Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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VIRTUALLY VIEWING DEVICES IN A FACILITY
PRIORITY APPLICATIONS
[0001]
This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
63/109,306, filed November 3, 2020, titled "ACCOUNTING FOR DEVICES IN A
FACILITY;"
and from U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/214,741, filed June
24, 2021,
titled "VIRTUALLY VIEWING DEVICES IN A FACILITY." This application also claims
priority
as a Continuation-in-Part of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US21/27418,
filed April 15, 2021, titled "INTERACTION BETWEEN AN ENCLOSURE AND ONE OR
MORE OCCUPANTS;" International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US21/33544,
filed
May 21, 2021, titled "ENVIRONMENTAL ADJUSTMENT USING ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE;" and International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US21/30798,
filed
May 5, 2021, titled "DEVICE ENSEMBLES AND COEXISTENCE MANAGEMENT OF
DEVICES". This application also claims priority as a Continuation-in-Part of
U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 16/946,947, filed July 13, 2020, titled, "AUTOMATED
COMMISSIONING OF CONTROLLERS IN A WINDOW NETWORK," that is a National
Stage Entry of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US17/62634,
filed November
20, 2017, titled, "AUTOMATED COMMISSIONING OF CONTROLLERS IN A WINDOW
NETWORK." This application also claims priority as a Continuation-in-Part of
U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 17/211,697 filed March 24, 2021, titled "COMMISSIONING
WINDOW
NETWORKS," that is a continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
15/727,258, filed
October 6, 2017, titled, "COMMISSIONING WINDOW NETWORKS." This application
also
claims priority as a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial
No. 17/450,091
filed October 06, 2021, titled "MULTI-SENSOR HAVING A LIGHT DIFFUSING ELEMENT
AROUND A PERIPHERY OF A RING OF PHOTOSENSORS," that is a continuation of U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 16/871,976 filed May 11, 2020, titled "ADJUSTING
WINDOW
TINT BASED AT LEAST IN PART ON SENSED SUN RADIATION," that is a continuation
of
U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/998,019 filed October 06, 2015, now U.S.
Patent Serial
No. 10,690,540 issued June 23, 2020, titled "MULTI-SENSOR HAVING A LIGHT
DIFFUSING ELEMENT AROUND A PERIPHERY OF A RING OF PHOTOSENSORS." This
application also claims priority as a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. Patent
Application Serial No.
16/696,887 filed November 26, 2019, titled "SENSING SUN RADIATION," that is a
continuation of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/287,646, filed October
6, 2016, now
U.S. Patent Serial No. 10,533,892 issued January 14, 2020, titled "MULTI-
SENSOR," that is
a Continuation in Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/998,019 filed
October 06,
2015, now U.S. Patent Serial No. 10,690,540 issued June 23, 2020, titled
"MULTI-SENSOR
HAVING A LIGHT DIFFUSING ELEMENT AROUND A PERIPHERY OF A RING OF
PHOTOSENSORS." This application also claims priority as a Continuation-in-Part
of (i) U.S.
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Patent Application Serial No. 17/380,785 filed July 20, 2021, titled "WINDOW
ANTENNAS,"
and to (ii) U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 17/385,810, filed July 26,
2021, titled "WINDOW
ANTENNAS," which both (i) and (ii) claim priority to U.S. Patent Application
Serial No.
16/099,424, filed November 6, 2018, titled "WINDOW ANTENNAS," that is a
National Stage
Entry of International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May
4, 2017,
titled, "WINDOW ANTENNAS." This application also claims priority as a
Continuation-in-
Part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 16/980,305, filed September 11,
2020, titled
"WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," that is a
National Stage Entry of International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US19/22129, filed
March 13, 2019, titled "WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC
WINDOWS." Each of the patent documents recited above is incorporated herein by
reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Some tintable windows can be electronically controlled. Such control
may allow
control of the amount of light (e.g., heat) that passes through the windows,
and presents an
opportunity for tintable windows to be used as energy-saving devices by
adjusting (e.g.,
absorbing, dispersing, and/or reflecting) the amount of passing light. There
are various types
of tintable windows, e.g., electrochromic windows.
[0003] Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits a
reversible
electrochemically-mediated change in an optical property when placed in a
different
electronic state, e.g., by being subjected to a voltage change. The optical
property can be
color, transmittance, absorbance, and/or reflectance. Electrochromic materials
may be
incorporated into, for example, windows for home, commercial and/or other
uses. The
electrochromic coating can be a (e.g., thin) film coatings on the windowpane.
The color,
transmittance, absorbance, and/or reflectance of such windows may be changed
by inducing
a change in the electrochromic material, for example, electrochromic windows
are windows
that can be darkened or lightened electronically. In some embodiments, a
(e.g., small)
voltage applied to an electrochromic device (EC) of the window will cause them
to darken;
reversing the voltage polarity causes them to lighten.
[0004] While electrochromism was discovered in the 1960's, electrochromic
devices, and
particularly electrochromic windows, still suffer various problems and have
not begun to
realize their full commercial potential despite many recent advancements in
electrochromic
technology, apparatus, software, and related methods of making and/or using
electrochromic
devices.
[0005] Commissioning, maintenance, and/or customer satisfaction regarding
devices (e.g.,
tintable windows) and associated controllers remains a problem, especially in
large facilities
having multiple such windows and/or controllers. Locating an error in
placement of the
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window, controller and/or connection of a controller to a designated window,
may prove time
and labor consuming to locate and rectify. Similarly, locating of a
malfunctioning window,
controller and/or connection of a controller to a designated window, (e.g.,
for maintenance,
upgrade and/or replacement) may be time and labor consuming.
[0006] The tintable windows (e.g., comprising electrochromic devices),
electronic
ensembles (e.g., containing various sensors, actuators, and/or communication
interfaces),
and/or associated controllers (e.g., master controllers, network controllers,
and/or other
controllers, e.g., responsible for tint decisions) may be interconnected in a
hierarchical
network, e.g., for purposes of coordinated control (e.g., monitoring). For
example, one or
more controllers may need to utilize the network address of the window
controller(s)
connected to specific windows or sets of windows. To this end, a function of
commissioning
is performed to provide correct assignment of window controller addresses
and/or other
identifying information to specific windows and window controllers, as well
the physical
locations of the windows and/or window controllers in buildings. In some
cases, a goal of
commissioning is to correct mistakes or other problems made in installing
windows in the
wrong locations or the connecting of cables to the wrong window controllers.
The
commissioning process for a particular window (e.g., insulated glass unit
(IGU)) may involve
associating an identification (ID) for the window, or other window-related
component, with a
network address of its corresponding window controller. The process may (e.g.,
also) assign
a building location and/or absolute location (e.g., latitude, longitude and/or
elevation) to the
window or other component.
[0007] During commissioning of devices in a facility, one or more devices
(e.g., target
devices) may be misplaced. For example, identical devices may be installed
which can (e.g.,
only) be differentiated from one another by the installer, e.g., by consulting
an external label
having an inscribed serial number, bar code, Quick Response (QR) code, radio
frequency
identification (RF ID), and/or other printed information. If locations for
each specific device
are specified in advance, significant effort (e.g., labor and cost) may be
required to ensure
correct placement. If not specified in advance but manually recorded
afterwards, significant
effort (e.g., labor and cost) may again be required. Such effort is increased
(i) with increased
number of devices and (ii) with increase size and/or complexity of the
facility in which the
devices are located (e.g., disposed). A digital model and/or other file may be
associated with
the facility and the devices (e.g., a Building Information Model (BIM) (e.g.,
Revit file,
Microdesk (e.g., ModelStream), IMAGINiT, ATG USA, or similar facility related
digital file).
The digital model and/or file may be referred to herein as a "digital twin" of
the facility. When
the devices are numerous, that task of locating any misplaced device and
updating the
digital twin becomes tedious, time consuming, expensive, and prone to human
error (e.g.,
due to manual typing). At least partially automate the process of location and
documenting
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the devices during and/or after the commissioning process may afford at least
some relief to
such tasks. Such at least partially automated process will increase the
likelihood that the
digital twin of the facility indicating the devices (e.g., assets) therein, is
accurate. Such
process will simplify forming a centralized file integrating all assets of the
facility, which will
aid tenants and customer support personnel responsible for the facility and/or
devices
therein.
[0008] In some instances, a marketing team member, sales team member, and/or
Customer Success Manager (CSM) does not have a tool (e.g., an automatic tool)
incorporating various devices in the facility they are addressing during their
service. In some
cases, initial BIM files (such as Autodesk Revit file) may be static and
incorporate
architectural elements of a facility, but not devices installed in the
facility, let alone updated
status of such devices. Substantial manpower may be required to translate an
architectural
plan to a digital twin. For example, 3D architectural model may at times are
manually build to
corresponding 3D architectural models. The devices may be manually inserted
therein.
Ground truth validation (e.g., from a field service engineer) may be required
for device data
in the digital twin.
[0009] A digital twin of the facility (e.g., automatically) integrating
devices installed therein
(which digital twin may be updated to reflect real time, or substantially real
time status), may
not only aid in deployment and maintenance of the facility and/or devices
therein, but also
may serve a tool for the CSM, e.g., when interacting with customers or
potential customers.
The digital twin may be a BIM that is supplemented with device related
information, or may
incorporate the BIM data. Such digital twin (e.g., visible using an app) may
facilitate facility
management at various levels. At times, input from building occupants may
server as a
feedback tool to customize control of the facility (e.g., control devices in
the facility). Input
from customers and/or from the CMS (e.g., through the app) may feed into
control of the
facility (e.g., devices of the facility), e.g., using the digital twin. The
digital twin may offer
(e.g., intuitive and/or visual) proofing tool prior to commissioning various
aspects of the
facility. The digital twin may offer a virtual reality experience of the
facility (including its
assets such as devices) to a user of the software application.
SUMMARY
[0010] According to some aspects, disadvantages of the prior art are overcome
using a
traveler (e.g., field service engineer or robot such as a drone) to recognize
an identity of the
target device (e.g., asset) according to its identification code(s) along with
its location in the
facility (e.g., in real time), and automatically update this information in a
digital twin of the
enclosure (e.g., virtual three-dimensional model of an enclosure) and/or the
BIM for
automatic update to form an updated BIM (e.g., Revit(R) file). In some
embodiments, the
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updated BIM will be compared with a prior version (e.g., the original) BIM for
any
discrepancies, which may be reported or otherwise addressed.
[0011] In some aspects, capturing the ID code may be by a mobile device, the
mobile
device may present (e.g., using augmented reality) an emulation of fixtures of
the facility
around the traveler (e.g., in real time) with or without an emulation of
traveler, e.g., using a
digital twin. For example, the mobile device may present at least a portion of
the digital twin
of the enclosure.
[0012] In some aspects, the device to be located (e.g., target device) may or
may not be
operatively coupled to a communication and/or power network. The device to be
located
may comprise a tintable window, a sensor, an emitter, a media display
construct, an
antenna, a router, a transceiver, a controller (e.g., microcontroller), a
processor, a table, a
chair, a door, a lighting, a heater, a ventilator, a lighting, an air-
conditioning device, an alarm,
or any other identifiable device associated with the facility. The target
devices may be
include a fixture (e.g., window or non-movable furniture such as a shelf)
and/or non-fixture
(e.g., movable furniture).
[0013] In some aspects, the target device may be represented in the digital
twin or may be
added to the digital twin using the mobile device. The digital twin may
include or be
operatively (e.g., communicatively) coupled to the BIM. The target device can
be disposed
(e.g., located) at a designated location or at a random location in the
facility.
[0014] In some aspects, the digital twin may be utilized for building
automation, analysis,
customer service, customer management, sales, marketing, and/or asset
lifecycle
management. The digital twin may be utilized for control of various devices in
the facility
and/or of an environment of the facility (e.g., lighting system, security
system, safety system,
heating, air conditioning, and/or ventilation (e.g., HVAC system). The digital
twin may be
operatively coupled to a building management system (BMS).
[0015] In another aspect, a method of registering one or more real target
devices, the
method comprises: (A) identifying a location information of a real target
device at least in
part by (i) using a mobile device to select a virtual target device in a
virtual representation of
an enclosure in which the real target device is disposed, which virtual target
device is a
virtual representation of the real target device, which real target device is
included in the one
or more real target devices disposed in the enclosure, and/or (ii) using
geographic
information locating the real target device; (B) using an identification
capture device to
capture an identification code of the real target device, which identification
code is attached
to the real target device; and (C) registering the real target device at least
in part by linking
(I) the identification code, (II) the location information, and (Ill) the
virtual representation of
the enclosure.
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[0016] In some embodiments, the virtual representation of the enclosure is an
augmented
reality. In some embodiments, the virtual representation of the enclosure is
displayed on the
mobile device. In some embodiments, the virtual representation includes
virtual
representations of at least some of the one or more real target devices. In
some
embodiments, the method further comprises navigating within the virtual
representation of
the enclosure according to movement of the mobile device in the enclosure. In
some
embodiments, the mobile device is transported by a traveler within the
enclosure, and
wherein a zoomed view in the virtual augmented reality representation is
presented on a
display of the mobile device in real time to depict a virtual representation
of the real target
device based at least in part on a present location of the traveler. In some
embodiments, the
traveler is a human. In some embodiments, the traveler is a robot having image
recognition
capabilities. In some embodiments, the method further comprises updating the
virtual
representation of the enclosure according to the registering of the target
device. In some
embodiments, the virtual representation of the enclosure is derived from
and/or comprises
an architectural model of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the method
further
comprises updating the architectural model according to registration of the
real target device.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises determining a status of the
real target
device at least in part by utilizing the virtual representation of the
enclosure, the virtual
representation of the real target device, and associated information obtained
through utilizing
the capture device. In some embodiments, the associated information is linked
to the real
target device and/or to the enclosure. In some embodiments, the associated
information is
obtained from a source which is identified as a result of the capture by the
identification
capture device. In some embodiments, the source is at least one server file
linked by the
identification code. In some embodiments, the method further comprises (a)
initiating
servicing of the real target device when the status determined indicates a
servicing need,
and (b) updating the status determined upon completion of the servicing. In
some
embodiments, the geographic information is an absolute information. In some
embodiments,
the absolute information is derived at least in part from a Global Positioning
System (GPS)
receiver or from a ultrawide band (UWB) receiver. In some embodiments, the
geographic
information is a relative location in the virtual representation of the
enclosure. In some
embodiments, the relative location is referenced to a fixture of the
enclosure. In some
embodiments, the identification capture device is mobile. In some embodiments,
the
identification capture device captures the identification code optically
and/or electronically. In
some embodiments, the identification code includes a barcode and/or a quick
response (QR)
code. In some embodiments, the identification code includes at least one or
two dimensional
code. In some embodiments, the identification code includes an electromagnetic
code. In
some embodiments, when identifying the location information, the real target
device lacks a
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corresponding virtual target device representation in the virtual
representation of the
enclosure. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the
identification code
to populate (a) the virtual representation of the enclosure and/or (b) at
least one associated
database of the virtual representation of the enclosure, with: a virtual
representation of the
real target device and/or associated information of the real target device. In
some
embodiments, the identification code is linked in the at least one associated
database to the
virtual representation of the real target device and/or the associated
information about the
real target device. In some embodiments, the at least one associated database
comprises a
lookup table. In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting the
virtual
representation of the real target device from a plurality of selections
presented by the mobile
device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises selecting the
identification code
of the real target device from a plurality of identification codes presented
by the mobile
device. In some embodiments, the method further comprises transmitting the
captured
identification code to at least one database for storing and/or operatively
coupled to the
virtual representation of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the enclosure
includes a
network. In some embodiments, the mobile device is communicatively coupled in
a wired
and/or wireless manner to the at least one database via the network. In some
embodiments,
the network is communicatively coupled to the real target device. In some
embodiments, the
network is a hierarchical network comprising a plurality of controllers. In
some embodiments,
the network provides power and communication, which network is configured for
at least
fourth (4G) or at least fifth (5G) generation cellular communication. In some
embodiments,
the network is configured for media and/or video transmission using coaxial
cables, optical
wires, and/or twisted wires. In some embodiments, the mobile device is
included in a
handheld pointing device. In some embodiments, the mobile device is included
in a mobile
phone. In some embodiments, the mobile device is included in a tablet
computer.
[0017] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable media for
registering one or
more real target devices, the non-transitory computer readable media, when
read by one or
more processors, is configured to execute operations of any of the above
methods.
[0018] In another aspect, an apparatus for registering one or more real target
devices, the
apparatus comprising at least one controller having circuitry, which at least
one controller is
configured to: (A) operatively couple to an identification capture device and
to a virtual
representation of an enclosure in which the one or more real target devices
are disposed;
(B) receive, or direct receipt of, location information of a real target
device at least in part by
(i) selection of a virtual target device in a virtual representation of an
enclosure in which the
real target device is disposed, which virtual target device is a virtual
representation of the
real target device, which real target device is included in the one or more
real target devices,
and/or (ii) geographic information locating the real target device; (C)
receive, or direct receipt
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of, identification information of the real target device from the
identification capture device
configured to capture an identification code of the real target device, which
identification
code is attached to the real target device; and (D) register, or direct
registration of, the real
target device at least in part by linking, or direct linkage of, (I) the
identification code, (II) the
location information, and (III) the virtual representation of the enclosure.
[0019] In some embodiments, the least one controller is configured to
generate, or direct
generation of, the virtual representation of the enclosure as an augmented
reality. In some
embodiments, the least one controller is configured to display, or direct
display of, the virtual
representation of the enclosure on the mobile device. In some embodiments, the
virtual
representation includes virtual representations of at least some of the one or
more real target
devices. In some embodiments, the least one controller is further configured
to navigate, or
direct navigation of, within the virtual representation of the enclosure
according to movement
of the mobile device in the enclosure. In some embodiments, the mobile device
is
transported by a traveler within the enclosure, and wherein the least one
controller is
configured to present, or direct presentation of, a zoomed view in the virtual
augmented
reality representation on a display of the mobile device in real time to
depict a virtual
representation of the real target device based at least in part on a present
location of the
traveler. In some embodiments, the traveler is a human. In some embodiments,
the traveler
is a robot having image recognition capabilities. In some embodiments, the
least one
controller is further configured to update, or direct update of, the virtual
representation of the
enclosure according to the registering of the real target device. In some
embodiments, the
virtual representation of the enclosure is derived from and/or comprises an
architectural
model of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the least one controller is
further configured
to update, or direct update of, the architectural model according to
registration of the real
target device. In some embodiments, the least one controller is further
configured to
determine, or direct determination of, a status of the real target device at
least in part by
utilizing (i) the virtual representation of the enclosure, (ii) the virtual
representation of the real
target device, and (iii) associated information obtained through utilizing the
capture device.
In some embodiments, the associated information is linked to the real target
device and/or to
the enclosure. In some embodiments, the least one controller is further
configured to obtain,
or direct obtaining of, the associated information from a source which is
identified as a result
of the capture by the identification capture device. In some embodiments, the
source is at
least one database file linked by the identification code. In some
embodiments, the least one
controller is further configured to (a) initiate servicing of, or direct
initiating servicing of, the
real target device when the status determined indicates a servicing need, and
(b) update, or
direct update of, the status determined upon completion of the servicing. In
some
embodiments, the geographic information is an absolute information. In some
embodiments,
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the least one controller is further configured to derive, or direct derivation
of, the absolute
information at least in part from a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver
or from a
ultrawide band (UWB) receiver. In some embodiments, the geographic information
is a
relative location in the virtual representation of the enclosure. In some
embodiments, the
least one controller is further configured to reference, or direct referencing
of, the relative
location to a fixture of the enclosure. In some embodiments, the
identification capture device
is mobile. In some embodiments, the least one controller is configured to
direct the
identification capture device to capture the identification code optically
and/or electronically,
which controller is operatively coupled to the identification capture device.
In some
embodiments, the identification code includes a barcode and/or a quick
response (QR) code.
In some embodiments, the identification code includes at least one or two
dimensional code.
In some embodiments, the identification code includes an electromagnetic code.
In some
embodiments, when the location information is identified, the real target
device lacks a
corresponding virtual target device representation in the virtual
representation of the
enclosure. In some embodiments, the least one controller is further configured
to use, or
direct using, the identification code to populate (a) the virtual
representation of the enclosure
and/or (b) at least one associated database of the virtual representation of
the enclosure,
with (i) a virtual representation of the real target device and/or (ii)
associated information of
the real target device. In some embodiments, the identification code is linked
in the at least
one associated database to the virtual representation of the real target
device and/or the
associated information about the real target device. In some embodiments, the
at least one
associated database comprises a lookup table. In some embodiments, the least
one
controller is further configured to facilitate selection of the virtual
representation of the real
target device from a plurality of selections presented by the mobile device.
In some
embodiments, the least one controller is further configured to facilitate
selecting the
identification code of the real target device from a plurality of
identification codes presented
by the mobile device. In some embodiments, the least one controller is further
configured to
communicate, or direct communication of, the captured identification code to
at least one
database storing and/or operatively coupled to the virtual representation of
the enclosure. In
some embodiments, the enclosure includes a network. In some embodiments, the
mobile
device is communicatively coupled in a wired and/or wireless manner to the at
least one
database via the network. In some embodiments, the network is communicatively
coupled to
the real target device. In some embodiments, the network is a hierarchical
network
comprising a plurality of controllers. In some embodiments, the network
provides power and
communication, which network is configured for at least fourth (4G) or at
least fifth (5G)
generation cellular communication. In some embodiments, the network is
configured for
media, video, and/or power transmission using coaxial cables, optical wires,
and/or twisted
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wires. In some embodiments, the mobile device is included in a handheld
pointing device. In
some embodiments, the mobile device is included in a mobile phone. In some
embodiments,
the mobile device is included in a tablet computer.
[0020] In another aspect, a method for simulating a real facility, the method
comprises: (i)
generating a digital twin of a real facility at least in part by using a
virtual architectural model
of a real facility; (ii) populating at least one device of the real facility
in the digital twin at a
virtual location that corresponds to its real location in the real facility,
which at least one
device is controllable; and (iii) simulating, or directing simulation of,
effect of at least one
environmental attribute on the real facility.
[0021] In some embodiments, populating into the digital twin is a virtually
populating (e.g.,
as opposed to physically connecting), such as establishing a virtual
representation of the
one or more devices in the digital twin. In some embodiments, the
environmental attribute
comprises lighting, radiation, temperature, gas velocity, gas flow, gas
content, gas
concentration, gas pressure, sound, volatile organic compounds, or particulate
matter. In
some embodiments, the irradiation is an external radiation impinging on the
real facility
and/or penetrating the real facility. In some embodiments, the gas comprises
oxygen, carbon
dioxide, carbon monoxide, radon, oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen sulfide, one or
more nitrogen
oxide pollutants (NO), or water vapor. In some embodiments, the method further
comprises
displaying the digital twin as it is affected by the environmental attribute
on a user interface
to visualize the digital twin in a facility visualizer. In some embodiments,
the simulation is a
time varied simulation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
saving the time
varied simulation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises using the
facility
visualizer to solicit an input from a user that affects one or more aspects of
the digital twin. In
some embodiments, the at least one device comprises a tintable window, a
sensor, and
emitter, a controller, a transceiver, an antenna, a media display, or a device
ensemble. In
some embodiments, the device ensemble comprises (i) a transceiver, (ii)
sensors, or (iii) a
sensor and an emitter. In some embodiments, the digital twin is utilized in
controlling the real
facility. In some embodiments, the method further comprises adjusting or
creating an
occupancy region of the real facility. In some embodiments, the at least one
device is a
plurality of devices, and wherein the method further comprises adjusting or
creating a zone
of the real facility with which at least a portion of the plurality of devices
are associated. In
some embodiments, associating the at least the portion of the plurality of
devices to the
zone. In some embodiments, the at least one device is a plurality of devices
of different
types, and wherein the method further comprises searching for a type of the
different types
of the plurality of devices. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
presenting
the type of the different types of the plurality of devices, in the digital
twin. In some
embodiments, the at least one device is a plurality of devices, and wherein
the method
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further comprises selecting one device the plurality of devices. In some
embodiments, the
method further comprises presenting the one device of the plurality of
devices, in the digital
twin along with its status, network identification, and/or factory
information, wherein the
network identification is a unique identifier of the one device on a network
of the real facility.
In some embodiments, the method further comprises a map of the at least one
environmental attribute in the digital twin. In some embodiments, the
simulation is a time
dependent simulation. In some embodiments, the method further comprises
populating the
digital twin with input from a user. In some embodiments, a user of the user
interface
comprises a commissioning personnel, a maintenance personnel, a customer
service
personnel, or a customer.
[0022] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable media for
visualizing a digital
twin of a real facility, the non-transitory computer readable media, when read
by one or more
processors, is configured to execute operations of any of the methods
disclosed above.
[0023] In another aspect, an apparatus for simulating a real facility, the
apparatus
comprises at least one controller configured to execute, or direct execution
of, any of the
methods disclosed above.
[0024] In another aspect, a system for simulating a real facility, the system
comprises a
network configured to transmit (e.g., communicate) one or more signals
associated with any
of the methods disclosed above.
[0025] In another aspect, a system for simulating a real facility, the system
comprises a
network configured to: operatively couple to at least one device of the real
facility, which at
least one device is virtually populated in a digital twin at a virtual
location that corresponds to
its real location in the real facility, which at least one device is
controllable via the network;
communicate the digital twin of the real facility, which digital twin is
generated at least in part
by using a virtual architectural model of a real facility; and communicate a
simulation
comprising an effect of at least one environmental attribute on the real
facility.
[0026] In some embodiments, the network is a local network. In some
embodiments, the
network comprises a cable configured to transmit power and communication in a
single
cable. The communication can be one or more types of communication. The
communication
can comprise cellular communication abiding by at least a second generation
(2G), third
generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G) cellular
communication
protocol. In some embodiments, the communication comprises media communication
facilitating stills, music, or moving picture streams (e.g., movies or
videos). In some
embodiments, the communication comprises data communication (e.g., sensor
data). In
some embodiments, the communication comprises control communication, e.g., to
control
the one or more nodes operatively coupled to the networks. In some
embodiments, the
network comprises a first (e.g., cabling) network installed in the real
facility. In some
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embodiments, the network comprises a (e.g., cabling) network installed in an
envelope of the
real facility (e.g., in an envelope of a building included in the real
facility).
[0027] In another aspect, a non-transitory computer readable media for
visualizing a digital
twin of a real facility, the non-transitory computer readable media, when read
by one or more
processors, is configured to execute operations comprises: (i) generating, or
directing
generation of, a digital twin of a real facility at least in part by using a
virtual architectural
model of a real facility; (ii) populating, or directing population of, at
least one device of the
real facility in the digital twin at a virtual location that corresponds to
its real location in the
real facility, which at least one device is controllable; and (iii)
simulating, or directing
simulation of, effect of at least one environmental attribute on the real
facility. In some
embodiments, the operations further comprise displaying, or directing display
of, the digital
twin as it is affected by the environmental attribute on a user interface to
visualize the digital
twin.
[0028] In another aspect, an apparatus for simulating a real facility, the
apparatus
comprises at least one controller configured to: (i) generate, or directing
generation of, a
digital twin of a real facility at least in part by using a virtual
architectural model of a real
facility; (ii) populate, or direct population of, at least one device of the
real facility in the digital
twin at a virtual location that corresponds to its real location in the real
facility, which at least
one device is controllable; and (iii) simulate, or direct simulation of,
effect of at least one
environmental attribute on the real facility. In some embodiments, the
simulation is utilized to
control the real facility. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is
configured to
direct a software application to display the digital twin as it is affected by
the environmental
attribute on a user interface to visualize the digital twin, wherein the at
least one controller is
operatively coupled to the application, or incorporates the software
application.
[0029] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides systems, apparatuses
(e.g.,
controllers), and/or non-transitory computer-readable medium or media (e.g.,
software) that
implement any of the methods disclosed herein.
[0030] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides methods that use any
of the
systems, computer readable media, and/or apparatuses disclosed herein, e.g.,
for their
intended purpose.
[0031] In another aspect, an apparatus comprises at least one controller that
is
programmed to direct a mechanism used to implement (e.g., effectuate) any of
the method
disclosed herein, which at least one controller is configured to operatively
couple to the
mechanism. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., of the method)
are
directed/executed by the same controller. In some embodiments, at less at two
operations
are directed/executed by different controllers.
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[0032] In another aspect, an apparatus comprises at least one controller that
is configured
(e.g., programmed) to implement (e.g., effectuate) any of the methods
disclosed herein. The
at least one controller may implement any of the methods disclosed herein. In
some
embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., of the method) are
directed/executed by the
same controller. In some embodiments, at less at two operations are
directed/executed by
different controllers.
[0033] In some embodiments, one controller of the at least one controller is
configured to
perform two or more operations. In some embodiments, two different controllers
of the at
least one controller are configured to each perform a different operation.
[0034] In another aspect, a system comprises at least one controller that is
programmed to
direct operation of at least one another apparatus (or component thereof), and
the apparatus
(or component thereof), wherein the at least one controller is operatively
coupled to the
apparatus (or to the component thereof). The apparatus (or component thereof)
may include
any apparatus (or component thereof) disclosed herein. The at least one
controller may be
configured to direct any apparatus (or component thereof) disclosed herein.
The at least one
controller may be configured to operatively couple to any apparatus (or
component thereof)
disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., of the
apparatus) are
directed by the same controller. In some embodiments, at less at two
operations are directed
by different controllers.
[0035] In another aspect, a computer software product (e.g., inscribed on one
or more non-
transitory medium) in which program instructions are stored, which
instructions, when read
by at least one processor (e.g., computer), cause the at least one processor
to direct a
mechanism disclosed herein to implement (e.g., effectuate) any of the method
disclosed
herein, wherein the at least one processor is configured to operatively couple
to the
mechanism. The mechanism can comprise any apparatus (or any component thereof)
disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., of the
apparatus) are
directed/executed by the same processor. In some embodiments, at less at two
operations
are directed/executed by different processors.
[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-
readable program instructions (e.g., included in a program product comprising
one or more
non-transitory medium) comprising machine-executable code that, upon execution
by one or
more processors, implements any of the methods disclosed herein. In some
embodiments,
at least two operations (e.g., of the method) are directed/executed by the
same processor. In
some embodiments, at less at two operations are directed/executed by different
processors.
[0037] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer-
readable medium or media comprising machine-executable code that, upon
execution by
one or more processors, effectuates directions of the controller(s) (e.g., as
disclosed herein).
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In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., of the controller) are
directed/executed
by the same processor. In some embodiments, at less at two operations are
directed/executed by different processors.
[0038] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer system
comprising
one or more computer processors and a non-transitory computer-readable medium
or media
coupled thereto. The non-transitory computer-readable medium comprises machine-
executable code that, upon execution by the one or more processors, implements
any of the
methods disclosed herein and/or effectuates directions of the controller(s)
disclosed herein.
[0039] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory
computer
readable program instructions that, when read by one or more processors,
causes the one
or more processors to execute any operation of the methods disclosed herein,
any operation
performed (or configured to be performed) by the apparatuses disclosed herein,
and/or any
operation directed (or configured to be directed) by the apparatuses disclosed
herein.
[0040] In some embodiments, the program instructions are inscribed in a non-
transitory
computer readable medium or media. In some embodiments, at least two of the
operations
are executed by one of the one or more processors. In some embodiments, at
least two of
the operations are each executed by different processors of the one or more
processors.
[0041] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides networks that are
configured for
transmission of any communication (e.g., signal) and/or (e.g., electrical)
power facilitating
any of the operations disclosed herein. The communication may comprise control
communication, cellular communication, media communication, and/or data
communication.
The data communication may comprise sensor data communication and/or processed
data
communication. The networks may be configured to abide by one or more
protocols
facilitating such communication. For example, a communications protocol used
by the
network (e.g., with a BMS) can be a building automation and control networks
protocol
(BACnet). For example, a communication protocol may facilitate cellular
communication
abiding by at least a 2n0, 31d, 41h, or 5111 generation cellular communication
protocol.
[0042] The content of this summary section is provided as a simplified
introduction to the
disclosure and is not intended to be used to limit the scope of any invention
disclosed herein
or the scope of the appended claims.
