# US 2019/0137978 A1 · Intelligent Umbrella and/or Robotic Shading System Mechanical and Tracking Improvements

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- Number: US 2019/0137978 A1
- Document ID: US20190137978A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 16/118,385
- Filed: 2018-08-30
- Published: 2019-05-09
- Earliest claimed: 2017-08-31
- Assignees: Shadecraft, Inc.
- Applicants: Shadecraft, Inc.
- Inventors: Armen Sevada Gharabegian
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20190137978A1

## CPC

- G05B 19/4155: characterised by program execution, i.e. part program or machine function execution, e.g. selection of a program
- A45B 17/00: Tiltable umbrellas
- A45B 23/00: Other umbrellas
- A45B 25/143: {automatic}
- A45B 25/16: Automatic openers, e.g. frames with spring mechanisms {(A45B25/143 takes precedence)}
- E04H 15/02: Tents combined or specially associated with other devices
- E04H 15/28: Umbrella type tents
- A45B 2017/005: {with additional rotation about a vertical axis}
- A45B 2023/0012: {Ground supported umbrellas or sunshades on a single post, e.g. resting in or on a surface there below}
- A45B 2200/1009: combined with other objects
- A45B 2200/1027: with means for generating solar energy
- G05B 2219/36517: Selecting nc program points to mated manipulator, robot program
- G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G)
- A45B: WALKING STICKS (walking aids, e.g. sticks, for blind persons A61H3/06); UMBRELLAS; LADIES' OR LIKE FANS (cane or umbrella stands or holders A47G25/12)
- E04H: BUILDINGS OR LIKE STRUCTURES FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSES; SWIMMING OR SPLASH BATHS OR POOLS; MASTS; FENCING; TENTS OR CANOPIES, IN GENERAL (foundations E02D)

## Abstract

A method of orienting an umbrella includes obtaining a current location for an umbrella and communicate the current location to one or more processors, capturing a current time of day via a clock in the umbrella and communicating the current time to the one or more processors, calculating an elevation angle and azimuth angle of a sun utilizing the current time and the location, capturing a reading from a compass in the umbrella to determine a directional heading or an angular heading for a top section of the umbrella, and rotating a core assembly and an upper assembly of the umbrella about a base of the umbrella. The method further comprises utilizing a sensor assembly to detect a location of a magnet in the base of the umbrella. The method further comprises includes aligning a top of umbrella with the magnet in the base of the umbrella.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of orienting an umbrella, comprising:
obtaining a current location for an umbrella and communicate the current location to one or more processors;
capturing a current time of day via a clock in the umbrella and communicating the current time to the one or more processors;
calculating an elevation angle and azimuth angle of a sun utilizing the current time and the location;
capturing a reading from a compass in the umbrella to determine a directional heading or an angular heading for a top section of the umbrella; and
rotating a core assembly and an upper assembly of the umbrella about a base of the umbrella.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the current location for the umbrella comprises utilizing a global positioning system (GPS) sensor to obtain a location measurement.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, wherein obtaining the current location for the umbrella comprises utilizing one or more wireless communication transceiver communicating with wireless access points to determine the current location.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, wherein obtaining the current location for the umbrella comprises utilizing radio signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurements to determine the current location.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further comprising utilizing a sensor assembly to detect a location of a magnet in the base of the umbrella.

### Claim 6 (depends on 5)

The method of claim 5, further comprising aligning a top of umbrella with the magnet in the base of the umbrella.

### Claim 7 (depends on 6)

The method of claim 6, further comprising receiving a compass measurement from a mobile computing device in order to determine a directional reference point.

### Claim 8 (depends on 7)

The method of claim 7, further comprising orienting the base of the umbrella based, at least in part, of the received compass measurement.