Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: There is provided a motorized roller shade that includes a roller shade tube including an outer surface, an inner surface defining an inner cavity, and two end portions. The motorized shade further includes a shade attached to the outer surface of the roller shade tube, a counterbalancing unit configured to provide a counterbalancing force to the shade, and the roller shade tube further comprising substitution configurations to allow the roller shade tube to receive and operate with either a motor assembly or a manual operation assembly.

Abstract: A method for controlling a motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a microcontroller and a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube. The DC gear motor includes a housing fixed to the shade tube and an output shaft coupled to a support shaft fixed to a mounting bracket. The method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube and the DC gear motor housing while the DC gear motor output shaft and support shaft remain fixed.

Abstract: A roller shade is provided. In some embodiments, the roller shade may include: a roller assembly; an inner portion of the roller assembly having an attaching structure for attaching to a mount; an outer portion of the roller assembly located on the roller assembly radially outward from the inner portion; a slot in the outer portion; and an insert dimensioned to be slidably received into the slot along with a portion of a shade to thereby attach the shade to the roller assembly. A method of attaching a shade to a roller assembly may also be provided.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade includes a shade tube, including an outer surface upon which a shade is attached, an inner surface defining an inner cavity and two end portions, a motor/controller unit, disposed within the shade tube inner cavity and mechanically coupled to the shade tube inner surface, including a support shaft configured to attach to a mounting bracket, and a DC motor having an output shaft coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket. A wireless receiver is coupled to the motor/controller unit to receive wireless signals and an antenna is arranged on or in at least one of the two end portions.

Abstract: A system for supporting a window covering is provided. The system includes: a bracket assembly having a stationary portion and a pivoting portion; a valance pivotally connected to the bracket assembly; a first lock configured to lock the valance to the pivoting portion of the bracket assembly; and a second lock that, when engaged, locks the valance to the stationary portion of the bracket assembly. A method of concealing a window covering may also be provided. The method may include: providing a bracket assembly configured to support the window covering; providing a valence attached to the bracket assembly; pivoting the valance on the bracket assembly to selectively expose and conceal the window covering; locking the valance to a pivoting portion of the bracket assembly; and locking the valence to a stationary portion of the bracket assembly.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An operator system and related methods for automatically controlling access barriers which includes a base controller associated with at least one access barrier and at least one base receiver associated with the base controller. The system also includes at least one mobile transmitter that automatically and periodically generates at least one mobile signal detectable by the base receiver. The base controller selectively generates barrier movement commands upon receipt of the at least one mobile signal. Timers may be used to block receipt of any mobile signals for a period of time to prevent any further door movement. Such a system allows for hands-free operation of the access barrier. A discrete processing system may also be used to retrofit existing barrier operator systems for use in hands-free operation.

Abstract: A switch for premises electrical circuits provides wireless control compatible with at least one home automation control system technology. A single switch design can operate two-, three-, and four-way circuits without alteration, and without recourse to coordinating remote switches. The switch includes processor functions for restoring a previous state after power interruption, and for establishing a state commanded during the power interruption. The switch uses two single-pole, single-throw relays for positive safety lockout, and adjusts relay actuation timing with reference to power waveform zero-crossing for contact arc reduction with inductive, tungsten, and capacitive loads.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.

Abstract: A multiple barrier control system includes a plurality of barrier operators configured to move associated access barriers between limit positions. Each of the barrier operators are enabled to communicate with one or more local transmitters. The local transmitters may maintain an all-close button, an all-open button, and an all-stop button, which are associated with corresponding functions maintained by the barrier operators. Upon the actuation of one of the buttons, the associated function is simultaneously carried out by each of the associated barrier operators. Additionally, a portable network control may invoke the simultaneous control of functions at each of the barrier operators via an associated communication network. Moreover, scenes may be created wherein the barrier operators and other accessories, such as lights and appliances, may be moved or actuated to a desired status upon actuation of a scene button on either the local transmitter or the portable network control.

Abstract: Mobile transmitter configured to control any compatible barrier operator so as to move an access barrier to a closed position based on the change in angular and/or linear position of a carrying device. The mobile transmitter includes a position sensor and an activity sensor to monitor the change in position of the carrying device. Thus, when the angular and/or linear position of the carrying device changes by an amount greater than a predetermined threshold, the mobile transmitter automatically communicates a mobile command signal to the barrier operator commanding it to close the access barrier.

