Automated shade control method and system Number:7,417,397 from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (PTO) owispatent This invention generally relates to automated shade systems that employ one or more algorithms to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduce solar heat gain; reduce radiant surface temperatures; control penetration of the solar ray, optimize the interior natural daylighting of a structure and optimize the efficiency of interior lighting systems. The invention additionally comprises a motorized window covering, radiometers, and a central control system that uses algorithms to optimize the interior lighting of a structure. These algorithms include information such as: geodesic coordinates of a building; solar position; solar angle solar radiation; solar penetration angles; solar intensity; the measured brightness and veiling glare across a surface; time, solar altitude, solar azimuth, detected sky conditions, ASHRAE sky models, sunrise and sunset times, surface orientations of windows, incidence angles of the sun striking windows, window covering positions, minimum BTU load and solar heat gain.<H Automated, control, Automated, shade, 7417397.html, Patent, pto, 7417397

Title: Automated shade control method and system

Abstract: This invention generally relates to automated shade systems that employ one or more algorithms to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduce solar heat gain; reduce radiant surface temperatures; control penetration of the solar ray, optimize the interior natural daylighting of a structure and optimize the efficiency of interior lighting systems. The invention additionally comprises a motorized window covering, radiometers, and a central control system that uses algorithms to optimize the interior lighting of a structure. These algorithms include information such as: geodesic coordinates of a building; solar position; solar angle solar radiation; solar penetration angles; solar intensity; the measured brightness and veiling glare across a surface; time, solar altitude, solar azimuth, detected sky conditions, ASHRAE sky models, sunrise and sunset times, surface orientations of windows, incidence angles of the sun striking windows, window covering positions, minimum BTU load and solar heat gain.

Patent Number: 7,417,397 Issued on 08/26/2008 to Berman, et al.

Inventors: Berman; Joel (Hewlett, NY), Berman; Jan (Wilton, CT), Greenspan; Alex (Rockville Center, NY), Hebeisen; Steve (Somers, NY)
Assignee: Mechoshade Systems, Inc. (Long Island City, NY)

Appl. No.: 11/162,377

Filed: September 8, 2005

Related U.S. Patent Documents


Application Number	Filing Date	Patent Number	Issue Date
10906817	Mar., 2005
60521497	May., 2004

Current U.S. Class: 318/468 ; 318/286; 318/480

Current International Class: E06B 9/24 (20060101)

Field of Search: 318/265-267,286,466-469,480,484

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Primary Examiner: Ro; Bentsu
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Snell & Wilmer L.L.P.

Parent Case Text

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This invention is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/906,817 filed on Mar. 8, 2005, and entitled "AUTOMATED SHADE CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM." The '817 application itself claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/521,497 filed on May 6, 2004, and entitled "AUTOMATED SHADE CONTROL METHOD AND SYSTEM," the entire contents of both are hereby incorporated by reference.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A system for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space, said system configured with: a motor; a window covering, wherein said motor is configured to actuate said window covering; at least one of a radiometer and a photometer to detect lighting information; a motor controller configured to control said motor using a proactive algorithm, said proactive algorithm incorporating said lighting information; a first ratio representing the number of said motors to the number of said motor controllers; and, a second ratio representing the number of said motor controllers to the number of centralized motor controllers, wherein said first ratio includes whole numbers greater than a one-to-one ratio, and said second ratio includes whole numbers greater than a one-to-one ratio.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein said proactive algorithm is configured to operate through said centralized motor controllers, wherein said centralized motor controllers is configured to facilitate management of a plurality of motors and window coverings simultaneously.

3. The system of claim 2, wherein said centralized controller is at least one of a PC and a centralized controller coupled to a PC.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein said motor controller comprises a real time clock.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein said motor is configured to actuate said window covering in a preset position increment wherein said preset position increment is at least about 1/16-inch.

6. The system of claim 1, further comprising a reactive control algorithm.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein said proactive algorithm incorporates at least one of: geodesic coordinates of a building; a actual solar position and a calculated solar position; a actual solar angle and a calculated solar angle; a actual solar radiation and a calculated solar radiation; a actual solar penetration angle and a calculated solar penetration angle; a actual solar intensity and a calculated solar intensity; a measured brightness and veiling glare across a portion of at least one of a window wall on a facade, a task surface, a ceiling and a floor; time; solar declination; solar altitude; solar azimuth; sky conditions; sunrise time and sunset time; a location of a radiometer; a surface orientation of a window; a compass reading of a window; an incidence angle of sun striking a window; a window covering position; a minimum BTU load; and solar heat gain.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein said system is further configured to communicate with at least one of a building management system and an HVAC system to facilitate optimization of at least one of interior lighting and environmental temperature.

