Method of Automatically Controlling a Motorized Window Treatment While Minimizing Occupant Distractions

• US 20100071856A1
• Filed: 09/21/2009
• Published: 03/25/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Fricke, William Bryce, Courtney, Brian Michael, Zaharchuk, Walter S., Spira, Joel S., Howe, William H., Majewski, Timothy S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,288,981 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 160/5
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/70 with automatic actuation
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 15/71 responsive to temperature changes, rain, wind or noise
• CPC Class Codes: E05F 17/00 Special devices for shifting a plurality of wings operated simultaneously for simultaneously moving a plurality of interconnected ventilating lamellae E06B7/086
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/40 Control units therefore
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2400/42 for multiple openings
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2800/21 of identical elements, e.g. of identical compression springs
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/00 Application of doors, windows, wings or fittings thereof
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/106 for garages
• CPC Class Codes: E05Y 2900/148 Windows
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/322 Details of operating devices, e.g. pulleys, brakes, spring drums, drives operating devices E06B9/68 ; devices of general interest specially adapted or mounted for storing and repeatedly paying-out and re-storing lengths of material B65H75/34
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: H02P 1/18 for starting an individual dc motor

Abstract

A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.

Claims

1. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between an open-limit position and a closed-limit position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space;

building a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events that will occur between the start time and the end time;

receiving a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events;

determining, for each of the timeclock events, an event time between the start time and the end time, such that at least the minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events;

determining a respective event position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the respective event time, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for all of the events between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule; and

automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of:

prior to the step of determining an event time for each of the timeclock events, calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time, such that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance at the plurality of different times between the start time and the end time.

3. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

receiving a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule;

wherein the number of timeclock events of the timeclock schedule does not exceed the maximum number of movements, and at least the minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events.

4. The method of claim 3, further comprising the step of:

identifying at least one flat region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions do not change in value for at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events, the flat region characterized by a beginning time and a constant position.

5. The method of claim 4, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a movement region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value; and

determining whether the maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule, and the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events is the limiting factor in determining a movement time period that may occur between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events during the movement region.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

creating multiple timeclock events having respective event times that are spaced apart by at least the movement time period during the movement region.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the timeclock events have corresponding event positions that are equal to the lowest position of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the movement time period after the respective event time.

8. The method of claim 5, further comprising the step of:

creating a timeclock event having an event time approximately equal to the beginning time of the movement region and a corresponding event position equal to the lowest position of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the movement time period after the beginning time of the movement region.

9. The method of claim 4, further comprising the step of:

creating a timeclock event having an event time approximately equal to the beginning time of the flat region and a corresponding event position equal to the constant magnitude of the flat region.

10. The method of claim 3, further comprising the steps of:

determining if the respective event positions of two consecutive timeclock events are within a minimum position distance of each other; and

eliminating the second of the two consecutive timeclock events if the event positions of the two consecutive timeclock events are within the minimum position distance of each other.

11. The method of claim 2, further comprising the step of:

creating multiple timeclock events between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule, each of the timeclock events having respective event times that are spaced apart from each other by multiples of the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the step of determining a respective event position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled further comprises determining a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between two consecutive event times.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the step of determining a respective event position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled further comprises, for the timeclock event having an event time equal to the first of the two consecutive event times, setting the event position of the timeclock event equal to the lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between the two consecutive event times.

14. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining an event time for each of the timeclock events further comprises determining the event times of the timeclock events in response to the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at the plurality of different times between the start time and the end time.

15. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment further comprises calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment as a function of the longitude and latitude of the location of the building, an angle of the faç

ade with respect to true north, a height of the window, and the present date and time.

16. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment further comprises calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment for each minute between the start time and the end time.

17. The method of claim 2, wherein the open-limit position comprises a fully-open position, and the closed-limit position comprises a fully-closed position.

