Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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EXTERNAL MOTOR DRIVE SYSTEM FOR WINDOW COVERING
SYSTEM WITH CONTINUOUS CORD LOOP
TECHNICAL FIELD
111 The present disclosure relates to a system for spreading and
retracting window
coverings that use continuous cord loops, and more particularly to an external
motor drive device
for a system for spreading and retracting window coverings.
BACKGROUND
[2] Window covering systems for spreading and retracting coverings for
architectural
openings such as windows, archways and the like are commonplace. Systems for
spreading and
retracting such window coverings may operate for example by raising and
lowering the
coverings, or by laterally opening and closing the coverings. (Herein the
terms spreading and
retracting, opening and closing, and raising and lowering window coverings are
all used,
depending on context). Such window covering systems typically include a
headrail or cassette,
in which the working components for the covering are primarily confined. In
some versions, the
window covering system includes a bottom rail extending parallel to the
headrail, and some form
of shade material which might be fabric or shade or blind material,
interconnecting the headrail
and bottom rail. The shade or blind material is movable with the bottom rail
between spread and
retracted positions relative to the headrail. For example, as the bottom rail
is lowered or raised
relative to the headrail, the fabric or other material is spread away from the
headrail or retracted
toward the headrail so it can be accumulated either adjacent to or within the
headrail. Such
mechanisms can include various control devices, such as pull cords that hang
from one or both
ends of the headrail. The pull cord may hang linearly, or in the type of
window covering systems
addressed by the present invention, the pull cord may assume the form of a
closed loop of
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flexible material such as a rope, cord, or beaded chain, herein referred to as
a continuous cord
loop, or alternatively as chain/cords.
1131 In some instances, window covering systems have incorporated a
motor that
actuates the mechanism for spreading and retracting the blind or shade
material, and controlling
electronics. Most commonly, the motor and controlling electronics has been
mounted within the
headrail of the window blinds, or inside the tubes (sometimes called tubular
motors), avoiding
the need for pull cords such as a continuous cord loop. Using such motor-
operated systems or
devices, the shade or blind material can be spread or retracted by user
actuation or by automated
operation e.g., triggered by a switch or photocell. Such window covering
systems in which the
motor and controlling electronics has been mounted within the headrail are
sometimes herein
called an "internal motor," "internal motor device," or "internal motor
system."
[4] The drive system of the present invention incorporates a motor and
controlling
electronics mounted externally to the mechanism for spreading and retracting
the blind or shade
material. Such drive system is herein called an "external motor," "external
motor device," or
"external motor system," and alternatively is sometimes called an "external
actuator." External
motor systems are typically mounted externally on the window frame or wall and
engage the
cords or chains (continuous cord loop) of window coverings in order to
automate opening and
closing the blind.
151 In both internal motor systems and external motor systems (herein
sometimes
called collectively, motorized systems), automated drive systems incorporate
controlling
electronics to control operation. Commonly, motorized systems have been
controlled through
user control mechanisms that incorporate an RF (radio frequency) controller or
other remote
controller for wireless communication with a drive system associated with the
motor. Such
remote user control systems have taken various forms such as a handheld remote
control device,
a wall-mounted controller/switch, a smart-home hub, a building automation
system, and a smart
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phone, among others. The use of such remote control devices is particularly
germane to internal
motor systems in which it is difficult or impossible to integrate user control
devices within the
internally mounted drive system.
[6] In the external motor drive system of the present disclosure,
since the external
actuator is separated from the headrail or other window coverings mechanism,
this opens up new
possibilities for integrating user controls in the external actuator itself.
These integrated control
features are herein sometimes called "on-device control." On-device control of
external motor
systems offers various advantages, such as simplicity of operation, and
convenience in accessing
the control device and in executing control functions. Such on-device control
of external motor
systems can be integrated with automated control systems through appropriate
sensors,
distributed intelligence, and network communications.
171 Automated control over window covering systems can provide various
useful
control functions. Examples of such automated window control functions include
calibrating the
opening and closing of blinds to meet the preferences of users, and
controlling multiple blinds in
a coordinated or centralized fashion. There effectively is a need to integrate
various automated
window control functions in on-device control for external actuators.
SUMMARY
[8] The embodiments described herein include a motor drive system for
operating a
mechanism for spreading and retracting window coverings. The motor drive
system includes a
motor operating under electrical power and a drive assembly. The motor drive
system advances
a continuous cord loop in response to positional commands from a controller.
An input-output
device for the controller includes an input interface that receives user
inputs along an input axis,
and a visual display aligned with the input axis of the input interface. In an
embodiment, the
input-output device includes a capacitive touch strip that receives user
inputs along an input axis,
and an LED strip aligned with the input axis.
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1191 In an embodiment, the input-output device extends vertically on
the exterior of a
housing for the motor drive system, and the housing supports input buttons. In
an embodiment,
buttons on the housing include a group mode module and a set control module.
In another
embodiment, the housing supports an RE communication button.
[10] In an embodiment, a group mode module communicates the positional
commands
to other motor drive systems within an identified group to operate respective
of other
mechanisms of the other motor drive systems. In an embodiment, the group mode
module
causes an RF communication module to communicate the positional commands to
other motor
drive systems. In an embodiment, the other motor drive systems within the
identified group
operate the respective other mechanisms in accordance with a calibration of a
respective top
position and a respective bottom position for each of the other motor drive
systems.
1111 In an embodiment, a set control module enables user calibration of
a top position
and a bottom position of travel of the window covering. In an embodiment,
during calibration
the user moves the window covering respectively to the top position and the
bottom position
with the input interface, and presses a set button to set these positions.
[12] In an embodiment, the drive assembly comprises a driven wheel
configured for
engaging and advancing the continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism for
raising and
lowering the window covering, and an electrically powered coupling mechanism
coupling the
driven wheel to the output shaft of the motor and configured for rotating the
driven wheel in first
and second senses. Rotation of the driven wheel in a first sense advances the
continuous cord
loop in the first direction, and rotation of the driven wheel in a second
sense advances the
continuous cord loop in the second direction. The controller provides the
positional commands
to the motor and the electrically powered coupling mechanism to control the
rotation of the
driven wheel in the first and second senses.
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[13] In an embodiment, in addition to providing positional commands to the
motor and
the drive assembly, and other control commands, via external motor device on-
device controls,
such commands may be provided by input-output (I/0) devices separate from the
external motor
device on-device control, such as mobile user devices. In an embodiment, the
control system
includes a web application that can emulate various one-axis input and one-
axis display features
of external motor on-device controls.
[14] In an embodiment, the external motor device is configured to raise or
lower the
window covering, such as in roller shades and Roman shades, via vertical
position control. In an
embodiment, the external motor device is configured to open or close the
window covering
laterally (e.g., across the window frame), such as in vertical blinds or
curtains, via horizontal
position control. In an embodiment, the control system includes a graphical
user interface
configured to display an input control that extends either vertically or
horizontally, depending on
the type of window covering system that is driven by the external motor.
[15] In an embodiment, a motor drive system comprises a motor configured to
operate
under electrical power to rotate an output shaft of the motor, wherein the
motor is external to a
mechanism for raising and lowering a window covering; and a drive assembly
configured for
engaging and advancing a continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism for
raising and
lowering the window covering. Advancing the continuous cord loop in a first
direction raises the
window covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop in a second direction
lowers the
window covering. The motor drive system includes a controller for providing
positional
commands to the motor and the drive assembly to control advancing the
continuous cord loop in
the first direction and advancing the continuous cord loop in the second
direction. An input-
output device for the controller includes an input interface that receives
user inputs along an
input axis to cause the controller to provide the positional commands to the
motor and the drive
assembly, and a visual display aligned with the input axis of the input
interface.
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[16] In various embodiments, the external motor drive executes a speed
control
procedure during transition of the motor from an idle state to full operating
speed, and during
transition of the motor from full operating speed back to the idle state. The
motor drive system
includes a controller that provides positional signals, and a motor controller
for powering the
motor. The controller and motor controller are configured to execute a motor
ramp trajectory
speed control that limits acceleration of the motor from the idle state to
full operating speed, and
that limits deceleration of the motor from full operating speed back to the
idle state. Ramp
trajectory control of motor speed is observed to reduce or avoid stresses on
the continuous cord
loop drive system that can stretch, weaken, or otherwise damage the continuous
cord loop such
as a rope, cord, or beaded chain.
[17] In an embodiment, the control system for external motor drive of
window
coverings includes a subsystem for managing solar heating effects. In various
embodiments, this
control subsystem coordinates with system sensors such as a light sensor and
temperature sensor,
external data sources, and other data sources to regulate window covering
position control based
on a plurality of sunlight entrance conditions. Sunlight entrance conditions
include, e.g., light
and temperature sensor outputs, weather conditions, time-of-day, location of
the window
coverings, and other parameters that can affect solar heat gain. In an
embodiment, in the event
the control system determines that a plurality of sunlight entrance conditions
received by the
controller corresponds to one or more window cover criteria, the controller
causes the drive
assembly to spread the window covering, In the event the control system
determines that a
plurality of sunlight entrance conditions received by the controller
corresponds to one or more
window uncover criteria, the controller causes the drive assembly to retract
the window
covering.
[18] In an embodiment, a drive system for use with a window covering system
including a headrail, a mechanism associated with the headrail for spreading
and retracting a
window covering, and a continuous cord loop extending below the headrail for
actuating the
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mechanism for spreading and retracting the window covering, comprises a motor
configured to
rotate an output shaft of the motor; a drive assembly configured for engaging
and advancing the
continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism for spreading and retracting the
window
covering, wherein advancing the continuous cord loop in a first direction
spreads the window
covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop in a second direction
retracts the window
covering; a controller for providing positional commands to the motor and the
drive assembly to
control the advancing the continuous cord loop in the first direction and the
advancing the
continuous cord loop in the second direction; and an input-output device for
the controller,
including an input interface that receives user inputs along an input axis to
cause the controller to
provide the positional commands to the motor and the drive assembly, and
further including a
visual display aligned with the input axis of the input interface; wherein the
drive assembly and
the controller operate in one of a vertical mode and a horizontal mode;
wherein in the vertical
mode the drive assembly is configured for advancing the continuous cord loop
in the first
direction to lower the window covering and is configured for advancing the
continuous cord loop
in the second direction to raise the window covering, and the visual display
and the input axis of
the input interface are aligned vertically; and wherein in the horizontal mode
the drive assembly
is configured for advancing the continuous cord loop in the first direction to
laterally close the
window covering and is configured for advancing the continuous cord loop in
the second
direction to laterally open the window covering, and the visual display and
the input axis of the
input interface are aligned horizontally.
[19] In another embodiment, a drive system for use with a window
covering system
including a mechanism for spreading and retracting a window covering, and a
continuous cord
loop extending below the mechanism for spreading and retracting the window
covering,
comprises a motor configured to rotate an output shaft of the motor; a drive
assembly configured
for engaging and advancing the continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism
for spreading
and retracting the window covering, wherein advancing the continuous cord loop
in a first
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direction spreads the window covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop
in a second
direction retracts the window covering; a temperature sensor communicatively
coupled to the
controller for providing positional commands to the motor and the drive
assembly, wherein the
temperature sensor is configured to provide a temperature output
representative of a temperature
in the vicinity of the drive system; a light sensor communicatively coupled to
the controller for
providing positional commands to the motor and the drive assembly, wherein the
light sensor is
configured to provide a light output representative of intensity of ambient
light in the vicinity of
the drive system; a controller for providing positional commands to the motor
and the drive
assembly to control the advancing the continuous cord loop in the first
direction and the
advancing the continuous cord loop in the second direction; wherein the
controller receives a
plurality of sunlight entrance conditions including the temperature output and
the light output,
wherein in the event the plurality of sunlight entrance conditions received by
the controller
corresponds to one or more window cover criteria, the controller causes the
drive assembly to
advance the continuous cord loop in the first direction to spread the window
covering, and in the
event the plurality of sunlight entrance conditions received by the controller
corresponds to one
or more window uncover criteria, the controller causes the drive assembly to
advance the
continuous cord loop in the second direction to retract the window covering.
[20] In another embodiment, a method for controlling a motor-driven
device comprises
receiving, by a processor via a graphical user interface of a computing
device, a request for
selecting a window covering mechanism from at least one vertical window
covering mechanisms
configured for raising and lowering a window covering via a motor-driven
device and at least
one horizontal window covering mechanisms configured for laterally opening and
closing the
window covering via the motor-driven device; displaying, by the processor via
the graphical user
interface of the computing device, a graphical representation of the at least
one vertical window
covering mechanisms and the at least one horizontal window covering
mechanisms, and
receiving a selection of one of the at least one vertical window covering
mechanisms and the at
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least one horizontal window covering mechanisms; in response to the receiving
the selection of
the one of the one of the at least one vertical window covering mechanisms and
the at least one
horizontal window covering mechanisms, if the selected window covering
mechanism is one of
the at least one vertical window covering mechanisms, displaying via the
graphical user interface
a position control visual display with an input axis, wherein the input axis
is aligned vertically; if
the selected window covering mechanism is one of the at least one horizontal
window covering
mechanisms, displaying via the graphical user interface a position control
visual display with an
input axis, wherein the input axis is aligned horizontally; and in response to
receiving a position
control input via the position control visual display with the input axis,
outputting to the motor-
driven device, by the processor, a position control command based on the
position control input.
[21] In a further embodiment, a motor drive system, comprises a motor
configured to
operate under electrical power to rotate an output shaft of the motor, wherein
the motor is
external to a mechanism for raising and lowering a window covering; a drive
assembly
configured for engaging and advancing a continuous cord loop coupled to the
mechanism for
raising and lowering the window covering, wherein advancing the continuous
cord loop in a first
direction raises the window covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop
in a second
direction lowers the window covering; a controller for providing positional
commands to the
motor and the drive assembly to control the advancing the continuous cord loop
in the first
direction and the advancing the continuous cord loop in the second direction;
wherein the drive
assembly comprises an electrically powered coupling mechanism coupling the
drive assembly to
the output shaft of the motor and configured for rotating the driven wheel in
first and second
senses, and a motor controller for powering the electrically powered coupling
mechanism;
wherein the controller and motor controller are configured to execute a motor
ramp trajectory
speed control that limits acceleration of the motor from an idle state to full
operating speed, and
limits deceleration of the motor from full operating speed back to the idle
state.
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[22] In an embodiment, a drive system for use with a window covering system
including a headrail, a mechanism associated with the headrail for spreading
and retracting a
window covering, and a continuous cord loop extending below the headrail for
actuating the
mechanism for spreading and retracting the window covering, comprises a motor
configured to
rotate an output shaft of the motor; a drive assembly configured for engaging
and advancing the
continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism for spreading and retracting the
window
covering, wherein advancing the continuous cord loop in a first direction
spreads the window
covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop in a second direction
retracts the window
covering; a controller configured to provide positional commands to the motor
and the drive
assembly to control the advancing the continuous cord loop in the first
direction and the
advancing the continuous cord loop in the second direction; and an input-
output device for the
controller including a graphical user interface configured to receive user
inputs to cause the
controller to control the positional commands to the motor and the drive
assembly at a selected
speed of the advancing the continuous cord loop in a selected one of the first
direction or the
second direction, wherein in a first speed control mode the input-output
device causes the
controller to control the speed of the advancing the continuous cord loop at a
selected percentage
within a range of speeds from stationary to a maximum speed, and in a second
speed control
mode the input output device causes the controller to control the speed of the
advancing the
continuous cord loop at a selected one of a limited number of predetermined
speed levels.
[23] In an embodiment, a motor drive system comprises a first motor
configured to
operate under electrical power to rotate an output shaft of the motor, wherein
the first motor is
external to a first mechanism for raising and lowering a window covering; a
drive system
configured for engaging and advancing a continuous cord loop coupled to the
first mechanism
for raising and lowering the window covering, wherein advancing the continuous
cord loop in a
first direction raises the window covering, and advancing the continuous cord
loop in a second
direction lowers the window covering; a controller for providing positional
commands to the first
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motor and the first electrically powered drive system to control the advancing
of the continuous
cord loop in the first direction and the advancing of the continuous cord loop
in the second
direction; an RE communication module operatively coupled to the controller
for controlling RE
communication of the positional commands to a network of other motor drive
systems for
operating respective other mechanisms for raising and lowering respective
other window
coverings; and a group mode module, for identifying one or more of the other
motor drive
systems included in a user-selected group, and for causing the RE
communication module to
communicate the positional commands to the identified one or more of the other
motor drive.
[24] In an embodiment, a motor drive system comprises a motor configured to
operate
under electrical power to rotate an output shaft of the motor, wherein the
motor is external to a
mechanism for raising and lowering a window covering; a drive assembly
configured for
engaging and advancing a continuous cord loop coupled to the mechanism for
raising and
lowering the window covering, wherein advancing the continuous cord loop in a
first direction
raises the window covering, and advancing the continuous cord loop in a second
direction lowers
the window covering; a controller for providing positional commands to the
motor and the drive
assembly to control the advancing of the continuous cord loop in the first
direction and the
advancing of the continuous cord loop in the second direction to control the
raising and lowering
the window covering; and a set control module for user calibration of a top
position and a bottom
position of the window covering, wherein following the user calibration the
controller limits the
raising and lowering the window covering between the top position and the
bottom position.
[25] Additional features and advantages of an embodiment will be set forth
in the
description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description.
The objectives and
other advantages of the invention will be realized and attained by the
structure particularly
pointed out in the exemplary embodiments in the written description and claims
hereof as well as
the appended drawings.
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[26] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and
the
following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended
to provide further
explanation of the invention as claimed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[27] Non-limiting embodiments of the present disclosure are described by
way of
example with reference to the accompanying figures which are schematic and are
not intended to
be drawn to scale. Unless indicated as representing the background art, the
figures represent
aspects of the disclosure.
[28] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an external motor device.
[29] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of disassembled components of an external
motor
device, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[30] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of an external motor device with sprocket
cover in an
opened position, according to an embodiment.
[31] FIG. 4 is an elevational view of an external motor device as seen from
the rear, in
a section taken through the sprocket, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[32] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a window covering system with an
external motor
system installed on a flat wall, according to an embodiment.
[33] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an installed external motor system for
a window
covering system, according to the embodiment of FIG. 5.
[34] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a control system architecture of an
external motor
device for a window covering system, according to an embodiment.
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[35] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of monitored and controlled variables of
an
external motor control system for a window covering system, according to an
embodiment.
[36] FIG. 9 is an elevation view of disassembled motor drive components for
an
external motor system, according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.
[37] FIG. 10 is a flow chart diagram of a calibration routine for an
external motor
control system, according to an embodiment.
[38] FIG. 11 is a flow chart diagram of a shade control routine, according
to an
embodiment.
[39] FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram of a group mode routine, according to
an
embodiment.
[40] FIG. 13 is a flow chart diagram of a grouping mesh routine, according
to an
embodiment.
[41] FIG. 14 is an isometric view of an external motor device, according to
a further
embodiment.
[42] FIG. 15 is a front view of a graphical user interface displayed on an
electronic
device that presents a position control screen of an external motor control
application, according
to an embodiment.
[43] FIG. 16 is a front view of a graphical user interface displayed on an
electronic
device that presents a window covering type setup screen of an external motor
control
application, according to an embodiment.
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[44] FIG. 17 is a front view of a graphical user interface displayed on an
electronic
device that presents a window covering device selection screen of an external
motor control
application, according to an embodiment.
[45] FIG. 18 is a front view of a graphical user interface displayed on an
electronic
device that presents a position control screen of an external motor control
application, according
to an embodiment.