9. The system of claim 1, further comprising a timer associated with said window covering, said timer configured to activate after movement of said window covering, and wherein said motor controller is configured to prevent movement of said window covering during said timer activation.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein daylighting includes at least one of daytime lighting, nighttime lighting control, dusk lighting and dawn lighting.

11. A system for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space, said system configured with: a motor; a window covering, wherein said motor is configured to actuate said window covering, wherein said window covering comprises at least one of: roller shade, blinds, drapes, shades, Venetian blinds, vertical blinds, at least one of adjustable louvers and panels, at least one of moveable louvers and panels, fabric coverings with low E coatings, fabric coverings without low E coatings, mesh, mesh coverings, window slats, and metallic coverings; at least one of a radiometer and a photometer to detect lighting information; and a motor controller configured to control said motor using a proactive algorithm, said proactive algorithm incorporating said lighting information, wherein said motor controller is configured to facilitate adjustment of said window covering position using shadow information based on at least one of cityscape and topographical conditions.

12. A system for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space, said system configured with: a motor; a window covering, wherein said motor is configured to actuate said window covering; at least one of a radiometer and a photometer to detect lighting information; and a motor controller configured to control said motor using a proactive algorithm, said proactive algorithm incorporating said lighting information, wherein said motor controller is configured to incorporate ASHRAE clear sky algorithms.

13. A system for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space, said system configured with: a motor; a window covering, wherein said motor is configured to actuate said window covering; at least one of a radiometer and a photometer to detect lighting information; and a motor controller configured to control said motor using a proactive algorithm, said proactive algorithm incorporating said lighting information, wherein said motor controller is configured to log information related to a manual override of said system, and wherein said log information is used to modify said proactive algorithm.

14. A method for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space comprising: receiving an input from at least one of a photosensor, a radiometer and a temperature sensor at a motor controller; analyzing said input using a reactive algorithm and an ASHRAE clear sky model to form a movement request; and communicating said movement request to a motor, wherein said motor facilitates automated movement of a window covering.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein said step of analyzing said input further includes using a proactive algorithm.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein said reactive algorithm comprises information based on at least one of: geodesic coordinates of a building; a measured brightness and veiling glare across a portion of at least one of a window wall on a facade, a task surface, a ceiling and a floor; time; solar declination; solar altitude; solar azimuth; sky conditions; sunrise time and sunset time; a location of a radiometer; a surface orientation of a window; a compass reading of a window; an incidence angle of sun striking a window; a window covering position; a minimum BTU load; and solar heat gain.

17. A method for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space comprising: receiving an input from at least one of a photosensor, a radiometer and a temperature sensor at a motor controller; analyzing said input using a reactive algorithm to form a movement request; and communicating said movement request to a motor, wherein said motor facilitates automated movement of a window covering; logging information related to manual overrides of said system; and, modifying said reactive algorithm.

18. A method for facilitating control of daylighting of an interior space comprising: receiving an input from at least one of a photosensor, a radiometer and a temperature sensor at a motor controller; analyzing said input using a reactive algorithm to form a movement request; and communicating said movement request to a motor, wherein said motor facilitates automated movement of a window covering; inputting occupant tracking information into said reactive algorithm to adjust for manual overrides.

19. A method for facilitating automated shading comprising the steps of: reviewing a radiometer value; determining if said radiometer value is in range to form an in-range radiometer value; comparing said in-range radiometer value to an ASHRAE model value to obtain a comparison value; and moving a window covering based upon said comparison value.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the steps of: calculating a solar heat gain factor of a zone, wherein said zone comprises said window covering; and determining a time since a last movement of said window covering.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising a step of using at least one of a proactive algorithm to facilitate movement of said window covering and a reactive algorithm to facilitate movement of said window covering.

22. An automated shade control system comprising: a window covering; a first photo sensor configured to look at a field-of-view from a task surface to develop a first reading; a second photo sensor configured to look through said window covering to develop a second reading; a third photo sensor configured to view and develop a third reading from at least one of: a wall, a ceiling, an outside a southern side of a structure, an outside a western side of a structure, an east side of a structure, a west side of a structure and a center of said window covering; and a processor configured to analyze said first reading, said second readings and said third reading to facilitate movement of said window covering.

23. The system of claim 22, further comprising at least one of a proactive algorithm configured to facilitate a movement of said window covering and a reactive algorithm configured to facilitate a movement of said window covering.

24. A method for controlling a window covering in a building, said method comprising: receiving user defined guideline data related to at least one of solar penetration and solar load; incorporating said user defined guideline data into a window management system, wherein said window management system includes data related to at least one of solar heat gain, window profile and sun incident angle associated with said building to enable said window management system to determine a standard window management routine; obtain shadow study data related to said building; incorporate said shadow study data into said window management system; overriding said standard window movement routine; and, determining whether to move said window covering based upon said shadow study data.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein said step of determining whether to move said window covering based upon said shadow study data comprises at least one of maintaining said window covering open when said window associated with said window covering is at least partially within a shadow area, and raising a lowered window covering in which at least a portion of said shadow area is covering said window associated with said window covering.

