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US 10,488,837 B2Granted
Systems, devices and methods for controlling and utilizing smart windows
AssigneeAssociated Materials, LLC
InventorChristian Aaron Cirino
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A window is described, comprising a frame, a sash, a window pane mounted in the sash, a computer system, the computer system comprising a housing, the housing configured to be mounted into a receiving area of the frame, into the sash, into a window valence, or into a window casing. A processing device is located within the housing. Non-transitory memory located within the housing configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device, a network interface, at least a first sensor fixed to the casing, frame, or window pane, the first sensor coupled to the computer system, wherein the computer system is configured to take at least a first action in response to at least a first sensor reading from the first sensor.
Claims30
An openable barrier unit comprising a window, a door, or a skylight, comprising:
- a frame;
- a glass pane;
- a wireless network interface;
- a receiving area configured to removably receive a removable openable barrier unit computer system, the receiving area comprising a first connector, the first connector configured to couple with a second connector of the removable openable barrier unit computer system and to provide power to the removable openable barrier unit computer system;
- the removable openable barrier unit computer system,
- the removable openable barrier unit computer system comprising:
- a housing;
- the second connector configured to couple with the first connector;
- non-volatile memory configured to store openable barrier unit model information;
- a processing device located within the housing;
- non-transitory memory located within the housing configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device,
- wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, enable the openable barrier unit to:
- communicate using the wireless network interface with other openable barrier units as a node in a mesh network;
- access a decryption key;
- decrypt, using the accessed decryption key, encrypted data received by the openable barrier unit;
- utilize weights and normalization factors for sensor readings for each sensor in determining what action to take;
- transmit a model information of the openable barrier unit accessed from the non-volatile memory of the removable openable barrier unit computer system to a remote destination in response to a first event;
- and
- a plurality of sensors of different types affixed to the openable barrier unit and coupled to the openable barrier unit computer system, including at least one of;
- a breakage sensor,
- a proximity sensor,
- a sound sensor,
- a vibration sensor,
- a temperature sensor,
- a humidity sensor,
- a light intensity sensor,
- a barometric pressure sensor,
- a moisture sensor,
- a smoke sensor, or
- a carbon monoxide sensor;
- wherein the openable barrier unit computer system is configured to take at least a first action in response to at least a first weighted and normalized sensor reading from a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, the first action comprising:
- controlling a motor coupled to a lock of a different openable barrier unit.
29 more elements
A method of operating an openable barrier comprising at least a first pane, the openable barrier comprising a door, a window, or a skylight, the method comprising:
- monitoring, by a computer system included in the openable barrier, signals from a plurality of different types of sensors, including at least two sensor types of the following sensor types:
- a breakage sensor,
- a proximity sensor,
- a sound sensor,
- a vibration sensor,
- a temperature sensor,
- a humidity sensor,
- a light intensity sensor,
- a barometric pressure sensor,
- a moisture sensor,
- a smoke sensor, or
- a carbon monoxide sensor;
- communicating data using a wireless network interface with other openable barriers as a node in a mesh network;
- accessing a decryption key;
- decrypting, using the accessed decryption key, encrypted data received by the openable barrier;
- utilizing weights and normalization factors for sensor readings for each sensor in determining what action to take;
- transmitting a model, size, and/or feature related information accessed from non-volatile memory of the openable barrier to a remote destination in response to a first event;
- and
- initiating a first action in response to at least a first weighted and normalized sensor reading from a first sensor of the plurality of different types of sensors, the first action comprising:
- controlling a component of the openable barrier unit.
17 more elements
A barrier unit comprising a window, a door, or a skylight, comprising:
- a frame;
- a glass pane;
- a network interface;
- a barrier unit computer system, the barrier unit computer system comprising:
- a housing;
- a processing device located within the housing;
- non-transitory memory located within the housing configured to store instructions to be executed by the processing device, wherein the instructions, when executed by the processing device, enable the barrier unit to:
- communicate using the network interface with other devices as a node in a mesh network:
- access a decryption key;
- decrypt, using the accessed decryption key, encrypted data received by the barrier unit;
- utilize weights and normalization factors for sensor readings for each sensor in determining what action to take;
- transmit a model, size, and/or feature related indicators accessed from non-volatile memory of the barrier unit to a remote destination in response to a first event;
- and
- a plurality of sensors of different types affixed to the barrier unit and coupled to the barrier unit computer system, including at least one of:
- a breakage sensor,
- a proximity sensor,
- a sound sensor,
- a vibration sensor,
- a temperature sensor,
- a humidity sensor,
- a light intensity sensor,
- a barometric pressure sensor,
- a moisture sensor,
- a position sensor,
- a smoke sensor, or
- a carbon monoxide sensor;
- wherein the barrier unit computer system is configured to initiate a first action in response to at least a first weighted and normalized sensor reading from a first sensor of the plurality of sensors, the first action comprising:
- controlling a component of the openable barrier unit.
25 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.