Hands-free door opening system and method

A method for automatically operating a door system by a patron desiring to enter an inside area from an outside area through a portal secured by a door, wherein operation of the door is controlled by a motorized mechanism and locked by a latching mechanism communicating with a controller, the controller communicating with a first actuator positioned within the outside area and a second actuator positioned within the inside area, the controller responsive to signals received by the first and second actuators for operating the door, the method comprising:

• setting the door system including the controller to a ready state;
• providing an occupancy status of the inside area to the patron approaching the first actuator in the outside area;
• directing the patron to request the door be opened in response to an unoccupied status for the inside area;
• providing an actuating signal by the patron to the first actuator by the patron desiring to open the door;
• transmitting a door opening signal from the first actuator to the controller;
• opening the door in response to the door opening signal from the controller to the motorized mechanism;
• sensing a presence of the patron within the inside area using a presence sensor;
• automatically closing the door in response to a door closing signal from the controller;
• locking the door in response to a latching signal from the controller;
• setting the first actuator to an in use status;
• indicating the in use status for the inside area at the first actuator;
• and
• indicating a door ready for opening status at the second actuator.