A system for guidance and deployment of active panels on a building. One or more guide rails are coupled to a building wall. Panel units are coupled to the guide rails. An active panel can extend and contract from each panel unit. A control system conveys the panel units to an operational position on the building wall. When a panel unit is in operational position, The control system extends or retracts the respective active panel from the panel unit, and adjusts the angle of the panel unit relative to the building wall.

A parcel receptacle includes a bottom member, an exterior wall that extends upward from the bottom member and that defines an interior space, and a top member that is coupled with the exterior wall and configured to cover an opening of the receptacle to enclose the parcel within the interior space. The parcel receptacle also includes a lock mechanism that is operably coupled with the top member and the exterior wall. The lock mechanism is lockable to prevent user access to the interior space and is unlockable to enable the top member to be opened to allow user access to the interior space. A vertical lip of the top member overlaps at least a portion of the exterior wall so that a seam between the top member and the exterior wall is covered by the vertical lip.

A gate opening and closing assembly includes a mount that is coupled to a vertical member of a gate that extends across an entry way. A drive unit is coupled to the mount and the drive unit is actuated to rotate in a first direction or a second direction. A wheel is rotatably coupled to the drive unit to roll along the ground. The wheel is rotated in an opening direction when the drive unit rotates in the first direction to urge the gate into an open position thereby facilitating a vehicle to drive through the entry way. The wheel is rotated in a closing direction when the drive unit rotates in the second direction to urge the gate into a closed position thereby inhibiting the vehicle from driving through the entry way. A remote control is in wireless electrical communication with the drive unit. The remote control turns the drive unit on and off to open and close the gate.

A system comprising an opening comprising a door or a window, wherein the opening comprises a door or a window frame is provided. The opening comprises at least one movable door panel or at least one movable window panel based on if the opening is the door or the window respectively. The system also comprises a deadbolt inbuilt in the door panel or the window panel, a guiding device and a mechanical moving mechanism, wherein the guiding device and the mechanical moving mechanism are both housed in a guiding device housing, a guide block, and an attachment mechanism.

A motorized window with one or more motors and a frame with a slidable segment is disclosed. A drive system with pulleys engages with a belt or chain mounted to the frame or slidable segment. Rotating a first pulley in a first rotational direction causes the first pulley to pull the slidable segment in a first linear direction. Rotating the first pulley in a second rotational direction causes the first pulley to pull the slidable segment in a second linear direction. Preferably, a controller controls the operation of the motors. Sensors inform the controller, and user input via a mobile device enables both direct user control and programming of the controller.

A dimmer mechanism is movable by a motor that is powered by solar-charged supercapacitors between a first configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks little of the interior of a skylight tube to maximize light throughput into a room, and a second configuration, in which the dimmer mechanism blocks more of the interior of a skylight tube to reduce light throughput into the room.

A motorized window with one or more motors and a frame with a slidable segment is disclosed. A drive system with gears, transmission or worm drive engage with a gear track mounted to the frame or slidable segment. Rotating a first gear in a first rotational direction causes the first gear to pull the slidable segment in a first linear direction. Rotating the first gear in a second rotational direction causes the first gear to pull the slidable segment in a second linear direction. Preferably, a controller controls the operation of the motors. Sensors inform the controller, and user input via a mobile device enables both direct user control and programming of the controller.

A solar power system and method of data sampling to predict how much energy a solar power system will generate is disclosed. The solar power system consists of a solar panel, a battery, a sensor adapted to monitor the amount of energy, e.g. by sensing the current and voltage, generated by the solar panel, a controller which regulates the charge of the battery, and a processor which is adapted to monitor the charge of the battery. The processor receives signals from the sensor and stores the information in non-transitory memory. This solar power system may be used to operate various home automation devices, including but not limited to automated window coverings or windows. The processor preferably communicates with a user interface, which will enable the user to program the operation of the automated windows, and also view how much battery charge will be left for the remainder of the day and night.

A thermal insulating apparatus for insulating a building envelope is provided. The thermal insulating apparatus may comprise at least one panel comprising one or more layers of insulating material, and at least one attachment site for joining the thermal insulating apparatus to at least one position of said building envelope. The thermal insulating apparatus may be operable between an open position allowing access to a wall opening, and a closed position in which at least one panel of the thermal insulating apparatus substantially covers and thermally insulates said wall opening. The thermal insulating apparatus may further comprise at least one solar thermal energy collector unit for collecting heat from solar thermal energy from sunlight, and the collected heat may be used for heating a structure such as a home or garage.

A case is mounted to a structure of a canopy or tent. The canopy functions as a campsite shelter. The case provides a lamp and a portal providing access to an interior space within the case where valuables may be safely stored. The apparatus may be secured to ceiling trusses of the canopy. An electrical circuit is engaged within the case and may include a battery providing power to the lamp. A remote control circuit functions to control the lamp. The battery may be charged by a solar cell. An audible alarm may be controlled by a motion sensor or by a case attitude detector remotely controlled.