[0043] Additional aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become
readily
apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description,
wherein only
illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As
will be
realized, the present disclosure is capable of other and different
embodiments, and its
several details are capable of modifications in various obvious respects, all
without departing
from the disclosure. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be
regarded as
illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.
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[0044] These and other features and embodiments will be described in more
detail with
reference to the drawings.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0045] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this
specification are
herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual
publication, patent,
or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be
incorporated by
reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in
the appended
claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present
invention will
be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth
illustrative
embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the
accompanying
drawings or figures (also "Fig." and "Figs." herein), of which:
[0047] Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section depicting formation of an
electrochromic device
stack;
[0048] Fig. 2 schematically shows a control system for a building;
[0049] Fig. 3 shows a schematic block diagram of a control system;
[0050] Fig. 4 depicts a hierarchal structure in which devices may be arranged;
[0051] Fig. 5 schematically depicts a network configuration file used by
control logic to
perform various functions on a network;
[0052] Fig. 6 schematically depicts process of creating a network
configuration file;
[0053] Fig. 7 depicts an interconnect drawing of an enclosure portion;
[0054] Fig. 8 depicts an elevation view of an interconnect drawing;
[0055] Fig. 9 schematically shows a block diagram related to commissioning;
[0056] Fig. 10 schematically shows a block diagram related to commissioning;
[0057] Fig. 11 schematically depicts the use of a Building Information Model
(BIM) file to
generate a virtual representation of a building;
[0058] Fig. 12 schematically depicts a digital twin of an enclosure
corresponding to a real
enclosure, and a control system;
[0059] Fig. 13 shows an example identification label of a target device;
[0060] Fig. 14 schematically depicts a system for accounting for devices in an
enclosure;
[0061] Fig. 15 shows images associate with real and virtual navigation in an
environment to
identify a target device and/or location of the target device;
[0062] Fig. 16 depicts a mobile device scanning an identification code of a
target device
among target devices;
[0063] Fig. 17 depicts a graphical user interface (GUI) portion providing
navigation within
an augmented reality representation;
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[0064] Fig. 18 shows a selected target device representation and information
stored in a
digital twin about the selected target device;
[0065] Fig. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a method associated with accounting
for target
devices;
[0066] Fig. 20 is a schematic showing the structure of the facility management
application;
[0067] Fig. 21 is an example of a graphical user interface portion of the
facility
management application;
[0068] Fig. 22 depicts a schematic flow chart of a process used in design and
commissioning;
[0069] Fig. 23 schematically depict a processing system;
[0070] Fig. 24 schematically depicts time dependent sun position relative to a
facility;
[0071] Fig. 25 depicts various topographic and schematic representation of an
area;
[0072] Fig. 26 depicts various topographic and schematic representation of an
area;
[0073] Fig. 27 depicts a user interface screen of a software application;
[0074] Fig. 28 depicts a user interface screen of a software application;
[0075] Fig. 29 schematically shows occupancy regions and associated
components;
[0076] Fig. 30 schematically shows facility portions and associated fields of
view and an
irradiation zone;
[0077] Fig. 31 depicts a user interface screen of a software application;
[0078] Fig. 32 depicts a user interface screen of a software application;
[0079] Fig. 33 depicts a user interface screen of a software application, and
sequence of
operations;
[0080] Fig. 34 depicts user interface screens of a software application; and
[0081] Fig. 35 schematically shows an lsovist in a building.
[0082] The figures and components therein may not be drawn to scale. Various
components of the figures described herein may not be drawn to scale.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0083] While various embodiments of the invention have been shown, and
described
herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments
are provided by
way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions may occur
to those
skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be
understood that various
alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein might be
employed.
[0084] Terms such as "a," "an," and "the" are not intended to refer to only a
singular entity
but include the general class of which a specific example may be used for
illustration. The
terminology herein is used to describe specific embodiments of the
invention(s), but their
usage does not delimit the invention(s).
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[0085] When ranges are mentioned, the ranges are meant to be inclusive, unless
otherwise
specified. For example, a range between value 1 and value 2 is meant to be
inclusive and
include value 1 and value 2. The inclusive range will span any value from
about value 1 to
about value 2. The term "adjacent" or "adjacent to," as used herein, includes
"next to,"
"adjoining," "in contact with," and "in proximity to."
[0086] As used herein, including in the claims, the conjunction "and/or" in a
phrase such as
"including X, Y, and/or Z", refers to in inclusion of any combination or
plurality of X, Y, and Z.
For example, such phrase is meant to include X. For example, such phrase is
meant to
include Y. For example, such phrase is meant to include Z. For example, such
phrase is
meant to include X and Y. For example, such phrase is meant to include X and
Z. For
example, such phrase is meant to include Y and Z. For example, such phrase is
meant to
include a plurality of Xs. For example, such phrase is meant to include a
plurality of Ys. For
example, such phrase is meant to include a plurality of Zs. For example, such
phrase is
meant to include a plurality of Xs and a plurality of Ys. For example, such
phrase is meant to
include a plurality of Xs and a plurality of Zs. For example, such phrase is
meant to include a
plurality of Ys and a plurality of Zs. For example, such phrase is meant to
include a plurality
of Xs and Y. For example, such phrase is meant to include a plurality of Xs
and Z. For
example, such phrase is meant to include a plurality of Ys and Z. For example,
such phrase
is meant to include X and a plurality of Ys. For example, such phrase is meant
to include X
and a plurality of Zs. For example, such phrase is meant to include Y and a
plurality of Zs.
The conjunction "and/or" is meant to have the same effect as the phrase "X, Y,
Z, or any
combination or plurality thereof." The conjunction "and/or" is meant to have
the same effect
as the phrase "one or more X, Y, Z, or any combination thereof."
[0087] The term "operatively coupled" or "operatively connected" refers to a
first element
(e.g., mechanism) that is coupled (e.g., connected) to a second element, to
allow the
intended operation of the second and/or first element. The coupling may
comprise physical
or non-physical coupling (e.g., communicative coupling). The non-physical
coupling may
comprise signal-induced coupling (e.g., wireless coupling). Coupled can
include physical
coupling (e.g., physically connected), or non-physical coupling (e.g., via
wireless
communication). Operatively coupled may comprise communicatively coupled.
[0088] An element (e.g., mechanism) that is "configured to" perform a function
includes a
structural feature that causes the element to perform this function. A
structural feature may
include an electrical feature, such as a circuitry or a circuit element. A
structural feature may
include an actuator. A structural feature may include a circuitry (e.g.,
comprising electrical or
optical circuitry). Electrical circuitry may comprise one or more wires.
Optical circuitry may
comprise at least one optical element (e.g., beam splitter, mirror, lens
and/or optical fiber). A
structural feature may include a mechanical feature. A mechanical feature may
comprise a
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latch, a spring, a closure, a hinge, a chassis, a support, a fastener, or a
cantilever, and so
forth. Performing the function may comprise utilizing a logical feature. A
logical feature may
include programming instructions. Programming instructions may be executable
by at least
one processor. Programming instructions may be stored or encoded on a medium
accessible by one or more processors. Additionally, in the following
description, the phrases
"operable to," "adapted to," "configured to," "designed to," "programmed to,"
or "capable of"
may be used interchangeably where appropriate.
[0089] Further, as used herein, the terms pane, and lite are used
interchangeably. An
electrochromic window may be in the form of an insulated glass unit (IGU), a
laminate
structure or both, e.g., where an IGU has one or more laminated panes as its
lites, e.g., a
double pane IGU where one pane is a single sheet of glass and the other pane
is a laminate
of two sheets of glass. A laminate may include two, three or more sheets of
glass.
[0090] At times, installation personnel (e.g., field service engineers)
install the wrong
window at a particular location in an enclosure (e.g., building of a
facility). Commissioning
may correct installation errors. Commissioning may allow a device (e.g.,
window) of a
particular type to be randomly installed throughout a building or site. For
example, all
optically switchable windows having the same dimensions may be installed
randomly, at
locations having openings that can accommodate windows having these
dimensions.
Commissioning may account for identifying the specific device as located in a
specific
location in the enclosure.
[0091] In some embodiments, commissioning comprises associating physical
devices,
within a building, with identifying data (e.g., network IDs) that allows the
physical devices to
be accounted for, tracked, and/or electrically reachable (when they are
coupled to a
network). Commissioned devices that are operatively (e.g., communicatively)
coupled to the
network, may be accessed via a network. Commissioned devices at locations
known through
the commissioning process, may be controlled via commands sent to network
addresses
associated with the devices via commissioning. Commissioning may ensure that
tint
commands, sensor readings, etc. that are provided by or to control logic are
associated with
the correct physical devices, which have known locations and/or connectivity
(e.g.,
connectivity point, hub, and/or address) to the network.
[0092] As buildings become larger, and as the quantity of devices in buildings
increases,
the commissioning process can consume substantial time, and effort. When the
devices are
of a diverse nature, their commissioning may require personnel having
different specialties
to install and/or configure. In some cases, commissioning can take weeks or
even months to
complete. In some cases, commissioning techniques require a user to wait for a
device
action to accurately configure it. For example, the installer may have to wait
for a window to
tint, which may take several minutes.
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[0093] Certain embodiments described herein may allow more rapid commissioning
of
devices. In some cases, a capturing device (e.g., sensor such as a RF reader,
a camera or
other imaging device) is placed in a region of an enclosure (e.g., in a lobby
of a building)
having devices to be commissioned. The capturing device may be operated to
capture an
image and/or identification tag of devices to be commissioned in the region.
In some
embodiments, every device in the region is captured. Commissioning logic may
associate
the device images with locations in a two-dimensional or three-dimensional
format of a
digital twin of the enclosure, and thereby identify the locations of the one
or more devices in
the region. The captured information (e.g., images) may capture some
distinctive
characteristic of the device(s). In certain embodiments, the distinctive
characteristic is a
permanently or temporarily applied indicator such as an ID tag (e.g., having a
barcode, a QR
code, or another type of image-discernable identifier; or an emitting tag such
as an RFID).
[0094] In some implementations, the commissioning logic reads or otherwise
identifies
information contained in the identifiers (e.g., ID tag) to uniquely identify
the one or more
devices. In certain embodiments, the commissioning logic additionally
identifies locations in
a region of the enclosure that hold the one or more devices that have been
identified by their
identifiers. When coupling the device IDs with their location information, the
commissioning
logic may associate uniquely identified devices with their locations.
[0095] In some embodiments, a commissioning method may comprise providing a
capturing device in an enclosure region having one or more devices to be
commissioned.
The one or more devices may have identifiers, which are unique among devices
to be
installed in the enclosure region. Such identifiers may be accessible for
imaging by an image
capture device. The ID capture device may capture one or more images of the
one or more
devices to be commissioned. By using images taken by the image capture device,
the
locations of the one or more devices in the images of the enclosure region may
be
determined (e.g., using machine image recognition). Any interprets image-
discernible
identifiers contained in the images captured by the capture device may be
determined (e.g.,
using machine image recognition). For example, identifying individual device
by their unique
identifiers. The identified devices may be associated with their locations.
The location and/or
identifier pairs for the one or more devices may be stored (e.g., in one or
more databases)
and/or transmitted (e.g., wired and/or wirelessly, e.g., using the network).
[0096] In some embodiments, the optically recognized identity may be a machine-
readable
code, e.g., consisting of a digital picture, RFID. The digital picture may
comprise an array or
lines of two distinctly identifiable hues (e.g., colors). The digital picture
may comprise an
array of black and white squares or lines (e.g., barcode or a Quick Response
(QR) code).
The traveler may use a mobile device (e.g., cellular smartphone) or an
associated peripheral
device (e.g., barcode scanner) to record and/or scan the identity of the
device. In some
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embodiments, a RFID (e.g., UWB ID) tag is attached to the device. The Radio-
frequency
identification (RFID) utilize electromagnetic fields to automatically identify
and/or track tags
attached to a device. The RFID tag cam comprise a (e.g., micro) radio
transponder, a radio
receiver, and a transmitter. The reader of the RFID tag may send an
electromagnetic
interrogation pulse, and the tag may respond by transmitting digital data
(e.g., an identifying
inventory number) back to the reader. The tag can be passive (e.g., powered by
energy from
the RFID reader's interrogating radio waves), or active (e.g., powered by a
battery). The
active RFID tags may have a greater range as compared with the passive RFID
tags. For
example, the active RFID may have a range of at least about 20m, 50m, 100m, or
500m.
The ID code (e.g., barcode or QR code) may need to be within a light of sight
of the (e.g.,
human) traveler. The ID code (e.g., RFID) may not be within a line of sight of
the (e.g.,
human) traveler, but within the range of the reader (e.g., sensor). The data
capture may be
an automatic identification and data capture (AIDC). The ID tag may comprise a
microchip.
The ID tag and/or code may be attached to (and/or embedded in) any device to
be identified.
[0097] In some embodiments, the ID tag is an image discernable identifier
(e.g., barcode or
QR code). The image discernable identifier may be any of various identifiers
that can be
provided in an image obtained with an image capture device. In various
embodiments, an
image of the image-discernible identifier can be interpreted by image analysis
logic to
determine a code or other information encoded or otherwise represented by the
identifier
[0098] In certain embodiments, the image-discernible identifier comprises a
pattern that
contains the information in the spatial arrangement of elements in the
pattern. The
arrangement may contain information in one, two, or three dimensions. It may
take the form
of dots, bars, polygons, and/or other shapes. The identifier may be detectable
in any one or
more ranges of the electromagnetic spectrum, including the visible range, the
ultraviolet
range, the infrared range, and/or the radiofrequency range. The identifier may
be detectable
by reflection, absorption, refraction, fluorescence, luminescence, and/or
other
electromagnetic (EM) wave interaction. Examples of the image-discernable
identifier include
bar codes, QR codes, and the like. The image-discernible identifier may come
in a wide
range of sizes and/or shapes. In certain embodiments, the identifier has a
fundamental
length scale (FLS) of at least about 10 cm, or 15 cm (e.g., the identifier may
be about 10 cm
x 10 cm or larger, or the identifier is about 15 cm x 15 cm or larger). A
fundamental length
scale (FLS) comprises a height, length, width, diameter, or diameter of a
bounding circle.
[0099] Application of the image discernible identifier to a device (or any
components
associated therewith) may be made at any point before updating the digital
twin. In certain
embodiments, the application is made at a manufacturing site. There, an
identifier may be
associated with the device. In certain embodiments, the identifier is
permanently or
temporarily affixed to the device. In some cases, the identifier is provided
as a sticker, a
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polymeric peel off patch, and the like. In some cases, the identifier is
embedded within the
device (e.g., RFID)
[0100] An identifier may be applied to any region of a device or device-
associated
component for which an ID can be captured using the capture device. Examples
include
transparent or reflective lites, including optically switchable lites, window
frames, window
controllers, sensors or sensor ensembles associated with windows, mullions,
and/or non-lite
IGU components such as spacers.
[0101] In certain embodiments, images of devices in a region of an enclosure
may be
obtained by placing a camera or other image capture device in the region and
moving the
image capture device to capture an image of multiple windows or some
recognizable feature
of the windows in the region. Moving the image capture device may comprise
pivoting or
rotating the device while it remains at a fixed position within the room or
region. The pivoting
or rotating may allow the device to capture images at multiple angles in the
region with
respect to the fixed position. In certain embodiments, the image capture
device is positioned
at or near a geometric center of the room or other region. Moving the image
capture device
may alternatively or additionally comprise moving the physical location of the
device to
multiple different locations within the region.
[0102] In certain embodiments, the image capture device and/or associated
logic is
configured to take a sequence of images while moving the device (e.g.,
rotating to capture
images at multiple angles) and stitch the images together to form a panoramic
view. In
certain embodiments, the camera scans an arc of the room, e.g., at least about
a 900 arc,
180 arc, 270 arc, or a full 360 circle. In certain embodiments, the time
elapsed to take the
sequence of images is at most about 1 hour, 30 minutes, or 15 minutes. In this
time, the
device may capture images of at least about 4 devices, 7 devices, or 10
devices. In certain
embodiments, the image capture device is configured to capture multiple images
of devices
or device components from a distance (e.g., as opposed to needing to hold a
manual
capturing device individually next to each window or its indicia). The image
capture device
and any associated apparatus (e.g., a tripod or other mount) may be movable
from one
region of the enclosure to another (e.g., from room-to-room in the building
being
commissioned).
[0103] In certain embodiments, commissioning logic or other appropriate logic
is configured
to compare a panoramic image or sequence of images from a region of an
enclosure with an
architectural representation of the region so that the devices in the image(s)
can be
associated with actual locations of windows in the enclosure. In some
implementations, the
logic is configured to superimpose the image(s) over a three-dimensional
drawings such as
architectural drawings. The logic may be configured to determine on a multi-
dimensional
(e.g., 2D or 3D) drawing where particular imaged devices are located.
Representations of
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the physical locations of the devices in an enclosure may be provided in
digital twin, an
interconnect drawing, architectural drawing, or other representation of a
building. In certain
embodiments, the logic employs a floorplan, which may be created from
architectural
drawings. In certain embodiments, logic employs an interconnect drawing, which
may depict
wire routing (e.g., trunk lines) at a region of building, the positioning of
various devices on
the network (e.g., controllers, power supplies, control panels, windows, and
sensors), and/or
identifying information of network components (e.g., a network ID). In certain
embodiments,
logic employs a wireframe model from CAD software such as Trimble Navigation's
SketchUpTM, Autodesk Revit, or the like. The "commissioning logic" may include
a process
implemented in software, on one or more controllers of a window network,
and/or on one or
more processors of a computational system (which may be a standalone or
distributed
computational system).
[0104] In some embodiments, the images and their physical locations as
captured by the
device are provided to software that recognizes the unique identifier in the
device with
particular device locations as identified (i) in the image captured
information, (ii) by the
sensor and/or emitter network in the enclosure, and/or (iii) by any other geo-
location
technology (e.g., as disclosed herein).
[0105] In some embodiments, the individual devices are not associated with
particular
network addresses. This association can be accomplished during or after
manufacturing of
devices and prior to installation of the devices in the enclosure and coupling
the devices to
the network. The network association of devices may involve creating an
association
between the unique physical identifier of the device (as captured by the ID
capturing device)
and a network recognizable identifier of the device. The network recognizable
identifier of
the device may be a serial number or other electronic identifier of the device
that is stored in
at least one database. The at least one database may be stored in memory. The
memory
may reside in a chip or in another device (e.g., server) that is readable by
the network when
the device is installed. In certain embodiments, the network recognizable
identifier is
provided in a readable chip such as a memory chip in the pigtail of a window.
[0106] To allow commissioning, the ID code may be associated with a
characteristic and/or
component of the device (e.g., a lite ID, serial number or other data
electronically encoded
and stored on a network readable component of the window). The association may
be stored
in at least one table, database, and/or other data construct.
[0107] In some cases, the multi-dimensional (e.g., two- or three-dimensional
model of a
building (e.g., that is included in the digital twin)) is produced by a
computer-aided design
software which has a modeling environment for the design and examination of
building
structures. In some cases, pairing the network ID of each of the tintable
(e.g., optically
switchable) windows with at least one network node ID includes storing each
pairing in a
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network configuration file. A node can be a device that is operatively (e.g.,
communicatively)
coupled to the network.
[0108] In some embodiments, an enclosure comprises an area defined by at least
one
structure. The at least one structure may comprise at least one wall. An
enclosure may
comprise and/or enclose one or more sub-enclosure. The at least one wall may
comprise
metal (e.g., steel), clay, stone, plastic, glass, plaster (e.g., gypsum),
polymer (e.g.,
polyurethane, styrene, or vinyl), asbestos, fiber-glass, concrete (e.g.,
reinforced concrete),
wood, paper, or a ceramic. The at least one wall may comprise wire, bricks,
blocks (e.g.,
cinder blocks), tile, drywall, or frame (e.g., steel frame).
[0109] In some embodiments, the enclosure comprises one or more openings. The
one or
more openings may be reversibly closable. The one or more openings may be
permanently
open. A fundamental length scale of the one or more openings may be smaller
relative to the
fundamental length scale of the wall(s) that define the enclosure. A
fundamental length scale
may comprise a diameter of a bounding circle, a length, a width, or a height.
A surface of the
one or more openings may be smaller relative to the surface the wall(s) that
define the
enclosure. The opening surface may be a percentage of the total surface of the
wall(s). For
example, the opening surface can measure at most about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or
1% of the
walls(s). The wall(s) may comprise a floor, a ceiling, or a side wall. The
closable opening
may be closed by at least one window or door. The enclosure may be at least a
portion of a
facility. The facility may comprise a building. The enclosure may comprise at
least a portion
of a building. The building may be a private building and/or a commercial
building. The
building may comprise one or more floors. The building (e.g., floor thereof)
may include at
least one of: a room, hall, foyer, attic, basement, balcony (e.g., inner or
outer balcony),
stairwell, corridor, elevator shaft, facade, mezzanine, penthouse, garage,
porch (e.g.,
enclosed porch), terrace (e.g., enclosed terrace), cafeteria, and/or Duct. In
some
embodiments, an enclosure may be stationary and/or movable (e.g., a train, an
airplane, a
ship, a vehicle, or a rocket).
[0110] In some embodiments, a plurality of target devices may be operatively
(e.g.,
communicatively) coupled to the control system. The plurality of devices may
be disposed in
a facility (e.g., including a building and/or room). The control system may
comprise the
hierarchy of controllers. The target devices may comprise an emitter, a
sensor, or a (e.g.,
tintable) window (e.g., IGU). The device may be any device as disclosed
herein. At least two
of the plurality of devices may be of the same type. For example, two or more
IGUs may be
coupled to the control system. At least two of the plurality of devices may be
of different
types. For example, a sensor and an emitter may be coupled to the control
system. At times,
the plurality of devices may comprise at least 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2500,
5000, 7500,
10000, 50000, 100000, or 500000 devices. The plurality of devices may be of
any number
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between the aforementioned numbers (e.g., from 20 devices to 500000 devices,
from 20
devices to 50 devices, from 50 devices to 500 devices, from 500 devices to
2500 devices,
from 1000 devices to 5000 devices, from 5000 devices to 10000 devices, from
10000
devices to 100000 devices, or from 100000 devices to 500000 devices). For
example, the
number of windows in a floor may be at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.
The number of
windows in a floor can be any number between the aforementioned numbers (e.g.,
from 5 to
50, from 5 to 25, or from 25 to 50). At times, the devices may be in a multi-
story building. At
least a portion of the floors of the multi-story building may have devices
controlled by the
control system (e.g., at least a portion of the floors of the multi-story
building may be
controlled by the control system). For example, the multi-story building may
have at least 2,
8, 10, 25, 50, 80, 100, 120, 140, or 160 floors that are controlled by the
control system. The
number of floors (e.g., devices therein) controlled by the control system may
be any number
between the aforementioned numbers (e.g., from 2t0 50, from 25t0 100, or from
80 to 160).
The floor may be of an area of at least about 150 m2, 250 m2, 500m2, 1000 m2,
1500 m2, or
2000 square meters (m2). The floor may have an area between any of the
aforementioned
floor area values (e.g., from about 150 m2t0 about 2000 m2, from about 150
m2t0 about 500
M2 from about 250 m2 to about 1000 m2, or from about 1000 m2 to about 2000
m2).
[0111] Certain disclosed embodiments provide a network infrastructure in the
enclosure
(e.g., a facility such as a building). The network infrastructure is available
for various
purposes such as for providing communication and/or power services. The
communication
services may comprise high bandwidth (e.g., wireless and/or wired)
communications
services. The communication services can be to occupants of a facility and/or
users outside
the facility (e.g., building). The network infrastructure may work in concert
with, or as a
partial replacement of, the infrastructure of one or more cellular carriers.
The network
infrastructure can be provided in a facility that includes electrically
switchable windows.
Examples of components of the network infrastructure include a high speed
backhaul. The
network infrastructure may include at least one cable, switch, physical
antenna, transceivers,
sensor, transmitter, receiver, radio, processor and/or controller (that may
comprise a
processor). The network infrastructure may be operatively coupled to, and/or
include, a
wireless network. The network infrastructure may comprise wiring. One or more
sensors can
be deployed (e.g., installed) in an environment as part of installing the
network and/or after
installing the network. The network may be a local network. The network may
comprise a
cable configured to transmit power and communication in a single cable. The
communication
can be one or more types of communication. The communication can comprise
cellular
communication abiding by at least a second generation (2G), third generation
(3G), fourth
generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocol. The
communication
may comprise media communication facilitating stills, music, or moving picture
streams (e.g.,
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movies or videos). The communication may comprise data communication (e.g.,
sensor
data). The communication may comprise control communication, e.g., to control
the one or
more nodes operatively coupled to the networks. The network may comprise a
first (e.g.,
cabling) network installed in the facility. The network may comprise a (e.g.,
cabling) network
installed in an envelope of the facility (e.g., such as in an envelope of an
enclosure of the
facility. For example, in an envelope of a building included in the facility).
[0112] In various embodiments, a network infrastructure supports a control
system for one
or more windows such as tintable (e.g., electrochromic) windows. The control
system may
comprise one or more controllers operatively coupled (e.g., directly or
indirectly) to one or
more windows. While the disclosed embodiments describe tintable windows (also
referred to
herein as "optically switchable windows," or "smart windows") such as
electrochromic
windows, the concepts disclosed herein may apply to other types of switchable
optical
devices comprising a liquid crystal device, an electrochromic device,
suspended particle
device (SPD), NanoChromics display (NCD), Organic electroluminescent display
(OELD),
suspended particle device (SPD), NanoChromics display (NCD), or an Organic
electroluminescent display (OELD). The display element may be attached to a
part of a
transparent body (such as the windows). The tintable window may be disposed in
a (non-
transitory) facility such as a building, and/or in a transitory facility
(e.g., vehicle) such as a
car, RV, bus, train, airplane, helicopter, ship, or boat.
[0113] In some embodiments, a tintable window exhibits a (e.g., controllable
and/or
reversible) change in at least one optical property of the window, e.g., when
a stimulus is
applied. The change may be a continuous change. A change may be to discrete
tint levels
(e.g., to at least about 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 tint levels). The optical property
may comprise hue,
or transmissivity. The hue may comprise color. The transmissivity may be of
one or more
wavelengths. The wavelengths may comprise ultraviolet, visible, or infrared
wavelengths.
The stimulus can include an optical, electrical and/or magnetic stimulus. For
example, the
stimulus can include an applied voltage and/or current. One or more tintable
windows can be
used to control lighting and/or glare conditions, e.g., by regulating the
transmission of solar
energy propagating through them. One or more tintable windows can be used to
control a
temperature within a building, e.g., by regulating the transmission of solar
energy
propagating through the window. Control of the solar energy may control heat
load imposed
on the interior of the facility (e.g., building). The control may be manual
and/or automatic.
The control may be used for maintaining one or more requested (e.g.,
environmental)
conditions, e.g., occupant comfort. The control may include reducing energy
consumption of
a heating, ventilation, air conditioning and/or lighting systems. At least two
of heating,
ventilation, and air conditioning may be induced by separate systems. At least
two of
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning may be induced by one system. The
heating,
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ventilation, and air conditioning may be induced by a single system
(abbreviated herein as
"HVAC"). In some cases, tintable windows may be responsive to (e.g., and
communicatively
coupled to) one or more environmental sensors and/or user control. Tintable
windows may
comprise (e.g., may be) electrochromic windows. The windows may be located in
the range
from the interior to the exterior of a structure (e.g., facility, e.g.,
building). 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 (e.g., with MEMS devices for tinting)
are described
in U.S. Patent No. 10,359,681, issued July 23, 2019, filed May 15, 2015,
titled "MULTI-PANE
WINDOWS INCLUDING ELECTROCHROM IC DEVICES AND ELECTROMECHANICAL
SYSTEMS DEVICES," and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In
some cases,
one or more tintable windows can be located within the interior of a building,
e.g., between a
conference room and a hallway. In some cases, one or more tintable windows can
be used
in automobiles, trains, aircraft, and other vehicles, e.g., in lieu of a
passive and/or non-tinting
window.
[0114] Electrochromic windows may be used in a variety of settings, for
example in office
buildings and residential buildings. The complexity of many conventional
electrochromic
windows (e.g., wiring, installation, and programming of a controller, etc.)
may discourage
their use. For example, residential customers are likely to have windows
installed by local
contractors who may be unfamiliar with electrochromic windows and their
installation
requirements. As such, one goal in certain disclosed embodiments is to provide
electrochromic IGUs and window assemblies that are as easy to install as non-
electrochromic windows. Certain disclosed features that promote easy
installation include
wireless power capability and/or self-power capability, wireless control
communication, self-
meshing networks, on-board controllers, automated commissioning, and a form
factor
matching commonly available windows, e.g., double-pane or triple-pane IGUs.
Easy
installation may refer to installation that is quick, requires labor with
minimal qualifications,
robust (e.g., not prone to errors), and cheap. Other target devices that may
be included in
various embodiments include, cellular or other antenna (e.g., provided on a
window), a
cellular repeater (e.g., in a controller), touch panel controls (e.g.,
attached to a media display
construct), mountable and/or removable controllers, learning functionality,
weather tracking,
sharing of sensor outputs and other control information (e.g., between devices
coupled to
the network such as windows), sub-frames that may include certain controller
components,
wireless bus bars, optical (e.g., built-in photo) sensors, other sensors, etc.
Any two or more
of these target devices may be combined as requested for a particular
application.
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[0115] A challenge presented by deployment of target devices in an enclosure
(e.g., target
devices of the nascent electrochromic window technology) is correct assignment
of network
addresses and/or other identifying information to specific target devices
(e.g., windows) and
their electrical controllers (window controllers), as well the locations of
the target devices
(e.g., windows and/or window controllers) in facility (e.g., buildings).
[0116] In some embodiments, control of the target devices by the control
system
necessitates coupling of the control to a target device that is (i) correctly
identifiable by the
control system and/or network, (ii) is in a particular location, and (iii) is
of a particular type.
For example, in order to control tint controls of the tintable window (e.g.,
to allow the control
system to change the tint state of one or a set of specific windows or IGUs),
a (e.g., master)
controller (responsible for tint decisions) may be provided with the network
address of the
window controller(s) connected to that specific window or set of windows. For
example, in
order to control a temperature of an atmosphere in a room of a building (e.g.,
to allow the
control system to change the tint state of one or a set of HVAC components), a
controller
(responsible for environmental temperature) may be provided with the network
address of
the HVAC component (e.g., vent and blower unit) coupled to that specific room.
[0117] In some embodiments, manual (e.g., user) control of target devices
affecting a
particular location or locations in an enclosure depends on the collection of
unique
information regarding the identity, installation location, and/or capabilities
of each target
device. The unique information about each target device may be incorporated
into the digital
twin of the enclosure. A control interface to the digital twin can be
configured to permit
authorized users to initiate changes in the operation of target devices in a
straightforward
manner, e.g., since the digital twin links up each represented target element
with (e.g., all)
the needed information to select and/or control that target device.
[0118] For example, a challenge presented by tintable (e.g., electrochromic)
window
technology is manual control of (e.g., electrochromic device) tint states in
specific windows
of a building having many such tintable windows. Related to this is access to
information
about individual tintable (e.g., electrochromic) windows or zones in a
building having many
tintable windows. Building administrators and/or occupants may need at least
some control
over some (or all) tintable (e.g., electrochromic) windows in a facility
(e.g., building).
[0119] In some embodiments, an IGU or other window assembly is provided as a
simple,
self-contained, ready-to-go unit that requires at most minimal physical
connection (e.g.,
wires) before use. Such a unit can look like a non- tintable (e.g.,
electrochromic) IGU or
window assembly (with a controller somewhere therein or thereon). The tintable
(e.g.,
electrochromic) IGU may be installed in substantially the same manner as a non-
tintable
IGU. These embodiments may be beneficial for residential customers who request
a quick
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install without significant additional work related to routing electrical
power, communication
lines, etc.
[0120] In some embodiments of an electrochromic device, first and second
electrochromic
layers include a cathodically tinting layer and an anodically tinting layer.
In such
embodiments, the first and second electrochromic layers will tint when exposed
to opposite
polarities. For example, the first electrochromic layer may tint under an
applied cathodic
potential (and clear under an applied anodic potential), while the second
electrochromic
layer may tint under an applied anodic potential (and clear under an applied
cathodic
potential). Of course, the arrangement can be reversed for some applications.
