US 6,567,708 · Granted 2003-05-20
The Smart Glass Control System That Makes Windows Tint Themselves
Imagine windows that automatically darken when the sun is too bright or clear up when you want more light — without you having to do anything. This patent covers the electrical brain that coordinates multiple smart windows in a building, telling each one how dark or clear to be.
The plain-English version
What it protects
The claim covers an electrical control system that manages multiple variable transmittance windows (like electrochromic or smart glass windows) from a central master control circuit. What's protected here is the architecture of that master circuit sending control signals to individual window control circuits, each one adjusting the darkness level of its own window in response. The patent also covers physical window construction designs that let these smart glass elements work smoothly in traditional windows that open and close.
Why it matters
This patent matters because it solves a real problem in building design: how do you manage smart glass windows at scale? Before this, you'd have to control each window individually or use crude on-off switches. Gentex's system lets architects wire up dozens of smart windows to one central controller, which can adjust them all together based on time of day, sunlight, or occupancy. That makes electrochromic windows practical for real commercial and residential buildings instead of just lab experiments.
Real-world use
An office building with electrochromic windows on its south wall could use this system to automatically dim all the windows together during midday, reducing cooling costs and glare without anyone having to touch a switch.
Original USPTO abstract
An electrical control system is disclosed for controlling a plurality of variable transmittance windows. To achieve these and other aspects and advantages, the electrical control system of the present invention comprises a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for the variable transmission windows, and a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of the master control circuit. Each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from the master control circuit. Also disclosed are several window constructions that enable variable transmission windows, such as electrochromic windows, to be used in architectural windows having a moving sash. Also disclosed are several window constructions that enable variable transmission elements to be more easily installed and replaced.
Patent details
- Publication number
- US 6,567,708
- Filing date
- 2000-07-25
- Grant date
- 2003-05-20
- Assignee
- Gentex Corporation
- Inventor(s)
- BECHTEL JON H., POLL DAVID L.
- CPC class
- H04L67/125
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