U.S. patent application number 17/083128 was filed with the patent office on 2021-03-04 for building network.
The applicant listed for this patent is View, Inc.. Invention is credited to Stephen Clark Brown, Rao Mulpuri, Thomas Alan Patterson, Robert T. Rozbicki, Dhairya Shrivastava, Nitesh Trikha.
Application Number | 20210063836 17/083128 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000005220451 |
Filed Date | 2021-03-04 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20210063836 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Patterson; Thomas Alan ; et
al. |
March 4, 2021 |
BUILDING NETWORK
Abstract
A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g.,
an electrochromic device coating, for regulating light transmitted
through the window. In some embodiments, the window has a
transparent display in the window's viewable region. Transparent
displays may be substantially transparent when not in use, or when
the window is viewed in a direction facing away from the
transparent display. Windows may have sensors for receiving user
commands and/or for monitoring environmental conditions.
Transparent displays can display graphical user interfaces to,
e.g., control window functions. Windows, as described herein, offer
an alternative display to conventional projectors, TVs, and
monitors. Windows may also be configured to receive, transmit, or
block wireless communications from passing through the window. A
window control system may share computational resources between
controllers (e.g., at different windows). In some cases, the
computational resources of the window control system are utilized
by other building systems and devices.
Inventors: |
Patterson; Thomas Alan;
(Portola Valley, CA) ; Mulpuri; Rao; (Saratoga,
CA) ; Trikha; Nitesh; (Pleasanton, CA) ;
Brown; Stephen Clark; (San Mateo, CA) ; Shrivastava;
Dhairya; (Los Altos, CA) ; Rozbicki; Robert T.;
(Saratoga, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
View, Inc. |
Milpitas |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
1000005220451 |
Appl. No.: |
17/083128 |
Filed: |
October 28, 2020 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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16664089 |
Oct 25, 2019 |
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17083128 |
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PCT/US2018/029460 |
Apr 25, 2018 |
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16664089 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/24 20130101; H02J
50/20 20160201; G05B 2219/25011 20130101; G02F 1/163 20130101; G05B
2219/25252 20130101; H02J 50/80 20160201; G05B 2219/2628 20130101;
G05B 19/042 20130101; E06B 2009/2464 20130101; E06B 2009/2417
20130101; G05B 2219/2614 20130101 |
International
Class: |
G02F 1/163 20060101
G02F001/163; H02J 50/20 20060101 H02J050/20; H02J 50/80 20060101
H02J050/80; G05B 19/042 20060101 G05B019/042; E06B 9/24 20060101
E06B009/24 |
Claims
1. A distributed computing platform in a building, comprising: (a)
a plurality of processors disposed within the building; (b) a
plurality of data storage devices disposed within the building; and
(c) a plurality of communication lines connecting the plurality of
processors and the plurality of data storage devices, wherein the
plurality of communication lines and at least some of the plurality
of processors or the plurality of data storage devices are at least
partially disposed in or on one or more outer walls and/or one or
more facades of the building.
2. The distributed computing platform of claim 1, wherein at least
one of the one or more outer walls and/or facades includes an
optically switchable window.
3. The distributed computing platform of claim 1, wherein the
communication lines and at least some of the plurality of
processors or the plurality of data storage devices are at least
partially disposed in window mullions and/or transoms of the
building, irrespective of whether or not the one or more outer
walls or facade includes an optically switchable window or an
optically switchable window controller.
4. The distributed computing platform of claim 1, comprising a
communications and power distribution infrastructure.
5. The distributed computing platform of claim 4, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure is at least
partially disposed in at least one of the one or more outer walls
and/or one or more facades of the building.
6. The distributed computing platform of claim 5, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure is at least
partially disposed in mullions and/or transoms of the at least one
of the one or more outer walls and/or one or more facades of the
building.
7. The distributed computing platform of claim 6, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure includes class
1 rated cable and/or class 2 rated cable.
8. The distributed computing platform of claim 6, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure is configured
to provide data distribution at data rates of at least 500 Mbs.
9. The distributed computing platform of claim 1, configured to
permit sharing, by two or more authorized users, of data files
stored on remote computers on or connected to the distributed
computing platform.
10. The distributed computing platform of claim 4, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure comprises
cellular communications infrastructure for communication in and/or
around the building.
11. The distributed computing platform of claim 6, wherein the
communications and power distribution infrastructure comprises an
antenna or a transceiver.
12. The distributed computing platform of claim 3, further
comprising a plurality of optically switchable windows that include
or are associated with at least one transparent display and a logic
configured to allocate and control system resources of the
distributed computing platform made available to a user in the
building.
13. The distributed computing platform of claim 12, wherein the
logic is configured to cause the at least one transparent display
to display digital content.
14. The distributed computing platform of claim 13, wherein the
digital content is associated with a building occupant.
15. The distributed computing platform of claim 14, wherein the
logic is configured to cause the digital content to be displayed on
a first display proximate to the building occupant.
16. The distributed computing platform of claim 15, wherein,
responsive to movement of the building occupant from a first
location to a second location, the logic is configured to cause the
digital content to be displayed on a second display proximate to
the second location.
17. The distributed computing platform of claim 16, wherein the
logic is configured to authenticate the building occupant and cause
the digital content to be displayed on a respective display
proximate to the second location only after authenticating the
building occupant.
18. The distributed computing platform of claim 3, configured to
communicatively couple an ultra-high speed external network to a
plurality of intra-building high speed networks.
19. The distributed computing platform of claim 3, configured to
operate on a wireless communication protocol selected from the
group consisting of Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Neul, Sigfox,
LoRaWaN, and ultra-wideband (UWB).
20. The distributed computing platform of claim 3, further
comprising a plurality of sensors comprising a temperature sensor,
an irradiance sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a
motion sensor, an occupant tracking sensor, a biometric sensor,
and/or a volatile organic compound sensor.
21. A building facade of a building, the building facade
comprising: a distributed computing platform including power and
communication lines connecting a plurality of processors and a
plurality of data storage devices, wherein the power and
communication lines are at least partially disposed in or on the
building facade, wherein the computing platform is configured to
provide an edge computing function.
22. The building facade of claim 21, further comprising an
optically switchable window.
23. The building facade of claim 21, wherein the communication
lines and at least some of the plurality of processors or the
plurality of data storage devices are at least partially disposed
in window mullions and/or transoms of the building facade,
irrespective of whether or not the building facade includes an
optically switchable window or an optically switchable window
controller.
24. The building facade of claim 21, wherein the distributed
computing platform comprises a network configured to permit
sharing, by two or more authorized users, of data files stored on
remote computers on or connected to the distributed computing
platform.
25. The building facade of claim 24, wherein the network includes
communications and power distribution infrastructure.
26. The building facade of claim 25, further comprising a plurality
of optically switchable windows that include or are associated with
at least one transparent display and a logic configured to allocate
and control system resources in the network made available to a
user in the building.
27. The building facade of claim 26, wherein the logic is
configured to cause the at least one transparent display to display
digital content.
28. The building facade of claim 27, wherein the digital content is
associated with a building occupant.
29. The building facade of claim 28, wherein the logic is
configured to cause the digital content to be displayed on a first
display proximate to the building occupant.
30. The building facade of claim 29, wherein, responsive to
movement of the building occupant from a first location to a second
location, the logic is configured to cause the digital content to
be displayed on a respective display proximate to the second
location.
31. The building facade of claim 30, wherein the logic is
configured to authenticate the building occupant and cause the
digital content to be displayed on a respective display proximate
to the second location only after authenticating the building
occupant.
32. The building facade of claim 21, wherein antennas or other
communications components are provided on one or more optically
switchable windows or associated lites or displays.
33. A method of constructing a building, the building including a
building facade, the method comprising: constructing or deploying a
superstructure of the building; installing a distributed computing
platform including power and communication lines connecting a
plurality of processors and a plurality of data storage devices,
wherein: the power and communication lines are at least partially
disposed in or on the building facade; and the distributed
computing platform is configured to provide an edge computing
function.
34. The method of claim 33, wherein the building facade includes an
optically switchable window.
35. The method of claim 33, wherein the power and communication
lines are at least partially disposed in window mullions and/or
transoms of the building facade, irrespective of whether or not the
building facade includes an optically switchable window or an
optically switchable window controller.
36. The method of claim 33, wherein distributed computing platform
comprises a network configured to permit sharing, by two or more
authorized users, of data files stored on remote computers on or
connected to the distributed computing platform.
37. The method of claim 36, wherein the network includes
communications and power distribution infrastructure.
38. A system for a building, comprising: (a) one or more outer
walls and/or one or more facades of the building (b) a plurality of
processors; (c) a plurality of data storage devices; (d) a
plurality of sensors; and (e) communication lines communicatively
coupling one or more of the plurality of processors with one or
more of the plurality of data storage devices and/or the plurality
of sensors; wherein the communication lines and at least some of
the plurality of processors or the plurality of data storage
devices are at least partially disposed in window mullions and/or
transoms of the building, irrespective of whether or not the one or
more outer walls or the one or more facades include an optically
switchable window or an optically switchable window controller; and
the system is configured to provide a personal computing service
for a user.
39. The system of claim 38, wherein the user is an occupant of the
building.
40. The system of claim 38, wherein the plurality of sensors
includes a temperature sensor, an irradiance sensor, a humidity
sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a motion sensor, an occupant
tracking sensor, a biometric sensor, and/or a volatile organic
compound.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] An Application Data Sheet is filed concurrently with this
specification as part of the present application. Each application
that the present application claims benefit of or priority to as
identified in the concurrently filed Application Data Sheet is
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety and for all
purposes.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits
a reversible electrochemically-mediated change in an optical
property when placed in a different electronic state, typically by
being subjected to a voltage change. The optical property is
typically one or more of color, transmittance, absorbance, and
reflectance.
[0003] Electrochromic materials may be incorporated into, for
example, windows for home; commercial and other uses as thin film
coatings on the window glass. The color, transmittance, absorbance,
and/or reflectance of such windows may be changed by inducing a
change in the electrochromic material, for example, electrochromic
windows are windows that can be darkened or lightened
electronically. A small voltage applied to an electrochromic device
of the window will cause them to darken; reversing the voltage
polarity causes them to lighten. This capability allows control of
the amount of light that passes through the windows, and presents
an opportunity for electrochromic windows to be used as
energy-saving devices.
[0004] While electrochromic devices, and particularly
electrochromic windows, are finding acceptance in building designs
and construction, they have not begun to realize their full
commercial potential.
SUMMARY
[0005] One aspect of this disclosure pertains to building facade
platform including (1) a network of electrochromic windows between
the interior and exterior of the building; (2) one or more window
controllers; (3) a power distribution network in electrical
communication with the window controllers and the network of
electrochromic windows; (4) a communication network in
communication with the window controllers and the network of
electrochromic windows; and (5) one or more wireless power
transmitters. The building facade platform is configured to control
light entry and heat gain into the building, communications, and
deliver wireless power transmissions. In certain embodiments, the
platform does not employ electrochromic windows and/or window
controllers. In some cases, the platform does not employ any
optically switchable windows. In such cases, the platform may
include controllers, but the controllers do not control windows. In
some cases, the platform is a building envelope computing platform,
that may or may not control building functions such as tintable
windows, HVAC, and the like.
[0006] In some embodiments, the power distribution network receives
power from a building power supply, and in some cases, the power
distribution network receives power from one or more photovoltaic
cells which are on components connected to the network of windows.
In some cases, the power distribution network only receives power
from the one or more photovoltaic cells. The building facade
platform in a communication with a building management system (BMS)
and/or may be controlled at least in part by the BMS. The BMS may
receive heat load and occupancy information from the building
facade platform or receive HVAC control instructions from the
building facade platform. In some cases, the building facade
platform itself serves as a building management system (BMS).
[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a building
facade platform that includes (1) a network of electrochromic
windows between the interior and exterior of the building; (2) one
or more window controllers; (3) a power distribution network in
electrical communication with the controllers and the network of
electrochromic windows; and (4) a communication network in
communication with the controllers and the network of
electrochromic windows. The building facade platform is configured
to control light entry and heat gain into the building,
communications, and serve as a building management system (BMS) of
the building. In certain embodiments, the building facade platform
does not employ electrochromic windows and/or window
controllers.
[0008] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a system for
providing power and data transmission in a building. The system
has: (a) a plurality of optically switchable windows disposed at a
plurality of locations on and/or proximate to an exterior of the
building; (b) a plurality of window controllers, each electrically
coupled to one or more of the optically switchable windows and
configured to control tint states of the optically switchable
windows; (c) a communications network having one or more
communications interfaces to one or more data processing modules
and/or one or more other communications networks, and a plurality
of data communications paths connecting the window controllers to
the one or more communications interfaces; and (d) a power
distribution system which has a plurality of power transmission
paths connecting one or more power sources in the building to the
window controllers, where the communications network and/or the
power distribution system are configured to provide data and/or
power for external electronic devices and/or a building system that
does not include the optically switchable windows. In certain
embodiments, the building facade platform does not employ optically
switchable windows and/or window controllers.
[0009] The building system includes a building management system, a
HVAC system, a security system, a lighting system, a door lock
system, a fire system, an elevator system, a video display system,
a geofencing system, an asset tracking system, a wireless power
delivery system or a wireless communications system.
[0010] The communications interface(s) may, in some cases,
interface with a data processing module and/or a communications
network for the building system. In some embodiments, the system
also includes one or more antennas disposed on at least one of the
optically switchable windows and/or at least one of the window
controllers, where the antennas) are communicatively connected to
the communications network. The antenna(s) may be directly
connected to the communications network or connected to the
communications network via at least one of the window controllers.
The antenna(s) may be configured to provide data and/or power for
the external electronic devices and/or the building system.
[0011] In some cases, the system includes one or more displays
disposed on and/or registered with an ICU, at least one of the
optically switchable windows, and/or at least one of the window
controllers, where the one or more displays are communicatively
connected to the communications network. In some cases, display(s)
may include a transparent display disposed on at least one of the
optically switchable windows. In some embodiments, display(s) may
be video displays and or transparent organic light emitting diode
(OLED) display(s)
[0012] The data processing module(s) may include a master
controller, network controllers, building management system
controllers, security system controllers, door lock system
controllers, elevator system controllers, and/or lighting system
controllers. The communications networks may include a building
management system network, a building lighting network, a security
system network, a door lock network, an elevator network, and/or
the Internet.
[0013] The data communications paths may include wired connections
and/or wireless connections. In some cases, power transmission
occurs over one or more trunk lines. Power transmission paths may
include, e.g., class 1 rated cable and/or class 2 rated cable. In
some instances, at least some of the of the power transmission
paths may be wireless power transmission paths. The power
transmission paths may include both wired (e.g., trunk lines) and
wireless transmission paths. In some cases, the power source(s) may
include one or more photovoltaic power sources.
[0014] In some cases, at least one of the window controllers has
logic for receiving a tint-state-transition command, determining
drive parameters for affecting the tint state transition, and
applying the drive parameters to at least one of the optically
switchable windows. In some cases, data processing modules include
a master controller or a network controller. In some cases, the
external electronic devices include smartphones, personal
computers, electronic tablets, or any combination thereof. In some
cases, least one of the external electronic devices is a lock, a
security camera, an elevator, an alarm, an environmental sensor, or
a lighting device.
[0015] In some cases, the communications interface(s) include
network adaptors configured to permit the data processing module(s)
and/or the other communications network(s) to communicate over the
communications network using a defined network protocol.
[0016] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a method of
constructing a building. The method includes: (a) constructing or
deploying an exterior frame of the building; (2) installing a
plurality of optically switchable windows at a plurality of
locations on or proximate to the exterior frame of the building;
(c) installing a plurality of window controllers, where after
constructing the building, each of the window controllers is
electrically coupled to one or more of the optically switchable
windows and where each of the window controllers is configured to
control tint states of the optically switchable windows; (d)
installing a communications network having one or more
communications interfaces for connecting to one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications
networks, and a plurality of data communications paths connecting
the window controllers to the communications interfaces; and (e)
installing a power distribution system having a plurality of power
transmission paths connecting one or more power sources in the
building to the window controllers, where the communications
network and/or the power distribution system are configured to
provide data and/or power for external electronic devices and/or a
building system that does not include the optically switchable
windows. In certain embodiments, the method of constructing a
building does not include installing optically switchable windows
and/or window controllers. Embodiments may use traditional building
windows that have no tinting function, passive tinting windows such
as thermochromic and/or photochromic windows. In certain
embodiments, transparent displays are used in lieu of conventional
building windows or smart windows. In such embodiments, the
transparent displays may take the form of insulated glass units
(they may or may not tint as a light and/or heat blocking function
per se, but may be used only as di splays/GUI's in some
instances).
[0017] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a method of
providing power and data transmission in a building having (a) a
plurality of optically switchable windows disposed at a plurality
of locations on and/or proximate to an exterior of the building,
(b) a plurality of window controllers, each electrically coupled to
one or more of the optically switchable windows and configured to
control tint states of said one or more optically switchable
windows, (c) a communications network including: (i) one or more
communications interfaces to one or more data processing modules
and/or one or more other communications networks, and (ii) a
plurality of data communications paths connecting the window
controllers to the communications interface(s), and (d) a power
distribution system having a plurality of power transmission paths
connecting one or more power sources in the building to the window
controllers. The method includes operations of: (1) providing
tinting data over the communications network via at least one of
the data communication paths for identifying tint states of the
optically switchable windows; (2) providing non-tint data over the
communications network via at least one of the data communication
paths, where the non-tint data is used by a building system or an
external electronic device that does not include the optically
switchable windows; (3) providing power over the power distribution
system via at least one of the power transmission paths to control
tint states of the optically switchable windows; and (d) providing
power over the power distribution system via at least one of the
power transmission paths to control the building system or the
external electronic device that does not include the optically
switchable windows. In certain embodiments, the building does not
employ optically switchable windows and/or window controllers,
e.g., the method pertains to delivering power and data processing
to the building envelope.
[0018] In some cases, the building system is a building management
system, a HVAC system, a security system, a lighting system, a fire
system, a door lock system, an elevator system, a video display
system, a geofencing system, an asset tracking system, a wireless
power delivery system, or a wireless communications system.
[0019] In some cases, providing tinting data and/or non-tinting
data over the communications network includes electromagnetic
transmissions by one or more antennas disposed on at least one of
the optically switchable windows and/or at least one of the window
controllers, where the antenna(s) are communicatively connected to
the communications network.
[0020] In some cases, providing power over the power distribution
system includes electromagnetic transmissions by one or more
antennas disposed on at least one of the optically switchable
windows and/or at least one of the window controllers.
[0021] In some cases, the method can further include displaying the
tinting data and/or non-tinting data at one or more displays
disposed on and/or registered with an IGU, at least one of the
optically switchable windows, and/or at least one of the window
controllers, where the display(s) are communicatively connected to
the communications network. In some cases, the display(s) include a
transparent display disposed on at least one of the optically
switchable windows.
[0022] In some cases, the method also includes an operation of
providing tinting data and or non-tinting data to a building
management system network, a building lighting network, a security
system network, and/or the Internet via one of the communications
interface(s).
[0023] In some cases, the data communications paths include wired
connections. In some cases, providing tinting data and/or
non-tinting data via at least one of the communication paths
includes providing tinting data and/or non-tinting data via a wired
or wireless communication path.
[0024] In some cases, providing power via at least one of the power
transmission paths includes providing power over one or more trunk
lines. Providing power via the power transmission paths may include
providing power over wireless power transmission paths, wired
transmission pathed (e.g., trunk lines), or both wired and wireless
transmission paths.
[0025] In some the external electronic device is a smartphone,
personal computer, or an electronic tablet. In other cases, the
external electronic device is a lock, a security camera, an
environmental sensor, an elevator, or a lighting device. In some
cases, providing tinting data and/or non-tinting data over the
communications network involves using a defined network
protocol.
[0026] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a system for
providing power and data transmission in a building. The system
includes (a) a plurality of optically switchable windows disposed
at a plurality of locations on and/or proximate to an exterior of
the building; (b) a plurality of window controllers, each
electrically coupled to one or more of the optically switchable
windows and configured to control tint states of said one or more
optically switchable windows; (c) a communications network having
one or more communications interfaces to one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications
networks, and a plurality of data communications paths connecting
the window controllers to the one or more communications
interfaces; and (d) a power distribution system having a plurality
of power transmission paths connecting one or more power sources in
the building to the window controllers, where the communications
network and/or the power distribution system are configured to
provide data and/or power for one or more devices controlled by a
building management system and/or one or more building systems
controlled by the building management system. In certain
embodiments, the system does not employ optically switchable
windows and/or window controllers.
[0027] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a building
management system (BMS) for controlling one or more building
systems. The BMS includes: (a) a plurality of optically switchable
windows disposed at a plurality of locations on and/or proximate to
an exterior of the building; (b) a plurality of window controllers,
each electrically coupled to one or more of the optically
switchable windows and configured to control tint states of said
one or more optically switchable windows; (c) a communications
network having one or more communications interfaces to one or more
data processing modules and/or one or more other communications
networks, and a plurality of data communications paths connecting
the window controllers to the one or more communications
interfaces; and (d) a power distribution system having a plurality
of power transmission paths connecting one or more power sources in
the building to the window controllers, where the communications
network and/or the power distribution system are configured to
provide data and/or power (i) for the one or more building systems
and/or (ii) one or more devices controlled by the BMS. In certain
embodiments, the BMS does not employ optically switchable windows
and/or window controllers.
[0028] In some cases, the building systems include a HVAC system, a
security system, a fire system, a lighting system, a door lock
system, an elevator system, a video display system, a geofencing
system, an asset tracking system, a wireless power delivery system
and/or a wireless communications system.
[0029] In some cases, the device(s) controlled by the building
management system include an HVAC device, a security device, a
lighting device, a door lock, an elevator, or a video display
device. In some cases, the data provided to the devices controlled
by the building management system is provided via a plurality of
wireless nodes on the communications network, where each wireless
node is located at one of the optically switchable windows or one
of the window controllers.
[0030] In some cases, the wireless nodes are configured to
wirelessly transmit and receive data from the devices controlled by
the building management system. The plurality wireless nodes may be
configured to receive status information data of the devices
controlled by the building management system. In some embodiments,
the wireless nodes are configured to receive user input for
controlling one of the devices controlled by the building
management system.
[0031] In some cases, the wireless nodes are configured to transmit
data for controlling the devices controlled by the building
management system. In some cases, the communications network can be
configured to send and receive wireless communications between at
least two of the devices controlled by the building management
system. In some cases, wireless nodes are configured to operate on
a wireless communication protocol selected from the group
consisting of Bluetooth, WiFi, ZigBee, Z-Wave, Neul, Sigfox,
LoRaWaN, and ultra-wideband (UWB).
[0032] In some cases, at least one of data processing modules
and/or one or more other communications networks is configured to:
(1) display a three-dimensional building model; display information
regarding at least one of the optically switchable windows and/or
at least one of the devices controlled by the building management
system; (3) receive user input for controlling a user selected
device, where the user selected device is selected from one of the
optically switchable windows and/or one of the devices controlled
by the building management system; and provide control information
to the user selected device via the communication network based on
user input.
[0033] In some cases, at least one of the one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications networks
is further configured to display one or more smart objects within
the building model to represent the devices controlled by the
building management system and/or the optically switchable windows,
where the one or more smart objects are placed in accordance with
the locations of the devices controlled by the building management
system and/or the optically switchable windows.
[0034] In some cases, at least one or more data processing modules
and/or one or more other communications networks is further
configured to receive status information regarding the devices
controlled by the building management system and/or the optically
switchable windows over the communication network. Each of the
smart objects may be configured to provide status information
corresponding to at least one of the devices controlled by the
building management system and/or the optically switchable
windows.
[0035] In some cases, at least one of the smart objects is
configured to receive user input for controlling the devices
controlled by the building management system and/or the optically
switchable windows.
[0036] In some cases, at least one of the data processing modules
and/or one or more other communications networks is further
configured to allow a user to navigate the three-dimensional
building model. In some cases, at least one of the one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications networks
further includes logic for controlling at least one of the devices
controlled by the building management system and/or at least one of
the optically switchable windows based on information received over
the communications network.
[0037] In some embodiments, data provided to the devices controlled
by the building management system is provided via a plurality of
wireless nodes on the communications network, where each wireless
node is located at one of optically switchable windows or one of
the window controllers; and there is logic for determining location
of one or more portable electronic devices via analysis of wireless
signals transmitted between the wireless nodes and the one or more
portable electronic devices. A portable electronic devices may be,
e.g., a phone, tablet, or a personal computer. In some cases, at
least one of the one or more portable electronic device has a radio
frequency identification (RFID) tag. The logic for determining the
location of the one or more portable electronic devices uses a
triangulation algorithm and/or a received signal strength
indicator.
[0038] In some embodiments, the logic for determining locations of
the one or more portable electronic devices is further configured
to display one or more smart objects within the building model to
represent the one or more portable electronic devices, where the
one or more smart objects are placed in accordance with determined
locations of the one or more portable electronic devices. In some
cases, the logic may be configured to identify movement patterns of
the one or more portable electronic devices and allow a user to
configure permissible movement patterns for the one or more
portable electronic devices or provide an alert if the identified
movement patterns deviate from the permissible patterns for one or
more portable electronic devices.
[0039] In some embodiments logic for determining locations of the
one or more portable electronic devices can control at least one of
the one or more devices controlled by a building management system
and/or at least one of the optically switchable windows based on a
determined position of the portable electronic device(s).
[0040] In some embodiments, the data processing modules and/or one
or more other communications networks are configured to: (1)
receive audio information via the communication network; (2)
identify commands for controlling a selected device from the
received audio information via a speech recognition module, where
the selected device is one of the optically switchable windows or
one of the devices controlled by the building management system;
and (3) provide a control signal to the selected devices via the
communication network.
[0041] In some other embodiments, data processing modules and/or
one or more other communications networks is configured to: (1)
receive audio information via the communication network; (2)
identify user inquiries from the received audio information via the
speech recognition module; (3) determine an answer for the
identified user inquiries; and (4) provide the answer via a user
interface. The user interface may include a display (e.g., in the
viewable portion of a window) or a speaker. The system may also
include a microphone configured to provide audio information via
the communication network.
[0042] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications networks
is configured to monitor power distribution to the devices
controlled by the building management system and control power
provided by the power distribution system to the devices controlled
by the building management system. During operation, power may be
distributed to at least one of the devices controlled by the
building management system wirelessly. Wirelessly distributed power
can, in some embodiments, be transmitted via one or more wireless
nodes on the communications network, where each wireless node is
located at one of the optically switchable windows or one of the
window controllers.
[0043] Monitoring power distribution during operation may include
receiving power use information or information corresponding to an
expected power use for at least one of the devices controlled by
the building management system over the communication network. The
system, in some cases, has an energy storage device and/or a
generator.
[0044] In some embodiments, at least one of the one or more data
processing modules and/or one or more other communications networks
is configured to control at least one of the devices controlled by
the building management system to reduce power consumption.
[0045] The data processing modules may include a master controller
and/or a network controller, either being configured to issue
window tint commands to at least some of the window controllers. A
master controller and/or the network controller may be configured
to control the one or more devices controlled by a building
management system and/or the one or more systems controlled by the
building management system.
[0046] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a method of
providing power and data transmission in a building that includes
(a) a plurality of optically switchable windows disposed at a
plurality of locations on and/or proximate to an exterior of the
building, (b) a plurality of window controllers, each electrically
coupled to one or more of the optically switchable windows and
configured to control tint states of said one or more of the
optically switchable windows, (c) a communications network
including: (i) one or more communications interfaces to one or more
data processing modules and/or one or more other communications
networks, and (ii) a plurality of data communications paths
connecting the window controllers to the one or more communications
interfaces, and (d) a power distribution system having a plurality
of power transmission paths connecting one or more power sources in
the building to the window controllers. The method includes
operations of: (1) providing tinting data over the communications
network via at least one of the data communication paths for
identifying tint states of the optically switchable windows; (2)
providing non-tint data over the communications network via at
least one of the data communication paths for one or more devices
controlled by a building management system (BMS) and/or for one or
more building systems controlled by the building management system,
where the one or more devices and/or the one or more building
systems does not include the optically switchable windows; (3)
providing power over the power distribution system via at least one
of the power transmission paths to control tint states of the
optically switchable windows; and (4) providing power over the
power distribution system via at least one of the power
transmission paths to control the one or more devices controlled by
the BMS and/or to control the one or more building systems
controlled by the building management system. In certain
embodiments, the building does not include optically switchable
windows and/or window controllers.
[0047] Another aspect of this disclosure pertains to a method of
providing power and data transmission to a building management
system having (a) a plurality of optically switchable windows
disposed at a plurality of locations on and/or proximate to an
exterior of the building, (b) a plurality of window controllers,
each electrically coupled to one or more of the optically
switchable windows and configured to control tint states of said
one or more of the optically switchable windows, (c) a
communications network including: (i) one or more communications
interfaces to one or more data processing modules and/or one or
more other communications networks, and (ii) a plurality of data
communications paths connecting the window controllers to the one
or more communications interfaces; and (d) a power distribution
system having a plurality of power transmission paths connecting
one or more power sources in the building to the window
controllers. The method includes operations of: (I) providing
non-tint data over the communications network via at least one of
the data communication paths for one or more devices controlled by
the BMS and/or building systems controlled by the BMS, where the
one or more devices controlled by the BMS and/or one or more
building systems controlled by the BMS does not include the
optically switchable windows; and (2) providing power over the
power distribution system via at least one of the power
transmission paths to control the one or more devices controlled by
the BMS and/or to control the one more building systems controlled
by the BMS. In certain embodiments, the building management system
does not include optically switchable windows and/or window
controllers.
[0048] Aspects of this disclosure pertain to building data
communications systems that may include the building structure
itself (inner walls, outer walls, floors, ceilings, roofs, windows,
etc.) as well subsystems for providing data and computation
resources and for providing electrical power to various devices in
the building such as HVAC and other appliances, computers,
processors, sensors, display screens, etc. In various embodiments,
an electrical power distribution subsystem includes control panels
and current carrying lines that provide electrical power to
computational resources on a data communications network (e.g.,
computers and network devices such as switches and/or routers). In
some cases, some components of the data communications network is
configured to additionally carry voice information for telephone
calls, etc.
[0049] In various embodiments, the building data communications
systems includes a building data communications network that itself
includes: (a) a plurality of processors disposed within the
building; (b) a plurality of data storage devices disposed within
the building; (c) communications lines connecting the plurality of
processors and the plurality of data storage devices, wherein the
communications lines are disposed in or on outer walls and/or one
or more facades of the building; (d) a connection to an external
network on the building data communications network; and (e) an
edge computing processing device or system comprising computer
program instructions for implementing edge computing using the
building data communications network. In certain embodiments, the
computer program instructions include instructions for: (i)
receiving software and/or data, via the connection to the external
network, from a remote site that is remote from the building; (ii)
installing or store the software and/or data on a first data
storage device that is one of the plurality of data storage devices
disposed on the building data communications network; and (iii)
providing the software and/or data from the first storage device,
or providing results of executing the software, to a computational
device in the building via the building data communications
network. Typically, the software and/or data is a copy or instance
of a master version of software and/or data stored on the remote
site. As is typical, a remote site maintains the most current and
complete version of the data or software used in edge computing,
and in fact, the remote site may for some users or applications
directly serve the content or execute the software in real time for
remote users. In other cases such as those that employ building
data communications networks for edge computing, an instance of the
remote site's data or content is provided to the building's network
so that it can be served locally for real time use by end users in
or near the building. Examples of data include database data for
enterprises, entertainment content, etc.
[0050] The connection to an external network may we wired or
wireless. In some embodiments, it includes an antenna and an
associated receiver or transceiver for receiving cellular or other
wireless transmissions of data.
[0051] In various embodiments, the building data communications
system additionally includes power lines in the building frame,
which power lines are configured to provide power to the plurality
of processors. In certain embodiments, the external network is a
public network such as the internet, and the building data
communications network is a private network. In some cases, the
building data communications network additionally includes a
connection to the internet or other public network.
[0052] In certain embodiments, the computational device in the
building is a handheld computational device, a laptop, a terminal,
or a desk top computer. In certain embodiments, the computational
device in the building is a processor configured to provide or
assist in providing a building service such as a HVAC service, a
security service, a building lighting service, an electrically
tintable window control service, or a building occupant information
delivery service. The last example may provide building occupants
with guidance pertaining the building such as the building's
status, floor plan, directory, air quality, energy savings,
security issues, etc.
[0053] In certain embodiments, the building data communications
network additionally includes a plurality of window controllers
comprising electrical circuits configured to control tint states of
an electrically tintable window installed in the building.
Electrically tintable windows and window controllers are described
elsewhere herein. In some cases, also as described elsewhere
herein, the building data communications network additionally
includes a display device disposed on a window in the building.
[0054] Some or all of the resources of the building data
communications system need not support of electrically tintable
windows. For example, in certain embodiments, no processors from
among the plurality of processors are provided in electrically
tintable window controllers. As a further example, no processors
from among the plurality of processors are dedicated to controlling
electrically switchable window tint states.
[0055] In certain embodiments, the building data communications
network additionally includes a plurality of antennas and a
plurality of radios or transceivers electrically connected to the
plurality of antennas and wherein the plurality of radios or
transceivers is configured to send and/or receive wireless
communications via the plurality of antennas. In certain
embodiments, the building data communications network additionally
includes a plurality of sensors comprising a temperature sensor, an
irradiance sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a
motion sensor, an occupant tracking sensor, a biometric sensor,
and/or a VOC sensor.
[0056] In certain embodiments, the building data communications
network includes a vertical data plane that links computational
nodes on different floors of the building. The vertical data plane
may include a network switch and communications links configured to
transmit data at speeds of at least about 1 gigabit/second. In
certain embodiments, the communications links of the vertical data
plane include current carrying lines, optical fibers, and/or
wireless connections. In some implementations, the vertical data
plane includes a first control panel on a first floor of the
building and a second control panel on a second floor of the
building. The first and second control panels may be linked on
building data communications network in a manner that supports
gigabit/sec Ethernet communications. In some configurations, a
building data communications network additionally includes a
plurality of trunk lines connected to the first control panel,
extending to locations on the first floor of the building, and
arranged in manner that provides network service to a plurality of
network nodes on the first floor. In some such configurations, the
building data communications network additionally includes a
plurality of drop lines providing data connections between the
trunk lines and the plurality of network nodes on the first floor.
A vertical data plane with high speed connectivity may be referred
to as a backbone for the building data communications network. In
certain embodiments, the vertical data plane is directly connected
to a high speed, high bandwidth data connection line external to
the building, e.g., a switch or other component of the data plane
may connect with an optical fiber line provided by the a
municipality or other entity that deploys high speed lines in the
vicinity of the building.
[0057] In certain embodiments, the plurality of processors, the
plurality of data storage devices, and the communications lines
were installed during construction of the building. In certain
embodiments, the communications lines are disposed in one or more
mullions of the building.
[0058] In some implementations, the first data storage device is
located in master controller or a control panel connected to the
building data communications network.
[0059] In certain embodiments, the edge computing processing device
or system includes program instructions for executing the software
and providing the results of executing the software to the
computational device. In certain embodiments, the software includes
video conferencing software. In certain embodiments, the data
includes a subset of data in a database stored on the remote site.
In certain embodiments, the data includes a patch or an upgrade to
software installed on the computational device in the building.
[0060] In some cases, the edge computing processing device or
system additionally includes program instructions for: receiving an
update to the software and/or data, via the connection to an
external network, from the remote site; and installing the update
applying the update to the software and/or data on a first data
storage device on a building data communications network.
[0061] Aspects of this disclosure pertain to methods of conducting
edge computing in a building. Such methods may be characterized by
the following operations: (a) receiving software and/or data, via a
connection to an external network, from a remote site that is
remote from the building, wherein the software and/or data is a
copy or instance of a master version of software and/or data stored
on the remote site; (b) installing or storing the software and/or
data on a first data storage device on a building data
communications network; and (c) providing the software and/or data
from the first storage device, or providing results of executing
the software, to a computational device in the building via the
building data communications network. In certain embodiments, the
building data communications network includes a plurality of
processors disposed within the building, and a plurality of data
storage devices, including the first data storage device, also
disposed within the building. The building data communications
network also includes communications lines connecting the plurality
of processors and the plurality of data storage devices. These
communications lines are disposed in or on outer walls and/or one
or more facades of the building.
[0062] In certain of the method embodiments, the external network
is a public network such as the internet, and the building data
communications network is a private network. In some cases, the
building data communications network additionally includes a
connection to the internet or other public network.
[0063] In certain of the method embodiments, the computational
device in the building is a handheld computational device, a
laptop, a terminal, or a desk top computer. In certain embodiments,
the computational device in the building is a processor configured
to provide or assist in providing a building service such as a HVAC
service, a security service, a building lighting service, an
electrically tintable window control service, or a building
occupant information delivery service.
[0064] In certain embodiments, the building data communications
network additionally includes a plurality of window controllers
comprising electrical circuits configured to control tint states of
an electrically tintable window installed in the building. In some
cases, the building data communications network additionally
includes a display device disposed on a window in the building.
[0065] Some or all of the resources of the building data
communications system need not support of electrically tintable
windows. For example, in certain embodiments, no processors from
among the plurality of processors are provided in electrically
tintable window controllers. As a further example, no processors
from among the plurality of processors are dedicated to controlling
electrically switchable window tint states.
[0066] In certain of the method embodiments, the building data
communications network additionally includes a plurality of
antennas and a plurality of radios or transceivers electrically
connected to the plurality of antennas and wherein the plurality of
radios or transceivers is configured to send and/or receive
wireless communications via the plurality of antennas. In certain
embodiments, the building data communications network additionally
includes a plurality of sensors comprising a temperature sensor, an
irradiance sensor, a humidity sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a
motion sensor, an occupant tracking sensor, a biometric sensor,
and/or a. VOC sensor.
[0067] In certain of the method embodiments, the building data
communications network includes a vertical data plane that links
computational nodes on different floors of the building. The
vertical data plane may include a network switch and communications
links configured to transmit data at speeds of at least about 1
gigabit/second. In certain embodiments, the communications links of
the vertical data plane include current carrying lines, optical
fibers, and/or wireless connections. In some implementations, the
vertical data plane includes a first control panel on a first floor
of the building and a second control panel on a second floor of the
building. The first and second control panels may be linked on
building data communications network in a manner that supports
gigabit/sec Ethernet communications. In some configurations, a
building data communications network additionally includes a
plurality of trunk lines connected to the first control panel,
extending to locations on the first floor of the building, and
arranged in manner that provides network service to a plurality of
network nodes on the first floor. In some such configurations, the
building data communications network additionally includes a
plurality of drop lines providing data connections between the
trunk lines and the plurality of network nodes on the first
floor.
[0068] In certain of the method embodiments, the plurality of
processors, the plurality of data storage devices, and the
communications lines are installed during construction of the
building. In certain embodiments, the communications lines are
disposed in one or more mullions of the building, which action may
be performed during construction.
[0069] In some implementations of the methods, the first data
storage device is located in master controller or a control panel
connected to the building data communications network.
[0070] In certain embodiments, the edge computing processing device
or system includes program instructions for executing the software
and providing the results of executing the software to the
computational device. In certain of the method embodiments, the
software includes video conferencing software. In certain
embodiments, the data includes a subset of data in a database
stored on the remote site. In certain embodiments, the data
includes a patch or an upgrade to software installed on the
computational device in the building.
[0071] In some cases, the edge computing processing device or
system additionally includes program instructions for: receiving an
update to the software and/or data, via the connection to an
external network, from the remote site; and installing the update
applying the update to the software and/or data on a first data
storage device on a building data communications network.
[0072] These and other features of the disclosure will be described
in more detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0073] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electrochromic
device coating that may be used in a tintable window
[0074] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of a tintable
window constructed as an IGU.
[0075] FIG. 3 depicts a window control network provided by of a
window control system having one or more tintable windows.
[0076] FIG. 4 depicts an electrochromic (EC) window lite, or IGU or
laminate, with a transparent display.
[0077] FIG. 5 depicts an electrochromic insulated glass unit with
an on-glass transparent display.
[0078] FIG. 6 depicts an optically switchable window configured
with a projector for displaying an image on the surface of the
optically switchable window.
[0079] FIG. 7 illustrates one configuration of how the architecture
of how an on-glass transparent controller can be implemented.
[0080] FIGS. 8a and 8b depict an EC IGU 802 with an IGU connector
for EC, antenna, and video applications.
[0081] FIG. 9 depicts a facade of a building 900 having IGUs with
various capabilities
[0082] FIG. 10 depicts an atmospheric gas sensor that may be
located on or associated with an IGU.
[0083] FIGS. 11a-11g depict network architectures that may be used
by the window control system.
[0084] FIGS. 12a-12c illustrate example graphical user interfaces
used in conjunction with proximity and personalization services
implements on optically switchable windows.
[0085] FIG. 13 illustrates a window with a transparent display
configured for asset tracking.
[0086] FIGS. 14a-14e depict windows with transparent displays used
for business, collaboration, video conferencing, and entertainment
purposes.
[0087] FIGS. 15a-15c illustrate a window network configured to
selectively deter unauthorized drones from flying around a building
via window tinting and wireless communication jamming.
[0088] FIGS. 16a and 16b depict windows configured to detect
security and/or safety threats.
[0089] FIG. 17 depicts an exploded view of a window configured for
RF communication and receiving solar power.
[0090] FIGS. 18a and 18b illustrate how windows can be configured
to provide or block RF communication.
[0091] FIG. 19 provides a table showing a number of configurations
where an electrochromic window can enable RF communications and/or
serve as a signal blocking device.
[0092] FIG. 20 illustrates a window that acts as Wi-Fi passive
signal blocking apparatus as well as a Wi-Fi repeater.
[0093] FIG. 21 depicts a building having windows with exterior
facing transparent displays.
[0094] FIGS. 22a and 22b cellular infrastructures without and with
the use of buildings equipped with windows for cellular
communication.
[0095] FIG. 23 depicts an optically switchable window configured as
a bridge between one or more networks exterior to a building and
one or more networks within a building.
[0096] FIG. 24 depicts an IGU with an electrochromic device, an
electrochromic shielding layer, and one or more antennas.
[0097] FIG. 25 depicts a section view of an IGU configured to
provide, facilitate, and/or regulate wireless communication.
[0098] FIGS. 26a-26d depict IGUs with window antennas.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Introduction
[0099] The following detailed description is directed to certain
embodiments or implementations for the purposes of describing the
disclosed aspects. However, the teachings herein can be applied and
implemented in a multitude of different ways. In the following
detailed description, references are made to the accompanying
drawings. Although the disclosed implementations are described in
sufficient detail to enable one skilled in the art to practice the
implementations, it is to be understood that these examples are not
limiting; other implementations may be used and changes may be made
to the disclosed implementations without departing from their
spirit and scope. Furthermore, while the disclosed embodiments
focus on electrochromic windows (also referred to as optically
switchable windows, tintable and smart windows), the concepts
disclosed herein may apply to other types of switchable optical
devices including, for example, liquid crystal devices and
suspended particle devices, among others. For example, a liquid
crystal device or a suspended particle device, rather than an
electrochromic device, could be incorporated into some or all of
the disclosed implementations. Additionally, the conjunction "or"
is intended herein in the inclusive sense where appropriate unless
otherwise indicated; for example, the phrase "A, B or C" is
intended to include the possibilities of "A," "B," "C," "A and B,"
"B and C," "A and C" and "A, B, and C."
[0100] Tintable windows--A tintable window (sometimes referred to
as an optically switchable window) is a window that exhibits a
controllable and reversible change in an optical property when a
stimulus is applied, e.g., an applied voltage. Tintable windows can
be used to control lighting conditions and the temperature within a
building by regulating the transmission of solar energy and thus
heat load imposed on the interior of the building. The control may
be manual or automatic and may be used for maintaining occupant
comfort while reducing the energy consumption of heating, air
conditioning and/or lighting systems. In some cases, tintable
windows may be responsive to environmental sensors and user
control. In this application, tintable windows are most frequently
described with reference to electrochromic windows located between
the interior and the exterior of a building or structure. However,
this need not be the case. Tintable windows may operate using
liquid crystal devices, suspended particle devices,
microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) devices (such as
microshutters any technology known now, or later developed, that is
configured to control light transmission through a window. Windows
with MEMS devices for tinting are further described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/443,353, filed May 15, 2015, and titled
"MULTI-PANE WINDOWS INCLUDING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND
ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICES," which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety. In some cases, tintable windows can be
located within the interior of a building, e.g., between a
conference room and a hallway. In some cases, tintable windows can
be used in automobiles, trains, aircraft, and other vehicles in
lieu of a passive or non-tinting window.
[0101] Electrochromic (EC) device coatings--An EC device coating
(sometimes referred to as an EC device (ECD) is a coating
comprising at least one layer of electrochromic material that
exhibits a change from one optical state to another when an
electric potential is applied across the EC device. The transition
of the electrochromic layer from one optical state to another
optical state can be caused by reversible ion insertion into the
electrochromic material (for example, by way of intercalation) and
a corresponding injection of charge-balancing electrons. In some
instances, some fraction of the ions responsible for the optical
transition is irreversibly bound up in the electrochromic material.
In many EC devices, some or all of the irreversibly bound ions can
be used to compensate for "blind charge" in the material. In some
implementations, suitable ions include lithium ions (Li+) and
hydrogen ions (H+) (i.e., protons). In some other implementations,
other ions can be suitable. Intercalation of lithium ions, for
example, into tungsten oxide (WO.sub.3-y
(0<y.ltoreq..about.0.3)) causes the tungsten oxide to change
from a transparent state to a blue state. EC device coatings as
described herein are located within the viewable portion of the
tintable window such that the tinting of the EC device coating can
be used to control the optical state of the tintable window.
[0102] A schematic cross-section of an electrochromic device 100 in
accordance with some embodiments is shown in FIG. 1. The EC device
coating is attached to a substrate 102, a transparent conductive
layer (TCL) 104, an electrochromic layer (EC) 106 (sometimes also
referred to as a cathodically coloring layer or a cathodically
tinting layer), an ion conducting layer or region (IC) 108, a
counter electrode layer (Cl) 110 (sometimes also referred to as an
anodically coloring layer or anodically tinting layer), and a
second TCL 114. Elements 104, 106, 108, 110, and 114 are
collectively referred to as an electrochromic stack 120. A voltage
source 116 operable to apply an electric potential across the
electrochromic stack 120 effects the transition of the
electrochromic coating from, e.g., a clear state to a tinted state.
In other embodiments, the order of layers is reversed with respect
to the substrate. That is, the layers are in the following order:
substrate, TCL, counter electrode layer, ion conducting layer,
electrochromic material layer, TCL.