Either way,
the first and second electrochromic layers may work in concert to tint and
clear.
[0121] In some embodiments, one of the first and second electrochromic layers
can be
substituted with a non-electrochromic ion storage layer. In such cases, (e.g.,
only) one of the
two layers exhibits electrochromism such that it tints and clears under
application of suitable
potentials. The other layer, sometimes referred to as a counter electrode
layer, simply
serves as an ion reservoir when the other layer is exposed to a cathodic
potential.
[0122] In some embodiments, a device stack has distinct layers, while in other
embodiments, electrochromic stacks may be graded structures or may include
additional
components such as an antenna structure. While some of the discussion in the
present
disclosure focuses on windows having electrochromic devices, the disclosure
may more
generally pertains to windows having any type of optically switchable device
such as liquid
crystal devices and suspended particle devices, as well as to target devices
other than
tintable windows including any electrically controllable devices such as a
sensor, an emitter,
an ensemble of sensors and/or emitters, a media display construct, an antenna,
a router, a
transceiver, a controller (e.g., microcontroller), a processor, a table, a
chair, a door, a lighting
device, a heater, a ventilator, an air-conditioning device, an alarm, or any
other identifiable
device associated with the facility.
[0123] Fig. 1 depicts an electrochromic device 100 disposed on a substrate
102. Device
100 includes, in the following order starting from the substrate, a first
conductive layer 104, a
first electrochromic layer (EC1) 106, an ion conductor layer (IC) 108, a
second
electrochromic layer (EC2) 110, and a second conductive layer 112. Components
104, 106,
108, 110, and 112 are collectively referred to as an electrochromic stack 114.
In some
embodiments, the transparent conductor layers are made of a transparent
material such as
a transparent conductive oxide, which may be referred to as a "TOO." Since the
TOO layers
are transparent, the tinting behavior of the EC1-IC-EC2 stack may be
observable through
the TOO layers, for example, allowing use of such devices on a window for
reversible
shading. A voltage source 116, operable to apply an electric potential across
electrochromic
stack 114, effects the transition of the electrochromic device from, for
example, a clear state
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(i.e., transparent) to a tinted state. In some embodiments, the electrochromic
device may not
include a distinct ion conductor layer. See US Patent No. 8,764,950 issued
July 1, 2014, and
PCT Publication No. W02015/168626, field May 1,2015, both of which are
incorporated
herein by reference in their entireties.
[0124] In some embodiments, an IGU includes two (or more) substantially
transparent
substrates, for example, two panes of glass, where at least one substrate
includes an
electrochromic device disposed thereon, and the panes have a separator
disposed between
them. An IGU may be hermetically (e.g., gas) 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 IGU's or
laminate's of the 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, or be operatively (e.g., communicatively) coupled to, a window
controller (e.g., as
described herein), and/or components of a window controller (e.g., a dock).
[0125] Window controllers may have many sizes, formats, and locations with
respect to the
optically switchable window(s) they control. The controller may be attached to
glass of an
IGU and/or laminate. The controller may be disposed in a frame that houses the
IGU and/or
laminate. A tintable (e.g., electrochromic) window may include one, two, three
or more
individual electrochromic panes (an electrochromic device on a transparent
substrate). An
individual pane of an electrochromic window may have an electrochromic coating
that has
independently tintable zones. A controller as described herein may control all
electrochromic
coatings associated with such windows, whether the electrochromic coating is
monolithic or
zoned.
[0126] The controller may be generally disposed in close proximity to the
tintable (e.g.,
electrochromic) window, generally adjacent to, on the glass, or inside an IGU,
(e.g., within a
frame of the self-contained assembly). In some embodiments, the window
controller is an "in
situ" controller; that is, the controller is part of a window assembly, an IGU
and/or a laminate.
The controller may not have to be matched with the tintable 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 and/or laminate assembly. The controller may be 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 (e.g., substantially)
transparent. Further
examples of on-glass controllers are provided in U.S. Patent Application
Serial No.
14/951,410, filed November 24, 2015, titled "SELF CONTAINED EC IGU," which is
herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety. In some embodiments, a localized
controller is
provided as more than one part, with at least one part (e.g., including a
memory component
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storing information about the associated tintable 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
some
embodiments, a controller is 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
some
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.
[0127] In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU
and/or the
window frame prior to installation of the tintable 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.
[0128] Having the controller as part of an IGU and/or a window assembly, the
IGU can
possess logic and/or features of the controller that, e.g., travels with the
IGU or window unit.
For example, when a controller is part of an IGU assembly having an
electrochromic
window, in the event the characteristics of the electrochromic device(s)
change over time
(e.g., through degradation), a characterization function may be used, for
example, to update
control parameters used to drive tint state transitions. In another
embodiment, if already
installed in a tintable window unit, the logic and/or features of the
controller may be used to
calibrate one or more of the control parameters, e.g., to match the intended
installation. If
already installed, the one or more control parameters may be recalibrated to
match the
performance characteristics of the tintable window(s).
[0129] In some embodiments, a controller is not pre-associated with a window,
but rather a
dock component, e.g., having parts generic to any tintable window, is
associated with each
window at the factory. After window installation, or otherwise in the field, a
second
component of the controller may be combined with the dock component to
complete the
tintable window controller assembly. The dock component may include a chip
which is
programmed at the factory with the physical characteristics and/or 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")
may be 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 (e.g., only) have its
associated
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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). In some embodiments, the chip is
included in
a wire or wire connector attached to the window controller. Such wires with
connectors are
sometimes referred to as pigtails.
[0130] 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. The different surfaces of the
IGU may be
referred to as S1, S2, S3, and S4 (assuming a two-pane IGU). S1 refers to the
exterior-
facing surface of the outboard lite (i.e., the surface that can be physically
touched by
someone standing outside). S2 refers to the interior-facing surface of the
outboard lite. S3
refers to the exterior-facing surface of the inboard lite. S4 refers to the
interior-facing surface
of the inboard lite (i.e., the surface that can be physically touched by
someone standing
inside the building). In other words, the surfaces are labeled S1-S4, starting
from the
outermost surface of the IGU and counting inwards. In cases where an IGU
includes three
panes, this same trend holds (with S6 being the surface that can be physically
touched by
someone standing inside the building). In some embodiments employing two
panes, the
electrochromic device (or other optically switchable device) is disposed on
S3.
[0131] Examples of tintable windows, window controllers, their methods of use
and their
features are presented in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/334,832, filed
October 26,
2016, titled "CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES," and U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 16/082,793, filed September 6, 2018, titled "METHOD OF
COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," each of which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0132] Fig. 2 shows a depiction of a system 200 for controlling and driving a
plurality of
tintable windows. It may be employed to control the operation of one or more
devices
associated with a tintable window such as a window antenna. The system 200 can
be
adapted for use with facility (e.g., a building 204) comprising a commercial
office building or
a residential building. In some embodiments, the system 200 is designed to
function in
conjunction with modern heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC)
systems 206,
interior lighting systems 207, security systems 208, and power systems 209 as
a single
holistic and efficient energy control system for the entire building 204, or a
campus of
buildings 204. Some embodiments of the system 200 are particularly well-suited
for
integration with a building management system (BMS) 210. The BMS 210 is a
computer-
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based control system that can be installed in a building to monitor and
control the building's
mechanical and electrical equipment such as HVAC systems, lighting systems,
power
systems, elevators, fire systems, and security systems. The BMS 210 can
include hardware
and associated firmware or software for maintaining conditions in the building
204 according
to preferences set by the occupants or by a building manager or other
administrator. The
software can be based on, for example, internet protocols or open standards.
[0133] A BMS can be used in large buildings where it functions to control the
environment
within the building. For example, the BMS 210 may control lighting,
temperature, carbon
dioxide levels, and/or humidity within the building 204. There can be several
(e.g.,
numerous) mechanical and/or electrical devices that are controlled by the BMS
210
including, for example, furnaces or other heaters, air conditioners, blowers,
and/or vents. To
control the building environment, the BMS 210 can turn on and off these
various devices,
e.g., according to rules and/or in response to conditions. Such rules and/or
conditions may
be selected and/or specified by a user (e.g., building manager and/or
administrator). One
function of the BMS 210 may be to maintain a comfortable environment for the
occupants of
the building 204, e.g., while minimizing heating and cooling energy losses and
costs. In
some embodiments, the BMS 210 is configured not (e.g., only) to monitor and
control, but
also to optimize the synergy between various systems, for example, to conserve
energy and
lower building operation costs.
[0134] Some embodiments are designed to function responsively or reactively
based on
feedback. The feedback control scheme may comprise measurements sensed
through, for
example, thermal, optical, or other sensors. The feedback control scheme may
comprise
input from an HVAC, interior lighting system, and/or an input from a user
control. Examples
of control system, methods of its use, and its related software, may be found
in US Patent
No. 8,705,162, issued April 22, 2014, which is incorporated herein by
reference in its
entirety. Some embodiments are utilized in existing structures, including
commercial and/or
residential structures, e.g., having traditional or conventional HVAC and/or
interior lighting
systems. Some embodiments are retrofitted for use in older facilities (e.g.,
residential
homes).
[0135] The system 200 includes network controllers 212 configured to control a
plurality of
window controllers 214. For example, one network controller 212 may control at
least tens,
hundreds, or thousands of window controllers 214. Each window controller 214,
in turn, may
control and drive one or more electrochromic windows 202. In some embodiments,
the
network controller 212 can issue high level instructions such as the final
tint state of a
tintable window. The window controllers may receive these commands and
directly control
their associated windows, e.g., by applying electrical stimuli to
appropriately drive tint state
transitions and/or maintain tint states. The number and size of the tintable
(e.g.,
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electrochromic) windows 202 that each window controller 214 can drive, may be
generally
limited by the voltage and/or current characteristics of the load on the
window controller 214
controlling the respective electrochromic windows 202. In some embodiments,
the maximum
window size that the window controller 214 can drive is limited by the
voltage, current, and/or
power requirements, to cause the requested optical transitions in the
electrochromic window
202 within a requested time-frame. Such requirements are, in turn, a function
of the surface
area of the window. In some embodiments, this relationship is nonlinear. For
example, the
voltage, current, and/or power requirements can increase nonlinearly with the
surface area
of the electrochromic window 202. Without wishing to be bound to theory, in
some cases the
relationship is nonlinear at least in part because the sheet resistance of the
first and second
conductive layers increases nonlinearly with distance across the length and
width of the first
or second conductive layers. In some embodiments, the relationship between the
voltage,
current, and/or power requirements required to drive multiple electrochromic
windows 202 of
equal size and shape is directly proportional to the number of the
electrochromic windows
202 being driven.
[0136] Figure 2 shows an example of a master controller 211. The master
controller 211
communicates and functions in conjunction with multiple network controllers
212, each of
which network controllers 212 is capable of addressing a plurality of window
controllers 214.
In some embodiments, the master controller 211 issues the high level
instructions (such as
the final tint states of the tintable windows) to the network controllers 212,
and the network
controllers 212 then communicate the instructions to the corresponding window
controllers
214. Fig. 2 shows an example of a hierarchical control system comprising the
master
controller, the network controllers, and the window controllers.
[0137] In some implementations, the various electrochromic windows 202,
antennas,
and/or other target devices of the facility (e.g., comprising building or
other structure) are
(e.g., advantageously) grouped into zones or groups of zones (e.g., wherein
each of which
includes a subset of the electrochromic windows 202). For example, each zone
may
correspond to a set of electrochromic windows 202 in a specific location or
area of the facility
that should be tinted (or otherwise transitioned) to the same or similar
optical states, based
at least in part on their location. As another example, consider a building
having four faces or
sides: A North face, a South face, an East Face, and a West Face. Consider
that the
building has ten floors. In such an example, each zone can correspond to the
set of
electrochromic windows 202 on a particular floor and on a particular one of
the four faces. In
some such embodiments, each network controller 212 can address one or more
zones or
groups of zones. For example, the master controller 211 can issue a final tint
state command
for a particular zone or group of zones to a respective one or more of the
network controllers
212. For example, the final tint state command can include an abstract
identification of each
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of the target zones. The designated network controllers 212 receiving the
final tint state
command may then map the abstract identification of the zone(s) to the
specific network
addresses of the respective window controllers 214 that control the voltage or
current
profiles to be applied to the electrochronnic windows 202 in the zone(s).
[0138] In some embodiments, a distributed network of controllers is used to
control the
optically-switchable windows. For example, a network system may be operable to
control a
plurality of IGUs in accordance with some implementations. One primary
function of the
network system may be to control the optical states of the electrochromic
devices (or other
optically-switchable devices) within the IGUs.
[0139] In some embodiments, another function of the network system is to
acquire status
information (e.g., data) from the IGUs. For example, the status information
for a given IGU
can include an identification of, or information about, a current tint state
of the tintable
device(s) within the IGU. The network system may be operable to acquire data
from various
sensors, such as temperature sensors, photosensors (referred to herein as
light sensors),
humidity sensors, air flow sensors, or occupancy sensors, antennas, whether
integrated on
or within the IGUs or located at various other positions in, on or around the
building. At least
one sensor may be configured (e.g., designed) to measure one or more
environmental
characteristics, for example, temperature, humidity, ambient noise, carbon
dioxide, VOC,
particulate matter, oxygen, and/or any other aspects of an environment (e.g.,
atmosphere
thereof). The sensors may comprise electromagnetic sensors.
[0140] The electromagnetic sensor may be configured to sense ultraviolet,
visible, infrared,
and/or radio wave radiation. The infrared radiation may be passive infrared
radiation (e.g.,
black body radiation). The electromagnetic sensor may sense radio waves. The
radio waves
may comprise wide band, or ultra-wideband radio signals. The radio waves may
comprise
pulse radio waves. The radio waves may comprise radio waves utilized in
communication.
The radio waves may be at a medium frequency of at least about 300 kilohertz
(KHz), 500
KHz, 800 KHz, 1000 KHz, 1500 KHz, 2000 KHz, or 2500 KHz. The radio waves may
be at a
medium frequency of at most about 500 KHz, 800 KHz, 1000 KHz, 1500 KHz, 2000
KHz,
2500 KHz, or 3000 KHz. The radio waves may be at any frequency between the
aforementioned frequency ranges (e.g., from about 300KHz to about 3000 KHz).
The radio
waves may be at a high frequency of at least about 3 megahertz (MHz), 5 MHz, 8
MHz, 10
MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, or 25 MHz. The radio waves may be at a high frequency of
at most
about 5 MHz, 8 MHz, 10 MHz, 15 MHz, 20 MHz, 25 MHz, or 30 MHz. The radio waves
may
be at any frequency between the aforementioned frequency ranges (e.g., from
about 3MHz
to about 30 MHz). The radio waves may be at a very high frequency of at least
about 30
Megahertz (MHz), 50 MHz, 80 MHz, 100 MHz, 150 MHz, 200 MHz, or 250 MHz. The
radio
waves may be at a very high frequency of at most about 50 MHz, 80 MHz, 100
MHz, 150
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MHz, 200 MHz, 250 MHz, or 300 MHz. The radio waves may be at any frequency
between
the aforementioned frequency ranges (e.g., from about 30MHz to about 300 MHz).
The radio
waves may be at an ultra-high frequency of at least about 300 kilohertz (MHz),
500 MHz,
800 MHz, 1000 MHz, 1500 MHz, 2000 MHz, 01 2500 MHz. The radio waves may be at
an
ultra-high frequency of at most about 500 MHz, 800 MHz, 1000 MHz, 1500 MHz,
2000 MHz,
2500 MHz, or 3000 MHz. The radio waves may be at any frequency between the
aforementioned frequency ranges (e.g., from about 300MHz to about 3000 MHz).
The radio
waves may be at a super high frequency of at least about 3 gigahertz (GHz), 5
GHz, 8 GHz,
GHz, 15 GHz, 20 GHz, or 25 GHz. The radio waves may be at a super high
frequency of
at most about 5 GHz, 8 GHz, 10 GHz, 15 GHz, 20 GHz, 25 GHz, or 30 GHz. The
radio
waves may be at any frequency between the aforementioned frequency ranges
(e.g., from
about 3GHz to about 30 GHz).
[0141] The network system may include any suitable number of distributed
controllers
having various capabilities or functions. In some embodiments, the functions
and
arrangements of the various controllers are defined hierarchically. Figure 3
shows an
example of a network system 300 including a plurality of distributed local
(e.g., window)
controllers (WCs) 304, a plurality of floor (e.g., network) controllers (NCs)
306, and a master
controller (MC) 308. In some embodiments, the MC 308 can communicate with and
control
at least two, ten, tens, hundred, or hundreds of floor using floor controllers
(e.g., network
controllers NC) 306. The floor controller may be configured to control a floor
or a portion of a
floor. In various embodiments, the master controller MC 308 issues high level
instructions to
the NCs 306 over one or more wired and/or wireless communication links. The
instructions
can include, for example, tint commands for causing transitions in the optical
states of the
IGUs controlled by the respective NCs 306. Each NC 306 may, in turn,
communicate with
and control a number of window controllers (WCs) 304 over one or more wired
and/or
wireless links. The communication links may be bidirectional communication
links.
[0142] The MC 308 may issue communications including tint commands, status
request
commands, data (for example, sensor data) request commands or other
instructions. In
some embodiments, the MC 308 issues such communications periodically, at
certain
predefined times of day (which may change based on the day of week or year),
or based at
least in part on the detection of particular events, conditions or
combinations of events or
conditions (for example, as determined by acquired sensor data or based at
least in part on
the receipt of a request initiated by a user and/or by an application or a
combination of such
sensor data and such a request). In some embodiments, when the MC 308
determines to
cause a tint state change (e.g., alteration) in a set of one or more IGUs, the
MC 308
generates or selects a tint value corresponding to the requested tint state.
In some
implementations, the set of IGUs is associated with a first protocol
identifier (ID) (for
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example, a Building Automation and Control (BAC) network identification
(BACnet ID)). The
MC 308 may then generate and transmit a communication¨referred to herein as a
"primary
tint command"¨ including the tint value and the first protocol ID over the
link via a first
communication protocol (for example, a BACnet compatible protocol). In some
embodiments, the MC 308 addresses the primary tint command to the particular
NC 306 that
controls the particular one or more WCs 304 that, in turn, control the set of
IGUs to be
transitioned. The NC 306 may receive the primary tint command including the
tint value and
the first protocol ID and map the first protocol ID to one or more second
protocol IDs. In
some embodiments, each of the second protocol IDs identifies a corresponding
one of the
WCs 304. The NC 306 may subsequently transmit a secondary tint command
including the
tint value to each of the identified WCs 304 over the link via a second
communication
protocol. In some embodiments, each of the WCs 304 that receives the secondary
tint
command then selects a voltage and/or current profile from an internal memory
based on the
tint value to drive its respectively connected IGUs to a tint state consistent
with the tint value.
Each of the WCs 304 may then generate and provide voltage and/or current
signals over the
link to its respectively connected IGUs to apply the voltage or current
profile.
[0143] In a similar manner to how the function and/or arrangement of
controllers may be
arranged hierarchically, tintable windows may be arranged in a hierarchical
structure. A
hierarchical structure can help facilitate the control of tintable windows at
a particular site by
allowing rules or user control to be applied to various groupings of tintable
windows or IGUs.
Further, for aesthetics, multiple contiguous windows in a room and/or other
site location may
sometimes need to have their optical states correspond and/or tint at the same
rate. Treating
a group of contiguous windows as a zone can facilitate these goals.
[0144] In some embodiments, IGUs are grouped into zones of tintable windows,
each of
which zones includes at least one window controller and its respective IGUs.
Each zone of
IGUs may be controlled by one or more respective NCs and one or more
respective WCs
controlled by these NCs. For example, each zone can be controlled by a single
NC and two
or more WCs controlled by the single NC.
[0145] In some embodiments, at least one device is operated in coordination
with at least
one other device, which devices are coupled to the network. Control of the at
least one
device may be via Ethernet. For example, A tint level of tintable windows may
be adjusted
concurrently. When the devices are in use, a zone of devices may have at least
one
characteristics that is the same. For example, when the tintable windows are
in a zone, a
zone of tintable windows may have its tint level (automatically) altered
(e.g., darkened or
lightened) to the same level. For example, when sounds sensors are in a zone,
they may
sample sound at the same frequency and/or at the same time window. A zone of
devices
may comprise a plurality of devices (e.g., of the same type). The zone may
comprise (i)
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devices (e.g., tintable windows) facing a particular direction of an enclosure
(e.g., facility), (ii)
a plurality of devices disposed on a particular face (e.g., façade) of the
enclosure, (iii)
devices on a particular floor of a facility, (iv) devices in a particular type
of room and/or
activity (e.g., open space, office, conference room, lecture hall, corridor,
reception hall, or
cafeteria), (v) devices disposed on the same fixture (e.g., internal or
external wall), and/or
(vi) devices that are user defined (e.g., a group of tintable windows in a
room or on a façade
that are a subset of a larger group of tintable windows. The (automatic)
adjustment of the
devices may done automatically and/or by a user. The automatic changing of
device
properties and/or status in a zone, may be overridden by a user (e.g., by
manually adjusting
the tint level). A user may override the automatic adjustment of the devices
in a zone using
mobile circuitry (e.g., a remote controller, a virtual reality controller, a
cellular phone, an
electronic notepad, a laptop computer and/or by a similar mobile device).
[0146] In some embodiments, when instructions relating to the control of a
device (e.g.,
instructions for a window controller or an IGU) are passed through the network
system, they
are accompanied with a unique network ID of the device they are sent to.
Networks IDs may
be helpful to ensure that instructions reach and are carried out on the
intended device. For
example, a window controller that controls the tint states of more than one
IGU, may
determine which IGU to control based upon a network ID such as a Controller
Area
Network (CAN) ID (a form of network ID) that is passed along with the tinting
command. In a
window network such as those described herein, the term network ID includes
but is not
limited to CAN IDs, and BACnet IDs. Such network IDs may be applied to window
network
nodes such as window controllers, network controllers, and master controllers.
A network ID
for a device may include the network ID of every device that controls it in
the hierarchical
structure. For example, the network ID of an IGU may include a window
controller ID, a
network controller ID, and a master controller ID in addition to its own CAN
ID.
[0147] Figure 4 shows various IGUs 422 grouped into zones 403 of tintable
windows, each
of which zones 403 includes at least one window controller 424 and its
respective IGUs 422.
In some embodiments, each zone of IGUs 422 is controlled by one or more
respective NCs
and one or more respective WCs 424 controlled by these NCs. Each zone 403 may
be
controlled by a single NC and two or more WCs 424 controlled by the single NC.
Thus, a
zone 403 can represent a logical grouping of the IGUs 422. For example, each
zone 403
may correspond to a set of IGUs 422 in a specific location or area of the
building that are
driven together based on their location. As a more specific example, consider
a site 401 that
is a building having four faces or sides: A North face, a South face, an East
Face, and a
West Face. Consider that the building has ten floors. In such an example, each
zone 403
may correspond to the set of tintable windows 422 on a particular floor and on
a particular
one of the four faces. Each zone 403 may correspond to a set of IGUs 422 that
share one or
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more physical characteristics (for example, device parameters such as size or
age). In some
embodiments, a zone 403 of IGUs 422 is grouped based at least in part on one
or more non-
physical characteristics comprising a security designation or a business
hierarchy (for
example, IGUs 422 bounding managers' offices can be grouped in one or more
zones while
IGUs 422 bounding non-managers' offices can be grouped in one or more
different zones).
[0148] In some such implementations, each NC can address all of the IGUs 422
in each of
one or more respective zones 403. For example, the MC can issue a primary tint
command
to the NC that controls a target zone 403. The primary tint command can
include an abstract
identification of the target zone (hereinafter referred to as a "zone ID"). In
some such
implementations, the zone ID can be a first protocol ID such as that just
described in the
example above. The NC may receive the primary tint command including the tint
value and
the zone ID and may map the zone ID to the second protocol IDs associated with
the WCs
424 within the zone. In some embodiments, the zone ID can be a higher level
abstraction
than the first protocol IDs. In such cases, the NC can first map the zone ID
to one or more
first protocol IDs, and subsequently map the first protocol IDs to the second
protocol IDs.
[0149] In order for tint controls to work (e.g., to allow the window control
system to change
the tint state of one or a set of specific windows or IGUs), a master
controller, network
controller, and/or other controller responsible for tint decisions, may
utilize the network
address of the window controller(s) connected to that specific window or set
of windows. To
this end, a function of commissioning may be used to provide correct
assignment of window
controller addresses and/or other identifying information to specific windows
and window
controllers, as well the physical locations of the windows and/or window
controllers in
buildings. In some embodiments, a goal of commissioning is to correct mistakes
and/or other
problems made in installing windows in the wrong locations or connecting
cables to the
wrong window controllers. In some embodiments, a goal of commissioning is to
provide
semi- or fully-automated installation. In other words, allowing installation
with little or no
location guidance for installers.
[0150] In some embodiments, the commissioning process for a particular window
or IGU
may involve associating an ID for a device (e.g., the window and/or other
window-related
component), with its corresponding local (e.g., window) controller. The
process may assign a
building location, a relative location, and/or absolute location (e.g.,
latitude, longitude, and
elevation) to the device (e.g., window or another component). Examples
relating to
commissioning and/or configuring a network of tintable windows can be found in
U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 14/391,122, filed October 7, 2014, titled "APPLICATIONS
FOR
CONTROLLING OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES," U.S. Patent Application Serial No.
14/951,410, filed November 24, 2015, titled "SELF-CONTAINED EC IGU," U.S.
Provisional
Patent Application Serial No. 62/305,892, filed March 9, 2016, titled "METHOD
OF
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COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," and U.S. Provisional Patent
Application Serial No. 62/370,174, filed August 2, 2016, titled "METHOD OF
COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS," each of which is herein incorporated
by reference in its entirety.
[0151] After a network of devices (e.g., optically switchable windows) is
physically installed,
the network can be commissioned to correct any incorrect assignment of window
controllers
to the wrong windows (often as IGUs) or building locations. In some
embodiments,
commissioning maps pairs or links individual devices (e.g., windows) and their
locations with
associated location (e.g., window) controllers.
[0152] In some embodiments, commissioning is intended to address mis-pairing
of local
(e.g., window) controllers and associated devices (e.g., windows), for
example, during
installation. For example, before installation, a local (e.g., window)
controller may be
assigned to a particular device (e.g., window), which may be assigned to a
particular location
in the building. However, during installation a local (e.g., window)
controller and/or devices
(e.g., window) may be installed in an incorrect location. For instance, a
local (e.g., window)
controller may be paired with the wrong device (e.g., window), or the device
(e.g., window)
may be installed in the wrong location. These mis-pairings can be difficult to
address and/or
require substantial (e.g., manual) labor, time and/or cost to address and/or
rectify.
Additionally, during the construction process, the physical device (e.g.,
window) installation
and the wiring installation in the building may be done by different teams at
different times.
Recognizing this challenge, in some implementations, the devices (e.g.,
windows) and/or
local controllers are not pre-assigned to one another, but rather are paired
during a
commissioning process. Even if nnis-pairing is not a problem because, for
example, local
(e.g., window) controllers are physically affixed to their corresponding
devices (e.g.,
windows), the installer might not know or care which device (e.g., window)
(and hence which
local controller) is installed at which location. For example, devices (e.g.,
windows) may be
identical in size, shape, and/or optical properties, and hence be
interchangeable. The
installer may install such devices (e.g., windows) at any convenient location,
without regard
for the unique local controller associated with each such device (e.g.,
window). Various
commissioning embodiments described herein permit such flexible installation.
[0153] Some examples of issues that can arise during installation are the
following: (I)
Mistakes in placing windows in correct locations: electrically controllable
windows may be
susceptible to mis-installation, e.g., by technicians who are not accustomed
to working with
electrically controllable windows. These technicians may include tradespeople
such as
glaziers and/or low voltage electricians (LVE's); (II) Misconnecting cables to
window
controllers: this can be occur, e.g., when multiple windows are disposed in
close proximity;
(III) Malfunctioning (e.g., broken) tintable windows and/or window
controllers: An installer
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can install an available window and/or controller in place of the
malfunctioning (e.g., broken)
one. The new window and/or controller may not be in the installation and/or
building (e.g.,
BIM) plan, and thus may not be accounted for and/or recognized during
commissioning; and
(IV) The process of installing many windows at the correct locations may be
complicated. It
would be desirable to replace the paradigm of having installers be responsible
for installing
many unique windows in unique locations, which installation may be prone to
human error.
Therefore, it could be useful to do away with (e.g., much, or all of) the
window and/or
controller location considerations, which can complicate the installation
process. A similar
discussion can apply for any device (substituting the window), and any local
controller that
controls the device (substituting the window controller). The device can by
any device, e.g.,
as disclosed herein.
[0154] In one example, installation and attendant problems requiring improved
methods of
commissioning may arise from the following operations:
a. A unique network address (e.g., a CANID) is assigned to each window
controller
when the window controllers are manufactured.
b. The window manufacturer (that is not necessarily the window controller
manufacturer), a building designer, or other entity, specifies information
about the
window controller (with specified network address) and window (IC U). It does
this by
assigning a window controller ID (WCID), which is not (e.g., which differs
from) the
window controller's network address. The window manufacturer and/or other
entity
specifies which IGU(s) are associated with the window controller (WCID). To
this end,
the entity specifies window IDs (WIDs) for the windows. In certain cases, the
manufacturer and/or other entity does not specify a correlation between IGU
and
controllers, e.g., to which specific IGU(s) a controller needs to be
connected. For
example, the window manufacture need not specify that a WC (with a CANID
(e.g.,
19196997)) needs to connect to any particular WID (e.g.,
043490524'0071'0017'00).
Instead, the manufacturer or other entity specifies that a WC (with CANID
(e.g.,
19196997)) has a window controller ID of, e.g., WC10. The window controller ID
may be
reflected (e.g., appear) as a location tag (e.g., an arbitrary number assigned
to windows
in an installation) on an interconnect drawing, architectural drawing, or
other
representation of a building, which may specify that the window controller
connects to
particular IGUs identified by window IDs (e.g., W31 and W32 (location tag for
IGs)).
c. As indicated, the manufacturer or other entity applies a window controller
ID (WC)c<
label) on each window controller. The entity enters a WCx)c/CAN ID pair
information in a
configuration file used by master controller/network controller or other
device containing
logic responsible for issuing individual tint decisions.
d. This process requires that an LVE or other technician charged with
installing and/or
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connecting electrically controllable windows to select a specific window
controller from
the boxes of window controllers and install it in a specific location in the
building.
e. Any errors made in operations (c) or (d) lead to difficult troubleshooting
in the field to
find the nnis-mapping and correct it.
f. Even if operations (c) and (d) are executed correctly, a window
controller and/or
window can be damaged, in which case it must be replaced during the
installation. This
again can cause problems unless the change is tracked manually and reflected
in the
configuration file. A similar discussion can apply for any device
(substituting the window),
and any local controller that controls the device (substituting the window
controller). The
device can by any device, e.g., as disclosed herein.
[0155] As indicated, in various embodiments, the commissioning process pairs
individual
devices (e.g., tintable windows, device ensemble, or any other individual
device) with
individual local (e.g., window) controllers responsible for controlling
various attributes of the
device (e.g., for controlling the optical states of the tintable windows). In
some embodiments,
the commissioning process pairs a device and/or local controller locations
with local
controller IDs and/or controller network identifiers (e.g., CANIDs) for
controllers that are
directly control the devices (e.g., with no intervening controller) and/or for
controllers
disposed on or proximate to devices. For example, the commissioning process
pairs window
and/or window controller locations with window controller IDs and/or window
controller
network identifiers (e.g., CANIDs) for controllers that are disposed on or
proximate to
windows. Such controllers may be configured to control one or more properties
of the device
(e.g., the optical states of windows). The local controllers may directly
control the device,
may be located on or proximate to the device (e.g., may be located on the
window or device
ensemble housing or proximate to). In some embodiments, the commissioning
process
specifies the type of controller in a hierarchical network and/or the logical
position of the
controller in that network's topology. Each individual device (e.g., sensor,
device ensemble,
and/or optically switchable window) may have a physical ID (e.g., the window
or lite ID (WID)
mentioned herein) and an associated controller with a unique network ID (e.g.,
the above-
mentioned CANID). In some embodiments, the local controller includes a
physical ID (e.g.,
the WCID). In general, a commissioning process may be used to link or pair any
two related
network components including but not limited to IGUs (or lites in IGUs),
window controllers,
network controllers, master controllers, sensors, emitters, antenna,
receivers, transceivers,
processors, and/or device ensembles. In some embodiments, the commissioning
process
involves pairing network identifiers associated with devices (e.g., IGUs)
and/or controllers, to
fixtures, surfaces and/or any other features on a three-dimensional building
model (e.g., BIM
file). Device ensembles may be referred to herein as "digital architectural
element."
