Door assembly including a touch sensitive portion for controlling automated door movement

A method of controlling automatic door movement, comprising:

• establishing a sensitive portion on at least one of a door panel or an associated door frame member by positioning an electromechanical film on the at least one of the door panel or the associated door frame member;
• determining when an object is within a proximity of the sensitive portion by at least one of determining when the object contacts the sensitive portion or determining when the object applies pressure to the sensitive portion;
• and
• controlling automatic movement of the door when the object is within the proximity of the sensitive portion.

A door assembly, comprising:

• a door panel that is automatically movable relative to a door frame between open and closed positions;
• a sensor comprising an electromechanical film supported on at least one of the door frame or the door panel, wherein,
• the sensor substantially covers the at least one of the door frame or the door panel,
• the sensor is configured to detect an object within a proximity of the at least one of the door frame or the door panel;
• and
• the sensor is configured to provide an output when an object is detected;
• and
• a controller to control automatic movement of the door panel responsive to the sensor output.