Disclosed are methods and apparatuses for in situ control of smart or tinted windows. Also disclosed are methods and apparatuses for controlling at least one internal environmental condition for an interior space including at least one window.

A method for controlling a drapery assembly is disclosed that opens and close a drape based on low and high touch sensitivity signature values that are established manually by the user. The method comprises pressing at least one button to initiate setting low touch sensitivity value; detecting a first manual movement of the drape; determining a first number of ticks using an encoder associated with the first manual movement; determining a low end user sensitivity signature value by calculating the average first number of ticks of the encoder; pressing at least one another button to initiate setting high touch sensitivity value; detecting a second manual movement of the drape; determining a second number of ticks using the encoder associated with the second manual movement; and determining a high end user sensitivity signature value by calculating the average first number of ticks of the encoder over the first time period.

A method for controlling a drapery assembly is disclosed that opens and close a drape based on low and high touch sensitivity signature values that are established manually by the user. The method comprises pressing at least one button to initiate setting low touch sensitivity value; detecting a first manual movement of the drape; determining a first number of ticks using an encoder associated with the first manual movement; determining a low end user sensitivity signature value by calculating the average first number of ticks of the encoder; pressing at least one another button to initiate setting high touch sensitivity value; detecting a second manual movement of the drape; determining a second number of ticks using the encoder associated with the second manual movement; and determining a high end user sensitivity signature value by calculating the average first number of ticks of the encoder over the first time period.

An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.

An architectural covering is presented having a rotatable drive element having a guide structure and a plurality of idler attachment elements and a drive element positioned over the rotatable drive element. The rotatable drive element is connected to a wall, ceiling or other structure by brackets. In one arrangement a drive shaft having at least one bearing is then attached to the brackets such that the rotatable drive elements rotate upon the bearings. This arrangement provides an efficient, simple and convenient manner of attaching a rotatable drive element to brackets for mounting.

A method of operating a motorized window covering is presented wherein in response to a standard movement command power is supplied to a motor in a continuous or generally continuous manner thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in a generally continuous manner. However, in doing so, the motor rotates at a fast rate thereby causing elevated noise levels. In response to an automated movement command, power is supplied to the motor by cycling power to the motor between a powered state and an unpowered state thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in an incremental manner. While moving the shade material in this incremental manner is slower, it is substantially quieter. The preferred mode of operation is selected based on whether the movement command is a standard movement command or an automated movement command.

A method of operating a motorized window covering is presented wherein in response to a standard movement command power is supplied to a motor in a continuous or generally continuous manner thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in a generally continuous manner. However, in doing so, the motor rotates at a fast rate thereby causing elevated noise levels. In response to an automated movement command, power is supplied to the motor by cycling power to the motor between a powered state and an unpowered state thereby moving the shade material from a start position to an end position in an incremental manner. While moving the shade material in this incremental manner is slower, it is substantially quieter. The preferred mode of operation is selected based on whether the movement command is a standard movement command or an automated movement command.

A drapery track assembly is disclosed that performs an automatic and dynamic torque calibration to enable automatic detection of pulling of the drape as well as obstacles in order to minimize damage to the drapery track assembly and users. The drapery track assembly comprises a track, a drape attached to the track, a motor configured for moving the drape along the track, a sensor configured for sensing a position of the drape along the track, a current sensing circuit configured for detecting current levels, and a controller configured for controlling the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller is configured for determining and storing a multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profile in each direction of travel comprising a plurality of overcurrent threshold (OCTH) values for each segment of travel along the track. The controller uses these multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profiles during normal operation to detect an overcurrent event and perform an overcurrent operation when a measured current level within a travel segment exceeds the overcurrent threshold (OCTH) value of that travel segment.

A drapery track assembly is disclosed that performs an automatic and dynamic torque calibration to enable automatic detection of pulling of the drape as well as obstacles in order to minimize damage to the drapery track assembly and users. The drapery track assembly comprises a track, a drape attached to the track, a motor configured for moving the drape along the track, a sensor configured for sensing a position of the drape along the track, a current sensing circuit configured for detecting current levels, and a controller configured for controlling the motor and comprising at least one memory. The controller is configured for determining and storing a multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profile in each direction of travel comprising a plurality of overcurrent threshold (OCTH) values for each segment of travel along the track. The controller uses these multi-point overcurrent threshold (OCTH) profiles during normal operation to detect an overcurrent event and perform an overcurrent operation when a measured current level within a travel segment exceeds the overcurrent threshold (OCTH) value of that travel segment.

The limit switch uses a rolling sprocket mounted on an offset pivot point mounted in a housing in combination with inserts into individual links of the chain. The sprocket engages the chain using spring tension on the pivot point and rolls along the chain as the chain moves with the teeth of the sprocket inserting into the chain link spaces. An insert is attached in a chain link and positioned such that when the curtain reaches the desired terminal position, the inserts are at the point where the sprocket contact the insert. The insert blocks the cog of the sprocket which pushes the sprocket away from the chain and inwardly into the interior of the housing. Inside the housing the limit switch that is activatedeither by contact or other means. The activation of the kill switch stops the motor and thus the movement of the curtains.