Building window control system

• US 20080043316A2
• Filed: 09/08/2006
• Published: 02/21/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: SPD Control Systems Corporation
• Original Assignee: SPD Control Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Jay
• Granted Patent: US 7,800,812 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/296
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• 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 1/0121 Operation of devices; Circuit arrangements, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13306 Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/172 based on a suspension of orientable dipolar particles, e.g. suspended particles displays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/24 Generation of individual character patterns

Abstract

A scalable apparatus and a network environment dynamically changes the light transparency of a single SPD device, a small number of SPD devices or thousands of such SPD devices installed in windows in automobiles, aircraft, trains, marine vehicles, residential homes, commercial buildings and skyscrapers. A scalable apparatus and a network environment dynamically changes the light transparency of a single SPD device or thousands of such SPD devices in the presentation of a multi-media special effects display. Textual messages, graphical images and simulated motion effects are driven. Such scalable apparatus being capable of driving and using several operational parameters of SPD materials such as frequency range, AC voltage and temperature so as to provide fine control of SPD characteristics such as switching speed and power consumption.

Claims

1. A system comprising:

a multiplicity of controllers, one or more controllers comprising means controlling the opacity of at least one respective suspended particle device;

each controller comprising a radio transceiver;

each radio transceiver in radio communication with at least one other radio transceiver but in radio communication with less than all of the other radio transceivers;

at least one master controller issuing commands to the controllers;

at least a first controller not in radio communication with the at least one master controller;

at least a second controller disposed to receive a message addressed to the first controller and not to itself, and to forward the message to the first controller.

2. The device of claim 1 in which Master Controller commands to the individual controllers which change the opacity of the individual SPDs, flow through a hierarchy of these individual controllers which send these commands to one or more additional controllers.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein each controller that comprises means controlling the opacity of at least one respective suspended particle device is further responsive to manual control information for controlling the opacity of its respective suspended particle device differently than indicated by the at least one master controller.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the master controller further comprises a first lookup table providing a mapping between desired opacity values and drive values giving rise to the desired opacity values, and wherein the master controller communicates said drive values to controllers.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the control of opacity comprises modulating the frequency of applied potential through a variable range, or varying the voltage driving the SPD Device.

6. The system of claim 1 wherein at least one controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and wherein a plurality of manual control devices is coupled to the controller, wherein the controller responds to at least one manual control device so as to control a respective one or more of the SPDs.

7. The system of claim 1 wherein a third at least one controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and wherein a plurality of manual control devices is coupled to a fourth controller, wherein the third and fourth controllers are communicatively coupled therebetween, wherein the third controller responds to at least one manual control device coupled with the fourth controller, so as to control a respective one or more of the SPDs.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein each controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

each controller further comprising means annunciating the detected event to equipment external to the controller.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein there is stored within each controller controlling the opacity of an SPD, a first lookup table providing a mapping between received commands and drive giving rise to various opacity values.

10. The system of claim 9 wherein the first lookup table gives rise to a linear relationship between commands and opacity.

11. The system of claim 9 wherein the first lookup table is associated with a first type of SPD and wherein there is stored within each controller controlling the opacity of an SPD, at least a second lookup table associated with at least a second type of SPD.

12. The system of claim 1 wherein the SPD is driven differently based upon external temperature.

13. The system of claim 1 in which the wave form driving the SPD material at a particular transparency level is continually changing in phase or in wave shape or in frequency or in voltage in order to avoid a resonance forming in the SPD material causing a “

singing”

or “

hum”

.

14. The system of claim 1 wherein a light source and photodetector combination is used to determine the absolute glass transparency of the SPD material and wherein the controller auto-adjusts operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level.

15. The system of claim 14 wherein the auto-adjustment of the operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level is achieved within a desired time period.

16. The system of claim 1 wherein the switching time of the SPD material is held constant regardless of the exterior temperature of the SPD material.

17. The system of claim 1 wherein the power generation circuitry is turned off for some number of cycles per second to maintain a particular level of transparency of SPD material at a lower power consumption than operating the SPD material continually.

18. The system of claim 1 wherein the controller applies a first operating frequency until the SPD-material switches to the desired transparency level and then switches to a second frequency to maintain the SPD-material at that transparency level.

19. The system of claim 18 wherein the first operating frequency is higher than the second operating frequency.

20. The system of claim 1 wherein each controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller disposed to reduce electrical power to the SPD material to prevent shocks to humans.

