Patent Publication Number: US-11391080-B2

Title: Systems and methods for controlling the operation of a movable panel wall system

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/586,438, filed May 4, 2017, titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A MOVABLE PANEL WALL SYSTEM, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/333,235, filed May 8, 2016, titled SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A MOVEABLE PANEL WALL SYSTEM, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY 
     The present disclosure relates to movable panel wall systems operable to partition a large environment, such as rooms, into a plurality of smaller environments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a movable wall panel system having a plurality of panels movable between an extended configuration and a retracted configuration and a monitoring system to monitor at least one area adjacent the movable wall panel system. 
     Movable wall panel systems find useful applications in a variety of venues such as classrooms, offices, convention facilities, hospitals or the like. In these venues, the panels of the movable wall panel system are often moved along overhead tracks from which the panels are suspended. The partitions are movable along the tracks to separate or compartmentalize larger rooms or areas into smaller rooms or areas. The operable partitions are typically connected to trolleys that roll within the overhead track. The track is suspended from a support structure which is typically located above the ceiling of a room or area in which the operable partitions are installed. 
     Operable partitions are typically available in single panel, paired panel, and continuously hinged arrangements. Continuously hinged panels are connected together in a train so that the panels extend as one complete unit. A drive system is connected to a trolley of a lead panel to move the train of panels. 
     In an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a system which monitors for an object adjacent a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The monitoring system comprising a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar with a wall plane and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are transverse to the wall plane; a drive system coupled to at least one of the plurality of wall panels to move the plurality of wall panels along the overhead track to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and a control system coupled to drive system to control the drive system to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and to deactivate the drive system. The control system comprising at least one monitoring system positioned to monitor at least one area adjacent the plurality of wall panels on a first side of the wall plane, the at least one monitoring system adapted to detect the object in the least one area, the at least one monitoring system providing a monitoring output indicating the detection of the object in the least one area; an operator interface positioned on a second side of the wall plane, the operator interface capable of receiving a request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration, the operator interface providing a request output indicating the request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one monitoring system to receive the monitoring output and the operator interface to receive the request output, the controller activating the drive system based on the request output and the monitoring output and deactivating the drive system based on the monitoring output, the operator interface including a touch screen interface. 
     In an example thereof, the operator interface includes a first touch input, the operator interface providing an extend request output to extend the plurality of wall panels in response to a detection of a touch of the first touch input for at least a predetermined period of time. 
     In another example thereof, the operator interface includes a first touch input, the operator interface providing an extend request output to extend the plurality of wall panels in response to a detection of a touch of the first touch input and a stop request output in response to a detection of an absence of the touch of the first touch input. 
     In a further example thereof, the operator interface includes a second touch input, the operator interface providing a retract request output to retract the plurality of wall panels in response to a detection of a touch of the second touch input for at least a predetermined period of time. 
     In yet another example thereof, the operator interface includes a second touch input, the operator interface providing a retract request output to retract the plurality of wall panels in response to a detection of a touch of the second touch input and a stop request output in response to a detection of an absence of the touch of the second touch input. 
     In still another example thereof, the operator interface is completely positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In yet still another example thereof, the operator interface includes a first unit having a touch screen positioned on the first side of the wall plane and a second unit having a second touch screen positioned on the second side of the wall plane, the first unit and the second unit each being operatively coupled to the controller, the controller operating the drive system based on either a first request output from the first unit or a second request output from the second unit. 
     In still a further example thereof, the at least one monitoring system includes a first monitoring system positioned to monitor a first area on the first side of the wall plane and a second monitoring system positioned to monitor one of a second area on the second side of the wall plane, a third area intersecting the wall plane, and a fourth area corresponding to a stacking location of the plurality of wall panels when the plurality of wall panels are in the retracted configuration. In a variation thereof, the second monitoring system monitors the third area and is carried by a leading wall panel of the plurality of wall panels. 
