Door alarm system and refrigeration device

Abstract

Door alarm systems, methods, and apparatus are disclosed. A door alarm system may monitor a door of a refrigeration device and detect a failed attempt at closing the door. In response to detecting the failed attempt, the door alarm system may generate a notification of the detected, failed attempt so that remedial action may be taken.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method, comprising:
 detecting, via one or more sensors, a movement of a door indicative of an attempt to close the door; and   generating a notification, via a controller, if the attempt to close the door failed.   
     
     
         22 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining that the attempt to close the door failed according to an angle of the door and a closed position of the door.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining that the attempt to close the door has commenced according to an angle of the door and a threshold angle of the door.   
     
     
         24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining the attempt to close the door failed according to the rate of change of an angle of the door.   
     
     
         25 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining that the attempt to close the door failed according to a distance between a current position of the door and a closed position of the door.   
     
     
         26 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein the method comprises:
 determining that the attempt to close the door has commenced according to a distance between a current position of the door and movement of the door toward a closed position.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the notification comprises sounding an audible alarm. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein generating the notification comprises sending an electronic message selected from a group of electronic messages comprising an email message, a short message service (SMS) message, an instant message and a push notification. 
     
     
         29 . A system, comprising:
 one or more sensors configured to detect a movement of a door; and   a controller coupled to the one or more sensors, wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine, according to the movement of the door, whether an attempt to close the door failed to close the door; and 
 if the attempt failed to close the door, generate a notification that indicates that the door failed to close. 
   
     
     
         30 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door failed according to an angle of the door and a closed position of the door.   
     
     
         31 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door has commenced according to an angle of the door and a threshold angle of the door.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine the attempt to close the door failed according to the rate of change of an angle of the door.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door failed according to a distance between a current position of the door and a closed position of the door.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configure to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door has commenced according to a distance between a current position of the door and movement of the door toward a closed position.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 29 , comprising:
 a speaker; and   wherein the controller is configured to generate the notification by sounding an audible alarm via the speaker.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 29 , wherein the controller is configured to generate the notification by sending an electronic message selected from a group of electronic messages including an email message, a short message service (SMS) message, an instant message, and a push notification. 
     
     
         37 . A controller for a door alarm system having one or more sensors that detect a movement of a door, the controller comprising:
 one or more ports communicatively coupled the one or more sensors; and   a processor operable to:
 determine, according to the movement of the door, whether an attempt to close the door failed to close the door; and 
 generate a notification that indicates that the door failed to close. 
   
     
     
         38 . The controller of  claim 37 , wherein the processor is operable to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door failed according to an angle of the door and a closed position of the door.   
     
     
         39 . The controller of  claim 37 , wherein the processor is operable to:
 determine that the attempt to close the door has commenced according to an angle of the door and a threshold angle of the door.   
     
     
         40 . The controller of  claim 37 , wherein the processor is operable to:
 determine the attempt to close the door failed according to the rate of change of an angle of the door.