Patent Application
20240152016
The present disclosure is directed to a smart glass system, and more specifically to a smart glass system with multiple power sources and for mounting on a window or a window frame.
Smart glass may be used to decrease heat transfer through a window and/or reduce the transmission of visible light to provide tinting or shading. A smart glass system including a smart glass (e.g., an electrochromic (EC) device, an electrochromic insulated glass unit (EC-IGU), a device with a glass that changes, for example tint, in response to an input, an electrical charge, and/or the environment) may be used to provide a decrease in thermal conductivity (e.g., increase in insulation) through a transparent substrate and a reduction in visible light transmission through a transparent substrate (e.g., a window or glass pane). An EC device may include EC materials that are known to change their optical properties, such as coloration, in response to the application of an electrical potential, thereby making the transparent substrate more or less transparent or more or less reflective. An EC device can also change its optical properties such as optical transmission, absorption, reflectance and/or emittance in a continual but reversible manner on application of voltage. These properties enable the EC device to be used for applications like smart glasses, EC mirrors, EC display devices, and the like. EC glass may include a type of glass or glazing for which light transmission properties of the glass or glazing are altered when electrical power (e.g., voltage/current) is applied to the glass. EC materials may change in opacity (e.g., may changes levels of tinting) when electrical power is applied. Adding or replacing windows or glass panes with integrated smart glass may be time consuming, labor intensive, and costly.
A free-standing smart glass system may be provided for installation on or attachment to one or more existing windows or glass panes. The smart glass system may include a smart glass (e.g., an electrochromic (EC) device, an electrochromic insulated glass unit (EC-IGU), a device with a glass that changes, for example, tint in response to an input, an electrical charge, and/or the environment) and a smart glass frame retaining (e.g., supporting) the smart glass. The smart glass system may be sized and/or shaped so that the smart glass frame aligns with, fits within, or fits around a frame of an existing window (e.g., a window frame). One or more mounting devices of the smart glass frame may attach the smart glass frame to the window frame to secure the smart glass system to the window. For example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a same size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to align the smart glass frame with the window frame so that the smart glass frame overlaps with an outward facing surface of the window frame (e.g., parallel to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. As another example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a larger size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame around the window frame so that the smart glass frame is adjacent an outer surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. As yet another example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a smaller size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame within the window frame so that the smart glass frame is adjacent an inner surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. In some aspects, the smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to be positioned securely within the window frame or around an outside surface of the window frame to secure the smart glass system to the window without using mounting device.
In some aspects, the one or more mounting devices may include one or more mounting brackets, one or more magnets, and/or one or more sides of the smart glass frame may be adjusted (e.g., extended or shortened) to tightly and securely fit around an existing window frame or tightly and securely fit within an existing window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed for adjustment and/or repair and subsequently remounted on the existing window frame without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed and subsequently replaced with another smart glass system without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame. In some aspects, gaskets and/or seals may be positioned between the smart glass system and the window frame.
This specification may include references to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment.” The appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment. Particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner consistent with this disclosure.
“Comprising.” This term is open-ended. As used in the appended claims, this term does not foreclose additional structure or steps. Consider a claim that recites: “An apparatus comprising one or more processor units . . . .” Such a claim does not foreclose the apparatus from including additional components (e.g., a network interface unit, graphics circuitry, etc.).
“Configured To.” Various units, circuits, or other components may be described or claimed as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is used to connote structure by indicating that the units/circuits/components include structure (e.g., circuitry) that performs those task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be said to be configured to perform the task even when the specified unit/circuit/component is not currently operational (e.g., is not on). The units/circuits/components used with the “configured to” language include hardware—for example, circuits, memory storing program instructions executable to implement the operation, etc. Reciting that a unit/circuit/component is “configured to” perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, sixth paragraph, for that unit/circuit/component. Additionally, “configured to” can include generic structure (e.g., generic circuitry) that is manipulated by software and/or firmware (e.g., an FPGA or a general-purpose processor executing software) to operate in manner that is capable of performing the task(s) at issue. “Configure to” may also include adapting a manufacturing process (e.g., a semiconductor fabrication facility) to fabricate devices (e.g., integrated circuits) that are adapted to implement or perform one or more tasks.
“First,” “Second,” etc. As used herein, these terms are used as labels for nouns that they precede, and do not imply any type of ordering (e.g., spatial, temporal, logical, etc.). For example, a buffer circuit may be described herein as performing write operations for “first” and “second” values. The terms “first” and “second” do not necessarily imply that the first value must be written before the second value. It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first contact could be termed a second contact, and, similarly, a second contact could be termed a first contact, without departing from the intended scope. The first contact and the second contact are both contacts, but they are not the same contact.
The terminology used in the description herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. As used in the description and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term “and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will further be understood that the term “or” as used herein refers to and encompasses alternative combinations as well as any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms “includes,” “including,” “comprises,” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. For example, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” indicate open-ended relationships and therefore mean including, but not limited to. Similarly, the words “have,” “having,” and “has” also indicate open-ended relationships, and thus mean having, but not limited to.
As used herein, the term “if” may be construed to mean “when” or “upon” or “in response to determining” or “in response to detecting,” depending on the context. Similarly, the phrase “if it is determined” or “if [a stated condition or event] is detected” may be construed to mean “upon determining” or “in response to determining” or “upon detecting [the stated condition or event]” or “in response to detecting [the stated condition or event],” depending on the context.
Whenever a relative term, such as “about,” “substantially” or “approximately,” is used in this specification, such a term should also be construed to also include the exact term. That is, e.g., “substantially straight” should be construed to also include “(exactly) straight.” As used herein, the terms “about”, “substantially”, or “approximately” (and other relative terms) may be interpreted in light of the specification and/or by those having ordinary skill in the art. In some examples, such terms may as much as 1%, 3%, 5%, 7%, or 10% different from the respective exact term.
While embodiments are described herein by way of example for several embodiments and illustrative drawings, those skilled in the art will recognize that the embodiments are not limited to the embodiments or drawings described. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit embodiments to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope as defined by the appended claims. Any headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description or the claims. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must).
“Based On.” As used herein, this term is used to describe one or more factors that affect a determination. This term does not foreclose additional factors that may affect a determination. That is, a determination may be solely based on those factors or based, at least in part, on those factors. Consider the phrase “determine A based on B.” While B may be a factor that affects the determination of A, such a phrase does not foreclose the determination of A from also being based on C. In other instances, A may be determined based solely on B.
