Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/02—Mechanical actuation
  • G08B13/04—Mechanical actuation by breaking of glass

Definitions

• the embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to detecting security events in or near a building, the building including tintable "smart windows", more particularly to smart windows that are used to detect and, in some instances, respond to, the security events.
• Optically switch able windows exhibit a controllable and reversible change in an optical property when appropriately stimulated by, for example, a voltage change.
• the optical property is typically color, transmittance, absorbance, and/or reflectance.
• Electrochromic devices are sometimes used in optically switchable windows.
• One well-known electrochromic material for example, is tungsten oxide (W0 3 ).
• Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromic material in which a coloration transition, transparent to blue, occurs by electrochemical reduction.
• Switchable windows may be used in buildings to control transmission of solar energy. Switchable windows may be manually or automatically tinted and cleared to reduce energy consumption, by heating, air conditioning and/or lighting systems, while maintaining occupant comfort.
• Windows are located on the skin of a building and are common targets for potential intruders, as they are often the weakest portion of a building’s skin. When protecting against theft and other unwanted forms of intrusion, windows are generally a primary concern as they are easily broken. Improved techniques for detecting and responding to such security events are desirable, particularly techniques that exploit the networked aspects of the smart window's.
• a method of detecting a security-related event in an optically switchable window includes: (a) measuring a current or voltage of an optically switchable device of the optically switchable window without perturbing a process of driving a transition between optical states and/or maintaining an end optical state of the optically switchable window; (b) evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a) to determine whether the current or voltage measured in (a) indicates that the optically switchable window is broken or damaged; and (c) in response to detecting the response in (b), performing a security action.
• measuring the current or voltage of the optically switchable device may be performed while the optically switchable window is undergoing the transition from a first tint state to a second tint state.
• measuring the current or voltage of the optically switchable device may include measuring an open circuit voltage of the optically switchable device. In some examples, measuring the open circuit voltage of the optically switchable device may be performed while the optically switchable window is undergoing the transition from a first tint state to a second tint state.
• evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a) may include comparing the current or voltage measured in (a) against an expected current or voltage for the process of driving the transition between optical states and/or maintaining the end optical state of the optically switchable window.
• evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a) may include comparing the current or voltage measured in (a) against a previously measured current or voltage for the process of driving the transition between optical states and/or maintaining the end optical state of the optically switchable window.
• measuring the current or voltage of the optically switchable device may be performed while the optically switchable window is in the end optical state.
• measuring the current or voltage of the optically switchable device may include measuring a leakage current of the optically switchable device.
• evaluating the current or voltage measured in (a) may include comparing the leakage current against an expected leakage current of the optically switchable device.
• a method of detecting a security-related event in an optically switchable window includes: (a) applying a perturbation to an optically switchable device of the optically switchable window; (b) detecting a response to the perturbation that indicates that the optically switchable window is broken or damaged; and (c) in response to detecting the response in (b), performing a security action.
• applying the perturbation may include applying a perturbing voltage or a perturbing current to the optically switchable window during a tint transition of the optically switchable window, where the perturbing voltage or the perturbing current is not part of a tint transition drive cycle for the optically switchable window.
• the perturbation may include applying a voltage ramp, a current ramp, or a constant voltage to the optically switchable device, and detecting the response to the perturbation may include detecting a current produced by the optically switchable device in response to the perturbation.
• the perturbation may include applying a voltage ramp, a current ramp, or a constant voltage to the optically switchable device, and wherein detecting a response to the perturbation comprises measuring an open circuit voltage of the optically switchable device after application of the perturbation.
• a slope of at least one of the voltage ramp and the current ramp may be a parameter set by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller.
• at least one of the window controller, the network controller, and the master controller may set the slope based on one or both of a size of the window and the external temperature.
• applying the perturbation in (a) may include repeatedly applying the perturbation while the optically switch able device is in an end tint state.
• applying the perturbation in (a) may include applying a square wave or saw tooth wave to the optically switchable device.
• the perturbation may include applying an oscillating current or voltage to the optically switchable device, and detecting a response to the perturbation may include detecting a frequency response produced by the optically switchable device in response to the oscillating current or voltage. In some examples, detecting the frequency response produced by the optically switchable device in response to the oscillating current or voltage may include determining that frequency absorption of the optically switchable device deviates from an expected frequency absorption.
• performing the security action may includedce displaying an alert on a local or a remote device.
• performing the security ' action may include sending an alert message to a security officer or employee.
• performing the security action may include adjusting lighting in a room proximate the optically switchable window.
• performing the security action may include locking a door in a room proximate the optically switchable window'.
• performing the security action may include adjusting a tint state of a tint able window proximate the optically switchable window.
• performing the security action may include lighting a display registered with the optically switchable window.
• lighting the display may include a flashing light pattern on the display
• the optically switchable device may be an electrochromic device
• the security-related event may be damage or breakage of the optically switchable window.
• detecting the response to the perturbation may include one or both of: evaluating the absolute value of a measured current: and evaluating a change, over a period of time, in a value of the measured current.
• evaluating the absolute value of the measured current may includedde comparing the absolute value of the measured current with a specified value.
• a security system includes: one or more interfaces for receiving sensed values for an optically switchable device of an optically switchable window'; and one or more processors and memory configured to perform operations of the methods recited in any of the foregoing claims.
• a method of detecting a security-related event comprising: (a) measuring one or more of a current, a voltage and a charge count (Q) of an optically switchable window; (b) determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged using one or more of the current, the voltage and the charge count measured in (a); and (c) in response to determining that the optically switchable window is broken or damaged, performing a security action and/or an alert action.
• (a) may be performed while the optically switchable window is undergoing a transition from a first tint state to a second tint state.
• the measured voltage may be an open circuit voltage of the optically switchable window.
• measuring the one or more of current, voltage and Q may be performed without visibly perturbing an apparent optical state of the optically switchable window.
• measuring the one or more of current, voltage and Q may be performed over a period of one minute or less.
• measuring may be performed by sampling at a first regular interval. In some examples, if a window is determined to be broken or damaged, measuring may be performed at a second regular interval, shorter than the first regular interval.
• measuring the one or more of current, voltage and Q may be performed without perturbing a process of driving a transition of the optically switchable window between optical states.
• determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include one or both of: evaluating the absolute value of a measured current; and evaluating a change, over a period of time, in a value of the measured current.
• evaluating the absolute value of the measured current may include comparing the absolute value of the measured current with a specified value.
• measuring the current may include measuring a leakage current of the optically switchable window.
• determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include comparing the leakage current against an expected leakage current of the optically switchable window 7 .
• the expected leakage current may be a parameter set by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller.
• at least one of the window controller, the network controller, and the master controller may be configured to adjust the parameter
• determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include comparing the leakage current with a previously measured leakage current of the optically switchable window.
• determining whether the optically switch able window is broken or damaged may include measuring the current and determining that the optically switchable window is not broken or damaged when the measured current exceeds a specified value.
• the method may include always applying a non-zero hold and/or drive voltage to the optically switchable window.
• determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include measuring the current and, when the measured current is less than a specified value, measuring one or both of the voltage and Q. In some examples, determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include determining that the optically switchable window is not broken or damaged when at least one of the measured voltage and Q exceeds a respective threshold value. In some examples, the respective threshold values may be selectable by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller.
• the window controller, the network controller, and the master controller may select the threshold value as Voc Target during some operations and may select the threshold value as l/n*Voc Target during some other operations; and n is at least 2 during some other operations.
• the service action may he selected from the group consisting of: ordering a replacement for the optically switchable window, notifying a window supplier to ship a replacement optically switchable window, notifying an optically switchable window repair technician to repair the window, notifying a manager of a building in which the optically switchable window is installed that there is an issue related to the window, notifying monitoring personnel to open a service case/record, and generating a return merchandise authorization (RMA) order.
• RMA return merchandise authorization
• the alert action may be performed automatically.
• the alert action may be performed without interaction of a human.
• Figure 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an electrochromic device that may be used in a tintable window.
• FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional side view of an example tintable window constructed as an integrated glass unit (IGU), in accordance with some embodiments.
• IGU integrated glass unit
• Figure 3 is a graph illustrating voltage and current profiles associated with driving an electrochromic device fro a clear state to a tinted state and fro a tinted state to a clear state.
• Figure 4 is a graph illustrating an implementation of a voltage and current profile associated with driving an electrochromic device from a clear state to a tinted state.
• Figure 5 is a flowchart depicting a process for probing the progress of an optical transitioning and determining when the transition is complete.
• Figure 6 depicts a window control network provided by of a window control system having one or more tintable window's
• Figure 7 depicts an electrochromic (EC) window lite, or IGU or laminate, with a transparent display.
• Figure 8 depicts an IGU with a transparent display.
• Figure 9 illustrates how frequency abortion spectrum measurements of an EC device coating can be used to detect window damage.
• Figure 10 is a flowchart depicting a method can be used to provide continuous or substantially continuous security monitoring of a tintable window.
• Figure 11 depicts an IGU with a differential pressure sensor which may be used to detect a broken window.
• electrochromic window's also referred to as optically switchable window's, tintable and smart window's
• the concepts disclosed herein may apply to other types of switchable optical devices including, for example, liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices, among others.
• a liquid crystal device or a suspended particle device rather than an electrochromic device, could be incorporated into some or all of the disclosed implementations.
• the conjunction“or” is intended herein in the inclusive sense where appropriate unless otherwise indicated; for example, the phrase“A, B or C” is intended to include the possibilities
• a tintable window (sometimes referred to as an optically switchable window or smart window) is a window 7 that exhibits a controllable and reversible change in an optical property when a stimulus is applied, e.g., an applied voltage.
• Tintable windows can be used to control lighting conditions and the temperature within a building by regulating the transmission of solar energy (and, thus, heat load imposed on a building's interior). The control may be manual or automatic and may be used for maintaining occupant comfort while reducing the energy consumption of heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) and/or lighting systems. In some cases, tintable windows may be responsive to environmental sensors and user control.
• HVAC heating, ventilation and air conditioning
• tintable windows are most frequently described with reference to electrochromic windows located between the interior and the exterior of a building or structure.
• Tintable window's 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.
• MEMS microelectromechanical systems
• Windows with MEMS devices for tinting are further described in US Patent Application No. 14/443,353, filed May 15, 2015, and titled‘MULTI- PANE WINDOWS INCLUDING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICES,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• tintable window's can be located within the interior of a building, e.g., between a conference room and a hallway.
• tintable window ' s can be used in automobiles, trains, aircraft, and other vehicles
• An Electrochromic (EC) device coating (sometimes referred to as an EC device (ECD)) is a coating having at least one layer of electrochromic material that exhibits a change from one optical state to another when an electric potential is applied across the EC device.
• the transition of the electrochromic layer from one optical state to another optical state can be caused by reversible ion insertion into the electrochromic material (for example, by way of intercalation) and a corresponding injection of charge-balancing electrons.
• some fracti on of the ions responsible for the optical transition is irreversibly bound up in the electrochromic material.
• some or all of the irreversibly bound ions can be used to compensate for“blind charge” in the material.
• suitable ions include lithium ions (Li+) and hydrogen ions (H+) (i.e., protons).
• tungsten oxide W0 3.y (0 ⁇ y ⁇ -0.3)
• EC device coatings as described herein are located within the viewable portion of the tintable window such that the tinting of the EC device coating can be used to control the optical state of the tintable window.
• a window controller paired to an EC device coating is configured to transition the EC device coating between a plurality of defined optical tint states.
• an EC device coating may be transitioned between five optical tint states (clear or TS 0, TS 1, TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4) ranging from substantially clear (TS 0) to a fully tinted state (TS 4).
• TS 0, TS 1, TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4 refer to the optical states of a tintable window configured with five optical tint states.
• the five optical tint states TS 0, TS 1, TS 2, TS 3 and TS 4 have associated visual light transmittance values of approximately 82%, 58%, 40%, 7% and 1% respectively.