[0103] In various embodiments, the ion conductor region 108 may
form from a portion of the EC layer 106 and/or from a portion of
the CE layer 110. In such embodiments, the electrochromic stack 120
may be deposited to include cathodically coloring electrochromic
material (the EC layer) in direct physical contact with an
anodically coloring counter electrode material (the CE layer). The
ion conductor region 108 (sometimes referred to as an interfacial
region, or as an ion conducting substantially electronically
insulating layer or region) may then form where the EC layer 106
and the CE layer 110 meet, for example through heating and/or other
processing steps. Electrochromic devices fabricated without
depositing a distinct ion conductor material are further discussed
in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/462,725, filed May 2, 2012,
and titled "ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES," which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, an EC device
coating may also include one or more additional layers such as one
or more passive layers. For example, passive layers can be used to
improve certain optical properties, to provide moisture or to
provide scratch resistance. These or other passive layers also can
serve to hermetically seal the EC stack 120. Additionally, various
layers, including transparent conducting layers (such as 104 and
114), can be treated with anti-reflective or protective oxide or
nitride layers.
[0104] In certain embodiments, the electrochromic device reversibly
cycles between a clear state and a tinted state. In the clear
state, a potential is applied to the electrochromic stack 120 such
that available ions in the stack that can cause the electrochromic
material 106 to be in the tinted state reside primarily in the
counter electrode 110. When the potential applied to the
electrochromic stack is reversed, the ions are transported across
the ion conducting layer 108 to the electrochromic material 106 and
cause the material to enter the tinted state.
[0105] It should be understood that the reference to a transition
between a clear state and tinted state is non-limiting and suggests
only one example, among many, of an electrochromic transition that
may be implemented. Unless otherwise specified herein, whenever
reference is made to a clear-tinted transition, the corresponding
device or process encompasses other optical state transitions such
as non-reflective-reflective, transparent-opaque, etc. Further, the
terms "clear" and "bleached" refer to an optically neutral state,
e.g., untinted, transparent or translucent. Still further, unless
specified otherwise herein, the "color" or "tint" of an
electrochromic transition is not limited to any particular
wavelength or range of wavelengths. As understood by those of skill
in the art, the choice of appropriate electrochromic and counter
electrode materials governs the relevant optical transition.
[0106] In certain embodiments, all of the materials making up
electrochromic stack 120 are inorganic, solid (i.e., in the solid
state), or both inorganic and solid. Because organic materials tend
to degrade over time, particularly when exposed to heat and UV
light as tinted building windows are, inorganic materials offer the
advantage of a reliable electrochromic stack that can function for
extended periods of time. Materials in the solid state also offer
the advantage of not having containment and leakage issues, as
materials in the liquid state often do. It should be understood
that any one or more of the layers in the stack may contain some
amount of organic material, but in many implementations; one or
more of the layers contain little or no organic matter. The same
can be said for liquids that may be present in one or more layers
in small amounts. It should also be understood that solid state
material may be deposited or otherwise formed by processes
employing liquid components such as certain processes employing
sol-gels or chemical vapor deposition.
[0107] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example tintable
window taking the form of an insulated glass unit ("IOU") 200 in
accordance with some implementations. Generally speaking, unless
stated otherwise, the terms "IGU," "tintable window," and
"optically switchable window" are used interchangeably. This
depicted convention is generally used, for example, because it is
common and because it can be desirable to have IGUs serve as the
fundamental constructs for holding electrochromic panes (also
referred to as "lites") when provided for installation in a
building. An IGU lite or pane may be a single substrate or a
multi-substrate construct, such as a laminate of two substrates.
IGUs, especially those having double- or triple-pane
configurations, can provide a number of advantages over single pane
configurations; for example, multi-pane configurations can provide
enhanced thermal insulation, noise insulation, environmental
protection and/or durability when compared with single-pane
configurations. A multi-pane configuration also can provide
increased protection for an ECD, for example, because the
electrochromic films, as well as associated layers and conductive
interconnects, can be formed on an interior surface of the
multi-pane IGU and be protected by an inert gas fill in the
interior volume, 208, of the IGU. The inert gas fill provides at
least some of the (heat) insulating function of an IGU.
Electrochromic IGU's have added heat blocking capability by virtue
of a tintable coating that absorbs (or reflects) heat and
light.
[0108] FIG. 2 more particularly shows an example implementation of
an IGU 200 that includes a first pane 204 having a first surface S1
and a second surface S2. In some implementations, the first surface
S1 of the first pane 204 faces an exterior environment, such as an
outdoors or outside environment. The IGU 200 also includes a second
pane 206 having a first surface S3 and a second surface S4. In some
implementations, the second surface S4 of the second pane 206 faces
an interior environment, such as an inside environment of a home,
building or vehicle, or a room or compartment within a home,
building or vehicle.
[0109] In some implementations, each of the first and the second
panes 204 and 206 are transparent or translucent--at least to light
in the visible spectrum. For example, each of the panes 204 and 206
can be formed of a glass material and especially an architectural
glass or other shatter-resistant glass material such as, for
example, a silicon oxide (SO.sub.x)-based glass material. As a more
specific example, each of the first and the second panes 204 and
206 can be a soda-lime glass substrate or float glass substrate.
Such glass substrates can be composed of, for example,
approximately 75% silica (SiO.sub.2) as well as Na.sub.2O, CaO, and
several minor additives. However, each of the first and the second
panes 204 and 206 can be formed of any material having suitable
optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties. For
example, other suitable substrates that can be used as one or both
of the first and the second panes 204 and 206 can include other
glass materials as well as plastic, semi-plastic and thermoplastic
materials (for example, poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene,
polycarbonate, allyl diglycol carbonate, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile
copolymer), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), polyester, polyamide), or
mirror materials. In some implementations, each of the first and
the second panes 204 and 206 can be strengthened, for example, by
tempering, heating, or chemically strengthening.
[0110] Generally, each of the first and the second panes 204 and
206, as well as the MU 200 as a whole, is a rectangular solid.
However, in some other implementations other shapes are possible
and may be desired (for example, circular, elliptical, triangular,
curvilinear, convex or concave shapes). In some specific
implementations, a length "L" of each of the first and the second
panes 204 and 206 can be in the range of approximately 20 inches
(in.) to approximately 10 feet (ft.), a width "W" of each of the
first and the second panes 204 and 206 can be in the range of
approximately 20 in. to approximately 10 ft, and a thickness "T" of
each of the first and the second panes 204 and 206 can be in the
range of approximately 0.3 millimeters (mm) to approximately 10 mm
(although other lengths, widths or thicknesses, both smaller and
larger, are possible and may be desirable based on the needs of a
particular user, manager, administrator; builder, architect or
owner). In examples where thickness T of substrate 204 is less than
3 mm, typically the substrate is laminated to an additional
substrate which is thicker and thus protects the thin substrate
204. Additionally, while the IGU 200 includes two panes (204 and
206), in some other implementations, an IGU can include three or
more panes. Furthermore, in some implementations, one or more of
the panes can itself be a laminate structure of two, three, or more
layers or sub-panes.
[0111] The first and second panes 204 and 206 are spaced apart from
one another by a spacer 218, which is typically a frame structure,
to form an interior volume 208. In some implementations, the
interior volume is filled with Argon (Ar), although in some other
implementations, the interior volume 108 can be filled with another
gas, such as another noble gas (for example, krypton (Kr) or xenon
(Xn)), another (non-noble) gas, or a mixture of gases (for example,
air). Filling the interior volume 208 with a gas such as Ar, Kr, or
Xn can reduce conductive heat transfer through the IGU 200 because
of the low thermal conductivity of these gases as well as improve
acoustic insulation due to their increased atomic weights. In some
other implementations, the interior volume 208 can be evacuated of
air or other gas. Spacer 218 generally determines the height "C" of
the interior volume 208; that is, the spacing between the first and
the second panes 204 and 206. In FIG. 2, the thickness of the LCD,
sealant 220/222 and bus bars 226/228 is not to scale; these
components are generally very thin but are exaggerated here for
ease of illustration only. In some implementations, the spacing "C"
between the first and the second panes 204 and 206 is in the range
of approximately 6 mm to approximately 30 mm. The width "D" of
spacer 218 can be in the range of approximately 5 mm to
approximately 25 mm (although other widths are possible and may be
desirable).
[0112] Although not shown in the cross-sectional view, spacer 218
is generally a frame structure formed around all sides of the IGU
200 (for example, top, bottom, left and right sides of the IGU
200). For example, spacer 218 can be formed of a foam or plastic
material. However, in some other implementations, spacers can be
formed of metal or other conductive material, for example, a metal
tube or channel structure having at least 3 sides, two sides for
sealing to each of the substrates and one side to support and
separate the lites and as a surface on which to apply a sealant,
224. A first primary seal 220 adheres and hermetically seals spacer
218 and the second surface S2 of the first pane 204. A second
primary seal 222 adheres and hermetically seals spacer 218 and the
first surface S3 of the second pane 206. In some implementations,
each of the primary seals 220 and 222 can be formed of an adhesive
sealant such as, for example, polyisobutylene (PIB). In some
implementations, IGU 200 further includes secondary seal 224 that
hermetically seals a border around the entire IGU 200 outside of
spacer 218. To this end, spacer 218 can be inset from the edges of
the first and the second panes 204 and 206 by a distance "E." The
distance "E" can be in the range of approximately 4 mm to
approximately 8 mm (although other distances are possible and may
be desirable). In some implementations, secondary seal 224 can be
formed of an adhesive sealant such as, for example, a polymeric
material that resists water and that adds structural support to the
assembly, such as silicone, polyurethane and similar structural
sealants that form a watertight seal.
[0113] In the implementation shown in FIG. 2, an ECD 210 is formed
on the second surface S2 of the first pane 204. In some other
implementations, ECD 210 can be formed on another suitable surface,
for example, the first surface S1 of the first pane 204, the first
surface S3 of the second pane 206 or the second surface S4 of the
second pane 206. The ECD 210 includes an electrochromic ("EC")
stack 212, which itself may include one or more layers as described
with reference to FIG. 1.
[0114] Window Controllers--Window controllers are associated with
one or more tintable windows and are configured to control a
window's optical state by applying a stimulus to the window--e.g.,
by applying a voltage or a current to an EC device coating. Window
controllers as described herein may have many sizes, formats, and
locations with respect to the optically switchable windows they
control. Typically, the controller will be attached to a lite of an
IGU or laminate but it can also be in a frame that houses the IGU
or laminate or even in a separate location. As previously
mentioned, a tintable window may include one, two, three or more
individual electrochromic panes (an electrochromic device on a
transparent substrate). Also, an individual pane of an
electrochromic window may have an electrochromic coating that has
independently tintable zones. A controller as described herein can
control all electrochromic coatings associated with such windows,
whether the electrochromic coating is monolithic or zoned.
[0115] If not directly, attached to a tintable window, IGU, or
frame, the window controller is generally located in proximity to
the tintable window. For example, a window controller may be
adjacent to the window, on the surface of one of the window's
lites, within a wall next to a window; or within a frame of a
self-contained window assembly. In some embodiments, the window
controller is an "in situ" controller; that is, the controller is
part of a window assembly, an IGU or a laminate, and may not have
to be matched with the electrochromic window; and installed, in the
field, e.g., the controller travels with the window as part of the
assembly from the factory. The controller may be installed in the
window frame of a window assembly, or be part of an IGU or laminate
assembly, for example, mounted on or between panes of the IGU or on
a pane of a laminate. In cases where a controller is located on the
visible portion of an Kill, at least a portion of the controller
may be substantially transparent. Further examples of on glass
controllers are provided in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/951,410, filed Nov. 14, 2015, and titled "SELF CONTAINED EC
IGU," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In
some embodiments, a localized controller may be provided as more
than one part, with at least one part (e.g., including a memory
component storing information about the associated electrochromic
window) being provided as a part of the window assembly and at
least one other part being separate and configured to mate with the
at least one part that is part of the window assembly, IGU or
laminate. In certain embodiments, a controller may be an assembly
of interconnected parts that are not in a single housing, but
rather spaced apart, e.g., in the secondary seal of an IGU. In
other embodiments the controller is a compact unit, e.g., in a
single housing or in two or more components that combine, e.g., a
dock and housing assembly, that is proximate the glass, not in the
viewable area, or mounted on the glass in the viewable area.
[0116] In one embodiment, the window controller is incorporated
into or onto the IGU and/or the window frame prior to installation
of the tintable window, or at least in the same building as the
window. In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or
onto the IGU and/or the window frame prior to leaving the
manufacturing facility. In one embodiment, the controller is
incorporated into the IGU, substantially within the secondary seal.
In another embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto
the IGU, partially, substantially, or wholly within a perimeter
defined by the primary seal between the sealing separator and the
substrate.
[0117] Having the controller as part of an IGU and/or a window
assembly, the IGU can possess logic and features of the controller
that; e.g., travels with the IGU or window unit. For example, when
a controller is part of the IGU assembly, in the event the
characteristics of the electrochromic device(s) change over time
(e.g., through degradation), a characterization function can be
used, for example, to update control parameters used to drive tint
state transitions. In another example, if already installed in an
electrochromic window unit, the logic and features of the
controller can be used to calibrate the control parameters to match
the intended installation, and for example if already installed,
the control parameters can be recalibrated to match the performance
characteristics of the electrochromic pane(s).
[0118] In other embodiments, a controller is not pre-associated
with a window, but rather a dock component, e.g., having parts
generic to any electrochromic window, is associated with each
window at the factory. After window installation, or otherwise in
the field, a second component of the controller is combined with
the dock component to complete the electrochromic window controller
assembly. The dock component may include a chip which is programmed
at the factory with the physical characteristics and parameters of
the particular window to which the dock is attached (e.g., on the
surface which will face the building's interior after installation,
sometimes referred to as surface 4 or "S4"). The second component
(sometimes called a "carrier," "casing," "housing," or
"controller") is mated with the dock, and when powered, the second
component can read the chip and configure itself to power the
window according to the particular characteristics and parameters
stored on the chip. In this way, the shipped window need only have
its associated parameters stored on a chip, which is integral with
the window, while the more sophisticated circuitry and components
can be combined later (e.g., shipped separately and installed by
the window manufacturer after the glazier has installed the
windows, followed by commissioning by the window manufacturer).
Various embodiments will be described in more detail below. In some
embodiments, the chip is included in a wire or wire connector
attached to the window controller. Such wires with connectors are
sometimes referred to as pigtails.
[0119] As discussed, an "IGU" includes two (or more) substantially
transparent substrates, for example, two panes of glass, where at
least one substrate includes an electrochromic device disposed
thereon, and the panes have a separator disposed between them. An
IGU is typically hermetically sealed, having an interior region
that is isolated from the ambient environment. A "window assembly"
may include an IGU or for example a stand-alone laminate, and
includes electrical leads for connecting the IGUs or laminates one
or more electrochromic devices to a voltage source, switches and
the like, and may include a frame that supports the IGU or
laminate. A window assembly may include a window controller as
described herein, and/or components of a window controller (e.g., a
dock).
[0120] As used herein, the term outboard means closer to the
outside environment, while the term inboard means closer to the
interior of a building. For example, in the case of an IGU having
two panes, the pane located closer to the outside environment is
referred to as the outboard pane or outer pane, while the pane
located closer to the inside of the building is referred to as the
inboard pane or inner pane. As labeled in FIG. 2, the different
surfaces of the IGU may be referred to as S1, S2, S3, and S4
(assuming a two-pane IGU). S1 refers to the exterior-facing surface
of the outboard lite (i.e., the surface that can be physically
touched by someone standing outside). S2 refers to the
interior-facing surface of the outboard lite. S3 refers to the
exterior-facing surface of the inboard lite. S4 refers to the
interior-facing surface of the inboard lite (i.e., the surface that
can be physically touched by someone standing inside the building).
In other words, the surfaces are labeled S1-S4, starting from the
outermost surface of the IGU and counting inwards. In cases where
an IGU includes three panes, this same trend holds (with S6 being
the surface that can be physically touched by someone standing
inside the building). In certain embodiments employing two panes,
the electrochromic device (or other optically switchable device) is
disposed on S3.
[0121] Further examples of window controllers and their features
are presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/449,248, filed
Apr. 17, 2012, and titled "CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE
WINDOWS"; U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/449,251, filed Apr.
17, 2012, and titled "CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS";
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/334,835, filed Oct. 26, 2016,
and titled "CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES"; and
International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/20805, filed Mar. 3,
2017, and titled "METHOD OF COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS,"
each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its
entirety
[0122] Window Control System--When a building is outfitted with
tintable windows, window controllers may be connected to one
another and/or other entities via a communications network
sometimes referred to as a window control network or a window
network. The network and the various devices (e.g., controllers and
sensors) that are connected via the network (e.g., wired or
wireless power transfer and/or communication) are referred to
herein as a window control system. Window control networks may
provide tint instructions to window controllers, provide window
information to master controllers or other network entities, and
the like. Examples of window information include current tint state
or other information collected by window controller. In some cases,
a window controller has one or more associated sensors including,
for example, a photosensor, a temperature sensor, an occupancy
sensor, and/or gas sensors that provide sensed information over the
network. In some cases, information transmitted over a window
communication network need not impact window control. For example,
information received at a first window configured to receive a WiFi
or LiFi signal may be transmitted over the communication network to
a second window configured to wirelessly broadcast the information
as, e.g., a WiFi or LiFi signal. A window control network need not
be limited to providing information for controlling tintable
windows, but may also be able to communicate information for other
devices interfacing with the communications network such as HVAC
systems, lighting systems, security systems, personal computing
devices, and the like.
[0123] FIG. 3 provides an example of a control network 301 of a
window control system 300. The network may distribute both control
instructions and feedback, as well as serving as a power
distribution network. A master controller 302 communicates and
functions in conjunction with multiple network controllers 304,
each of which network controllers is capable of addressing a
plurality of window controllers 306 (sometimes referred to herein
as leaf controllers) that apply a voltage or current to control the
tint state of one or more optically switchable windows 308.
Communication controllers (304, 306, and 308) may occur via wired
(e.g., Ethernet) or via a wireless (e.g., WiFi or LiFi) connection.
In some implementations, the master controller issues the
high-level instructions (such as the final tint states of the
electrochromic windows) to the network controllers, and the network
controllers then communicate the instructions to the corresponding
window controllers. Typically a master controller is configured to
communicate with one or more outward face networks 309. Window
control network 301 can include any suitable number of distributed
controllers having various capabilities or functions and need not
be arranged in the hierarchical structure depicted in FIG. 3. As
discussed elsewhere herein, network 301 may also be used as a
communication network between distributed controllers (e.g., 302,
304, 306) that act as communication nodes to other devices or
systems (e.g., 309).
[0124] In some embodiments, outward facing network 309 is part of
or connected to a building management system (BMS). A BMS is a
computer-based control system that can be installed in a building
to monitor and control the building's mechanical and electrical
equipment. A BMS may be configured to control the operation of HVAC
systems, lighting systems, power systems, elevators, fire systems,
security systems, and other safety systems. BMSs are frequently
used in large buildings where they function to control the
environment within the building. For example, a BMS may monitor and
control the lighting, temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and
humidity within the building. In doing so, a BMS may control the
operation of furnaces, air conditioners, blowers, vents, gas lines,
water lines, and the like. To control a building's environment, the
BMS may turn on and off these various devices according to rules
established by, for example, a building administrator. One function
of a BMS is to maintain a comfortable environment for the occupants
of a building. In some implementations, a BMS can be configured not
only to monitor and control building conditions, but also to
optimize the synergy between various systems--for example, to
conserve energy and lower building operation costs. In some
implementations, a BMS can be configured with a disaster response.
For example, a BMS may initiate the use of backup generators and
turn off water lines and gas lines. In some cases, a BMS has a more
focused application e.g., simply controlling the HVAC system while
parallel systems such as lighting, tintable window, and/or security
systems stand alone or interact with the BMS.
[0125] In some embodiments, network 309 is a remote network. For
example, network 309 may operate in the cloud or on a device remote
from the building having the optically switchable windows. In some
embodiments, network 309 is a network that provides information or
allows control of optically switchable windows via a remote
wireless device. In some cases, network 309 includes seismic event
detection logic. Further examples of window control systems and
their features are presented in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/334,832, filed Oct. 26, 2016, and titled "CONTROLLERS FOR
OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES" and International Patent Application
No. PCT/US17/62634, filed on Nov. 23, 2016, and titled "AUTOMATED
COMMISSIONING OF CONTROLLERS IN A WINDOW NETWORK," both of which
are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0126] While the depicted embodiment shows windows 308 and a window
control network 301, it should be understood that some embodiments
do not include EC windows or any other type of optically switchable
windows. Further, in certain embodiments, the network includes
controllers, but the controllers do not control windows. In some
embodiments, the network has a topology similar to that depicted in
FIG. 3, but it does not necessarily serve to control windows. Such
network may serve various other purposes, and might or might not
include providing instructions for controlling tint states of
optically switchable windows or other building functions. In some
cases, the network is initially deployed without optically
switchable windows, but later such windows are installed and
attached to the network. With or without the windows attached, the
network can provide various functions unrelated to window control.
For example, in certain embodiments a building facade (envelope)
computing and power distribution system, with or without switchable
windows, is described. Such systems can be installed early in a
building's construction, and thus supply power and computing power,
e.g. an edge computing platform and/or cloud that can be used to
complete construction and/or be used by the building occupants when
the building construction is complete and the building is occupied
for its intended purpose.
[0127] Electrochromic Windows with Transparent Display
Technology:
[0128] Applicant has previously developed IGUs with integrated
photovoltaics, onboard storage, integrated antennas, integrated
sensors, an API to serve up valuable data, etc. It has been found
that electrochromic windows can be further improved in surprising
ways, e.g., by combining with transparent display technology as
well as augmenting sensor, onboard antenna, and software
applications.
[0129] One embodiment, depicted in FIG. 4, includes an
electrochromic (EC) window lite, or IGU or laminate, combined with
a transparent display. The transparent display area may be
co-extensive with the EC window viewable area. An electrochromic
lite, 410, including a transparent pane with an electrochromic
device coating thereon and bus bars for applying driving voltage
for tinting and bleaching, is combined with a transparent display
panel, 420, in a tandem fashion. In this example, 410 and 420 are
combined using a sealing spacer, 430, to form an IGU, 400. The
transparent display may be a standalone lite for the IGU, or be
e.g. a flexible panel laminated or otherwise attached to a glass
lite, and that combination is the other lite of the IGU. In typical
embodiments, the transparent display is the, or is on the, inboard
lite of the IGU, for use by the building occupants. In other
embodiments, an electrochromic device coating and transparent
display mechanism are combined on a single substrate. In other
embodiments, a laminate, rather than an IGU, are formed from 410
and 420, without a sealing spacer.
[0130] The transparent display can be used for many purposes. For
example, the display can be used for conventional display or
projection screen purposes, such as displaying video,
presentations, digital media, teleconferencing, web-based meetings
including video, security warnings to occupants and/or people
outside the building (e.g., emergency response personnel) and the
like. The transparent display can also be used for displaying
controls for the display, the electrochromic window, an
electrochromic window control system, an inventory management
system, a security system, a building management system, and the
like. In certain embodiments, the transparent display can be used
as a physical alarm element. That is, the electrochromic lite of an
IGU can be used as a breakage detector to indicate a security
breach of the building's perimeter. The transparent display could
also, alone or in combination with the electrochromic serve this
function. In one example, the electrochromic lite is used as a
breakage detection sensor, i.e., breaking the EC pane triggers an
alarm. The transparent display may also serve this function, and/or
be used as a visual alarm indicator, e.g., displaying information
to occupants and/or external emergency personnel. For example, in
certain implementations, a transparent display may have a faster
electrical response than the electrochromic lite, and thus could be
used to indicate alarm status, for example, externally to
firefighters, etc. or internally to occupants, e.g., to indicate
the nature of the threat and/or escape routes. In one embodiment,
breakage of the outboard electrochromic lite sends a signal to the
transparent display, via the window controller, such that the
transparent display conveys a security breach. In one embodiment,
the transparent display flashes a warning message and/or flashes
red, e.g., the entire transparent display pane may flash brightly
in red to indicate trouble and be easily seen, e.g., a large window
flashing in this manner would be easily noticeable to occupants
and/or outside personnel. In another example, one or more
neighboring windows may indicate damage to a window. For example,
in a curtain wall where a first window has four adjacent windows,
breakage to the first window triggers one or more of the four
adjacent windows to flash red or display large arrows pointing to
the first window, to make it easier for occupants or external
personnel to know where the trouble is. In a large skyscraper, with
many windows, it would be very easy for first responders to see
four windows adjacent a central window flashing, i.e., forming a
flashing cross to indicate where the trouble is located. If more
than one window is broken, this method would allow instant visual
confirmation of where the trouble lies. In certain embodiments, one
or more transparent displays may be used to display a message to
first responders, indicating both the location and nature of the
emergency. It may be breakage of one or more windows or indicate,
e.g., hotspots within the building for firefighters.