The scope of the present disclosure includes any feature or combination of features disclosed herein (either explicitly or implicitly), or any generalization thereof, whether or not it mitigates any or all of the problems addressed herein. Accordingly, new claims may be formulated during prosecution of this application (or an application claiming priority thereto) to any such combination of features. In particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent claims and features from respective independent claims may be combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in the specific combinations enumerated in the appended claims.
A free-standing smart glass system may be provided for installation on or attachment to one or more existing windows or glass panes. The smart glass system may include a smart glass (e.g., an electrochromic (EC) device, an electrochromic insulated glass unit (EC-IGU), a device with a glass that changes, for example tint, in response to an input, an electrical charge, and/or the environment) and a smart glass frame retaining (e.g., supporting) the smart glass. The smart glass system may be sized and/or shaped so that the smart glass frame aligns with, fits within, or fits around a frame of an existing window (e.g., a window frame). One or more mounting devices of the smart glass frame may attach the smart glass frame to the window frame to secure the smart glass system to the window. For example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a same size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to align the smart glass frame with the window frame so that the smart glass frame overlaps with an outward facing surface of the window frame (e.g., parallel to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. As another example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a larger size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame around the window frame so that the smart glass frame is adjacent an outer perimeter surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. As yet another example, a smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to have a smaller size and a same shape as a window frame. One or more mounting devices fixedly attached to the smart glass frame may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame within the window frame so that the smart glass frame is adjacent an inner perimeter surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. In some aspects, the smart glass frame may be sized and shaped to be positioned securely within the window frame or around an outside surface of the window frame to secure the smart glass system to the window without using mounting devices. In some aspects, the one or more mounting devices may include one or more mounting brackets, one or more magnets, and/or one or more sides of the smart glass frame may be adjusted (e.g., extended or shortened) to tightly and securely fit around an existing window frame or tightly and securely fit within an existing window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed for adjustment and/or repair and subsequently remounted on the existing window frame without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed and subsequently replaced with another smart glass system without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame.
The smart glass system may include one or more power receiving devices for receiving and providing power to a smart glass (e.g., electrochromic device) to increase or maintain a level of tinting of the smart glass. For example, the one or more power receiving devices may include one or more solar panels (e.g., photovoltaic panels) positioned on and/or around the smart glass frame, on and/or around the window frame, or at one or more locations that receive sun exposure (e.g., one or more locations at an exterior or outdoor region/area). In some aspects, one or more solar panels may be positioned within the smart glass. For example, one or more transparent or translucent solar panels may be positioned within the smart glass around a perimeter of the smart glass (e.g., near the smart glass frame) and/or at one or more light obstruction points on the smart glass. Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more power receiving devices may include one or more wireless power receivers (e.g., one or more wireless receivers, one or more wireless transceivers). The wireless power receiver(s) may be positioned on a surface of the smart glass frame, in a compartment within the smart glass frame, and/or positioned at a location near the smart glass system (e.g., on a building wall near the smart glass system, on a ceiling near the smart glass system, on a floor near the smart glass system, or beneath a floor near a smart glass system). The one or more power receiver(s) may receive wireless power from one or more wireless transmitters (e.g., wireless transceiver(s)) positioned near the smart glass system (e.g., within an interior region/area of a building, in an exterior region/area outside a building). For example, the one or more wireless transmitters may be positioned at a central or suitable location (e.g., having wireless transmission path(s) or direction(s) to the smart glass systems that are minimally obstructed) near and/or amongst a plurality of smart glass systems to distribute wireless power to the wireless power receiver(s) of the respective smart glass systems. Additionally, or alternatively, the smart glass system and/or the one or more wireless transmitters may include one or more power communication lines. The power communication lines may include a power communication line provided through a data communication cable (e.g., an ethernet cable) and/or one or more dedicated power communication lines.
The smart glass system may include one or more controllers. The controller(s) may be positioned in a compartment within the smart glass frame and/or positioned at a location on or near the smart glass system (e.g., above a ceiling in a ceiling space of a building, on a wall of a building, on a floor of a building, or beneath of a floor of a building). The controller(s) may control power to the smart glass. For example, when the smart glass is to increase or maintain a tint, the controller may direct power from one or more power receiving devices to the smart glass to increase or maintain a level of tint of the smart glass. As another example, when the smart glass is to decrease tint, the controller may direct power from one or more power receiving device away from the smart glass to decrease a level of tint of the smart glass. In some aspects, the smart glass system may include a power storage device (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, or the like). The power storage device may be positioned in a compartment within the smart glass frame or at a location on or near the smart glass system (e.g., on the smart glass frame, on a wall near the smart glass system, above a ceiling in a building at least location near the smart glass, on a floor of a building at a location near the smart glass system, beneath of a floor of a building at a location near the smart glass system). The power storage device may receive power through/from one or more power receiving device(s) and store the received power for subsequent use. For example, the controller(s) may direct power from at least one power receiving device to the power storage device to store power within the power storage device for subsequent use. As described herein, the controller(s) may control power to the smart glass. Thus, the controller(s) may direct power from the power storage device to the smart glass to maintain or increase a level of tint of the smart glass. In some aspects, the controller(s) may direct different amounts of power from individual power receiving device(s) to the power storage device and to the smart glass based on an amount of power received from individual power receiving device(s), a schedule, one or more sensed conditions (e.g., sensed by one or more sensor), one or more current conditions of the power storage device and/or the power receiving device(s), and/or one or more predetermined parameters for the power storage device and/or the smart glass. Similarly, the controller(s) may direct different amounts of power from individual power receiving device(s) and the power storage device to the smart glass based on an amount of power received from individual power receiving device(s), a schedule, one or more sensed conditions (e.g., sensed by one or more sensor), one or more current conditions of the power storage device and/or the power receiving device(s), and/or one or more predetermined parameters for the power storage device and/or the smart glass. In some aspects, the one or more power receiving devices, the one or more power storage devices, and the one or more wired power sources may generally be called power sources.
The smart glass system described herein may be a free-standing retrofit system for installation on or attachment to one or more existing windows or glass panes. The smart glass system may be installed on or attached to an existing window or glass pane while minimizing the amount of wiring needed for installation or attachment. Depending on the application, the smart glass system may be installed on either the outside or inside of an existing window. In some aspects, the smart glass system may be sized and shaped to fit over a single existing window or multiple existing windows at the same time. In some aspects, the smart glass system may include a user interface accessible directly through the smart glass, located on a portion of the smart glass frame, and/or accessible wirelessly using a user terminal for immediate programming and without the need to attach the smart glass to a network of any kind. The user interface may include a touch screen, one or more physical buttons, a display, one or more indicators, or the like.
As another example, a smart glass frame 104 may be sized and shaped to have a larger size and a same shape as a window frame. The one or more mounting devices 106 fixedly attached to the smart glass frame 104 may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame 104 around the window frame so that the smart glass frame 104 is adjacent an outer surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system to the window. As yet another example, a smart glass frame 104 may be sized and shaped to have a smaller size and a same shape as a window frame. The one or more mounting devices 106 fixedly attached to the smart glass frame 104 may grip the window frame to position the smart glass frame 104 within the window frame so that the smart glass frame 104 is adjacent to an inner surface of the window frame (e.g., orthogonal to a surface of the window) and to secure the smart glass system 100 to the window. In some aspects, the smart glass frame 104 may be sized and shaped to be positioned securely within the window frame or around an outside surface of the window frame to secure the smart glass system 100 to the window without using mounting devices. In some aspects, the one or more mounting devices may include one or more mounting brackets, one or more magnets, and/or one or more sides of the smart glass frame 104 may be adjusted (e.g., extended or shortened) to tightly and securely fit around an existing window frame or tightly and securely fit within an existing window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed for adjustment and/or repair and subsequently remounted on the existing window frame without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame. In some aspects, gaskets and/or seals may be positioned between the smart glass system and the window frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100, after being mounted on an existing window frame, may be removed and subsequently replaced with another smart glass system without affecting the structure or function of the existing window or window frame. In some aspects, photovoltaic panels as described herein could be mounted to an existing window frame, and the smart glass system 100 could connect to the photovoltaic panels both mechanically and electrically, for example with spring pins, magnetic connectors, or other means of making electrical and mechanical connections simultaneously.
The smart glass system 100 may also include one or more power receiving devices 110 for receiving and providing power to the smart glass 102 to increase or maintain a level of tinting of the smart glass 102. As shown in
In some aspects, when positioning solar panels on the smart glass frame 104, multiple solar panels may be selectively positioned to capture solar energy at different times of the day or with different solar angles. For example, a solar panel positioned at a lower side of the smart glass frame 104 with a horizontal orientation may capture high-angle sun, while a solar panel positioned on a side of the smart glass frame 104 with a vertical orientation may capture low-angle sun. Positioning the smart glass frame 104 east facing or west facing may mean that the solar panels are located on a north vertical side of the smart glass frame 104 but not the south side vertical side of the smart glass (which may usually be shaded), and the north one might face nearly outward to capture low-angle sun well. Or instead of being angled, there could be solar panels on two surfaces, one facing outward and one facing south. For a smart glass frame facing to the south, there may be panels on both the left and right side, nearly flat against the frame to capture low-angle sun which is not coming from directly outward. Solar panel orientation may be adjusted either manually or automatically for a specific application. In some aspects, focusing or reflecting optics may be used to direct sunlight onto a solar panel permitting the use of smaller solar panels. The focusing optics or reflecting optics may re-direct IR or UV light without affecting visible light. For example, reflective surfaces located outside the smart glass system 100 may direct more light onto a surface of the solar panel. In some aspects, solar panel surfaces may be positioned or orientated to capture interior energy (e.g., light from within a building) as well as external energy (e.g., light from outside a building).
Additionally, or alternatively, the one or more power receiving devices may include one or more wireless power receivers (e.g., one or more wireless receivers, one or more wireless transceivers). The wireless power receiver(s) may be positioned on a surface of the smart glass frame 104, in a compartment within the smart glass frame 104, and/or positioned at a location near the smart glass system 100. In some cases, a building may have few wireless power transmitters none of which are close enough to the smart glass 102 and/or the smart glass frame 104 to provide wireless power transmission to a wireless power receiver mounted on and/or within the smart glass 102 and/or the smart glass frame 104. One or more wireless power receivers may be positioned, for example, on a building wall near the smart glass system, on a ceiling near the smart glass system, on a floor near the smart glass system, or beneath a floor near a smart glass system, with minimal wiring between the wireless power receiver and the smart glass 102 and/or the smart glass frame 104 so that a wireless power transmitter may transmit wireless power to the wireless power receiver. The one or more power receiver(s) may receive wireless power from one or more power transmitter devices 122 (e.g., wireless transceiver(s)) positioned near the smart glass system 100 (e.g., within an interior region/area of a building, in an exterior region/area outside a building). For example, the one or more power transmitter devices 122 may be positioned at a central or suitable location (e.g., having wireless transmission path(s) or direction(s) to the smart glass systems that are minimally obstructed) near and/or amongst a plurality of smart glass systems to distribute wireless power to the wireless power receiver(s) of the respective smart glass systems. Further, reflective surfaces may be used to re-focus the wirelessly transferred energy from the power transmitter device(s) 122 to the wireless receiver(s) to improve efficiency without increasing antenna size. In some aspects, if the power transmitter device(s) 122 provided wireless power to the smart glass system 102, via the wireless receiver(s), is powered by low-voltage direct current (DC), power sources may be easily added or changed without requiring a high-voltage electrician for the installation or move.
When the power receiving devices 110 includes wireless transceivers, the controller 108 may utilize the wireless transceiver to communicate data with one or more other smart glass systems, a building automation system (BAS), and/or a user interface (UI) 120 (e.g., a portable electronic device, a user terminal). For example, a smart glass system 100 may utilize wireless transceivers to communicate with one or more smart glass systems via a first wireless network (e.g., a wireless local area network (WLAN), a BAS or supervisor system 124 via a second wireless network (e.g., another WLAN), and/or a UI via a third wireless network (e.g., near-field communication). In some aspects, the wireless power receivers (e.g., transceivers), may be used as occupancy sensors to directly determine that a path to one or more windows has been interrupted. This information may be used to control (e.g., change or maintain) a tint of the smart glass 102 of the smart glass system 100. Additionally, or alternatively, the smart glass system 100 may include one or more wired power sources 114. For example, the one or more wired power sources 114 may include one or more power communication lines. The power communication lines may include a power communication line provided through a data communication cable (e.g., an ethernet cable) and/or one or more dedicated power communication lines. The wired power sources 114 may include an AC and/or DC current and may provide relatively higher voltage and/or relatively lower voltage.
When a system includes a plurality of smart glass systems, a power transmitter device 122 (e.g., a wireless power transmitter) may be controlled to provide power only when and where needed instead of equally splitting transmitting between a plurality of wireless power receivers. The power transmitter device 122 (e.g., the supervisory system/BAS 124 in communication with the power transmitter device 122) may obtain information about the state of charge of a power storage device for each smart glass system, for example, and provide power on that basis (for instance, always transmitting power to the smart glass system with the lowest state of charge.) The power transmitter device 122 (e.g., the supervisory system/BAS 124 in communication with the power transmitter device 122) may also obtain information about a recent history of each smart glass's power available from the environment (like solar power) and provide power based on this. For instance, the power transmitter device 122 (e.g., the supervisory system/BAS 124 in communication with the power transmitter device 122) may determine from recent power availability and a power storage device state of charge which smart glass system is likely to run out of power in the future, and provide power on that basis. If the power transmitter device (e.g., the supervisory system/BAS 124 in communication with the power transmitter device 122) is connected to the internet or other source of weather forecast information, the power transmitter device 122 may include this in the algorithm, attempting to limit wireless power transfers if the next day will be sunny, or conserving power if a week of heavily overcast skies is projected.
With respect to at least the case when the one or more power receiving devices include at least one solar panel, an internal retrofit smart glass system that utilizes solar power may have shading from multiple directions, for example, as the sun's position relative to the smart glass system changes. The smart glass system 100 (and other smart glass systems described herein) may have multiple wireless power receiving devices 110 (e.g., solar panels, wireless power receivers) located on different edges of the smart glass frame 104 and/or the smart glass 102. Further, when the power receiving devices include solar panels, each of the solar panel surfaces and smart glass frame surfaces may face in a variety of different directions and orientations. In addition, the solar panels may be connected to the electronics of the smart glass system 100 (e.g., the controller 108, the smart glass 102) in such a way that if one solar panel is providing very low power, another solar panel may still be fully utilized. Also, even within one solar panel with a common edge and facing orientation, shadowing may affect part of the solar panel but not all of the solar panel. When the solar panels (or cells) are connected in series, the solar panels (or cells) may be limited to the available power of the lowest-producing panel (or cell). However, a single solar panel (or cell) with diode connections or in parallel may lead to very low output voltage and, as a result, can be difficult to work with and expensive with the numerous connections. Individual long and slender solar panels may be grouped into two or more groups of series-connected cells, with each group being connected to the electronics of the smart glass system 100 (e.g., the controller 108, the smart glass 102) to increase the efficiency of power harvesting (e.g., diode connections; or fully separate maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuits; or the like.)
In some aspects, the first power receiving device 110a and the second power receiving device 110b may be aligned in series with each other and the third power receiving device 110c and the fourth power receiving device 110d may be aligned in series with each other. When those power receiving devices are solar panels, the power receiving devices electrically connected to each other in series may increase the efficiency of power harvesting (e.g., diode connections; or fully separate maximum power point tracking (MPPT) circuits; or the like) to the smart glass system 100 (e.g., the smart glass 102). In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may have power receiving devices arranged with different configurations in series, in parallel, or a combination thereof which may be selected manually during commissioning (or adjusted later) to optimize for specific orientations, shading conditions, or the like. The smart glass system 100 (e.g., the controller 108) may manage the different configurations automatically. For example, the wiring for the power receiving devices may be arranged for both series and parallel operation. The controller 108 may designated which wires to communicate power to the smart glass 102 resulting in a series or parallel electrical communication configuration.
The smart glass system 100 may further include one or more controllers 108. The controller(s) 108 may be positioned in a compartment within the smart glass frame 104 and/or positioned at a location on or near the smart glass system 100. The controller(s) 108 may control power to the smart glass 102. For example, when the smart glass 102 is to increase or maintain a tint, a controller 108 may direct power from one or more power receiving devices 110 (or the wired power source(s) 114) to the smart glass 102 to increase or maintain a level of tint of the smart glass 102. As another example, when the smart glass 102 is to decrease tint, a controller 108 may direct power from one or more power receiving device (or the wired power source(s) 114) away from the smart glass 102 to decrease a level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In the case of power outage and losing a wireless power source, the controller 108 of the smart glass system 100 may enter a low-power mode in various ways. In some aspects, if there is a wired supervisory system 124, the controller 108 of the smart glass system 100 may automatically enter an alternate mode of operation where some reduced level of automation and manual control may be supported using only the controller 108 and a user interface 120 (e.g., as a mobile device). For example, a controller 108 of each smart glass system 100 may begin autonomously responding to sunlight directly, or a controller 108 of a smart glass system 100 may share daylight data and smart glass systems 100 in an operating zone may tint together based on the highest reading, with manual control from a user interface 120.
The controller 108 may be configured to manage power flow between power sources and the smart glass 102. For example, the controller 108 may be configured to manage power flow between a plurality of power receiving devices 110 (e.g., one or more solar panels, one or more wireless power receivers), one or more power storage devices 112, one or more wired power sources 114, and the smart glass 102. In some aspects, the controller 108 may be configured to allocate or direct power from one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device(s) 112 and/or the smart glass 102. In some instances, the controller 108 may direct power from the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device(s) 112 to charge the power storage device(s) 112. For example, the controller 108 may determine that at least one power storage device 112 is not fully charged and/or is below a level of charge to increase a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass darker), decrease a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass less dark), or maintain a level of tint of the smart glass 102. Accordingly, the controller 108 may direct power from at least one power receiving device 110 of the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device 112 to charge the power storage device 112. In some instances, the controller 108 may direct a portion of the power from the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device(s) 112 to charge the power storage device(s) 112 and direct another portion of the power (e.g., a remaining amount of power) from the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the smart glass 102 to control a level of tint of the smart glass 102. For example, the controller 108 may direct a portion of the power from the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device(s) 112 to charge the power storage device(s) 112 and direct another portion of the power from the one or more power receiving devices 110 to the smart glass to increase a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass darker), decrease a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass less dark), or the maintain a level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In some aspects, the controller 108 may be configured to allocate or direct power from one or more power receiving devices 110 to the power storage device 112 and/or the smart glass 102 based on a total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 and a threshold amount of power. For example, the controller 108 may detect a total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 and compare the total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 with a threshold amount of power. When the total amount of power from at least the one or more power receiving devices 110 (e.g., one or more solar panels and/or one or more wireless power receivers) is above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may direct at least some power of the total amount of power to the one or more power storage devices 112 for charging. Additionally, or alternatively, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more power receiving devices 110 (e.g., one or more solar panels and/or one or more wireless power receivers) is above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may direct at least some power (e.g., a remaining amount of power) of the total amount of power to the smart glass 102 for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In some aspects, the threshold amount of power may be based on at least one of a schedule, an amount of light detected by one or more sensors 116, an amount of light received by a solar panel, a user input through the user interface 120, and/or the like. The controller 108 may also identify a current level of tint of the smart glass 102 to determine an amount of power needed to transition the level of tint of the smart glass 102 from the current level of tint to the future level of tint. The controller 108 may determine the threshold amount of power based on the amount of power needed to transition the level of tint of the smart glass 102 from the current level of tint to the future level of tint. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 108 may determine the threshold amount of power based on a transition speed (e.g., a specified transition speed, a user-provided transition speed) from a current level of tint to the future level of tint. In some aspects, for example, when the current level of tint is a same level of tint as the future level of tint, the controller 108 may determine the threshold amount of power based on an amount of power needed to maintain the level of tint of the smart glass 102. Additionally, or alternatively, the controller 108 may identify that the threshold amount of power is a predetermined threshold amount of power programmed into the controller 108.
