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 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. 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: 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: A system comprises a power-over-ethernet (POE) network switch; an intelligent power distribution hub and gateway (IPDHG) configured to communicate with the POE network switch; a rechargeable battery configured to be recharged by the POE network switch; and one or more low duty cycle devices configured to communicate with the IPDHG, wherein the one or more low duty cycle devices are charged by the rechargeable battery.

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: The quick release device may comprise a shade tube, a gear wheel engaging with the shade tube, a pawl removably engaging with the gear wheel and a solenoid configured to activate the pawl. The activation of the pawl disengages the pawl from the pawl wheel and allows the shade tube to rotate. The quick release device may also include a shade tube, a rotating brake plate engaging with the shade tube, a spring configured to apply pressure to the rotating brake plate and a magnet configured to apply magnetism to the spring. In response to the magnet applying magnetism to the spring, the spring contracts and releases pressure on the rotating brake plate and allows the shade tube to rotate.

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 geared window shade bracket comprises a sprocket having a ring gear on an inside circumference of the sprocket; a chain configured to be engaged with the sprocket such that, in response to pulling on the chain, the sprocket rotates; a sun gear that is configured to be restricted from rotation; one or more planet gears configured to rotate around the sun gear, wherein the one or more planet gears interface with the ring gear; and a planetary carrier configured to mate with the one or more planet gears. In response to the chain being pulled, the sprocket rotates, causing the planet gears to rotate, causing the planetary carrier to rotate, causing the hub to rotate, and causing a shade tube to rotate.

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: 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: 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 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.

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: 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: The disclosure includes various keypad features, buttons, labels, shapes, sizes, format and materials. The system may comprise a processor; a keypad in communication with the processor and configured for controlling a window shade; capacitive or physical buttons on the keypad, wherein one of the capacitive buttons may be configured to set the window shade to a preset position; a proximity sensor; and a communication card. The processor may determine an override pattern to return the window shade to an automatic mode after a period of time from an override request. The capacitive buttons may include haptic feedback or visual feedback. The system may also include a scheduler and/or receive weather conditions. The system may also include an ambient light sensor.