[0131] The electrochromic window can be used as a contrast element
to aid visualization of the transparent display, e.g., by tinting
the EC pane the transparent display will have higher contrast. In
turn, the transparent display can be used to augment the color,
hue, % T, switching speed, etc. of the electrochromic device. There
are many novel symbiotic relationships that can be exploited by the
combination of EC window and transparent display technology. When
the EC pane and the transparent display are both in their clear
state, IGU 400 appears and functions as a conventional window.
Transparent display 420 may have some visually discernable
conductive grid pattern but otherwise is transparent, and can be
uni- or bidirectional in the display function. One of ordinary
skill in the art would appreciate that as transparent display
technology advances, the clarity and transparency of such devices
will improve. Improvements in micro and nanostructured addressable
grids, as well as transparent conductor technology, allow for
transparent displays where there is no visually discernable
conductive grid.
[0132] FIG. 5 depicts an electrochromic insulated glass unit, 550,
with an on-glass transparent display, 575, used as a control
interface for IGU 550. Display 575 may be wired to an onboard
controller which is, e.g., housed in the secondary sealing volume
of the IGU. The wiring for the transparent display 575 may pass
through the glass, around the edge of the glass, or may be
wirelessly connected to the onboard (or offboard) controller (not
shown). When the transparent display 575 is not in use, it is
essentially transparent and colorless, so as not to detract from
the aesthetics of the ICU's viewable area. Transparent display 575
may be adhesively attached to the glass of the IGU. Wiring to the
control unit of the window may pass around or through the glass
upon which the display is attached. The display may communicate
with a window controller or control system wirelessly via one or
more antenna, which may also be transparent.
[0133] A transparent display may be located within the viewable
area of an optically switchable window. The transparent display may
be configured to provide various types of information about windows
or the building via, e.g., a graphical user interface. The display
may also be used to convey information to the user, e.g.,
teleconferencing, weather data, financial reports, live streaming
data, asset tracking and the like as described herein. In certain
embodiments, the transparent display (and associated controller) is
configured to show specific information about the window being used
(the one displaying the information), information about a zone in
which the window resides; and/or information about other particular
windows in the building. Depending on user permissions, such
information could include information in all windows of a building
or even multiple buildings. The transparent displays (and
associated controller) may be configured to allow monitoring and/or
controlling optically switchable windows on a window network.
[0134] In certain embodiments, the graphical user interface may
represent windows and/or other controllable systems and devices
using smart objects. A "smart object," as described herein, is a
representation of one or more material items that can be
manipulated by a user (e.g., by contact with a touch-sensitive
display) to gather and/or present information about the one or more
physical devices the smart object represents. In some cases, a
graphical user interface may display a three-dimensional building
model with one or more smart objects thereon. By displaying smart
objects on the building model according to their physical location,
a user in may easily identify a smart object that represents a
window of interest. Smart objects allow a user to receive
information from, or control an aspect of, the window network
and/or a system or electronic device in communication with the
window network. For example, if a user has selected a smart object
representing a window, information may be displayed such as a
window ID, window type, window size, manufacturing date, current
tint state, leakage current, usage history, inside temperature,
outside temperature, and the like. Additionally, smart objects may
present a user with options for controlling a window tint state,
configuring a tint schedule, or tinting rules. In some cases, a
window may have inboard lite with touch and gesture sensors that
allow a user to interact with smart objects in the graphical user
interface. In some cases, a user may interact with the smart
objects displayed on the graphical user interface using a remote
device that is configured to receive user input (e.g., a cell
phone, a controller, a keyboard, and the like).
[0135] In one example, during the initial installation of a
plurality of electrochromic windows, at least one window is
installed with transparent display technology. This window may also
be configured with power, internet connectivity, and at least one
processor (e.g., a window controller, network controller, and/or
master controller for the window installation). The at least one
window, by virtue of its transparent display functionality, can
serve as a GUI for further installation of the plurality of windows
in the system to be installed. As the windows of the system are
installed, this use may be translated to other windows of the
system, and, additionally be used to commission windows of the
system. This obviates the need for an installer to have a portable
or other separate computing device for commissioning the windows;
the window itself and its corresponding processing power can be
used during installation to aid further installation and
commissioning of the window system. Using, e.g., this at least one
window with display technology tradespeople, engineers, and/or
construction crews tasked with installing electrical wiring,
plumbing, HVAC and other infrastructure may have the ability to
pull up building drawings on large format displays, rather than
carrying large paper drawings. Moreover, web-based video
conferencing e.g., allows workers in disparate areas of the
building to communicate with each other and discuss building plans
displayed on their screens, manipulate the plans interactively via
the touchscreen function of transparent displays described
herein.
[0136] In certain embodiments, rather than a transparent display
registered with an EC device, e.g., in an IGU form factor, an
interactive projector is used to both display information onto an
EC window and also allow the user to access and input information
using the interactive display technology portion of the assembly.
FIG. 6 depicts an example of an optically switchable window 600
configured with a projector 606 that displays an image 614 on the
surface of the optically switchable window. To improve the
visibility of a projected image 614, a window may be configured
with a pixelated or monolithic passive coating that is
substantially transparent to an observer, but aids in the
reflection of the image provided by the projector. In some cases,
the level of tinting may be adjusted to improve the visibility of a
projected image. In this regard, to ensure that the window tint
state is appropriate for projecting, the window controller 604 and
projector/display controller 606 may be coupled or in
communication. The projector may be located in a mullion 602 (as
depicted), a transom, or at a remote location such as a nearby
ceiling or a wall. The projector 606 may receive information to
display from a window controller 604, which may also be located in
a mullion or a transom. In some cases, a projector in a mullion,
transom, or similar location is used to project an image through
free space and onto a glass surface or a passive coating of the
IGU. In some cases, a projector is located within the mullion and
projects light onto the display via a light guide that is embedded
in, formed by, or attached to a glass substrate of a display lite.
The projector may in some embodiments be configured so that the end
user does not see the projector mechanism, i.e. it is hidden from
view. Light may be projected from the edge of the glass into the
light guide, e.g., by using a mirror or by orienting the projector.
In this configuration, the projector can be concealed from view so
as not to create a visual distraction. In some cases, a light guide
plate is used which runs parallel to a lite which has a monolithic
passive coating for displaying an image. Examples of light guide
plates used for a user wearable display device which can be adapted
for use for transparent displays on optically switchable windows
are found in U.S. Pat. No. 9,791,701B2 titled "Display device," and
filed on Oct. 17, 2017, which is incorporated in its entirety.
[0137] To receive user input corresponding to user motion, the
window depicted FIG. 6 may be equipped with motion sensors 608
located on or within mullions and/or transoms. The motion sensors
may include one or more cameras to detect user motion (e.g., the
motion of a user's hand) and image analysis logic may determine a
user's interaction with a displayed smart object based on the
detected motion. For example, image analysis logic may determine
whether a user's motion corresponds to a gesture used to provide a
specific input. In some cases, one or more cameras may be inferred
cameras. In some cases, the motion sensors may include ultrasonic
transducers and ultrasonic sensors to determine user motion. In
some cases, a window may be equipped with a capacitive touch sensor
(e.g., on S1 or S4) that at least partially covers the visible
portion of the window and receives user input when a user touches
the surface of the window. For example, a capacitive touch sensor
may be similar to that found in touchscreens such as the Apple
iPad. In addition to motion sensors, an optically switchable window
may also be equipped with a microphone 612 located in a mullion or
transom for receiving audible user input. In some cases, a
microphone 612 may be located on a remote device and voice
recognition logic may be used to determine user input from received
audio. In some cases, audio is recorded on a remote device and
transmitted wirelessly to a window controller. Examples of systems
that provide a voice-controlled interface for controlling optically
switchable windows are provided in PCT Patent Application
PCT/US17/29476, filed on Apr. 25, 2017, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. When a window may be
configured to receive audible user input, a window may also be
configured with one or more speakers 610 for providing information
to a user. For example, a speaker 610 may be used respond to a user
inquiry or to provide various features that may be controlled by
the user. In some cases, a projector such as an Xperia Touch.TM.,
manufactured by Sony Corporation, is attached to or near the IGU,
e.g., in a mullion or on a wall or ceiling nearby, in order to
project onto an IGU to display information to the user and provide
an on-glass control function.
[0138] In one embodiment, the window assembly includes a motion
sensor, a camera, a transparent capacitive touchscreen, and/or a
microphone for voice activation. When a user interacts with the
window, the projector (or transparent display) activates to show a
control GUI for controlling the window, other windows in the,
building, and/or other building systems. The user interaction may
be, e.g., movement detected near the window, video or image
identification of the user, an appropriate touch command, and/or an
appropriate voice command. The user can then carry out desired
work, programming, data retrieval and the like. After a period, or
by the appropriate command input provided by the user, the control
GUI on the glass (projected or transparent display) disappears or
ceases, leaving the (entire) unobstructed view of the window.
[0139] In certain embodiments, a window may use an electrowetting
transparent display technology. An electrowetting display is a
pixelated display where each pixel has one or more cells. Each cell
can oscillate between substantially transparent and substantially
opaque optical states. Cells make use of surface tensions and
electrostatic forces to control the movement of a hydrophobic
solution and a hydrophilic solution within the cell. Cells can be,
e.g., white, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green, blue, or
some other color in their opaque state (determined by either the
hydrophobic solution or the hydrophilic solution within the cell).
A colored pixel may have, e.g., a cyan, magenta, yellow cells in a
stacked arrangement. Perceived colors can are generated by
oscillating the cells of a pixel (each cell having a different
color) at specific frequencies. Such displays may have many
thousands or millions of individually addressable cells which can
produce high-resolution images.
[0140] The display may be permanently or reversibly attached to the
electrochromic window. The electrochromic window may include an
electrochromic lite, an electrochromic IGU, and/or a laminate
including an electrochromic lite, for instance. In some cases, it
may be advantageous to include a reversible and/or accessible
connection between the display and the window such that the display
can be upgraded or replaced, as needed. A display lite can be
either inboard or outboard of the electrochromic device. It is
noted that any of the embodiments herein can be modified to switch
the relative positions of the display lite and the electrochromic
EC device. Moreover, while certain figures show an electrochromic
window that includes a particular number of lites, any of these
embodiments can be modified such that the electrochromic window
includes any number of liter (e.g., an EC IGU may be replaced with
an EC lite or EC laminate, and vice versa).
[0141] Example solid-state electrochromic devices, methods, and
apparatus for making them and methods of making electrochromic
windows with such devices are described in U.S. patent application
Ser. No. 12/645,111, entitled "Fabrication of Low Defectivity
Electrochromic Devices," by Kozlowski et al., and U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/645,159, entitled "Electrochromic Devices,"
by Wang et al., both of which are incorporated by reference herein
in their entireties. In various embodiments, a solid-state
electrochromic device is used in conjunction with a transparent
display, which may be pixelated and which may include one or more
organic or non-solid components. Examples of such displays include
OLEDs, electrophoretic displays, LCDs, and electrowetting displays.
As described, the display may be fully or partially coextensive
with electrochromic device on a lite. Further, the display may be
provided in direct on contact with an electrochromic device, on the
same lite as the electrochromic device but on a different surface,
or on a different lite of an IGU. In some embodiments, the display
lite may reversibly and accessibly attach to a dock that secures
the display lite. The dock may be configured to safely receive the
display lite and support it at one or more edges. Examples of docks
and other framing are described in U.S. patent application Ser. No.
14/951,410, titled "SELF-CONTAINED EC IGU" and filed on Nov. 24,
2015, which is herein incorporated in its entirety.
[0142] In various examples, a framing system that secures a display
lite includes a structure for securing the display lite proximate
an EC window, and wiring for providing power to the display lite.
The framing system may further include wiring for providing
communication to the display lite, wiring for providing power to an
EC window and/or window controller, and wiring for providing
communication to the EC window and/or window controller. In these
or other embodiments, the framing system may include wireless
transmitters and/or receivers for transmitting and/or receiving
wireless control information that may be communicated to the
display lite and/or the electrochromic window/window controller.
The framing system may also include a number of other components
useful for an electrochromic window such as various sensors,
cameras, etc.
[0143] In some embodiments, a framing system supporting a display
lite is configured to be installed proximate existing framing that
already secures an electrochromic window. The electrochromic window
is essentially being retrofitted to include the display lite in
this example. In some such cases, the framing may include control
hardware to interface with the existing EC window. Such control
hardware may use wireless communication to control the EC window in
some cases.
[0144] Generally speaking, the framing system/dock/similar hardware
may be referred to as an apparatus for mounting an electronic
device onto an optically switchable window. The electronic device
is a display in many cases (e.g., a display lite or other display),
and may or may not be transparent. The electronic device may also
be any number of other devices, including but not limited to a
window controller, user input device, etc. In some cases, the
apparatus may mount more than one electronic device onto the
optically switchable window.
[0145] In some cases, the display and the EC window may be
controlled in tandem to enhance user experience. For instance, the
display may be controlled in a way that takes into account the
optical state of the EC window. Similarly, the optical state of the
EC window may be controlled in a way that takes into account the
state of the display. In one example, the EC window and display may
be controlled together in order to optimize the appearance of the
display (e.g., such that the display is easy to see, bright,
readable, etc.). In some cases, the display is easiest to see when
the EC window is in a darkened tint state. As such, in some cases,
the EC window and display may be controlled together such that the
EC window goes to a relatively dark tint state when the display is
used, or when the display is used and certain conditions are met
(e.g., with respect to timing, weather, light conditions,
etc.).
[0146] In some embodiments, a first controller may be used to
control the optical state of the EC window, and a second controller
may be used to control the display. In another embodiment, a single
controller may be used to control both the optical state of the EC
window and the display. The logic/hardware for such control may be
provided in a single controller or multiple controllers, as desired
for a particular application.
[0147] FIG. 7 illustrates one configuration of how the architecture
of how an on-glass transparent controller can be implemented. The
on-glass controller transparent display 702 is used to display
control applications in a graphical user interface (GUI) format.
The transparent display is in communication with the window
controller 704, either onboard or offboard as depicted below. A
node controller 706 is used for display monitoring and function.
The node controller communicates with a master controller 708 for
controlling the EC functions, etc., which in turn communicates via
the cloud with APIs. The window controller may include RE radio,
temperature sensors and control and Bluetooth capability.
Transparent on-glass controller displays can be, e.g., as
commercially available Lumineq.RTM. transparent displays from Beneq
Oy, of Finland, as described on their commercial website
(http://beneq.com/en/displays/products/custom). When a window
controller is connected to a local area network (e.g., a local
network provided via windows) or connected to the internet, the
transparent display and other glass functions can be controlled in
some cases, through a web-based application or another application
configured to communicate with the window control network. Such
applications can be run on, e.g., phones, tablets, or desktop
computers.
[0148] Applicant's previously described window control technology
architecture can, in some cases, include a daughter card containing
I/O for driving a transparent display (whether on-glass controller
and/or if a full window size display/controller). Embodiments may
also include an onboard antenna. The antenna may be an on-glass
antenna, e.g., fractal and/or antenna suites scribed into a
transparent conductive oxide layer on a lite of an IGU. Antennas
are used for various functions, including RF
transmission/reception. Various EMI blocking coatings may also be
included in embodiments.
[0149] FIGS. 8a and 8b depict an EC IGU 802 with an IGU connector
804 for EC, antenna, and video applications. An IGU connector may
include a single cable that supports each of these applications, or
in some cases (such as depicted in FIGS. 8a and 8h) an IGU
connector may include more than one connector, each connector being
used to support a different application of the EC IGU. For example,
a 5-pin connector 810 may be used to support EC functionality while
a coax cable 808 may support wireless communications (e.g., via
window antennas) and an MHL connector 808 (or I2C) may provide a
video signal for the transparent display. Some embodiments include
wireless power and control, which may, in some cases, Obviate the
need for one or more wired connectors.
[0150] Certain embodiments described herein combine the strength of
an existing building operating system (BOS) infrastructure with
antennas and display technology for additional functionality. One
example of such functionality is providing power for window system
components such as window controllers, radio, and display drivers.
In some cases available power is provided at about 2-3 W per IGU.
In some implementations, EC control communication can be delivered
over, e.g., standard 5 wire cable with CANbus and power. For
example, a CANBus may be operated at 100 kbps or higher, e.g., up
to about 1 Mbps if needed. In some embodiments, an ARCnet network
is employed, operating at up to about, e.g., 2.5 Mbps. It may do
this in various network topologies including a linear control
network. Delivering content for wireless and video requires
relatively high bandwidth communication interfaces, which can be
made available with window systems that employ wireless
transmission, UWB, or the like, each of which can be provide 500
Mbps or higher data rates. Often window system installations have
many windows, thereby allowing high data rates, particularly
compared to sparse systems with an occasional transceiver as with
current Wi-Fi technology.
[0151] The aspect of adding a display device to an EC window drives
a need for greater communication bandwidth, at least if the display
content changes frequently. Bandwidth requirements may be branched
into two different products, one for real-time display a projector
screen replacement) with higher bandwidth, and one for lower
bandwidth applications (e.g., signage applications).
[0152] Frequently changing content like h.264 video conferencing
requires 10 Mbps (Ethernet) data rates for High-Definition (HD)
quality at 30 frames a second. More static data, like a static
advertisement can use the existing data path (CANbus) and available
bandwidth (around what's required for glass control) to load the
content. The content can be cached, so data could trickle in over
an hour, and then the display updates when the frame is complete.
Other more slowly changing data like weather feeds, or sales
metrics also don't require high-speed data. Table 1 illustrates
data communication bandwidths and associated applications.
TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Data communication Bandwidths. Frames Per
Video Quality Resolution Video Bitrate Audio Bitrate second codec
h.263 Profile Low 480 .times. 270 400 kbps 64 kbps 15/30 h.264
Baseline Med 640 .times. 360 800-1200 kbps 96 kbps 30 h.264 Main
High 960 .times. 540 800-1500 kbps 96 kbps 30 h.264 Main HD 720
1280 .times. 720 1,200-4,000 kbps 128 kbps 30 h.264 Main HD 1080
1920 .times. 1080 4,000-8,000 kbps 192 kbps 30* h.264 Main or
High
[0153] For signage applications, a transparent display integrated
with an EC IOU offers a number of benefits. In some cases, windows
may display a "follow me" guidance system to get you to your
connecting flight in the most efficient way. This guidance system
may be combined with a high accuracy location awareness system that
provides personalized services on a display based on the location
of a traveler's mobile phone and the traveler's boarding pass for
the next flight. For example, the transparent display may indicate:
"this way to your next flight, Chuck" on panes of glass as you move
along the corridor in the terminal In another example, personalized
displays on glass doors in a grocery store may display what is on
special within a buyers preference category. In an emergency, the
display windows may indicate safe exit routes, where fire
extinguishing equipment resides, provide emergency lighting, and
the like.
[0154] For real-time displays utilizing higher bandwidth data
communication, the following examples are provided. In some cases,
a video projector can be replaced with an OLED display and an EC
IGU. The EC IGU can then darken the room and/or provide the dark
background necessary for good contrast on the display. In another
example, windows with transparent displays can replace TVs in
commercial and residential applications. In another example, a
window having a real-time display can provide real-time health
statistics for a patient as one looks through the outside window.
In this example, the patient retains the health benefits of natural
lighting while a doctor reviews patient's chart. In yet another
example, a real-time display can be used outside of a conference
room wall to, e.g., display scenery to people passing by as a
privacy enhancement mechanism. Privacy provided by the display can
augment the privacy provided EC glass may darken over a period. In
yet another example, transparent displays can provide augmented
heads-up displays in cars or other forms of transportation.
[0155] OLED displays or similar (TFT, etc.) components of the EC
IGU may have other applications besides providing dynamic graphical
content. For example, OLED displays can provide general
illumination. A dark window on a winter night simply looks black or
reflects the interior light, but by using an OLED display, the
surface can match the color of your wall. In some cases, the
transparent display can display a scene that is pleasant to a
building occupant and provides privacy. For example, a window can
display a screenshot of a sunny day from that exact window from a
camera integrated into the on glass or onboard window controller.
In another scenario, a transparent display can be used to modify
the perceived color of light transmitted through the EC lite
portion of the KW. For example, a transparent display may add a
tinge of blue to a clear EC IGU, or a little color to a tinted IGU
to make it more gray or neutral in tint. In another scenario, a
transparent display can also be used to change the reflected color
of light on the walls of the occupant's interior space. For
example, instead of looking at various hues of blue on a white
wall, the display can be tuned to make that color more uniform
using feedback from an inward facing camera of an onboard window
controller.
[0156] In certain embodiments, the transparent display component of
the ICU is used to augment or replace conventional lighting in
interior spaces (or exterior spaces if the display is
bi-directional). For example, OLED displays can be quite bright,
and therefore can be used to light up a room (at least to some
degree) as an occupant walks into the space at night (with
occupancy sensing). In another embodiment, the transparent display
component is used to provide a color controlled light for an art
gallery at a museum, e.g., a length of EC glass on one side of a
wall used to illuminate artwork on the opposite wall.
[0157] A curtain wall of IGUs may all have transparent display
technology or may be a mixture of IGUs, some with and some without
transparent display technology. FIG. 9 depicts a facade of a
building 900 having IGUs with various capabilities. IGUs labeled
902, 904 and 906 are for EMI blocking. IGUs labeled 904 and 910 are
configured to provide cellular communications to the outside world,
and IGUs labeled 906 and 910 are configured to offer WiFi and/or
cellular services to occupants within the building. IGUs labeled
908 only are configured for. BC tinting and do not block wireless
communications.
[0158] In the example depicted in FIG. 9, the top floor tenant
either wants to be isolated from the outside world or will provide
their own communications (a cable modern for example). The building
owner may, e.g., lease the outward facing antennas (904) to the
local cellular company as repeater towers. The fourth-floor tenant
may want cellular services in the building and control when they
are available. The inward facing antenna (906) emanate signals into
the building on demand, but blocks exterior signals. The source of
the signals may be the two outward facing cellular antennas (904).
The third-floor tenant wants to block all outside signals, but
offer WiFi and cellular services to occupants (906). The
second-floor tenant wants complete isolation, they may have their
own hardline (e.g., cable modem) connections, but otherwise are
isolated. The ground floor is a lobby, EC glass (908) allows
exterior signals to pass through the glass, as well as offering a
cellular repeater (910) to boost the available signals in the
common area of the building.
