TWI803652B - Sensing and communications unit for optically switchable window systems - Google Patents

Abstract

A high-speed data communications network in or on a building includes a plurality of trunk line segments serially coupled to each other by a plurality of passive circuits configured to deliver signals to, and to receive signals from, one or more devices on, in, or outside the building, wherein the signals comprise data having a greater than 1Gpbs transmission rate.

Description

Sensing and communication unit for optically switchable window system

Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to systems of optically switchable windows, and more particularly to communication and sensing technologies associated with optically switchable windows.

Optically switchable windows, sometimes referred to as "smart windows," exhibit controllable and reversible changes in optical properties when suitably stimulated, for example, by changes in voltage. Optical properties are typically color, transmittance, absorptivity and/or reflectivity. Electrochromic (EC) devices are sometimes used in optically switchable windows. For example, one well-known electrochromic material is tungsten oxide (WO ₃ ). Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromic material in which a color transition to blue transparency occurs by electrochemical reduction.

Electrically switchable windows, sometimes called "smart windows" (whether electrochromic or otherwise), can be used in buildings to control the transmission of solar energy. Switchable windows can be manually or automatically tinted and cleared by heating, air conditioning and/or lighting systems to reduce energy consumption while maintaining occupant comfort.

Electrochromic materials can be incorporated into, for example, residential, commercial, and other windows as thin film coatings on window panes. A small voltage applied to the electrochromic device of the window will darken it; reversing the voltage makes it brighter. This capability allows control of the amount of light passing through the window and presents an opportunity for electrochromic windows to be used as energy saving devices.

While electrochromic devices, and in particular electrochromic windows, are gaining acceptance in building design and construction, they have not yet begun to realize their full commercial potential.

According to some embodiments, a high speed data communication network in or on a building includes: a plurality of trunk line segments coupled in series to each other by a plurality of passive circuits configured To deliver signals to and receive signals from one or more devices on, in, or outside a building, wherein the signals include data with a transmission rate greater than 1 Gpbs.

In some examples, trunk segments may include coaxial cables. In some examples, the trunk segments may include twisted pairs of conductors.

In some examples, the passive circuit can be configured as a bias tee. In some examples, the biasing tee can include an inductor and a capacitor.

In some examples, the passive circuit can be configured as a directional coupler.

In some examples, each passive circuit can include a first conductor having two ends, each end configured to be coupled to one of the trunk sections. In some examples, the passive circuit can include a second conductor disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first conductor. In some examples, the first conductor and the second conductor may be spaced apart in parallel relationship.

In some examples, at least one of the passive circuits can be configured to deliver signals via inductive coupling.

According to some implementations, a method of installing a high-speed data communications network in or on a building includes: providing a plurality of trunk sections; providing one or more circuits; and by coupling the trunk sections to a or multiple circuits to form a network in a daisy-chain trunk topology in which the plurality of trunk segments comprise coaxial cables and in which one or more circuits are configured to deliver signals to buildings on, in, or outside one or more devices and receive signals from one or more devices.

In some examples, one or more devices may include a window. In some examples, one or more devices can include a controller configured to control the function of at least one of the windows.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include devices selected from the group consisting of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wireless devices, sensors, antennas, 5G devices, mmWave devices, microphones, speakers, and micro processor. In some examples, the method may further include mounting the one or more devices in or on structural elements of the building.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include inductors and capacitors.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include an antenna. In some examples, the antennas may include 5G antennas.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include one or more connectors. In some examples, the connectors can include RF connectors.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include two or more than two connectors.

In some examples, the signal may include data having a transmission rate greater than 1 Gpbs.

In some examples, the signal may include a power signal. In some examples, the power signal may include a Class 2 power signal.

In some examples, the signals may include TCP/IP data and power signals.

In some examples, a daisy chain topology can be coupled to a building management control panel.

In some examples, the signal may include wireless data.

In some examples, the method can further include the step of installing at least one window in the building. In some examples, at least one window can include an optically switchable window.

In some examples, at least one window can comprise an electrochromic window. In some examples, the step of providing at least one window p may be formed after forming the network.

In some examples, at least a portion of the trunk line may be installed in the exterior wall of the building or superior. In some examples, one or more devices may include antennas and/or repeaters. In some examples, at least one of the one or more devices may be mounted in or on a window of a building. In some examples, the window can include a digital display screen.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include directional couplers.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include a bias tee circuit.

In some examples, forming the network may be performed during construction of the building. In some examples, forming the network can include coupling circuits to windows of a building.

According to some embodiments, a high speed data communication network in or on a building includes: a plurality of trunk sections; and one or more circuits, wherein the trunk sections are coupled by the one or more circuits to form a daisy chain Trunk configurations in which sections comprise coaxial cable and in which one or more circuits are configured to deliver signals to and receive from one or more devices on, in, or outside a building Signal.

In some examples, one or more devices may include a window. In some examples, one or more devices may include a controller configured to control the functions of the windows.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include devices selected from the group consisting of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wireless devices, sensors, antennas, 5G devices, microphones, microprocessors, and speakers. In some examples, one or more devices may be in or on the structure of a building.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include inductors and capacitors.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include an antenna. In some examples, the antenna may be a 5G antenna.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include two or more than two connectors. In some examples, two or more connectors can be configured to secure to a coaxial cable and a pair of conductors. In some examples, the connectors can include RF connectors. In some examples, the connector may include a terminal block.

In some examples, the signal may include data having a transmission rate greater than 1 Gpbs.

In some examples, the signal may include a power signal. In some examples, the power signal includes a Class 2 power signal.

In some examples, the signals may include TCP/IP data and power signals.

In some examples, the signal may include a 5G signal.

In some examples, the signal may include wireless data.

In some examples, one or more devices may include an optically switchable window. In some examples, an optically switchable window can include an electrochromic window. In some examples, the optically switchable window can include digital display technology.

In some examples, at least a portion of the trunk line may be installed in or on an exterior wall of a building.

In some examples, the one or more devices may include transceivers, antennas, and/or repeaters, and wherein the one or more devices are mounted in or on an exterior structure of a building. In some examples, the outer structure can include an outer wall.

In some examples, the exterior structure may include a roof.

In some examples, one or more devices may include an antenna.

In some examples, one or more devices may be installed in or on a window of a building.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include transceivers, antennas, and/or repeaters.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include directional coupler circuits.

In some examples, one or more circuits may include a bias tee circuit.

These and other features and embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

100: system

101: Buildings

103: "Control Panel" (CP)

104: Main control and power module

105: External network

107: cable

109: Data transmission line/controller network line/CAN bus bar

110: Network Controller (NC)

111:Window controller (WC)

112: EC window

113: High bandwidth network line/GbE UTP line/down conductor

115: Digital wall interface

117: Enhanced functional window controller

119: coaxial cable / coaxial cable

121: Digital vertical frame

122: Video display device

221: Digital vertical frame

225a: Communication network switch/CP2 network switch

225b: Communication network switch/CP3 switch

300: configuration

309: Video display

311: port

313: Equalizer

317:Speaker

319: Microphone

321: sensor

330:DAE

340: computer or processor

441:Voltage Regulator

442: CAN

443: Processing unit (microcontroller)

453: microcontroller

454: Gigabit Ethernet interface

455: wireless interface

456: MoCA interface

600: method

610: block

620: Analysis block

630: block

640: block

700:Digital Architecture Components

710: Electric power and communication module

720: Audiovisual (A/V) module

730: Environment Mod

740: Calculation/Learning Module

750: Controller module

900a: High Speed Network Infrastructure

900b: Network Infrastructure

901: Trunk

902:Trunk section

902(1): first section

902(2): Conductors

902(3): Conductors

902(i): Second section

903: Trunk circuit

905: RF connector

906: connector

907: Connector

908: connector

909: Directional Coupler Circuit

911: First conductor

912: second conductor

913: Down lead

914: device

920: Control Panel (CP)

940: Bias Tee Circuit

941: Inductor

942: Capacitor

1002(1): Data-carrying cables

1002(2): Conductor/Power Insertion Cord

1009: Directional coupler

1013: Down lead

1020: control panel

1030:Digital Architecture Components

1040: Bias Tee

1070: Power Injector

1090: Power section

1103: Relay T-piece

1109: Directional Coupler

1111: first conductor

1111(i): Upstream section (entrance)

1111(o): Downstream section (exit)

1112: second conductor

1113: Down lead

1114: device

1140: Bias Tee Circuit / Bias Tee Circuit System / Bias Tee

1141: inductance element

1142: capacitive element

1150: Breakout Wire/Tap Connector

1160: Bias T-shaped circuit

1161: block

1200: Trunk

1210: Outer Sheath

1220: Internal coaxial cable

1230: Large size twisted pair cable

1240: CANbus shielded multi-conductor cable

1313: Down lead

1330: Digital architecture element or other communication/processing element

1335: Honeycomb or CBRS processing logic

1380: combination module

1381: Coaxial cable input port

1382: line

1383: Coaxial cable output port

1384: Bias Tee Circuit

1385(1): twisted pair conductor

1385(2): twisted pair conductor

1389: Directional Coupler

1430:DAE/Digital Architecture Elements

1437:antenna

1500: system

1501:DC-DC power supply

1503: Process block

1513: Down conductor

1580:Module

1584: Bias Tee Circuit

1590: MoCA interface

1600: system

1601: Power supply

1604: Modular electrical connector

1605: block

1610: block

1611: Sensor module

1612: Video module

1613: Audio module

1614: Window Controller Logic/Window Controller

1615: Window controller power supply circuit

1640: Process block

1642: block

1643: network switch

1684: Bias Tee Circuit

1690:MoCA front-end module

Figures 1A-1D show various link technologies and topologies that can be used with the present disclosure.

1E shows an example of a data communication system that can provide data for interacting with an optically switchable window and for non-window purposes.

2A and 2B show high bandwidth communication networks for buildings, according to some embodiments.

3 illustrates a block diagram showing examples of components that may be present in certain implementations of digital architecture elements.

4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of a conventional window controller and a block diagram of a window controller according to some embodiments.

5A-5D illustrate several examples of applications and uses of digital architecture elements and related elements encompassed by the present disclosure.

6 illustrates a program flow for measuring a plurality of building conditions and controlling building operating parameters of a plurality of building systems in response to the measured building conditions, according to some embodiments.

7 illustrates an example of a series of functional modules configured to perform the program flow illustrated in FIG. 6, according to an implementation.

8 illustrates an example physical packaging of digital architecture elements, according to some implementations.

9A-9C illustrate representations of trunk lines for high-speed network infrastructure, according to some implementations.

Figure 10 shows an example power and data distribution system including s control panels, trunk lines, drop lines, and digital architecture elements, according to some embodiments.

11 illustrates a schematic illustration of an example of a trunk circuit.

12 depicts a cross-section of an example trunk configured to carry a combination of power and data from and/or data to a control panel.

Figure 13 shows an example of a portion of a data and power distribution system with a digital architecture element (DAE) coupled by means of down conductors to a combination module comprising directional couplers and bias tees.

Figure 14 illustrates a DAE that can support multiple communication types according to some embodiments.

Figure 15 illustrates a system of components that may be incorporated into or associated with a DAE, according to some embodiments.

16 illustrates an example of a system of components that may be incorporated into or associated with digital architecture elements according to some embodiments.

The following description is directed to certain examples, or implementations, for purposes of describing the disclosed aspects. However, the teachings herein can be applied and carried out in many different ways. In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings. While the disclosed implementations are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the implementations, it is to be understood that these examples are not limiting; other implementations can be used and modifications to the disclosed implementations can be made. Make changes without departing from its spirit and scope. Furthermore, while the disclosed embodiments focus on electrochromic windows (also known as optically switchable windows, tintable and smart windows), the concepts disclosed herein can be applied to other types of switchable optical devices, including Examples include liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices, among others. For example, liquid crystal devices or suspended particle devices rather than electrochromic devices may be incorporated into some or all of the disclosed implementations. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the conjunction "or" is intended herein to be read in an inclusive sense, where appropriate; for example, the phrase "A, B, or C" is intended to include "A", "B", " Likelihood of C, A and B, B and C, A and C, and A, B and C.

Enterprise Communications/Network Connectivity Components

The windowing systems and associated components disclosed in these embodiments can facilitate high bandwidth (eg, gigabit) communications and associated data processing. Such communication and data processing can use optically switchable window system components and facilitate various window and non-window functions, as described herein and in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29476, filed April 25, 2018, in Described in U.S. Patent Application No. 62/666,033, filed May 2, 2018, and PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US18/29406, filed April 25, 2018. Some of the optically switchable window system components include components of a communication network and a power distribution system for powering window switching, as described in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/365,685, filed November 30, 2016.

Example components for enhancing the functionality of a communications network serving optically switchable windows may include: (1) a control panel with high bandwidth switching and/or routing capabilities (e.g., 1 gigabit or faster Ethernet (2) the backbone (backbone), which includes the control panel and the high bandwidth link between the control panel (for example, 10 gigabit or faster Ethernet capability); (3) digital components, It has sensors, display drivers, and logic for various functions that use high data rate processing, digital elements configured as, for example, digital wall interfaces or digital architectural elements such as digital mullions; (4) enhanced functionality window control device, which includes an access point for wireless communication, such as a Wi-Fi access point; and (5) a high bandwidth data communication link between the control panel and the digital components and/or enhanced functionality window controller, data communication The link is configured, for example, as a trunk or configured to follow a path that at least partially overlaps with the path of the trunk.