21. The system of claim 1 wherein each controller operates one or more SPD'"'"'s arranged in their entirety into an array so as each SPD forms a pixel of a sea of pixels, each of which can be individually set to any opacity level.

22. The system of claim 21 having further means of textual message entry to a Master Controller from an input device or external system, whereby that Master Controller will command individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to a dark or light setting so as to show the first part of the textual message to be displayed, where each letter of the text is formed by the combination of several pixels.

23. The system of claim 22 where a Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each column to display the pixel data in the column to its right thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling to its left, and filling in new pixel data in the right for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

24. The system of claim 22 where a Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each column to display the pixel data in the column to its left thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling to its right and filling in new pixel data in the left for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

25. The system of claim 22 where a Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each row to display the pixel data in the row above it thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling up, and filling in new pixel data in the bottom for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

26. The system of claim 21 whereby a Master Controller contains a means of receiving graphical pixel data where each pixel may have any darkness and then commanding the individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to match the relative pixel positions and opacity level defined in the received graphical data

27. The system of claim 21 whereby sequences of sets of pixel data of any opacity level may be pre-programmed into a Master Controller and whereby at some later time input means can direct that Master Controller to display a sequence or sequences for some period of time by commanding the individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to match the relative pixel positions and opacity level pre-defined for the specified sequence.

106. The device of claim 1 wherein the message comprises an opacity command.

107. The system of claim 1 wherein one controller determines a required change in opacity of SPD based material upon the physical orientation of various networked SPD devices on the earth, based on latitude, longitude, the day of the year and the time of the day, and informs other controllers in the network to effect such an opacity change.

110. The system of claim 18 in which the transition from the first frequency to the second frequency is through a series of intermediate frequencies of a discrete or continuously variable form.

114. The system of claim 1 where the Master Controller is a data processing system without capabilities of directly controlling the electrical signals operating an SPD window.

115. The system of claim 114 wherein there exists a redundant Master Controller capable of taking over the operation of the primary Master Controller in the event of its failure.

116. The systems of claim 1 where the Master Controller can permanently be any of the SPD window controllers.

117. The system of claim 1 where the Master Controller may temporarily be any of the SPD window controllers.

118. The systems of claim 1 where the Master Controller is connected to an external system via a one-way or two-way communications link,

such external system determining the desired transparency setting of one of more SPD windows connected to one or more SPD controllers and

conveying the desired transparency level(s) to the Master Controller to effect the desired transparency change(s) to other controllers.

119. The system of claim 118 where the external system is an HVAC control system.

120. The system of claim 118 where the external system is a lighting control system.

121. The system of claim 118 where the external system is a home or building security system.

122. The system of claim 118 where the communication is through a Wire.

123. The system of claim 118 where the communication is Wireless.

124. The system of claim 118 where the Master Controller conveys information to the external system and the external system conveys information to the Master Controller through a communications link utilizing an XML data representation.

125. The system of claim 1 where the SPD controllers are operating windows in a residential home or commercial building.

126. The system of claim 1 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on an airplane.

127. The system of claim 1 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on a car, truck, SUV, Van, bus, taxi, or similar vehicle.

128. The system of claim 1 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on a train, tram, maglev, monorail, ski lift, atmospheric railway, or trolley.

129. The system of claim 1 where the SPD windows are operating window on a marine vehicle.

130. The SPD controllers of claim 1 wherein a controller may also include one or a plurality of Analog to Digital interfaces in order to read input from one or a plurality of sensors.

131. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the input from the sensors is interpreted by the SPD controller to effect the light transmittance level of one or more windows directly connected to the controller.

132. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the input from the sensors is read by the SPD controller and sent to the Master Controller to determine what window, windows or banks of windows should have their transmittance level changed and the Master Controller effects this change by sending one or more messages to the appropriate SPD controller or controllers effecting the windows which are to be changed.

133. The SPD controller of claim 1 wherein a controller may also include one or a plurality of Digital Inputs connected to Digital sensors.

134. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the input from the sensors is interpreted by the SPD controller to effect the light transmittance level of one or more windows directly connected to the controller.

135. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the input from the sensors is read by the SPD controller and sent to the Master Controller to determine what window, windows or banks of windows should have their transmittance level changed and the Master Controller effects this change by sending one or more messages to the appropriate SPD controller or controllers effecting the windows which are to be changed.

136. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect the sun light level.

137. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect rain.

138. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect the occupancy of a room in which the windows are located.

139. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect glass breakage.

140. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect glass vibration.

141. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect heat, smoke or fire in the room containing the SPD controller.

142. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect indoor temperature.

143. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect outdoor temperature.

144. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect solar radiation.

145. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect the geographic location of one or more windows.

146. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can detect the geographic orientation of one or more windows.

147. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect the sun light level.

148. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect rain.

149. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect the occupancy of a room in which the windows are located.

150. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect glass breakage.

151. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect glass vibration.

152. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect heat, smoke or fire in the room containing the SPD controller.

153. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect indoor temperatures.

154. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect outdoor temperature.

155. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect solar radiation.

156. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect the geographic location of one or more windows.

157. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can detect the geographic orientation of one or more windows.

158. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more controllers communicate with one or more remote input devices which sends commands to the controller to change the transparency of one or more windows.

159. The system of claim 158 where communications operates wirelessly.

160. The system of claim 158 where communications operates over a wire.

161. The system of claim 158 wherein the remote input device is a handheld device.

162. The system of claim 158 wherein the remote input device is a wall mounted input device.

163. The system of claim 158 wherein the remote input device is a touch panel.

164. The system of claim 1 wherein one or more controllers communicate with one or more remote input device which is capable of sending configuration information to the controller to set up operational parameters in the controller.

165. The system of claim 164 where communications operates wirelessly.

166. The system of claim 164 where communications operates over a wire.

167. The system of claim 164 wherein the remote input device is a handheld device.

168. The system of claim 164 wherein the remote input device is a wall mounted input device.

169. The system of claim 164 wherein the remote input device is a touch panel.

170. The system of claim 161 where the handheld has a visual display.

171. The system of claim 167 where the handheld has a visual display.

172. The system of claim 156 whereby the controller takes into account any governing laws for tinted windows in the geographic area in which the controller is located, to insure that the maximum window opaqueness applied to the SPD glass does not exceed the legal limits.

173. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure electrical resistance.

174. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure electrical current.

175. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure electrical voltage.

176. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure magnetism.

177. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure pressure.

178. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure gas or fluid flow.

179. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure the existence of various chemicals.

180. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure optical radiation.

181. The SPD controller of claim 130 where the sensor can measure acoustical radiation.

182. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure electrical resistance.

183. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure electrical current.

184. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure electrical voltage.

185. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure magnetism.

186. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure pressure.

187. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure gas or fluid flow.

188. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure the existence of various chemicals.

189. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure optical radiation.

190. The SPD controller of claim 133 where the sensor can measure acoustical radiation.

268. The system of claim 118 where the Master Controller conveys information to the external system and the external system conveys information to the Master Controller through a communications link utilizing ASCII or UNICODE formatted data sequences.

270. The system of claim 145 whereby the controller takes into account any governing laws for tinted windows in the geographic area in which the controller is located, to insure that the maximum window opaqueness applied to the SPD glass does not exceed the legal limits.

28. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device, wherein there is stored within the controller a first lookup table providing a mapping between received commands and drive giving rise to various opacity values.

29. The controller of claim 28 in which the control of opacity comprises modulating the frequency of applied potential through a variable range, or varying the voltage driving the suspended particle device.

30. The controller of claim 28 wherein the controller automatically changes the opacity of its respective SPD based upon the physical orientation of the SPD device on the earth, the latitude and longitude of the SPD device, the day of the year and the time of the day.

31. The controller of claim 28 wherein the opacity settings for any time of day are pre-stored in at least one fixed profile.

32. The controller of claim 28 wherein there exist two profiles and a user-actuable switch is labeled Summer and Winter.

33. The controller of claim 28 wherein there exist four profiles and a user-actuable switch is labeled Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.

34. The controller of claim 28 wherein the controller is further responsive to manual control information for controlling the opacity of its respective suspended particle device in response to manual inputs.

36. The controller of claim 28 wherein the controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller further comprising means annunciating the detected event to equipment external to the controller.

37. The controller of claim 28 wherein the first lookup table gives rise to a linear relationship between commands and opacity.

38. The controller of claim 28 wherein the first lookup table is associated with a first type of SPD and wherein there is stored within the controller at least a second lookup table associated with at least a second type of SPD.