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[0156] In some embodiments, a commissioning linkage is made by comparing an
architecturally determined location of a first component with a wirelessly
measured location
of a second component, which second component is associated with the first
component.
For example, the first component may be an optically switchable window and the
second
component may be a window controller configured to control the optical state
of the optically
switchable component. In another example, the first component may be a sensor
that
provides measured radiation data to a local (e.g., window or sensor)
controller, which is the
second component. At times, the location of the first component may be known
with greater
accuracy than the location of the second component. The location may be
determined by a
wireless measurement (e.g., by a traveler such as a field service engineer or
a robot such as
a drone). While the accurate location of the first component may be determined
from
architectural drawings or a similar source (e.g., BIM file), the commissioning
process may
employ alternative sources such as manually-measured post-installation
locations of the
devices (e.g., windows or other components). Geographic auto location
technology (e.g.,
Global positioning system (GPS), ultrawide band radio waves (UWB), infrared
radiation,
Bluetooth technology, and the like) may be used. In various embodiments, the
component
whose location is determined by wireless measurement (e.g., a local
controller) has a
network ID. The network ID can be made available during the commissioning
process, e.g.,
via a configuration (e.g., BIM) file. In such cases, the commissioning process
may pair the
accurate physical location of the first component with the network ID of the
second
component. In some embodiments, the first and second components are a single
component. For example, a window controller may be such component; e.g., its
position may
be both determined from an architectural drawing and from wireless
measurement. The
commissioning process may ascribe the physical location from the architectural
drawing
(e.g., BIM file) with the network ID from the configuration file. The BIM file
may constitute a
digital twin of the facility (e.g., building).
[0157] In some embodiments, the linkages determined during commissioning are
stored in
a file, data structure, database, or the like (e.g., BIM file) that can be
consulted by various
window network components and/or associated systems such as mobile
applications,
window control intelligence algorithms, Building Management Systems (BMSs),
security
systems, lighting systems, and the like. In some embodiments, the
commissioning linkages
are stored in a network configuration file which may be included in the
digital twin of the
facility. In some embodiments, a network configuration file is used by the
network to send
appropriate commands between components on the network; e.g., a master
controller sends
a tint command to the local (e.g., window) controller for a designated device
(e.g., tintable
window), by its location in a structure, for a (e.g., configuration and/or
tint) change.
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[0158] Fig. 5 depicts an example of an embodiment in which a network
configuration file
503, may be used by control logic 504 to facilitate various functions on a
network. While the
following description uses the term "network configuration file," it should be
understood that
any suitable file, data structure, database, etc. may be used for the same
purpose. Such file
(or other feature) can provide linkages between physical components of a
network (e.g., lite
positions identified by a Lite ID) and network IDs (which may be or include
network
addresses) of controllers associated with such physical components (e.g.,
window
controllers that directly control states of lites). Control logic refers to
any logic that may use
for making decisions or other purposes the linkages between physical
components and
associated controllers. For example, such logic may include logic provided
with device
network master controllers, network controllers, and local controllers, as
well as associated
or interfacing systems such as mobile applications for controlling device
types and/or
configurations (e.g., states), device control intelligence algorithms,
building management
systems, security systems, lighting systems, and the like. For example, such
logic may
include logic provided with window network master controllers, network
controllers, and
window controllers, as well as associated or interfacing systems such as
mobile applications
for controlling window states, window control intelligence algorithms,
building management
systems, security systems, lighting systems, and the like. In some
embodiments, network
configuration file 503 is used by control logic 504 to provide network
information to a
graphical user interface (GUI) 508 for controlling the network, such as an
application on a
remote wireless device, or to an intelligence system 509 or a building
management system
(BMS). In some embodiments, a user interface 508 of a mobile application is
configured to
use information provided by a network configuration file to control target
devices, such as a
master controller, a network controller, a local controller, or other network
components.
[0159] In some embodiments, a digital twin includes a network configuration
file which is
created and updated according to a building layout, equipment installations,
and unique
identifiers of installed devices. In some embodiments, the first operation is
to determine the
physical layout of a site from building plans such as architectural drawings
so that the layout
of a window network can be determined. The architectural drawings (e.g.,
included in the
digital twin) may provide building dimensions, locations of fixtures, wiring,
openings (e.g.,
piers), plumbing, stairs, electrical closets, and various other structural and
architectural
features. In some embodiments, such as when architectural drawings are not
available,
architectural drawings are created by first surveying a site (e.g., using a
traveler such as a
human or robotic traveler). Using architectural drawings, an individual or
team may design
the wiring infrastructure and/or power delivery system for the device (e.g.,
including tintable
window) network. This infrastructure, which includes power distribution
components, may be
depicted visually in modified architectural drawings that are sometimes
referred to as
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interconnect drawings. Interconnect drawings may depict wire routing (e.g.,
trunk lines) at a
site, the positioning of various devices on the network (e.g., controllers,
power supplies,
control panels, windows, emitters, and/or sensors), and identifying
information of network
components (e.g., a network ID). In some embodiments, an interconnect drawing
is not
completed until the IDs (WIDs or other IDs) of installed devices (e.g.,
optically switchable
windows) are matched to the devices installed locations. Inherently or
explicitly, an
interconnect drawing may depict a hierarchical communications network
including the
devices and their controllers (e.g., windows, window controllers, network
controllers, and a
master controller) at a particular site. An interconnect drawing as initially
rendered may not
include network IDs for the devices (e.g., lites or other components) on the
network.
[0160] In some embodiments, after an interconnect drawing is created, it is
used to create
a network configuration file which may be a textual representation of the
interconnect
drawing. Network configuration files may then be provided in a medium that is
readable by
control logic and/or other interfacing system, which allows the window network
to be
controlled in its intended fashion. So long as the interconnect drawing and
the network
configuration file accurately reflect the installed network, the process of
creating a
preliminary network configuration file is complete. However, commissioning may
add other
information to the file to link installed optically switchable windows are
matched to
corresponding window controller network IDs. If at any point it is determined
that the
interconnect drawing and network configuration file do not match the installed
network,
manual user intervention may be required to update the interconnect drawing
with accurate
lite ID (or other ID) information. From the updated interconnect drawing the
network
configuration file is then updated to reflect changes that have been made.
[0161] Fig. 6 shows an example method of creating a network configuration
file. The
physical layout of a site is determined in an operation 601. Interconnect
drawings defining
the types and positioning of various devices to be included in a network are
added in an
operation 602. Device (e.g., Lite) IDs 611 (which may be specified in advance,
determined at
the time of installation, or collected after installation) may be input to the
interconnect
drawing 602. The network configuration file is generated in an operation 603.
In an operation
604, it is verified whether the interconnect drawing portion of the network
configuration file
matches what has been installed. If there are any inaccuracies, then operation
611 is
repeated to update the interconnect drawing 602.
[0162] Fig. 7 provides one example of an interconnect drawing which is created
from
architectural drawing (e.g., floorplan) of the building. Interconnect drawings
include the
placement of IGUs and window controllers 701, control panels 702, trunk lines
703, wall
interfaces 705, and various other network components such as master
controllers, network
controllers, sensors. Although not shown, interconnect drawings may include
additional
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information such as structural information, structural dimensions, and
information such as
the network IDs of various network components depicted.
[0163] In some embodiments, an interconnect drawing is a package of drawings
depicting
many views of a structure. In some embodiments, an interconnect drawing
package includes
drawings that are similar but provide different information. For example, two
drawings may
depict the same floorplan, and one drawing may provide dimensional
information, while
another provides network IDs of components on the network. Fig. 8 provides an
example of
an interconnect drawing that depicts an elevation view of a structure from
which the
coordinates of IGUs 801 and other network components may be determined. In
some
embodiments, interconnect drawings provide information relating to power
distribution
networks for electrochromic devices such as has been described in U.S. Patent
No.
10,253,558, issued April 9, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in
its entirety.
[0164] Modifications to interconnect drawings may be required in certain
situations. For
example, an installer might determine that a window opening is too small for
the window
prescribed by the instructions in the digital twin (e.g., interconnect
drawings and/or BIM) and
decide to install a smaller window. To correct for the change, the digital
twin may need to be
updated. A network configuration file or other structure storing mappings
between devices
(e.g., optically switchable windows) and associated controllers may be created
or modified to
reflect the real-world installation. With the correct mapping in place, the
network will function
properly. In some cases, if a network configuration file is not representative
of the physical
network, then device configuration instructions (e.g., window tinting
instructions) may be sent
to the wrong component, or communications may not be received at all.
[0165] When the digital twin (e.g., interconnect drawing) of the facility is
revised, the
corresponding (e.g., linked) network configuration file will be revised as
well. Such revision
may be manual and/or automatic. Such revisions may be done in real-time (e.g.,
during
update of the digital twin file, at a predetermined time, or at a whim. In
some embodiments, a
network configuration file is not created until physical installation has been
completed, e.g.,
to ensure that any changes in the digital twin are reflected in the network
configuration file. In
cases where the interconnect file is modified after the network file is
created, care should be
taken to ensure that the network configuration file is updated to reflect
changes. Failure to
update an interconnect drawing or failure to update a network configuration
file to reflect
changes made to the digital twin (e.g., an interconnect drawing) may result in
a network that
does not respond to instructions as intended. Further, the digital twin (e.g.,
an interconnect
drawing) may be updated when commissioning takes place (e.g., in real time).
To correct for
changes made during installation that deviate from an interconnect drawing,
device (e.g.,
optically switchable window) information may be obtained from a file
containing the device ID
(lite ID for a window, for example).
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[0166] When the digital twin (e.g., an interconnect drawing) has been created,
or when the
digital twin has been updated to account for a change in installation, a
network configuration
file may be created or updated. The configuration file may be further updated
when
commissioning takes place (e.g., in real time), or at a (e.g., designated)
time thereafter. As
with the digital twin (e.g., an interconnect drawing), the network
configuration file when
initially rendered, does not include network IDs for controllers or other
components (e.g.,
devices) on or operatively (e.g., communicatively) coupled to the network.
[0167] In some embodiments, a network configuration file is a transcript of
the digital twin
(e.g., an interconnect drawing) in a computer readable format that can be
read, interpreted,
and in some cases updated by control logic software. At least some (e.g., all)
of the network
components (e.g., windows, window controllers, network controllers, sensors,
emitters, and
sensor ensembles) may be represented in a network configuration file. The
network
configuration file may contain information regarding how various devices on
the network
relate to each other in a hierarchical structure.
[0168] In some embodiments, a network configuration file is a textual
description of the
digital twin (e.g., the interconnect drawings). Network configuration files
may have a flat file
format with no structure for indexing and/or no structural relationship
between records.
Examples of flat file types include plain text files, comma-separated value
files, and
delimiter-separated value files. A JavaScript object notation format (JSON),
or other object
notation format that uses human-readable text to transmit data objects
consisting of
attribute-value pairs, may be used for a network configuration file. The
information in a
network configuration file can be stored in other formats and/or locations.
[0169] In some embodiments, a network configuration file takes a JSON format.
Various
devices and groupings of devices may be defined as JSON objects. For example,
when
defining a zone of windows as an object, comma-separated text may be used to
encode
what zone group the zone is a part of, what network controller or controllers
the zone group
reports to, and the master controller in charge of the network. The object may
provide what
window controllers, windows, and/or any additional network components (e.g., a
photo
sensor or window antenna) are included in the zone. Network components may be
referenced in an object by at least a network ID. When initially generated
from the digital twin
(e.g., the interconnect drawing), a network configuration file may be
incomplete in the sense
that it does not yet include network IDs for at least one of the controllers.
[0170] Network configuration files may be stored at various locations in the
window
network. For example, a network configuration file may be stored on memory
attached to a
master controller, a network controller, a remote wireless device, or in the
cloud. In some
embodiments, a network configuration file is stored in one location from which
all other
devices on the network can access it. In another embodiment, network
configuration files are
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stored locally on a plurality of devices on the window controller network;
when a network
configuration file is updated at one location, as when a new device is added
to the network,
the updated network configuration file is used to replace the out of date
network files at other
locations.
[0171] Using information from the network configuration file, control logic
may send
instructions to windows and/or other components (e.g., devices) on the
network. Control
logic can transmit instructions to a master controller 405, which in turn may
transmit
instructions to the appropriate network controller 406. In some embodiments, a
network
controller transmits instructions to the appropriate local controller (e.g.,
window controller
407) over, e.g., a BACnet communication protocol (building automation and
control networks
protocol, IS016484-5). Local controllers may then apply electrical signals to
control the
configuration of the device(s) based at least in part upon a local
controller's CAN ID. For
example, the window controllers may then apply electrical signals to control
the tint state of
optically switching windows based at least in part upon a window controller's
CAN ID.
[0172] Control logic may be stored and/or used at various places on a network.
For
example, control logic may be stored and used on a master controller. In some
embodiments, software containing the control logic is run, locally, on the
cloud, or on a
remote device, e.g., which sends instructions to a higher hierarchy (e.g.,
master) controller.
In some embodiments, a control logic is at least partially implemented via a
facility
management application that be operated from an electronic device.
[0173] One purpose of control logic is to present controllable options to a
user in the form
of a graphical user interface that enables a user to choose and/or control one
or more
electrochronnic windows, and/or any other device, on the network. For example,
a user may
be presented with a list of lite IDs on the network from which the user may
select and/or
modify the attributes and/or configurations of the device, e.g., the tint
state of a particular
window. A user may send instructions to control a grouping of devices (e.g.,
windows) based
at least in part upon a zone of devices that has been predetermined or
selected, e.g., by a
user.
[0174] In some embodiments, control logic communicates with window control
intelligence,
a BMS, and/or a security system. For example, a BMS may configure all windows
to their
tinted state in order to save cooling costs in the event of a power outage.
[0175] One aspect of the present disclosure allows for automated window
location
determination after installation. Various devices (e.g., sensor ensembles,
window controllers,
windows configured with antennas and/or onboard controllers) may be configured
with a
transmitter to communicate via various forms of wireless electromagnetic
transmission; e.g.,
time-varying electric, magnetic, or electromagnetic fields. Various wireless
protocols used for
electromagnetic communication include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, BLE,
Wi-Fi, RF,
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and/or ultra-wideband (UWB). The relative location between two or more devices
may be
determined from information relating to received transmissions at one or more
antennas
such as the received strength or power, time of arrival or phase, frequency,
and/or angle of
arrival of wirelessly transmitted signals. When determining a device's
location from these
metrics, a triangulation algorithm may be implemented that in some instances
to account for
the physical layout of a building, e.g., fixtures such as walls and non-
fixtures such as mobile
furniture. Ultimately, an accurate location of individual network components
(e.g., devices)
can be obtained using such technologies. For example, the location of a window
controller
having a UWB micro-location chip can be determined to an accuracy of at least
about 2.5
cm, 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20 (cm) centimeters of its actual location, or a higher
accuracy. In
some instances, the location of one or more devices (e.g., windows) may be
determined
using geo-positioning methods such as those described in International Patent
Application
Serial No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 04, 2017, titled "WINDOW ANTENNAS," which
is
hereby incorporated 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.
[0176] Pulse-based ultra-wideband (UWB) technology (ECMA-368 and ECMA-369) is
a
wireless technology for transmitting large amounts of data at low power (e.g.,
of at most
about 0.3, 0.5, or 0.8 milliwatts (mW)) over short distances (e.g., of at most
about 200', 230',
or 250' (feet)). A characteristic of a UWB signal is that it occupies at least
about 500M Hz of
bandwidth spectrum or at least about 20% of its center frequency. A component
UWB
broadcasts digital signal pulses may be timed precisely on a carrier signal
across a number
of frequency channels at the same time. Information may be transmitted by
modulating the
timing and/or positioning of pulses. Information may be transmitted by
encoding the polarity
of the pulse, its amplitude and/or by using orthogonal pulses. Aside from
being a low power
information transfer protocol, UWB technology may provide several advantages
for indoor
location applications over other wireless protocols. In some embodiments, the
broad range
of the UWB spectrum comprises low frequencies having long wavelengths, which
allows
UWB signals to penetrate a variety of materials, including fixtures such as
walls. The wide
range of frequencies, including these low penetrating frequencies, decreases
the chance of
multipath propagation errors as some wavelengths will have a line-of-sight
trajectory.
Another advantage of pulse-based UWB communication may be that pulses are
short (e.g.,
at most about 50cm, 60cm, or 70 cm for a 500 MHz-wide pulse, at most about 20
cm, 23 cm,
or 25 cm for a 1.3 GHz-bandwidth pulse) reducing the chances that reflecting
pulses will
overlap with the original pulse.
[0177] The relative locations of window controllers having geo-location
technology (e.g.,
having micro-location chip) can be determined using the UWB protocol. For
example, using
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micro-location chips, the relative position of each device may be determined
to an accuracy
of at least about 2.5 cm, 5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20 cm, or higher accuracy. In some
embodiments, the devices (e.g., device ensembles, window controllers, and in
some cases,
antennas disposed on or proximate windows or window controllers) are
configured to
communicate via a micro-location chip. In some embodiments, a controller is
equipped with
a tag having a micro-location chip configured to broadcast (e.g., UWB)
signals. The signals
may be omnidirectional signals. Receiving stationary micro-location chip
(referred to as
anchors), may be located at a variety of locations such as a wireless router,
a network
controller, or a window controller. The anchors may have a known (e.g.,
absolute, or relative)
location in the facility. The tags may be stationary or mobile. For example,
the tag may be
embedded in a sensor ensemble. For example, the tag may be embedded in a
furniture or a
service machine (e.g., an asset). For example, the tag may be carried by an
occupant. By
analyzing the time taken for a broadcast signal to reach the anchors within
the transmittable
distance of the tag, the location of the tag may be determined, e.g., relative
to the anchors.
In some embodiments, an installer places temporary anchors within a building
for the
purpose of commissioning which are then removed after the commissioning
process is
complete. In some embodiments in which there are a plurality of devices (e.g.,
optically
switchable windows, window controllers) are equipped with micro-location chips
that are
configured to send and/or receive UWB signals. By analysis of the received UWB
signals at
each device (e.g., window controller), the relative distance between the
devices (e.g.,
window controller) located within the transmission range limits, may be
determined. By
aggregating this information, the relative locations between (e.g., all) the
devices (e.g.,
window controllers) may be determined. When the location of at least one
device (e.g.,
window controller) is known, or if an anchor is used, the relative location of
other devices
having a micro-location chip, may be determined. Such technology may be
employed in an
auto-commissioning procedure as described herein. It should be understood that
the
disclosure is not limited to UWB technology; any technology for automatically
reporting (e.g.,
high-resolution) geographic location information may be used. Such technology
may employ
one or more antennas associated with the components to be automatically
located.
[0178] A digital twin (e.g., Interconnect drawings or other sources of
architectural
information) of the facility may include location information for various
network components.
For example, devices (e.g., windows) may have their physical location
coordinates listed in
x, y, and z dimensions, with the technology prescribed accuracy; e.g., to
within at least about
1 centimeter. Files or documents derived from such digital twin (e.g.,
comprising drawings),
such as network configuration files, may contain accurate physical locations
of network
components. In certain embodiments, coordinates correspond to one corner of
(e.g., of a lite
or IGU as installed in) the facility structure. The choice of a particular
corner or other feature
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for specifying in the digital twin (e.g., interconnect drawing) coordinates
may be influenced
by the placement of an antenna or other location aware component. For example,
a window
and/or paired window controller may have a micro-location chip placed near a
first corner of
an associated IGU (e.g., the lower left corner); in which case the
interconnect drawing
coordinates for the lite may be specified for the first corner. In the case
where an IGU has a
window antenna, listed coordinates on a digital twin (e.g., interconnect
drawing) may
represent the location of the antenna on the surface of an IGU lite or a
corner proximate the
antenna. In some embodiments, coordinates are obtained from architectural
drawings and
knowledge of the antenna placement on larger window components such as an IGU.
In
some embodiments, a window's orientation is included in the interconnect
drawing.
[0179] While this specification often refers to digital twin (e.g.,
interconnect drawing) as a
source of accurate physical location information for windows, the disclosure
is not limited to
digital twin (e.g., interconnect drawing). Any similarly accurate
representation of component
locations in a building or other structure having optically switchable windows
may be used.
This includes files derived from interconnect drawings (e.g., network
configuration files) as
well as files or drawings produced independently of interconnect drawings,
e.g., via manual
or automated measurements made during construction of a building. In some
cases where
coordinates cannot be determined from architectural drawings, e.g., the
vertical position of a
window controller on a wall, unknown coordinates can be determined by
personnel
responsible for installation and/or commissioning. Because architectural and
interconnect
drawings are widely used in building design and construction, they are used
here for
convenience, but the disclosure is not limited to interconnect drawings as a
source of
physical location information.
[0180] In some embodiments using digital twin (e.g., interconnect drawing) or
similarly
detailed representation of component locations and geo-positioning,
commissioning logic
pairs component locations, as specified by interconnect drawings, with the
network IDs (or
other information not available in interconnect drawings) of components (e.g.,
devices) such
as window controllers for optically switchable windows. In some embodiments,
this is done
by comparing the measured relative distances between device locations provided
by geo-
positioning and the listed coordinates provided on an interconnect drawing.
Since the
location of network components may be determined with a high accuracy, e.g.,
as disclosed
herein for UWB such as better than about 10 cm, automatic commissioning may be
performed in a manner that avoids the complications that may be introduced by
manually
commissioning windows.
[0181] The controller network IDs or other information paired with the
physical location of a
device (e.g., window or other component) may come from various sources. In
some
embodiments, a controller's network ID is stored on a memory device. The
memory device
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can be operatively coupled to the network. The memory can be attached to a
window (e.g., a
dock for the window controller or a pigtail) or may be downloaded from the
cloud based upon
a device serial number. One example of a controller's network ID is a CAN ID
(an identifier
used for communicating over a CAN bus). In addition to the controller's
network ID, other
stored device information may include the controller's ID (not its network
ID), the device
component ID (e.g., a serial number for the lite), device type, device (e.g.,
window)
dimensions, manufacturing date, bus bar length, zone membership, current
firmware, and
various other device details (e.g., layer makeup of an electrochromic device
and their (e.g.,
relative) dimensionality). Regardless of which information is stored, at least
part of this
information (e.g., all the information) may be accessed during device use
and/or during the
commissioning process. Permission to access the information may comprise
security layers.
Once accessed, any or all portions of such information may be linked to the
physical location
information obtained from the digital twin (e.g., interconnect drawing),
partially completed
network configuration file, or other source.
[0182] Figure 9 depicts an example of a process 900 involving commissioning
logic 904
(part of a commissioning system) and a network configuration file 905. Process
900 begins
by gathering building information from architectural drawings 901. Using the
building
information provided by architectural drawings, a designer or design team
creates
interconnect drawings 902 which include plans for a network at a particular
site. Once
network components such as IGUs and controllers are installed, the relative
positions
between devices can be measured by analysis of electromagnetic transmissions
as has
been described herein. The measured positions and network ID information 903
is then
passed to commissioning logic 904 which pairs the network ID (or other unique
information)
of a device with its place within a hierarchal network as depicted in the
interconnect
drawings 902. The location of an associated device, as taken or derived from
the
interconnect drawing, is paired with the network ID or other unique
information. The paired
information is stored in a network configuration file 905. As long as no
changes are made to
the network or device installations, no changes are needed to the network
configuration file.
If, however, a change is made, for example an IGU is replaced with one having
a different
window controller, then commissioning logic 904 is used to determine the
change and
update the network configuration file 905 accordingly.
[0183] As a teaching example, consider an interconnect drawing having window
controllers
located at three positions (each associated with the lower left corner of an
associated
window) along the wall of the building: a first position intended to have a
first window
controller at (0 ft, 0 ft, 0 ft), a second position intended to have a second
window controller at
(5 ft, 0 ft, 0 ft), and a third position intended to have a third window
controller at (5 ft, 4 ft, 0
ft). When measuring coordinates of the three controllers, one of the
controllers may be set
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as a reference location (e.g., the controller personnel responsible for
commissioning sets the
controller in the first position as a reference point). From this reference
point the coordinates
of the other two windows are measured resulting in window coordinates of (5.1
ft, .2 if, .1 ft)
and (5.0 ft, 3.9 ft, -.1 ft). Commissioning logic then easily perceives the
window having
coordinates (5.1 ft, .2 ft, .1 ft) to be in the second position and a window
having coordinates
(5.0 ft, 3.9 ft, -.1 ft) to be in the third position. Information describing
the physical and
hierarchical position of each component from interconnect drawings may then be
paired with
the network ID information (or other unique information) which may be
transmitted to the
commissioning logic over the network when the position of network components
is
determined.
[0184] Commissioning logic may incorporate a range of statistical methods to
match
physical device coordinates with coordinates listed on an interconnect
drawing. In one
embodiment, matching is performed by iterating through the various
permutations of
assigning a device to each of the possible interconnect locations and then
observing how
closely the location of other components, as determined using relative
distance
measurements, correspond to the locations of other network component locations
as
specified on the interconnect drawing. In some embodiments, network components
are
matched with coordinates listed on an interconnect drawing by selecting the
permutation that
minimizes the mean squared error of the distance of each component to the
closest
component location specified by the interconnect drawing.
[0185] This auto commissioning method may be useful if, for example, a new
component
(e.g., device) is added to the network, an old component is removed from a
network, or
replaced on the network. In the case of a new component, the component may be
recognized by the network and its location may be determined by one of the
previously
described methods. Commissioning logic may then update the network
configuration file to
reflect the addition. Similarly, commissioning logic may update a network
configuration file
when a component is removed and no longer recognized by the network. In cases
where a
component is replaced, commissioning logic may notice the absence of a
component on the
network and the presence of a new component reporting from the same
coordinates of the
missing component. Commissioning logic may conclude that a component has been
replaced, and thus updates the network configuration file with the network ID
of the new
component.
[0186] Fig. 10 shows a process 1000 in which the commissioning logic generates
the
network topology portion of a network configuration file. Window devices (or
other network-
connected devices) are installed at a site 1001 and network components self-
determine the
hierarchical structure of the network by communicating with each other 1002.
The hieratical
structure of a network may be determined when each component self-reports to
the network
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component above it reporting its network ID (or other ID) information as well
the network ID
(or other ID) information of any devices below it in the hierarchy. For
example, a device (e.g.,
a sensor or an IGU) may report to a local controller (e.g., WC), which may
report to an NC,
which may report to a MC. When this pattern is repeated for every component on
the
network, then the system hierarchy may be self-determined. Thus, a network may
avoid
network topology errors that may easily be introduced by deviations from an
interconnect
drawing that occur during installation. This self-determined structure is then
passed to
commissioning logic 1004 which may use the measured positions 1003 of devices
when
creating a network configuration file 1005.
[0187] The instructions and logic for performing commissioning procedures
described
herein may be deployed on any suitable processing apparatus including any
controller on
the network with sufficient memory and processing capability. Examples include
master
controllers, network controllers, and local controllers. In other embodiments,
the
commissioning system executes on a dedicated administrative processing machine
that
performs (e.g., only) commissioning or related administrative functions, and
may
communicate with the associated network. In some embodiments, the
commissioning
system resides outside the building having the devices to be commissioned. For
example,
the commissioning system may reside in a network of a remote monitoring site,
console, or
any ancillary system such as a building lighting system, a BMS, a building
thermostat system
(e.g., NEST (Nest Labs of Palo Alto, California), or the like. Examples of
such systems,
methods of their use, and related software are described in International
Patent Application
Serial No. PCT/US15/64555, filed December 8, 2015, titled "MULTIPLE
INTERACTING
SYSTEMS AT A SITE," and International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US15/19031,
filed March 5,2015, titled "MONITORING SITES CONTAINING SWITCHABLE OPTICAL
DEVICES AND CONTROLLERS" each incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. In
some embodiments, the commissioning system executes in a shared computational
resource such as a leased server farm or the cloud.
[0188] In some embodiments, a control system and/or control interface
comprises a "digital
twin" of a facility. For example, the digital twin may comprise a
representative model (e.g., a
two-dimensional or three-dimensional virtual depiction) containing structural
elements (e.g.,
walls and doors), building fixtures/furnishings, and one or more interactive
target devices
(e.g., optically switchable windows, sensors, emitters, and/or media
displays). The digital
twin may reside on a server which is accessible via a graphical user
interface, or which can
be accessed using a virtual reality (VR) user interface. The VR interface may
include an
augmented reality (AR) aspect. The digital twin may be utilized in connection
with monitoring
and servicing of the building infrastructure and/or in connection with
controlling any
interactive target devices, for example. When a new device is installed in the
facility (e.g., in
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a room thereof) and is operatively coupled to the network, the new device may
be detected
(e.g., and included into the digital twin). The detection of the new device
and/or inclusion of
the new device into the digital twin may be done automatically and/or
manually. For
example, the detection of the new device and/or inclusion of the new device
into the digital
twin may be without requiring (e.g., any) manual intervention. Whether present
in the original
design plans of the enclosure or added at a later time, full details regarding
(e.g., each)
device (including any unique identification codes) may be stored in the
digital twin, network
configuration file, interconnect drawing, and/or architectural drawing (e.g.,
BIM file such as a
Revit file) to facilitate the monitoring, servicing, and/or control functions.
[0189] In some embodiments, a digital twin comprises a digital model of the
facility. The
digital twin may be comprised of a virtual three dimensional (3D) model of the
facility. The
facility may include static and/or dynamic elements. For example, the static
elements may
include representations of a structural feature of the facility (e.g.,
fixtures) and the dynamic
elements may include representations of an interactive device with a
controllable feature.
The 3D model may include visual elements. The visual elements may represent
facility
fixture(s). The fixture may comprise a wall, a floor, wall, door, shelf, a
structural (e.g., walk-
in) closet, a fixed lamp, electrical panel, elevator shaft, or a window. The
fixtures may be
affixed to the structure. The visual elements may represent non-fixture(s).
The non-fixtures
may comprise a person, a chair, a movable lamp, a table, a sofa, a movable
closet, or a
media projection. The non-fixtures may comprise mobile elements. The visual
elements may
represent facility features comprising a floor, wall, door, window, furniture,
appliance, people,
and/or interactive device(s)). The digital twin may be similar to virtual
worlds used in
computer gaming and simulations, representing the environment of the real
facility. Creation
of a 3D model may include the analysis of a Building Information Modeling
(BIM) model
(e.g., an Autodesk Revit file), e.g., to derive a representation of (e.g.,
basic) fixed structures
and movable items such as doors, windows, and elevators. In some embodiments,
the
digital twin (e.g., 3D model of the facility) is defined at least in part by
using one or more
sensors (e.g., optical, acoustic, pressure, gas velocity, and/or distance
measuring
sensor(s)), to determine the layout of the real facility. Usage of sensor data
can be used
(e.g., exclusively) to model the environment of the enclosure. Usage of sensor
data can be
used in conjunction with a 3D model of the facility (e.g., (BIM model) to
model and/or control
the environment of the enclosure. The BIM model of the facility may be
obtained before,
during (e.g., in real time), and/or after the facility has been constructed.
The BIM model of
the facility can be updated (e.g., manually and/or using the sensor data)
during operation
and/or commissioning of the facility (e.g., in real time).
[0190] In some embodiments, dynamic elements in the digital twin include
device settings.
The device setting may comprise (e.g., existing and/or predetermined): tint
values,
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temperature settings, and/or light switch settings. The device settings may
comprise
available actions in media displays. The available actions may comprise menu
items or
hotspots in displayed content. The digital twin may include virtual
representation of the
device and/or of movable objects (e.g., chairs or doors), and/or occupants
(actual images
from a camera or from stored avatars). In some embodiments, the dynamic
elements can be
devices that are newly plugged into the network, and/or disappear from the
network (e.g.,
due to a malfunction or relocation). The digital twin can reside in any
circuitry (e.g.,
processor) operatively coupled to the network. The circuitry in which the
digital circuitry
resides may be in the facility, outside of the facility, and/or in the cloud.
In some
embodiments, a two-way (e.g., bidirectional) link is maintained between the
digital twin and a
real circuitry. The real circuitry may be part of the control system. The real
circuitry may be
included in the master controller, network controller, floor controller, local
controller, or in any
other node in a processing system (e.g., in the facility or outside of the
facility). For example,
the two-way link can be used by the real circuitry to inform the digital twin
of changes in the
dynamic and/or static elements so that the 3D representation of the enclosure
can be
updated, e.g., in real time or at a later (e.g., designated) time. The two-way
link may be used
by the digital twin to inform the real circuitry of manipulative (e.g.,
control) actions entered by
a user on a mobile circuitry. The mobile circuitry can be a remote controller
(e.g., comprising
a handheld pointer, manual input buttons, or touchscreen).
[0191] Fig. 11 depicts a visual representation of a digital twin 1100 which is
based, at least
in part, on a BIM (e.g., Revit) file 1101. In some embodiments, digital twin
1100 includes a
3D virtual construct which may be virtually navigated to view and interact
with target devices
using an interface device. The interface may be a mobile device such as a
smartphone or a
tablet computer. In some embodiments, a virtual representation of the
enclosure comprises
a virtual augmented reality representation of the digital twin displayed on
the mobile device,
wherein the virtual augmented reality representation includes virtual
representations of at
least some of the real target devices. The navigation within the digital twin
using a mobile
device may be independent of the actual location of the mobile device, or may
coincide with
the movement of the mobile device within the real enclosure represented by the
digital twin.
The mobile device may be operatively (e.g., communicatively coupled to the
network. The
mobile device may register its present position in the real facility with a
respective position in
the digital twin, e.g., using any geo-location technology. For example, the
geo-location
anchors coupled to the network.
[0192] In some embodiments, a mobile device (e.g., a smartphone, tablet, or
handheld
controller) is utilized to detect commissioning data of respective target
devices and transmit
the commissioning data to the digital twin and/or BIM system. The mobile
device may
include geographic tracking capability (e.g., GPS, UWB, Bluetooth, and/or dead-
reckoning)
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so that location coordinates of the mobile device can be transmitted to the
digital twin using
any suitable network connection established by the user between the mobile
device and the
digital twin. For example, a network connection may at least partly include
the transport links
used by a hierarchical controller network within a facility. The network
connection may be
(e.g., entirely) separate from the controller network of the facility (e.g.,
using a wireless
network such as a cellular network). The target device may be outfitted with
an optically
recognizable ID tag (e.g., sticker with a barcode or a Quick Response (QR)
code).
Interaction of the mobile device with the target device may be used to
populate a virtual
representation of the target device in the digital twin, with a unique
identification code and/or
other information relating to the target device that is associated with the ID
code (e.g.,
comprised in the ID tag).
[0193] Fig. 12 shows an example embodiment of a control system in which a
real, physical
enclosure (e.g., room) 1200 includes a controller network for managing
interactive network
devices under control of a controller 1201 (e.g., a master controller
comprising a processor).
The structure and contents of building 1200 are represented in a 3-D model
digital twin 1202
as part of a modeling and/or simulation system executed in a computing asset.
The
computing asset may be co-located with or remote from enclosure 1200 and/or
master
controller 1201. A network link 1203 in enclosure 1200 connects controller
1201 with a
plurality of network nodes including an interactive target device 1205.
Interactive target
device 1205 is represented as a virtual object 1206 within digital twin 1202.
A network link
1204 connects controller 1201 with digital twin 1202.
[0194] In the example of Fig. 12, a traveler 1207 located in enclosure 1200
carries a mobile
device (e.g., handheld control unit) 1208. Mobile device 1208 may include an
integrated
scanning capability (e.g., a camera for capturing an image of a barcode or QR
code), or a
separate identification capture device 1209 coupled to mobile device 1208
(e.g., a handheld
barcode scanner connected with mobile device 1208, e.g., via a Bluetooth
link).
[0195] ID tags may be comprised of RFID, UWB, radiogenic, reflective, or
absorptive
materials to enable use of various scanning tools (e.g., identification
capture devices). The
code(s) or printed matter on an ID tag may comprise device type, electronic
and/or material
properties of the target device, serial number, types, identifiers of
component parts,
manufacturer, manufacturing date, and/or any other pertinent information.
[0196] Fig. 13 depicts an ID tag 1300 of a kind to be affixed to an accessible
surface of a
target device (e.g., IGU). Printed data on tag 1300 may include a Lite ID
1301. Some or all of
the printed (e.g., human readable) data may be encoded into a QR coded 1302
which can
be scanned, transmitted, decoded, and/or stored in association with the
virtual
representation of the enclosure and of the virtual target device.
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[0197] In some embodiments, target devices in the enclosure space and behind
fixtures of
the enclosure (e.g., walls) can be recognized and commissioned. The mobile
device (e.g.,
possibly assisted by remote computing resources on a cloud server and/or in
the digital twin)
may use image recognition and/or location tracking (e.g., geo-location
technology) to identify
real target devices and match them to a virtual representation within the
model of the digital
twin. A traveler (e.g., a human user with a carried mobile device and/or
identification capture
device, or a robot such as a drone with its corresponding mobile device and
scanner) may
use Augmented Reality (e.g., digital twin) depicting fixtures and target
devices in the
enclosure, e.g., to isolate and select a particular target device to be
commissioned. Based at
least in part on details provided by the Building Information Model (BIM) and
the
corresponding digital twin, the traveler may select a virtual representation
of the target
device, e.g., to inform the digital twin which target device will be scanned
for an identification
code, location information, or other details. The target device may or may not
be operatively
cooled to the network. For example, the target device may be a non-fixture
such as a table.
[0198] In some embodiments, a mobile device includes a circuitry (e.g.,
smartphone or
tablet) coupled to (e.g., having) a sensor (e.g., camera), display screen, and
software app
configured to register one or more real target devices to a digital twin
and/or supporting file
(e.g., network configuration file, interconnect file, and/or BIM (Revit)
file). The display screen
may show images corresponding to views within the digital twin. The display
screen may
show at least a portion of the digital twin that correspond to (e.g., and
centered in) the
location of the mobile circuitry. For example, the display screen may show the
position in the
virtual digital twin that corresponds to the real position of the mobile
circuitry, as well as its
immediate surrounding. In some embodiments, as the mobile circuitry travels in
the
enclosure (e.g., as it is carried by the traveler who travels in the
enclosure), the virtual
screen changes (e.g., in real time) the corresponding virtual position of the
circuitry in the
digital twin (e.g., by altering the center of the digital twin image displayed
in the display
screen). As the mobile circuitry travels in the real enclosure, the display
screen can depict at
least an immediate surrounding of the mobile circuitry in the digital twin
that alters (e.g., in
real time), which virtual immediate surrounding correspond to the changing
real immediate
surrounding relative to the position of the real mobile circuitry in the real
enclosure. The
image of at least a portion of the virtual twin depicted in the display screen
may be for
navigation and/or orientation purposes. For example, the image of at least a
portion of the
virtual twin depicted in the display screen may aid in navigating to a
previously placed
representation of a target device, or to navigate to a virtual location
corresponding to a real
location having a real target device which is to be added and commissioned to
the digital
twin (and/or any supporting file(s)). In some embodiments, the user can assign
the central
position of the depicted image of the virtual twin to be different from the
position of the real
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mobile device. For example, it can be at a (e.g., lateral) distance from the
real mobile device.
The user may be able to select the distance, e.g., using a dropdown menu,
using a cursor,
and/or using a touch screen functionality of the mobile device. The camera (or
other
integrated sensor in, or coupled to the mobile device) may capture (e.g.,
scan) an
identification code of the real target device. The captured (e.g., scanned)
code may be (i)
linked within (e.g., associated by) the digital twin to the selected target
device or (ii) be linked
to an inventory of codes associated with target devices and populate the
digital twin with the
target device identified by its code in the inventory (e.g., file).
[0199] In some embodiments, a separate identification capture device such as a
handheld
scanner may be linked to the mobile device and operated by the traveler to
capture the
code. The sensor (e.g., camera) may comprise a Charged Coupled Device (CCD)
camera.
The sensor may comprise a sensor array. The system may be configured to
perform (or
direct performance of) image processing on the captured code (e.g., image of
the code),
e.g., to recognize and/or decipher the code.
[0200] Fig. 14 shows an example of a registration and/or commissioning system
in which a
digital twin 1400 is used to present a 2D or 3D virtual model of an enclosure
to a user (e.g.,
traveler) based at least in part on building information from a BIM system
1401. In some
embodiments, the presented virtual model is created as a virtual reality (VR)
model in a
server 1402. The VR model may be augmented with additional virtual
representations (e.g.,
combined with a sensor (e.g., camera) view and/or graphic overlays) and then
rendered into
a VR-based perspective view by server 1402. The model may be interactively
navigated in
conjunction with a display 1404 of a mobile device 1403. Mobile device 1403
includes a
sensor (e.g., camera) 1405 for capturing data (e.g., images) that may be used
(i) as at least
a partial basis for generating an augmented VR representation of a facility
containing a
target device, (ii) as a locator for establishing a present location of the
traveler within the
facility and/or a location of a target device, and/or (iii) as a sensor for
reading an ID tag or
other markings to establish an identification code. At least one application
1409 is configured
to perform the rendering, navigation, and identification functions in concert
with VR server
1402 and digital twin 1400. A target device 1407 is labelled with an
identification code and
optionally other information which can be read by sensor 1405 and/or by using
a peripheral
device linked to mobile device 1403 such as another capturing device (e.g., QR
scanner)
1408. The other capturing device can be operatively coupled to the mobile
circuitry (e.g.,
wired and/or wirelessly). The other capturing device may be configured for
hand-held
operation. The other capturing device may be easier to manipulate and reach to
various
location. The other capturing device may have a sensor that is dedicated for
ID capture
operation (e.g., barcode scanning, QR code scanning, or RFID reader).
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[0201] In some embodiments, using the mobile device, virtual representations
of target
devices within the enclosure space can be recognized, e.g., even when a target
device is
behind fixtures of the enclosure (e.g., walls). Selection of a device
contained in the digital
twin can be achieved using image recognition of target devices (e.g., when a
traveler is
autonomous) or by manual indication with the user interface (e.g., tapping a
touchscreen
(e.g., when the traveler is a person)). In some embodiments, a traveler (e.g.,
person)
initiates the augmented virtual reality (e.g., digital twin) depicting
fixtures of the enclosure on
a mobile device (e.g., tablet computer). For ease of use, movement of the
traveler may be
tracked (e.g., using relative and/or absolute location data sent from the
mobile device to the
VR server) so that the VR scene presented on the mobile device to the traveler
follows along
with the movement (e.g., as disclosed herein). For initiating the tracked
navigation, the
mobile device may become anchored to the digital twin at an initiation point.
For example, by
pairing to the network of the enclosure having image sensors (e.g., camera)
and/or geo-
location sensor(s) (e.g., RE sensors such as UWB sensors). For example, by
pairing to a
fixed sensor (e.g., of the device ensemble) that has a fixed (e.g., and known)
position
relative to (e.g., and in) the enclosure). For example, by manually
identifying a location of a
virtual representation of the real mobile circuitry in the digital twin
enclosure. Based at least
in part on change of position and/or spatial orientation of the mobile device,
the displayed
augmented reality may update in order to track the movement of the mobile
device, e.g.,
thereby allowing the traveler to manipulate the mobile device until the
display shows a virtual
representation of a requested target device and/or a location where a target
device is being
added. The user may select the virtual representation of a target device on
the mobile device
to proceed with capturing (e.g., scanning) an identification code of the real
target device
corresponding to the selected virtual device. The user may capture an
identification code of
the real target device that may be identified and subsequently populated as a
virtual
representation in the digital twin. Identification of the scanned device may
be done using at
least one database in which ID codes and devices (e.g., and optionally their
related
information) may reside (e.g., in a memory). The database may be in the
enclosure, or
outside of the enclosure (e.g., in another facility or in the cloud). The one
or more databases
may comprise the internet. The at least one database may comprise virtual
representation
images of the device configured to populate the virtual twin.
[0202] In some embodiments, the application in the mobile device may be
configured to
retrieve universal codes (e.g., of devices), for example, by being connected
to the Internet.
In some embodiments, the traveler captures information from an ID tag using
portable
circuitry of the mobile device (e.g., cellular phone or tablet), associates
the ID tag information
(e.g., the ID code) with the selected target device and/or its location, and
then communicates
the associated information to the digital twin (and/or centralized BIM). The
traveler may
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capture (e.g., scan and/or sense) the code with a separate capturing device
(e.g., Bluetooth
scanner such as a gun scanner) coupled to the mobile device. Such a portable
gun
capturing device may allow capturing hard to reach and/or remote areas. In
some
embodiments, the identification capture device (e.g., scanner) comprises a low
resolution
sensor (e.g., camera). The low resolution sensor may comprise a single pixel
sensor, e.g.,
an array of single pixel sensors. At least two of the sensors in the array may
be of the same
type (e.g., sensitive to the same radiation wavelengths). At least two of the
sensors in the
array may be of different types (e.g., sensitive to different radiation
wavelengths). The
identification capture device may comprise an IR, UV, or visible radiation
sensor, an RFID
reader, and/or a radio transceiver (e.g., an UWB transceiver). The captured ID
(e.g.,
scanned text or pattern) may be presented in an easy to detect format, e.g.,
so that complex
image processing is not required for the capturing device (e.g., scanner)
and/or mobile
device. For example, a barcode may be placed on the target device at least
during the
installation and/or commissioning stage. After ascertaining the identification
and/or location
information to be associated with a target device, the ID tag (e.g.,
comprising a barcode)
may be (i) removed (e.g., when a barcode label is attached to a device
surface, e.g., a glass
surface or a display construct surface) or (ii) can remain on the object
(e.g., when attached
to a controller unit, or when it is an RFID embedded in the target device).
[0203] Fig. 15 depicts an example of a mobile device 1500 carried by a human
traveler
1501 while commissioning target devices in a real facility 1502. Mobile device
1500 may
execute an application (abbreviated as "app") for performing functions
including the display
of a virtual augmented reality model, which may be at least in part comprised
of a visual
display portion 1503 showing a virtual representation 1505 of a digital twin
comprising a
virtual target device 1515 (e.g., sensor). In some embodiments, the virtual
representation is
selected by interacting with display 1503. The interaction may include app
control icons such
as 1504 shown on display 1503 of the mobile device. The application may
provide
information regarding the displayed image. For example, the enclosure
characteristics (e.g.,
facility, building, floor, facility section, and/or room). For example,
display 1503 shows that
the digital twin displays room #2 in level #1. The application may comprise
dropdown menu
1510 having various options that the user can select from, e.g., relative
magnification of the
virtual display shown on the mobile device display, settings of the virtual
twin displayed (e.g.,
color scheme and/or font), various options related to target devices (e.g.,
device types), and
security settings (e.g., login settings). The application may allow the user
to select different
portions of the virtual twin, e.g., a different level, different floor,
different room, or a different
building in the facility. The different portions may be more remote from the
mobile circuitry
location. The application may allow the user to select a virtual image of a
target device in the
digital twin and retrieve information (e.g., 1512) relating to its real
counterpart. The
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information may include ID number of the target device, its location, whether
it is installed or
not, whether it is coupled to the network or not, its status (functional/not),
any maintenance
history, any projected maintenance, any last maintenance data (at details of
the
maintenance), any risk of malfunction, and/or any other characteristics of the
target device
(e.g., color, maker, installation data, production date, associated
controller, and/or any other
associated technical data).
[0204] Fig. 16 shows an example of a mobile device 1600 in proximity to real
target
devices 1601, 1602, 1603, and 1604. A traveler (e.g., human user or a robot)
may hold
mobile device 1600 so that its camera captures a view 1610 displayed to the
traveler. In
order to detect an ID code (e.g., QR code 1612) affixed to target device 1601,
mobile device
1600 may be positioned capture (e.g., an image of) the ID code 1612 that
conforms to a
capture box 1611. Mobile device 1601 may use known methods to decode the
textual
information embedded in the ID code 1612 to be used for populating an
identification code
and/or other identifying information corresponding to target device 1601 into
the digital twin
and/or other BIM databases and/or models, and any associated controller
related files (e.g.,
configuration file).
[0205] Fig. 17 shows an example of a user interface screen 1700 in which a
virtual
augmented reality representation merges live video images from a mobile device
with stored
data in the digital twin based on BIM information. The image on interface
screen 1700 may
depict structures such as a wall 1701 and target devices such as an IGU 1702.
The VR
system generating the image may recognize that the current view includes one
or more
target devices (e.g., IGU 1702) and may provide corresponding prompts,
dropdown menu(s),
or selection button(s) to assist a user in selecting the requested target
device. For example,
a display identifier 1703 may be activated to provide a designation of a
potential target
device based at least in part on generic data already available in the digital
twin. By tapping
identifier 1703, the user can proceed to scan the corresponding ID tag (e.g.,
label), which
can then automatically be associated with a matching representation of the
device in the
digital twin. The automated (or semi-automated) collection of identification
codes can reduce
the time/effort required to populate the ID codes, associated devices, and any
linked
information (e.g., as disclosed herein) into the digital twin. The time
required for such (e.g.,
semi-) automated procedure can be between an average of about 4 minutes per
device
(e.g., IGU) to an average of about 15 seconds per device. As a comparison, a
fully manual
process may require at least about 80%, 90%, 93%, 94%, or 95% more time for
registering
the device into a digital twin (e.g., including associated information
relating to the device,
e.g., as disclosed herein). Such (e.g., semi-) automated process may reduce
manpower,
cost, time, errors, and/or trouble for the installation, maintenance, and/or
service teams.
Reduction in manpower comprises reduction in number of personnel required
and/or
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reduction in the level of qualification of the personnel required to perform
the task(s).
Reduction of errors may increase the accuracy of device functionality and
control in the
facility. For example, presently a verification of window ID and location that
is done manually
takes about a full 8-hour workday for 100 IGUs.
[0206] In some embodiments, a target device present in a real facility may
have a
corresponding virtual graphic representation in the digital twin. The digital
twin may include
corresponding data records for the target device with unique identifying
information (e.g., ID
code or serial number, MAC address, and/or location) and generic information
(type of
device, manufacturer, and any other device characteristics, feature and/or
attribute, e.g., as
disclosed herein). By linking the identification code, location of target
device, and the digital
twin, functions such as building management, maintenance, servicing, and/or
repair can be
greatly improved (e.g., in efficiency). Overtime, the data records may compile
service history
and/or (e.g., current) device status, which can be updated into the at least
one database
comprising the target device (e.g., which can be accessible through the
digital twin). Service
performed may be updated (e.g., in real-time or after service) into the
database (e.g.,
comprising the status information relating to the device (e.g., that may be
accessible through
the digital twin). The status of the device may be automatically coupled to
the digital twin
and/or BIM file. The at least one database may be automatically coupled to the
digital twin
and/or BIM file. The at least one database may be configured to update the BIM
file. Further,
the BIM file may be updated automatically, at a designated time (e.g., non-
real time), and/or
in real-time. The designated time may be a time in which the activity in the
facility is low
(e.g., at night, weekend, activity break, and/or holiday). In some
embodiments, identification
data (e.g., as commissioned to the digital twin) is compared with a previous
version digital
twin (e.g., prior to updating), e.g., in order to find any changes and/or
discrepancies. The
updated digital twin may be used for analysis, maintenance, site management
(e.g., control),
planning, and/or to revise an underlying BIM (Revit file). The planning may
comprise interior
design and/or architectural planning.
[0207] Fig. 18 shows an example of a virtual room 1800 (e.g., presented to a
user as part
of the digital twin) which contains, or is modified to contain, a virtual
control panel device
1801. During commissioning, target device 1801 can be selected and its ID tag
captured
(e.g., scanned or otherwise sensed) to obtain data about the real target
device, which data is
linked to the ID code of the target device 1801. The data may be stored in a
data record
1802 linked to virtual target device 1801. Data record 1802 may include
several data fields
useful for device function, control, network coupling, management,
maintenance, servicing,
and/or repair. In the example shown in in Fig. 18, the data fields include an
identification
code 1803 which has been captured by an identification capture device operated
by the
traveler as explained above. The data may include location information (e.g.,
room CR121),
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timing of record generation and/or device installation (e.g., Phasing),
identity data (e.g.,
including ID code, part number, associated image, any special mark, and
ability to include
comments). The data may include categorizing the equipment (e.g., as fixture,
or non-fixture,
e.g., as furniture, glass, sensor, wall, or electrical equipment)
[0208] In some circumstances, a target device may be installed in a facility
without having
been configured in the BIM data and/or the digital twin. Whenever a target
device is not
already defined in the existing BIM and/or digital twin, then a user (e.g.,
the traveler) may
add it, e.g., at the time of commissioning of a new system or any time
thereafter. The user
may delete or modify already represented virtual target devices when needed
(e.g., when
the device is removed or relocated). For a target device to be added, the
mobile device may
be used to navigate to and select a location (e.g., geographic location
information where the
target device resides). The location may be derived from the ID tag (e.g., if
it includes a geo-
location technology, e.g., UWB technology). The location may be derived from
the ID tag of
the traveler. The location may be derived from manually inserting location
information (e.g.,
by the traveler). In some embodiments, the user adds the unrepresented target
device by
selecting a device type from an inventory list which is available in the app.
For example, the
target device may be of a 3rd party, and the code of the device may be a
universal ID code.
With the location information and the device type having been determined, the
user may use
the identification capture device to capture (e.g., scan) the identification
code of the real
target device into the database(s) and/or digital twin. The digital twin may
then be updated
with the target device information and a virtual representation of the target
device may be
created in the virtual model at the identified location. In some embodiments,
at least some of
the updated information in the digital twin is fed back to the BIM file for
similar updating. The
digital twin may incorporate or be otherwise linked to the BIM. The
database(s) comprising
the ID code and any associated device information are stored, may be linked to
the BIM.
[0209] The digital twin may or may not be populated with virtual
representation and/or
selection of target devices. The app may allow the user to choose the target
device from
select target devices. The app may search for target devices based at least in
part on the
captured ID code. Fig. 19 shows a flowchart which provides (i) an example
method for
registering one or more target devices. The process may begin with an
operation 1901 which
provides a digital twin of a facility, wherein the facility has a real target
device with an
identification code (e.g., affixed to the target device on a label or other ID
tag), and (ii) in
1902, an identification capture device linked to the digital twin (e.g., a
sensor integrated into
a mobile device and/or a peripheral capturing device). In some embodiments,
the digital twin
can zoom and adjust in real time to emulate the location of the traveler in
the digital twin, and
a mobile device can project the (e.g., immediate) surroundings of a traveler
as emulated by
the digital twin. Location information of the mobile device and/or of the
target device can be
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tracked (e.g., using geo-location technology). For example, the location
information can be
provided using a UWB ID tag of the traveler, or the location information can
be driven by the
mobile device through geolocation (e.g., GPS). Using the location information,
a virtual
representation of target devices (and/or locations thereof) is presented as
part of a virtual
augmented reality display of the digital twin. In operation 1903, a
determination is made
whether the target device of interest is present in the digital twin (e.g.,
target device type,
and/or a specific target device having a manufacturer serial number). If not,
then the
identification capture device is used to capture (e.g., scan) the
identification code of the real
target device of interest in operation 1904. In operation 1905, a listing of
identification codes
and/or device types for virtual target devices is searched (e.g., a device
identification code
may have already been entered in data records for the virtual twin before
knowing the
individual installation location, or generic data for known types of devices
may be accessed
as part of the setup of a target device). In operation 1906, the virtual
target device is
correlated with the identification code and with a virtual representation of
the corresponding
type of target device. In operation 1907, the location of the target device is
selected in the
digital twin (e.g., virtual reality representation), e.g., by the user or
automatically via geo-
location technology. The virtual target device representation is inserted into
the digital twin at
the identified location in operation 1908. The digital twin may be linked to
database(s) having
ID codes linked to various devices. The app on the mobile device may direct
searching the
database(s) (e.g., the internet) for an association between the ID code and
information
relating to the target device. Once the ID code of the target device is
identified as linked to a
target device (e.g., target device type, and/or a specific target device
having a manufacturer
serial number), the digital twin and/or app selection options may be populated
with
information relating to the target device and/or a virtual representation of
the target device, in
the digital twin in a location of the digital twin respective to the real
location of the target
device in the real enclosure.
[0210] When the virtual representation for the target device of interest is
present in the
digital twin at operation 1903, then the user selects the corresponding
virtual representation
and/or device ID depicted in the digital twin on the user interface in
operation 1910 in order
to signify which real target device will be captured (e.g., scanned) for its
identification code.
In operation 1911, the identification capture device is used to capture the
identification code
on/in the real target device. In operation 1912, the virtual representation of
the target device
is correlated with the identification code (e.g., the identification code is
transmitted to
database(s) containing the digital twin and a corresponding data record (e.g.,
associated
information such as its characteristics and/or status information) is
populated with the
identification code, thereby linking the two together).
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[0211] A label or other ID tag providing the identification code may contain
additional data
relating to the target device (e.g., device characteristics and/or status
information). After
linking the identification code and/or location to a virtual target device
representation in
operations 1908 and/or 1912, any additional data is accessed in operation
1913. When
additional data is found, then it is linked with the virtual target device in
operation 1914. The
BIM may be updated with the identification code and any other data or links in
operation
1915.
[0212] In certain embodiments, a software tool (that may be referred to as a
"facility
management application") provides a two-dimensional and/or three-dimensional,
user-
recognizable, graphical user interface for interacting with devices such as
optically
switchable (e.g., tintable) windows in a facility (e.g., comprising a building
or group of
buildings). In some implementations, the tool includes a user mode that allows
a user to
control or receive information about devices (e.g., windows) and a
configuration mode that
allows a user to design, set up, and/or configure how the software operates in
the user mode
of operation. The facility management application is described using these two
modes,
however, it should be understood the features described as being in the user
mode may be
present in the configuration mode and vice versa. Further, separate tools or
modules, rather
than a single application, may be used to implement the two modes. The
graphical user
interface of the facility management application may be displayed on variety
of electronic
devices comprising circuitry (weather mobile or stationary) such as a
computer, phone, or
tablet. In some embodiments, the graphical user interface is displayed on an
administrator
console and in some cases, the graphical user interface is displayed on a
transparent
display located on the surface of an optically switchable window (e.g., on a
display
construct). Examples of transparent display technologies (e.g., that may be
incorporated with
optically switchable windows), their operation, and their control can be found
in International
Patent Application Serial No. PCT/U518/29406, filed April 25, 2018, and titled
"TINTABLE
WINDOW SYSTEM COMPUTING PLATFORM," International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US18/29460, filed April 25, 2018, and titled "TINTABLE WINDOW SYSTEM FOR
BUILDING SERVICES," and International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/U520/53641,
filed September 30, 2020, titled "TANDEM VISION WINDOW AND MEDIA DISPLAY,"
each
of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0213] The tool may have a graphical user interface that uses 2D and/or 3D
building
models that may have already been created for another purpose, reducing (e.g.,
eliminating)
costs of creating a building model solely for the purpose of the software
tool. For many
modern buildings in which a window network is installed, an accurate and
detailed 3D
building model already exists. Such models are used by architects and
engineers when
designing new buildings, and such models may be meticulously updated when a
building is
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retrofitted. By using such a 2D and/or 3D building model, a tool may generate
a powerful and
intuitive graphical user interface that allows a user to view detailed
information about devices
(e.g., tintable windows) operatively coupled to a network, and may allow the
user to control
and/or selection of the devices (e.g., switching, and/or tinting of such
windows).
[0214] In some embodiments, a 2D and/or 3D building model uses mathematical
representations that reflect the geometry of a building. The model may be
implemented as a
file that contains parameters that, when interpreted by appropriate software,
can provide
details about the building's features and its geometric properties (e.g.,
dimensions, surfaces,
and volumes defined by one or more surfaces). Features of a building (e.g.,
any structural
component or any component placed within a building such as furniture) can be
represented
by one or more surfaces. For example, a window may be represented by a single
surface
representing one or more windowpanes. In a more detailed or accurate model, a
window
may be represented as a plurality of surfaces which define all or most
exterior surfaces of
the window including the window frame. In some embodiments, a feature is an
accurate
computer-aided design model for a part or particular feature that was used for
the design or
manufacture of that feature. Details of a feature in a building model may
include details such
as an exact location of its one or more defining surfaces, dimensions of the
defining
surface(s), the manufacturing information of the feature/component, history
information of
the feature/component, etc. as explained below.
[0215] A viewer module may read the building model file (e.g., BIM such as a
Revit file) to
generate a 2D and/or three-dimensional visualization (digital twin) of the
building which may
be depicted on a screen of an electronic device. The multi-dimensional
visualization may be
rendered from a plurality of surfaces of the various building features, each
of which is
defined by one or more polygon shapes. The surfaces may correspond to the
features or
physical aspects that make up a building. For example, a beam or a framing
structure may
each be represented by one or more surfaces within the building model. The
resolution of
the surfaces may be very high; sometimes the dimensions reflected in a model
may be
within a few centimeters of the actual building structure. In some
embodiments, surfaces,
when rendered, are colored and/or textured to reflect the visual appearance of
a building
more accurately. Within the building model, surfaces may be identified with an
identifier such
as a node ID, although such IDs need not be displayed with the viewer. In some
cases,
wireframe models or shell models that are described elsewhere herein may be
compatible
with the software tool or application. The rendering may be at least every
about 5 minutes
(min), 10 min, 20 min, 30 min, or 60 min. The rendering frequency of the
digital twin of the
facility may be between any of the aforementioned values (e.g., from 5 min to
60 min, from 5
min to 20 min, or from 20 min to 60min).
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[0216] Building models may be generated during the design phase of a building
and may
be provided by the building owner or a vendor of the owner who is responsible
for design
and construction of the building. 2D and/or 3D building models may be
generated using
computer-aided design (CAD) software such as Autodesk Revit or another similar
software
design package. In some cases, a building model is created (e.g., only) after
the
construction of the building, in which case it can take advantage of a
locating detecting
system such as Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR). For example, a building
model may
be generated using a LiDAR camera, such as the Matterport 3D camera. In some
embodiments, a 3D model of the building space(s) is generated using an
omnidirectional
beacon that sends, e.g., RF waves, and then receives input from energy
reflected back, or
transmitted back from one or more devices that receive the RF waves (reflected
or directly),
to one or more receivers. One such system that has this capability is the
OssiaTM wireless
powering system as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 14/945,741,
filed
November 19, 2015, and published as US20160299210A1, titled "TECHNIQUES FOR
IMAGING WIRELESS POWER DELIVERY ENVIRONMENTS AND TRACKING OBJECTS
THEREIN," which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. In
certain embodiments,
the devices (e.g., EC windows) are configured to receive and/or transmit
wireless power.
When used in conjunction with such wireless power capabilities, the EC system
can auto-
commission as described herein, where the building or space map is generated
by the EC
window system/window network using its wireless power transmission subsystem.
[0217] In some embodiments, the multi-dimensional models may contain various
building
information that may be relevant to an engineer, architect, or a facility
manager. A building
model file may contain nnetadata corresponding to building features and how
those features
interact with one another. As an illustrative example, consider a pipe used to
deliver natural
gas within a building. Metadata within the file may include information linked
to a
representation of the pipe (which may be displayed using one or more surfaces)
that
includes information such as the model, manufacturer, date of installation,
installing
contractor, material, dimensions, and fitting type of the pipe. As another
example, all or a
portion of an I-beam in a building may be represented as a surface, and such
surface may
contain information about the location of the I-beam, its structural
materials, its vendor, etc.