Figures 1A-1D show various link technologies and topologies suitable for powering and controlling an electrochromic (EC) window or other type of optically switchable window . Figure 1A presents a highly simplified top-level view of a system 100 comprising a building 101 comprising several EC windows. A subset of EC windows are connected to a "control panel" (CP) 103 by means of EC window power and communication lines. The control panel will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated example, three building windows are grouped into three subsets, each connected to a respective CP 103, but it should be understood that for any given Buildings, which may cover less or more than three CPs. In the illustrated example, three CPs 103 are communicatively coupled by a high bandwidth 10 Gbps backbone and coupled to external network 105 .

FIG. 1B illustrates a more detailed block diagram of the control panel 103 interfacing with the plurality of EC windows 112 . In the illustrated example, the control panel 103 includes a main control and power module 104 and a network controller (NC) 110 . It should be appreciated that the control panel 103 may contain fewer or more NCs 110 than illustrated. Each NC 110 is competitively coupled with two or more window controllers (WC) 111 , each window controller 111 being associated with a respective EC window 112 .

Referring now to FIGS. 1C and 1D , in some embodiments, the communication coupling between the control panels 103 in the window controller 111 may be implemented in a trunk format. Implementations that can integrate Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and/or Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) data transfer protocols can be integrated into the trunk line system, either running in parallel or independently of the trunk line. As indicated in Figure 1C, for example, a coaxial cable capable of transmitting data using MoCA is disposed within the trunk; that is, the coaxial cable runs within the trunk architecture. In Figure ID, the UTP system is implemented independently and in parallel to the trunk system. In some embodiments, UTP cables are incorporated into the trunk path.

Although Figures 1A-1D show only conventional window controllers, links may also provide data transmission to other elements such as digital wall interfaces, enhanced functionality window controllers, digital architecture elements, and the like. 1E shows an example of a data communication system that can provide data for interacting with an optically switchable window and for non-window purposes. As depicted, the building's communication system has multiple control panels (CP) 103, at least one of which is connected to an external network 105, such as the Internet, which may allow access to various services and/or content, such as based on Cloud Services and/or Content. Each control panel 103 may contain components for delivering power to one or more window controllers and/or other devices in the building, as well as a master controller or network controller, as described elsewhere herein. Example features of control panels and components thereof are provided in previously incorporated by reference US Patent Application Serial No. 15/365,685, filed November 30, 2016. In the depicted embodiment, each control panel 103 also has a high bandwidth data communication switch, Such as a 10 gigabit/second (Gbps) Ethernet switch.

Each control panel 103 is linked to one or more other control panels via appropriate cables 107 to create a data network backbone. In some embodiments, the cable 107 comprises a twinaxial cable, which may use copper conductors in an insulating shield. Twinaxial cables are suitable for communication distances of several hundred feet. In some embodiments, high bandwidth coaxial cables are used, such as 2.5 Gbps and beyond. Current and evolving implementations of the MoCA data transfer protocol support this high bandwidth coaxial cable. Still further, in some cases, especially those where only relatively short links are required, unshielded twisted-pair cables may be used. Certain embodiments use high bandwidth (eg, 10 Gbps or greater) wireless connections. Such embodiments may use a collection of parabolic antennas and parabolic receivers.

Various types of data transmission lines may be used to provide data communication between the control panel 103 and destination devices in the building, such as optically switchable window and/or non-window devices in the building. In the depicted embodiment, data transmission lines 109 and associated interfaces support controller networking protocols, such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol CAN 2.0. In the depicted embodiment, transmission line 109 and associated interface provide data communication between conventional window controller 111 and other types of controllers in control panel 103 . Examples of such other controllers include network controllers and master controllers. Data transmission line 109 may be used to provide communication to other devices (not shown), which may function using the information provided regarding the bandwidth limitations of the controller area network.

Another type of data transmission line is a high bandwidth network line 113, such as a Gigabit Ethernet (GbE) line, which may be a UTP line (as illustrated) or a twinax line, among others. High bandwidth lines 113 may provide a data link between control panel 103 and devices of one or more types that may require high data rates for certain functions. In the depicted embodiment, such devices include a digital wall interface 115 and an enhanced functionality window controller 117, both of which are described elsewhere herein. In some implementations, the enhanced functionality window controller 117 is connected to both the controller network (eg, controller network line/CAN bus 109 ) and the high bandwidth line 113 .

In the depicted embodiment, high bandwidth data transmission may be provided by either or both of unshielded twisted pair and one or more coaxial cables 119 supporting Gigabit Ethernet. In some embodiments, data transmission over the coaxial cable 119 may be performed according to a protocol such as promulgated by the Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA), which functionally combines channels in a coaxial cable at speeds of, for example, about 1 Gbps or higher. In a single combo line with high bandwidth of 1Gbps, each channel carries a different frequency band. The MoCA protocol is described elsewhere herein. Instead or in addition to UTP or coax, other link technologies such as wireless may be used.

As depicted, the top control panel 103 serves three digital architecture elements (in this case digital mullions 121 , one of which is connected to a video display device 122 ). Either or both of GbE UTP line 113 and coaxial cable 119 may be used to provide high bandwidth data communication between the control panel and digital infrastructure elements.

2A and 2B show high bandwidth communication networks for buildings, according to some embodiments. In both figures, a control panel, which may have similar functionality to CP 103 described in connection with FIGS. 1A-1E , is identified as a module labeled CP2 or CP3. In the illustrated example, each control panel includes a master controller and/or network controller (MC/NC), a control panel monitor (CPM), and a communication network switch 225a or 225b. In certain embodiments, the control panel monitor has one or more features presented in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/365,685, filed November 30, 2016, previously incorporated by reference. In some implementations, the CP2 network switch 225a includes multiple (eg, two) small form-factor pluggable (SFP) transceiver ports and multiple (eg, four) 100Mb Ethernet ports. One example of a suitable network switch is the IE 2000 switch available from Cisco Systems of San Jose, CA. The SFP port is a plug-in for fiber optic connection. In some embodiments, one or more of the SFP ports supports 850nm optical communication, or 1310nm optical communication, or 1550nm optical communication.

In the CP3 control panel, the network switch 225b can be accommodated beyond the optically switchable window The data rate required by the system. Thus, CP3 switch 225b may require more bandwidth than provided in components dedicated only to the window system (eg, CP2). In some embodiments, a high bandwidth switch (e.g., CP3) of a high bandwidth control panel contains multiple (e.g., four) SFPs, multiple (e.g., eight) Gb Ethernet ports, and multiple (e.g., , eight) Power over Ethernet (PoE) Gb Ethernet ports. In some embodiments, each port can support at least 10Gb lines. In some embodiments, the switch can be configured to aggregate ports as needed to generate up to 40Gb Ethernet ports. One example of a suitable network switch is the IE 4000 switch available from Cisco Systems, San Jose, CA.

Backbone for high bandwidth cables can be led upwards via vertical risers in multi-storey buildings. If it is required to support high bandwidth communications throughout all communication elements of the building (eg, including all digital architecture elements and all wall interfaces), the high bandwidth cables may be routed horizontally on one or more floors of the building. For example, in a core and shell building, the initial construction may include vertical risers, but not horizontal ducts, which will be installed later when the building has tenants.

In certain embodiments, a specific high bandwidth capable control plane and associated links are used together as the network backbone. In other words, each component in the backbone has high bandwidth transmission capability. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, "high bandwidth" describes a network component having data transmission and/or data processing capabilities of at least about 0.5 gigabits per second or faster. In some embodiments, the data transmission network includes a 10Gbps backbone.

In some embodiments, a network backbone provides connectivity to another network located outside the building with the backbone. In one example, the other network is a wide area network or simply the Internet. Components of the backbone may be designed or configured for cloud connectivity; for example, a control panel may contain components for connecting to Comcast Business, Level 3 Communications, or the like.

As indicated above, some network configurations include controller network components, such as window controllers and CAN interfaces in control panels. Additionally, some network configurations additionally include high-bandwidth network components such as Ethernet switches and Ethernet wiring from the control panel.

As described above in connection with FIGS. 1A-1E , the controller network can provide data transmission for a standard window controller ( WC2 ) dedicated to controlling optically switchable windows. In addition, the controller network can provide data transmission to support enhanced functionality window controllers (WC3) that can have Wi-Fi access points, cellular capabilities, etc. In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller is connected to the controller network bus to send and receive data related to controlling the optically switchable windows assigned to the window controller. In addition, enhanced functionality window controllers can be connected to high bandwidth lines such as Gigabit Ethernet lines to send and receive data related to non-window functions such as Wi-Fi and/or cellular communications.

In some embodiments, enhanced functionality window controllers are deployed at locations within buildings where wireless communication services are required. As an example, one enhanced functionality window controller may be deployed per 2500 square feet of building space; this may correspond to about one enhanced functionality window controller per 50 linear feet. More generally, enhanced functionality window controllers can be deployed in buildings such that adjacent controllers are separated by a distance of between about 30 feet and 100 feet. In certain embodiments, the proximity enhanced functionality window controller splits about four to ten IGUs along the trunk, for example about every sixth IGU.

In certain embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller receives data from a trunk line via a down conductor, as illustrated in the examples depicted in FIGS. 1 , 2A, and 2B and discussed in previously incorporated by reference in In U.S. Patent Application No. 15/365,685 filed on November 30, 2016. Trunks can be used to carry data transmission cables. Down conductors from the trunk can be used to provide data (and power) from the trunk to individual enhanced functionality window controllers. In an alternative embodiment, the network topology includes separate data lines running to each of the one or more enhanced functionality window controllers.

In some embodiments, the lines that provide data from the control panel to the enhanced functionality window controller WC3 (and, in some embodiments, the conventional window controller WC2) are gigabit Ethernet lines, which can Embodied as unshielded twisted pair (UTP), twinax cable and so on. In some cases, data to all or most enhanced functionality window controllers is provided entirely over Gigabit Ethernet UTP lines.

In some embodiments, one or more of the enhanced functionality window controllers WC3 are provided Some or all of the data is provided via high bandwidth coaxial cable. In one example, the coaxial cable and associated networking controllers are designed or configured to transmit data using one of the MoCA standards that provides the Internet Protocol suite conceived at least in part by the cable TV industry. As mentioned, in some implementations, MoCA provides Gigabit Ethernet bandwidth over coaxial cable.

The MoCA protocol includes a technique called bonding to provide multiple channels each with a limited bandwidth such that the channels together provide a much higher bandwidth. In some implementations, each of the bonded channels uses a unique frequency band, each of which is about 155 kB. In some embodiments, to provide gigabit bandwidth, sixteen coaxial channels are aggregated to become a gigabit channel. If bandwidth less than one gigabit is required, fewer channels need to be bonded. In some cases, different channels are coupled to different endpoints, thus allowing different frequency bands. Networks can split traffic to different endpoints, allowing implementations such as virtual networks. A cable cap can be deployed over the coaxial cable to interface with window controls for additional enhanced functionality. In some embodiments, MoCA or similar bandwidth-tunable methods allow building infrastructure to add and subtract window controllers relatively seamlessly, including enhanced functionality window controllers.

In some embodiments, the trunk lines from the control panel to one or more window controllers and/or digital elements (eg, digital wall interfaces or digital architecture elements) use both coaxial and non-coaxial cables. For example, the first part of the wire from the control panel is a twinax or UTP wire, and the second part of the wire connected to the first part is a coaxial cable configured to transfer data using, for example, the MoCA protocol. Both the first portion and the second portion of the trunk can be designed or configured to support gigabit transfer rates. In some embodiments, a T-connector is used to connect the first portion and the second portion of the trunk. For example, a twinax or UTP line runs from the control panel and then connects to a coaxial cable (for the MoCA protocol), then runs to a terminal where the final window controller (conventional or enhanced) is located.

In some embodiments, coaxial cables are configured as trunks or incorporated into trunks. In this way, cable entries to window controls and/or other devices can be made along the length of the trunk as desired. In some cases, no additional wires are required and only one coaxial cable is required per trunk. in a certain In some embodiments, high bandwidth data communication lines (coax, UTP, twinax, etc.) may follow trunk paths as defined for, eg, power delivery. If desired, such high bandwidth lines can be installed during construction but assuming they are installed later rather than when the building is constructed, such high bandwidth lines are only used later when digital components are installed.

In some embodiments, as illustrated in Figure 2B, a high bandwidth communication network for a building incorporates digital mullions 221 or other functionally enhanced digital architecture elements.

Multi-component digital components on building components

As indicated above, high bandwidth networks as described herein may include a plurality of digital elements with robust sensing and data processing capabilities and/or one or more additional features such as data storage and/or user interface capabilities. Components that enable these capabilities are described below and may generally be referred to herein as "sensors and other peripheral" components or elements. The purpose and function of the digital components are also described below.

As explained below, the digital components can be provided in various formats and enclosures that allow installation on building structural elements, usually permanent elements, and/or on building walls, floors, ceilings or roofs, as the purpose dictates. In various embodiments, the chassis or housing of the digital component does not exceed about 5 meters in any dimension, or does not exceed about 3 meters in any dimension. In various embodiments, the housing is rigid or semi-rigid and encompasses some or all of the components. In some cases, the housing provides a frame or mount for attaching one or more components such as speakers, displays, antennas, or sensors. In some embodiments, the housing provides external access to one or more ports or cables, such as ports or cables for attaching to network links, video displays, mobile electronic devices, battery pack chargers, etc. .

Window controller networks and associated digital components can be installed relatively early in the construction of office buildings and other types of buildings. Typically, the window controller network is installed before any other network, eg, before networks for other building functions such as building management systems (BMS), security systems, tenant information technology (IT) systems, and the like.