39. The controller of claim 28 wherein the SPD is driven differently based upon external temperature.

40. The controller of claim 28 in which the wave form driving the SPD material at a particular transparency level is continually changing in phase or in wave shape or in frequency or in voltage in order to avoid a resonance forming in the SPD material causing a “

singing”

or “

hum”

.

41. The controller of claim 28 wherein a light source and photodetector combination is used to determine the absolute glass transparency of the SPD material and wherein the controller auto-adjusts operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level.

42. The controller of claim 28 wherein the switching time of the SPD material is held constant regardless of the exterior temperature of the SPD material.

43. The controller of claim 28 wherein the power generation circuitry is turned off for some number of cycles per second to maintain a particular level of transparency of SPD material at a lower power consumption than operating the SPD material continually.

44. The controller of claim 28 wherein the controller applies a first operating frequency until the SPD-material switches to the desired transparency level and then switches to a second frequency to maintain the SPD-material at that transparency level.

45. The controller of claim 28 wherein each controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller disposed to reduce electrical power to the SPD material to prevent shocks to humans.

102. The system of claim 41 wherein the auto-adjustment of the operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level is achieved within a desired time period.

103. The controller of claim 44 wherein the first operating frequency is higher than the second operating frequency.

108. The controller of claim 28, further characterized in that the controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and further comprising a plurality of manual control devices coupled to the controller, wherein the controller responds to each manual control device so as to control a respective one of the SPDs.

109. The controller of claim 34, further characterized in that the controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and further comprising a plurality of manual control devices coupled to the controller, wherein the controller responds to each manual control device so as to control a respective one of the SPDs.

111. The controller of claim 44 in which the transition from the first frequency to the second frequency is through a series of intermediate frequencies of a discrete or continuously variable form.

35. (canceled)

46. (canceled)

47. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device;

wherein the controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller further comprising means annunciating the detected event to equipment external to the controller.

99. The controller of claim 47 wherein the manual control supports at least two fixed profiles for daytime and night time opacity settings and comprises a user-actuable switch to manually set which profile is currently in effect.

100. The controller of claim 99 wherein there exist two profiles and the user-actuable switch is labeled Summer and Winter.

101. The controller of claim 99 wherein there exist four profiles and the user-actuable switch is labeled Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring.

48. (canceled)

49. (canceled)

50. (canceled)

51. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device (SPD);

wherein the SPD is driven differently based upon external temperature.

52. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device by applying a waveform thereto, in which the wave form driving the SPD material at a particular transparency level is continually changing in phase or in wave shape in order to avoid a resonance forming in the SPD material causing a “

singing”

or “

hum”

.

53. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device comprising SPD material, wherein a light source and photodetector combination is used to determine the absolute glass transparency of the SPD material and wherein the controller auto-adjusts operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level.

54. The controller of claim 53 wherein the auto-adjustment of the operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level takes place within a desired time period.

55. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device comprising SPD material, wherein the switching time of the SPD material is held constant regardless of the exterior temperature of the SPD material.

56. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device comprising SPD material, wherein the power generation circuitry is turned off for some number of cycles per second to maintain a particular level of transparency of SPD material at a lower power consumption than operating the SPD material continually.

57. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device comprising SPD material, wherein the controller applies a first operating frequency until the SPD-material switches to the desired transparency level and then switches to a second frequency to maintain the SPD-material at that transparency level.

104. The controller of claim 57 wherein the first operating frequency is higher than the second operating frequency.

112. The controller of claim 57 in which the transition from the first frequency to the second frequency is through a series of intermediate frequencies of a discrete or continuously variable form.

58. A controller controlling the opacity of a suspended particle device comprising SPD material, wherein the controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller disposed to reduce electrical power to the SPD material to prevent shocks to humans.

59. A method for use with a system comprising a multiplicity of controllers, one or more controller comprising means controlling the opacity of at least one respective suspended particle device, each controller comprising a radio transceiver, each radio transceiver in radio communication with at least one other radio transceiver but in radio communication with less than all of the other radio transceivers, at least one master controller issuing commands to the controllers, at least a first controller not in radio communication with the at least one master controller, at least a second controller disposed to receive a message addressed to the first controller and not to itself, and to forward the message to the first controller, each controller further responsive to manual control information for controlling the opacity of its respective suspended particle device differently than indicated by the at least one master controller, the method comprising the step of:

modulating the frequency of applied potential through a variable range, or varying the voltage driving the SPD Device.