[0159] Environmental Sensors
[0160] In some embodiments, an RAI may be equipped with
environmental sensors for air quality monitoring. For example, an
IGU may have one or more electrochemical gas sensors that transduce
a gas concentration into a current flow through oxidation and
reduction reactions between the sensor and the sensed gas. In some
embodiments, metal oxide gas sensors may be used. Metal oxide
sensors monitor a sensed gas concentration as function of
electronic conductivity at the sensor. In some cases, an IGU may be
able to sense one or more of the six criteria pollutants (carbon
monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen
dioxide, and sulfur dioxide) that are monitored by the US national
ambient air quality standards (NAAQS). In some cases, IGUs may be
equipped with sensors for detecting less common pollutants if there
is a specific safety concern at an installation site. For example,
in a facility for semiconductor processing, sensors may be used to
monitor for fluorocarbons or to detect chlorine gas. In some cases,
a sensor may detect carbon dioxide levels as a form of occupancy
sensor, e.g., to aid window control logic to determine heating and
cooling needs of the interior environment.
[0161] FIG. 10 depicts a cross-sectional view of an example
atmospheric gas sensor that may be located on an IGU. The
environmental sensor 1000 includes one or more first sensing units
1002 and one or more second sensing 1004 units disposed on a
substrate 1008. A cover 1018 may be disposed over the first and
second sensing units to protect sensing units from large particles.
Vias 1016 in the cover allow chemical particles 1030 to pass and be
detected by the sensing units. The first sensing unit 1002 senses
chemical particles when particles pass through the vias 1016 and
adhere to the first sensor electrode 1010, changing the electrode's
resistance. The second sensing unit 1012 has an insulating layer
1022 between the second sensor electrode 1012 and the cover 1018
and senses a capacitance change when chemical particles pass
through the vias and adhere to the insulating layer 1022. In some
embodiments, the environmental sensor is also integrated with a
capacitive touch sensor 1006, where the insulating layer 1024
between the touch sensor electrode 1014 may be the same material as
the insulating material used for the second electrode 1022. In some
cases, insulating layers used for a capacitive touch sensor and a
second sensor unit 1022 and 1024 are deposited during the same
operation. In embodiments where a touch sensor is integrated with
an environmental sensor, an insulating sidewall 1020 is used to
prevent the chemical particles from diffusing into the region near
the touch sensor electrode 1014. Electrodes for the first and
second sensing units may be made from materials such as Graphene,
Carbon Nano Tube (CNT), Silver Nano Wire (AgNW), Indium Tin Oxide
(ITO), etc. In some cases, the same material used for a transparent
conductive layer in an electrochromic device can be used as for an
electrode of the sensing unit or the touch sensor.
[0162] In some embodiments, an environmental sensor may be located
on an interior surface or an exterior surface of an IGU. The sensor
units may be very small such that even if they are made with opaque
materials they can still be inconspicuous. For example, the area of
the first sensor electrodes and/or the second sensor electrodes may
be between about 1 .mu.m and about 10 .mu.m, or in some cases
between about 10 .mu.m and about 100 .mu.m. In some cases, the
substrate of an environmental sensor may be located on or embedded
in a lite of an IGU. In some embodiments, the sensor is fabricated
directly on top of an electrochromic device, and in some cases, an
environmental sensor may be integrated into a transparent display
(e.g., an OLED display) as described herein where capacitive touch
sensors provide a means accepting for user input of a GUI provided
by the transparent display. In some embodiments, an environmental
sensor may be fabricated separately from an IGU and then may be
bonded or attached to the interior surface, the exterior surface,
or the frame of an IOU. The sensor may be part of the window
controller architecture; e.g., a window controller may be part of
the window assembly. In some cases, sensors are located on or
associated with on glass controllers which are described in U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/951,410, titled "SELF-CONTAINED EC
IGU" and filed on Nov. 24, 2015, which was previously incorporated
in its entirety. In some cases, a sensor is located on a frame,
mullion, or adjacent wall surface. In certain embodiments, sensors
in mobile smart devices may be used to aid in window control, e.g.,
as inputs to window control algorithms when sensors are available
in smart devices also having window control software installed.
[0163] When installed, an environmental sensor is electrically
connected to a window controller or another controller having logic
for collecting and processing data from the first sensing unit(s),
the second sensing unit(s), and/or capacitive sensor(s). When
located on an IGU, an environmental sensor may be electrically
coupled to a controller via conductive lines on the surface of a
lite that connect to a pigtail connector. As described elsewhere,
pigtail connectors provide a plug interface for electrically
connecting a window controller to an electrochromic device, window
antennas, and/or other sensors and electrical components of an
IOU.
[0164] An environmental sensor may have a high sensing performance
and be able to discriminate between various gas pollutants. For
example, the first sensing unit may be reactive to first and second
particles, while the second sensing unit may be reactive to second
and third particles but not the first particles. In this example,
the presence of each of the first, second and third types of
chemical particles in the air can be determined by evaluating a
sensed response from the first sensing unit(s) in combination with
the second sensing unit(s). In another example, if a gas sensor has
cross-sensitivity to a plurality of gasses, it may be difficult to
determine what gas is being detected from a single type of sensing
unit. For example, if the first sensing unit has a strong
sensitivity to chemical A but is less sensitive to chemical B, the
sensing logic may be unable to determine whether chemical A is
present in a low concentration or chemical B is present in a high
concentration. When a second sensing unit is also used and has a
different sensitivity to chemicals A and B (e.g., being more
sensitive to chemical B than to chemical A), then gas sensing logic
may be able to discriminate between the gasses. If the second
sensing unit is located adjacent to the first sensing unit, it may
be assumed that the concentration of a sensed gas is similar at
both units, and then the sensitivity difference of the two units
may be used to discriminate between the two or more chemicals. In
some cases, there may be three or more types of sensing units on an
IGU which may be used by sensing logic to discriminate between air
pollutants. In some cases, an IGU may have multiple gas sensors to
compensate for sensor drift or instabilities.
[0165] Advanced Network Architectures
[0166] FIG. 11a depicts a network architecture of current and
commercially available window control systems. Each EC window has a
window controller (WC), which in turn communicates with a network
controller (NC), which in turn communicates with a master
controller (MC). Communication and control can be done wirelessly,
via a mobile app and/or via the cloud. Power is provided to windows
through a trunk line cabling system, which is modular and has a
plug-n-play interface. In some cases, EC windows are controlled
based on sensor readings, e.g., based on the measured light
intensities or based on measured temperatures. In some cases,
windows are controlled via user input provided using the control
application. In other cases, windows can be controlled based on the
logic that considers the context, intensity, and angle of incident
light. Once the desired tint level is determined, the drive
commands tint the EC glass accordingly. In addition to automatic
control based on local sensors an manual control provided through
the control application, Applicant's operating system can take into
account information provided by weather services, an occupant's
physical location, and/or an occupant's schedule when determining
the appropriate tint level for the window. Tint level adjustment
may be performed in conjunction with indoor LED light luminosity
& color adjustments and temperature control.
[0167] FIG. 11b depicts an embodiment having a cloud-based software
that supports a window control network. The cloud-based software
can store, manage, and/or process basic functions such as sensing
light, sensing air, sensing water, applying proximity context,
executing tasks, controlling peripherals and providing an open
interface for other applications. Transparent displays on the
electrochromic windows enhance the user experience by allowing
users to interact directly with the glass, rather than using a
mobile device or wall unit. By including atmospheric sensors (not
depicted) controllers may analyze air, water, light along with the
occupant's context and/or personal data to create a personalized
user experience. Glass controllers can create mesh networks with
other digital systems in the building including LED lights, HVAC,
and air filters. The glass controllers can work in conjunction with
these systems to keep an optimal ambient environment within the
building and act as `data wall` between indoor and outdoor
environments. Proximity detection and user recognition that is
sensed or provided by user input can trigger glass personalization.
The glass network specific internet-hosted software interacts via
the cloud with, e.g., commercially available IoT digital systems,
such as Nest, FB, Predix, IBM Watson++, etc. to augment and create
integrated glass functions, including end-to-end data security and
an IoT LTE network. Further embodiments include, partner eco-system
powered glass functions within their application like building
automation apps (e.g., Honeywell, J&J controls), workplace apps
(e.g., iOffice), service and ticketing apps (e.g., Service Now,
personalization apps (e.g., IFTTT), IoT ecosystem--asset tracking
(e.g., Oracle IoT cloud), Smart Lighting (e.g., Bosch, Philips,
GE), Digital Ceiling (e.g., Cisco) and the like.
[0168] FIG. 11c depicts a network architecture where the
electrochromic glass is 5G enabled. As in FIG. 11b, the EC glass
includes on-glass control, e.g., transparent display controller on
surface 4 (occupant side of the window) as depicted. FIG. 11d
depicts the same architecture as in FIG. 11c, but in this case, the
transparent display is large, substantially covering the viewable
portion of the window on surface S4. This architecture may include,
as in previous embodiments, auto personalization of glass upon
proximity detection of the occupant, asset location tracking near
the glass, etc. using, e.g., proximity and motion sensors. Having
5G network speed from glass to the cloud enables high bandwidth
applications like full-HD display technology.
[0169] A full HD Display on (or as) the inner glass surface allows
for various digital content to be displayed. Displayed digital
content may include, e.g., signage, communication, a work
collaboration space connected to a personal computer, or graphical
user interfaces (GUIs) for controlling windows, sensors, or HVAC
systems. In certain embodiments, e.g., in signage applications,
there is a transparent LED Mesh on surface S1 (not depicted)
displaying signage to those outside the building, while still
allowing for occupants to simultaneously see out of the building.
Adjusting the EC glass component of the system allows for contrast
control for inward and/or outward projecting transparent display
technology. In one embodiment, a two-way transparent display on, or
as S4, is used both for inside occupant display as well as signage
for those outside the building. In one example, office buildings
windows are used for occupant needs (e.g., providing a display,
providing control functions, and communication), during business
hours, but used for external signage during non-business hours.
[0170] In one embodiment, an insulated glass unit includes a
transparent HD display as its inboard lite, with or without a
tintable lite as an additional lite, e.g. the outboard lite. In
certain embodiments, computing and power facade platforms use such
IGUs to display GUIs for control of the platform, e.g. to compute
and/or deliver power as directed by the building occupant using the
GUI. In certain embodiments this control function is combined with
mobile control using mobile smart devices. In one embodiment,
computing and power facade platforms are controlled using only
mobile smart devices and/or control apparatus that do not include
HD display Mils.
[0171] Having such capabilities greatly expands the utility and
value of building windows/facades. In another example, some of the
windows or areas of individual windows are used for signage, and
simultaneously other windows or areas of individual windows are
used for occupant display, communication and control functions.
[0172] In some embodiments, a controller such as a master
controller in the network may include a CDN proxy for signage
content for local playback. Any controllers of the window control
system (e.g., a master controller, network controllers, and/or leaf
controllers) may contain a 5G LTE network controller.
[0173] In some embodiments, the IGU is configured with an RF
modulator module for Wi-Fi, GSM blocking/allowing. As depicted in
FIG. 11e, this enables drone-safe buildings. As in previous
embodiments, this architecture can include embedded sensors (BLE,
RF, proximity, light, temperature, moisture, 5G) on, in, or around
the IGU, as depicted in FIG. 11f. The IGU's window controller
(e.g., an onboard controller) may be wirelessly powered (as
illustrated by the lightning bolt in the figure). This enables plug
& play intelligent glass powered over a 5G network.
[0174] In some embodiments, the transparent display and/or another
transparent layer; includes photon cells (a type of photonic memory
cell), which are capable of storing not only power (photovoltaic
function) but also information. A network of photon cells can
enable onboard control where the window controller logic circuit is
configured as a transparent grid, thus allowing for "sensor glass."
The transparent grid window controller can be self-powered and mesh
with other windows in the network as a true plug and play system.
The transparent window controller may or may not be integrated or
part of the transparent display component. One embodiment is an
electrochromic IGU with a transparent on pane window controller
which receives power through photovoltaic cells.
[0175] In some embodiments, the IGU is configured with
Light-Fidelity (Li-TO wireless communication technology, as
depicted in FIG. 11g. Light Fidelity is a bi-directional,
high-speed and fully networked wireless communication technology
similar to Wi-Fi. It is a form of visible light communication and a
subset of optical wireless communications (OWC). In certain
embodiments, Li-Fi is used as a complement to RF communication
(Wi-Fi or cellular networks), while in some embodiments Li-Fi is
used as the sole means of data broadcasting to and from the IGU. As
Li-Fi carries much more information than Wi-Fi, it allows for
virtually unlimited bandwidth for communication between the IGU(s)
and the control system.
[0176] Using Li-Fi enables radio free buildings, e.g., to obviate
occupant exposure to RF radiation. A Li-Fi powered glass network
provides ultra HD to devices inside the building (including the
transparent display component(s) of the IGUs described herein)
paired with high-speed external radio networks.
[0177] Use Cases
[0178] The following description illustrates use cases associated
with embodiments described herein. The description below may also
include further embodiments. The architectures, configurations,
hardware, software, etc. described herein allow for greatly
expanded capabilities of building glass which therefore makes the
building facade far more useful and valuable, e.g., not only to
save energy, but also to increase productivity, promote commercial
markets, and enhance occupant comfort and well-being. In the
description below the term "the glass" may be used to mean the
control network, the system architecture, the window controller,
interchangeably, to simplify the description. One of ordinary skill
in the art would recognize that, along with the hardware, software,
network and associated embodiments described herein, that "the
glass" means the appropriate systems needed to perform whatever
function is described in the particular use case.
Proximity & Personalization
[0179] The IGUs and glass control architectures described herein
detect the proximity of the occupant near the glass (e.g., via a
proximity sensor on the window controller) and control the ambient
environment (e.g., window tint, lighting, HVAC of the area where
the user currently is) to the occupant's preferences. For example,
occupant preferences provided by the occupant or learned from
previous encounters with the occupant can be stored by the window
control system. The glass network can integrate with the BMS as
well as the occupant sensor networks (e.g., Nest, Hue, SmartThings,
as well as activity networks, e.g., IFTTT) and has a cloud-based
intelligent rule engine (e.g., a glass IFTTT rule engine) for
determining the right ambience parameters as well as actions and
timing based on the occupant's activity.
[0180] The glass provides a personalized communication channel
across natural language voice commands and messaging bots (e.g.,
text messages, instant messaging, chat, email and the like) to get
information about the ambient environment as well as set the
ambient environment to the occupant's preferred settings. Full HD
displays integrated into the IGUs enable these personalization
channels to drive specific content on glass panel for enabling
collaboration as well as communication. The glass is mapped to a
building network, personal area network and IT-app context network
cloud to drive seamless proximity and personalization to users.
Some examples of proximity-based communication channels are
illustrated in FIGS. 12a-12b.
[0181] In another case, in a hospital setting, the glass can be
programmed with a patient's care plan data. This is illustrated in
FIG. 13. That along with sunlight information allows the glass to
set the appropriate tint level of the glass, with or without
augmentation by the transparent display component and/or interior
lighting and HVAC, to create an ambient environment that is best
suited for the patient's recovery. Moreover, the glass can change
the ambient environment based on the visiting doctor's preferences,
or a balance between what the doctor prefers and the patient needs.
The doctor's visit may be scheduled, and thus the glass can make
changes in anticipation of the doctor's visit or nurse's visit. The
transparent display can be used by the medical practitioner to
bring up the patient's medical records, order a prescription
medication, confer with a colleague via video conference, display
x-rays, play a prerecorded presentation or tutorial for the
patient, etc. The doctor may also use the glass to find and/or
track assets, such as a crash cart or other medical supplies needed
for the patient. The doctor may also use the glass to find a
colleague, set up a meeting with the colleague or call the
colleague to the patient's room for a consultation. In another
example, the doctor may arrive at the patient's intended room
before the patent and use the glass to identify where the patient
is. For example, it may be the case that the patient has not left
surgery, has been taken to the x-ray facility or for physical
therapy, is in the lobby with family, or is in the nursery visiting
their newborn baby. The doctor may use the glass to call the
patient back to the room, or simply wish them well.
[0182] In another example, in an office setting, a meeting schedule
may allow the glass to control the ambient in a meeting room,
including appropriate light and heat levels, considering occupant's
personal preferences as well as taking into account how many
occupants will attend the meeting, if there will be a presentation,
etc. The glass may automatically order lunch for the attendees
based on their preferences (e.g., based on other apps that the
glass interacts within the cloud) such as favorite foods, local
restaurants, known food allergies, etc. Moreover, the glass may
also automatically Hock telecommunications into and from the
meeting room if the meeting is about highly sensitive matters. The
glass can obviate the need for projectors and screens in the
meeting room. The glass itself can be used as the presentation
medium for displaying slide presentations, video conferencing,
whiteboard functions having read/write capabilities and the like.
In this latter function, using HD displays and high-speed
communication protocols, the notes written on the glass can be
simultaneously transferred to attendees personal computing devices,
whether in the meeting room or remotely situated. The transparent
display may, e.g., be enabled for a wide spectrum of colors for
such note-taking. As seen from these examples, the glass becomes
part of a "digital skin" of a building, serving as an environmental
shield, a telecommunications hub, a productivity enhancement, etc.
Some examples of transparent displays being used for business,
collaboration, video conferencing, and entertainment are shown in
FIGS. 14a-14e
[0183] In another example, the glass can interact with other
systems such as IBM Watson. In some cases, the window control
system can use sensors for monitoring real-time building
temperature or moisture data to create localized weather pattern
data that can be pushed to the cloud. In some cases, this data can
also aide in weather prediction, e.g., in collaboration with other
buildings equipped with the glass. As illustrated in, e.g., FIGS.
14a and 14b, the glass may include a natural language translation
system. Also, the glass has a cloud-to-cloud integration. This
allows the transparent display to interact with an occupant's other
apps, enabling collaboration and communication using a programmable
rules engine. In this example, ambient light and temperature
control are coordinated with the building's BMS, and buildings can
interact with each other. For example, if a building on the west
side of town encounters a rainstorm or cold front, this information
can be communicated to a building on the east side of town, which
can then adjust the HVAC and/or glass in anticipation of the storm
or cold front.
Service Optimization
[0184] Glass with transparent displays are listed as a digital
asset in service management systems providing full-service
lifecycle management during deployment and operations phase for
seamless integration of the glass' operational management. This is
achieved by integrating the glass' location and identification
hierarchy into existing service lifecycle management clouds like
ServiceNow.
Industrial Automation
[0185] Glass equipped with a transparent display can be integrated
into an industrial workflow automation cloud as an ambient control
digital asset. The glass provides an interface for control and
feedback into business operation workflow systems providing best
ambient conditions for that workflow. For example, a tint level for
an eye specialist's windows may be different than the tint level
for a patient room and tint setting for an unoccupied patient room.
In another example, an industrial process requires low lighting
during a particular chemical processing phase due to the
sensitivity of the reactants to light or heat. The tint level
and/or UV blocking of the glass is adjusted to account for the
sensitivity during that process flow or, e.g., in that part of the
building where the flow is happening. During periods when the flow
is not happening, the glass changes the ambient conditions for
improved lighting or other desired conditions. In another example,
the glass is typically in a dark tint in a computer server facility
to reduce the heat load on the servers. If a server malfunctions,
the occupant can be notified by the transparent display on the
glass. The glass can display the location of the malfunctioning
server to the service technician, and the system may clear the
glass near the malfunctioning server to provide lighting for the
technician during repairs or replacement of the server. Once the
server is back online, the glass may adjust the proximate windows
back to their tinted state to once again protect the servers from
heat load.
Efficient Workplace
[0186] The glass in a building (e.g., in conference rooms,
cafeterias, common areas, executive suites, etc.) provides a
distributed network digital nodes integrated into workflow
applications like email, calendaring, messaging (IM, email, text,
providing policy driven ambient control for workforce as part of
their workday. When an occupant moves from a first room to a second
room, items displayed via a transparent display to a user on in the
first room may then be displayed to the user via the glass in the
second room after authenticating the user. This allows users to
easily access their own digital content while moving around the
building.
Glass Mesh Network
[0187] The glass surface will serve multiple functions. In one
embodiment the glass acts as a power generating membrane, e.g.,
transparent solar cells and/or photovoltaic cells convert sunlight
into electricity for powering the glass. In another example, the
glass serves as an RF grid, capable of receiving and transmitting
omnidirectional RE' signals based on configured policies. If photon
cells are used, they can store information and/or power enabling a
number of embodiments (e.g., self-powered windows, and wireless
communication and power distribution networks). In some cases,
digital security can be enabled via transmission of high-frequency
RF waves around the building skin to protect against unwanted RF
signals leaving the building (and hence data leakage) to any
receiver outside building as well as seizing RF communication for
external RF communication driven by drones and other UAVs. The
glass can also trigger the blocking action via an automated drone
gun integrated into the glass or, e.g. in a rooftop sensor of the
building. FIGS. 15a-15c depict an interaction between glass and
friendly drones 1502 and a non-friendly drone 1504. In FIG. 15a
drones 1502 and 1504 approach the glass and drone 1504 is
identified as hostile. This could be, e.g., because the drone is
trying to transmit signals into the building and/or take pictures
of the interior of the building. As depicted in FIG. 15b, the glass
1506 can darken to block visual penetration into the building
and/or it can transmit RF signals to jam the drone's operation and
knock it out of the sky. This drone defeating mechanism can be done
selectively, as each window may have this capability. The glass can
thus remove the offending drone while leaving the friendly drones
to go about their work as shown in FIG. 15c.
[0188] In some embodiments, the glass can also detect potential
intruders outside the building. For example, at 3 am a sensor may
detect one or more individuals outside a first-floor glass facade
and alerts security personnel as to their presence, potentially
averting an intrusion into the building. In another example, the
glass automatically senses breakage and alerts a service technician
that repairs are needed. This is illustrated in FIGS. 16a and 16b.
In FIG. 16a an unbroken window 1602 monitors for a security or
safety threat. In FIG. 16b, the now broken window 1604 is detected,
and appropriate action is taken--in this case, a notification may
be sent to a repair technician. Breakage may be detected by changes
in current or voltage profiles of the electrochromic lite and/or
the transparent display lite.
[0189] As described, the glass surface may serve multiple
functions. In some embodiments, the glass acts as a mesh network
that may be self-powered. In certain embodiments, a network of IGUs
(windows) are powered by conventional wired power. In other
embodiments, a network of Rills is powered wirelessly, e.g., using
RF powering. In yet other embodiments, a network of IGUs is
self-powered, using PV and/or photon cells. FIG. 17 depicts an
exploded view of an IGU having a first lite 1702 (e.g., having an
EC device coating), a solar panel grid (PV) 1704, an RF antenna
grid 1706, a grid or layer of photon cells 1708, and second lite
1710 (e.g., having a transparent display thereon). Some embodiments
may not include transparent display technology. Layers 1704, 1706,
and 1708 can be located on separate substrates within an IGU, or
can be deposited on the interior or exterior surface of lite 1702
or lite 1710. A photon cell array or grid is used as a memory
device. A network of photon cells can enable onboard control where
the window controller logic circuit is configured as a transparent
grid, thus allowing for "sensor glass." Thus with photon cells, a
transparent grid window controller is realized. In this embodiment,
the transparent grid window controller is self-powered and meshes
with other windows in the network of IGUs. A transparent window
controller may or may not be integrated or part of a transparent
display component. In some embodiments, the photon cell grid
supplies sufficient power for the control functions of the
electrochromic glass, but in other embodiments, as depicted, a PV
array augments the photon cell grid. The RF antenna grid, capable
of receiving and transmitting omnidirectional RF signals based on
configured policies, allows for communication between IGUs and
meshing functions.
Radio Transmission & Receiver
[0190] Policy and event-driven firewalling allowing and Hocking of
RF signals between exterior and internal building environments. For
example, the glass can provide a full GSM, Wi-Fi spectrum coverage
for building occupants. Blocking internal Wi-Fi network coverage
outside the building. This is illustrated in FIGS. 18a and 18h. In
FIG. 18a the windows of a building are used to block devices
located outside the building from being able to connect to the
buildings Wi-Fi network. In FIG. 18h, the glass of a building is
used to provide a wireless network within a building.