26. The method of claim 24, further comprising integrating said shadow study data with environmental profile data related to said building.

27. The method of claim 26, wherein said environmental profile data includes at least one of a cityscape, another structure, topography and a natural structure.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention generally relates to automatic shade control, and more specifically, to automated shade systems that employ one or more algorithms to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduction in solar heat gain; reduction in radiant surface temperatures (of the window wall); controlled penetration of the solar ray, optimization of the interior natural daylighting of a structure and optimization of the efficiency of interior lighting systems.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A variety of automated systems currently exist for controlling blinds, drapery, and other types of window coverings. These systems often employ photo sensors to detect the light entering through a window. The photo sensors may be connected to a computer and/or a motor that automatically opens or closes the window covering based upon the photo sensor and/or temperature read-out.

While photo sensors and temperature sensors may be helpful in determining the ideal shading for a window or interior, these sensors may not be entirely effective. As such, some shade control systems employ other criteria or factors to help define the shading parameters. For example, some systems employ detectors for detecting the angle of incidence of sunlight. Other systems use rain sensors, artificial lighting controls, geographic location information, date and time information, window orientation information, exterior and interior photo sensors to quantify and qualify an optimum position for a window covering. However, no single system currently employs all of these types of systems and controls.

Moreover, most automated systems are designed for, and limited for use with, Venetian blinds, curtains and other traditional window coverings. Further, prior art systems generally do not utilize information related to the variation of light level within the interior of a structure. That is, most systems consider the effects of relatively uniform shading and/or brightness and veiling glare, rather than graduated shading and/or brightness and veiling glare. Therefore, there is a need for an automated shade control system that contemplates graduated shading and optimum light detection and adaptation.

It has been determined that the most efficient energy design for buildings is to be able to take advantage of natural daylight which allows for the reduction in artificial lighting which in turn reduces the Air Conditioning load, which reduces the energy consumption of a building. To achieve these goals, the glazing has to allow a high percentage of daylight to penetrate the glazing, by using clear or high visible light transmitting glazing. But with the high amount of visible light there is also the bright orb of the sun, excessive heat gain, and debilitating solar rays which will at different times of the year and on different solar orientations penetrate deeply into the building, effecting and impacting on persons working or living therein. Thus, a need exists to manage and control the amount of solar load, solar penetration, and temperatures of the window wall. In addition, there is a need to control the amount of solar radiation and brightness to acceptable norms that protect the comfort and health of the occupants, e.g. an energy conserving integrated sub-system.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A system and method for controlling the daylighting and interior lighting, the solar heat gain, the penetration of the solar ray, and the brightness of the window wall or portion thereof of an interior space is disclosed. The invention comprises one or more motorized window coverings. The invention may also include the use of one or more proactive, reactive, and/or other algorithms to optimize the interior lighting of a structure. One or more factors may be incorporated into the algorithms including, for example: the geodesic coordinates of a building; the actual and calculated solar position; the actual and calculated solar angle; the actual and calculated solar radiation; the actual and calculated solar penetration angle; the actual and calculated solar intensity; the measured brightness and veiling glare (luminance and illuminance) across the height of the window wall on a facade, task surface, ceiling and floor; the year-day time, solar declination, solar altitude, solar azimuth, algorithms to determine sky conditions (e.g. clear sky, intermittent cloudy sky, bright overcast sky and dark sky conditions), sky conditions, sunrise and sunset times, location of radiometers, the surface orientation of a window, the compass reading of a window, the incidence angle of the sun striking a window, the window covering positions for a window, information about the shadowing of the topography surrounding a building and/or the solar heat gain.

The automated shade control system may also contemplate the use of one or more radiometers, visible spectrum photo sensors and/or temperature sensors. The automated shade control system may also include a user interface, manual overrides, and interaction with building management and lighting systems.

The automated shade control system of the present invention also includes solar radiometers to measure total solar radiation as well as local area daylight brightness sensors to measure the visible light spectrum. The output of these radiometers and sensors are used in conjunction with automated shade control algorithms to help reduce excessive brightness, veiling glare, and debilitating beamed reflective illumination from bright surfaces from entering the building. This invention further helps maintain a relative brightness of a window area with respect to the brightness of interior surfaces and/or computer screens.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals depict like elements, illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary automated shade control system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary window system in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of an exemplary method for automated shade control in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a depiction of an exemplary ASHRAE model in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a screen shot of an exemplary user interface in accordance with the present invention; and

FIG. 6 is a flowchart of exemplary daylight/brightness and veiling glare sensing and averaging for reactive protection in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The detailed description of exemplary embodiments of the invention herein shows the exemplary embodiment by way of illustration and its best mode. While these exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, it should be understood that other embodiments may be realized and that logical and mechanical changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Thus, the detailed description herein is presented for purposes of illustration only and not of limitation. For example, the steps recited in any of the method or process descriptions may be executed in any order and are not limited to the order presented.

