Automated intelligent shading objects and computer-readable instructions for interfacing with, communicating with and controlling a shading object

• US 9,949,540 B2
• Filed: 05/20/2016
• Issued: 04/24/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: ShadeCraft, Inc.
• Original Assignee: ShadeCraft, Inc.
• Inventors: Gharabegian, Armen Sevada
• Primary Examiner(s): Hawk, Noah Chandler
• Application Number:
  US15/160,856
• Publication Number:
  US 20170318919A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 17/00 Tiltable umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2017/005 with additional rotation about a vertical axis
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2023/0012 Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1009 combined with other objects
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 2200/1027 with means for generating solar energy
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 23/00 Other umbrellas
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/00 Details of umbrellas sticks for umbrellas A45B1/00 - A45B9/00; illuminating devices for umbrellas A45B3/02; sockets or holders for poles or posts E04H12/22
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/006 Automatic closing devices A45B25/143 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/02 Umbrella frames
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/143 automatic
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/165 with fluid or electric actuators
• CPC Class Codes: A45B 25/18 Covers detachable A45B15/00; Means for fastening same
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 15/28 Umbrella type tents
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/13 Receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 19/14 specially adapted for specific applications
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/165 Management of the audio stream, e.g. setting of volume, audio stream path
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 7/35 with light sensitive cells
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/10 Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground H02S20/30 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/30 : Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/20 : Collapsible or foldable PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/38 : Energy storage means, e.g. batteries, structurally associated with PV modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/01 : Protocols
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/12 : specially adapted for proprietary or special-purpose networking environments, e.g. medical networks, sensor networks, networks in vehicles or remote metering networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/33 : Transforming infrared radiation cameras or camera modules for generating image signals from infrared radiation H04N23/20; circuitry of SSIS for transforming infrared radiation into image signals H04N25/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/181 : for receiving images from a plurality of remote sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02A 40/966 : Powered by renewable energy sources
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 : Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 70/30 : Systems combining energy storage with energy generation of non-fossil origin
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 : Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

An intelligent shading object comprises a base assembly and an umbrella support assembly. The umbrella support assembly is coupled to the base assembly and comprises a first processor and a first motor assembly. The first motor assembly rotates an umbrella support assembly about a vertical axis in response to commands and/or signals generated by the first processor. The umbrella assembly further comprises a stem assembly and a center support assembly, where the center support assembly further comprises a second processor, a second motor assembly, a lower assembly, an upper assembly, and a hinging assembly. The second processor communicates signals and/or commands to the second motor assembly and the second motor assembly drives the upper assembly to rotate with respect to the lower assembly via the hinging assembly.

Claims

1. An intelligent shading object, comprising:

a base assembly, the base assembly being standalone or free standing;

a stem assembly, connected to a top end of the base assembly, wherein the stem assembly comprises a first motor controller, a first motor and a gearbox assembly, the first motor to receive signals from the first motor controller and to communicate signals to the gearbox assembly to rotate the stem assembly about a vertical axis;

a processor to communicate signals; and

a center support assembly, the center support assembly connected to a top end of the stem assembly and comprising an upper support assembly and a lower support assembly, the center support assembly further comprising a second motor controller, a second motor, and a hinging assembly, wherein the second motor controller receives signals from the processor and communicates signals to the second motor to drive the hinging assembly to rotate the upper assembly with respect to the lower assembly; and

wherein the center support assembly further comprises a third motor controller, a third motor, a linear actuator, and one or more arm support assemblies, wherein the processor communicates signals to the third motor controller, the third motor controller communicates signals to the third motor, the third motor communicates signals to the linear actuator and the linear actuator deploys the one or more arm support assemblies outwardly from the center support assembly.

2. The intelligent shading object of claim 1, wherein the hinging assembly is a gearbox assembly.

3. The intelligent shading object of claim 2, wherein the gearbox assembly is a right angle gearbox assembly.

4. The intelligent shading object of claim 1, further comprising one or more arms which are detachably attached to the one or more arm support assemblies.

5. The intelligent shading object of claim 4, further comprising a shading fabric, the shading fabric being detachably attached to the one or more arms.

6. The intelligent shading object of claim 5, further comprising one or more solar cells, the solar cells attached to the shading fabric.

7. The intelligent shading object of claim 6, further comprising a solar charging assembly and a rechargeable battery, where the solar cells provide power to the rechargeable battery and the solar charging assembly monitors power generation of the solar cells.

8. The intelligent shading object of claim 5, further comprising or more solar cells, the solar cells being integrated into the shading fabric.

9. The intelligent shading object of claim 1, further comprising a sensor module attached to the center support assembly, the sensor module comprising a telemetry module and a weather sensor module.

10. The intelligent shading object of claim 9, wherein the weather sensor module further comprises an ultraviolet radiation (UV) sensor.

11. The intelligent shading object of claim 9, wherein the telemetry module further comprises a GPS receiver or a digital compass.

12. The intelligent shading object of claim 9, wherein the weather sensor module further comprises an air quality sensor.

13. The intelligent shading object of claim 9, wherein the weather sensor module further comprises one or more of a digital barometer, a wind sensor, a temperature sensor, or a humidity sensor.

14. The intelligent shading object of claim 1, further comprising a wireless charging assembly, the wireless charging assembly attached to an center support assembly and charging a portable electronic device placed against a surface of a wireless charging assembly utilizing inductive coupling.

15. The intelligent shading object of claim 1, further comprising a personal area network transceiver, an audio amplifier, and one or more speakers, the personal area network transceiver receiving audio signals from a portable electronic device and communicating the received audio signals through the audio amplifier to the one or more speakers for playback.