[0191] The table provided in FIG. 19 shows a number of
configurations where an electrochromic window, with or without
transparent display technology, can serve as a signal blocking
device and/or transmitter, e.g., a wireless communication repeater
that optionally can also block signals from entering the interior
of a building with IGUs so configured. The asterisk in the table
indicates alternative positions for a ground plane.
[0192] FIG. 20 depicts an electrochromic IGU 2000 (or laminate)
that may act as a Wi-Fi passive signal blocking apparatus as well
as a repeater. Surface 2 of the IGU 2000 has an EC device coating
thereon (not shown). Selective exterior and interior radiating
antennas (2002 and 2004) are patterned on S1 and S4, with a Wi-Fi
signal processing RF chip 2006 as part of the window controller
2008. Surface 3 has a transparent RF shield (e.g., a ground plane
that can be selectively grounded by the window controller).
Therefore, this configuration can transmit and receive Wi-Fi
communications and block incoming communications if desired.
[0193] In certain embodiments, the EC window controller also serves
as an RF spectrum master configurator, i.e., controlling incoming
and outgoing RF communications as well as meshing functions with
other IGU controllers and/or network and master controllers.
Antennas may be etched on transparent conductive coatings on one or
more of the IGU's glass surfaces. For example; omnidirectional
antenna(s) etched on S1 for exterior network coverage to transmit
internally into a building, omnidirectional antenna(s) etched on S4
for internal network coverage transmitted to the external
environment, and/or antenna(s) in and/or on mullions (window
framing) providing full 360-degree coverage around glass of
`configured` spectrum & RF networks. Monopole or other RF
antenna(s) can also be used in one or more of the aforementioned
configurations. Such configurations provide blocking and repeater
functions and optionally for selected spectrum channels. Window
antennas are further described in PCT patent application
PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017, and titled "WINDOW ANTENNAS,"
which is herein incorporated in its entirety.
Power Transmissions to Devices
[0194] The glass' RF transmitter transmits high power beacon frames
to authorized receivers providing continuous power over RF radio
spectrum.
Asset Tracking
[0195] The glass' sensors detect movement of radio powered devices
within the vicinity of the skin of the building providing real-time
location tracking mapped to access control or location policies
ensuring un-authorized detection triggers an alert for remediation.
As illustrated in FIG. 13, asset tracking can be useful in
situations such as helping a doctor locate a patient or medical
equipment. In some cases, on-demand asset location mapping clouds,
such as the Oracle IoT asset tracking cloud, will now have enhanced
visibility of asset movements with-in the perimeter of the
building, because the skin of the building is now digitized with
the glass. Additional method and examples of asset tracking are
described in PCT patent application PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4,
2017, and titled "WINDOW ANTENNAS," which has previously been
incorporated by reference.
Transparent Display on Glass
[0196] A transparent light emitting diode screen can be etched on
the exterior and/or interior surface of the glass powered by a
remote display bus illuminating diodes for content getting served
from cloud stored locally at CDN controller for smooth rendering
and also providing local grid control for glass mesh network. This
enables a number of capabilities for windows described herein. In
some cases, transparent displays can provide on-glass tint control
for the window as well as nearby zone panels, as well as ambient
environment sensor readings and status of glass panel tint or other
functions.
[0197] In some embodiments, external facing transparent displays,
enable the exterior of the building to be converted into a
building-size digital canvas. The exterior digital canvas can be
used for displaying advertisements and other digital content as
depicted in FIG. 21. In certain embodiments, the occupant's view of
the outside is maintained even when the outside of the glass is
used as a display. The occupant may also use the inside surface of
the glass as a display. In some embodiments, an HD transparent
display on or as the inboard lite is equipped with touch and
gesture sensors or microphones for receiving user inputs converting
the surface of the glass into a digital whiteboard for impromptu
ideation sessions, meetings, and other collaborative efforts. In
some cases, a transparent display may be used a video conference
pane, may display information from connected applications, or may
provide entertainment (e.g., by pairing with and providing
information from a user's personal device enabling over-the-air
casting to the glass surface).
Glass Digital Twin
[0198] Programmatic representation of the glass for applications to
utilize the glass as a programmable surface allows various
automated workflows. In some cases, content may be auto-scaled for
best rendering on the glass based on the window's tint level. For
example, a dynamic content management system can determine the best
pixel transparency, depth, and color contrast for the content based
on the ambiance surroundings of the glass panel. If, e.g., a car is
parked outside the panel and reflects sunlight on the panel, the
panel will need darker tinting to provide sufficient contrast to
the transparent display. In some cases, standard programming
constructs can be used for modeling glass into digital systems.
This may be, e.g., based on the availability of standard models
within application transport protocol headers. For example, HTTP/S
allows for auto-detection of glass as the edge of the digital
network thereby mapping the edge to standard templated operations
allowed on the glass. An example is listed below.
TABLE-US-00002 <viewglass> <type:standard-panel>
<function: tint> <level: 1-4> <default-state: 1>
<type:display-panel> <function: external-led>
<content-src: URL> <display-resolution: UHD>
<tint-level: 1-4> <brightness: 0-100> <transparency:
0-100> <default-state: display-logo> <surface: 1 or
4> <gesture: yes | no> <gesture-type: touch |
motion> <sensors: yes | no> <type: temp | proximity |
light | RF> <per-sensor-data-values>
</viewglass>
Cellular Communications
[0199] As discussed, antennas with windows allow the glass to be
used as a cell repeater, making buildings into cell towers (as well
as boosters for cell traffic internal to the building). This, along
with 5G capabilities as described, obviates the need for obtrusive
cell towers, especially in urban areas. FIG. 22a depicts current
cellular infrastructure. FIG. 22b depicts an improved cellular
infrastructure that makes use of buildings having windows with
antennas that can replace or work in conjunction with existing cell
towers. Buildings equipped with such windows have the potential to
greatly expand the coverage of cellular network in dense urban
areas.
Glass Cleaning and Maintenance
[0200] Sensors in or on the glass can, in some cases, detect dust
level on glass and/or graffiti. In some cases, a window control
system can inform a cleaning scheduling system to schedule cleaning
once dust level has reached a threshold value, or when graffiti is
detected. Windows described herein may have self-cleaning type
coatings on the outboard lite to aid in maintaining clear views,
such as titanium dioxide coatings that catalyze breakdown of
organic contaminants and allow the rain to remove debris.
Glass Facade for Data Storage (Memory) and Networks
[0201] Since photon cells (sometimes called photon sensors) can
store energy and data, and onboard window controllers or associated
network or master controllers may have significant storage and
computing horsepower, the building skin, the glass itself in the
former example, can be used as data storage cells. Since large
buildings may have tens or hundreds of thousands of square feet of
glass on the facade, this can account for significant storage
and/or computational power that can be used for purposes other than
tinting the windows and displaying information. For example,
besides data storage for a building occupant, the glass can be used
as an external network providing connectivity to the internet or
forming in-building intranets (e.g., on the side of the building,
floor of the building, rooms in the building, etc.). This is
illustrated in FIG. 23. The glass, 2302 can act as a bridge between
an ultra-high speed external network 2304 to many intra-building
high-speed networks 2306 and 2308 for voice, video and data
communication. Moreover, by virtue of piezoelectric elements and/or
PV cells, the glass can generate energy from the wind and or solar
energy and supply power to the memory and/or network transmission
infrastructure. In some cases, a window controller may have a
battery for storing generated energy.
[0202] Edge Platform for a Building--Building Skin as a
Platform--Building Facade Platform
[0203] Embodiments described herein combine the capabilities of the
electrochromic windows with display glass described herein and
their corresponding BOS infrastructure to deliver a single edge
platform that can provide, e.g., 1) control over light and heat
gain, 2) telecommunications and trafficking thereof, 3) a computing
platform and network, and 4) wireless power for the building. In
addition, these functions may be self-powered, e.g., using PV
technology. In some embodiments, a building facade platform may
also serve as a building management system platform. As seen from
examples above, a network of glass can act as a "digital skin" of
the building, serving as an environmental shield, a
telecommunications hub, a source of wireless power, a productivity
enhancement system, etc. Typically, the glass is networked together
at initial installation which occurs during construction of the
building. Since the edge platform is deployed with the glass, the
network comes for free or at low additional cost to the building
cost. Moreover, the glass of the building is typically installed
early on in construction of the building as compared with other
more traditional networks. Therefore a building can have the
above-described functionality, e.g., a wireless internet network
and telecommunications systems very early in the building
construction process. This can aid in construction, e.g., by
providing access to the internet and the cloud for those
constructing the building, architects, developers, salespeople,
marketers, and the like.
[0204] Power is delivered across the network of glass by a power
distribution network of the BOS infrastructure, e.g., a trunk line
power distribution system used for EC windows and sold by View,
Inc. of Milpitas, Calif. For example, low voltage, such as 24V DC
(however other voltages may be provided, such as 48V, or similar
common power supply outputs) is provided throughout the skin of a
building, since that is where smart windows are installed. In such
systems, the power is provided to the glass via drop lines that
connect to a trunk line in electrical communication with a control
panel having one or more power supplies in communication with the
building's power supply. Additionally or alternatively, the glass
may have a local energy source such as a battery. The glass itself
may also serve as a power generating membrane with, for example,
transparent solar cells and/or photon cells to convert sunlight
into electricity for powering the glass. In some cases, the power
distribution network may also serve as a communication network and
the trunk line can serve to deliver both power and communication
information to the glass. For example, using power-line
communications (PLC), both power and communications can be
transmitted on a single conductor. See, e.g., IEEE 1901 and 1905.
In other cases, the communication information is delivered to the
network of glass via a separate communication network, e.g., a
wireless communications network. An example of a communication
network is described above with respect to a window controller
(onboard or offboard) in communication with a node controller,
which may be in communication with a master controller. The
communication network can be wired, wireless, or combination
thereof. The communications network may be wholly or partially
co-located with the power distribution network. Window controller
wireless capabilities, such as control and/or powering functions
can be, for example, RF and/or IR can be used as well as Bluetooth,
ZigBee, EnOcean, LiFi (Light Fidelity) and the like to send
wireless power and/or wireless communications. The communications
network delivers communication information to the network of glass
including, for example, control signals for controlling functions
of the glass such as tinting to control heat and light gain in the
building. In some cases, the communications network may also
receive wireless communications from a mobile device and/or a
remote switch such as a wall switch or a remote control device. The
building skin platform may include wireless power transmitters to
deliver wireless power, e.g., to the interior of the building or
surrounding areas to charge mobile devices for the occupants so
that they do not need to plug in their devices to charge them.
[0205] Some of the glass in the network can include a window
antenna in various configurations such as a monopole, stripline,
patch, dipole, fractal, etc. Equipped with antenna, the "digital
skin" of the building can act as a surrogate for a cell tower
providing coverage and allowing for clearing the landscape of
conventional cell towers around the building. Moreover,
antenna-equipped glass can be used to boost the cell signals
internal to the building and/or allow for cellular traffic
unidirectional or bidirectional. The window antenna of the glass
may also be in communication with the communication network to send
communication information to and receive from the communication
network.
[0206] The network of windows can also act as a wireless power
transmission network providing access to wireless power in the
building. For example, the glass may include a wireless power
transmitter (e.g., RF transmitter) that broadcasts wireless power
transmissions to a wireless receiver of another window or a mobile
device nearby. In some cases, one or more wireless power
transmitters provide wireless power to devices within a room or
another area in the building. In addition to the wireless power
transmitter of the glass, another remote power transmitter may also
be available in the area. In one case, an RF transmitter initially
receives an omnidirectional beacon signal broadcast from an RF
receiver of the mobile device or window being wirelessly powered.
By computing the phase of each of the incident waves of the beacon
signal, the transmitter may determine the position of the receiver,
thus informing the directionality of RF power transmissions. The
transmitter may broadcast power along the reflection of each of the
incident waves of the beacon signal or may broadcast power along
optimal reflection paths, for example, of incident waves with the
strongest signals received at the RF transmitter. In these cases,
the transmitter may broadcast focused RF waves along a plurality of
different beam paths, each of which may reflect off surfaces (e.g.,
walls and ceilings) before reaching a receiver, such that power may
be transmitted around obstacles between the transmitter and
receiver. By transmitting power along multiple pathways, the power
transmitted along each pathway may further be significantly less
than the total power transferred wirelessly to a receiver.
[0207] It should be understood that some embodiments of the
building facade platform and/or digital skin do not include
optically switchable windows. Network and/or power infrastructure
installed on the building skin and/or early in the building
construction process may provide many or all of the functions
and/or components described above but without necessarily including
optically switchable windows and their attendant window
controllers. Such building facade platform or digital skin may
still provide telecommunications, a computing platform and network,
wired or wireless power for the building, and/or other attributes
described herein. And such platform or skin may also optionally
include display devices as described elsewhere herein. It may
optionally include antennas on windows and/or other components of
the network. And while such platform or skin need not include
optically switchable windows during one phase, it may at a later
phase be modified to include optically switchable windows. In some
cases, the initially installed platform or skin is not configured
to control optically switchable windows, but at a later phase it is
configured to control such windows. As an example, one vendor
provides some or all the communications and power distribution
infrastructure on the building skin, and a second vendor provides
optically switchable windows that attach to the infrastructure and
are ultimately controlled by it. In certain embodiments, a building
facade platform or digital skin may control other, non-window,
building functions such as HVAC, security functions and the
like.
[0208] In certain embodiments, the network infrastructure, with or
without window-specific controllers is dense, having, for example,
at least about 200 compute points, or at least about 500 compute
points, or at least about 1,000 compute points (e.g., in a large
building). This infrastructure may be employed for various
functions without conventional components of building networks
(e.g., no sensors hanging from ceilings). Further, the network
infrastructure may be installed in a modular fashion. Modular
network nodes can be upgraded over the lifespan of a building to
keep the platform current, while the wiring and other central power
and communications infrastructure of the system may be industrial
grade and reliable for decades
[0209] Examples of Windows Configured for Providing and Regulating
Wireless Communication
[0210] One aspect of the present disclosure relates to IGUs or
other window structures that provide, facilitate, and/or regulate
wireless communications within a building. These windows may
include at least one window antenna used for receiving or
transmitting wireless communications via any one or more of various
wireless communication standards. In various embodiments, the
window structures are provided in the form of an IGU, which may
include one or more liter having an optically switchable device
layer such as an electrochromic device layer disposed thereon.
[0211] Window antennas are controlled with a controller that may
link a wireless network provided via the antennas, with a wired
network such as a wired cellular service provider network or a
private customer network. Examples of the structure, operation, and
interconnections of window antennas are described in the PCT Patent
Application PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017, and titled "Window
Antennas," which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. While windows may be used to provide or facilitate
wireless communication, windows may also be used to selectively
block wireless communication when they have an electromagnetic
shielding layer. Electromagnetic shielding layers may be a single
layer of a transparent conducting material, e.g., indium oxide, or
an electromagnetic shielding layer may have multiple sub-layers
within the layer. Examples of electromagnetic shielding layers are
described in PCT Patent Application PCT/US17/31106, previously
incorporated by reference.
[0212] In some cases, a window may be used to both provide and
block wireless communication. For example, a window may have both
an electromagnetic shielding layer and a window antenna. For
purposes of this discussion, when there is an electromagnetic
shielding layer between an antenna in the exterior of the building,
the antenna is called an "interior antenna." Conversely, when an
electromagnetic shielding layer is between an antenna and the
interior of the building, the antenna is called an "exterior
antenna." An interior antenna may provide wireless communications
within a building, and an exterior antenna may provide wireless
communications on the exterior of the building. By having the
ability to both block wireless transmissions through a window and
send or receive wireless communications on one or both sides of the
window, the window may be a communication checkpoint or gate
through which wireless communications are routed.
[0213] Generally, window antennas are located on a one or more
surfaces of windows of an IGU; in some cases, window antennas are
placed outside the viewing area of a window, e.g., on a window
frame. When there are interior and exterior window antennas, an
electromagnetic shielding layer may be interposed between the two
antenna layers. When a window contains an electrochromic device,
the electrochromic device is generally, although not necessarily,
placed on the exterior side of an interior antenna or the interior
side of an exterior antenna as the electrochromic device may
attenuate some forms of electromagnetic transmissions.
[0214] In certain embodiments, two or more of an electrochromic
device, an electrochromic shielding layer, and one or more antennas
are co-located on the same surface of a lite. FIG. 24 shows a
cross-sectional view of IGU 2402 having this arrangement. IGU 2402
has integrated antennas capable of transmitting signals into, or
receiving signals from, an interior environment according to some
implementations. IGU 2402 is similar to the IGU 202 shown and
described with reference to FIG. 2, except for at least the
difference that IGU 2402 has first and the second antenna
structures 2430 and 2432 and a ground plane 2434 (which may act as
an electromagnetic shielding layer) which is separated from TCO
layer 2414 of the electrochromic device stack by a dielectric or
other insulating material layer 2438. To electrically insulate the
first and the second antenna structures 2430 and 2432 from TCO
layer 2416, a dielectric or other insulating material layer 2436 is
used as an insulating layer. Additional arrangements of antennas,
EMI shielding layers, and EC devices within IGUs are further
described in PCT Patent Application PCT/US17/31106, which was
previously incorporated by reference.
[0215] In certain embodiments, a service extender device is
implemented on an optically switchable window. In certain
embodiments, the components of such extender include: (1) outward
and inward facing antennas on an IGU (or closely associated with an
IGU--e.g., one of them could be an associated WC or mullion); (2)
amplifiers and other components typically found in cellular
extenders (sometimes called cellular boosters), but not including
the antennas of the extenders; and (3) connections between the IGU
antennas and the other components of the extender. There is need to
use a window controller or window network infrastructure, although
a window controller shell may be used to house one or more of the
non-antenna components of the extender. The functions of these
embodiments are generally the same as those of any cellular
extender, but using IGU antenna and physical infrastructure. These
embodiments may serve to extend any wireless communication service,
not just cellular service.
[0216] FIG. 25 depicts a section view of an IGU 2500 that may
provide, facilitate, and/or regulate wireless communication.
Generally, the structure of IGU 2500 can be any of the IGU
structures described in PCT Patent Application PCT/US17/31106,
previously incorporated by reference, unless stated otherwise. The
IGU includes a first lite 2502 having a first surface S1 and a
second surface S2, and a second lite 2504 having a first surface S3
and a second surface S4. Lites 2502 and 2504 may be held together
and attached to the building via a framing structure 2506. IGU 2500
is typically installed such that S1 faces an exterior environment
and S4 faces an interior environment. In IGU 2500, an
electrochromic device is located on S2, and an electromagnetic
shielding layer is located on S3. The electrochromic device and the
shielding layer (if the shielding layer is an active layer that may
be selectively turned on and off) are controlled by a window
controller 2520 which may receive instructions for controlling the
electrochromic device and/or the electromagnetic shielding layer
from a window network 2522. S1 has an antenna and S4 may have an
antenna, although in some embodiments a window may only be
configured with an exterior antenna on S1 or interior antenna on
S4. In alternate configurations, an interior or an exterior antenna
may be located on an associated window controller or a mullion. In
the depicted embodiments, interior and/or exterior antennas are
attached to a network extender 2530 which may operate the interior
and/or exterior antennas such that communication sent and received
from the window antennas is transmitted through a larger network,
e.g., a cellular network or a Wi-Fi network. When cellular
communication is provided, network extender 2530 may have antennas
and other components found in cellular extenders or cellular
boosters that may be purchased from cellular providers such as
Verizon and AT&T. In some cases, and IGU may be manufactured
with a connection port (e.g. in the window frame), through which a
network extender may be electrically connected to a window antenna.
In some cases, a port for connecting a network extender to a window
antenna may be located on a window controller or an enclosure for a
window controller allowing for easy access for configuring a
wireless network.
[0217] While the service extender embodiments need not require any
infrastructure of a window network, other embodiments such as those
exemplified in FIGS. 26a-26d may utilize at least some components
of such infrastructure. For example, they may use portions of a
window communications network such as described in PCT Patent
Application PCT/US17/31106, previously incorporated by reference,
and/or a window controller such as described in the PCT Patent
Application PCT/US17/31106.
[0218] Certain embodiments employ an outward facing antenna used
together with a window controller and window network. See for
example FIG. 26a. Among the components that may be used with such
embodiments are (1) outward facing antenna (with or without a
corresponding inward facing antenna) associated with the IGU, (2)
an RF shield in the IGU (optional in some embodiments); (3) a
window controller associated with IGU and connected to the outward
facing antenna; (4) a window network connected to the window
controller; (5) a customer or third party communications service
interface, which connects to the window network; and (6) logic for
selectively allowing and Hocking communications based on
information about the communication and/or the user issuing such
communications such as communications control logic described
below. In some implementations, the system need not employ the
window network, in which cases the window controller would need to
be configured to interface directly with the customer or third
party communications service interface. The window controller or an
associated component with have a radio module or transceiver for
receiving signals from and/or sending signals to the antenna. The
radio module is configured to convert between antenna signals and
data contained in such signals.
[0219] Such embodiments allow building occupants to send and/or
receive communications (e.g., cellular communications) to and from
locations outside the building, possibly in cases where cell
service is limited in the occupant's area. Such embodiments may
permit a building to serve as a cell tower such as described in PCT
Patent Application PCT/US17/31106, previously incorporated by
reference. Such embodiments may be designed or configured to
decouple a location of occupant using the service and the outward
facing antenna. For example, an antenna could be located on the
thirtieth floor of an office building and the occupant and her cell
phone or WiFi device could be on the second floor. The customer or
third party service (or in some cases the window network) has a
local communications interface or hub that can reach the user on
the second floor. Such embodiments also permit the building
administration (or other entity controlling the window network) to
limit communications based on communication type, occupant,
location, etc.
[0220] Certain related embodiments employ an inward facing antenna
used together with a window controller and window network. See for
example FIG. 26b. Among the components that may be used with such
embodiments are (1) the inward facing antenna (with or without a
corresponding outward facing antenna) associated with the IGU, (2)
an RF shield in the IGU (optional in some embodiments); (3) a
window controller associated with IGU and connected to the inward
facing antenna; (4) a window network connected to the window
controller; (5) a customer or third party communications service
interface, which connects to the window network; and (6) logic for
selectively allowing and blocking communications based on
information about the communication and/or the user issuing such
communications such as communications control logic described
below. In some implementations, the system need not employ the
window network, in which cases the window controller would need to
be configured to interface directly with the customer or third
party communications service interface. The window controller or an
associated component with have a radio module or transceiver for
receiving signals from and/or sending signals to the antenna. The
radio module is configured to convert between antenna signals and
data contained in such signals.
[0221] Such embodiments may permit controlled deployment of WiFi or
other wireless service within the building, particularly in rooms
or other regions near the window implementing the service. Such
service can be selectively turned on or off by a building
administrator or other entity given authority to control access to
the service. With such control, the entity can give particular
tenants or occupants access to the service. FIGS. 26a-26d depict
additional embodiments of an IGU 2600 configured to provide,
facilitate, and/or regulate wireless communication. IGU 2600
includes a first lite 2602 having a first surface S1 and a second
surface S2, and a second lite 2604 having a first surface S3 and a
second surface S4. Lites 2602 and 2604 may be held together and
attached to the building via a framing structure 2606. IGU 2600 is
typically installed such that S1 faces an exterior environment and
S4 faces an interior environment. As with the embodiment depicted
in FIG. 25, an electrochromic device and electromagnetic shielding
layers are disposed on the interior surfaces, S2 and S3. At least
the antennas, may be may be controlled by a window controller 2620
which may receive instructions for controlling the electrochromic
device and/or the electromagnetic shielding layer from a window
network 2622. In the embodiments depicted in FIGS. 26a-26d, window
antennas are operated via radio control modules 2618 and/or 2619.
