A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

A shade adapted for covering a classroom viewing window and assisting with compliance with emergency protocol during an emergency is disclosed. The shade may include a plurality folds connected to each other by a plurality of hinges configured to cover a classroom viewing window. Emergency related information and status indicators may be revealed upon the unfolding of the shade to assist teachers, school officials, police, and others to comply with established school emergency protocol. The shade further fulfills the requirement that the classroom viewing window be covered during an emergency lockdown. The shade may function as a standard “Exit” sign during non-emergency time. Another shade may include a case holding a material portion with handles that enable the shade to be moved up and down.

A battery-powered motorized window treatment for covering at least a portion of a window may be adjusted into a service position to allow for access to at least one battery that is powering the motorized window treatment. A headrail of the motorized window treatment may be adjusted to the service position to allow for easy replacement of the batteries without unmounting the headrail and without requiring tools. The motorized window treatment may comprise brackets having buttons that may be actuated to release the headrail from a locked position, such that the head rail may be rotated into the service position. The headrail easily rotates through a controlled movement into the service position, such that a user only needs one free hand available to move the motorized window treatment into the service position and change the batteries.

A solar powered smart window includes a light diffuser configured to convert an incident direct solar radiation to a diffusive light toward interior direction, a light diffuser positioner, a driving mechanism, a solar panel, and a control unit. The control unit moved the light diffuser from a predetermined opened position to a closed position and to hold the light diffuser at the closed position with latch mechanism, when the output power of the solar panel exceeds a threshold for over a duration time. The controller releases the latch mechanism and to cause the light diffuser to return to the predetermined opened position when the output power lowers below threshold for over the duration time. A method includes storing a predetermined condition, monitoring the output power, comparing the output power with the predetermined conditions, making decision whether a positional transition is necessary, and causing the transitional transition or maintaining current position.

An actuating system for a window shade includes a first rotary axle rotatable for displacing a bottom part, a second rotary axle rotatable for displacing an intermediate rail, and a limiting mechanism including a first and a second sliding part respectively linked movably to the first and second rotary axle. The first sliding part slides in a first direction when the first rotary axle rotates for lowering the bottom part and in a second direction when the first rotary axle rotates for raising the bottom part. The second sliding part slides in the first direction when the second rotary axle rotates for lowering the intermediate rail and in the second direction when the second rotary axle rotates for raising the intermediate rail. The first sliding part is prevented from sliding in the second direction via a contact between the first sliding part and the second sliding part.

A motorized window treatment for controlling the amount of daylight entering a space through a window includes a covering material, a drive shaft, and a motor coupled to the drive shaft for raising and lowering the covering material. The window treatment also includes a spring assist unit for assisting the motor by providing a torque that equals the torque provided by the weight on the cords that lift the covering material at a position midway between fully-open and fully-closed positions to minimize motor usage and conserve battery life. The window treatment may comprise a photosensor for measuring the amount of daylight outside the window and temperature sensors for measuring the temperatures inside and outside of the window. The position of the covering material may be automatically controlled in response to the photosensor and the temperature sensors, or in response to an infrared or radio-frequency remote control.

A top-down bottom-up window covering includes a first beam and a second beam, which are sequentially provided below a fixture, and a covering material connecting the first beam and the second beam. A first lifting structure is installed in the first beam, and a second lifting structure is installed in the second beam. The first lifting structure is adapted to operate as the first beam is being controlled to move toward or away from the fixture, and the second lifting structure is adapted to operate as the second beam is being controlled to move toward or away from the fixture. Thus, the top-down bottom-up window covering can be easily assembled and maintained.

A spring drive system for a window shade includes a housing, a cord drum and a first gear fixedly connected with each other and pivotally connected with the housing, the cord drum being connected with two second suspension cords, a second gear pivotally connected with the housing, two spring reels respectively pivotally connected at two opposite sides of the second gear so that the two spring reels are respectively rotatable relative to the second gear, the second gear and the two spring reels being disposed in a coaxial manner, a third gear pivotally connected with the housing and respectively meshed with the first and second gears, the third gear being fixedly connected with two second take-up reel at two opposite sides, and two springs each assembled around one corresponding spring reel and having one end connected with one corresponding take-up reel.

A shading device including a first driving shaft that is rotatably supported within a headbox and may drive a first moving member and a second driving shaft that is rotatably supported within the headbox and may drive a second moving member, the shading device includes a first pulley that drives the first driving shaft, and a second pulley that is disposed at a position different from the first pulley in a longitudinal direction of the headbox and drives the second driving shaft.

A screen device intended for a window or a door in a building or vehicle. The device includes a first elongated frame part having two ends; a further frame part and a third one, respectively, being arranged at each end of the first frame part at right angles to the first frame part and connected to a first one of its two ends. Two crossbars are arranged in parallel to the fixedly arranged first frame part and movable independently of each other along the two further frame parts. A pleated screen element is arranged between the first crossbar and the second crossbar, and the crossbars are guided by guide cords. At least one of the crossbars is formed by two profiles that are arranged in parallel to each other and leave a space between them in which a strip provided with holes for respective ones of the guide cords is received.