Controlling transitions in optically switchable devices

A method comprising:

• (a) over a wireless communications network, receiving output signals from any two or more sensors, the wireless communications network comprising a plurality of window controllers which comprise (i) a master and/or intermediate window controller and (ii) an end window controller, wherein at least one controller of the plurality of window controllers is configured to receive the output signals, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is a photosensor;
• (b) using the at least one controller to determine a level of tint for at least one tintable window by utilizing the output signals received;
• and
• (c) using the at least one controller to automatically provide instructions to change the level of tint of the at least one tintable window to the level of tint determined in (b).

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving, (I) at a window controller communicatively coupled, (II) over a network, (III) with a plurality of sensors, output signals from at least two exterior photosensors of a plurality of sensors;
• and, with the window controller:
• (b) making a comparison of the output signals from the at least two exterior photosensors;
• (c) determining a level of tint for a tintable window based at least in part on the comparison;
• and
• (d) automatically providing instructions to change the level of tint of the tintable window to the level of tint determined in (c).

A method of controlling at least one tintable window located in a facility, wherein changing a level of tint of the at least one tintable window is controlled automatically, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving output signals from two or more sensors over a wireless communications network, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is a photosensor, wherein the wireless communications network comprises a plurality of window controllers that comprise (i) a master and/or intermediate window controller and (ii) an end window controller, and wherein the master and/or intermediate window controller and the end window controller communicate by wireless communication;
• (b) determining a level of tint for the tintable window by using the output signals received;
• and
• (c) providing instructions to change the level of tint of the tintable window to the level of tint determined in (b).

A method comprising:

• (a) receiving, (I) a window controller communicatively coupled, (II) over a network, (III) with a plurality of sensors, output signals from two or more photosensors of a plurality of sensors, wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is a photosensor, wherein the network comprises a building management system, and wherein one or more window controllers and the building management system communicate by wireless communication;
• (b) determining, with the window controller, a level of tint for a tintable window using the output signals received;
• and
• (c) with the window controller, automatically providing instructions with to change the level of tint of the tintable window to the level of tint determined in (b).

A window controller comprising:

• (a) a processor or a control circuit coupled with at least one tintable window in a facility, the at least one tintable window being disposed at a position within a range from an interior to an exterior of the facility;
• (b) at least one input is (i) communicatively coupled with two or more sensors over a network and (ii) configured to receive output signals from the two or more sensors, wherein one of the two or more sensors is an exterior photosensor proximate to the at least one tintable window, wherein another of the two or more sensors is an interior photosensor proximate to the at least one tintable window, and wherein at least one of the two or more sensors is a photovoltaic cell;
• and
• (c) at least one output configured to control a level of tint in the tintable window, wherein the window controller is configured to (A) determine a level of tint for the tintable window using the output signals received and (B) automatically change the level of tint of the tintable window to the level of tint determined.

A window controller comprising:

• (a) a processor or a control circuit coupled with at least one tintable window in a facility, the at least one tintable window being disposed at a position within a range from an interior to an exterior of the facility;
• (b) at least one input communicatively coupled with two or more sensors over a network and configured to receive output signals from the two or more sensors, wherein the two or more sensors comprise at least two exterior photosensors;
• and
• (c) at least one output configured to control a level of tint in the at least one tintable window, wherein the window controller is configured to
• (i) make a comparison of the output signals from the at least two exterior photosensors;
• (ii) determine a level of tint for the at least one tintable window based on the comparison;
• and
• (iii) automatically provide instructions to change the level of tint of the at least one tintable window to the level of tint determined.

A window controller comprising:

• (a) a processor or a control circuit coupled with at least one tintable window in a facility, the tintable window disposed at a position within a range from an interior to an exterior of the facility;
• (b) at least one input communicatively coupled with (i) two or more sensors and (ii) a master controller and/or an intermediate window controller, over a wireless communication network, the at least one input being configured to (I) receive output signals from the two or more sensors and (II) communications from the master controller and/or the intermediate window controller;
• and
• (c) at least one output configured to control a level of tint in the tintable window, wherein the window controller is configured to automatically control, based at least in part on the output signals and/or the communications, a level of tint in the tintable window.

A system comprising:

• (a) a building management system;
• (b) a lighting control panel;
• (c) a network over which the building management system and the lighting control panel communicate;
• and
• (d) a window controller comprising (i) a processor or a control circuit coupled with at least one tintable window in a facility, the tintable window being disposed at a position with a range from an interior to an exterior of the facility;
• (ii) at least one input communicatively coupled with, and configured to receive output signals from two or more sensors, the sensors selected from the group consisting of an exterior photosensor, an interior photosensor, an occupancy sensor, an exterior temperature sensor, and a transmissivity sensor that detects light passing through the tintable window from the exterior;
• and (iii) at least one output configured to control a level of tint in the tintable window;
• wherein the window controller is configured to automatically determine the level of tint for the tintable window by using a relationship between the output signals received and the level of tint.