U.S. patent application number 14/617337 was filed with the patent office on 2015-07-09 for motorized blind control devices, methods of use thereof.
The applicant listed for this patent is Gholamali Malekpour. Invention is credited to Gholamali Malekpour.
Application Number | 20150191972 14/617337 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46576376 |
Filed Date | 2015-07-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150191972 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Malekpour; Gholamali |
July 9, 2015 |
MOTORIZED BLIND CONTROL DEVICES, METHODS OF USE THEREOF
Abstract
Systems and methods for controlling blind systems and other
systems with moving parts are disclosed. Certain systems and
methods couple to a blind system, and include one or more
transceiving, processing, sensor, motion delivery, power delivery,
and various other components for collectively or individually
controlling a blind system to open or close its blinds. Certain
systems and methods utilize preprogrammed control instructions
stored locally, or user-initiated control signals received from
remote devices to control the blind system.
Inventors: |
Malekpour; Gholamali; (San
Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Malekpour; Gholamali |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
46576376 |
Appl. No.: |
14/617337 |
Filed: |
February 9, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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13359395 |
Jan 26, 2012 |
8981681 |
|
|
14617337 |
|
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|
|
61437171 |
Jan 28, 2011 |
|
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Current U.S.
Class: |
160/1 ; 310/103;
439/13 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E05F 15/79 20150115;
E06B 9/368 20130101; E05Y 2900/106 20130101; E06B 9/68 20130101;
E06B 2009/6818 20130101; E06B 9/36 20130101; E05Y 2900/146
20130101; E06B 9/78 20130101; E05F 15/71 20150115; H01R 39/64
20130101; H02K 49/104 20130101; E05Y 2900/00 20130101 |
International
Class: |
E06B 9/68 20060101
E06B009/68; H02K 49/10 20060101 H02K049/10; H01R 39/64 20060101
H01R039/64 |
Claims
1. A system for controlling an actuating mechanism that adjusts one
or more blinds, the system comprising: a motor having a motor
shaft, wherein the motor shaft rotates about a first axis; a power
source, wherein the power source powers the motor; and a tube,
wherein the motor and the power source are inside the tube; a first
connector having a first feature that couples the first connector
to the actuating mechanism, wherein the first connector rotates
about the first axis when the motor shaft rotates around the first
axis.
2. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a receiver that
receives a first signal from a remote device; and a processing
component, wherein the processing component: receives the first
signal or a second signal that is related to the first signal;
causes the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis based on the
first signal or the second signal.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor shaft is coupled to the
first connector.
4. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a second connector
having a second feature that couples the second connector to the
motor, wherein the second connector rotates about the first axis;
and a magnetic clutch comprising a first magnet coupled to the
first connector and a second magnet coupled to the second
connector, wherein the magnetic clutch causes the first connector
and the second connector to rotate around the first axis when the
one or more blinds are partially open and when the motor shaft
rotates about the first axis, and wherein the magnetic clutch to
prevents the first connector from rotating around the first axis
and to permit the second connector to rotate around the first axis
when the one or more blinds are fully open or fully closed and when
the motor shaft rotates about the first axis, wherein the second
connector and the magnetic clutch are inside the tube.
5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a sensor and a
controller that control the rotation of the motor shaft based on
temperature, light, sound or motion information collected by the
sensor.
6. The system of claim 1, further comprising an anti-rotation
feature attached to or formed on the tube, wherein the
anti-rotation feature prevents the tube from rotating when the
motor shaft rotates.
7. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor; and a
processing component, wherein the processing component: receives
information from the sensor; causes the motor shaft to rotate about
the first axis based on first information from the sensor
specifying an ambient temperature level that exceeds a predefined
threshold temperature level; and causes the motor shaft to rotate
about the first axis based on second information from the sensor
specifying an ambient light level that exceeds a predefined
threshold light level.
8. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a sensor; and a
processing component, wherein the processing component: receives
information from the sensor; causes the motor shaft to rotate about
the first axis based on first information from the sensor
specifying a sound that matches a stored sound profile; and causes
the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis based on second
information from the sensor specifying a detected motion.
9. The system of claim 1, further comprising: a processing
component, wherein the processing component: receives information
specifying a time of day; compares the time of day to a stored time
of day to determine if the received time of day matches the stored
time of day; and causes the motor shaft to rotate about the first
axis when the received time of day matches the stored time of
day.
10. The system of claim 1, further comprising a processing
component, wherein the processing component: receives first user
instructions from a remote device over a wireless transmission
channel, wherein the first user instructions instruct the processor
to cause the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis in a first
direction that results in a closure of the blinds; causes the motor
shaft to rotate in the first direction responsive to the first user
instructions; receives second user instructions from a remote
device over a wireless transmission channel, wherein the second
user instructions instruct the processor to cause the motor shaft
to rotate about the first axis in a second direction that results
in an opening of the blinds; and causes the motor shaft to rotate
in the second direction responsive to the second user
instructions.
11. The system of claim 2, further comprising the remote
device.
12. (canceled)
13. The system of claim 1, wherein the first connector is disposed
between the actuating mechanism and the motor.
14. The system of claim 1, wherein rotation of the first connector
causes the actuating mechanism to rotate.
15. The system of claim 1, wherein the motor and the first
connector rotate about a vertical axis that extends from the first
connector at a top portion of the system to fastener at a bottom
portion of the system.
