The invention is related to window blind automation and provides a removable device for blind control and automation. The invention is also related to a method for blind control and automation. The device is attached to window blinds headrail with magnets, hooks or other means and the tilter or the cords are put inside the mechanism. The device has a hole where the adaptor is inserted. There are different types of small adaptors for different types of tilters. There is a light sensor for ambient light which might be hidden under semi-transparent plastic or be visible on the enclosure. In the lower part of the drawing the version for vertical blinds is shown. At the side of the verticals there is a metal shaft and the device connects to it with a gear wheel. For verticals, the device is attached to the side of the headrail.

A membrane roofing system that includes a waterproof layer that protects an insulation layer and a granule coupled to the waterproof layer. The granule has a 60% or greater reflectivity that reduces transmission of ultraviolet light to the waterproof layer. The granule is coated in a fluorinated acrylic copolymer that resists adsorption and absorption of asphaltic chemicals by the granule from the waterproof layer.

Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations.

A method comprises measuring a light intensity at a window; determining if the light intensity exceeds a cloudy-day threshold; operating in a sunlight penetration limiting mode to control the motorized window treatment to control the sunlight penetration distance in the space; enabling the sunlight penetration limiting mode if the light intensity is greater than the cloudy-day threshold; and disabling the sunlight penetration limiting mode if the total lighting intensity is less than the cloudy-day threshold. The cloudy-day threshold is maintained at a constant threshold if a calculated solar elevation angle is greater than a predetermined solar elevation angle, and the cloudy-day threshold varies with time if the calculated solar elevation angle is less than the predetermined solar elevation angle. The cloudy-day threshold is a function of the calculated solar elevation angle if the calculated solar elevation angle is less than the predetermined solar elevation angle.

The present invention describes a method for thermo-treatment of wood, where said method comprises the following steps: a) selecting the wood to be as free from knots as possible b) introducing the wood to a temperature increase up to approximately 173° C.; c) maintaining the wood at an ambient temperature of 173° C. for 3-5 hours; d) decreasing the temperature to approx. 20° C.; e) introducing the wood into an autoclave wherein a mixture of linseed oil and mineral oil is applied to the wood, and allowing the mixture to penetrate the wood f) retrieving and storing the treated wood. Furthermore a timber member made with wood treated according to the method is disclosed.

Intelligent building control systems utilize sky information from a camera or cameras to facilitate control of building systems such as lighting, motorized window coverings, electrochromic glazings, HVAC systems, and so forth. Based on the sky information, interior lighting intensity and/or color temperature may be modified, for example in order to achieve a desired circadian effect for building occupants. In this manner, energy efficiency and occupant comfort and convenience are improved.

Infrared cloud detector systems and methods for detecting cloud cover conditions.

An electric light and external light control system for a space with a dual-mode light sensor is proposed. The dual-mode light sensor (106) measures and computes the amount of external light and electrical light incident on its sensing surface. The individual measured light components (total light, electric light and external light) are transmitted to the window treatment controller (103) and the electric light controller (102). The controllers (102, 103) use this information to optimally control the lighting condition to meet user requirements and reduce energy consumption. Both controllers (102, 103) operate concurrently and independently, but are linked via the dual-mode sensor (106).

Methods of controlling tint of a tintable window to account for occupant comfort in a room of a building. Some methods include receiving weather feed data from one or more weather services (or other data sources) over a communication network, determining a weather condition based on the weather feed data, and determining a tint level for the tintable window based on the weather condition and based on whether a current time is within a time delay period at sunrise or sunset.

Solar-reflective roofing granules having deep-tone colors are formed by coating base mineral particles with a coating composition including an infrared-reflective pigment. Color is provided by a colored infrared pigment, a light-interference platelet pigment, or a metal oxide.