Abstract: A system and method for automatically determining at least one lower limit of a horizontal sheers style roller shade. The roller shade comprising a roller tube, a shade material attached to the roller tube and comprising a first vertical layer interconnected to a second vertical layer via a plurality of horizontal vanes, a motor adapted to rotate the roller tube, a current sensing circuit adapted to detect current levels of the motor, and a controller adapted to control the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller determines at least one lower limit by driving the motor in a first direction, receiving current levels from the current sensing circuit, observing current level profile of the received current levels, detecting a point of change in the current level profile, and using the point of change to set at least one of a lower tilt closed limit and a lower tilt open limit.

Abstract: An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

Abstract: A motor calibration system and method for a motor having a rotor, a stator, and at least one phase. The system further comprises a controller and a position detector adapted to detect a position of the rotor with respect to the stator. Wherein the controller is adapted to perform a calibration sequence to calibrate to motor by driving at least one motor phase with a motor control signal at a predetermined maximum amplitude value in a first direction with substantially no load applied on the motor, receiving a feedback signal from the at least one position detector, and determining a first calibration angle shift by measuring a difference between at least the motor control signal and the feedback signal of the at least one motor phase. The controller accounts for the first calibration angle shift when driving the motor in the first direction during normal operation.

Abstract: An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

Abstract: A color temperature sensor assembly comprising a sensor body, a substantially dome shaped diffuser extending through an opening in the sensor body, a substantially flat diffuser disposed within the sensor body below the first diffuser, and a color temperature sensing module disposed below the flat diffuser and adapted to detect a color temperature of light collected by the dome shaped diffuser and the flat diffuser. The shape of the dome diffuser helps capture light from all angles to bring in more light to the sensor and provide more accurate readings. The secondary flat diffuser is adapted to further diffuse the light to reduce light concentration and prevent inaccurate readings. The color temperature readings from the color temperature sensor assembly may be used to control at least one lighting load.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided that can be actuated by touching its hem bar. The motorized shade, such as a roller shade, comprises a shade material extending from a top end to a bottom end, a hem bar assembly connected to the bottom end of the shade material, and a shade drive unit operably connected to the top end of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises a touch sensing module adapted to detect a user touching the hem bar assembly and transmit a control signal in response to the detected touch. The shade drive unit comprises a motor and a motor control module adapted to receive the control signal and control the motor to open or close the shade material. The control signal can be wirelessly transmitted from the touch sensing module to the motor control module.

Abstract: A motor calibration system and method for a motor having a rotor and a stator and comprising at least one phase. The system further comprises at least one position detector adapted to detect a position of the rotor with respect to the stator and generate a feedback signal and a controller adapted to perform a calibration sequence to calibrate to motor. Wherein the controller calibrates the motor by driving at least one motor phase with a motor control signal at a predetermined maximum amplitude value in a first direction with substantially no load applied on the motor, receiving a feedback signal from the at least one position detector, and determining a first calibration angle shift by measuring a difference between at least the motor control signal and the feedback signal of the at least one motor phase. The controller accounts for the first calibration angle shift when driving the motor in the first direction during normal operation.

Abstract: An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

Abstract: An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

Abstract: A shade motor power bracket assembly for a shade system is provided comprising a first electrical and mounting interface adapted to provide electrical power to a shade motor and to provide a quick connect-disconnect mounting surface for a shade system that comprises the shade motor, and wherein the first electrical and mounting interface comprises a first bracket adapted to be mounted on a mounting surface and that comprises a plurality of first electrical contacts, and a shade end cap adapted to enclose a first end of a shade tube, the shade motor disposed within the shade tube, the shade end cap comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts adapted to electrically interface with respective ones of the plurality of first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A motorized window treatment configure for automatically determining and reporting the tilt level of a motorized window treatment. The motorized window treatment comprises a window covering material, a motor configured for moving the window covering material from an opened position to a closed position, an accelerometer configured for measuring gravitational forces, and a controller configured for reporting the tilt level of the motorized window treatment. Particularly, the controller receives gravitational force measurements from the accelerometer, determines a tilt level of the motorized window treatment using the gravitational force measurements, compares the tilt level to a first threshold value, and issues an error signal when the tilt level exceeds the first threshold value.

Abstract: A dimmer circuit for detecting a connected load type comprising a controller, a plurality of dimming transistors adapted to provide a dimmed hot output signal to a load, and a current sensor adapted to sense current levels of the dimmed hot output signal. The controller is adapted to store at least one load type current parameter associated with a dimming mode. The controller is further adapted to generate an asymmetric forward phase transistor drive signal with half cycles of one polarity having incrementally increasing dimming levels to drive the plurality of dimming transistors. The controller receives current levels from the current sensor and determines whether at least one of the received current levels satisfies at least one stored current parameter. When at least one current level satisfies at least one current parameter, the controller sets the dimmer to operate in a dimming mode associated with the satisfied current parameter.