16. The system of claim 1, wherein the blinds and the actuating
mechanism form part of a blind system, and wherein the system hangs
downward from the actuating mechanism.
17. The system of claim 1, wherein the system further includes: an
anti-rotation feature attached to or formed on the tube; and an
adaptor that forms an opening into which a tongue section of the
anti-rotation feature is inserted to prevent the tube from rotating
when the motor shaft rotates.
18. The system of claim 13, wherein the first connector is inside
the tube.
19. The system of claim 15, wherein the tube extends along the
vertical axis between two ends of the tube.
20. The system of claim 1, wherein the system includes: a first
magnet coupled to the first connector; and a second magnet, wherein
a first surface of the first magnet is magnetically coupled to a
second surface of the second magnet, wherein the first and second
magnets rotate around the first axis at the same speed when the
blinds are not fully opened or closed, and wherein the first magnet
stops rotating while the second magnet continues to rotate when the
blinds are fully opened or closed.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The content of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.
61/437,171, filed Jan. 28, 2011, entitled REMOTE CONTROL WAND FOR
BLINDS, and the content of U.S. Utility patent application Ser. No.
13/359,395, filed Jan. 26, 2012, entitled MOTORIZED BLIND CONTROL
DEVICES, METHODS OF USE THEREOF, are hereby incorporated by
reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates generally to systems and methods for
controlling systems with moving parts. In particular, the invention
relates to systems and methods for controlling, for example by
remote activation, an actuating mechanism of a blind system to open
or close blinds of that blind system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Manual operation by a user of window blinds is well known.
In the past, users simply approach a window blind system and
physically adjust the blinds using an attached baton, chain or
rope. However, manual operation requires user intervention, and
does not permit intelligent use of blinds during periods when human
intervention is unavailable, resulting in energy inefficiency and
unnecessary cost to a user.
[0004] Some systems and methods have tried to automate operation of
window blinds to trim energy inefficiency and cost. However, these
systems and methods are often expense, difficult to install,
require structural modification of the window blind system, require
the skill of a professional and costly installer, use hard to
access power sources, and do not use information about interior and
exterior circumstances relating to the position of a particular
window blind system.
[0005] For the above reasons, and others, there exists a need for
an automated blind control device that can be inexpensively and
easily installed to a blind system without significant modification
of the blind system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In accordance with the present invention, systems and
methods for controlling blinds are described. These systems and
methods may be carried out using a remote device (e.g., a remote
control, a computer, a mobile phone, etc.). The system and methods
may provide for an outer housing having an inner cavity sized to
include various components. Such components may include: a motor
having a motor shaft configured to rotate about a first axis; a
power source configured to power the motor; a first connector
configured to rotate about the first axis and having a first
feature configured to couple the first connector to the actuating
mechanism; a second connector configured to rotate about the first
axis and having a second feature configured to couple the second
connector to the motor; and a magnetic clutch comprising a first
magnet coupled to the first connector and a second magnet coupled
to the second connector. The magnetic clutch may be configured to
cause the first connector and the second connector to rotate around
the first axis when the one or more blinds are partially open and
when the motor shaft rotates about the first axis. The magnetic
clutch may be further configured to prevent the first connector
from rotating around the first axis and to permit the second
connector to rotate around the first axis when the one or more
blinds are fully open or fully closed and when the motor shaft
rotates about the first axis.
[0007] The systems and methods may further provide for a sensor and
a controller configured to control the rotation of the motor shaft
based on temperature, light, sound or motion information collected
by the sensor. The systems and methods may also provide for an
anti-rotation feature attached to or formed on the outer housing
and configured to prevent the outer housing from rotating when the
motor shaft rotates.
[0008] The systems and methods may alternatively provide for a
sensor and a processing component operable to: receive information
from the sensor; cause the motor shaft to rotate about the first
axis based on first information from the sensor specifying an
ambient temperature level that exceeds a predefined threshold
temperature level; cause the motor shaft to rotate about the first
axis based on second information from the sensor specifying an
ambient light level that exceeds a predefined threshold light
level; cause the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis based
on first information from the sensor specifying a sound that
matches a stored sound profile; and cause the motor shaft to rotate
about the first axis based on second information from the sensor
specifying a detected motion.
[0009] The processing component may also or alternatively be
operable to receive information specifying a time of day, compare
the time of day to a stored time of day to determine if the
received time of day matches the stored time of day, and cause the
motor shaft to rotate about the first axis when the received time
of day matches the stored time of day.
[0010] The processing component may also or alternatively be
operable to receive user instructions from a remote device over a
wireless transmission channel that instruct the processor to cause
the motor shaft to rotate about the first axis in a first direction
or a second direction so as to close or open the blinds,
respectively. The processor may then cause the motor shaft to
rotate in the first or second direction responsive to the user
instructions.
