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.

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: 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: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.

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: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.

Abstract: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.

Abstract: An improved roller shade system provides increased support, additional adjustments and/or increased safety. The slip plate allows the brake to slip forward and minimize damage to the clutch spring when a user pulls too hard on the hembar. The center drive mechanism extends through a bracket to allow the drive shaft to distribute power in both directions and drive two shade tube simultaneously. The tube adapter absorbs force from the spinning shade tube to minimize damage to the other components and the bead chain. The sprocket has a back wall supporting the sprocket, allowing the sprocket 130 to rest on the back flange of the sun gear to minimize pressure on the gears. An adjustment arm is adjusted to help level the shade band. The shade bands may be removed without disturbing the other shade bands in the system. A height of a hembar may be adjusted by rotating a rod within the hembar.

Abstract: Intelligent building control systems utilize sky information from a camera or cameras to facilitate control of building systems such as lighting, motorized window coverings, electrochromic glazings, HVAC systems, and so forth. Based on the sky information, interior lighting intensity and/or color temperature may be modified, for example in order to achieve a desired circadian effect for building occupants. In this manner, energy efficiency and occupant comfort and convenience are improved.

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: Intelligent building control systems utilize sky information from a camera or cameras to facilitate control of building systems such as lighting, motorized window coverings, electrochromic glazings, HVAC systems, and so forth. Based on the sky information, interior lighting intensity and/or color temperature may be modified, for example in order to achieve a desired circadian effect for building occupants. In this manner, energy efficiency and occupant comfort and convenience are improved.

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 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.