JP7650714B2 - Electric blind device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to an electric blind device that controls the operation of a shading material by driving a motor.

The electric blind device can move multiple slats that are extended in either the horizontal or vertical direction, as well as adjust the inclination angle of the multiple slats. Such operations are performed by operating a wired switch connected by a wire, a wireless remote control, or an operating device such as a tablet or wireless communication terminal that is linked to the electric blind device (see Patent Document 1).

JP 2019-105111 A

However, the various operating devices mentioned above are likely to be touched by an unspecified number of people. Therefore, if bacteria or viruses are attached to the operating devices, there is a risk of the bacteria or viruses being transmitted.

The present invention aims to provide an electric blind device that can be operated without contact, reducing the risk of transmitting bacteria, viruses, etc.

According to one aspect, one embodiment of the electric blind device of the present invention has a shading unit that blocks external light, a drive unit that operates the shading unit, a detection unit that detects nearby objects in a non-contact manner, and a control unit that controls the drive unit in response to the detection unit detecting the object.

The light blocking unit has a plurality of light blocking plates extending horizontally and arranged at a predetermined interval in the vertical direction, and a rail member that moves up and down by being driven by the drive unit to move the plurality of light blocking plates up and down, and the detection unit is provided on the rail member of the light blocking unit.

In this case, the device is disposed above the plurality of light shielding plates and has a storage section for storing the drive section, the drive section includes a first drive section for raising or lowering the rail member, the detection section includes a first detection section, a second detection section, and a third detection section, and the control section raises the rail member by the first drive section when the first detection section detects that the object is approaching, lowers the rail member by the first drive section when the second detection section detects that the object is approaching, and stops the raising or lowering of the rail member when the third detection section detects that the object is approaching.

The drive unit includes a second drive unit that adjusts the inclination angle of the multiple light-shielding plates, and the detection unit includes a fourth detection unit and a fifth detection unit. When the fourth detection unit detects that the object is approaching, the control unit causes the second drive unit to rotate each of the multiple light-shielding plates in one direction, and when the fifth detection unit detects that the object is approaching, the control unit causes the second drive unit to rotate each of the multiple light-shielding plates in a direction opposite to the one direction.

The device also has a measurement unit that measures the time that the object is detected by the detection unit, and the control unit drives the drive unit when a certain period of time has elapsed since the object was detected by the detection unit.

The device also includes a measuring unit that measures the time when the object is detected by the detection unit, and a display unit that displays one of a plurality of preset stop positions of the rail member depending on the time when the object is detected by the detection unit, and the control unit drives the drive unit to move the rail member to the stop position displayed on the display unit.

In this case, the display unit has a number of LEDs arranged in a row, the detection unit is arranged in two places on the rail member, and when one of the detection units arranged in the two places on the rail member detects the object, the number of LEDs is turned on while being switched sequentially in one direction, and when the other of the detection units arranged in the at least two places detects the object, the number of LEDs is turned on while being switched sequentially in the opposite direction from the one direction.

The detection unit is a first distance sensor that detects the distance to an object located below the rail member, and the control unit drives the drive unit to lower the rail member to the position of the object detected by the detection unit.

In this case, the detector includes a storage section that is disposed above the plurality of light shielding plates and that stores the drive unit, the detector includes a second distance sensor that is disposed above the plurality of light shielding plates and outside the storage section that stores the drive unit, and that measures the distance to the object above the rail member and close to the plurality of light shielding plates, and the controller drives the drive unit based on the distance measured by the second distance sensor.

The device also has a human body detection unit that detects an approaching human body, and the control unit enables the drive unit when the human body detection unit detects an approaching human body.

Also, from one point of view, one embodiment of the electric blind of the present invention is an electric blind device having a blind body having a shading part that blocks external light, and an operating device that operates the operation of the blind body, the operating device has a sensor part that detects the object close to the operating device, and a transmitting part that transmits an operation signal for the blind body to the blind body when the sensor part detects the object, and the blind body has a driving part that performs an operation on the shading part, a receiving part that receives the operation signal transmitted from the operating device, and a first control part that receives the operation signal received by the receiving part and controls the driving part.

The device also has a display unit that displays the operation content for the blind body, a measurement unit that measures the time when the object is detected by the sensor unit, and a second control unit that switches the operation content for the blind body to a different operation content and displays it on the display unit when a certain period of time measured by the measurement unit has elapsed, and the transmission unit transmits an operation signal based on the operation content displayed on the display unit to the blind body when the object is no longer detected by the sensor unit.

The operating device has an operating button, and when the operating button is operated while the object is detected by the sensor unit, the transmitting unit transmits an operation signal based on the operation of the operating button with priority.

The sensor unit is provided on the operating device at a position where an object holding the operating device does not approach when the operating button is operated while the operating device is being held.

The light shielding unit includes an upper light shielding unit and a lower light shielding unit located below the upper light shielding unit, and the first control unit controls at least one of the upper light shielding unit or the lower light shielding unit based on the operation signal transmitted from the operating device.

The light blocking unit includes a screen having an upper end attached to a winding member and a weight member disposed at the lower end of the screen to apply tension to the screen, and the drive unit rotates the winding member to unwind the screen wound around the winding member or wind the screen around the winding member.

In this case, it is preferable that the screen has an upper frame and a pair of vertical frames extending downward from both sides of the upper frame, and a frame body that supports the winding member across the pair of vertical frames at a position near the upper frame, the detection unit has a first detection unit and a second detection unit arranged on one of the pair of vertical frames, and the control unit drives the drive unit to perform the winding operation of the screen by rotating the winding member in one direction during a period from when the first detection unit detects the object's proximity to when it no longer detects the object, and drives the drive unit to perform the unwinding operation of the screen by rotating the winding member in the opposite direction to the one direction during a period from when the second detection unit detects the object's proximity to when it no longer detects the object.

In addition, the screen preferably includes an upper frame, a pair of vertical frames extending downward from both sides of the upper frame, a frame body that supports the winding member across the pair of vertical frames at a position near the upper frame, a measuring unit that measures the time at which the object is detected by the detection unit, and a display unit that is provided on at least one of the pair of vertical frames and displays the stop position of the weight member according to the detection time of the object by the detection unit, and the control unit drives the drive unit to wind up or unwind the screen until the weight member reaches the same height as the stop position displayed on the display unit.

According to the present disclosure, the operating device can be operated without direct contact. As a result, the transmission of bacteria, viruses, etc. can be prevented.

1A is a side view of an electric blind device according to a first embodiment, and FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a front view of the electric blind device shown in FIG. FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 1 . 4 is a flowchart relating to the raising and lowering of a bottom rail in an electric blind device. 1A is a front view of the electric blind device showing a state in which a hand is held over a sensor unit 22, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a change in state of the electric blind when a hand is held over the sensor unit 22. FIG. 1A is a front view of the electric blind device showing a state in which a hand is held over a sensor unit 24, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a change in state of the electric blind when a hand is held over the sensor unit 24. FIG. 1A is a front view of the electric blind device showing a state in which a hand is held over a sensor unit 23, and FIG. 1B is a side view showing a change in state of the electric blind when a hand is held over the sensor unit 23. FIG. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view showing the front of an electric blind device according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a functional block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 7 . 1A is a front view of the electric blind device showing a state in which a hand is held over a sensor unit 72, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the lighting state of the LED of the display unit. 4 is a flowchart relating to the raising and lowering of a bottom rail in an electric blind device. FIG. 2A is a front view of the electric blind device showing a state in which a hand is placed over the sensor unit 102 out of the two sensor units 101 and 102; FIG. 2B is an explanatory diagram showing the transition of the lighting state of the LED of the display unit. 13A is a side view of an electric blind device according to a third embodiment, and FIG. 13B is a partial cross-sectional view showing a front view of the electric blind device. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 12 . 4 is a flowchart relating to the raising and lowering of a bottom rail in an electric blind device. 1A is an explanatory diagram showing the operation when the bottom rail is lowered, and FIG. 1B is an explanatory diagram showing the operation when the bottom rail is raised. 1 is a front view showing an electric blind device according to a first embodiment, in which a detection device for detecting a human body is provided. FIG. FIG. 16 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 15 . 4 is a flowchart relating to the raising and lowering of a bottom rail in an electric blind device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a display example of a display unit of the operation device. FIG. 20 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 19 . 1A and 1B are diagrams illustrating an example of a display on a display unit of the operating device when a hand is held over the operating device. 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the operation device. 10 is a flowchart showing the flow of operation of the blind main body. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device according to a fifth embodiment. 1A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation panel, FIG. 1B is a diagram showing a state where a hand is placed over an upper instruction section, and FIG. 1C is a diagram showing a state where a hand is placed over a lowering instruction section. FIG. 27 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 26 . 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the electric blind device. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device according to a sixth embodiment. FIG. 2A is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of an operation panel, and FIG. 2B is a diagram showing a state in which a hand is placed over an instruction unit. FIG. 31 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 30 . 6A to 6C are diagrams illustrating an example of a transition of the lighting state of an LED in a display unit. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the electric blind device. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device according to a seventh embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view of the operating device, and FIGS. 2B to 2F are diagrams showing examples of displays on a display unit of the operating device. FIG. 36 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 35 . 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the operation device. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the device main body. FIG. 23 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device according to an eighth embodiment. FIG. 2A is a front view of the operation device, and FIGS. 2B to 2D are diagrams showing examples of displays on a display unit of the operation device. FIG. 41 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in FIG. 40 . 10 is a flowchart showing a flow of processing of the operation device. 4 is a flowchart showing the flow of operations of the device main body. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of an electric blind device in which two screens are arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction. FIG. 4 illustrates an example of an operation panel. FIG. 13 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device shown in the ninth embodiment. 5 is a flowchart showing a process flow in an operation panel. FIG. 1A is a diagram showing how a hand approaches an operation panel to operate an up button on the operation panel, and FIG. 1B is a diagram showing the distance from the operation panel to each finger when operating the up button on the operation panel.

The following describes an embodiment of an electric blind device according to the present invention with reference to the drawings. The following describes an example of an electric horizontal blind device that has multiple slats extending horizontally and a bottom rail.

First Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 1 , the electric blind device 10 includes multiple slats 11 , a bottom rail 12 and a head box 13 .

The multiple tiered slats 11 are suspended by ladder cords 14 that hang down from the center and both left and right sides of the head box 13. The multiple tiered slats 11 move up and down in accordance with the rise and fall of the bottom rail 12.

The bottom rail 12 is suspended and supported by the lower ends of ladder cords 14 hanging down from the head box 13 and the lower ends of lifting cords 15. The bottom rail 12 rises and falls by unwinding or winding the lifting cords 15. For example, when the bottom rail 12 lowers, the multiple tiers of slats 11 are suspended from the ladder cords 14 starting from the topmost slat 11. On the other hand, when the bottom rail 12 rises, the multiple tiers of slats 11 are pushed up from the bottommost slat 11 onto the rising bottom rail 12.

The bottom rail 12 has sensors 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 that detect the hands of the person operating the bottom rail 12 (hereinafter, the operator) without contact. Note that the positions of the sensors 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 relative to the bottom rail 12 are merely examples and are not limited to the positions shown in the figure.

Of the sensor units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 provided at five locations on the bottom rail 12, sensor unit 21 rotates each of the multiple tiered slats 11 to a fully closed state. Sensor unit 22 lowers the bottom rail 12. Sensor unit 23 stops the lowering or raising of the bottom rail 12 and the rotation of the multiple tiered slats 11 to a fully closed state or a reverse fully closed state. Sensor unit 24 raises the bottom rail 12. Sensor unit 25 rotates each of the multiple tiered slats 11 to a fully closed reverse state.

When the multiple slats 11 are in a fully closed state, each of the multiple slats 11 is inclined downward toward the outside. In this state, of two vertically adjacent slats 11, the upper end of the lower slat 11 overlaps with the inside of the lower end of the upper slat 11. If there is no gap between the adjacent slats 11, external light entering from diagonally above is completely blocked. On the other hand, if there is a gap between adjacent slats 11, some of the external light enters the interior while being reflected by the adjacent slats 11.

On the other hand, when the multiple slats 11 are in a reverse fully closed state, each of the multiple slats 11 is inclined downward toward the inside. In this state, of two vertically adjacent slats 11, the upper end of the lower slat overlaps with the outside of the lower end of the upper slat 11. If there is no gap between the adjacent slats 11, external light entering from diagonally above is completely blocked. On the other hand, if there is a gap between adjacent slats 11, external light enters the interior directly through the gap or is reflected by the adjacent slats 11.

The head box 13 has a motor 31, a drive shaft 32, an encoder 33, a support member 34, a control device 35, and a power supply device 36 inside.

The motor 31 connects one end of the drive shaft 32 to the output shaft. Reference numeral 37 denotes a coupler that connects the output shaft of the motor 31 and the drive shaft 32. The motor 31 rotates the drive shaft 32 forward and backward. Hereinafter, the rotation of the drive shaft 32 when lowering the bottom rail 12 is referred to as forward rotation, and the rotation of the drive shaft 32 when raising the bottom rail 12 is referred to as reverse rotation.

The encoder 33 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 35 to detect the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 32. As is well known, the encoder 33 has a disk-shaped slit plate and a photointerrupter. The disk-shaped slit plate is supported on the drive shaft. The photointerrupter detects multiple slits in the slit plate as the slit plate rotates. When the photointerrupter detects the slits in the slit plate as the slit plate rotates, the encoder 33 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 35.

The support member 34 has a lifting drum 39 and a tilting drum 40. The lifting drum 39 and the tilting drum 40 are fixed to the drive shaft 32. The lifting drum 39 and the tilting drum 40 may be formed integrally or separately.

In addition, in this embodiment, the lift drum 39 and tilt drum 40 are rotated by one drive shaft 32, but it is also possible to provide a drive shaft to fix the lift drum 39 and a drive shaft to fix the tilt drum 40, and rotate each drum individually by driving a motor.

The lifting drum 39 winds the lifting cord 15 around its outer periphery. When the drive shaft 32 rotates forward, for example, the lifting drum 39 pays out the wound lifting cord 15. This causes the bottom rail 12 to lower. When the drive shaft 32 rotates reversely, the lifting drum 39 winds up the lifting cord 15. This causes the lifting cord 15 to be pulled into the head box 13, and the bottom rail 12 to rise.

The tilt drum 40 wraps the ladder cord 14 around its outer periphery. The ladder cord 14 generates a predetermined frictional force against the tilt drum 40. Therefore, when the tilt drum 40 rotates, the ladder cord 14 is unwound in a predetermined direction. Although not shown, the ladder cord 14 has metal fittings in two places. When the metal fittings are unwound in a predetermined direction by the rotation of the tilt drum 40, one of the metal fittings abuts against the case (not shown) of the support member 34, preventing the ladder cord 14 from being unwound in the same direction. This causes the tilt drum 40 to spin freely relative to the ladder cord 14.

Figure 2 is a functional block diagram showing an example of the electrical configuration of an electric blind device. As shown in Figure 2, the electric blind device 10 includes a control device 35 and a detection device 50.

The control device 35 includes a CPU 51, a ROM 52, a RAM 53, and a communication unit 54. The CPU 51 executes a control program 55 to perform the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 56, a position calculation unit 57, and a drive control unit 58.

The rotation amount calculation unit 56 calculates the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 32 based on the pulse signal from the encoder 33 and by referring to the table data stored in the ROM 52.

The position calculation unit 57 calculates the position of the bottom rail 12. In detail, the position calculation unit 57 determines the amount of lifting cord 15 from the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 32 calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 56. The amount of lifting cord 15 that is pulled out from the lift drum 39 is proportional to the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 32. Therefore, the position calculation unit 57 calculates the amount of lifting cord 15 that is pulled out from the lift drum 39 from the calculated amount of rotation of the drive shaft 32. Here, if the bottom rail 12 is at the top end, the amount of lifting cord 15 is the amount of movement of the bottom rail 12 from the reference position. Therefore, the position of the bottom rail 12 can be specified by calculating the amount of lifting cord 15. Hereinafter, the position when the bottom rail 12 is at the top end is referred to as the upper limit position, and the position when the bottom rail 12 is at the lowest end is referred to as the lower limit position.

The drive control unit 58 receives a detection signal from the detection device 50 and controls the drive of the motor 31.

The ROM 52 stores the control program 55, as well as table data that associates the number of pulse signals with the amount of extension of the lift cord 15.

RAM 53 temporarily stores data calculated by CPU 51.

The communication unit 54 receives the detection signal transmitted from the communication unit 62 of the detection device 50.

The detection device 50 has the above-mentioned sensor units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, the timer unit 61, and the communication unit 62. The detection device 50 is provided, for example, inside the bottom rail 12.

The sensor units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 detect a hand held over the bottom rail 12 in a non-contact manner. The sensor units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 are non-contact sensors such as infrared sensors and capacitive proximity sensors.

The timer 61 measures the detection time when the operator's hand is detected in a non-contact manner by any of the sensors 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25.

The communication unit 62 transmits a detection signal to the control device 35 via wireless communication. The detection signal is transmitted when the detection time measured by the timing unit 61 has elapsed a preset time (hereinafter, the fixed time). The fixed time is, for example, 3 to 4 seconds. Hereinafter, a detection signal based on detection by the sensor unit 24 will be referred to as an up signal, a detection signal based on detection by the sensor unit 22 as a down signal, and a detection signal based on detection by the sensor unit 23 as a stop signal.

In the first embodiment, the detection device 50 has five sensor units 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25, but it is also possible to provide a detection device having one sensor unit in five locations.

Next, the process flow when the electric blind device 10 is driven will be described. Below, the process flow when the bottom rail 12 of the electric blind device 10 is raised and lowered will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 3. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 3 separates the process flow in the detection device 50 from the process flow in the control device 35. First, the process flow in the detection device 50 will be described.

Step S101 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 24. When an operator holds a hand near the sensor unit 24 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 24 detects the held hand without contact. For example, if the sensor unit 24 detects a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S101 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S102. On the other hand, if a hand is not held, the sensor unit 22 does not detect a hand. Therefore, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S101 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S106.

Step S102 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 50 starts timing.

Step S103 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. If the certain amount of time has passed since the detection device 50 detected the hand, the result of the determination process in step S103 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S104. If the certain amount of time has not passed since the detection device 50 detected the hand, the result of the determination process in step S103 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S105.

Step S104 is a process for transmitting an ascent signal. The detection device 50 transmits an ascent signal to the control device 35.

Step S105 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 24. If the sensor unit 24 has not detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S105 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S106. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 24 has detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S105 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S103.

