Failure prediction of at least one tintable window

Abstract

Data from the measurements are used in conjunction with a learning module to identify and predict tintable window failures.The measurements may be based at least in part on data accumulated during normal operation of the tintable window.

Description

[0001] Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the following applications: U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 106,058, filed on October 27, 2020, entitled “TINTABLE WINDOW FAILURE PREDICTION”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 240,117, filed on September 2, 2021, entitled “OCCUPANT-CENTERED PREDICTIVE CONTROL OF DEVICES IN FACILITIES”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 145,333, filed on February 3, 2021. Background Art

[0003] Some tintable windows can be electronically controlled. Such control can allow the amount of light (e.g., heat) that passes through the window to be controlled, thereby providing an opportunity for the tintable window to be used as an energy-saving device by adjusting (e.g., absorbing, scattering, and / or reflecting) the incident light. There are various types of tintable windows, such as electrochromic windows.

[0004] Electrochromism is a phenomenon in which a material exhibits reversible electrochemically mediated changes in optical properties when it is placed in different electronic states, such as when subjected to a voltage change. The optical properties may be optical properties of color, transmittance, absorbance, and / or reflectance. Electrochromic materials may be incorporated into windows for, for example, household, commercial, industrial, and / or other uses. Electrochromic coatings may be (e.g., thin) film coatings on window glass. The color, transmittance, absorbance, and / or reflectance of such windows may be changed by inducing changes in electrochromic materials. For example, an electrochromic window is a window that can be darkened or brightened electronically. In some embodiments, a (e.g., small) voltage applied to an electrochromic device (EC) of a window will darken the EC; reversing the voltage polarity brightens the EC. Although electrochromism was discovered in the 1960s, electrochromic devices, and particularly electrochromic windows, continue to encounter various problems, and, despite many recent advances in electrochromic technology, equipment, software, and related methods of making and / or using electrochromic devices, have not yet begun to realize their full commercial potential. Other methods for achieving tint changes in tintable windows are available (e.g., as disclosed herein).

[0005] Failure of a tintable window may become apparent and affect the vision and / or functionality of the window. Identifying, repairing and / or replacing tintable windows and associated equipment (e.g., controllers) may be an expensive, time-consuming, labor-intensive and / or logistical task. This is particularly true in large facilities with multiple tintable windows. In order to reduce the burden on occupants of a facility with a malfunctioning tintable window, a provider of tintable windows may want to reduce any time required to repair and / or replace a (e.g., potentially) malfunctioning window, particularly when the window to be replaced is not in inventory and therefore must be manufactured, which can significantly delay the replacement process.

[0006] It may be advantageous to identify (e.g., potentially) faulty windows in advance. Similarly, it may be advantageous to at least partially automate the process of identifying any (e.g., potentially) faulty windows. Advantages may include providing at least some relief for such repair and / or replacement tasks. For example, it may (i) provide an opportunity to replace a faulty window before it becomes obviously faulty, (ii) ensure an inventory of potentially faulty windows (e.g., so that when a faulty window fails, they will be available for replacement), (iii) provide a time buffer to coordinate and execute a repair and / or replacement process for a window, and / or (iv) provide an opportunity to proactively perform corrective actions before a window (e.g., obviously) fails (and / or deteriorates). Summary of the invention

[0007] Various aspects disclosed herein alleviate at least some of the above-referenced disadvantages.

[0008] For example, data from a tintable window controller system is used in conjunction with a learning module (e.g., including artificial intelligence (AI) and / or machine learning) to predict and / or identify tintable window failures. Such data (e.g., from the control system) may be accumulated in one or more databases. The accumulated data may be collected during the normal course of tintable window operation. The data may be associated with the normal course of tintable window operation (e.g., current and / or voltage data associated with changing and / or maintaining the tint of the tintable window). The data may be large amounts (e.g., such as accumulated over a period of time and / or for multiple tintable windows). The framework may be configured to retrieve the accumulated data from one or more databases, aggregate the data, and use the data, for example, by analyzing one or more failure indicators to evaluate maintenance (e.g., including failure) for any tintable window. The one or more failure indicators may be identified using statistical measurements (e.g., current measurements and / or voltage measurements) obtained by normal operation of the one or more tintable windows.