[0011] The systems and methods may also provide for a computer
program product comprising a computer usable medium having a
computer readable program code embodied therein, where the computer
readable program code is adapted to be executed to implement a
method for controlling blinds. Such a method may provide for
receiving information specifying a condition, and causing a motor
shaft to rotate about the first axis based on the condition. The
information may be received from a remote device over a wireless
transmission channel, a temperature sensor, a light sensor, or a
timer. The condition may specify wirelessly-transmitted
instructions to open or close the blinds, an ambient temperature
level, an ambient light level, a time of day, or an amount of
elapsed time.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] The present application may be more fully appreciated in
connection with the following detailed description taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0013] FIGS. 1A-C depict different orientations of a blind control
device having various components;
[0014] FIG. 2 depicts a first portion of a blind control
device;
[0015] FIGS. 3A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector
component;
[0016] FIGS. 4A-C depict several orientations of a motor connector
component;
[0017] FIGS. 5A-B depict two magnets used in relation to a magnetic
clutch;
[0018] FIG. 6 depicts a motor;
[0019] FIGS. 7A-D depict different views of a motor housing;
[0020] FIG. 8 depicts a circuit board;
[0021] FIG. 9 depicts a different orientation of the first portion
from FIG. 2;
[0022] FIG. 10 depicts a second portion of a blind control
device;
[0023] FIGS. 11A-C depict different views of a first battery
connector;
[0024] FIG. 12 depicts a power lead;
[0025] FIG. 13 depicts a third portion of a blind control
device;
[0026] FIGS. 14A-D depict different views of a second battery
connector;
[0027] FIGS. 15A-B depict different orientations of an
anti-rotation feature;
[0028] FIGS. 16A-C depict different adaptors that attach to various
blind systems;
[0029] FIG. 17 depicts a blind system coupled to a blind control
device having a sensor;
[0030] FIGS. 18A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector
component that connects directly to a motor;
[0031] FIG. 19 depicts a first portion of the blind control device
showing a configuration using a blind connector component;
[0032] FIG. 20 depicts a rod extension configuration; and
[0033] FIG. 21 depicts a remote control device for controlling the
operation of a motor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0034] Various aspects of the invention are described below. It
should be apparent that the teachings herein may be embodied in a
wide variety of forms and that any specific structure, function, or
both, being disclosed herein is merely representative. Based on the
teachings herein one skilled in the art should appreciate that any
aspect disclosed may be implemented independently of any other
aspects and that two or more of these aspects may be combined in
various ways.
[0035] Aspects of the invention may feature mechanical, electric
and/or other systems for controlling the position of blinds
commonly used in windows and doors. It is to be understood,
however, that the inventive aspects described herein and understood
by those skilled in the art can be applied to all types of blinds
and other systems with moving parts.
[0036] The present invention offers various advantages over
previous systems and methods for controlling blind systems. For
example, one aim of the present invention relates to ease of
installation and use. As one of skill in the art will come to
understand, the inventive aspects of the present invention permit a
user to install various implementations of the invention without
having to dismantle or substantially modify the blind system. In
accordance with several embodiments, a user need only attach that
embodiment's inventive blind control device to existing actuators
of typical blind systems. Attachment may require only having to
slide an embodiment's inventive blind control device over a hook or
other feature, or into a cavity without any need of cutting or
otherwise modifying the blind control device. Users of the various
inventive blind control devices will benefit greatly by avoiding
the significant investment of time (e.g., in relation to user
installation) and/or money (e.g., in relation to professional
installation) required to install previous blind control devices.
Certain inventive blind control devices are also significantly
smaller than previous blind control devices, and can be attached to
a blind system to appear as if the respective blind control device
was part of that blind system.
[0037] Further benefit is created by the power delivery aspects of
various embodiments. For example, use of batteries as opposed to
hardwiring to electrical conduits behind a wall, permit a user to
quickly install those embodiments without any need to hire an
electrician. Furthermore, the batteries are easily accessible, and
can be changed by removing a cap.
[0038] Various embodiments described herein permit a user to easily
program and control that embodiment's blind control device using
wireless data/signal transmission or by activating physical
components (e.g., a manual switch, push button, etc.) on the blind
control device. For example, programming and control may occur
at/from a wireless device (e.g., a mobile computing device, a
computer or router capable of transmitting wireless signals, a
remote control device). Signals/data may be received from and/or
sent to those wireless devices using RF, IR, Bluetooth, or other
wireless technologies. The present invention contemplates
appropriate software (e.g., applications for displaying a user
interface, software for controlling a motor or other drive
mechanism of certain blind control devices) and hardware (e.g.,
processors, sensors, switches, etc.) at the wireless devices and
the blind control devices to carry out and manage the programming
and control functionality described herein.
[0039] One of skill in the art will appreciate various control
commands, including commands for rotating a motor axle (described
in more detail below) in one direction to open blinds a desired
amount and rotating the motor axle in the other direction to close
the blinds a desired amount. For example, when a user presses any
of various buttons on a wireless device, a signal may be sent to a
processing unit of the blind control device, which in turn controls
the rotation of the motor shaft to open or close the blinds.
Pressing one button/switch and releasing it may result in the
blinds opening or closing to a predetermined position (e.g.,
opening to let in the most light or closing to block the most
light). Pressing another button and releasing it may result in the
blinds opening or closing only for the period of time in which the
button was push. Under this scenario, a user would have to press
and hold the button until the blinds have opened or closed a
desired amount. Pressing another button may control any number of
blind systems and subsets of blind systems. Pressing yet another
button may indicate a predefined operation (e.g., the opening or
closing of the blinds at a later time or under certain conditions).
One of skill in the art will appreciate that user-activated buttons
can be replaced by a computer interface where a user selects
presently-desired or scheduled operations.
[0040] One of skill in the art will further appreciate various
programming commands using the same buttons/switches and/or user
interfaces.
