US 2,012,062,975 · Filed 2011-03-16
Smart Glass That Knows When to Dim—Without a Thermometer
Imagine windows that can turn dark or light on command, but the tricky part is making them stop exactly where you want them—not too dark, not too light. This patent solves that puzzle by creating a controller that doesn't need to know the temperature outside to dial in the perfect shade, and can lock the glass into any level of darkness you choose.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers a control system that manages how transparent or opaque an optically switchable device (like smart glass) becomes, without needing temperature data. What's protected is the specific method of transitioning the glass to intermediate states of light transmission—meaning it can be set to 10% transparent, 50% transparent, 90% transparent, or any level in between, and hold that setting stably. The device is designed to have multiple stable stopping points rather than just two end states.
Why it matters
Smart glass that can be electronically controlled is valuable for energy efficiency (blocking heat in summer, retaining it in winter) and privacy, but controlling it precisely without constantly monitoring the environment simplifies both the hardware and the user experience. By enabling stable intermediate states, this patent lets buildings adjust light and heat passively rather than relying on complex sensors and thermostats. That makes smart glass cheaper to deploy at scale and easier for homeowners to use.
Real-world use
When an office building's smart windows automatically dial down to 50% transparency on a sunny afternoon to reduce glare and heat buildup, the controller behind that dimming is likely using principles from this patent to hold that exact level without overthinking the outdoor temperature.
Original USPTO abstract
A controller or control method may be designed or configured to operate without information about the current temperature of the device and/or the device's environment. Further, in some cases, the controller or control method is designed or configured to control transition of an optical device to an intermediated state between two end states. For example, the controller may be configured to control a transition to a state of transmissivity that is intermediate between two end states of transmissivity. In such case, the device has three or more stable states of transmissivity.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 2,012,062,975
- Filing date
- 2011-03-16
- Grant date
- Application — not yet granted
- Assignee
- Soladigm, Inc.
- Inventor(s)
- MEHTANI DISHA, JACK GORDON, PRADHAN ANSHU
- CPC class
- G09G3/19
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