Abstract: The invention is an automated window mechanism having an electric motor attached to a sliding panel of a window configured to open and close the window by moving the sliding panel. The electric motor has a locked state in which the electric motor and sliding panel are stationary. The automated window mechanism also includes a monitor configured to detect an external force applied to the sliding panel while the electric motor is in the locked state. In response to the monitor detecting the external force while the electric motor is in the locked state the positive lead and the negative lead to a same electric potential thereby rendering the electric motor an electric brake impeding the external force from moving the sliding panel. A method and system for preventing unwanted movement of an automated window are also disclosed.

Abstract: An automated window mechanism is disclosed, including a motor secured to a window, the window being in a frame and wherein the motor causes the window to move relative to the frame in two directions: an open direction being defined as a direction toward which movement of the window relative to the frame causes the window to be more closed, and a closed direction defined as a direction opposite the open direction. The mechanism also includes a transmission component that transfers power from the motor to movement of the window relative to the frame, the transmission component having a backup defined as a distance the transmission component can move from a first point at which further movement in the open direction will cause the window to begin moving in the open direction, and a second point at which further movement in the closed direction will cause the window to begin moving in the closed direction.

Abstract: The invention is systems and methods of operating a window with an automated window mechanism. The systems and methods include moving with the automated window mechanism a sliding panel of a window relative to a window frame to open or close the window. The sliding panel moves through a proximate closing zone. The method also includes in the proximate closing zone, operating the automated window mechanism in a limited state comprising at least one of reduced velocity, reduced current to the automated window mechanism, or reduced voltage to the automated window mechanism.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an overhead door opener and a lifter are disclosed. The lifter is positioned above the overhead door when the overhead door is in a retracted position and raises and lowers objects along a path that, without care, will intersect with the overhead door. A controller monitors the position of the overhead door and the lifter and moves the overhead door if the lifter is out of the way, and if the lifter is not out of the way the command is not executed to prevent interference between the lifter and the overhead door.

Abstract: An overhead door system is disclosed, which includes a first track and a second track mounted on opposite sides of an opening. Each track has a vertical portion, a transition portion, and a horizontal portion, with the transition portion being between the vertical portion and the horizontal portion. An overhead door engages the first and second tracks on opposite sides of the overhead door and is movable along the first and second tracks between a closed, vertical position and a raised, horizontal position. A motor unit has a motor that is mounted above the horizontal portions of the first and second tracks. A rail is parallel to and disposed between the horizontal portions of the first and second tracks. The rail carries a carriage configured to move in a first direction to raise the overhead door and in a second, opposite direction to lower the overhead door. A connecting member is pivotally attached at one end near a top edge of the overhead door and attached at an opposite end to the carriage.

Abstract: A unified tracking system is disclosed. The unified tracking system tracks items by adding a first block to a first blockchain associated with a first item, adding a second block a second blockchain associated with a second item, identifying a first value for an attribute associated with the first item based on an association with the second item, adding a third block to the second blockchain, wherein the third block includes the first value for the attribute of the first item and a reference to a block in the first blockchain, and adding a fourth block to the first blockchain, wherein the fourth block includes the first value for the attribute of the first item and a reference to a block in the second blockchain.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for locating an item within an enclosure is described. The method includes affixing a first-tier label to a fixture within the enclosure, identifying a first location of the first-tier label based on at least three distance measurements between the first-tier label and a respective plane of the three orthogonal planar surfaces, identifying a second-tier label in proximity to the first-tier label, wherein the second-tier label is associated with an item, determining a first relative position of the second-tier label with respect to the first location of the first-tier label, and determining a second location of the second-tier label based on the first relative position with respect to the first location and the first location.

Abstract: Systems and methods for securely identifying an item are disclosed. The method includes receiving an item, selecting a plastic wrap that is opaque and that includes a random pattern of markings, and wrapping the item with the plastic wrap, which protects the protects the item frons visual inspection with the opaque plastic and that secures the item with a unique fingerprint/code formed from the random pattern of markings.

Abstract: A label and methods and devices for detecting an environmental factor that exceeds a threshold are described. The label includes a plurality of codable areas. The first portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a first value and the second portion of the plurality of codable areas are coded according to a second value. The label additionally includes an environmentally triggered bubble positioned in one of the plurality of codable areas. The environmentally triggered bubble changes between the first value and the second value when ruptured. As a result, the code that the label represents changes when the environmentally triggered bubble ruptures.

