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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/722,992, filed Nov. 6, 2012, and entitled “WINDOW COVERING MULTI-LIFT SYSTEM,” the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of Invention 
         [0003]    This invention relates to window coverings and more specifically, to techniques for raising and lowering multiple shades through the use of a single motor and for moving a single shade as well as multiple shades in a top-down, bottom-up configuration via two motors. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Blinds, curtains, shades, and other window coverings (a.k.a., treatments) help beautify a home as well as make it more energy efficient. For example, lowered blinds and shades are able to block light from entering closed windows on a warm sunny day, thereby mitigating waste of air conditioning expenses. Alternatively, raised blinds and shades permit light to pass through a closed window on a cold, but sunny day, thereby mitigating heating expenses to some extent. Typically, home occupants will manually raise and/or lower blinds and shades in order to adjust the desired amount of sunlight passing through a window. 
         [0006]    A single roman or woven wood shade may be equipped with an electrical motor to mechanically raise and lower the shade. For example, manufacturers offer a roman or woven wood shade with a tube motor (a.k.a., tubular motor) built into the winding tube. These motors comprise an electric geared motor with a bidirectional output shaft having a keyed wheel near one end of the motor that lowers and raises the respective blind or shade when actuated. See, e.g., United States Patent Application No. 2010/0078137 to Angelini, the disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Such a motor may be powered by one or more batteries or an electrical outlet near the window. The motor may also be controlled wirelessly via a remote control. Conventional motorized blinds and shades are relatively expensive since each blind or shade requires an internal expensive motor and associated control circuitry. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention overcomes these and other deficiencies of the prior art by providing a technique to motorize a plurality of window coverings through the use of a single motor. The motorized window covering technique disclosed herein, which is also referred to as a “multi-lift” window covering system, implements a single tube motor to raise and lower multiple window coverings such as, but not limited to blinds and shades. 
         [0008]    In an embodiment of the invention, a multiple window covering lift system comprises: a master shade and one or more slave shades, wherein the master shade and one or more slave shades each comprise a head rail and a bottom portion; means for raising and lowering the head rails of the master shade and one or more slave shades; and means for raising and lowering the bottom portions of the master shade and one or more slave shades relative to the head rails of the respective master shade and one or more slave shades. The means for raising and lowering the head rails of the master shade and one or more slave shades comprises a first tube motor. The means for raising and lowering the bottom portions of the master shade and one or more slave shades relative to the head rails of the respective master shade and one or more slave shades comprises a second tube motor separate and apart from the first tube motor. The first tube motor and the second tube motor are disposed within the master shade. The one or more slave shades are coupled to the first tube motor and the second tube motor through a plurality of cords. 
         [0009]    In another embodiment of the invention, a multiple window covering lift system comprises: a master shade and one or more slave shades, wherein the master shade and one or more slave shades each comprise a head rail and a bottom portion; a first tube motor coupled to the head rails of the master shade and one or more slave shades through a first set of cords; and a second tube motor coupled to the bottom portions of the master shade and one or more slave shades through a second set of cords. Actuation of the first tube motor raises or lowers the head rails of the master shade and one or more slave shades. Actuation of the second tube motor raises or lowers the bottom portions of the master shade and one or more slave shades relative to the head rails of the respective master shade and one or more slave shades. The first tube motor and the second tube motor are disposed within the master shade. 
         [0010]    An advantage of the present invention is that the decreased expense of motorizing a plurality of window coverings as only a single motor is required—conventional window treatment systems require a motor for every window covering. Accordingly, fewer junction boxes need to be installed with less electrical wiring, thereby fewer circuits. Another advantage of the present invention is that the plurality of window coverings all lift and close at the exact same rate of speed. 
         [0011]    Another advantage is that the window treatment/design industry has a problem automating certain window coverings that are less than 18 or 19 inches wide for an inside mount installation because the motors are presently wider than that length. In addition, when a room has a series of windows and one is too narrow, there are only a few options available. One is to put a non-operational or corded treatment in that window and motorize the other window treatments. Another is to forego the motorization all together. The foregoing, and other features and advantages of the invention, will be apparent from the following, more particular description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, the accompanying drawings, and the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0012]    For a more complete understanding of the present invention, the objects and advantages thereof, reference is now made to the ensuing descriptions taken in connection with the accompanying drawings briefly described as follows: 
           [0013]      FIG. 1  illustrates a shade multi-lift system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 2  illustrates a shade slave two-piece head rail according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 3  illustrates the slave shade of  FIG. 2 ; 
           [0016]      FIGS. 4A and 4B  illustrate fastening of an A-Rail and B-Rail in the slave shade of  FIG. 2  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of shade serving a remote window. multi-lift system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top down bottom up shade system according to an embodiment of the invention; 
           [0019]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  illustrate a side view of the top down bottom up shade system of  FIG. 6  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  illustrates the movement of the top down bottom up shade system of  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9  illustrates location of the two motors in the top down bottom up shade system of  FIG. 6  according to exemplary embodiments of the invention; and 
           [0022]      FIG. 10  illustrates a multiple window shade lift system according to an embodiment of the invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    Further features and advantages of the invention, as well as the structure and operation of various embodiments of the invention, are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying  FIGS. 1-10 , wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements. Although the invention is described in the context of roman shades, one of ordinary skill in the art readily appreciates that the present invention can be implemented in other types of window treatments such as, but not limited to roller shades, awnings, fabric shades including, but not limited to Austrian shades, back tuck shades, front tuck shades, and flat shades, woven wood shades, mini-blinds, 2 inch and 3 inch tilt slat blinds, sangria la and silhouette blind style shades, pleated shades, double sun blocking and sun filtering cell shades. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  illustrates a top down-bottom up shade multi-lift system  100  according to an embodiment of the invention. Top down-bottom up refers to the ability of the shade to be drawn opened and closed (i.e., lower and raised) relative to the top portion of the shade, as well as the entire shade being able to move relative to the applicable window. As illustrated, the shade multi-lift system  100  comprises a master shade  110  and two slave shades  120  and  130 . Although two slave shades are shown, other embodiments of the invention may include only one slave shade or three or more slave shades. The master shade  110  comprises a first tube motor  105  and a second tube motor  106 . The slave shades  120  and  130  do not include any type of motor. Rather, as described in more detail below, the slave shades  120  and  130  are motorized via the tube motor  105  and tube motor  106  of the master shade  110 . Although not shown, the master shade  110  and slave shades  120  and  130  are each affixed to or near a window frame of a corresponding window, i.e., shades  110 ,  120 , and  130  collectively cover three windows. 
         [0025]    The tube motor  105  is coupled to the shade material of the master and slave shade  110 ,  120  and  130  via cords  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  122 ,  124 ,  132  and  134 . The tube motor  106  is coupled to the shade material of head rail (or “C” Rail) of the blind  110  via cords  118  and  119 . The illustration of the cords  112 ,  114 ,  116 ,  118 , and  119  is exemplary only and in other embodiments, any number of cords may be used depending on, among other things, the size and/or weight of the shade material. The shade material may comprise fabric, plastic such as vinyl, wood, aluminum and other metals, and cellular materials. One end of the cords  112 ,  114 , and  116  is attached to the tube motor  105 . The other end of the cords  112 ,  114 , and  116  is attached to the bottom of the blind material. The master shade  110  is depicted in its fully lowered position. Upon actuation of the tube motor  105 , the shade material is raised relative to its head rail as the motor  105  rotates and thereby, winds the cords  112 ,  114 , and  116  around its outer surface. Rotating the motor  105  in the opposite direction unwinds the cords  112 ,  114 , and  116 , thereby lowering the shade material relative to its head rail. In other words, tube motor  105  actuates the opening and closing of the shade  110 . 