In some aspects, the controller 108 may be configured to allocate or direct power from one or more power receiving devices 110 and/or the power storage device(s) 112 to the smart glass 102. In some instances, the controller 108 may direct power from the power storage device(s) 112 to the smart glass 102 to controller a level of tint of the smart glass 102. For example, the controller 108 may determine that at least one power storage device 112 has enough charge (e.g., power) and/or has at enough power to increase a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass darker), decrease a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass less dark), or maintain a level of tint of the smart glass 102. Accordingly, the controller 108 may direct power from the power storage device(s) 112 to the smart glass 102 to control a level of tint of the smart glass 102. In some instances, the controller 108 may direct power from the one or more power receiving devices 110 and the power storage devices 112 to the smart glass 102 to control a level of tint of the smart glass 102. For example, the controller 108 may direct power from one or more solar panels and/or one or more wireless power receivers and the power storage device(s) 112 to increase a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass darker), decrease a level of tint of the smart glass 102 (e.g., make the smart glass less dark), or maintain a level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In some aspects, the controller 108 may be configured to allocate or direct power from one or more power receiving devices 110 and/or the power storage device(s) 112 to the smart glass 102 based on a total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 and the threshold amount of power. For example, the controller 108 may detect the total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 and compare the total amount of power received from the one or more power receiving devices 110 with the threshold amount of power. When the total amount of power from at least the one or more power receiving devices 110 (e.g., one or more solar panels and/or one or more wireless power receivers) is not above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may direct at least some power from the power storage devices 112 to the smart glass 102 for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass 102. Additionally, or alternatively, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more power receiving devices 110 (e.g., one or more solar panels and/or one or more wireless power receivers) is not above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may direct power (e.g., the total amount of power) from the one or more power receiving device 110 to the smart glass 102 for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In some aspects, the controller 108 may be configured to direct or allocate at least some power of the total amount of power from at least one or more solar panels and one or more wireless power receivers to the one or more power storage devices 112 for charging the one or more power storage device 112 when a total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above the threshold amount of power, and direct or allocate at least some power from the one or more power storage devices 112 to the smart glass 102 for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass 102 when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power. Additionally, or alternatively, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may be configured to direct or allocate at least some power of the total amount of power to the smart glass 102 for controlling the level of tint of the smart glass 102. Additionally, or alternatively, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power, the controller 108 may be configured to direct or allocate the total amount of power to the smart glass 102 for controlling the level of tint of the smart glass 102.
In some aspect, as described herein, the smart glass system 100 may include one or more sensors. The controller 109 may receive one or more input parameters (e.g., an amount of light received by the sensors) from the one or more sensors, determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more input parameters, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass from the one or more power receiving devices based on the amount of tint determined for the smart glass. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may include a user interface 120 for receiving one or tint parameters (e.g., an amount of tint request for a given amount of sunlight) for the smart glass 102. The controller 108 may determine the amount of tint for the smart glass 102 based on the one or more input parameters and the one or more tint parameters. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may include a data storage device 126 (e.g., within the controller 108) storing one or more predetermined parameters for the smart glass 102. The controller 108 may receive one or more predetermined parameters from the data storage device 126, determine the amount of tint for the smart glass 102 based on the one or more predetermined parameters, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass 102 from the one or more power receiving devices 110 based on the amount of tint determined for the smart glass 102. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may include a user interface 120 for receiving one or more tint parameters for the smart glass. The controller 108 may determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more predetermined parameters and the one or more tint parameters received from the user interface 120, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass 102 from the one or more power receiving devices 110 based on the amount of tint determined for the smart glass.
In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may include a power storage device 112 (e.g., a battery, a capacitor, or the like). In some aspects, a smart glass may utilize more power to transition rapidly from a lesser amount of tint or a lower tint level to a greater amount of tint or a greater tint level than to hold a given tint level. In some cases, it may be difficult to get enough peak power from a wireless power receiver continuously. Instead, a power storage device 112 may store charge from the intermittent (if environmentally sourced) or limited (if from a transmitter) (e.g., the power receiving devices 110) source, providing peak power when needed, or during times of low power availability. The power storage device 112 may be positioned in a compartment within the smart glass frame 104 or at a location on or near the smart glass system 100 (e.g., on the smart glass frame 104, on a wall near the smart glass system 100, above a ceiling in a building at least location near the smart glass system 100, on a floor of a building at a location near the smart glass system 100, beneath of a floor of a building at a location near the smart glass system 100).
In some aspects, when the smart glass system 100 relies on the power storage device 112 and the power storage device 112 has low power, a controller 108 of the smart glass system 100 may conserve power. For example, a controller 108 of the smart glass system 100 may stop the operation of the smart glass system 100 or reduce the rate of rate by which the smart glass changes tinting. In some aspects, a controller 108 of the smart glass system 100 may reduce the frequency of communication with a supervisor system or a building automation system (BAS) 124 (e.g., a central controller) and put the smart glass system 100 and the controller 108 to ‘sleep’ (enter a low-power mode). If the smart glass 102 of the smart glass system 100 has gradient tint levels requiring more power than uniform tint states, the controller 108 may temporarily disable the gradient tint states of the smart glass 102. In addition, the controller 108 or a transmitter may determine at a system level whether a given command (e.g., to tint a zone) can be adequately or marginally supported by available power and then either not execute the command, delay it, or slow down transitions if enough power is available in that way.
The power storage device 112 may receive power through/from one or more power receiving device(s) 110 (and/or the wired power source 114) and store the received power for subsequent use. For example, the controller(s) 108 may direct power from at least one power receiving device 110 to the power storage device 112 to store power within the power storage device 112 for subsequent use. As described herein, the controller(s) 108 may control power to the smart glass 102. Thus, the controller(s) 108 may direct power from the power storage device 112 to the smart glass 102 to maintain or increase a level of tint of the smart glass 102. In some aspects, the controller(s) 108 may direct different amounts of power from individual power receiving device(s) 110 to the power storage device 112 and to the smart glass 102 based on an amount of power received from individual power receiving device(s) 110, a schedule, one or more sensed conditions (e.g., sensed by one or more sensor 116), one or more current conditions of the power storage device 112 and/or the power receiving device(s) 110, and/or one or more predetermined parameters for the power storage device 112 and/or the smart glass 102. Similarly, the controller(s) 108 may direct different amounts of power from individual power receiving device(s) 110 and the power storage device 112 to the smart glass 102 based on an amount of power received from individual power receiving device(s) 110, a schedule, one or more sensed conditions (e.g., sensed by one or more sensor 116), one or more current conditions of the power storage device 112 and/or the power receiving device(s) 110, and/or one or more predetermined parameters for the power storage device 112 and/or the smart glass 102.
