An extension of SI’s Janus power and control hub, Fontus lets integrators connect power and control to motorized screens over existing two-conductor wire.
Austin, TX (January 16, 2020) — Screen Innovations (SI), a premiere manufacturer of optical screen and shade materials, introduces at ISE 2020 in stand #1-N80, a new “problem solving” product that enables new low-voltage motorized screens to be powered and controlled via any type of traditional two-conductor wiring. SI’s Fontus allows integrators to utilize wire that may already exist inside a building or home to connect screens to a modern control system.
With Fontus, an integrator can make a two-conductor wire perform 485 communication as if it were an eight-conductor wire, significantly simplifying the installation. As long as there is a two-conductor wire available near the screen location, Fontus, a dongle that plugs into SI’s new Janus power and control hub, converts low-voltage communications signals and power from a five-conductor system for distribution over two-conductor wire. The signal is decoded for reception at the screen location via a second Fontus dongle with no loss of signal.
“No matter what type of wire is available at the project—old coax from a wall-mounted display, speaker wire, or even Romex, Fontus is able to utilize it to deliver power and communications signals from our Janus five-conductor control hub,” says Michael Braithwaite, CTO of SI. “Full two-way control and power are maintained using our advanced BCP encoding and decoding protocol, giving integrators a proven solution for uniting old and new technologies.”
Fontus can also be used to enable basic control of screens over two-conductor wire through dry and wet contact closures. For example, when a door opens or a projector is activated, a contact closure or 12-volt trigger can signal a motorized screen to deploy. “Scenarios like these often require the addition of a control system,” says Braithwaite. “Fontus enables automation all on its own, with no extra equipment required.”
Visit SI at ISE in stand #1-N80 to see Fontus in action and to learn more about SI’s wide range of screen solutions.
For more information about SI, please visit screeninnovations.com, on Facebook @screen innovations, and on Twitter @SIScreens.
About Screen Innovations
Screen Innovations engineers and hand-builds all its screen and shade solutions at its 75,000-square-foot factory in Austin, Texas. Dedicated to developing the most unique and innovative screens and shade for the custom residential and commercial markets, the company offers a wide variety of design-forward products that suit any viewing environment. As a leading manufacturer of screen and shade solutions, Screen Innovations is focused on the implementation of new technologies into its products and providing its dealers with the services and tools they need to differentiate themselves and grow their custom installation businesses.
For more information about SI, please visit screeninnovations.com, on Facebook @screen innovations, and on Twitter @SIScreens.
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