Radio control modules link the window antennas to a window
controller 2620 by converting digital signals to analog signals and
vice versa. While depicted as separate modules from a window
controller, in some cases, review modules may be integrated into a
window controller. Window controller 2620 may be connected to a
window network 2622 that interfaces with a provider network 2640
(e.g., a cellular network), a customer network 2642 (e.g., a local
Wi-Fi network), or a third party network.
[0222] In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 26a, an exterior window
antenna is located on S1 of lite 2602. This exterior antenna is
operated via radio module 2619 and the communications received by
the exterior antenna are passed through window controller 2620 and
window network 2622 before being delivered to a provider network
2640, a customer network 2642, or a third party network. FIG. 26b
depicts a similar embodiment, but instead of having an exterior
antenna, IGU 2600 has an interior antenna located on S4 connected
to window controller 2620 via radio module 2618.
[0223] FIG. 26c depicts an IGU which has both an interior antenna
located on S1 and interior antenna located on S4 of IGU 2600. A
window in this configuration may act as a repeater--receiving
wireless communication from an interior environment and
rebroadcasting those signals to an exterior environment or vice
versa. For example, the window controller itself may serve as a
direct link or router between the interior and exterior-facing
antennas. Of course, radio modules 2618 and 2619 are employed to
convert between antenna signals and communications data, which is
routed between antennas by the window controller. While a window
controller is typically connected to a window network (although
this is strictly required in this embodiment), the network need not
be used in this case. Of course, the window controller may receive
configuration parameters over the network (or via different source
such as a plug-in module). Such parameters may specify
communications control parameters that regulate what types of
wireless communications may leave or enter a building.
[0224] Related to FIG. 26c, certain embodiments may be
characterized by the following features: (1) inward and outward
facing antennas associated with an IGU, (2) an RF shield in the IGU
(optional in some embodiments); (3) a window controller associated
with IGU and connected to both the inward and outward facing
antennas (optionally with radio modules for converting between
antenna signals and communications data); and (4) logic for
selectively allowing and blocking communications based on
information about the communication and/or the user issuing such
communications such as communications control logic described
below. Note that such embodiments do not necessarily require the
use of customer and/or third party communications service
components (e.g., an interface to a third party or customer
cellular or WiFi services component).
[0225] FIG. 26d depicts a similar embodiment shown in FIG. 26c,
except that communications originating from or indended for a
provider network 2640 (e.g., a cellular network), a customer
network 2642 (e.g., a local Wi-Fi network), or a third party
network may be regulated via communications control logic on IGU
2600.
[0226] In any of the embodiments described with relation to FIGS.
26a-d, communication control logic may exist on a window controller
2620 or a window network 2622 that screens and controls the
incoming and/or outgoing network traffic based on predetermined
security rules. For example, wireless communications may not be
delivered to their intended destination if the wireless
communication does not meet certain security rules. Similarly,
network communications intended to be broadcast via a window
antenna may be stopped if they do not meet certain rules. For
example, cellular communication may be controlled by implementing
rules that only allow communications corresponding to certain MEI
numbers associated with a select number of cellular devices. In
some cases, security rules may regulated communication based on a
source ID, destination ID, communication type (e.g., video, text,
call, etc.), and other information typically contained in packet
headers and other communications indicators. A user-classification
may allow different degrees of communication. In some embodiments,
the control is based on the location of the user in a building. For
example, users in secure regions of a building may be blocked from
all or some communications, while users in other locations of the
building may be permitted to communicate fully. GPS, UWB, or other
protocol may determine an occupant's location. Various methods of
locating devices and users are described in PCT Patent Application
PCT/US17/31106, previously incorporated by reference. In some
cases, communications may be limited based on communication type,
the permissions of an occupant, the permissions associated with a
device, or the location of a device. In some cases, security rules
may be established by the building administration (or another
entity controlling the window network) at the time of installation.
In some cases, security rules may be updated via a mobile device
operated by a building administrator.
[0227] Controlling communications may be implemented such that some
or all regions of a building block communications, by default, but
permit communications when a known user or a known device is
detected to have entered the, building or a particular location in
the building. Such detection may be based on GPS, UWB, or other
suitable technology. Similarly, communications may be blocked until
a building tenant has paid to activate the service.
[0228] Communications protocols that could be controlled/enabled
using the above embodiments include but are not limited to:
existing and future generations of cellular communications,
Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, RF, and ultra-wideband (UWB).
[0229] In some embodiments, a window or a window facade that is
configured to provide and communication may also be configured to
receive wireless power transmissions. Methods of wireless power
transmission which may provide power for operation of
electrochromic windows described in PCT Patent Application
PCT/US17/31106, previously incorporated by reference. In some
cases, a window may be configured to receive power from a
photovoltaic cell associated with the window or facade.
[0230] In some embodiments, a window configured for providing
and/or regulating wireless communications within a building may
also have a transparent display thereon. For example, a transparent
display may be placed on S1, S2, S3, or S4 of the IGU unit. A
transparent display may be operated by the window controller
associated with the IGU. In some cases, wireless communications
received via an interior or exterior antenna may be displayed on
the transparent display. For example, a user may send images or
video which is received via a window antenna and then shown on the
display. In some cases, communications control logic may be used to
regulate which users and devices or what forms of content may
displayed
[0231] A building or structure outfitted with windows for
regulating wireless communication allows building occupants to send
and receive communications (e.g., cellular communications) to and
from locations outside the building, possibly where cell service is
limited in the occupant's area. In some embodiments, a wireless
communication received by one window may be transmitted through
window network before the wireless communication is we broadcast
via another window antenna. For example, an exterior antenna could
be located on the thirtieth floor of an office building, and the
occupant and her cell phone or Wi-Fi device could be on the second
floor. The customer or third party service (or possibly the window
network) would have a local communications interface or hub that
can reach the user on the second floor. This configuration may
allow wireless communications to be sent and/or received from
locations where the structure of the building would otherwise block
wireless communication. This configuration also allows the building
administration (or other entity controlling the window network) to
limit communications based on communication type, occupant,
location, etc.
[0232] In some embodiments, a building may be outfitted with a
combination of windows having various configurations as depicted in
FIGS. 26a-d. For example, the 20th floor of a building may have
exterior antennas while a first floor may only be configured with
an interior antenna. In some embodiments, the building may be
outfitted with many windows without any antennas, but only provide
electromagnetic shielding such that wireless communications may
only pass through windows configured for sending and receiving
wireless communications. In some embodiments, a building may have
windows for providing wireless communication and the services of
the window may be controlled by a building administrator. For
example, a building administrator may offer cellular or Wi-Fi
services to a building tenant for an additional fee.
[0233] The network of windows can also be a productivity
enhancement system by providing the various capabilities described
in the sections above.
[0234] Using the Window Control System for Non-Window Functions
[0235] In addition to providing window functions (e.g., EC tinting,
controlling wireless communication, monitoring environmental
conditions, monitoring for user input, displaying images on a
display, etc.), window control systems can be leveraged for various
non-window functions. For example, the window control system may be
used for controlling, providing environmental data to, or power
other systems in a building such as HVAC systems, security and
safety systems, IT systems, lighting systems, and the like.
[0236] In certain embodiments, window control systems are used as
computational platforms, alone or in conjunction with other
computational resources or platforms. In this context, a window
control system may be used for specific computational tasks
associated with a particular application (e.g., building services)
and/or it may be used for more general computing services such as
being made available for purchase or lease to individuals or
enterprises. Window control systems may be used as part of
general-purpose computing service platform that makes use of other
computational resources such server farms or other buildings with
computational resources. When used together with other
computational resources, a window control system may be part of a
cloud computing environment. Depending on the location of
computational resources in a window control system, the window
control system (or computational resources contained therein) may
serve as part of an edge computing platform.
[0237] As mentioned, in some embodiments, a control system may have
various attributes of the described window control systems but
without necessarily having optically switchable windows or
mechanisms for controlling such windows. Such attributes may
include early installation of the communications and power
distribution infrastructure during the building construction
process (e.g., before constructing interior rooms, or before
installing exterior windows, or before installing IT
infrastructure, etc.). In some cases, the communications and power
distribution infrastructure is disposed in the building outer walls
or facade, such as in mullions and/or transoms. This is sometimes
referred to as the building's "envelope" or skin. Any discussion of
the window control system and its associated infrastructure should
be understood to include parallel embodiments in which the
described infrastructure does not contain optically switchable
windows and associated controllers. Of course, such smart
window-free infrastructure can be later modified or built out to
include optically switchable windows and mechanisms for controlling
their optical states. For example, a building owner, architect or
other may design or decide that a building does not need smart
windows or cannot currently decide on which smart windows are best
for the building's design, but does favor having a building facade
computing and power platform. In such an example, the computing and
power platform are installed in the building's envelope. At a later
time, it is decided that smart windows are desired or a particular
vendor is chosen for smart windows that were a design choice
originally. The smart windows are then integrated with the
computing and power platform during installation in the building
facade. Building facade platforms described herein are flexible,
compatible with more than one smart window system.
[0238] In various embodiments, the concept of edge computing is
extended to make use of storage and/or computational resources on a
building's data communication network. Such network is described
elsewhere herein and includes processing and storage resources
installed or otherwise deployed in the building. These resources
communicate data among themselves and optionally with other
entities via multiple network links operating under one or more
shared network communications protocols (e.g., TCP/IP, Ethernet,
power-line communications protocols, etc.). Typically, the
resources include multiple processors and multiple memory devices.
In various embodiments, the processing and storage resources are
connected via communications lines that extend throughout the
building using a window framing structure, optionally including, as
described elsewhere herein, mullions. The communication lines may
be coaxial cables, twisted pair conductors, and the like. In some
embodiments, in addition to the communications lines, the building
infrastructure includes power delivery lines that also extent, at
least in part, through mullions and/or other aspects of the
building's window framing structure and in exterior walls,
sometimes referred to herein as part of the "skin" of a building.
Conventionally, building network designs avoided wiring in window
framing systems and exterior walls, but the inventors have realized
powerful synergies by such configurations, e.g., early deployment
of a multipurpose computational and network infrastructure during
building construction.
[0239] The communications lines of the network may have a topology
that includes horizontal data planes (communications network nodes
are spread across a floor of the building) and/or one or more
vertical data planes (communications network nodes connect network
nodes on different floors of the building). In certain embodiments,
the vertical data plane is implemented using high speed network
links and switches that can support at least gigabit/second
communications speeds, e.g., Gigabit Ethernet. In certain
embodiments, some or all of a vertical data plane is provided the
outer wall of facade of the building. For example, data-carrying
lines are disposed in the wall or facade, e.g., at least partially
within a window framing structure such as one including mullions.
Wiring for network communications within a building may be
supplemented or replaced by antennas and associated transceivers
within the building and configured for wireless data
communications.
[0240] Application of edge computing via building communications
network resources may facilitate access to data and/or computer
processing by building occupants or other users in the vicinity of
the building. More specifically, the memory and/or processing
resources on a building's communications network are made available
to building occupants in a way that provides locally stored content
and/or locally executing software, to thereby improve the computing
performance experienced by users, at least in comparison to
accessing the same or comparable resources from a remote site
(e.g., a data center hosting cloud applications), which would rely
on communications over the internet or other public network. Often
in edge computing as applied to building communications networks,
the content stored locally (e.g., data and/or software) is also
stored remotely, possibly as a master or central instance. All or a
portion of the content that is useful to building occupants is
temporarily copied to data storage resources located within the
building.
[0241] Deploying memory and processing resources of a building
network in this manner may provide various benefits similar to
those achieved using conventional edge computing. For example, in
comparison to accessing content or software via the internet or
other public network, using a building's network resources as
described herein may provide improved security and performance,
particularly in terms reduced latency, TCP retransmits, percentage
of packets out of order, etc. Security in particular is enhanced,
e.g., through the capability of communications and data processing
(e.g. filtering, massaging or data analytics) locally, where
sensitive information, including occupant personal information,
might otherwise be transmitted via a public network such as the
internet and made available outside the building, e.g., on cloud
resources. For some applications in support of building services or
an enterprise's business, the required speed, data volume, and/or
data processing capabilities make cloud computing unrealistic. Some
devices require data processing in milliseconds. Public network
latency is too great. When implemented in a building's
communications network, an edge computing architecture, allows
complex event processing to happen locally, in devices or systems
close to the user of data or a service. This may eliminates
performance hits resulting from round-trips over the internet.
[0242] Conventional server facilities for buildings are e.g. housed
in a "server room" which requires stringent environmental control,
e.g., special HVAC capabilities to keep them cool. Further, the
centralized design of a server room presents particular wiring
issues due to physical constraints. The distributed computing
systems described herein may alleviate these issues. In addition,
local edge computing relieves bandwidth issues on public or other
outside computing systems, e.g. in a large building having
thousands of occupants, the demand on outside computing services is
drastically reduced with a single building's edge computing
platform as described herein.
[0243] There are many software applications and other services that
may benefit from using a building's computing infrastructure for
edge computing. In one example, video conferencing software is
installed on edge computing resources in a building's network, thus
affording occupants local, rather than remote, access to video
conferencing software. For example, two participants in a video
conference may be located in the same building (possibly on
different floors or regions of the building). By executing video
conferencing software on the building's computation resources, as
deployed on the building's communications network, video
conferencing software may deliver significantly improved
performance to the occupants within the building. This may be
manifest in terms of fewer unexpected disconnects, higher video and
audio quality, etc.
[0244] In other cases, a particular business or other enterprise
may have two or more offices at distant locations, e.g., one in
California and the other in Mississippi. These two locations may be
connected by a private network connection (e.g., a dedicated copper
or optical fiber line) having a guaranteed level of service, and in
some cases supporting the enterprise's data intranet. While such
connection can potentially facilitate high performance data
communications, that benefit may go unrealized when accessing cloud
based resources hosted on remote sites. For example, if employees
at the two sites wish to participate in a video conference but they
must use remotely hosted video conferencing software, they may
experience a poor quality conference. However, if one or both of
these offices has a communication network that can execute a
locally deployed version of a video conferencing application, the
video conference quality can be greatly enhanced. The local
execution coupled with the fact that the two offices are connected
by a private connection having guaranteed service, typically
ensures that the videoconference performance is superior to what it
would be if the videoconferencing application was accessed over a
public network at a site outside the two offices.
[0245] Another class of edge computing applications for networked
building computational resources involves local caching or storing
of copies of content or other data from a remote source. A
building's data processing and storage infrastructure is used to
locally cache or store frequently used portions of data from a
large data store maintained at a location distant from the building
where the data is used.
[0246] For example, a large institution may store a large quantity
of data, e.g. terabytes of data, in a central location, but must
make that data available to multiple branch offices at remote
locations throughout the country or internationally. Those branch
locations may not need to regularly access all of the data in the
large central data repository. However, they may need frequent
access to only a small subset of the data. For example, the
financial institution may be headquartered in New York City, where
it stores all of its data in the large data repository, while it
has a branch office in Salt Lake City, where the employees of the
branch office work in a single building or campus having
computational resources that can serve as a basis for edge
computing. The employees Salt Lake City branch may be able to
access information relevant to their responsibilities via edge
computing if information related to the Salt Lake City metropolitan
area is locally stored or cached at the building or campus where
the Salt Lake City employees work. For example, only those data
records stored at the central office in New York City that pertain
to employees or clients in the greater Salt Lake City metropolitan
area are locally stored in the building network infrastructure at
Salt Lake City. With the data subset stored locally, and directly
accessible via the building's computational network, the Salt Lake
City employees can routinely and repeatedly access it with
relatively little performance hit.
[0247] After a copy of the local data subset is stored in the local
building network infrastructure, certain records may change
incrementally in the central repository. Such changes may be
propagated periodically to the data subset at a local office, in
some cases automatically without action by workers instigating such
an update. Database management software may be employed for this
purpose.
[0248] Yet another application of edge computing via building
network resources addresses challenges encountered by periodically
deploying software patches or updates from central locations over
public networks. To improve the ease with which such patches or
updates are installed on multiple users' computers (e.g., computers
of occupants of a building deploying edge computing) or other
computational devices in a building, a single copy of a patch or
upgrade may be temporarily stored on the building's network
infrastructure. Subsequently, the patch or upgrade is applied to a
number of computers in the building over a short network distance
without being subject to the latency or other challenges sometimes
encountered when transmitting such patch or upgrade over the
internet.
[0249] In one example, the vendor of a suite of office software
applications routinely propagates patches and updates to its
software to end user computers over the internet. In a case where a
building's network infrastructure is configured for edge computing,
the vendor may instead transmit a single copy of a particular
update or patch to the edge computing resources of a building. From
there, the building network infrastructure can ensure that the
patch is quickly and seamlessly deployed to the computers of the
occupants in the building who need to receive it.
[0250] In certain embodiments, a building's computing resources
employs software configured to monitor building occupants' data
access patterns and determine which types of content or software
the occupants access most frequently. From this access behavior,
the software may make decisions about which content or software to
go out and proactively deploy on the building network
infrastructure, i.e., in the building's edge computing
resources.
Window Control System Infrastructure
[0251] As described herein, buildings can be equipped with a
plurality of tintable windows that are controlled by a plurality of
window controllers, both of which are together are part of a window
control system. In some embodiments, a network of tintable windows
in a building may be controlled by a master controller,
intermediate network controllers, and leaf or end window
controllers as depicted in FIG. 3. Each one of these controllers
may have associated processing capability and memory. As well, as
described above, photon cells may allow the transparent window
itself to be a memory device. A controller may have, e.g., the
processing power of a mobile phone or a performance desktop
computer. Controllers may have associated memory and data storage
devices (e.g., a solid state disk ("SSD")) that may be greater than
about 10 GB, greater than 100 GB, greater than 1 TB, or even
larger. In the future, it is expected the processing capabilities
of each controller may be higher as processors become faster and
cheaper following the trajectory provided by Moore's law. In
addition to U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/449,248,
13/449,251, 15/334,835, and 15/334,832 which have previously been
incorporated by reference, window controllers are also described in
U.S. Pat. No. 9,454,055, filed Mar. 16, 2011, and titled
"MULTIPURPOSE CONTROLLER FOR MULTISTATE WINDOWS," and U.S. Pat. No.
8,213,074, filed Mar. 16, 2011, and titled "ONBOARD CONTROLLER FOR
MULTISTATE WINDOWS," which are both herein incorporated in their
entireties. As such, window control systems may have substantial
computing horsepower than can be used for other purposes, besides
window tint control.
[0252] Window controllers (e.g., a master controller, intermediate
network controllers, and leaf or end window controllers) may be
configured for wired or wireless communication with one another. In
some embodiments, controllers may communicate hierarchically as
depicted in FIG. 3, however, is need not be the case. In some
embodiments, an end window controller may communicate to another
end window controller or a master controller via a direct wired or
wireless connection, or through a communication path that goes
between one or more intermediate window controllers. Wired
connections may be established using, e.g., a Controller Area
Network (CAN bus) standard that is implemented using conventional
data cables (e.g., Ethernet and USB). As discussed elsewhere
herein, controllers may be equipped with wireless communication
modules (e.g., Bluetooth, WiFi, and/or LiFi modules). Window
controllers may, in some cases, communicate simultaneously via both
wired and wireless connections.
[0253] Window control systems are installed with a power
distribution system to power tint transitions, power controllers,
and provide power to other devices such as sensors, wall control
switches, etc. In some cases, a power distribution systems may have
a three-tier organizational structure. In the first or top tier, a
building's main power supply provides power to one or more control
panels. In the second or middle tier, each control panel provides
one or more trunk lines capable of providing power to about 256
windows. In the third or bottom tier, drop lines are used to power
from a trunk line to a specific window or another device. Power
distribution systems are further described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/268,204, filed Sep. 16, 2016, and U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 15/365,685, filed Nov. 30, 2016, both
of which are titled "POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR ELECTROCHROMIC
DEVICES,` and are herein incorporated by reference in their
entireties. In some cases, a power distribution systems may provide
electric power generated from solar energy as described in
International Patent Application No. PCT/US18/18241, filed Feb. 14,
2018, and titled "SOLAR POWER DYNAMIC. GLASS FOR HEATING AND
COOLING BUILDINGS," which is also incorporated herein in its
entirety. Power distributions may provide AC power, or in some
cases, provide DC power (e.g., via a low voltage DC power grid). In
some embodiments, power distribution systems may distribute power
wirelessly to windows controller, sensors, or other electronic
devices in the building. Windows and systems for wireless power
distribution are further described in International Patent
Application No. PCT/US17/52798, Filed Sep. 21, 2017, and titled
"WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," which is
herein incorporated in its entirety.
[0254] The window control system may also include various sensors
such as photo sensors or light sensors, occupancy sensors,
temperature sensors, humidity sensors, cameras, and the like.
Feedback provided by sensors on the window network can be used to
automatically control window tinting (and other window functions)
or be used to provide automatic control to other building systems
(e.g., HVAC systems). In some embodiments, window controllers may
include sensors such as current and voltage sensors to monitor the
power applied to electrochromic devices via the window controllers.
Sensor-based intelligence for controlling windows is further
described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,705,162, filed. Apr. 17, 2012, and
titled "CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES,"
which is herein incorporated in its entirety. Ring sensors which
may also provide information to a window control networks are
described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/998,019, filed
Oct. 6, 2015, and titled "MULTI-SENSOR HAVING A RING OF
PHOTOSENSORS," which is herein incorporated in its entirety.
[0255] The window control system may also be extended, in some
cases, via communication to external devices that provide services
such as sensing capabilities. For example, smartphones may provide
user instructions for controlling windows via a user's interaction
with a corresponding application. Smartphones may also be used to
collect environmental data when the phone has, e.g., light sensors,
pressure sensors, temperature sensors, a microphone, a GPS or other
positioning sensor, etc. The window control system, may, in some
cases, be equipped to receive and aggregate data from multiple
phones to assist in making real-time assessments of environmental
microclimate conditions. In some cases, the window control system
may be extended through a cloud computing service such as Mobile
Physics to determine or forecast ambient microclimate conditions.
In some embodiments, the window control system can also receive
information from sensors that may be dedicated to a purpose other
than providing data used for controlling tintable windows. For
example, window control systems may receive information from
sensors dedicated to HVAC systems, security systems, (e.g.,
cameras), lighting systems, and the like.
[0256] The window control infrastructure may be configured to
interact with various devices and/or services not directly within
or under the control of the infrastructure. For example,
infrastructure may be configured to provide information to and/or
take information from various computing devices that connect to the
infrastructure. Examples of such computing devices include
smartphones, smartwatches, tables, personal computers, laptops,
servers, clusters of servers, etc. Other external devices that are
not dedicated to computing, but may nonetheless communicate with
the window control infrastructure include drones, augmented or
virtual reality devices, cars (including driverless cars), robots,
and the like. The window control infrastructure may be configured
to communicate with various types of external services such as
cloud computing services (e.g., Microsoft Azure.TM.), personal
assistants (e.g., Microsoft Cortana.TM.), and the like.
Location of the Window System Infrastructure on the Building
"Skin."
[0257] Tintable windows, and the associated framing (mullions,
transoms, etc.) are primarily located on the outside or "skin" of a
building structure. While conventional communication and power
distribution systems expand outward from the center of a building,
a window control system covers the shell or skin of a building and
extends inwards towards the building's center. Generally, the
infrastructure of a window control system (e.g., controllers,
cabling, etc.) is located in proximity to all tintable windows,
including those in the building interior. Since the window control
system is located on the skin of a building and windows are
generally plentiful, a device within the building's interior will
typically have a straightforward means of connecting to the window
control system via a wired or wireless connection to receive power
and/or communication. In many cases, connecting to the window
control system on a building's shell is a simpler task than
connecting to a conventional power or communications artery that
might be tucked away in an inconspicuous place in the building.
