Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SECURITY EVENT DETECTION WITH SMART WINDOWS
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[00011
This application claims the priority benefit of US Provisional Patent
Application
62/681,025, filed June 5, 2018, 62/760,335, filed November 13, 2018, and
62/828,350, filed
April 2 2019 and is a continuation-in-part of: (1) US Patent Application No.
16/254,434, filed
January 22, 2019, and titled "Monitoring Sites Containing Switchable Optical
Devices and
Controllers", which is a continuation of US Patent Application No. 15/691,468,
entitled
"MONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTIOCAL DEVICES AND
CONTROLLERS," filed August 30, 2017, which is a continuation-in-part of US
Patent
Application No. 15/123,069, entitled "MONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE
OPTICAL DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS," filed September 1, 2016, which is a national
phase application of PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US15/19031, entitled
"MONITORING
SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS," filed
March 5, 2015, which claims benefit of US Provisional Patent Application No.
61/948,464,
entitled "MONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND
CONTROLLERS," filed March 5, 2014, and US Provisional Patent Application No.
61/974,677,
entitled "MONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND
CONTROLLERS," filed April 3, 2014; US Patent Application No. 16/254,434 is a
continuation-
in-part of US Patent Application No. 15/534,175, entitled "MULTIPLE
INTERACTING
SYSTEMS AT A SITE," filed June 8, 2017, which is a national phase application
of PCT Patent
Application No. PCT/US15/64555, entitled "MULTIPLE INTERACTING SYSTEMS AT A
SITE," filed December 8, 2015, which claims benefit of US Provisional Patent
Application No.
62/088,943, entitled "MULTIPLE INTERACTING SYSTEMS AT A SITE," filed December
8,
2014; and US Patent Application No. 16/254,434 is a continuation-in-part of US
Patent
Application No. 14/391,122, entitled "APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING OPTICALLY
SWITCHABLE DEVICES," filed October 7, 2014, which is a national phase
application of PCT
Patent Application No. PCT/US13/36456, entitled "APPLICATIONS FOR CONTROLLING
OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES," filed on April 12, 2013, which claims benefit
of US
Provisional Patent Application No. 61/624,175, entitled "APPLICATIONS FOR
CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES," filed on April 13, 2012; (2) PCT
Patent Application No. PCT/US17/54120, filed September 28, 2017, and titled
"Site Monitoring
System"; and (3) US Patent Application No. 15/891,866, filed February 8, 2018,
and titled
"Multipurpose Controller for Multistate Windows" which is a continuation of
U.S. Patent
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Application No. 14/932,474, by Brown et al., titled "Multipurpose Controller
for Multistate
Windows" and filed on November 4, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. Patent
Application
No. 13/049,756, by Brown et al., titled "Multipurpose Controller for
Multistate Windows" and
filed on March 16, 2011 (now U.S. Patent No. 9,454,055, issued on September
27, 2016). Each
of these applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety and
for all purposes. This
application is also related to the following: U.S. Patent No. 8,254,013,
issued August 28, 2012;
U.S. Patent Application No. 14/951,410 filed November 24, 2015; U.S. Patent
Application No.
13/326,168 filed December 14, 2011; U.S. Patent Application No. 13/449,235
filed April 17,
2012; U.S. Patent Application No. 13/449,248 filed April 17, 2012; U.S. Patent
Application No.
13/449,251 filed April 17, 2012; U.S. Patent Application No. 13/462,725, filed
May 2,2012;
U.S. Patent Application No. 13/772,969 filed February 21, 2013; US Patent
Application No.
14/443,353, filed May 15, 2015. U.S. Patent Application No. 15/123,069 filed
September 1,
2016; International Patent Application No. PCT/US16/55709, filed October 6,
2018; U.S. Patent
Application No. 15/334,832, filed October 26, 2016; US Patent Application No.
15/334,835,
filed October 26, 2016; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/320,725 filed December
20, 2016;
International Patent Application No. PCT/U517/20805, filed March 3, 2017;
International Patent
Application No. PCT/US17/28443, filed April 19, 2017; International Patent
Application No.
PCT/US17/31106, filed on May 04, 2017; U.S. Patent Application No. 15/529,677
filed May 25,
2017; U.S. Patent Application No. June 8, 2017 filed 15/534,175; International
Patent
Application No. PCT/US17/62634, filed on November 20, 2017; International
Patent
Application No. PCT/US17/66486, filed December 14, 2017; US Patent No.
9,885,935, issued
February 6, 2018; International Patent application No. PCT/U518/29460, filed
May 25, 2018;
and International Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29476, filed May 25, 2018.
Each of these
related applications is also incorporated herein by reference in its entirety
and for all purposes.
FIELD
100021 The embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to detecting
security events in or
near a building, the building including tintable "smart windows", more
particularly to smart
windows that are used to detect and, in some instances, respond to, the
security events.
BACKGROUND
100031 Optically switchable windows, sometimes referred to as "smart
windows," exhibit a
controllable and reversible change in an optical property when appropriately
stimulated by, for
example, a voltage change. The optical property is typically color,
transmittance, absorbance,
and/or reflectance. Electrochromic devices are sometimes used in optically
switchable
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windows. One well-known electrochromic material, for example, is tungsten
oxide (W03).
Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromic material in which a coloration
transition,
transparent to blue, occurs by electrochemical reduction.
[0004] Electrically switchable windows, sometimes referred to as "smart
windows",
whether electrochromic or otherwise, may be used in buildings to control
transmission of solar
energy. Switchable windows may be manually or automatically tinted and cleared
to reduce
energy consumption, by heating, air conditioning and/or lighting systems,
while maintaining
occupant comfort.
[0005] Windows are located on the skin of a building and are common
targets for potential
intruders, as they are often the weakest portion of a building's skin. When
protecting against
theft and other unwanted forms of intrusion, windows are generally a primary
concern as they
are easily broken. Improved techniques for detecting and responding to such
security events are
desirable, particularly techniques that exploit the networked aspects of the
smart windows.
SUMMARY
[0006] According to some embodiments, a method of detecting a security-
related event in
an optically switchable window includes: (a) measuring a current or voltage of
an optically
switchable device of the optically switchable window without perturbing a
process of driving a
transition between optical states and/or maintaining an end optical state of
the optically
switchable window; (b) evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a) to
determine whether
the current or voltage measured in (a) indicates that the optically switchable
window is broken
or damaged; and (c) in response to detecting the response in (b), performing a
security action.
[0007] In some examples, measuring the current or voltage of the
optically switchable
device may be performed while the optically switchable window is undergoing
the transition
from a first tint state to a second tint state.
100081 In some examples, measuring the current or voltage of the optically
switchable
device may include measuring an open circuit voltage of the optically
switchable device. In
some examples, measuring the open circuit voltage of the optically switchable
device may be
performed while the optically switchable window is undergoing the transition
from a first tint
state to a second tint state.
[0009] In some examples, evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a)
may include
comparing the current or voltage measured in (a) against an expected current
or voltage for the
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process of driving the transition between optical states and/or maintaining
the end optical state
of the optically switchable window.
100101 In some examples, evaluating the current or voltage measured in
(a) may include
comparing the current or voltage measured in (a) against a previously measured
current or
voltage for the process of driving the transition between optical states
and/or maintaining the
end optical state of the optically switchable window.
100111 In some examples, measuring the current or voltage of the
optically switchable
device may be performed while the optically switchable window is in the end
optical state.
100121 In some examples, measuring the current or voltage of the
optically switchable
device may include measuring a leakage current of the optically switchable
device.
10013) In some examples, evaluating the current or voltage measured in
(a) may include
comparing the leakage current against an expected leakage current of the
optically switchable
device.
100141 According to some implementations, a method of detecting a
security-related event
in an optically switchable window includes: (a) applying a perturbation to an
optically
switchable device of the optically switchable window; (b) detecting a response
to the
perturbation that indicates that the optically switchable window is broken or
damaged; and (c)
in response to detecting the response in (b), performing a security action.
10015) In some examples, applying the perturbation may include applying
a perturbing
voltage or a perturbing current to the optically switchable window during a
tint transition of the
optically switchable window, where the perturbing voltage or the perturbing
current is not part
of a tint transition drive cycle for the optically switchable window.
100161 In some examples, the perturbation may include applying a
voltage ramp, a current
ramp, or a constant voltage to the optically switchable device, and detecting
the response to the
perturbation may include detecting a current produced by the optically
switchable device in
response to the perturbation. In some examples, the perturbation may include
applying a
voltage ramp, a current ramp, or a constant voltage to the optically
switchable device, and
wherein detecting a response to the perturbation comprises measuring an open
circuit voltage of
the optically switchable device after application of the perturbation. In some
examples, a slope
of at least one of the voltage ramp and the current ramp may be a parameter
set by one or more
of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller. In some
examples, at least
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one of the window controller, the network controller, and the master
controller may set the
slope based on one or both of a size of the window and the external
temperature.
[0017] In some examples, applying the perturbation in (a) may include
repeatedly applying
the perturbation while the optically switchable device is in an end tint
state.
[0018] In some examples, applying the perturbation in (a) may include
applying a square
wave or saw tooth wave to the optically switchable device.
[0019] In some examples, the perturbation may include applying an
oscillating current or
voltage to the optically switchable device, and detecting a response to the
perturbation may
include detecting a frequency response produced by the optically switchable
device in response
to the oscillating current or voltage. In some examples, detecting the
frequency response
produced by the optically switchable device in response to the oscillating
current or voltage
may include determining that frequency absorption of the optically switchable
device deviates
from an expected frequency absorption.
[0020] In some examples, performing the security action may includce
displaying an alert
on a local or a remote device.
[0021] In some examples, performing the security action may include
sending an alert
message to a security officer or employee.
[0022] In some examples, performing the security action may include
adjusting lighting in a
room proximate the optically switchable window.
[0023] In some examples, performing the security action may include locking
a door in a
room proximate the optically switchable window.
[0024] In some examples, performing the security action may include
adjusting a tint state
of a tintable window proximate the optically switchable window.
[0025] In some examples, performing the security action may include
lighting a display
registered with the optically switchable window. In some examples, lighting
the display may
include a flashing light pattern on the display.
100261 In some examples, the optically switchable device may be an
electrochromic device.
[0027] In some examples, the security-related event may be damage or
breakage of the
optically switchable window.
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100281 In some examples, detecting the response to the perturbation may
include one or
both of: evaluating the absolute value of a measured current; and evaluating a
change, over a
period of time, in a value of the measured current. In some examples,
evaluating the absolute
value of the measured current may includde comparing the absolute value of the
measured
current with a specified value.
100291 According to some implementations, a security system includes:
one or more
interfaces for receiving sensed values for an optically switchable device of
an optically
switchable window; and one or more processors and memory configured to perform
operations
of the methods recited in any of the foregoing claims.
100301 According to some implementations, a method of detecting a security-
related event,
the method comprising: (a) measuring one or more of a current, a voltage and a
charge count
(Q) of an optically switchable window; (b) determining whether the optically
switchable
window is broken or damaged using one or more of the current, the voltage and
the charge
count measured in (a); and (c) in response to determining that the optically
switchable window
is broken or damaged, performing a security action and/or an alert action.
100311 In some examples, (a) may be performed while the optically
switchable window is
undergoing a transition from a first tint state to a second tint state.
100321 In some examples, the measured voltage may be an open circuit
voltage of the
optically switchable window.
100331 In some examples, measuring the one or more of current, voltage and
Q may be
performed without visibly perturbing an apparent optical state of the
optically switchable
window.
100341 In some examples, measuring the one or more of current, voltage
and Q may be
performed over a period of one minute or less.
100351 In some examples, measuring may performed by sampling at a first
regular interval.
In some examples, if a window is determined to be broken or damaged, measuring
may be
performed at a second regular interval, shorter than the first regular
interval.
100361 In some examples, measuring the one or more of current, voltage
and Q may be
performed without perturbing a process of driving a transition of the
optically switchable
.. window between optical states.