     In still yet a further example thereof, the at least one monitoring system includes a first monitoring system positioned to monitor the first area on the first side of the wall plane, the first monitoring system including a video camera. In a variation thereof, a video output of the video camera is displayed at the operator interface positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In yet still another example, the at least one monitoring system includes a first monitoring system positioned to monitor a first area on the first side of the wall plane and a second monitoring system positioned to monitor a second area on the second side of the wall plane, the first monitoring system including a first video camera and the second monitoring system including a second video camera. In a variation thereof, a first video output of the first video camera and a second video output of the second video camera are displayed at the operator interface positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In still another example thereof, the operator interface includes a third touch input, the operator interface providing a stop request output to stop movement of the plurality of wall panels in response to a detection of a touch of the third touch input for at least a predetermined period of time. 
     In a further example thereof, the operator interface is activated through receipt of a user specific input. In a variation thereof, the user specific input is a password entered through the touch screen. In another variation thereof, the operator interface is deactivated after a predetermined period of time of inactivity. 
     In yet a further example thereof, the at least one monitoring system includes a first monitoring system positioned to monitor a first area on the first side of the wall plane, a second monitoring system positioned to monitor a second area on the second side of the wall plane, a third monitoring system positioned to monitor a third area intersecting the wall plane, and a fourth monitoring system positioned to monitor a fourth area corresponding to a stacking location of the plurality of wall panels when the plurality of wall panels are in the retracted configuration. 
     In yet still a further example thereof, the touch screen is configured to present a plurality of screen layouts, a first screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts being capable of receiving a user specific input and in response to the controller determining the user specific input is valid, the touch screen interface displays a second screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts, the second screen layout including a wall movement request touch region, the operator interface providing the request output in response to a selection of the wall movement request touch region. 
     In still a further example, the request output is received by the controller only from the operator interface positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure a system which monitors for an object adjacent a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The monitoring system comprising a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar with a wall plane and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are transverse to the wall plane; a drive system coupled to at least one of the plurality of wall panels to move the plurality of wall panels along the overhead track to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and a control system coupled to drive system to control the drive system to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and to deactivate the drive system. The control system comprising at least one monitoring system positioned to monitor at least one area adjacent the plurality of wall panels on a first side of the wall plane, the at least one monitoring system adapted to detect the object in the least one area, the at least one monitoring system providing a monitoring output indicating the detection of the object in the least one area, wherein the at least one monitoring system includes a first monitoring system positioned to monitor the first area on the first side of the wall plane, the first monitoring system including a video camera; an operator interface positioned on a second side of the wall plane, the operator interface capable of receiving a request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration, the operator interface providing a request output indicating the request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and a controller operatively coupled to the at least one monitoring system to receive the monitoring output and the operator interface to receive the request output, the controller activating the drive system based on the request output and the monitoring output and deactivating the drive system based on the monitoring output. 
     In an example thereof, a video output of the video camera is displayed on a display at the operator interface positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In a further example thereof, the operator interface includes a touch screen and a video output of the video camera is displayed on the touch screen. 
     In another example thereof, the at least one monitoring system further includes a second monitoring system positioned to monitor a second area on the second side of the wall plane, the second monitoring system including a second video camera, wherein a first video output of the video camera and a second video output of the second video camera are displayed at the operator interface positioned on the second side of the wall plane. 
     In a further exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track, the movable wall panel system including a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar with a wall plane and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are transverse to the wall plane. The method comprising the steps of providing at least one monitoring system on a first side of the wall plane to monitor a first area on the first side of the wall plane for an object in the first area; providing an operator interface on a second side of the wall plane, the operator interface including a touch screen; receiving through the operator interface a request to move to plurality of movable wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and in the absence of receiving an indication from the at least one monitoring system of a presence of the object, moving the plurality of movable wall panels towards the requested one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration in response to receiving the request to move the plurality of movable wall panels. 
     In an example thereof, the method further comprises the step of subsequently stopping a movement of the plurality of movable wall panels in response to an absence of the request to move the plurality of movable wall panels. 
     In a still further exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track, the movable wall panel system including a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar with a wall plane and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are transverse to the wall plane. The method comprising the steps of providing at least one monitoring system on a first side of the wall plane to monitor a first area on the first side of the wall plane for an object in the first area, the at least one monitoring system including a video camera; providing an operator interface on a second side of the wall plane; displaying at the operator interface a video output of the video camera; receiving through the operator interface a request to move to plurality of movable wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and in the absence of receiving an indication from the at least one monitoring system of a presence of the object, moving the plurality of movable wall panels towards the requested one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration in response to receiving the request to move the plurality of movable wall panels. 
