Fontus from SI lets integrators connect power and control to motorized screens and shades over nearly any type of two-conductor wire.
Austin, TX (April 30, 2020) — Screen Innovations (SI), a premier manufacturer of optical screens and designer shades, announces the immediate availability of Fontus, a revolutionary new product that enables their low-voltage motorized screens and shades 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 commercial building or home to connect screens and shades to a modern control system.
No bigger than a pack of gum and easily mounted to a DIN rail, Fontus 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 or shade 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 or shade 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 virtually any type of wire shielded or non-shielded with at least 18 AWG. Fontus is able to utilize it to deliver power and communications signals from our Janus low-voltage power and 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. IR input, and 485 signals. 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.”
To learn more about the vast connectivity options of Fontus, watch this demonstration video.
For more information about SI, please visit screeninnovations.com, on Facebook @screen innovations, and on Twitter @SIScreens.
About Screen Innovations
Screen Innovations designs, engineers, and hand-builds all screen and shade solutions at their 75,000-square-foot factory in Austin, Texas. Dedicated to developing the most unique and innovative screens and shades for the custom residential and commercial markets, the company offers a wide variety of design-forward products that suit any environment. As their name states, Screen Innovations is focused on the innovation of new technologies into their products and providing 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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