# US 2013/0158790 A1 · Photo-electrochromic window tinter > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2013/0158790 A1 - Document ID: US20130158790A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 13/327,893 - Filed: 2011-12-16 - Published: 2013-06-20 - Earliest claimed: 2011-12-16 - Assignees: Continental Automotive Systems, Inc. - Inventors: William E. McIntyre, JR.; Jerremy H. Anderson; Tod R. Whitmore - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20130158790A1 ## CPC - B60J 3/04: adjustable in transparency - G02F 1/163: Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor - B60J: WINDOWS, WINDSCREENS, NON-FIXED ROOFS, DOORS, OR SIMILAR DEVICES FOR VEHICLES; REMOVABLE EXTERNAL PROTECTIVE COVERINGS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR VEHICLES (fastening, suspending, closing, or opening of such devices E05) - 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 An electrically-adjustable light transmitter changes its light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal. By applying the electrically-adjustable light transmitter to a window and thereafter changing the electric signal to it, a window can be tinted and un-tinted. Jurisdictions that prohibit tinted vehicle windows are listed in a data base. A current location determined by a GPS is compared to data base entries. If the location is within an area where tinted windows are prohibited, a controller automatically un-tints the windows, or reduces the window tint to comply with applicable local laws. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A window comprising: a. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location; and b. a controller coupled to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter and configured to control electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the geographic location. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, wherein the electrically-adjustable light transmitter is an electrochromic device. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, further comprising: a. navigation system, configured to provide the determined geographic location to the controller. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The window of claim 2, wherein the navigation system is a satellite positioning system. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The window of claim 2, wherein the navigation system is configured to determine location by triangulation of received radio frequency signals. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, further comprising: a. a data base of window tinting rules, the data base being accessible to the controller. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, further comprising: a. wherein the controller is configured to: i. obtain a location from the navigation system; ii. locate a rule in the data base, governing window tinting for the geographic location obtained from the navigation system; and iii. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the identified rule such that the transmissivity of the electrically-adjustable light transmitter effectuates a window tinting that is at least substantially compliant with the located rule. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, further comprising: a. photo sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient light level; and b. wherein the controller is configured to i. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the determined ambient light level. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, further comprising: a. temperature sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient temperature; and b. wherein the controller is configured to adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the ambient temperature. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The window of claim 1, wherein the controller is configured to receive a user input signal and adjust the source of electric charge responsive to the received input. ### Claim 11 A geographic location-responsive tinting window comprising: a. navigation system, configured to determine a geographic location; b. a controller coupled to the navigation system; c. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal received from the controller, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location received by the controller; and d. a data base of window tinting rules for a plurality of jurisdictions, the data base being accessible to the controller; wherein the controller is configured to receive a location from the navigation system, determine whether the location is within a jurisdiction having a window tinting rule, and, if a window tinting rule for the jurisdiction is located in the data base, adjust the electric signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter responsive to the window tinting rule for the jurisdiction. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The window of claim 11, wherein the electrically-adjustable light transmitter is an electrochromic device. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The window of claim 11, wherein the navigation system is a satellite positioning system. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The window of claim 11, wherein the navigation system is configured to determine location by triangulation of received radio frequency signals. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The window of claim 11, wherein the controller is configured to receive a user input signal and, adjust the source of electric charge responsive to the received input. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The window of claim 11, further comprising: a. photo sensor coupled to the controller and configured to determine an ambient light level; and b. wherein the controller is configured to i. adjust the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the ambient light level. ### Claim 17 A method of adjusting a window tint responsive to a geographic location, the method comprising: a. obtaining a geographic location; b. providing a first electrical signal to an electrically-adjustable light transmitter, which is configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to the provided electric signal, the electrical signal being received from a controller, which receives data corresponding to the geographic location; c. obtaining a window tinting rule, from a data base of window tinting rules for a plurality of jurisdictions, the data base being accessible to the controller. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of providing an electrical signal is comprised of providing an electrical signal to an electrochromic device. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, wherein the step of obtaining a geographic location is comprised of at least one of: a. receiving the location from a satellite positioning system; and b. triangulation of received radio frequency signals. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of: a. providing a second electrical signal to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to an input to the controller by a user. ### Claim 21 (depends on 17) The window of claim 17, further comprising the steps of a. receiving a signal from a photo sensor and which corresponds to an ambient light level measured by the photo sensor; and b. adjusting the source of electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter, responsive to the signal from the photo sensor. ### Claim 22 An electrically-driven vehicle comprising: a. an electrically-adjustable light transmitter configured to change a light transmissivity responsive to an electric signal, the signal provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter being responsive to a geographic location; and b. a controller coupled to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter and configured to control electric charge provided to the electrically-adjustable light transmitter.