Electrochromic transparency incorporating security system
First Claim
1. An electrochromic security window assembly comprising:
- first and second spaced transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first and the second substrates including first and second conductive coatings on respective facing surfaces thereof;
an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber comprising at least one anodic electrochromic compound and at least one cathodic electrochromic compound and having reduced light transmittance upon application of electrical activation between the first and second conductive coatings above a reduction potential capable of simultaneously oxidizing the anodic electrochromic compound and reducing the cathodic compound;
means for applying an electrical potential across the electrochromic medium; and
means for detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of at least one of the first and second conductive coatings and for generating an output signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic corresponding to a break in the at least one conductive coating.
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Accused Products
Abstract
An electrochromic window assembly includes a security system for monitoring breakage of the electrochromic window assembly. Control circuitry is connected to the electrochromic window assembly for monitoring an electrical characteristic of one or more conductive coatings within the electrochromic window assembly, such as electrical resistance. Upon detecting a change in the electrical resistance, such as that caused by a break in one or more conductive coating, an alarm signal is generated and is sent to an alarm trigger circuit for activating an alarm. A method for monitoring penetration or breakage of an electrochromic window assembly is also provided, which method involves applying electrical activation to an electrochromic assembly and monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic based on the applied electrical potential. Electrochromic window assemblies incorporating security alarm features in accordance with the present invention are particularly useful in automobile applications.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An electrochromic security window assembly comprising:
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first and second spaced transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first and the second substrates including first and second conductive coatings on respective facing surfaces thereof;
an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber comprising at least one anodic electrochromic compound and at least one cathodic electrochromic compound and having reduced light transmittance upon application of electrical activation between the first and second conductive coatings above a reduction potential capable of simultaneously oxidizing the anodic electrochromic compound and reducing the cathodic compound;
means for applying an electrical potential across the electrochromic medium; and
means for detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of at least one of the first and second conductive coatings and for generating an output signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic corresponding to a break in the at least one conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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26. A method for monitoring penetration of a window assembly capable of variable light transmittance comprising:
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a) providing an electrochromic security window assembly comprising;
(i) first and second spaced transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first and the second substrates including first and second conductive coatings on respective facing surfaces thereof; and
(ii) an electrochromic medium contained within the chamber comprising at least one anodic electrochromic compound and at least one cathodic electrochromic compound and having reduced light transmittance upon application of electrical potential between the first and second conductive coatings above a reduction potential capable of simultaneously oxidizing the anodic electrochromic compound and reducing the cathodic compound;
b) applying an electrical potential to at least one of the first and second conductive coatings;
c) monitoring for a change in an electrical characteristic of the at least one of the first and second conductive coatings having the electrical potential applied thereto; and
d) generating an output signal upon the change in the electrical characteristic.
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35. An electrochromic security window assembly comprising:
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first and second spaced transparent substrates defining a chamber therebetween, the first and the second substrates including first and second conductive coatings on respective facing surfaces thereof;
an electrochromic medium contained in the chamber comprising at least one anodic electrochromic compound and at least one cathodic electrochromic compound and having reduced light transmittance upon application of electrical potential between the first and second conductive coatings above a reduction potential capable of simultaneously oxidizing the anodic electrochromic compound and reducing the cathodic compound;
a power supply for applying an electrical potential across the electrochromic medium; and
a detector for detecting a change in an electrical characteristic of at least one of the first and second conductive coatings and for generating an output signal in response to a change in the electrical characteristic corresponding to a break in the at least one conductive coating.
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Specification