60. The method of claim 59 wherein at least one controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and wherein a plurality of manual control devices is coupled to the controller, the method comprising the further step, performed by the controller, of responding to one or more manual control devices so as to control a respective one of the SPDs.

61. The method of claim 60 further comprising the step of

for each controller, automatically changing the opacity of its respective SPD based upon the time of the day, without the necessity of a message from the master controller directing such a change.

62. A method for use with a controller of SPD material, the controller comprising a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a break in the SPD material; and

annunciating the detected event to equipment external to the controller.

63. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the method comprising the step of:

driving the SPD differently based upon external temperature.

64. A method for use with a controller of SPD and with respect to a particular desired transparency level, the method comprising the step of:

imposing a wave form driving the SPD;

continually changing the wave form in phase or in wave shape in order to avoid a resonance forming in the SPD causing a “

singing”

or “

hum”

.

65. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the controller comprising a light source and photodetector combination to determine the absolute glass transparency of the SPD, the method comprising the steps of:

measuring the transparency of the SPD by means of the light source and the photodetector; and

auto-adjusting operational parameters to bring the SPD to the desired transparency level.

66. The method of claim 65 wherein the auto-adjustment of the operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level takes place within a desired time period.

67. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the method comprising the step of:

holding the switching time of the SPD constant regardless of the exterior temperature of the SPD.

68. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the method comprising the step of:

turning off the power generation circuitry for some number of cycles per second to maintain a particular level of transparency of SPD at a lower power consumption than operating the SPD material continually.

69. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the method comprising the step of:

applying a first operating frequency until the SPD-switches to the desired transparency level and then

switching to a second frequency to maintain the SPD-at that transparency level.

105. The method of claim 69 wherein the first operating frequency is higher than the second operating frequency.

113. The method of claim 69 in which the transition from the first frequency to the second frequency is through a series of intermediate frequencies of a discrete or continuously variable form.

70. A method for use with a controller of SPD, the method comprising the steps of:

detecting a drop in current flow through the SPD, and

reducing electrical power to the SPD to prevent shocks to humans.

71. A method for use with a controller controlling the opacity of an SPD;

the method comprising the steps of;

detecting a drop in current flow through the SPD, thereby detecting a break in the SPD; and

thereafter;

reducing electrical power to the SPD to prevent shocks to humans.

72. A system comprising:

a multiplicity of controllers, one or more controllers comprising means controlling the opacity of at least one respective suspended particle device;

each controller comprising a network interface;

each network interface in communication with at least one other network interface;

at least one master controller issuing commands to the controllers.

73. The system of claim 72 wherein some controller that comprises means controlling the opacity of at least one respective suspended particle device is further responsive to manual control information for controlling the opacity of its respective suspended particle device differently than indicated by the at least one master controller.

74. The system of claim 72 wherein the master controller further comprises a first lookup table providing a mapping between desired opacity values and drive values giving rise to the desired opacity values, and wherein the master controller communicates said drive values to controllers.

75. The system of claim 72 in which the control of opacity comprises modulating the frequency of applied potential through a variable range, or varying the voltage driving the SPD Device.

76. The system of claim 72 wherein at least one controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and wherein a plurality of manual control devices is coupled to the controller, wherein the controller responds to at least one manual control device so as to control a respective one or more of the SPDs.

77. The system of claim 72 wherein a third controller controls a plurality of SPDs, and wherein a plurality of manual control devices is coupled to a fourth controller, wherein the third and fourth controllers are communicatively coupled therebetween, wherein the third controller responds to at least one manual control device coupled with the fourth controller, so as to control a respective one or more of the SPDs.

78. The system of claim 72 wherein each controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

each controller further comprising means annunciating the detected event to equipment external to the controller.

79. The system of claim 72 wherein there is stored within each controller a first lookup table providing a mapping between received commands and drive giving rise to various opacity values.

80. The system of claim 79 wherein the first lookup table gives rise to a linear relationship between commands and opacity.

81. The system of claim 79 wherein the first lookup table is associated with a first type of SPD and wherein there is stored within each controller at least a second lookup table associated with at least a second type of SPD film.