     In an example thereof, the method further comprises the step of subsequently stopping a movement of the plurality of movable wall panels in response to an absence of the request to move the plurality of movable wall panels. 
     In a yet still further exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track, the movable wall panel system including a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end, the plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar with a wall plane and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are transverse to the wall plane. The method comprising the steps of providing a video camera positioned on a first side of the wall plane, the video camera monitoring a first area adjacent the plurality of wall panels; providing an operator interface positioned on a second side of the wall plane, the operator interface configured to receive a request to move to plurality of movable wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and displaying on a display positioned on the second side of the wall plane a video output of the video camera. 
     In an example thereof, the display is part of the operator interface. 
     In still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The movable wall panel system comprising a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and non-overlapping and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally parallel and overlapping. The movable wall panel system further comprising a drive system coupled to at least one of the plurality of wall panels to move the plurality of wall panels along the overhead track to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and a control system coupled to drive system to control the drive system to move the plurality of wall panels towards one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. The control system comprising an operator interface including a touch screen configured to present a plurality of screen layouts, the operator interface capable of receiving a request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration through the touch screen. The operator interface providing a request output indicating the request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. The control system further comprising a controller operatively coupled to the operator interface to receive the request output. The controller operating the drive system based on the request output. The touch screen of the operator interface displays a first screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts being capable of receiving a user specific input and in response to the controller determining the user specific input is valid the touch screen interface of the operator interface displays a second screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts, the second screen layout including a wall movement request touch region and the controller moves the plurality of wall panels in response to a selection of the wall movement request touch region. 
     In an example thereof, the touch screen interface of the operator interface displays a third screen layout prior to the second screen layout, the third screen layout including an instructional box, a decline touch region, and an accept touch region, the second screen layout only being displayable by the touch screen if a selection of the accept touch region is received. 
     In another example thereof, the touch screen displays during a movement of the plurality of wall panels an indication of a position of the plurality of wall panels on the touch screen. In a variation thereof, the wall movement request touch region is an extend wall movement request touch region and the controller moves the plurality of wall panels towards the extended configuration in response to a selection of the extend wall movement request touch region. In another variation thereof, the wall movement request touch region is a retract wall movement request touch region and the controller moves the plurality of wall panels towards the retracted configuration in response to a selection of the retract wall movement request touch region. 
     In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The movable wall panel system includes a plurality of wall panels, each of the wall panels including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and non-overlapping and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally parallel and overlapping. The movable wall panel system further comprises an operator interface including a touch screen configured to present a plurality of screen layouts. The method comprising the steps of presenting a first screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts on the touch screen, the first screen layout including at least one input to receive an operator identification; receiving a user specific input through the at least one input of the first screen layout; determining in the received user specific input is valid; if the received user specific input is valid, presenting a second screen layout of the plurality of screen layouts, the second screen layout including a wall movement request touch region; receiving a selection of the wall movement request touch region; and moving the plurality of wall panels in response to receiving the selection of the wall movement request. 
     In yet still another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The movable wall panel system comprising a plurality of wall panels rotatably coupled together and each including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and non-overlapping and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally parallel and overlapping. The system further comprising a drive system coupled to at least one of the plurality of wall panels to move the plurality of wall panels along the overhead track to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration and a control system coupled to drive system to control the drive system to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration. The control system comprising an operator interface including a touch screen configured to present a plurality of screen layouts, the operator interface capable of receiving a request to move the plurality of wall panels to one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration through the touch screen, the operator interface providing a request output indicating the request to move the plurality of wall panels towards one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration; and a controller operatively coupled to the operator interface to receive the request output, the controller operating the drive system based on the request output, wherein the request to move the plurality of wall panels is a detection of a touch of a wall movement request touch region displayed on the touch screen, the controller moves the plurality of movable panels towards one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration as long as the touch of the wall movement request touch region is detected. 
