Touchless, pushbutton exit devices, systems and methods thereof

A device for controlling opening and closing of a barrier comprising:

• a face plate including a front surface and a rear surface, the face plate configured for mounting the device adjacent the barrier;
• a proximity detector disposed on the front surface of the face plate that detects an object within a predetermined distance of the proximity detector, an output of the proximity detector coupled to a controller and configured for providing an indication that an object was detected;
• a pushbutton disposed on the front surface of the face plate having an open state and a closed state, the button coupled to the controller and configured to receive an input from a user adjacent the barrier;
• an override input coupled to the controller for providing an override signal to the controller, the override input configured to receive and input from a switching device disposed externally from the device;
• and
• the controller coupled to a lock control device, the lock control device enables a barrier to be opened or closed,
• wherein upon receiving an output from the proximity detector that an object was detected, an input from the pushbutton changing from the open state to the closed state or the override signal from the override input, the controller activates the lock control device to enable the barrier to be open.