[46] FIG. 19 is a block diagram of a solar heat gain management system,
according to
an embodiment.
[47] FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram of motor ramp trajectory state
machines,
according to an embodiment.
[48] FIG. 21 is an isometric view of an external motor device, according to
a further
embodiment.
[49] FIG. 22 is a front view of a graphical user interface displayed on an
electronic
device that presents a speed control screen of an external motor control
application, according to
an embodiment.
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[50] The present disclosure is here described in detail with reference to
embodiments
illustrated in the drawings, which form a part here. Other embodiments may be
used and/or
other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the
present disclosure.
The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description are not
meant to be limiting of
the subject matter presented here. Furthermore, the various components and
embodiments
described herein may be combined to form additional embodiments not expressly
described,
without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.
[51] Reference will now be made to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in
the
drawings, and specific language will be used here to describe the same. It
will nevertheless be
understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby
intended. Alterations and
further modifications of the inventive features illustrated here, and
additional applications of the
principles of the inventions as illustrated here, which would occur to one,
skilled in the relevant
art and having possession of this disclosure, are to be considered within the
scope of the
invention.
[52] The present disclosure describes various embodiments of an external
motor
device for controlling the operation of a window covering system. In various
embodiments, the
external motor device employs on-device control, employs a separate control
device (e.g., a
mobile computing device), or both. As used in the present disclosure, a
"window covering
system" is a system for spreading and retracting or raising and lowering a
window covering. In
an embodiment as shown at 200 in FIG. 5, the window covering system includes a
headrail 202,
and a mechanism (not shown) associated with the headrail (i.e., a mechanism
within the headrail
or adjacent the headrail) for spreading and retracting a window covering. In
this embodiment,
the window covering system 200 includes a continuous cord loop 220 extending
below the
headrail for actuating the mechanism associated with the headrail, to spread
and retract the
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window covering. As used in the present disclosure, "headrail" is a broad term
for a structure of
a window covering system including a mechanism for spreading and retracting
the window
covering. The window covering system further includes an external motor 210.
Continuous
cord loop 220 operatively couples the window covering mechanism associated
with headrail 202
to the external motor 210 to raise and lower a window shade (fabric, or blind)
204. As seen in
FIG. 6, external motor 210 is mounted to the wall 206 adjacent to the window,
which is covered
by shade 204 in this view. For example, external actuator may be mounted to
wall 206 using
hardware such as bolts 214, or using a mounting fixture such as bracket 194 in
FIG. 2.
[53] In the present disclosure, "window covering" includes any covering
material that
may be spread and retracted to cover a window or other architectural opening
using a continuous
cord loop system (i.e., system with a mechanism for spreading and retracting
the window
covering using a continuous cord loop). Such window coverings include most
shades and blinds
as well as other covering materials, such as: roller shades; honeycomb shades;
horizontal sheer
shades, pleated shades, woven wood shades, Roman shades, Venetian blinds,
Pirouette shades
(Pirouette is a trademark of Hunter Douglas N.V., Rotterdam, Germany), and
certain systems for
opening and closing curtains and drapery. Window covering embodiments
described herein
refer to blind or blinds, it being understood that these embodiments are
illustrative of other forms
of window coverings.
[54] As used in the present disclosure, a "continuous cord loop" is an
endless loop of
flexible material, such as a rope, cord, beaded chain and ball chain.
Continuous cord loops in the
form of loops of cord are available in various types and ranges of diameter
including for example
D-30 (1 1/8" - 1 1/4"), C-30 (1 3/16" - 1 7/16"), D-40 (1 3/16" - 1 7/16"),
and K-35 (1 1/4" - 1
1/2"). Additionally, various types of beaded chain and ball chain are commonly
used as
continuous cord loops for window covering systems. A typical ball chain
diameter is 5 mm (0.2
inch). In a common window covering system design, the continuous cord loop
includes a first
loop end at the headrail engaging a mechanism associated with the headrail for
spreading and
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retracting the window covering, and includes a second loop end remote from the
headrail.
Continuous cord loops come in different cord loop lengths, i.e., the length
between the first loop
end and the second loop end, sometimes rounded off to the nearest foot. In one
embodiment,
e.g., in a roller blinds system, the continuous cord loop extends between the
headrail and the
second loop end, but does not extend across the headrail. In this embodiment,
the first loop end
may wrap around a clutch that is part of the mechanism spreading and
retracting the blind. In
another embodiment, e.g., in a vertical blinds system, a segment of the
continuous cord loop
extends across the headrail. In an embodiment, the continuous cord loop
extends below the
headrail in a substantially vertical orientation. When retrofitting the
present external motor
device to control a previously installed window coverings system, the
continuous cord loop may
be part of the previously installed window coverings mechanism. Alternatively,
the user can
retrofit a continuous cord loop to a previously installed window coverings
mechanism.
[55] The continuous cord loop system may spread and retract the window
covering by
raising and lowering, laterally opening and closing, or other movements that
spread the window
covering to cover the architectural opening and that retract the window
covering to uncover the
architectural opening. Embodiments described herein generally refer to raising
and lowering
blinds either under control of an external motor system or manually, it being
understood that
these embodiments are illustrative of other motions for spreading and
retracting window
coverings. External actuator 210 incorporates a motor drive system and
controlling electronics
for automated movement of the continuous cord loop 220 in one of two
directions to raise or
lower the blind 204. In one embodiment of window covering system 200, the
continuous cord
loop 220 includes a rear cord/chain 224 and a front cord/chain 222. In this
embodiment, pulling
down the front cord raises (retracts) the blind, and pulling down the rear
cord lowers (spreads)
the blind. As used in the present disclosure, to "advance" the continuous cord
loop means to
move the continuous cord loop in either direction (e.g., to pull down a front
cord of a continuous
cord loop or to pull down a back cord of a continuous cord loop). In an
embodiment, the blind
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automatically stops and locks in position when the continuous cord loop is
released. In an
embodiment, when at the bottom of the blind, the rear cord of the continuous
cord loop can be
used to open any vanes in the blind, while the front cord can be used to close
these vanes.
[56] As seen in the isometric view of FIG. 1, an external motor 100
generally
corresponding to the external motor 210 of FIGS. 5, 6 may include a housing
102 that houses a
motor, associated drive mechanisms, and control electronics. External actuator
100 includes
various on-device controls for user inputs and outputs. For example, external
actuator 100 may
include a touch strip 104 (also called slider or LED strip). In the
illustrated embodiment, touch
strip 104 includes a one-axis input device and a one-axis visual display.
External actuator 100
further includes various button inputs including power button 106 at the front
of the housing, and
a set of control buttons 110 at the top of the housing. In an embodiment,
control buttons 110
include an RE button 112, a Set button 114, and a Group button 116.
In an embodiment, buttons 106, 110 are physical (moveable) buttons. The
buttons may
be recessed within housing 102 or may project above the surface of housing
102. In lieu of or in
addition to the touch strip and the physical buttons seen in FIG. 1, the input
controls may include
any suitable input mechanism capable of making an electrical contact closure
in an electrical
circuit, or breaking an electrical circuit, or changing the resistance or
capacitance of an electrical
circuit, or causing other state change of an electrical circuit or an
electronic routine.
[57] In various embodiments, alternative or additional input devices may be
employed,
such as various types of sensor (e.g., gesture sensor or other biometric
sensor, accelerometer,
light, temperature, touch, pressure, motion, proximity, presence, capacitive,
and infrared
sensors). Other user input mechanisms include touch screen buttons,
holographic buttons, voice
activated devices, audio triggers, relay input triggers, or electronic
communications triggers,
among other possibilities, including combinations of these input mechanisms.
FIG. 14 shows an
alternative external motor 1000 that includes input devices 1004, 1006, 1012,
1014, and 1016
generally corresponding to input devices of motor 100. Additionally, the
external motor 1000
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includes a two-dimensional screen 1008 located on the front face of external
motor 1000 above
the LED strip 1004 and below the power button 1006. Two-dimensional screen
1008 may be a
touch screen, and may provide various input/output functions such as a virtual
keypad, an
alphanumeric display, and a graphical user interface, among others.
[58] Referring again to FIG. 1, an input interface of external motor 100
may recognize
various user input gestures in generating commands for opening or closing
window coverings,
and other system functions. These gestures include typing-style gestures such
as touching,
pressing, pushing, tapping, double tapping, and two-finger tapping; gestures
for tracing a pattern
such as swiping, waving, and hand motion control; as well as multi-touch
gestures such as
pinching specific spots on the capacitive touch strip 104. In the cases of a
two-dimensional user
interface such as touch screen 1008 of FIG. 14, additional user gestures may
employed such as
multi-touch rotation, and two dimensional pattern tracing. In an embodiment, a
two-dimensional
input interface 1008 can include a one-axis control that receives user inputs
along an input axis.
[59] The on-device controls of the present external motors incorporate a
shade
positional control input-output (I/0) device such as slider 104. Slider 104
extends vertically on
housing 102 along an input axis of the I/0 device. The verticality of slider
104 naturally
corresponds to physical attributes of shade positioning in mapping given
inputs to shade control
functions in a command generator, providing intuitive and user-friendly
control functions.
Examples of shade control 1/0 positional functionality via slider 104 include,
among others:
[60] (a) A gesture at a given slider position between the bottom and top
of slider
104 corresponds to given absolute position (height) of the blind as measured
by an encoder or
other sensor;
[61] (b) A gesture at a given position between the bottom and top of
slider 104
corresponds to given relative position of the blind relative to a calibrated
distance between a set
bottom position and a set top position (e.g., a gesture at 25% from the bottom
of slider 104
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corresponds to a blind position 25% of the calibrated distance from the set
bottom position to the
set top position);
[62] (c) Gestures at the top and bottom of the slider 104 can execute
different
shade control functions depending on the gesture. Pressing and holding the top
of the slider 104
is a command for the blind to move continuously upward, while pressing and
holding the bottom
of the slider 104 is a command for the blind to move continuously downward.