Step S106 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 22. When the operator holds a hand near the sensor unit 22 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 22 detects the held hand without contact. For example, if the sensor unit 22 detects a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S106 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S107. On the other hand, if a hand is not held, the sensor unit 22 does not detect a hand. Therefore, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S106 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S111.

Step S107 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 50 starts timing.

Step S108 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. If the detection device 50 determines that a certain amount of time has passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S108 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S109. On the other hand, if the detection device 50 determines that a certain amount of time has not passed since detecting a hand, the process proceeds to step S110.

Step S109 is a process for transmitting a descent signal. The detection device 50 transmits a descent signal to the control device 35.

Step S110 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 22. If the sensor unit 22 has not detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S110 as Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S108. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 22 has detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S110 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S111.

Step S111 is a process for determining whether or not a hand has been detected. When an operator holds a hand near the sensor unit 23 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 23 detects the held hand without contact. For example, if the sensor unit 23 detects a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S111 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S112. On the other hand, if a hand is not held, the sensor unit 23 does not detect a hand. Therefore, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S111 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S101.

Step S112 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 50 starts timing.

Step S113 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. If the detection device 50 determines that a certain amount of time has passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S113 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S114. On the other hand, if the detection device 50 determines that a certain amount of time has not passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S113 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S115.

Step S114 is a process for transmitting a stop signal. The detection device 50 transmits a stop signal to the control device 35.

Step S115 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 23. If the sensor unit 23 has not detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S115 as Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S101. On the other hand, if the sensor unit 23 has detected a hand, the detection device 50 determines the result of the determination process in step S115 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S113.

The processing flow in the control device 35 is shown below.

Step S201 is a process for determining whether or not an up signal has been received. As described above, a certain time has elapsed since the sensor unit 24 of the detection device 50 detected a hand, and the detection device 50 transmits an up signal to the control device 35. If the control device 35 has received an up signal, the result of the determination process of step S201 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S202. On the other hand, if the control device 35 has not received an up signal, the result of the determination process of step S201 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S206.

Step S202 is a process for determining whether the motor is being driven in reverse. The control device 35 determines whether the motor 31 is being driven in reverse. If the motor 31 is being driven in reverse, the control device 35 sets the result of the determination process in step S202 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S206. That is, the motor 31 continues to be driven in reverse without switching the rotation. Therefore, the lifting drum 39, which continues to rotate in reverse, continues to wind up the lifting cord 15. As a result, the bottom rail 12 continues to rise.

On the other hand, if the motor 31 is not driven in reverse rotation, the control device 35 determines that the result of the determination process in step S202 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S203.

Step S203 is a process for determining whether or not the motor is being driven in forward rotation. If the motor 31 is being driven in forward rotation, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S203 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S204. On the other hand, if the motor 31 is not being driven in forward rotation, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S203 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S205.

Step S204 is a process for switching the rotation of the motor. The control device 35 switches the rotation drive of the motor 31 from forward rotation drive to reverse rotation drive. As a result, the lift drum 39, which had been rotating forward, rotates in reverse. Therefore, the lift drum 39, whose rotation has been switched from forward to reverse, winds up the lift cord 15. As a result, the bottom rail 12, which had been lowered, rises.

Step S205 is a process for driving the motor in reverse. If the judgment process in step S201 and the judgment process in step S203 are both No, this indicates that the motor 31 is stopped. The control device 35 drives the motor 31 in reverse. As a result, the lift drum 39, which was stopped, rotates in reverse. The lift drum 39, which has started to rotate in reverse, winds up the lift cord. As a result, the bottom rail 12, which was stopped, is raised.

As described above, if the control device 35 does not receive an up signal, in other words, if the result of the judgment process of step S201 is No, the control device 35 executes the process of step S206.

Step S206 is a process for determining whether or not a descent signal has been received. After a certain time has elapsed since the hand was detected by the sensor unit 22 of the detection device 50, the detection device 50 transmits a descent signal to the control device 35. If the control device 35 has received a descent signal, the result of the determination process of step S206 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S207. On the other hand, if the control device 35 has not received a descent signal, the result of the determination process of step S206 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S211.

Step S207 is a process for determining whether the motor is being driven in the forward direction. The control device 35 determines whether the motor 31 is being driven in the forward direction. If the motor 31 is being driven in the forward direction, the control device 35 sets the result of the determination process in step S207 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S211. That is, the motor 31 continues to be driven in the forward direction without switching the rotation. Therefore, the lifting drum 39, which continues to rotate in the forward direction, pays out the lifting cord 15. As a result, the bottom rail 12 continues to descend.

On the other hand, if the motor 31 is not driven in the forward direction, the control device 35 determines that the result of the determination process in step S207 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S208.

Step S208 is a process for determining whether or not the motor is being driven in reverse rotation. If the motor 31 is being driven in reverse rotation, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S208 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S209. On the other hand, if the motor 31 is not being driven in reverse rotation, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S209 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S210.

Step S209 is a process for switching the rotation of the motor. The control device 35 switches the rotation drive of the motor 31 from reverse rotation drive to forward rotation drive. As a result, the lift drum 39, which had been rotating in reverse, rotates forward. Therefore, the lift drum 39, whose rotation has been switched from reverse to forward, pays out the lift cord 15. As a result, the bottom rail 12, which had been raised, descends.

Step S210 is a process for driving the motor in the forward direction. If the judgment process in step S207 and the judgment process in step S208 are both No, this indicates that the motor 31 is stopped. The control device 35 drives the motor 31 in the forward direction. As a result, the lift drum 39, which was stopped, rotates in the forward direction. The lift drum 39, which has started to rotate in the forward direction, pays out the lift cord. As a result, the bottom rail 12, which was stopped, is lowered.

As described above, if the control device 35 does not receive an up signal or a down signal, in other words, if the results of the judgment process in step S201 and the judgment process in step S206 are both No, the control device 35 executes the process in step S211.

Step S211 is a process for determining whether or not a stop signal has been received. After a certain time has elapsed since the sensor unit 23 of the detection device 50 detected a hand, the detection device 50 transmits a stop signal to the control device 35. If the control device 35 has received a stop signal, the result of the determination process of step S211 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S212. On the other hand, if the stop signal has not been received, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process of step S211 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S201.

Step S212 is a process for determining whether or not the motor is being rotated. The control device 35 determines whether or not the motor 31 is being rotated. If the motor 31 is being rotated forward or reverse, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S212 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S213. On the other hand, if the motor 31 is not being rotated forward or reverse, the control device 35 determines the result of the determination process in step S212 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S201.

Step S213 is a process for stopping the drive of the motor. The control device 35 stops the drive of the motor 31. Therefore, the bottom rail 12, which has been rising or falling, stops.

For example, as shown in FIG. 4(a), when a hand is held near the sensor unit 22 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 22 detects the approaching hand. As shown in FIG. 4(b), when the bottom rail 12 is stopped, the bottom rail 12 rises (moves in the direction A in FIG. 4(b)). Also, when the bottom rail 12 is descending (moving in the direction B in FIG. 4(b)), if the sensor unit 22 detects an approaching hand, the bottom rail 12 stops descending and rises (moves in the direction A in FIG. 4(b)). Note that when the bottom rail 12 is ascending (moving in the direction A in FIG. 4(b)), if the sensor unit 22 detects an approaching hand, the bottom rail 12 continues to rise.

As shown in FIG. 5(a), when a hand is held near the sensor unit 24 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 24 detects the approaching hand. As shown in FIG. 5(b), when the bottom rail 12 is stopped, the bottom rail 12 descends (moves in the direction B in FIG. 5(b)). Note that when the bottom rail 12 is rising (moving in the direction A in FIG. 5(b)), if the sensor unit 24 detects an approaching hand, the bottom rail 12 stops rising and descends (moves in the direction B in FIG. 5(b)). Note that when the bottom rail 12 is descending (moving in the direction B in FIG. 5(b)), if the sensor unit 22 detects an approaching hand, the bottom rail 12 continues to descend.

As shown in FIG. 6(a), when a hand is held near the sensor unit 23 of the bottom rail 12, the sensor unit 23 detects the approaching hand. As shown in FIG. 6(b), when the bottom rail 12 is descending (moving in the direction A in FIG. 6(b)) or when the bottom rail 12 is ascending (moving in the direction B in FIG. 6(b)), the bottom rail 12 stops. Note that when the bottom rail 12 is stopped, the bottom rail 12 remains stopped even if the sensor unit 23 detects an approaching hand.

In this way, the bottom rail 12 rises when a hand is held near the sensor unit 22 for a certain period of time. The bottom rail 12 descends when a hand is held near the sensor unit 24 for a certain period of time. Furthermore, the bottom rail 12 stops when a hand is held near the sensor unit 23 for a certain period of time.

Therefore, the operator can operate the electric blind device with the simple action of waving his/her hand, without the need for an operating device such as a wired switch or wireless remote control that may be touched by an unspecified number of people, or a tablet or wireless mobile terminal that works with the electric blind device. In this case, for example, the operator can operate the electric blind device by simply waving his/her hand over the bottom rail 12, so there is no need to directly touch the operating device, reducing the risk of transmission of bacteria or viruses that may adhere to the surface of the operating device.

At this time, the bottom rail 12 can be raised or lowered, or the raising or lowering of the bottom rail 12 can be stopped, depending on the position where the hand is placed. Therefore, the electric blind device 10 can be easily operated by just the simple action of placing a hand.

In addition, the time that an object is detected is measured, and the drive unit is driven when a certain period of time has elapsed since the object was detected. Therefore, for example, unless a hand is detected for a certain period of time, the electric blind device 10 will not operate. Therefore, by setting the condition that a hand must be detected for a certain period of time, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the electric blind device 10, such as when the device operates simply because a person passes by.

The operation of rotating the multi-stage slats 11 is similar, and the multi-stage slats 11 rotate to the fully closed state or the reverse fully closed state a certain time after the hand is detected by the sensor unit 21 or the sensor unit 25 of the detection device 50. Similarly, the rotation of the multi-stage slats 11 is stopped a certain time after the hand is detected by the sensor unit 22 of the detection device 50. In this case, the operator can easily rotate the multi-stage slats 11 by simply placing his or her hand over a specified area of the bottom rail 12.

In the first embodiment, when raising and lowering the bottom rail 12 or rotating the multiple stages of slats 11, or when stopping these operations, the operator only needs to place his or her hand near the desired sensor unit on the bottom rail 12. However, in the first embodiment, the operator needs to place his or her hand near the desired sensor unit twice in total: when raising and lowering the bottom rail 12 and when stopping the raising and lowering of the bottom rail 12.

Therefore, it is possible to raise and lower the bottom rail to the desired position by simply waving a hand over the electric blind device once. Below, an embodiment in which the bottom rail can be raised and lowered to the desired position by simply waving a hand over the electric blind device once will be described as the second embodiment.

Second Embodiment
Fig. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view showing an example of the front of the electric blind device shown in the second embodiment. Fig. 8 is a functional block diagram of the electric blind device shown in Fig. 7. Note that the electric blind device shown in the second embodiment has a different configuration of the detection device, but the other configurations are the same. Therefore, the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment are used for the same configurations as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 7, the electric blind device 70 has a detection device 74 (see FIG. 8) inside the bottom rail 71, which has a sensor unit 72 for raising and lowering the bottom rail 71 and a sensor unit 73 for rotating the multiple stages of slats 11. The bottom rail 71 also has a display device 75 that shows the position of the bottom rail 71 and the rotation state of the multiple stages of slats 11.

As shown in FIG. 8, the electric blind device 70 has a detection device 74, a display device 75, and a control device 76.

The control device 76 has a CPU 77, a ROM 78, a RAM 79, and a communication unit 80. The CPU 77 executes a control program 81 stored in the ROM 78 to perform the functions of a drive amount calculation unit 82 and a drive control unit 83.

The drive amount calculation unit 82 calculates the drive amount of the motor 31 based on the position information attached to the detection signal transmitted from the detection device 74. In detail, the drive amount calculation unit 82 calculates the difference between the position of the bottom rail 71 based on the position information and the current position of the bottom rail 71. After calculating the difference between these positions, the drive amount calculation unit 82 calculates the drive amount of the motor 31 based on the difference in positions.

The drive control unit 83 controls the drive of the motor 31 based on the drive amount calculated by the drive amount calculation unit 82.

The detection device 74 has sensor units 72 and 73, a timer unit 85, and a communication unit 86. The sensor units 72 and 73 detect a hand held over the bottom rail 12 in a non-contact manner. The sensor units 72 and 73 are non-contact sensors such as infrared sensors and capacitive proximity sensors.

The timer 85 measures the time when the sensor 72 or 73 detects the operator's hand. The communication unit 86 transmits a switching signal to the display device 75 each time a certain period of time has elapsed since the time measured by the timer 85. The communication unit 86 also transmits a detection signal to the control device 76 when the detection of the hand by the sensor 72 or 73 is released. At this time, the communication unit 86 transmits the detection signal together with position information corresponding to the position of the LED that is lit on the display device 75.

The display device 75 has two display units 88, 89 and a display control circuit 90. The display unit 88 is, for example, a display unit for raising and lowering the bottom rail 71. The display unit 89 is a display unit for rotating the multiple stages of slats 11. Each display unit is, for example, composed of five LEDs.

Five LEDs 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 on the display unit 88 indicate the position of the bottom rail 71. In detail, LED 91 lights up when the bottom rail 71 indicates the upper limit position. LED 92 lights up when the bottom rail 71 indicates a position 25% of the lift distance of the bottom rail 71 from the upper limit position. LED 93 lights up when the bottom rail 71 indicates a position 50% of the lift distance of the bottom rail 71 from the upper limit position. LED 94 lights up when the bottom rail 71 indicates a position 75% of the lift distance of the bottom rail 71 from the upper limit position. LED 95 lights up when the bottom rail 71 indicates the lower limit position.

Five LEDs 96, 97, 98, 99, and 100 on the display unit 89 indicate the rotation state of the multi-stage slats 11. In detail, LED 96 is lit when the multi-stage slats 11 indicate a fully closed state. LED 97 is lit when the multi-stage slats 11 indicate a state intermediate between the fully closed state and a state in which the multi-stage slats 11 are horizontal (hereinafter, fully open state). LED 98 is lit when the multi-stage slats 11 indicate a fully open state. LED 99 is lit when the multi-stage slats 11 indicate a state intermediate between the fully open state and the reverse fully closed state. LED 100 is lit when the reverse fully closed state is indicated.

The display control circuit 90 receives a switching signal transmitted from the detection device 74 and controls the display of the display units 88 and 89 of the display device 75. For example, when the sensor unit 72 detects a hand, the display control circuit 90 controls the display of the display unit 88 in the following procedure.

9(a), when a hand is held near the sensor unit 72 of the bottom rail 71, the sensor unit 72 detects the hand. As shown in FIG. 9(b), for example, when the bottom rail 71 is at the upper limit position, the LED 91 of the LEDs 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 of the display unit 88 is first lit. Then, after a certain time has passed since the hand was detected, the LED 91 is turned off and the LED 92 is turned on. After a further certain time has passed, the LED 92 is turned off and the LED 93 is turned on. In this way, the LEDs that are lit on the display unit 88 are lit in the following order: "LED 91 → LED 92 → LED 93 → LED 94 → LED 95 → LED 91 → ...". The display control of the display unit 89 is similar. Hereinafter, the position of the LED 91 is P1, the position of the LED 92 is P2, the position of the LED 93 is P3, the position of the LED 94 is P4, and the position of the LED 95 is P5.

Next, the processing flow of the electric blind device 70 will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 10. Note that the flowchart shown in FIG. 10 separates the processing flow in the detection device 74, the processing in the display device 75, and the processing flow in the control device 35. First, the processing flow in the detection device 74 will be described.

Step S301 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 72. If a hand is detected by the sensor unit 72, the detection device 74 sets the result of the determination process of step S301 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S302. On the other hand, if a hand is not detected by the sensor unit 72, the detection device 74 sets the result of the determination process of step S301 to No. In this case, the detection device 74 continues to execute the determination process of step S301.

Step S302 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 74 starts timing.

Step S303 is a process for determining whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed. The detection device 74 checks the measured time and determines whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed. If the certain period of time has elapsed (reached), the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process in step S303 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S304. On the other hand, if the certain period of time has not elapsed, the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process in step S303 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S305.

Step S304 is a process of transmitting a switching signal. The detection device 74 transmits the switching signal to the display device 75.

Step S305 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 72. If a hand is not detected by the sensor unit 72, the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process in step S305 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S306. On the other hand, if a hand is detected by the sensor unit 72, the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process in step S305 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S303.

Step S306 is a process for determining whether or not position information has been received. If position information of the illuminated LED has been received from the display device 75, the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process of step S306 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S307. On the other hand, if position information of the illuminated LED has not been received from the display device 75, the detection device 74 determines the result of the determination process of step S306 as No. In this case, the detection device 74 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S306.

Step S307 is a process for transmitting a detection signal. The detection device 74 transmits a detection signal accompanied by LED position information to the control device 76. When step S307 ends, the detection device 74 returns to the process of step S301.

Next, we will explain the processing flow of the display device 75.

Step S401 is a process for checking the position of the lit LED. The display device 75 checks the position of the lit LED.

Step S402 is a process for determining whether or not the LED at position P5 is on. If the LED 89 at position P5 is on, the display device 75 determines the result of the determination process at step S402 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S403. On the other hand, if the LED 89 at position P5 is off, the display device 75 determines the result of the determination process at step S402 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S404.

Step S403 is a process of turning off the LED at position P5 and turning on the LED at position P1. The display device 75 turns off the LED 89 at position P5 and turns on the LED 85 at position P1.

Step S404 is a process of turning off the LED at position Pn (n = 1...4) and turning on the LED at position Pn+1. The display device 75 turns off the LED at position Pn and turns on the LED at position Pn+1.

Step S405 is a process for transmitting position information. The display device 75 transmits position information indicating the position of the lit LED to the detection device 74. Once the process of step S405 is performed, the process returns to step S401.

Next, the processing flow of the control device 76 will be explained.

Step S501 is a process for determining whether or not a detection signal has been received. If a detection signal has been received, the control device 76 determines the result of the determination process in step S502 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S502. On the other hand, if a detection signal has not been received, the control device 76 determines the result of the determination process in step S501 as No. In this case, the process in step S501 is executed repeatedly.

Step S502 is a process for determining whether or not the position based on the input signal matches the current position. The control device 76 compares the position information attached to the detection signal with information indicating the current position of the bottom rail 71. For example, if the position of the bottom rail 71 obtained from the position information attached to the detection signal matches the current position of the bottom rail 71, the control device 76 determines the result of the determination process of step S502 as Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S501. On the other hand, if the position of the bottom rail 71 obtained from the position information attached to the detection signal does not match the current position of the bottom rail 71, the control device 76 determines the result of the determination process of step S502 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S503.

Step S503 is a process for calculating the motor drive amount. The control device 35 calculates the movement amount of the bottom rail 71 from the position information attached to the detection signal and the current position information of the bottom rail 71. The control device 35 calculates the drive amount of the motor 31 from the calculated movement amount.

Step S504 is a process for driving the motor. The control device 35 drives the motor 31 based on the calculated drive amount.

Step S505 is a process for determining whether or not the drive amount of the motor has reached the determined drive amount. If the drive amount of the motor 31 is the determined drive amount, the control device 76 sets the result of the determination process of step S505 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S506. On the other hand, if the drive amount of the motor 31 has not reached the determined drive amount, the control device 35 sets the result of the determination process of step S505 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S505 is executed repeatedly.

Step S506 is a process for stopping the driving of the motor. The control device 76 stops the driving of the motor 31.

For example, when the LED 91 at position P1 of the display unit 88 is on, the bottom rail 71 is at the top. At this time, the operator places his/her hand near the sensor unit 72 to turn on the LED 93 at position P3. This drives the electric blind device 70, and the bottom rail 71 descends to a position corresponding to the LED 93 of the display unit 88. If an LED other than the LED 91 at position P1 of the display unit 88 is turned on, the bottom rail 71 descends to a position corresponding to the LED at the lit position Pn. The same applies when the bottom rail 71 is raised. In this case, the position of the bottom rail 71 is automatically changed by simply specifying the position of the bottom rail. To change the rotation state of the multi-stage slats 11, the operator places his/her hand near the sensor unit 73 to change the display state of the LED of the display unit 89, and the rotation state of the multi-stage slats 11 is changed to a state corresponding to the position of the lit LED.

In this case, as in the first embodiment, the bottom rail 71 can be raised and lowered and the slats 11 can be rotated by simply waving a hand, without touching the operating device. This eliminates the need to directly touch the operating device, which may be touched by an unspecified number of people, and reduces the risk of infection from bacteria, viruses, and the like that may adhere to the surface of the operating device.

In addition, since the position of the bottom rail 71 is displayed by the display device 75, the operator can check the display device 75 while holding his/her hand over it and appropriately indicate the position of the bottom rail 71 after it has been raised or lowered. Note that since the position of the bottom rail 71 displayed on the display device 75 changes every time a certain period of time has elapsed, there is no need to directly input the position of the bottom rail 71. Therefore, the operator only needs to stop holding his/her hand over it after checking the display, which changes every certain period of time.

In the second embodiment, when a hand is detected by the sensor unit 72, the LEDs of the display unit 88 are turned on in the following order: LED91 → LED92 → LED93 → LED94 → LED95 → LED91 → ... However, the order in which the LEDs of the display unit 88 are turned on does not need to be limited to the above, and may be, for example, LED95 → LED94 → LED93 → LED92 → LED91 → LED95 → ....

In the second embodiment, each time a certain time has elapsed since one sensor unit (sensor unit 72) detects a hand, the LEDs to be lit among the LEDs of the display unit 88 are sequentially switched in one direction. However, it is also possible to provide two sensor units 101 and 102 and to set the switching direction of the LED associated with sensor unit 101 to be different from the switching direction of the LED associated with sensor unit 102. For example, when sensor unit 101 detects a hand, the LEDs are switched in the same direction as when sensor unit 72 of the second embodiment detects a hand. On the other hand, when sensor unit 102 detects a hand, the LEDs are switched in the opposite direction to that of sensor unit 101.

As shown in FIG. 11(a), when a hand is held near the sensor unit 102 of the bottom rail 71, as shown in FIG. 11(b), when the bottom rail 71 is at the lowest position, the LED 95 of the LEDs 91, 92, 93, 94, and 95 of the display unit 88 is first lit. Then, after a certain time has elapsed since the hand was detected, the LED 95 is turned off and the LED 94 is turned on. After a further certain time has elapsed, the LED 94 is turned off and the LED 93 is turned on. In this way, the LEDs that are turned on in the display unit 88 are turned on in the order of "LED 95 → LED 94 → LED 93 → LED 92 → LED 91 → LED 95 → ...". In this case, since the order of turning on the LEDs is different when a hand is detected by either of the two sensor units 72 and 101, for example, if the LED at the next position is turned on after the LED at the intended position when a hand is detected by one sensor unit, it is easier to turn on the LED at the intended position by having the other sensor unit detect the hand.

In the second embodiment described above, the position of the bottom rail is switched based on the time when the held hand is detected. However, it is also possible to raise and lower the bottom rail in accordance with the position of the held hand. Below, an embodiment in which the bottom rail is raised and lowered in accordance with the position of the held hand will be described as the third embodiment.

Third Embodiment
12, an electric blind device 110 shown in the third embodiment includes a detection device 114 having a sensor unit 112 on a bottom rail 111, and a detection device 116 having a sensor unit 115 on the front surface of a head box 13. Note that since the internal configuration of the head box 13 is the same as that of the first and second embodiments, the same reference numerals will be used in the following description.

As shown in FIG. 13, the electric blind device 110 has a control device 120 in addition to the detection device 114 and the detection device 116.

The detection device 114 has a sensor unit 112, a timing unit 121, and a transmission unit 122. The sensor unit 112 is a non-contact sensor such as a distance sensor. The sensor unit 112 measures distance information indicating the distance to the hand when the hand is held below the bottom rail 111. The timing unit 121 measures the time during which the sensor unit 112 detects the operator's hand. The transmission unit 122 transmits a detection signal accompanied by information on the distance measured by the sensor unit 112 (distance information) to the control device 120.

The detection device 116 has a sensor unit 115, a timing unit 123, and a transmission unit 124. The sensor unit 115 is a non-contact sensor such as a distance sensor. When the sensor unit 115 detects a hand above the bottom rail 111 when the bottom rail 111 is not positioned at the top level, the sensor unit 115 measures the distance to the detected hand. The timing unit 123 measures the time during which the sensor unit 115 detects the operator's hand. The transmission unit 124 transmits a detection signal accompanied by distance information measured by the sensor unit 115 to the control device 120.

The control device 120 has a CPU 126, a ROM 127, a RAM 128, and a communication unit 129. The CPU 126 executes the functions of a drive amount calculation unit 131 and a drive control unit 132 by executing a control program 130 stored in the ROM 127.

The drive amount calculation unit 131 calculates the drive amount of the motor 31 based on distance information attached to the detection signal transmitted from either the detection device 114 or the detection device 116. In detail, the drive amount calculation unit 131 calculates the drive amount of the motor 31 from the distance information attached to the detection signal and the current position information of the bottom rail 111.

The drive control unit 132 controls the drive of the motor 31 based on the drive amount calculated by the drive amount calculation unit 131.

Next, the flow of processing by the electric blind device 110 related to raising and lowering the bottom rail 111 will be described with reference to the flowchart in FIG. 14. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 14 separates the processing in the detection device 116 and the processing in the control device 120.

First, we will explain the processing flow of the detection device 114.

Step S601 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 112. If the sensor unit 112 detects a hand, the detection device 114 determines the result of the determination process of step S601 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S602. On the other hand, if a hand is not detected, the detection device 114 determines the result of the determination process of step S601 as No. In this case, the process of step S601 is executed repeatedly.

Step S602 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 114 starts timing.

Step S603 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. If the detection device 114 determines that a certain amount of time has passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S603 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S604. On the other hand, if the detection device 114 determines that a certain amount of time has not passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S603 is No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S605.

Step S604 is a process of transmitting a detection signal. The detection device 114 transmits a detection signal accompanied by distance information detected by the sensor unit 112 to the control device 120. Note that when the process of step S604 ends, the process returns to step S601.

Step S605 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 112. If a hand is not detected by the sensor unit 112, the detection device 114 determines the result of the determination process in step S605 as Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S601. On the other hand, if a hand is detected by the sensor unit 112, the detection device 114 determines the result of the determination process in step S605 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S603.

Next, we will explain the processing flow of the detection device 116.

Step S701 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 115. If the sensor unit 115 detects a hand, the detection device 116 determines the result of the determination process of step S701 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S702. On the other hand, if a hand is not detected, the detection device 116 determines the result of the determination process of step S701 as No. In this case, the process of step S701 is executed repeatedly.

Step S702 is a process for starting timing. The detection device 116 starts timing.

Step S703 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. If the detection device 114 determines that a certain amount of time has passed since detecting a hand, the result of the determination process in step S703 is Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S704. On the other hand, if the detection device 116 determines that a certain amount of time has not passed since detecting a hand, the process proceeds to step S705.

Step S704 is a process of transmitting a detection signal. The detection device 116 transmits a detection signal accompanied by distance information detected by the sensor unit 115 to the control device 120. Note that when the process of step S704 ends, the process returns to step S701.

Step S705 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 115. If a hand is not detected by the sensor unit 115, the detection device 116 determines the result of the determination process in step S705 as Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S701. On the other hand, if a hand is detected by the sensor unit 115, the detection device 116 determines the result of the determination process in step S705 as No. In this case, the process returns to step S703.

Finally, we will explain the processing of the control device 120.

Step S801 is a process for determining whether or not a detection signal has been received. If a detection signal has been received from either detection device 114 or detection device 116, control device 120 determines the result of the determination process in step S801 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S802. On the other hand, if a detection signal has not been received from either detection device 114 or detection device 116, control device 120 determines the result of the determination process in step S802 as No. In this case, the process of step S801 is executed.

Step S802 is a process for calculating the motor drive amount. The control device 120 calculates the amount of movement of the bottom rail 71 from the distance information attached to the detection signal and information indicating the current position of the bottom rail 111. The control device 35 calculates the amount of drive of the motor 31 from the calculated amount of movement.

Step S803 is a process for driving the motor. The control device 120 drives the motor 31 based on the calculated drive amount.

Step S804 is a process for determining whether the drive amount of the motor has reached the determined drive amount. If the drive amount of the motor 31 is the determined drive amount, the control device 120 sets the result of the determination process of step S804 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S805. On the other hand, if the drive amount of the motor 31 has not reached the determined drive amount, the control device 120 sets the result of the determination process of step S804 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S804 is repeatedly executed.

Step S805 is a process for stopping the driving of the motor. The control device 120 stops the driving of the motor 31.

As shown in FIG. 15(a), when the bottom rail 111 is located at the upper limit position, a hand is held below the bottom rail 111. When a hand is held below the bottom rail 111, the sensor unit 112 detects the hand. As described above, when the sensor unit 112 detects the hand, the distance to the hand is measured. Therefore, in this case, the bottom rail 111 descends to the position of the held hand.

Also, as shown in FIG. 15(b), when the bottom rail 111 is in the lowest position, a hand is held close to the slat 11. When a hand is held close to the slat 11, the sensor unit 115 detects the hand. As described above, when the sensor unit 115 detects the hand, the distance to the hand is measured. Therefore, in this case, the bottom rail 111 rises to the position of the held hand.

In this way, since the bottom rail 111 is provided with the sensor unit 112, which is a first distance sensor, the bottom rail 111 can be lowered simply by placing a hand below the bottom rail 111. Furthermore, since the head box 13 is provided with the sensor unit 115, which is a second distance sensor, the bottom rail can be raised simply by placing a hand above the bottom rail. In other words, the bottom rail 111 can be raised or lowered to the desired position simply by placing a hand near the electric blind device 110. Therefore, the same effects as those of the electric blind device 10 shown in the first embodiment can be obtained.

In the third embodiment, a case is described in which a detection device is provided in each of the head box 13 and the bottom rail 111, but it is also possible to provide a detection device in either the head box 13 or the bottom rail 111.

Note that in the electric blind device shown in the third embodiment, no reference is made to rotating the slats, but by using a configuration similar to that of the electric blind device in either the first or second embodiment, it is possible to rotate the slats simply by waving a hand.

In the first to third embodiments, the bottom rail is raised and lowered by detecting a held-out hand, but there is a risk that the bottom rail may be raised and lowered if something other than a hand is detected. Therefore, in addition to these detection devices, it is also possible to provide a detection device that detects a person approaching the electric blind device. In the following, an example will be described in which a detection device that detects a person approaching the electric blind device is provided in the configuration of the electric blind device of the first embodiment. Below, the same components as in the first embodiment are given the same reference numerals as in the first embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 16, the electric blind device 150 further includes a detection device 152 (see FIG. 17) having a sensor unit 151 in the head box 13.

As shown in FIG. 17, the electric blind device 150 has a control device 155 in addition to the detection device 114, the detection device 116, and the detection device 152.

The control device 155 has a CPU 156, a ROM 157, a RAM 158, and a communication unit 159. The CPU 155 executes the functions of a determination unit 161, a rotation amount calculation unit 162, a position calculation unit 163, and a drive control unit 164 by executing a control program 160 stored in the ROM 156. Note that the rotation amount calculation unit 162, the position calculation unit 163, and the drive control unit 164 have the same configurations as the rotation amount calculation unit 56, the position calculation unit 57, and the drive control unit 58 of the first embodiment, so only the determination unit 161 will be described below.

The determination unit 161 receives a detection signal from the detection device 152 and determines whether or not there is a person near the electric blind device 150. If it is determined that there is a person near the electric blind device 150, the functions of the rotation amount calculation unit 162, the position calculation unit 163, and the drive control unit 164 are enabled.

Next, the control flow of the electric blind device having such a configuration will be explained based on the flowchart shown in FIG. 18. Note that in the flowchart shown in FIG. 18, the processing flow in the detection device is the same as the flowchart shown in FIG. 3.

Step S901 is a process for determining whether or not a detection signal has been received. When an operator approaches the electric blind device 150, the sensor unit 151 detects the operator. Therefore, the detection device 152 transmits a detection signal to the control device 155. If the control device 155 receives a detection signal, the control device 155 sets the result of the determination process of step S901 to Yes. In this case, the processes from step S201 onwards are executed, and similar to the first embodiment, the control device 155 executes processing based on the detection signal transmitted from the detection device 50.

On the other hand, when the operator is not approaching the electric blind device 150, the sensor unit 151 does not detect the operator. Therefore, the detection device 152 does not transmit a detection signal to the control device 155. In other words, since no detection signal is received, the control device 155 determines the result of the judgment process of step S901 as No. In this case, the control device 155 repeatedly executes the judgment process of step S901. In other words, since the processes after step S201 are not executed, the electric blind device 150 does not operate even if a detection signal is transmitted from the detection device.

In this way, the electric blind device 150 shown in this embodiment will not operate unless it detects a human body approaching the electric blind device 150, thereby preventing malfunction of the electric blind device 150.

The electric blind device 150 is described as an example in which a detection device 152 that detects a person approaching the electric blind device 10 is added to the configuration of the electric blind device 10 shown in the first embodiment, but it is also possible to add the detection device 152 to the configuration of the electric blind device 70 of the second embodiment or the electric blind device 110 of the third embodiment.

The electric blind devices shown in the first and second embodiments described above are exemplified as electric blind devices in which a detection device for detecting a held hand is provided on the bottom rail. The electric blind device shown in the third embodiment is exemplified as an electric blind device in which a detection device for detecting the distance of a held hand is provided on the bottom rail or head box. However, the location of the detection device is not limited to the bottom rail or head box. For example, electric blind devices that are generally provided have an operating device such as a remote control. Therefore, it is also possible to provide the detection device on the operating device.

The following describes the fourth embodiment, in which a detection device is provided on an operating device such as a remote control.

Fourth Embodiment
As shown in Fig. 19, the electric blind device 180 shown in the fourth embodiment includes a blind main body 181 and an operating device 182. The main components of the blind main body 181 are multiple slats 183, a bottom rail 184, and a head box 185, similar to the electric blind devices 180 shown in the first to third embodiments. The blind main body 181 is provided with a lifting drum 186 and a tilting drum 187 housed inside the head box 185 (see the figure). Details of the internal configuration of the head box 185 will be omitted, but in the electric blind device 180 shown in the fourth embodiment, the lifting drum 186 and the tilting drum 187 rotate separately by driving different motors (lifting motor 188, tilt motor 189).

The operating device 182 can perform operations such as raising and lowering the bottom rail 184 by driving the lift motor 188 described above, rotating the multiple stages of slats 183 by driving the tilt motor 189, or stopping these operations.

As shown in FIG. 20, the operating device 182 has an operating unit 191, a sensor unit 192, and a display unit 193. Note that in the figure, the operating unit 191, the sensor unit 192, and the display unit 193 are arranged in this order from the top: display unit 193, operating unit 191, and sensor unit 192.

The operation unit 191 has a plurality of operation buttons. The plurality of operation buttons include, for example, an operation button indicating "up" (hereinafter, up button) 195, an operation button indicating "down" (hereinafter, down button) 196, an operation button indicating "left rotation" (hereinafter, left rotation button) 197, an operation button indicating "right rotation" (hereinafter, right rotation button) 198, and an operation button indicating "stop" (hereinafter, stop button) 199. Note that reference numeral 200 denotes a switch button that is operated to switch the blind body to be operated when multiple blind bodies are operated with a single operation device.

The up button 195 is a button that is operated when raising the bottom rail 184. The down button 196 is a button that is operated when lowering the bottom rail 184. The left rotation button 197 is a button that is operated when rotating the multi-stage slats 183 to a fully closed state. The right rotation button 198 is a button that is operated when rotating the multi-stage slats 183 to a reverse fully closed state. The stop button 199 is a button that is operated when stopping the raising and lowering of the bottom rail 184 or the rotation of the multi-stage slats 183.

The sensor unit 192 detects an object approaching the operating device 182 in a non-contact manner. The sensor unit 192 is, for example, an infrared sensor or a proximity sensor.

When the above-mentioned multiple operation buttons are operated, the display unit 193 displays the operation content corresponding to the operated operation button. As shown in FIG. 21(a), when the up button 195 is operated, the display unit 193 displays "Up: UP" or "▲". As shown in FIG. 21(b), when the down button 196 is operated, the display unit 193 displays "Down: DOWN" or "▼". As shown in FIG. 21(c), when the left rotation button 197 is operated, the display unit 193 displays "Tilt" or a mark indicating left rotation. As shown in FIG. 21(d), when the right rotation button 198 is operated, the display unit 193 displays "Tilt" or a mark indicating right rotation. As shown in FIG. 21(e), when the stop button 199 is operated, the display unit 193 displays "Stop: STOP".

