Abstract: The system includes a window shade interfacing with at least a portion of a mechanism; a spring assembly configured to predispose the window shade to at least one of an extended position or a retracted position, wherein the spring assembly is loaded, in response to the window shade being manually at least one of pulled or pushed; and a brake device that is engaged against at least the portion of the mechanism, wherein the brake device is configured to restrict at least the portion of the mechanism by being engaged against at least the portion of the mechanism and intermittently disengage from at least the portion of the mechanism to cause the spring assembly to unload and the window shade to manually move in a plurality of positions between the extended position and the retracted position.

Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor, an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.

Abstract: The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.

Abstract: The system may comprise a controller configured to control one or more motors; a plurality of motors, wherein each of the plurality of motors are configured to adjust a photovoltaic (PV) film system and a window shade system; a geared interface configured to interface the PV film system and the window shade system; the PV film system may be configured to generate solar power for the controller; and a storage device that interfaces with the controller. The coupler for a PV film system may comprise a first wire that interfaces with the PV film; a rotating portion of a slip ring that interfaces with the first wire; a non-rotating portion of the slip ring that interfaces with a second wire; the second wire exiting the coupler; and an outside surface of the coupler that receives a tube, wherein the tube interfaces with the PV film.

Abstract: The window shade pocket system may comprise a pocket having a first wall and a second wall; a window shade having a first side and a second side, wherein the window shade is mounted within the pocket and is configured to at least partially extend over a window outside of the pocket; and a first bracket removably affixed to at least one of a closure extending from the first wall, the first wall or the second wall, wherein the first bracket retains a light source, and wherein the light source is configured to illuminate an exterior area outside of the window. The light source may illuminate the exterior area outside of the window, in response to at least one of an opening of the window, an object coming through the window, a person coming through the window, an object passing by the window or a person passing by the window.

Abstract: The system includes information and data from analysis systems about optimal window covering positions that is communicated to building occupants. The analysis system communicates information to the occupant via the occupant's client computer to allow the occupant to fully or partially adjust the position of a manual shade or motorized shade, without the need for the analysis system to fully or partially electronically control the shades. The system may also adjust window covering systems and other systems to ensure desired or optimal daylight exposure in order promote optimal circadian functionality in the occupants.

Abstract: The system may include a motor releasably connected to a control module and the control module releasably connected to a drive module. The system may further include a joint releasably connecting the control module to the drive module, wherein the joint includes a floating gear. The method may include determining a motor shaft rotation of a motor shaft in a motor, determining a shade tube rotation of a shade tube that moves a window shade over a path, comparing the motor shaft rotation to the shade tube rotation, determining, based on the comparing, that the shade tube rotation is not equal to the motor shaft rotation and determining that an obstacle exists in the path of the window shade. The method may also include determining a change in at least one of current or torque in the motor.

Abstract: To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive mechanism having a friction slip ring inside a brake hub, wherein the brake hub is configured to rotate with respect to the friction slip ring, in response to an at least partial rotation of the drive mechanism. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force of about double a maximum force that a window shade exerts on the friction slip ring. The system may include a spring plunger system abutting a bracket, wherein the spring plunger system may be configured to reduce friction against the bracket in response to a first at least partial rotation of a drive mechanism.

Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive mechanism having a friction slip ring inside a brake hub, wherein the brake hub is configured to rotate with respect to the friction slip ring, in response to an at least partial rotation of the drive mechanism. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force between the drive hub and the friction slip ring. The brake hub may be configured to overcome a break-away force of about double a maximum force that a window shade exerts on the friction slip ring. The system may include a spring plunger system abutting a bracket, wherein the spring plunger system may be configured to reduce friction against the bracket in response to a first at least partial rotation of a drive mechanism.

