Abstract: A system for, and method of, automated window-shading which uses predefined hierarchies of information to select the best available information from multiple sources, and thereby supports varying levels of integration with other systems. A preferred embodiment includes enough functionality to perform automated functions on its own, but also includes low-level and high-level interfaces to accept information from external devices and systems to provide additional automated shading functionality. It executes operating steps that include the application of predefined hierarchies to select the best available information in order to select a mode of operation and determine a window-shading setting.

Abstract: A headrail-mounted motorized actuator for wand-operated venetian blinds has a bracket which attaches to the front of the headrail with a magnet. The bracket has a ferroelectric surface oriented perpendicularly to the headrail. A motor assembly has an output shaft and a second magnet which holds the motor assembly to the ferroelectric surface, so that the output shaft is parallel to the ferroelectric surface. The position and orientation of the motor assembly can be adjusted by moving and rotating the motor assembly on the ferroelectric surface.

Abstract: A daylight sensor for automated window-shading applications that incorporates at least one (and optionally more than one) of three aspects: an optimized Field-of-View (FOV), angle-diversity sensing (via at least two sub-sensors with different FOVs, whose outputs are processed in a particular way to yield the overall sensor output), and multi-spectral sensing (via at least two sub-sensors with differing spectral responses and, optionally, different FOVs, whose outputs are processed in a particular way to yield the sensor output). These aspects improve the correlation between the sensor output and the subjectively-perceived daylight level (especially under glare-inducing conditions, such as in the presence of low-angle direct sunlight), thereby enabling more effective automatic control of daylight admitted into a room.

Abstract: A daylight sensor for automated window-shading applications that incorporates at least one (and optionally more than one) of three aspects: an optimized Field-of-View (FOV), angle-diversity sensing (via at least two sub-sensors with different FOVs, whose outputs are processed in a particular way to yield the overall sensor output), and multi-spectral sensing (via at least two sub-sensors with differing spectral responses and, optionally, different FOVs, whose outputs are processed in a particular way to yield the sensor output). These aspects improve the correlation between the sensor output and the subjectively-perceived daylight level (especially under glare-inducing conditions, such as in the presence of low-angle direct sunlight), thereby enabling more effective automatic control of daylight admitted into a room.

Abstract: An automated shading system defines an environmental state as a discrete variable representing a history of values of a second discrete variable representing the ambient environment. The system executes a state-specific automated shading command upon occurrence of each state. Prior to usage, each automated shading command is initialized to one of two types of command, as a function of the corresponding state: an “adjust shading” command that causes an automatic adjustment to a predetermined shading setting, or a “do not adjust” command that causes no shading adjustment. The system also enables a user to directly adjust the shading to a selected setting via deliberate shading commands. After each deliberate shading adjustment, the system updates the automated shading command associated with the current state to an “adjust shading” command that, upon subsequent occurrence of the same state, will cause an automatic adjustment to the same selected setting.