In addition, the smart glass system 100 may include one or more sensors 116. The one or more sensors 116 may include a first sensor 116a, a second sensor 116b, and a third sensor 116c. The one or more sensors 116 may sense a change in an amount of light that is received for the controller 108 to determine how much tinting the smart glass 102 is to have. For example, the one or more sensors 116 may be positioned on the smart glass frame 104, on a window frame, or at one or more locations in an exterior region of a building so that the one or more sensors 116 may be exposed to sunlight. When the one or more sensors 116 receive a relatively greater amount of light, the controller 108 may receive a signal from the one or more sensor 116 and determine to increase to or maintain a higher amount of tint of the smart glass 102. When the one or more sensors 116 receive a relatively lesser amount of light, the controller 108 may receive a signal from the one or more sensor 116 and determine to decrease to or maintain a lower amount of tint of the smart glass 102. In some aspects, the solar panels may be light/solar energy sensors to determine the amount of daylight and operate the smart glass system 100 or operating zone accordingly. If there are two or more solar panels with different locations or orientations, the smart glass system 100 can also infer information about the sun's location or direct solar intensity, in order to determine if there is a direct glare in the room which should be managed. For example, if there is a solar panel on the bottom facing up, and both sides facing in, at least one solar panel may also be shaded, and any solar panels in direct sun will produce far more power than the shaded solar panels. If there is no direct sun on that particular smart glass system 100, all solar panels may have similarly low levels of power production from diffuse energy. The controller 108 may know the exact orientation of each solar pane. If solar panels are adjustable, the controller 108 may measure the angle and position automatically.
As described herein, the smart glass system 100 may be a free-standing retrofit system for installation on or attachment to one or more existing windows or glass panes. After manufacturing but before shipping, a smart glass system 100 may be put in a very low-power mode to conserve a charge of the power storage device 112. Instead of a switch or button to ‘wake’ the smart glass system 100, the smart glass system 100 may periodically wake and check for some threshold of sunlight. If the smart glass system 100 detects a minimum threshold of sunlight, the smart glass system 100 may enter a normal operating mode. The smart glass system 100 may then perform a self-check of electronics (e.g., the controller 108), the power storage device 112, connections, or any other aspect of proper operation using one or more sensors or testing devices to indicate a fault or error immediately upon waking, whether the waking happens automatically or in response to a button, switch, or some other manual intervention. Before any kind of network or whole-system configuration, the smart glass system 100 may begin operating in an independent, autonomous mode (e.g., tinting based on available light at the solar panel), making it easy for an installer to verify functionality. The start-up mode may operate differently than normal automation, for example tinting slightly in the presence of even very low light, to allow this verification to occur under very cloudy conditions. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may wake in a commissioning mode, using a communication method such as a beacon 118 (e.g., a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) beacon) to determine which pane a portable electronic device (running a commissioning application) is very close to, and configure/commission that particular smart glass system 100 without having to select it from a list of available smart glass systems. For example, simply by walking around a room a user with a portable electronic device in wireless communication with a plurality of smart glass systems could automatically determine all the smart glass contained within a room and their ordering. Subsequently, the portable electronic device may transmit this information to a supervisory system 124 for configuration. In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may be removed for maintenance or replacement. A supervisory system and/or a building automation system (BAS) 124 may recognize that a smart glass system 100 is no longer communicating on a network, and then that a new smart glass system 100 of the same size has appeared. The supervisor system and/or the BAS 124 may automatically map the replacement smart glass system 100 into the supervisory system and/or the BAS 124 to function exactly as the old smart glass system 100 did without additional user configuration.
In some aspects, the smart glass system 100 may be manufactured for the specific sizes. There could be a 1:1 plan, where each smart glass system 100 must be put in a specific location, even if sizes are the same, in order for a control system to know the physical locations for more optimal control. Additionally, or alternatively, the smart glass systems 100 may be installed arbitrarily (for same-size panes), and ‘pane mapping’ can be subsequently performed to map specific smart glass systems 100 to physical locations within a control system logic. This can be done by having a LED or other indicator identify a specific pane, and a person or automated camera system link the pane logically to its physical location, or to a specific operating/control zone. Alternatively, a wireless power transfer system can determine the angle and/or distance of each pane automatically based on its transfer of power and use communication to determine the sizes to create a visual map to set up zones for control.
In some aspects, as described herein, smart glass systems may include one or more wireless power receivers (e.g., one or more wireless receivers, one or more wireless transceivers). The wireless power receiver(s) may be positioned on a surface of the smart glass frame, in a compartment within the smart glass frame 104, and/or positioned at a location near the smart glass system (e.g., on a building wall near the smart glass system, on a ceiling near the smart glass system, on a floor near the smart glass system, or beneath a floor near a smart glass system). The one or more power receiver(s) may receive wireless power from one or more wireless transmitters (e.g., wireless transceiver(s)) positioned near the smart glass system (e.g., within an interior region/area of a building, in an exterior region/area outside a building). For example, the one or more wireless transmitters may be positioned at a central or suitable location (e.g., having wireless transmission path(s) or direction(s) to the smart glass systems that are minimally obstructed) near and/or amongst a plurality of smart glass systems to distribute wireless power to the wireless power receiver(s) of the respective smart glass systems. Further, reflective surfaces may be used to re-focus the wirelessly transferred energy from the wireless transmitter to the wireless receiver(s) to improve efficiency without increasing antenna size. In some aspects, if the wireless transmitter provided wireless power to the smart glass system via the wireless receiver(s) is powered by low-voltage direct current (DC), power sources may be easily added or changed without requiring a high-voltage electrician for the installation or move.
When the power receiving devices (e.g., the power receiving device 110, illustrated in at least
In some aspects, communication between the smart glass system may allow for anticipating when a smart glass system may need additional power to change a tint. For example, the first smart glass system 2102a may be next to the second smart glass system 2102b. The first smart glass system 2102a and the second smart glass system 2102b may be aware of each other relative positions such that when the first smart glass system 2102a receives sunlight, both the first smart glass system 2102a and the second smart glass 2101b may know that the second smart glass system 2102b will receive sunlight at a particular time after the first smart glass system 2102a receives sunlight. Thus, when the first smart glass system 2101a receives sunlight, the first smart glass system 2101a may inform the second smart glass system 2101b that the first smart glass system 2101a has received sunlight and that the second smart glass system 2101b is prepared for receiving energy to change a tint of the smart glass when the second smart glass system 2101b receives sunlight.
