Multiple interacting systems at a site

• US 10,387,221 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2018
• Issued: 08/20/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 12/08/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Shrivastava, Dhairya, Brown, Stephen Clark, Cadet, Ronald F.
• Primary Examiner(s): Mudrick, Timothy A
• Application Number:
  US15/910,936
• Publication Number:
  US 20180189117A1
• Time in Patent Office: 536 Days
• Field of Search: 719318
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 9/24 Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; Slat blindsoperating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 15/02 electric
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2614 HVAC, heating, ventillation, climate control
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 17/00 Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific functions information retrieval, database structures or file system structures therefor G06F16/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 9/54 Interprogram communication
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 50/10 Services

Abstract

Disclosed are platforms for communicating among one or more otherwise independent systems involved in controlling functions of buildings or other sites having switchable optical devices deployed therein. Such independent systems include a window control system and one or more other independent systems such as systems that control residential home products (e.g., thermostats, smoke alarms, etc.), HVAC systems, security systems, lighting control systems, and the like. Together the systems control and/or monitor multiple features and/or products, including switchable windows and other infrastructure of a site, which may be a commercial, residential, or public site.

Claims

1. A window control system, wherein the window control system is configured to:

communicate via an application programming interface (API), with a security system of a building; and

control the optical state of one or more optically switchable windows in the building responsive to data provided by the security system, including one or both of (i) darkening the optical state of the one or more windows and (ii) transitioning the one or more windows to a clear state.

2. The window control system of claim 1, further comprising at least one other system selected from the group consisting of a lighting system, an HVAC systems, and a home appliance control system, wherein the window control system and the at least one other system are configured to communicate via the API.

3. The window control system of claim 1, further comprising a lighting system, wherein the window control system, the lighting system, and the security system are configured to communicate via the API, and wherein the lighting system is configured to control emergency warning lights and/or emergency egress lighting responsive to data provided form the security control system.

4. The window control system of claim 1, wherein the window control system is configured to adjust the optical state of the one or more windows to a dark tint state or a clear tint state in response to the data provided by the security system.

5. The window control system of claim 4, wherein the data provided by the security system includes scheduling information used for controlling the optical state of the one or more optically switchable windows.

6. The window control system of claim 1, wherein darkening the optical state of the one or more windows is performed in response to the data indicating a lockdown event.

7. The window control system of claim 1, wherein transitioning the one or more windows to a clear state is performed in response to the data indicating a burglary.

8. The plurality window control system of claim 1, wherein the security system is configured to receive information from an occupancy sensor in the building.

9. The window control system of claim 1, wherein the security system comprises a security camera.

10. The window control system of claim 1, wherein the security system is configured to control one or more door locks.

11. The window control system of claim 1, wherein the security system is configured to trigger a burglar alarm or a fire alarm.

12. A method of controlling the optical state of one or more optically switchable windows in a building, the building including a window control system and a security system, the method comprising:

transmitting information from the security system to the window control system via an application programming interface (API); and

adjusting the optical state of at least one of the one or more optically switchable windows responsive to the information, including one or both of (i) adjusting the optical state of at least one optically switchable window to a dark tint state, and (ii) transitioning the one or more windows to a clear state.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising

transmitting additional information from the security system to a lighting system via the API;

and

controlling emergency warning lights and/or emergency egress lighting responsive to the additional information.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein adjusting the optical state of the at least one optically switchable window to the dark tint state is performed when the information indicates a lockdown event.

15. The method of claim 12, wherein transitioning the one or more windows to a clear tint state is performed when the information indicates a burglary.

16. The method of claim 12, wherein the information comprises scheduling information, and wherein the optical states of the one or more windows are adjusted based on the scheduling information.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising controlling one or more door locks via the security system.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising triggering a burglar alarm or a fire alarm.