Intelligent window covering incorporating security features

• US 9,574,395 B2
• Filed: 04/09/2015
• Issued: 02/21/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 04/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Original Assignee: Hall Labs, LLC
• Inventors: Hall, David R., Carlson, Austin Benjamin, Hyer, Davido Loyal, Miles, Jerome, Brimhall, Emily
• Primary Examiner(s): Purol, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): MASSAD, ABE L
• Application Number:
  US14/682,108
• Publication Number:
  US 20150284992A1
• Time in Patent Office: 684 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2476 Solar cells
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/285 Means for actuating a rod (being tilt rod or lift rod)
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3222 Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/3225 Arrangements to aid the winding of cords rollers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6818 using sensors
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/6827 sensing light
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/266 Devices or accessories for making or mounting lamellar blinds or parts thereof cleaning of lamellar blinds A47L4/00; joining plastics plates for making venetian blinds B29C66/437
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/303 with ladder-tape
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/307 Details of tilting bars and their operation
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/308 with coaxial tilting bar and raising shaft
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/32 Operating, guiding, or securing devices therefor operation of tilting bars E06B9/307
• 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 9/326 Details of cords, e.g. buckles, drawing knobs
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/34 roller-type; Roller shutters with adjustable lamellae
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/38 Other details
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/42 Parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes brackets or adjustable mountings for roller blinds and drawable curtains A47H1/13
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/68 Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/72 comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/74 adapted for selective electrical or manual operation
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 1/20 involving more than two intermeshing members
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/02034 : Gearboxes combined or connected with electric machines
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 2057/02039 : Gearboxes for particular applications
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/02 : Gearboxes; Mounting gearing therein
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/021 : Shaft support structures, e.g. partition walls, bearing eyes, casing walls or covers with bearings
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/023 : Mounting or installation of gears or shafts in the gearboxes, e.g. methods or means for assembly
• CPC Class Codes: F16H 57/028 : characterised by means for reducing vibration or noise
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/40 : responsive to temperature
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 50/80 : for controlling collection or absorption of solar radiation
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 : using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: H01H 17/08 : Operating part, e.g. cord
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 30/24 : Structural elements or technologies for improving thermal insulation
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 : Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 80/00 : Architectural or constructional elements improving the thermal performance of buildings
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/40 : Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49817 : with other than ancillary treating or assembling
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49959 : Nonresilient fastener
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 74/2186 : Gear casings

Abstract

An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a gearbox assembly configured to electromechanically operate a window covering. A controller, incorporated into the window covering, is provided to control the gearbox assembly. A security device, such as a camera, motion sensor, audio sensor, proximity sensor, impact sensor, or the like, communicates with the controller and is configured to monitor security at a window associated with the window covering. Such a security sensor may, for example, monitor opening and/or closing of the window, breaking of the window, or the like. In certain embodiments, operation of the window covering is triggered in response to conditions sensed by the security device. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising:

a gearbox assembly configured to electromechanically operate a window covering;

a controller, incorporated into the window covering, to control the gearbox assembly;

an external motion sensor that detects motion immediately outside a window associated with the window covering and communicates with the controller to lower the window covering to cover the window when the motion is detected; and

an impact sensor that detects an extent of force on the window, wherein touching the window triggers a low priority alert notification, and wherein breaking the window triggers a high priority alert notification.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a camera, wherein the impact sensor detects a force on the window and triggers the camera to gather camera footage at or near the window.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an audio sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a proximity sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the proximity sensor is configured to detect at least one of opening or closing of the window.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the controller communicates motion detected by the motion sensor to a security monitoring system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the motion sensor is mounted to a headrail of the window covering.