Intelligent SPD control apparatus with scalable networking capabilities for window and multimedia applications
DCFirst Claim
1. A system for use with at least one SPD, the SPD having a variable opacity, the system comprising:
- at least one controller connected to the at least one SPD and comprising means controlling the opacity of the at least one SPD;
at least one master controller issuing commands to the at least one controller;
wherein the at least one controller further comprises a network interface which is communicatively coupled to a multiplicity of controllers having network interfaces.
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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.
89 Citations
85 Claims
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1. A system for use with at least one SPD, the SPD having a variable opacity, the system comprising:
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at least one controller connected to the at least one SPD and comprising means controlling the opacity of the at least one SPD; at least one master controller issuing commands to the at least one controller; wherein the at least one controller further comprises a network interface which is communicatively coupled to a multiplicity of controllers having network interfaces. - 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, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 79, 80, 81, 85)
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82. A method for use with a system with at least one SPD, the SPD having a variable opacity, the system comprising at least one controller connected to the SPD and comprising means controlling the opacity of the SPD;
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at least one master controller issuing commands to the at least one controller; wherein the at least one controller comprises a network interface which is in communication with at least one other network interface, the method comprising the step of; using the at least one controller to modulate a frequency of applied electrical signals to the SPD through a variable range or vary a voltage; and using the at least one controller to automatically change the opacity of the at least one respective SPD based upon the time of the day, without the necessity of a command from the at least one master controller to effect such a change in the opacity. - View Dependent Claims (83)
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84. A system for use with at least one Suspended Particle Device (SPD), the SPD having a variable opacity, the system comprising:
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at least one controller connected to the at least one SPD and comprising means controlling the opacity of the at least one SPD; at least one master controller issuing commands to the at least one controller; wherein the at least one controller further comprises a network interface which is communicatively coupled to a multiplicity of controllers having network interfaces, and wherein at least one of said multiplicity of controllers is connected to another SPD and comprises means controlling the opacity of the another SPD.
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Specification