Abstract: A seal apparatus for a window shade having a first side seal on one side of a window and a second side seal on an opposite side of the window. The side seals have a base anchored to a side of a window frame, and an extensible sealing portion coupled to the base and being extensible toward the window shade to enclose a volume between the window and the window shade.

Abstract: A temperature system for a window shade includes temperature sensors coupled to a side seal for the window shade. The side seal is selectively movable into and out of position relative to the window shade. The temperature sensors convey temperature information to a controller for operating the window shade and the side seal. The controller operates the window shade and the side seals based at least in part upon the temperature information.

Abstract: A window covering for a window having a window frame. The window covering includes a headrail at the top of the window frame, and two window shades suspended from the headrail that can be selectively independently raised and lowered. Each of the window shades has a different light property. Accordingly the two window shades can be deployed selectively independently to achieve a desired property of light passing through the window shade.

Abstract: The invention is an an anchor for attaching an automated window mechanism to a sliding panel of a window. The sliding panel has a border with an outer face generally perpendicular to the window. The anchor includes a base configured to be secured to the outer face. The base and mechanism mount has a first tongue-and-groove component protruding from the base away from the outer face. The anchor also includes a mechanism mount configured to be secured to the automated window mechanism, the mechanism mount having a second tongue-and-groove component protruding therefrom. The first tongue-and-groove component and the second tongue-and-groove components are shaped and aligned to permit the mechanism mount to slide relative to the base in a direction generally perpendicular to the window, and to thereafter hold the mechanism in proper alignment relative to the sliding panel of the window.

Abstract: A system for controlling one or more motorized windows. The motorized windows each have a processor, a network device and wireless transmitters enabling connection via a network. The network is controlled by one or more mobile devices which receive user input. The mobile devices wirelessly connect to a local area network (LAN) via a hub. One or more hubs are connected via the LAN. The motorized windows are networked via a personal area network (PAN). The hubs convert the LAN protocol to the PAN protocol. Sensors send sensor data along with real time weather data to the processor. The processor uses this sensor data to update charts and schedules in memory, then sends commands to the controller based on these updated charts and schedules according to user defined and factory set parameters. The system includes both local and cloud-based control.

Abstract: Devices and system for releasably securing objects are disclosed. An insert with tabs around a perimeter is inserted into a receiver. The tabs follow inlet grooves and tab capture grooves, and then retract into tab resting depressions, securing the insert and receiver while force is maintained between the insert and the receiver. The force is removed and the tabs exit the tab resting depressions into the tab release groove. Application of the force again causes the tabs to enter into an outlet groove and out of the receiver, thus detaching the insert and the receiver. The device is preferably used in a system for raising a lowering a rectangular platform with a device at each corner of the platform.

Abstract: A mechanism for opening and closing an overhead door includes a drive loop coupled to the overhead door, a motor with a drive shaft and a drive wheel for driving the drive loop. A one-way bearing couples the drive shaft to the drive wheel, which one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the drive wheel, as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a first rotational direction to raise the overhead door, and configured so that torque is not transmitted to the drive wheel as the motor rotates the drive shaft in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction. As a result, the motor applies torque through the one-way bearing to raise the overhead door and to support the weight of the overhead door while lowering the overhead door.

Abstract: A spring assisted overhead door is disclosed. An overhead door is movable between an open and a closed position. In the open position the overhead door is in a horizontal orientation and rests on a track that is also horizontal. Weight of the door in this position may be insufficient to initiate downward movement of the overhead door. A spring is used to urge the overhead door along the track until a release point at which point the overhead door is at least partially on a downwardly oriented portion of the track where gravity can pull the overhead door along the track.

Abstract: A multifunction lock unit is disclosed. The unit is a single, contained unit that includes a base box near an overhead door and a deadbolt in the base box that protrudes into a hole in the overhead door to lock the overhead door. The deadbolt is extendable into the hole and retractable out of the hole. The unit also includes an actuator in the base box coupled to the deadbolt and configured to extend and retract the deadbolt. There is a wireless communication module that can receive a signal from a control unit to extend or retract the deadbolt via the actuator, and send a signal to the motor unit to raise or lower the overhead door. The unit also has a light on the base box for displaying at least two colors of light to show a status of the unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating an overhead door opener and a lifter are disclosed. The lifter is positioned above the overhead door when the overhead door is in a retracted position and raises and lowers objects along a path that, without care, will intersect with the overhead door. A controller monitors the position of the overhead door and the lifter and moves the overhead door if the lifter is out of the way, and if the lifter is not out of the way the command is not executed to prevent interference between the lifter and the overhead door.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving a package in a landing zone relative to a structure. The method includes receiving package information for a package to be delivered to the structure including a size of the package, defining a landing zone for the package according to the size of the package, and receiving notice that the package has arrived at the structure. In response to the notice, the method includes displaying a visual display of the landing zone, monitoring the landing zone to confirm the package is in the landing zone, and issuing a notification that the package is in the landing zone.