Tapping the top
of the slider 104 is a command for the blind to move to its top position,
while tapping the bottom
of the slider 104 is a command for the blind to move to its bottom position.
[63] (d) Upward and downward dynamic gestures (e.g., swiping) on slider
104 can
be assigned different functions such as "up" and "down," or "start" and
"stop."
[64] Slider 104 provides a versatile input-output device that is well
suited to various
control functions of a window coverings motor drive system. Various shade
control functions
may be based on a one-axis quantitative scheme associated with the touch strip
104, such as a
percentage scale with 0% at the bottom of the touch strip and 100% at the top
of the touch strip
104. For example, the slider 104 can be used to set blind position at various
openness levels,
such as openness levels 0% open (or closed), 25% open, 50% open, 75% open or
100% (fully)
open, via pre-set control options. A user can command these openness levels
via slider 104 by
swiping, tapping, or pressing various points on the slider. In addition, the
slider command
scheme can incorporate boundary positions for state changes. For example, a
slider input below
the one-quarter position of the slider can command the window covering to
close from 25% open
to 0% open.
[65] Various functions of slider 104 may employ a combination of the one-
axis input
sensing and one-axis display features of the slider. For example, the LED
strip 140 can
illuminate certain positions along the touch strip 104, with these illuminated
positions
corresponding to boundaries along the slider for state changes in a shade
command structure.
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[66] In the external motor device 2100 of FIG. 21, the vertical touch strip
input device
is replaced by capacitive touch buttons 2110, 2120, 2130 for various motion
states. Touch
button 2110 actuates up motion, touch button 2120 actuates down motion, and
touch button 2130
actuates an idle (stationary) motion state. For example, pressing an up button
or down button
may cause continuous up or down movement, tapping a button may cause window
covering
position to move up or down to a next set position, and double tapping a
button may cause the
window covering position to move to the top or bottom calibrated position.
[67] The input-output principles described above for external motor device
on-device
controls can be applied to various types of shade positional control input-
output (I/0) devices
separate from the external motor device on-device control, such as mobile user
devices. In
various embodiments, the web application emulates the one-axis input sensing
and one-axis
display features of the external motor on-device controls described above. In
various
embodiments, the web application utilizes mobile device input technologies
such as touch-screen
inputs, gesture-based inputs, and GPS location sensing. For example, the web
application
control may accept inputs such as dragging, tapping, double tapping, multi-
touch inputs, and
gestures such as tracing a pattern, swiping, waving, and hand motion control.
In various
embodiments, a two-dimensional I/0 device such as a 2D touch screen can be
configured to act
upon user input along a single axis, e.g., along a vertical axis or a
horizontal axis of the touch
screen.
[68] FIGS. 15-18 and FIG. 22 are front views of a graphical user interface
displayed
on an electronic device 1505 (e.g., a mobile electronic device), which present
various screens of
an external motor control application. The window covering application
position control screen
1500 of FIG. 15 includes a vertical slider control 1530 with a bar 1540 that
can be set at a
desired vertical position via touch screen input. In addition, graphical user
interface 1500
includes up-button 1510 and down-button 1520 controls, which may receive
various types of
touch screen input. For example, pressing a button may cause continuous up or
down
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movement, tapping a button may cause window covering position to move up or
down to a next
set position (e.g., set position of 75%), and double tapping may cause the
window covering
position to move to the top or bottom calibrated position.
[69] The window covering application setup screen 1600 of FIG. 16 is used
for setting
up the external motor control application depending on what type or types of
window covering
devices are installed with external motor control. Window covering device type
options include
roller shades 1610, vertical blinds 1620, curtains or drapes 1630, and Roman
shades 1640.
Roller shades 1610 and Roman shades 1640 are characterized by vertical
position control, i.e.,
the external motor device raises or lowers the roller shades or Roman shades.
Vertical blinds
1620 and curtains or drapes 1630 are characterized by horizontal position
control, i.e., the
external motor device opens or closes the vertical blinds or curtains
laterally, e.g., across the
window frame.
[70] As seen in the window covering application selection screen 1700 of
FIG. 17, the
external motor control application may be set up to control two or more
external motor control
devices, e.g., in different rooms or multiple devices in a given room.
Following set-up, the user
may select one of these devices for control via device selection screen 1700.
In the exemplary
embodiment, the user has set up two external motor window control devices: a
roller shades
device 1730 in Bedroom 1 and a curtains or drapes device 1740 in Bedroom 2.
The user has
selected device 1730 via radio button 1710 for control using the window
covering application.
Alternatively, the user can select device 1740 via radio button 1720. In
various embodiments, in
the event an external motor control device selected at the select screen 1700
is associated with
roller shades 1610 or Roman shades 1640, the window covering application will
display a
position control application screen configured for vertical position control.
In various
embodiments, in the event an external motor control device selected at the
select screen 1700 is
associated with vertical blinds 1620 or curtains or drapes 1630, the window
covering application
will display a position control application screen configured for horizontal
position control.
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[71] In an example of use of the window covering application position
control screen
1500 of FIG. 15, the control application has displayed position control screen
1500 following
user selection of device location 1710 at selection screen 1700, as shown in
window covering
device header 1560, "Bedroom 1." For controlling raising and lowering of
roller blind 1730, the
position control screen 1500 displays a vertical slider control 1530.
[72] The window covering application position control screen 1800 of FIG.
18
includes a horizontal slider control 1830 with a bar 1840 that can be set at a
desired horizontal
position via touch screen input. Horizontal slider control 1830 is divided
into ten segments of
horizontal position indicated by vertical bars 1850, and the user can
precisely move the window
covering device to one of these preset positions via touch screen input (e.g.,
a position of 80%,
where 100% is the right-most position). Position control screen 1800 also
includes left-button
1810 and right-button 1820, which can be used respectively to cause movement
of the window
covering device toward the left or the right. In an example of use of the
window covering
application position control screen 1800 of FIG. 18, the control application
has displayed
position control screen 1800 following user selection of device location 1720
at selection screen
1700, as shown in window covering device header 1860, "Bedroom 2." For
controlling
horizontal opening and closing of curtains or drapes 1740, the position
control screen 1800
includes a horizontal slider control 1830.
[73] In addition to window covering application position control screens
such as
vertical position screen 1500 of FIG. 15 and horizontal position screen 1800
of FIG. 18, the
window covering application can include one or more speed control screens. A
speed control
screen can include a control for setting an absolute value of motor speed as
well as a direction of
window covering velocity (e.g., up or down, or left or right). Additionally, a
speed control
screen can include controls to select one of several preset speed settings,
such as a radio button
control to select one of settings Idle; Low; Medium; and High.
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[74] The mapping of given user gestures to given shade control commands,
herein also
called "positional commands," can distinguish between commands applicable only
to the local
external motor 100, versus commands applicable to multiple external motors. In
an example,
double tapping the top of a capacitive touch slider design commands the system
to provide 100%
openness for all window coverings in a pre-set group of window blinds, rather
than just the local
blind. In another example, two-finger tapping commands the system to open all
the window
coverings connected within the network.
[75] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the components of the external actuator
100.
Starting with the components at the front of the device at lower left, a front
bezel 130 includes a
power button glass plate that covers the power button 106. A front lid glass
plate 134 includes
an aperture for the power button. Front lid 136 houses the power button 106
and serves as a
transparent cover plate for the touch strip 104. Visual display components of
the one-axis strip
104 include LED strip (also called LEDs) 140 and diffuser 138. The input
sensor for one-axis
strip 104 is a capacitive touch sensor strip 142. These components serve as an
input-output
device for the external motor 100, including an input interface that receives
user inputs along an
input axis, and a visual display aligned with the input axis. When fully
assembled, the input-
output device extends vertically on the exterior of the housing 102.
[76] Other input/output components include a connector for communications
and/or
power transfer such as a USB port 146, and a speaker (audio output device)
144. The LEDs and
audio outputs of external motor 100 can be used by state machines of external
motor 100 to
provide visual and/or audio cues to signal an action to be taken or to
acknowledge a state change.
Visual cue parameters of the LEDs 140 include, for example: (a) different
positions of the LEDs
indicators (blocks of LEDs) along slider 104; (b) different RGB color values
of the LED lights;
and (c) steady or flashing LED indicators (including different rates of
flashing).
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[77] In examples of visual cues involving the group mode
function.(incomplete
sentence) In an embodiment, the user can press Group Mode button 116 once to
cause external
motor devices in the network to light up their LED display, informing the user
which devices
will be controlled. When a user successfully presses the Group Mode 116 button
to program
external motor 100 to control multiple external motors in its network, the LED
strip 140 of all
external motors being controlled will change color from steady blue to steady
green.
[78] In examples of visual cues involving the Set function, when a user
initiates the
calibration procedure by pressing and holding the Set button, the LED strip
140 will change to
red and blue to inform the user that the external motor 100 is in calibration
mode. When the user
successfully completes the calibration procedure, the LED strip 140 will flash
green to indicate
that the shade is now calibrated.
[79] In a visual cue example involving setting position, when a user taps a
finger at a
particular position along the capacitive touch strip 104, the LED strip 140
illuminates a block of
LEDs at this last known position. This indicator informs the user of the
position to which the
shade will open or close.
[80] In an example of audio cues, an audio alarm sounds to signal a safety
issue. In a
further example, the speaker 144 broadcasts directions to the user for a shade
control function.
[81] Motor drive components are housed between the main body 150 of housing
102
and a back lid 170. The motor components include motor 152 (e.g., a 6V DC
motor), and
various components of a drive assembly. Components of the drive assembly
include a worm
gear 154 that is driven by the motor rotation and coupled to a multi-stage
gear assembly 160, and
a clutch (not shown in FIG. 2). Gear assembly 160 includes helical gear 162
(first-stage gear), a
first spur gear 164 (second-stage gear) rotatably mounted on sleeve bearings
156, and a second
spur gear 166 (third-stage gear). Printed circuit board 148 houses control
electronics for the
external motor device 100.
