A shading assembly configured to have a first selectable state that is transmissive to more than 40% of solar light and reflects more than 35% of solar heat, a second selectable state that blocks more than 75% of the solar light and transmits more than 50% of the solar heat, and a third selectable state that transmits more than 50% of the solar light and more than 50% of the solar heat.

A solar cell system integrated with window glass and a blind is provided. The solar cell system includes high-power solar cell system that has two types of solar cells that are configured to absorb light with different wavelength bands from each other and are coupled to a window glass and a blind, respectively. The solar cell system includes a first solar cell that is coupled to a window glass and a second solar cell that is coupled to a blind and configured to absorb light different in wavelength band from light absorbed by the first solar cell. The band gap energy of the first solar cell is greater than the band gap energy of the second solar cell to maximize generation of electrical energy. Additionally, the second solar cell is coupled to the blind installed to open and close to increase power without degrading transmittance of the window glass.

A fabric venetian window shade assembly including: an actuation system for a double panel window shading including opposing first and second facings coupled by a plurality of vanes, the actuation system comprising: a roller configured to receive the opposing first and second facings; a ratcheting mechanism mechanically coupled to at least the second facing through the roller; and a grip coupled exclusively to a lower end of the second facing, wherein, in response to a downward force being applied to the grip, the downward force is applied directly to the second facing without being applied directly to the first facing, and wherein the ratcheting mechanism is further configured to adjust a position of the opposing first and second facings and an orientation of the plurality of vanes relative to the opposing first and second facings.

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.

A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.

A base structure and associated method for converting the base structure into an operable vane on a shade for an architectural opening. The base structure includes a back sheet and a front sheet attached together in engagement regions spaced along the length of the back sheet and front sheet. The front sheet is separated into front strip sections having a free end. Operating elements are positioned along the back sheet and situated so as to move relative thereto. The operating elements are attached adjacent to a free end of the front strip. Movement of the operating elements actuates the free end of the front strip to move from a closed position to an open position as desired by the user.

A battery-powered window treatment, such as a roller shade, may include a battery compartment that provides access to batteries while the window treatment is assembled and mounted to a structure. The battery compartment may be pivotally supported by a housing of the window treatment, and operable between opened and closed positions. The batteries may be concealed when the battery compartment is closed, and may be accessible when the battery compartment is open. The battery compartment may be operated opened and closed while a shade of the window treatment is at any position, such that removal of the batteries does not result in the loss of tracking information for the shade. The window treatment may include a fascia that is operably connected to the battery compartment, such that when the battery compartment is opened, the fascia does not obstruct access to the batteries, and does not interfere with the shade.

A battery-powered window treatment, such as a roller shade, may include a battery compartment that provides access to batteries while the window treatment is assembled and mounted to a structure. The battery compartment may be pivotally supported by a housing of the window treatment, and operable between opened and closed positions. The batteries may be concealed when the battery compartment is closed, and may be accessible when the battery compartment is open. The battery compartment may be operated opened and closed while a shade of the window treatment is at any position, such that removal of the batteries does not result in the loss of tracking information for the shade. The window treatment may include a fascia that is operably connected to the battery compartment, such that when the battery compartment is opened, the fascia does not obstruct access to the batteries, and does not interfere with the shade.

A cordless blind device that can be operated in various types such as manual, semiautomatic, and automatic types is proposed. The cordless blind device includes: a winding roll, a screen, a driving motor, a weight connected to a lower end of the screen; a torsion spring applying torque in a direction in which the screen is wound; and a rotation conversion module transmitting power in two directions between the driving motor and the winding roll, in which when the driving motor does not generate driving force, the torque applied by the torsion spring, the torque applied by the weight, and resistance by the rotation conversion module and the driving motor make equilibrium, so the screen remains stopped, and when an external force is applied upward or downward to the weight, the equilibrium of the forces breaks, so the screen is wound on or unwound from the winding roll.

Disclosed is a retractable lighting fixture having a retractable LED lighting layer. One or more optical layers (40, 240A/B, 340A/B, 440) may optionally be provided over the LED lighting layer (30, 230, 330, 430). The optical layer(s) and the LED lighting layer may optionally be movable relative to one another between at least being in an expanded spaced relation to one another and a compressed relation to one another. One or more LEDs (34, 134, 234A/B, 334A/B, 434) on the LED lighting layer may be individually controllable and such LEDs (34, 134, 234A/B, 334A/B, 434) may be selectively extinguished when they are in a retracted position.