84  may be directed to avoid detecting the motion of the door  24 . Where an automatic door operator is programmed to move the door  24  to the fully open position when detecting a person, the closing motion of the door  24  would result in the door  24  being detected, and the door  24  would be opened again when the sensor  84  detects the door  24  closing. Therefore, the sensor  84  may be oriented to detect motion on the push side  72  of the door  24 , through which the door  24  does not pass. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 12A-14D  show embodiments of the operation of various door control apparatus  20 . When a light emitter  60  (and/or sound emitter), solenoid  30 , or motor  100  act, they are acting in response to a signal, or the lack of a signal, from the control circuitry  83 , which receives signals from the sensor  84 .  FIGS. 12A and 12B  show an embodiment  1200  of the operation of the door control apparatus when used with an electromechanical door holder. Operation begins with the door in the closed position and power connected to the electromechanical door holder  1202 . At decision step  1204 , the operation is then based on whether the unit, or door control apparatus  20 , is mounted on the same side of the door as the person opening the door (a “same side” unit), or on the opposite side of the door from the person opening the door (an “opposite side” unit). 
         [0034]    If the door control apparatus  20  is an opposite side unit, the person first opens the door  1206  and the motion sensor detects the opening of the door  1208  and signals the control circuitry. A timer then starts  1210 , and a solenoid in the door holder is energized  1212  in response to a signal from the control circuitry to close a valve in the door holder that will prevent flow of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir at a selected port and cause the door to stay open. Optionally and concurrently, when the timer starts, the light emitter is also turned on  1212  in response to a signal from the control circuitry so that the light illuminates the designated floor area; a sound emitter could also alarm when the door is opening. 
         [0035]    If the door control apparatus  20  is a same side unit, the motion sensor detects the person near the doorway  1214 . A timer then starts  1216 , and a solenoid in the door holder is energized  1218  in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry to close a valve in the door holder that will prevent flow of hydraulic fluid in the reservoir at a selected port and cause the door to stay open. When the timer starts, optionally and concurrently the light emitter is also turned on in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry so that the light illuminates the designated floor area  1218 . Then the person opens the door  1220 . 
         [0036]    With the timer started, solenoid energized, floor area illuminated, and door open for either the same side unit or opposite side unit, the operation proceeds through transfer circle  1222  to  FIG. 12B . The door stays open at whatever position the person releases the door  1224  for a predetermined set period. If the person is still near the doorway at decision step  1226 , the sensor senses the person, and the solenoid continues to be energized and the light stays on  1228 , and the process returns to step  1224 . If at decision step  1226  the person is not still near the doorway, the motion sensor detects no one near the doorway  1230  and the light flashes for a set period  1232 . If there is a sound emitter, the sound emitter may begin to alarm and continue until the door is closed. 
         [0037]    If at decision step  1234  another person is not near the doorway, the sensor senses the person, the sensor stops sending a signal to the control circuitry, the solenoid de-energizes to open the valve, and the light is turned off  1236 . If another person is near the doorway  1234  and at decision step  1238  the programmed maximum open time has not been reached, the operation returns to the steps where the timer starts  1210 ,  1218  through decision step  1240  and transfer circles  1242 ,  1244 , as applicable. If the maximum open time has been reached  1238 , the light is turned off and then the solenoid de-energizes  1236  to open the valve. From step  1246  the door begins to close, and then has returned to the closed position  1248 . 
         [0038]      FIGS. 13A-13D  show an embodiment  1300  of the operation of the door control apparatus when used with an automatic door operator. Operation begins with the door in the closed position and power connected to the door operator  1302 , and continues at decision step  1304  depending on whether the door operator opens the door or a person opens the door. If the door operator opens the door, a person actuates a switch  1306 , which may be, for example, a button, a touch pad, a sensor of various types, or other means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The door operator then opens the door  1308  to the predetermined fully open position. The motion sensor detects a person near the doorway  1310 , and a timer starts  1312 . Then a solenoid is energized in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry, and optionally a light illuminates the designated floor area  1314  in response to a similar signal; a sound emitter could also alarm on the door opening. 
         [0039]    If a person opens the door, the operation proceeds from decision step  1304  through transfer circle  1316  to  FIG. 13B . At decision step  1318  the process flow depends on whether the person is to pull or push the door open. 
         [0040]    If the person is to pull the door open, the person first opens the door  1320  and then goes through the doorway  1322 . The motion sensor detects a person near the doorway  1324 . A timer then starts  1326 , a solenoid in the door closer is energized in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry, and optionally the light emitter is also turned on similarly so that the light illuminates the designated floor area  1328 . 
         [0041]    If the person is to push the door open, the motion sensor first detects the person near the doorway  1330 . A timer then starts  1332 , a solenoid in the door closer is energized in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry, and optionally the light emitter is also turned on so that the light illuminates the designated floor area  1334 . A sound emitter could also alarm. Then the person pushes open the door  1336 . 
         [0042]    With the timer started, solenoid energized, floor area illuminated, and door open, the process proceeds through transfer circle  1338  to  FIG. 13C , as does the operation from step  1314  on  FIG. 13A . In step  1340 , in the embodiment of a door operator currently being discussed, the door is completely opened by the door operator if it is not already fully open. The door stays open for at least a predetermined set period  1342 , and at decision step  1344 , if a person is still near the doorway and is sensed, the solenoid remains energized and the light stays on  1346  based on a continued signal from the sensor via the control circuitry, resulting in the door continuing to stay open, and the light on, for at least the set period  1342 . Once there is not a person near the doorway  1344 , the motion sensor detects no one  1348 , and if there is a light, the light will flash for a set period  1350 . Alternatively, the door operator could be configured to operate like a door holder when the door is pushed manually. 
         [0043]    Continuing through transfer circle  1352  to  FIG. 13D  to decision step  1354 , if another person is near the doorway, the door operator engages its motor to return the door to the predetermined fully open position  1356 , and the process returns through transfer circle  1358  to restart the timer  1312  on  FIG. 13A . If another person is not near the doorway at decision step  1354 , the solenoid in the door closer is de-energized in response to the lack of a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry  1356 , and the light is likewise turned off. The door operator moves the door towards the closed position  1358 . Another decision step  1360  considers whether another person is near the doorway while the door is in the process of closing. If another person is near the doorway, the door operator returns the door to the fully open position  1356 , and the operation returns through transfer circle  1358  to step  1312  on  FIG. 13A . If no other person has entered the opening, the door continues closing and is returned to the closed position  1362 . 
         [0044]      FIGS. 14A-14D  show another embodiment  1400  of the operation of the door control apparatus when used with an automatic door operator. Operation begins with the door in the closed position and power connected to the door operator  1402 , and continues at decision step  1404  depending on whether the door operator opens the door or a person opens the door. If the door operator opens the door, a person actuates a switch  1406 , which may be, as discussed above, a button, a touch pad, a sensor of various types, or other means known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The door operator then opens the door  1408  to a predetermined fully open position. The motion sensor detects a person near the doorway  1410 , and a timer starts  1412 . Then, optionally, in response to a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry, a light illuminates the designated floor area  1414 . 
         [0045]    If a person opens the door, the operation proceeds from decision step  1404  through transfer circle  1416  to  FIG. 14B . The operation is then based on the decision step  1418  as to whether the person is to pull or push the door open. 
         [0046]    If the person is to pull the door open, the person first opens the door  1420  and then goes through the doorway  1422 . The motion sensor detects a person near the doorway  1424 . A timer then starts  1426 , and optionally the light emitter is also turned on so that the light illuminates the designated floor area  1428 . 
         [0047]    If the person is to push the door open, the motion sensor first detects the person near the doorway  1430 . A timer then starts  1432 , and optionally the light emitter is also turned on so that the light illuminates the designated floor area  1434 . Then the person pushes open the door  1436 . 
         [0048]    With the timer started, floor area illuminated, and door open, the process proceeds through transfer circle  1438  to  FIG. 14C , as does the operation from step  1414  on  FIG. 14A . In step  1440 , the door is completely opened by the door operator if it is not already in the predetermined fully open position. The door stays open for at least a predetermined set period  1442 , and at decision step  1444 , if a person is still in the opening, the door continues to stay open for at least the set period  1442 . If there is not a person near the doorway, the motion sensor detects no one near the doorway  1446 , and if there is a light, the light will flash for a set period  1448 . Again, alternatively, the door operator could be configured to operate like a door holder when the door is pushed manually. 
         [0049]    Continuing through transfer circle  1450  to  FIG. 14D  to decision step  1452 , if another person is near the doorway, the door operator engages its motor to return the door to the predetermined fully open position  1454 , and the process returns through transfer circle  1456  to restart the timer  1412  on  FIG. 14A . If another person is not near the doorway at decision step  1452 , the light is turned off  1458  in response to the lack of a signal from the sensor via the control circuitry. The door operator engages its motor to move the door toward the closed position  1460 . Another decision step  1462  considers whether another person is near the doorway while the door is in the process of closing. If another person is near the doorway, the door operator engages its motor to return the door to the fully open position  1454 , and the operation returns through transfer circle  1456  to step  1412  on  FIG. 14A . If no other person has entered the opening, the door continues closing and is returned to the closed position  1464 . 
         [0050]    Although the door control apparatus described above has been shown and described in considerable detail with respect to only a few exemplary embodiments thereof, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that it is not intended to be limited to these embodiments since various modifications, omissions and additions may be made to the disclosed embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages. For example, some of the novel features could be used with any type of door motion device or any type of light emitter. A light emitter may be used other than one that shines a light or a floor, or additional light emitters may be used, including but not limited to the selectively lighted display  66 . Accordingly, it is intended to cover all such modifications, omission, additions and equivalents as may be included within the scope of a door control apparatus and associated methods as defined by the following claims. In the claims, where a claim is directed to a method, unless otherwise indicated the order of actions to be performed is not limited to the order in which the actions are written. Further, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover the structures described herein as performing the recited function and not only structural equivalents but also equivalent structures. Thus, although a nail and a screw may not be structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw may be equivalent structures.

Summary:
A door control apparatus and methods for controlling a door motion device for a hinged door and, optionally, illuminating a designated area on the floor. During the time the designated area is illuminated, a person can expect that the door will not close. The door control apparatus may include control circuitry, and a sensor, and optionally a light emitter and/or a sound emitter. The sensor detects a person proximate to the door and signals the control circuitry upon a detection event. The light emitter is also connected to the control circuitry. Upon a detection event, the control circuitry signals the light emitter to produce light and signals the door motion device to hold the door open. The light emitter directs light to form an image on the floor in the designated area. The light emitter may be, for example, a laser generator or a light emitting diode lamp.