Abstract: A seal apparatus for a window shade having a first side seal on one side of a window and a second side seal on an opposite side of the window. The side seals have a base anchored to a side of a window frame, and an extensible sealing portion coupled to the base and being extensible toward the window shade to enclose a volume between the window and the window shade.

Abstract: A seal for a multiple-shade window covering array. The seal includes two or more coextensive shades for a window in a window frame. At least one of the shades is a cellular shade. Each shade operates independently without interference from other shades, and each shade has different light properties such that selectively raising and lowering one or more of the shades changes a light property for the window covering array. The seal also includes side seals anchored to the sides of the window frame.

Abstract: A window covering for a window having a window frame. The window covering includes a headrail at the top of the window frame, and two window shades suspended from the headrail that can be selectively independently raised and lowered. Each of the window shades has a different light property. Accordingly the two window shades can be deployed selectively independently to achieve a desired property of light passing through the window shade.

Abstract: A temperature system for a window shade includes temperature sensors coupled to a side seal for the window shade. The side seal is selectively movable into and out of position relative to the window shade. The temperature sensors convey temperature information to a controller for operating the window shade and the side seal. The controller operates the window shade and the side seals based at least in part upon the temperature information.

Abstract: The invention is an an anchor for attaching an automated window mechanism to a sliding panel of a window. The sliding panel has a border with an outer face generally perpendicular to the window. The anchor includes a base configured to be secured to the outer face. The base and mechanism mount has a first tongue-and-groove component protruding from the base away from the outer face. The anchor also includes a mechanism mount configured to be secured to the automated window mechanism, the mechanism mount having a second tongue-and-groove component protruding therefrom. The first tongue-and-groove component and the second tongue-and-groove components are shaped and aligned to permit the mechanism mount to slide relative to the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the window, and to thereafter hold the mechanism in proper alignment relative to the sliding panel of the window.

Abstract: A system for reversibly dividing a space is disclosed. Independent panels, with track followers attached to both narrow sides, move along parallel tracks. The panels start in an overhead storage space. The tracks are shaped such that as the panels move from the storage space into the space to be divided, one panel stops higher and the next panel slides down and then under the first panel. These panels preferably form a single-plane divider in the space.

Abstract: Devices and methods for internet of things (IOT) discovery/auto discovery are described. A discovery packet is received from a device. The discovery packet includes a first stream identifier and a request to establish a second stream. A stream acceptance packet is sent to the device. The stream acceptance packet includes the first stream identifier and an input for generating a second stream identifier. A first association is added to the registration based on the request to establish the second stream. The first association is between the second stream identifier and a determined destination. A first data packet is received from the device, where the first data packet includes/utilizes the second stream identifier. The first data packet is sent to the destination based on the first association in the registration.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more motorized windows. The motorized windows 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 motorized windows 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: The method of confirming consumption of a tagged pharmaceutical or nutritional product includes the step of providing a subject with a pharmaceutical or nutritional product which has been tagged with a safe, for example, a plant-based, compound. These compounds may include asparagusic acid or a derivative thereof which is found in asparagus, garlic or an extract of garlic, or 1,8-cineole. Alternatively, the taggant may be dimethylsulfoxide. A subject may be provided with and instructed to consume the tagged product according to a defined protocol. A sample of bodily waste or other biological sample may be collected from the subject and analyzed for the presence of the tag or a metabolite thereof. This method may be used to confirm compliance with the protocol in clinical drug trials or nutritional studies.

Abstract: A trailer hitch is disclosed. A weight distribution hitch includes an attachment member with a forward end which attaches to a vehicle and a rearward end which pivotally connects to a trailer. The weight distribution hitch also includes a moment bar which attaches to the attachment member on one and tension mechanism on the other. The tension mechanism is mounted on a frame of the trailer and provides an upward force on the moment bar which imposes a moment on the attachment member. Center lines of the attachment member, moment bar, and the vehicle are all in a vertical plane. The weight distribution hitch may also include an aperture disposed in the moment bar through which the tension mechanism passes.

Abstract: The invention is an apparatus for heating or cooling a room of a building. The apparatus includes a radiant panel supported on a wall, which radiates energy to or from a room. The radiant panel has a conduit for passage of a fluid. The invention also includes a heat exchange device which heats or cools the fluid, which is installed inside the wall between two studs. A first line and second line connect the inlet and outlet to the heat exchange device. A pump that pumps the fluid that is heated or cooled by the heat exchange, whereby the room is heated or cooled depending on whether the fluid is heated or cooled by the heat exchange device.