In the absence of the teachings of the present invention, after construction around the walls and sky of the building Sensors and other peripheral components are designed on the ceiling, and as a result, installation, operation and maintenance costs can be high. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the high bandwidth window network and associated digital components are installed earlier and in buildings (e.g., structural building components, especially those components on the perimeter of buildings or rooms) , such as walls, partitions, frames, rails, mullions, beams, and the like) to provide associated sensors and peripheral devices in an outer layer or fabric. Can be installed during building construction. The installed network can take advantage of the remote operation capabilities (eg, sensing, data transmission, processing) of the window network to reduce the current silo-ed (silo-ed) sensor and edge network technology. Involves operating costs.

With regard to operating costs, managing and operating a siled sensor network is prohibitively expensive. In certain embodiments, high bandwidth building networks and associated digital components facilitate central monitoring and operation of sensors and other peripheral devices, thereby significantly reducing the operating costs of sensor networks.

In some embodiments, the sensors on the window network are installed close to where building occupants spend their time, thereby improving the effectiveness of the sensors in providing occupant comfort. As discussed below, digital elements connected to high bandwidth networks as described herein can be deployed at various locations throughout a building. Examples of such locations include building structural elements in offices, lobbies, mezzanines, bathrooms, stairwells, terraces, and the like. Within any of these locations, the digital elements can be positioned and/or oriented proximate to the occupant's location, thereby collecting the circumstances most appropriate to trigger building systems to function in a manner that maintains or enhances occupant comfort. material.

In some embodiments, the sensing, data processing, and data storage capabilities of the high bandwidth window network are provided for building interaction applications or personal digital devices such as Microsoft's Cortana, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google's Google Home. Assistant infrastructure. The usefulness of such apps and personal digital assistants is extended by the direct interaction between a series of sensors and building occupants. As described more fully below, such interactions include computer vision, analytics, machine learning, and the like.

digital architecture elements

Digital Architecture Elements (DAEs) can contain various sensors, processors (e.g., microcontrollers controller), a network interface, and one or more peripheral interfaces. Examples of DAE sensors include light sensors, optionally image capture sensors such as cameras, audio sensors such as voice coils or microphones, air quality sensors, and proximity sensors (e.g., certain IR and/or RF sensors). The network interface may be a high bandwidth interface such as a Gigabit (or faster) Ethernet interface. Examples of DAE peripherals include video display monitors, additional speakers, mobile devices, battery pack chargers, and the like. Examples of peripheral interfaces include standard Bluetooth modules, ports such as USB ports and Internet ports, and the like. Additionally or alternatively, ports include any of a variety of proprietary ports for third-party devices.

In some embodiments, the digital architecture elements work in conjunction with other hardware and software provided for optically switchable window systems (eg, displays on windows). In some embodiments, digital architecture elements include window controllers or other controllers, such as master controllers, network controllers, and the like.

In some embodiments, digital architecture elements include one or more signal generating devices, such as speakers, light sources (e.g., and LEDs), beacons, antennas (e.g., Wi-Fi or cellular communication antennas), and the like . In some embodiments, digital architecture elements include energy storage components and/or power harvesting components. For example, a component may contain one or more batteries or capacitors as energy storage devices. Such elements may additionally comprise photovoltaic cells. In one example, the digital architecture element has one or more user interface elements (eg, microphone or speaker) and a plurality of sensors (eg, proximity sensors), and a network interface for high bandwidth communication.

In various embodiments, digital architectural elements are designed or configured to be attached to or otherwise co-located with structural elements of a building. In some cases, a digital architectural element has an appearance that blends with its associated structural element. For example, a digital architectural element may have a shape, size, and color that blends with an associated structural element. In some cases, digital architecture elements are not easily seen by building occupants; for example, elements are completely or partially hidden. However, this element may interface with other components that are not incorporated into, for example, video display monitors, touch screens, projectors, and the like.

Building structural elements to which digital architectural elements may be attached include any of a variety of building structures. In some embodiments, the building structure to which the digital architecture element is attached is a structure that is installed during construction of the building, in some cases early in construction of the building. In some embodiments, building structural elements used in digital architecture elements are elements that function as building structures. Such elements may be permanent, ie not easily removed from the building. Examples include walls, partitions (eg, office space partitions), doors, rails, stairs, facades, moldings, mullions, beams, and the like. In various examples, building structural elements are located on a building or room perimeter. In some cases, digital architecture elements are provided as separate modular units or boxes that attach to building structural elements. In some cases, digital architectural elements are provided as facades of building structural elements. For example, a digital architecture element may be provided as a covering for a mullion, beam, or part of a door. In one example, the digital architecture element is configured as a mullion or disposed in or on a mullion. If the digital architecture element is attached to the mullion, it may be bolted to or otherwise attached to the rigid portion of the mullion. In some embodiments, digital architecture elements can be snapped onto building structural elements. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element acts as a molding, such as a crown molding. In certain embodiments, the digital architecture elements are modular; that is, they function as computing systems for use in, for example, communication networks, power distribution networks, and/or use external video displays and/or other user interface components Modules that are part of larger systems.

In some embodiments, the digital architecture element is a digital mullion designed to be deployed on some but not all mullions in a room, floor, or building. In some cases, digital mullions are deployed in a regular or periodic fashion. For example, a digital mullion can be deployed on every sixth mullion.

In some embodiments, in addition to high bandwidth network connections (ports, switches, routers, etc.) sensors, occupancy sensors, color temperature sensors, biometric sensors, speakers, microphones, air quality sensors, hubs for power and/or data connectivity, display video drivers, Wi-Fi access points , antennas, location services via beacons or other mechanisms, power supplies, light sources, processors and / or auxiliary processing device.

One or more cameras may contain sensors and processing logic for imaging features in visible light, IR (see use of thermal imagers below), or other wavelength regions; various resolutions including HD and higher possible.

The one or more proximity or motion sensors may include infrared sensors, such as IR sensors. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is a radar or a radar-like device that detects distances to and between objects using a ranging function. Radar sensors can also be used to distinguish closely spaced occupants by detecting their biometric functions, such as detecting their different breathing movements. When using radar or radar-like sensors, it facilitates better operation when placed out of the way or behind plastic casings of digital architecture components.

The one or more occupancy sensors may include multi-pixel thermal imagers which, when configured by suitable computer-implemented algorithms, may be used to detect and/or count occupants in a room. In one embodiment, data from a thermal imager or camera is correlated with data from a radar sensor to provide a better level of confidence in making a particular decision. In embodiments, thermal imager measurements may be used to assess other thermal events in a particular location, such as changes in airflow due to open windows and doors, presence of intruders, and/or fire.

One or more color temperature sensors can be used to analyze the spectrum of lighting present in a particular location and provide lighting changes that can be implemented as needed or desired, for example to improve the health or mood of the occupants.

One or more biometric sensors (eg, for fingerprint, retinal or facial recognition) may be provided as separate sensors or integrated with another sensor such as a camera.

One or more speakers and associated power amplifiers may be included as part of or separate from the digital architecture elements. In some embodiments, two or more speakers and amplifiers may collectively be configured as a sound bar; that is, an elongated device containing multiple speakers. device Can be designed or configured to provide high fidelity sound.

One or more microphones and logic for detecting and processing sound may be provided as part of the digital architecture element or separate therefrom. Microphones can be configured to detect either or both internally or externally generated sounds. In one embodiment, the processing and analysis of sound is performed by logic embodied as software, firmware, or hardware in one or more digital structural elements and/or by one or more other devices coupled to a network ( For example, logic execution in one or more controllers coupled to the network. In one embodiment, based on the analysis, the logic is configured to automatically adjust the sound output of one or more speakers to mask and/or eliminate sounds, frequency changes, echoes, and adverse effects detected by one or more microphones. Other factors that affect (or potentially can adversely affect) occupants present in a particular portion of a building. In one embodiment, the sounds include, but are not limited to, sounds produced by indoor machines, indoor office equipment, outdoor structures, outdoor traffic, and/or aircraft.

In an embodiment, one or more microphones are positioned on or near: a window of a building; a ceiling of a building; and/or other interior structures of a building. Logic can be configured singularly or in arrays to analyze and determine the type, intensity, spectrum, location and/or direction of interior sounds present in a building. In one embodiment, the logic is functionally connected to other fixed or mobile network-connected devices that may be used in the building, for example, devices such as computers, smartphones, tablets, and the like, and is configured to Receive and analyze sound or related signals from such devices.

In one embodiment, the logic is configured to measure and analyze the immediate delay in the signal from the microphone to predict the need to mask or cancel unwanted external and/or internal sound present at a particular location in the building. volume and type of sound. In one embodiment, the logic is configured to detect undesirable changes in the level and/or location of external and/or internal sounds, where, for example, changes may be caused by the movement of objects and people in and out of the building, and The amount of masking and/or cancellation of sound is dynamically adjusted based on the change. In one embodiment, the logic is configured to use signals from tracking sensors in the building, and based on the signals, at a particular location in the building based on the presence and/or location of one or more occupants Increase or decrease masking and/or cancellation of sound. In one embodiment, one or more of the speakers are positioned to produce masking and/or propagation substantially in the plane of travel of the undesirable sound, including the horizontal plane, the vertical plane, and/or a combination of both. or mute the sound.

In one embodiment, the logic includes an algorithm designed to acoustically map the interior of a building, locate sources of noise within an office, and improve voice privacy. In one embodiment, after the array of speakers and microphones is installed in a building, logic may be used to perform an acoustic scan so that each speaker produces a sound that is detected by each microphone. In one embodiment, time delays, volume reductions, and spectral differences in detected sounds are used to calculate and map speakers, microphones, and effective acoustic distances between them. In one embodiment, the acoustic transfer function of the interior of the building map may be obtained from the acoustic scan. With this acoustic map and set of transfer functions for one or more spaces within a building, logic can make appropriate masking and/or cancellation level decisions when there is a source of undesirable sound producing in the space. When needed, the logic can adjust the sound produced by the speakers to correct for absorption by certain absorbent surfaces, for example, an otherwise deadened sound bouncing off a soft partition can be adjusted back to a crisp sound. The acoustic map of the space can also be used to determine what is direct versus indirect sound, and to adjust the time delay of masking and/or canceling sounds so that they arrive at the desired location at the same time.

One or more air quality sensors (capable of measuring one or more of the following air components as appropriate: volatile organic compounds (VOC), carbon dioxide temperature, humidity) may be used in conjunction with the HVAC to improve air circulation control.

One or more hubs may be provided for power and/or data connectivity to sensors, speakers, microphones, and the like. The hub can be a USB hub, a Bluetooth hub, or the like. A hub may include one or more ports, such as USB ports, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) ports, and the like. Alternatively or additionally, the components may include connector adapters for external sensors, lighting, peripherals (eg, cameras, microphones, speakers), network connectivity, power supplies, and the like.

Available on or near Integrated Glazing Units (IGUs) associated with architectural elements One or more video drivers for displays (eg, transparent OLED devices) integrating glass cells. The driver can be wired or optically coupled; e.g. by optical transmission to launch an optical signal into a window; see for example a switchable Bragg grating comprising a display with a light engine and a lens focusing on transmission through glass and on a glass waveguide running perpendicular to the line of sight.

One or more Wi-Fi access points and antennas can be part of a Wi-Fi access point or serve different purposes. In some embodiments, the architectural element itself or a panel piece covering all or a portion of the architectural element acts as an antenna. Various methods are available to insulate architectural elements and enable directional transmission or reception. Alternatively, prefabricated antennas or window antennas may be used, as described in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

One or more power sources may be provided, such as energy storage devices (eg, rechargeable batteries or capacitors), and the like. In some embodiments, a power capture device is included; for example, a photovoltaic cell or battery panel. This situation allows the devices to be self-contained or partially self-contained. The light harvesting device may be transparent or opaque, depending on where it is attached. For example, photovoltaic cells can be attached to and partially or completely cover the exterior of the digital mullions, while transparent photovoltaic cells can cover displays or user interfaces (eg, dials, buttons, etc.) on digital architecture elements.

One or more light sources (eg, light emitting diodes) are configured with a processor to emit light under certain conditions, signaling when the device is active.

One or more processors can be configured to provide various embedded or non-embedded applications. The processor can be a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the processor is a low power mobile computing unit (MCU) with memory and is configured to run a lightweight secure operating system hosting applications and data. In some embodiments, the processor is an embedded system, system-on-a-chip or expansion.

One or more auxiliary processing devices such as a graphics processing unit or an equalizer or other audio processing devices are configured to interpret the audio signal.

A digital architectural element or a building structural element associated with a digital architectural element may have One or more antennas. These antennas can be pre-built and attached to or embedded in the element, either on the surface of the element or in the interior of the element. Alternatively or additionally, the antenna may be configured such that a structure of digital architecture elements or building construction elements acts as an antenna assembly. For example, the conductive metal sheet of the mullion can act as an antenna element or a ground plane. In some embodiments, a portion of a digital architecture element or a building structure element is removed (or added) such that the remainder acts as a tuned antenna element. For example, a portion of the mullion may be stamped out to provide the tuned antenna element. Building structural elements and/or associated digital architecture elements may act as antenna elements by attaching coaxial or other cables to the elements and RF transmitters or receivers. For example, the antenna component can be designed to have an impedance that matches that of the RF transmitter (eg, about 50 ohms).

Depending on the configuration, the antenna elements may be Wi-Fi antennas, Bluetooth antennas, cellular communication antennas, and the like. In some embodiments, the antenna transmits and/or receives in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The antenna may be a patch antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, or the like. It can be configured to transmit or receive electromagnetic signals at any suitable wavelength range. Examples of antenna assemblies that may be used in optically switchable window systems are described in PCT Patent Application No. PCT/US17/31106, filed May 4, 2017, which was previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In various embodiments, the camera of the digital architecture element is configured to capture images in the visible portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some cases, the camera provides images at a high resolution (eg, high definition) of at least about 720p, or at least about 1080p. In some cases, the camera may also capture images with information about the intensity of wavelengths outside the visible range. For example, a camera may be capable of capturing infrared signals. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element includes a near infrared device, such as a forward looking infrared (FLIR) camera or a near infrared (NIR) camera. Examples of suitable infrared cameras include the Boson ^™ or Lepton ^™ from FLIR Systems of Wilsonville, OR. Such infrared cameras can be used to augment visible light cameras in digital architecture components.

In some embodiments, the camera can be configured to map the thermal characteristics of the room so that it can Acts as a temperature sensor with three-dimensional perception. In some embodiments, such cameras in digital architecture elements enable occupancy detection, augment visible light cameras to facilitate detection of humans rather than hot walls, provide quantitative measurements of solar heating (e.g., image floors or tables and see what the sun actually illuminates), etc.

In some embodiments, speakers, microphones, and associated logic are configured to use acoustic information to characterize air quality or air conditions. As an example, an algorithm may emit ultrasonic pulses and detect the transmitted and/or reflected pulses back to the microphone. The algorithm can be configured to analyze the detected acoustic signal at times using the transmitted versus received differential audio signal to determine air density, particle deflection, and the like to characterize air quality.

3 illustrates a block diagram showing an example of components that may be present in certain implementations of a digital architecture element (DAE). In the illustrated example, configuration 300 includes DAE 330 and computer or processor 340 . The computer processor 340 is connected to external networks such as the Internet and optionally to cloud-based content and/or service providers. The connections may comprise appropriate modems, routers or switches, and may comprise high bandwidth backbones such as the 1OG backbones described above. In this example, the computer or processor 340 is also connected to the video display 309 via an HDMI link. Additionally, a computer 340 is connected to port 311 (USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth or other) to make additional internal or external resources available to DAE 330 . As indicated above, a DAE may include various sensors and peripheral elements. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3 , DAE 330 includes speaker 317 , microphone 319 , and various sensors 321 . Any one or more of these components may be coupled to a computer or processor 340 via port 311 .

In the illustrated example, equalizer 313 may be configured to provide tone control to adjust the acoustics of a room. In some cases, equalizer 313 facilitates adjusting room acoustics using, for example, real-time time-delay reflectometry. The equalizer and associated components can thereby compensate for undesirable audio artifacts produced by the interaction of sound waves with items in the room or otherwise in close proximity to the occupant. In some embodiments, the signal pulses are generated by a speaker associated with the digital architecture element, and One or more microphones pick up the pulses directly and as reflected and attenuated by items in the room. Based on the time delay between the transmitted and detected pulses and the tonal quality of the detected pulses, the system can infer room boundaries, etc. In some embodiments, the user's smartphone further enables speaker output to be optimized for the acoustic environment of various locations in the room. During setup mode, with the phone enabled, the user can move around the room and use the phone to detect acoustic responses. Based on the location and the detected acoustic response, the digital architecture components can determine how to optimize the speaker output. After mapping the acoustic profile of the room, the digital architectural elements are programmed to tune their speaker outputs based on various factors such as where the user is located in the room. In some embodiments, the element can detect the user's location using any of several proximity techniques, such as described in a PCT patent application filed on May 4, 2017, which was previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Such techniques are disclosed in Case No. PCT/US17/31106.

digital wall interface

Certain aspects of the disclosure relate to digital wall interfaces that include some or all of the components used in digital architectural elements, and where the digital wall interface is configured to include buildings designed for installation in partial or complete construction A chassis or casing on a wall or door of an object. The wall interface can be structured to provide a user interface that is easily visible to the user. It can have a relatively small footprint (eg, up to about 500 square inches of user-facing surface area) and be circular or polygonal. In some embodiments, the digital wall interface is approximately the shape and size of a tablet computer.

In some embodiments, the digital wall interface has the same or similar features as the digital architecture element, but is a wall-mounted device. For example, a digital wall interface may include sensors and peripheral elements as described for digital architecture elements. Alternatively, these elements may be contained in a strip or similar chassis.

In various embodiments, the digital architectural elements are provided with the building when the building is constructed, and the digital wall interface is installed in the building after construction of the building is completed or near completion. In one method of building construction, a plurality of digital architectural elements are installed during construction of the basic building structure (walls, partitions, doors, mullions, beams, etc.) tenant accounted for Install shortly before use or when occupied. Of course, once installed, the digital wall interface and digital architecture elements can work in conjunction, eg, as part of a mesh network, by sharing sensed results, by sharing analysis and control logic, etc.

In many embodiments, the digital wall interface includes a built-in display configured to provide a user interface and optionally a touch-sensitive interface. In some but not all embodiments, the digital architecture element does not include a display or touch interface. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the digital architecture element does not include a built-in display, but has an associated display, for example, a display connected to the element by an HDMI cable or a projection configured to project video controlled by the element instrument. Similarly, a digital wall interface can be configured to work with a separate display such as a window display or a projection display.

While much of the discussion herein regarding the use, components, and functions of digital devices uses digital architecture elements as examples, in most cases a digital wall interface can serve a similar or identical purpose. Thus, unless the discussion focuses on structural elements of a building to which a digital device is attached or associated, the discussion applies equally to digital wall interfaces and digital architectural elements.

Enhanced functionality window controller (WC3)

As described above, in certain embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller (WC3) may include a Wi-Fi access point, and optionally also have cellular communication capabilities. It is usually configured to connect to multiple networks (eg CAN bus and Ethernet).

In some embodiments, an enhanced functionality window controller may have the basic structure and functions as described above, but with an additional gigabit Ethernet interface and a processor with enhanced computing power. Like more known window controllers, enhanced functionality window controllers may have a CAN bus interface or similar controller network. In some embodiments, the controller is video capable and/or may include features described in US Patent Application Serial No. 15/287,646, filed October 6, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller is implemented with the following models: Groups: (i) a processor with sufficient processing power to handle video and other functions requiring significant processing power; (ii) Ethernet connectivity; (iii) video processing capability, as the case may be; (iv) environment, Wi-Fi access points or other wireless communication capabilities, etc. This module can be attached to a chassis with other more conventional window controller functionality such as a power amplifier or another chassis for use with loop sensors. The resulting device may be used to control the optically switchable window, or it may be used only to provide wireless communication, video, and/or other functions not necessarily associated with controlling the state of the optically switchable window.

In some embodiments, like the conventional window controller described herein, the enhanced functionality window controller deploys, controls, alarms, etc. via a CAN bus or similar controller network protocol, but otherwise provides video , Wi-Fi and/or other additional features.

4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of WC2 (detail A) and a block diagram of WC3 (detail B), according to some implementations. The WC2 block diagram is an example of a conventional window controller such as those available from View Inc. of Milpitas, CA. Some of the depicted components include at least one voltage regulator 441 , controller network interface, CAN 442 , processing unit (microcontroller) 443 and various ports and connectors. Some of these components and example architectures are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13/449,251, filed April 17, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15/334,835, filed October 26, 2016, which The patent application is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Detail B depicts an instance of enhanced functionality window controller WC3. In the depicted embodiment, the conventional window controller (WC2) and the enhanced functionality window controller (WC3) have a similar architecture and some common components. The enhanced functionality window controller WC3 has a more powerful microcontroller 453, a Gigabit Ethernet interface 454, a wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular) interface 455, and an optional MoCA interface 456 . The Gigabit Ethernet interface may be a conventional unshielded twisted pair (eg, UTP/CAT5-6) interface and/or a MoCA (GbE over coax) interface. In some embodiments, the connection to the enhanced functionality window controller is via a conventional RJ45 modular connector (jack). In branch In some embodiments that support MoCA, the controller includes a separate adapter that feeds the receptacle. As an example, such an adapter may be an Actiontec (Actiontec Electronics, Inc., Sunnyvale, CA) adapter, such as the ECB6250 MoCA 2.5 network adapter, for example providing data communication up to 2.5Gbps speed adapter.

Applications and uses

5A-5D illustrate several examples of applications and uses of digital architecture elements and related elements encompassed by the present disclosure. It should be appreciated that the network and high bandwidth backbone described herein can be used for various functions, some of which are independent of the control window. One such function is to provide Internet, local area network, and/or computing services to tenants or other building occupants, on-site construction personnel during building construction, and the like. During construction, the network and computing resources provided by the backbone and digital components can be used not only for debug windows. For example, it can be used to provide architectural information, build instructions, and the like. In this way, builders can access the build information they need via the high bandwidth field network.

In some cases, network, communication, and/or computing services provided by the network and computing infrastructure as described herein are used in multi-tenant buildings or shared workspaces such as those provided by WeWork.com in space. For example, co-working space buildings need only provide temporary connectivity and processing capacity as needed. Building networks such as those described herein provide central control and flexible assignment of computing resources for specific building locations. This flexibility allows different resources to be assigned to different tenants.

Readings from sensors in a digital element (eg, a digital wall interface or a digital architectural element) can provide information about the environment in the vicinity of the digital architectural element. Examples of such sensors include sensors for any one or more of temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, dust, light level, glare, and color temperature. In some embodiments, readings from one or more of these sensors are input to an algorithm that determines what other building systems should do to offset the deviations in the measured readings so that the readings reach an occupancy-related dynamics of target values for occupant comfort or building efficiency operation, depending on the contextual index of the occupant's presence, as well as other signals.

In some embodiments, digital components may be placed on the roof of a building, optionally co-located with sky sensors or ring sensors, such as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. No. 2017/0122802. This element may be equipped with some or all of the features presented elsewhere herein for digital architecture elements. Examples include sensors, antennas, radios, radars, air quality monitors, etc. In some implementations, a digital element on a roof or other exterior part of a building provides information about air quality; in this manner, the digital element can provide information about air quality both inside and outside. This situation allows the use of the corpus of information to make decisions about window tint status and other environmental conditions (for example, when conditions outside a building are unhealthy (or at least worse than inside it), it may be decided to prohibit the exhaust of air from the outside).

In some cases, the light level, glare, color temperature, and/or other characteristics of ambient or artificial light in an area of a building are used to determine whether to change the tint state of an electrochromic device. In some embodiments, these decisions use one or more algorithms or analyzes as described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 15/347,677 filed on November 9, 2016 and in U.S. Patent Application No. 15/347,677 filed on January 4, 2018. Patent Application No. 15/742,015 (National Phase Application), which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In one example, shading decisions are made using solar calculators and/or reflectance models in conjunction with algorithms for interpreting light information from sensors of digital architecture elements. In some cases, the algorithm may use information about: the presence of occupants; how many occupants are present; Data obtained from digital architecture components). In some cases, for the purpose of determining the appropriate hue state, digital architecture elements are used instead of or in conjunction with sky sensors, such as described in the U.S. Patent Application No. 15/287,646.

As examples of tint and glare control, sensors in digital components can provide feedback on localized light, temperature, color, glare, etc. in a room or other part of a building. with digital components Associated logic can then determine that light intensity, direction, color, etc. in a room or portion of a building should be changed, and can also determine how to achieve this change. Changes may be necessary for user comfort (eg, reducing glare at the user's workspace, increasing contrast, or correcting the color profile for sensitive users) or privacy or security. Assuming the logic determines that a change is necessary, the logic may then send instructions to change one or more lighting or solar components, such as optically switchable window tint state, display device output, switching particle device film state (e.g., transparent, translucent) , opacity), light projection onto surfaces, artificial light output (color, intensity, direction, etc.), and the like. All such decisions may be made with or without assistance from full building tint state processing logic, such as described in U.S. Patent No. 9, 2016, previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Application No. 15/347,677 and U.S. Patent Application No. 15/742,015 (National Phase Application) filed on January 4, 2018.

An array of digital architecture elements in a building can form a mesh edge access network that enables interaction between building occupants and the building or machines in the building. When equipped with an appropriate network interface, digital architectural elements and/or digital wall interfaces and/or enhanced functionality window controllers can be used as digital computing mesh network nodes that provide building structural elements (e.g., mullions) In-house connectivity, communication, application execution, etc. for surrounding computing processing. It can be powered, monitored and controlled in a similar or identical manner to edge sensor nodes in a mesh network setup in a building. It can be used as a gateway for other sensor nodes.

A non-exhaustive list of functions or uses for high bandwidth window networks and associated digital components covered by this disclosure includes: (a) speakerphone-digital wall interface or digital architecture components can be configured to provide all of the speakerphone Functionality; (b) Personalization of Space - Occupant's preferences and/or roles can be stored and then implemented at the particular location the occupant is in. In some cases, preferences and/or roles are only temporarily enforced while the user is at a particular location. In some cases, preferences and/or roles remain in effect as long as occupants are assigned workspaces or living spaces; (c) Security - Track assets, identify unauthorized presence of individuals in defined locations, lock doors, Tinted windows, untinted windows, audible alarms, etc.; (d) controls HVAC, air quality; (e) communicates with occupants, including public address notifications to occupants during emergencies; messages can be conveyed through speakers in digital components ; (f) cooperation between occupants using live video; (g) noise cancellation - eg, microphones detect white noise and soundbar cancels white noise; (h) connect to, stream or otherwise Deliver video or other media content, such as television; (i) enhance personal digital assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, Microsoft's Cortana, Google's Google Home, Apple's Siri and/or other personal digital assistants; (j) Facial or other biometric recognition with associated image analysis logic - to determine the identity of a person in a room, rather than just counting the number of people; (k) detect color - color balance with room lighting and window tint status ; (l) detect and/or adjust local environmental conditions. Conditions may be determined using one or more of the following types of sensing conditions, eg, temperature and humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOC), _CO2 , dust, smoke, and lighting (light level, glare, color temperature.

Computing systems and memory devices

The logic and computational processing resources disclosed herein can be provided within a digital component such as a digital wall interface or a digital architecture component (as described herein), and/or it can be provided to a remote location via a network connection, such as using the same or another building for similar resources and services, servers on the Internet, cloud-based resources, etc.

Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems for producing and/or using functionality for buildings, such as the uses described in the previous "Applications and Uses" section. Programmed or configured systems for performing functions and uses may be configured to (i) receive inputs, such as sensor data characterizing conditions within a building, occupancy details, and/or external environmental conditions; and (ii) Executing instructions that determine the impact of such conditions or details on the building environment and take actions as appropriate to maintain or alter the building environment.

Many types of computing systems with any of a variety of computer architectures can be used as The disclosed system implements the functions and uses described herein. For example, a system may include software components executing on one or more general-purpose processors or specially designed processors such as programmable logic devices (eg, field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)). Additionally, a system may be implemented on a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The functions of the computing elements can be combined with each other or further divided into multiple sub-modules. In some embodiments, the computing system contains a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the computing system contains a general purpose microprocessor. Typically, computing systems are configured to run an operating system and one or more applications.

In some embodiments, the program code for performing the functions or uses described herein may be in the form of software components storable on non-volatile storage media (such as optical discs, flash memory devices, removable hard drives, etc.) reflect. At one level, software components are implemented as command sets prepared by programmers/developers. However, modular software executable by computer hardware is executable code that is submitted to memory using "machine code" selected from a specific machine language instruction set or "native instructions" designed into the hardware processor. The machine language instruction set, or native instruction set, is known to and inherently built into the hardware processor. This is the "language" through which system and application software communicate with the hardware processor. Each native instruction is discrete code recognized by the processing architecture and may designate a particular register for arithmetic, addressing, or control functions; a particular memory location or offset; and a particular addressing mode for interpreting operands. More complex operations are built by combining such simple native instructions that are executed sequentially or as otherwise directed by control flow instructions.

The interrelationship between executable software instructions and the hardware processor is structural. In other words, the command itself is a series of symbols or values. It does not convey any information per se. A processor pre-configured by design to interpret symbols/values gives meaning to instructions.

The algorithms used herein can be configured to execute at a single site on a single machine, at a single site on multiple machines, or at multiple sites on multiple machines. When using multiple machines, individual machines can be customized for their specific tasks. For example, operations requiring large code blocks and/or significant processing power may be implemented on large and/or stationary machines.

Additionally, certain embodiments relate to tangible and/or non-transitory computer-readable media or computer program products that contain program instructions and/or data (including data structures) for performing various computer-implemented operations. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, semiconductor memory devices, phase-change devices, magnetic media such as magnetic disk drives, magnetic tape, optical media such as CDs, magneto-optical media, and devices specially configured to store and execute program instructions. Hardware devices such as read only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Computer readable media can be directly controlled by the end user, or the media can be indirectly controlled by the end user. Examples of direct control media include media located at the user's facility and/or media not shared with other entities. Examples of indirectly controlled media include media accessed indirectly by users via external networks and/or via services such as the "cloud" that provide shared resources. Examples of program instructions include both machine code such as produced by a compiler and files containing higher-level code executable by a computer using an interpreter.

The data or information used in the disclosed methods and apparatus is provided in digital format. This data or information may include sensor data, building architecture information, floor plans, operating or environmental conditions, scheduling, and the like. As used herein, data or other information provided in digital format may be used for storage on a machine and for transfer between machines. Conventionally, data may be stored as bits and/or bytes in various data structures, lists, databases, and the like. Data may be represented electronically, optically, or the like.

In some embodiments, the algorithms used to implement the functions and uses described herein may be considered in the form of application software that interfaces with user and system software. System software typically interfaces with computer hardware and associated memory. In some embodiments, system software includes operating system software and/or firmware, as well as any intermediate software and drivers installed in the system. System software provides the basic non-task-specific functions of a computer. In contrast, modules and other application software are used to accomplish specific tasks. Each native command for a module is stored in a memory device and represented by a value.

Integrated environmental monitoring and control

As described above, the technology disclosed herein encompasses a network of Digital Architecture Elements (DAEs) capable of collecting rich data sets related to environmental, occupancy, and security conditions inside and/or outside a building. Digital architectural elements may include optically switchable windows and/or mullions or other architectural features associated with optically switchable windows. Advantageously, the digital architecture elements may be widely distributed over at least all or most of the perimeter of the building. As a result, the collected data can provide a highly granular, detailed representation of environmental, occupancy, and safety conditions associated with most or all of a building's interior and/or exterior. For example, most or all of a building window may include or be associated with digital architecture elements including a series of sensors, such as light sensors and/or cameras (visible light and/or IR ); acoustic sensors, such as microphone arrays; temperature and humidity sensors; and air quality sensors, which detect VOC, CO2, carbon monoxide (CO) and/or dust.

In some embodiments, automatic or semi-automatic techniques involving machine learning are contemplated, wherein a building's environmental control, communication and/or security systems intelligently react to changes in collected data. As an example, the occupancy level of a room in a building can be determined by light sensor cameras and/or acoustic sensors, and a correlation can be made between a particular change in occupancy level and a desired change in HVAC function. For example, an increase in occupancy may be associated with a need to increase airflow and/or decrease a thermostat setting. As another example, data from air quality sensors that detect dust levels may be relevant to performing building maintenance or the need to introduce or exclude outside air from interior spaces. For example, in one use case scenario, the dust level in a room was observed to rise when the occupant moved within the room, and decrease when the occupant sat down. In this scenario, it may be determined that the floor covering needs to be serviced (scrubbed, vacuumed). In another use case scenario, when a window is opened, the measured interior air quality can be observed to either (i) improve or (ii) degrade. In the case of (i), it can be determined that the air circulation ducts or filters of the HVAC system should be served. In the case of (ii), it can be judged that the outside air quality is poor, and the windows of the building should preferably be maintained in the closed position. In yet another use case scenario, a correlation can be established between the number of occupants in a meeting room and doors and/or windows opening or closing by the Co2 content and/or the rate of change of the Co2 content.

More generally, the present technology encompasses measuring a plurality of "building conditions" and controlling "building operating parameters" of a plurality of "building systems" in response to the measured building conditions, as shown in FIG. illustrate. As used herein, "building condition" may refer to a physically measurable condition in a building or a portion of a building. Examples include temperature, air velocity, luminous flux and color, occupancy, air quality and composition (particle count, gas concentration of carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, water (ie, humidity)). As used herein, a "building system" may refer to a system that can control or adjust operating parameters of a building. Examples include HVAC systems, lighting systems, security systems, window optical condition control systems. A building operating parameter may refer to a parameter that may be controlled by one or more building systems to adjust or control building conditions. Examples include heat flux from or to a heater or air conditioner, heat flux from a window or lighting system in a room, airflow through a room, and luminous flux from artificial or natural light through an optically switchable window.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , method 600 may include collecting inputs from a plurality of sensors (block 610 ). Some or all of the sensors may be disposed on or associated with the respective windows, and/or the respective digital architecture elements associated with the windows, and/or the digital wall interface. Sensors may include, for example, visible light and/or IR light sensors or cameras, acoustic sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, and air quality sensors. It should be appreciated that the collected inputs may represent measurements of various environmental conditions that are diverse in time and space. In some implementations, at least some of the inputs may include a combination of sensors. For example, separate sensors dedicated to individual measurements of _CO2 , CO, dust, and/or smoke may be included, and the combination of inputs from the separate sensors may be analyzed (block 620) to determine air quality control. As another example, input related to determinations of occupancy levels in a room may be analyzed (block 620 ) collected from separate sensors that measure optical and acoustic signals, respectively. As yet another example, inputs may be received from spatially distributed sensors at approximately the same time. For example, sensors may be spatially distributed relative to a given room or distributed among multiple rooms and/or floors of a building.

In some embodiments, the analysis of the measured data at block 620 may take into account Certain "context information" that must be obtained from the sensor. Contextual information as used herein may include time of day and time of year, and local weather and/or climate information, as well as information about the layout of a building, and usage parameters for various parts of a building. Content background information may initially be entered by a user (eg, a building manager) and updated manually and/or automatically from time to time. Examples of usage parameters may include the operational schedule of a building, and the identification of intended and/or permitted/authorized uses of individual rooms or larger portions (eg, floors) of a building. For example, certain portions of billing may be identified as lobby spaces, restaurant/cafeteria spaces, conference rooms, open areas, private office spaces, and the like. Contextual information may be used to determine whether or how to modify building operating parameters (block 630 ) and to calibrate and optionally adjust sensors. For example, based on content context information, certain sensors may be deactivated in certain parts of a building as appropriate to meet occupant desired privacy. As another example, sensors for a room where a large number of people are expected to gather (e.g., an assembly hall) may be advantageously tested over sensors for a room that is expected to have fewer occupants (e.g., a private office). Different calibration or adjustment.

The goal of the analysis at block 620 may be to determine that a particular building condition exists or can be predicted to exist. As a simple example, analysis may include comparing sensor readings, such as luminous flux or temperature measurements, to thresholds. As another more complex example, when the occupancy load in a room undergoes a change (due to, for example, a meeting call or adjournment in a conference room), the analysis at block 620 may first directly identify and/or changes in the input of optical sensors; secondly, the analysis can predict environmental parameters that can be expected to change due to changes in occupancy loads. For example, an increase in occupancy load can be expected to result in an increase in ambient temperature and an increase in _CO2 content. Advantageously, the analysis at block 620 may be performed periodically or continuously using a model or other algorithm that may be improved over time using, for example, machine learning techniques. In some implementations, the analysis may not explicitly identify a particular building condition (or combination of conditions) in order to determine that building operating parameters should be adjusted.

Referring again to block 630, it may be determined based on the results of analyzing block 620 whether or how to modify building operating parameters. Depending on the decision, building conditions may or may not be changed. when sentenced When it is determined not to modify the building operating parameters, the method may return to block 610. When determining billing for modifying operating parameters, one or more building conditions may be adjusted at block 640 for purposes such as improving occupant comfort or safety and/or reducing operating costs and energy consumption. For example, lights and/or HVAC services may be set to low power conditions in rooms determined to be unoccupied. As another example, it may be determined that a fault or problem has occurred that requires the attention of building management, maintenance, or security personnel.

Determinations can be made reactively and/or proactively. For example, a decision may be made to react to a change in a measured parameter, eg, it may be decided to increase the HVAC flow rate when a rise in ambient _CO2 is measured. Alternatively or additionally, the determination may be made actively, ie, building operating parameters may be adjusted in anticipation of a change in the environment, before the change is actually measured. For example, observed occupancy load changes may lead to a decision to increase HVAC flow rate, regardless of whether a corresponding increase in ambient _CO2 or temperature is measured.

In some embodiments, the determination may relate to building operating parameters associated with the HVAC (e.g., airflow rate and temperature settings), which may be based in one or more locations on measured temperature, _CO2 levels, humidity, and and/or local occupancy. In some implementations, the determination may relate to building operating parameters associated with building safety. For example, in response to abnormal sensor readings, a security system alarm may be triggered, selected doors and windows may be locked or unlocked, and/or the tint status of all or some windows may be changed. Examples of safety-related building conditions include detection of broken windows, detection of unauthorized personnel in controlled areas, and detection of unauthorized movement of equipment, tools, electronic devices, or other assets from one location to another. Measurement.

Other types of safety-related building condition information may include information related to the occurrence of detection of sound outside and/or inside the building. In one embodiment, the sound type of the detected sound is analyzed. In some embodiments, the analysis is initiated via hardware, firmware or software onboard to one or more digital structural elements or elsewhere in the building or even outside the building. In some embodiments, sound outside or inside a building vibrates a conductive layer deposited on the pane of an electrochromic window, these vibrations cause a change in capacitance between the conductive layers and these changes in capacitance are converted into indications sound signal. Therefore, the present Some windows of the invention may inherently provide sound and/or vibration sensor functionality, however, in other embodiments, sound and/or vibration sensor functionality may be provided by a window that has been added to the window with or without a conductive layer The sensor and/or is provided by one or more sensors implemented in the digital structural element.

In one embodiment, the origin of the sound can be determined by analyzing the difference in the sound amplitude and/or sound time delay experienced by different ones of the sound and/or vibration sensors. Types of sounds detected and then analyzed include, but are not limited to: cracked window sounds, voices (e.g., voices of people authorized or unauthorized in certain areas), caused by movement (of people, machinery, airflow) sound, and the sound caused by the gunshot. In one embodiment, one or more appropriate security or other actions are initiated by one or more systems within the building, depending on the type of sound detected. For example, when it is determined that a gunshot has occurred at a location outside or inside a building, the building management system makes an automated 911 call to summon emergency responders to the location.

In the case of sounds produced by firearms within a building, knowledge of the precise location of the sound (eg, room, floor, and building information) and the shooter producing the sound is essential for proper emergency response. However, in buildings with large open space floor plans and/or corridors, text location information that needs to refer to the floor plan of a particular building can delay response. In one embodiment, visual location information is also provided instead of textual location information only. Visual location information for the sound may be provided by the installed camera system (if so equipped), but in one embodiment by changing the tint state of one or more windows determined to be closest to the sound produced by the firearm or shooter Available in unique shade states. For example, in one embodiment, upon sensing a sound of interest, the tint of the tintable window closest to the sound of interest is changed to a darker tint than the tint of windows further away from the sound, or vice versa . In this way, if a respondent cannot quickly locate a particular room on a particular floor of a particular building, they may be able to locate it by visually looking for windows that have been uniquely tinted darker or brighter than other windows .

In one embodiment, the current location of the person associated with a particular sound may be different In its initial position, its position change in this case can be updated by detecting other sounds or changes caused by the person to the environment. For example, in the case of an active shooting situation, a gas sensor in a digital architecture element or other predetermined location could be used to monitor changes in air quality due to the presence of explosive charges and thereby provide responders with information about the shooter. Part update. Acoustic and other sensors can also be used to obtain the location (eg, via infrared detection of their location) of persons attempting to hide and active shooters. In one embodiment, in order to confuse an active shooter, the sound can be produced by speakers in the digital architecture element or other speakers in the shooter's location to distract the shooter, or to mask hostages who are trying to hide from the shooter's view generated noise. In one embodiment, a speaker and/or microphone in the digital architecture element or other device may be selectively enabled to communicate with persons attempting to hide from active shooters. In addition to making the tint of one or more windows unique to help identify sound sites, in some embodiments it may be desirable to change the unique tint of the windows to some other tint, for example, to provide more light to facilitate the detection of one or more personnel. In and out of specific areas, or provide less light to block visibility in specific areas.

Still referring to FIG. 6 , at block 640 , one or more building parameters may be modified in response to the determination made at block 630 . In some embodiments, building parameter modifications may be implemented under the control of a building management system and may be implemented by one or more of building systems such as HVAC, lighting systems, security systems, and window controller networks . It should be appreciated that building parameter modifications may be made globally (whole building) or selectively in localized areas (eg, individual rooms, suites, floors, etc.).

As mentioned, building systems that determine how to modify building operating parameters can use machine learning. This means using the training data to train the machine learning model. In some embodiments, the procedure begins with training an initial model via supervised or semi-supervised learning. The model can be improved through continuous training/learning provided for use in the field (eg, when operating in a working building). Examples of training data (building conditions that interact with each other and/or with building operating parameters) include the following combinations of sensed data or contextual data (X or input) and building operating parameters or labels (Y or output): (a) [X=occupancy (as measured by IR or camera/video), context, luminous flux (internal + solar); Y=△T/time (uncooled)]; (b) [X=occupancy rate (as measured by IR or camera/video), content context; Y=△CO ₂ /time (with nominal exhaust)]; and (c) [X=occupancy rate (as measured by IR or camera/video Measured), content background, temperature, external relative humidity (RH); Y=△RH/time (with nominal exhaust)]. Part of machine learning aims to identify unknown or hidden patterns or relationships, so learning typically uses a large number of inputs (X) for each possible output (Y).

In some embodiments, execution of the program flow illustrated in FIG. 6 may be facilitated by deploying digital architecture elements with a series of functional modules for collecting and analyzing environmental data, communication, and control. Figure 7 illustrates an example of a series of such functional modules, according to an implementation. In the illustrated embodiment, digital architecture elements 700 include power and communication module 710 , audiovisual (A/V) module 720 , environmental module 730 , computing/learning module 740 , and controller module 750 .

The power and communication module 710 may include one or more wired or wireless interfaces for transmitting and receiving communication signals and/or power. Examples of wireless power transfer techniques suitable for use in conjunction with the techniques disclosed herein are described in the March 13, 2018 application entitled Wirelessly Powering Electrochromic Windows and Powering Electrochromic Windows (WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS) U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/642,478; filed September 21, 2017 entitled WIRELESSLY POWERED AND POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS POWERING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS), International Patent Application PCT/US17/52798; and U.S. Patent Application No. 14/962,975, filed December 8, 2015, entitled WIRELESS POWERED ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS, Each of them is assigned to the proprietor of any of this application, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety into this application. Power and communication module 710 may be communicatively coupled to and distribute power to each of: audiovisual (A/V) module 720 , environmental module 730 , Calculation/learning module 740 and controller module 750. The power and communication module 710 may also be communicatively coupled with one or more other digital architecture elements (not shown) and/or interface with the building's power and/or control distribution nodes.

A/V module 720 may include one or more of the A/V components described above, including cameras or other visual and/or IR light sensors, visual displays, touch interfaces, microphones or microphone arrays, and Loudspeaker or speaker array. In some embodiments, the "touch" interface may additionally include gesture recognition capabilities for detecting recognition and responding to non-touch movements of a person's appendage or handheld object.

The environmental module 730 may include one or more of the environmental sensing components described above, including temperature and humidity sensors, acoustic light sensors, IR sensors, particle sensors (e.g., for Detect dust, smoke, pollen, etc.), VOC, CO and/or CO2 sensors. Ambient module 730 may be functional and have a series of audio and audio functions that may partially or completely overlap the sensors described above in connection with A/V module 720 (e.g., microphone, visual and/or IR light sensors). and/or electromagnetic sensors. In some embodiments, the term "sensor" as used herein may include some processing capability, for example, to make determinations such as occupancy (or number of occupants) in a district. Cameras, especially those that detect IR radiation, can be used to directly identify the number of people in an area. Alternatively, additionally, the sensors may provide raw (unprocessed) signals to calculation/learning module 740 and/or controller module 750 .

Computing/learning module 740 may include processing components (including general or special purpose processors and memory) as described above for digital architecture elements, digital wall interfaces, and/or enhanced functionality window controllers. Alternatively or additionally, it may comprise specially designed ASICs, digital signal processors or other types of hardware, including processors designed or optimized to implement models such as machine learning models (e.g., neural networks) . Examples include Google's "tensor processing unit" or TPU. Such processors may be designed to efficiently compute activation functions, matrix operations, and/or other mathematical operations required for neural network or other machine learning computations. For some applications, other dedicated with a processor. In some cases, the processor may be disposed in a system in a chip architecture.

The controller module 750 may be or include a window control module having one or more of the features described in: 1/29/108 application entitled Controller for Optically Switchable Windows ( CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS) U.S. Patent Application No. 15/882,719; U.S. Patent entitled "Controller for Optically Switchable Windows (CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS)" filed on April 17, 2012 Application No. 13/449,251; International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/47664 entitled "ELECTROMAGNETIC-SHIELDING ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS" filed on August 18, 2017; October 2016 U.S. Patent Application No. 15/334,835 filed on the 26th, entitled "CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES"; and filed on November 10, 2017, entitled "For International Patent Application No. PCT/US17/61054 for POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES", each of which is assigned to the assignee of the present application and is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety incorporated into this application.

For clarity of illustration, FIG. 7 presents digital architecture elements as incorporating separate and distinct modules 710 , 720 , 730 , 740 , and 750 . However, it should be appreciated that two or more modules may be combined structurally with each other and/or with the features of the digital wall interface described above. Furthermore, it is contemplated that in a building installation that includes several digital architecture elements, not every digital architecture element will necessarily include all of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 may be shared by a plurality of digital architecture elements.

8 illustrates an example physical packaging of digital architecture elements, according to some implementations. As can be seen in FIG. 8, it is contemplated that the functionality of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 may Configured in a physical package with a size and form factor that can be easily accommodated by architectural features such as typical window mullions.

Trunks for high-speed network infrastructure

The ever-increasing use and implementation of Internet of Things (IOT) devices requires communication networks capable of supporting their data throughput. In the debate over previously constructed buildings, it has increasingly been found that existing installed network infrastructures cannot support this data throughput. The implementation or adaptation of a building's network infrastructure according to the present invention enables higher speed communications between more devices than was previously possible.

9A-9C illustrate representations of trunk lines for high-speed network infrastructure, according to some implementations. Referring first to FIG. 9A , in one embodiment, a high speed network infrastructure 900 a is implemented by at least one trunk 901 comprising at least one trunk section 902 and at least one or more circuits 903 . As described in more detail below, one or more of circuits 903 may be disposed in or otherwise associated with a respective digital architecture element. In some embodiments, network 900a is configured to transmit signals to devices and devices at throughputs such as 500Mbps, 1Gbps, 2.5Gbps, 10Gbps as contemplated by MoCA 2.0, bonded MoCA 2.0, MoCA 2.5, and MoCA 3.0, respectively. and/or transmit a signal from the device.

Referring now to FIG. 9B, in one embodiment, the network infrastructure 900b includes a series connection of trunk sections 902 that are daisy-chained together, wherein one end of a first section 902(1) is coupled to a control panel (CP ) 920 and the second end of the first segment 902(1) is coupled to the second segment 902(i) via the trunk circuit 903. In one embodiment, the second section 902(i) includes two or more conductors (in the illustrated example, 902(2) and 902(3). In one embodiment, the trunk section Some or all of 902 include twisted pairs of conductors configured to carry power signals. In one embodiment, DC power signals include Class 2 power signals. In one embodiment, the end of at least one segment 902 includes RF Connector 905. In one embodiment, RF connector 905 comprises an F-type connector.

In one embodiment, each trunk circuit 903 is configured to Signals are passed between segments 902 and are further configured to couple signals between segments and connectors 908 . In one embodiment, at least one trunk circuit 903 includes a connector 908, at least one connector 906 configured to mate with connector 905 at the end of section 902, and configured to mate with conductor 902 (2 , 3) At least one connector 907 that carries the power signal fits. In one embodiment, connector 906 is or includes an F-type connector configured to mate with connector 905 of section 902; and connector 907 includes at least one fastener, such as, but not limited to, configured to tighten A terminal block type fastener at the conductive end of a solid conductor.

In one embodiment, trunk circuit 903 includes one or more passive circuits. Referring now to FIG. 9C , in the illustrated embodiment, the trunk circuit 903 includes a directional coupler circuit 909 coupled to a bias tee circuit 940 . In one embodiment, the directional coupler 909 is proximate to the first conductor 911 and includes the second conductor 912 . Where first conductor 911 is configured to conduct signals between segments 902 , the signal on first conductor 911 is inductively coupled to second conductor 912 . In one embodiment, the bias tee circuit 940 includes an inductor 941 and a capacitor 942, wherein a first end of the inductor 941 is coupled to the connector 907 and a second end of the inductor 941 is coupled to the capacitor 942 and the connector 908. In one embodiment, the power signal at connector 207 is combined with the signal provided by directional coupler circuit 909 by bias tee circuit 940 and the combined signal is coupled to the connector by bias tee circuit 940 908. In one embodiment, connector 908 is or includes an RF connector. In one embodiment, connector 908 is or includes an F-type connector. In one embodiment, connector 908 is coupled to down conductor 913 , which may be configured to carry both power and high speed/high bandwidth data signals to one or more devices 914 . In one embodiment, the down conductor 913 is or includes a coaxial cable conductor.

In one embodiment, a high-speed network is installed on or in a building under construction. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the network is installed on or in structural elements of the building prior to opening the building for occupancy, such as, for example, unfinished or exposed interior- and exterior-facing walls, ceilings and/or structural elements of the floor. In some embodiments, after installation in construction Installing at least a portion of the network during or after the electrical infrastructure of the building. In other embodiments, one or more portions of the network are installed before or during installation of windows in a building under construction. Early installation of network 900 prior to completion of final finishing work enables previously unavailable functionality to be available during building construction. In one embodiment where the windows are installed at the same time as the network is installed or after the network is installed, some or all of the processing power of the network and/or windows may be made available to contractors and other site personnel. For example, in one embodiment where windows constructed of digital display screen technology are installed simultaneously with or after the network is installed, an electronic version of the construction blueprint can be made available on the display screen to the site building Divisions and contractors are shown.

In addition, certain materials in buildings are known to interfere or block the transmission of certain frequencies during or after construction, and this blocking can interfere with devices whose operation depends on those frequencies. For example, metal structures such as, but not limited to, metal beams and metal window glass coatings that may be present in the interior and/or exterior walls of buildings are known to interfere with the operation of certain wireless devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, IOT devices, 5G, and mmWave enabled devices. In one embodiment, trunk 901 is configured to include or be connected to one or more devices such as transceivers, antennas, and/or signal repeaters to avoid this blocking. Appropriate placement of one or more transceivers, antennas, and/or signal repeaters in or on the structures of a building can be used to facilitate communication across and around such structures. In one embodiment, one or more transceivers, antennas, and/or signal repeaters are coupled to trunk 901 to facilitate communication between devices within the building during or after construction of the building. In one embodiment, one or more transceivers, antennas and/or signal repeaters are located within the building according to their connection to the trunk 901 and/or the routing of the trunk. For example, in one embodiment, during or after construction, trunk lines 901 are installed on or in the exterior walls of buildings, and transceivers, antennas, and/or signal repeaters are used as one or more trunk line circuits 903 part of or separate from one or more trunk circuits. In one embodiment, the routing of trunk lines 901 along the exterior of the building may be used to improve wireless connectivity to devices residing outside the building. In an embodiment, one or more architectural elements may include a transceiver, an antenna, and/or a signal repeater. In one embodiment, Transceivers, antennas and/or signal repeaters may be provided in or on the window or window frame. In one embodiment, the transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater may be coupled to trunk 901 via down conductor 913 or via a connection to trunk 901 at some other point along the trunk. In one embodiment, one or more of the transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater is located on an outer wall or roof or on a building, and the trunk line 901 is coupled to the transceiver, antenna and/or signal repeater.

Trunk - down conductor interface

Figure 10 shows an example power and data distribution system including s control panels, trunks, down conductors, and digital architecture elements, according to some embodiments. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 10 , a control panel 1020 provides power and data to a plurality of digital architecture elements 1030 .

Conductors (power plug-in cords) 1002(2), power injectors 1070, and power sections 1090 are provided to carry power from the control panel 1020 to the digital architecture elements 1030. A power distribution system comprising trunks, power inserts, and power injectors is discussed in PCT Application Publication No. 2018/102103 (P085X1WO), filed November 10, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety middle.

In certain embodiments, the power insertion cords and power sections include one or more twisted pair conductors, such as 12 or 14 AWG conductor pairs. In one example, one or both of these types of current carrying wires contain two pairs of 2x14 AWG conductors. In certain embodiments, one or both of these types of current-carrying cables are designed for Class 2 power (eg, <4 amps and <30 volts DC).

In the depicted embodiment, power from control panel 1020 is delivered to bias tee 1040 first via power plug-in cord 1002(2), then from power injector 1070, and finally via power section 1090. The bias tees 1040 couple power and data into the down conductors 1013 connected to the plurality of digital architecture elements 1030 .

In the depicted embodiment, a control panel 1020 (or more specifically, a host controller or network controller such as disposed in the control panel) and a plurality of digital architecture elements 1030 are provided. material. Data is carried from cable 1002 ( 1 ) connected to control panel 1020 to directional coupler 1009 , biasing tee 1040 and finally to down conductor 1013 .

In some embodiments, data carrying cable 1002(1) and down conductor 1013 are coaxial cables. In some embodiments, one or both of these coaxial cables are RG6 coaxial cables. As explained elsewhere herein, the system may include hardware and/or software logic for delivering high bandwidth data over coaxial cables. In certain embodiments, the system uses components configured to deliver data using one or more of the MoCA standards.

In various embodiments, data from the control panel is delivered to individual ones of the plurality of digital architecture elements 1030 by using directional couplers 1009 to tap off some of the carrier signals from data carrying cable 1002(1). As an example, a directional coupler may direct a small portion of the data signal from the data carrying cable 1002(1) and direct the extracted signal towards the biasing tee. As an example, the data signal received at the directional coupler has a first signal strength, and the digital coupler extracts a small portion of the signal for biasing the tee and allows the slightly reduced strength signal to continue downstream towards the next directional coupler device.

Upstream data from digital architecture element 1030 passes via down conductor 1013 to biasing tee 1040 and directional coupler 1009, and ultimately to data carrying cable 1002(1) for delivery to control panel 1020 (or often more To be precise, to the network controller or master controller in the control panel). Directional couplers 1009, such as those depicted in this example system, direct certain materials in only one direction. For example, upstream data from digital architecture element 1030 passing via directional coupler 1009 is only directed upstream on data-carrying cable 1002(1 ) towards control panel 1020 .

In the example of FIG. 10, any one or more of digital architecture elements 1030 may comprise any one or more of modules or may provide one or more of the functions described elsewhere herein. For example, although directional coupler 1009 and biasing tee 1040 are shown outside of respective digital architecture elements 1030 for clarity of illustration, it is contemplated that in some embodiments at least some of digital architecture elements 1030 will include A respective directional coupler 1009 and/or a respective biasing tee 1040 are included. In some embodiments, at least one of the digital architecture elements 1030 lacks sensor, audio, and/or video capabilities. For example, digital architecture element 1030 may include only communication capabilities such as Wi-Fi, cellular, and/or wired network capabilities.

In some cases, one or more of the digital architecture elements contain modules or other components for controlling one or more electro-tintable windows. In some cases, a digital architecture element contains or communicates with one or more window controllers. To this end, one or more of the digital architecture elements may include components such as gateways to implement controller area network (eg, CANbus) functionality. In some such cases, the system depicted in FIG. 10 may have CANbus cables provided via trunks or other components.

In FIG. 10 and other figures depicting systems containing digital architecture elements, it should be understood that digital architecture elements may be replaced by other digital elements that provide any one or more functions (providing control, processing, communication, and/or sensing). For example, any digital architecture elements may be replaced by digital wall controllers, enhanced functionality window controllers, or the like

11 illustrates a schematic illustration of an example of a trunk circuit similar to that described above in connection with FIG. 9C. In the illustrated example, the trunk circuit contains a combination of features of both a directional coupler 1109 and a bias tee circuit 1140, which may be referred to as a multiport coupler or a trunk tee. In the depicted example, directional coupler 1109 is proximate to first conductor 1111 comprising an upstream section (inlet) 1111(i) and a downstream section (outlet) 1111(o). Conductor 1111 may be coupled to a section of the trunk line (e.g., section 902 of FIG. 9c and 1002(i) of FIG. In an example, the directional coupler provides a tap line 1150 for the data signal extracted from the first conductor 1111. In some embodiments, the directional coupler includes two parallel conductive elements (eg, two copper traces). These are depicted as (i) a first conductor 1111 connecting two sections of a coaxial or other data-carrying line (not illustrated), and (ii) a second conductor 1112 which is a directional finger. Via inductive coupling, The signal of the data-carrying line is tapped or extracted for other purposes In this case, it is provided to bias tee circuit 1140. Among other parameters, the relative lengths of the directional fingers along the path of successive conductive elements and the separation distance between these two conductive elements dictate the strength of the tapped data-carrying signal.

As an example, a data signal arrives at the directional coupler from the control panel, and the arriving signal (at 1111(i)) has a signal strength of 25dB. The directional coupler is configured to extract a portion of the signal (eg, 2dB) and allow the remaining 23dB signal (at 1111(o)) to continue its journey downstream (away from the control panel (not illustrated)) and towards, eg, the next directional coupler (not specified).

The tap 1150 can deliver data to the bias tee circuit 1140 at a relatively low signal strength (compared to the signal on the first conductor 1111. As shown, the bias tee circuit 1140 has a structure that includes: an inductive element 1141 coupled to a power source (eg, a power segment such as segment 1090 ); and a capacitive element 1142 on the link between the directional coupler 1109 and the node connected to the inductive element 1141 .

In operation, bias tee circuitry 1140 may receive data from directional coupler 1109 via coaxial cable as an RF signal and combine the data with DC power from a separate power source. The bias tee circuitry sends the combined signal on down conductor 1113 for downstream transmission to device 1114, which may be a digital architecture element (e.g., digital architecture element 1030 of FIG. 10) or other digital elements, and/or window control devices and/or electrotintable windows (eg, in IGUs). Power provided to bias tee 1140 (and in particular, inductive element 1141 ) may come from any of a variety of sources. In some embodiments, it is provided via an electrical cord originating at the control panel (eg, a power plug-in cord such as line 1002(2) or a cord from a power section such as section 1090). In some embodiments, this is provided via a storage battery, storage capacitor, or other form of energy sink (not illustrated). In certain embodiments, a combination trunk tee includes both a power cable and an energy sink. Working in tandem under appropriate control logic, these two power sources can provide load balancing, backup power, and the like in a power distribution system.

In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG. 11, device 1114 is configured to include a The digital architecture element of the bias tee 1160 accepts data and power supplied via the down conductor 1113 . AC power from the down conductor 113 is directed on the first circuit leg to the power supply of the digital architecture element, and the data is directed to a different leg for processing at block 1161 .

In certain embodiments, the combination trunk tee includes at least five ports: (i) an input data port for receiving data from an upstream source (e.g., a control panel); (ii) an output data port for receiving data from an upstream source (e.g., a control panel); transmits data to downstream relay tees (and ultimately to downstream processing units such as other digital architecture elements); (iii) input power ports for receiving power from a power source (e.g., a control panel); (iv) Output power ports for transferring unused power downstream to other devices consuming power; and (iv) down-conductor ports for transferring tapped data and power over down-conductors to devices such as digital architecture components device. In certain embodiments, ports (i), (ii) and (iv) contain connectors for coaxial cables, and ports (iii) and (iv) contain connectors for twisted pair cables.

In some embodiments, a directional coupler, such as directional coupler 1109 within relay tee 1103, contains controls or controls for controlling or adjusting the coupling between traces or other conductive elements contained in the directional coupler. Adjustment features such as mechanically or electrically controllable knobs or dials. For example, control or adjustment features may provide control over the relative positions and/or overlap lengths of traces, thereby permitting different degrees of signal coupling.

Depending on where the directional coupler is deployed in the communication network (near the control panel or terminal or somewhere in between), the directional coupler may require different degrees of signal coupling. The adjustable mechanism can permit different degrees of signal coupling suitable for different locations on the communication network.

In some embodiments, a trunk line connects to the control panel and carries both data lines and power lines. For example, trunks may carry power plug-in cord 1002(2) and data-carrying cable 1002(1) from control panel 1020 in the system of FIG.

12 depicts a cross-section of an example trunk 1200 configured to carry a combination of power and data from and/or data to a control panel. Trunk 1200 has conductors and screen A shield for carrying power and data for both general network protocols (eg, Ethernet) and control area networks (eg, CANbus protocol). As shown in FIG. 12, the trunk 1200 includes an outer sheath 1210, which may be or include an insulator. In the depicted example, the outer jacket encloses an inner coaxial cable 1220 (e.g., RG6 coax) for high bandwidth data communication, two heavy gauge twisted pair cables 1230 for high wattage power delivery (e.g., 14 AWG unshielded twisted pair cable), and CANbus shielded multi-conductor cable 1240 for interfacing with, for example, window controllers, sensors, and the like. Of course, many of these features can be generalized, such as the number of twisted-pair conductors, the gauge of the conductors, and even the type of data-carrying cable (eg, non-coaxial, such as fiber optic). In certain embodiments, a CANbus cable includes: two data conductors, which are twisted pairs with an integral shield (eg, a foil shield) over the pair; and two power conductors. The two power conductors can be just a single wire and a shielded wire (bare wire, not insulated) electrically connected to the overall shield.

Figure 13 shows an example of a portion of a data and power distribution system with digital architecture elements (such as "smart frames" or similar communication/processing modules) 1330 connected by means of down conductors 1313 to include directional couplers 1389 and The combination module 1380 is coupled to a bias tee circuit 1384 . Down conductors 1313 can carry both power and data downstream to DAE 1330, and data from DAE 1330 upstream to a control panel (not shown). Data from a control panel (or other upstream source) may be provided via coax input port 1381 . This data is provided to directional coupler 1389 of combination module 1380 . Depending on the design of combo module 1380, directional coupler 1389 extracts some of the data and transmits the data on line 1382 which may be a cable, electrical trace on a circuit board, etc. Data from the control panel that is not tapped off by the combination relay tee exits via the coax output port 1383 .

Line 1382 connects to bias tee 1384 in combination module 1380 . Two twisted pair conductors (or other power carrying lines) 1385(1) and 1385(2) are also connected to bias tee 1384. With these connections, the bias tee couples power and data to the down conductor 1313, which may be a coaxial cable. As depicted, digital architecture elements or other communication/processing elements 1330 include and/or connect to Components for cellular communications (eg, antennas as illustrated) and cellular or CBRS processing logic 1335 . In some embodiments, processing logic 1335 may be 5G compatible. In some embodiments, as depicted, a digital architecture element or other communication/processing element 1330 provides a CANbus gateway that provides data and power to one or more CAN bus nodes, such as window controllers, which control The associated optics can control the tint state of the window.

In some embodiments, during construction of a building, modules such as modular module 1380 illustrated in FIG. Some parts of other processing/communication modules are installed. In such embodiments, after construction, a combination relay tee may be used to house digital processing devices as desired by the building and/or tenants or other occupants.

digital architecture elements

Figures 14, 15 and 16 present block diagrams of versions of digital architecture elements, digital wall interfaces or similar devices. For convenience, the following discussion will refer to digital architecture elements (DAEs). FIG. 14 illustrates a DAE 1430 that can support multiple communication types including, for example, Wi-Fi communication with its own antenna 1437 . Alternatively or in addition, DAE 1430 may include or be coupled to a cellular communications infrastructure, in the illustrated embodiment, such as baseband radios, amplifiers, and antennas. Similarly, although not explicitly shown here, digital architecture element 1430 may support a Civil Radio System (CBRS) using similar baseband radios. From a communication and data processing point of view, the digital architecture elements in this figure have the same general architecture as the full-featured digital architecture elements. However, it does not contain sensors and may not contain auxiliary components such as displays, microphones, and speakers.

In some embodiments, the digital architecture elements support a modular sensor configuration that allows individual upgrades and replacement of sensors via plug-and-play insertion in a backbone circuit board with a set of slots or sockets. device. In one embodiment, the sensors used in the digital fabric elements can be mounted orthogonal to the backbone in one of many standardized slots/sockets for maximum flexibility and functionality. In some embodiments, the sensors are modular and plug-and-play replaceable by removal and insertion through openings in the housing of the digital architecture element. Failed sensors can be replaced or functionality/capacity can be modified as needed. In one embodiment where digital architectural elements are installed during the construction phase of the project/building, the use of plug-and-play sensors allows for one or more of the components that may not be needed when the project/building is ready for occupancy. Sensor custom digital architecture components. For example, during construction, sensors may be installed to track construction assets on site or to monitor unsafe (OSHA+) noise or air quality levels, and/or night cameras may be installed to capture Monitor construction site movement during occupancy. These or other sensors may be removed after construction, as desired or as required, and during the occupancy phase or at a later stage when upgraded or sensors with new capabilities are required or become available, Replace or supplement these or other sensors quickly and easily.

FIG. 15 illustrates a system 1500 of components that may be incorporated into or associated with a DAE. System 1500 may be configured to receive and transmit data wirelessly (eg, Wi-Fi communication, cellular communication, CB radio system communication, etc.), and to transmit data upstream and receive data downstream via, for example, a coaxial downconductor. In FIG. 15, the elements of system 1500 are presented at a relatively high level. The embodiment illustrated in FIG. 15 includes circuitry that provides functionality similar to combination module 1380 (described above in connection with FIG. 13 ) at the trunk-to-downconductor interface, specifically, a module including bias tee circuit 1584. Group 1580 takes power and data from separate conductors (trunks) and places them on one cable (down conductor 1513). Thus, for downstream transmission, the coaxial downconductor can deliver both power and data on the same conductor to the MoCA interface 1590 of the digital architecture element.

As illustrated, system 1500 includes bias tee circuit 1584 coupled to MoCA interface 1590 by way of downconductor 1513 . The MoCA interface 1590 is configured to convert a downstream data signal provided in MoCA format over a coaxial cable (in this case a drop conductor) into data in a known format that can be used for processing. Similarly, MoCA interface 1590 may be configured to format upstream data for transmission over coaxial cable (down conductor 1513). For example, packetized Ethernet data can be formatted by MoCA for upstream transmission on coaxial cable.

In the illustrated example, DC-DC power supply 1501 receives DC power from bias tee 1584 and converts this relatively higher voltage power into a power suitable for powering the processing and other components of digital architecture element 1430 Lower voltage electricity. In some embodiments, the power supply 1501 includes a buck converter. A power supply may have various outputs, each having a power or voltage level appropriate for the component it powers. For example, one component may require a 12 volt power supply, and a different component may require a 3.3 volt power supply.

In some approaches, bias tee 1584, MoCA interface 1590, and power supply 1501 are provided in a module (or other combination unit) for multiple designs of digital architecture components or similar networking devices. This module can provide data and power to one or more downstream data processing, communication and/or sensing devices among the digital architecture elements. In the depicted embodiment, processing block 1503 provides for cellular (e.g., 5G) or other wireless communication functional processing logic. In certain embodiments, the antenna and associated transceiver logic are configured for broadband communications (eg, approximately 800 MHz to 5.8 GHz). Processing block 1503 may be implemented as one or more unique physical processors. Although blocks are shown with the microcontroller and digital signal processor separate, both could be combined in a single physical circuit such as an ASIC.

While the embodiment depicted in FIG. 15 provides separate transmit and receive antennas, other embodiments use a single antenna for transmission and reception. In addition, if the digital architecture element supports multiple wireless communication protocols, such as one or more cellular formats (eg, 5G for Sprint, 5G for T mobile, 4G/LTE for AT&T, etc.), then for each In one format, digital architecture elements may include separate hardware such as antennas, amplifiers, and analog-to-digital converters. Additionally, if the digital architecture element supports non-cellular wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, citizen band radio systems, etc., the digital architecture element may require separate antennas and/or other hardware for each of these protocols . However, in some real In one embodiment, a single power amplifier may be shared by antennas and/or other hardware for multiple wireless communication formats.

In the depicted embodiment, processing block 1503 may implement functionality associated with communications, such as a baseband radio for cellular or consumer band radio communications. In some cases, different physical processors are used for each supported wireless communication protocol. In some cases, a single physical processor is configured to implement multiple baseband radios, optionally sharing some additional hardware such as power amplifiers and/or antennas. In such cases, different baseband radios may be defined in software or other configurable logic.

16 illustrates an example of a system 1600 of components that may be incorporated into or associated with a digital architecture element. As shown, system 1600 includes bias tee circuit 1684 (eg, similar to bias tee circuit 1584 in FIG. 15 ) that can operate as described above. Data from bias tee 1684 is provided to MoCA front-end module 1690, which incorporates at least a portion of processing block 1640 (e.g., an on-chip coaxial network controller system such as that available from Carls, Calif. Bard's MaxLinear, Inc. MxL3710) operates to provide high-speed data to one or more components of system 1600.

Power (e.g., 24 V DC) from bias tee 1584 is provided to one or more voltage regulators in power supply 1601, at least some of which may collectively provide power to power supply 1501 in FIG. functions and provides power to the various components of the processing block 1640. As generally indicated at block 1642, processing block 1640 may include general purpose microprocessors, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, and integrated circuits, some or all of which may contain multiple cores or embedded type processor. In some embodiments, processing block 1640 provides the functionality of processing block 1503 in FIG. 15 . As an example, processing block 1640 may provide CANbus functionality for one or more window controllers.

In the illustrated example, processing block 1640 includes a network switch 1643, which may be, for example, a five-port Ethernet switch such as the SJA1105 available from NXP Semiconductors in the Netherlands). Decodes MoCA-encoded data from the MoCA front-end to provide conventional Ethernet format information. That data may then be provided to a network switch where it may be distributed to the various data processing components of system 1600 .

In an embodiment, a modular electrical connector 1604 such as the illustrated RJ45 connector can provide data for any purpose an occupant or building owner may have, such as a user laptop or a data center connection. . In one example, connector 1604 provides a connection for Gigabit Ethernet via twisted pair copper wire.

Block 1610 of FIG. 16 includes instances of additional components not illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 15 . In some embodiments, these components are provided together in a single chassis or housing or otherwise as a module. In other embodiments, these components are provided separately, and each component may be integrated in a digital architecture element. As shown, block 1605 includes sensor module 1611 , video module 1612 , audio module 1613 , and window controller components, including window controller logic 1614 and window controller power circuit 1615 . In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of window controller 1614 may be implemented in processing block 1640 , thereby minimizing or eliminating the requirement for separate logic elements such as window controller logic 1614 .

In some embodiments, 5G infrastructure can replace both Wi-Fi and 4G via a single service agreement and associated infrastructure. For example, one or more 5G antennas and associated components in a building area can provide all-need wireless communication functionality, effectively replacing the need for Wi-Fi. In some embodiments, the digital architecture elements use the Citizens Band Radio System (CBRS), which does not require a separate license from the FCC or other regulatory agency.

in conclusion

In the description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the presented embodiments. The disclosed embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well known procedural operations have not been described in detail so as not to unnecessarily obscure the disclosed embodiments. Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments. Embodiments are disclosed.

103‧‧‧"Control Panel" (CP)

105‧‧‧Extranet

100‧‧‧system

101‧‧‧buildings

Claims (53)

A data communication system comprising: a network including trunk sections configured for placement on or in a building, the trunk sections configured to communicate with one or A plurality of devices are operably coupled, the one or more devices configured to generate a signal having a first data set, the trunk sections configured to transmit power, the first data set, and a second data set, wherein The first data set is transmitted via the trunk segments to a system configured to determine building operating parameters based at least in part on the one or more signals received from the one or more devices, and wherein the Such building operating parameters include one or more parameters controlled by one or more building systems, including: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a lighting system, or a security system at least one of them; and the network configured to facilitate extraction of at least a portion of the second set of data transmitted by the trunk segments, the second set of data generated based at least in part on the first set of data. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the building operating parameters relate to one or more zones of the building across a plurality of rooms and/or floors. The system of claim 1, wherein the second system configured to determine a building operating parameter is remote from the building. The system of claim 1, wherein the one or more devices comprise a digital architecture element having a housing configured to house (i) the sensor; (ii) the sensor and transmitter or (iii) sensors and transceivers. The system of claim 1, wherein the trunk sections include a cable configured to transmit the combination of the power and the at least a portion of the second data set. The system as described in item 5 of the scope of the patent application, wherein the cable is a coaxial cable. A system as described in claim 1, comprising a combination of radio frequency (RF) phase A circuit related to a data signal and a DC power related signal, wherein the power transmitted through the trunk sections and the at least a portion of the second data set at least partially correspond to (i) the combined RF related data signal and the DC Power related signals. The system of claim 7, wherein the circuit includes a bias tee. The system of claim 1, comprising a directional coupler for extracting the at least a portion of the second data set transmitted through the trunk sections. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is configured to provide (i) the power and (ii) the at least a portion of the second data set to at least one of the one or more devices combination. A system as described in claim 1, wherein the network is configured to transmit the remainder of the second data set to another of the one or more devices, wherein the remainder of the second data set The at least a portion of the second data set is partially excluded. The system of claim 1, wherein the network is configured to use at least in part the trunk segments to transmit the first data set to a control system. A system as described in claim 1, wherein a trunk section of the trunk sections includes (i) a first conductive portion configured to transmit power and (ii) a second conductive portion configured to transmit data conductive part. A method for data communication, the method comprising: using a first data set to generate a second data set; and extracting at least a portion of the second data set transmitted by a trunk section of a network, the network including the trunk sections configured for placement on or in a building, the trunk sections configured to be operably coupled with one or more devices including a sensor, the one or more a device configured to generate the trunk zones having the first data set, configured to transmit power and the first data set segment, and the second data set, wherein the first data set is transmitted via the trunk segments to a system configured to be based at least in part on the one or more received from the one or more devices The signal determines building operating parameters, and wherein the building operating parameters include one or more parameters controlled by one or more building systems, including: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a lighting system, or a security system. The method of claim 14, further comprising providing (i) the power and (ii) the at least a portion of the second data set to at least one of the one or more devices. The method described in claim 14, further comprising transmitting the remaining portion of the second data set to one or more other devices, wherein the remaining portion of the second data set excludes the second data set at least partly. The method of claim 16, further comprising transmitting the first data set to the control system at least in part by using at least one of the trunk segments. The method of claim 14, further comprising a machine learning model configured to determine the building operating parameters based at least in part on the first data set. The method of claim 18, wherein the machine learning model predicts the value of an environmental parameter of a portion of the building based at least in part on the first data set. The method of claim 19, wherein the second data set is at least partially generated based on the value of the environmental parameter. A method as described in claim 18, wherein the machine learning model is based at least in part on background information including: (i) date and/or time information; (ii) building layout information; (iii) building arrangement information; or (iv) weather information. An apparatus for data communication, the apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to: (a) be operatively coupled to a network, the network comprising Trunk sections in the system configured to be operatively coupled to one or more devices comprising sensors configured to generate a signal having a first data set, the The trunk section is configured to transmit power, the first data set, and the second data set, wherein the first data set is transmitted via the trunk line sections to a system configured to be based at least in part on data obtained from the one or The one or more signals received by the plurality of devices determine building operating parameters, and wherein the building operating parameters include one or more parameters controlled by one or more building systems, the one or more building The object system includes: at least one of a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a lighting system, or a security system; (b) using or directly using the first data set to generate the second data set; and (c ) extracts or directly extracts at least a portion of the second data set transmitted over the trunk segments. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one controller is part of a hierarchical control system. The device as described in claim 23, wherein the hierarchical control system includes at least three control levels. The device as described in claim 23, wherein the hierarchical control system includes a controller installed outside the building. The device as described in claim 22, wherein the at least one controller is installed in a fixture of the building. The apparatus of claim 22, wherein the at least one controller is operatively coupled to circuitry to utilize a machine learning model on the first data set. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the machine learning model utilizes the first data set to determine the building operating parameters. The device as described in claim 27, wherein the machine learning model includes a neural network solution. The apparatus of claim 27, wherein the machine learning model is configured to predict a value of an environmental parameter of a portion of the building based at least in part on the first data set. The device of claim 30, wherein the second data set is generated based at least in part on the value of the environmental parameter. The apparatus of claim 31, wherein the at least one controller is configured to modify or directly modify building conditions based at least in part on the second data set. The apparatus of claim 32, wherein the at least one controller is configured to at least partially modify or directly modify the building condition by the at least one controller, the at least one controller is configured to change or Directly alter the state of: (i) the lighting system, (ii) the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, and/or (iii) the security system. Non-transitory computer-readable program instructions for data communications that, when read by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: using or directly utilizing a first data set to generate a second data set; and extracting or directly extracting at least a portion of the second data set transmitted by a trunk section of a network comprising a network configured to be arranged at The trunk sections on or in a building configured to operably couple with one or more devices including a sensor configured to generate Signals of the first data set, the trunk sections configured to transmit power, the first data set, and the second data set, wherein the one or more processors are operably coupled to the network, wherein The first data set is transmitted via the trunk segments to a system configured to determine building operating parameters based at least in part on the one or more signals received from the one or more devices, and wherein the Such building operating parameters include one or more parameters controlled by one or more building systems, including: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a lighting system, or a security system at least one of them. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 34, wherein the one or more processors include at least one processor disposed outside the building. The non-transitory computer-readable program instructions of claim 34, wherein the one or more processors include microprocessors and/or graphics processing units (GPUs). The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 34, wherein the operations include using or directly using a machine learning model to determine the building operating parameters based at least in part on the first data set. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 37, wherein the machine learning model utilizes the first data set to predict the value of an environmental parameter of a portion of the building. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 38, wherein the second data set is at least partially generated based on the value of the environmental parameter. Non-transitory computer readable program instructions as described in claim 37, wherein the machine learning model utilizes background information including: (i) date and/or time information; (ii) building layout information; (iii) ) building alignment information; or (iv) weather information. An apparatus for operating a building, the apparatus comprising: a digital architecture element (DAE) including a housing enclosing one or more devices including a sensor, the DAE configured to: (A) generating a signal having a first data set; and (B) operatively coupled to a network comprising trunk sections configured for placement on or in a building, the trunk sections configured To be operably coupled with the DAE, the trunk sections are configured to transmit power, the first data set, and a second data set generated at least in part based on the first data set, wherein the first data set is transmitted via the and other trunk segments to a system configured to determine building operation based at least in part on the one or more signals received from the one or more devices and wherein the building operating parameters include one or more parameters controlled by one or more building systems including: a heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system, a lighting system or at least one of a security system. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the trunk sections include cables configured to transmit power and the second data set. The device of claim 41, wherein the sensor is configured to be removable. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the DAE is configured to receive the power from the trunk sections. The device according to claim 41, wherein the DAE is configured to transmit the first data set via the trunk sections and/or receive a third data set via the trunk sections, the DAE Three data sets are included in the second data set. The device as described in claim 41, wherein the DAE is configured to facilitate extraction of the first data set and/or the third data set. The device as described in claim 41, wherein the DAE is installed in or on a fixture of the building. The device as described in claim 47, wherein the fixing device of the building includes a window frame portion of the building. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the one or more devices comprise (i) a sensor; (ii) a sensor and a transmitter; or (iii) a transceiver. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the DAE includes at least one occupancy sensor. The apparatus of claim 50, wherein the occupancy sensor comprises an infrared sensor, a sensor for performing ranging, or a sensor for performing geolocation. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the DAE includes at least one temperature sensor. The apparatus of claim 41, wherein the DAE includes a graphics processing unit (GPU).

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