Method and device for controlling voltage provided to a suspended particle device
First Claim
1. A voltage controlling device for controlling voltage provided to at least one suspended particle device (SPD) which comprises:
- an AC terminal adapted to receive an AC voltage at a specific frequency;
a voltage dividing device adapted to divide the AC voltage into a plurality of distinct voltage values within a predetermine range;
a controller adapted to control the voltage dividing device to provide a selected voltage value based on voltage level information; and
an SPD terminal adapted to provide the selected voltage value to the SPD device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A voltage controlling device includes an AC terminal receiving an AC voltage signal, a voltage dividing device adapted to divide the AC voltage signal into a plurality of distinct voltage signals within a predetermined range, a controller adapted to control the voltage dividing device to provide a selected voltage level based on voltage level information and an SPD terminal for providing the selected voltage level to a suspended particle device. An input device may be provided to allow a user to input the voltage level information. A photocell that monitors a light level at the suspended particle device may provide light level information as the voltage level information. A separate AC power supply may also be provided. The controller may also monitor an SPD load voltage to control the selected voltage level provided to the SPD terminal and the suspended particle device in order to prevent shocking of a user.
24 Citations
54 Claims
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1. A voltage controlling device for controlling voltage provided to at least one suspended particle device (SPD) which comprises:
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an AC terminal adapted to receive an AC voltage at a specific frequency;
a voltage dividing device adapted to divide the AC voltage into a plurality of distinct voltage values within a predetermine range;
a controller adapted to control the voltage dividing device to provide a selected voltage value based on voltage level information; and
an SPD terminal adapted to provide the selected voltage value to the SPD device. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A voltage controlling device for controlling voltage provided to at least one suspended particle device which comprises:
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an AC terminal adapted to receive an AC voltage at a specific frequency;
an SPD terminal adapted to provide a selected AC voltage value to the suspended particle device a capacitor array including a plurality of capacitors where each capacitor in the capacitor array has a predetermined capacitance;
a switch array, connecting each capacitor of the capacitor array to the SPD terminal such that each switch of the switch array connects one capacitor of the capacitor array to the SPD terminal; and
a controller adapted to control the switches of the switch array to connect at least one of the capacitors of the capacitor array to the SPD terminal based on voltage level information, such that a plurality of distinct voltage values within a predetermined range are selectively provided to the SPD terminal.
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20. A method of controlling voltage provided to a suspended particle device, which method comprises:
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receiving an AC voltage signal at a specific frequency;
dividing the AC voltage signal into a plurality of distinct voltage levels within a predetermined range;
controlling the dividing step to provide a selected voltage level of the plurality of distinct voltage levels to an SPD terminal connected to the suspended particle device based on voltage level information. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36)
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37. A system of controlling voltage which comprises:
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a voltage controlling device, wherein the voltage controlling device includes;
an AC terminal adapted to receive an AC voltage at a specific frequency;
a voltage dividing device adapted to divide the AC voltage into a plurality of distinct voltage values within a predetermine range;
a controller adapted to control the voltage dividing device to provide a selected voltage value based on voltage level information;
an SPD terminal device adapted to receive the selected voltage value; and
a suspended particle device, wherein the suspended particle device includes;
a first conducting layer;
a second conducting layer;
an emulsion including a plurality of suspended particles, which align in a predetermined pattern when exposed to an electric field, where the emulsion positioned between the first conducting layer and the second conducting layer, a first connecting bus connecting the first conducting layer to the SPD terminal; and
a second conducting bus connecting the second conducting layer to the SPD terminal. - View Dependent Claims (38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54)
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Specification