Moreover, for the sake of brevity, certain sub-components of the individual operating components, conventional data networking, application development and other functional aspects of the systems may not be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting lines shown in the various figures contained herein are intended to represent exemplary functional relationships and/or physical couplings between the various elements. It should be noted that many alternative or additional functional relationships or physical connections may be present in a practical system.

The present invention may be described herein in terms of block diagrams, screen shots and flowcharts, optional selections and various processing steps. Such functional blocks may be realized by any number of hardware and/or software components configured to perform to specified functions. For example, the present invention may employ various integrated circuit components (e.g., memory elements, processing elements, logic elements, look-up tables, and the like), which may carry out a variety of functions under the control of one or more microprocessors or other control devices. Similarly, the software elements of the present invention may be implemented with any programming or scripting language such as C, C++, Java, COBOL, assembler, PERL, Delphi, extensible markup language (XML), smart card technologies with the various algorithms being implemented with any combination of data structures, objects, processes, routines or other programming elements. Further, it should be noted that the present invention may employ any number of conventional techniques for data transmission, signaling, data processing, network control, and the like. Still further, the invention could be used to detect or prevent security issues with a client-side scripting language, such as JavaScript, VBScript or the like. For a basic introduction of cryptography and network security, see any of the following references: (1) "Applied Cryptography: Protocols, Algorithms, and Source Code In C," by Bruce Schneier, published by John Wiley & Sons (second edition, 1996); (2) "Java Cryptography" by Jonathan Knudson, published by O'Reilly & Associates (1998); (3) "Cryptography and Network Security: Principles and Practice" by William Stallings, published by Prentice Hall; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

As used herein, the term "network" shall include any electronic communications means which incorporates both hardware and software components of such. Communication among the parties in accordance with the present invention may be accomplished through any suitable communication channels, such as, for example, a telephone network, an extranet, an intranet, Internet, point-of-interaction device (point-of-sale device, personal digital assistant, cellular phone, kiosk, etc.), online communications, off-line communications, wireless communications, transponder communications, local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), networked or linked devices and/or the like. Moreover, although the invention is frequently described herein as being implemented with TCP/IP communications protocols, the invention may also be implemented using IPX, Appletalk, IP-6, NetBIOS, OSI, Lonworks or any number of existing or future protocols. If the network is in the nature of a public network, such as the Internet, it may be advantageous to presume the network to be insecure and open to eavesdroppers. Specific information related to the protocols, standards, and application software utilized in connection with the Internet is generally known to those skilled in the art and, as such, need not be detailed herein. See, for example, Dilip Naik, "Internet Standards and Protocols," (1998); "Java 2 Complete," various authors, (Sybex 1999); Deborah Ray and Eric Ray, "Mastering HTML 4.0," (1997); Loshin, "TCP/IP Clearly Explained," (1997); and David Gourley and Brian Totty, "HTTP, The Definitive Guide," (2002), the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

The various system components may be independently, separately or collectively suitably coupled to the network via data links which includes, for example, a connection to an Internet Service Provider (ISP) over the local loop as is typically used in connection with standard modem communication, cable modem, Dish networks, ISDN, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL), or various wireless communication methods, see, e.g., Gilbert Held, "Understanding Data Communications," (1996), which is hereby incorporated by reference. It is noted that the network may be implemented as other types of networks, such as an interactive television (ITV) network. Moreover, the system contemplates the use, sale or distribution of any goods, services or information over any network having similar functionality described herein.

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary automated shade control (ASC) system 100 in accordance with the present invention. ASC 100 may be configured with a smart sub master board (SSM board) 105 configured for communicating with centralized control system (CCS) 110, motors 130, and analog board 115. Analog board 115 may be configured to further communicate with radiometers 125. Both SSM board 105 and analog board 115 may communicate with CCS 110, motors 130, radiometers 125 and/or any other components through communication links 120. For example, in one embodiment, SSM board 105, analog board 115 and CCS 110 are configured to communicate directly with motors 130 to minimize lag time between computing commands and motor movement.

SSM Board 105 may be configured to facilitate transmitting shade position commands and/or other commands. SSM Board 105 may also be configured to interface between CCS 110 and motors 130. SSM board 105 may be configured to facilitate user access to motors 130. By facilitating user access, SSM board 105 may be configured to facilitate communication between a user and motors 130. For example, SSM board 105 may allow a user to access some or all of the functions of motors 130 for any number of zones. SSM board 105 may use communication links 120 for communication, user input, and/or any other communication mechanism for providing user access.

