Segmented electrochromic element driver
AssigneeGentex Corporation
InventorsRobert R. Turnbull, Nicholas Young
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electro-optic control apparatus includes a common driver in conductive connection with a plurality of electro-optic elements at a first terminal. Each of the electro-optic elements is connected to a dedicated driver at a second terminal. The dedicated drivers are separated from the common driver over an electro-optic medium of each of the plurality of electro-optic elements. The electro-optic medium of each of the electro-optic elements is configured to vary in light transmittance in response to a voltage difference between the common driver and the corresponding dedicated driver.
Claims20
An electro-optic apparatus configured to vary in light transmittance comprising:
- a first electro-optic element comprising a first terminal and a second terminal connected across a first electro-optic medium having a first transmittance;
- a second electro-optic element comprising a third terminal and a fourth terminal connected across a second electro-optic medium having a second transmittance, wherein the first terminal and the third terminal form a common node;
- a common driver in conductive connection with the common node to the first terminal and the third terminal;
- and
- at least one dedicated driver in conductive connection with the second terminal of the first electro-optic element, wherein the at least one dedicated driver adjusts the first transmittance by selectively applying a positive voltage difference or negative voltage difference across the first electro-optic medium relative to the common node.
A method for independently controlling a transmittance of a plurality of electro-optic elements via conductive contacts including a common control node, the method comprising:
- supplying a consistent common control signal to the common control node;
- and
- adjusting a first transmittance of a first electro-optic element by selectively applying a positive voltage difference or a negative voltage difference across the first electro-optic medium relative to the common node.
An electro-optic control apparatus comprising:
- a common driver in conductive connection with a plurality of electro-optic elements, each comprising an electro-optic medium connected via a common node shared between or among the plurality of electro-optic elements, wherein the common driver supplies a common drive signal to the common node of the plurality of electro-optic elements;
- and
- a plurality of dedicated drivers in conductive connection with each of the plurality of electro-optic elements via a plurality of independent control nodes connected across at least a portion of the electro-optic medium relative to the common node.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.