• the tint states may be selected by a user according to their preferences.
• an associated window controller may
• a controller may adjust the tinting of an EC device coating between ten or more tint states to maintain preferred interior lighting conditions
• FIG. 1 show's a schematic cross-sectional view of an electrochromic device 100 in accordance with some embodiments.
• the electrochromic device 100 includes a substrate 102, a first transparent conductive layer (TCL) 104, an electrochromic layer (EC) 106 (sometimes also referred to as a cathodical!y coloring layer or a cathodica!ly tinting layer), an ion conducting layer or region (IC) 108, a counter electrode layer (CE) 1 10 (sometimes also referred to as an anodicaily coloring layer or anodically tinting layer), and a second TCL 114.
• TCL transparent conductive layer
• EC electrochromic layer
• IC ion conducting layer or region
• CE counter electrode layer
• elements 104, 106, 108, 1 10, and 1 14 make up an electrochromic stack 120.
• a voltage source 116 operable to apply an electric potential across the electrochromic stack 120 effects the transition of the electrochromic coating from, e g., a clear state to a tinted state.
• the order of layers may be reversed with respect to the substrate. That is, the layers are in the following order: substrate, TCL, counter electrode layer, ion conducting layer, electrochromic material layer, TCL.
• the ion conductor region 108 may form a portion of the EC layer 106 and/or form a portion of the CE layer 110.
• the electrochromic stack 120 may be deposited to include cathodieally coloring electrochromic material (the EC layer) in direct physical contact with an anodically coloring counter electrode material (the CE layer).
• the ion conductor region 108 (sometimes referred to as an interfacial region, or as an ion conducting substantially electronically insulating layer or region) may then form where the EC layer 106 and the CE layer 110 meet, for example through heating and/or other processing steps. Electrochromic devices fabricated without depositing a distinct ion conductor material are further discussed in U.S. Patent Application No.
• an EC device coating may also include one or more additional layers such as one or more passive layers.
• passive layers can be used to improve certain optical properties, to provide moisture resistance or scratch resistance. These or other passive layers also can serve to hermetically seal the EC stack 120.
• various layers, including transparent conducting layers (such as 104 and 1 14), can be treated with anti- reflective or protective oxide or nitride layers.
• the electrochromic device reversibly cycles between a clear state and a tinted state.
• a potential may be applied to the electrochromic stack 120 such that available ions in the stack that can cause the electrochromic material 106 to be in the tinted state reside primarily in the counter electrode 1 10.
• the potential applied to the electrochromic stack is reversed, the ions are transported across the ion conducting layer 108 to the electrochromic material 106 and cause the material to enter the tinted state.
• the reference to a transition between a clear state and tinted state is non-limiting and suggests only one example, among many, of an electrochromic transition that may be implemented. Unless otherwise specified herein, whenever reference is made to a a transition between a clear state and tinted state, the corresponding device or process encompasses other optical state transitions such as non-reflective-reflective, transparent-opaque, etc. Further, the terms“clear” and“bleached” refer generally to an optically neutral state, e.g., untinted, transparent or translucent. Still further, it should be understood that the choice of appropriate electrochromic and counter electrode materials governs the relevant optical transition and, unless specified otherwise herein, the“color” or“tint” of an electrochromic transition is not limited to any particular wavelength or range of wavelengths.
• all of the materials making up electrochromic stack 120 are inorganic, solid (i.e., in the solid state), or both inorganic and solid. Because organic materials tend to degrade over time, particularly when exposed to external environmental temperature and radiation conditions such as a building window may be expected to endure, inorganic materials offer the advantage of a reliable electrochromic stack that can function for extended periods of time. Materials in the solid state also offer the advantage of not having containment and leakage issues, as materials in the liquid state often do. It should be understood that any one or more of the layers in the stack may contain some amount of organic material, but in many implementations, one or more of the layers contain little or no organic matter. The same can be said for liquids that may be present in one or more layers in small amounts. It should also be understood that solid state material may be deposited or otherwise formed by processes employing liquid components such as certain processes employing sol-gels or chemical vapor deposition.
• FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example tintable window constructed as an insulated glass unit (“IGU”) 200 in accordance with some embodiments.
• IGU insulated glass unit
• FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of an example tintable window constructed as an insulated glass unit (“IGU”) 200 in accordance with some embodiments.
• IGU insulated glass unit
• the terms“IGU,”“tintable window,” and“optically switch able window” are used interchangeably.
• This depicted convention is generally used, for example, because it is common and because it can be desirable to have IGUs serve as the fundamental constructs for holding electrochromic panes (also referred to as“lites”) when provided for installation in a building.
• An IGU lite or pane may be a single substrate or a multi-substrate construct, such as a laminate of two substrates.
• IGUs especially those having double- or triple- pane configurations, can provide a number of advantages over single pane configurations, for example, multi-pane configurations can provide enhanced thermal insulation, noise insulation, environmental protection and/or durability when compared with single-pane configurations.
• a multi-pane configuration also can provide increased protection for an BCD, for example, because the electrochromic films, as well as associated layers and conductive interconnects, can be formed on an interior surface of the multi-pane IGU and be protected by an inert gas fill in an interior volume 208 of the IGU.
• the inert gas fill provides at least some of the (heat) insulating function of an IGU.
• Electrochromic IGU’s have added heat blocking capability by virtue of a tintable coating that absorbs (or reflects) heat and light.
• the IGU 200 includes a first pane 204 having a first surface SI and a second surface S2.
• the first surface SI of the first pane 204 faces an exterior environment, such as an outdoors or outside environment.
• the IGU 200 also includes a second pane 206 having a first surface S3 and a second surface S4.
• the second surface S4 of the second pane 206 faces an interior environment, such as an inside environment of a home, building or vehicle, or a room or compartment within a home, building or vehicle.
• each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 are transparent or translucent— at least to light in the visible spectrum.
• each of the panes 204 and 206 may be formed of a glass material such as an architectural glass or other shatter-resistant glass material such as, for example, a silicon oxide (SO x ) -based glass material.
• SO x silicon oxide
• each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may be a soda- lime glass substrate or float glass substrate.
• Such glass substrates can be composed of, for example, approximately 75% silica (Si0 2 ) as well as Na 2 0, CaO, and several minor additives.
• each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may be formed of any material having suitable optical, electrical, thermal, and mechanical properties.
• suitable substrates that can be used as one or both of the first panea 204 and the second pane 206 include other glass materials, as well as plastic, semi-plastic and thermoplastic materials (for example, poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polycarbonate, a!lyl diglycol carbonate, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer), poly(4-methyl-l -pentene), polyester, polyamide), or mirror materials.
• each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 can be strengthened, for example, by tempering, heating, or chemically strengthening.
• each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206, as well as the IGU 200 as a whole, may be configured as a rectangular solid.
• other shapes may be contemplated (for example, circular, elliptical, triangular, curvilinear, convex or concave shapes).
• a length“L” of each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may be in the range of approximately 20 inches (in.) to approximately 10 feet (ft)
• a width“W” of each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 may be in the range of approximately 20 in.
• a thickness “T” of each of the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 can be in the range of approximately 0.3 millimeters (mm) to approximately 10 mm (although other lengths, widths or thicknesses, both smaller and larger, are possible and may be desirable based on the needs of a particular user, manager, administrator, builder, architect or owner).
• thickness T of substrate 204 is less than 3 mm, typically the substrate is laminated to an additional substrate which is thicker and thus protects the thin substrate 204.
• an IGU may include three or more panes.
• one or more of the panes can itself be a laminate structure of two, three, or more layers or sub-panes.
• the first pane 204 and the second pane 206 are spaced apart from one another by a spacer 218, which is typically a frame structure, to form the interior volume 208.
• the interior volume 208 is filled with Argon (Ar), although in some other implementations, the interior volume 208 can be filled with another gas, such as another noble gas (for example, krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe)), another (non-noble) gas, or a mixture of gases (for example, air).
• Argon Ar
• another gas such as another noble gas (for example, krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xe)
• Kr krypton
• Xe xenon
• a mixture of gases for example, air
• the interior volume 208 can be evacuated of air or other gas.
• Spacer 218 generally determines the height“C” of the interior volume 208; that is, the spacing between the first and the second panes 204 and 206.
• the thickness of the BCD 210, sealant 220/222 and bus bars 226/228 is not to scale; these components are generally very thin but are exaggerated here for ease of illustration only.
• the spacing“C” between the first and the second panes 204 and 206 is in the range of
• width“D” of spacer 218 can be in the range of approximately 5 mm to approximately 25 mm (although other widths are possible and may be desirable).
• the spacer 218 may generally be configured as a frame structure formed around all sides of the IGU 200 (for example, top, bottom, left and right sides of the IGU 200).
• the spacer 218 can be formed of a foam or plastic material, in some implementations.
• the spacer 218 can be formed of metal or other conductive material, for example, a metal tube or channel structure having a first side configured for sealing to the substrate 204, a second side configured for sealing to the substrate 206, and a third side configured to support and separate the lites and as a surface on which to apply a sealant 224.
• a first primary seal 220 adheres and hermetically seals spacer 218 and the second surface S2 of the first pane or substrate 204
• a second primary' seal 222 adheres and hermetically seals spacer 218 and the first surface S3 of the second pane or substrate 206.
• each of the primary seals 220 and 222 can be formed of an adhesive sealant such as, for example, polyisohutylene (R ⁇ B).
• IGU 200 further includes the secondary seal 224 that hermetically seals a border around the entire IGU 200 outside of spacer 218.
• the spacer 218 can be inset from the edges of the first and the second panes 204 and 206 by a distance“E.”
• the distance“E” can be in the range of approximately 4 mm to approximately 8 mm (although other distances are possible and may be desirable).
• secondary' seal 224 can be formed of an adhesive sealant such as, for example, a polymeric material that resists water and that adds structural support to the assembly, such as silicone, polyurethane and similar structural sealants that form a watertight seal.
• an ECD 210 is formed on the second surface S2 of the first pane 204.
• ECD 210 can be formed on another suitable surface, for example, the first surface SI of the first pane 204, the first surface S3 of the second pane 206 or the second surface S4 of the second pane 206.
• the ECD 210 includes an electrochromic (“EC”) stack, which itself may include one or more layers as described with reference to Figure 1.
• the EC stack includes layers 212, 214 and 216.
• Window controllers are associated with one or more tintable windows and are configured to control a window’s optical state by applying a stimulus to the window - e.g., by applying a voltage or a current to an EC device coating.
• Window controllers as described herein may have many sizes, formats, and locations with respect to the optically switchable windows they control .
• the controller directly responsible for causing a tint transition will be attached to a lite of an IGU or laminate, but it can also be in a frame that houses the IGU or laminate or even in a separate location.
• a tintable 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 can control all electrochromic coatings associated with such windows, whether the
• electrochromic coating is monolithic or zoned.
• the window controller is generally located in proximity to the tintable window.
• a window controller may be adjacent to the window, on the surface of one of the window’s lites, within a wall next to a window-, or within a frame of a self-contained window assembly.
• the window controller is an“in situ” controller, that is, the controller is part of a window assembly, an IGU or a laminate, and may not have to be matched with the electrochromic window, and installed, in the field, e.g., the controller travels with the window as part of the assembly from the factory .
• the controller may be installed in the window frame of a window assembly, or be part of an IGU or laminate assembly, for example, mounted on or between panes of the IGU or on a pane of a laminate. In cases where a controller is located on the visible portion of an IGU, at least a portion of the controller may be substantially transparent. Further examples of "on- glass" controllers are provided in U.S. Patent Application No 14/951 ,410, filed November 14, 2015, and titled“SELF CONTAINED EC IGU,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a localized controller may be provided as more than one part, with at least one part (e.g., including a memory' component storing information about the associated electrochromic window) being provided as a part of the window assembly and at least one other part being separate and configured to mate with the at least one part that is part of the window assembly, IGU or laminate.
