Abstract: A window covering in accordance with the invention includes a gearbox assembly comprising a controller incorporated into the gearbox, a motor incorporated into the gearbox, and an external sensor is provided to provide external inputs to the controller in the gearbox assembly. The external sensor may include a security sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, an audio sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, or a humidity sensor. The controller is further configured to relay sensor information to a remote HVAC system or security system.

Abstract: A system for controlling motorized window coverings is described herein. The window coverings each have a processor, a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a network. The network is controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input. The mobile devices wirelessly connect to a local area network (LAN) via a hub. One or more hubs are connected via the LAN. The window coverings are networked via a personal area network (PAN). The hubs convert the LAN protocol to the PAN protocol. Sensors send sensor data along with real time weather data to the processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. The system includes both local and cloud based control.

Abstract: A motorized window covering switching mechanism is described herein. The switching mechanism includes a deflectable arm and a pull cord. The deflectable arm is connected to a first contact, and the pull cord is connected to the deflectable arm such that, as the pull cord is tugged, the deflectable arm deflects to move the first contact toward a second contact, thereby converting gestures of the pull cord into electrical signals that control a motorized window covering. In some embodiments, cord gestures that deflect the deflectable arm include pull sequences, numbers of pulls, strength of pulls, or combinations thereof. Additionally, in some embodiments, a controller receives the cord gestures and translates the cord gestures into operational commands to control and operate a window covering gearbox assembly.

Abstract: A system for controlling motorized window coverings is described herein. The window coverings each have a processor, a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a network. The network is controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input. The mobile devices wirelessly connect to a local area network (LAN) via a hub. One or more hubs are connected via the LAN. The window coverings are networked via a personal area network (PAN). The hubs convert the LAN protocol to the PAN protocol. Sensors send sensor data along with real time weather data to the processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. The system includes both local and cloud based control.

Abstract: An intelligent actuation device is described herein. The device includes an actuator, and includes both local and cloud based control facilitated by motors and actuators in each actuation device. Each device further includes a processor with settings stored in memory that direct a controller. Sensors send both local and remote sensor data along with real time weather data to a processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. Additionally, each actuation device includes a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a mesh network, the network controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input.

Abstract: A window covering system is described herein. The system includes one or more motorized window coverings, and includes both local and cloud based control facilitated by motors or actuators in each window covering that are actuated by a controller. Each window covering further includes a processor with settings stored in memory that direct the controller. Sensors send both local and remote sensor data along with real time weather data to the processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. Additionally, the window coverings each have a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a mesh network, the network controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a window covering with a motorized tilting assembly. The method includes removing a tilt rod from a blinds tilting mechanism and introducing the motorized tilting assembly into the blinds tilting mechanism. The assembly includes a motor, a gearbox having an internal enclosure and an external enclosure, and an output shaft. The internal enclosure encloses gears, and the external enclosure encloses the internal enclosure. The output shaft includes a through-channel and extends through the internal enclosure and the external enclosure. The method further includes: selecting a tilt rod adapter having an internal shape complementary to the tilt rod and an external shape complementary to the through-channel of the output shaft; inserting the tilt rod adapter into the output shaft; and reinstalling the tilt rod such that the tilt rod passes completely through the output shaft and the tilt rod adapter.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes a headrail bracket configured to be inserted into a headrail at an angle from a top thereof. The headrail bracket includes clips snap into a top edge of the headrail, and an attachment mechanism to attach to a gearbox assembly configured to rotate a tilt rod of a window blind tilting mechanism. In certain embodiments, the headrail bracket is a single component with a substantially low profile. This headrail bracket may span a top of the headrail. In other embodiments, the headrail bracket includes a first component to secure a first end of the gearbox assembly to the headrail and a second component to secure a second end of the gearbox assembly to the headrail. In certain embodiments, the first component slides over the first end of the gearbox assembly and the second component slides over the second end of the gearbox assembly.

Abstract: A window covering in accordance with the invention includes a gearbox assembly comprising a controller incorporated into the gearbox, a motor incorporated into the gearbox, and an external sensor is provided to provide external inputs to the controller in the gearbox assembly. The external sensor may include a security sensor, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, an audio sensor, a smoke detector, a carbon monoxide detector, or a humidity sensor. The controller is further configured to relay sensor information to a remote HVAC system or security system.

Abstract: A motorized window covering switching mechanism is described herein. The switching mechanism includes a deflectable arm and a pull cord. The deflectable arm is connected to a first contact, and the pull cord is connected to the deflectable arm such that, as the pull cord is tugged, the deflectable arm deflects to move the first contact toward a second contact, thereby converting gestures of the pull cord into electrical signals that control a motorized window covering. In some embodiments, cord gestures that deflect the deflectable arm include pull sequences, numbers of pulls, strength of pulls, or combinations thereof. Additionally, in some embodiments, a controller receives the cord gestures and translates the cord gestures into operational commands to control and operate a window covering gearbox assembly.

Abstract: A method of retrofitting a window covering with a motorized tilting assembly is disclosed herein. The method includes removing a tilt rod from a blinds tilting mechanism and introducing the motorized tilting assembly into the blinds tilting mechanism. The assembly includes a motor, a gearbox having an internal enclosure and an external enclosure, and an output shaft. The internal enclosure encloses gears, and the external enclosure encloses the internal enclosure. The output shaft includes a through-channel and extends through the internal enclosure and the external enclosure. The method further includes: selecting a tilt rod adapter having an internal shape complementary to the tilt rod and an external shape complementary to the through-channel of the output shaft; inserting the tilt rod adapter into the output shaft; and reinstalling the tilt rod such that the tilt rod passes completely through the output shaft and the tilt rod adapter.

Abstract: A method in accordance with the invention includes a headrail bracket configured to be inserted into a headrail at an angle from a top thereof. The headrail bracket includes clips snap into a top edge of the headrail, and an attachment mechanism to attach to a gearbox assembly configured to rotate a tilt rod of a window blind tilting mechanism. In certain embodiments, the headrail bracket is a single component with a substantially low profile. This headrail bracket may span a top of the headrail. In other embodiments, the headrail bracket includes a first component to secure a first end of the gearbox assembly to the headrail and a second component to secure a second end of the gearbox assembly to the headrail.