     In still yet another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The movable wall panel system including a plurality of wall panels, each of the wall panels including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and non-overlapping and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally parallel and overlapping. The movable wall panel system further comprising an operator interface including a touch screen configured to present a wall movement request touch region. The method comprising the steps of receiving a wall movement request through the operator interface by detecting a touch of the wall movement request touch region; and moving the plurality of wall panels towards one of the extended configuration and the retracted configuration in response to the touch of the wall movement request touch region as long as the touch of the wall movement request touch region is detected. 
     In yet still a further exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a method of operating a movable wall panel system suspended from an overhead track is provided. The movable wall panel system includes a plurality of wall panels, each of the wall panels including a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels being movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and non-overlapping and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces of the plurality of wall panels are generally parallel and overlapping. The movable wall panel system further comprises an operator interface including a touch screen configured to present a wall movement request touch region. The method comprising the steps of receiving a wall movement request through the operator interface by detecting a touch of the wall movement request touch region; displaying an indication of a position of the plurality of wall panels on the touch screen; moving the plurality of wall panels in response to the touch of the wall movement request touch region; and updating the indication of the position of the plurality of wall panels on the touch screen as the plurality of wall panels are moving. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The detailed description particularly refers to the accompanying figures in which: 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a top view of an exemplary movable wall system having a plurality of movable wall panels suspended from an overhead track in an environment; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates the top view of  FIG. 1  and identifies a plurality of monitoring regions adjacent to the plurality of movable wall panels for monitoring for the presence of an object; 
         FIG. 3  illustrates an exemplary control system of the movable wall system of  FIG. 1  including monitoring systems to monitor the monitoring regions adjacent to the plurality of movable wall panels; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates an exemplary embodiment of the control system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 4A  is a detail view of a portion of the control system of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates another exemplary embodiment of the control system of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 6  illustrates an exemplary processing sequence of a controller of the control system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates another exemplary processing sequence of a controller of the control system of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates an exemplary login screen of an exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates an exemplary password submit screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 10  illustrates an exemplary warning screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 11  illustrates an exemplary home screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 12  illustrates an exemplary movement selection screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 13  illustrates an exemplary movement selection screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a video window; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates an exemplary movement selection screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a plurality of video windows; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates an exemplary extend movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 16  illustrates an exemplary extend movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a video window; 
         FIG. 17  illustrates an exemplary extend movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a plurality of video windows; 
         FIG. 18  illustrates an exemplary retract movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface; 
         FIG. 19  illustrates an exemplary retract movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a video window; and 
         FIG. 20  illustrates an exemplary retract movement screen of the exemplary touch screen operator interface including a plurality of video windows. 
     
    
    
     Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. Although the drawings represent embodiments of the present disclosure, the drawings are not necessarily to scale and certain features may be exaggerated in order to better illustrate and explain the present disclosure. The exemplification set out herein illustrates exemplary embodiments of the disclosure, in various forms, and such exemplifications are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference is now made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings, which are described below. The embodiments disclosed below are not intended to be exhaustive or limit the present disclosure to the precise form disclosed in the following detailed description. Rather, the embodiments are chosen and described so that others skilled in the art may utilize their teachings. Therefore, no limitation of the scope of the present disclosure is thereby intended. The present systems and methods include any alterations and further modifications of the illustrated devices and described methods and further applications of the principles of the present disclosure which would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views. 
     The present disclosure relates to movable wall systems  100  for use in an environment  10  such as in a room  12  of a building. Referring to  FIG. 1 , environment  10  includes a first wall  14 , a second spaced apart wall  16 , a floor  18 , and a ceiling (not shown). 
