Photosensitive automatic blind controller

Abstract

There is disclosed a photosensitive automatic controller for use with window coverings in particular for use with venetian blinds. The controller includes a reversible motor, a drive circuit, a photosensitive sensor, a user input, a control signal processor, a command circuit and a feedback sensor. The reversible motor is operably connected to the opening and closing device and it has a predetermined range from open to closed which corresponds to the window covering being fully opened and fully closed. The drive circuit is operably connected to the motor for generating a drive signal which drives the motor in a predetermined range from opened to closed. The photosensitive sensor generates a sensor signal. The user input generates an input signal. The control signal processor is operably connected to the photosensitive sensor and the user input and the sensor signal is combined with the input signal to produce a control signal. The feedback sensor is operably connected to the opening and closing device and generates a feedback signal. The command circuit is operably connected to the drive circuit, control signal processor and feedback sensor and compares the feedback signal to the control signal and produces a command signal which is transmitted to the drive circuit. The controller may include a comparator for ensuring that at night when it is dark the blinds are closed. Further, the controller may be adapted so that a series of blinds may be ganged together with one blind being a master and the remaining being slaves.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.