         [0026]    One end of cords  118  and  119  are attached to the second tube motor  106  and the other end of cords  118  and  119  are attached to the “C” head rail for the top-down option to operate. Upon actuation of the motor  106 , the “C” head rail and hence the entire blind  110  is raised and lowered depending on the rotation direction of the motor. 
         [0027]    Tube motor  105  is also coupled to cords  122  and  124  of slave shade  120  and cords  132  and  134  of slave shade  130 . One end of the cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136  is attached to the tube motor  105 . The other end of the cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136  is attached to the bottom of the respective shade material. The cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136  travel through one or more conduits  140 , which are ideally frictionless or near frictionless in order to prevent the cords from being hung up. When the tube motor  105  is actuated, for example, in a raising state, the shade material of slave shades  120  and  130  is raised as the motor rotates and winds the cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136  around its outer surface. Rotating the motor  105  in the opposite direction unwinds the cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136 , thereby lowering the respective shade materials. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the particular length of cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136  is optimally set in order to synchronize the movement of shades  110 ,  120 , and  130 , i.e., the bottom of all three shades form a straight line during raising and lowering. 
         [0028]    Likewise, tube motor  106  is also coupled to cords  126  and  128  of slave shade  120  and cords  136  and  138  of slave shade  130 . One end of the cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138  is attached to the tube motor  106 . The other end of the cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138  is attached to the head rail of the respective shade material. The cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138  travel through the one or more conduits  140 . When the tube motor  106  is actuated, for example, in a raising state, the head rail of slave shades  120  and  130  is raised as the motor rotates and winds the cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138  around its outer surface. Rotating the motor  106  in the opposite direction unwinds the cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138 , thereby lowering the head rails. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the particular length of cords  126 ,  128 ,  136 , and  138  is optimally set in order to synchronize the movement of shades  110 ,  120 , and  130 , i.e., the head rails of all three shades form a straight line during raising and lowering. 
         [0029]    The shades  110 ,  120 , and  130  may each include aesthetic treatments referred to as A-Rail, B-Rail, C-Rail, and D-Rail. As explained in further detail below, the joining of an A-Rail and B-Rail form an internal conduit for cords  122 ,  124 ,  132 , and  136 . C-Rail and D-Rail are optional respective head rail and bottom rail treatments. 
         [0030]    In an alternative embodiment, micro-switches or optical sensors may be employed to start or stop the motors  105  and  106 . For example, a switch may be deployed on the bottom of the B-Rail. When the switch is in a closed position, i.e., the C-Rail is pressed against the B-Rail sufficiently, the D-Rail may be raised and lowered via motor  105 . When this switch becomes open, i.e., the C-Rail has moved away from the B-Rail by activation of the motor  106 , motor  105  is rendered inoperable. This prevents the cords from overly-slacking or tangling up and breaking. 
         [0031]    In another embodiment, the shades  110 ,  120 , and  130  comprise two sections, on one of which is opaque (i.e., doesn&#39;t allow the majority of light to pass through) and another which is translucent (i.e., does allow the majority of light to pass through). For example, a bottom portion of the shade is opaque. When the applicable shade is lowered via motor  106 , say halfway, the opaque shade is folded up at the bottom of the window and only the translucent portion is shown. Similarly, the shade can be raised so that only the opaque shade is exposed. This way, one can alternative between opaque and translucent shades. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  illustrates a slave shade  200  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Here, only the top portion of the shade  200  is shown. The slave shade  200  comprises a A-Rail  210 , a B-Rail  220 , lift cords  222 ,  224 , and  226 , multiple eye screws  230 , multiple ferrules  235 , an a conduit  240 . One end of each cord  222 ,  224 , and  226  is attached to a bottom portion (not shown) of the respective blind material of blind  200 . The other end of each cord  222 ,  224 , and  226  is attached to a motor (not shown) of a master shade (not shown). The cords  222 ,  224 , and  226  pass through the B-Rail  220 , the openings of which are protected by one or more ferrules  235 , then through one or more eye screws  230  into the conduit  240 , and on to a motor of the master shade. The eye screws  230  and ferrules  235  mitigate friction as the cords  222 ,  224 , and  226  travel. In an embodiment of the invention, the conduit  240  comprises ¼ inch vinyl, aluminum, or copper tubing. Alternatively, the conduit comprises ⅛ inch vinyl, aluminum, or copper tubing. 