     Movable wall system  100  includes a plurality of wall panels  102 , illustratively  102 A- 102 H, rotatably coupled together at respective hinge joints  104 . Each wall panel  102  includes a first end and a second end, spaced-apart from the first end, and a panel face  106  extending between the first end and the second end. The plurality of wall panels  102  are suspended from an overhead track  108  generally positioned within the ceiling of the room  12 . Overhead track  108  intersects a vertical plane  110  along which movable wall system  100  is positioned when extended between wall  14  and wall  16 . The plurality of wall panels  102  are movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces  106  of the plurality of wall panels are generally coplanar and parallel to plane  110  and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces  106  of the plurality of wall panels  102  are transverse to the plane  110 . The plurality of wall panels  102  are movable between an extended configuration wherein the panel faces  106  of the plurality of wall panels are non-overlapping and generally parallel and a retracted configuration wherein the panel faces  106  of the plurality of wall panels  102  overlapping and generally parallel. In one example, generally parallel means within about 5 degrees of being parallel. In the illustrated embodiment, wall panels  102  extend from wall  14  to wall  16  when movable wall system  100  is in the extended position and wall panels  102  are stored in a pocket  120  in wall  14  when movable wall system  100  is in the retracted position. Exemplary panels  106  include seals between adjacent panels  106 , seals between panels  106  and the ceiling of room  12 , seals between panels  106  and floor  18  of room  12 . 
     Movable wall system  100  is driven between the extended configuration and the retracted configuration through a drive system  130 . Drive system  130  includes a motor  132  and a chain drive  134 . Chain drive  134  is operatively coupled to a trolley support  136  coupled to lead panel  102 A. Each panel includes one or more trolley supports  136  which are received in overhead track  108  and are constrained to move within overhead track  108 . Motor  132  actuates chain drive  134  to either pull lead panel  102 A in either direction  138  to extend movable wall system  100  or direction  140  to retract movable wall system  100 . 
     Details regarding exemplary panels and drive systems are provided in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,255,045; 6,715,530; 6,698,491; 6,598,355; 6,571,855; 6,393,772; 5,551,499; and 5,152,332 and in US Published Patent Application Nos. 20140059933 and 20120083147, the entire disclosures of which are expressly incorporated by reference herein. 
     Drive system  130  is controlled through a control system  150 . Control system  150  includes a controller  152  and an operator interface  158 . Controller  152  includes a processor  154  and associated non-transitory memory  156 . Controller  152  provides the electronic control of the various components of drive system  130 . Controller  152  receives an indication from an extend limit switch  160  (see  FIG. 3 ) when movable wall system  100  approaches a fully extended configuration and deactivates motor  132 . Similarly, controller  152  receives an indication from a retract limit switch  162  when movable wall system  100  approaches a fully retracted configuration and deactivates motor  132 . 
     Further, as described in more detail herein, controller  152  is operatively coupled to a plurality of monitoring systems which monitor various parameters of movable wall system  100  or the environment  10  surrounding movable wall system  100 . Controller  152  may be a single device or a distributed device, and the functions of controller  152  may be performed by hardware and/or as computer instructions on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, such as memory  156 . 
     When movable wall system  100  is positioned in an extended configuration, room  12  is separated into a first region  20  (SIDE A) and a second region  22  (SIDE B). As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , operator interface  158  is positioned on wall  14  in first region  20 . Operator interface  158  may be positioned on wall  14  in second region  22 , on wall  16  in first region  20 , or wall  16  in second region  22 . An operator provides input to controller  152  through operator interface  158 . Exemplary input includes a request to extend movable wall system  100  and a request to retract movable wall system  100 . In the embodiments disclosed herein a single operator interface  158  is provided. Thus, a single operator may actuate movable wall system  100  from a single side of movable wall system  100 . In alternative embodiments, two or more operator interface  158  are provided with at least one in first region  20  and at least one in second region  22 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 2 , several regions adjacent to movable wall system  100  may be monitored to detect one or more objects that approach movable wall system  100 . A first region  180  is provided between walls  14  and  16  in first region  20  which generally extends from wall  14  to wall  16 . A second region  182  is provided between walls  14  and  16  in second region  22  which generally extends from wall  14  to wall  16 . A third region  184  corresponds to an area whereat wall panels  102  are stacked, illustratively pocket  120 . A fourth region  186  corresponds to an area between wall  16  and leading panel  102 A of movable wall system  100 . In one embodiment, operator interface  158  is positioned outside of regions  180 ,  182 ,  184 , and  186 . In one example, region  180  is positioned between wall  100  and operator interface  158 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 3 , control system  150  further includes a first monitoring system  164  which monitors first region  180 , a second monitoring system  166  which monitors second region  182 , a third monitoring system  168  which monitors third region  184 , and a fourth monitoring system  170  which monitors fourth region  186 . Each of first monitoring system  164 , second monitoring system  166 , third monitoring system  168 , and fourth monitoring system  170  may include two or more systems which monitor separate non-overlapping portions of the respective first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186  or monitor overlapping portions of the respective first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 . Exemplary first monitoring system  164 , second monitoring system  166 , third monitoring system  168 , and fourth monitoring system  170  include pressure sensitive mats which provide an indication when a load exceeding a threshold amount is placed on the mat, passive infrared (“IR”) detection systems which provide an indication of either the presence of a warm object in a field of view of the detector or a change in a location of warm object in the field of view of the detector, a pressure switch carried by a leading edge of lead panel  102 A, an ultrasonic system which detects an object based on the timing of reflected acoustic signals, a visible light video camera, line-of-sight systems, and other suitable systems for detecting the presence of an object in one of first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 . 
     Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 4A , exemplary first monitoring system  164 , second monitoring system  166 , third monitoring system  168 , and fourth monitoring system  170  are shown. First monitoring system  164  is an IR system and includes a first passive IR detector  200  positioned along wall  14  and a second passive IR detector  202  positioned along wall  16 . Each of first passive IR detector  200  and second passive IR detector  202  monitor portions of first region  180  and provide an indication to controller  152  when a warm body enters or moves within first region  180 . Similarly, second monitoring system  166  is an IR system and includes a first passive IR detector  204  positioned along wall  14  and a second passive IR detector  206  positioned along wall  16 . Each of first passive IR detector  204  and second passive IR detector  206  monitor portions of second region  182  and provide an indication to controller  152  when a warm body enters or moves within second region  182 . Exemplary passive IR detectors include the SAFEPATH brand system available from Gym Door Repairs located at 3500 Sunrise Highway, Building  200 , Suite 210 Great River, N.Y. 11739. Further exemplary passive IR detectors include the DS720i Long Range TriTech PIR Detector (10.525 GHZ) available from Bosch Security Systems, Inc. located at 130 Perinton Parkway, Fairport, N.Y. 14450. The DS720i detector includes both passive IR detection and microwave detection systems. In one embodiment, one or more of first passive IR detector  200 , second passive IR detector  202 , first passive IR detector  204 , and second passive IR detector  206  are positioned within the respective first region  180  and second region  182  that they are monitoring. In one embodiment, one or more of first passive IR detector  200 , second passive IR detector  202 , first passive IR detector  204 , and second passive IR detector  206  are positioned outside of the respective first region  180  and second region  182  that they are monitoring. 
     Third monitoring system  168  includes a pressure sensitive mat  210  positioned in pocket  120 . Pressure sensitive mat  210  includes pressure sensors which detect when a load above a predetermined threshold is positioned on pressure sensitive mat  210 . Pressure sensitive mat  210  is spaced apart from movable wall system  100  so that movable wall system  100  does not exert a load on pressure sensitive mat  210 . If pressure sensitive mat  210  detects a load above the predetermined threshold, an indication is provided to controller  152 . An exemplary pressure sensitive mat  210  is MS-Series safety mats available from Tapeswitch Corporation located at 100 Schmitt Boulevard in Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735. 
     Fourth monitoring system  170  includes a pressure sensitive edge  212  (see  FIG. 4A ) carried by a leading edge of lead panel  102 A. Pressure sensitive edge  212  includes pressure sensors which detect when a load above a predetermined threshold contacts pressure sensitive edge  212 . If pressure sensitive edge  212  detects a load above the predetermined threshold, an indication is provided to controller  152 . An exemplary pressure sensitive edge  212  is sensing edge product available from Tapeswitch Corporation located at 100 Schmitt Boulevard in Farmingdale, N.Y. 11735. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , an exemplary processing sequence  250  of controller  152  is illustrated for the system illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Controller  152  receives a request to move movable wall system  100 , as represented by block  252 . The request is provided as an indication from operator interface  158  based on an input from an operator. Exemplary operator inputs are discussed herein in reference to  FIGS. 8-20 . 