The displays shown in Figures 21(a) to 21(e) are displayed on the display unit 193 while switching every time a certain period of time elapses when an object is detected by the sensor unit 192.

Figure 22 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device 180 shown in the fourth embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 22, the electric blind device 180 has a blind body 181 and an operating device 182. The blind body 181 has a lift motor 188, a tilt motor 189, an encoder 205, and a control device 206. The lift motor 188 rotates a drive shaft connected to an output shaft in a forward or reverse direction. The rotation of this drive shaft rotates the lift drum 186 in a forward or reverse direction, and the lift cord is paid out or wound up. In the fourth embodiment as well, the rotation of the lift drum when paying out the lift cord is referred to as a forward rotation, and the rotation of the lift drum when winding up the lift cord is referred to as a reverse rotation.

The tilt motor 189 rotates the drive shaft connected to the output shaft in a forward or reverse direction. The rotation of this drive shaft rotates the tilt drum 187 in a forward or reverse direction. In the fourth embodiment, the rotation of the tilt drum 187 when the multi-stage slats 183 are brought into a fully closed state is referred to as a forward rotation, and the rotation of the tilt drum 187 when the multi-stage slats 183 are brought into a fully reverse closed state is referred to as a reverse rotation.

The encoder 205 detects the rotation of the drive shaft connected to the output shaft of the lift motor 188 and outputs a pulse signal to the control device 206.

The control device 206 includes a CPU 210, a ROM 211, a RAM 212, and a communication unit 213. The CPU 210 executes the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 221, a position calculation unit 222, and a drive control unit 223 by executing a control program 214.

The rotation amount calculation unit 221 calculates the amount of rotation of the drive shaft based on the pulse signal from the encoder 205 and by referring to table data (not shown) stored in the ROM 211.

The position calculation unit 222 calculates the position of the bottom rail 184. In detail, the position calculation unit 222 determines the amount of the lifting cord that is paid out from the amount of rotation of the drive shaft calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 221. The amount of the lifting cord that is paid out from the lifting drum 186 is proportional to the amount of rotation of the drive shaft. Therefore, the position calculation unit 222 calculates the amount of the lifting cord that is paid out from the lifting drum 186 from the calculated amount of rotation of the drive shaft. Here, if the reference position is when the bottom rail 184 is at the upper limit position, the amount of the lifting cord that is paid out is the amount of movement of the bottom rail 184 from the reference position. Therefore, the position of the bottom rail 184 can be identified by calculating the amount of the lifting cord that is paid out.

The drive control unit 223 receives an operation signal sent from the operating device 182 and controls the drive of the lift motor 188 and tilt motor 189.

The ROM 211 stores the control program 214, as well as table data that associates the number of pulse signals with the amount of extension of the lift cord.

RAM212 temporarily stores data calculated by CPU210.

The communication unit 213 receives the operation signal transmitted from the operation device 182.

The operation device 182 includes a sensor unit 192, an operation unit 191, a display unit 193, a CPU 225, a ROM 226, a RAM 227, and a communication unit 228.

The CPU 225 has the functions of a control unit 230 and a measurement unit 231 by executing the operation program 229 stored in the ROM 226.

When any of the operation buttons of the operation unit 191 is operated, the control unit 230 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operated operation button to the blind body 181 via the communication unit 228. The control unit 230 also receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 192 and controls the display of the display unit 293. Then, when the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 is stopped, the control unit 230 transmits an operation signal based on the display of the display unit 293 to the blind body 181 via the communication unit 228.

The measurement unit 231 receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 192 and measures the time since the detection signal was output.

For example, if the time that has elapsed since the approaching hand was detected is between 0.2 and 0.5 seconds, the control unit 230 displays "STOP" on the display unit 193 (see FIG. 23(a)). If the time that has elapsed since the approaching hand was detected is 1 second, the control unit 230 displays "UP" or "▲" on the display unit 193 (see FIG. 23(b)). If the time that has elapsed since the approaching hand was detected is 3 seconds, the control unit 230 displays "DOWN" or "▼" on the display unit 193 (see FIG. 23(c)).

If, for example, 5 seconds have elapsed since the approaching hand was detected, the control unit 230 displays "tilt" or a mark indicating a right rotation on the display unit 193 (see FIG. 23(d)). If, for example, 7 seconds have elapsed since the approaching hand was detected, the control unit 230 displays "tilt" or a mark indicating a left rotation on the display unit 193 (see FIG. 23(e)).

After this display, if, for example, nine seconds have elapsed since the detection of an approaching hand, the control unit 230 displays "STOP" on the display unit 193. Then, after "STOP" is displayed on the display unit 193, the control unit 230 switches the display on the display unit 193 in the following order every two seconds: "Up" → "Down" → "Tilt (right rotation)" → "Tilt (left rotation)" → "Stop" → ....

Next, the process flow when the electric blind device 180 is driven will be described. First, the process flow in the operation device 182 will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 24.

Step S1001 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit. When a hand is held near the sensor unit 192 of the operating device 182, the hand is detected by the sensor unit 192. When the sensor unit 192 detects the hand, a detection signal is output from the sensor unit 192 to the CPU 225. When a detection signal is input from the sensor unit 192, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1001 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1002. On the other hand, when a detection signal is not input from the sensor unit 192, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1001 as No. In this case, the CPU 225 continues to execute the determination process of step S1001.

Step S1002 is a process for starting timing. The CPU 225 starts timing.

Step S1003 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1003, the certain amount of time is, for example, 0.2 to 0.5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1003 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1004. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1003 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1003 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1004 is a process for displaying "STOP" on the display unit 193. The CPU 225 controls the display unit 193 to display "STOP" (see FIG. 23(a)).

Step S1005 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 192 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1005 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1006. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 has been stopped, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1005 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1019.

Step S1006 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1006, the certain amount of time is, for example, one second from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1006 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1007. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1006 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1006 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1007 is a process for displaying "Up" on the display unit 193. The CPU 225 controls the display unit 193 to display "Up: UP", "▲", etc. (see FIG. 23(b)).

Step S1008 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 192 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1008 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1009. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 has been stopped, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1008 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1019.

Step S1009 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. In step S1009, the certain amount of time is, for example, three seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has passed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1009 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1010. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not passed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1009 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1009 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has passed.

Step S1010 is a process for displaying "Down" on the display unit 193. The CPU 225 controls the display unit 193 to display "Down: DOWN", "▼", etc. (see FIG. 23(c)).

Step S1011 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 192 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1011 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1012. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 has been stopped, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1011 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1019.

Step S1012 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1012, the certain amount of time is, for example, 5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1012 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1013. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1012 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1012 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1013 is a process for displaying "Tilt (right rotation)" on the display unit 193. The CPU 225 controls the display unit 193 to display "Tilt" or a mark indicating right rotation (see FIG. 23(c)).

Step S1014 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 192 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1014 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1015. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 has been stopped, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1014 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1019.

Step S1015 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has passed. In step S1015, the certain amount of time is, for example, seven seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has passed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1015 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1016. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not passed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1015 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1015 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has passed.

Step S1016 is a process for displaying "Tilt (left rotation)" on the display unit 193. The CPU 225 controls the display unit 193 to display "Tilt" or a mark indicating left rotation (see FIG. 23(d)).

Step S1017 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 192 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1017 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1018. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 192 has been stopped, the CPU 225 determines the result of the determination process in step S1017 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1019.

Step S1018 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1018, the certain amount of time is, for example, 9 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1018 to Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S1004. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 225 sets the result of the determination process of step S1018 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1018 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

If the result of the determination process in step S1018 is Yes, the display on the display unit 193 is switched every two seconds, in other words, every 9, 11, 13, and 15 seconds after the start of timing.

Step S1019 is a process for transmitting an operation signal based on the display. The CPU 225 transmits an operation signal based on the operation content displayed on the display unit 193 to the control device 206 of the blind body 181 via the communication unit 228.

Next, the processing flow of the blind main body 181 will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 25.

Step S1101 is a process for determining whether or not an operation signal has been received. The control device 206 receives an operation signal transmitted from the operation device 182. Therefore, if an operation signal has been received from the operation device, the control device 206 determines the result of the determination process of step S1101 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1102. On the other hand, if an operation signal has not been received from the operation device 182, the result of the determination process of step S1101 is No. In this case, the control device 206 continues to execute the determination process of step S1101.

Step S1102 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "ascending." If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "ascending," the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process in step S1102 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1103. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "ascending," the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process in step S1102 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1104.

Step S1103 is a process for driving the lift motor in reverse. The control device 206 drives the lift motor 188 in reverse. As a result, the lift motor 188 rotates in reverse, and the lift cord is wound up by the lift motor 188. This causes the bottom rail to rise. At this time, the bottom rail 184 pushes up the multiple tiers of slats 183, starting with the slat at the bottom.

Step S1104 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "descent." If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "descent," the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process in step S1104 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1105. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "descent," the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process in step S1104 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1106.

Step S1105 is a process for driving the lift motor in the forward direction. The control device 206 drives the lift motor 188 in the forward direction. As a result, the lift motor 188 rotates in the forward direction, and the lift cord is unwound from the lift motor 188. This causes the bottom rail 184 to lower. As a result, of the multiple tiers of slats 183, the slats are hung from the ladder cord in order, starting with the topmost slat.

Step S1106 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "tilt (right rotation)". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "tilt (right rotation)", the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process of step S1106 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1107. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "tilt (right rotation)", the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process of step S1106 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1108.

Step S1107 is a process for driving the tilt motor in reverse. The control device 206 drives the tilt motor 189 in reverse. As a result, the tilt drum 187 rotates in reverse, and the ladder cord is sent out to the front side of the blind body 181. This causes the multiple slats 183 to rotate toward the reverse fully closed state.

Step S1108 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "tilt (left rotation)". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "tilt (left rotation)", the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process of step S1108 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1109. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "tilt (left rotation)", the control device 206 sets the result of the determination process of step S1108 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1110.

Step S1109 is a process for driving the tilt motor in the forward direction. The control device 206 drives the tilt motor 189 in the forward direction. As a result, the tilt drum 187 rotates in the forward direction, and the ladder cord is sent out to the rear side of the blind body 181. This causes the multiple slats 183 to rotate toward the fully closed state.

If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "stop," the results of the determination processes of steps S1101, S1104, S1106, and S1108 will be No. In this case, proceed to step S1110.

Step S1110 is a process for stopping the driving of the motors. The control device 206 stops the driving of the lift motor 188 or the tilt motor 189, whichever motor is being driven. When the control device 206 performs the process of step S1110, for example, the driving lift motor 188 is stopped, and the lifting and lowering of the bottom rail is stopped. Also, the driving tilt motor 189 is stopped, and the rotation of the multiple slats is stopped.

In this way, it is possible to operate the blind body 181 by simply waving a hand over it, without touching the operating device 182. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and the like that may be attached to the operating device 182.

In addition, by providing the operating device 182 with a display unit 193 that displays the operation of the blind body 181 being operated, the operation of the blind body 181 can be easily visually confirmed. As a result, when the operator removes his/her hand from the operating device 182 in response to the operation intended by the operator being displayed on the display unit 193, the operation intended by the operator is executed by the blind body 181. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the blind body 181.

The operating device 182 has an operating section 191 with multiple operating buttons, and prioritizes sending operation signals based on the operation of the operating section 191 to the blind body 181. As a result, if it is necessary to operate the operating section while the blind body 181 is operating using the sensor section 192, the operation based on the operating section is prioritized. Therefore, if the bottom rail 184 is raised or lowered or the multiple stages of slats 183 are rotated more than necessary, the operating section 191 can be operated to return to an appropriate state or to stop the operation.

In the fourth embodiment, the display unit 193, the operation unit 191, and the sensor unit 192 are arranged in this order from above the operation device 182. In this case, when the operator grasps the operation device 182 with his/her hand, the sensor unit 192 may detect the hand, and when the operator releases the operation device 182, an operation signal indicating the operation of the blind body 181 may be automatically transmitted to the blind body 181. Therefore, the sensor unit 192 may be arranged on the operation device 182 at a position where the hand grasping the operation device 182 is not close to it. For example, it is preferable to arrange the sensor unit 192 near the display unit 193. In addition, the display unit 193 and the sensor unit 192 may be integrated. This makes it possible to prevent the blind body 181 from automatically operating simply by grasping the operation device 182.

In the fourth embodiment, the operation contents displayed on the display unit 193 are switched based on the time when the sensor unit 192 detects an approaching hand, and when the sensor unit 192 finishes detecting the hand, an operation signal based on the operation contents displayed on the display unit 193 is sent to the blind body 181. However, it is also possible to determine the operation contents based on the distance of an object (in this case, a hand) from the operating device and send an operation signal based on the determined operation contents to the blind body. In this case, the sensor unit measures the distance to the hand and displays the operation contents based on the measured distance on the display unit. In this case, if the distance to the hand fluctuates, the display content on the display unit is changed so that the operation contents are based on the distance. In addition, since it is assumed that the position of the hand is not constant, such as when the hand shakes, when a certain time has passed in a state in which the measured distance fluctuates within a certain range (error range), an operation signal based on the operation contents corresponding to the distance may be sent to the blind body. In this case, the blind device can also be operated without touching the operating device.

In each of the above-described embodiments, an electric horizontal blind device is used as an example of an electric blind device, but the present invention can also be applied to an electric vertical blind device.

In the first to fourth embodiments, an electric horizontal blind device having multiple tiers of slats extending horizontally and a bottom rail is described as an example. However, some electric horizontal blind devices are roll screen type electric blind devices (hereinafter referred to as electric roll screen devices) that unroll or retract a rolled up sheet-like screen. Below, as the fifth embodiment, an electric roll screen device will be described as the electric blind device shown in the fifth embodiment.

Fifth Embodiment
As shown in Fig. 26(a) or 26(b), an electric roller screen device 250 is used as an electric roller screen device for partitioning, which is installed on a base such as a counter or a table. The electric roller screen device 250 has a frame body 251 and a sheet-like screen 252. The frame body 251 has a pair of vertical frames 256, 257 extending in the vertical direction, the upper ends of which are fixed to both ends of an upper frame 255 extending in the horizontal direction, and a middle rail 258 disposed below and along the upper frame 255, and fixed across the pair of vertical frames 256, 257. The frame body 251 also has leg members 259, 260 fixed to the lower ends of the pair of vertical frames 256, 257. The leg members 259, 260 may be the free-standing leg members shown in FIG. 26, as well as fixed leg members for fixing the electric roller screen device 250 to a base, and leg members with casters that enable the electric roller screen device 250 to be moved to a predetermined position.

The frame 251 has a winding drum 261 near the lower side of the upper frame 255. The winding drum 261 is supported on a shaft straddling a pair of vertical frames 256, 257. The winding drum 261 rotates forward and backward when the lifting motor 270 (described later) is driven, thereby unwinding or winding the screen 252.

The screen 252 can be, for example, a light-blocking sheet or a transparent (including translucent) sheet. The screen 252 is used, for example, to block external light or to separate the area in which it is installed. Here, if the screen 252 is, for example, a transparent sheet, the electric roller blind device 250 can be placed between the screen and people facing each other to prevent droplet infection of viruses and the like.

The screen 252 has a weight bar 262 at its lower end. The weight bar 262 applies tension to the screen 252. By providing the weight bar 262 at the lower end of the screen 252, the wound screen becomes easier to peel off when the screen 252 is unwound, and at the same time, sagging of the unwound screen 252 is prevented. In addition, the screen 252 prevents wrinkles from occurring in the wound screen 252 when the screen 252 is wound up.

Of the pair of vertical frames 256, 257, the vertical frame 256 located on the left side in FIG. 26(a) houses a battery 263 at its lower end. By providing the battery 263 at the lower end of the pair of vertical frames 256, 257, the center of gravity of the electric roller blind device 250 is lowered, preventing the electric roller blind device 250 from falling over.

The battery 263 is connected to a control device 274 located above the battery 263 inside the vertical frame 256, and supplies power to each part of the electric roller blind device 250. The battery 263 is charged, for example, by connecting a charging USB cable (not shown) connected to an outlet to a USB port 264 exposed on the side of the vertical frame 256.

The vertical frame 256 also has an operation panel 265 at its bottom end. As shown in FIG. 27(a), the operation panel 265 has an ascent instruction section 265a that instructs the screen 252 to rise, and a descent instruction section 265b that instructs the screen 252 to fall. The ascent instruction section 265a has a sensor section 272 therein. The descent instruction section 265b has a sensor section 273 therein. The sensor sections 272 and 273 are, for example, proximity sensors that detect nearby objects in a non-contact manner and output a detection signal to the control device 274.

Next, the electrical configuration of the electric roller blind device 250 shown in the fifth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 28.

As shown in FIG. 28, the electric roller screen device 250 has a lifting motor 270, an encoder 271, sensor units 272, 273, a battery 263, a USB port 264, and a control device 274. The lifting motor 270 is disposed inside the winding drum 261. Although not shown, the lifting motor 270 transmits the driving force of the lifting motor 270 to the winding drum 261 by fixing the output shaft to a connecting member fixed inside the winding drum 261. Here, the rotation of the winding drum 261 when unwinding the screen 252 is referred to as forward rotation, and the rotation of the winding drum 261 when winding the screen 252 is referred to as reverse rotation.

The encoder 271 is provided inside the winding drum 261 and detects the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261. As is well known, the encoder 271 has a disk-shaped slit plate and a photointerrupter. The disk-shaped slit plate is fixed inside the winding drum 261. The photointerrupter detects multiple slits in the slit plate as the slit plate rotates. When the photointerrupter detects the slits in the slit plate as the slit plate rotates, the encoder 271 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 274.

The control device 274 includes a CPU 275, a ROM 276, and a RAM 277. The CPU 275 executes the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 280, a position calculation unit 281, and a drive control unit 282 by executing a control program 278 stored in the ROM 276.

The rotation amount calculation unit 280 calculates the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 based on the pulse signal from the encoder 271 and by referring to table data (not shown) stored in the ROM 276.

The position calculation unit 281 calculates the position of the weight bar 262. The position calculation unit 281 reads table data (not shown) that associates the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 with the position of the weight bar from the ROM 276, and also reads information on the stop position of the weight bar 262 (not shown) from the RAM 277. Then, the position calculation unit 281 uses the read data and the amount of rotation of the winding drum calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 280 to calculate the position of the weight bar 262 when the screen 252 rises or falls.