[0009] On the other hand, a method for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility comprises: (a) obtaining one or more measurements associated with a tint transition of the tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyzing the obtained one or more measurements by considering data that: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurements, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (c) using the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first hue is different from the second hue. In some embodiments, the first hue is darker than the second hue. In some embodiments, the first hue is a transparent or absorptive hue relative to the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the second hue is a transparent or absorptive hue relative to the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the hue transition includes a complete hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, the complete hue transition is without any detectable interruption. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: considering data having characteristics of the complete hue transition and / or characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, these data include (a) data of the complete hue transition and / or the characteristic hue transition or (B) characteristics of the incomplete hue transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include voltage measurements and / or current measurements. In some embodiments, the current measurements are taken in real time during the hue transition. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include open circuit voltage measurements. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include one or more measurements from at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is disposed in the facility. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is disposed outside the facility. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a sensor configured to sense electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared radiation or visible radiation that can be seen by ordinary users. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, and / or a pyranometer. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an irradiance sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises the tintable window. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an acoustic, motion, vibration, temperature, and / or electromagnetic sensor. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: using the analysis to determine a reliability value for the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: using the reliability value to adjust the one or more measurements of the at least one sensor to form one or more adjusted sensor measurements. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: using the one or more adjusted sensor measurements to update the reliability value. In some embodiments, the method further includes processing the one or more adjusted sensor measurements to produce a result by considering (A) the facility, (B) historical sensor measurements, (C) sensor measurement benchmarks, and / or (D) modeling.In some embodiments, the method further comprises: using the result and / or the reliability value to generate a prediction of a subsequent tintable window failure of the facility. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include the time of measurement, the identification of the tintable window, or the location of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the tintable window includes an electrochromic structure, and wherein the one or more measurements are related to the current transmitted through the electrochromic structure. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include an open circuit voltage measurement. In some embodiments, the method further comprises: performing the open circuit voltage measurement during a ramp and / or during a hold. In some embodiments, the hue transition is achieved by a voltage and / or current having a ramp and / or hold. In some embodiments, the hue transition is achieved by a voltage and / or current having multiple ramps and / or multiple holds. In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple holds is maintained above a level that is considered safe for continuous operation of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed inside a building of the facility. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed at the enclosure of the building of the facility. In some embodiments, the incomplete hue transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition is of a type having at least one identifiable data signature. In some embodiments, the data include historical data and / or synthetic data. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired from the facility. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired from a facility different from the facility. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed in a building of the facility, and wherein the data include data acquired from the building. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed in a building of the facility, and wherein the data include data acquired from a building different from the building. In some embodiments, the tintable window has dimensions, and wherein the correlation data are associated with one or more measurements taken from one or more different windows having these dimensions or substantially having these dimensions. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired during at least about 10, 50, 100, or 1,000 occurrences of the hue transition. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired within at least about 12, 25, 52, 104, or 156 weeks. In some embodiments, machine learning is used to analyze these data. In some embodiments, the machine learning utilizes multiple modules. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of modules receive the same weight in the machine learning analysis. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of modules receive different weights in the machine learning analysis. In some embodiments, the machine learning includes deep learning. In some embodiments, the machine learning is without deep learning. In some embodiments, the learning set for the machine learning includes historical data and / or synthetic data.In some embodiments, analyzing the one or more measurements includes comparing with a threshold. In some embodiments, the threshold includes a value or a function. In some embodiments, the function is a time-dependent function. In some embodiments, the machine learning includes utilizing a learning set. In some embodiments, the learning set includes one or more historical measurements acquired over time. In some embodiments, the time is adjustable. In some embodiments, it can be adjusted by a user. In some embodiments, analyzing the one or more measurements includes performing one or more mathematical operations. In some embodiments, the one or more mathematical operations include Boolean operations. In some embodiments, the one or more mathematical operations include at least one derivation or at least one integration. In some embodiments, the machine learning includes neural network analysis and / or visual analysis. In some embodiments, analyzing the one or more measurements includes any data flags specific to the following items: the facility, the window type of the tintable window, weather conditions, time of day, time of year, the relative geographic location of the tintable window in the facility, and / or the geographic location of the facility. In some embodiments, these data include one or more measurements of the same type as the one or more measurements obtained in (a). In some embodiments, these data include a transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, the incomplete tint transition and / or the non-characteristic tint transition is a tint transition of the tintable window that is faulty. In some embodiments, using the analysis includes providing an early warning and / or a report of a failure of the tintable window. In some embodiments, providing the early warning and / or the report includes predicting a time of visible failure that can be seen by an average person. In some embodiments, providing the early warning and / or the report includes scheduling maintenance. In some embodiments, the tintable window is a first tintable window, and wherein providing the early warning and / or the report includes scheduling inventory of another tintable window and / or scheduling production of the other tintable window to replace the first tintable window. In some embodiments, the prediction of the failure is before an average person can see any defective tint transition. In some embodiments, the analysis predicts a tinting failure of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the method also includes adjusting a control scheme to facilitate the tint transition performed by the tintable window.

[0011] On the other hand, non-transitory computer-readable program instructions for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform or direct the execution of one or more operations of any of the methods disclosed above.

[0012] In some embodiments, the at least one processor is a part of a hierarchical control system. In some embodiments, the at least one processor is at least one controller, includes the at least one controller or is included in the at least one controller. In some embodiments, at least two of these operations are performed by the same processor. In some embodiments, at least two of these operations are performed by different processors. In some embodiments, at least one processor of the one or more processors is arranged in a cloud device. In some embodiments, these program instructions are engraved on one or more non-transient computer-readable media.

[0013] On the other hand, a non-transitory computer-readable program instruction for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, which, when executed by one or more processors, causes the one or more processors to perform operations including: (a) obtaining or directing the obtaining of one or more measurements associated with a tint transition of the tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyzing or directing the analysis of the one or more measurements obtained by considering data that: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurements, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (c) using or directing the use of the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window.

[0014] In another aspect, an apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility includes at least one controller configured to: perform or direct the performance of one or more operations of any of the methods disclosed above.

[0015] On the other hand, an apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility includes at least one controller configured to: (a) obtain or direct the obtaining of one or more measurements associated with a tint transition of the tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyze or direct the analysis of the obtained one or more measurements by considering data that: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurements, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (c) use or direct the use of the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window.

