A motorized roller shade configured to connect to a power-over-Ethernet network includes a motor for rotating the shade to roll and unroll shade material to and from a roller tube to raise and lower the shade. A bank of ultra-capacitors positioned in the roller tube provides power to the motor and to logic and control circuitry also positioned within the roller tube. The logic and control circuitry charges the ultra-capacitors though power derived from the power-over-Ethernet network, without any power-over-Ethernet switches in the network to provide additional power, and controls the operation of the motor to achieve a desired target velocity. Synchronized operation of multiple motorized roller shades is achieved though autonomous operation of the shades by their corresponding logic and control circuitry. In exemplary embodiments, a lighting element controlled by the logic and control circuitry allows controlled lighting of the shade.

A novel roller blind shaft is provided, comprising a roller blind having a reel, a lower curtain rod, a curtain fabric arranged between the reel and the lower curtain rod, and a driving device for driving the reel to rotate. A bearing seat is correspondingly provided at both ends of the reel. The novel roller blind shaft comprises: moving devices, which are respectively a first moving device and a second moving device arranged parallel to each other, arranged on the bearing seats at both ends of the reel and perpendicular to the reel and configured to drive the reel to move back and forth to adjust a gap between the curtain fabric and the wall, and a control device electrically connected to the first and second moving devices and configured to synchronously control the first and second moving devices to synchronously drive the reel to move back and forth.

The LPSP invention comprises an array of solar panel slats called solar slats along with inter-digitized filler slats. The solar slates on the outside can be open to the outside air or behind a covering window. The solar slats, filler slats or both types of slats can rotate or be fixed in angle position with respect to the sun solar angle. In a window shade application, the filler slats can rotate to avoid blocking the sun's rays from impinging on the solar slats. Alternatively, the filler slats can be transparent, or be adapted with electrically activated films (electroactive) to change the degree of transparency. The solar slats comprise structural material adapted with or containing photovoltaic material, even semi-transparent solar photo electric glass, and further comprising accompanying electrodes and wiring to conduct the generated electricity to an electrical load. The LPSP can be used as elements in a LPSP systems that folds and allows walking support such as a deck. The LPSP flips sides exposed to the environment to offer a different functionality.

A component having a first, optically transparent pane and a second optically transparent pane, the first pane and the second pane being spaced apart from one another at least in some areas by means of a space. The component further comprises a separating device which divides the space into a first space area and a second space area; an introduction device for introducing fog, e.g., a colored gas, or a colored liquid that changes the passage of light at least through the first space area, at least in the first space area; and a means for removing the fog, the liquid or the gas at least from the first space area. In addition, the component further comprises an illuminating device for illuminating at least the interior of the first space area and/or the separating device is movable.

A rod support device including an exterior flange, a female portion configured to receive a telescoping rod, and a male portion configured to extend beyond the surface of a wall. In one aspect, the male portion may include one or more circumferential ribs. In another aspect, the female portion may include a fastener aperture configured to receive a fastener, such as a screw. In yet another aspect, the rod support device may include a cap configured to cover the female portion when not in use. The rod support device may further include an illuminated rod with at least one light transmissive portion and a light source configured to emit light through the light transmissive portion. In another example, the rod includes a wireless communication system. The wireless communication system enables communication between one or more rods, rod support devices, and/or mobile devices.

A fenestration system includes one or more of a light modulation controller or ventilation modulation controller. The light modulation controller is in communication with at least one light modulation element of a fenestration assembly having a frame and a panel. The light modulation controller includes a light prescription module configured to provide a specified light prescription for the building interior. A lighting difference module is configured to determine a prescription difference between the specified light prescription and ambient light. A dynamic light module of the light modulation controller operates the at least one light modulation element according to the prescription difference. The ventilation modulation controller is in communication with at least one operator configured to open and close the panel. A ventilation prescription module provides a specified ventilation prescription for the building interior, and a dynamic ventilation module implements panel closing and opening according to the specified ventilation prescription.

An optical switching device comprising a polarisation layer and a switching layer which comprises a liquid-crystalline material and a dye compound. Use of the optical switching device for the regulation of the passage of light through an area element. A window element which has the optical switching device therein.

An electrical control system for controlling a variable transmittance window is disclosed. The system comprises a driver circuit in communication with an electro-optic element. A controller is in communication with the driver circuit. The controller is configured to identify a temperature condition of the electro-optic element and adjust an output voltage supplied to the electro-optic element in response to the temperature condition.

This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.

Various embodiments herein relate to methods, structures, tools, installation systems, etc. for retrofitting a new electrochromic window in a pre-existing window recess. In many cases, the new electrochromic window is installed parallel to a lite of a pre-existing window, with the resulting structure including the new electrochromic window, the pre-existing window, and a pocket that forms between them. Installation of a new electrochromic window in tandem with a pre-existing window results in many benefits including improved insulation (e.g., due to the presence of the additional air pocket(s) and lite(s)), improved climate control (e.g., due to the ability to control the amount of sunlight entering the building via the electrochromic window), and enhanced aes thetics.