Control system for dimmable windows
First Claim
1. A method of controlling electrically dimmable windows on-board an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
- (A) harvesting energy on-board the aircraft;
(B) storing the energy harvested in step (A) as electrical power;
(C) using the electrical power stored in step (B) to control the opacity of the windows;
(D) controlling the opacity of the windows from a central control location;
(E) using a processor to control the amount of stored electrical power that is used to control the opacity of the window;
(F) placing the processor in an inactive, sleep mode; and
(G) periodically awaking the processor from the sleep mode to receive signals commanding the processor to change the amount of stored power delivered to the window.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Electrically dimmable windows for aircraft are powered by energy harvesting devices on-board the aircraft. The harvested energy is stored and used to control the opacity of the windows based on individual window opacity settings selected either by passengers or a cabin attendant. Each window has an associated control circuit that controls the electrical power applied to the window based on the selected opacity setting. The control circuit includes a low energy usage processor that remains in a sleep mode until a change in the opacity setting is detected. Each control circuit may include a radio transceiver that receives control signals from a transmitter operated by the cabin attendant in order to simultaneously remotely control the opacity settings of multiple windows.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of controlling electrically dimmable windows on-board an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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(A) harvesting energy on-board the aircraft; (B) storing the energy harvested in step (A) as electrical power; (C) using the electrical power stored in step (B) to control the opacity of the windows; (D) controlling the opacity of the windows from a central control location; (E) using a processor to control the amount of stored electrical power that is used to control the opacity of the window; (F) placing the processor in an inactive, sleep mode; and (G) periodically awaking the processor from the sleep mode to receive signals commanding the processor to change the amount of stored power delivered to the window. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 18, 19, 20)
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7. A method of controlling electrically dimmable windows onboard an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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(A) harvesting energy onboard the aircraft; (B) storing the harvested energy in a storage device as electrical power; (C) using the stored electrical power to power a control circuit, onboard the aircraft, coupled with the storage device and a window having electrically controllable opacity; (D) establishing two-way communication between the control circuit and a central controller onboard the aircraft, the control circuit operable to transmit operational status and location information of the window to the central controller; and (E) transmitting wireless control signals from the central controller to the control circuit to remotely control a level of opacity of the window. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17)
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16. A method of controlling electrically dimmable windows onboard an aircraft, comprising the steps of:
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(A) harvesting energy onboard the aircraft; (B) storing the harvested energy as electrical power; (C) powering a control circuit onboard the aircraft using the stored electrical power, the control circuit being associated with a window having electrically controllable opacity; (D) establishing two-way wireless communication between the control circuit and a central controller onboard the aircraft; and (E) controlling a level of opacity of the window by either or both of the central controller and the control circuit.
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Specification