[0016] In some embodiments, the at least one controller is included in a hierarchical control system. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to include a feedback control scheme. In some embodiments, the at least one controller includes a local controller configured to be directly coupled to the tintable window. In some embodiments, direct coupling includes utilizing an uninterrupted wiring from the local controller to the tintable window. In some embodiments, uninterrupted is not interrupted by a circuit. In some embodiments, the at least one controller includes a circuit. In some embodiments, the circuit includes computer-readable program instructions storing control logic and data. In some embodiments, the at least one controller includes a circuit. In some embodiments, the device also includes a processor that communicates with or incorporates the computer-readable program instructions. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: (i) be operatively coupled to at least one sensor, and (ii) direct the at least one sensor to obtain one or more measurements related to the tint transition of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: execute or direct the execution of a feedback control scheme utilizing the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: change the tint of the tintable window by using or directing the use of the feedback control scheme. In some embodiments, the first hue is different from the second hue. In some embodiments, the first hue is darker than the second hue. In some embodiments, the first hue is a transparent or absorptive hue relative to the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the second hue is a transparent or absorptive hue relative to the visible spectrum. In some embodiments, the hue transition includes a complete hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, the complete hue transition is without any detectable interruption. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: consider or guide consideration of data indicating the complete hue transition and / or characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, these data include (a) data of the complete hue transition and / or the characteristic hue transition or (B) features of the incomplete hue transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: perform or guide the execution of one or more measurements including voltage measurement and / or current measurement. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: perform or guide the execution of current measurement in real time during the hue transition. In some embodiments, the one or more measurement results include open circuit voltage measurement results. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include one or more measurements from at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is disposed in the facility. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is disposed outside the facility.In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a sensor configured to sense electromagnetic radiation. In some embodiments, the electromagnetic radiation comprises infrared radiation or visible radiation that can be seen by ordinary users. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a thermocouple, an infrared sensor, and / or a pyranometer. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises a light sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an irradiance sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises the tintable window. In some embodiments, the at least one sensor comprises an acoustic, motion, vibration, temperature, and / or electromagnetic sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to use or direct the use of the analysis to determine a reliability value for the at least one sensor. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is further configured to use or direct the use of the reliability value to adjust the one or more measurements of the at least one sensor to form one or more adjusted sensor measurements. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is further configured to update or direct the update of the reliability value using the one or more adjusted sensor measurements. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is further configured to process or direct the processing of the one or more adjusted sensor measurements to produce a result by considering (A) the facility, (B) historical sensor measurements, (C) sensor measurement benchmarks, and / or (D) modeling. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is further configured to use or direct the use of the result and / or the reliability value to generate a prediction of a subsequent tintable window failure of the facility. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include the time of measurement, the identification of the tintable window, or the position of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the tintable window includes an electrochromic structure, and wherein the one or more measurements are related to the current transmitted through the electrochromic structure. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include voltage measurements and / or current measurements. In some embodiments, the one or more measurements include open circuit voltage measurements. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to perform or direct the open circuit voltage measurement during ramping and / or during holding. In some embodiments, the hue transition is achieved by a voltage and / or current having ramping and / or holding. In some embodiments, the tint transition is achieved by a voltage and / or current having multiple ramps and / or multiple holds. In some embodiments, at least one of the multiple holds is above a level considered safe for continued operation of the tintable window. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed inside a building of the facility. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed at an envelope of a building of the facility.In some embodiments, the incomplete hue transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition is of a type having at least one identifiable data signature. In some embodiments, the data include historical data and / or synthetic data. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired from the facility. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired from a facility different from the facility. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed in a building of the facility, and wherein the data include data acquired from the building. In some embodiments, the tintable window is disposed in a building of the facility, and wherein the data include data acquired from a building different from the building. In some embodiments, the tintable window has dimensions, and wherein the correlation data are associated with one or more measurements taken from one or more different windows having these dimensions or substantially having these dimensions. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired during at least about 10, 50, 100, or 1,000 occurrences of the hue transition. In some embodiments, the data include data acquired within at least about 12, 25, 52, 104, or 156 weeks. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to: use machine learning analysis to analyze or direct the analysis of these data. In some embodiments, the machine learning analysis utilizes multiple modules. In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple modules receive the same weight in the machine learning analysis. In some embodiments, at least two of the multiple modules receive different weights in the machine learning analysis. In some embodiments, the machine learning analysis includes deep learning. In some embodiments, the machine learning analysis does not have deep learning. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to use or direct the use of a learning set for the machine learning analysis. In some embodiments, the learning set includes historical data and / or synthetic data. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to analyze or direct the analysis of the one or more measurements by comparing the one or more measurements to a threshold. In some embodiments, the threshold includes a value or a function. In some embodiments, the function is a time-dependent function. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to execute or direct the execution of the machine learning performed by utilizing a learning set. In some embodiments, the learning set includes one or more historical measurements acquired over time. In some embodiments, the time is adjustable. In some embodiments, it can be adjusted by a user. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to analyze or direct the analysis of the one or more measurements by performing one or more mathematical operations. In some embodiments, the one or more mathematical operations include Boolean operations. In some embodiments, the one or more mathematical operations include at least one derivation or at least one integration.In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to perform or direct the performance of machine learning by using neural network analysis and / or visual analysis. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to analyze or direct the analysis of the one or more measurements by using any data flags specific to the facility, the window type of the tintable window, weather conditions, time of day, time of year, the relative geographic location of the tintable window in the facility, and / or the geographic location of the facility. In some embodiments, the data include one or more measurements of the same type as the one or more measurements obtained in (a). In some embodiments, the data include a transition from the first hue to the second hue. In some embodiments, the incomplete hue transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition is a hue transition of the tintable window that is reported as an error. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to use or direct the use of the analysis by providing an early warning and / or a report of the failure of the tintable window. In some embodiments, providing the early warning and / or the report includes predicting the time of visible failure that can be seen by ordinary people. In some embodiments, providing the early warning and / or the report includes scheduling maintenance. In some embodiments, the tintable window is a first tintable window, and wherein providing the warning and / or the report comprises scheduling inventory of another tintable window and / or scheduling production of the another tintable window to replace the first tintable window. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to predict or direct prediction of the failure before any defective tint transition is visible to an average person. In some embodiments, the at least one controller is configured to predict or direct prediction of tint failure of the tintable window at least in part by adjusting a control scheme to facilitate the tint transition of the tintable window.

[0017] On the other hand, a system for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility comprises: a network configured to: (I) be operatively coupled to the tintable window of the facility; and (II) transmit one or more signals associated with any of the methods disclosed above.

[0018] In another aspect, a system for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility comprises: a network configured to: (a) transmit one or more measurements associated with a tint transition of the tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) transmit an analysis of the one or more measurements, wherein data is considered, wherein the data: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurements, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (c) transmit an indication of a predicted tint failure of the tintable window, wherein the prediction is made using the analysis.

[0019] In some embodiments, the network is configured to utilize a single cable to transmit power and communication. In some embodiments, the network is configured to transmit a signal that complies with multiple wireless communication protocols. The communication can be one or more types of communication. The communication can include cellular communications that comply with at least second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocols. In some embodiments, the communication includes media communications that promote still images, music or motion picture streams (e.g., movies or videos). In some embodiments, the network is configured to transmit a signal that complies with a building control protocol.

[0020] On the other hand, an apparatus for predicting failure of a tinted window in a facility comprises: a device assembly of the facility, the device assembly comprising one or more devices disposed in a housing, the one or more devices comprising a sensor configured to (A) measure an environment of the facility and (B) output sensor measurements configured for use in any of the methods disclosed above.

[0021] On the other hand, an apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility comprises: an apparatus assembly of the facility, the apparatus assembly comprising a sensor disposed in a housing, the sensor configured to (A) measure an environment of the facility and (B) output sensor measurements, the sensor measurements configured to determine one or more outputs, comprising: (a) an analysis of one or more measurements associated with a tint transition of the tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint, wherein the analysis is performed by considering data that: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurements, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (b) a prediction of tinting failure of the tintable window, wherein the prediction is performed using the analysis.

