Method of automatically controlling a motorized window treatment while minimizing occupant distractions

• US 8,508,169 B2
• Filed: 08/31/2012
• Issued: 08/13/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
• Original Assignee: Lutron Electronics Company Incorporated (Lutron Electronics)
• Inventors: Zaharchuk, Walter S., Courtney, Brian Michael, Fricke, William Bryce, Howe, William H., Majewski, Timothy S., Spira, Joel S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Leykin, Rita
• Application Number:
  US13/600,341
• Publication Number:
  US 20130049664A1
• Time in Patent Office: 347 Days
• Field of Search: 160/5, 49/25, 362/265, 362/384, 362/231, 318/480, 318/286, 318/468
• US Class Current: 318/468
• 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 therefor
• 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.

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 to control a sunlight penetration distance in the space, the method comprising;

building a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including at least first and second consecutive timeclock events having respective first and second event times spaced apart by at least a desired minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events;

calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time that will ensure that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance at the plurality of different times between the start time and the end time;

using the optimal positions to determine, for the first timeclock event, a first event position to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the first event time, such that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance between the first and second event times;

using the optimal positions to determine, for the second timeclock event, a second event position to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the second event time; and

automatically controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the first and second event positions at the first and second event times, respectively;

wherein the first and second event positions are the same position if the first and second timeclock events are located within a flat region of the optimal positions during which the optimal positions do not change in value for at least the minimum time period.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first event position of the first timeclock event is equal to a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between the first and second event times.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein if the first and second timeclock events are located within a movement region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value, the first and second event times are spaced apart from each other by a movement time period.

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

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

wherein a total 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.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the step of building a timeclock schedule further comprises 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 the 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 2, wherein the first and second event times are spaced apart from each other by the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events.

7. The method of claim 1, 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.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the first event time occurs before the second event time, and the step of controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule further comprises maintaining the position of the motorized window treatment at the first event position at the second event time if the first and second timeclock events are located within the flat region of the optimal positions.

9. 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 to control a sunlight penetration distance in 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

build a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including at least first and second consecutive timeclock events having respective first and second event times spaced apart by at least a desired minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events;

calculate optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time to ensure that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance at the plurality of different times between the start time and the end time;

use the optimal positions to determine, for the first timeclock event, a first event position to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the first event time, such that the sunlight penetration distance will not exceed the desired maximum sunlight penetration distance between the first and second event times; and

automatically adjust the position of the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule by adjusting the position of the motorized window treatment to the first and second event positions at the first and second event times, respectively;

wherein if the first and second timeclock events are located within a flat region of the optimal positions during which the optimal positions do not change in value for at least the minimum time period, the central controller maintains the position of the motorized window treatment at the first event position at the second event time.

10. The load control system of claim 9, wherein the first event position of the first timeclock event is equal to a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between the first and second event times.

11. The load control system of claim 10, wherein if the first and second timeclock events are located within a movement region of the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment during which the optimal positions change in value, the first and second event times are spaced apart from each other by a movement time period.

12. The load control system of claim 11, wherein the central controller is operable to receive a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule.

13. The load control system of claim 12, wherein a total 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.

14. The load control system of claim 13, wherein the central controller is operable to determine 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 the movement time period that may occur between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events during the movement region.

15. The load control system of claim 9, further comprising:

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

16. The load control system of claim 15, wherein, in response to an actuation of the actuator, the central controller is operable to move the motorized window treatment to one of an open-limit position and a closed-limit position.

17. The load control system of claim 16, wherein the open-limit position comprises a visor position.

18. The load control system of claim 15, wherein the central controller is operable to disable the timeclock schedule in response to an actuation of the actuator.

19. The load control system of claim 9, wherein the central controller is operable to calculate 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.

20. The load control system of claim 9, wherein, prior to controlling the motorized window treatment according to the timeclock schedule, the central controller is operable to use the optimal positions to determine, for the second timeclock event, a second event position to which the motorized window treatment will be controlled at the second event time, the second event position the same as the first event position if the first and second timeclock events are located within the flat region of the optimal positions.

21. 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 to control a sunlight penetration distance in the space, the method comprising;

receiving a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a desired minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events;

building a timeclock schedule having a start time and an end time, the timeclock schedule including a number of timeclock events having respective event times spaced apart such that at least the minimum time period exists between the event times of any two consecutive timeclock events;

calculating optimal positions of the motorized window treatment at a plurality of different times between the start time and the end time that ensure 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;

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

wherein if the optimal positions of the motorized window treatment are characterized by a flat region 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 position of the motorized window treatment is controlled to a constant position for an amount of time greater than the minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events.

22. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

determining a lowest position of the calculated optimal positions of the motorized window treatment between two consecutive event times.

23. The method of claim 22, further comprising:

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.

24. The method of claim 21, further comprising:

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

wherein the time intervals have 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.

25. The method of claim 24, 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.

26. The method of claim 21, 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.

27. 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.

28. 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.