[0218] In yet another example, surfaces or features of a building model may be
indexed
within a model file using data tags or keywords. These data tags may be
included in the
name associated with the surface/feature, or in the corresponding metadata. A
surface or
feature may have data tags that link the surface/feature to various
characteristics and/or
categories. Categories may be based on, e.g., feature type, feature model,
size, location, or
any other relevant parameter. The facility management application may then, in
some cases,
identify features corresponding to a certain data tag. The facility management
application
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may be used to search features within the building model. For example, a user
may identify
all the overhanging features on the west facing, 3'"1 floor of a building if a
user enters the
following search: [feature type: window overhang], [floor: third], [direction:
west]. In some
embodiments, these data tags are automatically added to the feature/surface
during a
building design by the software used to generate the building model. In some
cases, such as
when a feature is added to a building model from a library of features, the
feature is imported
into the building model already having appropriate data tags. When a building
is changed by
addition, replacement, etc., the building model may be updated to reflect the
changes. For
example, if a building is retrofitted, features may be added or removed from
the building
model. In some embodiments, the representation of surfaces in a building model
remains
unchanged, but the metadata information about affected surfaces is updated.
For example,
metadata for a structural component may be updated to indicate the date which
the
component was last inspected for safety.
[0219] In some embodiments, the building model is generated with a device
network in
mind. For example, components of a network (e.g., devices (e.g., IGUs),
network controllers,
and local controllers) may be added to a building model when the model is
first created, or at
a later time (e.g., during or after commissioning). When such components are
added to the
model, each of them may be defined as one or more features and/or one or
surfaces. In
some embodiments, components of the network are added from a library of
network
components in which the components are represented by their dimensions,
appearance, etc.
all in the form of corresponding metadata that can be included in the building
model.
[0220] In some embodiments, the building model is provided in the form of a
complex file
that includes information that may or may not be essential to generating a
graphical user
interface for devices such as optically switchable windows. For example, the
building model
may include information such as an editing history of the building model,
and/or metadata
information relating to components that do not interface with a network. At
least one of the
non-essential information may be removed before the model is used to generate
or render
features of a graphical user interface. In some cases, files may have an
".RVT" file type or
another proprietary file type that is generated using a computer-aided design
software
packages such as Autodesk Revit. In some embodiments, a building model
undergoes a
post-production process that makes the model suitable for use by the facility
management
application. In some embodiments, the building model is exported and saved in
a simplified
format in which the nonessential information is removed from the file. In some
embodiments,
the building model is saved in an open source format that may be easily
accessed via a
plurality of electronic device types and/or across various operating systems.
For instance, in
some cases, a building model is saved in a format that may be accessed by a
viewer module
that is compatible with or integrated within a web browser.
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[0221] Fig. 20 provides an example of a block diagram showing the structure of
the facility
management application 2000 (an example of the tool mentioned herein). The
application is
configured to receive a building model 2002, or at least information from the
model, and
interpret the building model with a viewer module 2010. The application is
configured to
receive device (e.g., window) information 2024 from a source of information
about the
network (e.g., a master controller 2020 or another component on the window
network). Such
information may include network IDs (e.g., CAN IDs) and/or other information
uniquely
identifying individual devices on the network. The application is configured
to receive a
network configuration file 2030 that contains information linking network
entities (e.g.,
devices such as emitters and/or optically switchable windows) to node IDs on a
building
model. The application may be configured to receive smart objects for devices
(e.g., sensors
and/or optically switchable windows) handled by the application (or at least
receive sufficient
information to produce smart objects for such devices). The application may be
configured to
receive these various pieces of information by one or more application
programming
interfaces or other appropriate software interfaces.
[0222] In some embodiments, the viewer module interprets the building model
(or
information from such model) in a manner allowing devices to be displayed as
smart objects
(e.g., virtual representation of target devices) that are in agreement with
received device
information on a graphical user interface (e.g., on a computer, a phone, a
tablet, a
transparent display associated with an optically switchable window, or another
electronic
device comprising circuitry).
[0223] The depicted facility management application is configured to receive
user input
2004 which may be used to update the network configuration file 2030 and/or
provide control
instructions 2022 for controlling optically switchable windows on the window
network. In
certain embodiments, the application is configured to receive user input for
any purpose
described herein via a touch screen, a voice command interface, and/or other
features a
device operating the application can have for receiving user commands.
Examples of voice-
command interfaces that may be used in conjunction with a network of optically
switchable
windows are described in International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/U517/29476, filed
April 25, 2017, titled "CONTROLLING OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES," and in U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63/080,899, filed on September 21,
2020, titled
"INTERACTION BETWEEN AN ENCLOSURE AND ONE OR MORE OCCUPANTS," each
of which is herein incorporated in its entirety. The various features of the
software tool will
now be described in greater detail.
[0224] In addition to being accessed via one or more controllers on a network,
network
configuration file 2030 may be accessed by the digital twin and/or by a
facility management
application. A network configuration file may contain various network
information that is used
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by control logic to send information on the widow network and/or operate the
devices. When
accessed by the facility management application, the network configuration
file may link or
map features and/or surfaces of a building model to aspects of the network.
For example,
node IDs from the building model may be linked to specific device (e.g.,
IGUs), zones, zone
groups, device coordinates, device IDs, and network IDs (e.g., CAN IDs or
BACnet IDs). In
some cases, the network configuration file has a database structure that is
updated during a
commissioning process or while utilizing a mapping function of the
application. In some
cases, a network configuration file 2030 used by the facility management
application is the
same file, or a copy of the same file, that is accessed by a master
controller. In some cases,
a network configuration file used by the facility management application may
store different
information than a network configuration file that provides information to a
master controller.
For example, in some cases, a network configuration file that is used by the
application (e.g.,
only) pairs a node ID on from the building model with a window ID. In such
cases, network
configuration file that is accessed by a master controller contain additional
information such
as mappings between a device ID and a network ID, such as a CAN ID, or a
BACnet ID, that
is used to send communications to a network controller and/or to a local
controller.
[0225] In some embodiments, the building model and/or the network
configuration file is
stored on a device that is used to run the facility management application. In
some
embodiments, there are multiple instances of the building model and/or the
network
configuration file on many devices, each of which is configured to run the
facility
management application. In some cases, the building model and/or the network
configuration file are stored at a location external to the device running the
facility
management software; e.g., in the cloud, on a remote server, or at a
controller within the
network.
[0226] Included in or accessed by the facility management application is a
viewer module
2010. The viewer module is a software module that reads the 3D building model
(or portions
thereof) and provides a visual rendering of the model on a device running or
accessing the
facility management application (e.g., a phone, tablet, or laptop). The
rendering may be at
least every about 5 minutes (min), 10min, 20min, 30min, or 60min. The
rendering frequency
of the 3D building model of the facility may be between any of the
aforementioned values
(e.g., from 5 min to 60min, from 5 min to 20min, or from 20min to 60min).
[0227] In some embodiments, the facility management application has a mapping
function
that allows users who have permissions to configure a graphical user
interface. The mapping
function associates the node IDs of surfaces and/or features in a building
model to devices,
zones, zone groups, and other network components. In some cases, the mapping
function
may pair a node ID with a corresponding smart object. The mapping function may
access
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information related to the network from the network configuration file. The
mapping function
may save relationships made or identified via user input to the network
configuration file.
[0228] In some embodiments, the viewer module (e.g., of the digital twin such
as the app
mentioned herein) and/or associated user interface is configured to display a
smart object in
place of a surface and/or feature within the graphical user interface. In some
embodiments,
a feature may be transformed into a smart object by automatically or manually
associating
the feature with an ID, data, or a script. The viewer module and/or user
interface may be
configured to overlay a smart object on top of the corresponding surface or
feature that is
displayed in the graphical user interface ¨ for example; a smart object may
provide a
highlighted border around a surface indicating that the surface corresponds to
a selectable
smart object. In some embodiments, smart objects modify the appearance of a
multi-
dimensional model to indicate information provided by the network (e.g.,
device
characteristics and/or status such as a tint state of an IGU, or environmental
characteristics
relating to the enclosure such as indoor/outdoor temperatures).
[0229] The facility management application optionally includes a controlling
function
through which a user may control one or more devices (e.g., optically
switchable windows).
For example, the application may send instructions to a master controller (or
other network
entity having control functionality) to set a tint state for a particular IGU
or zone of IGUs. In
some embodiments, the controlling function acts as the control logic (see,
e.g., 504 in Figure
5). In some embodiments, the controlling function relays control instructions
to control logic
located elsewhere on the network, e.g., at a master controller. In some
embodiments, the
application is used to define or carry out scheduling routines or rules based
at least in part
on user permissions. In some embodiments, the application is used to control
other functions
provided by the network. For example, if IGUs on the window network are
configured with
window antennas, the facility management application may be used to configure
permissions
of a wireless network implemented using the window antennas.
[0230] The facility management application may receive user input 2004 from a
variety of
electronic devices such as phones, tablets, and computers. In some cases, a
graphical user
interface is displayed on a transparent display located on the surface of an
optically
switchable window, and user input is received by user interaction with the
transparent
display. For example, a transparent display may be located on S1-S4 of an IGU
and may
partially or fully extend across the viable portion of the lite. In some
embodiments, a window
includes an on-glass transparent window controller that controls a displayed
GUI and/or
operates the electrochromic window. In some embodiments, a transparent display
for a GUI
interface is used for other functions such as displaying the date, time, or
weather. In some
embodiments, the application is configured to receive user input audibly from
voice-
controlled speaker devices such as a device using Apple's Sin i platform,
Amazon's Alexa
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platform, or the Google Assistant platform. In some embodiments, the facility
management
application is a web-based application that is accessed via electronic devices
having internet
connectivity wherein the user has appropriate permissions. For example, a user
may be
granted access to the application (e.g., only) if the user has credentials to
log into the web-
based application and/or if the device is determined to be within a close
distance of the
network. In some embodiments, the facility management application includes a
copy of the
building model file and/or the network configuration file. For example, the
building model file,
and network configuration file, and the facility management application may be
packaged
into a program that can be saved or installed on an electronic device to
improve the
operating performance of the application and, in some cases, allow for the use
of the
application even if internet connectivity is lost. In some embodiments, when
the executable
application is saved on the device, associated components or files are
accessed from a
remote location. For example, the building model and/or the network
configuration file may
be stored remotely and retrieved in whole or part to execute functions of the
application
(e.g., only) when necessary. In some cases, e.g., where there are multiple
instances of a
program on various devices, changes to the program made by a while operating
the
application in a configuration mode are pushed to copies of the program
running located on
other devices using, e.g., the cloud.
[0231] When operating the facility management application in a configuration
mode, a user
having permissions (e.g., a facilities manager) may set up and configure how
the application
functions for later use in a user mode. Fig. 21 provides an illustrative
example of a graphical
user interface that may be displayed when the facility management application
is operated in
the configuration mode. A user (e.g., facilities manager) may open up the
(e.g., facility
management) application in a window 2102 such as a web browser where the
building
model is displayed. A greeting adjusted to the time of date with the name of
the user is
presented in 2103. The application may also reside on a mobile device. The
user (e.g.,
manager) may locate features or surfaces the building model that correspond to
a
component on the network, such as surface 2106 which corresponds to an
electrochromic
IGU. When a surface or feature is selected, the user (e.g., manager) may then
be presented
with a pop-up window 2108 or another interface from which the user (e.g.,
manager) may
identify or map the selected surfaces and/or features to components on the
network. For
example, in some cases, a user (e.g., manager) can select what device a
surface and/or
feature corresponds to from a list of network components that are provided by
the
application (e.g., the application may receive a list of network components
from the network
configuration file). In some cases, a user (e.g., manager) may identify the
surfaces and/or
features corresponding to components of the network, after which, logic
provided in the
application may be used to automatically link the network ID of components on
the network
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to the corresponding identified surfaces and/or features. For example, using
methods
previously discussed with relation to automatic commissioning using geo-
location, logic may
be used to map a node ID within a building model to a network IDs of a
corresponding IGU
or other component by comparing determined positions of network components to
the
positions of the identified surfaces and/or features within the building
model. In some cases,
a process automatically identifies surfaces and/or features in the building
model that
correspond to windows or other components of the network. In some cases,
commissioning
logic may be operated from the facility management application such that the
network may
be commissioned using the configuration mode. While this embodiments provide
examples
as to devices that comprises a window, any other device (e.g., as disclosed
herein) can be
substituted.
[0232] After surfaces and/or features in the building model have been manually
or
automatically paired via a node ID to a component on the network (e.g., via a
network ID),
smart objects may be selected or generated. Ultimately, these may be made
available for
display and selection in the user mode of operation. The smart objects may be
linked to the
node IDs of the building model and may be displayed in various formats as
described
elsewhere herein. For example, a smart object may be displayed instead of a
surface in the
building model, or a smart object may be configured to be activated (e.g., to
present a list of
controllable features) when one or more surfaces are selected in the building
model. In some
embodiments, a smart object is generated by the application such that the
size, dimensions,
and placement of the smart object within the building model correspond with
surface(s)
and/or features of the building model that have been paired with a component
of the
network. In some embodiments, the application receives information from
nnetadata in the
building model or a network configuration file that is used to create a smart
object. The
features available on a smart object that is generated may depend on an ID
(e.g., a window
ID or a network ID) of the component the smart object is associated with. For
example, if a
smart object is paired to a device such as an optically switchable window, the
smart object
may have features that display the current tint state and or allow a user to
adjust the tint
state. If the electrochromic window has associated sensors (e.g., an interior
light sensor,
exterior light sensor, interior temperature sensor, exterior temperature, or
occupancy
sensor), then the smart object may be configured to display the sensed
information and/or
options to control the tint state of the optically switchable window to help
regulate the sensed
information. In some embodiments, smart objects are selected from a library of
smart objects
(e.g., a library stored within the application or downloaded from a remote
server) where the
library of smart objects includes various components which may be installed on
the network.
In some embodiments, smart objects are displayed on the building model within
the
configuration mode where they may be selected for further editing. The smart
objects may
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be associated with any device disclosed herein. The smart objects may be
linked to the
digital twin.
[0233] Referring again to Fig. 21, a user (e.g., facility manager) may
organize how the
network is configured. For example, using a dialog box such as 2108, the user
(e.g., facility
manager) may configure a particular device such as IGU as belonging to a
specific zone or
zone group of devices (e.g., IC Us). As an example, after selecting a surface
and/or feature
in the building model, the application may display a list of zones to which
the device may be
added to, or present the user with an option of creating a new zone. In some
embodiments,
the configuration mode of operation is used to create customized views that
may be
displayed in the user mode. For example, using navigation controls 2104 that
are available
within the configuration mode, a user may select a vantage point or
perspective that will be
displayed in the user mode.
[0234] Using the configuration mode, a user (e.g., building manager) may
define operation
(e.g., tint) schedules for the devices (e.g., optically switchable windows)
and/or rules for
regulating the environment (e.g., lighting and/or temperature) within the
building. A user
(e.g., manager) may set permissions for other users. For example, a tenant of
a large
building may be given control (e.g., only) over the device (e.g., optically
switchable windows)
in his or her rented space. In some embodiments, a first user grants other
users and/or
devices access to the configuration mode of the application so that they may
establish their
own rules and/or create their own customized views. In some cases, rules or
other changes
that users may make are limited so that they do not violate rules established
by the user
(e.g., a facility manager or a user of an administrative account). The user
may be a facility
manager, a maintenance personnel, a customer, and/or a customer success team
member.
[0235] In some cases, when used by a field service engineer (FSE), the
application may
present a list of components where a malfunction has been detected and/or
where
maintenance is needed. In some cases, these features are highlighted and/or in
some way
marked within the displayed building model, e.g., making it easier for an FSE
to know where
attention is needed. An FSE might have to ask a facility manager where a
malfunctioning
device is located or possibly look at interconnect and architectural drawings.
This can be a
cumbersome process at large sites such as a multistory building, airports, and
hospitals
where a malfunctioning window may not have even been noticed by site personnel
or in
cases where the malfunctioning device was self-detected through the network.
To facilitate
an FSE, the application may provide directions to a particular component in
question. For
example, the application may display a route overlaid on a plan view of a
building indicating
the route that the FSE should take. In some cases, such as when the
application is operated
on a tablet or mobile device that is automatically located within the
building, the application
may provide turn-by-turn directions ¨ similar to turn-by-turn directions used
in a (e.g., GPS)
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navigations systems. While discussed in terms of directing an FSE to a device
requiring
service (e.g., malfunctioning device), the application may provide maps and/or
routes that
can be used by any user of the application. In some cases, antennas (e.g.,
windows having
antennas) or any other geo-location sensor and receiver network (e.g., as
disclosed herein)
can be used to locate the device. Methods of location detection and routing
users using a
network are further described in International Patent Application Serial No.
PCT/US17/31106, filed on May 4, 2017, titled "WINDOW ANTENNAS," which is
hereby
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
[0236] In some embodiments, a plurality of devices may be operatively (e.g.,
communicatively) coupled to the control system. The plurality of devices may
be disposed in
a facility (e.g., including a building and/or room). The control system may
comprise the
hierarchy of controllers. The devices may comprise an emitter, a sensor, or a
window (e.g.,
IGU). The device may be any device as disclosed herein. At least two of the
plurality of
devices may be of the same type. For example, two or more IGUs may be coupled
to the
control system. At least two of the plurality of devices may be of different
types. For
example, a sensor and an emitter may be coupled to the control system. At
times, the
plurality of devices may comprise at least 20, 50, 100, 250, 500, 1000, 2500,
5000, 7500,
10000, 50000, 100000, or 500000 devices. The plurality of devices may be of
any number
between the aforementioned numbers (e.g., from 20 devices to 500000 devices,
from 20
devices to 50 devices, from 50 devices to 500 devices, from 500 devices to
2500 devices,
from 1000 devices to 5000 devices, from 5000 devices to 10000 devices, from
10000
devices to 100000 devices, or from 100000 devices to 500000 devices). For
example, the
number of windows in a floor may be at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50.
The number of
windows in a floor can be any number between the aforementioned numbers (e.g.,
from 5 to
50, from 5 to 25, or from 25 to 50). At times, the devices may be in a multi-
story building. At
least a portion of the floors of the multi-story building may have devices
controlled by the
control system (e.g., at least a portion of the floors of the multi-story
building may be
controlled by the control system). For example, the multi-story building may
have at least 2,
8, 10, 25, 50, 80, 100, 120, 140, or 160 floors that are controlled by the
control system. The
number of floors (e.g., devices therein) controlled by the control system may
be any number
between the aforementioned numbers (e.g., from 2 to 50, from 25 to 100, or
from 80 to 160).
The floor may be of an area of at least about 150 m2, 250 m2, 500m2, 1000 m2,
1500 m2, or
2000 square meters (m2). The floor may have an area between any of the
aforementioned
floor area values (e.g., from about 150 m2to about 2000 m2, from about 150
m2to about 500
rr12 from about 250 m2 to about 1000 m2, or from about 1000 m2 to about 2000
m2). The
building may comprise an area of at least about 1000 square feet (sqft), 2000
sqft, 5000 sqft,
10000 sqft, 100000 sqft, 150000 sqft, 200000 sqft, or 500000 sqft. The
building may
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comprise an area between any of the above mentioned areas (e.g., from about
1000 sqft to
about 5000 sqft, from about 5000 sqft to about 500000 sqft, or from about 1000
sqft to about
500000 sqft). The building may comprise an area of at least about 100m2, 200
m2, 500 m2,
1000 m2, 5000 m2, 10000 m2, 25000 m2, 01 50000 m2. The building may comprise
an area
between any of the above mentioned areas (e.g., from about 100m2 to about 1000
m2, from
about 500m2to about 25000 m2, from about 100m2 to about 50000 m2). The
facility may
comprise a commercial or a residential building. The commercial building may
include
tenant(s) and/or owner(s). The residential facility may comprise a multi or a
single family
building. The residential facility may comprise an apartment complex. The
residential facility
may comprise a single family home. The residential facility may comprise
multifamily homes
(e.g., apartments). The residential facility may comprise townhouses. The
facility may
comprise residential and commercial portions. The facility may comprise at
least about 1, 2,
5, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 420, 450, 500, or 550 windows
(e.g., tintable
windows). The windows may be divided into zones (e.g., based at least in part
on the
location, façade, floor, ownership, utilization of the enclosure (e.g., room)
in which they are
disposed, any other assignment metric, random assignment, or any combination
thereof.
Allocation of windows to the zone may be static or dynamic (e.g., based on a
heuristic).
There may be at least about 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 30, 40, or 46 windows per zone.
[0237] By having access to visualize components on a network, an FSE may be
made
aware of information that is helpful for inspection and/or servicing. For
example, after
inspecting a component as displayed in the building model (e.g., by looking at
a zooming to
that portion of the model), a FSE may be made aware that a ladder is needed to
access a
device (e.g., controller) located on a ceiling, or that specific tooling will
be needed to access
a device that is concealed behind drywall. The application may display
technical details of
the component such as the model number, the date of installation, the firmware
installed,
various connected devices, and other technical details such as usage patterns,
and/or
historical data (e.g., status related information such as leakage current over
time for a
particular IGU) that may help an FSE diagnose a problem. By having the ability
to take a
detailed look at the building model, an FSE may arrive at the site prepared to
do the
servicing - potentially eliminating extra trips that might otherwise be needed
to collect
needed materials or tools.
[0238] In some embodiments, an FSE can, using the facility management
application, sort
through installed components using various filters. For example, when a
feature is added to
a model, it may have data tags and/or metadata that include information such
as the date of
installation, the date of manufacture, the part model number, the size of an
IGU, the
firmware on a controller, other device characteristic and/or status
information. This
information may be helpful in doing preventative maintenance, e.g., when an
FSE is at a site
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to take care of another service request. For example, if it is determined that
some controllers
manufactured during a certain time frame are prone to premature failure
because of a
manufacturing defect, an FSE may be able to identify the controllers in
question using
sorting criteria provided within the application. An FSE may then replace the
questionable
components before they fail.
[0239] In some embodiments, the facility management application has a design
module
executable within the configuration mode that allows the application to be
used for designing
the layout of a network in a building. A designer may design a network without
needing to
visit the physical building for inspection. For example, by inspecting a
building model via the
design module (e.g., via the digital twin), a designer may take virtual
measurements and use
tools within the design module to understand light penetration into a building
at various times
of the year. In the conventional design process, a design engineer might
consider
architectural drawings to understand the layout of a building. With an
understanding of the
structure of the building, the designer can may create 2D and/or 3D
installation schematics
that may be used by an installer as instructions for physical installation.
The design process
may be tedious, and errors can be introduced as a result of drawing
inaccuracies, the
architectural drawings being misread, and/or forgetfulness of a designer to
consider design
rules (e.g., human errors). By using the design module, the timeline for
designing a network
and completing the installation of devices may be expedited for reasons
discussed herein.
The expedited timeline may be expedited by at least 50%, 70%, or 90% relative
to the time it
would take without utilization of the digital twin and/or design module
disclosed herein.
[0240] In certain embodiments, within the design module, a designer has access
to a
library of objects or features that may be inserted into a building model.
These objects or
features are representative of various network components ¨ including windows,
window
controllers, network controllers, master controllers, sensors, wiring,
circuitry for power and
communication, and any other device operatively coupled to a network (e.g., as
disclosed
herein). The library of objects may include structures and/or components that
a network may
interface with, including structural components that may be needed during
installation (e.g.,
mounting devices for controllers, wiring, etc.). In some embodiments,
components of a
network that are added to a building model are imported with smart objects
which are later
used as part of a graphical user interface for controlling the network of
optically switchable
windows as discussed elsewhere herein. The digital twin and/or design module
may
comprise devices and/or objects (e.g., fixtures and/or non-fixtures) not
coupled to the
network. The devices and/or objects (e.g., fixtures and/or non-fixtures) not
coupled to the
network may have an identification code.
[0241] In some embodiments, within the design module, components from a
library may be
easily selected and imported into a building model. In some cases, the design
module may
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assist in the design process by automatically selecting and/or suggesting an
appropriate
component for a particular use, e.g., allowing for virtual measurements,
enforcing design
rules, and/or providing warnings when a design rule is broken.
[0242] Fig. 22 depicts an example of a method 2200 that a designer may use to
design a
network. In operation 2202 a building model is loaded or imported into the
design module of
the facility management application. In some cases, the design module may be
an extension
or plug-in to the facility management application that is installed or in some
cases may
operate separately from the rest of the facility management application. In
some cases,
aspects of the design module, including the library of network objects, may be
used as a
plug-in for a CAD software applications such as Autodesk Revit. In operation
2204, the
design rules that will be enforced by the design module are determined. In
some cases,
design rules are associated with objects from a library of components accessed
by the
design module and are not editable. Some design rules, such as rules for
triggering
warnings, may be edited or adjusted by the designer. In some cases, the
designer may
impose a set of rules for particular tie points or objects to improve
uniformity of the finalized
design or determine how the design module will auto-populate a building model
with objects
of network components. In operation 2206, the building model is populated with
objects
representing network components. These objects interface with each other at
tie points that
limit the placement of objects within a building according to the design
rules. In some cases,
populating the building model with objects may be automated by logic within
the design
module that determines where appropriate window object should be placed, and
then places
additional objects as needed to create a network of objects joined by tie
points
corresponding to a functional network. In some cases, populating the building
model may be
partially automated, where, e.g., the user may select where devices (e.g.,
optically
switchable windows) should be placed, and the design module determines the
placement of
other components. In some cases, populating the building model may be a (e.g.,
largely)
manual process. In operation 2208 adjustments may be made to the placement of
objects
within the building model by the designer. For example, if a designer is
unsatisfied with how
a building model has been automatically populated with objects, a designer may
adjust the
location of objects and/or their associated tie points. Having determined the
placement of
objects within a building model, the design module may be used to
automatically generate
various outputs in operation 2210. In some cases, the design module may
automatically
generate a bill of materials (BOM) or installation schematics. In some cases,
the design
module may create, or update a building information model (BIM) that may be
later used by
the building owner to make upkeep, retrofit, and other building related
decisions. In some
cases, the design module may be used to automatically generate a report that
may
determine various costs and benefits of installing a network. In some cases, a
design
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module may be used to generate a graphical user interface for controlling the
network that
has been designed.
[0243] The controller may monitor and/or direct (e.g., physical) alteration of
the operating
conditions of the apparatuses, software, and/or methods described herein.
Control may
comprise regulate, manipulate, restrict, direct, monitor, adjust, modulate,
vary, alter, restrain,
check, guide, or manage. Controlled (e.g., by a controller) may include
attenuated,
modulated, varied, managed, curbed, disciplined, regulated, restrained,
supervised,
manipulated, and/or guided. The control may comprise controlling a control
variable (e.g.,
temperature, power, voltage, and/or profile). The control can comprise real
time or off-line
control. A calculation utilized by the controller can be done in real time,
and/or off-line. The
controller may be a manual or a non-manual controller. The controller may be
an automatic
controller. The controller may operate upon request. The controller may be a
programmable
controller. The controller may be programed. The controller may comprise a
processing unit
(e.g., CPU or CPU). The controller may receive an input (e.g., from at least
one sensor). The
controller may deliver an output. The controller may comprise multiple (e.g.,
sub-)
controllers. The controller may be a part of a control system. The control
system may
comprise a master controller, floor controller, local controller (e.g.,
enclosure controller, or
window controller). The controller may receive one or more inputs. The
controller may
generate one or more outputs. The controller may be a single input single
output controller
(SISO) or a multiple input multiple output controller (MIM0). The controller
may interpret the
input signal received. The controller may acquire data from the one or more
sensors.
Acquire may comprise receive or extract. The data may comprise measurement,
estimation,
determination, generation, or any combination thereof. The controller may
comprise
feedback control. The controller may comprise feed-forward control. The
control may
comprise on-off control, proportional control, proportional-integral (PI)
control, or
proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control. The control may comprise open
loop control, or
closed loop control. The controller may comprise closed loop control. The
controller may
comprise open loop control. The controller may comprise a user interface. The
user interface
may comprise (or operatively coupled to) a keyboard, keypad, mouse, touch
screen,
microphone, speech recognition package, camera, imaging system, or any
combination
thereof. The outputs may include a display (e.g., screen), speaker, or
printer.
The methods, systems and/or the apparatus described herein may comprise a
control
system. The control system can be in communication with any of the apparatuses
(e.g.,
sensors) described herein. The sensors may be of the same type or of different
types, e.g.,
as described herein. For example, the control system may be in communication
with the first
sensor and/or with the second sensor. The control system may control the one
or more
sensors. The control system may control one or more components of a building
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management system (e.g., lightening, security, and/or air conditioning
system). The
controller may regulate at least one (e.g., environmental) characteristic of
the enclosure. The
control system may regulate the enclosure environment using any component of
the building
management system. For example, the control system may regulate the energy
supplied by
a heating element and/or by a cooling element. For example, the control system
may
regulate velocity of an air flowing through a vent to and/or from the
enclosure. The control
system may comprise a processor. The processor may be a processing unit. The
controller
may comprise a processing unit. The processing unit may be central. The
processing unit
may comprise a central processing unit (abbreviated herein as "CPU"). The
processing unit
may be a graphic processing unit (abbreviated herein as "CPU"). The
controller(s) or control
mechanisms (e.g., comprising a computer system) may be programmed to implement
one or
more methods of the disclosure. The processor may be programmed to implement
methods
of the disclosure. The controller may control at least one component of the
forming systems
and/or apparatuses disclosed herein.
[0244] Fig. 23 shows a schematic example of a computer system 2300 that is
programmed
or otherwise configured to one or more operations of any of the methods
provided herein.
The computer system can control (e.g., direct, monitor, and/or regulate)
various features of
the methods, apparatuses, and systems of the present disclosure, such as, for
example,
control heating, cooling, lightening, and/or venting of an enclosure, or any
combination
thereof. The computer system can be part of, or be in communication with, any
sensor or
sensor ensemble disclosed herein. The computer may be coupled to one or more
mechanisms disclosed herein, and/or any parts thereof. For example, the
computer may be
coupled to one or more sensors, valves, switches, lights, windows (e.g., IC
Us), motors,
pumps, optical components, or any combination thereof.
[0245] The computer system can include a processing unit (e.g., 2306) (also
"processor,"
"computer" and "computer processor" used herein). The computer system may
include
memory or memory location (e.g., 2302) (e.g., random-access memory, read-only
memory,
flash memory), electronic storage unit (e.g., 2304) (e.g., hard disk),
communication interface
(e.g., 2303) (e.g., network adapter) for communicating with one or more other
systems, and
peripheral devices (e.g., 2305), such as cache, other memory, data storage
and/or electronic
display adapters. In the example shown in Fig. 23, the memory 2302, storage
unit 2304,
interface 2303, and peripheral devices 2305 are in communication with the
processing unit
2306 through a communication bus (solid lines), such as a motherboard. The
storage unit
can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. The computer
system can be
operatively coupled to a computer network ("network") (e.g., 2301) with the
aid of the
communication interface. The network can be the Internet, an internet and/or
extranet, or an
intranet and/or extranet that is in communication with the Internet. In some
cases, the
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network is a telecommunication and/or data network. The network can include
one or more
computer servers, which can enable distributed computing, such as cloud
computing. The
network, in some cases with the aid of the computer system, can implement a
peer-to-peer
network, which may enable devices coupled to the computer system to behave as
a client or
a server.
[0246] The processing unit can execute a sequence of machine-readable
instructions,
which can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions may be stored
in a
memory location, such as the memory 2302. The instructions can be directed to
the
processing unit, which can subsequently program or otherwise configure the
processing unit
to implement methods of the present disclosure. Examples of operations
performed by the
processing unit can include fetch, decode, execute, and write back. The
processing unit may
interpret and/or execute instructions. The processor may include a
microprocessor, a data
processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphical processing unit (GPU),
a system-on-
chip (SOC), a co-processor, a network processor, an application specific
integrated circuit
(ASIC), an application specific instruction-set processor (ASIPs), a
controller, a
programmable logic device (PLD), a chipset, a field programmable gate array
(FPGA), or
any combination thereof. The processing unit can be part of a circuit, such as
an integrated
circuit. One or more other components of the system 2300 can be included in
the circuit.
[0247] The storage unit can store files, such as drivers, libraries and saved
programs. The
storage unit can store user data (e.g., user preferences and user programs).
In some cases,
the computer system can include one or more additional data storage units that
are external
to the computer system, such as located on a remote server that is in
communication with
the computer system through an intranet or the Internet.