18. The method of claim 2, wherein the open-limit position comprises a visor position.

19. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between an open-limit position and a closed-limit position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space;

receiving a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements;

calculating a controlled position to which the motorized window treatment should be controlled during each of a plurality of consecutive time intervals, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during each of the respective time intervals, the time intervals having lengths greater than or equal to the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements; and

automatically adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the calculated position at the beginning of each time interval, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during each of the respective time intervals, and the movements of the shades are spaced apart by at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

building a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events that will occur between the start time and the end time, the timeclock events each having an event time corresponding to the beginning of one of the time intervals, the timeclock events each having a respective event position corresponding to the respective controlled position of the respective time interval;

wherein the step of automatically adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the calculated position at the beginning of each time interval comprises automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of:

calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time prior to the step of determining an event time for each of the timeclock events.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises receiving a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule, the time intervals having lengths such that the number of timeclock events of the timeclock schedule does not exceed the maximum number of movements, and at least the minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein at least one of the time intervals comprises a flat region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions do not change in value for at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements, the flat region characterized by a beginning time and a constant position.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises the steps of identifying a movement region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value, and creating multiple timeclock events having respective event times that are spaced apart by at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements.

25. The method of claim 22, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises the steps of determining if the respective event positions of two consecutive timeclock events are within a minimum position distance of each other, and eliminating the second of the two consecutive timeclock events if the event positions of the two consecutive timeclock events are within the minimum position distance of each other.

26. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises creating multiple timeclock events between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule, each of the timeclock events having respective event times that are spaced apart from each other by multiples of the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises determining a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between two consecutive event times.

28. The method of claim 27, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises, for the timeclock event having an event time equal to the first of the two consecutive event times, setting the event position of the timeclock event equal to the lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between the two consecutive event times.

29. The method of claim 21, wherein the step of calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment further comprises calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment as a function of the longitude and latitude of the location of the building, an angle of the faç

ade with respect to true north, a height of the window, and the present date and time.

30. The method of claim 19, wherein the step of calculating a controlled position to which the motorized window treatment should be controlled during each of a plurality of consecutive time intervals further comprises calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times during one of the time intervals, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during the one of the time intervals.

31. The method of claim 30, wherein the step of calculating a controlled position to which the motorized window treatment should be controlled during each of a plurality of consecutive time intervals further comprises determining a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the one of the time intervals.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein the step of automatically adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the calculated position at the beginning of each time interval further comprises adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment at the beginning of the one of the time intervals to the lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the one of the time intervals.

33. A load control system comprising a motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between an open-limit position and a closed-limit position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the load control system comprising;

a central controller operatively coupled to the motorized window treatment, the central controller operable to transmit digital commands to the motorized window treatment, the controller further operable to

receive a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements;

calculate a controlled position to which the motorized window treatment should be controlled during each of a plurality of consecutive time intervals, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during each of the respective time intervals, the time intervals having lengths greater than or equal to the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements; and

automatically adjust the position of the motorized window treatment to the calculated position at the beginning of each time interval, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during each of the respective time intervals, and the movements of the shades are spaced apart by at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive window treatment movements.

34. The load control system of claim 33, further comprising:

an override wallstation comprises at least one actuator, the wallstation operable to transmit digital messages to the controller, such that the controller adjusts the position of the motorized window treatment in response to an actuation of the actuator.

35. The load control system of claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to build a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events that will occur between the start time and the end time, the timeclock events each having an event time corresponding to the beginning of one of the time intervals, the timeclock events each having a respective event position corresponding to the respective controlled position of the respective time interval, the controller operable to automatically adjust the position of the motorized window treatment to the calculated position at the beginning of each time interval comprises automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

36. The load control system of claim 35, wherein the controller is operable to disable the timeclock schedule in response to an actuation of the actuator.

37. The load control system of claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to move the motorized window treatment to the open-limit position in response to an actuation of the actuator.

38. The load control system of claim 34, wherein the controller is operable to move the motorized window treatment to the closed-limit position in response to an actuation of the actuator.

39. The load control system of claim 33, wherein the controller is operable to calculate optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times during one of the time intervals, such that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance during the one of the time intervals.

40. The load control system of claim 39, wherein the controller is operable to determine a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the one of the time intervals.

41. The load control system of claim 40, wherein the controller is operable to adjust the position of the motorized window treatment at the beginning of the one of the time intervals to the lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the one of the time intervals.