SSM board 105 may be configured as hardware and/or software. While FIG. 1 depicts a single SSM board 105, ASC 100 may comprise multiple SSM boards 105. In one embodiment, SSM board 105 may be configured to allow a user to control motors 130 for multiple window coverings. As used herein, a zone refers to any area of a structure wherein ASC 100 is configured to control the shading. For example, an office building may be divided into eight zones, each zone corresponding to a different floor. Each zone, in turn may have 50 different glazings, windows and/or window coverings. Thus, SSM board 105 may facilitate controlling each motor in each zone, every window covering for every floor, and/or multiple SSM boards 105 (i.e., eight different SSM boards 105) may be coupled together to collectively control every window covering, wherein each SSM board 105 controls the motors 130 for each floor.

SSM board 105 may also be configured with one or more safety mechanisms. For example, SSM board 105 may comprise one or more override buttons to facilitate manual operation of one or more motors 130 and/or SSM boards 105. SSM board 105 may also be configured with a security mechanism that requires entry of a password, code, biometric, or other identifier/indicia suitably configured to allow the user to interact or communicate with the system, such as, for example, authorization/access code, personal identification number (PIN), Internet code, bar code, transponder, digital certificate, biometric data, and/or other identification indicia.

CCS 110 may be used to facilitate communication with and/or control of SSM board 105 and/or analog board 115. CCS 110 may be configured to facilitate computing of one or more algorithms to determine, for example, solar radiation levels, sky type, interior lighting information, exterior lighting information, temperature information, glare information and the like. CCS 110 algorithms may include proactive and reactive algorithms configured to provide appropriate solar protection from direct solar penetration; reduce solar heat gain; reduce radiant surface temperatures and/or veiling glare; control penetration of the solar ray, optimize the interior natural daylighting of a structure and/or optimize the efficiency of interior lighting systems. CCS 110 may be configured with a RS-485 communication board to facilitate receiving and transmitting data from analog board 115 and/or SSM board 105. CCS 110 may be configured to automatically self-test, synchronize and/or start the various other components of ASC 100. CCS 110 may be configured to run one or more user interfaces to facilitate user interaction. An example of a user interface used in conjunction with CCS 110 is described in greater detail below.

CCS 110 may be configured as any type of personal computer, network computer, work station, minicomputer, mainframe, or the like running any operating system such as any version of Windows, Windows NT, Windows XP, Windows 2000, Windows 98, Windows 95, MacOS, OS/2, BeOS, Linux, UNIX, Solaris, MVS, DOS or the like. The various CCS 110 components or any other components discussed herein may include one or more of the following: a host server or other computing systems including a processor for processing digital data; a memory coupled to the processor for storing digital data; an input digitizer coupled to the processor for inputting digital data; an application program stored in the memory and accessible by the processor for directing processing of digital data by the processor; a display device coupled to the processor and memory for displaying information derived from digital data processed by the processor; and a plurality of databases. The user may interact with the system via any input device such as, a keypad, keyboard, mouse, kiosk, personal digital assistant, handheld computer (e.g., Palm Pilots, Blueberry.RTM.), cellular phone and/or the like.

CCS 110 may also be configured with one or more browsers, remote switches and/or touch screens to further facilitate access and control of ASC 100. For example, each touch screen communicating with CCS 110 can be configured to facilitate control of a section of a building's floor plan, with motor zones and shade zones indicated (described further herein). A user may use the touch screen to select a motor zone and/or shade zone to provide control and/or obtain control and/or alert information about the shade position of that particular zone, current sky condition information, sky charts, global parameter information (such as, for example, local time and/or date information, sunrise and/or sunset information, solar altitude or azimuth information, and/or any other similar information noted herein), floor plan information (including sensor status and location) and the like. The touch screen may also be used to provide control and/or information about the brightness level of a local sensor, to provide override capabilities of the shade position to move a shade to a more desired location, and/or to provide access to additional shade control data that is captured for each particular zone. The browser, touch screen and/or switches may also be configured to log user-directed movement of the shades, manual over-rides of the shades, and other occupant-specific adaptations to ASC 100 and/or each shade and/or motor zone. As another example, the browser, touch screen and/or switches may also be configured to provide remote users access to particular data and shade functions depending upon each remote user's access level. For example, the access levels may, for example, be configured to permit only certain individuals, levels of employees, companies, or other entities to access ASC 100, or to permit access to specific ASC 100 control parameters. Furthermore, the access controls may restrict/permit only certain actions such as opening, closing, and/or moving shades. Restrictions on radiometer controls, algorithms, and the like may also be included.

CCS 110 may also be configured with one or more motor controllers. The motor controller may be equipped with one or more algorithms which enable it to position the window covering based on automated and/or manual control from the user through one or a variety of different user interfaces which communicate to the controller. CCS 110 may provide control of the motor controller via hardwired low voltage dry contact, hardwired analog, hardwired line voltage, voice, wireless IR, wireless RF or any one of a number of low voltage, wireless and/or line voltage networking protocols such that a multiplicity of devices including but not limited to switches, touch screens, PCs, Internet Appliances, infrared remotes, radio frequency remotes, voice commands, PDAs, cell phones, PIMs, etc. are capable of being employed by a user to automatically and/or manually override the position of the window covering. CCS 110 and/or the motor controller may additionally be configured with a real time clock to facilitate real time synchronization and control of environmental and manual override information.

CCS 110 and/or the motor controller is also equipped with algorithms which enable it to optimally position the window covering for function, energy efficiency, light pollution control (depending on the environment and neighbors), cosmetic and/or comfort automatically based on information originating from a variety of sensing device options which can be configured to communicate with the controller via any of the communication protocols and/or devices described herein. The automation algorithms within the motor controller and/or CCS 110 may be equipped to apply both proactive and reactive routines to facilitate control of motors 130. Proactive and reactive control algorithms are described in greater detail herein.

CCS 110 algorithms may use this log data to track each occupant-initiated override to learn what each local zone occupant desires for his optimal shading. This ASC 100 data tracking may then be used to automatically readjust zone-specific CCS 110 algorithms to adjust the sensors, motors 130 and/or other ASC 100 system components to the needs of the occupants at a local level. That is, ASC 100 may be configured to actively track each occupant's adjustments for each occupied zone and actively modify CCS 110 algorithms to automatically adapt to each adjustment for that particular occupied zone. CCS 110 algorithms may include a touch screen survey function. For example, this function may allow a user to select from a menu of reasons prior to overriding a shade position from the touch screen. This data may be saved in a database associated with CCS 110 and used to fine tune ASC 100 parameters in order to minimize the need for such overrides. Thus, CCS 110 can actively learn how a building's occupants use the shades, and adjust to these shade uses.

For example, proactive and reactive control algorithms may be used based on CCS 110 knowledge of how a building's occupants use window coverings. CCS 110 may be configured with one or more proactive/reactive control algorithms that proactively input information to/from the motor controller facilitate adaptability of ASC 100. Proactive control algorithms include information such as, for example, the continuously varying solar angles established between the sun and the window opening over the each day of the solar day. This solar tracking information may be combined with knowledge about the structure of the building and window opening, as well. This structural knowledge includes, for example, any shadowing features of the building (such as, for example, buildings in the cityscape and topographical conditions that may shadow the sun's ray on the window opening at various times throughout the day/year). Further still, any inclination or declination angles of the window opening (i.e., window, sloped window, and/or skylight), any scheduled positioning of the window covering throughout the day/year, information about the BTU load impacting the window at anytime throughout the day/year; the glass characteristics which affect transmission of light and heat through the glass, and/or any other historical knowledge about performance of the window covering in that position from previous days/years may be included in the proactive control algorithms. Proactive algorithms can be setup to optimize the positioning of the window covering based on a typical day, worst case bright day or worst case dark day depending on the capabilities and information made available to the reactive control algorithms. These algorithms further can incorporate at least one of the geodesic coordinates of a building; the actual and/or calculated solar position; the actual and/or calculated solar angle; the actual and/or calculated solar penetration angle; the actual and/or calculated solar penetration depth through the window, the actual and/or calculated solar radiation; the actual and/or calculated solar intensity; the time; the solar altitude; the solar azimuth; sunrise and sunset times; the surface orientation of a window; the slope of a window; the window covering stopping positions for a window; and the actual and/or calculated solar heat gain through the window.

Reactive control algorithms may be established to refine the proactive algorithms and/or to compensate for areas of the building which cannot be modeled for some reason. Reactive control of ASC 100 may include, for example, using sensors coupled with algorithms which determine the sky conditions, brightness of the external horizontal sky, brightness of the external vertical sky in any/all orientation(s), internal vertical brightness across the whole or a portion of a window, internal vertical brightness measured across the whole or a portion of a window covered by the window covering, internal horizontal brightness of an internal task surface, brightness of a vertical or horizontal internal surface such as the wall, floor or ceiling, comparative brightness between differing internal horizontal and/or vertical surfaces, internal brightness of a PC display monitor, external temperature, internal temperature, manual positioning by the user/occupant near or affected by the window covering setting, overrides of automated window covering position from previous years and/or real time information communicated from other motor controllers affecting adjacent window coverings.