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100371 In some examples, determining whether the optically switchable
window is broken
or damaged may include one or both of: evaluating the absolute value of a
measured current;
and evaluating a change, over a period of time, in a value of the measured
current. In some
examples, evaluating the absolute value of the measured current may include
comparing the
absolute value of the measured current with a specified value.
100381 In some examples, measuring the current may include measuring a
leakage current
of the optically switchable window. In some examples, determining whether the
optically
switchable window is broken or damaged may include comparing the leakage
current against an
expected leakage current of the optically switchable window. In some examples,
the expected
leakage current may be a parameter set by one or more of a window controller,
a network
controller, and a master controller. In some examples, at least one of the
window controller, the
network controller, and the master controller may be configured to adjust the
parameter In some
examples, determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or
damaged may
include comparing the leakage current with a previously measured leakage
current of the
optically switchable window.
100391 In some examples, determining whether the optically switchable
window is broken
or damaged may include measuring the current and determining that the
optically switchable
window is not broken or damaged when the measured current exceeds a specified
value.
100401 In some examples, the method may include always applying a non-
zero hold and/or
drive voltage to the optically switchable window.
100411 In some examples, determining whether the optically switchable
window is broken
or damaged may include measuring the current and, when the measured current is
less than a
specified value, measuring one or both of the voltage and Q. In some examples,
determining
whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include
determining that
.. the optically switchable window is not broken or damaged when at least one
of the measured
voltage and Q exceeds a respective threshold value. In some examples, the
respective threshold
values may be selectable by one or more of a window controller, a network
controller, and a
master controller. In some examples, at least one of the window controller,
the network
controller, and the master controller may select the threshold value as Voc
Target during some
operations and may select the threshold value as 1/n*Voc Thge, during some
other operations;
and n is at least 2 during some other operations.
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100421 In some examples, the service action may be selected from the
group consisting of
ordering a replacement for the optically switchable window, notifying a window
supplier to
ship a replacement optically switchable window, notifying an optically
switchable window
repair technician to repair the window, notifying a manager of a building in
which the optically
switchable window is installed that there is an issue related to the window,
notifying monitoring
personnel to open a service case/record, and generating a return merchandise
authorization
(RMA) order.
100431 In some examples, the alert action may be performed
automatically.
[00441 In some examples, the alert action may be performed without
interaction of a
human.
100451 These and other features and embodiments will be described in
more detail below
with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
100461 Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electrochromic
device that may be used
in a tintable window.
100471 Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an example
tintable window
constructed as an integrated glass unit (IGU), in accordance with some
embodiments.
100481 Figure 3 is a graph illustrating voltage and current profiles
associated with driving
an electrochromic device from a clear state to a tinted state and from a
tinted state to a clear
state.
100491 Figure 4 is a graph illustrating an implementation of a voltage
and current profile
associated with driving an electrochromic device from a clear state to a
tinted state.
100501 Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a process for probing the
progress of an optical
transitioning and determining when the transition is complete.
100511 Figure 6 depicts a window control network provided by of a window
control system
having one or more tintable windows.
100521 Figure 7 depicts an electrochromic (EC) window lite, or IGU or
laminate, with a
transparent display.
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100531 Figure 8 depicts an IGU with a transparent display.
100541 Figure 9 illustrates how frequency abortion spectrum
measurements of an EC device
coating can be used to detect window damage.
100551 Figure 10 is a flowchart depicting a method can be used to
provide continuous or
substantially continuous security monitoring of a tintable window.
100561 Figure 11 depicts an IGU with a differential pressure sensor
which may be used to
detect a broken window.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
100571 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."
Tintable windows:
100581
A tintable window (sometimes referred to as an optically switchable window or
smart 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 a building's interior). The
control may be
manual or automatic and may be used for maintaining occupant comfort while
reducing the
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energy consumption of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) 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), or 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 US Patent Application 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.
100591 An Electrochromic (EC) device coating (sometimes referred to as an
EC device
(ECD)) is a coating having 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 (11+) (i.e., protons). In some
other
implementations, other ions can be suitable. Intercalation of lithium ions,
for example, into
tungsten oxide (W031 (0 <y 5_ ¨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.
100601 In some cases, a window controller paired to an EC device coating is
configured to
transition the EC device coating between a plurality of defined optical tint
states. For example,
an EC device coating may be transitioned between five optical tint states
(clear or TS 0, TS 1,
TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4) ranging from substantially clear (TS 0) to a fully tinted
state (TS 4). In
this disclosure, TS 0, TS 1, TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4 refer to the optical states
of a tintable window
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configured with five optical tint states. In one embodiment, the five optical
tint states TS 0, TS
1, TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4 have associated visual light transmittance values of
approximately 82%,
58%, 40%, 7% and 1% respectively. In some cases, the tint states may be
selected by a user
according to their preferences. In some cases, an associated window controller
may
automatically make micro adjustments to the optical state of the EC device
coating. For
example, a controller may adjust the tinting of an EC device coating between
ten or more tint
states to maintain preferred interior lighting conditions.
100611 Figure 1 shows a schematic cross-sectional view of an
electrochromic device 100 in
accordance with some embodiments. The electrochromic device 100 includes a
substrate 102, a
first 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 (CE) 110 (sometimes also
referred to as an
anodically coloring layer or anodically tinting layer), and a second TCL 114.
Collectively,
elements 104, 106, 108, 110, and 114 make up 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 may be 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.
100621 In various embodiments, the ion conductor region 108 may form a
portion of the EC
layer 106 and/or form 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 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 resistance or scratch resistance.
These or other passive
layers also can serve to hermetically seal the EC stack 120. Additionally,
various layers,
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including transparent conducting layers (such as 104 and 114), can be treated
with anti-
reflective or protective oxide or nitride layers.
100631 In certain embodiments, the electrochromic device reversibly
cycles between a clear
state and a tinted state. In the clear state, a potential may be 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.
100641 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 a transition between a clear state and tinted state, 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 generally to an optically
neutral state, e.g.,
untinted, transparent or translucent. Still further, it should be understood
that the choice of
appropriate electrochromic and counter electrode materials governs the
relevant optical
transition and, unless specified otherwise herein, the "color" or "tint" of an
electrochromic
transition is not limited to any particular wavelength or range of
wavelengths.
100651 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 external environmental
temperature and
radiation conditions such as a building window may be expected to endure,
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.
100661 Figure 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example tintable
window constructed as
an insulated glass unit ("IOU") 200 in accordance with some embodiments.
Generally speaking,
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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. 1GUs, 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
an 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.
100671 In the illustrated example, the IGU 200 includes a first pane
204 having a first
surface Si and a second surface S2. In some implementations, the first surface
Si 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.
100681 In some implementations, each of the first pane 204 and the
second pane 206 are
transparent or translucent¨at least to light in the visible spectrum. For
example, each of the
panes 204 and 206 may be formed of a glass material such as an architectural
glass or other
shatter-resistant glass material such as, for example, a silicon oxide (SO) -
based glass material.
As a more specific example, each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206
may be a soda-
lime glass substrate or float glass substrate. Such glass substrates can be
composed of, for
example, approximately 75% silica (SiO2) as well as Na2O, CaO, and several
minor additives.
However, each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may 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 panea 204 and
the second pane
206 include other glass materials, as well as plastic, semi-plastic and
thermoplastic materials
(for example, poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polycarbonate, allyl
diglycol carbonate,
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SAN (styrene aciylonitrile copolymer), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), polyester,
polyamide), or
mirror materials. In some implementations, each of the first pane 204 and the
second pane 206
can be strengthened, for example, by tempering, heating, or chemically
strengthening.
100691 Frequently, each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206,
as well as the IGU
200 as a whole, may be configured as a rectangular solid. However, in some
implementations
other shapes may be contemplated (for example, circular, elliptical,
triangular, curvilinear,
convex or concave shapes). In some specific rectangular implementations, a
length "L" of each
of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may be in the range of
approximately 20 inches
(in.) to approximately 10 feet (ft.), a width "W" of each of the first pane
204 and the second
pane 206 may be in the range of approximately 20 in. to approximately 10 ft.,
and a thickness
"T" of each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 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 may
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.
100701 In the illustrated example, the first pane 204 and the second pane
206 are spaced
apart from one another by a spacer 218, which is typically a frame structure,
to form the interior
volume 208. In some implementations, the interior volume 208 is filled with
Argon (Ar),
although in some other implementations, the interior volume 208 can be filled
with another gas,
such as another noble gas (for example, krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe)), 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 Xe 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 high 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 Figure 2,
the thickness of the
ECD 210, 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
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of approximately 5 mm to approximately 25 mm (although other widths are
possible and may
be desirable).
100711 Although not shown in the cross-sectional view of Figure 2, the
spacer 218 may
generally be configured as a frame structure formed around all sides of the
IGU 200 (for
example, top, bottom, left and right sides of the IGU 200). The spacer 218 can
be formed of a
foam or plastic material, in some implementations. However, in some other
implementations,
the spacer 218 can be formed of metal or other conductive material, for
example, a metal tube
or channel structure having a first side configured for sealing to the
substrate 204, a second side
configured for sealing to the substrate 206, and a third side configured 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 or
substrate 204. A
second primary seal 222 adheres and hermetically seals spacer 218 and the
first surface S3 of
the second pane or substrate 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 the secondary seal 224 that
hermetically seals a
border around the entire IGU 200 outside of spacer 218. To this end, the
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.
100721 In the implementation shown in Figure 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 Si 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, which itself may include one or more
layers as
described with reference to Figure 1. In the illustrated example, the EC stack
includes layers
212, 214 and 216.
Window Controllers:
100731 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
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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 directly responsible for causing a
tint transition 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.
100741 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 IGU,
at least a portion of the controller may be substantially transparent. Further
examples of "on-
glass" controllers are provided in U.S. Patent Application No. 14/951,410,
filed November 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.
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100751 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.
100761 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 if already installed, the control parameters can be
recalibrated to
match the performance characteristics of the electrochromic pane(s).
100771 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
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included in a wire or wire connector attached to the window controller. Such
wires with
connectors are sometimes referred to as pigtails.
100781 As indicated hereinabove, 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
(spacer) 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,
laminates, and/or 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).
100791 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 Figure 2, the
different surfaces of
the IGU may be referred to as Si, S2, S3, and S4 (assuming a two-pane IGU). Si
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
convention is used (i.e., 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) may be disposed on S3.
100801 Further examples of window controllers and their features are
presented in U.S.
Patent Application No. 13/449,248, filed April 17, 2012, and titled
"CONTROLLER FOR
OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS"; US Patent Application No. 13/449,251, filed
April 17, 2012, and titled "CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS";
US Patent Application No. 15/334,835, filed October 26, 2016, and titled
"CONTROLLERS
FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES"; and International Patent Application No.
PCT/US17/20805, filed March 3, 2017, and titled "METHOD OF COMMISSIONING
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ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," each of which is herein incorporated by reference in
its
entirety.
Control Algorithms for electrochromic windows
100811 Window controllers are configured to control the optical state
of windows by
applying a voltage or a current to an EC device coating. General non-limiting
examples of
control algorithms are now provided for controlling the optical state of an EC
device coating.
100821 An "optical transition" is a change in any one or more optical
properties of an
optically switchable device. The optical property that changes may be, for
example, tint,
reflectivity, refractive index, color, etc. In certain embodiments, the
optical transition will have
a defined starting optical state and a defined ending optical state. For
example, the starting
optical state may be 80% transmissivity and the ending optical state may be
50% transmissivity.
The optical transition is typically driven by applying an appropriate electric
potential across the
two thin conductive sheets of the optically switchable device.
[00831 A "starting optical state" is the optical state of an optically
switchable device
immediately prior to the beginning of an optical transition. The starting
optical state is typically
defined as the magnitude of an optical state which may be tint, reflectivity,
refractive index,
color, etc. The starting optical state may be a maximum or minimum optical
state for the
optically switchable device; e.g., 90% or 4% transmissivity. Alternatively,
the starting optical
state may be an intermediate optical state having a value somewhere between
the maximum and
.. minimum optical states for the optically switchable device; e.g., 50%
transmissivity.