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[82] Spur gear 166 is coupled via a clutch (not shown) to a sprocket 184,
also called
driven wheel, mounted at the rear of back lid 170. Continuous cord loop
(chain) 120 is threaded
onto sprocket 184 so that the motion of the drive components, if coupled to
the driven wheel 184
by a clutch, advances the continuous cord loop 120.
[83] The drive assembly is configured for engaging and advancing the
continuous cord
loop coupled to a mechanism for raising and lowering the window covering. The
drive assembly
includes driven wheel 184 and a coupling mechanism (152, 160, clutch) coupling
the driven
wheel 184 to the output shaft of the motor. The coupling mechanism is
configured for rotating
the driven wheel 184 in first and second senses. Rotation of the driven wheel
in a first sense
advances the continuous cord loop in the first direction, and rotation of the
driven wheel in a
second sense advances the continuous cord loop in the second direction.
[84] Structural components at the back of external motor 100 includes a
back lid cover
178, sprocket cover 190, back lid glass plate 180, and sprocket lid glass
plate 188. These
components are covered by back bezel 192, which is coupled to a bracket 194
that serves as a
mounting fixture for the external motor 100.
[85] FIG. 9 is an elevation view of structural components and assembled
working
components from a motor driven subassembly 500, as seen from one side. Front
housing 514
and rear housing 516 envelop the drive train and other operational components
of the drive
system 500, but are shown here separated from these components. DC motor 520,
under power
and control from printed circuit board 532 and battery pack 528, has a
rotating output shaft. For
example, batteries 528 may be nickel-metal hydride (NiM11) batteries, or
lithium-ion polymer
(LiPo) batteries. Battery pack 528 can be located within the front housing 514
and rear housing
516 as shown, or can be external to these housings. A multi-stage gear
assembly 524 includes a
gear 526 in line with the motor output shaft, and a face gear 528. The face
gear 528 is coupled to
driven wheel 508 by clutch system 512. Clutch 512 is a coupling mechanism that
includes an
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engaged configuration in which rotation of the output shaft of the motor 520
(as transmitted by
the multi-stage gear assembly) causes rotation of the driven wheel 508; and a
disengaged
configuration in which the driven wheel 508 is not rotated by the output shaft
of the motor. In an
embodiment, clutch 512 is an electrically operated device that transmits
torque mechanically,
such as an electromagnetic clutch or a solenoid. In another embodiment, clutch
512 is a two-way
mechanical-only clutch that does not operate under electrical power.
[86] Successive presses of the power button 504 toggle the drive assembly
between
engaged and disengaged configurations of the clutch system 512. Power button
504 corresponds
to power button 106 in the external actuator embodiment 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2.
In an
embodiment, Power Button 106 turns on or off the device by engaging and
disengaging the
driven wheel or sprocket 508 respectively with the clutch system 512. In
another embodiment,
pressing the Power Button 106 triggers power-on and power-off of the external
actuator 100.
[87] In one embodiment utilizing a two-way mechanical-only clutch, when
Power
Button 106 is pressed in an 'on' position, the mechanical clutch will engage
the driven wheel
with the motor's output shaft and gear assembly. This is a tensioned position
in which the
mechanical clutch will not allow the driven wheel to be operated by manually
pulling or tugging
on the front chain/cords 122 or back chain/cords 124. In this engaged
configuration, when the
external motor 100 receives a shade control command from the on-device
controls or another
device, it will energize the motor to turn the output shaft and gear, which in
turn will turn the
driven wheel. When the Power Button 106 is pressed in an 'off' position, the
mechanical clutch
will disengage the driven wheel from the output shaft and gear, allowing for
manual operation of
the front chain/cords 122 or back chain/cords 124. In the disengaged
configuration, if a shade
control command is sent when the clutch is not engaged, the driven wheel will
not turn.
[88] In another embodiment, the clutch system is an electromagnetic clutch
in which
the driven wheel is always engaged with the output shaft and gear assembly.
The
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electromagnetic clutch allows for manual operation of the front chain/cords
222 or back
chain/cords 224. This clutch does not lock the driven wheel to the output
shaft and gears, but
when electrically energised will engage the driven wheel and output shaft and
gears.
In a further embodiment, when external motor 100 is turned 'on' or engaged
with the
driven wheel via the Power Button 106, the system will recognize user tugging
on the front
chain/cords or the back chain/cords. In one embodiment, when a user tugs on
the front
chain/cord 122 while the external motor is tensioned, the LEDs associated with
the touch strip
104 will flash to notify the user that she can control the device with the
capacitive touch strip
instead.
[89] In another embodiment, when the external motor is turned 'on' or
engaged with
the driven wheel via the Power Button 106 and a user tugs on the chain/cord
while the drive
assembly is tensioned, external actuator 100 will recognize the user's action
using sensors and/or
encoders, and automatically lower or raise the blinds or take other action
based on a command
associated with the particular tugging action. The actions mentioned can
include tugging on the
front chain/cord 122 or the back chain/cord 124.
[90] In an embodiment, a sensor and/or encoder of external motor 100
measures the
manual movement of the cords via a "tugging" or pulling action of the cord by
a user.
Mechanical coupling of the sprocket 184 to the gear assembly 160 includes a
certain amount of
slack, such that user's tugging on the continuous cord loop 120 will cause a
certain amount of
movement of the sprocket and this movement will be recognized by a sensor or
encoder (e.g.,
encoder 322, FIG. 7). Based upon the sensor or encoder output, a shade control
command
structure can include various shade control actions, and engage the motor to
execute a given
action. Tugging the cord while the external motor 100 is engaged and opening
or closing the
blind can send various commands, such as stopping the blind from
opening/closing.
[91] Examples of tug actions engaging the motor to execute shade control
commands:
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[92] (a) Downward tugging sensed, engaging the DC motor in the same
direction.
For example, if the user tugs down the front chain/cords 122, the motor would
operate and lower
the window shade;
[93] (b) Downward tugging sensed, disengaging the DC motor. For example,
if
the user tugs down the back chain/cords 124 while the motor is raising or
lowering the window
shade, the motor will disengage and stop the shade at that position.
[94] (c) Downward tugging sensed, engaging the DC motor in an opposite
direction. For example, if the user tugs down the back chain/cords 124, the
motor will operate
and raise the window shade.
[95] Referring again to FIG. 1, The RF button 112 is used to pair or sync
the external
motor to a mobile phone via radio-frequency chips (RF) including, but not
limited to BLE
(Bluetooth Low Energy), WiFi or other RF chips. The RF button 112 can be used
to pair or sync
to third party devices such smart thermostats, HVAC systems, or other smart-
home devices by
means of forming a mesh network utilizing RF chips including various
protocols. Protocols
include but are not limited to BLE (Bluetooth Low Energy) mesh; ZigBee (e.g.,
ZigBee HA 1.2);
Z-Wave, WiFi, and Thread.
[96] FIG. 13 is a flow chart diagram of a Grouping Mesh routine executed by
an
external motor in response to a grouping call received at 902. For example, a
grouping call may
be triggered at 806 in the Group Mode routine of FIG. 12. Upon receiving the
grouping call, the
external motor initiates BLE mesh mode, thereby communicating messages to
other external
motors in the group (BLE mesh) using a Bluetooth Low Energy protocol. For
external motor
networks that use another protocol 330 (FIG. 7) for RF communications, such as
ZigBee, Z-
Wave, WiFi, or Thread, the grouping call routine would be modified at 804 to
initiate
communications with other external motors in the group based upon the
applicable protocol.
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Similarly, the grouping call routine can be modified to adapt to different
mesh topologies of the
external motor network, such as hub-and-spoke (star topology).
[97] The Set button 114 is used for calibrating or pre-setting the maximum
opening
and closed position of the blind. After the user mounts/installs the external
motor 100, the user
can calibrate the device to manually set positions at which the blind is fully
opened or fully
closed. The user then presses the top portion of the capacitive touch slider
104 to raise the blinds
all the way up. When the blind has reached the top position, the user again
presses the Set button
114 to save the top position. The user then presses the bottom position of the
capacitive touch
slider control 104 to lower the blinds. When the blind has reached its bottom
position, the user
again presses the Set button to save the bottom position. The top and bottom
positions set by a
user can reflect preferences of the user and may vary from one external motor
to another.
[98] FIG. 10 is a flow chart diagram of a calibration routine executed by
an external
motor 100. The calibration routine commences with a calibration command 602,
which can be
effected by pressing and holding the Set button 114 of an external motor, or
in some other way,
e.g., input at a mobile device. At 604 the system passes control to the Shade
Control state
machine and to the Calibration state machine. The Shade Control state machine
is discussed
below with reference to FIG. 11. The Calibration state machine controls the
command structure
for LED indicators; calculates top and bottom positions selected by the user
based on encoder
pulse data; saves these top and bottom positions when confirmed by the user;
and calculates
distance between top and bottom positions to scale shade control commands to
the calibrated
positions. In these routines, the user can execute various motor control
commands to move the
blind to a desired top position. At 606 the system detects whether the user
has selected and
confirmed the top position by pressing the Set button. If so, the routine
saves (calibrates) the top
position at 608. At 610 the system again passes control to the Shade Control
state machine and
to the Calibration state machine. At 621 the system detects whether the user
has selected and
confirmed the bottom position by pressing the Set button and, if so, saves
(calibrates) the bottom
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position at 614. Upon the user's final confirmation of calibration at 614, the
system exits the
calibration routine.
[99] In the illustrated embodiment, the calibration procedure sets the top
position
followed by setting the bottom position. In an alternative embodiment, instead
of setting the top
position followed by calibrating the bottom position, the calibration
procedure sets the bottom
position followed by setting the top position.
[100] In another calibration embodiment, the user presses and holds the Set
button 114
for a limited period of time to reverse the direction of motion. In this
embodiment, if the user
presses the top part of the capacitive touch slider control 104 with the
intent to raise the blinds,
but external motor 100 instead lowers the blind, the user can press and hold
Set 114 within a
specified timeframe to reverse this direction. The user then presses the top
portion of the
capacitive touch slider control 104 to completely raise the blinds, and then
presses the Set button
114 to set the top position. The user will then press the bottom portion of
the capacitive touch
slider control 104 to lower the blinds, and then press the Set button 114 to
set the bottom position.
[101] In a further calibration embodiment, the user can press Set for auto-
calibration.
During auto-calibration, the external motor determines top and bottom
positions via
predetermined sensor measurements.
[102] FIG. 11 is a flow chart diagram of a Shade Control routine executed
by an
external motor 100. At 702 the system receives a command to pass control to
the Shade Control
state machine. At 704 the system passes control to motor control routines.
Motor control
routines start and stop the motor; move the motor in a selected direction
(up/down); move the
motor to a selected position; and regulate the speed of the motor. Motor
control routines are
typically triggered by user commands, but can also be automated, e.g., upon
sensing a condition
affecting safety. At 706, the system detects whether Group Mode is active for
the external motor.
If yes, the external motor's control system broadcasts 708 a shade control
message to other
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motors in the group for execution. Shade control commands executed in response
to the message
708 may vary among different external motors in a group. For example, shade
control
commands based on calibrated positions will vary depending on the top and
bottom positions
calibrated for each external motor. If the Group Mode is not active, the
external motor exits the
shade control routine at 706; otherwise it exits the routine at 708 after
broadcasting the shade
control message.
[103] In various embodiments, the Shade Control routine executed by
external motor
100 is configured to limit acceleration of the motor from an idle (stationary)
state to full
operating speed, and to limit deceleration of the motor from full operating
speed back to the idle
state. In various embodiments, the Shade Control routine causes the external
motor 100 to ramp
up speed from the idle state to full speed, and causes the external motor 100
to ramp down speed
from full speed back to the idle state. These functions of ramping up motor
speed from the idle
state, and ramping down motor speed back to the idle state, are also called
ramp trajectory speed
control in the present disclosure. For example, ramp trajectory speed control
may provide linear
ramp-up or ramp-down of motor speed. The Applicant has observed that ramp
trajectory speed
control reduces or avoids stresses on the continuous cord loop in the window
covering drive
system that can occur due to excessive accelerations, and that these stresses
can stretch, weaken,
or otherwise damage the continuous cord loop such as a rope, cord, or beaded
chain.
[104] In an embodiment, a motor ramp trajectory procedure includes control
commands
that can be received by the control system via wireless communication (e.g.,
Bluetooth control),
touch-screen control, or automated schedule entry, among other possibilities.
The command
structure is described, for example, in the following pseudocode:
cmd code.data. shade pos
This command has values from Ox00 and 0x64 corresponding to 0-100% motor
position control.
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cmd code.data.motor_pwm
This command selects between a slow mode or a fast mode of motor ramp
trajectory, by assigning 1 or 0 values respectively.
cmd code.cmd
CTRL PROTO POS value of this command indicates that a command should be
sent to a top control state machine (also herein called the top state
machine).
topSM task
In addition to the top control state machine, there are various subsidiary
state
machines. topSM task runs a gear topsm doStep task to manage distribution of
control and commands to subsidiary state machines for calibration, touch LED,
motor control, and other functions.
[105] A scheduler runs the top state machine and other tasks on periodic
schedules. In
an exemplary embodiment, a basic timer interval is 8ms, so all tasks are run
in multiples of 8ms.
The top state machine is run every 24ms. A motor trajectory control task
(motorTrajectorySM task) is run every 104ms. As described in the following
pseudocode, a
gear topsm doStep state machine called shade sm doStep. This state transitions
to idle if the
state machine returns a "complete" value.
Case GEAR SM-STATE POSITIONING:
//UartPrintf ("POSITIONING"\R\N");
Complete = shade sm doStep(st);
break
shade sm doStep
[106] In the following pseudocode, the shade sm doStep command takes the
position
command and calculates a heightSelect value using the height
calcPos(shade_pos) function.
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HeightSelect is the encoder value corresponding to the height percentage
received from the
command structure. A motor doPos function determines the direction of movement
when
initiating motor rotation, and selects motor_pwm (a Pulse Width Modulation
value) based on this
determination:
Case SHADE SM CTRL POS:
if (transition)
heightSelect = height calcPos (stshade_pos);
posfdbk[2] = stshade_pos; //assign feedback pos
UartPrintf("SM POS:");PrintNum(stshade_pos);
OnDeviseMesh(stshade_pos);
mtr cmd.mtr_pos = stshade_pos;
complete = motor doPos(stmotor_pwm);
break;
[107] The motor doPos function creates the following command structure to
be used
solely for motor trajectory control by the motor trajectory sm doStep state
machine. This state
machine is run by the motorTrajectorySM task.
mtr cmd.mtr dir = takes either a MOTOR UP value or MOTOR DOWN
value
mtr cmd.mtr mod = PWM (pulse width modulation) mode
mtr cmd.mtr cmd = takes a 1 value for a new command
[108] The motor trajectory sm doStep state machine grabs the above command
structure in its next execution cycle to begin operation of ramp control. This
state machine
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manages motor ramp control from motor a stationary (idle) state, as well as
any command
interrupting a running motor. The state machine includes the following ramp
trajectory functions,
among others: (a) ramps up from an idle state; (b) when the motor is in a
running state, causes
the motor to slow down and stop; (c) when the motor is in a running state,
causes the motor to
ramp in opposite direction, in response to a command requiring opposite
movement; and (d)
when the motor is in a running state, causes the motor to continue running to
a new position, in
response to a command requiring movement in the same direction as current
movement. The
ramp trajectory functions are described in the following pseudocode:
typedef enum attribute ((_packed_))
MOTOR PROFILE IDLE,
MOTOR PROFILE DIRECTION,
MOTOR PROFILE WAIT,
MOTOR PROFILE STOP,
MOTOR PROFILE RAMP UP,
MOTOR PROFILE RUN,
MOTOR PROFILE RAMP DOWN
motor profile states t;
[109] FIG. 20 is a state flow graph of motor ramp trajectory state
machines, which are
built upon the following finite state machine flow:
Si: MOTOR_PROFILE_IDLE - 2010
S2: MOTOR_PROFILE_DIRECTION - 2020
S3: MOTOR_PROFILE_WAIT - 2030
S4: MOTOR_PROFILE_STOP - 2040
S5: MOTOR_PROFILE_RAMP_UP - 2050
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S6: MOTOR_PROFILE_RUN - 2060
S7: MOTOR_PROFILE_RAMP_DOWN - 2070
[110] The state transitions for these finite state machines are shown in
FIG. 20. New
commands are denoted by mtr cmd, which creates a transition from any state to
MOTOR PROFILE DIRECTION state S2 2020. MOTOR PROFILE DIRECTION state S2
2020 decides whether to stop the motor or to ramp up, based on the current
position and the
motor running state. Once a state has completed its function, the process flow
progresses with a
complete transition flowing back to the MOTOR PROFILE IDLE state Si 2010, to
await new
commands.
11111 In an exemplary implementation, the motor ramp trajectory state
machine
increments the motor PWM from 0 to 200 in steps of 20. With the motor ramp
trajectory state
machine running every 104ms, incrementing PWM requires about 1 second to ramp
up. In an
embodiment, the motor ramps PWM down from 200 to 0 in one step. Since the
motor naturally
ramps down due to inertia, this ramp time has been observed to be sufficient
to avoid undue
stress on continuous cord loop beaded chains. In an embodiment, motor ramp
trajectories are
determined automatically by the control system. In an embodiment, the user can
modify default
motor ramp trajectories during system set-up.
[112] The Group button (FIG. 1; also herein called Group Mode button)
116 adds
multiple external motors 100 within a network into groups in order to control
these external
motors simultaneously. In one embodiment, Group Mode allow a user to control
all external
motors within the group from one external motor 100. In an embodiment, to add
additional
external motors into a group, the user presses and holds the Group button 116
to enter pairing
mode. The LED lights of touch strip 104 will flash orange to indicate the
device is in pairing
mode. In one embodiment, the user presses and holds, within a specified
timeframe, the Group
buttons of all external motors of the network she wants to add into the group.
The LEDs color
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will turn from orange to green for all external motors that have been added to
the group to
indicate that pairing is successful. In another embodiment, the user can press
the Group button
116 once to remove a device that is currently in the group, so that the Group
button executes a
toggle function to add or subtract the external motor from the group. In an
embodiment, the user
presses the Set button 114 to complete the pairing and linking of the external
motors in the group.
[113] To control a group of external motors that are linked or synced
together, the user
can activate group control by pressing the Group button 116. In an embodiment,
this changes the
LEDs on the capacitive touch slider 104 to a different color. All external
motors in this group
will light or flash the same LED color to indicate that the external motors
are now in group
control mode. The user can then set the position of the blind by using the
capacitive touch slider
control 104 to control all linked devices.
[114] FIG. 12 is a flow chart diagram of a Group Mode routine executed by
an external
motor 100. The group mode routine triggers shade control actions by other
external motors
within a group in response to a shade control command at the given external
motor, once the user
has set up the group. At 802 the routine commences upon pressing the Group
button.
Alternatively, the Group Mode routine may commence upon receipt of a Group
Mode command
from another device recognized by the external motor, such as a smartphone,
smart hub, or third
party device. At 804 the system determines whether the external motor has been
calibrated. If
the external motor has not been calibrated, the external motor's LED strip
displays a flashing red
error code. This notifies the user that the external motor must be calibrated
before sharing shade
control commands (positional commands) with other external motors in the
group. If the
external motor has been calibrated, the system allows all shade control
commands to be
broadcast to other external motors in the group on the network (e.g., BLE
mesh). The system
exits the Group Mode routine after flashing an error code, or after
broadcasting the positional
commands.
