Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering an architectural opening comprising a roller tube and a shade material comprising an upper end attached to the roller tube and a lower end. The shade material at least partially comprises electrically conductive material and the roller tube comprises an electrically conductive material that creates an electrically conductive path between the conductive material of the shade material and the roller tube. The motorized shade further comprises a capacitive touch sensor electrically connected to the roller tube via at least one electrical contact, and a controller electrically connected to the capacitive touch sensor and adapted to detect a touch of the shade material via the capacitive touch sensor and in response generate a command.

Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering an architectural opening that can be actuated by touching its shade material. The motorized shade comprises a shade material extending between an upper end and a lower end and a motor drive unit operably connected to the upper end of the shade material and comprising a motor and a motor control module adapted to control the motor to raise or lower the shade material. The shade material comprises at least partially comprises electrically conductive material. The motor control module comprises a capacitive touch sensor that is electrically connected to the upper end of the shade material via at least one electrical contact. The motor control module is adapted to detect a touch of the shade material via the capacitive touch sensor and in response control the motor to raise or lower the shade material.

Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material connected to the roller tube, and a motor drive unit operably connected to the roller tube. The motor drive unit comprises a motor adapted to create torque to rotate the roller tube to lower or raise the shade material and a force sensor positioned at a point along the motor drive unit that resists the torque created by the motor resulting in a reaction force that is detected by the force sensor. The motor drive unit further comprises a motor control module adapted to receive sensor readings from the force sensor and control the motor in response to detecting an abrupt change in the reaction force using the received sensor readings to enable shade control via pulling of the shade material as well as or alternatively obstacle detection to minimize damage to the roller shade and users.

Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material connected to the roller tube, and a motor drive unit operably connected to the roller tube. The motor drive unit comprises a motor adapted to create torque to rotate the roller tube to lower or raise the shade material and a force sensor positioned at a point along the motor drive unit that resists the torque created by the motor resulting in a reaction force that is detected by the force sensor. The motor drive unit further comprises a motor control module adapted to receive sensor readings from the force sensor and control the motor in response to detecting an abrupt change in the reaction force using the received sensor readings to enable shade control via pulling of the shade material as well as or alternatively obstacle detection to minimize damage to the roller shade and users.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering an architectural opening that can be actuated by touching its shade material. The motorized shade comprises a shade material extending between an upper end and a lower end and a motor drive unit operably connected to the upper end of the shade material and comprising a motor and a motor control module adapted to control the motor to raise or lower the shade material. The shade material comprises at least partially comprises electrically conductive material. The motor control module comprises a capacitive touch sensor that is electrically connected to the upper end of the shade material via at least one electrical contact. The motor control module is adapted to detect a touch of the shade material via the capacitive touch sensor and in response control the motor to raise or lower the shade material.

Abstract: A circuit adapted to detect applied voltage and/or voltage based conditions. The circuit comprises a zero-cross detection circuit and a controller. The zero-cross detection circuit is adapted to output a zero-cross signal comprising zero-cross events based on an applied alternating current power signal. The controller is adapted to store a relationship between a pulse width delta, frequency, and voltage. The controller is adapted to sense the zero-cross signal from the zero-cross detection circuit to determine its frequency and pulse width delta by calculating a difference between a high-time and a low-time of the zero-cross signal, and determine the applied voltage based on the stored relationship. The controller can adjust at least one setting of the circuit based on the determined applied voltage, such as the timing of a dimming circuit. In another embodiment, the controller may directly detect voltage based conditions, such as zero-cross delays a dimmer circuit.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining at least one lower limit of a horizontal sheers style roller shade. The roller shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material attached to the roller tube and comprising a first vertical layer interconnected to a second vertical layer via a plurality of horizontal vanes, a motor adapted to rotate the roller tube, a current sensing circuit adapted to detect current levels of the motor, and a controller adapted to control the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller determines at least one lower limit by driving the motor in a first direction, receiving current levels from the current sensing circuit, observing current level profile of the received current levels, detecting a point of change in the current level profile, and using the point of change to set at least one of a lower tilt closed limit and a lower tilt open limit.

Abstract: A color temperature sensor assembly comprising a sensor body, a substantially dome shaped diffuser extending through an opening in the sensor body, a substantially flat diffuser disposed within the sensor body below the first diffuser, and a color temperature sensing module disposed below the flat diffuser and adapted to detect a color temperature of light collected by the dome shaped diffuser and the flat diffuser. The shape of the dome diffuser helps capture light from all angles to bring in more light to the sensor and provide more accurate readings. The secondary flat diffuser is adapted to further diffuse the light to reduce light concentration and prevent inaccurate readings. The color temperature readings from the color temperature sensor assembly may be used to control at least one lighting load.

Abstract: A circuit adapted to detect applied voltage and/or voltage based conditions. The circuit comprises a zero-cross detection circuit and a controller. The zero-cross detection circuit is adapted to output a zero-cross signal comprising zero-cross events based on an applied alternating current power signal. The controller is adapted to store a relationship between a pulse width delta, frequency, and voltage. The controller is adapted to sense the zero-cross signal from the zero-cross detection circuit to determine its frequency and pulse width delta by calculating a difference between a high-time and a low-time of the zero-cross signal, and determine the applied voltage based on the stored relationship. The controller can adjust at least one setting of the circuit based on the determined applied voltage, such as the timing of a dimming circuit. In another embodiment, the controller may directly detect voltage based conditions, such as zero-cross delays a dimmer circuit.

Abstract: A motorized shade comprising a motor adapted to lower or raise a shade material for selectively covering an architectural opening based on a position of the sun. The motorized shade comprises a controller adapted to drive the motor phase according to a startup sequence by ramping up amplitude form an initial amplitude to a startup amplitude and ramping up frequency from an initial frequency to a drive frequency, drive the motor phase according to a full drive sequence to move the shade material by driving the motor phase according to a sinusoidal waveform at a set maximum amplitude and at a drive frequency, and drive the motor phase according to a wind down sequence by reducing frequency from the drive frequency to an end frequency and reducing the amplitude from the maximum amplitude to an end amplitude.

Abstract: A motorized window treatment configure for automatically determining and reporting the tilt level of a motorized window treatment. The motorized window treatment comprises a window covering material, a motor configured for moving the window covering material from an opened position to a closed position, an accelerometer configured for measuring gravitational forces, and a controller configured for reporting the tilt level of the motorized window treatment. Particularly, the controller receives gravitational force measurements from the accelerometer, determines a tilt level of the motorized window treatment using the gravitational force measurements, compares the tilt level to a first threshold value, and issues an error signal when the tilt level exceeds the first threshold value.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining at least one lower limit of a horizontal sheers style roller shade. The roller shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material attached to the roller tube and comprising a first vertical layer interconnected to a second vertical layer via a plurality of horizontal vanes, a motor adapted to rotate the roller tube, a current sensing circuit adapted to detect current levels of the motor, and a controller adapted to control the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller determines at least one lower limit by driving the motor in a first direction, receiving current levels from the current sensing circuit, observing current level profile of the received current levels, detecting a point of change in the current level profile, and using the point of change to set at least one of a lower tilt closed limit and a lower tilt open limit.