Pet door system having semi-flexible pet door

A pet door system comprising:

• a casing configured to attach the pet door system to a building;
• a segmented door attached to the casing, wherein the segmented door comprises a plurality of interlocking segments that are rotatable with respect to each other;
• a rotating cylinder attached to the segmented door;
• a motor configured to rotate the rotating cylinder, wherein
• the motor is rotatable in a first direction to wind the segmented door around the rotating cylinder;
• and
• a locking mechanism comprising a shaft configured to extend between the casing and a recess in one of the plurality of interlocking segments to lock the segmented door.

A method of using a motorized pet door system, the pet door system comprising a segmented door having a plurality of interlocking segments that are rotatable with respect to each other, a rotating cylinder attached to the segmented door, a motor configured to rotate the rotating cylinder and one or more sensors on the pet door system configured to detect a signal, the method comprising:

• detecting the signal at the sensors;
• activating the motor to rotate the rotating cylinder;
• rotating the rotating cylinder to wind the segmented door around the rotating cylinder and to open the segmented door;
• activating the motor to rotate the rotating cylinder in a second direction;
• rotating the rotating cylinder to unwind the segmented door and to close the door;
• and
• impeding a counter electromagnetic force generated by the motor when the door is acted on by the force of gravity.

A method of using a motorized pet door system, the pet door system comprising a segmented door having a plurality of interlocking segments that are rotatable with respect to each other, a rotating cylinder attached to the segmented door, a motor configured to rotate the rotating cylinder, and one or more sensors to detect when the segmented door is in a closed position, the method comprising:

• activating the motor to rotate the rotating cylinder;
• rotating the rotating cylinder to wind the segmented door around the rotating cylinder and to open the segmented door;
• activating the motor to rotate the rotating cylinder in a second direction;
• rotating the rotating cylinder to unwind the segmented door;
• detecting a current generated by the motor when the rotating cylinder is rotating to unwind the segmented door;
• detecting whether the door is in the closed position;
• and
• activating the motor and rotating the rotating cylinder to open the segmented door when the current is not detected and the door is not in the closed position.