[0022] In some embodiments, the sensor of the device assembly includes different types of sensors. In some embodiments, the sensor includes: a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a volatile organic chemical sensor, an ambient noise sensor, a visible light sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a humidity sensor. In some embodiments, the device assembly includes a transmitter or a transceiver. In some embodiments, the device assembly is configured to facilitate control of the facility, and optionally wherein control of the facility includes control of the environment, safety, data, or health associated with the facility. In some embodiments, the device assembly is disposed in a fixture of the facility, or attached to a fixture of the facility. In some embodiments, the fixture includes a frame portion. In some embodiments, the network is operatively coupled to at least one tintable window and facilitates control of the at least one tintable window. In some embodiments, the tintable window includes an electrochromic window. In some embodiments, the network is operatively coupled to at least one other device of the facility and facilitates control of at least one other device of the facility. In some embodiments, at least one other device of the facility is configured to change the environment of the facility. In some embodiments, at least one other device of the facility includes a chiller, a heater, a tinted window, a heating cooling and air conditioning (HVAC) system, or lighting. In some embodiments, at least one other device of the facility is configured to control energy consumption of the facility.

[0023] In some embodiments, the network is a local network. In some embodiments, the network includes a cable configured to transmit power and communication in a single cable. The communication can be one or more types of communication. The communication can include cellular communications that comply with at least second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G) or fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocols. In some embodiments, the communication includes media communications that facilitate still images, music or motion picture streams (e.g., movies or videos). In some embodiments, the communication includes data communications (e.g., sensor data). In some embodiments, the communication includes control communications, for example, controlling one or more nodes that are operationally coupled to the network. In some embodiments, the network includes a first (e.g., cable) network installed in a facility. In some embodiments, the network includes a (e.g., cable) network installed in the enclosure of a facility (e.g., in the enclosure of a building included in the facility).

[0024] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides systems, devices (eg, controllers), and / or one or more non-transitory computer-readable media (eg, software) that implement any of the methods disclosed herein.

[0025] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides, for example, a method of using any of the systems, computer-readable media, and / or devices disclosed herein for its intended purpose.

[0026] On the other hand, a device includes at least one controller programmed to guide a mechanism for implementing (e.g., realizing) any method disclosed herein, the at least one controller being configured to be operatively coupled to the mechanism. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of the method) are guided / performed by the same controller. In some embodiments, at least two operations are guided / performed by different controllers.

[0027] On the other hand, a device includes at least one controller, and the at least one controller is configured (e.g., programmed) to implement (e.g., realize) any method disclosed herein. The at least one controller can implement any method disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of the method) are guided / performed by the same controller. In some embodiments, at least two operations are guided / performed by different controllers.

[0028] In some embodiments, one controller in the at least one controller is configured to perform two or more operations. In some embodiments, two different controllers in the at least one controller are configured to each perform a different operation.

[0029] On the other hand, a system includes: at least one controller, the at least one controller is programmed to guide the operation of at least one other device (or its component); and the device (or its component), wherein the at least one controller is operatively coupled to the device (or its component). The device (or its component) may include any device (or its component) disclosed herein. The at least one controller may be configured to guide any device (or its component) disclosed herein. The at least one controller may be configured to be operatively coupled to any device (or its component) disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of a device) are guided by the same controller. In some embodiments, at least two operations are guided by different controllers.

[0030] On the other hand, a computer software product (e.g., embossed on one or more non-transitory media) stores program instructions in the computer software product, which, when read by at least one processor (e.g., a computer), causes the at least one processor to direct the mechanism disclosed herein to implement (e.g., realize) any method disclosed herein, wherein the at least one processor is configured to be operatively coupled to the mechanism. The mechanism may include any device disclosed herein (or any component thereof). In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of a device) are directed / performed by the same processor. In some embodiments, at least two operations are directed / performed by different processors.

[0031] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a non-transitory computer-readable program instruction (e.g., included in a program product including one or more non-transitory media), the non-transitory computer-readable program instruction including a machine executable code, the machine executable code when executed by one or more processors implements any method disclosed herein. In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of a method) are directed / performed by the same processor. In some embodiments, at least two operations are directed / performed by different processors.

[0032] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides one or more non-transitory computer-readable media, the one or more non-transitory computer-readable media comprising machine executable code, which when executed by one or more processors implements the guidance of a controller (e.g., as disclosed herein). In some embodiments, at least two operations (e.g., at least two operations of a controller) are guided / performed by the same processor. In some embodiments, at least two operations are guided / performed by different processors.

[0033] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a computer system including one or more computer processors and one or more non-transitory computer-readable media coupled thereto. The non-transitory computer-readable media includes machine executable code that, when executed by one or more processors, implements any method disclosed herein and / or enables booting of a controller disclosed herein.

[0034] On the other hand, the present disclosure provides non-transitory computer-readable program instructions, which, when read by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform any operation of the method disclosed herein, any operation performed (or configured to perform) by the device disclosed herein, and / or any operation directed (or configured to direct) by the device disclosed herein.

[0035] In some embodiments, the program instructions are engraved in one or more non-transitory computer readable media. In some embodiments, at least two of these operations are performed by a processor in the one or more processors. In some embodiments, at least two of these operations are performed by different processors in the one or more processors.

[0036] In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a network configured to transmit any communication (e.g., signal) and / or (e.g., electrical) power that facilitates any operation disclosed herein. The communication may include control communication, cellular communication, media communication, and / or data communication. The data communication may include sensor data communication and / or processing data communication. The network may be configured to comply with one or more protocols that facilitate such communication. For example, the communication protocol used by the network (e.g., by a BMS) may be a building automation and control network protocol (BACnet). For example, the communication protocol may facilitate cellular communication to comply with at least a 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation cellular communication protocol.

[0037] The contents of this summary section are provided as a simplified introduction to the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of any invention disclosed herein or the scope of the appended claims.

[0038] Other aspects and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art through the following detailed description, wherein only illustrative embodiments of the present disclosure are shown and described. As will be appreciated, the present disclosure is capable of other different embodiments, and its several details can be modified in various obvious aspects, all without departing from the present disclosure. Therefore, the drawings and descriptions are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not restrictive.

