Abstract: A system for operating an overhead door using a battery and a low voltage power supply are disclosed. A battery is connected to a standard power outlet and charges from a power adaptor that converts the power down to a reduced voltage and provides the reduced power to the battery. The battery provides the principal power required to operate the overhead door opener. With the preferred embodiment, there is no need for an additional, higher-rated outlet near the overhead door opener, or a long high-voltage cable in the garage.

Abstract: A leveler for a window covering is disclosed. A fixed portion is secured to a headrail of a window casing, and moving portion is secured to the window covering. The moving portion is movable upward and downward relative to the fixed portion to allow for vertical adjustment of one end of the window covering relative to the window casing to straighten the window covering in the window.

Abstract: A window covering is disclosed including a headrail spanning a window casing, and an end cap assembly in an end of the headrail. The end cap assembly includes a carriage, a movable portion extensible from a retracted position in the carriage to an extended position protruding at least partially from the carriage, and a mounting bracket coupled to the movable portion and being configured to forcibly contact the window casing and secure the headrail in the window casing. The assembly also includes a cam contacting the movable portion and being configured to move the movable portion from the retracted position to the extended position. The assembly further includes a flange extending from the cam and contacting the movable portion, the flange being configured to maintain the movable portion in position relative to the carriage. The assembly also includes a lever coupled to the cam. Rotation of the lever causes the cam to move the movable portion.

Abstract: An automated sliding window mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding window mechanism includes a motor attached to a first component of a sliding window and configured to open and close the sliding window, a controller that controls the motor, and at least two air pressure sensors in communication with a processor. If the window is open, based on signals from the air pressure sensors, the processor determines whether a draft is flowing through the window. If the window is closed, based on signals from the air pressure sensor, the processor determines whether a draft would flow through the window if opened. The processor sends a signal to the controller to either open or close the window, depending on whether a user has elected to have a draft flow through the window. In a preferred embodiment, a system is provided with at least two automated windows.

Abstract: A mounting system using a force indicator is disclosed. A screw is used to mount a bracket to a structure. While the screw is being threaded into the structure, the force indicator deforms to provides a visual indication when the screw is tight enough to secure the bracket to the structure without damaging the structure or mounting components. Additionally, a washer may be used with the mounting system. The force indicator can be cylinder shaped with a hole for the screw to pass through. The force indicator can extrude radially as it deforms in order to provide the visual indication.

Abstract: An exit sign that includes an access control point and a system that includes such an exit sign are disclosed. The exit sign includes: a power circuit, a battery that is charged by the power circuit, a light that is powered by at least one of the power circuit and the battery, a sign that is at least partially illuminated by the light, a controller, a wireless radio coupled to the controller, and a relay coupled to the controller and to the actuation device, where the controller controls the relay to actuate the actuation device.

Abstract: The invention is a photovoltaic system mounted with brackets to the inside surface of a window. The brackets are adhesively attached to the window. The system comprises photovoltaic modules on a substrate along with a sheet of material which is visually similar to the substrate which are both attached by the brackets to the interior surface of a window, facing towards the outside of the building. The light incident side of the substrate with photovoltaic cells faces the exterior of the building facing the sun. Electrical connectors are integrated into the substrate and connected to solar cells within the photovoltaic modules, thus providing electrical connection of the system to external electrical devices or electrical systems near the window that require power.

Abstract: The invention is a photovoltaic system mounted to the inside surface of a window. The system comprises photovoltaic modules on a substrate along with a sheet of material which is visually similar to the substrate which are both adhesively attached to the interior surface of a window, facing towards the outside of the building. The light incident side of the substrate with photovoltaic cells faces the exterior of the building facing the sun. Electrical connectors are integrated into the substrate and connected to solar cells within the photovoltaic modules, thus providing electrical connection of the system to external electrical devices or electrical systems near the window that require power.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a frame with a slidable segment are disclosed. The slidable segment is slidably mounted within the frame. A first motor is coupled to the slidable segment. A first pulley is affixed to and driven by the first motor. A first end of a first wire is affixed to a first vertical member of the frame. A second end of the first wire is affixed to a second vertical member of the frame. The first wire wraps around the first pulley at least once. Driving the first pulley in a first direction causes the first pulley to pull on the first vertical member such that the slidable segment slides towards the first vertical member. Driving the first pulley in a second direction causes the first pulley to pull on the second vertical member such that the slidable segment slides towards the second vertical member.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for a frame with a slidable segment are disclosed. The slidable segment is slidably mounted within the frame. A first motor is coupled to the slidable segment. The first motor has a first gear affixed to and driven by the first motor. A first gear track may be mounted to a first horizontal member of the frame, wherein teeth of the first gear align with tooth spaces of the first gear track. Rotating the first gear in a first rotational direction causes the first gear to pull the slidable segment in a first linear direction as the first gear walks along the first gear track. Rotating the first gear in a second rotational direction causes the first gear to pull the slidable segment in a second linear direction as the first gear walks along the first gear track.