• at least one part e.g., including a memory' component storing information about the associated electrochromic window
• 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.
• a controller may be an assembly of interconnected parts that are not in a single housing, but rather spaced apart, e.g., in the secondary seal of an IGU
• 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.
• the window controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU and/or the window frame prior to installation of the tintable window, or at least in the same building as the window.
• 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.
• the IGU can possess logic and features of the controller that, e.g., travels with the IGU or window unit.
• a controller when a controller is part of the IGU assembly, in the event the characteristics of the electrochromic device(s) change over time (e.g., through degradation), a characterization function can be used, for example, to update control parameters used to drive tint state transitions.
• the logic and features of the controller can be used to calibrate the control parameters to match the intended installation, and if already installed, the control parameters can be recalibrated to match the performance characteristics of the electrochromic pane(s)
• a controller is not pre-associated with a window, but rather a dock component, e.g., having parts generic to any electrochromic window, is associated with each window at the factory. After window installation, or otherwise in the field, a second component of the controller is combined with the dock component to complete the
• the dock component may include a chip which is programmed at the factory with the physical characteristics and parameters of the particular window to which the dock is attached (e.g., on the surface which will face the building’s interior after installation, sometimes referred to as surface 4 or“S4”).
• the second component (sometimes called a“carrier,”“casing,”“housing,” or“controller”) is mated with the dock, and when powered, the second component can read the chip and configure itself to power the window according to the particular characteristics and parameters stored on the chip.
• the shipped window need only have its associated parameters stored on a chip, which is integral with the window, while the more sophisticated circuitry 7 and components can be combined later (e.g., shipped separately and installed by the window manufacturer after the glazier has installed the window's, followed by commissioning by the window manufacturer).
• 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.
• an IGU includes two (or more) substantially transparent substrates, for example, two panes of glass, where at least one substrate includes an
• A“window assembly” may include an IGU or for example a stand-alone laminate, and includes electrical leads for connecting the IGUs, laminates, and/or one or more electrochromic devices to a voltage source, switches and the like, and may include a frame that supports the IGU or laminate.
• a window' assembly may include a window controller as described herein, and/or components of a window controller (e.g., a dock)
• the term outboard means closer to the outside environment, while the term inboard means closer to the interior of a building.
• the pane located closer to the outside environment is referred to as the outboard pane or outer pane
• 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 SI , S2, S3, and S4 (assuming a. two-pane IGU).
• SI refers to the exterior-facing surface of the outboard fire (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).
• the surfaces are labeled S1-S4, starting from the outermost surface of the IGU and counting inwards.
• this same convention is used (i.e., with S6 being the surface that can be physically touched by someone standing inside the building).
• the electrochromic device may be disposed on S3.
• window controllers and their features are presented in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/449,248, filed April 17, 2012, and titled“CONTROLLER FOR OPTIC ALLY -SWITCHABLE WINDOWS”; US Patent Application No. 13/449,251, filed April 17, 2012, and titled“CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS”; US Patent Application No. 15/334,835, filed October 26, 2016, and titled“CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES”; and International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/20805, filed March 3, 2017, and titled“METHOD OF COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMIC WIN DOWS,” each of which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• Window controllers are configured to control the optical state of windows by applying a voltage or a current to an EC device coating.
• control algorithms are now provided for controlling the optical state of an EC device coating.
• An“optical transition” is a change in any one or more optical properties of an optically switchable device.
• the optical property that changes may be, for example, tint, reflectivity, refractive index, color, etc.
• the optical transition will have a defined starting optical state and a defined ending optical state.
• the starting optical state may be 80% transmissivity and the ending optical state may be 50% transmissivity.
• the optical transition is typically driven by applying an appropriate electric potential across the two thin conductive sheets of the optically switchable device.
• A“starting optical state” is the optical state of an optically switchable device immediately prior to the beginning of an optical transition.
• the starting optical state is typically defined as the magnitude of an optical state which may be tint, refl ectivity, refracti ve index, color, etc.
• the starting optical state may be a maximum or minimum optical state for the optically switchable device; e.g., 90% or 4% transmissivity.
• the starting optical state may be an intermediate optical state having a value somewhere between the maximum and minimum optical states for the optically switchable device; e.g., 50% transmissivity.
• An“ending optical state” is the optical state of an optically switchable device immediately after the complete optical transition from a starting optical state.
• the complete transition occurs when optical state changes in a manner understood to be complete for a particular application. For example, a complete tinting might be deemed a transition from 75% optical transmissivity to 10% transmissivity.
• the ending optical state may be a maximum or minimum optical state for the optically switchable device; e.g , 90% or 4% transmissivity.
• the ending optical state may be an intermediate optical state having a value somewhere between the maximum and minimum optical states for the optically switchable device; e.g., 50% transmissivity.
• Bus bar refers to an electrically conductive strip attached to a conductive layer such as a transparent conductive electrode spanning the area of an optically switchable device.
• the bus bar delivers electrical potential and current from an external lead to the conductive layer.
• An optically switchable device may include two or more bus bars, each connected to a single conductive layer of the device.
• a bus bar forms a long thin line that spans most of the length of the length or width of a device. Often, a bus bar is located near the edge of the device.
• Applied Voltage refers to the difference in potential applied to two bus bars of opposite polarity on the electrochromic device. Each bus bar is electronically connected to a separate transparent conductive layer.
• the applied voltage may include different magnitudes or functions such as driving an optical transition or holding an optical state.
• the optically switchable device materials such as electrochromic materials.
• Each of the transparent conductive layers experiences a potential drop between the position where a bus bar is connected to it and a location remote from the bus bar.
• the greater the distance from the bus bar the greater the potential drop in a transparent conducting layer.
• the local potential of the transparent conductive layers is often referred to herein as the V ' TCL ⁇ B US bars of opposite polarity may be laterally separated from one another across the face of an optically switchable device.
• Effective V oltage refers to the potential between the positive and negative transparent conducting layers at any particular location on the optically switchable device. In Cartesian space, the effective voltage is defined for a particular x,y coordinate on the device. At the point where V eff is measured, the two transparent conducting layers are separated in the z- direction (by the device materials), but share the same x,y coordinate
• “Hold Voltage” refers to the applied voltage necessary' to indefinitely maintain the device in an ending optical state. In some cases, without appli cation of a hold voltage, electrochromic windows return to their natural tint state. In other words, maintenance of a desired tint state may require application of a hold voltage.
• “Drive Voltage” refers to the applied voltage provided during at least a portion of an optical transition.
• the drive voltage may be viewed as“driving” at least a portion of the optical transition. Its magnitude is different from that of the applied voltage immediately prior to the start of the optical transition. In certain embodiments, the magnitude of the drive voltage is greater than the magnitude of the hold voltage.
• “Open circuit voltage” (V oc ) refers to the voltage across the EC device (or across the terminals or bus bars applying connected to the EC device) when little or no current passes. In certain embodiments, the Voc is measured after a defined period of time has passed since applying conditions of interest (e.g., an AC signal or pulse). For example, an open circuit voltage may be taken a few milliseconds after applying the conditions or, in some cases, may be taken on or about 1 to several seconds after applying the conditions of interest.
• conditions of interest e.g., an AC signal or pulse
• the applied voltage may initially be provided at a magnitude greater than that required to hold the device at a particular optical state in equilibrium.
• Figure 3 is a graph depicting voltage and current profiles associated with driving an electrochromic device from a clear state to a tinted state and from a tinted state to a clear state.
• Figure 4 is a graph depicting certain voltage and current profiles associated with driving an electrochromic device from a tinted state to a clear state.
• clear and bleached are used interchangeably when referring to the optical state of the electrochromic device of an IGU, as are the terms tinted and colored.
• the drive and/or the hold voltage comprises a non zero value that is sufficient to maintain a non-zero open circuit voltage.
• the non-zero drive and/or hold voltage is always maintained at a non-zero value such that drops in open-circuit voltage can always be detected.
• the drive and/or hold voltage is never allowed to drop below a range that is between about 100 and 500 millivolts.
• Figure 3 shows a complete current profile and voltage profile for an electrochromic device employing a simple voltage control algorithm to cause an optical state transition cycle (coloration followed by bleaching) of an electrochromic device.
• total current density (I) is represented as a function of time.
• the total current density is a combination of the ionic current density associated with an electrochromic transition and electronic leakage current between the e!ectrochemically active electrodes.
• Many different types of electrochromic device may have a current profile similar to that illustrated by Figure 3.
• a cathodic electrochromic material such as tungsten oxide is used in conjunction with an anodic electrochromic material such as nickel tungsten oxide in counter electrode.
• lithium ions flow from a nickel tungsten oxide anodically coloring electrochromic electrode into a tungsten oxide cathodically coloring electrochromic electrode.
• electrons flow into the tungsten oxide electrode to compensate for the positively charged incoming lithium ions.
• the depicted profile results from ramping up the voltage to a set level and then holding the voltage to maintain the optical state.
• the current peaks 301 are associated with changes in optical state, i.e., coloration and bleaching. Specifically, the current peaks represent delivery of the ionic charge needed to color or bleach the device. Mathematically, the shaded area under the peak represents the total charge required to color or bleach the device.
• the portions of the curve after the initial current spikes represent electronic leakage current while the device is in the new optical state.
• voltage profile 305 is superimposed on the current curve.
• the voltage profile follows the sequence: negative ramp 307, negative hold 309, positive ramp 311, and positive hold 313. Note that the voltage remains constant after reaching its maximum
• Voltage ramp 307 drives the device to a new colored state and voltage hold 309 maintains the device in the colored state until voltage ramp 311 in the opposite direction drives the transition from the colored state to a bleached state.
• voltage holds 309 and 313 may also be referred to as In some switching algorithms, a current cap is imposed. That is, the current is not permitted to exceed a defined level in order to prevent damaging the device (e.g., driving ion movement through the material layers too quickly can physically damage the material layers).
• the coloration speed is a function of not only the applied voltage but also the temperature and the voltage ramping rate.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a voltage control profile in accordance with certain embodiments.
• a voltage control profile is employed to drive the transition from a bleached state to a colored state (or to an intermediate state).
• a similar but inverted profile is used to drive an electrochromic device in the reverse direction, from a colored state to a bleached state (or from a more colored to less colored state).
• the voltage control profile for going from colored to bleached is a mirror image of the one depicted in Figure 4.
• V app The applied voltage (V app ) values.
• the applied voltage profile is shown by the dashed line.
• the current density in the device is shown by the solid line.
• V app includes four components: a ramp to drive component 403, -which initiates the transition, a V drive component 413, which continues to drive the transition, a ramp to hold component 415, and component 417.
• the ramp components are implemented as variations in V app and the V d ri ve and V lx id components provide constant or substantially constant V app magnitudes.
• the ramp to drive component 403 is characterized by a ramp rate (increasing magnitude) and a magnitude of V d ri ve ⁇ When the magnitude of the applied voltage reaches V drive , the ramp to drive component 403 is completed.
• the V d ri ve component 413 is
• V dnve characterized by the value of V dnve as well as the duration of V d ri ve ⁇
• the magnitude of V dnve may be chosen to maintain V eff with a safe but effective range over the entire face of the electrochromic device as described above.
• the ramp to hold component 415 is characterized by a voltage ramp rate (decreasing magnitude) and the value of V hoid (or optionally the difference between V rive and V hoid ) ⁇ V app drops according to the ramp rate until the value of V hoid is reached.
• the V hoid component 41 7 is characterized by the magnitude of V hoid and the duration of V hoid ⁇ The duration of V hoid is typically governed by the length of time that the device is held in the colored state (or conversely in the bleached state). Unlike the ramp to drive, V drive , and ramp to hold
• the V hoid component 417 may have an arbitrary length, which may be independent of the physics of the optical transition of the device.
• Each type of electrochromic device will have its own characteristic components of the voltage profile for driving the optical transition. For example, a relatively large device and/or one with a more resistive conductive layer will require a higher value of V d ri ve and possibly a higher ramp rate in the ramp to drive component. Larger devices may also require higher values of V hoid ⁇
• Patent Application No. 13/449,251 titled“CONTROLLER FOR OPTIC ALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS,” filed April 17, 2012, and incorporated herein by reference, discloses controllers and associated algorithms for driving optical transitions over a wide range of conditions.
• each of the components of an appli ed voltage profile may be independently controlled to address real-time conditions such as current temperature, current level of transmissivity, etc.
• the values of each component of the applied voltage profile are set for a particular electrochromic device (having its own bus bar separation, resistivity, etc.) and vary based on current conditions.
• the voltage profile does not take into account feedback such as temperature, current density, and the like.
• the ramp to drive component of the voltage profile is chosen to safely but rapidly induce ionic current to flow between the electrochromic and counter electrodes.
• the current in the device follows the profile of the ramp to drive voltage component until the ramp to drive portion of the profile ends and the V d ri ve portion begins. See current component 401 in Figure 4.
• Safe levels of current and voltage can be determined empirically or based on other feedback.
• U.S. Patent No 8,254,013, titled“CONTROLLING TRANSITIONS IN OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE DEVICES,” filed March 16, 2011, is incorporated herein by reference and presents examples of algorithms for maintaining safe current levels during electrochromic device transitions.
• the value of V ri ve is chosen based on the considerations described above. Particularly, it is chosen so that the value of V ei r over the entire surface of the electrochromic device remains within a range that effectively and safely transitions large electrochromic devices.
• the duration of V d ri ve cun be chosen based on various considerations. One of these ensures that the drive potential is held for a period sufficient to cause the substantial coloration of the device. For this purpose, the duration of V rive may be determined empirically, by monitoring the optical density of the device as a function of the length of time that V d ri ve remains in place.
• the duration of V d ri ve is set to a specifi ed time period. In another embodiment, the duration of V ri ve is set to correspond to a desired amount of ionic charge being passed. As shown, the current ramps down during V d ri ve ⁇ See current segment 407.
• V eff the level of V eff associated with leakage current.
• V eff the level of V eff associated with leakage current.
• the device current transitions in a segment 405 during the ramp to hold component. The current settles to a stable leakage current 409 during Vi, 0id .
• Certain embodiments make use of electrical probing and monitoring to determine when an optical transition between a first optical state and a second optical state of an optically switchable device has proceeded to a sufficient extent that the application of a drive voltage can be terminated.
• electrical probing allows for a shorter application of drive voltages, at least on average, than possible without probing. Further, such probing can help ensure that an optical transition progresses to the desired state. Embodiments using such probing or monitoring may be leveraged to determine whether a security -relevant event has occurred. Before explaining how this is done, an example process for probing optical transitions will be presented.
• the probing technique involves pulsing the current or voltage applied to drive the transition and then monitoring the current or voltage response to detect an "overdrive" condition in the vicinity of the bus bars.
• An overdrive condition occurs when the effective local voltage is greater than needed to cause a local optical transition. For example, if an optical transition to a clear state is deemed complete when V ef r reaches 2V, and the local value of V eff near a bus bar is 2.2V, the position near the bus bar may be characterized as in an overdrive condition.
• One example of a probing technique involves pulsing the applied drive voltage by dropping it to the level of the hold voltage (or the hold voltage modified by an appropriate offset) and monitoring the current response to determine the direction of the current response.
• the device control system determines that it is now time to transition from the drive voltage to the hold voltage.
• the probing protocol may include certain pulse protocols defined in terms of the length of time from the initiation of the transition to the first pulse, the duration of the pulses, the size of the pulses, and the frequency of the pulses.
• the probing technique can be implemented using a drop in applied current (e.g., measuring the open circuit voltage).
• the current or voltage response indicates how close to completion the optical transition has come.
• the response is compared to a threshold current or voltage for a particular time (e.g., the time that has elapsed since the optical transition was initiated).
• the comparison is made for a progression of the current or voltage responses using sequential pulses or checks. The steepness of the progression may indicate when the end state is likely to be reached. A linear extension to this threshold current may be used to predict when the transition will be complete, or more
• the controller may be configured or designed to increase the drive voltage as appropriate to speed up the transition when the interpretation of the pulse responses suggests that the transi tion is not progressing fast enough to meet the desired speed of transition.
• the transition switches to a mode where it is driven by an applied current. The current is sufficiently great to increase the speed of the transition but is not so great that it degrades or damages the eiectrochromic device.
• the maximum suitably safe current may be referred to as I safe Examples of I safe may range between about 5 and 250 mA/cm 2
• I safe may range between about 5 and 250 mA/cm 2
• the probing technique may determine whether the optical transition is progressing as expected. If the technique determines that the optical transition is proceeding too slowly, it can take steps to speed the transition. For example, it can increase the drive voltage. Similarly, the technique may determine that the optical transition is proceeding too quickly and risks damaging the device. When such determination is made, the probing technique may take steps to slow the transition. As an example, the controller may reduce the drive voltage.
• probing techniques are used for on-the-fly modification of the optical transition to a different end state.
• it will be necessary to change the end state after a transition begins. Examples of reasons for such modification include (1) a user’s manual overriding a previously specified end tint state and (2) a widespread electrical power shortage or disruption.
• the probing techniques disclosed herein can adapt and move directly to the new end state, rather than first completing the transition to the initial end state.
• the probing techniques presented herein need not be limited to measuring the magnitude of the device’s current in response to a voltage drop (pulse).
• a voltage drop pulse
• the profil of a current transient provides useful information.
• measuring the open circuit voltage of the device provides the requisite information.
• the pulse involves simply applying no voltage to device and then measuring the voltage that the open circuit device applies.
• current and voltage based algorithms are equivalent.
• the probe is implemented by dropping the applied current and monitoring the device response. The response may be a measured change in voltage.
• the device may be held in an open circuit condition to measure the voltage between bus bars.
• FIG. 5 presents a flowchart 541 for a process of monitoring and controlling an optical transition in accordance with certain disclosed embodiments.
• the process condition probed is the open circuit voltage, as described in the previous paragraph.
• the process begins with an operation denoted by reference number 543, where a controller or other control logic receives instructions to direct the optical transition.
• the optical transition may be an optical transition between a tinted state and a more clear state of the electrochromic device.
• the instructions for directing the optical transition may be provided to the controller based upon a preprogrammed schedule, an algorithm reacting to external conditions, manual input from a user, etc.
• the controller may act on them, at the operation denoted by reference number 545, by applying a drive voltage to the bus bars of the optically switchable device. After allowing the optical transition to proceed incrementally, the controller applies open circuit conditions to the electrochromic device at operation 547. Next, the controller measures the open circuit voltage response at operation 549.
• the open circuit voltage is measured/recorded after a timeframe that is dependent upon the behavior of the open circuit voltage.
• the open circuit voltage may be measured over time after open circuit conditions are applied, and the voltage chosen for analysis may be selected based on the voltage vs. time behavior.
• the voltage goes through an initial drop, followed by a first relaxation, a first plateau, and a second relaxation.
• Each of these periods may be identified on a voltage vs. time plot based on the slope of curve.
• the first plateau region will relate to a portion of the plot where the magnitude of dV 0 c /dt is relatively low.
• the open circuit voltage used in the feedback/analysis is the voltage measured at a time when the magnitude of dV 0C /dt drops below a certain threshold.
• the open circuit voltage response after the open circuit voltage response is measured, it can be compared to a target open circuit voltage at operation 551.
• the target open circuit voltage may correspond to the hold voltage. In certain cases, the target open circuit voltage corresponds to the hold voltage as modified by an offset.
• the open circuit voltage response indicates that the optical transition is not yet nearly complete (i.e., where the open circuit voltage has not yet reached the target open circuit voltage)
• the method continues at operation 553, where the applied voltage is increased to the drive voltage for an additional period of time. After the additional period of time has elapsed, the method can repeat from operation 547, where the open circuit conditions are again applied to the device.
• window controllers may be connected to one another and/or other entities via a communications network sometimes referred to as a window control network or a window network.
• a communications network sometimes referred to as a window control network or a window network.
• the network and the various devices (e.g., controllers and sensors) that are connected via the network are referred to herein as a window control system.
• Window control networks may provide tint instructions to window controllers, provide window information to master controllers or other network entities, and the like.
• window information include current tint state or other information collected by the window controller.
• a window controller has one or more associated sensors including, for example, a photosensor, a temperature sensor, an occupancy sensor, and/or gas sensors that provide sensed information over the network.
• information transmitted over a window communication network need not impact window control.
• information received at a first window configured to receive a WiFi or LiFi signal may be transmitted over the communication network to a second window configured to wirelessly broadcast the information as, e.g., a WiFi or Li Fi signal
• a window control network need not be limited to providing information for controlling tintable windows, but may also be able to communicate information for other devices interfacing with the communications network such as HVAC systems, lighting systems, security systems, personal computing devices, and the like.
• Figure 6 provides an example of a control network 601 of a window control system 600
• the network may distribute both control instructions and feedback, as well as serving as a power distribution network.
• a master network controller 602 communicates and functions in conjunction with multiple intermediate network controllers (NC's) 604, each of which NC 604 is capable of addressing a plurality of window 7 controllers (WC's) 606 (sometimes referred to herein as leaf controllers) that apply a voltage or current to control the tint state of one or more optically switchable windows 608
• NC's 604 may be addressing a plurality of window 7 controllers (WC's) 606 (sometimes referred to herein as leaf controllers) that apply a voltage or current to control the tint state of one or more optically switchable windows 608
• Communications between NC’s 604, WC's 606, and windows 608 may occur via wired (e.g., Ethernet) or via a wireless (e.g., WiFi or LiFi) connection.
• wired e.g., Ethernet
• the master network controller 602 issues the high-level instructions (such as the final tint states of the electrochromic windows) to the NC's 604, and the NC's 604 then communicate the instructions to the corresponding WC’s 608.
• a master network controller 602 may be configured to communicate with one or more outward face networks 609.
• Control network 601 can include any suitable number of distributed controllers having various capabilities or functions and need not be arranged in the hierarchical structure depicted in Figure 6. As discussed elsewhere herein, control network 601 may also be used as a communication network between distributed controllers (e.g., 602, 604, 606) that act as communication nodes to other devices or systems (e.g., 609).
• outward facing network 609 is part of or connected to a building management system (BMS).
• BMS building management system
• a BMS is a computer-based control system that can be installed in a building to monitor and control the building’s mechanical and electrical equipment
• a BMS may be configured to control the operation of HVAC systems, lighting systems, power systems, elevators, fire systems, security systems, and other safety systems.
• BMSs are frequently used in large buildings where they function to control the environment within the building. For example, a BMS may monitor and control the lighting, temperature, carbon dioxide levels, and humidity within the building. In doing so, a BMS may control the operation of furnaces, air conditioners, blowers, vents, gas lines, water lines, and the like.
• the BMS may turn on and off these various devices according to rules established by, for example, a building administrator.
• One function of a BMS is to maintain a comfortable environment for the occupants of a building.
• a BMS can be configured not only to monitor and control building conditions, but also to optimize the synergy between various systems - for example, to conserve energy and lower building operation costs.
• a BMS can be configured with a disaster response. For example, a BMS may initiate the use of backup generators and turn off water lines and gas lines.
• a BMS has a more focused application— e.g., simply controlling the HVAC system— while parallel systems such as lighting, tintable window, and/or security systems stand alone or interact with the BMS.
• a control network 601 may itself provide services to a building that are typically provided by a BMS. Some or all of controllers 602, 604, and 606 may, in some cases, offer computational resources that can be used for other building systems. For example, controllers on the window control network may individually or collectively run software for one or more BMS applications as described previously. In some cases, window control network 601 can provide communication and/or power to other building systems.
• network 609 is a remote network.
• network 609 may operate in the cloud or on a device remote from the building having the optically switchable windows.
• network 609 is a network that provides information or allows control of optically switchable windows via a remote wireless device.
• network 609 includes seismic event detection logic. Further examples of window control systems and their features are presented in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/334,832, filed October 26, 2016, and titled“CONTROLLERS FOR OPTIC ALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES” and International Patent Application No. PCT/US 17/62634, filed on November 20, 2017, and titled“AUTOMATED COMMISSIONING OF CONTROLLERS IN A WINDOW NETWORK,” both of which are herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a window control system enables sendees for locating and/or tracking devices or users carrying such devices.
• Windows, window controllers, and other devices on the window control network can be configured with antennas configured to communicate via various forms of wireless electromagnetic signals.
• Common wireless protocols used for electromagnetic communication include, but are not limited to, Bluetooth, BLE, Wi-Fi, RF, and ultra-wideband (UWB).
• the relative location between two or more devices can be determined from information relating to received transmissions at one or more antennas. Information that can be used to determine location includes, e.g., the received signal strength, the time of arrival, the signal frequency, and the angle of arrival.
• a triangulation algorithm may be implemented that in some instances accounts for the physical layout of a building.
• an accurate location of individual window network components can be obtained using such technologies. For example, the location of a window controller having a UWB micro-location chip can be easily determined to within 10 centimeters of its actual location.
• Geolocation methods involving window antennas are further described in PCX Patent Application No's PCT7US 1 7/62634 and PCT/US17/31106, each of which have been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
• 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
• window antennas can be used to provide location services to a user based on a determined position an associated electronic device. For example, a field systems engineer may be provided with information needed for nearby tin table window's.
• geopositioning can be used for security applications. For instance, doors may be locked when an unauthorized device is located within the building and doors can be unlocked for security personnel.
• an unrecognized device e.g , a cell phone
• an electronic device might emit cellular communication signals or might send signals in an attempt to join or request information about a local wireless network.
• windows may be equipped with transparent display technology where the display is located in the viewable region of the window is substantially transparent under certain conditions (e.g., when the display is in an“off’ state) or when the window is viewed from a certain perspective.
• One embodiment, depicted in Figure 7, includes an electrochromic (EC) window lite, or IGIJ or laminate, combined with a transparent display.
• the transparent display area may be co-extensive with the EC window' viewable area.
• An electrochromic lite, 710 including a transparent pane with an electrochromic device coating thereon and bus bars for applying driving voltage for tinting and bleaching, is combined with a transparent display panel, 720, in a tandem fashion.
• electrochromic lite 710 and display panel 720 are combined using a sealing spacer, 730, to form an IGU, 700.
• the display panel 720 may be a standalone lite for the IGU, or be, e.g., a flexible panel laminated or otherwise attached to a glass lite, and that combination may be the other lite of the IGU.
• the display panel 720 is, or is on, the inboard lite of the IGU, for use by the building occupants.
• an electrochromic device coating and transparent display mechanism are combined on a single substrate.
• a laminate, rather than an IGU are formed from 710 and 720, without a sealing spacer.
• Transparent display 720 may have some visually discemable conductive grid pattern but otherwise is transparent, and can be uni- or bidirectional in the display function.
• the transparent display can be used for many purposes.
• the display can be used for conventional display or projection screen purposes, such as displaying video, presentations, digital media, teleconferencing, web-based meetings including video, security warnings to occupants and/or people outside the building (e.g., emergency response personnel) and the like.
• the transparent display may be configured to provide various types of information about windows or the building via, e.g., a graphical user interface.
• the transparent display (and associated controller) is configured to show specific information about the window being used (the one displaying the information), information about a zone in which the window resides, and/or information about other particular windows in the building.
• the transparent displays may ⁇ be configured to allow monitoring and/or controlling optically switchable windows on a window network.
• the transparent display can also be used for displaying controls for the display, the electrochromic window, an electrochromic window control system, an inventory management system, a security system, a building management system, and the like.
• the transparent display can be used as a physical alarm element that is used to, e.g., detect a broken window or provide alarm
• the display may be permanently or reversibly attached to the electrochromic window.
• the electrochromic window may include an electrochromic lite, an electrochromic IGU, and/or a laminate including an electrochromic lite, for instance.
• a display lite can be either inboard or outboard of the eiectrochromic device. It is noted that any of the ernbodirnents herein can be modified to switch the relative positions of the display lite and the eiectrochromic EC device.
• any of these embodiments can be modified such that the
• eiectrochromic window includes any number of lites (e.g., an EC IGU may be replaced with an EC lite or EC laminate, and vice versa).
• FIG. 8 shows an example of an eiectrochromic window 800 that includes an eiectrochromic IGU (including eiectrochromic lite 801 with eiectrochromic device 802 disposed thereon, second lite 803, and an IGU spacer 804 separating the eiectrochromic lite 801 from the second lite 803), and a display lite 805.
• a controller 806 is housed in the framing 807 that surrounds and/or supports the eiectrochromic window 800. Controller 806 includes
• eiectrochromic window control functions as well as display control functions. These functions may be independent or coordinated, depending on the need. For example, activating the display may override a tint setting of the eiectrochromic window if a higher contrast is desired for the displayed information, a privacy mode is desired for the displayed information, the displayed information is desired to be seen by persons outside the building, etc.
• the transparent display alone or in conjunction with the eiectrochromic device, can be used for privacy applications.
• an eiectrochromic device can be adjusted to a dark tint state to reduce light transmission, and a transparent display (e.g., an electrowetting display) can be turned to an opaque tint state so that outsiders cannot see into the building or room and observe the occupant’s activities.
• a transparent display that emits light such as an OLED display, can be used to distract an outsider or otherwise make it more difficult for an outsider to see into a building or room.
• transparent displays for privacy, signage, and other applications
• the display lite 805 is reversibly mounted to the eiectrochromic IGU through the framing 807. If and when the display lite 805 is to be removed and replaced, the framing 807 can be uninstalled, allowing the display lite 805 and the eiectrochromic IGU to be separated from one another and from the framing 807. This may involve unplugging a connection between the display lite 807 and the controller 806 (or in other cases, between the display lite 807 and another portion of the window such as the EC lite 801 or EC device 802).
• a new display lite can then be provided along with the eiectrochromic IGU within the framing 807, and the unit can be re-installed in the building.
• a second spacer (sometimes referred to as a display spacer, not shown) may be provided between the second lite 803 and the display lite 805.
• the second spacer may be used to ensure a uniform distance between the second lite 803 and the display lite 805, and, in some embodiments, create a hermetically-sealed volume between the display lite 805 and the second lite 803 of the electrochromic IGU.
• the framing 807 supports and provides the appropriate spacing between the EC window and the display. There may he sealing elements (not shown) in framing 807 to prevent dust from entering the volume between display 805 and the EC IGU.
• the display and the EC window may be controlled in tandem to enhance user experience.
• the display may be controlled in a way that takes into account the optical state of the EC window.
• the optical state of the EC window may be controlled in a way that takes into account the state of the display.
• the EC window and display may be controlled together in order to optimize the appearance of the display (e.g., such that the display is easy to see, bright, readable, etc.). In some cases, the display is easiest to see when the EC window is in a darkened tint state.
• the EC window and display may be controlled together such that the EC window goes to a relatively dark tint state when the display is used, or when the display is used and certain conditions are met (e.g., with respect to timing, weather, light conditions, etc.)
• a first controller may be used to control the optical state of the EC window, and a second controller may be used to control the display.
• a single controller may be used to control both the optical state of the EC window and the display.
• the logic/hardware for such control may be provided in a single controller or multiple controllers, as desired for a particular application.
• a transparent display is an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display.
• OLED displays or similar (TFT, etc.) components of the EC IGU may have other applications besides providing dynamic graphical content.
• OLED displays can provide general illumination A dark window on a winter night simply looks black or reflects the interior light, but by using an OLED display, the surface can match the color of an interior wall.
• the transparent display component of the IGU is used to augment or replace conventional lighting in interior spaces (or exterior spaces if the display is bi directional).
• OLED displays can be quite bright, and therefore can be used to light up a room (at least to some degree) as an occupant walks into the space at night (with occupancy sensing).
• the transparent display component is used to provide a color controlled light for an art gallery at a museum, e.g., a length of EC glass on one side of a wall used to illuminate artwork on the opposite wall.
• a window may use an electro wetting transparent display technology.
• An electrowetting display is a pixelated display where each pixel has one or more cells. Each cell can oscillate between substantially transparent and substantially opaque optical states. Cells make use of surface tensions and electrostatic forces to control the movement of a hydrophobic solution and a hydrophilic solution within the cell. Cells can be, e.g , white, black, cyan, magenta, yellow, red, green, blue, or some other color in their opaque state (determined by either the hydrophobic solution or the hydrophilic solution within the cell).
• a colored pixel may have, e.g., a cyan, magenta, yellow' cells in a stacked arrangement.
• Perceived colors may be generated by oscillating the cells of a pixel (each cell having a different color) at specific frequencies. Such displays may have many thousands or millions of individually addressable cells which can produce high-resolution images.
• an electrowetting display may be configured to turn a transparent window into a partially or substantially reflective screen on which images can be projected. For example, cells may be white and reflective in their opaque state.
• a monolithic electrode may span the dimensions of an IGU and a voltage may be applied to the electrode so that the cells transition optical states at the same time.
• an electrowetting display may be configured to display black pixels.
• images can he seen on an IGU by contrasting black or colored pixels with the lighter backdrop of an exterior environment to create a viewing experience similar to that of a heads-up display. This may be useful if a user does not want to obscure a view provided by an IGU.
• the tint of an electrochromic window may be manually or automatically adjusted (e.g., to account for glare) to create a high contrast image that is also comfortable to look at.
• a window may have a pixelated or monolithic passive coating that is substantially transparent to an observer but is configured to reflect an image from a projector located, e.g., within a muilion, transom, or somewhere else in the room.
• the passive coating or layer includes a light guide that directs light from a projector along the surface of the glass to the location which it is reflected.
• Transparent display technology is further described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US 18/29476, filed May 25, 2018, and titled“DISPLAYS FOR TINTABLE WINDOWS,” which is herein incorporated by- reference in its entirety-.
• Tintable windows as described herein are often equipped with various sensors that may be used, for example, to monitor environmental conditions, monitor occupancy, and receive user input. Sensor input can be used to provide automatic control of a window or provide information for controlling other building systems. Sensors may be located on the surface of a tintable window, attached to the framing structure of a window, attached to a controller on the window' network, or otherwise in communication with one or more controllers on a window control network (e.g., via a wired or wireless connection). In some cases, a window may have sensors on only one side of a window, and in some cases, a window may- have sensors on both sides of a window (e.g., to monitor an interior and exterior temperature).
• a window may be equipped with motion sensors located on or within mullions and/or transoms to monitor for occupancy and/or receive user input.
• motion sensors may receive user input related to a graphical user interface on a transparent display.
• the motion sensors may include one or more cameras to detect user motion (e.g., the motion of a user’s hand) and image analysis logic may determine a user’s interaction based on the detected motion.
• image analysis logic may determine whether a user’s motion corresponds to a gesture used to provide a specific input.
• one or more cameras may be infrared cameras.
• the motion sensors may include ultrasonic transducers and ultrasonic sensors to determine user motion.
• a window may be equipped with a capacitive touch sensor (e.g., on SI or S4) that at least partially covers the visible portion of the window and receives user input when a user touches the surface of the window'.
• a capacitive touch sensor may be similar to that found in touchscreens of personal electronic devices such as tablet computers, smartphones and the like.
• an optically switchable window may also be equipped with a microphone located in a mullion or transom for receiving audible user input.
• a microphone may be located on a remote device and voice recognition logic may be used to determine user input from received audio.
• audio may be recorded on a remote device and transmitted wirelessly to a window controller.
• a window' may be configured to receive audible user input
• a window may also be configured with one or more speakers for providing information to a user.
• a speaker may be used respond to a user inquiry or to provide various features that may be controlled by the user.
• a projector such as an Xperia Touch lM , manufactured by Sony Corporation, may be attached to or near the IGU, e.g., in a mullion or on a wail or ceiling nearby, in order to project onto an IGU to display information to the user and provide an on- glass control function.
• sensors for receiving user input are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29476, which has been incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• an IGU may be equipped with environmental sensors for air quality monitoring.
• sensors can monitor particulate matter in the air.
• an IGU may be able to sense one or more of the six criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, lead, ground-level ozone, particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, and sulfur dioxide) that are monitored by the US national ambient air quality standards (NAAQS).
• NAAQS US national ambient air quality standards
• IGUs may be equipped with sensors for detecting less common pollutants if there is a specific safety concern at an installation site. For example, in a facility for semiconductor processing, sensors may be used to monitor for fluorocarbons or to detect chlorine gas.
• a sensor may detect carbon dioxide level s as a form of occupancy sensor, e.g., to aid window- control logic to determine heating and cooling needs of the interior environment.
• a window may have light sensors, temperature sensors, and/or humidity sensors. These sensors may provide feedback to intelligence logic used to control tintable windows in order to maintain preferred environmental conditions.
• windows may make use of rooftop sensors such as are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US16/55709, filed October 6, 2016, which has been incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, which provides additional description of sensors on a window network.
• sensors are located on or associated with on glass controllers which are described in US Patent Application Serial No. 14/951,410, titled“SELF-CONTAINED EC IGU” and filed on November 24, 2015, which was previously incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a sensor is located on a frame, mullion, or adjacent wall surface.
• sensors in mobile smart devices may be used to aid in window control, e.g., as inputs to window control algorithms when sensors are available in smart devices also having window control software installed.
• Tintable windows on a window control network can be used to provide a building security platform.
• a window controller or other processing device can monitor for window breakage, cameras associated with windows can monitor for intruders, and transparent displays can provide alerts regarding detected activity within a building Windows are located on the skin of a building and are common targets for potential intruders, as they are often the weakest portion of a building’s skin. When protecting against theft and other unwanted forms of intrusion, windows are generally a primary concern as they are easily broken. When a window' controller is configured to detect when damage has occurred and/or when a tintable window is outfitted with deterrent mechanisms then windows can be a security asset rather than a vulnerability.
• window's can be leveraged to reduce a security risk posed by other entrances to a building.
• cameras used to detect user motion may also detect and capture an intruder break in.
• a window 7 control system can reduce or eliminate the need for a conventional security ' system and save costs in new building construction or in building renovation.
• the window 7 control system can double as a security network that can detect security threats, communicate security- related information, and respond to detected security threats.
• Electrochromic windows can be monitored for damage during normal operation by monitoring the electrical properties (e.g., monitoring the current or voltage) of the EC device coating via the window controller and determining that the electrical properties are outside an acceptable range and/or are changing over time at an unacceptable or unexpected rate. If the current needed to provide a voltage drive signal is different than expected, or if the voltage differs from an expected value when applying a known current, this may be indicative that damage has occurred. If a window is damaged, an increased resistance across the EC device coating may be detected, and in some cases, e.g., if a tempered window is shattered, the electric circuit passing through the window ' may be completely broken (i.e., resembling an open circuit).
• the electrical properties e.g., monitoring the current or voltage
• various electrical parameters can be monitored including (i) current during a tint transition, (ii) voltage during a tint transition, (iii) open circuit voltage (Voc), and/or (iv) current while Vocis measured.
• Such electrical parameters may depend on the window type or the window size. In some cases, these values may be determined based on window testing performed before the window left the factory'. In some cases, the expected electrical parameters may depend on the number of tint cycles that a window has undergone.
• a window controller is programmed with threshold values for one or more monitored electrical characteristics that specify acceptable upper and/or lower limits of electrical characteristics for a window. In some cases, acceptable limits for electrical parameters are based a monitored history of electrical parameters.
• the acceptable limits for electrical parameters can be adjusted accordingly.
• acceptable limits for electrical properties are based on a deviation from a. previous measurement or set of measurements.
• a window controller may update the acceptable limits over the window’s life cycle based on, e.g., the number of tint cycles a window has undergone and the monitored electrical data collected during normal operation of the window.
• the window control system may monitor the health of a. window as a function of the monitored electrical parameters.
• the window control system may generate a sendee request for the window to be inspected.
• a field systems engineer FSE may be able to puli up a report on a mobile device to see a window’s condition when it left the factory ' , see a record of window maintenance and reported issues, and see a history the window’s performance based on the measured electrical parameters.
• window controllers can be configured to make these securify -related determinations every second, every few seconds, or at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes to ensure that windows of the building are still intact and have not been breached by an intruder.
• window controllers can be configured to make these securify -related determinations every second, every few seconds, or at intervals of 0.5, 1, 2, 5, or 10 minutes to ensure that windows of the building are still intact and have not been breached by an intruder.
• normal tint transitions of a window (2) monitoring progress of a tint transition such as described in US Patent No.
• I/V characteristics may be measured. Where, for example, the current needed to provide a voltage drive signal is different than expected, or if the voltage differs more than expected when applying a known current, a security-related determination may be made. For example may be determined that a broken window has resulted in an increased resistance, or an open circuit. The expected I/V
• characteristics may be based on as-delivered window characteristics or on updated window characteristics (e.g , a comparison of current I/V characteristics to past I/V characteristics;
• a security event detection may be based on a deviation from current I/V characteristics (as opposed to a deviation from an earlier I/V characteristics, e.g., when window was fabricated or installed).
• current health information of one or more windows may be provided.
• the window I/V characteristics may be measured, analyzed, and updated either locally or remotely, e.g., by a site monitoring system. Use of machine learning and data collection may be contemplated in order to improve detection algorithms.
• Monitoring the progress of a tint transition may include open circuit voltage (Voc) measurements made when a new tint command is received while the window is still in transition.
• Voc may indicate the charge stored between the EC and CE layers in the IGU. If a window- is expected to be in a dark tint state (e.g., tint state 2, 3, or 4), and Voc is smaller than an expected value for such tint state, provide an indication of a broken or malfunctioning window may be provided.
• a Voc criteria may need to be above a certain threshold because of noise in measurement circuitry.
• current measurements may be made concurrently with Voc measurement. Current measurement may be especially useful when the window is in a clear or nearly clear state.
• steady state leakage current and/or Voe may be measured.
• a sudden change in measured current while holding at a particular tint state may indicate that the window is partially or fully broken. For example, a minor fracture in annealed glass might be sufficient to short circuit EC layers resulting in a current spike. If a portion of the glass is broken, the current will decrease. In the case of tempered glass in a situation where the glass shatters, the leakage current might drop to zero. In some cases, an expected leakage current should be above a threshold voltage to account for noise in measurement circuitry, i.e., not suitable for fully clear state.
• open circuit voltage may be used to measure the charge stored between the EC and CE layers in the IGU.
• V oc may normally be small and an appropriate threshold value may be smaller than when the EC window is in an operational tint state or tint transition. For example, where a Voc Target has been selected for an operational tint state or tint transition, a threshold value of l/n* Voc Target (with n>2, for example) may be selected for use at times prior to or upon initialization of an EC window
• the electrical characteristics of a window may be measured and analyzed by the window controller responsible for applying a tint transition.
• electrical data measured by a window' controller is transmitted to an upstream controller in the window' network for analysis.
• electrical data can be transmitted to an intermediate network controller 604 or a master network controller 602 for analysis. If the upstream controller then determines that adjusted threshold values are needed, the updated values defining expected electrical parameters can be pushed to the respective downstream window controller.
• measured electrical data is analyzed by a remote network 609 such as a cloud-based computing platform.
• the data is analyzed by a monitoring system wiiich may also monitor the electrical performance of windows in other buildings.
• Such monitoring systems can use machine learning techniques (e.g., by making use of user reported incidents) from many windows across a plurality of site locations to improve detection algorithms.
• Site monitoring systems for monitoring the performance window control systems are further described in US Patent Application No 15/691 ,468, Filed August 30, 2017, and titled“MONITORING SITES
• detection of a broken or damaged window' is based at least in part on open circuit voltage (Voc) and/or charge count (Q) measurements taken during normal window operation in addition to or instead of measuring leakage current.
• Charge count Q refers to an amount of charge accumulated on an electrochromic layer of an EC device and may be obtained by integrating drive current over time, for example.
• Voc refers to the voltage across the EC device coating after a defined period has passed since applying open circuit conditions. A Voc measurement is representative of the electric charge stored between the electrochromic and counter electrode layers in the EC device coating.
• V 0 c measurements can be used to determine how' far the window is in the tint transition process.
• Voc can be helpful to determine what drive voltage or current should be applied when a window controller is interrupted raid-transition with a command to adjust the tintable window to a different tint state. If a window is in transition and expected to be in a dark tint state (e.g., TS 2, TS 3, or TS 4), Voc measurements that are smaller than expected may be an indication of a damaged or broken window.
• a dark tint state e.g., TS 2, TS 3, or TS 4
• Expected Voc values may depend on the type of tint transition occurring (e.g., whether the transition is from TS 1 to TS 2, or from TS 2 to TS 4) or the time since the transition was initiated.
• current measurements taken concurrently with Voc measurements can be used to confirm whether the monitored electrical behavior is indicative of a damaged or broken window '.
• current measurements taken during tint transitions can be used alone to determine whether a window is damaged. Current measurements may be helpful, e.g., at substantially clear states where little to no charge is stored between the electrochromic and counter electrode layers of the EC device coating.
• the steady state leakage current through an EC device coating can be used to determine if damage has occurred. For example, a sudden change in the measured leakage current may indicate that the window has been partially or fully broken. If there is a spike in the monitored leakage current (during steady-state conditions), this may be indicative of a short in the EC device coating caused by, e.g., a minor fracture of an annealed glass substrate. If a portion of the glass is broken, the current will decrease, and if a tempered glass substrate shatters, then the leakage current may drop to zero.
• the above-described techniques for detection of a broken or damaged window may be executed without perturbing an apparent optical state of the optically switchable window (i.e., without causing a change in the optical properties of the window that is visually apparent to a casual observer) and/or without perturbing a process of driving a transition of the optically switchable window between optical states.
• an absolute value of a measured current may be compared to a specified value, for example, an expected current response (e.g., 10 mA).
• the expected current response may be adjustable by, for example, the window controller, the network controller, the master controller, or a combination thereof.
• the current response may be monitored or sampled at periodic intervals.
• a determination that damage has occurred may be made when a change in the measured current over a period of time (e.g., over a number of samples) is observed. For example, a currently measured leakage current may be compared with a previously measured leakage current, and a determination made based on a difference between the measured values.
• the expected leakage current may be extremely small, and in some cases, below the noise level of the measurement circuitry, making leakage current monitoring problematic for detecting damage. In such cases, irrespective of when they arise during a window's operating profile, the present disclosure may contemplate measuring window Voc and/or Q, for example. For example, determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include, first, comparing the measured leakage current against an expected leakage current of the optically switchable window.
• the expected leakage current may be an adjustable parameter that may be set or adjusted from time to time by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller.
• the expected leakage current may be or may be based on a previously measured leakage current of the optically switchable window'. If the measured current exceeds the expected value, a determination may be made that the optically switchable window is not broken or damaged. If the measured current does not exceed the expected value, determining whether the optically switchable window is broken or damaged may include, second, a further step of measuring one or both of Voc and/or Q If one or both of the m agnitudes (absolute values) of measured Voc and Q exceeds a respective threshold value, the window may be regarded as undamaged, notwithstanding that leakage current is very small.