[0039] These and other features and embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0040] Incorporated by Reference

[0041] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] The novel features of the present invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by referring to the following detailed description or the accompanying drawings (also referred to herein as "figures"), which set forth illustrative embodiments in which the principles of the present invention are utilized, wherein:

[0043] Figure 1A shows a cross-sectional side view of a tintable window configured as an insulating glass unit (IGU);

[0044] Figure 1B shows a perspective cross-sectional view of a corner portion of an insulating glass unit (IGU);

[0045] Figure 2A is a schematic cross-section of an electrochromic device in a bleached state or transitioning to a bleached state;

[0046] Figure 2B Is in a colored state or is changing into a colored state Figure 2A Schematic cross section of an electrochromic device;

[0047] Figure 3A is a graph showing current distribution of an electrochromic window that employs a simple voltage control algorithm to induce an optical state transition (eg, tinting) of the electrochromic device;

[0048] Figure 3B is a graph depicting total charge delivered over time and applied voltage over time during an electrochromic coloration transition;

[0049] Figure 4 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a control system for a building;

[0050] Figure 5 is a block diagram showing a control system and its various components;

[0051] Figure 6 is a block diagram illustrating an example of a system including a collection of sensors organized into sensor modules;

[0052] Figure 7 A schematic example of a processing system is shown;

[0053] Figure 8 is a block diagram showing an example of an arrangement of a sensor assembly in a peripheral structure and associated measurements;

[0054] Fig.9A is a graph depicting the change in charge over time for a set of hue transitions from no hue to the darkest hue;

[0055] Fig. 9B is a graph depicting the variation of leakage current over time for a set of hue transitions from no hue to the darkest hue;

[0056] Fig.10 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for predicting failure of a tintable window;

[0057] Fig.11 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for predicting tintable window failure and learning failure signatures of tintable window failure;

[0058] Fig.12 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of generating an alert and / or report in response to identifying a tintable window at risk of failure;

[0059] Fig.13 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method of processing sensor readings to generate results;

[0060] Fig.14 is a flow chart illustrating an example of a method for determining the reliability of a sensor reading; and

[0061] Fig.15 An example of a controller for controlling one or more sensors is shown.

[0062] The drawings and components therein may not be drawn to scale. The components in the drawings described herein may not be drawn to scale. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0063] Although various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Without departing from the present invention, those skilled in the art may conceive of multiple variations, changes and replacements. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be employed.

[0064] Terms such as "a", "an", and "the" are not intended to refer to only a single entity, but include general categories that can be illustrated using specific examples. The terms herein are used to describe specific embodiments of the invention, but their use does not limit the invention.

[0065] When referring to a range, unless otherwise specified, the range is meant to be inclusive. For example, a range between value 1 and value 2 is meant to be inclusive, and includes value 1 and value 2. An inclusive range will span any value from about value 1 to about value 2. As used herein, the terms "adjacent" or "adjacent to" include "immediately adjacent to," "adjacent to," "in contact with," and "close to."

[0066] As used herein, the conjunction "and / or" in the phrases included in the claims (such as "including X, Y, and / or Z") means including any combination of X, Y, and Z or multiple X, Y, and Z. For example, such phrases mean including X. For example, such phrases mean including Y. For example, such phrases mean including Z. For example, such phrases mean including X and Y. For example, such phrases mean including X and Z. For example, such phrases mean including multiple X. For example, such phrases mean including multiple Y. For example, such phrases mean including multiple Z. For example, such phrases mean including multiple X and multiple Y. For example, such phrases mean including multiple X and multiple Z. For example, such phrases mean including multiple Y and multiple Z. For example, such phrases mean including multiple X and one Y. For example, such phrases mean including multiple X and one Z. For example, such phrases mean including multiple Y and one Z. For example, such phrases mean including one X and multiple Y. For example, such phrases mean including one X and multiple Z. For example, such phrases mean including one Y and multiple Z. The conjunction "and / or" is meant to have the same effect as the phrase "X, Y, Z or any combination of X, Y, Z or more of X, Y, Z." The conjunction "and / or" is meant to have the same effect as the phrase "one or more of X, Y, Z and any combination of X, Y, Z."

[0067] The term "operably coupled" or "operably connected" refers to a first element (e.g., a mechanism) coupled (e.g., connected) to a second element to allow for the intended operation of the second element and / or the first element. Coupling can include physical or non-physical coupling (e.g., communicative coupling). Non-physical coupling can include signal inductive coupling (e.g., wireless coupling). Coupling can include physical coupling (e.g., physical connection) or non-physical coupling (e.g., via wireless communication). Operationally coupled can include communicatively coupled.

[0068] An element (e.g., a mechanism) that is "configured to" perform a function includes structural features that enable the element to perform the function. Structural features may include electrical features, such as circuit systems or circuit system elements. Structural features may include actuators. Structural features may include circuit systems (e.g., including electrical circuit systems or optical circuit systems). The electrical circuit system may include one or more wires. The optical circuit system may include at least one optical element (e.g., a beam splitter, a reflector, a lens, and / or an optical fiber). Structural features may include mechanical features. Mechanical features may include latches, springs, closures, hinges, chassis, supports, fasteners, or cantilevers, among others. Performing the function may include utilizing logical features. Logical features may include programming instructions. Programming instructions may be executed by at least one processor (e.g., see Figure 7 ) to execute. The programming instructions may be stored or encoded on a medium accessible to one or more processors. In addition, in the following description, the phrases "operable to", "adapted to", "configured to", "designed to", "programmed to", or "capable of" may be used interchangeably where appropriate.

[0069] In some embodiments, sensor data is utilized in conjunction with machine learning (including artificial intelligence (AI)) to predict and / or identify failures of tintable windows (e.g., to facilitate predictive maintenance). Large amounts of data (e.g., at least about one million, ten million, one hundred million, or one trillion raw data points) may be accumulated over time in conjunction with window control and / or operation. Disclosed herein is a framework configured to retrieve data associated with window tint transitions (e.g., control data and / or other sensor data) from a database (e.g., accumulated during regular operation of tintable windows), accumulate the data, and use the data to assess and / or predict failures of windows. Such a framework may allow predictive maintenance of any window that exhibits a sign of failure, identified, for example, using statistical measurements (e.g., current, voltage, open circuit voltage, or any other sensor measurement as disclosed herein).