The drive control unit 282 receives a detection signal output from either the sensor unit 272 arranged inside the up-instruction unit 265a of the operation panel 265 or the sensor unit 273 arranged inside the down-instruction unit 265b of the operation panel 265, and controls the drive of the lift motor 270. Hereinafter, the drive of the lift motor 270 when rotating the winding drum 261 forward is referred to as forward rotation drive, and the drive of the lift motor 270 when rotating the winding drum 261 reverse is referred to as reverse rotation drive.

The ROM 276 stores the control program 278 as well as table data that, for example, correlates the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 with the position of the weight bar 262.

The RAM 277 stores data calculated by the CPU 275. The RAM 277 also stores information about the stopping position of the weight bar 262.

Next, the process flow when the electric roller blind device 250 is driven will be explained using the flowchart in Figure 29.

Step S1201 is a process for judging whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 272. As shown in FIG. 27(b), when the user holds his/her hand over the upward instruction section 265a of the operation panel 265, the sensor unit 272 arranged inside the upward instruction section 265a detects the held hand. The sensor unit 272 outputs a detection signal indicating that the held hand has been detected to the control device 274. In response to this, the control device 274 determines the result of the judgment process of step S1201 as Yes, and proceeds to the process of step S1202. If the user does not hold his/her hand over the upward instruction section 265a of the operation panel 265, the hand is not detected. Therefore, the sensor unit 272 does not output a detection signal to the control device 274. In this case, the control device 274 determines the result of the judgment process of step S1201 as No, and performs the process of step S1206.

Step S1202 is a process for driving the lift motor in reverse. The control device 274 drives the lift motor 270 in reverse. This causes the screen 252 to be wound onto the winding drum 261. In other words, the screen 252 is raised.

Step S1203 is a process for determining whether the weight bar has reached the upper limit position. When the lift motor 270 is driven to rotate in the reverse direction, the encoder 271 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 274. The control device 274 determines the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 from the input pulse signal. The control device 274 then reads, for example, table data that associates the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 with the position of the weight bar 262 from the ROM 277, and information on the stop position of the weight bar 262 from the RAM 277, and calculates the position of the weight bar 262 using these data and the calculated amount of rotation of the winding drum. If the determined position of the weight bar 262 is the upper limit position, the control device 174 sets the result of the determination process of step S1203 to Yes and performs the process of step S1204.

Step S1204 is a process for stopping the rotation of the lift motor. The control device 274 stops driving the lift motor 270.

If it is determined in step S1203 above that the weight bar has not reached the upper limit position, proceed to step S1205.

Step S1205 is a process for determining whether detection by the sensor unit 273 has been stopped. When the screen 252 is to be raised to a desired position, the operator continues to hold his/her hand over the ascent instruction section 265a of the operation panel 265. Then, when the screen 252 has been raised to the position intended by the operator, the operator removes his/her hand that was held over the ascent instruction section 265a of the operation panel 265 from the sensor unit. When the hand that was held over the ascent instruction section 265a of the operation panel 265 is removed, detection of the hand by the sensor unit 273 is stopped. In other words, output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 273 to the control device 274 is stopped.

When the input of the detection signal from the sensor unit 273 is stopped, the control device 274 determines the result of the determination process in step S1205 as Yes, and proceeds to the above-mentioned step S1204. In other words, the drive of the lift motor 270 is stopped, and the lifting of the screen 252 is stopped.

On the other hand, if the detection signal continues to be input from the sensor unit 273, the control device 274 determines the result of the determination process in step S1205 as No, and returns to the process in step S1202. In this case, the lifting motor 270 continues to drive, and the screen 252 is wound up. In other words, the screen 252 rises.

If no detection signal is output from the sensor unit 272 in step S1201 described above, the control device 274 proceeds to step S1206.

Step S1206 is a process for judging whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 273. As shown in FIG. 27(c), when the user holds his/her hand over the lowering instruction section 265b of the operation panel 265, the sensor unit 273 arranged inside the lowering instruction section 265b detects the held hand. The sensor unit 273 outputs a detection signal indicating that the held hand has been detected to the control device 274. In response to this, the control device 274 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1206 to Yes and proceeds to the process of step S1207. If the user does not hold his/her hand over the lowering instruction section 265b of the operation panel 265, the hand is not detected. Therefore, the sensor unit 273 does not output a detection signal to the control device 274. In this case, the control device 274 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1206 to No and returns to step S1201. In other words, if the hand is not placed over either the up instruction section 265a or the down instruction section 265b of the operation panel 265, the determination processes of steps S1201 and S1206 are repeated in sequence.

Step S1207 is a process for driving the lift motor in the forward direction. The control device 274 drives the lift motor 270 in the forward direction. This causes the winding drum 261 to rotate in the forward direction, and the screen 252 is unwound. In other words, the screen 252 is lowered.

Step S1208 is a process for determining whether the weight bar has reached the lower limit position. When the lift motor 270 is driven to rotate in the forward direction, the encoder 271 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 274. The control device 274 determines the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 from the input pulse signal. The control device 274 then reads, for example, table data that associates the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 with the position of the weight bar 262 from the ROM 277, and information on the stop position of the weight bar 262 from the RAM 277, and determines the position of the weight bar 262 using these data and the calculated amount of rotation of the winding drum. If the determined position of the weight bar 262 is the lower limit position, the control device 274 sets the result of the determination process of step S1208 to Yes and performs the process of step S1209.

Step S1209 is a process for stopping the rotation of the lift motor. The control device 274 stops driving the lift motor 270.

If it is determined in step S1208 that the weight bar 262 has not reached the lower limit position, the control device 274 performs the process of step S1210.

Step S1210 is a process for determining whether detection by the sensor unit 272 has been stopped. When lowering the screen 252 to the desired position, the operator continues to hold his/her hand over the lowering instruction unit 265b of the operation panel 265. In other words, when the screen 252 has been lowered to the position intended by the operator, the operator removes his/her hand from the lowering instruction unit 265b of the operation panel 265. When the hand is removed from the lowering instruction unit 265b of the operation panel 265, detection of the hand by the sensor unit 273 is stopped. In other words, output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 273 to the control device 274 is stopped.

When the input of the detection signal from the sensor unit 273 is stopped, the control device 274 determines the result of the determination process in step S1210 as Yes, and performs the process of step S1209 described above. Therefore, the drive of the lift motor 270 is stopped, and the descent of the screen 252 is stopped.

On the other hand, if the detection signal continues to be input from the sensor unit 273, the control device 274 determines the result of the determination process in step S1210 as No, and returns to the process in step S1207. In this case, the lift motor 270 continues to rotate in the forward direction, and the screen 252 is unrolled. In other words, the screen 252 continues to descend.

In this way, the screen 252 rises or falls by placing a hand over either the rise instruction section 265a or the fall instruction section 265b of the operation panel 265. Furthermore, the rise or fall of the screen 252 stops by removing a hand from either the rise instruction section 265a or the fall instruction section 265b of the operation panel 265.

Therefore, the operator can operate the electric blind device with the simple action of waving their hand, without the need for a wired switch or wireless remote control that an unspecified number of people may come into contact with, or an operating device such as a tablet or wireless mobile terminal that works with the electric blind device. In addition, because the electric blind device can be operated by simply waving a hand, there is no need to directly touch the operating device, reducing the risk of transmitting bacteria or viruses that may adhere to the surface of the operating device.

Sixth Embodiment
In the fifth embodiment, a case is described in which the sensor units 272, 273 are provided inside the up-instruction unit 265a and the down-instruction unit 265b provided on the operation panel 265, but the number of sensor units does not need to be limited to the above, and it is also possible to raise and lower the screen using, for example, one sensor unit. Below, a case in which the screen is raised and lowered using one sensor unit will be described.

The electric roller blind device 300 shown in the sixth embodiment has the same main configuration as the electric roller blind device 250 shown in the fifth embodiment. Therefore, in the following, the same reference numerals as in the fifth embodiment are used for the components having the same functions as the electric roller blind device 250 shown in the fifth embodiment, and the description of those components is omitted.

As shown in FIG. 30, the motorized roller blind device 300 has a frame 251 and a sheet-like screen 252. Of the pair of vertical frames 256, 257 that make up the frame 251, the vertical frame 256 has an operation panel 301, and the vertical frame 257 has a display unit 302. In the sixth embodiment, the operation panel 301 is disposed on the vertical frame 256, and the display unit 302 is disposed on the vertical frame 257, but it is also possible to provide the operation panel 301 and the display unit 302 on the same vertical frame (in this case, either the vertical frame 256 or the vertical frame 257).

As shown in FIG. 31(a), the operation panel 301 has an instruction unit 301a. The instruction unit 301a has a sensor unit 303 disposed therein. The sensor unit 303 is, for example, a proximity sensor that detects a nearby object in a non-contact manner and outputs a detection signal to the control device 330 (see FIG. 32).

Returning to FIG. 30, the display unit 302 has, for example, LEDs 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, and 320. These LEDs 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, and 320 are arranged at predetermined intervals along the extension direction of the vertical frame 257. Furthermore, when any one of the LEDs 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, and 320 is lit and a hand is held over the indication unit 301a of the operation panel 301, the lit LED is switched at regular intervals.

For example, among LEDs 310, 311, 312, 313, 314, 315, 316, 317, 318, 319, and 320, the LEDs that light up when no hand is held over them indicate the stopping position of the weight bar 262 when the screen 252 is stopped. Also, the LEDs that light up after the hand held over the indicator 301a of the operation panel 201 is released indicate the stopping position of the weight bar 262 after the screen 252 has been raised or lowered. In the following, the position of the top LED 310 is designated as P1, and the position of the bottom LED 321 is designated as P11.

Figure 30 shows an example in which 11 LEDs are arranged, but this is merely an example and any appropriate number of LEDs can be arranged.

Next, the electrical configuration of the motorized roller blind device 300 shown in the sixth embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 32.

As shown in FIG. 32, the motorized roller blind device 300 has a lifting motor 270, an encoder 271, a sensor unit 303, a display unit 302, a battery 263, a USB port 264, and a control device 330. Note that the lifting motor 270, the encoder 271, the battery 263, and the USB port 264 have the same configuration as in the fifth embodiment, so a description thereof will be omitted here.

The control device 330 includes a CPU 331, a ROM 332, and a RAM 333. The CPU 331 executes a control program 334 stored in the ROM 332 to perform the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 335, a position calculation unit 336, a drive control unit 337, a timer unit 338, and a display control unit 339. Note that the rotation amount calculation unit 335, the position calculation unit 326, and the drive control unit 327 have the same configuration as the rotation amount calculation unit 280, the position calculation unit 281, and the drive control unit 282 shown in the fifth embodiment, and therefore a description thereof will be omitted here.

The timer unit 338 measures the time that has elapsed since the detection signal was input from the sensor unit 303. The timer unit 338 also stops measuring the elapsed time when the detection signal is no longer input from the sensor unit 303.

The display control unit 339 controls each of the multiple LEDs of the display unit 302. In detail, the display control unit 339 lights up an LED that is at the same height as the stop position of the weight bar 262. In addition, the display control unit 339 turns off the lit LED and turns on one of the LEDs adjacent to the lit LED every time a certain amount of time, for example 5 seconds, elapses as measured by the timer unit 338. Note that the sixth embodiment shows a case in which, of the LEDs adjacent to the lit LED, the LED located below the lit LED is turned on.

As shown in FIG. 33, for example, a case will be described where a hand is held over the indicator 301a of the operation panel 301 when the LED 314 at position P5 is on. When a certain time has passed since the hand was held over the indicator 301a of the operation panel 301, the LED 314 at position P5 goes out and the LED 315 at position P6 located below the LED 314 at position P5 goes out and the LED 315 at position P6 located below the LED 314 at position P5 goes out and the LED 316 at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P5 ...5 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P7 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED at position P5 goes out and the LED

When a certain time has elapsed since the LED 320 at the lowest position P11 was turned on, the LED 320 at position P11 goes out and the LED 310 at the top position P1 turns on. In other words, the display unit 302 lights up in the following order: "LED 310 at position P1 → LED 311 at position P2 → ... → LED 320 at position P11 → LED 310 at position P1 → ...".

The order in which the LEDs of the display unit 302 are turned on is not limited to the above, and the LEDs located above the turned on LEDs may be turned on in sequence, that is, in the order of "LED 320 at position P11 → LED 319 at position P10 → ... → LED 310 at position P1 → LED 320 at position P11 → ...". Also, when a certain time has passed since the lowest LED 320 at position P11 was turned on, the LEDs to be turned on may be switched back and forth, such as by turning on LED 319 at position P10.

The ROM 332 stores the control program 334, as well as table data that associates the number of pulse signals with the amount of screen extension.

RAM 333 temporarily stores data calculated by CPU 331. RAM 333 also stores information on the stopping position of weight bar 262.

Next, the process flow when driving the electric roller blind device 300 shown in the sixth embodiment will be explained using the flowchart in FIG. 34.

Step S1301 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit. As shown in FIG. 31(b), when the operator holds his/her hand over the instruction unit 301a of the operation panel 301, the sensor unit 303 detects the hand and outputs a detection signal to the control device 330. The control device 330 determines the result of the determination process of step S1301 as Yes, and proceeds to the process of step S1302. If the user does not hold his/her hand over the instruction unit 301a of the operation panel 301, the hand is not detected. Therefore, the sensor unit 303 does not output a detection signal to the control device 330. In other words, the control device 330 determines the result of the determination process of step S1301 as No. In this case, the determination process of step S1301 is repeatedly executed until the hand is held over the instruction unit 301a of the operation panel 301.

Step S1302 is a process for starting timing. The control device 330 starts timing.

Step S1303 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. The control device 330 checks the measured elapsed time and determines whether or not the certain amount of time has elapsed. If the certain amount of time has elapsed (reached), the control device 330 sets the result of the determination process of step S1303 to Yes. In this case, the control device 330 performs the process of step S1304. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed, the control device 330 sets the result of the determination process of step S1303 to No. In this case, the control device 330 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S1303 until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1304 is a process for checking the position of the LED that is turned on. The control device 330 reads information on the position of the LED that is turned on from the RAM 33, and checks the position of the LED that is turned on.

Step S1305 is a process for determining whether the LED at position Pnmax (nmax = 11) is on or not. If the LED 320 at position P11 is on, the control device 330 sets the result of the determination process of step S1305 to Yes. In this case, the control device 330 performs the process of step S1306.

Step S1306 is a process of turning off the LED at position Pnmax and turning on the LED at position P1. The control device 330 turns off the LED 320 at position P11 and turns on the LED 310 at position P1.

On the other hand, if the LED 320 at position P11 is turned off in the determination process of step S1305, the control device 330 determines the result of the determination process of step S1305 as No. In this case, the control device 330 performs the process of step S1307.

Step S1307 is a process of turning off the LED at position Pn (n = 1...10) and turning on the LED at position Pn+1. The control device 330 turns off the LED at position Pn and turns on the LED at position Pn+1.

Step S1308 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has been stopped. When the operator removes his/her hand from the instruction unit 301a of the operation panel 301, the sensor unit 303 stops detecting the hand. That is, the sensor unit 303 stops outputting the detection signal to the control device 330. When the input of the detection signal from the sensor unit 303 is stopped, the control device 330 sets the result of the determination process of step S1308 to Yes. At this time, the control device 330 temporarily stores information on the position of the lit LED in the RAM 333. The control device 330 then performs the process of step S1309.

On the other hand, if the operator continues to hold his/her hand over the indication unit 301a of the operation panel 301, the sensor unit 303 continues to output a detection signal to the control device 330. Therefore, the control device 330 determines the result of the determination process in step S1308 as No, and returns to step S1303. In this case, the lit LED is switched every time a certain period of time has elapsed.

Step S1309 is a process for driving the lift motor. The control device 330 drives the lift motor 270 in forward or reverse rotation based on information on the position of the weight bar 262 and information on the position of the illuminated LED. In other words, when the position of the weight bar is above the position of the illuminated LED, the control device 330 drives the lift motor 270 in forward rotation. On the other hand, when the position of the weight bar is below the position of the illuminated LED, the control device 330 drives the lift motor 270 in reverse rotation.

Step S1310 is a process for determining whether the weight bar has moved to the position of the lit LED. When the lift motor 270 is driven, the encoder 271 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 330. The control device 330 determines the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261 from the input pulse signal. The control device 330 determines the amount of unwinding of the screen 252 from the amount of rotation of the winding drum 261. The control device 330 determines the current position of the weight bar 262 from the determined amount of unwinding of the screen 252 and information on the position of the weight bar 262 before the lift motor 270 is driven. The control device 330 determines whether the position of the weight bar 262 matches the position of the lit LED. If the position of the weight bar 262 matches the position of the lit LED, the control device 330 sets the result of the determination process of step S1310 to Yes and performs the process of step S1311. On the other hand, if the position of the wait bar 262 does not match the position of the illuminated LED, the control device 330 determines the result of the determination process in step S1310 as No. In this case, the control device 330 repeatedly executes the determination process in step S1310 until the position of the wait bar 262 matches the position of the illuminated LED.

Step S1311 is a process for stopping the drive of the lift motor. The control device 330 stops the drive of the lift motor 270. Therefore, the rising or lowering of the screen 252 stops.

In this way, the operator continues to hold his/her hand over the indicator 301a of the operation panel 301, and lights up the LED in the intended position among the multiple LEDs on the display unit 302. Then, the operator removes his/her hand from the indicator of the operation panel. This action causes the screen 252 to rise or fall, and the weight bar 262 attached to the bottom end of the screen 252 to move to the height of the lit LED.

Therefore, the operator can operate the electric blind device with just the simple action of waving his/her hand, without the need for an operating device such as a wired switch or wireless remote control that may be touched by an unspecified number of people, or a tablet or wireless mobile terminal that works in conjunction with the electric blind device. In addition, when the operator waves his/her hand, the weight bar 262 of the screen 252 can be moved to a position selected by the operator. In other words, since there is no need to operate multiple operating parts, operation is easy. In addition, since there is no need to directly touch the operating device, the risk of transmission of bacteria, viruses, etc. that may adhere to the surface of the operating device can be reduced.

The first to fourth embodiments exemplify an electric blind device having multiple slats extending horizontally and a bottom rail, while the fifth and sixth embodiments exemplify an electric roller blind device. However, the electric blind device is not limited to these, and may be an electric blind device using a screen that can be folded in a zigzag shape, i.e., a pleated screen.

