Motorized blind control devices, methods of use thereof

Abstract

Systems and methods for controlling blind systems and other systems with moving parts are disclosed. Certain systems and methods couple to a blind system, and include one or more transceiving, processing, sensor, motion delivery, power delivery, and various other components for collectively or individually controlling a blind system to open or close its blinds. Certain systems and methods utilize preprogrammed control instructions stored locally, or user-initiated control signals received from remote devices to control the blind system.

1 . An apparatus configured to control the opening and closing of one or more blinds, the apparatus comprising:
 a gear box;   a first gear disposed in the gear box, wherein the first gear is configured to control the opening and closing of the one or more blinds.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a first set of structural features configured to couple to a corresponding second set of structural features of a tilt controlling attachment; and   the tilt controlling attachment, wherein the tilt controlling attachment includes: the second set of structural features; and   a second gear configured to transfer mechanical power generated by a blind control device to the first gear.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the tilt controlling attachment further includes: a magnetic clutch configured to prevent application of mechanical force onto the first gear from the second gear when the blind control device generates the mechanical power after the one or more blinds have been fully opened or fully closed. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the second gear includes a magnetic clutch that is configured to prevent application of mechanical force onto the first gear from the second gear when the blind control device generates the mechanical power after the one or more blinds have been fully opened or fully closed. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the blind control device includes:
 control circuitry;   a power source; and   a motor configured to generate the mechanical power.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein the gear box further includes: a third gear configured to transfer the mechanical power from the second gear to the first gear, wherein the third gear causes the first gear to rotate faster than the second gear. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gear box includes:
 a second gear;   a spring coupled to the second gear;   a motor; and   a third gear coupled to the motor, wherein the third gear is configured to deliver mechanical power generated by the motor to the first gear through the second gear,   wherein a first state of the spring prevents the second gear from contacting the third gear so the mechanical power generated by the motor is not delivered to the second gear, and   wherein a second state of the spring causes the second gear to contact the third gear so the mechanical power generated by the motor is delivered to the second gear.   
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the gear box further includes: a fourth gear, wherein the first state of the spring causes the second gear to contact the fourth gear so that mechanical power generated by a tilt controlling attachment is delivered to the first gear through the second gear and the fourth gear. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gear box includes:
 a second gear having a cavity configured to receive a third gear of a tilt controlling attachment that transfers mechanical power to the second gear, which transfers the mechanical power to the first gear.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the gear box includes:
 a second gear having a structural feature that extends outside of the gear box and that is configured to insert into a cavity of a tilt controlling attachment that transfers mechanical power to the second gear, which transfers the mechanical power to the first gear.