Enhanced functionality of SPD electronic controllers
First Claim
1. A controller controlling the opacity of a multiplicity of SPDs placed in a vertical array one above another so as to form a window pane, wherein each SPD acts as a pixel in a display, the controller having further input means to specify a desired opacity value,the controller having further means to derive a specific opacity value for each SPD pixel derived from the desired opacity value and the vertical position of the individual SPD pixel and sets each SPD pixel to the specific opacity value for the specific individual SPD pixel andwherein the desired opacity value received from the input means increases from 0% to 100% opacity or from a starting opacity value toward a higher opacity value andwhereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is greater than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled down from the top, where the top of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area below it orwhereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is less than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled up from the bottom, where the bottom of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area above it.
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Accused Products
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'"'"'s such as frequency range, AC voltage and temperature so as to provide fine control of SPD characteristics such as switching speed and power consumption.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A controller controlling the opacity of a multiplicity of SPDs placed in a vertical array one above another so as to form a window pane, wherein each SPD acts as a pixel in a display, the controller having further input means to specify a desired opacity value,
the controller having further means to derive a specific opacity value for each SPD pixel derived from the desired opacity value and the vertical position of the individual SPD pixel and sets each SPD pixel to the specific opacity value for the specific individual SPD pixel and wherein the desired opacity value received from the input means increases from 0% to 100% opacity or from a starting opacity value toward a higher opacity value and whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is greater than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled down from the top, where the top of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area below it or whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is less than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled up from the bottom, where the bottom of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area above it.
- 7. A multiplicity of controllers each controlling at least one SPD and communicatively coupled to each other and controlling the opacity of their respected at least one SPD which is placed in a vertical array one above another so as to form a window pane, wherein each SPD acts as a pixel in a display, at least one of the multiplicity of controllers having further input means to specify a desired opacity value and communicating such value to the multiplicity of controllers so that they each may derive a specific opacity for their respected at least one SPD derived from the desired opacity value and the vertical position of the individual SPD pixel and sets their respected at least one SPD to the specific opacity value for the specific individual SPD pixel.
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12. A method for use with a controller controlling the opacity of a multiplicity of SPDs placed in a vertical array one above another so as to form a window pane, wherein each SPD acts as a pixel in a display, comprising the steps of:
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the controller specifying a desired opacity value through an input means, the controller deriving a specific opacity value for each SPD pixel derived from the desired opacity value and the vertical position of the individual SPD pixel and setting each SPD pixel to the specific opacity value for the specific individual SPD pixel and wherein the desired opacity value received from the input means increases from 0% to 100% opacity or from a starting opacity value toward a higher opacity value and whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is greater than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled down from the top, where the top of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area below it or whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity increases, is such that the derived specific opacity value for each SPD pixel is less than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it, resulting in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled up from the bottom, where the bottom of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area above it.
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13. A method for use with a system having a multiplicity of controllers communicatively coupled to each other comprising the steps of:
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each of the multiplicity of controllers controlling at least one SPD; each of the multiplicity of controllers controlling the opacity of their respected at least one SPD which is placed in a vertical array one above another so as to form a window pane, wherein each SPD acts as a pixel in a display; at least one of the multiplicity of controllers having an input means specifying a desired opacity value and communicating such value to the multiplicity of controllers; each of the multiplicity of controllers deriving a specific opacity for its respected at least one SPD through a combination of the desired opacity and knowing the vertical position of its respected at least one SPD; and each of the multiplicity of controllers setting its respected at least one SPD to the specific opacity value for the specific individual SPD pixel.
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Specification