     Controller  152  next determines if any objects are detected in one of first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 , as represented by block  254 . If any one of first monitoring system  164 , second monitoring system  166 , third monitoring system  168 , or fourth monitoring system  170  provides an indication of the presence of an object in the respective one of first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 , controller  152  fails to initiate wall movement (if the wall  100  is not moving) or stops the wall movement (if the wall  100  is moving), as represented by block  256 . Exemplary indications include a change in a voltage output on a line monitored by controller  152 , a message sent over a network connection, such as a CAN network or a BLUETOOTH wireless network, or other suitable methods of providing an indication. Controller  152  then provides an indication to an operator of the stopped movement, as represented by block  258 . Exemplary indications include audio indicators (for example, a siren, an audio tone, or other suitable audio indicators), visual indicators (for example, a flashing light, a pictorial or textual message on a display, or other suitable visual indicators), tactile indicators (a vibration element or other suitable tactile indicators), or combinations thereof. 
     If an object is not detected in any one of first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 , controller  152  activates drive system  130  to move movable wall system  100  towards the requested configuration, as represented by block  260 . Controller  152  determines if the movement is complete, as represented by block  262 . In one embodiment, controller  152  determines the movement is complete when the respective limit switch is activated (switch  160  for placing movable wall system  100  in an extended configuration and switch  162  for placing movable wall system  100  in a retracted configuration). 
     If the wall movement is complete, the processing sequence ends, as represented by block  264 . Otherwise, controller  152  determines if a stop input has been received, as represented by block  266 . If a stop input has been received, controller  152  stops the wall movement, as represented by block  256 . If a stop input has not been received, controller  152  returns to block  254  to monitor for objects in any one of first region  180 , second region  182 , third region  184 , and fourth region  186 , as represented by block  254 . 
     In one embodiment, operator interface  158  includes a touch screen unit  300  (see  FIG. 8 ) having a touch screen  302 . In  FIG. 8 , an initial screen layout  304  is illustrated. When an operator touches touch screen  302 , screen  304  prompts the operator to enter a password. To initiate entering a password, operator touches password entry region  306 . In response thereto, the operator is presented with a numeric keypad layout (not shown) through which the operator may enter a password by selecting the touch regions corresponding to the desired numbers. In one example, the password is a four digit number. Once the password has been entered, screen  310  (see  FIG. 9 ) is displayed. Screen  310  includes password entry region  306  and an enter touch region  312 . In response to a selection of region  312 , controller  152  determines if the entered password is valid. If the password is valid, screen  320  (see  FIG. 10 ) is displayed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , screen  320  includes an instructional box  322 , a decline touch region  324 , and an accept touch region  326 . Instructional box  322  provides instructions and warnings regarding the operation of movable wall system  100 . In one embodiment, instructions box  322  is a scroll box. The operator must acknowledge the instructions and warnings provided in instructional box  322  prior to operating wall  100 . If the operator does not agree to comply with the instructions and warnings, the operator selects decline touch region  324  which results in screen  304  (see  FIG. 8 ) being displayed. If the operator agrees to comply with the instructions and warnings, the operator selects accept touch region  326  which results in screen  330  (see  FIG. 11 ) being displayed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 11 , a wall operation touch region  332  is included in screen  330 . Further, a log out touch region  334  is provided. Touching log out touch region  334  results in screen  304  (see  FIG. 8 ) being displayed. Screen  330  also includes a setting touch input  336 . In order to change the settings, the entered password must have administrative privileges. Touching wall operation touch region results in screen  340  (see  FIG. 12 ) being displayed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , screen  340  includes an extend wall touch region  342 , a retract wall touch region  344 , and a home screen touch region  346 . Touching home screen touch region returns the operator to screen  330  (see  FIG. 11 ). Touching extend wall touch region  342  results in screen  350  (see  FIG. 15 ) being displayed. Touching retract wall touch region  344  results in screen  360  (see  FIG. 16 ) being displayed. 
     Referring to  FIG. 15 , screen  350  includes an extend status indicator  352 , an extend request touch region  354 , a stop wall movement request touch region  356 , and home screen touch region  346 . Extend status indicator  352  provides a visual indication of the percentage of completion of the requested wall movement. 