100841 An "ending optical state" is the optical state of an optically
switchable device
immediately after the complete optical transition from a starting optical
state. The complete
transition occurs when optical state changes in a manner understood to be
complete for a
particular application. For example, a complete tinting might be deemed a
transition from 75%
optical transmissivity to 10% transmissivity. The ending optical state may be
a maximum or
minimum optical state for the optically switchable device; e.g., 90% or 4%
transmissivity.
Alternatively, the ending optical state may be an intermediate optical state
having a value
somewhere between the maximum and minimum optical states for the optically
switchable
device; e.g., 50% transmissivity.
100851 "Bus bar" refers to an electrically conductive strip attached to a
conductive layer
such as a transparent conductive electrode spanning the area of an optically
switchable device.
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The bus bar delivers electrical potential and current from an external lead to
the conductive
layer. An optically switchable device may include two or more bus bars, each
connected to a
single conductive layer of the device. In various embodiments, a bus bar forms
a long thin line
that spans most of the length of the length or width of a device. Often, a bus
bar is located near
the edge of the device.
100861 "Applied Voltage" or Vapp refers to the difference in potential
applied to two bus
bars of opposite polarity on the electrochromic device. Each bus bar is
electronically connected
to a separate transparent conductive layer. The applied voltage may include
different
magnitudes or functions such as driving an optical transition or holding an
optical state.
Between the transparent conductive layers are sandwiched the optically
switchable device
materials such as electrochromic materials. Each of the transparent conductive
layers
experiences a potential drop between the position where a bus bar is connected
to it and a
location remote from the bus bar. Generally, the greater the distance from the
bus bar, the
greater the potential drop in a transparent conducting layer. The local
potential of the
transparent conductive layers is often referred to herein as the VTCL. Bus
bars of opposite
polarity may be laterally separated from one another across the face of an
optically switchable
device.
100871 "Effective Voltage" or Veff refers to the potential between the
positive and negative
transparent conducting layers at any particular location on the optically
switchable device. In
Cartesian space, the effective voltage is defined for a particular x,y
coordinate on the device. At
the point where Veff is measured, the two transparent conducting layers are
separated in the z-
direction (by the device materials), but share the same x.y coordinate.
100881 "Hold Voltage" refers to the applied voltage necessary to
indefinitely maintain the
device in an ending optical state. In some cases, without application of a
hold voltage,
electrochromic windows return to their natural tint state. In other words,
maintenance of a
desired tint state may require application of a hold voltage.
100891 "Drive Voltage" refers to the applied voltage provided during at
least a portion of an
optical transition. The drive voltage may be viewed as "driving" at least a
portion of the optical
transition. Its magnitude is different from that of the applied voltage
immediately prior to the
start of the optical transition. In certain embodiments, the magnitude of the
drive voltage is
greater than the magnitude of the hold voltage.
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100901 "Open circuit voltage" (Voc) refers to the voltage across the EC
device (or across
the terminals or bus bars applying connected to the EC device) when little or
no current passes.
In certain embodiments, the Voc is measured after a defined period of time has
passed since
applying conditions of interest (e.g., an AC signal or pulse). For example, an
open circuit
voltage may be taken a few milliseconds after applying the conditions or, in
some cases, may be
taken on or about 1 to several seconds after applying the conditions of
interest.
100911 To increase the speed of an optical transition, the applied
voltage may initially be
provided at a magnitude greater than that required to hold the device at a
particular optical state
in equilibrium. This approach is illustrated in Figures 3 and 4. Figure 3 is a
graph depicting
.. voltage and current profiles associated with driving an electrochromic
device from a clear state
to a tinted state and from a tinted state to a clear state. Figure 4 is a
graph depicting certain
voltage and current profiles associated with driving an electrochromic device
from a tinted state
to a clear state. Further, as used herein, the terms clear and bleached are
used interchangeably
when referring to the optical state of the electrochromic device of an IGU, as
are the terms
tinted and colored. In certain embodiments, the drive and/or the hold voltage
comprises a non-
zero value that is sufficient to maintain a non-zero open circuit voltage. In
one embodiment, the
non-zero drive and/or hold voltage is always maintained at a non-zero value
such that drops in
open-circuit voltage can always be detected. In one embodiment, the drive
and/or hold voltage
is never allowed to drop below a range that is between about 100 and 500
millivolts.
100921 Figure 3 shows a complete current profile and voltage profile for an
electrochromic
device employing a simple voltage control algorithm to cause an optical state
transition cycle
(coloration followed by bleaching) of an electrochromic device. In the graph,
total current
density (I) is represented as a function of time. As mentioned, the total
current density is a
combination of the ionic current density associated with an electrochromic
transition and
.. electronic leakage current between the electrochemically active electrodes.
Many different types
of electrochromic device may have a current profile similar to that
illustrated by Figure 3. In
one example, a cathodic electrochromic material such as tungsten oxide is used
in conjunction
with an anodic electrochromic material such as nickel tungsten oxide in
counter electrode. In
such devices, negative currents indicate coloration of the device. In one
example, lithium ions
.. flow from a nickel tungsten oxide anodically coloring electrochromic
electrode into a tungsten
oxide cathodically coloring electrochromic electrode. Correspondingly,
electrons flow into the
tungsten oxide electrode to compensate for the positively charged incoming
lithium ions.
Therefore, the voltage and current are shown to have a negative value.
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100931 The depicted profile results from ramping up the voltage to a
set level and then
holding the voltage to maintain the optical state. The current peaks 301 are
associated with
changes in optical state, i.e., coloration and bleaching. Specifically, the
current peaks represent
delivery of the ionic charge needed to color or bleach the device.
Mathematically, the shaded
area under the peak represents the total charge required to color or bleach
the device. The
portions of the curve after the initial current spikes (portions 303)
represent electronic leakage
current while the device is in the new optical state.
100941 In the figure, voltage profile 305 is superimposed on the
current curve. The voltage
profile follows the sequence: negative ramp 307, negative hold 309, positive
ramp 311, and
.. positive hold 313. Note that the voltage remains constant after reaching
its maximum
magnitude and during the length of time that the device remains in its defined
optical state.
Voltage ramp 307 drives the device to a new colored state and voltage hold 309
maintains the
device in the colored state until voltage ramp 311 in the opposite direction
drives the transition
from the colored state to a bleached state. In some implementations, voltage
holds 309 and 313
may also be referred to as Vdfive. In some switching algorithms, a current cap
is imposed. That
is, the current is not permitted to exceed a defined level in order to prevent
damaging the device
(e.g., driving ion movement through the material layers too quickly can
physically damage the
material layers). The coloration speed is a function of not only the applied
voltage but also the
temperature and the voltage ramping rate.
100951 Figure 4 illustrates a voltage control profile in accordance with
certain embodiments.
In the depicted embodiment, a voltage control profile is employed to drive the
transition from a
bleached state to a colored state (or to an intermediate state). To drive an
electrochromic device
in the reverse direction, from a colored state to a bleached state (or from a
more colored to less
colored state), a similar but inverted profile is used. In some embodiments,
the voltage control
profile for going from colored to bleached is a mirror image of the one
depicted in Figure 4.
100961 The voltage values depicted in Figure 4 represent the applied
voltage (Vapp) values.
The applied voltage profile is shown by the dashed line. For contrast, the
current density in the
device is shown by the solid line. In the depicted profile, Vapp includes four
components: a
ramp to drive component 403, which initiates the transition, a Vdrive
component 413, which
continues to drive the transition, a ramp to hold component 415, and a Vivid
component 417.
The ramp components are implemented as variations in Vapp and the Vthive and
Vivid components
provide constant or substantially constant Vapp magnitudes.
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100971 The ramp to drive component 403 is characterized by a ramp rate
(increasing
magnitude) and a magnitude of Vdrive. When the magnitude of the applied
voltage reaches
Vdrive, the ramp to drive component 403 is completed. The Vdrive component 413
is
characterized by the value of Vd,õe as well as the duration of Vdrive. The
magnitude of Vd,õe
may be chosen to maintain Veff with a safe but effective range over the entire
face of the
electrochromic device as described above.
100981 The ramp to hold component 415 is characterized by a voltage
ramp rate (decreasing
magnitude) and the value of Vhod (or optionally the difference between Vdrive
and Vhod). Vapp
drops according to the ramp rate until the value of \Timid is reached. The
Vhald component 417 is
characterized by the magnitude of Viadd and the duration of Vivid. The
duration of Vhold is
typically governed by the length of time that the device is held in the
colored state (or
conversely in the bleached state). Unlike the ramp to drive, Vdiive, and ramp
to hold
components (403, 413, 415), the Vixdd component 417 may have an arbitrary
length, which may
be independent of the physics of the optical transition of the device.
100991 Each type of electrochromic device will have its own characteristic
components of
the voltage profile for driving the optical transition. For example, a
relatively large device
and/or one with a more resistive conductive layer will require a higher value
of Vdrive and
possibly a higher ramp rate in the ramp to drive component. Larger devices may
also require
higher values of Vivid. U.S. Patent Application No. 13/449,251, titled
"CONTROLLER FOR
OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS," filed April 17, 2012, and incorporated herein
by
reference, discloses controllers and associated algorithms for driving optical
transitions over a
wide range of conditions. As explained therein, each of the components of an
applied voltage
profile (ramp to drive, Vdrive, ramp to hold, and Vhald, herein) may be
independently controlled
to address real-time conditions such as current temperature, current level of
transmissivity, etc.
In some embodiments, the values of each component of the applied voltage
profile are set for a
particular electrochromic device (having its own bus bar separation,
resistivity, etc.) and vary
based on current conditions. In other words, in such embodiments, the voltage
profile does not
take into account feedback such as temperature, current density, and the like.
101001 As indicated, all voltage values shown in the voltage transition
profile of Figure 4
correspond to the Vapp values described above. They do not correspond to the
Veff values
described above. In other words, the voltage values depicted in Figure 4 are
representative of
the voltage difference between the bus bars of opposite polarity on the
electrochromic device.
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101011 In certain embodiments, the ramp to drive component of the
voltage profile is
chosen to safely but rapidly induce ionic current to flow between the
electrochromic and
counter electrodes. As shown in Figure 4, the current in the device follows
the profile of the
ramp to drive voltage component until the ramp to drive portion of the profile
ends and the
Vdrive portion begins. See current component 401 in Figure 4. Safe levels of
current and
voltage can be determined empirically or based on other feedback. U.S. Patent
No. 8,254,013,
titled "CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES," filed
March 16, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference and presents examples of
algorithms for
maintaining safe current levels during electrochromic device transitions.
101021 In certain embodiments, the value of Vdrive is chosen based on the
considerations
described above. Particularly, it is chosen so that the value of Veff over the
entire surface of the
electrochromic device remains within a range that effectively and safely
transitions large
electrochromic devices. The duration of Vthive can be chosen based on various
considerations.
One of these ensures that the drive potential is held for a period sufficient
to cause the
substantial coloration of the device. For this purpose, the duration of Vthive
may be determined
empirically, by monitoring the optical density of the device as a function of
the length of time
that Vthive remains in place. In some embodiments, the duration of Vdrive is
set to a specified
time period. In another embodiment, the duration of Vdrive is set to
correspond to a desired
amount of ionic charge being passed. As shown, the current ramps down during
Vdtive. See
current segment 407.
101031 Another consideration is the reduction in current density in the
device as the ionic
current decays as a consequence of the available lithium ions completing their
journey from the
anodic coloring electrode to the cathodic coloring electrode (or counter
electrode) during the
optical transition. When the transition is complete, the only current flowing
across device is
leakage current through the ion conducting material. As a consequence, the
ohmic drop in
potential across the face of the device decreases and the local values of Veff
increase. These
increased values of Veff can damage or degrade the device if the applied
voltage is not reduced.