As described herein, a device such as the EC device 2205 of
In some aspects, a smart glass system for mounting on a glass frame is provided. The smart glass system includes a smart glass frame. The smart glass system also includes a smart glass retained by the smart glass frame. The smart glass system further includes one or more mounting devices attached to the smart glass frame for mounting the smart glass frame and the smart glass to the glass frame. In addition, the smart glass system includes a plurality of power receiving devices in electronic communication with the smart glass for receiving wireless power for the smart glass. The plurality of power receiving devices include one or more solar panels and one or more wireless power receivers. The smart glass system also includes one or more power storage devices for storing power for the smart glass. The smart glass system further includes a controller for managing power flow between the plurality of power receiving devices, the one or more power storage devices, and the smart glass. The controller is configured to, when a total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above a threshold amount of power, direct at least some power of the total amount of power to the one or more power storage devices for charging. The controller is also configured to, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power, direct at least some power from the one or more power storage devices to the smart glass for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass.
In some aspects, the controller is configured to, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above the threshold amount of power, direct at least some power of the total amount of power to the smart glass for controlling the level of tint of the smart glass. In some aspects, the controller is configured to, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power, direct the total amount of power to the smart glass for controlling the level of tint of the smart glass. In some aspects, the smart glass frame includes a same size and a same shape as the glass frame, and the smart glass frame is for mounting on an interior facing side of the glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass frame includes a smaller size than the glass frame and a same shape as the glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass frame is for mounting on an inward facing side of the glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass frame is for mounting on a plurality of installed glass frames. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is mounted on a surface of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is mounted on an inward facing surface of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel extends from a respective surface of the smart glass frame at an angle relative to an angle of the respective surface of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel faces towards the glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is positioned on a perimeter of the glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is mounted on a surface that is remote from the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is mounted on a surface of the smart glass. In some aspects, the at least one solar panel is shared with another smart glass system. In some aspects, the one or more power receiving devices include at least two solar panels that are electrically wired to the smart glass in series with each other. In some aspects, the smart glass frame includes one or more reflective surfaces for reflecting light towards the at least one solar panel. In some aspects, the smart glass system includes one or more wireless power transmitters configured to transmit wireless power to the at least one wireless power receiver. In some aspects, at least one wireless power transmitter of the one or more wireless power transmitters is positioned at an interior location with respect to the smart glass system. In some aspects, the at least one wireless power transmitter of the one or more wireless transmitters is positioned adjacent to at least one of a ceiling, a wall, or a floor at the interior location with respect to the smart glass system. In some aspects, at least one wireless power transmitter of the one or more wireless power transmitters is positioned at an exterior location with respect to the smart glass system. In some aspects, at least one wireless power transmitter of the one or more wireless power transmitters is in electronic communication with a supervisor system, and the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver are both transceivers configured to facilitate wireless data communication between the controller and the supervisory system. In some aspects, the power storage device is positioned within the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the power storage device is positioned within a field-accessible compartment of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system further includes one or more wired power sources configured to provide power to at least one of the smart glass or the power storage device. In some aspects, the controller is configured to determine an amount of tint for the smart glass, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass from the one or more power receiving devices based on the amount of tint determined for the smart glass. In some aspects, the controller is positioned within the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the controller is positioned within a field-accessible compartment of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system further includes one or more sensors, and the controller is configured to receive one or more input parameters from the one or more sensors, determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more input parameters, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass from one or more power sources including the one or more power receiving devices based on the amount of tint determined for the smart glass. In some aspects, at least one sensor of the one or more sensors is mounted on or within the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system further includes a user interface for receiving one or more tint parameters for the smart glass and the controller is configured to determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more input parameters and the one or more tint parameters. In some aspects, the user interface is located in at least one of the smart glass or the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system further includes a data storage device storing one or more predetermined parameters for the smart glass, and the controller is configured to receive one or more predetermined parameters from the data storage device, determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more predetermined parameters, and control the amount of power delivered to the smart glass from the one or more power receiving devices based on the determined amount of tint for the smart glass. In some aspects, the data storage device is positioned within the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the data storage device is positioned within a field-accessible compartment of the smart glass frame. In some aspects, the smart glass system further includes a user interface for receiving one or more tint parameters for the smart glass, and the controller is configured to determine the amount of tint for the smart glass based on the one or more predetermined parameters and the one or more tint parameters. In some aspects, the user interface is located in at least one of the smart glass or the smart glass frame.
In some aspects, a system including a smart glass system for mounting on a glass frame attached to a building is provided. The system includes a smart glass frame. The system also includes a smart glass retained by the smart glass frame. The system further includes one or more mounting device attached to the smart glass frame for mounting the smart glass frame and the smart glass to the glass frame attached to the building. In addition, the system includes a plurality of power receiving devices in electronic communication with the smart glass for receiving wireless power for the smart glass. The plurality of power receiving devices include one or more solar panels and one or more wireless power receivers. The system also includes one or more power storage devices for storing power for the smart glass. The system further includes a controller for managing power flow between the plurality of power receiving devices, the one or more power storage devices, and the smart glass. The controller is configured to, when a total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above a threshold amount of power, direct at least some power of the total amount of power to the one or more power storage devices for charging. The controller is also configured to, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power, direct at least some power from the one or more power storage devices to the smart glass for controlling a level of tint of the smart glass.
In some aspects, an electrochromic insulated glass unit (EC-IGU) system for mounting on a glass frame is provided. The EC-IGU system includes an EC-IGU frame. The EC-IGU system also includes an EC-IGU retained by the EC-IGU frame. The EC-IGU system further includes one or more mounting devices attached to the EC-IGU frame for mounting the EC-IGU frame and the EC-IGU to the glass frame. In addition, the EC-IGU system includes a plurality of power receiving devices in electronic communication with the EC-IGU for receiving wireless power for the EC-IGU. The plurality of power receiving devices includes one or more solar panels and one or more wireless power receivers. The EC-IGU system also includes one or more power storage devices for storing power for the EC-IGU. The EC-IGU system further includes a controller for managing power flow between the plurality of power receiving devices, the one or more power storage devices, and the EC-IGU. The controller is configured to, when a total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is above a threshold amount of power, direct at least some power of the total amount of power to the one or more power storage devices for charging. The controller is also configured to, when the total amount of power from at least the one or more solar panels and the one or more wireless power receivers is not above the threshold amount of power, direct at least some power from the one or more power storage devices to the EC-IGU for controlling a level of tint of the EC-IGU.
