An automatically controlled umbrella system includes an existing non-automated umbrella including an umbrella base, an umbrella pole and an umbrella frame; an automation attachment connected to the umbrella frame to automate the opening or closing of the umbrella frame; and a mobile computing device, the mobile computing device comprising processor(s); memory device(s); wireless communication transceiver(s); and computer-readable instructions stored in the memory device(s), the computer-readable instructions executable by the processor(s) to communicate instructions, commands or messages to the automation attachment via the wireless communication transceiver(s) to open or close the umbrella frame. The automation attachment includes processor(s), memory device(s) and computer-readable instructions stored in the memory device(s), the computer-readable instructions executable by the processor(s) to control operation of the automation attachment.

An automatically operated automation attachment includes one or more processors; one or more memory devices; one or more wireless communication transceivers; and computer-readable instructions stored in the one or more memory devices. The computer-readable instructions executable by the one or more processors to receive parameters or settings; store the parameters or settings in the one or more memory devices; and automatically communicate instructions, commands or messages to assemblies or components of the automation attachment to cause the assemblies or components to perform specific actions.

An automation attachment for an existing umbrella includes a housing having an opening in an interior of the housing, one or more couplers or connectors to connect the opening of the housing to a center support pole or umbrella of the existing umbrella, a motor and pulley assembly, located inside the housing, to connect to a rope of the existing umbrella and pull on or release the rope in order to expand or retract an umbrella frame of the existing umbrella; and a rechargeable power source assembly, located inside the housing, to transfer power to the motor and pulley assembly for operation of the motor and pulley assembly.

An automation attachment for an existing umbrella includes a housing having an opening in an interior of the housing, one or more couplers or connectors to connect the opening of the housing to a center support pole or umbrella of the existing umbrella, a motor and pulley assembly, located inside the housing, to connect to a rope of the existing umbrella and pull on or release the rope in order to expand or retract an umbrella frame of the existing umbrella; and a rechargeable power source assembly, located inside the housing, to transfer power to the motor and pulley assembly for operation of the motor and pulley assembly.

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.

A shading system includes a base assembly, core assembly, a sensor expansion module coupled to the core assembly module, wherein the sensor expansion module includes one or more arm support assemblies; one or more arms connected to the one or more arm support assemblies. The base assembly includes one or more motors, one or more processors; one or more memory modules; a base motor controller; and computer-readable instructions, which when executed communicate movement direction and distance instructions to a base motor controller. The base assembly includes one or more motors, wherein the base motor controller converts the received movement direction and/or distance instructions to movement direction and/or distance commands, and communicates the movement direction and/or distance commands to the one or more motors to physically move the base assembly.

The formation of dynamic, micro-climate groups consisting of passive and active weather collecting devices is provided. Such devices may collect weather information in real-time. The collected information may be distributed weather information and or forecasts to individuals in a particular geographical area or to other subscribers.

There is a flask assembly comprising a container body having a void therein for containing a fluid. A canopy is removably coupled to a top portion of the container body. A handle cap is removably coupled to a bottom portion of the container body, through which the void is accessible. A channel is disposed along a length of the container body. A body runner is disposed substantially around a diameter of the container body between the canopy and the handle cap, and slidably coupled to the channel. A plurality of stretchers are hingedly coupled to the body runner and extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of ribs are coupled to the stretchers at an end opposite the runner and extending outwardly therefrom and coupled to the canopy such that when the stretchers are in a deployed mode the canopy is held open by the ribs.

An umbrella includes a base assembly, a core assembly connected to the base assembly, the core assembly including a skin covering, a tubular assembly; and an electronics housing and an arm expansion assembly connected to the core assembly to expand or retract one or more umbrella arms. The electronics housing includes an opening or a space through which the tubular assembly passes and the electronics housing is located underneath the skin covering. The electronics housing also includes one or more sensor assemblies to capture sensor measurements in an area surrounding the umbrella.

The formation of dynamic, micro-climate groups consisting of passive and active weather collecting devices is provided. Such devices may collect weather information in real-time. The collected information may be distributed weather information and or forecasts to individuals in a particular geographical area or to other subscribers.