Video display adapter for controlling a window covering

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9624720-B2
Application number	US-201514682100-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Apr 9, 2015
Priority date	Apr 8, 2014
Publication date	Apr 18, 2017
Grant date	Apr 18, 2017

Abstract

A system in accordance with the invention includes a video display adapter, such as a USB or HDMI dongle, configured to generate a signal when a video display (e.g., a television, projector, etc.) is turned on or off. A controller receives the signal and automatically actuates a motorized window covering in response to the signal. In certain embodiments, the motorized window covering receives the signal directly from the video display adapter without requiring any intervening electronic devices. A corresponding method is also disclosed herein.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A system comprising:
a dongle inserted into a portal of a video display that generates a signal at a moment when the video display is turned to a state of at least one of on or off;
a controller that receives the signal and automatically actuates a window blind in response thereto, the controller receiving the signal directly from the dongle without requiring intervening electronic devices; and
a motorized gearbox assembly, the controller being housed inside the motorized gearbox assembly, and a tilt rod of the window blind passing entirely through the motorized gearbox assembly.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the video display is a television.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the video display is a projector.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the dongle is a USB dongle.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the dongle is an HDMI dongle.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the dongle becomes energized when the video display is turned on.

7. A method comprising:
generating, by a dongle inserted into a portal of a video display, a signal indicating a moment when the video display is turned to a state of at least one of on or off;
receiving, by a controller, the signal and automatically actuating a window blind in response thereto, and receiving, by the controller, the signal directly from the dongle without requiring intervening electronic devices; and
housing the controller inside a motorized gearbox assembly, a tilt rod of the window blind passing entirely through the motorized gearbox assembly.

8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the video display is a television.

9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the video display is a projector.

10. The method of claim 7 , wherein the dongle is a USB dongle.

11. The method of claim 7 , wherein the dongle is and HDMI dongle.

12. The method of claim 7 , further comprising energizing the dongle upon turning on the video display.

Assignees

• Hall David R

Inventors

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

Classifications

• H01H17/08

  Operating part, e.g. cord · CPC title

• F16H2057/02039

  Gearboxes for particular applications · CPC title

• E06B9/74

  adapted for selective electrical or manual operation · CPC title

• E06B9/68

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

• E06B2009/2476

  Solar cells · CPC title