Another advantage of the window control system's location is that
by being located on the shell or skin of the building, power and
communication services can easily be provided to devices and
systems outside of the building.
[0258] When new buildings are constructed, there are a number of
advantages that can be seen when the window control system is
leveraged for and by other systems. During building construction,
the window control system may be the first power and communications
infrastructure in the building. For example, in a multistory
building that is erected, the window control system may be
installed on the lower floors, even while the framing of higher
floors has not yet been completed. By being integrated into the
skin of a building as it is constructed, other later installed
systems may benefit from piggybacking on the power and
communications infrastructure provided by the window control
system.
[0259] Commercial buildings (e.g., multi-tenant commercial
buildings), residential buildings (e.g., single-family and
multifamily dwellings), and any other building structures (e.g.,
stadiums, hospitals, airports, etc.) can benefit from the power and
communications infrastructure provided by a window control system.
In all cases, the window control system infrastructure is located
primarily on the building skin. A single family residential
building may have, e.g., about 20,000 square feet of tintable
window surface area, while large multi-story commercial may have,
e.g., many hundreds of thousands of square feet of tintable, window
surface area.
Using the Window Control System Infrastructure
[0260] In some cases, a building management system (BMS) can
receive power, monitor, and/or control various building systems via
a window control system infrastructure. In some embodiments, the
window control system itself acts as a BMS, monitoring and
controlling various building systems besides or external to the
window control system.
[0261] In some cases, the window control system can be used for or
may be joined to, a lighting system. For example, photosensors
connected to the window control network may determine ambient light
levels, occupancy sensors may determine if someone is in a room,
and asset tracking provided by windows can determine, in some
cases, what user(s) are in a room via locating devices associated
with those users or. Such information can be used to determine how
artificial lighting should be adjusted. For example, a preferred
lighting level might be inferred or determined for a particular
user based on the user's preferences entered via a mobile device or
based on the user's history of manually controlling tint states and
artificial lighting settings. In some cases, a low voltage DC power
distribution grid, e.g., provided by an interruptible power source
that provides power the window control system may also be used to
provide power to a lighting system. In some cases, as discussed
herein, transparent displays can be used to provide interior
lighting in a room.
[0262] As another example, a security system may use the
infrastructure of the window control system. For example, cameras
and door-locks can be powered and/or commutate to a security system
via the window control system. Tintable windows, in some cases, may
act as sensors for a security system when, e.g., it is detected
that a window (and/or transparent display) has been broken. In some
cases, tintable windows can also be involved as part of a response
to a security or safety threat. For example, directions and egress
lighting can be provided on transparent displays. In some cases,
windows can be tinted or cleared depending on the type of threat
and the window's proximity to the detected threat.
[0263] In some cases, the window control system can be used for
home automation applications akin to services provided by Google's
NEST, Amazon's Alexa, or Apple's Homekit systems. For example,
building occupants can easily provide input (e.g., via voice,
touch, and/or gesture commands) or receive information (e.g.,
visually or via an IGU speaker) via windows that have transparent
displays. Windows can act as an interface allowing a user to
control various home systems. Using sensor feedback and logic
operating on the window control systems, the window control system
can, in some cases, provide automated control of devices and
appliances.
[0264] In one example, window control systems can be used for home
entertainment applications. For instance, the window control system
can enable a resident to listen to their music, or view content
displayed on windows, in an uninterrupted manner as the resident
moves between rooms. This provides a hands-free experience that
does not bother occupants in other portions of the building. In
some cases, a resident's location may be tracked via their mobile
device (or via other sensors on the window network such as motion
or occupancy sensors, CO.sub.2 sensors and the like) and the volume
of speakers can be adjusted and/or a window can be selected for
displaying content accordingly.
[0265] A window control system may, in some cases, replace or
obviate the need for information technology (IT) systems in a
building. Buildings often have dedicated rooms or closets that are
dedicated to equipment providing shared computing resources. These
rooms, sometimes referred to as server rooms, are often filled with
server racks, cabling, hard drives, CPUs, energy management
systems, and cooling systems, etc. With the network provided via
the window control systems, the collective computing resources of
controllers in the window network system can be used to accomplish
the same functions of a dedicated server room. Since a power and
communication infrastructure is already in place for the window
control system, there may be no need for a separate conventional
server or room that provides computing resources to the building
via a local area network. An end user working on a personal
computing device may be unaware of this distinction.
Other Functions of the Window Control System
[0266] As discussed herein, IGUs can be configured with antennas
for providing wireless communication to environments on either side
of an IGU and can be configured block wireless communication from
passing through an IGU. In such cases, the window network may be
used as a firewall system that regulates what RF communications
(e.g., Bluetooth and WiFi) are permitted to pass into or leave a
building. Firewall logic operating on the window control system may
determine whether received WiFi signals meet the predetermined
rules of the firewall logic. Predetermined rules of the firewall
logic may be similar to those used for WiFi routers and network
security systems for regulating network traffic. The rules may be
configured by a building administer or IT team; for brevity,
various rules commonplace in firewall system are not discussed in
further here.
[0267] In some cases, window control networks can be configured to
control RF communications entering or exiting a building. For
example, if windows are equipped with EMI shields, signals received
on one side of a window may need to be approved by the firewall
logic before being retransmitted on the other side of the window.
In some cases, firewall logic may be used to determine whether EMI
shielding is set to an "on" or "off" mode. In some embodiments, a
window may be configured to listen to WiFi communications between
devices on either side of a window. If the communication between
the two devices is determined to break the rules imposed by the
firewall logic, the shielding functionality may be turned on to
block further communication. In other situations, an EMI may first
be in an "on" or blocking state and later be turned off after
determining that communication from a device on either side of the
window meets the rules of the firewall logic.
[0268] Window control systems can also provide various proximity
and personalization services as discussed herein. These services
can be provided based on, e.g., a users' schedule, a user
authenticating themselves to the window control system (e.g., via a
passphrase, a thumbprint, or image recognition), or a user carrying
a mobile device that is tied to an account of the user that can be
tracked or can communicate with the window control system.
Personalized services can be provided directly through windows
themselves, e.g., via tinting windows and digital content display,
or may be provided, e.g., via the window control system's automatic
control of other building systems.
[0269] As discussed in greater detail in International Application
No. PCT/US17/31106, previously incorporated by reference, the
analysis of wireless signals transmitted or received by the window
control system can be used to determine the location of a
corresponding wireless device. The wireless device can be, e.g., a
phone, tablet, or a tag that can be attached to any asset that a
user wished to track. In some cases, the wireless device includes
an ultra wideband chip and windows configured to send and/or
receive ultra-wideband ("UWB") signals can determine the location
of the device. In some cases, the precision of a device can be
located to a precision of 10 cm or less within the building. In
some cases, the window control system can enforce geofencing rules
that define where assets are permitted or events that occur when an
asset moves beyond a defined boundary. In some embodiments, the
window control system can monitor the location and movement and
assets within a building and upon a user request display the
location of a requested asset on a floorplan of the building.
[0270] In some cases, tintable windows may have camera-based
sensors, e.g., facing an interior environment or an exterior
environment. Cameras can provide images or video that can be used,
e.g., to authenticate a user, or for security event detection. In
some cases, camera-based sensors in the IR range can be used to
monitor temperature distribution in a room. In some cases,
camera-based sensors can be used to monitor light flux passing
through a window. In some cases, cameras can be used to monitor
light penetration or glare caused by light reflecting off an
adjacent building. Camera-based sensors may, in some cases, be
tuned to a particular frequency of light to, e.g., monitor the
tinting effect of a window or monitor for LiFi communication.
Example Embodiments and Implementation Details for Using Spare
Computing Resources from Window Network
[0271] As discussed, window controllers (e.g., a master controller,
network controllers, and/or end window controllers) may have
computing resources that are made available to other devices and
systems via the window communication network. In some cases, other
devices on a window network, such as sensors (e.g., a ring sensor)
and control panels may be configured to provide computing
resources. Controllers and other devices may provide processing
power and digital storage to the window control network via wired
and wireless connections. Controllers may offer long-term data
storage provided by, e.g., conventional hard drives or solid-state
drives. High-speed RAM may also be included in controllers for
accomplishing certain computational tasks. In some embodiments,
window controllers may use, e.g., Oracle's M8 SPARC processor, or a
modern equivalent.
[0272] Because a window controller has a defined amount of
processing power and storage, the available spare computing
resources available via a window control may be specified in terms
of the number of window controllers in the building. Further, the
number of window controllers may scale with the surface area of
tintable windows in a building. For example, a building having
20,000 square feet of tintable window surface area may have about
100 window controllers. In some implementations, this many
controllers may house computing power equivalent to about three
racks in a typical server room for, e.g., IT purposes. Of course,
the processing per window controller depends on the type of
processor used in the window controller. While window controllers
sometimes have microcontrollers, which have relatively limited
processing power, window controllers may alternatively, or
additionally, include microprocessors, which have additional
processing power. In one example, a window controller employs a
microprocessor with the ARM architecture or other reduced
instruction set computing architecture.
[0273] Controllers may have computing power in excess of what is
actually needed for operation of the window control system.
Conventionally, the role of window controllers is to simply receive
instructions and interpret those instructions as requiring a
particular type of transition and then execute a pre-programmed
profile necessary to cause the window to make the requested tint
transition. This process takes place only infrequently,
particularly under certain weather conditions and at night. As a
result, window controllers sit idle most of the time. As described
in this disclosure, window controllers may also be used one or more
other functions including, e.g., analyzing sensor data, displaying
images or video on a transparent display, running firewall logic,
etc. Even with these added tasks, a window controller may be idle
much of the time and leaving processing power available for
non-window tasks.
[0274] Network Communications Protocols--Conventional window
network systems operate using a polling method of communication
where a first controller, e.g., a master controller periodically
polls a second controller, e.g., a network controller which
provides a current data reading of particular values, e.g., the
current tint states of particular IGUs. In some embodiments,
controllers on a window control network operate using a Processing
Data Object ("PDO") protocol. Using a PDO protocol, peripheral
controllers and devices (e.g., sensors) communicate information
only when they determine that they should. For example, if the
status of a particular parameter monitored by the window controller
is not change over time, the window controller need not communicate
this status on the network; this contrasts from the conventional
polling method where a status would be provided at regular
intervals whether or not a change in the monitored parameter has
been detected. By configuring window controllers and other
peripheral devices on the window network to make some decisions
themselves, such as when a status change merits communicating, the
amount of network traffic is reduced. Even within a PDO type
paradigm, it may be appropriate in some cases for the window
controller to still provide status information at some periodic
interval, just much less frequently than the intervals that would
be used during normal pulling approach.
[0275] Both polling and PDO communications protocols can be
implemented in a conventional CAN architecture implemented with a
two-wire bus. Higher layers in the CAN protocol stack permit
implementation of PDO versus polling-based data transfer. In some
embodiments, alternatives to the CAN architecture can be used. For
example, in some cases, point-to-point protocols such as TCP/IP may
be used. In general, any such protocol supports a physical layer,
one or more communications layers, and a security and/or
applications layer may be suitable.
[0276] One advantage of the edge computing infrastructure is that
it often allows for computing to be conducted closer to where data
is created and used within a building. For example, in a building
have a window control system which provides distributed edge
computing, a computational task may be sent to the closest edge
device (e.g., an end or leaf window controller) in the building
rather than to a conventional server room or a cloud-based service.
Each of the window controllers and/or other computing devices in a
tintable window system serves as an edge device, i.e., a small data
center to process and/or store data locally, e.g., within a
building where the data originated. Examples of companies providing
edge computing resources include Microsoft (Azure IOT Edge), Amazon
(AWS Greengrass), Alphabet, GE (GE Predix), and Ethereum (a
blockchain powered architecture).
[0277] Software/Logic enabling Window Processor Computing--In some
embodiments, window controllers may run real-time operating systems
("RTOS"). Real-time operating systems allow a window controller
controllers to perform many tasks that might conventionally be
performed by a managing controller such as a master controller. In
a RIDS, a window controller can acquire data and locally store and
access data in RAM or other solid state memory. For example, a
window controller can, in some cases, keep a running log of
current, voltage, temperature, and/or light data associated with a
tintable window. In some cases, window controllers can run tasks
such as periodic or event-based reporting of local conditions
(e.g., reporting that the local light flux has exceeded a threshold
value).
[0278] Shared/Distributed processing--As mentioned the excess
computing power of controllers on the window network can be
leveraged for other uses. In some cases, controllers on the window
network may be organized in a peer-to-peer or a master-slave
configuration. In some cases, a load balancing product, such as
IBM's Cloud Orchestrator.TM. can be sued to perform load balancing
of tasks across multiple controllers. In some cases, window
controllers can use a blockchain technology such that used for
Bitcoin and the open source program Gridcoin which uses the
Berkeley Open Infrastructure for Network Computing. To implement
distributed processing, the window controllers or other computing
resources on a tintable window system may have a container
architecture. The container architecture may be implemented via a
container management layer in a network protocol. One example of a
resource for implementing distributed processing via a container
architecture is Docker for the Linux Containers (LXC) format.
Docker provides namespaces to isolate an application's view of the
operating system, including process trees, network resources, user
IDs, and file systems.
[0279] As with computational processing which can be shared and/or
distributed amongst window controllers. Storage can also be shared
amongst a multiple devices. Generally this is implemented using a
standard storage architecture such as Network Attached Storage
(NAS), Network File System (NFS), or Storage Area Network (SAN).
For example, a window control system may offer 100 terabytes of
local storage within the building it has 100 window controllers
each having 1 terabyte of data. In some cases, storage devices are
configured used a Redundant Array of Independent Disk ("RAID")
configuration to protect from data loss that may be caused by,
e.g., a failure of one of the data storage devices.
[0280] By having the distributed processing and storage
architecture, the system may also be easily upgradable if desired
by a building owner. For example, if a building owner wishes to
increase the local memory or increase the processing capabilities
of a window control system, storage devices or processors at window
controllers can be upgraded individually, such that end users and
systems making use of the window control system do not experience
an interruption to the services provided. In some cases,
controllers are modular in design so that the storage, RAM, and/or
processing capabilities of the window controller can be easily
upgraded. In other embodiments, entire window controllers may be
replaced incrementally window controllers having improved
benchmarks.
[0281] In some embodiments, window controllers may be configured to
communicate using wireless protocols other than simply Bluetooth
and/or WiFi. For example, a window controller may communicate over
wireless ad hoc networks using, e.g., a Zigbee or. EnOcean which
may have lower power requirements and in some cases have a greater
range than WiFi communications. Such wireless communication may be
ideal for low power sensors that run on batteries or receive power
wirelessly.
[0282] When the window control system is used for multiple
functions, possibly controlled by different entities,
virtualization, security, and/or quality of service may be
implemented on the infrastructure.
[0283] In many cases, the edge computing platform provided by the
disclosed window control system can provide advantages to the
window system itself. For example, sensor data near a window can be
received, processed, and acted upon without requiring large amounts
of sensor data to be provided to an upstream controller to perform
analysis. Some examples of processing capabilities of the edge
computing platform are now provided.
[0284] (1) In one example, a window controller detects or
determines a condition or event that is useful to other components
of the window network system. For example, when a window controller
determines that the light intensity increases beyond a particular
threshold level, the window controller may notify other processing
components on the window network, such as a master controller,
which can, in turn, determine when the window should tint and by
how much.
[0285] (2) In another example, a window controller or a plurality
of window controllers can commission other devices in the vicinity
of a window controller. Window controllers can determine the
locations of components in the vicinity using triangulation or
another appropriate approach (e.g., using a received signal
strength indicator (RSSI)). In some cases, individual window
controllers, or a group of window controllers collectively, can be
responsible for determining and reporting the locations of
window-relevant components near them.
[0286] (3) In some embodiments, window controllers can provide
security to the window control network by only allowing
communications with devices known to the window controller. For
example, sensors and/or controllers from systems other than the
tintable window system may provide information to a window
controller and/or request information from the window controller.
In some cases, data provided may be inaccurate resulting undesired
automatic control of tintable windows, or data may be requested for
deviant purposes (e.g., a potential thief might attempt to find out
when a room will be unoccupied based on a history of occupancy
sensor data). Thus, window controllers can be configured to only
communicate with trusted devices. For example, the window
controller may communicate with only a few devices, which are
located in sufficiently close proximity to permit wireless
communication. The tintable window system may have previously
authenticated such devices, and the window controller may have
performed some or all of the procedures required for
authentication, during, e.g., an installation by an
administrator,
[0287] (4) in other example, a window controller uses its own
measurements of current, voltage, including open circuit voltage,
temperature, etc. to determine whether to adjust tint transition
parameters; e.g., to speed up or terminate early a tint transition.
Methods for adjusting tint parameters based on these measured
window parameters are further described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,412,290,
filed Jun. 28, 2013, and titled "CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN
OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES."
[0288] (5) In other example, a window controller can be notified of
a utility alert (e.g., a high demand or brownout condition), and
the window controller takes appropriate tinting action. For
example, upon being notified that the power supply has been cut the
window controller may transition a tintable window to a safe
(clear) state in a controlled manner before the supply of locally
stored power (e.g., in a battery at the window controller or
located in the power distribution grid) is exhausted. Transitioning
electrochromic windows to a safe state can prevent damage to the
electrochromic window if the local power reserve is exhausted
before the normal power supply is back online. In cases where there
is not sufficient power to transition all of the tintable windows
to a safe state, window controllers may prioritize tinting more
expensive windows to a safe state before less expensive windows. In
some cases, window controllers may transition into a sleep mode
that consumes less energy. Additional examples of how controllers
can respond to accommodate issues associated with high energy
demands and/or low energy availability are described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/739,562, filed Dec. 22, 2017, and titled
"POWER MANAGEMENT FOR ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOW NETWORKS" which is
herein incorporated in its entirety.
[0289] (6) In some embodiments, the window control system may
directly or indirectly provide installation and/or repair
instructions to construction personnel. For example, a transparent
display on a window may display an error report detailing a
detected failure of a device. A display may, e.g., indicate where
the failed component is located and provide repair instructions as
needed. Alternatively, or in addition, the window control system
may provide instructions via wireless communication to personal
computers, tablets, smartphones, etc.
[0290] By implementing a PDO communications protocol and performing
computational processes on individual controllers, traffic caused
by transferring large amounts of raw data and/or routine polling of
devices is reduced. Freed bandwidth can then be used by other
devices which make use of the computational resources provided by
the window control system.
[0291] Window controllers can in some embodiments only be
configured to communicate with authenticated devices. Only those
sensors or other data collecting or controlling devices (external
to the window network) that have been authenticated that have been,
e.g., authenticated by an administrator or are known to the window
controller are then permitted to pass data on to the window network
(through the window controller). This approach reduces or
eliminates communication of authentication certificates and other
data associated with authenticating communications in real time
which can help free up additional network bandwidth.
[0292] Relatedly, most or all of the computing needs of the window
tinting network (and other building systems) can be conducted
locally, on devices such as window controllers within local edge
computing platform provided by the window control system. There is
little or no need for sending sensitive information outside the
tintable window system. To the extent that some processing or
storage is needed outside the tintable window system, only
information that is relatively non-sensitive need be communicated
out of the system. Concepts associated with a "personal cloud" may
be enabled using the computing power of the tintable window
system.
[0293] Another advantage of the distributed computing platform is
that sensors and other peripheral devices will need less processing
resources if they can rely on local window controller(s) to perform
the data processing for them. For example, a sensor that
communicates with a window network need not include a communication
stack or an ability to make its own decisions related to
applications assigned to the sensor. For example, an infrared
camera occupancy sensor can provide the raw camera data to the
window controller which can perform required image analysis to
determine if and how many occupants are present. This approach can
also be used for sensors and devices such as, thermometers, gas
detectors, and light detectors, and the like.
[0294] In some cases, the power and communications infrastructure
provided by a window control system can replace other building
systems such as the BMS, security systems, IT systems, lighting
systems, etc. The storage and processing infrastructure of the
tintable window system provides most or all infrastructure needed
for these and other functions. To the extent that security is
required between functions sharing the infrastructure, virtual
networks (e.g., VLANs) can be used.
Example Embodiments--Power Distribution
[0295] In some embodiments, a power distribution system may be a
single wired system which delivers power to tintable windows and
one or more other systems (for example a HVAC system, a lighting
system, a security system, etc.). The power distribution
infrastructure is entirely wired (as opposed to wireless). The
decisions that result in power being delivered to a non-window
system component (e.g., a light) can be made by the non-window
system or by the window system.
[0296] In some embodiments, a lighting system element or other
non-window system component may have power delivered via a tap off
of a window trunk line. As such, the non-window system may share an
AC or DC control panel from the window power distribution system.
Generally speaking, power may be provided to any non-window system
using any power distribution system described in U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/268,204, U.S. patent application Ser. No.
15/365,685, or International Patent Application No. PCT/US 18/18241
which have previously been incorporated by reference.
[0297] In some embodiments, a window control system may have
parallel wired power distribution systems. One distribution system
may be dedicated to the window tinting function, and another may be
dedicated for use by other building functions such as heating and
cooling systems. In this configuration, some decision-making for
the other building functions is provided in the window control
system infrastructure. In other words, the window control system
controls some non-window systems in the building. Decisions made by
the window control system infrastructure are communicated to these
other building systems, which implement the decisions by receiving
power over the distribution system dedicated for use by non-window
functions. For example, the window control network may determine
that LED lights for normal use or emergency lighting should be
powered on at particular times, and the window network provides
such decisions to some building system (e.g., a lighting system or
security system) that then causes the appropriate lights to receive
power, or a causes the power distribution system to deliver power
to the appropriate lights, even though those lights are powered by
a system that is not part of the window power distribution
system.
[0298] In some embodiments the window control system may include a
means for providing wireless power delivery. This wireless power
carrying capability may be provided as part of the power
distribution system that provides power to window controllers
and/or a separate and/or non-window power distribution system.
Other than the fact that some of the power carrying capability is
in the form of a wireless medium, this approach can be otherwise
identical to the first or second approach as described above.
CONCLUSION
[0299] It should be understood that the certain embodiments
described herein can be implemented in the form of control logic
using computer software in a modular or integrated manner. Based on
the disclosure and teachings provided herein, a person of ordinary
skill in the art will know and appreciate other ways and/or methods
to implement the present invention using hardware and a combination
of hardware and software.
[0300] Any of the software components or functions described in
this application, may be implemented as software code to be
executed by a processor using any suitable computer language such
as, for example, Java, C++ or Python using, for example,
conventional or object-oriented techniques. The software code may
be stored as a series of instructions, or commands on a
computer-readable medium, such as a random-access memory (RAM), a
read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic medium such as a hard-drive or a
floppy disk, or an optical medium such as a CD-ROM. Any such
computer readable medium may reside on or within a single
computational apparatus, and may be present on or within different
computational apparatuses within a system or network.
[0301] Although the foregoing disclosed embodiments have been
described in some detail to facilitate understanding, the described
embodiments are to be considered illustrative and not limiting. One
or more features from any embodiment may be combined with one or
more features of any other embodiment without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. Further, modifications, additions, or
omissions may be made to any embodiment without departing from the
scope of the disclosure. The components of any embodiment may be
integrated or separated according to particular needs without
departing from the scope of the disclosure.
[0302] Although the foregoing embodiments have been described in
some detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, it will be
apparent that certain changes and modifications may be practiced
within the scope of the appended claims. It should be noted that
there are many alternative ways of implementing the processes,
systems, and apparatus of the present embodiments. Accordingly, the
present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not
restrictive, and the embodiments are not to be limited to the
details given herein.
* * * * *
References