[0070] In some embodiments, the peripheral structure includes an area limited by at least one structure. The at least one structure may include at least one wall. The peripheral structure may include and / or surround one or more sub-peripheral structures. The at least one wall may include metal (e.g., steel), clay, stone, plastic, glass, plaster (e.g., gypsum), polymer (e.g., polyurethane, styrene or vinyl), asbestos, fiberglass, concrete (e.g., reinforced concrete), wood, paper or ceramics. The at least one wall may include wires, bricks, blocks (e.g., cinder blocks), tiles, drywall or framework (e.g., steel frame).

[0071] In some embodiments, the peripheral structure includes one or more openings. The one or more openings may be reversibly closable. The one or more openings may be permanently open. The basic length scale of the one or more openings may be smaller relative to the basic length scale of the wall defining the peripheral structure. The basic length scale may include the diameter, length, width or height of the boundary circle. The surface of the one or more openings may be smaller relative to the surface of the wall defining the peripheral structure. The opening surface may be a percentage of the total surface of the wall. For example, the opening surface may measure up to about 30%, 20%, 10%, 5% or 1% of the wall. The wall may include a floor, a ceiling or a side wall. The closable opening may be closed by at least one window or door. The peripheral structure may be at least a portion of a facility. The facility may include a building. The peripheral structure may include at least a portion of a building. The building may be a private building and / or a commercial building. The building may include one or more floors. A building (e.g., a floor thereof) may include at least one of a room, a corridor, a foyer, a top floor, a basement, a balcony (e.g., an interior or exterior balcony), a stairwell, a hallway, an elevator shaft, a facade, a mezzanine, a loft, a garage, a porch (e.g., an enclosed porch), a terrace (e.g., an enclosed terrace), a cafeteria, and / or a duct. In some embodiments, the peripheral structure may be fixed and / or movable (e.g., a train, an airplane, a ship, a vehicle, or a rocket).

[0072] In some embodiments, a plurality of devices may be coupled to a control system operatively (e.g., communicatively). A plurality of devices may be arranged in a facility (e.g., including a building and / or a room). A control system may include a controller hierarchy. A device may include a transmitter, a sensor, or a window (e.g., an IGU). A device may be any device disclosed herein. At least two of a plurality of devices may be of the same type. For example, two or more IGUs may be coupled to a control system. At least two of a plurality of devices may be of different types. For example, a sensor and a transmitter may be coupled to a control system. Sometimes, a plurality of devices may include at least 20, 50, 100, 500, 1000, 2500, 5000, 7500, 10000, 50000, 100000, or 500000 devices. The plurality of devices may be any number between the above numbers (e.g., from 20 devices to 500,000 devices, from 20 devices to 50 devices, from 50 devices to 500 devices, from 500 devices to 2,500 devices, from 1,000 devices to 5,000 devices, from 5,000 devices to 10,000 devices, from 10,000 devices to 100,000 devices, or from 100,000 devices to 500,000 devices). For example, the number of windows in a floor may be at least 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 40, or 50. The number of windows in a floor may be any number between the above numbers (e.g., from 5 to 50, from 5 to 25, or from 25 to 50). Sometimes, the devices may be located in a multi-story building. At least a portion of the floors of a multi-story building may have devices controlled by a control system (e.g., at least a portion of the floors of a multi-story building may be controlled by a control system). For example, a multi-story building may have at least 2, 8, 10, 25, 50, 80, 100, 120, 140, or 160 floors controlled by the control system. The number of floors (e.g., devices therein) controlled by the control system may be any number between the above numbers (e.g., from 2 to 50, from 25 to 100, or from 80 to 160). The floors may have at least about 150 m 2 、250m 2 , 500m 2 , 1000m 2 、1500m 2 or 2000 square meters (m 2 The floor area may have an area between any of the above floor area values ​​(e.g., from about 150m 2 About 2000m 2 , from about 150m 2 About 500m 2、 From about 250m 2 About 1000m 2 , from about 1000m2 About 2000m 2 ). A building may include an area of ​​at least about 1000 square feet (sqft), 2000sqft, 5000sqft, 10000sqft, 100000sqft, 150000sqft, 200000sqft, or 500000sqft. A building may include an area between any of the above areas (e.g., about 1000sqft to about 5000sqft, about 5000sqft to about 500000sqft, or about 1000sqft to about 500000sqft). A building may include at least about 100m 2 、200m 2 , 500m 2 , 1000m 2 5000m 2 , 10000m 2 、25000m 2 or 50000m 2 Buildings may include any area between the above areas (e.g., about 100m 2 About 1000m 2 , about 500m 2 About 25000m 2 , about 100m 2 To about 50000m 2 ). The facility may include a commercial or residential building. A commercial building may include a tenant and / or an owner. A residential facility may include a multi- or single-family building. A residential facility may include an apartment building. A residential facility may include a single-family home. A residential facility may include a multi-family home (e.g., an apartment). A residential facility may include a townhouse. A facility may include a residential and commercial portion. A facility may include at least 1, 2, 5, 10, 50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 300, 350, 400, 420, 450, 500, or 550 windows (e.g., tintable windows). The windows may be divided into zones (e.g., based at least in part on the location, facade, floor, ownership, utilization, any other specified metric, random assignment, or any combination thereof of the surrounding structure (e.g., room) in which the windows are located.) The assignment of windows to zones may be static or dynamic (e.g., based on a heuristic). There may be at least about 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 30, 40, or 46 windows per zone.

[0073] Certain disclosed embodiments provide a network infrastructure in a peripheral structure (e.g., a facility such as a building). The network infrastructure may be used for various purposes, such as for providing communication and / or power services. The network infrastructure may provide direct and / or indirect communication between devices (e.g., tintable windows and / or controllers) coupled to the network. The communication services may include high-bandwidth (e.g., wireless and / or wired) communication services. The communication services may be used by occupants of the facility and / or users outside the facility (e.g., a building). The network infrastructure may work in conjunction with the infrastructure of one or more cellular operators or as a partial replacement for the infrastructure of the one or more cellular operators. The network infrastructure may be provided in a facility including a tintable (e.g., electrically switchable or electrically tintable) window. Examples of components of the network infrastructure include high-speed backhaul. The network infrastructure may include at least one cable (e.g., a coaxial cable and / or an optical cable), a switch, a physical antenna, a transceiver, a sensor, a transmitter, a receiver, a radio, a processor, and / or a controller (which may include a processor). The network infrastructure may be operatively coupled to and / or include a wireless network. The network infrastructure may include wiring. One or more sensors may be deployed (e.g., installed) in an environment as part of and / or after the network is installed. The network may be configured for cellular communications, for example, using at least a third (3G), fourth (4G), or fifth (5G) generation communication standard. The network may be configured to transmit power and communications on the same cable (e.g., a coaxial cable). The network may be a local area network. The network may include a cable configured to transmit power and communications in a single cable. The communication may be one or more types of communications. The communication may include cellular communications that comply with at least a second generation (2G), third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), or fifth generation (5G) cellular communication protocol. The communication may include media communications that facilitate still images, music, or motion picture streaming (e.g., movies or videos). The communication may include data communications (e.g., sensor data). The communication may include control communications, for example, to control one or more nodes operatively coupled to the network. The network may include a first (e.g., cable) network installed in a facility. The network may include a network (eg, of cables) installed in an enclosure of the facility (eg, such as in an enclosure of a peripheral structure of the facility. For example, in an enclosure of a building included in the facility).

