Patent ID: 6283190
Filing Date: 2001-09-04
Classification: E06B

Abstract:
A programmable window blind assembly, comprising:a window blind device including a top housing, a blind unit, and a pull cord unit connected operably to said blind unit for moving said blind unit between a fully retracted position and an extended position relative to said top housing;a motor drive unit including a bi-directional motor that has a drive shaft coupled to said pull cord unit such that rotation of said drive shaft can result in movement of said blind unit between the fully retracted position and the extended position; anda controller includinga sensor unit associated operably with said drive shaft of said motor, said sensor unit generating motor rotation signals for indicating angular speed and angular displacement of said drive shaft;a programmable data storage device for storing fully retracted blind position information and extended blind position information which may be user-defined therein; anda processor connected to said sensor unit, said programmable data storage device and said motor, said processor controlling said motor to operate in a first direction for moving said blind unit to the fully retracted position and in a second direction for moving said blind unit to the extended position,wherein said processor is operable in a normal operating mode, where said processor terminates operation of said motor in the first direction upon determining that said blind unit has reached the fully retracted position based on the position information stored in said programmable data storage device and the motor rotation signals from said sensor unit, and where said processor terminates operation of said motor in the second direction upon determining that said blind unit has means for generating an error signal when passage of said predetermined time has occurred, and means for terminating operation in said blind position learning mode upon occurrence of said error signal.