An integrated-optics MEMS-actuated beam-steering system is disclosed, wherein the beam-steering system includes a lens and a programmable vertical coupler array having a switching network and an array of vertical couplers, where the switching network can energize of the vertical couplers such that it efficiently emits the light into free-space. The lens collimates the light received from the energized vertical coupler and directs the output beam along a propagation direction determined by the position of the energized vertical coupler within the vertical-coupler array. In some embodiments, the vertical coupler is configured to correct an aberration of the lens. In some embodiments, more than one vertical coupler can be energized to enable steering of multiple output beams. In some embodiments, the switching network is non-blocking.

An integrated-optics MEMS-actuated beam-steering system is disclosed, wherein the beam-steering system includes a lens and a programmable vertical coupler array having a switching network and an array of vertical couplers, where the switching network can energize of the vertical couplers such that it efficiently emits the light into free-space. The lens collimates the light received from the energized vertical coupler and directs the output beam along a propagation direction determined by the position of the energized vertical coupler within the vertical-coupler array. In some embodiments, the vertical coupler is configured to correct an aberration of the lens. In some embodiments, more than one vertical coupler can be energized to enable steering of multiple output beams. In some embodiments, the switching network is non-blocking.

A safety cord tilter, in which two cords of the cord tilter for controlling opening or closing of the blind slats are exposed outside the headrail by a length set within a safety length range. The rear ends of the two cords are respectively connected with a first pull rod and a second pull rod for pulling the cords. When the first and second pull rods are used to control opening or closing of the blind slats, the first pull rod or the second pull rod reaches the blind rail at the top end, whereby the allowable exposed lengths of the pulled-out cords will not exceed the safety range so as to shorten the exposed length of the cords. This prevents a child from playing with the cords and twisting the cords around the neck and achieves safety effect.

A safety cord tilter, in which two cords of the cord tilter for controlling opening or closing of the blind slats are exposed outside the headrail by a length set within a safety length range. The rear ends of the two cords are respectively connected with a first pull rod and a second pull rod for pulling the cords. When the first and second pull rods are used to control opening or closing of the blind slats, the first pull rod or the second pull rod reaches the blind rail at the top end, whereby the allowable exposed lengths of the pulled-out cords will not exceed the safety range so as to shorten the exposed length of the cords. This prevents a child from playing with the cords and twisting the cords around the neck and achieves safety effect.

A tension corded, top down/bottom up shade assembly has a fabric shade mounted between two siderails. The siderails have endcaps at each end. The shade is suspended from two of the endcaps. The shade has a top rail and a bottom rail with laterally protruding extended cord slides. The siderails have a sidewall with a front wall portion and a rear wall portion. Integral interior walls extend from the front and rear walls, forming a gap to a longitudinal cord passage. The cord passages face each other. Each endcap has a flat surface with a mounting base having lateral protrusions, end slides that fit snugly within the cord passage, and a mounting shoe stop. Mounting shoes attached to the shade each have a grooved body mounted to the mounting base. The cord slides extend through the gaps and keep cords plumb inside each cord passage and out of children's reach.

A tension corded, top down/bottom up shade assembly has a fabric shade mounted between two siderails. The siderails have endcaps at each end. The shade is suspended from two of the endcaps. The shade has a top rail and a bottom rail with laterally protruding extended cord slides. The siderails have a sidewall with a front wall portion and a rear wall portion. Integral interior walls extend from the front and rear walls, forming a gap to a longitudinal cord passage. The cord passages face each other. Each endcap has a flat surface with a mounting base having lateral protrusions, end slides that fit snugly within the cord passage, and a mounting shoe stop. Mounting shoes attached to the shade each have a grooved body mounted to the mounting base. The cord slides extend through the gaps and keep cords plumb inside each cord passage and out of children's reach.

A tension corded, top down/bottom up shade assembly has a fabric shade mounted between two siderails. The siderails have endcaps at each end. The shade is suspended from two of the endcaps. The shade has a top rail and a bottom rail with laterally protruding extended cord slides. The siderails have a sidewall with a front wall portion and a rear wall portion. Integral interior walls extend from the front and rear walls, forming a gap to a longitudinal cord passage. The cord passages face each other. Each endcap has a flat surface with a mounting base having lateral protrusions, end slides that fit snugly within the cord passage, and a mounting shoe stop. Mounting shoes attached to the shade each have a grooved body mounted to the mounting base. The cord slides extend through the gaps and keep cords plumb inside each cord passage and out of children's reach.

A tension corded, top down/bottom up shade assembly has a fabric shade mounted between two siderails. The siderails have endcaps at each end. The shade is suspended from two of the endcaps. The shade has a top rail and a bottom rail with laterally protruding extended cord slides. The siderails have a sidewall with a front wall portion and a rear wall portion. Integral interior walls extend from the front and rear walls, forming a gap to a longitudinal cord passage. The cord passages face each other. Each endcap has a flat surface with a mounting base having lateral protrusions, end slides that fit snugly within the cord passage, and a mounting shoe stop. Mounting shoes attached to the shade each have a grooved body mounted to the mounting base. The cord slides extend through the gaps and keep cords plumb inside each cord passage and out of children's reach.

An actuating system for a window shade includes a control module actuatable for adjusting a shading structure of the window shade. The control module includes a wand having a hollow interior, a flexible operating element extending outside the wand at a first end thereof, a handle coupled to the operating element and disposed at a second end of the wand, the handle being operable to pull the operating element for actuating the control module, and an anti-winding guard of an elongate shape, the operating element, the handle and the anti-winding guard being movable in unison relative to the wand. The anti-winding guard is configured to extend outside the wand between the handle and the second end of the wand when the handle moves away from the second end of the wand.

An actuating system for a window shade includes a control module actuatable for adjusting a shading structure of the window shade. The control module includes a wand having a hollow interior, a flexible operating element extending outside the wand at a first end thereof, a handle coupled to the operating element and disposed at a second end of the wand, the handle being operable to pull the operating element for actuating the control module, and an anti-winding guard of an elongate shape, the operating element, the handle and the anti-winding guard being movable in unison relative to the wand. The anti-winding guard is configured to extend outside the wand between the handle and the second end of the wand when the handle moves away from the second end of the wand.