Typical sensors facilitating these reactive control algorithms include radiometers, photometers/photosensors and/or temperature sensors. Motion sensors may also be employed in order to change reactive control algorithms in certain spaces such as conference rooms during periods where people are not present in order to optimize energy efficiency. The invention contemplates various types of sensor mounts. For example, types of photosensor and temperature sensor mounts include handrail mounts (between the shade and window glass), furniture mounts (e.g., on the room side of the shade), wall or column mounts that look directly out the window from the room side of the shade, and external sensor mounts. For example, for brightness override protection, one or more photosensors and/or radiometers may be configured to look through a specific portion of a window wall (e.g., the part of the window wall whose view gets covered by the window covering at some point during the movement of the window covering). If the brightness on the window wall portion is greater than a pre-determined ratio, the brightness override protection may be activated. The pre-determined ratio may be established from the brightness of the PC/VDU or actual measured brightness of a task surface. Each photosensor may be controlled, for example, by closed and/or open loop algorithms that include measurements from one or more field-of-views of the sensors. For example, each photosensor may look at a different part of the window wall and/or window covering. The information from these photosensors may be used to anticipate changes in brightness as the window covering travels across a window, measure indirectly the brightness coming through a portion of the window wall by looking at the brightness reflecting off an interior surface, measure brightness detected on the incident side of the window covering and/or to measure the brightness detected for any other field of view. The brightness control algorithms and/or other algorithms may also be configured to take into account whether any of the sensors are obstructed (for example, by a computer monitor, etc.). ASC 100 may also employ other sensors; for example, one or more motion sensors may be configured to employ stricter comfort control routines when the building spaces are occupied. That is, if a room's motion sensors detect a large number of people inside a room, ASC 100 may facilitate movement of the window coverings to provide greater shading and cooling of the room.

In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the natural default operation of the motor controller in "Automatic Mode" may be governed by the proactive control algorithms. When a reactive control algorithm interrupts operation of a proactive algorithm the motor controller can be setup with specific conditions which determine how and when the motor controller can return to Automatic Mode. For example, this return to Automatic Mode may be based upon a configurable predetermined time such as, for example, 12AM. In another embodiment, ASC 100 may return to Automatic Mode at a predetermined time interval (such as hour later), when a predetermined condition has been reached (for example, when the brightness returns below a certain level through certain sensors), when the brightness detected is a configurable percentage less than the brightness detected when the motor was placed into brightness override, if the proactive algorithms require the window covering to further cover the shade, when fuzzy logic routines weigh the probability that the motor can move back into automatic mode (based on information regarding actual brightness measurements internally, actual brightness measurements externally, the profile angle of the sun, shadow conditions from adjacent buildings or structures on the given building based on the solar azimuth, and/or the like), and/or at any other manual and/or predetermined condition or control.

Motors 130 may be configured to control the movement of one or more window coverings. The window coverings are described in greater detail below. As used herein, motors 130 can include one or more motors and motor controllers. Motors 130 may comprise AC and/or DC motors and may be mounted within or in proximity with a window covering which is affixed by a window using mechanical brackets attaching to the building structure such that motors 130 enable window covering to cover or reveal a portion of the window or glazing. As used herein, the term glazing refers to a glaze, glasswork, window, and/or the like. Motors 130 may be configured as any type of stepping motor configured to open, close and/or move the window coverings at select, random, predetermined, increasing, decreasing, algorithmic and/or any other increments. For example, in one embodiment, motor 130 may be configured to move the window coverings in 1/16-inch increments in order to graduate the shade movements such that the operation of the shade is almost imperceptible to the occupant to minimize distraction. In another embodiment, motor 130 may be configured to move the window coverings in 1/8-inch increments. Motor 130 may also be configured to have each step and/or increment last a certain amount of time. The time of the increments may be any range of time, for example, less than one second, one or more seconds, and/or multiple minutes. In one embodiment, each 1/8-inch increment of motor 130 may last five seconds. Motors 130 may be configured to move the window coverings at a virtually imperceptible rate to a structure's inhabitants. For example, ASC 100 may be configured to continually iterate motor 139 increments down the window wall in finite increments thus establishing thousands of intermediate stopping positions across a window pane. The increments may be consistent in span and time or may vary in span and/or time across the day and from day to day in order to optimize the comfort requirements of the space and further minimize abrupt window covering positioning transitions which may draw unnecessary attention from the occupants.

Motors 130 may vary between, for example, top-down, bottom-up, and even a dual motor 130 design known as fabric tensioning system (FTS) or motor/spring-roller combination. The bottom-up design may be configured to promote daylighting environments where light level through the top portion of the glass may be reflected or even skydomed deep into the space. Bottom-up window coverings naturally lend their application towards East facing facades where starting from sunrise the shade gradually moves up with the sun's rising altitude up to solar noon. Top-down designs may be configured to promote views whereby the penetration of the sun may be cutoff leaving a view through the lower portion of the glass. Top-down window coverings naturally lend their application towards the West facing facades where starting from solar noon the altitude of the sun drops the shade through sunset.

Analog board 115 may be configured with one or more electrical components configured to receive information from radiometers 125 and/or to transmit information to SSM board 105 and/or CCS 110. In one embodiment, analog board 115 may be configured to receive millivolt signals from radiometers 125. Analog board 115 may additionally be configured to convert the signals from radiometers 125 into digital information and/or to transmit the digital information to SSM board 105 and/or CCS 110.

