System to interconnect, link, and control variable transmission windows and variable transmission window constructions

An electrical control system for controlling the transmittance of a plurality of variable transmission windows, said control system comprising:

• a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels of the variable transmission windows;
• and
• a plurality of window control circuits coupled to each of said master control circuit, each window control circuit controls the transmittance of at least one of the variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from said master control circuit,
• wherein one of said master control circuit and said window control circuits is programmed to periodically cause at least one of the variable transmission windows to be in a high transmission state for a predetermined time period.

A building comprising:

• a plurality of variable transmission windows;
• a master control circuit for supplying control signals that are capable of changing the transmittance levels of said variable transmission windows independent of ambient light conditions;
• and
• a plurality of window control circuits coupled to said master control circuit, each window control circuit controlling the transmittance of at least one of said variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from said master control circuit.

A building comprising:

• a plurality of variable transmission windows;
• a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for said variable transmission windows;
• and
• a plurality of window control circuits coupled to said master control circuit, each window control circuit controlling the transmittance of at least one of said variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from said master control circuit, wherein said window control circuits each include a memory device in which an address is stored that uniquely identifies the window control circuit to said master control circuit.

A building comprising:

• a plurality of variable transmission windows;
• a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for said variable transmission windows;
• and
• a plurality of window control circuits coupled to said master control circuit, each window control circuit controlling the transmittance of at least one of said variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from said master control circuit,
• wherein at least one of said variable transmission window comprising:
• a window frame;
• a sash mounted to said window frame so as to be movable relative to said window frame;
• a variable transmission window element mounted in said sash;
• a first electrical coupler mounted to said window frame and electrically coupled to one of said window control circuits;
• and
• a second electrical coupler mounted to said sash and electrically coupled to said variable transmission window element, said second electrical coupler moves relative to said first electrical coupler and contacts said first electrical coupler to thereby enable said one of said window control circuits to transmit electrical signals to said variable transmission window element.

A building comprising:

• a plurality of variable transmission windows;
• a master control circuit for supplying control signals representing transmittance levels for said variable transmission windows;
• and
• a plurality of window control circuits coupled to said master control circuit, each window control circuit controlling the transmittance of at least one of said variable transmission windows in response to control signals received from said master control circuit,
• wherein at least one of said variable transmission windows comprising:
• a window frame assembly;
• a variable transmission window element mounted in said window frame assembly;
• a first electrical coupler mounted to said window frame assembly and electrically coupled to one of said window control circuits;
• and
• a second electrical coupler mounted to said variable transmission window element,
• wherein said first electrical coupler includes a resilient contact member biased towards said second electrical coupler.

A window control circuit for controlling at least one variable transmission window in response to signals received from a master control circuit, said window control circuit comprising:

• a micro controller coupled to receive the signals from the master control circuit;
• and
• a switching regulator circuit for supplying power to the at least one variable transmission window, said switching regulator circuit is coupled to said micro controller and is responsive to signals received from said micro controller to selectively vary the power supplied to the variable transmission window,
• wherein said micro controller monitors the current and voltage applied to the variable transmission window and controls said switching regulator circuit in response to the monitored current and voltage.