Abstract: Wheel carriage assemblies and related fabric deployment systems and methods are disclosed. A wheel carriage assembly comprising at least one wheel with ball bearings on the interior of each wheel, and a pivot point that allows for position independence, is configured with a hembar coupled to a piece of fabric to allow a surface of varying shape to be covered. The system provides the ability to cover both traditional window shapes as well as surfaces of irregular shape or inclined orientation, and reduces and evens the amount of wear on certain components to extend system life.

Abstract: To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.

Abstract: A motorized window shade system may comprise a shade tube in a pocket; a window shade attached to the shade tube; a motor configured to rotate the shade tube; an internal temperature sensor configured to measure a first temperature of the motor; an external temperature sensor configured to measure a second temperature of the pocket; and a controller configured to adjust a mode of the system from an override mode to an automated mode.

Abstract: A desired range of lift force to raise a window shade is used to select the window shade hardware such as, for example, the optimal LAM. A desired lift force may be 5 pounds for ADA compliance. However, if the user wants to exert less effort to lift the window shade, the user may request an increased lift force of 6 or 7 pounds. Therefore, if a lift force range between 3-8.5 pounds is desired, the system selects the optimal LAM to maintain and guarantee that the lift force required to operate the shades will not exceed the desired range of between 3-8.5 pounds.

Abstract: The window shade pocket system may comprise a pocket having an inside surface, a first wall and a second wall, wherein a roller shade is mounted within the pocket; and a first bracket removably affixed to the inside surface of the first wall of the pocket, wherein the first bracket retains a light source. The light source may include at least one of a light bulb, light bar, light strip, LED lighting or reflective device. The light source may be LED lighting that is modular or provides different colors over the window shade fabric. The light source may include a lens. The light source may be at least one of removeable from the first bracket or rotatable within the first bracket. The light source may be at least one of between the window shade and the window, or between the room and the window shade.

Abstract: The method comprises determining that the clear day exists in response to the apparent diameter of the solar disc being similar to the expected diameter of the solar disc on the clear day and determining that an overcast condition exists in the camera image in response to the apparent diameter of the solar disc being distorted. The method may further include receiving a camera image of a sky section from a camera at a first location; segmenting the camera image into a first portion around a known position of a solar disc and a second portion of the remainder of the sky section containing an horizon; determining that the solar disc is obstructed by the horizon; and establishing that the first location is experiencing shadow conditions based on the determining.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a method comprising determining that solar heat gain exists in trapped air between a window shade and a window and opening a controllable damper to exhaust the trapped air. The method may also include obtaining occupancy data about an occupant based on at least one of a home automation system or a security system. The method may also include forecasting, using a sky camera and historical sky conditions, sky conditions associated with a building; and determining, based on the forecasted sky conditions, a setting for at least one of a lighting system or an HVAC system associated with the building. The method may also include changing a timing of an automation routine for adjusting window shades to minimize an impact on peak demand energy usage.

Abstract: The disclosure includes a window shade pocket system comprising a pocket; a roller shade mounted within the pocket; and an ultraviolet (UV) light source within the pocket. The system may also include a controller that controls a motor engaged to the roller shade, wherein the controller controls the speed of the motor to allow a portion of the roller shade to be under the UV light source for a predetermined amount of time to allow for sanitization of the portion of the roller shade. The method may comprise adjusting, by a processor, a roller shade within a pocket; and activating, by the processor, an ultraviolet (UV) light source within the pocket, wherein the UV light source sanitizes at least a portion of the roller shade.

Abstract: A window shade system may comprise a drive hub having a dampener comprised of dampening material, wherein the drive hub engages with at least one of a shade tube or a brake hub. The dampener may include one or more tabs that engage the brake hub. The dampener may be configured to dampen the torque from a spinning of the shade tube. The dampener may be comprised of urethane. The dampener may be incorporated onto an outside surface of the drive hub. The dampener may be located within the drive hub. The drive hub may be in the form of a cap that fits over the dampener. The drive hub may include rounded corners. The dampener may be configured in the form of one or more cylindrical rods.