# US 11,445,025 B2 · Applications for controlling optically switchable devices > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 11,445,025 B2 - Document ID: US11445025B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/527,554 - Filed: 2019-07-31 - Published: 2019-11-21 - Granted: 2022-09-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-04-13 - Assignees: View, Inc. - Applicants: View, Inc. - Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava; Todd Marques; Stephen C. Brown - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11445025B2 ## CPC - H04L 67/125: involving control of end-device applications over a network - G05B 15/02: electric - G08C 17/02: using a radio link - G08C 23/04: using light waves, e.g. infrared - H04Q 9/00: Arrangements in telecontrol or telemetry systems for selectively calling a substation from a main station, in which substation desired apparatus is selected for applying a control signal thereto or for obtaining measured values therefrom - G02F 1/163: Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor - G05B 2219/2653: Roller blind, shutter, sunshade - G08C 2201/40: Remote control systems using repeaters, converters, gateways - G08C 2201/93: Remote control using other portable devices, e.g. mobile phone, PDA, laptop - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - G05B: CONTROL OR REGULATING SYSTEMS IN GENERAL; FUNCTIONAL ELEMENTS OF SUCH SYSTEMS; MONITORING OR TESTING ARRANGEMENTS FOR SUCH SYSTEMS OR ELEMENTS (systems for controlling or regulating non-electric variables G05D; systems for regulating electric or magnetic variables G05F; control devices or systems insofar as characterised by mechanical features only G05G) - G08C: TRANSMISSION SYSTEMS FOR MEASURED VALUES, CONTROL OR SIMILAR SIGNALS (fluid pressure transmitting systems F15B; mechanical means for transferring the output of a sensing member into a different variable G01D5/00; mechanical control systems G05G) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) - G02F: OPTICAL DEVICES OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE CONTROL OF LIGHT BY MODIFICATION OF THE OPTICAL PROPERTIES OF THE MEDIA OF THE ELEMENTS INVOLVED THEREIN; NON-LINEAR OPTICS; FREQUENCY-CHANGING OF LIGHT; OPTICAL LOGIC ELEMENTS; OPTICAL ANALOGUE/DIGITAL CONVERTERS ## Abstract Software applications are used for controlling the optical state of one or more optically switchable windows or other optical products installed in a structure such as building. The applications permit users to send and/or receive data and/or commands for controlling the switchable optical products. In some embodiments, the applications provide an interface with a window network controller, which directly or indirectly controls windows in a structure. Relevant processing involving the application may include user authentication, commissioning, adaptive control, and decisions on whether to permit an action or change requested by a user. In some embodiments, the application allows users to directly control the tint state of one or more tintable windows. In some embodiments, the application allows users to change a rule or property associated with controlling a switchable optical product. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A system for controlling a plurality of windows, the system comprising: a plurality of sensors associated with the windows; at least one first control system of the windows; one or more second control systems of a plurality of window controllers coupled to the windows; and one or more third control systems, each including a command and communication device coupled to at least one of the window controllers; wherein the first control system is configured to control one or more of: (a) transmissivity of the plurality of windows based on sensor information from sensors of the windows, (b) direction from the second control systems to the plurality of window controllers; and (c) direction from the third control systems to the plurality of window controllers; the second control systems and the third control systems are configured to direct, in cooperation with the plurality of windows, the transmissivity of the plurality of windows; the third control systems are configured to direct, in cooperation with the plurality of window controllers and the plurality of windows, the transmissivity of the plurality of windows, based on the sensor information from the sensors of the windows or information obtained from a network to which the command and communication device is coupled; and one or more of the first control system, the second control systems and the third control systems are configured to infer a new rule for controlling optical states of the plurality of windows based on a monitored history of user instructions and the sensor information. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first control system includes a network window controller, the second control systems include an intermediate level window controller, and the third control system includes a low level window controller. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the system is configured to control the plurality of windows based at least in part on weather information gathered from the network. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the sensor information includes sensor information from light, image, sound or temperature sensors of one or more of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first control system, the second control systems and the third control systems are configured to control the plurality of windows based on a user input. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first control system, the second control systems and the third control systems are configured to cooperate to control the plurality of windows based on a combination of sensory input from the windows, user input, and information from the network. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein the first control system, the second control systems, and the third control systems are configured to cooperate to control temperature of an interior of a building by controlling transmissivity of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein one or more of the first control system, the second control systems, and the third control systems are responsive to inputs received from a remote device communicatively coupled with one or more of the first control system, the second control systems and the third control systems. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, further comprising logic for using the information provided by the plurality of sensors to determine whether to change a state of at least one of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 10 A method for controlling a plurality of windows, the method comprising: controlling, from at least one first control system one or more of: (a) transmissivity of the plurality of windows, based on sensor information from one or more sensors associated with the windows, (b) direction from a second control system comprising a plurality of window controllers coupled to the plurality of windows; and (c) direction from a third control system of a command and communication device coupled to one or more of the plurality of window controllers; directing, from the second control system, in cooperation with the plurality of windows, the transmissivity of the plurality of windows; and directing, from the third control system, in cooperation with the plurality of window controllers and the plurality of windows, transmissivity of at least one of the plurality of windows, based on the sensor information or information obtained from a network to which the command and communication device is coupled; wherein one or more of the first control system, the second control system and the third control system are configured to infer a new rule for controlling optical states of the plurality of windows based on a monitored history of user instructions and the sensor information. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the first control system includes a network window controller, the second control system includes an intermediate level window controller, and the third control system includes a low level window controller. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein controlling the plurality of windows is based at least in part on weather information gathered from the network. ### Claim 13 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein the sensor information includes sensor information from light, image, sound or temperature sensors of one or more of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 14 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising overriding, based on a user input, one or more of the first control system, the second control system and the third control system, to control the plurality of windows. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising cooperating by the first control system, the second control system of the third control system to control the plurality of windows based on a combination of sensory input from the windows, user input, and information from the network. ### Claim 16 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising cooperating, by the first control system, the second control system, and the third control system to control temperature of an interior of a building by controlling transmissivity of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 17 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, wherein one or more of controlling, from the first control system, directing, from the second control system, and directing, from the third control system, are responsive to inputs received from a remote device communicatively coupled with one or more of the first control system, the second control system and the third control system. ### Claim 18 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising logic for using the information provided by the sensors to determine whether to change a state of at least one of the plurality of windows. ### Claim 19 A computer program product comprising a non-transitory computer readable medium storing non-transitory instructions configured to control a plurality of windows, the instructions configured to: control, from at least one first control system one or more of: (a) transmissivity of the plurality of windows, based on sensor information from sensors of the windows, (b) direction from a second control system comprising a plurality of window controllers coupled to the plurality of windows; and (c) direction from a third control system of a command and communication device coupled to one or more of the plurality of window controllers; direct, from the second control system, in cooperation with the plurality of windows, transmissivity of the plurality of windows; direct, from the third control system, in cooperation with the plurality of window controllers and the plurality of windows, transmissivity of at least one of the plurality of windows, based on the sensor information or information obtained from a network to which the command and communication device is coupled; wherein one or more of the first control system, the second control system and the third control system are configured to infer a new rule for controlling optical states of the plurality of windows based on a monitored history of user instructions and the sensor information. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The computer program product of claim 19, wherein the first control system includes a network window controller, the second control system includes an intermediate level window controller, and the third control system includes a low level window controller.