Abstract: An automated sliding panel mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding panel mechanism includes a motor attached to a first component of a sliding panel that is configured to move the sliding panel between a closed position and an open position. The mechanism also includes a power source and a rack attached to a second component of the sliding panel and including a base with rack teeth extending from a plane thereof. A gear is rotated by the motor and has gear teeth shaped to mesh with the rack teeth. A manual release mechanism is adapted to move the gear along its axis of rotation, from an engaged position, wherein the gear teeth mesh with the rack teeth to a released position, wherein the gear teeth are disengaged from the rack teeth. The manual release mechanism also includes a holding mechanism adapted to hold the gear in the engaged position and in the released position as selected by a user.

Abstract: An automated sliding panel mechanism is disclosed. An automated sliding panel mechanism including a motor is configured to move a sliding window between a closed position and an open position, and includes a power source providing power to the motor, a rack consisting of rack teeth wherein a portion of the surface of the rack teeth are generally perpendicular to a plane, and a gear rotated by the motor and consisting of gear teeth, wherein the gear teeth are shaped to mesh with the rack teeth.

Abstract: Methods for identifying objects arriving at a house are disclosed. The method includes identifying background objects visible in a field of view of a camera positioned at the house, labeling the background objects as permanent objects, monitoring the zone for new objects entering the zone, and classifying the new objects as vehicle, human, or animal. If the new object is not classifiable, the method includes issuing an alarm to a remote device. If the new object is classifiable, incrementing a count for the classification vehicle, human, or animal. If the count exceeds a limit, the method includes issuing an alarm. The method also includes receiving information for a predefined list of allowed entities containing visual characteristics for the allowed entities and recognizing the new object as an allowed entity.

Abstract: A fairlead for use with a winch is disclosed. The fairlead is made up of a first and second roller, a motor, a sensor, and a controller. The rollers are adapted to aid in spooling or unspooling a line. The motor drives at least the first roller. The sensor determines whether a winch drum is spooling or unspooling a line. The controller is connected to the motor and communicates with the sensor. The sensor determines whether the winch drum is spooling or unspooling the line. The controller is configured to direct the motor so that the rollers assist in unspooling or spooling the line in coordination with the winch drum. In some embodiments, the fairlead is integrated into the winch.

Abstract: There is disclosed a power drop assembly which includes a housing and a reel positioned and rotatable within it. Preferably, the device determines, not only whether power is available, but how much power is available. Preferably, the power drop assembly also contains a processor and non-transitory storage medium, so that user settings and profiles as well as settings and profiles for the power drop assembly can be stored and run. Additionally, the power drop assembly preferably contains a wireless transceiver which connects to a home Wi-Fi network and then to a cloud account, user profiles and settings, and settings and profiles for the power drop assembly can be saved on the cloud account. In this way multiple users can use the power drop assembly without contradicting instructions or resetting the power drop assembly every time it is used.

Abstract: A winch assembly including a mount attachable to a vehicle, and a guide attached to the mount; including a winch having a drum for winding and unwinding a line, and a motor for driving the drum about a winding axis, wherein the drum has a helical groove for receiving the line as it is wound. A frame connects to the first and second end of the drum and is adapted to move relative to the guide so as to synchronize movement of the drum along the winding axis so that the line is aligned with the helical groove during winding and unwinding. A rod is attached to the frame and generally parallel to the winding axis, and passes through a hole in the guide, allowing the movement of the drum along the winding axis but preventing the frame from rotating about the winding axis is disclosed.

Abstract: An adjustable length winch apparatus is disclosed. The adjustable length winch apparatus comprises a first motor, a first drum, a second drum, and a shaft. The first motor is configured to rotate the first drum and the shaft on an axis. The second drum is adapted to be rotated by the shaft on the axis. The shaft and the second drum are configured to adjust the distance between the first and second drum.

Abstract: A system for lifting and lowering a load between a position in a room to a position in a storage space above the room is disclosed. The system includes: a first and second beam each attached to an underside or side of two ceiling joists. The first and second beams are installed from below without requiring access above the joists. The system also includes a first vertical frame member connected to and supported by the first beam, a second vertical frame member connected to and supported by the second beam, and a horizontal frame member connected to a top portion of each of vertical frame members. The system also includes a platform for supporting the load and a lifting device for raising and lowering the load.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for varying rotational speeds is disclosed. A battery pack has a plurality of batteries and a switch. The battery pack has an overall voltage. The switch varies the overall voltage in discrete steps by combining the plurality of batteries in series, in parallel, or in a combination thereof. A motor drives a shaft at a rotational speed. The motor is powered by the battery pack. The rotational speed varies proportionally with the overall voltage.

Abstract: A parking assist apparatus is disclosed. A parking assist apparatus includes an overhead sensor mounted to a garage ceiling and a controller adapted to receive instructions from a remote device to set an optimum parking position. The controller is adapted to display one or more guidelines on a display screen in the vehicle to indicate the position of the vehicle in relation to the optimum parking position and to switch the system between a sleep mode and an awake mode. The invention also includes a motion sensor attached to a garage door. When the motion sensor senses the garage door being opened, the motion sensor sends a signal to the controller, whereupon the controller switches the system to the awake mode.