82. The system of claim 72 wherein the SPD film is driven differently based upon external temperature.

83. The system of claim 72 in which the wave form driving the SPD material at a particular transparency level is continually changing in phase or in wave shape in order to avoid a resonance forming in the SPD material causing a “

singing”

or “

hum”

.

84. The system of claim 72 wherein a light source and photodetector combination is used to determine the absolute glass transparency of the SPD material and wherein the controller auto-adjusts operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level.

85. The system of claim 84 wherein the auto-adjustment of the operational parameters to bring the SPD material to the desired transparency level is achieved within a desired time period.

86. The system of claim 72 wherein the switching time of the SPD material is held constant regardless of the exterior temperature of the SPD material.

87. The system of claim 72 wherein the power generation circuitry is turned off for some number of cycles per second to maintain a particular level of transparency of SPD material at a lower power consumption than operating the SPD material continually.

88. The system of claim 72 wherein the controller applies a first operating frequency until the SPD-material switches to the desired transparency level and then switches to a second frequency to maintain the SPD-material at that transparency level.

89. The system of claim 88 wherein the first operating frequency is higher than the second operating frequency.

90. The system of claim 72 wherein each controller includes a sensor circuit to detect a drop in current flow through the SPD material, thereby detecting a break in the SPD material;

the controller disposed to reduce electrical power to the SPD material to prevent shocks to humans.

91. The system of claim 72 in which Master Controller commands to the individual controllers which change the opacity of the individual SPDs, flow through a hierarchy of these individual controllers which send these commands to one or more additional controllers.

92. The system of claim 72 wherein each controller operates one or more SPD'"'"'s arranged in their entirety into an array so as each SPD forms a pixel of a sea of pixels, each of which can be individually set to any opacity level.

93. The system of claim 92 having further means of textual message entry to a Master Controller from an input device or external system, whereby that Master Controller will command individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to a dark or light setting so as to show the first part of the textual message to be display, where each letter of the text is formed by the combination of several pixels.

94. The system of claim 93 where that Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each column to display the pixel data in the column to its right thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling to its left, and filling in new pixel data in the right for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

95. The system of claim 93 where that Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each column to display the pixel data in the column to its left thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling to its right and filling in new pixel data in the left for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

96. The system of claim 93 where that Master Controller will periodically command the controllers operating the individual pixels in each row to display the pixel data in the row above it thus providing the appearance that the textual message is scrolling up, and filling in new pixel data in the bottom for the next part of the textual message which is remaining to be displayed.

97. The system of claim 92 whereby a Master Controller contains a means of receiving graphical pixel data where each pixel may have any darkness and then commanding the individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to match the relative pixel positions and opacity level defined in the received graphical data

98. The system of claim 92 whereby sequences of sets of pixel data of any opacity level may be pre-programmed into a Master Controller and whereby at some later time input means can direct that Master Controller to display a sequence or sequences for some period of time by commanding the individual controllers to set the opacity level of the pixels it controls to match the relative pixel positions and opacity level pre-defined for the specified sequence.

191. The system of claim 72 where the Master Controller is a data processing system without capabilities of directly controlling the electrical signals operating an SPD window.

192. The system of claim 191 wherein there exists a redundant Master Controller capable of taking over the operation of the primary Master Controller in the event of its failure.

193. The systems of claim 72 where the Master Controller can permanently be any of the SPD window controllers.

194. The system of claim 72 where the Master Controller may temporarily be any of the SPD window controllers.

195. The systems of claim 72 where the Master Controller is connected to an external system via a one-way or two-way communications link,

such external system determining the desired transparency setting of one of more SPD windows connected to one or more SPD controllers and

conveying the desired transparency level(s) to the Master Controller to effect the desired transparency change(s) to other controllers.

196. The system of claim 195 where the external system is an HVAC control system.

197. The system of claim 195 where the external system is a lighting control system.

198. The system of claim 195 where the external system is a home or building security system.

199. The system of claim 195 where the communication is through a Wire.

200. The system of claim 195 where the communication is Wireless.

201. The system of claim 195 where the Master Controller conveys information to the external system and the external system conveys information to the Master Controller through a communications link utilizing an XML data representation.

202. The system of claim 72 where the SPD controllers are operating windows in a residential home or commercial building.

203. The system of claim 72 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on an airplane.

204. The system of claim 72 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on a car, truck, SUV, Van, bus, taxi, or similar vehicle.