[0041] Programming and control of certain inventive blind control
devices may alternatively involve sensors and/or processing
components that receive input relating to light, sound, motion,
position of blinds, temperature, time or other
properties/characteristics, and then use received input to control
a blind system. Such sensors and/or processing components would be
positioned within and/or on an external surface of a respective
blind control device.
[0042] In accordance with one example, a blind control device may
include or use information from a sensor to determine when sensed
ambient light (e.g., sunlight) exceeds a threshold brightness level
(e.g., a brightness level determined by a user-programmable or
preset value), and may then control a blind system to open or close
its blinds. By way of another example, a blind control device may
include a sensor that determines if sensed ambient temperature
exceeds or falls below a threshold temperature level (e.g., a
temperature level determined by a user-programmable or preset
value), and may then control a blind system to open or close its
blinds based on the determination. A blind control device may also
or alternatively respond to sound (e.g., a human voice, including
the user-programmable or preset words "open" and "close") or to
motion (e.g., a human entering a room).
[0043] A blind control device may also or alternatively control a
blind system to open or close its blinds based on the time of day
(e.g., as determined by an internal time-keeping component, or as
determined by a signal received from an external device such as a
clock). Or, the blind control device may control a blind system to
open or close its blinds based on a predefined time period since an
event as determined by an internal or external time-keeping
component or device (e.g., since the blinds opened or closed, since
a sensed amount of light exceeded a threshold level of light,
etc.).
[0044] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the sensor
information regarding temperature, light, motion and sound, and the
timer information may be obtained by the blind control device from
remote sensors and timers not physically attached to the blind
control device. Receipt of such sensor and timer information may be
obtained using various wireless signal transmission techniques
described herein in relation to remote wireless devices.
[0045] For a better understanding of certain aspects and features
of the present invention, attention is drawn to the following
Overview.
Overview
[0046] While the details of the embodiments of the invention may
vary and still be within the scope of the claimed invention, one of
skill in the art will appreciate that the figures described herein
are not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use
or functionality of the inventive aspects. Neither should the
figures and there description be interpreted as having any
dependency or requirement relating to any one or combination of
components illustrated in those figures.
[0047] Aspects and features of the invention are designed to
operate in relation to mechanical and/or electrical systems with
movable components. In accordance with various embodiments
described herein, aspects and features of the invention are
designed to manipulate one or more vertical and horizontal
louvers/slats (generally referred to herein as "blinds") of a blind
system by transferring rotational motion from a motor to an
actuator mechanism of the blind system that opens and closes the
blind louvers/slats. Such actuator mechanisms may include, without
limitation, tilt mechanisms (e.g., with a wand or baton attached
thereto), ropes, chains and other components of blind systems that
open and close blind louvers/slats.
[0048] It will be understood that the terms "blind" or "louver" or
"slat" may refer to individual vertical or horizontal members of
blind systems which are capable of being opened, closed or
otherwise adjusted. The term "tilt mechanism" may refer to an
actuating mechanism that enables the opening, closing or other
adjustments to the blinds. It will be understood that `blind
system" is described herein as a single blind system. However, the
teachings herein may apply to control of several blind systems,
each with a blind control device, and each controlled by the same
remote control device.
[0049] Blind Control Device
[0050] Attention is now drawn to FIGS. 1A-C, which depict different
orientations of a blind control device 100 having various
components described below. The blind control device 100 depicted
in FIG. 1 may take various configurations within the scope and
spirit of the invention. For example, the disclosed system may be
configured to include an outer housing 105 of any shape, including
cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, polygonal, spherical, cubic
or other geometric shapes. The outer housing 105 may be covered in
any sort of design and material. The blind control device 100 may
further include a blind connector component 110, an anti-rotation
feature 115, one or more magnets 120a-b, a motor connector
component 125, a motor 130, a motor housing 135, a rotation-locking
pin 140, a circuit board 145 or other suitable processing/control
component with a control interface 146, a first battery connector
150, one or more batteries 155 (e.g., of any size or type and in
any configuration) or other suitable power source, a second battery
connector and end cap 160, a power lead 165, a screw 170 and a pin
hole 175. Each of these components and their relationships to each
other are described in more detail below with respect to various
features.
[0051] Attention is turned to FIGS. 2 though FIG. 9, which depict
various components from FIGS. 1A-C that may be used to cause the
blind connector 110 to rotate in relation to force provided by the
motor 130. FIG. 2, for example, depicts a first portion 200 of the
blind control device 100 of FIGS. 1A-C.
[0052] FIGS. 3A-C depict several orientations of the blind
connector component 110. As shown, the blind connector component
110 may include a magnet receiving section 311 and a blind
connection section 312. The magnet receiving section 311 may
include a cavity 313 that is configured to receive magnet 120a.
Adhesive, friction, a mechanical fastener, or another method of
attachment may be used to hold magnet 120a in place within the
cavity 313 formed by the magnet receiving section 311. Blind
connection section 312 may include a receiving slot 314 disposed to
receive a hook or other feature of a blind system (not shown) that,
when rotated, manipulates the blinds to open, close or perform some
other movement.
[0053] FIGS. 18A-C depict several orientations of a blind connector
component 1810. As shown, the blind connector component 1810 may
include a motor connection cavity 1813 that is configured to
receive a motor shaft (e.g., motor shaft 631 of FIG. 6). One of
skill in the art will appreciate that the motor connection cavity
1813 may take any shape or form to couple to the motor shaft. In
cases where the motor shaft is a female configuration, the cavity
1813 may instead take the form of a male counterpart for that
female configuration. Adhesive, friction, a mechanical fastener, or
another method of attachment may be used to hold magnet motor shaft
in place within the cavity 1813.
