PHOTO-ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW TINTER

• US 20130158790A1
• Filed: 12/16/2011
• Published: 06/20/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/16/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Original Assignee: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. (Continental AG)
• Inventors: McIntyre, William E. Jr., Anderson, Jerremy H., Whitmore, Tod R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,781,676 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 701/36
• CPC Class Codes: B60J 3/04 adjustable in transparency
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/163 Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor

Abstract

An electrically-adjustable light transmitter changes its light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal. By applying the electrically-adjustable light transmitter to a window and thereafter changing the electric signal to it, a window can be tinted and un-tinted. Jurisdictions that prohibit tinted vehicle windows are listed in a data base. A current location determined by a GPS is compared to data base entries. If the location is within an area where tinted windows are prohibited, a controller automatically un-tints the windows, or reduces the window tint to comply with applicable local laws.

Claims

1. A window comprising:

a. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location; and

b. a controller coupled to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter and configured to control electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the geographic location.

2. The window of claim 1, wherein the electrically-adjustable light transmitter is an electrochromic device.

3. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a. navigation system, configured to provide the determined geographic location to the controller.

4. The window of claim 2, wherein the navigation system is a satellite positioning system.

5. The window of claim 2, wherein the navigation system is configured to determine location by triangulation of received radio frequency signals.

6. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a. a data base of window tinting rules, the data base being accessible to the controller.

7. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a. wherein the controller is configured to;

i. obtain a location from the navigation system;

ii. locate a rule in the data base, governing window tinting for the geographic location obtained from the navigation system; and

iii. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the identified rule such that the transmissivity of the electrically-adjustable light transmitter effectuates a window tinting that is at least substantially compliant with the located rule.

8. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a. photo sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient light level; and

b. wherein the controller is configured to

i. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the determined ambient light level.

9. The window of claim 1, further comprising:

a. temperature sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient temperature; and

b. wherein the controller is configured to adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the ambient temperature.

10. The window of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive a user input signal and adjust the source of electric charge responsive to the received input.

11. A geographic location-responsive tinting window comprising:

a. navigation system, configured to determine a geographic location;

b. a controller coupled to the navigation system;

c. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal received from the controller, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location received by the controller; and

d. a data base of window tinting rules for a plurality of jurisdictions, the data base being accessible to the controller;

wherein the controller is configured to receive a location from the navigation system, determine whether the location is within a jurisdiction having a window tinting rule, and, if a window tinting rule for the jurisdiction is located in the data base, adjust the electric signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter responsive to the window tinting rule for the jurisdiction.

12. The window of claim 11, wherein the electrically-adjustable light transmitter is an electrochromic device.

13. The window of claim 11, wherein the navigation system is a satellite positioning system.

14. The window of claim 11, wherein the navigation system is configured to determine location by triangulation of received radio frequency signals.

15. The window of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive a user input signal and, adjust the source of electric charge responsive to the received input.

16. The window of claim 11, further comprising:

a. photo sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient light level; and

b. wherein the controller is configured to

i. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the ambient light level.

17. A method of adjusting a window tint responsive to a geographic location, the method comprising:

a. obtaining a geographic location;

b. providing a first electrical signal to an electrically-adjustable light transmitter, which is configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to the provided electric signal, the electrical signal being received from a controller, which receives data corresponding to the geographic location;

c. obtaining a window tinting rule, from a data base of window tinting rules for a plurality of jurisdictions, the data base being accessible to the controller.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing an electrical signal is comprised of providing an electrical signal to an electrochromic device.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein the step of obtaining a geographic location is comprised of at least one of:

a. receiving the location from a satellite positioning system; and

b. triangulation of received radio frequency signals.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

a. providing a second electrical signal to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to an input to the controller by a user.

21. The window of claim 17, further comprising the steps of

a. receiving a signal from a photo sensor and which corresponds to an ambient light level measured by the photo sensor;

and

b. adjusting the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the signal from the photo sensor.

22. An electrically-driven vehicle comprising:

a. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location; and

b. a controller coupled to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter and configured to control electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter.