Integrated system for controlling lights and shades
First Claim
1. A control system comprising:
- at least one shade control network including at least one motorized shade;
a central processor for controlling the at least one shade control network, the central processor adapted to transmit control signals and database information to the motorized shades of each shade control network and to receive feedback information therefrom; and
a communication interface device for each shade control network, each of the communication interface devices connected between the central processor and a shade control network to facilitate transmission of signals and database information therebetween,the communication interface device including an information buffer for holding the feedback information from the associated shade control network for independent retrieval by the central processor.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A control system includes a processor transmitting signals to a shade network and a lighting system directing that motorized shades and dimmable loads be set to desired intensity levels. A communication interface having a buffer is connected between the processor and the shade network. The communication interface provides for communication with the processor based on streaming protocol and with the shade network based on event-based protocol. The shade network converts intensity levels into shade positions. The processor may direct the shade network to move a shade in a series of substantially equal steps to simulate a relatively slowly moving shade. The processor may be connected to a timing device for creating a program based on time-based shade position information for directing the shades to be moved to given positions at certain times of day. A computer running user interface software may be be connected to the system to facilitate programming.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A control system comprising:
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at least one shade control network including at least one motorized shade; a central processor for controlling the at least one shade control network, the central processor adapted to transmit control signals and database information to the motorized shades of each shade control network and to receive feedback information therefrom; and a communication interface device for each shade control network, each of the communication interface devices connected between the central processor and a shade control network to facilitate transmission of signals and database information therebetween, the communication interface device including an information buffer for holding the feedback information from the associated shade control network for independent retrieval by the central processor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A method for controlling lights and shades comprising the steps of:
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providing a central processor adapted to transmit control signals for setting a device connected to the central processor to a desired intensity level; connecting the central processor to a lighting system including at least one dimmable load; transmitting control signals from the central processor to the lighting control system to direct the lighting control system to set the dimmable loads of the lighting system to desired intensity levels; connecting the central processor to a shade control system including at least one motorized shade; and transmitting control signals from the central processor to the shade control system to direct the shade control system to set the at least one motorized shade of the shade control system to a desired intensity level, the shade control system adapted to convert the intensity level transmitted by the central processor into a shade position for the at least one motorized shade of the shade control system. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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9. A method for controlling lights and shades comprising the steps of:
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providing a programmable central processor adapted to store preset intensity levels in a database of information for devices connected to the central processor; connecting the central processor to a lighting control system including at least one dimmable load; connecting the central processor to a shade control system including at least one motorized shade; programming the central processor to store preset intensity levels for the dimmable loads of the lighting control system in the database of information; programming the central processor to store a preset intensity level for the at least one motorized shade of the shade control system in the database of information; and transmitting a portion of the database of information that includes the preset intensity level for the at least one motorized shade of the shade control system from the central processor to the shade control system, the shade control system adapted to convert the preset intensity levels into preset shade positions. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11)
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12. A method for controlling at least one motorized shade, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a shade control network including at least one motorized shade, each motorized shade adapted to transmit feedback information regarding shade position or other condition associated with the shade to the shade control network; providing a central processor connected to the shade control network for controlling the motorized shades of the shade control network, the central processor adapted to receive the feedback information from the shade control network regarding the condition or position of the motorized shades; providing a communication buffer connected to the central processor and the shade control network, the communication buffer adapted to store feedback information from the shade control network in memory for independent transmission to the central processor; transmitting feedback information from the motorized shades of the shade control system to the communication buffer; and storing the feedback information for the motorized shades in memory at the communication buffer. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method for controlling a shade system including at least one motorized shade, the method comprising the steps of:
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providing a programmable processor having memory storage capability; providing a controller having an actuator connected to the programmable processor; connecting the programmable processor to a motorized shade including a rotatably supported roller tube and a flexible shade fabric windingly received by the roller tube; programming the programmable processor to store in memory a first preset value associated with a first shade position and a second preset value associated with a second shade position; moving the motorized shade to the first preset shade position in response to an actuation of the actuator; and moving the motorized shade to the second preset shade position in response to a subsequent actuation of the actuator. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for programming a shade control system including at least one motorized shade, the shade control system including a communication network connected to each motorized shade, the method comprising the steps of:
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connecting a computer having user interface capability to the communication network of the shade control system; transmitting at least a portion of a database of information regarding the shade control shade control system from the computer to the shade control system; and storing the portion of the database of information received by the shade control system in a memory in the shade control system. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29)
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Specification