Thus, another consideration in determining the duration of Vdtive is the goal
of reducing the level
of Veff associated with leakage current. By dropping the applied voltage from
Vdrive to Vheid, not
only is Veff reduced on the face of the device but leakage current decreases
as well. As shown
in Figure 4, the device current transitions in a segment 405 during the ramp
to hold component.
The current settles to a stable leakage current 409 during Vimid=
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101041 Certain embodiments make use of electrical probing and
monitoring to determine
when an optical transition between a first optical state and a second optical
state of an optically
switchable device has proceeded to a sufficient extent that the application of
a drive voltage can
be terminated. In certain embodiments, electrical probing allows for a shorter
application of
drive voltages, at least on average, than possible without probing. Further,
such probing can
help ensure that an optical transition progresses to the desired state.
Embodiments using such
probing or monitoring may be leveraged to determine whether a security-
relevant event has
occurred. Before explaining how this is done, an example process for probing
optical
transitions will be presented.
101051 In certain embodiments, the probing technique involves pulsing the
current or
voltage applied to drive the transition and then monitoring the current or
voltage response to
detect an "overdrive" condition in the vicinity of the bus bars. An overdrive
condition occurs
when the effective local voltage is greater than needed to cause a local
optical transition. For
example, if an optical transition to a clear state is deemed complete when
Veff reaches 2V, and
the local value of Veff near a bus bar is 2.2V, the position near the bus bar
may be characterized
as in an overdrive condition.
101061 One example of a probing technique involves pulsing the applied
drive voltage by
dropping it to the level of the hold voltage (or the hold voltage modified by
an appropriate
offset) and monitoring the current response to determine the direction of the
current response.
In this example, when the current response reaches a defined threshold, the
device control
system determines that it is now time to transition from the drive voltage to
the hold voltage.
Many possible variations to the probing protocol exist. Such variations may
include certain
pulse protocols defined in terms of the length of time from the initiation of
the transition to the
first pulse, the duration of the pulses, the size of the pulses, and the
frequency of the pulses.
101071 In some cases, the probing technique can be implemented using a drop
in applied
current (e.g., measuring the open circuit voltage). The current or voltage
response indicates
how close to completion the optical transition has come. In some cases, the
response is
compared to a threshold current or voltage for a particular time (e.g., the
time that has elapsed
since the optical transition was initiated). In some embodiments, the
comparison is made for a
progression of the current or voltage responses using sequential pulses or
checks. The steepness
of the progression may indicate when the end state is likely to be reached. A
linear extension to
this threshold current may be used to predict when the transition will be
complete, or more
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precisely when it will be sufficiently complete that it is appropriate to drop
the drive voltage to
the hold voltage.
101081 With regard to algorithms for ensuring that the optical
transition from first state to
the second state occurs within a defined timeframe, the controller may be
configured or
designed to increase the drive voltage as appropriate to speed up the
transition when the
interpretation of the pulse responses suggests that the transition is not
progressing fast enough
to meet the desired speed of transition. In certain embodiments, when it is
determined that the
transition is not progressing sufficiently fast, the transition switches to a
mode where it is driven
by an applied current. The current is sufficiently great to increase the speed
of the transition but
is not so great that it degrades or damages the electrochromic device. In some
implementations,
the maximum suitably safe current may be referred to as Isafe. Examples of
Lai, may range
between about 5 and 250 A/cm2. In current controlled drive mode, the applied
voltage is
allowed to float during the optical transition. Then, during this current
controlled drive step,
could the controller periodically probes by, e.g., dropping to the hold
voltage and checking for
completeness of transition in the same way as when using a constant drive
voltage.
101091 In general, the probing technique may determine whether the
optical transition is
progressing as expected. If the technique determines that the optical
transition is proceeding too
slowly, it can take steps to speed the transition. For example, it can
increase the drive voltage.
Similarly, the technique may determine that the optical transition is
proceeding too quickly and
risks damaging the device. When such determination is made, the probing
technique may take
steps to slow the transition. As an example, the controller may reduce the
drive voltage.
101101 In some cases, probing techniques are used for on-the-fly
modification of the optical
transition to a different end state. In some cases, it will be necessary to
change the end state
after a transition begins. Examples of reasons for such modification include
(1) a user's manual
overriding a previously specified end tint state and (2) a widespread
electrical power shortage or
disruption. In such situations, the initially set end state might be
transmissivity = 40% and the
modified end state might be transmissivity = 5%.
101111 Where an end state modification occurs during an optical
transition, the probing
techniques disclosed herein can adapt and move directly to the new end state,
rather than first
completing the transition to the initial end state.
101121 It should be understood that the probing techniques presented
herein need not be
limited to measuring the magnitude of the device's current in response to a
voltage drop (pulse).
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There are various alternatives to measuring the magnitude of the current
response to a voltage
pulse as an indicator of how far as the optical transition has progressed. In
one example, the
profile of a current transient provides useful information. In another
example, measuring the
open circuit voltage of the device provides the requisite information. In such
embodiments, the
pulse involves simply applying no voltage to device and then measuring the
voltage that the
open circuit device applies. Further, it should be understood that current and
voltage based
algorithms are equivalent. In a current based algorithm, the probe is
implemented by dropping
the applied current and monitoring the device response. The response may be a
measured
change in voltage. For example, the device may be held in an open circuit
condition to measure
the voltage between bus bars.
101131 Figure 5 presents a flowchart 541 for a process of monitoring
and controlling an
optical transition in accordance with certain disclosed embodiments. In this
case, the process
condition probed is the open circuit voltage, as described in the previous
paragraph. As
depicted, the process begins with an operation denoted by reference number
543, where a
controller or other control logic receives instructions to direct the optical
transition. As
explained, the optical transition may be an optical transition between a
tinted state and a more
clear state of the electrochromic device. The instructions for directing the
optical transition may
be provided to the controller based upon a preprogrammed schedule, an
algorithm reacting to
external conditions, manual input from a user, etc. Regardless of how the
instructions originate,
the controller may act on them, at the operation denoted by reference number
545, by applying
a drive voltage to the bus bars of the optically switchable device. After
allowing the optical
transition to proceed incrementally, the controller applies open circuit
conditions to the
electrochromic device at operation 547. Next, the controller measures the open
circuit voltage
response at operation 549.
101141 In certain implementations, the open circuit voltage is
measured/recorded after a
timeframe that is dependent upon the behavior of the open circuit voltage. In
other words, the
open circuit voltage may be measured over time after open circuit conditions
are applied, and
the voltage chosen for analysis may be selected based on the voltage vs. time
behavior. As
described above, after application of open circuit conditions, the voltage
goes through an initial
drop, followed by a first relaxation, a first plateau, and a second
relaxation. Each of these
periods may be identified on a voltage vs. time plot based on the slope of
curve. For example,
the first plateau region will relate to a portion of the plot where the
magnitude of dVoc /dt is
relatively low. This may correspond to conditions in which the ionic current
has stopped (or
nearly stopped) decaying. As such, in certain embodiments, the open circuit
voltage used in the
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feedback/analysis is the voltage measured at a time when the magnitude of dVoc
/dt drops
below a certain threshold.
101151 Referring still to Figure 5, after the open circuit voltage
response is measured, it can
be compared to a target open circuit voltage at operation 551. The target open
circuit voltage
may correspond to the hold voltage. In certain cases, the target open circuit
voltage corresponds
to the hold voltage as modified by an offset. Where the open circuit voltage
response indicates
that the optical transition is not yet nearly complete (i.e., where the open
circuit voltage has not
yet reached the target open circuit voltage), the method continues at
operation 553, where the
applied voltage is increased to the drive voltage for an additional period of
time. After the
additional period of time has elapsed, the method can repeat from operation
547, where the
open circuit conditions are again applied to the device. At some point in the
method 541, it will
be determined in operation 551 that the open circuit voltage response
indicates that the optical
transition is nearly complete (i.e., where the open circuit voltage response
has reached the target
open circuit voltage). When this is the case, the method continues at
operation 555, where the
applied voltage is maintained at the hold voltage for the duration of the
ending optical state.
Probing methods are described in greater detail in US Patent No. 9,885,935,
issued February 6,
2018, and titled "CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE
DEVICES," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
Window Control System:
101161 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 the
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
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as, e.g., a WiFi or Li Fi 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.
10117) Figure 6 provides an example of a control network 601 of a window
control system
600. The network may distribute both control instructions and feedback, as
well as serving as a
power distribution network. A master network controller 602 communicates and
functions in
conjunction with multiple intermediate network controllers (NC's) 604, each of
which NC 604
is capable of addressing a plurality of window controllers (WC's) 606
(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 608. Communications between NC's 604, WC's 606,
and
windows 608 may occur via wired (e.g., Ethernet) or via a wireless (e.g., WiFi
or LiFi)
connection. In some implementations, the master network controller 602 issues
the high-level
instructions (such as the final tint states of the electrochromic windows) to
the NC's 604, and
the NC's 604 then communicate the instructions to the corresponding WC's 608.
Typically, a
master network controller 602 may be configured to communicate with one or
more outward
face networks 609. Control network 601 can include any suitable number of
distributed
controllers having various capabilities or functions and need not be arranged
in the hierarchical
structure depicted in Figure 6. As discussed elsewhere herein, control network
601 may also be
used as a communication network between distributed controllers (e.g., 602,
604, 606) that act
as communication nodes to other devices or systems (e.g., 609).
101181 In some embodiments, outward facing network 609 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
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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.
101191 In some embodiments, a control network 601 may itself provide
services to a
building that are typically provided by a BMS. Some or all of controllers 602,
604, and 606
may, in some cases, offer computational resources that can be used for other
building systems.
.. For example, controllers on the window control network may individually or
collectively run
software for one or more BMS applications as described previously. In some
cases, window
control network 601 can provide communication and/or power to other building
systems.
Examples of how a window control network can provide services for monitoring
and/or
controlling other systems in a building are further described in International
Patent application
No. PCT/US18/29460, filed May 25, 2018, and titled "TI NTAB LE WINDOW SYSTEM
FOR
BUILDING SERVICES," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
101201 In some embodiments, network 609 is a remote network. For
example, network 609
may operate in the cloud or on a device remote from the building having the
optically
switchable windows. In some embodiments, network 609 is a network that
provides
information or allows control of optically switchable windows via a remote
wireless device. In
some cases, network 609 includes seismic event detection logic. Further
examples of window
control systems and their features are presented in U.S. Patent Application
No. 15/334,832,
filed October 26, 2016, and titled "CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE
DEVICES" and International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/62634, filed on
November 20,
2017, and titled "AUTOMATED COMMISSIONING OF CONTROLLERS IN A WINDOW
NETWORK," both of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
AUTOMATIC LOCATION DETERMINATION AND AWARENESS OF USERS:
101211 In some embodiments, a window control system enables services
for locating and/or
tracking devices or users carrying such devices. Windows, window controllers,
and other
devices on the window control network can be configured with antennas
configured to
communicate via various forms of wireless electromagnetic signals. Common
wireless
protocols used for electromagnetic communication include, but are not limited
to, Bluetooth,
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BLE, Wi-Fi, RF, and ultra-wideband (UWB). The relative location between two or
more
devices can be determined from information relating to received transmissions
at one or more
antennas. Information that can be used to determine location includes, e.g.,
the received signal
strength, the time of arrival, the signal frequency, and the angle of arrival.
When determining a
device's location from these metrics, a triangulation algorithm may be
implemented that in
some instances accounts for the physical layout of a building. Ultimately, an
accurate location
of individual window network components can be obtained using such
technologies. For
example, the location of a window controller having a UWB micro-location chip
can be easily
determined to within 10 centimeters of its actual location. Geolocation
methods involving
window antennas are further described in PCT Patent Application No's.
PCT/US17/62634 and
PCT/US17/31106, each of which have been incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety. As
used herein, geo-positioning and geolocation may refer to any method in which
the position or
relative position of a window or device is determined in part by analysis of
electromagnetic
signals.
101221 In some cases, window antennas can be used to provide location
services to a user
based on a determined position an associated electronic device. For example, a
field systems
engineer may be provided with information needed for nearby tintable windows.