[0054] FIGS. 4A-C depict several orientations of the motor
connector component 125. As shown, the motor connector component
125 may include a magnet receiving section 426 and a motor
connection section 427, each having a particular geometric shape.
One of skill in the art will appreciate that these geometric shapes
can take the form of any suitable geometric shape (e.g., a star
shape or `D` shape for the motor connection section 427), and that
the shapes shown in the figures are merely included to illustrate
certain aspects of the invention. The magnet receiving section 426
may include a cavity 428 that is configured to receive magnet 120b.
Adhesive, friction, a mechanical fastener, or another method of
attachment may be used to hold magnet 120 bin place within the
cavity 428 formed by the magnet receiving section 426. Motor
connection section 427 may include a receiving cavity (not labeled)
disposed to receive a motor shaft 631 (shown in FIG. 6 and
described in more detail below).
[0055] FIGS. 5A-B depict two magnets 120a and 120b, respectively.
When magnetically coupled, under certain pressure constraints, the
magnets 120a-b operate as a magnetic clutch that transfers
rotational motion from the motor 130, through the motor connector
component 125 and the blind connector component 110, and on to an
actuating mechanism (e.g., a tilt mechanism) of a blind system (not
shown). Pressure between the magnetically attracted surfaces of the
magnets 120a-b is maintained while the motor 130 provides
rotational motion until the actuating mechanism of the blind system
cannot rotate (i.e., until the blinds controlled by the actuating
mechanism are fully closed or open), at which point magnet 120a
stops spinning and magnet 120b continues to spin until the motor
130 stops. Once the motor 130 stops, the magnets 120a-b once again
magnetically couple to each other.
[0056] One of skill in the art will appreciate that a friction
clutch could be used by replacing the magnets with a suitable
material. One of skill in the art will appreciate alternative
embodiments that do not use a magnetic or frictional clutch, where
that motor 130 could connect directly or through other components
to the blind connector component 110. In accordance with some of
these alternative embodiments, a fractional number of rotations of
the blind connector component 110 (or the motor shaft 631 described
below) may be tracked. Based on the fractional count of rotations,
the blind control device could, using preprogrammed information,
determine the position of the blinds in relation to a fully-closed
position and a fully-open position. Based on a determined position,
the blind control device could stop rotation of the blinds when
they reach the fully-closed and fully-open position. However, the
magnetic clutch embodiment is preferred due to cost and ease of
operation.
[0057] FIG. 6 depicts the motor 130. The motor 130 may be any sort
of motor, including an electric motor. As shown, the motor 130 may
include a rotatable motor shaft/axel 631, power leads 632, and
fastening features 633a-b. As shown and previously described, the
motor shaft 631 may be configured to be inserted into the motor
connection section 427 of the motor connector component 125. The
motor shaft 631 is shown to have an external gear that may be
inserted into the motor connection section 427. The motor shaft 631
is also shown to have an external gear having a particular
geometric shape that mates with the shape provided by the motor
connection section 427 or the motor connection cavity 1813. One of
skill in the art will appreciate that the geometric shape of the
external gear may take the form of any suitable geometric shape
(e.g., a star shape or `D` shape), and that the shapes shown in the
figures are merely included to illustrate certain aspects of the
invention. One of skill in the art will further appreciate that an
internal gear may be used for the motor shaft 631, and that the
motor connection section 427 (or some other component connected to
the motor connection section 427) may be shaped to compatibly
couple to the internal gear.
[0058] Adhesive, friction, mere insertion, a mechanical fastener,
or another method of attachment may be used to hold the hold the
motor connector component 125 in place around the motor shaft 631.
When the motor shaft 631 rotates upon delivery of electrical
current via power leads 632, the rotational energy may be
transferred to the blind connector component 110 through the motor
connector component 125 and the magnets 120a-b, which operate as a
magnetic clutch as previously described. Power leads 632 operate to
deliver power the motor 130 from batteries 155 via the circuit
board 145 of FIGS. 1-2. Fastening features 633a-b may include
adhesive, insertable mechanical components, cavities to receive
insertable mechanical components, or other methods for preventing
the motor from spinning inside the motor housing 135.
[0059] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the motor 130
may operate to control an actuator of a blind system without the
magnetic clutch. For example, the motor shaft 631 could directly
attach to the actuator of the blind system or to some intermediate
component between the actuator and the motor shaft 631 (e.g.,
connector 1810).
[0060] One of skill in the art will appreciate that the motor 130
may operate with a rotational count mechanism (not shown) that
counts a number of rotations of the motor. Such a rotational count
mechanism may be integral with or connected to the motor or circuit
board 145. By knowing the number of rotations of the motor shaft
631, the motor shaft can be instructed not to over-rotate the
actuator of a blind system, thereby preventing damage to the blind
system or blind control device, and also reducing unnecessary power
use of the batteries 155. Knowing the number of rotations will
permit the blind control device or a remote control device to track
start and stop positions of the motor shaft for further control of
the motor shaft and additional precision in relation to the
operation of the blind control device.
[0061] FIG. 7 depicts the motor housing 135. As shown, the motor
housing 135 forms a cavity 736 configured to receive the motor 130.
