Abstract: A window shade alarm system for gently awakening a user. The window shade is connected to the Internet and opens such that light gradually increases in a room. Thus waking a user less abruptly than a traditional audio alarm. The window shade stores user selected modes and can control wireless enabled lights within a room to simulate the gradual increase of light at sunrise. The alarm system is connected to remote activated devices for the convenience of the user.

Abstract: Window blinds with automated mechanisms that require a power source often include a battery housing that is placed at least partially outside of the headrail. This is done to make room for mechanical devices that are required to be housed within the headrail. We disclose a battery housing which may be mounted within a headrail of a window blind. Consequently, the battery housing is not visible when the headrail is mounted. This creates a more aesthetically pleasing window treatment. The disclosed battery housing may include a base mounted on two elongated battery compartments. An elongated channel may separate the two elongated battery compartments. The elongated channel is designed to allow a tilt rod within the headrail to pass through.

Abstract: We disclose a headrail for window coverings that may include an extensible end cap and a gearbox which automatically adjusts the headrail mounting. The extensible end cap may include a mounting bracket which may be connected to a piston. The piston may be connected to a floating bearing. The gearbox may include a motor-driven main gear which rotates a threaded rod. As the threaded rod rotates, an end of the threaded rod may move toward a floating bearing. The floating bearing may apply force the piston which may transmit the force to the mounting bracket. The extensible end cap may also include a sensor which detects the amount of pressure or force applied to the mounting bracket. When the sensor collects a measurement below a defined level, the motor may actuate the main gear to rotate the threaded rod and apply additional force to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: In various example embodiments, an apparatus for installing a window covering is disclosed. A rotational cam member is provided for extending a first piston on one side of a headrail and compressing a second piston on the opposite side of the headrail between a window casing. A lever arm is provided for rotating the rotational cam. Spacers are provided to adjust the compression of the apparatus, along with indicators indicating whether spacers need to be added or removed. Easy installation of a window covering headrail may be achieved as one arm is used to hold the headrail while the other hand is able to actuate the lever arm. Mounting brackets are provided for easy window covering removal after installation.

Abstract: We disclose a cordless window covering that may raise, lower, and tilt a plurality of slats without the use of lift cords. The covering may include an external frame with two vertical sides and a headrail. The covering may also include a plurality of slats, each of which may be connected to an adjacent slat by at least one string on each side and the headrail. This may allow the slats to hang freely when lowered. It may also allow all the slats to tilt when only the top slat has been mechanically tilted by a drive belt. The bottom slat may include a bottom bearing connector which may interact with a drive belt such that it may be raised and lowered when the drive belt rotates. Each slat may be connected to a bearing and a bearing connector that may be slidably connected to a guide channel.

Abstract: A printed circuit board (PCB) test apparatus and testing method are described. The PCB test apparatus includes a motor connected to a gearbox that includes a gear that is directly connected to an output shaft. The test apparatus includes two printed circuit board connections for testing an electric-component connector that includes two circuit boards. One connection port includes a plurality of contact pins for attaching one of the PCBs while the other connector port is part of a position encoder that includes a diametrically magnetized magnet that tests the other PCB's ability to detect changes in magnetic fields. The apparatus is configured such that both PCBs of the electric-component connector are tested in tandem.

Abstract: We disclose a cordless window blind that includes at least one electromagnet within each slat. The slats may be inserted into orifices within rotatable slat mounting members on a vertical guide rail assembly. The orifices may house electrical connections which connect the electromagnets to at least one battery. The electromagnets may have the same polarity such that the electromagnet of one slat attracts the electromagnet of an adjacent slat. The magnetic attraction may move one slat toward the other slat causing the slats to move vertically along the guide rail assembly and either raise or lower the blinds. Alternatively, electromagnets on only one of two longitudinal edges of the slats may be actuated and attract a metal member on an adjacent slat. The magnetic attraction may cause the slats to tilt and rotate within the slat mounting members thus closing the blinds.