42. The load control system of claim 33, wherein the open-limit position comprises a fully-open position, and the closed-limit position comprises a fully-closed position.

43. The load control system of claim 33, wherein the open-limit position comprises a visor position.

44. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between a fully-open position and a fully-closed position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space;

building a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events that will occur between the start time and the end time;

receiving a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule, and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events;

determining, for each of the timeclock events, an event time between the start time and the end time, such that the number of timeclock events of the timeclock schedule does not exceed the maximum number of movements, and at least the minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events;

determining a respective event position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the respective event time, such that the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule; and

automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

45. The method of claim 44, further comprising the step of:

calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time prior to the step of determining an event time for each of the timeclock events.

46. The method of claim 45, further comprising the step of:

identifying at least one flat region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions do not change in value for at least the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events, the flat region characterized by a beginning time and a constant position.

47. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

identifying a movement region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value; and

determining whether the maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule, and the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events is the limiting factor in determining a movement time period that may occur between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events during the movement region.

48. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

creating multiple timeclock events having respective event times that are spaced apart by at least the movement time period;

wherein the timeclock events have corresponding event positions that are equal to the lowest position of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the movement time period after the respective event time.

49. The method of claim 47, further comprising the step of:

creating a timeclock event having an event time approximately equal to the beginning time of the movement region and a corresponding event position equal to the lowest position of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during the movement time period after the beginning time of the movement region.

50. The method of claim 46, further comprising the step of:

creating a timeclock event having an event time approximately equal to the beginning time of the flat region and a corresponding event position equal to the constant magnitude of the flat region.

51. The method of claim 46, further comprising the steps of:

identifying at least two movement regions of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value; and

determining whether the maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule, and the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events is the limiting factor in determining a movement time period that may occur between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events during the movement regions.

52. The method of claim 45, wherein the step of calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment further comprises calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment as a function of the longitude and latitude of the location of the building, an angle

53. The method of claim 44, further comprising the steps of:

determining if the respective event positions of two consecutive timeclock events are within a minimum position distance of each other; and

eliminating the second of the two consecutive timeclock events if the event positions of the two consecutive timeclock events are within the minimum position distance of each other.

54. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between an open-limit position and a closed-limit position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance;

building a timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events, the timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, each timeclock event being characterized by an event time between the start time and the end time, the number of timeclock events not exceeding a maximum number of movements that may occur between the start time and the end time;

calculating a respective position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the respective event time, such the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule; and

automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

55. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between an open-limit position and a closed-limit position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance;

building a timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events, the timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, each timeclock event being characterized by an event time between the start time and the end time, wherein at least a minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events;

calculating a respective position for each of the timeclock events to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the respective event time, such the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance between the start time and the end time of the timeclock schedule; and

automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the respective position of each of the timeclock events at the respective event time.

56. A method of automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions, the motorized window treatment adapted to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a faç

ade of the building, the position of the window treatment controllable between a fully-open position and a fully-closed position to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space, the method comprising the steps of;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance;

determining a first time at which to open the motorized window treatment during a 24-hour period and a second time at which to close the motorized window treatment during the 24-hour period, such the sunlight penetration distance does not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance;

automatically opening the window treatment at the first time; and

automatically closing the window treatment at the second time.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of automatically closing the window treatment at the second time further comprises controlling the motorized window treatment to the fully-closed position.

58. The method of claim 57, wherein the step of automatically opening the window treatment at the first time further comprises controlling the motorized window treatment to the fully-open position.

59. The method of claim 56, wherein the step of determining a first time and a second time further comprises calculating the first and second times as a function of the longitude and latitude of the location of the building, an angle of the faç

ade with respect to true north, a height of the window, and the present date.

60. The method of claim 56, wherein the building comprises a plurality of faç

ades having a plurality of motorized window treatment, the method further comprising the step of;

repeating the steps of determining a first time and a second time, automatically opening the window treatment at the first time, and automatically closing the window treatment at the second time for each of the faç

ades.

61. The method of claim 56, further comprising the step of:

operating an astronomical timeclock;

wherein the steps of automatically opening the window treatment at the first time, and automatically closing the window treatment at the second time are executed in response to the astronomical timeclock.