• the respective threshold values may be selectable by one or more of the window controller, the network controller, and the master controller
• threshold values may be selected at different phases of window' operation. For example, prior to or upon initialization of an EC window, or after a prolonged period during which the EC window is idle and in a substantially clear state, a threshold value for Voc may be selected that is considerably smaller than the threshold value selected at other times. For example, where a Voc Target has been selected for some operational modes, a threshold value of l/n*Voc Target (with n>2, for example) may be selected for use at times prior to or upon initialization of an EC window', or after a prolonged period during which the EC window' is idle and in a substantially clear state.
• the security perturbation can be applied to the EC device coating independently of any electrical transients used for normal tint control.
• the security perturbations may be configured to generate sufficient current and/or voltage data for security monitoring applications. Monitoring via the security perturbations can be done apart from or in conjunction with the described techniques that rely on window use
• a security perturbation involves applying a voltage and/or current to a window in a similar manner to when a tint transition is initiated, but the voltage and/or current is only applied for a short period, for example about one minute or less, and does not change or visibly perturb an apparent optical state of the window ' (i.e., does not cause a change in the optical properties of the window that is visually apparent to a casual observer).
• a perturbation results in an optical density (OD) change in the window that is less than, e.g., 0.3, 0.2, or 0.15.
• voltage and/or current profiles for perturbations are determined for a particular window during a testing and calibration process that occurs before a window leaves a manufacturing site to verify that any tinting resulting from applied perturbations is subtle enough to go unnoticed.
• OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE WINDOWS which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a security perturbation e.g., a voltage/current ramp or pulse
• one or more of the following electrical characteristics may be monitored: the leakage current during the security perturbation, the voltage during the security perturbation, the Voc after the security perturbation is applied, the voltage before the security perturbation, and the leakage current before and/or after the security perturbation.
• a voltage profile is applied to the EC device coating (e.g., a voltage ramp or constant voltage).
• the current response can be monitored to see whether it deviates from an expected current response and/or a corresponding Voc measurement can be used to determine if damage has occurred.
• an absolute value of a measured current may be compared to a specified value, for example, an expected current response (e.g., 10 mA).
• the expected current response may be adj ustable by, for example, the window controller, the network controller, the master controller, or a combination thereof.
• the current response may be monitored or sampled at periodic intervals.
• a determination that damage has occurred may be made when a change in the measured current over a period of time (e.g , over a number of samples) is observed. For example, a currently measured leakage current may be compared with a previously measured leakage current, and a determination made based on a difference between the measured values.
• a current profile is applied to the EC device coating, and the voltage response to the applied current profile is monitored.
• a slope of the ramp may be selectable by one or more of a window controller, a network controller, and a master controller.
• a security perturbation may be a modified version of a voltage profile used to change the window tint state under normal window 7 operation (see, e.g., Figures 3 and 4) or a voltage profile used by a portable IGU testing device.
• Portable IGU testing devices are described in International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/66486, filed December 14, 2017, and titled“TESTER AND ELECTRICAL CONNECTORS FOR INSULATED GLASS UNITS,” which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
• a security perturbation may include various features of a drive profile used for tint transitions including voltage ramps, voltage holds, current ramps, and current holds.
• features of a typical drive profile used for a security perturbation can be compressed, truncated, or scaled in magnitude. For example, a hold voltage may be shortened or removed since it is not desirable for the security perturbation to cause a noticeable change in tint.
• security perturbations can be applied the EC device coating periodically to verify that no damage has occurred.
• window controllers can be configured to apply security
• a building administrator can specify a custom interval at which perturbations are applied.
• the frequency of security perturbations may be increased if, e.g., an infrared camera detects movement outside a window, or a first indication of a window break is recognized.
• a security perturbation may be applied for about 10-30 seconds, 5-10 seconds, or in some cases, less than 5 seconds.
• perturbations may be followed by a reverse signal to balance the charge on the EC device coating.
• a time interval between checks may be reduced when there is a first indication of an anomaly such as a window break, for example.
• the normal pulsing interval is 30s, if an anomaly is detected, then a subsequent check may be initiated within a shorter interval (for example, 10 seconds) in the absence of detecting an anomaly, the normal pulsing interval (in the present example, 30 seconds) may be maintained.
• a security perturbation may be applied as a square, a sawtooth, or a sinusoidal waveform to the electrochromic device.
• Drive voltages for tint transitions are typically between about 2-4 ⁇ , , but ample current data can generally be collected at much lower voltages.
• a security perturbation may involve applying a 600 mV on-off voltage to the electrochromic device. With advances in monitoring circuitry' improvements in noise reduction, security perturbations may involve even lower voltages, e.g , less than 300 mV or less than 100 mV.
• an oscillating charge profile is applied having an offset so that the security perturbation can be applied continuously without creating a charge imbalance and causing tinting of the EC device.
• applying a security perturbation involves applying a high- frequency signal to the transparent conducting layers of the EC device.
• the dimensions, materials, and other properties of a tintable window create a unique frequency abortion spectrum.
• the frequency absorption spectrum for an EC device coating can be measured as the impedance across the EC device as a function of the frequency of the applied signal. If the window' develops a crack or is otherwise damaged, the frequency absorption spectrum will change as a result of the structural change.
• a high-frequency signal it may be applied as a frequency sweep spanning a large range of frequencies.
• the high- frequency signal can sweep frequencies between about I Hz-lkHz, between about l kHz-lMHz, and in some cases, frequency ranges greater than 1 MHz. For each frequency sweep, an impedance measurement is collected for a plurality' of frequencies such that a characteristic frequency absorption spectrum can be determined.
• Figure 9 depicts an illustrative frequency absorption spectrum 900 for a tintable window.
• a first plot 902 shows a frequency absorption spectrum for an intact and fully functional window.
• a second superimposed plot 904 shows a frequency absorption spectrum for the window after it has been damaged.
• an increased impedance across the EC device coating is seen across the device across all frequencies. This may indicate that a portion of the window has been broken out.
• the impedance may be lessened across all frequencies if, e.g., the EC device is short- circuited
• a shift 906 in one or more peaks and/or valleys fi.e., local maximums or local minimums) in the frequency absorption spectrum may be observed.
• Security logic used to determine whether a window has been damaged may consider whether a local peak or/valley has reached a threshold magnitude, whether a local peak or/valley has shifted by a threshold frequency, and/or whether there has been a shift in the impedance across a substantial portion of the frequency spectrum.
• a high-frequency security perturbation component may be applied on top of a drive or hold signal used in normal window operation. In some cases, a high-frequency security perturbation signal may be applied periodically between drive or hold signals.
• the amplitude of the high-frequency security perturbations signal is a fixed voltage, however, this need not be the case.
• the magnitude of a high-frequency perturbation signal may vary depending on the window 7 type; the magnitude need only to be large enough to be distinguished from noise in by the monitoring circuitry. So long as a high-frequency signal does not add charge to the EC device over time, it can be applied continuously; however, in some cases, it can be applied periodically.
• Continuous monitoring via application of security perturbations may be controlled by, e.g., a window controller, network controller, a master controller, or a combination thereof.
• a local window controller is responsible for applying security perturbations and detecting whether damage has occurred by monitoring the electrical response resulting from security perturbations and/or the electrical response resulting from normal window operation.
• the local window controller is configured to detect window damage my based on the electrical response of a window, it can reduce network traffic imposed on the window control network, raw electrical data can be processed locally, rather than having to be transmitted to another controller for analysis.
• a window controller may be responsible for application of security perturbations and measurement of electrical responses, but the decision to issue a security 7 perturbation and/or the analysis of the electrical response may be performed by an upstream controller (e.g., a network controller or a master controller) or a remote site monitoring system.
• an upstream controller e.g., a network controller or a master controller
• a remote site monitoring system e.g., a remote site monitoring system.
• Figure 10 is a flowchart depicting a method 1000 that a window controller can use to provide continuous (or substantially continuous) security monitoring of a tintable window 7 .
• the window controller first determines whether the tintable window is undergoing a tint transition, block 1004 If the window is undergoing a tint transition, the electrical response of the window can be monitored, block 1010, by, for exmple, measuring the (i) current during tint transition, (ii) voltage during tint transition, (iii) open circuit voltage (V QC), and/or (iv) the current while Voc is being measured. If it is determined at block 1004 that the window' is not undergoing a tint transition (i.e., the window is being held at a particular tint state), the window controller may then determine, at block 1006, whether there is a sufficient voltage on the EC device coating to monitor an electrical response.
• TS 2, TS 3, and TS 4 may provide a sufficient voltage to the EC device for security monitoring while TS 0 and TS I may be insufficient. If it is determined that there is a sufficient voltage applied to the EC device, the leakage current may be measured at block 1010. If there is not a sufficient voltage across the EC device coating, then the window controller may apply, at block 1008, a security' perturbation to the EC device periodically and/or continuously to in order to better measure the electrical response, block 1010.
• an electrical response is measured in operation 1010 (e.g., due to a tint transition, steady-state conditions, or a security perturbation)
• the response is analyzed, at block 1012, to determine whether the response is within a range of expected responses. If the response is within an expected range, the process may restart, at 1002. If it is determined that the electrical response is outside an expected range, the window' may be considered to be damaged and an alert may be issued, block 1014 as described elsewhere herein
• building security can be enhanced by the use of additional sensors in communication with the window control system.
• Data provided by sensors can be used to, e.g., augment or validate methods of detecting window damage as described herein or determine other safety threats.
• sensors may be located on a tintable window' or the framing structure of a tintable window.
• a sensor may utilize a 1 -wire bus system conventionally used in many EC windows to receive power and transmit information to a window controller.
• a 1-wire bus may, e.g., provide about 3.3 volts and about 10 rnA to a window sensor.
• a 1-wire bus may have five wires, and at least one of wires is used for communicating with a sensor.
• sensors may wirelessly communicate with a window' controller and/or wirelessly receive power.
• a window sensor comprises a conductive feature that spans at least a portion of the viewable region of the tintable window.
• a conductive feature may be, e.g., an antenna structure, a transparent display, or a capacitive touch sensor on the surface of the glass.
• damage can be detected when there is a change in the resonant frequency of those features. This can be done, e.g., in the manner previously described for monitoring the frequency absorption spectrum for an EC device coating. If the conductive feature forms a circuit, damage to the window can be detected by determining that the circuit has been broken.
• an IGU includes a gas sensor that measures the gas pressure within the interior volume (see, e.g., 208 in Figure 2).
• the interior volume of an IGU is typically held at a positive pressure, and if it observed that the gas pressure within the interior region has decreased below a threshold value or has decreased beyond a threshold rate, this can be used as in indication of damage to the IGU.
• gas pressure can be monitored using an absolute pressure sensor.
• the gas pressure can be measured using a differential pressure sensor such as a MEMS diaphragm based sensors.
• a differential sensor can monitor the gas pressure differential between the interior volume of an IGU and the indoor air pressure.
• a differential sensor can monitor the gas pressure differential between the interior volume of an IGU and the outdoor air pressure.
• an IGU includes more than one differential pressure sensor such that the gas pressure between the interior volume of the IGU, the environments on both sides on an IGU can be related.
• FIG. 11 depicts one implementation of a differential gas sensor 1 1 10 in an IGU 1100.
• the IGU 1 100 has inner and outer lites (1102 and 1 104) with a hermetically sealed spacer 1106 between the two lites that separates the interior volume 11 14 from an exterior environment 1116 (i.e., an indoor environment or an outdoor environment).
• Spacer 1108 has a differential gas sensor 1 108 that measures the pressure differential between the interior volume 1114 and the exterior environment 1116 via capillary tubes 1110 and 1112 exiting the spacer.
• capillary tube 11 10 may measure an indoor gas pressure or an outdoor gas pressure.
• a tintable IGU may make use of one or more gas sensors, as described elsewhere herein, for the purpose of air quality monitoring.
