Abstract: A bicycle sprocket chain cleaning and lubrication apparatus allows a sprocket chain (3) to be cleaned while still mounted on the bicycle. The apparatus includes a includes a housing (10) for enclosing the sprocket chain on all sides consisting of mutually connectable upper half-shell (11) and lower half-shell (12) portions and a securement assembly which includes a mounting plate adapted to attach to a rear wheel quick disconnect of the bicycle. The housing is suspended from the sprocket chain and provides a funnel shaped solvent hopper (17), a hose connection (21) to a compressed air supply, and an air knife (23) adapted to direct high velocity air to impinge upon and thereby dry the sprocket chain.

Abstract: A drapery assembly extends and retracts a drape with a powered carrier. The carrier receives both a power signal and a command signal from a controller via an electrically powered surface of a drapery rod. The carrier supports a portion of the drape and moves linearly along the length of the drapery rod in response to the control signal.

Abstract: A high pressure water injection humidifier includes a high pressure pump driven by a stepper motor, which provides pressurized water to a plurality of exit nozzles, each exit nozzle having a precision orifice that atomizes the pressurized water into a mist, where the volume rate of the mist is dependent only on the motor speed and the diameter of the precision orifice. Proper nozzle flow can be determined by monitoring the torque of the stepper motor.

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. The retractor further includes a cable system that is coupled to a slot formed on the second frame end and configured to provide a substantially consistent retraction speed of the cord.

Abstract: A system for storing multiple cord retractors comprises at least one cord retractor. Each retractor includes a first and second pair of pulleys mounted at opposite ends of a frame. An intermediate section of a cable 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 cable 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 system further includes a bracket and a pin.

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: 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: Presented is a roller shade system that includes a roller shade drive unit that includes a shade motor and a motor crown that includes one or more grooves. The system further includes a roller shade tube, and a motor crown adapter. The motor crown adapter includes a flange and a cylindrical portion that includes one or more tabs. The cylindrical portion is disposed inside, and coupled to, the roller shade tube. The flange and cylindrical portion together define an opening for receiving the shade motor therethrough. The one or more tabs are configured for engaging the one or more grooves to releaseably couple the motor crown adapter to the motor crown.

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. The retractor further includes a cable system that is coupled to a slot formed on the second frame end and configured to provide a substantially consistent retraction speed of the cord.

Abstract: Presented is an under-cabinet mounted control system for a portable touch screen device. The control system includes a processor configured for providing an interface between the portable touch screen device and one or more remote systems, and a mounting bracket configured to be mounted under a cabinet, shelf, table, or counter. The control system further includes a touch screen mounting member moveably coupled to the mounting bracket. The touch screen mounting member is configured to releasably hold the portable touch screen device. The control system further includes a docking connector configured for electrically mating with the portable touch screen device and establishing electrical communication between the processor and the portable touch screen device, and a communication means configured for establishing communication between the processor the one or more remote systems.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a cable clamp (100) comprises a first half member (110) and a second half member (115). Each of the half members comprises first and second mating surfaces (120, 125), and interior and exterior surfaces (130, 135). The half members are connected at the first mating surfaces thereof such that the half members form a passageway (140) for receiving a cable (145) therethrough. The clamp further comprises at least one actuator (150) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces, at least one indicator (155) disposed on one of the exterior surfaces, and a transceiver (160) configured to transmit data regarding the at least one actuator and to receive data regarding the indicator via a wireless link.

Abstract: In an illustrative embodiment, a system comprises a cable having a first end and a second end. The first end is connected to a portable device and the second end is connected to an A/V switcher. The A/V switcher is configured to monitor presence of an A/V signal in the 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 configured to display said A/V signal presence within the associated coupled cable, and a transceiver configured to receive the data, via a wireless link, the data regarding said A/V signal presence.

Abstract: Presented is a system for controlling a roller shade. The system includes a flexible shade material having a lower end, a roller tube windingly receiving the flexible shade material, and a reversible motor for rotating the roller tube to move the lower end of the shade material between a first and second position. The system further includes an optical sensor for capturing an image frame of the shade material at a plurality of linear positions as the lower end of the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The system further includes a motor controller for controlling the reversible motor to move the lower end of the shade material from the first position to the second position using a variable linear velocity profile in response to position information obtained from the plurality of captured image frames.

Abstract: Presented is a method for controlling a roller shade having a roller tube windingly receiving a flexible shade material. The method includes providing a motor that rotates the roller tube to move the flexible shade material between a first position and a second position. The method further includes capturing, with an optical sensor, an image frame at a plurality of linear positions along the flexible shade material as the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position. The method further includes controlling the reversible motor to move the flexible shade material from the first position to the second position in response to position information obtained from the captured image frames using a variable linear velocity profile so that the flexible shade material moves from the first position to the second position at a variable linear velocity.

Abstract: Presented is a method for synchronizing movement of a plurality of roller shades each disposed at a first position to a common second position. The method includes obtaining information related to the position of each of the plurality of roller shades with a respective one of a plurality of optical assemblies, and moving each of the plurality of roller shades from the first position to the common second position in response to the respective obtained position information so that each of the plurality of roller shades arrives at the common second position at the same time.

Abstract: Presented is a system for synchronizing movement of roller shades each from a first position to a common second position. The system includes a master controller, a plurality of optical assemblies each configured to obtain information related to the position of one of the roller shades, and a plurality of motor assemblies. Each of the motor assemblies is configured for receiving the position information from one of the plurality of optical assemblies, receiving a master shade movement time from the master controller, and moving one of the of roller shades from the first position to the common second position in response to the received position information so that the roller shade arrives at the common second position simultaneously with the other roller shades in a time equal to the master shade movement time.

Abstract: An impedance matched connection is provided between a load and a power source that outputs signals within a predetermined frequency range. A coaxial line has a predetermined characteristic impedance, an inner conductor, an outer conductor, and an insulator between the conductors. Each conductor has a first end electrically connectable to output terminals of the power source. A compensation circuit has an adjustable impedance, a first terminal electrically connected to a second end of the inner conductor and to a first terminal of the load, and a second terminal electrically connected to a second end of the outer conductor and to a second terminal of the load. The compensation circuit is adjustable to attain, for a pulse having a rise time/fall time faster than the rise/fall times associated with the predetermined range of frequencies, a combined impedance and load that is substantially equal to the characteristic impedance of the coaxial line.

Abstract: A portable RF wireless device (41), such as a microphone, is provided with an infrared beacon in order to signal a connection request to a wireless communication access point (48) using a first IR code (401). In response to this first IR code, the wireless communication access point broadcasts an RF inquiry message (101) that is responded (102) to by the portable RF wireless device in order to establish an RF communication link. After the RF communication link is established, the portable RF wireless device conditionally transmits a second IR code to verify that it is still collocated in the local vicinity of the wireless communication access point, such as being in the same room.

Abstract: A bicycle sprocket chain cleaning and lubrication apparatus allows a sprocket chain (3) to be cleaned while still mounted on the bicycle. The apparatus includes a includes a housing (10) for enclosing the sprocket chain on all sides consisting of mutually connectable upper half-shell (11) and lower half-shell (12) portions and a securement assembly which includes a mounting plate adapted to attach to a rear wheel quick disconnect of the bicycle. The housing is suspended from the sprocket chain and provides a funnel shaped solvent hopper (17), a hose connection (21) to a compressed air supply, and an air knife (23) adapted to direct high velocity air to impinge upon and thereby dry the sprocket chain.