An intelligent shading object, comprises a plurality of shading elements, a shading element deployment mechanism, a support structure, and a base unit. A shading element deployment mechanism deploys a plurality of shading elements independently of each other. A support structure is coupled to the shading element deployment mechanism. A base unit is coupled to the support structure to provide stability to the support structure, the shading element deployment mechanism, and the plurality of shading elements.

An automatic non-collapsible umbrella includes a handle, a control mechanism, a center post, a detent mechanism, a runner assembly, and a skeleton. A cylindrical main seat of the control mechanism includes a spring biased open button for opening the umbrella, and a spring biased collapse button adjacent to the collapse button for closing the umbrella.

A method of orienting an umbrella includes obtaining a current location for an umbrella and communicate the current location to one or more processors, capturing a current time of day via a clock in the umbrella and communicating the current time to the one or more processors, calculating an elevation angle and azimuth angle of a sun utilizing the current time and the location, capturing a reading from a compass in the umbrella to determine a directional heading or an angular heading for a top section of the umbrella, and rotating a core assembly and an upper assembly of the umbrella about a base of the umbrella. The method further comprises utilizing a sensor assembly to detect a location of a magnet in the base of the umbrella. The method further comprises includes aligning a top of umbrella with the magnet in the base of the umbrella.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

An automatic inversely foldable umbrella includes a skeleton structure provided with a main shaft; an upper runner fixed to one end of the main shaft; a lower runner slidably disposed on the main shaft; a middle runner slidably disposed on the main shaft between the upper runner and the lower runner; plural skeleton linkages having a first rib, a second rib, and a foldable rib; plural linking members with one end pivotally disposed on the lower runner and the other end connected with the first rib; a resilient member disposed between the middle runner and the lower runner, and compressible due to the middle runner and the lower runner movement; a first canopy combined to the upper runner and a second canopy combined to the lower runner for covering the skeleton linkages; and a handle. Therefore, the folding and expanding operation of the umbrella are facilitated.

An intelligent shading umbrella comprises a base assembly, a stem assembly coupled to a base assembly, and a center support assembly coupled to a stem assembly, the center support assembly comprising one or more arm support assemblies. The intelligent shading umbrella further comprises one or more blades, coupled to the arm support assemblies, a shading fabric, coupled to at least the one or more blades; and a camera, the camera to capture images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella. The camera may be located in the center support assembly and the center support assembly may rotate with respect to the base assembly, allowing the camera to capture a variety of images of an area in proximity to the intelligent shading umbrella.

Some umbrellas include a support assembly, canopy assembly, and a toroidal air bladder. The support assembly includes a pump and a handle. The canopy assembly includes a plurality of support ribs attached to the handle, and a sheet attached to each of the support ribs. The toroidal air bladder is coupled to the air pump, and the air bladder disposed about the handle and engages the support ribs.

An intelligent umbrella includes a wireless communication transceiver to receive commands or messages from a mobile computing device and an integrated computing device, the integrated computing device including one or more memory devices, one or more processors and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to receive the commands or messages, via the wireless communication transceiver from the mobile computing device and to generate instructions, signals, commands and/or messages, based, at least in part on the received commands or messages from the mobile computing device. The computer-readable instructions are executable by the one or more processors to communicate the generated instructions, signals, commands or messages to one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to cause the one or more assemblies of the intelligent umbrella to move in a specified manner.

Systems, methods, and computer-readable storage devices for providing directions haptically such that sight and hearing can continue unimpeded. In one exemplary embodiment, a wearable device (such as earphones, ear rings, gloves, glasses, or other wearable objects) configured as disclosed herein receives directions to an intended destination for a user, the directions comprising a movement action and a distance to the movement action. The wearable device has multiple haptic output units and generates, through one of those units, a haptic output based on the directions. This allows the user to receive the directions through touch rather than looking at their mobile device or from audio.

Disclosed is an electrically folding and unfolding multi-fold umbrella, which includes a handle, a pull cord, and an intermediate shaft, the handle is defined at one end of the intermediate shaft, an upper nest and a lower nest are defined at two sides of the intermediate shaft respectively, and the lower nest is adjacent to the handle, a motor, a first gear, and at least one pulley are all located in the upper nest, the first gear is coaxial with one pulley, a side of the motor defines a lead screw, an axis of the pulley is connected to an inner surface of the upper nest, a fixed pulley is defined at a side of an inner surface of the lower nest, one end of the pull cord is fixed in the end of the intermediate shaft, the other end of the pull cord is fixed on the upper nest.