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.

This invention relates to a charging adapter 30, 40 for charging a battery 20, 50 of a solar blind, a roller blind, a roman blind, a Venetian blind, a pleated blind, an electric curtain all having the battery 20, 50, the battery 20, 50 being charged by an output 14 of an external power supply 10, the charging adapter 30, 40 comprising a first plug converter 30 and a second plug converter 40, the first plug converter 30 having a first plug 34 and a second plug 36, the first plug converter 30 connectable to the second plug converter 40, the second plug converter 40 comprising a flexible cord 42 having a third plug 44 at one end of the flexible cord 42, and a fourth plug 46 at the other end of the flexible cord 42, the fourth plug 46 magnetically connectible with the second plug 36.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer-based layer and layers on opposing surfaces thereof. A first voltage is applied to the transparent conductors to cause the shutter to extend to a closed position.

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.

A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.

A cordless retractable shade including an operating system for the shade that varies a biasing force of a spring to counterbalance the shade. The bottom rail of a retractable shade can be raised or lowered, and due to the operating system remains in any selected position of the covering between fully extended and fully retracted, without the use of operating cords. The system includes a method of negating and reversing the spring bias effect at a strategic position whereby the flexible vanes of the shade can be adjusted between open and closed.

To allow more daylighting and protect against direct solar radiation, the system may include a window shading system that impacts an area (or area of interest). The system may adjust different window shades in different ways and for different periods of time to protect against a direct solar radiation onto an area of interest. The system may provide targeted shadows onto the area of interest. The system may also analyze or predict angles of solar rays that comprise the direct solar radiation and determine an impact of the solar rays on the area of interest, wherein the adjusting of window shades is based on the determining.

A method of using an anti-ballistic protection system for protecting an interior space in a building. The ballistic barrier includes a laminated material having a plurality of layers of lightweight, flexible, ballistic resistant material such as woven sheets which are secured together into the laminate using a adhesive, heat weld, or stitching. The ballistic barrier in the deployed state is configured to be resistant to penetration by high-speed ballistic projectiles such as a bullet fired from a gun or a shrapnel from a bomb to protect the interior space, and can be used to protect windows, doors, hallways, and walls from penetration by the ballistic projectiles.

A method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening is disclosed. The covering including a support, at least one vane, and at least one operating element. The method for manufacturing the covering includes extending the vane across the support; extending the operating element along a length of the support, and coupling the covering to a roller for selective rotative movement for extending and retracting the covering during use. The operating element being movable with respect to the support. In use, an upper portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the support while a lower portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the operating element so that the lower portion of the vane is movable relative to the upper portion by moving the at least one operating element.

A method for manufacturing a window covering for an architectural opening is disclosed. The covering including a support, at least one vane, and at least one operating element. The method for manufacturing the covering includes extending the vane across the support; extending the operating element along a length of the support, and coupling the covering to a roller for selective rotative movement for extending and retracting the covering during use. The operating element being movable with respect to the support. In use, an upper portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the support while a lower portion of the vane is fixed with respect to the operating element so that the lower portion of the vane is movable relative to the upper portion by moving the at least one operating element.