The seventh embodiment will be described below as an electric blind device using a pleated screen in which two tiers of shielding materials (screens) arranged side by side in the vertical direction are raised and lowered individually. In the seventh embodiment, the electric blind device will be described below as an electric pleated screen device. In this embodiment, the upper screen corresponds to the upper shading section described in the claims, and the lower screen corresponds to the lower shading section described in the claims.

Seventh Embodiment
35(a) and 35(b), an electric pleated screen device 350 has a blind body 351 and an operating device 352. The blind body 351 has an upper screen 355, an intermediate rail 356, a lower screen 357, a bottom rail 358, and a head box 359.

The upper screen 355 is suspended from the underside of the head box 359 so that it can be folded in a zigzag pattern. The intermediate rail 356 is attached to the lower end of the upper screen 355. The intermediate rail 356 functions as a weight member for the upper screen 355.

The lower screen 357 is suspended from the underside of the intermediate rail 356 so that it can be bent in a zigzag pattern. The bottom rail 358 is attached to the lower end of the lower screen 357. The bottom rail 358 functions as a weight member for the lower screen 357.

The upper screen 355 has protruding pieces 360 at the folds on the outside of the fabric, which is folded in a zigzag shape. The protruding pieces 360 have round or elongated holes (not shown) in two places. The insertion holes are for inserting the lifting cords 361, 362 that hang down from the head box 359. By inserting the lifting cords into the insertion holes of the protruding pieces 360 provided at the folds on the outside of the room, the lifting cords 361, 362 cannot be seen from the inside of the room.

On the outside of the room, the intermediate rail 356 is attached to the lower end of the above-mentioned lifting/lowering cord 361 and the lower end of the pitch maintaining cord 363 hanging down from the head box 359. The pitch maintaining cord 363 has a plurality of annular support cords 364 spaced at regular intervals. The lifting/lowering cords 361, 362 are inserted into the annular support cords 364. When the intermediate rail 356 is lowered to stretch the upper screen 355, the annular support cords 364 support the protruding pieces 360 of the folds of the upper screen 355 from below, thereby maintaining the folds of the stretched upper screen 355 at a regular interval.

The lower screen 357, like the upper screen 355, has protruding pieces 365 provided at the folds on the outside of the fabric, which is folded in a zigzag shape. The protruding pieces 365 have insertion holes such as round holes or long holes. A lifting/lowering cord 362 that hangs down from the head box 359 is inserted into the insertion holes 365. By inserting the lifting/lowering cord 362 into the insertion holes of the protruding pieces 365 provided at the folds on the outside of the room, the lifting/lowering cord 362 cannot be seen from the inside of the room.

On the outside of the room, the bottom rail 358 is attached to the lower end of the above-mentioned lifting/lowering cord 362 and the lower end of the pitch maintaining cord 369 hanging down from the intermediate rail 356. The pitch maintaining cord 369 has multiple annular support cords 370 spaced at regular intervals. The lifting/lowering cords 362 are inserted through the annular support cords 370. When the bottom rail 358 is lowered to stretch the lower screen 357, the annular support cords 370 support the protruding pieces 365 of the folds of the lower screen 357 from below, and keep the folds of the stretched lower screen 357 at a regular interval.

As shown in FIG. 35(c), the head box 359 has a lifting mechanism 372 that raises and lowers the upper screen 355, and a lifting mechanism 373 that raises and lowers the lower screen 357. The lifting mechanism 372 has two lifting drums 375, a drive shaft 376, a lifting motor 377, and an encoder 378. Similarly, the lifting mechanism 373 has two lifting drums 380, a drive shaft 381, a lifting motor 382, and an encoder 383. In the lifting mechanism 372, the output shaft of the lifting motor 377 and the drive shaft 376 are connected by a coupler 385. Similarly, in the lifting mechanism 373, the output shaft of the lifting motor 382 and the drive shaft 381 are connected by a coupler 386.

Hereinafter, the lifting motor of the lifting mechanism 372 will be referred to as the upper fabric lifting motor 377, and the lifting motor of the lifting mechanism 373 will be referred to as the lower fabric lifting motor 382.

The two lifting drums 375 are fixed to the drive shaft 376 with a predetermined distance between them. The lifting cord 361 is wound around the lifting drums 375. The lifting drums 375 rotate when the lifting motor 377 is driven, and wind or unwind the lifting cord 361. The intermediate rail 356 is raised or lowered by winding or unwinding the lifting cord 361 in accordance with the rotation of the lifting drums 375.

The upper fabric lift motor 377 is an actuator that rotates the two lift drums 375. As described above, the output shaft of the upper fabric lift motor 377 is connected to the drive shaft 376 via the coupler 385. Therefore, the rotation of the output shaft of the upper fabric lift motor 377 is transmitted to the drive shaft 376.

The encoder 378 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 390 to detect the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 376. The encoder 378 has a disk-shaped slit plate fixed to the drive shaft 376 and a photointerrupter, and detects multiple slits in the slit plate as the slit plate rotates. As a result, the encoder 378 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 420 in response to the detection of each of the multiple slits.

The two lifting drums 380 are fixed to the drive shaft 381 with a predetermined distance between them. The lifting cord 362 is wound around the lifting drums 380. The lifting drums 380 rotate when the lifting motor 382 is driven, and wind or unwind the lifting cord 362. The bottom rail 358 is raised or lowered by winding or unwinding the lifting cord 362 as the lifting drums 380 rotate.

The lower fabric lifting motor 382 is an actuator that rotates the two lifting drums 380. As described above, the output shaft of the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is connected to the drive shaft 381 via the coupler 386. Therefore, the rotation of the output shaft of the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is transmitted to the drive shaft 381.

The encoder 383 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 420 to detect the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 381. The encoder 383 has a disk-shaped slit plate fixed to the drive shaft 376 and a photointerrupter, and detects multiple slits in the slit plate when the slit plate rotates. As a result, the encoder 383 outputs a pulse signal to the control device 420 in response to each of the multiple slits detected.

The operating device 352 can perform operations such as raising and lowering the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358 and stopping these operations. As shown in FIG. 36(a), the operating device 352 has an operating unit 400, a sensor unit 401, and a display unit 402. The operating unit 400, the sensor unit 401, and the display unit 402 are arranged from the top in the order of the display unit 402, the operating unit 400, and the sensor unit 401.

The operation unit 400 includes a first operation unit 403 that raises and lowers and stops the upper screen 355, and a second operation unit 404 that raises and lowers and stops the lower screen 357. The first operation unit 403 includes an operation button (hereinafter, "up button") 406 that raises the intermediate rail 356, an operation button (hereinafter, "down button") 407 that lowers the intermediate rail 356, and an operation button (hereinafter, "stop button") 408 that stops the raising and lowering of the intermediate rail 356.

The second operation unit 404 includes an operation button (hereinafter, the up button) 411 for raising the bottom rail 358, an operation button (hereinafter, the down button) 412 for lowering the bottom rail 358, and an operation button (hereinafter, the stop button) 413 for stopping the raising and lowering of the bottom rail 358.

The operation unit 400 has a switching button 414 in addition to the first operation unit 403 and the second operation unit 404 described above. The switching button 414 is operated when switching between electric pleated screen devices 350 to be operated when multiple electric pleated screen devices 350 are operated with a single operation device 352.

The sensor unit 401 detects an object approaching the operating device 352 in a non-contact manner. The sensor unit 401 is, for example, an infrared sensor or a proximity sensor.

The display unit 402 displays, for example, either the operation content corresponding to the operation button that is pressed among the operation buttons provided on the operation unit 400, or the operation content corresponding to the detection time at which an object is detected by the sensor unit 401.

As shown in FIG. 36(b), for example, when the stop button 408 of the first operation unit 403 or the stop button 413 of the second operation unit 404 is operated, the display unit 402 displays "STOP".

As shown in FIG. 36(c), for example, when the down button 412 of the second operation unit 404 is operated, the display unit 402 displays "Underground fabric down" or "▼". Note that the background fabric corresponds to the lower screen 357.

As shown in FIG. 36(d), for example, when the down button 407 of the first operation unit 403 is operated, the display unit 402 displays "Upper fabric down" or "▼". The upper fabric corresponds to the upper screen 355.

As shown in FIG. 36(e), for example, when the up button 406 of the first operation unit 403 is operated, the display unit 402 displays "upper fabric up" or "▲", etc.

As shown in FIG. 36(f), for example, when the up button 411 of the second operation unit 404 is operated, the display unit 402 displays "upper fabric up" or "▲", etc.

The displays shown in Figures 36(a) to 36(e) are displayed on the display unit 402 while being switched every time a certain period of time elapses in the sensor unit 401.

Figure 37 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric pleated screen device shown in the seventh embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 37, the electric pleated screen device 350 has a blind body 351 and an operating device 352. In addition to the lifting and lowering mechanisms 372 and 373 described above, the blind body 351 has a control device 420.

The control device 420 includes a CPU 421, a ROM 422, a RAM 423, and a communication unit 424. The CPU 421 executes a control program 425 to perform the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 426, a position calculation unit 427, and a drive control unit 428.

Based on the pulse signals from the encoders 378 and 383, the rotation amount calculation unit 426 refers to table data (not shown) stored in the ROM 422 to calculate the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 376 of the lifting mechanism 372 and the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 381 of the lifting mechanism 373.

The position calculation unit 427 calculates the position of the intermediate rail 356 from the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 376 of the lifting mechanism 372 calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 426. In detail, the position calculation unit 427 calculates the amount of reeling out of the lifting cord 361 from the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 376 of the lifting mechanism 372 calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 426. The amount of reeling out of the lifting cord 361 reeled out from the lifting drum 375 is proportional to the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 376. In addition, if the intermediate rail 356 is at the top end and the reference position is taken as the reference position, the amount of reeling out of the lifting cord 361 is the amount of movement of the intermediate rail 356 from the reference position. Therefore, the position of the intermediate rail 356 can be obtained by calculating the amount of reeling out of the lifting cord 361. Similarly, the position calculation unit 427 calculates the position of the bottom rail 358 from the amount of rotation of the drive shaft 381 of the lifting mechanism 373 calculated by the rotation amount calculation unit 426.

The drive control unit 428 receives an operation signal transmitted from the operating device 352 and controls the drive of the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382.

The ROM 422 stores the control program 425, as well as table data that associates the number of pulse signals with the amount of extension of the lift cord. The RAM 423 temporarily stores data calculated by the CPU 421, etc. The communication unit 424 receives an operation signal sent from the operating device 352.

The operation device 352 includes an operation unit 400, a sensor unit 401, a display unit 402, a CPU 430, a ROM 431, a RAM 432, and a communication unit 433.

The CPU 430 performs the functions of a control unit 435 and a timing unit 436 by executing the operation program 434 stored in the ROM 431.

When any of the operation buttons of the operation unit 400 is operated, the control unit 435 transmits an operation signal corresponding to the operated operation button to the blind body 351 via the communication unit 433. The control unit 435 also receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 401 to control the display of the display unit 402, and when the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 is stopped, transmits an operation signal based on the display of the display unit 402 to the blind body 351 via the communication unit 433.

The timing unit 436 receives a detection signal from the sensor unit 401 and measures the time since the detection signal was output.

For example, if the time that has elapsed since an approaching hand was detected is between 0.2 and 0.5 seconds, the control unit 435 displays "STOP" on the display unit 402 (see FIG. 36(b)). If the time that has elapsed since an approaching hand was detected is 1 second, the control unit 435 displays "Bottom fabric down" or "▼" on the display unit 402 (see FIG. 36(c)). If the time that has elapsed since an approaching hand was detected is 3 seconds, the control unit 435 displays "Top fabric down" or "▼" on the display unit 402 (see FIG. 36(d)).

If, for example, 5 seconds have elapsed since an approaching hand was detected, the control unit 435 displays "upper fabric raised" or "▲" on the display unit 402 (see FIG. 36(e)). If, for example, 7 seconds have elapsed since an approaching hand was detected, the control unit 435 displays "lower fabric raised" or "▲" on the display unit 402 (see FIG. 36(f)).

After this display, when, for example, nine seconds have elapsed since the detection of an approaching hand, the control unit 435 displays "STOP" on the display unit 402. Then, after the second time "STOP" is displayed on the display unit 402, the control unit 435 switches the display on the display unit 402 every two seconds in the following order: "Lower fabric down" → "Upper fabric down" → "Upper fabric up" → "Lower fabric up" → "Stop" → ....

Next, the process flow when the electric pleated screen device 350 is driven will be described. First, the process flow in the operating device 352 will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 38. Below, a case will be described in which the blind body 351 is operated based on the detection of an object by the sensor unit 401, rather than the pressing operation in the operating unit 400.

Step S1401 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit. When a hand is held near the sensor unit 401 of the operation device 352, the sensor unit 401 detects the hand. When the sensor unit 401 detects the hand, a detection signal is output from the sensor unit 401 to the CPU 421. When the detection signal is input from the sensor unit 401, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process of step S1401 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1402. On the other hand, when a detection signal is not input from the sensor unit 401, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process of step S1401 as No. In this case, the CPU 421 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S1401.

Step S1402 is a process for starting timing. The CPU 421 starts timing.

Step S1403 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1403, the certain amount of time is, for example, 0.2 to 0.5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1404. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1403 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1403 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1404 is a process for displaying "STOP" on the display unit. The CPU 421 controls the display unit 402 to display "STOP" (see FIG. 36(b)).

Step S1405 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 401 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1405 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1406. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 has been stopped, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1405 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1419.

Step S1406 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1406, the certain amount of time is, for example, one second from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1406 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1407. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1406 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1406 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1407 is a process for displaying "UP" on the display unit. The CPU 421 controls the display unit 402 to display "UP/DOWN FABRIC DOWN", "▼", etc. (see FIG. 36(c)).

Step S1408 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 401 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1408 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1409. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 has been stopped, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1408 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1419.

Step S1409 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1409, the certain amount of time is, for example, three seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1409 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1410. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1409 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1409 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1410 is a process for displaying "Undercloth lowered" on the display unit. The CPU 421 controls the display unit 402 to display "Undercloth lowered", "▼", etc. (see FIG. 36(d)).

Step S1411 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 401 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1411 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1412. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 has been stopped, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1411 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1419.

Step S1412 is a process for determining whether or not a certain period of time has elapsed. In step S1412, the certain period of time is, for example, 5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain period of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1412 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1413. On the other hand, if the certain period of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1412 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1412 is repeatedly executed until the certain period of time has elapsed.

Step S1413 is a process for displaying "Upper fabric rise" on the display unit. The CPU 421 controls the display unit 402 to display "Upper fabric rise", "▲", etc. (see FIG. 36 (e)).

Step S1414 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 401 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1414 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1415. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 has been stopped, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1414 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1419.

Step S1415 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1415, the certain amount of time is, for example, seven seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1415 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1416. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1415 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1415 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1416 is a process for displaying "Undercloth raised" on the display unit. The CPU 421 controls the display unit 402 to display "Undercloth raised", "▲", etc. (see FIG. 36(f)).

Step S1417 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 401 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1417 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1418. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 401 has been stopped, the CPU 421 determines the result of the determination process in step S1417 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1419.

Step S1418 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1418, the certain amount of time is, for example, 9 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1418 to Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S1404. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, the CPU 421 sets the result of the determination process of step S1418 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1418 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

If the result of the determination process in step S1418 is Yes, when a hand is detected by the sensor unit 401, the display on the display unit 402 is switched every two seconds, in other words, every 9, 11, 13, 15, etc. seconds after the start of timing.

Step S1419 is a process for transmitting an operation signal based on the display. The CPU 421 transmits an operation signal based on the operation content displayed on the display unit 402 to the control device 420 of the blind body 351.

Next, the processing flow of the blind body 351 will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 39.

Step S1501 is a process for determining whether or not an operation signal has been received. The control device 420 receives an operation signal transmitted from the operation device 352. Therefore, if an operation signal has been received from the operation device 352, the control device 420 sets the result of the determination process of step S1501 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1502. On the other hand, if an operation signal has not been received from the operation device 352, the result of the determination process of step S1501 is No. In this case, the control device 420 continues to execute the determination process of step S1501.

Step S1502 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "lowering the bottom fabric". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "lowering the bottom fabric", the control device 420 sets the result of the determination process of step S1502 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1503. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "lowering the bottom fabric", the control device 420 sets the result of the determination process of step S1502 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1504.

Step S1503 is a process for driving the lower fabric lifting motor in the forward direction. The control device 420 drives the lower fabric lifting motor 382 in the forward direction. As a result, the lifting drum 380 rotates and the lifting cord 362 is unwound. This causes the bottom rail 358 to lower. At this time, the lower screen 357 is stretched from the bottom end side. During this process, of the protruding pieces 365 provided on the multiple folds of the lower screen 357, the protruding piece 365 at the bottom end is supported by the support cord 370 of the pitch retention cord 369 in order.

If the determination in step S1502 is No, the process proceeds to step S1504.
Step S1504 is a process for judging whether the operation content indicates "upper fabric lowering". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "upper fabric lowering", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1504 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1505. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "upper fabric lowering", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1504 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1506.

Step S1505 is a process for driving the upper fabric lift motor in the forward direction. The control device 420 drives the upper fabric lift motor 377 in the forward direction. As a result, the lift drum 375 rotates in the forward direction, and the lift cord 361 is unwound. This causes the intermediate rail 356 to descend. At this time, the upper screen 355 is stretched. During this process, the protruding pieces 360 provided on the multiple folds of the upper screen 355 are supported by the support cord 364 of the pitch retention cord 363 in order, starting from the protruding piece 360 at the bottom.

If the determination in step S1504 is No, the process proceeds to step S1506.
Step S1506 is a process for judging whether the operation content indicates "upper fabric lift". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "upper fabric lift", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1506 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1507. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "upper fabric lift", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1506 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1508.

Step S1507 is a process for driving the upper fabric lift motor in reverse. The control device 420 drives the upper fabric lift motor 377 in reverse. As a result, the lift drum 375 rotates in reverse and the lift cord 361 is wound up. This causes the intermediate rail 356 to rise. At this time, the upper screen 355 is pushed up onto the intermediate rail 356 and folded up from below.

If the determination in step S1506 is No, the process proceeds to step S1508.
Step S1508 is a process for judging whether the operation content indicates "lower fabric lift". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "lower fabric lift", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1508 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1509. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "lower fabric lift", the control device 420 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1508 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1510.