[0074] On the other hand, the present disclosure provides a network configured to transmit any communication (e.g., signal) and / or (e.g., electrical) power that facilitates any operation disclosed herein. The communication may include control communication, cellular communication, media communication, and / or data communication. Data communication may include sensor data communication and / or processing data communication. The network may be configured to comply with one or more protocols that facilitate such communication. For example, the communication protocol used by the network (e.g., by a BMS) may include a building automation and control network protocol (BACnet). The network may be configured for (e.g., including hardware facilitation) communication protocols including BACnet (e.g., BACnet / SC), LonWorks, Modbus, KNX, European Home System Protocol (EHS), BatiBUS, European Installation Bus (EIB or Instabus), zigbee, Z-wave, Insteon, X10, Bluetooth, or WiFi. The network may be configured to transmit control-related protocols. The communication protocol may facilitate cellular communication to comply with at least 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th generation cellular communication protocols. The (e.g., cable) network may include a tree, linear, or star topology. The network may include an intercommunication and / or distributed application model for various tasks of building automation. The control system may provide a solution for configuring and / or managing resources on the network. The network may allow for the bundling of portions of a distributed application in different nodes operatively coupled to the network. The network may provide a communication system with a message protocol and model for a communication stack in each node (capable of hosting distributed applications (e.g., with a common kernel)). The control system may include a programmable logic controller (PLC).

[0075] In various embodiments, the network infrastructure supports a control system for one or more windows such as tintable (e.g., electrochromic) windows. The control system may include one or more controllers operatively (e.g., directly or indirectly) coupled to one or more windows. Although the disclosed embodiments describe tintable windows (also referred to herein as "optically switchable windows" or "smart windows"), such as electrochromic windows, the concepts disclosed herein may be applied to other types of switchable optical devices, including liquid crystal devices, electrochromic devices, suspended particle devices (SPDs), NanoChromics displays (NCDs), organic electroluminescent displays (OELDs), suspended particle devices (SPDs), NanoChromics displays (NCDs), or organic electroluminescent displays (OELDs). The display element may be attached to a portion of a transparent body (such as a window). The tintable window may be disposed in a (non-transient) facility, such as a building, and / or may be disposed in a transient facility (e.g., a vehicle), such as a car, RV, bus, train, airplane, helicopter, ship, or boat.

[0076] In some embodiments, the tintable window exhibits a (e.g., controllable and / or reversible) change in at least one optical property of the window, for example, when a stimulus is applied. The change may be a continuous change. The change may be to discrete hue levels (e.g., to at least about 2, 4, 8, 16, or 32 hue levels). The optical property may include a hue or a transmittance. The hue may include a color. The transmittance may be one or more wavelengths. The wavelength may include an ultraviolet wavelength, a visible wavelength, or an infrared wavelength. The stimulus may include an optical stimulus, an electrical stimulus, and / or a magnetic stimulus. For example, the stimulus may include an applied voltage and / or current. One or more tintable windows may be used to control lighting and / or glare conditions, for example, by regulating the transmission of solar energy propagating through the one or more tintable windows. One or more tintable windows may be used to control the temperature within a building, for example, by regulating the transmission of solar energy propagating through the one or more tintable windows. Controlling solar energy may control the heat load applied to the interior of a facility (e.g., a building). The control may be manual and / or automatic. The control may be used to maintain one or more requested (e.g., environmental) conditions, such as human comfort. Control may include reducing energy consumption of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and / or lighting systems. At least two of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning may be implemented by separate systems. At least two of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning may be implemented by one system. Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning may be implemented by a single system (abbreviated herein as "HVAC"). In some cases, a tinted window may be responsive to (e.g., and communicatively coupled to) one or more environmental sensors and / or user controls. Tinted windows may include (e.g., may be) electrochromic windows. The window may be located within a range from the interior to the exterior of a structure (e.g., a facility; e.g., a building). However, this need not be the case. Tinted windows may operate using a liquid crystal device, a suspended particle device, a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) device (such as a micro shutter), or any technology now known or later developed that is configured to control light transmission through a window. Windows (e.g., with MEMS devices for tinting) are described in U.S. Patent No. 10,359,681, filed May 15, 2015, issued July 23, 2019, and entitled "MULTI-PANE WINDOWS INCLUDING ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES AND ELECTROMECHANICAL SYSTEMS DEVICES," and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. In some cases, one or more tintable windows may be located within the interior of a building, such as between a conference room and a hallway. In some cases, one or more tintable windows may be used in cars, trains, airplanes, and other vehicles, for example, in place of passive and / or non-tinted windows.

[0077] In some embodiments, a colorable window includes an electrochromic device (referred to herein as an “EC device” (abbreviated herein as ECD) or “EC”). The EC device (e.g., an electrochromic configuration) can include at least one coating having at least one layer. The at least one layer can include an electrochromic material. In some embodiments, the electrochromic material exhibits a change from one optical state to another, e.g., when a potential is applied across the EC device. The transition of the electrochromic layer from one optical state to another can be caused by, for example, reversible, semi-reversible, or irreversible ion insertion into the electrochromic material (e.g., by intercalation) and corresponding charge-balancing electron injection. For example, the transition of the electrochromic layer from one optical state to another can be caused by, for example, reversible ion insertion into the electrochromic material (e.g., by intercalation) and corresponding charge-balancing electron injection. This may be reversible during the expected lifetime of the ECD. Semi-reversible means a measurable (e.g., noticeable) degradation of the reversibility of the window's hue during one or more coloring cycles. In some cases, a portion of the ions responsible for the optical transition irreversibly bind in the electrochromic material (e.g., and thus the induced (altered) hue state of the window cannot be reversed to its original colored state). In many EC devices, at least some (e.g., all) of the irreversibly bound ions can be used to compensate for “blind charges” in the material (e.g., the ECD).