The motor housing 135 includes fastening features 737a-b, which
compliment fastening features 633a-b of FIG. 6. The motor housing
135 also includes a locking section 738 with pin holes 739a-b that
are configured to receive pin 140, which may be inserted through
the outer housing 105 and through the pin holes 739a-b to prevent
the motor housing 135 from rotating. One of skill in the art will
appreciate that preventing the motor housing 135 from rotating may
be accomplished using various methods other than using the pin 140,
including methods that use adhesive, other mechanical fasteners and
features (e.g., screws, clips, tongue and groove), or other
techniques understood by one of skill in the art.
[0062] When the motor 130 is inserted into the motor housing 135,
the power leads 632a-b may extend into and/or beyond the locking
section 638. Upon insertion of the motor 130 into the motor housing
135, the leads 632a-b may reside on opposite sides or the same side
of an inserted pin 140. The leads 632a-b are configured to connect
to respective power terminals 847a-b of the circuit board 145 shown
in FIG. 8 and described in further detail below.
[0063] As previously mentioned, FIG. 8 depicts a circuit board 145.
As shown, the circuit board 145 includes the control interface 146,
power terminals 847a-b and power terminals 848a-b. Power terminals
847a-b may connect to leads 632a-b, respectively. Power terminals
848a-b are described in more detail later. Although not shown, the
circuit board 145 may include any number and type of sensor (using
any of the sensor technology described herein), database,
processing, display, counting or other computing or electrical
components.
[0064] The functionality of the control interface 146 may include
programming of functional instructions, transmitting/receiving of
signals/data to/from other components (e.g., sensors, motors,
wireless devices, processing components that carry out instructions
stored in memory, etc.), and controlling of the motor shaft 631.
Accordingly, the control interface 146 may include an interface for
programming and controlling the operation of the blind control
device 100, including the motor shaft 631. The control interface
146 may further include an interface for sending and receiving
signals. Signals received by the control interface 146 may indicate
different types of information, including a direction or position
of the motor shaft 631, a fractional number of times the motor
shaft 631 has rotated in one or more directions, a position of the
blinds (e.g., in relation to a minimum and maximum rotation
position), a sensed temperature level, a sensed light amount, or a
sensed motion.
[0065] The control interface 146 may comprise a push switch that,
when pushed, will pair the device 100 with a remote control, or
with one or more buttons on the remote control. The remote control
may then instruct the circuit board 145 (e.g., one or more
processing and control components thereon) to control the operation
of the motor 130 to open or close blinds of a blind system. One of
skill in the art will appreciate that such a push switch may be
replaced by a signal transceiver and a signal processor that
operate to receive a wireless signal and process it in accordance
with the methods described herein to control the motor 130.
[0066] Although not shown, the circuit 145 may include a processor
operable to process information described herein (e.g., sensor
information, user instructions, etc.). That processing component
may execute instructions stored in memory to control the operation
of the motor based on the information.
[0067] Attention is now turned to FIG. 9, which depicts a different
orientation of the first portion 200 previously described in
relation to FIG. 2 and other figures. FIG. 9 depicts leads 632a-b
and terminals 847a-b, which are respectively coupled together to
deliver power to the motor 130 and/or to structurally join the
circuit board 145 to the motor 130, which may be fastened to the
motor housing 135 as previously described. The circuit board 145
may also be fastened to the locking section 738 of the motor
housing 135 using adhesive, other mechanical fasteners and features
(e.g., screws, clips, tongue and groove), or other techniques
understood by one of skill in the art.
[0068] FIG. 10 depicts a second portion 1000 of the blind control
device 100 of FIGS. 1A-C. As shown, outer housing 105 includes the
circuit board 145, the first battery connector 150, and the one or
more batteries 155. FIG. 10 also depicts the power lead 165, which
attaches to power terminal 848b (not shown) of the circuit board
145. The power lead 165 may also operate to structurally reinforce
the position of the circuit board 145 in relation to other
components like the first battery connector 150. In additional or
alternatively, the circuit board 145 may be fastened to the first
battery connector 150 using adhesive, other mechanical fasteners
and features (e.g., screws, clips, tongue and groove), or other
techniques understood by one of skill in the art.
[0069] As shown by the combination of FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, a
positive terminal of one battery 155 contacts a spring 1151 of the
first battery connector 150, and power is delivered from the
battery, through the spring 1151 and to power terminal 848a of the
circuit board 145 via power lead 1152 of the first battery
connector 150. FIG. 11 also shows a flat wall 1153 of the first
battery connector 150 that is configured to permit the power lead
165 to extend through the space inside the outer housing 105 that
the first battery connector 150 occupies. The power lead 165, which
is depicted in FIG. 12, may be fastened to the first battery
connector 150 using any of the techniques described herein or known
in the art. Alternatively, the power lead 165 could terminate near
the spring, and a second power near power lead 1152 could connect
to power terminal 848b of the circuit board 145 (configuration not
shown).
[0070] As shown in FIG. 12, the power lead 165 may include a
surface area 1266 that couples to the power terminal 848b. As shown
by the combination of FIG. 12 and FIG. 13, which depicts a third
portion 1300 of the blind control device 100 of FIGS. 1A-C, the
power lead 165 may further include a screw hole 1267 configured to
receive screw 170.