In some cases,
geopositioning can be used for security applications. For instance, doors may
be locked when
an unauthorized device is located within the building and doors can be
unlocked for security
personnel. In some cases, an unrecognized device (e.g., a cell phone) can be
tracked via
monitoring the signals emitted by the device. For example, an electronic
device might emit
cellular communication signals or might send signals in an attempt to join or
request
information about a local wireless network.
Transparent Displays
101231 In some embodiments, windows may be equipped with transparent
display
technology where the display is located in the viewable region of the window
is substantially
transparent under certain conditions (e.g., when the display is in an "off'
state) or when the
window is viewed from a certain perspective. One embodiment, depicted in
Figure 7, 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, 710, 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, 720, in a tandem fashion. In this example,
electrochromic lite 710
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and display panel 720 are combined using a sealing spacer, 730, to form an
IGU, 700. The
display panel 720 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 may be the other lite
of the IGU. In
typical embodiments, the display panel 720 is, 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 710 and 720, without a sealing
spacer. When the
EC pane and the transparent display are both in their clear state, IGU 700
appears and functions
as a conventional window. Transparent display 720 may have some visually
discernable
.. conductive grid pattern but otherwise is transparent, and can be uni- or
bidirectional in the
display function.
101241 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 may be configured to provide various
types of information
about windows or the building via, e.g., a graphical user interface. 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. 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. As
discussed elsewhere herein, in certain embodiments, the transparent display
can be used as a
physical alarm element that is used to, e.g., detect a broken window or
provide alarm
instructions to building occupants and security personnel.
101251 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
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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 lites (e.g., an EC IGU may be
replaced with an
EC lite or EC laminate, and vice versa).
101261 Figure 8 shows an example of an electrochromic window 800 that
includes an
electrochromic IGU (including electrochromic lite 801 with electrochromic
device 802 disposed
thereon, second lite 803, and an IGU spacer 804 separating the electrochromic
lite 801 from the
.. second lite 803), and a display lite 805. A controller 806 is housed in the
framing 807 that
surrounds and/or supports the electrochromic window 800. Controller 806
includes
electrochromic window control functions as well as display control functions.
These functions
may be independent or coordinated, depending on the need. For example,
activating the display
may override a tint setting of the electrochromic window if a higher contrast
is desired for the
displayed information, a privacy mode is desired for the displayed
information, the displayed
information is desired to be seen by persons outside the building, etc.
101271 In certain embodiments, the transparent display, alone or in
conjunction with the
electrochromic device, can be used for privacy applications. For example, an
electrochromic
device can be adjusted to a dark tint state to reduce light transmission, and
a transparent display
(e.g., an electrowetting display) can be turned to an opaque tint state so
that outsiders cannot see
into the building or room and observe the occupant's activities. In some
cases, a transparent
display that emits light, such as an OLED display, can be used to distract an
outsider or
otherwise make it more difficult for an outsider to see into a building or
room. In some cases,
transparent displays (for privacy, signage, and other applications) can be
located on a separate
film or a separate lite spaced apart from the defining interior and exterior
lites of an IGU.
101281 In this example, the display lite 805 is reversibly mounted to
the electrochromic IGU
through the framing 807. If and when the display lite 805 is to be removed and
replaced, the
framing 807 can be uninstalled, allowing the display lite 805 and the
electrochromic IGU to be
separated from one another and from the framing 807. This may involve
unplugging a
connection between the display lite 807 and the controller 806 (or in other
cases, between the
display lite 807 and another portion of the window such as the EC lite 801 or
EC device 802).
A new display lite can then be provided along with the electrochromic IGU
within the framing
807, and the unit can be re-installed in the building. In some cases, a second
spacer (sometimes
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referred to as a display spacer, not shown) may be provided between the second
lite 803 and the
display lite 805. The second spacer may be used to ensure a uniform distance
between the
second lite 803 and the display lite 805, and, in some embodiments, create a
hermetically-sealed
volume between the display lite 805 and the second lite 803 of the
electrochromic IGU. In
other embodiments, the framing 807 supports and provides the appropriate
spacing between the
EC window and the display. There may be sealing elements (not shown) in
framing 807 to
prevent dust from entering the volume between display 805 and the EC IGU.
101291 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.).
101301 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.
101311 In certain cases, a transparent display is an organic light
emitting diode (OLED)
display. 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 an interior
wall. In certain embodiments, the transparent display component of the IGU 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
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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.
101321 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 may
be 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. In some embodiments, an
electrowetting
display may be configured to turn a transparent window into a partially or
substantially
reflective screen on which images can be projected. For example, cells may be
white and
reflective in their opaque state. In embodiments where the pixels of an
electrowetting display
are configured to transition between optical states simultaneously (e.g., to
provide a projection
screen or a privacy screen) a monolithic electrode may span the dimensions of
an IGU and a
voltage may be applied to the electrode so that the cells transition optical
states at the same
time. In some cases, a projector located within a mullion or somewhere else
within the room
can be used to project an image onto the display. In some embodiments, an
electrowetting
display may be configured to display black pixels. In some embodiments, images
can be seen
on an IGU by contrasting black or colored pixels with the lighter backdrop of
an exterior
environment to create a viewing experience similar to that of a heads-up
display. This may be
useful if a user does not want to obscure a view provided by an IGU. In some
cases, the tint of
an electrochromic window may be manually or automatically adjusted (e.g., to
account for
glare) to create a high contrast image that is also comfortable to look at.
101331 In some cases, a window may have a pixelated or monolithic
passive coating that is
substantially transparent to an observer but is configured to reflect an image
from a projector
located, e.g., within a mullion, transom, or somewhere else in the room. In
some cases, the
passive coating or layer includes a light guide that directs light from a
projector along the
surface of the glass to the location which it is reflected. Transparent
display technology is
further described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29476,
filed May 25, 2018,
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and titled "DISPLAYS FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS," which is herein incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
SENSORS
101341 Tintable windows as described herein are often equipped with
various sensors that
may be used, for example, to monitor environmental conditions, monitor
occupancy, and
receive user input. Sensor input can be used to provide automatic control of a
window or
provide information for controlling other building systems. Sensors may be
located on the
surface of a tintable window, attached to the framing structure of a window,
attached to a
controller on the window network, or otherwise in communication with one or
more controllers
on a window control network (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection). In
some cases, a
window may have sensors on only one side of a window, and in some cases, a
window may
have sensors on both sides of a window (e.g., to monitor an interior and
exterior temperature).
101351 In some cases, a window may be equipped with motion sensors
located on or within
mullions and/or transoms to monitor for occupancy and/or receive user input.
For example,
motion sensors may receive user input related to a graphical user interface on
a transparent
display. 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 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 infrared 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 Si.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 of personal
electronic devices such as tablet computers, smartphones and the like. In
addition to motion
sensors, an optically switchable window may also be equipped with a microphone
located in a
mullion or transom for receiving audible user input. In some cases, a
microphone 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 may be 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 April 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
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be configured with one or more speakers for providing information to a user.
For example, a
speaker 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 Touch114,
manufactured by
Sony Corporation, may be 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. Further examples of using sensors for receiving user
input are described
in International Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29476, which has been
incorporated by
reference in its entirety.
101361 In some embodiments, an IGU may be equipped with environmental
sensors for air
quality monitoring. For example, in some cases, sensors can monitor
particulate matter in the
air. 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.
Additional examples of sensors for monitoring air quality are described in
International Patent
Application No. PCT/US18/29476, which has been incorporated by reference in
its entirety.
101371 In some cases, a window may have light sensors, temperature
sensors, and/or
humidity sensors. These sensors may provide feedback to intelligence logic
used to control
tintable windows in order to maintain preferred environmental conditions. In
some cases,
windows may make use of rooftop sensors such as are described in International
Patent
Application No. PCT/US16/55709, filed October 6, 2016, which has been
incorporated herein
by reference in its entirety, which provides additional description of sensors
on a window
network.
101381 In some cases, sensors are located on or associated with on
glass controllers which
are described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14/951,410, titled "SELF-
CONTAINED EC
IGU" and filed on November 24, 2015, which was previously incorporated by
reference 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,
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e.g., as inputs to window control algorithms when sensors are available in
smart devices also
having window control software installed.
Detection of a damaged tintable window
101391 Tintable windows on a window control network can be used to
provide a building
security platform. For example, as discussed in greater detail herein, a
window controller or
other processing device can monitor for window breakage, cameras associated
with windows
can monitor for intruders, and transparent displays can provide alerts
regarding detected activity
within a building. Windows are located on the skin of a building and are
common targets for
potential intruders, as they are often the weakest portion of a building's
skin. When protecting
against theft and other unwanted forms of intrusion, windows are generally a
primary concern
as they are easily broken. When a window controller is configured to detect
when damage has
occurred and/or when a tintable window is outfitted with deterrent mechanisms
then windows
can be a security asset rather than a vulnerability. In some cases, windows
can be leveraged to
reduce a security risk posed by other entrances to a building. For example,
cameras used to
.. detect user motion may also detect and capture an intruder break in. In
some cases, a window
control system can reduce or eliminate the need for a conventional security
system and save
costs in new building construction or in building renovation. In some cases,
the window control
system can double as a security network that can detect security threats,
communicate security-
related information, and respond to detected security threats.
Security monitoring during normal window operation
101401 Electrochromic windows can be monitored for damage during normal
operation by
monitoring the electrical properties (e.g., monitoring the current or voltage)
of the EC device
coating via the window controller and determining that the electrical
properties are outside an
acceptable range and/or are changing over time at an unacceptable or
unexpected rate. If the
current needed to provide a voltage drive signal is different than expected,
or if the voltage
differs from an expected value when applying a known current, this may be
indicative that
damage has occurred. If a window is damaged, an increased resistance across
the EC device
coating may be detected, and in some cases, e.g., if a tempered window is
shattered, the electric
circuit passing through the window may be completely broken (i.e., resembling
an open circuit).
101411 During normal operation of the tintable window, various electrical
parameters can be
monitored including (i) current during a tint transition, (ii) voltage during
a tint transition, (iii)
open circuit voltage (Voc), and/or (iv) current while Voc is measured. Such
electrical
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parameters may depend on the window type or the window size. In some cases,
these values
may be determined based on window testing performed before the window left the
factory. In
some cases, the expected electrical parameters may depend on the number of
tint cycles that a
window has undergone. In some cases, a window controller is programmed with
threshold
values for one or more monitored electrical characteristics that specify
acceptable upper and/or
lower limits of electrical characteristics for a window. In some cases,
acceptable limits for
electrical parameters are based a monitored history of electrical parameters.
For example, if the
performance of a window slowly changes over the window's lifetime, then the
acceptable
limits for electrical parameters (can be adjusted accordingly. In some cases,
acceptable limits
for electrical properties are based on a deviation from a previous measurement
or set of
measurements. In some cases, a window controller may update the acceptable
limits over the
window's life cycle based on, e.g., the number of tint cycles a window has
undergone and the
monitored electrical data collected during normal operation of the window. In
some cases, the
window control system may monitor the health of a window as a function of the
monitored
electrical parameters. If the window control system determines that a window
is nearing the
end of its life cycle, has a defect, or is exhibiting an electrical
abnormality, the window control
system may generate a service request for the window to be inspected. In some
cases, a field
systems engineer (FSE) may be able to pull up a report on a mobile device to
see a window's
condition when it left the factory, see a record of window maintenance and
reported issues, and
see a history the window's performance based on the measured electrical
parameters. Software
applications and methods for monitoring window health information diagnosing
defects in a
window control system are further described in International Patent
Application No.
PCT/US17/62634, which has been incorporated by reference.
101421 Examples of approaches to making security-related determinations
during normal
operation of optically switchable windows will now be described. Depending on,
e.g., the
preferences of a building administrator, window controllers can be configured
to make these
security-related determinations every second, every few seconds, or at
intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 5,
or 10 minutes to ensure that windows of the building are still intact and have
not been breached
by an intruder. Among the contexts for making such determinations are (1)
normal tint
transitions of a window, (2) monitoring progress of a tint transition such as
described in US
Patent No. 9,885,935 issued February 6, 2018, previously incorporated herein
by reference, (3)
fixed tint states during which a transition is not occurring, and (4) start-up
modes in which the
window controller may operate in a "Voconly" mode.