Computer system 2300 includes one or more processors 2310 (any of which may include multiple cores, which may be single or multi-threaded) coupled to a system memory 2320 via an input/output (I/O) interface 2330. Computer system 2300 further includes a network interface 2340 coupled to I/O interface 2330. In various embodiments, computer system 2300 may be a uniprocessor system including one processor 2310, or a multiprocessor system including several processors 2310 (e.g., two, four, eight, or another suitable number). Processors 2310 may be any suitable processors capable of executing instructions. For example, in various embodiments, processors 2310 may be general-purpose or embedded processors implementing any of a variety of instruction set architectures (ISAs), such as the x86, PowerPC, SPARC, or MIPS ISAs, or any other suitable ISA. In multiprocessor systems, each of processors 2310 may commonly, but not necessarily, implement the same ISA. The computer system 2300 also includes one or more network communication devices (e.g., network interface 2340) for communicating with other systems and/or components over a communications network (e.g. Internet, LAN, etc.).
In the illustrated embodiment, computer system 2300 is coupled to one or more portable storage devices 2380 via device interface 2370. In various embodiments, portable storage devices 2380 may correspond to disk drives, tape drives, solid state memory, other storage devices, or any other persistent storage device. Computer system 2300 (or a distributed application or operating system operating thereon) may store instructions and/or data in portable storage devices 2380, as desired, and may retrieve the stored instruction and/or data as needed.
Computer system 2300 includes one or more system memories 2320 that can store instructions and data accessible by processor(s) 2310. In various embodiments, system memories 2320 may be implemented using any suitable memory technology, (e.g., one or more of cache, static random access memory (SRAM), DRAM, RDRAM, EDO RAM, DDR 23 RAM, synchronous dynamic RAM (SDRAM), Rambus RAM, EEPROM, non-volatile/Flash-type memory, or any other type of memory). System memory 2320 may contain program instructions 2325 that are executable by processor(s) 2310 to implement the methods and techniques described herein. In various embodiments, program instructions 2325 may be encoded in platform native binary, any interpreted language such as Java™ byte-code, or in any other language such as C/C++ or the like, or in any combination thereof. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, program instructions 2325 include program instructions executable to implement the functionality of a system, local controller, project database, etc., in different embodiments. In some embodiments, program instructions 2325 may implement multiple systems, project databases, and/or other components.
In some embodiments, program instructions 2325 may include instructions executable to implement an operating system (not shown), which may be any of various operating systems, such as UNIX, LINUX, Solaris™, MacOS™, Windows™, etc. Any or all of program instructions 2325 may be provided as a computer program product, or software, which may include a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions, which may be used to program a computer system (or other electronic devices) to perform a process according to various embodiments. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may include any mechanism for storing information in a form (e.g., software, processing application) readable by a machine (e.g., a computer). Generally speaking, a non-transitory computer-accessible medium may include computer-readable storage media or memory media such as magnetic or optical media, e.g., disk or DVD/CD-ROM coupled to computer system 2300 via I/O interface 2330. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may also include any volatile or non-volatile media such as RAM (e.g. SDRAM, DDR SDRAM, RDRAM, SRAM, etc.), ROM, etc., that may be included in some embodiments of computer system 2300 as system memory 2320 or another type of memory. In other embodiments, program instructions may be communicated using optical, acoustical or other form of propagated signal (e.g., carrier waves, infrared signals, digital signals, etc.) conveyed via a communication medium such as a network and/or a wireless link, such as may be implemented via network interface 2340.
In some embodiments, system memory 2320 may include data store 2326, which may be implemented as described herein. For example, the information described herein as being stored by the project database may be stored in data store 2326, or in another portion of system memory 2320 on one or more nodes, in other devices 2360.
In one embodiment, I/O interface 2330 may coordinate I/O traffic between processor 2310, system memory 2320 and any peripheral devices in the system, including through network interface 2340 or other peripheral interfaces, such as device interface 2370. In some embodiments, I/O interface 2330 may perform any necessary protocol, timing or other data transformations to convert data signals from one component (e.g., system memory 2320) into a format suitable for use by another component (e.g., processor 2310). In some embodiments, I/O interface 2330 may include support for devices attached through various types of peripheral buses, such as a variant of the Peripheral Component Interconnect (PCI) bus standard or the Universal Serial Bus (USB) standard, for example. In some embodiments, the function of I/O interface 2330 may be split into two or more separate components, such as a north bridge and a south bridge, for example. Also, in some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of I/O interface 2330, such as an interface to system memory 2320, may be incorporated directly into processor 2310.
Network interface 2340 may allow data to be exchanged between computer system 2300 and other devices attached to a network, such as other computer systems 2360. In addition, network interface 2340 may allow communication between computer system 2300 and various I/O devices and/or remote storage devices. Input/output devices may, in some embodiments, include one or more display terminals, keyboards, keypads, touchpads, scanning devices, voice or optical recognition devices, or any other devices suitable for entering or retrieving data by one or more computer systems 2300. Multiple input/output devices may be present in computer system 2300 or may be distributed on various nodes of a distributed system that includes computer system 2300. In some embodiments, similar input/output devices may be separate from computer system 2300 and may interact with one or more nodes of a distributed system that includes computer system 2300 through a wired or wireless connection, such as over network interface 2340. Network interface 2340 may commonly support one or more wireless networking protocols (e.g., Wi-Fi/IEEE 802.11, or another wireless networking standard). However, in various embodiments, network interface 2340 may support communication via any suitable wired or wireless general data networks, such as other types of Ethernet networks, for example. Additionally, network interface 2340 may support communication via telecommunications/telephony networks such as analog voice networks or digital fiber communications networks, via storage area networks such as Fibre Channel SANs, or via any other suitable type of network and/or protocol. In various embodiments, computer system 2300 may include more, fewer, or different components than those illustrated in
The various methods as illustrated in the figures and described herein represent example embodiments of methods. The methods may be implemented manually, in software, in hardware, or in a combination thereof. The order of any method may be changed, and various elements may be added, reordered, combined, omitted, modified, etc.
Although the embodiments above have been described in considerable detail, numerous variations and modifications may be made as would become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such modifications and changes and, accordingly, the above description to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
This application claims benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 63/382,279, entitled “Smart Glass with Wireless Power Sources,” filed Nov. 3, 2022, and which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63382279 | Nov 2022 | US |