• an IGU includes one or more gas sensors that are configured to monitor the concentration of argon gas, or another inert gas placed within the interior volume of the IGU when manufactured. If a window is broken, the break can be detected via a decrease in the concentration of argon gas (or another gas) within the interior region, and/or increase in the concentration of other gases such as nitrogen within the interior region.
• gas sensors e.g., a metal oxide or an electrochemical gas sensor
• the interior lite surface e.g., S2 or S3
• a gas sensor can be located on or within a spacer (see, e.g , spacer 1106 in Figure 1 1). If located within the spacer, a gas sensor may have, e.g., a tube connecting the sensor to the interior volume of the IGU
• a tintable window may also have a microphone or other acoustic sensor.
• a sensor may be used to receive user input.
• a microphone or acoustic sensor can also be used to look for an acoustic signature of broken glass.
• a microphone is located within a window controller.
• a tintable window has, e.g., a piezoelectric sensor attached or bonded to a surface of a lite to measure shock.
• a window may include an optical sensor to determine whether a window has been broken or breached by an intruder.
• an IGU may have a laser located within the spacer that directs a focused light beam to a photoreceptor that is also located in the spacer, but on the other side of the viewable region. If, e.g., an intruder attempts to break and climb through the window the optical circuit is tripped, and an alert can be issued.
• a window or window' controller includes cameras as occupancy sensors.
• a controller on the window network paired to the camera is configured to detect user motion or movement. In some cases, detected movement can result in security perturbations being provided to an EC device more frequently and/or continuously for a period of time.
• thermal information can be used to help determine whether a window' has been broken.
• tintable window's, or the window control system can be configured to monitor inside and outside temperatures. If there is a large temperature differential between an interior and the exterior environment, a sudden decrease in the temperature differential (e.g., a decrease that does not coincide with, an open door) may be used to corroborate other information indicating that a window has broken.
• a window controller may be equipped, e.g , with an accelerometer or gyroscope to provide inertial data. Inertial data may be helpful in determining a security threat, e.g., if a window' can be slid into an open position or located on a glass door.
• Security logic operating on a window controller or on a window control network can, in some cases, detect a broken window based on a measured electrical response of the window and data provided via one or more additional sensors as described herein. The use of additional sensors can provide an increased reliability to security detection methods.
• one sensing methods malfunctions (e.g , an IGU connector becomes unplugged, disconnecting a window controller from the EC device coating) then other methods may still be capable of detecting a broken window'.
• Multiple sensing methods further allow for data fusion techniques which can be used to more accurately determine if and to what extent a window is damaged, and how the security threat should be classified.
• data from multiple sensors can be used to, e.g., validate a determination that a window is damaged, and in some cases, the use of additional sensors can be used to determine that one sensor is not functioning properly.
• the use of multiple sensors may be used to track an intruder within a building. For example, an intruder may be tracked using microphones, cameras, infrared sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and determining the location of a mobile device they carry (e.g., a ceil phone).
• a perturbation may be applied to one or more tenable window's, the perturbation appearing similar to the first part of a tint transition, while avoiding a not noticeably change window tint state.
• I/V characteristics may be monitored, including one or more of the following: leakage current during perturbation, voltage during perturbation, Voc determined because of perturbation, voltage before/after perturbation, and leakage current/before or after perturbation. For example, in one
• a voltage e.g , a voltage ramp or constant voltage
• a resulting current response may be monitored.
• the system may measure Voc.
• a security-related determination may be based on Voc measurements and/or the current response to the applied voltage profile.
• a current profile may be applied that does not significantly change the tint state, and a resulting voltage response may be monitored.
• Such implementations may use a tester waveform such as described elsewhere herein (see e.g., International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/66486, previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety) for a duration of, e.g , 5 or 10 seconds.
• perturbations may have a duration that avoids producing a detectable tint variation.
• a perturbation may be chosen so that transition results in an optical density change that is not detectable or easily detectable by the human eye.
• the perturbations may be applied periodically when a window is in fixed tint state, e.g., every' 2, 5, or 10 minutes
• a perturbation might stop after a short period of time (e.g , after about five seconds or about one minute) before reversing the drive signal.
• steps may be taken to ensure that charge is balanced
• perturbations may include applying a square or sawtooth voltage wave (the latter waveform being easier in some instances for the current/voltage source).
• the amplitude of the voltage wave may be, e.g., a millivolt range of on/off voltage (or tens of millivolts or hundreds of millivolts).
• a normal drive voltage is between about 2 -4 V
• a, smaller drive voltages may be employed, e.g., about 600mV may be sufficient to provide ample current data.
• a shift in frequency absorption and/or IGU impedance vs. frequency may be checked.
• the structure of an IGU gives it a unique frequency abortion spectrum to an applied AC drive signal.
• An AC signal for example, may be applied on top of a drive or hold signal.
• the signal may be applied periodically between drive or hold signals.
• the amplitude of the AC signal may be a fixed voltage sufficient to produce enough current distinguishable from noise.
• the AC signal may be applied continuously or periodically, so long as the window is powered.
• the AC signal advantageously, sweeps a large range of frequencies, e.g., lHz-lkHz, 1kHz- 1MHz. Changes in the frequency absorption profile may be detected, for example, by noting a threshold dB change at a particular frequency and/or a shift in an attenuation peak frequency.
• IGU perturbations may, advantageously, be controlled locally by a WC. This may reduce the communication load on the MC/window network that would otherwise require a constant flow of communication signals.
• An example logic may conclude that if a window is not in transition AND window 7 voltage is below a critical threshold, then apply perturbation and monitor a response (i.e., take advantage of normal IGU driving signals when sufficient, and if IGU driving signal is insufficient then apply a perturbation signal).
• Responses and deterrent mechanisms :
• a window controller determines that damage has occurred to a tintable window, the damage can be reported to other controllers on the window control network including, e.g., network controllers and master controllers.
• a broken or damaged window can be communicated via a BACnet interface conventionally used as a backbone for window control networks.
• a master controller can report a broken window to a site monitoring system or a network operations center
• a window control system can be configured so that a broken or damaged window triggers an alert.
• an alert may be provided to the local police or a security guard.
• An issued alert may indicate, e.g., that the window on the first floor on the east side of a building has been broken and that there are two intruders.
• geofencing techniques may be used to determine which security personnel are the closest to the broken window and are responsible for investigating the situation.
• a window 7 control system is configured to automatically generate a return merchandise authorization (RMA) order notification upon detection of window breakage or a window malfunction.
• the window control system can be configured to automatically generate a service/case record to a service center or technician, to a subject window installation site manager, and/or to a customer service/project manager assigned to the site, one or more of which who can then more efficiently coordinate replacement of a broken or a malfunctioning window RMA generation in this manner allows orders for window's to be quickly entered into a window suppliers supply chain, can facilitate faster service and repair, and can provide improved customer satisfaction.
• an intervening step of review by a user can be required prior to automatic generation of an RMA and/or a service/case record.
• the window control system can be configured to generate an alarm in the form of an alert action.
• the alert action may cause one or more of the fol lowing to be performed automatically and/or without interaction of a human: ordering a replacement optically switchable window, notifying a window supplier to ship a replacement optically switchable window; notifying an optically switchable window- repair technician to repair the window, notifying a manager of a building in winch the optically switchable window is installed that there is an issue related to the window, notifying monitoring personnel to open a service case/record, and generating an RMA.
• window's with transparent displays can be used as a physical alarm element or a deterrent mechanism.
• a transparent display can, alone or in combination with the electrochromic lite, be used as a breakage detection sensor.
• a transparent display can be used as a visual alarm indicator, e.g., displaying information to occupants and/or external emergency personnel. For example, a map of the building may be displ ayed that highlights what window has been broken, what actions have been taken (e.g , what doors are locked), and what response is appropriate for a building occupant (e.g., should the occupant stay put or evacuate the building).
• a transparent display may be used to warn the potential intruder that they are being watched.
• an alarm may trigger a change in lighting. For example, if it is determined that a broken window corresponds to a burglary event, the lights in the
• a corresponding room can be turned on or changed to a different color to indicate where the intruder is.
• the lighting in other rooms may be dimmed to help security personnel know where an intruder is.
• a building may be equipped with one or more safe rooms for building occupants where the lighting is turned off.
• exterior lighting can be turned on, or a ring sensor light on the rooftop of a building can be turned on.
• an alert can trigger a lighting response provided via one or more transparent displays in a building (e.g., transparent OLED displays which can be used to provide lighting).
• a transparent display can be used to flash a warning message (e.g., the entire transparent display pane may flash brightly in red) to indicate trouble and be easily seen.
• one or more neighboring windows may indicate damage to a window.
• breakage to the first wdndow triggers one or more of the four adjacent windows to flash red or display large arrow's pointing to the first window, to make it easier for occupants or external personnel to know where the trouble is.
• it wOuld be very easy for first responders to see four windows adjacent a central window flashing, i.e., forming a flashing cross to indicate where the trouble is located.
• one or more transparent displays may be used to display a message to first responders, indicating both the location and nature of the emergency. It may be breakage of one or more windows or indicate, e.g., hotspots within the building for firefighters.
• the window ' s may be responsive to signals from emergency personnel such as police or other first responders. For example, in recent years public buildings where civilians gather such as schools, churches, clubs, have been targeted by armed assailants ("active shooters”), and the present techniques may be adapted to assist first responders to such incidents. For example, windows may, responsive to signals from the first responders, be caused to change tint state.
• First responders may be enabled to more qui ckly determine the locations of assailant(s) and/or victim(s) using information provided by windows equipped with acoustic sensors, IR or vision cameras and/or motion sensors.
• a first responder may cause a window to display a "shelter in place”, "evacuate” or "all clear” message, for example.
• an alarm can trigger a tint change in one more windows of a building.
• the windows near a damaged window may be adjusted to a clear state to help security personnel in locating an intruder.
• other windows of a building e.g., interior windows
• displays may be set to an opaque state to protect building occupants from being viewed by an intruder.
• a security -related condition alert may be reported to a Master Controller.
• the condition alert may be reported over BACnet interface, for example and may be used to trigger an alarm and/or may be forwarded to a Network operations center (NOC).
• NOC Network operations center
• the alert/notification may be displayed on-glass, e.g., on an adjacent window.
• alert/notification of an intruder may be generated whether or not a glass is broken, for example based on, e.g., capacitive sensors, IR cameras, etc.
• One or more windows incorporating a transparent display may be configured to display a photograph/video of an intruder.
• the master controller and/or the NOC may be configured to take further action such as alerting police, alerting an appropriately located security guard, using geotracking, for example.
• any alert may include the specific location of the broken IGU and/or intruder.
• Additional actions may include notifying a site operations team to open a service case/record generate an RMA order, and or alert one or more of a site customer service manager, project manager, building manager, window supplier, and service technician.
• Yet further actions may include adjusting building illumination, locally or globally. For example, lights in a room with a broken IGU may be turned on or lights in another room may be darkened to make it easier to see where intruder is. As a further example, the building may have lights darkened in a safe room. As still further examples, exterior building lighting may be turned on and/or a ring sensor light on the top of the building may be turned on. In some
• an IGU may include LEDs that flash when the I GU is broken.
• the LEDs may be powered by capacitors, in some instances
• Yet further actions may include changing tint state of one or more windows.
• windows surrounding the intrusion site and, if possible, the broken window
• surrounding window's and, if possible, the broken window
• the master controller may be configured to lock doors to room with so as to onfme an intruder to a portion of the building.

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• 2019
  • 2019-06-05 WO PCT/US2019/035544 patent/WO2019236680A1/en unknown
  • 2019-06-05 EP EP19731576.5A patent/EP3803815A1/de active Pending
  • 2019-06-05 CN CN202211274391.7A patent/CN115662040A/zh not_active Withdrawn
  • 2019-06-05 CA CA3102449A patent/CA3102449A1/en active Pending
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