[0248] The computer system can communicate with one or more remote computer
systems
through a network. For instance, the computer system can communicate with a
remote
computer system of a user (e.g., operator). Examples of remote computer
systems include
personal computers (e.g., portable PC), slate or tablet PC's (e.g., Apple
iPad, Samsung
Galaxy Tab), telephones, Smart phones (e.g., Apple iPhone, Android-enabled
device,
Blackberry ), or personal digital assistants. A user (e.g., client) can access
the computer
system via the network.
[0249] Methods as described herein can be implemented by way of machine (e.g.,
computer processor) executable code stored on an electronic storage location
of the
computer system, such as, for example, on the memory 2302 or electronic
storage unit
2304. The machine executable or machine-readable code can be provided in the
form of
software. During use, the processor 2306 can execute the code. In some cases,
the code
can be retrieved from the storage unit and stored on the memory for ready
access by the
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processor. In some situations, the electronic storage unit can be precluded,
and machine-
executable instructions are stored on memory.
[0250] The code can be pre-compiled and configured for use with a machine have
a
processer adapted to execute the code or can be compiled during runtime. The
code can be
supplied in a programming language that can be selected to enable the code to
execute in a
pre-compiled or as-compiled fashion.
[0251] In some embodiments, the processor comprises a code. The code can be
program
instructions. The program instructions may cause the at least one processor
(e.g., computer)
to direct a feed forward and/or feedback control loop. In some embodiments,
the program
instructions cause the at least one processor to direct a closed loop and/or
open loop control
scheme. The control may be based at least in part on one or more sensor
readings (e.g.,
sensor data). One controller may direct a plurality of operations. At least
two operations may
be directed by different controllers. In some embodiments, a different
controller may direct at
least two of operations (a), (b) and (c). In some embodiments, different
controllers may direct
at least two of operations (a), (b) and (c). In some embodiments, a non-
transitory computer-
readable medium cause each a different computer to direct at least two of
operations (a), (b)
and (c). In some embodiments, different non-transitory computer-readable
mediums cause
each a different computer to direct at least two of operations (a), (b) and
(c). The controller
and/or computer readable media may direct any of the apparatuses or components
thereof
disclosed herein. The controller and/or computer readable media may direct any
operations
of the methods disclosed herein.
[0252] In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is operatively coupled to
a control
system (e.g., computer control system). The sensor may comprise light sensor,
acoustic
sensor, vibration sensor, chemical sensor, electrical sensor, magnetic sensor,
fluidity sensor,
movement sensor, speed sensor, position sensor, pressure sensor, force sensor,
density
sensor, distance sensor, or proximity sensor. The sensor may include
temperature sensor,
weight sensor, material (e.g., powder) level sensor, metrology sensor, gas
sensor, or
humidity sensor. The metrology sensor may comprise measurement sensor (e.g.,
height,
length, width, angle, and/or volume). The metrology sensor may comprise a
magnetic,
acceleration, orientation, or optical sensor. The sensor may transmit and/or
receive sound
(e.g., echo), magnetic, electronic, or electromagnetic signal. The
electromagnetic signal may
comprise a visible, infrared, ultraviolet, ultrasound, radio wave, or
microwave signal. The gas
sensor may sense any of the gas delineated herein. The distance sensor can be
a type of
metrology sensor. The distance sensor may comprise an optical sensor, or
capacitance
sensor. The temperature sensor can comprise Bolometer, Bimetallic strip,
calorimeter,
Exhaust gas temperature gauge, Flame detection, Gardon gauge, Golay cell, Heat
flux
sensor, Infrared thermometer, Microbolometer, Microwave radiometer, Net
radiometer,
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Quartz thermometer, Resistance temperature detector, Resistance thermometer,
Silicon
band gap temperature sensor, Special sensor microwave/imager, Temperature
gauge,
Thermistor, Thermocouple, Thermometer (e.g., resistance thermometer), or
Pyrometer. The
temperature sensor may comprise an optical sensor. The temperature sensor may
comprise
image processing. The temperature sensor may comprise a camera (e.g., IR
camera, CCD
camera). The pressure sensor may comprise Barograph, Barometer, Boost gauge,
Bourdon
gauge, Hot filament ionization gauge, Ionization gauge, McLeod gauge,
Oscillating U-tube,
Permanent Downhole Gauge, Piezometer, Pirani gauge, Pressure sensor, Pressure
gauge,
Tactile sensor, or Time pressure gauge. The position sensor may comprise
Auxanometer,
Capacitive displacement sensor, Capacitive sensing, Free fall sensor,
Gravimeter,
Gyroscopic sensor, Impact sensor, Inclinometer, Integrated circuit
piezoelectric sensor,
Laser rangefinder, Laser surface velocimeter, LIDAR, Linear encoder, Linear
variable
differential transformer (LVDT), Liquid capacitive inclinometers, Odometer,
Photoelectric
sensor, Piezoelectric accelerometer, Rate sensor, Rotary encoder, Rotary
variable
differential transformer, Selsyn, Shock detector, Shock data logger, Tilt
sensor, Tachometer,
Ultrasonic thickness gauge, Variable reluctance sensor, or Velocity receiver.
The optical
sensor may comprise a Charge-coupled device, Colorimeter, Contact image
sensor, Electro-
optical sensor, Infra-red sensor, Kinetic inductance detector, light emitting
diode (e.g., light
sensor), Light-addressable potentiometric sensor, Nichols radiometer, Fiber
optic sensor,
Optical position sensor, Photo detector, Photodiode, Photomultiplier tubes,
Phototransistor,
Photoelectric sensor, Photoionization detector, Photomultiplier, Photo
resistor, Photo switch,
Phototube, Scintillometer, Shack-Hartmann, Single-photon avalanche diode,
Superconducting nanowire single-photon detector, Transition edge sensor,
Visible light
photon counter, or Wave front sensor. The one or more sensors may be connected
to a
control system (e.g., to a processor, to a computer).
[0253] In some embodiment a software application may comprise a facility
visualizer. The
software application may offer a user the ability to observe, manipulate
(e.g., revise or
adjust), and/or create various features relating to the facility. The feature
may relate to the
architectural structure of the facility (e.g., fixtures), to assets (e.g., non-
fixtures and/or
devices) of the facilities, to a network of the facility, and/or to a control
system of the facility.
For example, the facility visualizer (e.g., building visualizer) may
facilitate utilization,
alteration, and/or creation of a topological electrical relationships in a
digital twin of the
facility, and display the digital twin in a user interface (UI) of the
facility visualizer software
application (e.g., app). The app may reside on a cloud or locally (e.g., in
the facility or
outside of the facility).
[0254] In some embodiments, the app may offer a search feature. In some
embodiments,
the app may facilitate a rendering feature. The rendering may be at least
every about 5
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minutes (min), 10min, 20min, 30min, or 60min. The rendering frequency of the
simulation of
the facility, may be between any of the aforementioned values (e.g., from 5
min to 60min,
from 5 min to 20min, or from 20min to 60min). The rendering feature may
simulate outside
influences affecting the facility (e.g., sunlight irradiating on the
facility). The rendering feature
may simulate inside influences affecting the facility (e.g., affecting an
environment of the
facility). The rendering feature may use input from one or more sensors of the
facility (e.g.,
historic values and/or real time values). The rendering feature may use input
of third parties
(e.g., weather forecast) The rendering feature may use historical input (e.g.,
of this or other
facilities, e.g., in a similar setting such as similar geographical and/or
environmental setting).
The rendering feature may consider one or more jurisdictional rules,
regulations, and/or
restrictions. The rendering feature may consider one or more industrial
recommendation,
guidelines, and/or standards. For example, the rendering feature may render a
sensor
attribute in an enclosure of the facility, e.g., as a function of time. The
attribute may include
temperature, gas (e.g., air) flow, gas distribution and/or levels, noise
levels, pressure levels,
and the like (e.g., depending on the sensed measurements). The simulation may
include
generating a map of the attribute throughout the enclosure of the facility.
For example, the
simulation may visualize a temperature map in the facility (e.g., using
temperature sensors
of the facility). For example, the simulation may visualize a ventilation map
in the facility
(e.g., using data of vent placement and HVAC operation). For example, the
simulation may
visualize a noise map in the facility (e.g., using noise sensors of the
facility). The rendering
may be time dependent rendering. For example, a user may view an evolution of
the
rendered attribute as a function of time (e.g., by selecting various times
and/or dates, or by
selecting a range of times and/or dates). Such rendering may be presented as a
movie, that
may be optionally recorded, e.g., per user's request. The rendered movie may
have a frame
every at least about 5 minutes (min), 10min, 20min, 30min, or 60min. The
rendering frames
of the digital twin of the facility may be between any of the aforementioned
values (e.g., from
min to 60min, from 5 min to 20min, or from 20min to 60min).
[0255] In some embodiments, the software application may include a search
feature. The
search feature may facilitate searching through an inventory of the facility
that is depicted in
the digital twin (e.g., architectural elements, and/or assets (e.g., such as
non-fixtures and/or
devices).
[0256] In some embodiments, the software application may present a virtual
visualization of
the facility in its surroundings in the real-world. In some embodiments, the
digital twin
simulation may consider the facility in its surroundings in the real-world.
For example, the
software application and/or simulation of the digital twin may consider an
Isovist of shadow
and light affecting the facility exterior. For example, the software
application may present an
image (on a UI) of the facility in a municipal surrounding (e.g., urban
surrounding), and/or in
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a topographical surrounding. For example, the software application may present
an image
(on a UI) of the facility in conjunction with any civil and/or structural
engineering features
(e.g., roads, bridges, and/or water fountains). These features may be consider
during
rendering of the facility, e.g., considering their influence on the facility's
exterior and/or
interior (e.g., internal environment).
[0257] In some embodiments, the software application may provide a report. The
report
may be related to any aspect of the digital twin (e.g., architectural
elements, network,
control, and/or assets (e.g., fixtures, non-fixtures and/or devices). The
reporting may be
done in real time. The report may be generated following a change in the
digital twin of the
facility. The report may provide a summary of facility assets (e.g., including
any available
information including various identifications and/or status of the assets).
The report may
provide a commissioning status of the facility (e.g., including assets
therein). The digital twin
may incorporate assets (e.g., devices) that have been commissioned in the
facility and/or
assets to be commissioned in the facility in the future. A user may be able to
select various
features to include in the report, e.g., using the app. For example, the user
may select
reporting a commissioned status of the devices of the facility. In some
embodiments, system
hierarchy is included in the digital twin. The system hierarchy may include a
hierarchy of
controllers, of devices, and/or of zones. The zones may be grouped into groups
(e.g., each
having a distinguishable name and/or notation). The zones may be clustered
(e.g., with each
cluster having a distinguishable name and/or notation). The zones, their
grouping and/or
clustering may form a hierarchy of zones. The user may select a report
delineating a
selected hierarchy (e.g., from available options).
[0258] In some embodiments, the software application simulates impingement
onto the
facility and/or penetration of radiation into the facility. The app may
utilize standard
penetration depth, e.g., based at least in part on space type and/or building
vertical, e.g., for
occupancy location and/or device control (e.g., tinting control of the
tintable windows).
[0259] In some embodiments, the software application may be utilized to
evaluate an
optimal location of device(s) such as sensor(s), emitter(s), transceiver(s),
antenna(s), and/or
tintable windows, e.g., using its simulation capabilities and other
utilization of the digital twin
of the facility. For example, the app. may facilitate location of a weather
sensor (e.g., sky
sensor). The sky sensor may be disposed externally to the facility (e.g., on a
wall or on a
roof of the facility. The app may aid in determining a favorable (e.g.,
optimal) location for
localizing the weather sensor.
[0260] In some embodiments, the software application may be utilized to
simulate and/or
evaluate sensor data (e.g., of sensors of the facility), e.g., in real time
(e.g., as they measure
data). The app may store sensor thresholds and/or lockouts. The app may allow
the user to
view the sensor data, e.g., as simulated with relation to the digital twin.
For example, the app
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may visualize a mapping of the sensor data in at least a portion of the
facility, e.g., in real
time and/or as a function of time. The time functionality may be facilitated
using a time
and/or date based slider, or time and/or date range. For example, the time
functionality may
facility rendering evolution of various aspects of the facility (e.g., sensed
attributes and/or
sun radiation), through a cycle of one day (one 24 hour cycle). The time
functionality may
facilitate rendering based on a yearly season (e.g., winter, summer, fall, or
spring).
[0261] In some embodiments, the app utilizes a software module including APIs
and/or
services that help access and/or use the facility's design and engineering
data (e.g., via the
cloud). In some embodiments, the app may utilize a software module configured
to allow
access to design and engineering data in the cloud (e.g., Autodesk Forge
platform). The app
may facilitate extraction of an underlying code of a third party cloud design
and/or
engineering software (e.g., Autodesk Forge). For example, the app may
facilitate extraction
of an open standard file format and/or data interchange format (e.g., that
uses human-
readable text to store and transmit data objects consisting of attribute¨value
pairs and arrays
(and/or other serializable values)). The app may facilitate extraction of a
language-
independent data format. For example, the app may facilitate extraction of
JavaScript, or
JavaScript related formats. For example, the app may facilitate extraction of
JavaScript
Object Notation (JSON) such as HBJSON. The app may facilitate extraction of
the file format
from such cloud application (e.g., from the Forge Model). The extracted file
may be utilized
for a control module (e.g., Intelligence) configured to control the facility
(e.g., control devices
of the facility). For example, the extracted file (e.g., HBJSON file) may be
utilized to pollinate
the control system (e.g., by pollinating the Intelligence module, e.g., in the
cloud), and/or into
the (e.g., local) database of the facility. The database of the facility can
be in the cloud or not
in the cloud. The database may be in the facility or external to the facility.
[0262] In some embodiments, the software application facilitates saving the
input, changes,
and/or creations concerning the digital twin. The saved changes to the digital
twin may be
utilized for commissioning, for control of the facility, and/or for
maintenance of the facility.
The facility includes any portion of the facility, e.g., as indicated in the
digital twin (and at
times, also those not indicated in the digital twin).
[0263] In some embodiments, the software application may facilitate obtaining
user input
for generating an understanding (e.g., intelligence that can be utilized by
the control system)
from the digital twin. In some embodiments, the software application may
comprise a web-
interface for generating an understanding (e.g., intelligence that can be
utilized by the control
system) from the digital twin. The user may connect to the software
application via the web
interface. For example, a customer success manager (e.g., CSM) may interact
with the
application in input information comprising (i) zones and optionally zone
names, (i) zone
groups and optionally zone group names, (ii) zone clusters and optionally zone
cluster
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names, (iii) standard penetration depth (e.g., based at least in part on space
type and
building vertical, such as for occupancy location), (iv) location for weather
file grab, and/or
(v) sensor thresholds and/or sensor lockouts.
[0264] In some embodiments, the software application presents one or more
simulations
depicted in an architectural model of a facility (e.g., using the digital
twin). The simulation
may comprise one or more thresholds. The one or more thresholds may be of an
attribute,
such as a sensed attribute (e.g., a temperature). For example, the simulation
may present a
sensed temperature at a location of the facility in a certain time, as
depicted in a virtual
image of the facility (e.g., of the digital twin of the facility). The
simulation may be based at
least in part on one or more parameters. The simulation may be based at least
in part on
one or more models (e.g., on a model used by the control system such as an
Intelligence
model). The one or more models may comprise one or more learning modules
(e.g., using
artificial intelligence). Examples of models, facility (e.g., building),
control system, devices
(e.g., tintable window) and network, can be found in U.S. Patent Application
Serial No.
17/250,586, filed February 5,2021, titled "CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS USING
EXTERNAL 3D MODELING AND NEURAL NETWORKS," International Patent Application
Serial No., which is a National Stage Entry of International Patent
Application Serial No.
PCT/US19/46524, filed August 14, 2019 , titled "CONTROL METHODS AND SYSTEMS
USING EXTERNAL 3D MODELING AND NEURAL NETWORKS," International Patent
Application Serial No. PCT/US21/17603, filed February 11,2021, titled
"PREDICTIVE
MODELING FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS," and U.S. Provisional Patent Applicational
Serial
No. 63/106,058, filed October 27, 2020 , titled "TINTABLE WINDOW FAILURE
PREDICTION," each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. The
software application may utilize a proprietary script. The proprietary scrip
may extract data
from an architectural model. The extracted data may comprise zone dimension(s)
(e.g.,
fundamental length scales (FLS) such as width, length, and/or height),
occupancy region
dimension(s) (e.g., FLS), device (e.g., smart window) property(ies), critical
viewing angles, or
windowsill height, floor height. The smart window property(ies) may comprise
window
dimension(s) (e.g., FLS), or window material property(ies). The smart window
may
incorporate a tintable device (e.g., an electrochromic device). The window
material
properties may comprise tintable entities of the smart window, layer structure
(e.g., of the
tintable device), layer characteristics (e.g., of the tintable device), or
electrical characteristics
associated with the smart window. The data used for the simulation may be
visualized in the
digital twin (e.g., in the architectural design of the facility) and/or
presented as a report (e.g.,
in a table), e.g., per user's preferences and/or as a default feature. The
user may manipulate
the digital twin presented in the Ul of the app for preferred viewing by the
user. For example,
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the user may rotate, resize, and move the virtual image of the facility
presented in the Ul,
relative to the viewing area offered by the Ul.
[0265] In some embodiment, the software application and/or digital twin
simulation are
utilized to find an optimal placement of one or more sensors. The simulation
may be subject
to analysis of total annual sun-hours that can help with reducing (i)
contextual shade on sky-
sensor and/or (ii) heat-gain from sun on façade (e.g., when one or more
sensors (e.g., of a
device ensemble) is mounted on an exterior window framing). The analysis may
be coded in
one or more scripts. The software application and/or digital twin simulation
may be utilized to
find an optimal location of a sensor that is external, or internal, to the
facility. The optimal
sensor location analysis may be performed as part of the software application,
or as a
separate module. For example, the one or more sensors may include a sensor
external to
the facility. The external sensor may be utilized to measure external
influences on the
facility. The external influences may include radiation (e.g., sun radiation),
rain, snow, fog,
clouds, hail, wind, or shadow. The external sensor may be a part of a sensor
system. The
sensor system may be an external sensor system (e.g., a sky sensor system).
Examples for
an external sensor system (e.g., sky sensor), facility (e.g., building),
control system, devices
(e.g., tintable window) and network, can be found in can be found in U.S.
Patent Application
Serial No. 16/871,976, filed May 11, 2020, titled "MULT1-SENSOR HAVING A LIGHT
DIFFUSING ELEMENT AROUND A PERIPHERY OF A RING OF PHOTOSENSORS,' U.S.
Patent Application Serial No. 16/696,887, filed November 26, 2019, titled
"MULTI-SENSOR
DEVICE AND SYSTEM WITH A LIGHT DIFFUSING ELEMENT AROUND A PERIPHERY
OF A RING OF PHOTOSENSORS AND AN INFRARED SENSOR," and International Patent
Application Serial No. P0T/US16/55709, filed October 6, 2016, titled "MULTI-
SENSOR,"
each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. For
example, the software
application and/or digital twin simulation may be used to find an optimal
position of the sky
sensor on a roof or on an external wall of the facility, e.g., such that the
sky sensor is
minimally shadowed by external obstructions (e.g., a nearby structure or
vegetation (e.g.,
building, other engineered structure, and/or tree). For example, the one or
more sensors
may include a sensor internal to the facility. The software may use mapping of
an attribute
(e.g., a sensed and/or simulated attribute) to select an optimal sensor
location in the facility.
The attribute may comprise a sensed property. The attribute may comprise
temperature,
sounds, humidity, gas level, gas velocity, gas pressure, particulate matter,
volatile organic
compounds, or light. The gas may comprise air, carbon dioxide, oxygen, carbon
monoxide,
hydrogen sulfide, one or more nitrogen oxide pollutants (NO)), radon, or
humidity (water in
its gaseous state).
[0266] In some embodiments, the software application may facilitate
interaction of a user
interacts with the device directly in the digital twin of the facility. The
app may allow mapping
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of various sensor data into the digital twin of the facility. The sensor data
may comprise
forecasted sensor data, real time measurements of the facilities' sensors, or
historical
measurements. The sensor measurements may be presented as a function of time.
The time
may be divided into frequencies that are at least the measurement frequency of
the
sensor(s). A user may select time lapse that is larger than the measurement
frequency of the
sensor(s) (e.g., from a dropdown menu, as a sliding bar, and/or from a side
list).
[0267] In some embodiments, the facility simulation and/or digital twin
considers customer
data. In some embodiments, the facility simulation and/or digital twin
incorporates customer
data. The customer data may be customer feedback. The customer data may
comprise
customer sentiments. The customer data may be input (i) directly to the
digital twin (e.g.,
using the app), and/or (ii) by a customer care representative. The customer
care
representative may be a representative of (a) the company creating and/or
maintaining the
app, (b) the company commissioning and/or maintaining the network of the
facility, (c) the
company commissioning and/or maintaining the assets (e.g., devices) of the
facility, or (d)
any combination thereof. In some embodiments, the customer input may be
visualized by
the app. For example, the customer input may be visualized as part of a
virtual
representation of the facility presented in the Ul. For example, the customer
input may be
visualized as data (e.g., as written data such as in a table). The customer
input may
comprise overriding a proposed target decision made by the control system
(e.g., using the
control system module(s)). For example, the customer input may comprise window
tint value
that overrides a proposed target tint value by the control system (e.g., using
the control
system module(s)). The customer overrides may be analyzed and/or acted upon.
The
analysis may be utilized by the control system (e.g., by Intelligence). The
input may be an
info-graphic that is tied to specific asset(s). The asset(s) may be presented,
or tied to, the
digital twin of the facility. The info-graphic may comprise, for example,
customer overrides,
customer service (e.g., salesforce) ticket(s) #, tintable window failure, and
the like. The app
and/or digital twin may facilitate visualization of issues, e.g., by tying
comment(s) to a model
object (e.g., a facility asset). The comment may be by any user of the app
and/or customer.
The user may comprise a commissioning service member, maintenance service
member,
customer service member, or customer.
[0268] In some embodiments, the software application comprises a facility
visualizer. The
facility visualizer may comprise a digital twin visualizer. The application
may show customer
sentiments, and/or status of various facility components to a user such as to
the customer.
The app may facilitate setting one or more zones (e.g., and their hierarchy)
in an intuitive
and/or visible manner. The app may allow the user to alter zones, and/or
occupancy regions
in an intuitive manner (e.g., while visualizing the changes in a digital twin
of the facility, and
their effect of various aspects related to the facility such as environmental
aspects). The app
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can automatically generate zone(s) (including their hierarchy), and/or
occupancy regions,
e.g., based at least in part on penetration depth of sun angles. The automatic
generation
may be a default of the app. The app may facilitate viewing any bounding
furniture, furniture,
occupancy regions, occupancy, zones, sun rays (or any other attribute) in the
digital twin
(e.g., in a visual manner). Alteration in the attribute may be simulated
and/or represented as
a function of time, and rendered into a time dependent virtual representation
in the Ul of the
app. The user may select the time frequency of rendering, or the time
frequency may be
provided as a default time lapse. The user may save the time varied rendering
as a movie.
[0269] In some embodiments, the software application may facilitate adjustment
of control
modules (e.g., software package) that control the facility (e.g., one or more
devices in the
facility). For example, the app may facility adjustment of control system
(e.g., using
Intelligence) parameters on the digital twin, e.g., in a local or in a web
application. The
changes to the control module(s) may be committed to the field (e.g., used by
the control
system of the facility). These changes may be manually and/or automatically
summarized,
e.g., in report(s). The report(s) may be periodic reports such as a weekly
report. The
report(s) may be non-periodic (e.g., on demand, and/or when an alternation has
been made
in the control module). The report(s) may be generated by the app, e.g., on
selection by a
user. The app may have a default preference to automatically generate the
report. A user
may be able to alter the default preference of the app. The report may be sent
to select team
members and/or customers. A user may list the team member(s) and/or customers.
In some
embodiments, the app may allow viewing the digital twin and/or simulation(s)
prior to
commissioning (e.g., onboarding) various aspects of the facility. The app may
allow proofing
various aspects of the facility at least in part by viewing and/or inspecting
the digital twin
through the app, e.g., using the various simulation capabilities it offers.
Examples of control
modules can be found in International Patent Application Serial Nos.
PCT/US14/16974, filed
February 18, 2014, titled "CONTROL METHOD FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS,"
PCT/US15/29675, filed May 7, 2015, titled "CONTROL METHOD FOR TINTABLE
WINDOWS," PCT/US17/66198, filed December 13, 2017, titled "CONTROL METHOD FOR
TINTABLE WINDOWS," PCT/US21/17603, and PCT/US19/46524, in U.S. Patent
Application Serial No. 17/250,586, and in U.S. Provisional Patent Application
Serial No.
63/106,058, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0270] In some instances, a Customer Success Manager (CSM) does not have a
tool (e.g.,
an automatic tool) incorporating various devices in the facility they are
addressing. Building
Information Management Models (e.g., BIM such as Autodesk Revit file) may be
static and
incorporate architectural elements of a facility, but not devices installed in
the facility, let
alone updated status of such devices. At time the architectural model offers
two dimensional
(2D) representation of the facility, rather than three dimensional (3D)
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[0271] In some embodiments, a digital twin of the facility integrates an
(e.g., 3D)
architectural image of the facility with devices installed therein, which
corresponds to real
location of the devices installed in the facility. In some embodiments, such
digital twin may
facilitate management of the facility at various levels, e.g., through usage
of an app (e.g., as
disclosed herein). The status of the devices may be updated to reflect real
time, or
substantially real time, status of the devices. The digital twin may aid in
deployment and/or
maintenance of the facility (e.g., including deployment and/or maintenance of
devices of the
facility). The digital twin may serve as a tool for customers and/or customer
managers (e.g.,
CSM), e.g., when interacting with customers or potential customers. Customers
may be
owners or tenants of the facility (or any portion thereof). The digital twin
may be a
supplemented initial BIM file (e.g., fortified with device information), or
utilize and/or
incorporate the BIM file.
[0272] In some embodiments, the facility (e.g., including a building) is
controlled by a
control system (e.g., as disclosed herein), the control system controls the
various devices
disposed in the facility. For example, tintable windows are controlled by the
control system.
The control system may utilized a control module that calculates and predicts
a preferred tint
value for tinting the tintable windows. The control module (e.g., that may be
referred to
herein as "Intelligence") may consider the time of year, season, (e.g., winter
or summer),
geographical location of the facility (e.g., and/or tintable window), topology
in the vicinity of
the facility, obstructions in the vicinity of the facility, structural
features of the facility, weather,
and sun location, to control the devices (e.g., the tintable windows) of the
facility. The
weather may be derived from sensors of the facility, from sensors without
relation to the
facility, and/or from a third party (e.g., weather forecasting service). In
some embodiments,
at least a portion of the weather data may be located in the facility, or
outside of the facility
(e.g., at a different location and/or in the cloud).
[0273] Fig. 24 shows an example of sun locations as a function of time and
date, relative to
a facility 2400. For example, 2403 shows sun locations during the summer
(e.g., summer
solstice in the year 2020), and 2401 shows sun locations in the winter (e.g.,
winter solstice in
the year 2020). 2402 shows degrees of rotation in a unit circle and the
associated Cardinal
directions (e.g., Cardinal points) North, South, West, and East. Such graphics
may show
extreme positions of the sun, that may assist in evaluating various aspects of
the facility with
respect to sun radiation.
[0274] In some embodiments, the control software module considers geographical
location
of the facility (e.g., and/or tintable window), topology in the vicinity of
the facility, obstructions
in the vicinity of the facility, structural features of the facility. The
topology in the vicinity of
the facility may include considering a topological map of the facility's
vicinity, such as
comprising a mountain, valley, hill, embankment, elevation, depression, or
slope. The
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embankment, elevation, depression, or slope may be away from the window, or
towards the
window (which control software module may consider). The obstructions in the
vicinity of the
facility (e.g., that potentially affect light (e.g., sun radiation) from
reaching the facility) may
comprise adjacent man-made structures, or vegetation (e.g., trees and/or large
bushes). The
manmade structures may comprise a building, a statue, a monument, a fountain,
a civil
engineering structure, or a structural engineering structure. The civil
engineered structure
may comprise a bridge, a pipeline, a pillar, a tunnel, a traffic light, a dam,
power station (or
component thereof), power accessory, railway, or a road. The control module
may consider
a municipal map to which the facility belongs. The control module may consider
any
reflective surfaces comprising metallic surfaces (e.g., metal clads and/or
metal statues), or
water bodies (e.g., ocean, seal, lake, pool, fountain, river and/or stream).
The control module
(e.g., software module used by the control system) may consider reflective,
dispersive
and/or absorptive surfaces (i) of the facility and/or (ii) objects adjacent to
the facility. The
objects may comprise vegetations, natural inanimate objects, and man-made
objects. The
structural features of the facility may comprise external structural features
(e.g., that may
affect radiation from entering the facility). The external structural features
may comprise a
fin, a column, an overhang, a curved external wall portion, a straight
external wall portion, a
protrusion, or an embossing.
[0275] In some embodiments, the software application may facilitate annotating
the digital
twin of the facility by a user. The annotation may be visible in the Ul, e.g.,
(i) in the virtual
representation of the facility (e.g., in the digital twin) and/or (ii) as a
separate block from the
virtual representation of the facility. The user may be able to select whether
the annotation is
presented as options (i), (ii), or both (i) and (ii) above. Certain
annotation(s) may be
considered by the control system (e.g., through the control system software
package such
as Intelligence). Certain annotations may be solicited from the user by the
app.
[0276] Fig. 25 shows an example of a municipal map 2501; a topographical map
2503
showing various shaded mountains and valleys that may affect a facility
disposed at 2506 in
a valley adjacent to the shaded mountains; a topological map 2502 in which
roads are
depicted, and a digitized topological map 2504 of a facility's vicinity, in
which the facility 2505
is deposed. Fig. 26 shows an example of an annotated aerial view 2601 of a
facility's vicinity,
an annotated aerial view 2602 indicated roads in the vicinity of the facility,
a municipal
planning 2603 superimposed on a topographical map, which facility belongs to
the
municipality; and a digitized topological mapping 2604 of a vicinity of the
facility 2605, the
facility 2605, and municipal planning in its vicinity. Any and all of the map
types depicted in
figs. 25-26 may be considered (e.g., taken into account) by the control system
(e.g., using
the predictive module such as Intelligence) to control the facility (e.g.,
tint various tintable
windows of the facility).
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[0277] In some embodiments, a user may provide input to a software
application, that may
influence the control system. For example, the user may provide input that
will override
decisions of the control system, or guide the control system in its decision
making process.
The software application may permit or restrict the user for using it, or
making certain
changes. Various users may have various permission levels. The permission
levels may be
guided by a hierarchy.
[0278] In some embodiment, a user provides input to the software application
and/or to the
control system (e.g., using the control system software module). The app may
be operatively
coupled to the control system, on included as part of the control system. The
level of access,
control and type of user interface the user is presented by the app, may
depend on
permission granted to the user. The permission may be granted by the app, by
the control
system, and/or by the network. The permission may depend on occupant-role
(e.g., building
operations manager vs. employee, full-time employee vs. shared workspace user)
and/or
type of facility enclosure (e.g., shared conference room vs. solo office). The
permissions
may have a hierarchical structure. The permission (e.g., permission hierarchy)
may be
based at least in part on: (i) employment level hierarchy, (ii) voting
plurality, may include
thresholds and voting rights, (iii) system user hierarchy (e.g., a system
administrator may
have a higher hierarchy that users), (iv) geographic location of employees
(e.g., at time of
request - a remote employee may not be allowed to dictate environments of non-
remote
occupants), (v) geographic location of the facility, (vi) ownership of the
facility (or portion
thereof), (vii) security level (e.g., network security level assigned to
different users), and/or
(viii) energy, health, safety and/or jurisdictional considerations. The app
and/or control
system module may comprise logic. The logic may determine whether to inhibit
or allow a
direct override based on the user permission scheme. The logic of the app may
determine
which user interfaces a user is presented with, e.g., based at least in part
on the permission
scheme. Data from input provided by the user may be collected and/or utilized
in this or in
another forecast, even when the when the user does not have permission to make
an
actionable decision.
