Enhanced functionality of SPD electronic controllers

• US 9,261,752 B2
• Filed: 06/18/2014
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Global Glass Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: SPD Control Systems Corporation
• Inventors: Moskowitz, Jay
• Primary Examiner(s): CHOI, WILLIAM C
• Application Number:
  US14/308,225
• Publication Number:
  US 20140333990A1
• Time in Patent Office: 608 Days
• Field of Search: 359/296, 345/107, 430/32, 204/600
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2009/2417 Light path control; means to control reflection
• 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 1/0121 Operation of devices; Circuit arrangements, not otherwise provided for in this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/13306 Circuit arrangements or driving methods for the control of single liquid crystal cells G02F1/132, G02F1/133382 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/167 by electrophoresis
• CPC Class Codes: G02F 1/172 based on a suspension of orientable dipolar particles, e.g. suspended particles displays
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1423 controlling a plurality of local displays, e.g. CRT and flat panel display
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/1446 display composed of modules, e.g. video walls
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/147 using display panels
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 17/02 using a radio link
• CPC Class Codes: G08C 2201/40 Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 5/24 Generation of individual character patterns

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.

Claims

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.

2. The controller of claim 1 in which the multiple SPD pixels placed vertically above each other are installed in the top of the front windshield of a car, truck, bus, RV, train, aircraft or other vehicle where it is used as a variable visor where each SPD pixel blocks a portion of light.

3. The controller of claim 1 in which the multiplicity of SPD pixels placed vertically are installed in the top of the front windshield of a car, truck, bus, RV, train, aircraft or other vehicle where it is used to provide the effect of a window shade being pulled down from the top or up from the bottom as light is blocked by the opacity of each SPD pixel.

4. The controller of claim 1 in which the multiple SPD pixels placed vertically above each other form a window pane that is installed into a car, truck, bus, RV, train, aircraft or other vehicle where it is used to provide the effect of a window shade being pulled down from the top or up from the bottom as light is blocked by the opacity of each SPD pixel.

5. The controller of claim 1 in which the input means is a rotary dial, a touch sensitive device, a touch screen, a button, a tablet, a smartphone, a communications channel over which a message is sent to set the desired opacity to a specific value, a photo-sensor, a temperature sensor, or a radio channel carrying a message specifying the desired opacity.

6. The controller of claim 1 in which the multiple SPD pixels placed vertically above each other forms a window pane that is installed into a car, truck, bus, RV, train, aircraft or other vehicle where it is used as a variable visor where each SPD pixel blocks a portion of light.

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.

8. The controllers of claim 7 in which the derived specific opacity value for a SPD pixel is greater than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it.

9. The controllers of claim 8 in which the desired opacity value increases from 0% opacity to 100% opacity and whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity changes, results in a visual effect of a window shade being pulled down, where the top of the window pane darkens quicker than the window pane area below it.

10. The controllers of claim 7 in which the derived specific opacity value for a SPD pixel is less than or equal to the derived specific opacity value of the SPD below it.

11. The controllers of claim 10 in which the desired opacity value increases from 0% opacity to 100% opacity and whereby the derived specific opacity value set for each individual SPD pixel as the desired opacity changes, results 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 below it.

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:

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.

13. A method for use with a system having a multiplicity of controllers communicatively coupled to each other comprising the steps of:

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.