Motorized window shade system

• US 20060185799A1
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Published: 08/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Granted Patent: US 7,389,806 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/5
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/30 for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/46 Improving electric energy efficiency or saving
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/523 for displaying temperature data
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/54 using one central controller connected to several sub-controllers
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/57 using telephone networks
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 11/58 using Internet communication
• CPC Class Codes: F24F 2110/10 Temperature

Abstract

An electronically-controlled roll-up window shade that can easily be installed by a homeowner or general handyman is disclosed. The motorized shade includes an internal power source, a motor, and a communication system to allow for remote control of the motorized shade. One or more motorized shades can be controlled singly or as a group. In one embodiment, the motorized shades are used in connection with a zoned or non-zoned HVAC system to reduce energy usage. In one embodiment, the motorized shade is configured to have a size and form-factor that conforms to a standard manually-controlled motorized shade. In one embodiment, a group controller is configured to provide thermostat information to the motorized shade. In one embodiment, the group controller communicates with a central monitoring system that coordinates operation of one or more motorized shades. In one embodiment, the internal power source of the motorized shade is recharged by a solar cell.

Claims

1. An electronically-controlled motorized roll-up window shade, comprising:

a controller;

a tubular motor provided to said controller, said tubular motor configured to raise and lower a shade material;

a first power source provided to said controller;

a two-way wireless communication system provided to said controller, said controller configured to control said motor in response to a wireless communication received from a group controller, said group controller configured to open and close said motorized shade to produce a desired room temperature during the day and to provide privacy at night.

2. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1 further comprising a light sensor.

3. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a temperature sensor.

4. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1 further comprising a second power source.

5. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a solar cell configured to charge said first power source.

6. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a shade position sensor.

7. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a turns counter to count turns of said tubular motor.

8. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to transmit sensor data according to a threshold test.

9. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises a high threshold level.

10. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises a low threshold level.

11. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises an inner threshold range.

12. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 8, wherein said threshold test comprises an outer threshold range.

13. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a status reporting interval.

14. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein controller is configured to receive an instruction to change a wakeup interval.

15. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein a group controller is configured to monitor a status of one or more electronically-controlled motorized shades.

16. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 15, wherein said group controller is provided to an HVAC system.

17. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 15, wherein said group controller is provided to a central controller.

18. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 17, wherein said central controller is provided to a home computer.

19. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 17, wherein said central controller is provided to an HVAC system.

20. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 17, wherein said central controller is provided to a zoned HVAC system.

21. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 20, wherein said central controller cooperates with said zoned HVAC system to use said motorized shade to partially control a temperature of a desired zone.

22. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using radio-frequency communication.

23. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using frequency hopping.

24. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said wireless communication system communicates using a 900 megahertz band.

25. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a visual indicator to indicate a low-power condition when said power source is low.

26. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, said controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program.

27. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 26, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said tubular motor.

28. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 26, said control program configured to reduce movement of said tubular motor.

29. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a group controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said motorized shade.

30. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 29, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said motorized shade.

31. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 29, said control program configured to reduce movement of said motorized shade.

32. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said controller is configured to send sensor data to a group controller.

33. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said shade material comprises a plurality of conductors provided to said controller.

34. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 33, said group controller configured to send current room temperature data to said controller.

35. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a group controller configured to send room temperature slope data to said controller.

36. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a remote control interface.

37. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, further comprising a group controller comprising an occupant sensor.

38. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 1, wherein said shade material comprises a solar cell.