Step S1509 is a process for driving the lower fabric lift motor in reverse. The control device 420 drives the lower fabric lift motor 382 in reverse. As a result, the lift drum 380 rotates in reverse and the lift cord 362 is wound up. This causes the bottom rail 358 to rise. At this time, the lower screen 357 is pushed up by the bottom rail 358 and folded up from below.

If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "stop," that is, the results of the determination processes of steps S1502, S1504, S1506, and S1508 are No. In this case, proceed to step S1510.

Step S1510 is a process for stopping the lift motor that is being driven. The control device 420 stops the drive of the lift motor that is being driven, either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382. When the control device 420 performs the process of step S1510, for example, the driving lift motor is stopped, and the lifting and lowering of the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358 is stopped.

In this way, it is possible to operate the blind body 351 by simply waving a hand over it without touching the operating device 352. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and the like that may be attached to the operating device 352.

In addition, by providing the operating device 352 with a display unit 402 that displays the operation of the blind body 351 being operated, the operation of the blind body 351 can be easily visually confirmed. As a result, when the operator releases the operating device 352 in response to the operation intended by the operator being displayed on the display unit 402, the operation intended by the operator is executed by the blind body 351. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the blind body 351.

The operating device 352 has an operating section 400 with multiple operating buttons, and can give priority to transmitting operation signals based on the operating section 400 to the blind body 351. As a result, if it is necessary to operate the operating section 400 of the operating device 352 while the blind body 351 is operating using the sensor section 401, the operation based on the operating section 400 takes priority. Therefore, if the intermediate rail 356 or bottom rail 358 is raised or lowered more than necessary, it is possible to operate the operating section 400 to return it to an appropriate state or to stop it.

The operating device 352 disclosed in the seventh embodiment described above has an operating section (first operating section 403) for raising and lowering the upper screen 355, and an operating section (second operating section 404) for raising and lowering the lower screen 357. However, the operating device may be one in which the upper screen 355 and the lower screen 357 are operated by the same operating section.

The following describes an eighth embodiment of an electric pleated screen device that has an operating device that operates the upper screen 355 and the lower screen 357 from the same operating section.

Eighth Embodiment
As shown in Figures 40(a), 40(b) and 40(c), the electric pleated screen device 445 shown in the eighth embodiment is composed of a blind main body 449 and an operating device 450 described below. Since the device configuration of the blind main body 449 is the same as that of the device main body shown in the seventh embodiment, the components of the blind main body 449 will be described below using the same reference numerals as the blind main body 351 shown in the seventh embodiment. Also, only the configuration of the operating device 450 will be described below.

As shown in FIG. 41(a), the operating device 450 has an operating unit 451, a sensor unit 452, and a display unit 453. Note that FIG. 41(a) shows a case where the display unit 453, operating unit 451, and sensor unit 452 are arranged in this order from the top.

The operation unit 451 includes an operation button (hereinafter, the up button) 456 for raising the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358, an operation button (hereinafter, the down button) 457 for lowering the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358, and an operation button (hereinafter, the stop button) 458 for stopping the raising and lowering of the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358.

In addition to the above-mentioned operation buttons, the operation unit 451 has a switching button 459. The switching button 459 is operated when switching between electric pleated screen devices 445 to be operated when multiple electric pleated screen devices 445 are operated with one operation device.

The sensor unit 452 detects an object approaching the operating device 450 in a non-contact manner. The sensor unit 452 is, for example, an infrared sensor or a proximity sensor.

The display unit 453 displays, for example, either the operation content corresponding to the operation button that is pressed among the operation buttons provided on the operation unit 451, or the operation content corresponding to the detection time at which an object is detected by the sensor unit 452.

As shown in FIG. 41(b), for example, when the stop button 458 of the operation unit 451 is operated, the display unit 453 displays "STOP".

As shown in FIG. 41(c), for example, when the down button 457 of the operation unit 451 is operated, the display unit 453 displays "Down" or "▼", etc.

As shown in FIG. 41(d), for example, when the up button 456 of the operation unit 451 is operated, the display unit 453 displays "up" or "▲", etc.

Figure 42 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of an electric pleated screen device 445 in the eighth embodiment.

The blind body 449 has lifting mechanisms 372, 373 and a control device 470, similar to the blind body 351 of the electric pleated screen device shown in the seventh embodiment. A description of the lifting mechanisms 372, 373 will be omitted.

The control device 470 has a CPU 471, a ROM 472, a RAM 473, and a communication unit 474. By executing a control program 476, the CPU 471 has the functions of a rotation amount calculation unit 481, a position calculation unit 482, a drive control unit 483, and an operation determination unit 484. The functions of the rotation amount calculation unit 481, the position calculation unit 482, and the drive control unit 483 are the same as the functions of the rotation amount calculation unit 426, the position calculation unit 427, and the drive control unit 428 shown in the seventh embodiment.

When the operation decision unit 484 receives an operation signal from the operating device 450, it checks the drive status of the upper fabric lifting motor 377 and the lower fabric lifting motor 382, and determines the operation of the blind body 449 based on the confirmed drive status and the received operation signal.

The operating device 450 has a CPU 490, a ROM 491, a RAM 492, and a communication unit 493 in addition to an operating unit 451, a sensor unit 452, and a display unit 453. The CPU 490 has the functions of a control unit 495 and a clock unit 496 by executing a control program 494 stored in the ROM 491. Here, the control unit 495 and the clock unit 496 of the CPU 490 have the same functions as the control unit 435 and the clock unit 436 of the CPU 430 shown in the seventh embodiment.

Next, the process flow when the electric pleated screen device 445 is driven will be described. First, the process flow in the operation device will be described based on the flowchart in FIG. 43. Below, a case will be described in which the blind body 449 is driven based on the detection of an object by the sensor unit, rather than the pressing operation on the operation unit.

Step S1601 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit. When a hand is held near the sensor unit 452 of the operating device 450, the hand is detected by the sensor unit 452. When the sensor unit 452 detects the hand, a detection signal is output from the sensor unit 452 to the CPU 490. When the detection signal is input from the sensor unit 452, the CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1601 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1602. On the other hand, when a detection signal is not input from the sensor unit 452, the CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1601 as No. In this case, the CPU 490 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S1601.

Step S1602 is a process for starting timing. The CPU 490 starts timing.

Step S1603 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1603, the certain amount of time is, for example, 0.2 to 0.5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S to No. In this case, the determination process of step S is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1604 is a process for displaying "STOP" on the display unit. The CPU 490 controls the display unit 453 to display "STOP" (see FIG. 41(b)).

Step S1605 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 452 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1606. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 452 has been stopped, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1613.

Step S1606 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1606, the certain amount of time is, for example, one second from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1606 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1607. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1606 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1606 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1607 is a process for displaying "Down" on the display unit. The CPU 490 controls the display unit 458 to display "Down", "▼", etc. (see FIG. 41(c)).

Step S1608 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 452 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S1608 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1609. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 452 has been stopped, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S1608 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1613.

Step S1609 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1609, the certain amount of time is, for example, three seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1609 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S16. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S to No. In this case, the determination process of step S is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

Step S1610 is a process for displaying "Up" on the display unit. The CPU 490 controls the display unit 458 to display "Down", "▲", etc. (see FIG. 41(d)).

Step S1611 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit has ended. If the sensor unit 452 continues to output a detection signal, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S1611 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1612. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 452 has been stopped, the CPU 490 determines the result of the determination process in step S1611 as No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1613.

Step S1612 is a process for determining whether or not a certain amount of time has elapsed. In step S1612, the certain amount of time is, for example, 5 seconds from the start of timing. If the certain amount of time has elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1612 to Yes. In this case, the process returns to step S1604. On the other hand, if the certain amount of time has not elapsed since the start of timing, CPU 490 sets the result of the determination process of step S1604 to No. In this case, the determination process of step S1604 is repeatedly executed until the certain amount of time has elapsed.

If the result of the determination process in step S1604 is Yes, the display on the display unit 458 is switched every two seconds, in other words, every 7, 9, 11, and 13 seconds after the start of timing.

Step S1613 is a process for transmitting an operation signal based on the display. The CPU 490 transmits an operation signal based on the operation content displayed on the display unit 453 to the control device 470 of the blind body 449 via the communication unit 493.

Next, the processing flow of the blind main body 449 will be explained based on the flowchart in Figure 44.

Step S1701 is a process for determining whether or not an operation signal has been received. The control device 470 receives the operation signal transmitted from the operation device 450. Therefore, if an operation signal has been received from the operation device 450, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process of step S1701 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1702. On the other hand, if an operation signal has not been received from the operation device 450, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process of step S1701 as No. In this case, the control device 470 repeatedly executes the determination process of step S1701.

Step S1702 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "descent." If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "descent," the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process in step S1702 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1703. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal indicates something other than "descent," the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process in step S1702 to No. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1710.

Step S1703 is a process for determining whether or not one of the two lift motors is rotating in the forward direction and the position of the rail corresponding to the lift motor to be stopped is not at the lower limit position. For example, the control device 470 checks the drive state of the lift motors 377 and 382 and the position of the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358.

For example, if either the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is rotating in the forward direction and the position of the rail corresponding to the other stopped lifting motor is not at the lower limit position, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1703 as Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1704.

On the other hand, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are rotating in the forward direction, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1703 as No. Also, if either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is rotating in the forward direction but the position of the rail corresponding to the other stopped lift motor is at the lower limit position, or if, for example, one of the two lift motors, the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382, is rotating in the reverse direction, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1703 as No. In these cases, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1705.

Step S1704 is a process for driving the stopped lift motor in the forward direction. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in the forward direction. For example, when the lower fabric lift motor 382 is driven in the forward direction and the upper fabric lift motor 377 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the upper fabric lift motor 377 in the forward direction. This stretches not only the lower screen 357 but also the upper screen 355. Similarly, when the upper fabric lift motor 377 is driven in the forward direction and the lower fabric lift motor 382 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the lower fabric lift motor 382 in the forward direction. This stretches not only the upper screen 355 but also the lower screen 357. After the process of step S1704 is executed, the process returns to step S1701.

If the result of the judgment process in step S1703 described above is No, proceed to the process in step S1705.

Step S1705 is a process for determining whether or not it is satisfied that both lift motors are stopped and at least one of the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358 is not at the lowest position. For example, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are stopped and at least one of the rails corresponding to each lift motor is not at the lowest position, the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process of step S1705 to Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process of step S1706.

On the other hand, for example, if either the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is stopped but at least one of the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358 is at the lowest position, or if either the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is rotating in reverse, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1705 as No. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1707.

Step S1706 is a process for driving one of the two lift motors in the forward direction. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in the forward direction.

For example, when the two lifting motors, the upper fabric lifting motor 377 and the lower fabric lifting motor 382, are stopped, the control device 470 drives, for example, the lower fabric lifting motor 382 to rotate in the forward direction. This causes the lower screen 357 to be unfurled.

In addition, when the lower fabric lift motor 382 of the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is rotating in the forward direction and the upper fabric lift motor 377 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the upper fabric lift motor 377 in the forward direction. This causes the upper screen 355 to be unrolled together with the lower screen 357. After the process of step S1706 has been executed, the process returns to step S1701.

If the result of the judgment process in step S1705 is No, proceed to the processing in step S1707.

Step S1707 is a process for determining whether or not at least one of the two lift motors is rotating in the reverse direction. If at least one of the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 is rotating in the reverse direction, the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process in step S1707 to Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process of step S. On the other hand, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are rotating in the forward direction or if the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358 are at their lower limit positions, the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process in step S1707 to No. In this case, the control device 470 returns to the process of step S1701.

Step S1708 is a process for stopping the lift motor that is being driven in reverse rotation. The control device 470 stops the lift motor that is being driven in reverse rotation, either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382.

Step S1709 is a process for driving one of the two lift motors in the forward direction. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in the forward direction. In this case, for example, the lower fabric lift motor 382 is driven in the forward direction. Therefore, the lower screen 357 is unrolled. Once the process of step S1709 has been executed, the process returns to step S1701.

If the result of the determination process in step S1702 described above is No, that is, if the operation content is not "downward," proceed to step S1710.

Step S1710 is a process for determining whether the operation content indicates "upward". If the operation content based on the operation signal indicates "upward", the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process of step S1710 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1711. On the other hand, if the operation content based on the operation signal does not indicate "upward", the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process of step S1710 to No. In this case, the operation content is "stop", so the process proceeds to step S1718. The control device 470 stops driving the lift motor. Note that when the process of step S1718 is executed, the control device 470 returns to the process of step S1701.

If the result of the judgment process in step S1710 is Yes, proceed to step S1711.

Step S1711 is a process for determining whether or not one of the two lift motors is rotating in reverse and the position of the rail corresponding to the lift motor to be stopped is not at the upper limit position. For example, the control device 470 checks the drive state of the lift motor and the position of the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358.

When either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is rotating in the reverse direction and the position of the rail corresponding to the other stopped lift motor is not at the upper limit position, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1711 as Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1712.

On the other hand, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are driving in reverse rotation, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1711 as No. Also, if either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is driving in reverse rotation but the position of the rail corresponding to the other stopped lift motor is at the upper limit position, or if, for example, one of the two lift motors, the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382, is driving in forward rotation, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1711 as No. In these cases, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1713.

Step S1712 is a process for driving the stopped lift motor in reverse. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in reverse. For example, when the upper fabric lift motor 377 is driven in reverse and the lower fabric lift motor 382 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the lower fabric lift motor 382 in reverse. This folds not only the upper screen 355 but also the lower screen 357. Similarly, when the lower fabric lift motor 382 is driven in reverse and the upper fabric lift motor 377 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the upper fabric lift motor 377 in reverse. This folds not only the lower screen 357 but also the upper screen 355. After the process of step S1712 is executed, the process returns to step S1701.

If the result of the determination process in step S1711 is No, proceed to the process in step S1713.

Step S1713 is a process for determining whether or not it is satisfied that both lift motors are stopped and at least one of the two rails is not at the upper limit position. For example, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are stopped and at least one of the rails corresponding to each lift motor is not at the upper limit position, the control device 470 sets the result of the determination process of step S1713 to Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process of step S1714.

On the other hand, for example, if either the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is stopped but the rail corresponding to each lifting motor is at the upper limit position, or if either the upper fabric lifting motor 377 or the lower fabric lifting motor 382 is rotating forward, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1713 as No. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process in step S1715.

Step S1714 is a process for driving one of the two lift motors in reverse. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in reverse. When the two lift motors, the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382, are stopped, the control device 470 drives, for example, the upper fabric lift motor 377 in reverse. This causes the upper screen 355 to fold from the bottom end side.

In addition, when the upper fabric lift motor 377 of the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is driven in reverse rotation and the lower fabric lift motor 382 is stopped, the control device 470 drives the lower fabric lift motor 382 in reverse rotation. As a result, not only the upper screen 355 but also the lower screen 357 is folded from the bottom end side. When the process of step S1714 is executed, the process returns to step S1701.

If the result of the judgment process in step S1714 is No, proceed to the process in step S1715.

Step S1715 is a process for determining whether or not at least one of the two lift motors is rotating forward. If at least one of the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382 is rotating forward, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1715 as Yes. In this case, the control device 470 proceeds to the process of step S1716. On the other hand, if both the upper fabric lift motor 377 and the lower fabric lift motor 382 are rotating backward or if the intermediate rail 356 and the bottom rail 358 are in the upper limit position, the control device 470 determines the result of the determination process in step S1715 as No. In this case, the control device 470 returns to the process of step S1701.

Step S1716 is a process for stopping the lift motor that is being driven in the forward direction. The control device 470 stops the lift motor that is being driven in the forward direction, either the upper fabric lift motor 377 or the lower fabric lift motor 382.

Step S1717 is a process for driving one of the two lift motors in reverse. The control device 470 drives the stopped lift motor in reverse. In this case, for example, the upper fabric lift motor 377 is driven in reverse. Therefore, the upper screen 355 is folded from the bottom end side.

In this way, it is possible to operate the blind body 449 by simply waving a hand over it without touching the operating device 450. This makes it possible to prevent the transmission of bacteria, viruses, and the like that may be attached to the operating device 450.

In addition, by providing the operating device 450 with a display unit 453 that displays the operation of the blind body 449 being operated, the operation of the blind body 449 can be easily visually confirmed. As a result, when the operator releases the operating device 450 in response to the operation intended by the operator being displayed on the display unit 453, the operation intended by the operator is executed by the blind body 449. Therefore, it is possible to prevent malfunction of the blind body 449.

As described above, the operating device 450 has an operating section with multiple operating buttons, and can give priority to transmitting an operation signal based on the operation of the operating section 451 to the blind body 449. As a result, if it is necessary to operate the operating section 451 while the blind body 449 is operating using the sensor section 452, the operation based on the operating section 451 is given priority. Therefore, if the intermediate rail 356 or the bottom rail 358 is raised or lowered more than necessary, it is possible to operate the operating section 451 to return it to an appropriate state or to stop it.

In the seventh and eighth embodiments, an electric pleated screen device is given as an example in which two tiers of shielding material (screens) arranged side by side in the vertical direction are individually raised and lowered, but the present invention can also be applied to an electric pleated screen device that raises and lowers one tier of shielding material (screen), or to an electric pleated screen device 503 that individually raises and lowers two shielding materials (screens) 501, 502 arranged side by side in the front-to-rear direction, as shown in FIG. 45.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, for example, an electric blind device in which a non-contact sensor unit is provided on an operating device such as a bottom rail or a remote control is described as an example. However, some electric blind devices are provided that operate by operating an operating panel embedded in the wall of a building. Below, an electric blind device having an operating panel embedded in the wall of a building is described. In describing this embodiment, the main configuration of the electric blind device is the same as the main configuration of the electric blind device 10 shown in FIG. 1. Therefore, below, only the configuration of the operating panel 530 provided on the electric blind device 520 is described. In addition, in the following description, the same reference numerals are used for the components of the electric blind device 520 that have the same functions as the components of the electric blind device 10 shown in FIG. 1.

Ninth embodiment
As shown in FIG. 46, the operation panel 530 has two display areas 531 and 532. Of the two display areas 531 and 532, the display area 531 has, for example, 15 display units arranged in the vertical direction in FIG. 46. The display area 531 has an LED row 541 (see FIG. 47) therein. The LED row 541 has 15 LEDs corresponding to the respective display units provided in the display area 531. Note that the lighting of each LED in the LED row 541 is individually controlled. Therefore, when any of the LEDs in the LED row 541 is turned on, the display unit corresponding to the turned-on LED is illuminated. Hereinafter, the LED at the top position of the LED row 541 is referred to as the LED at position P1, and the LED at the bottom position is referred to as the LED at position P11.

Of the 15 display sections in the display area 531, the illuminated display sections display not only the current position (height) of the bottom rail 12, but also a pseudo display of the height of the bottom rail 12 intended by the operator. For example, when the display section in the top position of the 15 display sections provided in the display area 531 is illuminated, it indicates that the bottom rail 12 is in the top position, or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to move the bottom rail 12 to the top position.

When the display unit located in the center in the vertical direction among the 15 display units is illuminated, it indicates that the bottom rail 12 is in the intermediate position or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to move the bottom rail 12 to the intermediate position. When the display unit located in the lowest position among the 15 display units is illuminated, it indicates that the bottom rail 12 is in the lowest position or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to move the bottom rail 12 to the lowest position.

Similar to display area 531, display area 532 has, for example, 15 display units arranged in the vertical direction. Display area 532 has LED row 542 (see FIG. 47) inside. LED row 542 has 15 LEDs that correspond to each of the display units provided in display area 532. Note that the lighting of each LED in LED row 542 is controlled individually. Therefore, when any of the LEDs in LED row 542 is lit, the display unit associated with the lit LED emits light.

The illuminated display units not only display the current rotation state of the multi-stage slats 11, but also simulate the rotation state of the slats intended by the operator. When the display unit at the top of the 15 display units provided in the display area 532 is illuminated, it indicates that the multi-stage slats 11 are in a fully reverse closed state, or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to rotate the multi-stage slats 11 to a fully reverse closed state.

When the display unit located in the center in the vertical direction among the 15 display units is illuminated, it indicates that the multi-stage slats 11 are in a fully open state, or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to rotate the multi-stage slats 11 to a fully open state. When the display unit located in the lowest position among the 15 display units is illuminated, it indicates that the multi-stage slats 11 are in a fully closed state, or that the electric blind device 520 is to be operated to rotate the multi-stage slats 11 to a fully closed state.

The operation panel 530 has an up button 534 above the display area 531 and a down button 535 below the display area 531. The up button 534 is used when raising the bottom rail 12. The up button 534 has a sensor unit 543 (see FIG. 47) inside. Although not shown, the sensor unit 543 has a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit, and detects an object by reflecting infrared light projected from the light-projecting unit on the surface of the object and receiving the reflected infrared light at the light-receiving unit. Therefore, the sensor unit 543 can detect an object in contact with the up button 534 or an object close to the up button 534.

The lowering button 535 is used to lower the bottom rail 12. The lowering button 535 has a sensor unit 544 (see FIG. 47) inside. The configuration of the sensor unit 544 is the same as the sensor unit 543 disposed inside the raising button 534.

The operation panel 530 has tilt buttons 536, 537 arranged above and below the display area 532. Of the tilt buttons 536, 537, the tilt button 536 is used to rotate the multi-stage slats 11 to the reverse fully closed state. The tilt button 537 is used to rotate the multi-stage slats 11 to the fully closed state. The tilt buttons 536, 537 have sensor units 545, 546 (see Figure 47) inside. These sensor units 545, 546 have the same configuration as the sensor unit 543 arranged inside the up button 534.

The operation panel 530 has a stop button 538 located on the right side of the display area 532 in Figure 46. The stop button 538 is used to stop the raising and lowering of the bottom rail 12 and the rotation of the multiple slats 11. The stop button 538 has a sensor unit 547 (see Figure 47) inside. The sensor unit 547 has the same configuration as the sensor unit 543 located inside the up button 534.

Figure 47 is a functional block diagram showing the electrical configuration of the electric blind device 1 in the ninth embodiment. Below, only the electrical configuration of the operation panel 530 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 47, the operation panel 530 has, in addition to the LED rows 541, 542 and sensor units 543, 544, 545, 546, 547 arranged inside the display areas 531, 532 described above, a CPU 548, a ROM 549, a RAM 550, and a communication unit 551. The CPU 548 executes an operation program 552 stored in the ROM 549, thereby performing the functions of a control unit 555, a timer unit 556, and a light emission control unit 557.

The control unit 555 controls each unit in the operation panel 530. The control unit 555 also transmits an operation signal based on the operation of the operation panel 530 to the control device 35 of the electric blind device 520 via the communication unit 551. The communication between the communication unit 551 provided in the operation panel 530 and the communication unit 54 of the control device 35 is either wireless or wired. The timer unit 556 times the time at which the detection signal is input when it continuously receives a detection signal from any of the sensor units 543, 544, 545, and 546. The light emission control unit 557 controls the light emission of the LED row 541 provided in the display area 531 or the LED row 542 provided in the display area 532 based on the detection signal from any of the sensor units 543, 544, 545, and 546.

The ROM 549 stores an operation program 552. The RAM 550 stores information on the positions of the lit LEDs (hereinafter, "lighting data"). Note that the lit LEDs are switched when an object is detected by the sensor unit, so each time the lit LEDs are switched, the lighting data is updated and stored in the RAM 550.

In this embodiment, the operation panel 530 is provided with a CPU 548, a ROM 549, and a RAM 550. However, it is also possible to input the detection signals of the sensors to the control device 35, and have the control device 35 control the illumination of the display areas 531 and 532.

Next, the operation of the operation panel 530 when the operation panel 530 is operated will be described using the flowchart in FIG. 48. Note that the flowchart in FIG. 48 is a flowchart when the bottom rail 12 is raised and lowered.

Step S1801 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 543. As shown in FIG. 49(a), when the operator brings the index finger close to the up button 534, the sensor unit 543 arranged inside the up button 534 detects the index finger and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 548. Upon receiving the detection signal from the sensor unit 543, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process of step S1801 as Yes. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1802. The CPU 548 starts timing upon receiving the detection signal from the sensor unit 543. On the other hand, if the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 is not input, the result of the determination process of step S1801 is No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1809 described later.

Step S1802 is a process for determining whether the LED at position P1 is illuminated. CPU 548 reads the LED illumination data stored in RAM 550. CPU 548 then checks the position of the LED that is currently illuminated among the LEDs in LED row 541. For example, if the currently illuminated LED is the LED at position P1, CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1802 as Yes, and performs the process in step S1804. In this case, the currently illuminated LED at position P1 remains illuminated.

On the other hand, if the currently lit LED is not the LED at position P1, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1802 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process in step S1803.

Step S1803 is a process for turning off the LED at position Pn and turning on the LED at position Pn-1. The CPU 548 turns off the LED at position Pn and turns on the LED at position Pn-1 among the LEDs in the LED row 541. This shifts the light-emitting display portion in the display area 531 upward by one step. The CPU 548 then updates the lighting data and stores it in the RAM 550.

Step S1804 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit 543 has continued for a certain period of time. For example, if the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 is continuously input for more than the certain period of time T1, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1804 as Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1805. On the other hand, if the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 is input without exceeding the certain period of time T1, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1804 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1807.

Step S1805 is a process for determining whether the LED at position P1 is on or not. CPU 548 reads the LED lighting data stored in RAM 550 and checks the position of the currently lit LED. For example, if the currently lit LED is the LED at position P1, CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1805 as Yes and performs the process of step S1807. In this case, the currently lit LED at position P1 remains lit.

On the other hand, if the currently lit LED is not the LED at position P1, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1805 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process in step S1806.

Step S1806 is a process for turning off the LED at position Pn-1 and turning on the LED at position Pn-2. CPU 548 turns off the LED at position Pn-1 and turns on the LED at position Pn-2 among the LEDs in LED row 541. This shifts the light-emitting display portion in display area 531 upward by one step. CPU 548 then updates the lighting data and stores it in RAM 550. After processing in step S1806, CPU 548 performs processing in step S1807.

Step S1807 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 543. For example, when the operator's finger is removed from the up button 534, the sensor unit 543 no longer detects the finger and stops outputting the detection signal. If the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 has stopped, the CPU 548 sets the result of the determination process of step S1807 to Yes. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1808. On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 is still being executed, the CPU 548 sets the result of the determination process of step S1807 to No. In this case, the CPU 543 returns to step S1804, and repeatedly executes the processes of steps S1804 to S1807 until the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 543 stops.

Therefore, if a finger is kept on or close to the up button 534, the light-emitting display section of the display area 531 will rise by one step every time a certain period of time passes. And if a finger is kept on or close to the up button 534 even after the display section at the top position has started to emit light, the display section at the top position will continue to emit light.

Step S1808 is a process for sending an operation signal to the control device 35. The CPU 548 acquires position information of the currently lit LED from the lighting data stored in the RAM 550. The CPU 548 then sends an operation signal accompanied by the LED position information to the control device 35. The CPU 51 of the control device 35 drives the motor 31 to rotate based on the operation signal sent from the operation panel 530. That is, when a finger is placed on or in close proximity to the up button 534, the bottom rail 12 rises to a position corresponding to the illuminated display section among the display sections of the display area 531. As the bottom rail 12 rises, the multiple tiers of slats 11 rise sequentially from the lower tier.

If the determination process of step S1801 described above is No, that is, if the finger is placed on or in close proximity to an operation button other than the up button 534, or if the finger is not placed on or in close proximity to the operation panel 530, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1809.

Step S1809 is a process for determining whether or not there is detection by the sensor unit 544. When the operator brings the index finger close to the down button 535, the sensor unit 543 arranged inside the down button 535 detects the index finger and outputs a detection signal to the CPU 548. Upon receiving the detection signal from the sensor unit 543, the CPU 548 sets the result of the determination process of step S1809 to Yes. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1810. At this time, the CPU 548 starts timing in response to the input of the detection signal from the sensor unit 543.

On the other hand, if the operator has not brought his/her index finger close to the down button 535, no detection signal is input from the sensor unit 543, and the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1809 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 returns to the process in step S1801.

Step S1810 is a process for determining whether the LED at position Pnmax is on or not. CPU 548 reads the LED lighting data stored in RAM 550 and checks the position of the currently lit LED. For example, if the currently lit LED is the LED at position Pnmax, CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1810 as Yes and performs the process of step S1812. In this case, the currently lit LED at position Pnmax remains lit. In other words, the display unit at the bottom of display area 531 continues to emit light.

On the other hand, if the currently lit LED is not the LED at position Pnmax, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1810 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process in step S1811.

Step S1811 is a process for turning off the LED at position Pn and turning on the LED at position Pn+1. The CPU 548 turns off the LED at position Pn of the LEDs in the LED row 541 and turns on the LED at position Pn+1. As a result, the light-emitting display section of the display area shifts downward by one step. The CPU 548 then updates the lighting data and stores it in the RAM 550.

Step S1812 is a process for determining whether or not detection by the sensor unit 544 has continued for a certain period of time. For example, if a detection signal from the sensor unit 544 is continuously input for more than a certain period of time T1, the CPU 548 determines the result of step S1812 as Yes. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process of step S1813.

On the other hand, if the detection signal from the sensor unit 544 is input before the certain time T1 is exceeded, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1813 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process in step S1808.

Step S1813 is a process for determining whether or not the LED at position Pnmax is on. The CPU 548 reads the LED lighting data stored in the RAM 550 and checks the position of the currently lit LED. For example, if the currently lit LED is the LED at position Pnmax, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1813 as Yes and performs the process of step S1815. In this case, the currently lit LED at position Pnmax remains lit.

On the other hand, if the currently lit LED is not the LED at position Pnmax, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process in step S1813 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 performs the process in step S1814.

Step S1814 is a process of turning off the LED at position Pn+1 and turning on the LED at position Pn+2. The CPU 548 turns off the LED at position Pn+1 of the LEDs in the LED row 541 and turns on the LED at position Pn+2. This shifts the light-emitting display portion in the display area 531 downward by one step. The CPU 548 then updates the lighting data and stores it in the RAM 550.

Step S1815 is a process for judging whether or not there is no detection by the sensor unit 544. For example, when the operator's finger is removed from the down button 535, the sensor unit 544 no longer detects the finger and stops outputting the detection signal. If the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 544 is stopped, the CPU 548 sets the result of the judgment process of step S1815 to Yes. In this case, the process proceeds to step S1808. In this case, the CPU 548 reads the lighting data stored in the RAM 550 and transmits an operation signal to the control device 35 that includes position information of the lit LED. The CPU 51 of the control device 35 drives the motor 31 to rotate based on the operation signal transmitted from the operation panel 530. In this case, the bottom rail 12 descends to a position corresponding to the lit LED. In accordance with the descent of the bottom rail 12, the multiple slats 11 descend sequentially from the lower tier.

On the other hand, if the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 544 is still being executed, the CPU 548 determines the result of the determination process of step S1815 as No. In this case, the CPU 548 returns to the process of step S1812, and repeats the process of steps S1812 to S1815 until the output of the detection signal from the sensor unit 544 is stopped. Therefore, if a finger continues to be placed on or in close proximity to the descent button 535, the light-emitting display section of the display area 531 will descend one step at a time every time a certain period of time has elapsed. Then, if a finger continues to be placed on or in close proximity to the descent button 535 even after the display section at the lowest position has emitted light, the display section at the lowest position will continue to emit light.

In this way, when a finger is placed on or in close proximity to the up button 534 or down button 535, the display in the display area 531 of the operation panel 530 changes every time a certain amount of time passes, and when the finger is removed from the operation panel 530, the bottom rail 12 rises or falls in accordance with the display in the display area 531 at the time the finger was removed.

Although we will not explain this in detail, when a finger is placed on or in close proximity to either of the tilt buttons 536, 537, the display in the display area 532 is switched at regular intervals in the same manner as when the up button 534 or down button 535 is used, and when the finger is released, the multiple slats 11 rotate in accordance with the display in the display area 532 at the time the finger was released.

This eliminates the need to touch the buttons on the operation panel 530 with your fingers when operating the device, preventing the risk of bacteria or dirt on the operation panel 530 getting onto your fingers.

Note that if the sensor unit has a light-projecting unit and a light-receiving unit, it will also detect objects that are not close to the operation panel 530, i.e., objects other than the finger operating the operation panel 530. Therefore, it is possible to set a threshold value in advance to determine whether an object is within a distance (effective distance) from the operation panel 530 that makes operation of the operation panel 530 effective, and to determine from the detected object whether the object is close to the operation panel 530. Note that the threshold value may be the effective distance, or the amount of light received by the light-receiving unit when an object within the effective distance is detected.

Also, when the operator approaches the up button 534 of the operation panel 530 with his/her index finger, the palm or other fingers may approach, for example, other buttons of the operation panel 530, and an operation different from the operator's intention may be performed. Therefore, in order to perform the operation intended by the operator, for example, the sensor unit that detects the closest object among the sensor units provided on the operation panel 530 can be prioritized. FIG. 49(b) is a diagram showing, for example, the index finger approaching the up button 534 and the thumb approaching the down button 535. As shown in FIG. 49(b), when the distance from the operation panel 530 to the index finger is D1 and the distance from the operation panel 530 to the thumb is D2, if the distance D1>distance D2, the detection signal of the sensor unit 543 arranged inside the up button 534 is prioritized. Conversely, if the distance D1<distance D2, the detection signal of the sensor unit 544 arranged inside the down button 535 is prioritized. With this, even if an object is detected by multiple sensor units, the detection signal of the object (such as a finger) closest to the operation panel 530 is prioritized, and the operation based on the prioritized detection signal is executed by the electric blind device. Therefore, it is possible to reliably operate the electric blind device.

When an object is detected by multiple sensor units, it is common for a detection signal to be output from the sensor unit closest to the operation panel 530. However, when detection signals are output from multiple sensor units, it is also possible to invalidate all of these detection signals and prevent the electric blind device from operating.

10, 70, 110, 150, 180... Electric blind device 11... Slat 12, 71, 111... Bottom rail 13... Head box 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 72, 73, 112, 115, 151, 272, 273, 303... Sensor unit 31... Motor 35, 76, 120, 155, 274, 420... Control device 39... Lifting drum 40... Tilt drum 75... Display device 88, 89, 302... Display unit 181, 351, 449... Blind body 182, 352, 450... Operation device 191... Operation unit 192... Sensor unit 193... Display unit 250, 300... Electric roller screen device 251... Frame body 252... Screen 255... Upper frame 256, 257: Pair of vertical frames 261: Winding drum 262: Weight bar 350, 445: Electric pleated screen device 355: Upper screen 357: Lower screen

Claims (4)

A light blocking portion that blocks external light;
A drive unit that operates the light blocking unit;
A detection unit that detects an approaching object in a non-contact manner;
a control unit that controls the drive unit in response to detection of the object by the detection unit;
having
The light blocking portion is
A plurality of light blocking plates extending in a horizontal direction and arranged at predetermined intervals in a vertical direction;
a rail member that is raised and lowered by the driving unit to move the plurality of light blocking plates up and down;
having
the detection unit is provided on the rail member of the light blocking unit,
a measurement unit that measures the time when the object is detected by the detection unit;
a display unit that displays one of a plurality of preset stop positions of the rail member in accordance with a detection time of the object by the detection unit;
having
The control unit drives the drive unit to move the rail member to the stop position displayed on the display unit. The electric blind device according to claim 1 ,
The display unit has a plurality of LEDs arranged in a row,
The detection units are disposed at two locations on the rail member,
When one of the detection units arranged at two locations on the rail member detects the object, the multiple LEDs are turned on by sequentially switching them in one direction, and when the other of the detection units arranged at two locations on the rail member detects the object, the multiple LEDs are turned on by sequentially switching them in the direction opposite to the one direction. The electric blind device according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A human body detection unit that detects a nearby human body,
The control unit enables driving of the drive unit when the human body detection unit detects an approaching human body. A light blocking portion that blocks external light;
A drive unit that operates the light blocking unit;
A detection unit that detects an approaching object in a non-contact manner;
a control unit that controls the drive unit in response to detection of the object by the detection unit;
having
The light blocking portion is
a screen having an upper end attached to a winding member;
A weight member disposed at a lower end of the screen and applying tension to the screen;
Including,
The drive unit rotates the winding member to unwind the screen wound around the winding member or wind the screen around the winding member,
The winding member is provided with a frame body having an upper frame and a pair of vertical frames extending downward from both sides of the upper frame, the frame body supporting the winding member across the pair of vertical frames at a position adjacent to the upper frame,
a measurement unit that measures the time when the object is detected by the detection unit;
a display unit provided on at least one of the pair of vertical frames and configured to display a stop position of the weight member according to a detection time of the object by the detection unit;
having
The control unit drives the drive unit to wind up or unwind the screen until the weight member reaches the same height as the stop position displayed on the display unit.

Images