Variable transmission window constructions

• US 8,219,217 B2
• Filed: 09/17/2010
• Issued: 07/10/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Original Assignee: Gentex Corporation
• Inventors: Bechtel, Jon H., Poll, David L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Von Buhr, M. N.
• Application Number:
  US12/884,852
• Publication Number:
  US 20110046810A1
• Time in Patent Office: 662 Days
• Field of Search: 700/2, 700/3, 700/9, 700/19, 700/20, 700/33, 700/80, 700/293, 359/265, 359/275, 521/733
• US Class Current: 700/19
• 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 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 19/0421 Multiprocessor system
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2231 Master slave
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/24024 Safety, surveillance
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2628 Door, window
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/2642 Domotique, domestic, home control, automation, smart house
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2838 Distribution of signals within a home automation network, e.g. involving splitting/multiplexing signals to/from different paths adaptations of television systems for transmission by electric cable for domestic distribution H04N7/106; hybrid transport H04L12/6418; home network arrangements specially adapted for distribution of digital video signals H04N7/24
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/403 with centralised control, e.g. polling
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/2841 Wireless
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/285 Generic home appliances, e.g. refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 2012/4026 Bus for use in automation systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 67/125 involving control of end-device applications over a network
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 40/18 Network protocols supporting networked applications, e.g. including control of end-device applications over a network

Abstract

An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. The electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuits. Because the window control circuits can sense abnormal load conditions in the variable transmission windows, the system further includes an interface to a security system to inform of a potential intrusion. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit.

Claims

1. An electrical control system configured to control a transmittance of a plurality of variable transmittance windows, said electrical control system comprising:

a master unit configured to supply first control signals that are capable of changing the transmittance of the variable transmission windows;

a plurality of window control units coupled to said master unit configured to supply second control signals for controlling the transmittance of at least one of the respective variable transmission windows in response to said first control signals or said second control signals

a light sensor coupled to said master unit and configured to input light data as to sensed light, wherein said control signals are based upon said light data;

a temperature sensor coupled to said master unit and configured to input temperature data as to sensed temperature; and

wherein said first control signals from said master unit can override said second control signals for controlling the transmittance of the variable transmission windows;

a light sensor coupled to said master unit and configured to input light data as to sensed light, wherein said control signals are based upon said light data;

a temperature sensor coupled to said master unit and configured to input temperature data as to sensed temperature; and

wherein said first control signals from said master unit can override said second control signals for controlling the transmittance of the variable transmission windows.

2. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said light sensor coupled to said master unit comprises said light sensor integrated with said master unit.

3. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said light sensor coupled to said master unit comprises said light sensor integrated with one of said plurality of window control units and in communication with said master unit.

4. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor coupled to said master unit comprises said temperature sensor integrated with said master unit.

5. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said temperature sensor coupled to said master unit comprises said temperature sensor integrated with one of said plurality of window control units and in communication with said master unit.

6. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said master unit is further configured to delay a changing of the transmittance of a portion of the plurality of variable transmittance windows.

7. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of window control units is assigned a unique address, such that said master unit is further configured to individually control each of said window control units that are assigned said unique address.

8. The electrical control system of claim 1, wherein said light sensor is an active pixel sensor.

9. The electrical control system of claim 1 further comprising a remote interface unit in communication with said master unit, wherein said remote interface unit is configured for intrusion detection, such that an occupant of a room is detected.

10. An electrical control system configured to control a transmittance of a plurality of variable transmittance windows, said electrical control system comprising:

a master unit configured to supply first control signals that are capable of changing the transmittance of the variable transmittance windows; and

a plurality of window control units coupled with said master unit, such that each of the plurality of window control units operate to control a respective one of the variable transmittance windows for varying the window transmittance in response to a second control signal received from one of said plurality of window control units, at least a portion of said plurality of window control units comprising at least one of;

a light sensor configured to input light data as to sensed light, wherein said control signals are based upon said light data; and

a temperature sensor configured to input temperature data as to sensed temperature, wherein said control signals are based upon said temperature data; and

wherein the first control signals from said master unit have priority over said second control signal for controlling the transmittance of the variable transmittance windows.

11. The electrical control system of claim 10, wherein said master unit is further configured to delay a changing of the transmittance of a portion of the plurality of variable transmittance windows.

12. The electrical control system of claim 10, wherein at least a portion of said plurality of window control units is assigned a unique address, such that said master unit is further configured to individually control each of said window control units that are assigned said unique address.

13. The electrical control system of claim 10, wherein said light sensor is an active pixel sensor.

14. The electrical control system of claim 10 further comprising a remote interface unit in communication with said master unit, wherein said remote interface unit is configured for intrusion detection, such that an occupant of a room is detected.

15. An electrical control system configured to control a transmittance of a plurality of variable transmittance windows, said electrical control system comprising:

a master unit configured to supply a first control signal for changing the transmittance of the variable transmittance window;

a plurality of window control units coupled with said master unit, wherein at least one of the plurality of window control units is configured to supply a second control signal for controlling a respective one of the window transmittance of at least one of the variable transmittance windows in response to both the first control signal received from said master unit and said second control signal, and each of said plurality of window control units is assigned a unique address, such that said master unit is configured to individually control each of said window control units that are assigned said unique address; and

wherein the first control signal from said master unit can override said second control signal from one of the plurality of window control units for controlling the transmittance of at least one of said variable transmission windows.

16. The electrical control system of claim 15 further comprising a light sensor coupled to said master unit either directly or through one of said plurality of window control units, such that said control signals are based upon light sensed by said light sensor.

17. The electrical control system of claim 15 further comprising a temperature sensor coupled to said master unit either directly or through one of said plurality of window control units, such that said control signals are based upon temperature sensed by said temperature sensor.

18. The electrical control system of claim 15, wherein said master unit is configured to delay a changing of the transmittance of a portion of the plurality of variable transmittance windows.

19. The electrical control system of claim 15 further comprising a remote interface unit in communication with said master unit, wherein said remote interface unit is configured for intrusion detection, such that an occupant of a room is detected.

20. The electrical control system of claim 15, wherein said light sensor is an active pixel sensor.