Control methods and systems for networks of optically switchable windows during reduced power availability
AssigneeView, Inc.
InventorsDhairya Shrivastava, Rao P. Mulpuri, Stephen Clark Brown
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Certain embodiments are directed to control methods, window controllers, and uninterruptible power supplies for determining tinting instructions for optically switchable windows to reduce power usage at a site during a reduced power event. In some cases, reduced power operations are initiated by a window controller upon receipt of a trigger signal from an uninterruptible power supply sent when it detects a power loss. In some cases, tinting instructions are based on the remaining charge left on the uninterruptible power supply. In some cases, reduced power operations are delayed for a period of time.
Claims31
A method of controlling optically switchable windows of a building, the method comprising:
- (a) determining tinting instructions that address a period of reduced power in the building for (I) a first zone of optically switchable windows that are non-critical windows in unoccupied rooms and/or on a shaded side of the building and (II) a second zone of optically switchable windows that are critical windows in occupied rooms and/or on a sunny side of the building;
- and
- (b) transitioning, or holding, tint of the first and second zones of optically switchable windows using the tinting instructions;
- wherein the tinting instructions include preference for using available power for the second zone of optically switchable windows over the first zone of optically switchable windows.
An apparatus for controlling optically switchable windows of a building, the apparatus comprising one or more controllers operatively coupled to the optically switchable windows, wherein the one or more controllers comprise circuitry and are configured to:
- (a) determine, or direct determination of, tinting instructions that address a period of reduced power in the building for (I) a first zone of optically switchable windows that are non-critical windows in unoccupied rooms and/or on a shaded side of the building and (II) a second zone of optically switchable windows that are critical windows in occupied rooms and/or on a sunny side of the building;
- and
- (b) transition or hold, or direct transition or holding of, tint of the first and second zones of optically switchable windows using the tinting instructions;
- wherein the tinting instructions include preference for using available power for the second zone of optically switchable windows over the first zone of optically switchable windows.
A non-transitory computer readable medium comprising instructions for controlling optically switchable windows of a building, which program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, are configured to cause the one or more processors to:
- (a) determine tinting instructions that address a period of reduced power in the building for (I) a first zone of optically switchable windows that are non-critical windows in unoccupied rooms and/or on a shaded side of the building and (II) a second zone of optically switchable windows that are critical windows in occupied rooms and/or on a sunny side of the building;
- and
- (b) transition, or hold, tint of the first and second zones of optically switchable windows using the tinting instructions;
- wherein the tinting instructions include preference for using available power for the second zone of optically switchable windows over the first zone of optically switchable windows.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.