Abstract: Presented is a method of calibrating and synchronizing movement of at least two roller shades with respect to each other. One of the roller shades is designated as a reference shade and the other as a slave shade. The total number of encoder counts required to move each of the roller shades from fully open to a fully closed is determined. A correction factor for the slave shade is calculated and used to correct the error in the position of the slave shade relative to the reference shade caused by variation in the length of flexible shade material wound around each of the roller shades. The reference shade is moved a desired number of encoder counts in a predetermined amount of time. Simultaneously, the slave shade is moved a corrected number of encoder counts in the same amount of time thereby correcting errors in the rotation rate.

Abstract: A mechanism for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame and has one end of the stored section fixed to the frame, with the other end extending from the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal. The mechanism further includes a solenoid that is activated locally or remotely by a switch.

Abstract: An apparatus, for use with a reverse osmosis system comprising a feed input, a concentrate output, and a permeate output, includes (i) at least one pressure sensor operative to measure a pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and to generate a signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system and (ii) at least one controller operative to adjust a speed of at least a first pumping mechanism based at least in part on the signal indicative of the pressure of at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system. The first pumping mechanism comprises at least one of: (i) a fluid input coupled to at least the permeate output of the reverse osmosis system; and (ii) a fluid output coupled to at least the feed input of the reverse osmosis system.

Abstract: A cable retractor for releasing and retracting an application cable. a cable retractor comprises a base; a spool having sides, the spool rotatably secured to the base to permit the application cable to be wrapped around the spool; a mandrel disposed concentrically within the spool, the mandrel being rotationally secured to the base to prevent axial rotation of the mandrel relative to the base; and the mandrel further having a recessed groove running lengthwise, and an internal cable having an outer connector and inner connector, the outer connector being connected through the spool to one end of the application cable, and the inner connector being exposed at one end of the mandrel from within the recessed groove.

Abstract: Presented is a control system for augmenting a portable touch screen device having integral processing capability. The control system includes an enclosure configured for housing the portable touch screen device, an internal docking connector configured for communicatively mating with the portable touch screen device, and hard buttons. At least one of the hard buttons is functionally configured for use with an application program running on the portable touch screen device. The control system further includes first and second cameras disposed on the enclosure. The control system further includes a processor configured for converting button actuations into a digital format, and a first facility for communicating the digital format to the portable touch screen device via the internal docking connector. The application program is configured such that, during operation, the application program communicates the status of the one hard button to at least one external device.

Abstract: An electrical device configured to install within a wall mounted electrical box. The electrical device includes a bezel frame configured to fit within a faceplate. The bezel frame includes an antenna element. The device further includes a radio frequency circuitry component in electrical communication with the antenna element and configured to receive a control signal from the antenna element.

Abstract: Presented is a roller shade system that includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a rotatably supported roller tube that windingly receives the shade material, a stepper motor that operably engages the roller tube to rotate the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first position and a second position, an optical sensor configured for capturing an image frame of the shade material at linear positions along the shade material as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position, and a stepper motor controller configured for controlling the frequency of input pulses to the stepper motor to move the lower end of the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position at a substantially constant linear velocity in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.

Abstract: A retractor for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal.

Abstract: A method is provided for at least one of cleaning and lubricating a sprocket chain (3) while said sprocket chain remains operationally mounted on a vehicle (1). The sprocket chain is enclosed on all sides in a housing (10). The housing consists of mutually connectable upper half-shell (11) and lower half-shell (12) portions which, when connected, define a chain passageway for allowing the sprocket chain to pass through. The housing is suspended from the sprocket chain by a plurality of rollers (26) mounted within the housing. High velocity air is directed to impinge upon the sprocket chain by at least one air knife (23). A hose is connected from a compressed air supply to a tubular hose connection (21) on a surface of the upper half-shell.

Abstract: A video and digital audio transport system transports high resolution computer, video, computer video graphics and other video signals, as well as multiple channels of high quality audio, over extended lengths of unshielded twisted pair (UTP) cabling. Frequency compensation techniques are employed to extend the bandwidth of the UTP cables, and differential signaling over the common mode of a first two of the four twisted pairs comprising the UTP cable is used to transmit horizontal sync and differential signaling over the common mode of a second two of the four twisted pairs is used to transmit vertical sync. In addition, a unique digital encoding technique is applied to a standard digital audio encoding protocol to augment the number of available audio channels. A digitally controlled delay line is incorporated to compensate for the different lengths of each twisted pair.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a system comprises an A/V switcher that is configured to monitor a presence of an A/V signal in a cable and transmit data regarding said A/V signal presence. A cable clamp-on device is coupled to the cable and includes at least one indicator for displaying said A/V signal presence, and a transceiver configured to receive the data regarding said A/V signal presence.

Abstract: A mounting assembly is configured for mounting electronics in a ceiling or wall without requiring access to interior portions of the ceiling or wall. The mounting assembly comprises a collar, at least two arms and at least two threaded screws. The collar fits around and attaches to the electronics housing. The at least two arms are each independently compressed to engage the ceiling and are coupled to the collar to support the collar in the ceiling.

Abstract: Presented is a roller shade mounting bracket. The bracket includes a main bracket that includes a top member defining a plurality of elongated openings extending therethrough, where each elongated opening is dimensioned and arranged for receiving a mounting screw and enabling movement along a first axis. The bracket further includes a first sub-bracket movably coupleable to the main bracket, where the first sub-bracket is movable along a second axis. The bracket further includes a second sub-bracket movably coupleable to the first sub-bracket and coupleable to a roller shade motor or a roller shade idler, where the second sub-bracket is movable along a third axis and rotatable about the first axis.

Abstract: A method is provided for at least one of cleaning and lubricating a sprocket chain (3) while said sprocket chain remains operationally mounted on a vehicle (1). The sprocket chain is enclosed on all sides in a housing (10). The housing consists of mutually connectable upper half-shell (11) and lower half-shell (12) portions which, when connected, define a chain passageway for allowing the sprocket chain to pass through. The housing is suspended from the sprocket chain by a plurality of rollers (26) mounted within the housing. High velocity air is directed to impinge upon the sprocket chain by at least one air knife (23). A hose is connected from a compressed air supply to a tubular hose connection (21) on a surface of the upper half-shell.

Abstract: A retractor for storing a length of cord that includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cord is stored in the frame. The stored cord section is at least partially wound over the pair of pulleys, and one pair of pulleys is slidably mounted for motion toward the other pair of pulleys. A damper is coupled to one of the second pair of pulleys, which engages the pulley to rotate about an axis to damp the rotary motion of one of the second pair of pulleys in such a manner that the intermediate storage section is in tension during retraction and withdrawal.