A motorized lift assembly for a window covering includes movable window covering material and cords for moving the window covering material, the motorized lift assembly includes a motor assembly including a motor, a speed reducing gear train driven by the motor for adjusting positions of the cords, and the motor being a low voltage, high speed motor operating at greater than 12,000 rpm.

Disclosed herein is an electrostatic shutter system including an electrostatic shutter configured to be selectively raised and lowered based on a voltage applied to the electrostatic shutter, at least one sensor system configured to detect a position of the electrostatic shutter, and a controller communicatively coupled to the electrostatic shutter and the at least one sensor system. The controller is configured to apply an initial voltage to the electrostatic shutter to lower the electrostatic shutter, receive an output signal from the at least one sensor indicating the electrostatic shutter has reached a predetermined position, and based on the received output signal from the at least one sensor, apply an updated voltage to the electrostatic shutter to hold the shutter at the predetermined position.

An example apparatus includes a sensor to detect a lateral edge of a door curtain within a guide of a door, and a controller to identify when the door curtain transitions from an operational state to a breakaway state based on a signal from the sensor, the operational state corresponding to when the lateral edge of the door curtain is enclosed by the guide as the door curtain moves between open and closed positions, and the breakaway state corresponding to when a portion of the lateral edge of the door curtain below an upper end of the guide breaks away from the guide.

A motor driven system for raising and lowering a window covering executes motor ramp trajectory speed control. The motor ramp trajectory limits acceleration of an external motor from the idle (stationary) state to full operating speed, and limits deceleration of the motor from full operating speed back to the idle state. This function reduces stresses on a continuous cord loop drive mechanism. A control system manages solar heating effects in response to sunlight entrance conditions such as system sensor outputs, external weather forecasts, and other data sources. The system automatically opens or close the window covering to increase or decrease admitted sunlight under appropriate conditions. The input interface of the control system includes a visual display and input axis, which are aligned vertically if the window covering mechanism raises and lowers the window covering, and are aligned horizontally if the window covering mechanism laterally opens and closes the window covering.

An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

An angle shift compensation system and method for controlling a sinusoidally driven motor to achieve efficient motion and reduced noise. The motor controller uses the angle shift compensation method to monitor the angle shift between a sinusoidal motor control signal configured to drive the motor and a feedback signal received from at least one position detector indicating the position of the motor rotor with respect to the motor stator. In response, the motor controller proportionally adjusts the amplitude of the motor control signal based on the monitored angle shift to maintain the angle shift substantially equal to an angle shift threshold.

A motor calibration system and method for a motor having a rotor and a stator and comprising at least one phase. The system further comprises at least one position detector adapted to detect a position of the rotor with respect to the stator and generate a feedback signal and a controller adapted to perform a calibration sequence to calibrate to motor. Wherein the controller calibrates the motor by driving at least one motor phase with a motor control signal at a predetermined maximum amplitude value in a first direction with substantially no load applied on the motor, receiving a feedback signal from the at least one position detector, and determining a first calibration angle shift by measuring a difference between at least the motor control signal and the feedback signal of the at least one motor phase. The controller accounts for the first calibration angle shift when driving the motor in the first direction during normal operation. According to one embodiment, the controller may determine a second calibration angle shift for a second direction in a similar manner. According to another embodiment, the may determine the second calibration angle shift using a transformation function and a predetermined angle shift sum constant.

Methods and apparatus to control architectural opening covering assemblies are disclosed herein. An architectural covering assembly including an architectural covering; a tube to which the architectural covering is coupled; a manual controller operatively coupled to the tube to rotate the tube; a motor including a motor housing and a motor shaft; and a clutch assembly including a clutch and a clutch housing in which the clutch is disposed, the motor shaft coupled to the clutch and the clutch coupled to the manual controller to hold the motor shaft substantially stationary when the architectural covering is moved under an influence of the motor to cause the motor housing to rotate with the clutch housing and the tube.

A method for configuring a motorized drive device for a solar protection home automation unit includes a step of triggering the rolling-up of a screen from an unrolled position, in which the screen is relaxed, towards a rolled-up position. This method further includes a step of measuring a magnitude of an electrical current passing through an electric motor using a measurement device, a step of determining a first maximum value of the measured magnitude, indicative of a position of breakage of the arms of a screening device, and a step of determining a lowered end-of-travel position of the screen. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen corresponds to a measured-magnitude value lower than the first maximum value. The lowered end-of-travel position of the screen lies before the position of breakage of the arms of the screening device, in the direction of unrolling of the screen.

Disclosed are technologies for robotic transport of one or more items of payload, including a configurable door assembly for a storage compartment of a robot.