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[115] FIG. 7 is a diagram of a motor driven control system 300 for
continuous cord
loop driven window covering systems. Control system 300 includes DC motor 302,
gear
assembly 304, and clutch 306. DC motor 302 and clutch 306 are both
electrically powered by a
motor controller 308. Power sources include battery pack 312. Users may
recharge battery pack
312 via power circuit 314 using a charging port 316, or a solar cell array
318.
[116] The central control element of control system 300 is microcontroller
310, which
monitors and controls power circuit 314 and motor controller 308. Inputs to
microcontroller 310
include motor encoder 322 and sensors 324. In an embodiment, sensors 324
include one or more
temperature sensors, light sensors, and motion sensors. In an embodiment,
control system 300
regulates lighting, controls room temperature, and limits glare, and controls
other window
covering functions such as privacy.
[117] In an embodiment, microcontroller 310 monitors current draw from the
motor
controller 308, and uses this data to monitor various system conditions. For
example, using
current draw sensing, during calibration the control system 300 can lift
relatively heavy blinds at
a slower speed, and relatively lighter blinds at a faster speed. In another
embodiment,
microprocessor 310 monitors the current draw of the motor to determine
displacements from the
constant current draw as an indication of position of the window covering and
its level of
openness. For example, assuming the blind is fully closed (0% openness), if
the current draw is
at an average of 1 amp while raising the window covering, the current draw may
spike to 3 amps
to indicate that the fabric is rolled up and the window blind is in a fully
open position (100%
openness).
[118] In another embodiment, monitored current draw measurements are
analyzed to
determine the direction of the driven wheel, and thereby to determine the
direction in which the
window blind is opening or closing. In an example, the external motor drive
rotates the driven
wheel one way, then the opposite way, while monitoring current draw. The
direction that
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produces the larger current draw indicates the direction in which the blind is
opening. This
method assumes that more torque (and greater current draw) is needed to open a
window, and
less torque (and lower current draw) is needed to close a window.
[119] In addition, microcontroller 310 may have wireless network
communication with
various RF modules via radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) 330. RFIC 330
controls two-
way wireless network communication by the control system 300. Wireless
networks and
communication devices can include local area network (LAN) which may include a
user remote
control device, wide area network (WAN), wireless mesh network (WMN), "smart
home"
systems and devices such as hubs and smart thermostats, among numerous other
types of
communication device or system. Control system 300 may employ standard
wireless
communication protocols such as Bluetooth, WiFi, Z-Wave, ZigBee and Thread.
[120] Output interface 340 controls system outputs from microprocessor 310
to output
devices such as LEDs 342 and speaker 344. Output interface 340 controls
display of visual cues
and audio cues to identify external motor control system states and to
communicate messages.
Input interface 350 controls system inputs from input devices such as
capacitive touch device
352 and buttons 354. Input interface 350 recognizes given user inputs that can
be mapped by
microprocessor 310 to shade control functions in a command generator. For
example, input
interface 350 may recognize given user finger gestures at a touch strip or
other capacitive touch
device 352.
[121] In an embodiment, encoder 322 is an optical encoder that outputs a
given number
of pulses for each revolution of the motor 302. The microcontroller 310
advantageously counts
these pulses and analyzes the pulse counts to determine operational and
positional characteristics
of the window covering installation. Other types of encoders may also be used,
such as magnetic
encoders, mechanical encoders, etc. The number of pulses output by the encoder
may be
associated with a linear displacement of the blind fabric 204 by a
distance/pulse conversion
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factor or a pulse/distance conversion factor. For example, with reference to
FIG. 5, when the
window blind 204 is at a fully closed position (0% openness), a button of
external motor 210 can
be pressed and held to have the window blind raise to the top of the window
frame, and the
button can be released once at the top. The external motor 210 is able to
measure this travel as
the total length (height) of the fabric 204 and thus determine its fully open
position, fully closed
position, and levels of openness in between.
[122] In an embodiment, control system 300 monitors various modes of system
operation and engages or disengages the clutch 306 depending on the
operational state of system
300. In one embodiment, when DC motor 302 is rotating its output shaft under
user (operator)
control, or under automatic control by microcontroller 310, clutch 306 is
engaged thereby
advancing continuous cord loop 320. When microcontroller 310 is not processing
an operator
command or automated function to advance the continuous cord loop, clutch 306
is disengaged,
and a user may advance continuous cord loop manually to operate the windows
covering system.
In the event of power failure, clutch 306 will be disengaged, allowing manual
operation of the
windows covering system.
[123] FIG. 8 is an input/output (black box) diagram of an external motor
control system
400. Monitored variables (inputs) 410 of external motor control system 400
include: a user input
command for blind control (e.g., string packet containing command) 412;
distance of current
position from top of blind (e.g., in meters) 414; rolling speed of the blind
(e.g., in meters per
second) 416; current charge level of battery (e.g., in mV) 418; temperature
sensor output (e.g., in
mV) 420; light sensor output (e.g., in mV) 422; motion sensor output (e.g., in
mV) 424; smart-
home hub command (e.g., string packet containing command) 426; smart-home data
(e.g.,
thermostat temperature value in degrees Celsius) 428; and current draw of the
motor 302 (e.g., in
A) 430.
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[124] Controlled variables (outputs) 440 of external motor control system
400 include:
intended rolling speed of the blind at a given time (e.g., in meters per
second) 442; intended
displacement from current position at a given time (e.g., in meters) 444;
feedback command
from the device for user (e.g., string packet containing command) 446; clutch
engage/disengage
command at a given time 448; and output data to smart-home hub (e.g.,
temperature value in
degrees Celsius corresponding to temperature sensor output 420) 450.
[125] In an embodiment, external motor control system 400 sends data (such
as sensor
outputs 432, 434, and 436) to a third party home automation control system or
device. The third-
party system or device can act upon this data to control other home automation
functions. Third-
party home automation devices include, for example, "smart thermostats" such
as the Honeywell
Smart Thermostat (Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, New Jersey); Nest
Learning
Thermostat (Nest Labs, Palo Alto, California); Venstar programmable thermostat
(Venstar, Inc.,
Chatsworth, California); and Lux programmable thermostat (Lux Products,
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania). Other home automation devices include HVAC (heating,
ventilating, and air
conditioning) systems, and smart ventilation systems.
[126] In another embodiment, external motor control system 400 accepts
commands, as
well as data, from third-party systems and devices and acts upon these
commands and data to
control the windows covering system.
[127] In an embodiment, the external motor control system 400 schedules
operation of
the windows covering system via user-programmed schedules.
[128] In an embodiment, sensor outputs of motion sensor 424 are
incorporated in a
power saving process. Sensor 424 may be a presence/motion sensor in the form
of a passive
infrared (PIR) sensor, or may be a capacitive touch sensor, e.g., associated
with a capacitive
touch input interface of the external motor. In this process, the external
motor system 400
hibernates/sleeps until the presence/motion sensor detects motion or the
presence of a user. In an
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embodiment, upon sensing user presence/motion, an LED indicator of the
external motor device
lights up to indicate that the device can be used. In an embodiment, after a
period of inactivity,
the device enters a low power state to preserve energy.
[129] In a further embodiment, external motor control system 400 controls
multiple
windows covering systems, and may group window covering systems to be
controlled together
as described above relative to Group Mode controls. Examples of groups include
external
motors associated with windows facing in a certain direction, and external
motors associated
with windows located on a given story of a building.
[130] In another embodiment, external motor control system 400 controls the
windows
covering system based upon monitored sensor outputs. For example, based upon
light sensor
output 422, the window covering system may automatically open or close based
upon specific
lighting conditions such as opening blinds at sunrise. In another example,
based upon motion
sensor output 424, the system may automatically open blinds upon detecting a
user entering a
room. In a further example, based upon temperature sensor output 420, the
system may
automatically open blinds during daylight to warm a cold room. Additionally,
the system may
store temperature sensor data to send to other devices.
[131] In an embodiment, a window covering application can control the
direction and
speed of advancing and retracting a window covering. Speed control screen 2200
of FIG. 22 is
used to set the direction (open/close) and speed of movement of a window
covering, In the
illustrated embodiment, the user has selected a roller blind at the window
covering device
selection screen of FIG. 17, and speed control screen 2200 controls the
vertical direction and
rolling speed (e.g., in meters per second) of the roller blind. Open/Close
control 2210 displays
down-arrow 2214 and up-arrow 2218 icons that respectively cause the window
blind controller
to lower (open) and raise (close) the roller blind. Speed control screen
includes two different
modes 2220, 2230 for the user to select blind rolling speed, and normally only
one of these
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modes is used at a time. Set Speed Level mode 2200 includes a control 2224
that selects a
percent value between 0% (roller blind stationary, or idle state) and 100%
(maximum speed),
inclusive. In various embodiments, percentage control 2224 may select a
percent value within a
continuous range, or may select a percent value from a range of discrete
values, For example, as
shown percentage control selects a percent value with one decimal place, i.e.,
58.5% of
maximum speed. Preset Speeds mode 2230 includes several radio buttons, of
which one can be
chosen to select one of a limited number of predetermined roller blind rolling
speeds. Here, the
predetermined speeds include a low 2232, Medium 2234, and High 2236 speeds. In
an
embodiment, the maximum speed in mode 2220 and the preset speeds in mode 2230
are default
speeds. In an embodiment, the maximum speed in mode 2220 and the preset speeds
in mode
2230 are set by the user during device set-up..
[132] FIG. 19 is a diagram of a subsystem (also called system) 1900 that
coordinates
with the external motor window covering drive system, external data sources,
and sensors to
manage solar heating effects. Subsystem 1900 automates positional control of
the window
covering based on weather conditions (e.g., public weather data), time-of-day,
location of the
window coverings, and other conditions that can affect solar heat gain.