Abstract: Embodiments of motorized window coverings are described herein that may include a covering portion, a top portion, a bottom portion, and wiring. The top portion may comprise a deploying mechanism and a motor. The deploying portion may deploy the covering portion, and the covering portion may be directly connected to the deploying mechanism. The motor may operate the deploying mechanism. The bottom portion may be directly connected to the covering portion at an opposite end of the motorized window covering from the top portion. One or more batteries may be integrated into the covering portion. The batteries may power the motor. Wiring may be disposed in the covering portion. The wiring may electrically couple the motor to the one or more batteries. In some embodiments, the motorized window covering may include a roller shade and/or a venetian blind.

Abstract: Embodiments of motorized window coverings are described herein. Various embodiments may include a shade, a shade deployment assembly, one or more batteries, and wiring. The shade may include an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The shade deployment assembly may be disposed at the upper end and may deploy the shade. The shade deployment assembly may comprise a rotatable element, a motor that rotates the rotatable element, and one or more mounting brackets. The mounting brackets may mount the shade deployment assembly to a surface. The shade may be directly connected to the shade deployment assembly, such as to the rotatable element. The battery may be removably connected to the shade at the lower end. The one or more batteries may power the motor. Wiring may be disposed in the shade. The wiring may electrically couple the motor to the one or more batteries.

Abstract: A headrail for a motorized window covering is described that includes a motor and a gearbox coupled to the motor that is configured to actuate a window covering. The headrail includes a safety detector with one or more sensors that detect an irregular strain when the window covering is being raised. The headrail may further comprise a recoil mechanism or a deactivation mechanism to reduce the likelihood of damage to the window coverings and/or individuals caught or tangled in the window covering.

Abstract: Embodiments of motorized window coverings are described herein. Various embodiments may include a shade, a shade deployment assembly, one or more batteries, and wiring. The shade may include an upper end and a lower end opposite the upper end. The shade deployment assembly may be disposed at the upper end and may deploy the shade. The shade deployment assembly may comprise a rotatable element, a motor that rotates the rotatable element, and one or more mounting brackets. The mounting brackets may mount the shade deployment assembly to a surface. The shade may be directly connected to the shade deployment assembly, such as to the rotatable element. The battery may be removably connected to the shade at the lower end. The one or more batteries may power the motor. Wiring may be disposed in the shade. The wiring may electrically couple the motor to the one or more batteries.

Abstract: We disclose a window blind which includes a metamaterial film on the slats. The metamaterial film reflects solar irradiance and is infrared emissive. The metamaterial fabric may contain silicon dioxide microspheres embedded in a polymer and the polymer may be coated with a silver coating. The long edges of the slats of the blinds may be attached to a sheet of substantially transparent infrared reflective optical interference film. When the slats of the blinds are open, the infrared reflective optical interference film may reflect infrared radiation thus preventing it from passing into the adjacent room while still permitting light to enter the room. The metamaterial film may inhibit both solar and infrared radiation from heating the adjacent room. Consequently, the disclosed window blinds promote radiative cooling instead of impeding heat transmission into an adjacent room.

Abstract: Motorized window coverings are described herein. Various embodiments may include roll-up window shades, vertical blind slats, and/or horizontal blind slats. In one example, a motorized roll-up window shade is described. The shade includes a tube, a flexible panel, a fixed bracket, a rotatable bracket, bearings, a motor, and one or more batteries. The tube may have a longitudinal axis perpendicular to a transverse axis. The fixed bracket may include a first segment and a second segment connected to the tube and movably connected to the first segment. The rotatable bracket may include an articulating joint and may rotate the tube along the transverse axis. The bearings may enable rotation of the tube along the longitudinal axis. The motor and batteries may be disposed within the tube. The fixed bracket may include an opening through which the batteries may be accessed.

Abstract: We disclose a window blind that includes a capacitor within each slat. Each plate of the capacitor may be connected to one of two batteries. At least one switch may be placed between each capacitor plate and its adjoining battery. When one switch is open, another switch may be closed thereby sending current to only one plate at a time. The plate that receives the current is negatively charged and the remaining plate is positively charged. The switch that is open may be changed to reverse the charges of the plates. This charge reversal may be actuated through a series of pull cord gestures from a user. By creating an electrical charge on the plates, dust is pulled from the air according to the net charge of the dust particles. The window blind therefore functions as an air purifier as well as a traditional window blind.