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101431 During normal tint transitions of a window for example, IN
characteristics may be
measured. Where, for example, the current needed to provide a voltage drive
signal is different
than expected, or if the voltage differs more than expected when applying a
known current, a
security-related determination may be made. For example may be determined that
a broken
window has resulted in an increased resistance, or an open circuit. The
expected I/\'
characteristics may be based on as-delivered window characteristics or on
updated window
characteristics (e.g., a comparison of current IN characteristics to past IN
characteristics;
update expected UV characteristics to be the current IN characteristics). To
compensate for
changes or degradation of the window, a security event detection may be based
on a deviation
from current I/V characteristics (as opposed to a deviation from an earlier
I/V characteristics,
e.g., when window was fabricated or installed). As a result, current health
information of one or
more windows may be provided. The window UV characteristics may be measured,
analyzed,
and updated either locally or remotely, e.g., by a site monitoring system. Use
of machine
learning and data collection may be contemplated in order to improve detection
algorithms.
101441 Monitoring the progress of a tint transition may include open
circuit voltage (Voc)
measurements made when a new tint command is received while the window is
still in
transition. Voc may indicate the charge stored between the EC and CE layers in
the IGU. If a
window is expected to be in a dark tint state (e.g., tint state 2, 3, or 4),
and Voc is smaller than
an expected value for such tint state, provide an indication of a broken or
malfunctioning
window may be provided. When relying only on a Voc measurement alone, a Voc
criteria may
need to be above a certain threshold because of noise in measurement
circuitry. In some
implementations current measurements may be made concurrently with Voc
measurement.
Current measurement may be especially useful when the window is in a clear or
nearly clear
state.
101451 During fixed tint states (i.e., when a transition is not occurring)
steady state leakage
current and/or Voc may be measured. A sudden change in measured current while
holding at a
particular tint state may indicate that the window is partially or fully
broken. For example, a
minor fracture in annealed glass might be sufficient to short circuit EC
layers resulting in a
current spike. If a portion of the glass is broken, the current will decrease.
In the case of
tempered glass in a situation where the glass shatters, the leakage current
might drop to zero. In
some cases, an expected leakage current should be above a threshold voltage to
account for
noise in measurement circuitry, i.e., not suitable for fully clear state.
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101461 Finally, during a start-up mode, open circuit voltage may be
used to measure the
charge stored between the EC and CE layers in the IGU. On initialization or
start-up, Voc may
normally be small and an appropriate threshold value may be smaller than when
the EC window
is in an operational tint state or tint transition. For example, where a Voc
Target has been selected
for an operational tint state or tint transition, a threshold value of 1/n*Voc
Target (with n>2, for
example) may be selected for use at times prior to or upon initialization of
an EC window.
101471 The electrical characteristics of a window (e.g., the measured
current and voltage
data) may be measured and analyzed by the window controller responsible for
applying a tint
transition. In some cases, electrical data measured by a window controller is
transmitted to an
upstream controller in the window network for analysis. For example, with
reference to Figure
6, electrical data can be transmitted to an intermediate network controller
604 or a master
network controller 602 for analysis. If the upstream controller then
determines that adjusted
threshold values are needed, the updated values defining expected electrical
parameters can be
pushed to the respective downstream window controller. In some cases, measured
electrical
data is analyzed by a remote network 609 such as a cloud-based computing
platform. In some
cases, the data is analyzed by a monitoring system which may also monitor the
electrical
performance of windows in other buildings. Such monitoring systems can use
machine learning
techniques (e.g., by making use of user reported incidents) from many windows
across a
plurality of site locations to improve detection algorithms. Site monitoring
systems for
monitoring the performance window control systems are further described in US
Patent
Application No. 15/691,468, Filed August 30, 2017, and titled "MONITORING
SITES
CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS," which is
herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
101481 In some cases, detection of a broken or damaged window is based
at least in part on
.. open circuit voltage (Voc) and/or charge count (Q) measurements taken
during normal window
operation in addition to or instead of measuring leakage current. Charge count
Q refers to an
amount of charge accumulated on an electrochromic layer of an EC device and
may be obtained
by integrating drive current over time, for example. Voc refers to the voltage
across the EC
device coating after a defined period has passed since applying open circuit
conditions. A Voc
measurement is representative of the electric charge stored between the
electrochromic and
counter electrode layers in the EC device coating. As described previously, by
temporarily
removing the drive voltage to simulate open circuit conditions during a tint
transition, Voc
measurements can be used to determine how far the window is in the tint
transition process. In
some cases, Voc can be helpful to determine what drive voltage or current
should be applied
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when a window controller is interrupted mid-transition with a command to
adjust the tintable
window to a different tint state. If a window is in transition and expected to
be in a dark tint
state (e.g., TS 2, TS 3, or TS 4), Voc measurements that are smaller than
expected may be an
indication of a damaged or broken window. Expected Voc values may depend on
the type of
tint transition occurring (e.g., whether the transition is from TS 1 to TS 2,
or from TS 2 to TS 4)
or the time since the transition was initiated. In some cases, current
measurements taken
concurrently with Voc measurements can be used to confirm whether the
monitored electrical
behavior is indicative of a damaged or broken window. In some cases, current
measurements
taken during tint transitions can be used alone to determine whether a window
is damaged.
Current measurements may be helpful, e.g., at substantially clear states where
little to no charge
is stored between the electrochromic and counter electrode layers of the EC
device coating.
101491 In some cases, the steady state leakage current through an EC
device coating can be
used to determine if damage has occurred. For example, a sudden change in the
measured
leakage current may indicate that the window has been partially or fully
broken. If there is a
spike in the monitored leakage current (during steady-state conditions), this
may be indicative
of a short in the EC device coating caused by, e.g., a minor fracture of an
annealed glass
substrate. If a portion of the glass is broken, the current will decrease, and
if a tempered glass
substrate shatters, then the leakage current may drop to zero. Monitoring for
leakage current to
determine damage to the EC device requires that the hold voltage applied to
the window is at
least above a threshold voltage (generally occurring to a tinted optical
state) that depends on,
e.g., the size of the window and the sensitivity of measurement circuitry.
Advantageously, the
above-described techniques for detection of a broken or damaged window may be
executed
without perturbing an apparent optical state of the optically switchable
window (i.e., without
causing a change in the optical properties of the window that is visually
apparent to a casual
observer) and/or without perturbing a process of driving a transition of the
optically switchable
window between optical states.
101501 In some cases an absolute value of a measured current may be
compared to a
specified value, for example, an expected current response (e.g., 10 mA). The
expected current
response may be adjustable by, for example, the window controller, the network
controller, the
master controller, or a combination thereof. In addition, or alternatively, in
some
implementations, the current response may be monitored or sampled at periodic
intervals.
Then, a determination that damage has occurred may be made when a change in
the measured
current over a period of time (e.g., over a number of samples) is observed.
For example, a
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currently measured leakage current may be compared with a previously measured
leakage
current, and a determination made based on a difference between the measured
values.
101511 In low tint states, or substantially clear tint states, the
expected leakage current may
be extremely small, and in some cases, below the noise level of the
measurement circuitry,
making leakage current monitoring problematic for detecting damage. In such
cases,
irrespective of when they arise during a window's operating profile, the
present disclosure may
contemplate measuring window Voc and/or Q, for example. For example,
determining whether
the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include, first,
comparing the
measured leakage current against an expected leakage current of the optically
switchable
window. The expected leakage current may be an adjustable parameter that may
be set or
adjusted from time to time by one or more of a window controller, a network
controller, and a
master controller. The expected leakage current may be or may be based on a
previously
measured leakage current of the optically switchable window. If the measured
current exceeds
the expected value, a determination may be made that the optically switchable
window is not
broken or damaged. If the measured current does not exceed the expected value,
determining
whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include,
second, a further
step of measuring one or both of Voc and/or Q. If one or both of the
magnitudes (absolute
values) of measured Voc and Q exceeds a respective threshold value, the window
may be
regarded as undamaged, notwithstanding that leakage current is very small. The
respective
threshold values may be selectable by one or more of the window controller,
the network
controller, and the master controller.
101521 In some cases, different threshold values may be selected at
different phases of
window operation. For example, prior to or upon initialization of an EC
window, or after a
prolonged period during which the EC window is idle and in a substantially
clear state, a
threshold value for Voc may be selected that is considerably smaller than the
threshold value
selected at other times. For example, where a Voc Target has been selected for
some operational
modes, a threshold value of 1/n*Voc Target (with n>2, for example) may be
selected for use at
times prior to or upon initialization of an EC window, or after a prolonged
period during which
the EC window is idle and in a substantially clear state.
Continuous security monitoring
101531 Previously discussed methods that rely on normal window
operation to generate a
detectable current/voltage signal may not be suitable for continuous 24-7
security monitoring.
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For example, when the EC device is idle and in a substantially clear state,
neither the current
nor the voltage across the EC device may be sufficient to determine whether
damage has
occurred. Typically, windows may be left in a cleared state at night and
during at least some
portions of the day, which means there may be security vulnerabilities during
these times. To
mitigate this problem, an electrical transient (that may be referred to as a
"security
perturbation"), can be applied to the EC device coating independently of any
electrical
transients used for normal tint control. The security perturbations may be
configured to
generate sufficient current and/or voltage data for security monitoring
applications. Monitoring
via the security perturbations can be done apart from or in conjunction with
the described
techniques that rely on window use.
101541 In some cases, a security perturbation involves applying a
voltage and/or current to a
window in a similar manner to when a tint transition is initiated, but the
voltage and/or current
is only applied for a short period, for example about one minute or less, and
does not change or
visibly perturb an apparent optical state of the window (i.e., does not cause
a change in the
optical properties of the window that is visually apparent to a casual
observer). In some cases, a
perturbation results in an optical density (OD) change in the window that is
less than, e.g., 0.3,
0.2, or 0.15. In some cases, voltage and/or current profiles for perturbations
are determined for
a particular window during a testing and calibration process that occurs
before a window leaves
a manufacturing site to verify that any tinting resulting from applied
perturbations is subtle
enough to go unnoticed. Methods of calibrating windows tint levels based on OD
measurements, which can be used in calibration voltage and/or current profiles
for security
perturbations are described in International Patent Application No.
PCT/US17/28443, filed
April 19, 2017, and tiled "CALIBRATION OF ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS IN
OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE WINDOWS," which is herein incorporated by reference in
its
entirety. When a security perturbation is applied (e.g., a voltage/current
ramp or pulse) one or
more of the following electrical characteristics may be monitored: the leakage
current during
the security perturbation, the voltage during the security perturbation, the
Voc after the security
perturbation is applied, the voltage before the security perturbation, and the
leakage current
before and/or after the security perturbation.
101551 In some cases, a voltage profile is applied to the EC device coating
(e.g., a voltage
ramp or constant voltage). The current response can be monitored to see
whether it deviates
from an expected current response and/or a corresponding Voc measurement can
be used to
determine if damage has occurred. For example, an absolute value of a measured
current may
be compared to a specified value, for example, an expected current response
(e.g., 10 mA). The
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expected current response may be adjustable by, for example, the window
controller, the
network controller, the master controller, or a combination thereof. In
addition, or alternatively,
in some implementations, the current response may be monitored or sampled at
periodic
intervals. Then, a determination that damage has occurred may be made when a
change in the
measured current over a period of time (e.g., over a number of samples) is
observed. For
example, a currently measured leakage current may be compared with a
previously measured
leakage current, and a determination made based on a difference between the
measured values.
In some cases, a current profile is applied to the EC device coating, and the
voltage response to
the applied current profile is monitored. In some cases, a slope of the ramp
may be selectable
by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master
controller. For
example, for relatively small windows (area less than 1 square meter, for
example) or relatively
cold for external temperatures (less than 0 C, for exmple), it may be
desirable to provide a
steeper ramp in order to obtain a larger and/or faster current response.