[133] Windows provide occupants with daylight, direct sunlight, visual
contact with the
outside and a feeling of openness. Since solar energy is comprised of light
and heat this energy is
not easy to control and for this reason, lighting and heat effects have to be
considered at the same
time. While it is desirable to introduce sunlight for natural lighting over a
given constant level,
the radiation heat of the sun has to be determined whether or not to allow
passage of sunlight into
the building interior according to various conditions. In the present
disclosure, conditions for
determining whether or not to allow passage of sunlight into the building
interior are referred to
as sunlight entrance conditions, also called sunlight entrance condition data.
In various
embodiments, sunlight entrance conditions can be detected, calculated, or
stored by various
elements of the system 1900 for managing solar heating effects.
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[134] A principal factor for determining whether or not to allow passage of
sunlight is
external weather conditions. Seasonality also can involve significant
sunlight entrance
conditions. The radiation heat from the sun reduces the heating load in the
winter season but
increases the cooling load during the summer season. During times of peak
solar gain, it can be
desirable to cover windows (e.g., lower roller blinds) in order to reduce
cooling loads and
overheating. Under cloudy conditions, or in winter, it can be desirable to
uncover windows (e.g.,
raise roller blinds) to allow daylight and useful solar gains to enter the
building, so that the
building can reduce its dependence on electric lighting and heating.
[135] Locations of windows that includes solar orientation can represent
significant
sunlight entrance conditions. As a rule, north-facing rooms have good daylight
most of the day;
have solar gain for most of the day throughout the year; may require window
covering to prevent
overheating in summer; and have good passive solar gain in winter. As a rule,
east-facing rooms
have good morning light; have solar gain in the morning throughout the year to
provide initial
warming; and will be cooler in the late afternoon. As a rule, west-facing
rooms have limited
morning light; have good afternoon daylight; for much of the year may require
window covering
to prevent excessive heating and glare in the late afternoon; and provide good
direct solar gain
for thermal mass heating of living spaces in the evening. As a rule, south
facing rooms have
lower levels of daylight during parts of the year, and have little or no heat
gain.
[136] Location of windows including solar orientation, in combination with
time-of-
day, often represent a significant combination of sunlight entrance
conditions. For example, it
may be desirable to cover windows located on the eastern front on a building
during the morning
as the sun rises, in order to block out solar heat gain and reduce the need
for artificial cooling in
the building. It may be desirable during daylight hours to uncover windows
located on the
western front of the building, in order to capture natural daylight and reduce
the need for
artificial lighting.
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[137] Sunlight entrance conditions also can include interior illuminance,
and room
temperature, as measured for example by light and temperature sensors in the
vicinity of the
device for opening and closing the window covering. Another consideration is
whether the
building or a room of the building is occupied, as measured for example by
occupancy sensors.
[138] As used in the present disclosure, one or more window uncover
criteria are a set
of sunlight entrance conditions received by the drive system controller that
cause the drive
system to retract or open a window covering. In various embodiments, window
uncover criteria
may cause the drive system to fully retract or uncover the window covering, or
to partially retract
or open the window covering (e.g., to a given decreased level of openness). As
used in the
present disclosure, one or more window cover criteria are a set of sunlight
entrance conditions
received by the drive system controller that cause the drive system to spread
or close a window
covering. In various embodiments, window cover criteria may cause the drive
system to fully
spread or cover the window covering, or to partially spread or close the
window covering (e.g.,
to a given increased level of openness).
[139] In an embodiment, window uncover criteria and window cover criteria
are scores
calculated by the drive system controller based on the set of sunlight
entrance conditions
received. In another embodiment window uncover criteria and window cover
criteria are
maximum and minimum thresholds based on sunlight entrance conditions.
Processes for
determining window uncover criteria and window cover criteria can include
weighting of
sunlight entrance conditions, and combinations of related sunlight entrance
conditions such as
combinations of window location (solar orientation) with time-of-day.
[140] In the block diagram of FIG. 19, Control/App module 1910 may
represent
various types of control devices. Control/App module 1910 may be designed for
use with a
commercial building window covering control system. In other embodiments, a
simplified
control system may be designed for use with a home window covering control
system. In
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various embodiments, the control device 1910 may be implemented in a mobile
device
application, or desktop application. In a preferred network arrangement, the
system is controlled
over IP (internet protocol) to the "cloud." Control system 1910 provides user
and management
level control, monitoring, setup, and override system operation.
[141] In various embodiments, cloud 1940 is a back-end system that handles
overall
system intelligence, controls algorithms, and the decision engine. The system
handles inputs
from various sensors, and includes deployment-specific and usage preferences.
A weather
systems API makes decisions on which window shades should be fully open, fully
closed, or at a
given intermediate level of openness. In various embodiments, cloud 1940
incorporates machine
learning algorithms. In an embodiment, cloud 1940 is implemented in AMAZON
AWS web
services (AWS is a registered trademark of Amazon Technologies, Inc., Seattle,
WA for
Application Service Provider services).
[142] AXIS Cloud 1960 is a back-end system that collects anonymous usage
data and
statistics used to improve algorithmic models. In various embodiments, this
data is used in
ongoing training and improvement of the system 1900.
[143] Weather/solar API 1920 extracts weather data and solar data from
resources such
as openweathermap.org and geotoolkit.org. Openweathermap.org is an online
service that
provides weather data, including current weather data, forecasts, and
historical data to developers
of web services and mobile applications. The openweathermap service is based
on the VANE
Geospatial Data Science platform. Geotoolkit.org is a free, Java language
library for developing
geospatial applications.
[144] Sensors/BMS module 1930 includes sensors of the external motor window
covering control system such as light, temperature, and occupancy sensors. In
some
embodiments, sensors/BMS module is integrated with building management systems
such as
BACnet, which can interface with Bridge 1950 over Ethernet. BACnet is a
communications
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protocol for Building Automation and Control (BAC) networks that leverage
ASHRAE, ANSI,
and ISO 16484-5 standard protocols. In various embodiments, sensors/BMS 1930
communicate
with other system elements via communication protocols such as ZigBee,
Bluetooth, and WiFi.
Outputs of the sensors/BMS module are used to control decision algorithms for
solar heat gain,
and in related control functions such as integrated control of ambient
temperatures.
[145] Bridge 1950 is a central conduit for wireless connectivity to the
external motor
window covering drive systems, and to sensors, BACnet, and lP connectivity to
the Cloud 1940
and to Control/App module 1910. In an exemplary commercial implementation, a
Bridge device
1950 is placed on each floor of an office building according to coverage and
range. In certain
embodiments, Bridge 1950 runs certain control and failure mode algorithms upon
detecting loss
of connectivity to Cloud 1940.
[146] External motor drive systems 1970 are installed at window covering
systems and
provide shade position data and solar data at specific window locations. In
some embodiments,
external motor drive systems 1700 are controlled directly by control system
1900.
[147] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed, other
aspects and
embodiments are contemplated. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed
are for
purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true
scope and spirit being
indicated by the following claims.
[148] The foregoing method descriptions and the interface configuration are
provided
merely as illustrative examples and are not intended to require or imply that
the steps of the
various embodiments must be performed in the order presented. As will be
appreciated by one
of skill in the art the steps in the foregoing embodiments may be performed in
any order. Words
such as "then," "next," etc. are not intended to limit the order of the steps;
these words are simply
used to guide the reader through the description of the methods. Although
process flow
diagrams may describe the operations as a sequential process, many of the
operations can be
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performed in parallel or concurrently. In addition, the order of the
operations may be rearranged.
A process may correspond to a method, a function, a procedure, a subroutine, a
subprogram, etc.
When a process corresponds to a function, its termination may correspond to a
return of the
function to the calling function or the main function.
[149] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and
algorithm steps
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed here may be implemented
as electronic
hardware, computer software, or combinations of both.
To clearly illustrate this
interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components,
blocks, modules,
circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their
functionality. Whether
such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the
particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled
artisans may
implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular
application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from
the scope of the
present invention.
[150] Embodiments implemented in computer software may be implemented in
software, firmware, middleware, microcode, hardware description languages, or
any combination
thereof. A code segment or machine-executable instructions may represent a
procedure, a
function, a subprogram, a program, a routine, a subroutine, a module, a
software package, a class,
or any combination of instructions, data structures, or program statements. A
code segment may
be coupled to another code segment or a hardware circuit by passing and/or
receiving
information, data, arguments, parameters, or memory contents. Information,
arguments,
parameters, data, etc. may be passed, forwarded, or transmitted via any
suitable means including
memory sharing, message passing, token passing, network transmission, etc.
[151] The actual software code or specialized control hardware used to
implement these
systems and methods is not limiting of the invention. Thus, the operation and
behavior of the
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systems and methods were described without reference to the specific software
code, being
understood that software and control hardware can be designed to implement the
systems and
methods based on the description here.
[152] When implemented in software, the functions may be stored as one
or more
instructions or code on a non-transitory computer-readable or processor-
readable storage
medium. The steps of a method or algorithm disclosed here may be embodied in a
processor-
executable software module which may reside on a computer-readable or
processor-readable
storage medium. A non-transitory computer-readable or processor-readable media
includes both
computer storage media and tangible storage media that facilitate transfer of
a computer program
from one place to another. A non-transitory processor-readable storage media
may be any
available media that may be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not
limitation,
such non-transitory processor-readable media may comprise RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-
ROM
or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage
devices, or any
other tangible storage medium that may be used to store desired program code
in the form of
instructions or data structures and that may be accessed by a computer or
processor. Disk and
disc, as used here, include compact disc (CD), laser disc, optical disc,
digital versatile disc
(DVD), floppy disk, and Blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data
magnetically, while
discs reproduce data optically with lasers. Combinations of the above should
also be included
within the scope of computer-readable media. Additionally, the operations of a
method or
algorithm may reside as one or any combination or set of codes and/or
instructions on a non-
transitory processor-readable medium and/or computer-readable medium, which
may be
incorporated into a computer program product.
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