205. The system of claim 72 where the SPD controllers are operating windows on a train, tram, maglev, monorail, ski lift, atmospheric railway, or trolley.

206. The system of claim 72 where the SPD windows are operating window on a marine vehicle.

207. The SPD controllers of claim 72 wherein a controller may also include one or a plurality of Analog to Digital interfaces in order to read input from one or a plurality of sensors.

208. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the input from the sensors is interpreted by the SPD controller to effect the light transmittance level of one or more windows directly connected to the controller.

209. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the input from the sensors is read by the SPD controller and sent to the Master Controller to determine what window, windows or banks of windows should have their transmittance level changed and the Master Controller effects this change by sending one or more messages to the appropriate SPD controller or controllers effecting the windows which are to be changed.

210. The SPD controller of claim 72 wherein a controller may also include one or a plurality of Digital Inputs connected to Digital sensors.

211. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the input from the sensors is interpreted by the SPD controller to effect the light transmittance level of one or more windows directly connected to the controller.

212. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the input from the sensors is read by the SPD controller and sent to the Master Controller to determine what window, windows or banks of windows should have their transmittance level changed and the Master Controller effects this change by sending one or more messages to the appropriate SPD controller or controllers effecting the windows which are to be changed.

213. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect the sun light level.

214. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect rain.

215. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect the occupancy of a room in which the windows are located.

216. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect glass breakage.

217. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect glass vibration.

218. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect heat, smoke or fire in the room containing the SPD controller.

219. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect indoor temperature.

220. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect outdoor temperature.

221. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect solar radiation.

222. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect the geographic location of one or more windows.

223. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can detect the geographic orientation of one or more windows.

224. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect the sun light level.

225. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect rain.

226. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect the occupancy of a room in which the windows are located.

227. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect glass breakage.

228. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect glass vibration.

229. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect heat, smoke or fire in the room containing the SPD controller.

230. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect indoor temperatures.

231. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect outdoor temperature.

232. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect solar radiation.

233. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect the geographic location of one or more windows.

234. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can detect the geographic orientation of one or more windows.

235. The system of claim 72 wherein one or more controllers communicate with one or more remote input devices which sends commands to the controller to change the transparency of one or more windows.

237. The system of claim 235 where communications operates over a wire.

236. The system of claim 235 where communications operates wirelessly.

238. The system of claim 235 wherein the remote input device is a handheld device.

239. The system of claim 235 wherein the remote input device is a wall mounted input device.

240. The system of claim 235 wherein the remote input device is a touch panel.

241. The system of claim 72 wherein one or more controllers communicate with one or more remote input device which is capable of sending configuration information to the controller to set up operational parameters in the controller.

242. The system of claim 241 where communications operates wirelessly.

243. The system of claim 241 where communications operates over a wire.

244. The system of claim 241 wherein the remote input device is a handheld device.

245. The system of claim 241 wherein the remote input device is a wall mounted input device.

246. The system of claim 241 wherein the remote input device is a touch panel.

247. The system of claim 238 where the handheld has a visual display.

248. The system of claim 244 where the handheld has a visual display.

249. The system of claim 233 whereby the controller takes into account any governing laws for tinted windows in the geographic area in which the controller is located, to insure that the maximum window opaqueness applied to the SPD glass does not exceed the legal limits.

250. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure electrical resistance.

251. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure electrical current.

252. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure electrical voltage.

253. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure magnetism.

254. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure pressure.

255. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure gas or fluid flow.

256. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure the existence of various chemicals.

257. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure optical radiation.

258. The SPD controller of claim 207 where the sensor can measure acoustical radiation.

259. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure electrical resistance.

260. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure electrical current.

261. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure electrical voltage.

262. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure magnetism.

263. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure pressure.

264. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure gas or fluid flow.

265. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure the existence of various chemicals.

266. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure optical radiation.

267. The SPD controller of claim 210 where the sensor can measure acoustical radiation.

269. The system of claim 195 where the Master Controller conveys information to the external system and the external system conveys information to the Master Controller through a communications link utilizing ASCII or UNICODE formatted data sequences.

271. The system of claim 222 whereby the controller takes into account any governing laws for tinted windows in the geographic area in which the controller is located, to insure that the maximum window opaqueness applied to the SPD glass does not exceed the legal limits.