         [0033]      FIG. 3  illustrates the slave shade  200  with the A-Rail  210  and B-Rail  220  not affixed to one another in order to better show the eye screws  220  and ferrules  235 . In actual use, the A-Rail  210  and B-Rail  220  would be joined to one another as shown in  FIG. 2  (as well as  FIG. 4 ). Alternatively, eye screws  220  and ferrules  235  could be replaces with polished rollers, polished guilds and pins, pulleys, tubing that has a  90 -degree sweeping bend, or plastic channel guilds. 
         [0034]      FIG. 4  illustrates fastening of the A-Rail  210  and B-Rail  220  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Particularly,  FIG. 4A  depicts the fastening of the A-Rail  210  to the B-Rail  220  via screws.  FIG. 4B  depicts an end view of the A-Rail  210  and B-Rail  220  upon fastening. Here, a channel has been provided in the A-Rail  210  to house the conduit  240 . The A-Rail  210  and B-Rail  220  may comprise any type of construction material such as, but not limited wood, particle board, plastic, or aluminum. Although screws are shown as a fastening means, other types of fasteners may be used, the identification and implementation of which is apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, to join A-Rail  210  to B-Rail  220 . 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  illustrates a top view of shade multi-lift system  500  according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the shade multi-lift system  500  is adapted to run cords around a corner of a room. For example, referring back to  FIG. 1 , the master shade  110  and the slave shade  120  may cover windows not located within the same wall, i.e., plane. In other words, the master shade  110  is located on a wall  510  adjacent to a wall  520  where slave shade  120  is located. Accordingly, to compensate for the ninety degree turn in which the cords  122  and  124  must make to travel from the slave shade  120  to the motor  105  of the master shade  120 , a portion of the conduit  140  may be disposed on or within the two adjacent walls  510  and  520 . In one embodiment of the invention, the conduit  140  may be located internal to or within the drywall of walls  510  and  520  and covered up with spackling and matching paint to hide the presence of the conduit  140 . Alternatively, the conduit  140  may be located on the outer surface of walls  510  and  520  and covered up with wood trim moldings or the like. Alternatively, the conduit  140  may be retrofitted into the framework, attics, and basements of the home and run back to a centralized area with lift motors that are remotely located. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top down bottom up shade system  600  according to an embodiment of the invention. “Top down bottom up” refers to an entire, single shade being able to move up and down relative to a window, as well as the blind material of the single roman shade being able to move up and down relative to the top portion of the single shade. The top down bottom up shade system  600  comprises a shade  610 , a first tube motor  620 , and a second tube motor  630  (not shown, but hidden). The shade  610  comprises a lift cord  612 , an A-Rail  614 , a B-Rail  616 , a C-Rail  618 , and a D-Rail (not shown). One end of the lift cord  612  is attached to a bottom portion (not shown) of the respective blind material of blind  610 . The other end of each the cord  612  is attached to the first motor  620 . The shade  610  is depicted in its fully lowered position. Upon actuation of the first motor  620 , the blind material is raised as the motor  620  rotates and thereby, winds the cord  612  around its outer surface. Rotating the motor  620  in the opposite direction unwinds the cord  612 , thereby lowering the blind material. 
