Abstract: An umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a center support that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by teeth of a hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one arrangement system includes a motor housing assembly including a plurality of batteries and a motor that includes a driven gear that meshes with a stationary gear which causes rotation of the rotating tube.

Abstract: In one or more arrangements, a power efficient remote control system is presented. The remote control system has a touch based interface having a plurality of touch sensitive sensors. The remote control system is configured to operate in an active mode in response to user input and operate in a background mode in response to inactivity. In the active mode, a control circuit of the remote control system is configured to monitor touch activity by sampling signals from outputs from a plurality of touch sensitive sensors individually. In the background mode, power is saved by electrically connecting outputs of the plurality of touch sensitive sensors together and monitoring touch activity by sampling a signal from the connected outputs of the plurality of touch sensitive sensors together.

Abstract: An umbrella system includes a support pole connected to a rotating tube positioned around a center tube that extends between the support pole and a center support that is connected to an umbrella frame. The rotating tube has one or more helical grooves therein that are engaged by teeth of a hub which is connected to the umbrella frame. As the rotating tube is rotated, the hub is driven along the length of the rotating tube thereby opening and closing the umbrella frame. In one arrangement system includes a motor housing assembly including a plurality of batteries and a motor that includes a driven gear that meshes with a stationary gear which causes rotation of the rotating tube.

Abstract: An obstruction detection system for motorized window shades is presented having a motor, shade material, a bottom bar, and a motor controller having a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to detect when an obstruction has been encountered when closing the motorized window shades. When an obstruction is detected, the microprocessor stops lowering the shade material and the bottom bar thereby preventing further damage or destruction. The system may also be used to report when an unexpected obstruction has been detected.

Abstract: An obstruction detection system for motorized window shades is presented having a motor, shade material, a bottom bar, and a motor controller having a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to detect when an obstruction has been encountered when closing the motorized window shades. When an obstruction is detected, the microprocessor stops lowering the shade material and the bottom bar thereby preventing further damage or destruction. The system may also be used to report when an unexpected obstruction has been detected.

Abstract: A hardwired and wirelessly controlled motorized window shade system is presented that includes a plurality of motorized window shades that are connected by a cable, such as Ethernet cable, to a power panel and a hardwired control. Motorized window shades are also wirelessly connected to a wireless control through a gateway. This arrangement provides the motorized window shades with the advantage of receiving power and control signals through the cable, as well as giving the flexibility of being controlled through a wireless control.

Abstract: An obstruction detection system for motorized window shades is presented having a motor, shade material, a bottom bar, and a motor controller having a microprocessor. The microprocessor is configured to detect when an obstruction has been encountered when closing the motorized window shades. When an obstruction is detected, the microprocessor stops lowering the shade material and the bottom bar thereby preventing further damage or destruction. The system may also be used to report when an unexpected obstruction has been detected.

Abstract: A hardwired and wirelessly controlled motorized window shade system is presented that includes a plurality of motorized window shades that are connected by a cable, such as Ethernet cable, to a power panel and a hardwired control. Motorized window shades are also wirelessly connected to a wireless control through a gateway. This arrangement provides the motorized window shades with the advantage of receiving power and control signals through the cable, as well as giving the flexibility of being controlled through a wireless control.