Automated canopy positioning system
First Claim
1. A method of spatially orienting a canopy comprising:
- detecting an orientation of a light source relative to the canopy;
moving of the canopy by pivoting shaft of canopy in dependence upon the detected orientation, the canopy positioned for providing a shade under the canopy;
maintaining the shade about an approximately predetermined location relative to which the canopy is moved; and
,initiating the method when the canopy is moved from a first closed position to a second open position, the second open position for providing a shaded region of a first area and the first closed position for providing a shaded region of a size substantially smaller than the first area.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An automated canopy positioning system for providing solar protection is disclosed. The automated canopy positioning system orients the canopy of the umbrella in relation to the sun so that a shade at a predetermined location is provided thereunder. The system has a canopy for providing shade in response to light impacting the upper surface, a first photodetector for detecting the amount of light in the shaded area and for generating a photocurrent in response to the light incident thereon, a control circuit for receiving the photocurrent and for generating a control signal in dependence thereon, and a positioning mechanism coupled with the canopy for spatially orienting the canopy in response to the control signal.
-
Citations
14 Claims
-
1. A method of spatially orienting a canopy comprising:
-
detecting an orientation of a light source relative to the canopy; moving of the canopy by pivoting shaft of canopy in dependence upon the detected orientation, the canopy positioned for providing a shade under the canopy; maintaining the shade about an approximately predetermined location relative to which the canopy is moved; and
,initiating the method when the canopy is moved from a first closed position to a second open position, the second open position for providing a shaded region of a first area and the first closed position for providing a shaded region of a size substantially smaller than the first area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. An apparatus comprising:
-
a canopy having an upper surface and a lower surface for providing shade to a shaded area opposing the lower surface in response to light impacting the upper surface, the canopy having a first position in which the canopy is in a closed state and a second position in which the canopy is in an open state; a first photodetector for detecting at least one of an amount of light in the shaded area and an amount of light impacting the canopy upper surface, the detector for generating a photocurrent in response to light incident thereon; a control circuit for receiving the photocurrent and for generating a first control signal in dependence thereon; a positioning mechanism having a fixed portion and having a moving portion coupled with the canopy for spatially orienting by pivoting shaft of canopy relative to the fixed portion about at least an axis in response to the control signal for, in use, when the canopy is in the second position providing signals to the positioning mechanism to maintain at least a portion of the shaded area in an approximately predetermined spatial orientation relative to the fixed portion and, when the canopy is in the first position other than providing signals to the positioning mechanism. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
Specification