     In one embodiment, an operator by touching extend request touch region  354  for a predetermined period of time results in controller  152  executing processing sequence  250 . An exemplary predetermined period of time is about three seconds. An operator may stop the movement of the wall  100  by touching stop wall movement request touch region  356  which is interpreted by controller  152  a stop input (see block  266 ) in processing sequence  250 . 
     In another embodiment, an operator must continuously touch extend request touch region  354  throughout the movement of wall  100 . As long as the operator is touching extend request touch region  354 , controller  152  executes processing sequence  250 . If the operator ceases to touch extend request touch region  354 , controller interprets this as a stop input (see block  266 ) in processing sequence  250 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 18 , screen  360  includes a retract status indicator  362 , a retract request touch region  364 , a stop wall movement request touch region  366 , and home screen touch region  346 . Retract status indicator  362  provides a visual indication of the percentage of completion of the requested wall movement. 
     In one embodiment, an operator by touching retract request touch region  364  for a predetermined period of time results in controller  152  executing processing sequence  250 . An exemplary predetermined period of time is about three seconds. An operator may stop the movement of the wall  100  by touching stop wall movement request touch region  366  which is interpreted by controller  152  a stop input (see block  266 ) in processing sequence  250 . 
     In another embodiment, an operator must continuously touch retract request touch region  364  throughout the movement of wall  100 . As long as the operator is touching retract request touch region  364 , controller  152  executes processing sequence  250 . If the operator ceases to touch retract request touch region  364 , controller interprets this as a stop input (see block  266 ) in processing sequence  250 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the system of  FIG. 4  has been modified to further include a first video camera  230  positioned to monitor region  182  and, optionally, a second video camera  232  positioned to monitor region  180 . Although video cameras  230  and  232  are shown positioned along wall  16 , one or both of video camera  230  and video camera  232  may be positioned along wall  14  or in the ceiling of room  12 . 
     By having video camera  230 , controller  152  may provide video information to an operator of wall  100  through operator interface  158  of side  22  of wall  100 . Thus, an operator positioned at operator interface  158  on side  20  of wall  100  may visually inspect side  20  of wall directly and visually inspect side  22  of wall  100  indirectly through the video output of video camera  230 . By having both video camera  230  and video camera  232 , controller  152  may provide video information to an operator of wall  100  through operator interface  158  of both side  20  and side  22  of wall  100 . Thus, an operator positioned at operator interface  158  on side  20  of wall  100  may visually inspect side  20  of wall both directly and indirectly and visually inspect side  22  of wall  100  indirectly through the video output of video camera  230 . 
     In one embodiment, controller  152  retains the video information from cameras  230 ,  232 . In one embodiment, the video information is provided to the operator solely for visual inspection. In one embodiment, the video information is both provided to the operator for visual inspection and analyzed by controller  152  to detect an object in either monitoring region  180  or monitoring region  182 . For example, controller  152  through image processing may detect movement of objects within either monitoring region  180  or monitoring region  182  through the analysis of multiple frames of video information. Although video cameras are shown to monitor one or both of monitoring region  180  and monitoring region  182 , video cameras may also be included to monitor one or both of monitoring region  184  and monitoring region  186 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 7 , a modified version of processing sequence  250 ′ is shown. Processing sequence  250 ′ further includes the step of displaying the video output of the video cameras on operator interface  158 , as represented by block  270 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 13 , a modified screen  340 ′ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230 . Referring to FIG.  14 , a modified screen  340 ″ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230  and a region  349  which displays the video output of video camera  232 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 16 , a modified screen  350 ′ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230 . Referring to  FIG. 17 , a modified screen  350 ″ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230  and a region  349  which displays the video output of video camera  232 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 19 , a modified screen  360 ′ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230 . Referring to  FIG. 20 , a modified screen  360 ″ of touch screen unit  300  is shown which includes a region  348  which displays the video output of video camera  230  and a region  349  which displays the video output of video camera  232 . 
     While this disclosure has been described as having exemplary designs and embodiments, the present systems and methods may be further modified within the spirit and scope of this disclosure. This application is therefore intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the disclosure using its general principles. Further, this application is intended to cover such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice in the art to which this disclosure pertains.