101561 In some cases, a security perturbation may be a modified version
of a voltage profile
used to change the window tint state under normal window operation (see, e.g.,
Figures 3 and 4)
or a voltage profile used by a portable IGU testing device. Portable IGU
testing devices are
described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/66486, filed
December 14, 2017,
and titled "TESTER AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR INSULATED GLASS
UNITS," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some
cases, a security
perturbation may include various features of a drive profile used for tint
transitions including
voltage ramps, voltage holds, current ramps, and current holds. In some cases,
features of a
typical drive profile used for a security perturbation can be compressed,
truncated, or scaled in
magnitude. For example, a hold voltage may be shortened or removed since it is
not desirable
for the security perturbation to cause a noticeable change in tint. When a
tintable window is at
rest and in a substantially clear optical state, security perturbations can be
applied the EC device
coating periodically to verify that no damage has occurred. Depending on,
e.g., the preferences
of a building administrator, window controllers can be configured to apply
security
perturbations every second, every few seconds, or at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2,
5, or 10 minutes to
ensure that windows of the building are still intact and have not been
breached by an intruder.
In some cases, a building administrator can specify a custom interval at which
perturbations are
applied. In some cases, the frequency of security perturbations may be
increased if, e.g., an
infrared camera detects movement outside a window, or a first indication of a
window break is
recognized. In some cases, a security perturbation may be applied for about 10-
30 seconds, 5-10
seconds, or in some cases, less than 5 seconds. In some cases, such as when
security
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perturbations are applied at frequent intervals, perturbations may be followed
by a reverse
signal to balance the charge on the EC device coating. Alternatively, or in
addition, a time
interval between checks may be reduced when there is a first indication of an
anomaly such as a
window break, for example. As an example, if the normal pulsing interval is
30s, if an anomaly
is detected, then a subsequent check may be initiated within a shorter
interval (for example, 10
seconds). In the absence of detecting an anomaly, the normal pulsing interval
(in the present
example, 30 seconds) may be maintained.
101571 In some cases, a security perturbation may be applied as a
square, a sawtooth, or a
sinusoidal waveform to the electrochromic device. Drive voltages for tint
transitions are
typically between about 2-4 V, but ample current data can generally be
collected at much lower
voltages. For example, a security perturbation may involve applying a 600 mV
on-off voltage
to the electrochromic device. With advances in monitoring circuitry
improvements in noise
reduction, security perturbations may involve even lower voltages, e.g., less
than 300 mV or
less than 100 mV. In some cases, an oscillating charge profile is applied
having an offset so
that the security perturbation can be applied continuously without creating a
charge imbalance
and causing tinting of the EC device.
101581 In some implementations, applying a security perturbation
involves applying a high-
frequency signal to the transparent conducting layers of the EC device. The
dimensions,
materials, and other properties of a tintable window create a unique frequency
abortion
spectrum. The frequency absorption spectrum for an EC device coating can be
measured as the
impedance across the EC device as a function of the frequency of the applied
signal. If the
window develops a crack or is otherwise damaged, the frequency absorption
spectrum will
change as a result of the structural change When a high-frequency signal is
applied, it may be
applied as a frequency sweep spanning a large range of frequencies. For
example, the high-
.. frequency signal can sweep frequencies between about I Hz-I kHz, between
about lkHz-IMHz,
and in some cases, frequency ranges greater than 1 MHz. For each frequency
sweep, an
impedance measurement is collected for a plurality of frequencies such that a
characteristic
frequency absorption spectrum can be determined.
101591 Figure 9 depicts an illustrative frequency absorption spectrum
900 for a tintable
window. A first plot 902 shows a frequency absorption spectrum for an intact
and fully
functional window. A second superimposed plot 904 shows a frequency absorption
spectrum
for the window after it has been damaged. In this illustrative example, after
receiving damage,
an increased impedance across the EC device coating is seen across the device
across all
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frequencies. This may indicate that a portion of the window has been broken
out. In some
cases, the impedance may be lessened across all frequencies if, e.g., the EC
device is short-
circuited. When a tintable window is broken or damaged, a shift 906 in one or
more peaks
and/or valleys (i.e., local maximums or local minimums) in the frequency
absorption spectrum
may be observed. Security logic used to determine whether a window has been
damaged may
consider whether a local peak or/valley has reached a threshold magnitude,
whether a local peak
or/valley has shifted by a threshold frequency, and/or whether there has been
a shift in the
impedance across a substantial portion of the frequency spectrum.
101601 In some cases, a high-frequency security perturbation component
may be applied on
top of a drive or hold signal used in normal window operation. In some cases,
a high-frequency
security perturbation signal may be applied periodically between drive or hold
signals.
Generally the amplitude of the high-frequency security perturbations signal is
a fixed voltage,
however, this need not be the case. The magnitude of a high-frequency
perturbation signal may
vary depending on the window type; the magnitude need only to be large enough
to be
distinguished from noise in by the monitoring circuitry. So long as a high-
frequency signal
does not add charge to the EC device over time, it can be applied
continuously; however, in
some cases, it can be applied periodically.
101611 Continuous monitoring via application of security perturbations
may be controlled
by, e.g., a window controller, network controller, a master controller, or a
combination thereof.
Generally, a local window controller is responsible for applying security
perturbations and
detecting whether damage has occurred by monitoring the electrical response
resulting from
security perturbations and/or the electrical response resulting from normal
window operation.
When the local window controller is configured to detect window damage my
based on the
electrical response of a window, it can reduce network traffic imposed on the
window control
network; raw electrical data can be processed locally, rather than having to
be transmitted to
another controller for analysis. In some cases, a window controller may be
responsible for
application of security perturbations and measurement of electrical responses,
but the decision
to issue a security perturbation and/or the analysis of the electrical
response may be performed
by an upstream controller (e.g., a network controller or a master controller)
or a remote site
monitoring system.
101621 Figure 10 is a flowchart depicting a method 1000 that a window
controller can use to
provide continuous (or substantially continuous) security monitoring of a
tintable window.
After starting the process, 1002, the window controller first determines
whether the tintable
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window is undergoing a tint transition, block 1004. If the window is
undergoing a tint
transition, the electrical response of the window can be monitored, block
1010, by, for exmple,
measuring the (i) current during tint transition, (ii) voltage during tint
transition, (iii) open
circuit voltage (Voc), and/or (iv) the current while Voc is being measured. If
it is determined at
block 1004 that the window is not undergoing a tint transition (i.e., the
window is being held at
a particular tint state), the window controller may then determine, at block
1006, whether there
is a sufficient voltage on the EC device coating to monitor an electrical
response. This may
depend, for example, on the tint state the window is being held at. For
example, TS 2, TS 3,
and TS 4 may provide a sufficient voltage to the EC device for security
monitoring while TS 0
and IS 1 may be insufficient. If it is determined that there is a sufficient
voltage applied to the
EC device, the leakage current may be measured at block 1010. If there is not
a sufficient
voltage across the EC device coating, then the window controller may apply, at
block 1008, a
security perturbation to the EC device periodically and/or continuously to in
order to better
measure the electrical response, block 1010.
101631 After an electrical response is measured in operation 1010 (e.g.,
due to a tint
transition, steady-state conditions, or a security perturbation), the response
is analyzed, at block
1012, to detertnine whether the response is within a range of expected
responses. If the
response is within an expected range, the process may restart, at 1002. If it
is determined that
the electrical response is outside an expected range, the window may be
considered to be
damaged and an alert may be issued, block 1014 as described elsewhere herein.
101641 In some cases, building security can be enhanced by the use of
additional sensors in
communication with the window control system. Data provided by sensors can be
used to, e.g.,
augment or validate methods of detecting window damage as described herein or
determine
other safety threats.
101651 In some cases, sensors may be located on a tintable window or the
framing structure
of a tintable window. In some cases, a sensor may utilize a 1-wire bus system
conventionally
used in many EC windows to receive power and transmit information to a window
controller.
A 1-wire bus may, e.g., provide about 3.3 volts and about 10 mA to a window
sensor. In some
cases, a 1-wire bus may have five wires, and at least one of wires is used for
communicating
with a sensor. Such 1-wire bus systems are further described in US Patent
Application No.
13/449,251, and US Patent Application No. 15/334,835, both of which have
previously been
incorporated by reference. In other embodiments, sensors may wirelessly
communicate with a
window controller and/or wirelessly receive power.
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101661 In some embodiments, a window sensor comprises a conductive
feature that spans at
least a portion of the viewable region of the tintable window. A conductive
feature may be,
e.g., an antenna structure, a transparent display, or a capacitive touch
sensor on the surface of
the glass. When conductive features are located on the glass surface, damage
can be detected
when there is a change in the resonant frequency of those features. This can
be done, e.g., in
the manner previously described for monitoring the frequency absorption
spectrum for an EC
device coating. If the conductive feature forms a circuit, damage to the
window can be detected
by determining that the circuit has been broken.
101671 In some cases, an IGU includes a gas sensor that measures the
gas pressure within
the interior volume (see, e.g., 208 in Figure 2). The interior volume of an
IGU is typically held
at a positive pressure, and if it observed that the gas pressure within the
interior region has
decreased below a threshold value or has decreased beyond a threshold rate,
this can be used as
in indication of damage to the IGU. In some cases, gas pressure can be
monitored using an
absolute pressure sensor. In some cases, the gas pressure can be measured
using a differential
pressure sensor such as a MEMS diaphragm based sensors. In some cases, a
differential sensor
can monitor the gas pressure differential between the interior volume of an
IGU and the indoor
air pressure. In some cases, a differential sensor can monitor the gas
pressure differential
between the interior volume of an IGU and the outdoor air pressure. In some
cases, an IGU
includes more than one differential pressure sensor such that the gas pressure
between the
interior volume of the IGU, the environments on both sides on an IGU can be
related.
101681 Figure 11 depicts one implementation of a differential gas
sensor 1110 in an IGU
1100. The IGU 1100 has inner and outer lites (1102 and 1104) with a
hermetically sealed
spacer 1106 between the two lites that separates the interior volume 1114 from
an exterior
environment 1116 (i.e., an indoor environment or an outdoor environment).
Spacer 1108 has a
differential gas sensor 1108 that measures the pressure differential between
the interior volume
1114 and the exterior environment 1116 via capillary tubes 1110 and 1112
exiting the spacer.
Depending on how a window is installed, capillary tube 1110 may measure an
indoor gas
pressure or an outdoor gas pressure.
101691 In some cases, a tintable IGU may make use of one or more gas
sensors, as
described elsewhere herein, for the purpose of air quality monitoring. In some
cases, an IGU
includes one or more gas sensors that are configured to monitor the
concentration of argon gas,
or another inert gas placed within the interior volume of the IGU when
manufactured. If a
window is broken, the break can be detected via a decrease in the
concentration of argon gas (or
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another gas) within the interior region, and/or increase in the concentration
of other gases such
as nitrogen within the interior region. To monitor the concentration of one or
more gas species
within the interior volume, gas sensors (e.g., a metal oxide or an
electrochemical gas sensor)
may be located on the interior lite surface (e.g., 52 or 53). In another case,
a gas sensor can be
located on or within a spacer (see, e.g., spacer 1106 in Figure 11). If
located within the spacer,
a gas sensor may have, e.g., a tube connecting the sensor to the interior
volume of the IGU.
101701 As described above, a tintable window may also have a microphone
or other
acoustic sensor. In some cases, a sensor may be used to receive user input. A
microphone or
acoustic sensor can also be used to look for an acoustic signature of broken
glass. In some
cases, a microphone is located within a window controller. In some cases, a
tintable window
has, e.g., a piezoelectric sensor attached or bonded to a surface of a lite to
measure shock.
101711 In some cases, a window may include an optical sensor to
determine whether a
window has been broken or breached by an intruder. For example, an IGU may
have a laser
located within the spacer that directs a focused light beam to a photoreceptor
that is also located
in the spacer, but on the other side of the viewable region. If, e.g., an
intruder attempts to break
and climb through the window the optical circuit is tripped, and an alert can
be issued.