Abstract: A drapery track assembly is disclosed that performs an automatic and dynamic torque calibration to enable automatic detection of pulling of the drape as well as obstacles in order to minimize damage to the drapery track assembly and users. The drapery track assembly comprises a track, a drape attached to the track, a motor configured for moving the drape along the track, a sensor configured for sensing a position of the drape along the track, a current sensing circuit configured for detecting current levels, and a controller configured for controlling the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller is configured for determining and storing a multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profile in each direction of travel comprising a plurality of overcurrent threshold (OCTH) values for each segment of travel along the track.

Abstract: A dimmer circuit configured for detecting an overvoltage event comprising a controller, a plurality of dimming transistors, a current sensor, and an overvoltage protection device coupled across at least one of the plurality of dimming transistors. The dimmer circuit generates a transistor drive signal to drive the plurality of dimming transistors at a reverse phase dimming mode and provides a dimmed hot output signal to a load. After driving at least one of the dimming transistors to turn off, the dimmer circuit receives from the current sensor a detected current level (I) of the dimmed hot output signal at a turn off time threshold (Tth) and compares the detected current level (I) to a current threshold (Ith). The dimmer circuit detects an overvoltage event when the detected current level (I) is above the current threshold (Ith) because this indicates that the overvoltage protection has tripped.

Abstract: A motorized roller shade that detects obstacles in its travel that create excess torque by sensing the current draw from a motor and method by which the motor can calibrate itself to detect excess torque. During the roller shade's travel, it will record the instantaneous torque being generated at various points. For example, it will store the greatest value in the shade motor's non-volatile memory as the normal operating torque.

Abstract: A shade motor power bracket assembly for a shade system is provided comprising a first electrical and mounting interface adapted to provide electrical power to a shade motor and to provide a quick connect-disconnect mounting surface for a shade system that comprises the shade motor, and wherein the first electrical and mounting interface comprises a first bracket adapted to be mounted on a mounting surface and that comprises a plurality of first electrical contacts, and a shade end cap adapted to enclose a first end of a shade tube, the shade motor disposed within the shade tube, the shade end cap comprising a plurality of second electrical contacts adapted to electrically interface with respective ones of the plurality of first electrical contacts.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided that can be actuated by touching its hem bar. The motorized shade, such as a roller shade, comprises a shade material extending from a top end to a bottom end, a hem bar assembly connected to the bottom end of the shade material, and a shade drive unit operably connected to the top end of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises a touch sensing module adapted to detect a user touching the hem bar assembly and transmit a control signal in response to the detected touch. The shade drive unit comprises a motor and a motor control module adapted to receive the control signal and control the motor to open or close the shade material. The control signal can be wirelessly transmitted from the touch sensing module to the motor control module.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided that can be actuated by touching its hem bar. The motorized shade, such as a roller shade, comprises a shade material extending from a top end to a bottom end, a hem bar assembly connected to the bottom end of the shade material, and a shade drive unit operably connected to the top end of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises a touch sensing module adapted to detect a user touching the hem bar assembly and transmit a control signal in response to the detected touch. The shade drive unit comprises a motor and a motor control module adapted to receive the control signal and control the motor to open or close the shade material. The control signal can be wirelessly transmitted from the touch sensing module to the motor control module.

Abstract: A drapery track assembly is disclosed that performs an automatic and dynamic torque calibration to enable automatic detection of pulling of the drape as well as obstacles in order to minimize damage to the drapery track assembly and users. The drapery track assembly comprises a track, a drape attached to the track, a motor configured for moving the drape along the track, a sensor configured for sensing a position of the drape along the track, a current sensing circuit configured for detecting current levels, and a controller configured for controlling the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller is configured for determining and storing a multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profile in each direction of travel comprising a plurality of overcurrent threshold (OCTH) values for each segment of travel along the track.

Abstract: A motorized shade for covering a window, a door, or a wall opening is provided that can be actuated by touching its hem bar. The motorized shade, such as a roller shade, comprises a shade material extending from a top end to a bottom end, a hem bar assembly connected to the bottom end of the shade material, and a shade drive unit operably connected to the top end of the shade material. The hem bar assembly comprises a touch sensing module adapted to detect a user touching the hem bar assembly and transmit a control signal in response to the detected touch. The shade drive unit comprises a motor and a motor control module adapted to receive the control signal and control the motor to open or close the shade material. The control signal can be wirelessly transmitted from the touch sensing module to the motor control module.