[0071] FIG. 14 depicts the second battery connector 160. As shown,
the second battery connector 160 may include a spring 1461 that
contacts a negative terminal of one battery 155 (as indicated in
FIG. 13), a screw hole 1462 configured to receive the screw 170,
and a receiving section 1463 that forms a cavity 1464 for receiving
and securing a rod/baton or other suitable object. For example, a
rod is shown in FIG. 20 and designated as 2079. The rod 2079 may be
compression fit into the cavity 1464 or otherwise coupled to second
battery connector 160 using adhesive, a mechanical fastener (e.g.,
a screw threaded through opening 175), or other technique.
[0072] The batteries 155 may be removed after the second battery
connector 160 is disengaged from the outer housing 105. Removal of
the batteries 155 may be carried out without any need to remove the
blind control device 100 from the blind system to which it is
coupled. The ease of removing batteries in this fashion is yet
another advantage of certain aspects of the present invention over
previous blind control systems.
[0073] The batteries 155 may be of any type in relation to size,
shape and voltage. The batteries 155 may also be rechargeable.
Although not shown, a solar charger may be connected to or integral
with the device 100 to recharge the batteries 155. Such a charger
could wrap around or otherwise attach to the outer housing 105, or
could be adapted to removably connect to the device 100 and the
batteries 155 for the purpose of charging the batteries 155.
[0074] Attention is now turned to FIGS. 15A-B and 16A-C, which
collectively depict different embodiments of the invention that
prevent the blind control device 100 from spinning freely during
operation, and which ensure that rotational motion from the motor
130 is directed to an actuating mechanism of a blind system that
manipulates the blinds to open, close or perform some other
movement.
[0075] FIGS. 15A-B depict the anti-rotation feature 115 at
different orientations. As shown in FIGS. 15A-B, the anti-rotation
feature 115 includes a tongue section 1516, and a perimeter section
1517 (e.g., in the shape of a ring) that forms an opening 1518. The
opening 1518 may be sized to fit over part of the blind connector
component 110. The perimeter section 1517 may include a lip section
that fits into an opening of the outer housing 105 and that
attaches to the outer housing 105. The attachment may be
accomplished using any of the techniques described herein in
relation to other features of invention, including adhesion and
mechanical features.
[0076] FIGS. 16A-C depict different adaptors 1680a-c that attach to
various blind systems. As shown, each adaptor 1680a-c includes a
respective attachment feature 1681 with an opening 1683 that
receives a portion the blind system, thereby securing the adaptors
1680 to the blind system. Once the adaptors 1680 are secured, the
blind control device 100 may be connected to the blinds system, and
the tongue section of the tongue component 115 may be inserted into
an opening 1684 formed by a structural element 1682.
[0077] The anti-rotation feature 115 and adaptor 1680 operate to
prevent the outer housing 105 and any component securely attached
to it (e.g., the motor housing 135 via pin 140 or other attachment
technique described herein) from rotating when the motor shaft 631
rotates. The anti-rotation feature 115 and adaptor 1680 ensure that
the rotational motion from the motor shaft 631 is not transferred
to the outer housing 105, and is instead transferred through the
motor connector component 125, through the magnetic clutch (e.g.,
magnets 120a-b), through the blind connector component 110, and to
the actuating mechanism of a blind system. During rotation
initiated by the motor shaft 631 and before the blinds are fully
closed or open, the force applied by the tongue component 115 when
it is inserted into the adaptor 1680 does not break the magnetic or
frictional bond of the magnets 120a-b, thereby ensuring that the
rotational motion of the motor shaft 631 is transferred by the
magnetic clutch (e.g., magnets 120a-b) to other components for
rotating an actuating mechanism of a blind system.
[0078] One of skill in the art will appreciate different designs of
the feature 115 and the adaptor 1680 that are within the spirit and
scope of the invention. For example, the feature 115 and/or adaptor
1680 may be formed on or attached to the blind system or the blind
control device 100 in any manner consistent with the disclosure
herein.
[0079] Example of Blind System & Blind control device
[0080] FIG. 17 depicts a blind system 1790 that may include blind
louvers 1791, blind tilting mechanisms 1792 and a blind actuating
mechanism 1793. The blind actuating mechanism 1793 may be coupled
to a blind control device 1700 with an exposed or internal sensor
1701 (e.g., a sensor like those previously described herein). The
blind actuating mechanism 1793 may be configured to receive
rotational motion from the blind control device 1700, and then
transfer that rotational energy, through intermediary components,
to the tilting mechanisms 1792. A remote device 1702 may send
signals to control the rotational motion of the blind control
device (e.g., to control the rotational motion from a motor (not
shown) of the blind control device).
[0081] FIG. 21 depicts a remote control device 1899 for sending
instructions to the blind control device 100 for operating the
motor 130. The instructions may be received by a receiver (e.g.,
control 146 or other component on the circuit board 145), and used
by a processor or similar component to control the operation of the
motor 130.
[0082] The remote control device 1899 is preferably digital, but
may also be analog. The remote control may include a timer that
tracks time and causes the motor 130 to operate based on the
tracked time. For example, the timer may cause the motor 130 to
cause blinds to open in the morning and close at night. The digital
version of the remote control device may include control buttons
1801 for programming the operation of one or more blind control
devices 100. Such programming may specify times of operation,
degrees to which blinds are opened, and other operations. Also,
such programming may be stored locally at the blind control device
100 or on the remote control device.