101721 In some cases, as described previously, a window or window
controller includes
cameras as occupancy sensors. In some cases, a controller on the window
network paired to the
camera is configured to detect user motion or movement. In some cases,
detected movement
can result in security perturbations being provided to an EC device more
frequently and/or
continuously for a period of time.
101731 In some cases, thermal information can be used to help determine
whether a window
has been broken. In some cases, tintable windows, or the window control
system, can be
configured to monitor inside and outside temperatures. If there is a large
temperature
differential between an interior and the exterior environment, a sudden
decrease in the
temperature differential (e.g., a decrease that does not coincide with, an
open door) may be used
to corroborate other information indicating that a window has broken.
101741 In some cases, a window controller may be equipped, e.g., with
an accelerometer or
gyroscope to provide inertial data. Inertial data may be helpful in
determining a security threat,
e.g., if a window can be slid into an open position or located on a glass
door.
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101751 Security logic operating on a window controller or on a window
control network
can, in some cases, detect a broken window based on a measured electrical
response of the
window and data provided via one or more additional sensors as described
herein. The use of
additional sensors can provide an increased reliability to security detection
methods. In the
event that one sensing methods malfunctions (e.g., an IGU connector becomes
unplugged,
disconnecting a window controller from the EC device coating) then other
methods may still be
capable of detecting a broken window. Multiple sensing methods further allow
for data fusion
techniques which can be used to more accurately determine if and to what
extent a window is
damaged, and how the security threat should be classified. In some cases, data
from multiple
sensors can be used to, e.g., validate a determination that a window is
damaged, and in some
cases, the use of additional sensors can be used to determine that one sensor
is not functioning
properly. In some cases, the use of multiple sensors may be used to track an
intruder within a
building. For example, an intruder may be tracked using microphones, cameras,
infrared
sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and determining the location of a mobile device
they carry (e.g., a
cell phone).
101761 Examples of approaches to making security-related determinations
outside the
normal operation of optically switchable windows will now be described. In
some
implementations. A perturbation may be applied to one or more tenable windows,
the
perturbation appearing similar to the first part of a tint transition, while
avoiding a not
noticeably change window tint state. In connection with the perturbation, I/V
characteristics
may be monitored, including one or more of the following: leakage current
during perturbation,
voltage during perturbation, Voc determined because of perturbation, voltage
before/after
perturbation, and leakage current/before or after perturbation. For example,
in one
implementation, a voltage (e.g., a voltage ramp or constant voltage) may be
applied and a
resulting current response may be monitored. For example, during an applied
voltage profile,
the system may measure Voc. A security-related determination may be based on
Voc
measurements and/or the current response to the applied voltage profile. In
another
implementation, a current profile may be applied that does not significantly
change the tint
state, and a resulting voltage response may be monitored.
101771 Such implementations may use a tester waveform such as described
elsewhere
herein (see e.g., International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/66486,
previously incorporated
herein by reference in its entirety) for a duration of, e.g., 5 or 10 seconds.
Advantageously,
perturbations may have a duration that avoids producing a detectable tint
variation. For
example a perturbation may be chosen so that transition results in an optical
density change that
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is not detectable or easily detectable by the human eye. In some embodiments,
the
perturbations may be applied periodically when a window is in fixed tint
state, e.g., every 2, 5,
or 10 minutes. A perturbation might stop after a short period of time (e.g.,
after about five
seconds or about one minute) before reversing the drive signal. In some
implementations, steps
may be taken to ensure that charge is balanced.
101781 In some embodiments perturbations may include applying a square
or sawtooth
voltage wave (the latter waveform being easier in some instances for the
current/voltage
source). The amplitude of the voltage wave may be, e.g., a millivolt range of
on/off voltage (or
tens of millivolts or hundreds of millivolts). For example, where a normal
drive voltage is
between about 2 -4 V, a, smaller drive voltages may be employed, e.g., about
600mV may be
sufficient to provide ample current data.
101791 In some embodiments a shift in frequency absorption and/or IGU
impedance vs.
frequency may be checked. The structure of an IGU (dimensions, materials,
etc.) gives it a
unique frequency abortion spectrum to an applied AC drive signal. When there
is a failure or
break within the window, then the frequency absorption spectrum changes as a
result of the
structural change. An AC signal, for example, may be applied on top of a drive
or hold signal.
The signal may be applied periodically between drive or hold signals. The
amplitude of the AC
signal may be a fixed voltage sufficient to produce enough current
distinguishable from noise.
The AC signal may be applied continuously or periodically, so long as the
window is powered.
The AC signal, advantageously, sweeps a large range of frequencies, e.g., 1Hz-
lkHz, 1kHz-
1MHz. Changes in the frequency absorption profile may be detected, for
example, by noting a
threshold dB change at a particular frequency and/or a shift in an attenuation
peak frequency.
101801 Monitoring at times other than normal operation may be
controlled by the Master
Controller (MC), Network Controller (NC), Window Controller (WC), etc. IGU
perturbations
may, advantageously, be controlled locally by a WC. This may reduce the
communication load
on the MC/window network that would otherwise require a constant flow of
communication
signals. An example logic may conclude that if a window is not in transition
AND window
voltage is below a critical threshold, then apply perturbation and monitor a
response (i.e., take
advantage of normal IGU driving signals when sufficient, and if IGU driving
signal is
insufficient then apply a perturbation signal).
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Responses and deterrent mechanisms:
101811 If a window controller determines that damage has occurred to a
tintable window,
the damage can be reported to other controllers on the window control network
including, e.g.,
network controllers and master controllers. In some cases, a broken or damaged
window can be
communicated via a BACnet interface conventionally used as a backbone for
window control
networks. In some cases, a master controller can report a broken window to a
site monitoring
system or a network operations center.
101821 In some cases, a window control system can be configured so that
a broken or
damaged window triggers an alert. For example, an alert may be provided to the
local police or
a security guard. An issued alert may indicate, e.g., that the window on the
first floor on the
east side of a building has been broken and that there are two intruders. In
cases where security
personnel are alerted, geofencing techniques may be used to determine which
security personnel
are the closest to the broken window and are responsible for investigating the
situation.
101831 In some cases, in addition to, or independent of an alert, a
window control system is
configured to automatically generate a return merchandise authorization (RMA)
order
notification upon detection of window breakage or a window malfunction. In
some cases, the
window control system can be configured to automatically generate a
service/case record to a
service center or technician, to a subject window installation site manager,
and/or to a customer
service/project manager assigned to the site, one or more of which who can
then more
efficiently coordinate replacement of a broken or a malfunctioning window. RMA
generation
in this manner allows orders for windows to be quickly entered into a window
suppliers supply
chain, can facilitate faster service and repair, and can provide improved
customer satisfaction.
In some cases, an intervening step of review by a user can be required prior
to automatic
generation of an RMA and/or a service/case record. In some cases, the window
control system
can be configured to generate an alarm in the form of an alert action. The
alert action may
cause one or more of the following to be performed automatically and/or
without interaction of
a human: ordering a replacement optically switchable window, notifying a
window supplier to
ship a replacement optically switchable window, notifying an optically
switchable window
repair technician to repair the window, notifying a manager of a building in
which the optically
switchable window is installed that there is an issue related to the window,
notifying monitoring
personnel to open a service case/record, and generating an RMA.
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101841 In certain cases, windows with transparent displays can be used
as a physical alarm
element or a deterrent mechanism. A transparent display can, alone or in
combination with the
electrochromic lite, be used as a breakage detection sensor. In some cases, a
transparent display
can be used as a visual alarm indicator, e.g., displaying information to
occupants and/or external
emergency personnel. For example, a map of the building may be displayed that
highlights
what window has been broken, what actions have been taken (e.g., what doors
are locked), and
what response is appropriate for a building occupant (e.g., should the
occupant stay put or
evacuate the building). In some cases, if a potential intruder is detected
outside a building (e.g.,
using a camera), a transparent display may be used to warn the potential
intruder that they are
being watched.
101851 In some cases, an alarm may trigger a change in lighting. For
example, if it is
determined that a broken window corresponds to a burglary event, the lights in
the
corresponding room can be turned on or changed to a different color to
indicate where the
intruder is. In some case, the lighting in other rooms may be dimmed to help
security personnel
know where an intruder is. In some case, a building may be equipped with one
or more safe
rooms for building occupants where the lighting is turned off. In some cases,
exterior lighting
can be turned on, or a ring sensor light on the rooftop of a building can be
turned on. In some
cases, an alert can trigger a lighting response provided via one or more
transparent displays in a
building (e.g., transparent OLED displays which can be used to provide
lighting). In one
embodiment, a transparent display can be used to flash a warning message
(e.g., the entire
transparent display pane may flash brightly in red) to indicate trouble and be
easily seen. For
instance, 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. In some
embodiments, the windows may be responsive to signals from emergency personnel
such as
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police or other first responders. For example, in recent years public
buildings where civilians
gather such as schools, churches, clubs, have been targeted by armed
assailants ("active
shooters"), and the present techniques may be adapted to assist first
responders to such
incidents. For example, windows may, responsive to signals from the first
responders, be
caused to change tint state. First responders may be enabled to more quickly
determine the
locations of assailant(s) and/or victim(s) using information provided by
windows equipped with
acoustic sensors, IR or vision cameras and/or motion sensors. In some
embodiments, a first
responder may cause a window to display a "shelter in place", "evacuate" or
"all clear" message,
for example.
101861 In some cases, an alarm can trigger a tint change in one more
windows of a building.
For example, the windows near a damaged window (and in some cases, the damaged
window
itself) may be adjusted to a clear state to help security personnel in
locating an intruder. In
some cases, other windows of a building (e.g., interior windows) may be
darkened to protect
building occupants from being viewed by an intruder. In cases, where windows
have
electrowetting displays, displays may be set to an opaque state to protect
building occupants
from being viewed by an intruder.
101871 Examples of contexts and processes for security-related
responses and deterrent
mechanisms will now be described. In some embodiments a security-related
condition alert
may be reported to a Master Controller. The condition alert may be reported
over BACnet
interface, for example and may be used to trigger an alarm and/or may be
forwarded to a
Network operations center (NOC). The alert/notification may be displayed on-
glass, e.g., on an
adjacent window. In some embodiments, alert/notification of an intruder may be
generated
whether or not a glass is broken, for example based on, e.g., capacitive
sensors, IR cameras, etc.
One or more windows incorporating a transparent display may be configured to
display a
photograph/video of an intruder. The master controller and/or the NOC may be
configured to
take further action such as alerting police, alerting an appropriately located
security guard, using
geotracking, for example. Advantageously, any alert may include the specific
location of the
broken IGU and/or intruder.
101881 Additional actions may include notifying a site operations team
to open a service
case/record, generate an RMA order, and or alert one or more of a site
customer service
manager, project manager, building manager, window supplier, and service
technician. Yet
further actions may include adjusting building illumination, locally or
globally. For example,
lights in a room with a broken IGU may be turned on or lights in another room
may be darkened
CA 03102449 2020-12-02
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PCT/US2019/035544
to make it easier to see where intruder is. As a further example, the building
may have lights
darkened in a safe room. As still further examples, exterior building lighting
may be turned on
and/or a ring sensor light on the top of the building may be turned on. In
some
implementations, an IOU may include LEDs that flash when the I GU is broken.
The LEDs
may be powered by capacitors, in some instances.
101891 Yet further actions may include changing tint state of one or
more windows. For
example windows surrounding the intrusion site (and, if possible, the broken
window) may be
cleared so as to improve ability to see where the intruder is located.
Alternatively, surrounding
windows (and, if possible, the broken window) may be darkened so as to protect
building
occupants from being viewed by intruder.
101901 Finally, the master controller, the NOC and/or the BMS, may be
configured to lock
doors to room with so as to online an intruder to a portion of the building.
Conclusion:
101911 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 and 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.
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. Thus,
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.
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