Abstract: We disclose a window blind which purifies the surrounding air using electrostatic interactions. The window blind includes slats which may have a strip of positively charged material, a strip of negatively charged material, or both attached to the top of the slat. In some embodiments, the positively charged material and the negatively charged material are attached to alternating slats. In other embodiments, the positively charged material and the negatively charged material are attached to the top of the same slate with a strip of insulating material positioned between them. The window blind may include an air-moving device which moves air past the slats so that dust particles with either a net positive charge or net negative charge may be attracted to the oppositely charged material on the slat. The air-moving device may be a vacuum or a fan. The positively and negatively charged materials may be removeable for cleaning.

Abstract: We disclose a headrail for window coverings that may include an extensible end cap and a gearbox which automatically adjusts the headrail mounting. The extensible end cap may include a mounting bracket which may be connected to a piston. The piston may be connected to a floating bearing. The gearbox may include a motor-driven main gear which rotates a threaded rod. As the threaded rod rotates, an end of the threaded rod may move toward a floating bearing. The floating bearing may apply force the piston which may transmit the force to the mounting bracket. The extensible end cap may also include a sensor which detects the amount of pressure or force applied to the mounting bracket. When the sensor collects a measurement below a defined level, the motor may actuate the main gear to rotate the threaded rod and apply additional force to the mounting bracket.

Abstract: We disclose an intelligent headrail for a window covering which includes an extensible end cap which applies force to the adjacent window or door frame to hold the headrail in place. The end cap includes a pressure sensor or a force sensing resistor to detect whether sufficient force is present to safely hold the headrail in place. The headrail may include a controller which is connected to the pressure sensor or a force sensing resistor. The controller may include program code which identifies the safety status of the window covering based on the pressure or force reading. The controller may include a data transmission port which transmits pressure or force readings to an output device. The program code may also send a report to the output device to indicate whether the force or pressure is moderately low or so low that the window covering is in danger of falling.

Abstract: We disclose a self-cleaning window blind which includes a thin layer of photocatalytic material on at least one surface of the slats. The window blind includes an ultraviolet light source which directs ultraviolet light onto the photocatalytic material. Consequently, the window blind is not dependent on available sunlight. The ultraviolet light source may be located in either the headrail or the bottom rail of the window blinds. Upon exposure to ultraviolet light, organic material on the slats which may include dust, grease, or microorganisms, may be converted to carbon dioxide and water. One or both of the horizontal edges of the slats may include a lip which may collect water formed by the photocatalytic reaction. In some embodiments, the slats are slightly convex. This shape may inhibit water from collecting in droplets on the slat and help direct the water towards the lip. Consequently, water spots are not created on the slats.

Abstract: Window blinds with automated mechanisms that require a power source often include a battery housing that is placed at least partially outside of the headrail. This is done to make room for mechanical devices that are required to be housed within the headrail. We disclose a battery housing which may be mounted within a headrail of a window blind. Consequently, the battery housing is not visible when the headrail is mounted. This creates a more aesthetically pleasing window treatment. The disclosed battery housing may include a base mounted on two elongated battery compartments. An elongated channel may separate the two elongated battery compartments.

Abstract: We disclose a roller shade which may move the roller fabric to position either a light reflecting section or a heat absorbing section of the roller fabric toward a window. The two sections may be on opposite sides of a sheet of roller fabric which is connected to the roller tube at one end. The roller shade may wind the roller fabric around the roller tube then reverse the side of the roller fabric which faces the window. Alternatively, the roller fabric may be a continuous loop of fabric that includes a light reflecting section and connected to a heat absorbing section. The roller shade may move the continuous loop of fabric to position either section toward the window. The roller shade may include sensors, a motor, and a controller. The controller may be programmed to reverse the roller fabric in response to a sensor measurement.