[0083] The control buttons may also include forward and reverse
buttons 1803 and 1806 for control the operation of the blind
control device 100 and control to direction of rotation for the
motor 130. The control buttons may also include a round (or any
shape) button 1804 that may select particular blind control devices
100 that will receive particular programming instructions. Selected
blind control device 100 may be indicated by number or other
designation on the display 1801.
[0084] The control buttons may also include group buttons 1807
(e.g., three group buttons 1-3) that allow a user to select various
blinds to operate at the same time (eg, blinds 1, 4 and 8). Each
button may be programmed for particular groups, and when activated
will control only that group. Having group control eliminates the
need for individually selecting each blind control device 100 to
execute a particular operation.
[0085] It is understood that the specific order components
disclosed herein are examples of exemplary approaches. Based upon
design preferences, it is understood that the specific order
components may be rearranged, and/or components may be omitted,
while remaining within the scope of the present disclosure unless
noted otherwise. The previous description of the disclosed
embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to
make or use the present disclosure. Various modifications to these
embodiments may be readily apparent to those skilled in the art,
and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other
embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the
disclosure. Thus, the present disclosure is not intended to be
limited to the embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the
widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features
disclosed herein.
[0086] The disclosure is not intended to be limited to the aspects
shown herein, but is to be accorded the full scope consistent with
the specification and drawings, wherein reference to an element in
the singular is not intended to mean "one and only one" unless
specifically so stated, but rather "one or more." Unless
specifically stated otherwise, the term "some" refers to one or
more. A phrase referring to "at least one of" a list of items
refers to any combination of those items, including single members.
As an example, "at least one of: a, b, or c" is intended to cover:
a; b; c; a and b; a and c; b and c; and a, b and c.
[0087] The various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits
and processing or controlling capabilities described in connection
with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or
performed with a general purpose processor, a digital signal
processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),
a field programmable gate array (FPGA) or other programmable logic
device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware
components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the
functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a
microprocessor, but in the alternative, the processor may be any
conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state
machine. A processor may also be implemented as a combination of
computing devices, e.g., a combination of a DSP and a
microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more
microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such
configuration.
[0088] In accordance with certain aspects of the present invention,
one or more of the process steps described herein may be stored in
memory as computer program instructions. These instructions may be
executed by a digital signal processor, an analog signal processor,
and/or another processor, to perform the methods described herein.
Further, the processor(s), the memory, the instructions stored
therein, or a combination thereof may serve as a means for
performing one or more of the method steps described herein.
[0089] Those of skill in the art would understand that information
and signals may be represented using any of a variety of different
technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions,
commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips that may
be referenced throughout the above description may be represented
by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or
particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination
thereof.
[0090] Those of skill would further appreciate that the various
illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps
described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may
be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software, or
combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability
of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks,
modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in
terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is
implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular
application and design constraints imposed on the overall system.
Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in
varying ways for each particular application, but such
implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a
departure from the scope of the present disclosure.
[0091] In one or more exemplary embodiments, the functions
described may be implemented in hardware, software, firmware, or
any combination thereof. If implemented in software, the functions
may be stored on or encoded as one or more instructions or code on
a computer-readable medium. Computer-readable media includes
computer storage media. Storage media may be any available media
that can be accessed by a computer. By way of example, and not
limitation, such computer-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM,
EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage
or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be
used to carry or store desired program code in the form of
instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a
computer. Disk and disc, as used herein, includes compact disc
(CD), laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc (DVD),
floppy disk and blu-ray disc where disks usually reproduce data
magnetically, while discs reproduce data optically with lasers.
Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope
of computer-readable media. Any processor and the storage medium
may reside in an ASIC. The ASIC may reside in a user terminal. In
the alternative, the processor and the storage medium may reside as
discrete components in a user terminal.
[0092] Aspects of the present invention are typically carried out
in or resident on a computing network. The computing network
generally includes computer hardware components such as servers,
monitors, I/O devices, network connection devices, as well as other
associated hardware. In addition, the aspects and features
described below may include one or more application programs
configured to receive, convert, process, store, retrieve, transfer
and/or export data and other content and information. As an
example, these aspects and features may include one or more
processors that may be coupled to a memory space comprising SRAM,
DRAM, Flash and/or other physical memory devices. Memory space may
be configured to store an operating system (OS), one or more
application programs, such as a UI program, data associated with
the pertinent aspect or feature, applications running on processors
in the device, user information, or other data or content. The
various aspects and features of the present invention may further
include one or more User I/O interfaces, such as keypads, touch
screen inputs, mice, Bluetooth devices or other I/O devices. In
addition, the certain aspects and features may include a cellular
or other over the air wireless carrier interface, as well as a
network interface that may be configured to communicate via a LAN
or wireless LAN (WiLAN), such as a Wi-Fi network. Other interfaces,
such as USB or other wired interfaces may also be included.
[0093] As used herein, computer program products comprising
computer-readable media including all forms of computer-readable
medium except, to the extent that such media is deemed to be
non-statutory, transitory propagating signals.
[0094] The previous description of the disclosed embodiments is
provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the
present disclosure. Various modifications to these embodiments may
be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic
principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments
without departing from the spirit or scope of the disclosure. Thus,
the present disclosure is not intended to be limited to the
embodiments shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope
consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.
It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents
define the scope of the invention.
* * * * *