Abstract: The present invention advantageously provides a motorized roller shade that includes a shade tube, a motor/controller unit and a power supply unit. The motor/controller unit is disposed within the shade tube, and includes a bearing, rotatably coupled to a support shaft, and a DC gear motor. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: An operator system provides a mobile transmitter configured to communicate with a base operator to automatically open and close an access barrier based on the position of a carrying device that maintains the mobile transmitter. The mobile transmitter periodically transmits a mobile open signal as it moves away from the reception range of the base operator until that signal is lost. When the base operator again receives the open signal, the access barrier is automatically opened. In addition, the mobile transmitter is configured to monitor the change in position of the carrying device as it moves away from the enclosure. When the angular and/or linear position of the carrying device changes by an amount greater than a predetermined threshold, the mobile transmitter automatically transmits a mobile close signal to the base operator to close the access barrier.

Abstract: A motorized barrier adjustment apparatus and method includes, in particular, in accordance with one embodiment, motorized barrier adjustment apparatus with a barrier. A controllable motor is connected with the barrier, the controllable motor is conformed to detect motion of the barrier such that movement of the barrier within a predetermined amount activates the motor to move the barrier and where movement of the barrier beyond the predetermined amount does not activate the motor such that the barrier remains where it is moved.

Abstract: The present invention provides a programmable multi-function adapter for a wireless network that includes a wireless communications module, a control module, a data communications interface and a programmable non-volatile memory. The data communications interface is coupled to the control module, while the programmable non-volatile memory is coupled to the control module and the wireless communications module. The programmable non-volatile memory stores information accessible by the control module and the wireless communications module.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade is provided. The motorized roller shade includes a shade tube in which a motor unit, a controller unit and a power supply unit are disposed. The controller unit includes a controller to control the motor. The power supply unit includes at least one bearing rotatably coupled to a support shaft. The motor unit includes at least one bearing, rotatably coupled to another support shaft, a DC gear motor and a counterbalancing device. The output shaft of the DC gear motor is coupled to the support shaft such that the output shaft and the support shaft do not rotate when the support shaft is attached to a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A barrier operator is configured to learn and receive disparate wireless transmission signals to control movement of a barrier. The operator includes a receiver core circuit adapted to receive wireless transmission signals containing known and unknown formatted data words. A microcontroller is adapted to determine a fixed code portion of the unknown formatted data words. The microcontroller is also associated with a memory unit and connected to the receiver core circuit for storing in the memory unit the known formatted data words and the unknown formatted data words if the fixed code portion can be determined when the microcontroller is in a learn mode. The receiver core circuit may also scan only frequencies associated with learn codes, pre-selected frequencies, and incremental frequencies within a predetermined range of frequencies.

Abstract: An operator system for automatically controlling access barriers based on movement of a carrying device. The system consists of an operator controller associated with an access barrier, a base receiver associated with the base controller, and a mobile transmitter that includes an activity sensor configured to monitor movement in at least one axis of movement and a mobile emitter. The mobile transmitter is configured to automatically emit from the mobile emitter a mobile open signal and a mobile close signal containing at least one warning data bit that is placed in a set state when the activity sensor first detects a change in movement of the mobile transmitter. The base receiver receives the mobile open signal and mobile close signal, and the operator controller resets a last process variable when the at least one warning bit is received.

Abstract: A control routine for groups of remotely controlled, variable-position, position-aware, transceiver-equipped actuators manages data discrepancies by issuing a first set of generic actuation commands to start and stop the actuators, then polling the actuators to report their achieved positions. The routine then applies a rule to determine a preferred position value from among the reports and issues a second set of position-specific actuation commands to all of the actuators. The routine can further poll the actuators to confirm the extent to which the commands have been realized, and can retain and apply compensation factors for performance deviations in the individual actuators. The routine can further manage multiple groups of actuators, dissimilar activators within groups, assignment of an actuator to more than one group, and application of variable control factors as inputs modifying the rule applied by the routine for determining the commands to be issued.