US 8,368,328 B2 · Method for operating a motorized roller shade

Abstract

The present invention advantageously provides methods for manually and/or remotely controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor disposed within the shade tube and a microcontroller. One method includes detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor, determining a displacement associated with the manual movement, and, if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube. Another method includes receiving a command from a remote control, and moving the shade to a position associated with the command by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.

Claims15

Dependent claims

A method for controlling a motorized roller shade that includes a shade attached to a shade tube, a DC gear motor, having a housing fixed to the shade tube, an output shaft fixed to a support bracket and a motor shaft, disposed within the shade tube, and a microcontroller, the method comprising:

detecting a manual movement of the shade using a sensor;
determining a displacement associated with the manual movement by measuring a rotation of the motor shaft using a magnetic, an optical or a mechanical encoder;
and
if the displacement is less than a maximum displacement, moving the shade to a different position by energizing the DC gear motor to rotate the shade tube.

1 more element

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application

12/711,193Filed 23 Feb 2010

Published

US 2011/0203754 A125 Aug 2011

Granted

5 Feb 2013

Term ends

Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification12 codes

G08C 17/02
Arrangements for transmitting signals characterised by the use of a wireless electrical link: using a radio link
E06B 9/42
Roller blinds: parts or details of roller blinds, e.g. suspension devices, blind boxes
E06B 9/72
Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive: comprising an electric motor positioned inside the roller
G08C 23/04
Non-electrical signal transmission systems, e.g. optical systems: using light waves, e.g. infrared

Method for operating a motorized roller shade

Life of this patent

Method for operating a motorized roller shade

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims15