Method and apparatus for controlling an electrochromic device
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for controlling a charge state of an electrochromic device, comprising:
- a driver, coupled to said electrochromic device, for selectively imparting one of a positive charge and a negative charge to said electrochromic device in response to a charge control signal;
a detector, coupled to said electrochromic device, for measuring a voltage level of said electrochromic device and responsively producing charge-indicative output signal; and
a controller, coupled to said driver and said detector, for adapting a charge level of said electrochromic device in response to an input control signal;
said controller, in a first operating mode, causing said driver to impart charge to said electrochromic device during a first period of time, and to stop imparting charge for during a second period of time, said controller entering said first operating mode in response to said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an insufficient charge level, said controller exiting said first operating mode in response to either said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an appropriate charge level or said charge-indicative output signal from said detector indicating that said electrochromic device has achieved a maximal charge level; and
said controller, in a second operating mode, causing said driver to remove charge from said electrochromic device during said first period of time, and to stop removing charge during said second period of time, said controller entering said second operating mode in response to said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an excessive charge level, said controller exiting said second operating mode in response to either said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an appropriate charge level or said charge-indicative output signal from said detector indicating that said electrochromic device has achieved a minimal charge level.
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Abstract
The invention comprises an apparatus and methodology facilitating an accurate, user-friendly system for controlling the charge state (i.e., color level) of an electrochromic device. The invention provides a two button control methodology implemented as a sequential logic controller or, in another embodiment, a microprocessor-based controller. After initiation via, e.g., an external switch, the invention iteratively modifies and measures a charge level of the electrochromic device until an additional switch activation or until a maximal or minimal charge level is achieved.
157 Citations
20 Claims
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1. Apparatus for controlling a charge state of an electrochromic device, comprising:
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a driver, coupled to said electrochromic device, for selectively imparting one of a positive charge and a negative charge to said electrochromic device in response to a charge control signal; a detector, coupled to said electrochromic device, for measuring a voltage level of said electrochromic device and responsively producing charge-indicative output signal; and a controller, coupled to said driver and said detector, for adapting a charge level of said electrochromic device in response to an input control signal; said controller, in a first operating mode, causing said driver to impart charge to said electrochromic device during a first period of time, and to stop imparting charge for during a second period of time, said controller entering said first operating mode in response to said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an insufficient charge level, said controller exiting said first operating mode in response to either said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an appropriate charge level or said charge-indicative output signal from said detector indicating that said electrochromic device has achieved a maximal charge level; and said controller, in a second operating mode, causing said driver to remove charge from said electrochromic device during said first period of time, and to stop removing charge during said second period of time, said controller entering said second operating mode in response to said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an excessive charge level, said controller exiting said second operating mode in response to either said input signal being indicative of said electrochromic device having an appropriate charge level or said charge-indicative output signal from said detector indicating that said electrochromic device has achieved a minimal charge level. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. Apparatus for controlling a charge state of an electrochromic device, comprising:
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a driver for imparting charge to said electrochromic device; a controller, for adapting said driver in response to a first control signal and a second control signal; and a comparator, for comparing a voltage level of said electrochromic device to an upper threshold level and producing therefrom an upper threshold indicative output signal, and for comparing said voltage level of said electrochromic device to a lower threshold level and producing therefrom a lower threshold indicative output signal; said controller, in response to an assertion of only said first control signal, entering a charge mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to impart charge to said electrochromic device; said controller, in response to an assertion of only said second control signal, entering a discharge mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to remove charge from said electrochromic device; and said controller, in response to an assertion of said first and second control signals, entering an idle mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to stop modifying said charge of said electrochromic device. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. In a system for controlling a charge state of an electrochromic device, said system a driver for imparting charge to said electrochromic device, a controller, for adapting said driver in response to a first control signal and a second control signal;
- and a comparator, for comparing a voltage level of said electrochromic device to an upper threshold level and producing therefrom an upper threshold indicative output signal, and for comparing said voltage level of said electrochromic device to a lower threshold level and producing therefrom a lower threshold indicative output signal, a method for comprising the steps of;
entering, in response to an assertion of only said first control signal, a charge mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to impart charge to said electrochromic device; entering, in response to an assertion of only said second control signal, a discharge mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to remove charge from said electrochromic device; and entering, in response to an assertion of said first and second control signals, an idle mode of operation, wherein said controller causes said driver to stop modifying said charge of said electrochromic device. - View Dependent Claims (20)
- and a comparator, for comparing a voltage level of said electrochromic device to an upper threshold level and producing therefrom an upper threshold indicative output signal, and for comparing said voltage level of said electrochromic device to a lower threshold level and producing therefrom a lower threshold indicative output signal, a method for comprising the steps of;
Specification