Abstract: A voice alert system 10 for use on bicycles and similar human-powered vehicles. When triggered by the user, it generates one or more safety alerts in the form of pre-established voice messages. It consists of a switch assembly connected to a random-access voice playback module, which in turn drives an amplifier and forward-facing speaker. These components are supported by a main housing and a speaker housing, which in turn are attached to the the host bicycle by means of a clamp assembly. The switch assembly includes at least one switch for producing a triggering signal. On receipt of the triggering signal, the voice playback module produces an electrical representation of a pre-established voice alert, which is amplified by the amplifier and projected by the speaker. Optionally, one or more additional switches are provided to trigger one or more additional voice alerts.

Abstract: A system for automatic regulation of daylight admitted by a window in the presence of artificial illumination produced by a high-efficiency (e.g., fluorescent-type) electric lamp. A preferred embodiment, adaptive window covering system 10, consists of an illuminance sensor 11, a conventional control apparatus 12, and a conventional shading means 13. System 10 is used in conjunction with a conventional, high-efficiency, electric lamp 14 and a conventional window 18, in a room 19.Sensor 11 produces a signal dependent on power contained in a portion of the daylight spectrum, but substantially insensitive to power contained in the spectrum of artificial illumination produced by lamp 14. In a preferred embodiment, sensor 11 includes a silicon photodiode and optical low-pass filter to provide a spectral response which extends from approximately 800 to 1200 nanometers, which falls outside the spectrum produced by typical fluorescent lamps (e.g, 300 to 750 nanometers).

Abstract: A system for automatic operation of venetian blinds and similar window coverings. A preferred embodiment, system 30, can be retrofitted to any conventional venetian blind without tools, removal of the blind, or installation of wiring (FIG. 10A). System 30 is attached to a blind 15 by a bracket 80, which engages a headrail 16 of blind 15, and is secured by a thumbscrew 84 (FIG. 4C). System 30 includes a gearmotor 85 which drives a coupling tube 91; coupling tube 91 is attached to a tilt-adjustment shaft 18 of blind 15 (FIG. 3A). The mechanical coupling between gearmotor 85 and coupling tube 91 includes a flexible coupling and an extensible coupling, which enable gearmotor 85 to rotate shaft 18 over a wide range of sizes and configurations of blind 15 (FIGS. 5A and 5B). System 30 also includes a photovoltaic source 31 mounted on a flexible member 99. Member 99 provides electrical connections to source 31, and supports it in an advantageous position to receive solar radiation (FIGS.

Abstract: A system for the automatic regulation of daylight admitted into a room, specifically intended for daylighting applications. A preferred embodiment, system 10, consisting of a conventional control unit 11, a conventional exterior brightness sensor 12, and a conventional electronically controlled window covering 13, operates to block direct solar radiation while admitting substantial diffuse illumination. Control unit 11, brightness sensor 12, and window covering 13 are interconnected in a known manner to enable control unit 11 to register the brightness of the external illumination, and to actuate window covering 13. Control unit 11 consists of a conventional microcontroller 14, a conventional real-time clock/calendar 15, and a conventional Non-Volatile Memory (NVM) 16. Microcontroller 14, clock/calendar 15, and NVM 16 are interconnected in a known manner to enable microcontroller 14 to register the output of clock/calendar 15, and to exchange data with NVM 16.

Abstract: A system for the automatic operation of window coverings which is responsive to the presence of artificial illumination. A preferred embodiment, automatic window covering system 10, consists of a conventional optical flicker detector 11, a conventional control apparatus 12, and a conventional motorized window covering 13. Control apparatus 12 and motorized window covering 13 constitute an automatic window covering system capable of regulating the illumination passing through a host window, and of operating in a plurality of modes, including a thermal management mode (the object of which is to reduce heating and cooling loads) and a daylighting mode (the object of which is to reduce the need for artificial illumination). Optical flicker detector 11 detects the presence of the periodic variation, or flicker, in the illumination produced by electric lamps powered by alternating current.