[0279] In some embodiments, the various devices (e.g., IGUs) are grouped into
zones of
targets (e.g., of EC windows). At least one zone (e.g., each of which zones)
can include a
subset of devices. For example, at least one (e.g., each) zone of devices may
be controlled
by one or more respective floor controllers and one or more respective local
controllers (e.g.,
window controllers) controlled by these floor controllers. In some examples,
at least one
(e.g., each) zone can be controlled by a single floor controller and two or
more local
controllers controlled by the single floor controller. For example, a zone can
represent a
logical grouping of the devices. Each zone may correspond to a set of devices
(e.g., of the
same type) in a specific location or area of the facility that are driven
together based at least
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in part on their location. For example, a facility (e.g., building) may have
four faces or sides
(a North face, a South face, an East Face, and a West Face) and ten floors. In
such a
didactic example, each zone may correspond to the set of smart windows (e.g.,
tintable
windows) on a particular floor and on a particular one of the four faces. At
least one (e.g.,
each) zone may correspond to a set of devices that share one or more physical
characteristics (for example, device parameters such as size or age). In some
embodiments,
a zone of devices is grouped based at least in part on one or more non-
physical
characteristics such as, for example, a security designation or a business
hierarchy (for
example, IGUs bounding managers' offices can be grouped in one or more zones
while
IGUs bounding non-managers' offices can be grouped in one or more different
zones).
[0280] In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., each) floor controller is able
to address all
of the devices in at least one (e.g., each) of one or more respective zones.
For example, the
master controller can issue a primary tint command to the floor controller
that controls a
target zone. The primary tint command can include an (e.g., abstract)
identification of the
target zone (hereinafter also referred to as a "zone ID"). For example, the
zone ID can be a
first protocol ID such as that just described in the example above. In such
cases, the floor
controller receives the primary tint command including the tint value and the
zone ID and
maps the zone ID to the second protocol IDs associated with the local
controllers within the
zone. In some embodiments, the zone ID is a higher level abstraction than the
first protocol
IDs. In such cases, the floor controller can first map the zone ID to one or
more first protocol
IDs, and subsequently map the first protocol IDs to the second protocol IDs.
[0281] In some embodiments, the master controller is coupled to one or more
outward-
facing networks via one or more wired and/or wireless links. For example, the
master
controller can communicate acquired status information or sensor data to
remote computers,
mobile devices, servers, databases in or accessible by the outward-facing
network. In some
embodiments, various applications, including third party applications or cloud-
based
applications, executing within such remote devices are able to access data
from or provide
data to the MC. In some embodiments, authorized users or applications
communicate
requests to modify the tint states of various tintable windows to the master
controller via the
network. For example, the master controller can first determine whether to
grant the request
(for example, based at least in part on power considerations or based at least
in part on
whether the user has the appropriate authorization) prior to issuing a tint
command. The
master controller may then calculate, determine, select, or otherwise generate
a tint value
and transmit the tint value in a primary tint command to cause the tint state
transitions in the
associated tintable windows.
[0282] In some embodiments, a user submits such a request from a computing
device,
such as a desktop computer, laptop computer, tablet computer or mobile device
(for
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example, a smartphone). The user's computing device may execute a client-side
application
that is capable of communicating with the master controller (e.g., through the
app), and in
some examples, with a master controller application executing within the
master controller.
In some embodiments, the client-side application may communicate with a
separate
application, in the same or a different physical device or system as the
master controller,
which then communicates with the master controller application to affect the
desired tint
state modifications. For example, the master controller application or other
separate
application can be used to authenticate the user to authorize requests
submitted by the user.
The user may select a target to be manipulated (e.g., the IGUs to be tinted),
and directly or
indirectly inform the master controller of the selections, e.g., by entering
an enclosure ID
(e.g., room number) via the client-side application. There may be a hierarchy
of overriding
permissions to use the app and/or alter the digital twin. The hierarchy may
depended on the
type of user. For example, a factory employee user may not be allowed to alter
device
network IDs. For example, an employee may be allowed to alter the tint state
of a window
adjacent to their workstation, but not of other tintable windows of the
facility. For example, a
visitor may be prevented from having the visitor's mobile circuitry connected
to the network,
app, or make any changes to the digital twin. The coupling to the network may
be automatic
and seamless (e.g., after the initial preference have been set). Seamless
coupling may be
without requiring input from the user. The permission hierarchy may be based
at least in part
on (i) selected privileges, (ii) employment hierarchy and/or status, (iii)
designated location
within the facility, (iv) permission to enter various layers of the facility
network, and/or (v) any
combination thereof.
[0283] Fig. 27 shows an example of a user interface screen of a software
application (app)
that includes a customer support portal. The user interface (UI) may allow to
search other
customer sites in block 2705, e.g., as a free search and/or from a dropdown
menu indicated
by a downward arrow. The Ul may include options in block 2708 to select
customers,
software, app store, users, and indicate current user. When an icon of the
current user is
clicked, a dropdown menu may appear allowing the user to log out of the app.
The Ul may
include an identification of a local network (e.g., ViewNet) such as by its
local address. The
Ul may include in block 2706 an overview of modules offered by the app, such
as a Building
Visualizer, a Service Manager, an Asset Explorer (e.g., device explorer), a
User Dictionary,
and Configuration screen. Additional overview, and/or detailed selection of
the modules, may
be available in a dropdown menu activated by pressing on a downward arrow in
block 2706.
The user interface screen includes a visual model of the facility 2701 (e.g.,
site image) which
may be optional. In block 2702, the user interface indicates the site name,
identification,
address, and geographic coordinates. In block 2703, contacts of the facility
(e.g., site) may
be available, such as customer service manager, project manager, and site
point of contact.
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In block 2704, a summary of the assets (e.g., devices) may be indicated such
as any control
panels, Network Window Controllers and/or Network Adaptors (abbreviated as
NWC/NA),
sensors, emitters, or device ensembles (e.g., sense devices), and windows
(e.g., tintable
windows and/or IGUs). The app may allow the user to delete the entry of the
facility by
pressing the 2709 Delete field, or edit the entry of the facility by pressing
the 2709 Edit field.
Any of the field in blocks 2707, 2706, 2703, 2704, 2701 may be interactive
and, when
selected by the user, may offer additional information and/or direct the app
to other user
interfaces displayed to the user upon their selection.
[0284] In some embodiments, the facility may be divided into one or more
zones. The
zones may be defined at least in part by a customer, or by the facility
manager. The zones
may be at least in part automatically defined. For example, the zone of
devices (e.g.,
comprising tintable windows, sensors, or emitters) may associate with (i) a
façade of a
building they are facing, (ii) a floor they are disposed in, (iii) a building
in the facility they are
disposed in, (iv) a functionality of the enclosure they are disposed in (e.g.,
a conference
room, a gym, an office, or a cafeteria), (iv) prescribed and/or in fact
occupation (e.g.,
organizational function) to the enclosure they are disposed in, (v) prescribed
and/or in fact
activity in the enclosure they are disposed in, (vi) tenant, owner, and/or
manager of the
enclosure of the facility (e.g., for a facility having various tenants,
owners, and/or managers),
and/or (vii) their geographic location. The zones may be alterable (e.g.,
using the software
app), e.g., visually. The status of the zone (e.g., in conjunction to the
status of the devices
therein), may be displayed by the app (e.g., updated in real-time, or
substantially in real
time). One or more zones may be grouped. For example, all zones in a certain
floor may be
groped. There may be a zone hierarchy using any of the zone associations (i)
to (vii).
[0285] Fig. 28 shows an example of a user interface screen of a software
application (app)
that includes a customer support portal. In addition to sections similar to
those described in
the example of Fig. 27 (e.g., 2708, 2707, 2805, and 2706), the Ul screen shown
in the
example of fig. 28 depicts options titled "intelligence Sandbox" in block 2802
that include
setting up and/or revising zone(s), occupancy region(s), site parameters,
generate
Intelligence, and review Intelligence building. In some embodiments,
"Intelligence" refers to a
control module that controls the building (e.g., various devices disposed in
the building). The
word "Intelligence" may be replaced with any other name of a similar control
module. Fig. 28
shows an example in which the Zone Set Up option in block 2802 is selected. An
option for a
user to select one or more zones in block 2801, as indicated by "Zone Set Up"
writing. The
customer's name is indicated as XYZ in this fictious example. The zone may
have a name
(here, "Test Zone"), that may be selected from a dropdown menu visible on
selection of the
respective down arrow to the right of "Test Zone" writing. The zone group
(when available) is
indicated (here as "Zone Group Test") that may be selected from a dropdown
menu visible
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on selection of the respective down arrow to the right of "Zone Group Test"
writing. The user
is provided an option to add any pictures to the file in Pictures field, which
uploaded picture
files (e.g., file names) may be viewed in a drop down menu activated by
selecting a
downward menu next to the wording "Add File." Once the selection is set, the
user is
provided with the option to save the selection by selecting the "Set" field in
block 2801. The
zone configured is indicated in the figure of the facility in bold 2805 (e.g.,
windows 2805
included in the zone that is set up in 2801 named Test Zone). The user is
provided a toolbox
in block 2803 including an option to return to a home screen (by selecting
Home), fit to
window (by selecting Fit), reorient the facility in 3D space (by selecting
Orbit), move up down
and/or to the sides (by selecting Pan), zoom the virtual depiction of the
facility in or out (by
selecting Zoom), measure various distances in the facility (by selecting
Measure), selecting
a section of the facility (by selecting Section), markup (e.g., annotate) the
virtual depiction of
the facility (by selecting Markup), and exploring other added feature (by
selecting Explore).
[0286] In some embodiments, the control system considers occupancy region(s)
of the
facility. Occupants in the occupancy regions may be affected by sunlight
and/or glare,
depending on the positioning of the occupancy region relative to window(s) of
the facility,
and their tint state.
[0287] Fig. 29 shows an example of a facility wall 2902 having a windows 2904
that
belongs to a zone. Sun 2900 shines a ray 2905 that is prevented to reach the
occupancy
region 2903 in the facility due to an overhang 2901. A position of the sun
2900 can be
predicted from its sun path. Fig. 29 shows an example of a facility wall 2952
having a
windows 2954 that belongs to a zone. Sun 2950 shines a ray 2955 that reaches
the
occupancy region 2953 in the facility through window 2954, which sun ray 2955
is not
obstructed from overhang 2951. A position of the sun 2950 can be predicted
from its sun
path. Occupancy regions 2903 are boxes, each encompassing a designated
furniture (e.g.,
of an office setting), and each does not extend to the full height of their
adjacent walls (e.g.,
2902 and 2952).
[0288] In some embodiments, estimation of the level of irradiation and/or
glare of radiation
(e.g., sun rays) entering the occupancy region considers one or more angles.
The angle may
be between a person located at an edge of an occupancy region, and the full
extent of a
window adjacent to the occupancy region. The angle may be a two dimensional
angle
considered an average occupant height. The glare region may be a three
dimensional
structure tipping at the person, and extending to the full opening (e.g., up
to the framing) of
the window. For example, the glare region may be a three dimensional pyramidal
structure
tipping at the person, and extending to the full opening of the (e.g.,
rectangular framed)
window. The angle may be between a person located at a designated location of
the user in
an occupancy region, and the full extent of a window adjacent to the occupancy
region.
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Examples of tintable windows, control system (and modules therein), devices,
facility (e.g.,
building) network, occupancy regions, and methodologies used to determine
and/or forecast
tint levels for tintable windows, e.g., utilized by a control system, can be
found in
International Patent Application Serial Nos. PCT/US14/16974, PCT/U515/29675,
and
PCT/US17/66198, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its
entirety. In some
embodiments, the control system utilizes at least 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 separate
modules. At least
one of the modules contributes to at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, or 90% of
the
requested setting value, and the other the control system modules (e.g.,
software modules)
contribute to the rest of the requested setting value (e.g., target tint level
of the tintable
window).
[0289] Fig. 30 shows one example of estimating the field of view. A portion of
an enclosure
3005 having a window 3004 (that may belong to a zone) includes a portion of an
occupancy
region 3008. At the edges of occupancy region 3008 two occupants 3006 and 3007
are
simulated. The field of view 3009 of the occupancy region is estimated using
the critical
viewing angles of occupants at the edges of the occupancy region. Each
occupant 3006 and
3007 has a critical viewing angle through window 3004. Occupant 3007 has
critical viewing
angle 3001, and occupant 3006 has critical viewing angle 3002. Field of view
3009 is
estimated (e.g., calculated) using the critical angles.
[0290] Fig. 30 shows another example of estimating the field of view. A
portion of an
enclosure 3035 having a window 3034 (that may belong to a zone) includes a
portion of an
occupancy region 3037. At a designated location of occupancy region 3037 an
occupant
3036 is simulated seated next to a desk 3038 disposed at its designated
location in
enclosure 3035. The field of view 3039 of the occupancy region is estimated
using the
critical viewing angles of the occupant at two critical angles as the occupant
is disposed in
the designated position and is viewing an exterior of the window 3034 through
its horizontal
edges. Occupant 3036 views outside of window 3034 at a first critical viewing
angle 3031
that is the leftmost lateral viewing (e.g., gazing) angle, and Occupant 3036
views outside of
window 3034 at a first critical viewing angle 3032 that is the rightmost
lateral viewing (e.g.,
gazing) angle. Field of view 3009 is estimated (e.g., calculated) using the
critical angles.
[0291] Fig. 30 shows an example of radiation entering an enclosure portion. A
portion of an
enclosure 3065 having a window 3064 (that may belong to a zone) includes a
portion of an
occupancy region 3067 in which occupants are seated, each seated next to a
desk (e.g., in a
workplace). Irradiation is shing through window 3064 into the enclosure
portion, and irradiate
the occupants in occupancy region 3067 impinging on the occupancy region at a
length
3069 of an irradiation zone 3061. When glare is detected and/or estimated by
the irradiating
rays in irradiation zone 3061, window 3064 will be tinted to a darker tint
(e.g., tint level 4), as
compared to a situation when glare is not detected and/or estimated (e.g.,
tint level 1). When
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the external radiation source is from a sun, the region susceptible to glare
starts at a
distance 3068 from the external wall that the radiation rays do not directly
occupy as they
shine through window 3064.
[0292] In some embodiments, the tintable windows are tinted to various tint
level. For
example, there may be at least 2, 3, or 4 tint levels. Tint level 1 may be the
lighter most tint
level (e.g., no tint, or a maximally transparent window). The higher the tint
level number, the
darker the tinting may be. For example, when the control level tints to four
different tint
levels, tint level 4 may be the darkest tint. For example, there may be at
least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7,
8, 9, or 10 tint levels. For example, there may be an infinite number (e.g.,
continuum) of tint
level between the lightest tint (e.g., no tint) and the darkest tint level.
For example, there may
be a discretized number of tint levels.
[0293] In some embodiments, a user of a software application (app) may alter
and/or
determine occupancy region(s), e.g., that are utilized in controlling
device(s) of the facility
(e.g., control tint levels of tintable windows). For example, the user may
determine and/or
alter one or more volume parameters of an existing occupancy ration. For
example, the user
may determine and/or alter placement of the occupancy region in the facility.
For example,
the user may determine and/or alter existence of the occupancy region in the
facility (e.g.,
the user may delete or create an occupancy region). The occupancy region may
be altered
individually. Occupant regions in a zone may be altered collectively. For
example, all
occupant region in a zone may be altered to have a certain height. For
example, all occupant
region in a floor, in a building and/or in a facility may be altered to have a
certain height. The
occupancy region may be determined using length, width, and height of a boxed
region. The
occupancy region can be represented as the length, width, and height (or any
other
representation of a physical volume) of the space that the occupant will be
residing in. In
some embodiments, the penetration depth of radiation into the building
comprises an offset
of occupancy region from the window zone. A user may input a length amount of
offset away
from the window into the building (e.g., in a measurement scale such as feet
and inches, or
meters and centimeters.
[0294] Fig. 31 shows an example of a user interface screen of a software
application (app)
that includes a customer support portal. In addition to sections similar to
those described in
the example of Fig. 27 (e.g., 2708, 2707, 3105, and 2706), the Ul screen shown
in the
example of fig. 31 depicts options titled "intelligence Sandbox" in block 3102
that include
setting up and/or revising zone(s), occupancy region(s), site parameters,
generate
Intelligence, and review Intelligence building. In some embodiments,
"Intelligence" refers to a
control module that controls the building (e.g., various devices disposed in
the building). The
word "Intelligence" may be replaced with any other name of a similar control
module. Fig. 31
shows an example in which the Occupancy Region Set Up option in block 3102 is
selected.
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The facility is depicted as in 3106, which facility includes occupancy scheme
and fixtures of
the facility (shown as a horizontal cross section). An option for a user to
set up the
Occupancy Region in block 3101, as indicated by "Occ Region Set Up" writing.
The app
provides a default setting of occupancy region. By selecting the option
Proceed in block
3101, the user accepts the default setting. The user has the option to
customize the
occupancy region by selecting the option of Custom in block 3101. The
occupancy region
may be selected for various tint level of the tintable windows (as indicated
in block 3101 as
Tint 3 (lighter tint) and Tint 4 (darker tint). The user may indicate the
height of the occupancy
region in the various tint levels (e.g., in feet and inches). The user may
enter penetration
depth related values into the respective fields in block 3101, the penetration
depth based on
room boundary (PD based on Room Boundary). The Penetration Depth may comprise
an
offset of occupancy region from the window zone. The user is prompted in block
3101 to
enter the length amount of offset away from the window in feet (ft) and inches
(in). The user
may indicate if the furniture boundary takes a role in defining the occupancy
region by
selecting Yes to the prompted question. The user may previous the occupancy
region by
selection the option Previous. The user may save the defined occupancy region
by selecting
the option Set in block 3101. The user may be reminded to select the space to
set the
occupancy region as indicated by words in region 3104. The user may view the
geographic
Cardinal directions North, East, South, and West and placement of the facility
by an indicator
(e.g., front, top bottom, back and sides (e.g., left and right) indicated
schematically as a
cube) 3105 showing the top, placed on a unit circle depicting the associated
Cardinal
directions (e.g., Cardinal points) North, South, West, and East. Such graphics
may show
extreme positions of the sun, that may assist in evaluating various aspects of
the facility with
respect to sun radiation. The user is provided a toolbox in block 3103
including an option to
return to a home screen (by selecting Home), fit to window (by selecting Fit),
reorient the
facility in 3D space (by selecting Orbit), move up down and/or to the sides
(by selecting
Pan), zoom the virtual depiction of the facility in or out (by selecting
Zoom), measure various
distances in the facility (by selecting Measure), selecting a section of the
facility (by selecting
Section), markup (e.g., annotate) the virtual depiction of the facility (by
selecting Markup),
and exploring other added feature (by selecting Explore).
[0295] In some embodiments, once the user completes adjustment of various
parameters
using the software application, the parameters are updated in the digital twin
of the facility.
Such process can be referred to as "pollination." The app may add any (e.g.,
critical) missing
features to the digital twin (e.g., using default settings). The critical
features may be those
that if not added, will generate errors, and prevent rendering of the
simulation. The
simulation and/or app or a portion thereof may run locally in the facility, or
in a remote setting
(e.g., on the cloud). In some embodiments, the app may utilize an open model
platform. The
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simulation and/or app may be operatively coupled to the control system of the
facility. The
app and/or simulation may facilitate testing the design of the facility and
components therein
(e.g., assets such as devices), test such facility design (e.g., at least in
part by running
simulation on the digital twin) prior to deployment. The app may facilitate
viewing various
layers of the facility, while omitting other layers. For example, the app may
facilitate viewing
device ensemble connectivity to the network, without interior walls. For
example, the app
may facilitate viewing only temperature sensors, without any other sensors.
For example, the
app may facilitate viewing tintable windows without interior furniture. For
example, the app
may facilitate viewing the facility including its assets, without simulating
light effects. The app
may facilitate searching for an asset type (e.g., by name), or for a
particular asset (e.g.,
having an ID). The App may offer the ability to easily search for any asset
and/or quickly
identify the physical location of it within a reasonable time (e.g., within at
most 0.6 minutes
(min.), 0.3min, 0.25 minutes (min), 0.5 min., 1 min, 2 min, or 5min. The easy
search may
comprise typing the asset name, nickname, or serial number in a search block.
The app
may facilitate viewing all assets of that type in the digital twin (e.g., as
represented in the Ul).
The user may intuitively select a particular device in the digital twin, and
inspect its status
and/or related information (e.g., network ID and/or its manufacture's
information). The status
may be presented as an annotation in the digital twin, as an optional
collapsible (e.g.,
dropdown) menu, and/or as a sidebar. When the device is altered, and/or
gathers data (e.g.,
in real time), such status may also be presented. For example, when the user
selects a
sensor, data of the sensor may be shown (e.g., collected in a time window
(which the user
may select), and/or in real time (e.g., as it is collected). The app may
receive real time data
and update its database accordingly (e.g., in real time), which data may be
used for the
simulation(s). The App may be configured to show a Sun motion path (e.g.,
historic, in real
time and/or prospective). The App may be configured to show planned versus
actual tint
state of one or more tintable windows of a facility (e.g., building), e.g., at
different times. The
different times include historic, real time and/or prospective times (e.g.,
and dates). The app
may facilitate adding, or incorporating, map within the Digital Twin, e.g., to
show the context
of user's location. The map may be smaller as compared to the entire facility.
The map may
include the entire facility or a portion of the facility (e.g., a map of a
portion of the facility that
is relevant to the user such as a map of the facility in which the asset of
interest is disposed).
The app may facilitating altering a scope of the map (e.g., using a zooming
in/out icon). The
app may facilitate enlarging the scope of the facility portion displayed by
the map, or reduce
the scope of the facility portion displayed by the map. The size of the
displayed map may or
may not remain the same on the graphic interphase screen. The App may
facilitate reducing
and/or enlarging the size of the map displayed on its user interface.
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[0296] Fig. 32 shows an example of a user interface screen of a software
application (app)
that includes a customer support portal. In addition to sections similar to
those described in
the example of Fig. 27 (e.g., 2708, 2707, 3105, and 2706), the Ul screen shown
in the
example of fig. 32 depicts options titled "intelligence Sandbox" in block 3202
that include
setting up and/or revising zone(s), occupancy region(s), site parameters,
generate
Intelligence, and review Intelligence building. In some embodiments,
"Intelligence" refers to a
control module that controls the building (e.g., various devices disposed in
the building). The
word "Intelligence" may be replaced with any other name of a similar control
module. Fig. 32
shows an example in which the Generate Intelligence option is selected, as can
be viewed
also in filed 3205. This option prompts an update of the Intelligence control
module and
pollinates (e.g., updates) the digital twin of the facility with any user
updates. The user is
notified of the status of the pollination in field 3201. For example, in fig.
32, the status
depicted in field 3201 is Check Intelligence Set-Up. A time estimate is
presented to the user
in 3204, which in this example is 45 minutes. A detailed status is depicted in
field 3206. The
detailed status includes the version of the digital twin (V. 1.0), and its
author (John Doe). The
detailed status field indicates operations undergoing by the software (Report
out any errors
missing zone name, confirm missing occupancy region). Other detailed status
indicators in
detailed status field 3206 are possible, as are different general status
options in field 3201.
[0297] In some embodiments, the app may facilitate viewing the digital twin in
the Ul as a
pedestrian simulation against the existing space of the facility (e.g., from
an average
person's point of view).
[0298] Fig. 33 shows an example of a user interface screen of a software
application (app)
that includes a customer support portal. In addition to sections similar to
those described in
the example of Fig. 27 (e.g., 2708, 2707, 3105, and 2706), the Ul screen shown
in the
example of fig. 33 depicts options titled "intelligence Sandbox" in block 3302
that include
setting up and/or revising zone(s), occupancy region(s), site parameters,
generate
Intelligence, and review Intelligence building. In some embodiments,
"Intelligence" refers to a
control module that controls the building (e.g., various devices disposed in
the building). The
word "Intelligence" may be replaced with any other name of a similar control
module. Fig. 33
shows an example in which the Review Intelligence Build option is selected.
Block 3301
allows the user to pull an intelligence filed from a dropdown menu that can be
activated by
selecting the down arrow in field 3301. An image of the facility is shown in
3304. The user
can manipulate the image using tool box in block 3105 including an option to
return to a
home screen (by selecting Home), fit to window (by selecting Fit), reorient
the facility in 3D
space (by selecting Orbit), move up down and/or to the sides (by selecting
Pan), view the
virtual image of the facility at an average person's gaze (by selecting First
Person), zoom the
virtual depiction of the facility in or out (by selecting Zoom), measure
various distances in the
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facility (by selecting Measure), selecting a section of the facility (by
selecting Section),
markup (e.g., annotate) the virtual depiction of the facility (by selecting
Markup), and
exploring other added feature (by selecting Explore). The example Ul show in
fig. 33 allows
the user to choose between a workday and a non-workday (e.g., holiday) in
block 3321, to
choose the date in 3322, and the time in block 3323. The user can change the
date, and
time using a sliding scale, or side arrows. The user can change the date using
arrow 3325.
The user may toggle between workday and non-workday option by selecting block
3321,
which will cause alteration of the date in block 3322. Block 3322 includes an
indicator when
the data is today (e.g., Today). The timescale provided in block 3323 can be
discretized
9e.g., every our), or continuous. The date and time selection are served as
rendering criterial
for the virtual depiction of facility 3304, as it is simulated with respect to
sun irradiation, and
any shadows casted on various facility portions. In the example shown in Fig.
33, Tuesday
June 8, 2021, is a workday, at 7AM, shadow is casted in façade 3331 while sun
is shining on
façade 3332. The user may be able to alter the time and data and observe
changing in
shadow and light with respect to the facility. The user may manipulate the
facility using
toolbox 3305 and observe (for a given time and date) the shadows casted on the
facility, and
portion of the facility irradiated by light and/or subject to glare. The user
may observe effect
of occupancy zone selection and zone selection during this simulation. Once
the user is
satisfied with all selections as observed in the simulation, the user may
select the Commit
Build to Site field 3324, which will finalized the choices of the control
module (e.g.,
Intelligence). The user is provided a toolbox in block 3305 including an
option to return to a
home screen (by selecting Home), fit to window (by selecting Fit), reorient
the facility in 3D
space (by selecting Orbit), move up down and/or to the sides (by selecting
Pan), view the
virtual image of the facility at an average person's gaze (by selecting First
Person), zoom the
virtual depiction of the facility in or out (by selecting Zoom), measure
various distances in the
facility (by selecting Measure), selecting a section of the facility (by
selecting Section),
markup (e.g., annotate) the virtual depiction of the facility (by selecting
Markup), and
exploring other added feature (by selecting Explore).
[0299] Fig. 33 shows an example of preparing and/or revising a digital twin of
a facility in
block 3310 starting from entering and/or adjusting details that are entered
through the app
for update in 3311, which update is simulated and verified, and then sent for
pollinating the
digital twin in 3312, then sent for storage in 3313, which stored digital twin
may be sent for
inspection in optional operation 3314. Once the inspection is satisfactory,
the digital twin is
deployed for (i) utilization by the control system (e.g., using Intelligence
module), (ii) device
and/or facility commissioning, and/or (iii) maintenance of the facility and/or
device(s) of the
facility.
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[0300] In some embodiments, the software application (app) includes a
management
module. The management module may facilitate management of various devices of
the
facility. For example, the app facilitates selection of a certain device of
the facility, viewing its
status and related information. The management software application module may
offer
capabilities similar to the once discussed above, e.g., relating to figures 18
and 21.
[0301] Fig. 34 shows an example of a Ul of an app having a management module.
The Ul
shows in field 3401 an indication of the chosen facility simulated. A user may
choose other
facility using a downward arrow in field 3401. The downward arrow may open a
dropdown
menu listing the other simulated facilities the user may choose from. Field
3402 indicates
various options of options the user can view in the Ul (e.g., Overview, Sense
(e.g., sensor
devices), or Smart Windows (e.g., tintable windows). The Overview option is
selected in the
example shown in Fig. 34. The chosen facility simulation in 3401 is visually
depicted in a
virtual representation of the facility 3405. Block 3470 offers the user
options to enlarge the
facility view by choosing magnifying glass 3475, understand the orientation of
the facility in
relation to the Cardinal directions North, West South, and East in 3471 that
includes a unit
circle and the associated Cardinal directions (e.g., Cardinal points) and also
the relative
facades of the building (e.g., front, top bottom, back and sides indicated
schematically as a
cube), the user may choose a three dimensional view by selecting 3473. The
user may
toggle between selection of detailed information regarding the selected item
(e.g., the facility
3405) in icon 3472. Help can be provided by clicking icon 3474. User
identification (e.g.,
initials) are presented by logging in, in icon 3404. The user may log out by
clicking icon
3404, which may present a menu allowing the user to select the logout option.
Facility
simulation 3405 (e.g., virtual depiction of the facility) may be manipulated
using tools in block
3406. Some portions of the simulated facility are interactive. For example,
devices of the
facility may be interactive. For example, the user may select a device (e.g.,
smart window
3490a) in the facility simulation 3405, which may prompt zooming on that
device 3490b. The
user may view details of the chosen device by selecting icon 3472, that will
present menu
3476. An indication of Details is presented in 3477. The details may include
the network
identification of the device (e.g., Name of the device), the factory
identification of the device
(e.g., lite ID), and any other technical information and/or status of the
device, such as the
ones listed in field 3476 (e.g., whether the device has been commissioned or
not). Some
indicators may optionally be indicated by alphanumerical characters (e.g., the
Lite ID), and
some by picture icons (e.g., the commissioning indicator). The user may
manipulate the
facility using toolbox 3406 and observe (for a given time and date) the
shadows casted on
the facility, and portion of the facility irradiated by light and/or subject
to glare. The user is
provided a toolbox in block 3406 including an option to rotate the virtual
facility along a
vertical axis by selecting icon 3451, fit to screen by selecting icon 3452,
move the virtual
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facility image vertically by selecting icon 3453, view the virtual image of
the facility at an
average person's gaze by selecting icon 3454, record a rendered movie of the
virtual facility
by selecting icon 3455, measure various distances in the facility by selecting
icon 3456,
section plane 3457, explode model objects 3458, floor levels, 3459, model
browser 3460,
object properties 3461, alter settings by selecting icon 3462, render sun
object and shadows
3463.
[0302] In some embodiments, the software application may present a virtual
visualization of
the facility interior in the real-world. In some embodiments, the digital twin
simulation may
consider the interior of the real-world interior of the facility (e.g., as
planned and/or as
sensed by sensor(s)). For example, the software application and/or simulation
of the digital
twin may consider an Isovist of shadow and light affecting the facility
interior. For example,
the software application may present an image (on a UI) of the facility, its
fixtures and/or at
least a portion of non-fixtures. For example, the software application may
present an image
(on a UI) of the facility in one or more: walls, openings (e.g., windows,
vestibules, corridors,
foyers, piers, and/or doors), ceilings, floors, furniture, and/or light
fixtures. These features
may be consider during rendering of the facility, e.g., considering their
influence on the
facility's interior (e.g., internal environment such as light and shadow
distribution).
[0303] In some embodiments, an Isovist is the volume of space visible from a
given point in
space, together with a specification of the location of that point. An Isovist
can be three-
dimensional, or represented as a two dimensional map (e.g., horizontal cross
section of an
3D Isovist). A boundary-shape of an Isovist may or may not vary with location.
The
Isovist can be a volume of space illuminated by a point source of light.
[0304] Fig. 35 shows an example of an Isovist on a two-dimensional floorplan
3500 of a
facility. A window opening 3510 is disposed at a wall 3520 of the facility. A
set of locations
on floorplan 3500 are impinged by rays 3530 are depicted in an Isovist 3540,
which can be
used to evaluate light penetrating from window 3510.
[0305] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown,
and
described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such
embodiments are
provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the invention be
limited by the
specific examples provided within the specification. While the invention has
been described
with reference to the afore-mentioned specification, the descriptions and
illustrations of the
embodiments herein are not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Numerous
variations,
changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without
departing from
the invention. Furthermore, it shall be understood that all aspects of the
invention are not
limited to the specific depictions, configurations, or relative proportions
set forth herein which
depend upon a variety of conditions and variables. It should be understood
that various
alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein might be
employed in
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practicing the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the invention
shall also cover any
such alternatives, modifications, variations, or equivalents. It is intended
that the following
claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures
within the scope of
these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby.
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