Motorized window shade system

• US 7,389,806 B2
• Filed: 02/24/2005
• Issued: 06/24/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/24/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Lawrence Kates
• Inventors: Kates, Lawrence
• Primary Examiner(s): Donovan, Lincoln
• Assistant Examiner(s): Paul, Antony M.
• Application Number:
  US11/065,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20060185799A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,216 Days
• Field of Search: 318/264, 318/286, 318/466, 318/626, 16/5, 160/5
• 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, said tubular motor disposed in a tube member wherein said shade material rolls onto said tube member when said shade material is raised;

a first power source provided to said controller, said first power source disposed in said tube member; and

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, wherein said group controller is provided to an HVAC system to provide coordinated temperature control using said motorized shade and said HVAC system.

2. 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, said tubular motor disposed in a tube member wherein said shade material rolls onto said tube member when said shade material is raised;

a first power source provided to said controller, said first power source disposed in said tube member; and

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, wherein said group controller is provided to a central controller to provide coordinated temperature control using said motorized shade and said HVAC system.

3. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 2, wherein said central controller is provided to a home computer to provide coordinated temperature control using said motorized shade and said HVAC system.

4. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 2, wherein said central controller is provided to an HVAC system to provide coordinated temperature control using said motorized shade and said HVAC system.

5. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 2, wherein said central controller is provided to a zoned HVAC system to provide coordinated temperature control using said motorized shade and said HVAC system.

6. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 5, wherein said central controller cooperates with said zoned HVAC system to use said motorized shade to partially control a temperature of a desired zone.

7. 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, said tubular motor disposed in a tube member wherein said shade material rolls onto said tube member when said shade material is raised;

a first power source provided to said controller, said first power source disposed in said tube member; and

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, said controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program.

8. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 7, said control program configured to reduce power consumption by said tubular motor.

9. The electronically-controlled motorized shade of claim 7, said control program configured to reduce movement of said tubular motor.

10. 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, said tubular motor disposed in a tube member wherein said shade material rolls onto said tube member when said shade material is raised;

a first power source provided to said controller, said first power source disposed in said tube member; and

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, comprising a group controller configured to use a predictive model to compute a control program for said motorized shade.