US 2020/0003918 A1 · SEISMIC EVENT DETECTION SYSTEM

Abstract

Various embodiments herein relate to systems and methods for detecting seismic events. Systems may include inertial sensors distributed on or in communication with a network of optically switchable windows in the building. In some systems, inertial sensors are located within a window controller, within an insulated glass unit, or in some way rigidly attached to the structure of a building. Logic is described for leveraging sensed inertial data to predicted a seismic event and/or evaluate the structural health of the building. In some cases, logic may be used to issue an alert to building occupants about impending shear waves that will arrive at the building's location. In some cases, a window network may respond to a detected seismic event by, e.g., changing the optical state of windows and/or providing occupants with evacuation instructions.

Claims36

Dependent claims

A system for detecting seismic waves in a building, the system comprising:

a plurality of optically switchable windows;
a plurality of window controllers, each configured to control the optical state of at least one of the plurality of optically switchable windows, wherein the plurality of window controllers are connected via a network;
a plurality of inertial sensors, each configured to measure inertial data in at least one direction when affixed to the building and provide the measured inertial data to the network;
and
seismic event detection logic configured to (i) identify or receive a building response signature, wherein the building response signature comprises the measured inertial information from the plurality of inertial sensors and (ii) analyze the building response signature to determine that a seismic event has occurred.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Seismic event detection system

Life of this patent

Seismic event detection system

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims36