Intelligent window covering incorporating security features

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9574395-B2
Application number	US-201514682108-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2015
Priority date	Apr 8, 2014
Publication date	Feb 21, 2017
Grant date	Feb 21, 2017

Abstract

An apparatus in accordance with the invention includes a gearbox assembly configured to electromechanically operate a window covering. A controller, incorporated into the window covering, is provided to control the gearbox assembly. A security device, such as a camera, motion sensor, audio sensor, proximity sensor, impact sensor, or the like, communicates with the controller and is configured to monitor security at a window associated with the window covering. Such a security sensor may, for example, monitor opening and/or closing of the window, breaking of the window, or the like. In certain embodiments, operation of the window covering is triggered in response to conditions sensed by the security device. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. An apparatus comprising:
a gearbox assembly configured to electromechanically operate a window covering;
a controller, incorporated into the window covering, to control the gearbox assembly;
an external motion sensor that detects motion immediately outside a window associated with the window covering and communicates with the controller to lower the window covering to cover the window when the motion is detected; and
an impact sensor that detects an extent of force on the window, wherein touching the window triggers a low priority alert notification, and wherein breaking the window triggers a high priority alert notification.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a camera, wherein the impact sensor detects a force on the window and triggers the camera to gather camera footage at or near the window.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising an audio sensor.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a proximity sensor.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the proximity sensor is configured to detect at least one of opening or closing of the window.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the controller communicates motion detected by the motion sensor to a security monitoring system.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the motion sensor is mounted to a headrail of the window covering.

Assignees

• Hall David R

Inventors

• Hall David R
• Carlson Austin Benjamin
• Hyer Davido Loyal
• Miles Jerome
• Brimhall Emily

Classifications

• E06B9/68

  Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive · CPC title

• F16H1/20

  involving more than two intermeshing members · CPC title

• E06B2009/2476

  Solar cells · CPC title

• E06B9/34

  roller-type; {Roller shutters with adjustable lamellae} · CPC title

• E06B2009/3222

  Cordless, i.e. user interface without cords · CPC title