         [0037]    The second tube motor  630  is coupled to the C-Rail  618  of the shade  610  through a lift cord  632 . Particularly, one end of the lift cord  632  is attached to a termination point on the C-Rail. The other end of the lift cord  632  is attached to the second motor  630 . Upon actuation of the second motor  630 , the entire shade  610  is raised as the motor  630  winds the cord  631  around its outer surface. Rotating the motor  630  in the opposite direction unwinds the cord  632 , thereby lowering the entire shade  610 . 
         [0038]    In an optional embodiment of the invention, the first motor  620  can be used to drive a slave shade (not shown) via a conduit  640  and one or more lift cords  642  coupled to the slave shade. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7  illustrates a side view of the top down bottom up shade system  600  according to an exemplary embodiment of the invention. Particularly,  FIG. 7A  shows a lift cord  632  attached to the C-Rail  618  via an anchor screw  710 .  FIG. 7B  (which shows a portion of  FIG. 7A  in greater detail) shows that the lift cord  632 , as well as the lift cord  612 , travels through a conduit  720 , which is attached to the C-Rail  618  via staples  722 . In an embodiment of the invention, the conduit  720  comprises ⅛ th  inch vinyl tubing. 
         [0040]      FIG. 8  illustrates the movement of the top down bottom up shade system  600 . In one instance, the shade  610  is able to move up and down relative to the A-Rail  614  and the B-Rail  616 . In another instance, the blind material of the shade  610  is able to be raised and lowered relative to the C-Rail  618 , i.e., the D-Rail  619  can be raised and lowered relative to the C-Rail. If both the first motor  620  and second motor  630  are actuated at the same time, both of the above-noted instances of movement may occur simultaneously. 
         [0041]      FIG. 9  illustrates different attachment configurations of the first motor  620  and second motor  630  to the A-Rail  614  and B-Rail  616  according to exemplary embodiments of the invention. 
         [0042]      FIG. 10  illustrates a multiple window shade lift system  1000  according to an embodiment of the invention. Here, the system  1000  comprises a single motor  1010  and a drum assembly  1020 , which is driven by the motor via a belt  1015 . The drum assembly comprises differently sized, i.e., varying diameters, cylinders  1020 A, B, C, D, and E. Each cylinder  1020 A-E is associated with a window shade. Thus, in the embodiment shown, drum assembly is coupled to five windows. One of ordinary skill in the art recognizes that any number of cylinders and hence windows may be implemented. Each cylinder  1020 A-E is coupled to one or more lift cords that are coupled to the respective window shade. The varying diameters of the cylinders  1020 A-E will draw or release the respective lift cords at varying speeds—speed increases as the diameter increases. Thus, the cylinders  1020  can be appropriately sized to raise and lower a window shade at a desired speed. Accordingly, the single motor  1010  can lift multiple window shades in several different rooms of a building. The system  1000  can be located in an attic, closet, or wherever is appropriate (ideally hidden from view). Optionally, actuators  1030 A-E may be employed to engage and disengage the respective cylinders  1020 A-E. 
         [0043]    Remote automation can be implemented via the use of temperature sensors, which trigger the raising and lowering of the blinds if the applicable room gets too hot or too cold and home automation system. 
         [0044]    The invention has been described herein using specific embodiments for the purposes of illustration only. It will be readily apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, however, that the principles of the invention can be embodied in other ways. Therefore, the invention should not be regarded as being limited in scope to the specific embodiments disclosed herein, but instead as being fully commensurate in scope with the following claims.

Summary:
The present disclosure describes a method and system by which a biometric client with a unique device ID and one or more biometric probes may request a token/certificate that may be used as an authentication credential for one or more cloud-based applications. Using a mobile or stationary computing device, the biometric client may submit one or more biometric probes along with an associated device ID to a cloud biometric authentication system, wherein said cloud biometric authentication system may use the device ID to search biometric templates for matching. If the comparison results in a successful match, a token/certificate is generated and returned to the biometric client. Until expiration, the biometric client may use said token/certificate to access one or more cloud-based applications.