Multipurpose controller for multistate windows

• US 9,927,674 B2
• Filed: 11/04/2015
• Issued: 03/27/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: View Incorporated
• Original Assignee: View Incorporated
• Inventors: Brown, Stephen C., Shrivastava, Dhairya
• Primary Examiner(s): Rodriguez, Carlos Ortiz
• Application Number:
  US14/932,474
• Publication Number:
  US 20160054634A1
• Time in Patent Office: 874 Days
• Field of Search: None
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2464 featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 7/28 Other arrangements on doors or windows, e.g. door-plates, windows adapted to carry plants, hooks for window cleaners edge protecting devices for door leaves E06B3/88; special glazing; emergency glazing; double glazing E06B3/66
• 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 1/13318 Circuits comprising a photodetector
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 12/2803 Home automation networks

Abstract

“Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS'"'"'s effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.

Claims

1. A method of independently controlling tint states for multiple windows of a building, the method comprising:

adjusting a first window of the building to a first tint state selected from a plurality of discrete tint states, wherein the first tint state is selected based on a percentage of the first window covered by a shadow;

adjusting a second window of the building to a second tint state selected from the plurality of discrete tint states, wherein the second tint state is selected based on a percentage of the second window covered by the shadow, and

determining the effects of the shadow on the first and second windows using one or more sensors, wherein the shadow has different effects on the first and second windows and the first tint state is different from the second tint state,

wherein the controlling of the tint states of the multiple windows is implemented by a system comprising one or more window controllers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the shadow is a shadow of a cloud.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the shadow obscures the sun'"'"'s rays differently on the first window and the second window.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the tint levels of the first and second window are different as a result of the shadow covering at least a portion of the first window and not covering any of the second window.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more window controllers are connected with one or more network controllers, which in turn are in communication with a master controller.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the system further comprises a Building Management System.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the system communicates with the Building Management System via a wireless communication.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the multiple windows are electrochromic windows.

9. A controller for controlling tint states of multiple windows, the controller comprising:

(a) a communications interface configured to communicate with one or more sensors; and

(b) controller logic configured to

adjust a tint level of a first window of a building to a first tint state selected from a plurality of discrete tint states, wherein the first tint state is selected based on a percentage of the first window covered by a shadow; and

adjust a tint level of a second window of the building to a second tint state selected from the plurality of discrete tint states, wherein the second tint state is selected based on a percentage of the second window covered by a shadow,

wherein when the shadow has different effects on the first and second windows and the first tint state is different from the second tint state.

10. The controller of claim 9, wherein the communications interface comprises a wireless communications interface.

11. The controller of claim 9, further comprising a power source for powering a reversible optical transition of at least one of the multiple windows.

12. The controller of claim 11, wherein the power source comprises a pulse width modulated amplifier.

13. The controller of claim 9, wherein the controller logic is further configured to determine the effects of the shadow on the first and second windows using the one or more sensors.

14. The controller of claim 9, wherein the controller is part of a system comprising one or more window controllers connected with one or more network controllers, which in turn are in communication with a master controller.

15. The controller of claim 14, wherein the system further comprises a Building Management System.

16. The controller of claim 15, wherein the system is configured to communicate with the Building Management System via a wireless communication.

17. The controller of claim 14, wherein the system wherein the system comprises an HVAC system, a security system, a Building Management System, and/or a lighting system.

18. The controller of claim 9, wherein the multiple windows are electrochromic windows.