Abstract: The solar powered door system includes a motor configured to raise and lower the door. A cycle is one raise and one lower of the door. The system also includes a battery configured to provide power to the motor. A solar unit is included that is configured to convert solar energy into electrical power to charge the battery. In the system, the motor depletes the battery during operation at an operation rate and the solar unit charges the battery at a replenishment rate. This replenish rate is less than one third of the operation rate. The replenishment rate is also sufficient to keep the battery charged at a level sufficient to power the motor for at least 12 cycles, and preferably at least 25 cycles, in a 24-hour period.

Abstract: Devices and system for releasably securing objects are disclosed. An insert with tabs around a perimeter is inserted into a receiver. The tabs follow inlet grooves and tab capture grooves, and then retract into tab resting depressions, securing the insert and receiver while force is maintained between the insert and the receiver. The force is removed and the tabs exit the tab resting depressions into the tab release groove. Application of the force again causes the tabs to enter into an outlet groove and out of the receiver, thus detaching the insert and the receiver. The device is preferably used in a system for raising a lowering a rectangular platform with a device at each corner of the platform.

Abstract: A counterbalance system for an overhead door is disclosed. The system includes a torsion adjustment comprising a first portion and a second portion, the first and second portions being rotatable relative to one another in a first direction and not in a second direction opposite the first direction. The system also includes an anchor fixed to the first portion, a collar fixed to the second portion, the collar being selectively fixable to a shaft of the overhead door, and a spring coupled between the collar and the anchor. The spring supports at least a portion of the weight of the overhead door as the overhead door is raised and lowered. Rotating the first portion of the torsion calibration collar relative to the second portion of the torsion calibration collar increases torsion in the spring and therefore calibrates the spring to support a desired amount of the weight of the overhead door.

Abstract: A multifunction lock unit is disclosed. The unit is a single, contained unit that includes a base box near an overhead door and a deadbolt in the base box that protrudes into a hole in the overhead door to lock the overhead door. The deadbolt is extendable into the hole and retractable out of the hole. The unit also includes an actuator in the base box coupled to the deadbolt and configured to extend and retract the deadbolt. There is a wireless communication module that can receive a signal from a control unit to extend or retract the deadbolt via the actuator, and send a signal to the motor unit to raise or lower the overhead door. The unit also has a light on the base box for displaying at least two colors of light to show a status of the unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving a package in a landing zone relative to a structure. The method includes receiving package information for a package to be delivered to the structure including a size of the package, defining a landing zone for the package according to the size of the package, and receiving notice that the package has arrived at the structure. In response to the notice, the method includes displaying a visual display of the landing zone, monitoring the landing zone to confirm the package is in the landing zone, and issuing a notification that the package is in the landing zone.

Abstract: An access system and system for enabling a package to be delivered to a house are disclosed. The access unit includes a keypad, a light, and an activatable open button. The access unit opens a door to the structure when the button is pressed while active. The access unit also includes an authentication module configured to communicate via Bluetooth with a package delivery unit when the package delivery unit reaches a predetermined delivery distance near the structure and to authenticate the package delivery unit. The access unit also includes an execution module configured to store one or more rules pertaining to delivery of a package by the package delivery unit and to execute the one or more rules in response to the access unit successfully communicating with the package delivery unit, wherein one of the rules is to activate the activatable open button if the authentication is successful.

Abstract: Methods for monitoring items in a garage are disclosed. The methods include providing a definition of an area in the garage to a garage monitoring unit mounted in the garage. The garage monitoring unit comprises a camera positioned to observe the area in the garage. The method also includes identifying an item pertaining to the area such that the camera of the garage monitoring unit is capable of identifying presence, absence, and misalignment of the item relative to the area, and inputting a rule for issuing an alert if the presence, absence, or misalignment of the item relative to the area breaks the rule. The method also includes receiving an alert from the garage monitoring unit when the rule is broken.

Abstract: An overhead door opener for opening and closing an overhead door is disclosed. A motor is coupled to a shaft and is configured to rotate the shaft to raise and lower the overhead door. The shaft is coupled to the overhead door. The overhead door opener also includes a one-way bearing coupling the motor to the shaft, wherein the one-way bearing is configured to transmit torque from the motor to the shaft, and not to transmit torque from the shaft to the motor.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to a motor unit for an overhead door opener. The motor unit comprises a motor and transmission components configured to transmit power from the motor to a shaft of an overhead door opener. The motor unit also includes a case having one or more vertical panels. The case houses the motor and the transmission components. The motor unit also includes guide bearings on an edge of the vertical panels that accommodate a shaft of an overhead door with the case supported by the shaft. The transmission components comprise a shaft-engaging member configured to be secured around the shaft by affixing the shaft-engaging member to the shaft. The transmission components transmit power from the motor to the shaft of the overhead door.