ASC 100 may contain one or more radiometers 125 in communication with analog board 115. The more radiometers 125 used in ASC 100, the more error protection (or reduction) for the system. Radiometers 125, as used herein, may include traditional radiometers as well as other photo sensors, visible light spectrum photo sensors, temperature sensors, and the like. Radiometers 125 may be located in any part of a structure. For example, radiometers 125 may be located on the roof of a building, outside a window, inside a window, on a work surface, on an interior and/or exterior wall, and/or any other part of a structure. In one embodiment, radiometers 125 are located in clear, unobstructed areas. Radiometers 125 may be connected to analog board 115 in any manner through communication links 120. In one embodiment, radiometers 125 may be connected to analog board 115 by low voltage wiring. In another embodiment, radiometers 125 may be wirelessly connected to analog board 115.

Radiometers 125 may additionally be configured to initialize and/or synchronize upon starting ASC 100. For example, radiometers 125 may be configured to be initially set to zero, which may correspond to a cloudy sky condition regardless of the actual sky condition. Radiometers 125 may then be configured to detect sunlight for a user-defined amount of time, for example three minutes, in order to facilitate building a data file for the radiometers. After the user-defined time has lapsed, radiometers 125 may be synchronized with this new data file.

As discussed herein, communication links 120 may be configured as any type of communication links such as, for example, digital links, analog links, wireless links, optical links, radio frequency links, Bluetooth links, and/or copper wire links. For example, in one embodiment, communication link 120 may be configured as a RS422 serial communication link.

ASC 100 may additionally be configured with one or more databases. Any databases discussed herein may be any type of database, such as relational, hierarchical, graphical, object-oriented, and/or other database configurations. Common database products that may be used to implement the databases include DB2 by IBM (White Plains, N.Y.), various database products available from Oracle Corporation (Redwood Shores, Calif.), Microsoft Access or Microsoft SQL Server by Microsoft Corporation (Redmond, Wash.), Base3 by Base3 systems, Paradox or any other suitable database product. Moreover, the databases may be organized in any suitable manner, for example, as data tables or lookup tables. Each record may be a single file, a series of files, a linked series of data fields or any other data structure. Association of certain data may be accomplished through any desired data association technique such as those known or practiced in the art. For example, the association may be accomplished either manually or automatically. Automatic association techniques may include, for example, a database search, a database merge, GREP, AGREP, SQL, and/or the like. The association step may be accomplished by a database merge function, for example, using a "key field" in pre-selected databases or data sectors.

More particularly, a "key field" partitions the database according to the high-level class of objects defined by the key field. For example, certain types of data may be designated as a key field in a plurality of related data tables and the data tables may then be linked on the basis of the type of data in the key field. The data corresponding to the key field in each of the linked data tables is preferably the same or of the same type. However, data tables having similar, though not identical, data in the key fields may also be linked by using AGREP, for example. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, any suitable data storage technique may be utilized to store data without a standard format. Data sets may be stored using any suitable technique; implementing a domain whereby a dedicated file is selected that exposes one or more elementary files containing one or more data sets; using data sets stored in individual files using a hierarchical filing system; data sets stored as records in a single file (including compression, SQL accessible, hashed via one or more keys, numeric, alphabetical by first tuple, etc.); block of binary (BLOB); stored as ungrouped data elements encoded using ISO/IEC Abstract Syntax Notation (ASN.1) as in ISO/IEC 8824 and 8825; and/or other proprietary techniques that may include fractal compression methods, image compression methods, etc.

In one exemplary embodiment, the ability to store a wide variety of information in different formats is facilitated by storing the information as a Block of Binary (BLOB). Thus, any binary information can be stored in a storage space associated with a data set. As discussed above, the binary information may be stored on the financial transaction instrument or external to but affiliated with the financial transaction instrument. The BLOB method may store data sets as ungrouped data elements formatted as a block of binary via a fixed memory offset using either fixed storage allocation, circular queue techniques, or best practices with respect to memory management (e.g., paged memory, least recently used, etc.). By using BLOB methods, the ability to store various data sets that have different formats facilitates the storage of data associated with the financial transaction instrument by multiple and unrelated owners of the data sets. For example, a first data set which may be stored may be provided by a first party, a second data set which may be stored may be provided by an unrelated second party, and yet a third data set which may be stored, may be provided by a third party unrelated to the first and second party. Each of these three exemplary data sets may contain different information that is stored using different data storage formats and/or techniques. Further, each data set may contain subsets of data that also may be distinct from other subsets.

As stated above, in various embodiments of the present invention, the data can be stored without regard to a common format. However, in one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the data set (e.g., BLOB) may be annotated in a standard manner when provided for manipulating the data onto the financial transaction instrument. The annotation may compr