[0078] In some specific embodiments, suitable ions include cations. The cations can include lithium ions (Li+) and / or hydrogen ions (H+) (i.e., protons). In some specific embodiments, other ions may be suitable. The cations can be intercalated into (e.g., a metal) oxide. A change in the state of the ions (e.g., cations) intercalated into the oxide can induce a visible change in the hue (e.g., color) of the oxide. For example, the oxide can change from colorless to a colored state. For example, lithium ion intercalation into tungsten oxide (WO3-y(0 < y ∼ 0.3)) can cause tungsten oxide to change from a transparent state to a colored (e.g., blue) state. The EC device coating as described herein is located within the visible portion of the colorable window such that the coloring of the EC device coating can be used to control the optical state of the colorable window.

[0079] Figure 1A A cross-sectional view of an example of a colorable window embodied as an insulating glass unit (“IGU”) 100 is shown in accordance with some specific embodiments. Figure 1B Shown is Figure 1AIGU of perspective view. The IGU sheet, also referred to herein as a pane, can be a single substrate or a multi-substrate construction, such as a laminate of two substrates. IGUs (particularly those with a double-pane or triple-pane configuration) can provide many advantages over single-pane configurations. For example, when compared to a single-pane configuration, a multi-pane configuration can provide enhanced thermal insulation, noise insulation, environmental protection, and / or durability. For example, a multi-pane configuration can provide enhanced protection for ECDs because an electrochromic film and associated layers and conductive interconnects can be formed on the inner surface of a multi-pane IGU and protected by an inert gas filled in an internal volume of the IGU, such as 108. The inert gas filler provides at least some (thermal) isolation functions of the IGU. Electrochromic IGUs have increased heat blocking capabilities by virtue of a colorable coating that absorbs (or reflects) heat and light.

[0080] Figure 1A and Figure 1B An example of an implementation of an IGU 100 is shown that includes a first pane 104 having a first surface S1 and a second surface S2. In some implementations, the first surface S1 of the first pane 104 faces an external environment, such as an outdoor or outside environment. The IGU 100 includes a second pane 106 having a first surface S3 and a second surface S4. In some implementations, the second surface S4 of the second pane 106 faces an internal environment, such as an internal environment of a temporary or non-temporary facility (e.g., a room, a building, or a vehicle).

[0081] In some implementations, each of the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 is transparent or translucent (e.g., at least for light in the visible spectrum). For example, at least one of the panes 104 and 106 can be formed of a glass material, and in particular, architectural glass or other shatterproof glass material such as, for example, silicon oxide (SO x) glass material. As a more specific example, each of the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 can be a soda-lime glass substrate or a float glass substrate. Such a glass substrate can be composed of, for example, about 75% silicon dioxide (SiO2) and Na2O, CaO and several trace additives. However, each of the first and second panes 104 and 106 can be formed of any material having suitable optical, electrical, thermal and mechanical properties. For example, other suitable substrates that can be used as one or both of the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 can include other glass materials as well as plastics, semi-plastics and thermoplastic materials (e.g., poly(methyl methacrylate), polystyrene, polycarbonate, allyl diglycerol carbonate, SAN (styrene acrylonitrile copolymer), poly(4-methyl-1-pentene), polyester, polyamide) or mirror materials. In some specific implementations, at least one of the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 (e.g., each) can be strengthened, for example, by tempering, heating or chemical strengthening.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first and second panes 104, 106 and the IGU 100 as a whole are rectangular. In some implementations, other shapes are possible and may be desired (e.g., circular, oval, triangular, curved, convex, or concave shapes). In some specific implementations, the length "L" of each of the first and second panes 104, 106 may be in the range of about 20 inches (in.) to about 10 feet (ft.), the width "W" of each of the first and second panes 104, 106 may be in the range of about 20 inches to about 10 feet, and the thickness "T" of each of the first and second panes 104, 106 may be in the range of about 0.3 millimeters (mm) to about 10 mm (although other lengths, widths, or thicknesses, smaller and larger, are possible and may be desired, depending on the needs of a particular utilization, user, manager, administrator, builder, architect, or owner). In examples where the thickness T of the substrate 104 is less than 3 millimeters (mm), the substrate may be laminated to an additional substrate that is thicker (e.g., and protects the thin substrate 104). In addition, although IGU 100 includes two panes (104 and 106), in some other specific implementations, the IGU may include three or more panes. In addition, in some embodiments, one or more panes themselves may be a laminated structure of two, three or more layers or sub-panes.

[0083] exist Figure 1A to Figure 1BIn the example shown in FIG. 1 , the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 are spaced apart from each other by a spacer 118 to form an internal volume 108, which is typically a frame structure. In some implementations, the internal volume is filled with a gas or gas mixture containing argon (Ar), although in other implementations, the internal volume 108 may be filled with another gas or gas mixture. Other gases or gas mixtures may include inert gases (e.g., krypton (Kr) or xenon (Xn)), other (non-inert) gases or gas mixtures (e.g., air). Filling the internal volume 108 with a gas containing Ar, Kr, or Xn may reduce conductive heat transfer through the IGU 100. Without wishing to be bound by theory, this may be due to the low thermal conductivity of these gases and / or the improved sound insulation due to their increased atomic weight. In some other implementations, the internal volume 108 may be evacuated of air or any other gas. The spacer 118 may determine the height of the internal volume 108; that is, the spacing between the first pane 104 and the second pane 106. In some implementations, the spacing between the first pane 104 and the second pane 106 is in a range of about 6 mm to about 30 mm. The width of the spacer 118 can be in a range of about 5 mm to about 25 mm (although other widths are possible and may be desired).

[0084] Although not shown in the cross-sectional view, the spacer 118 is a frame structure formed around all sides of the IGU 100 (e.g., the top, bottom, left side, and right side of the IGU 100). For example, the spacer 118 may be formed of a foam or plastic material. However, in some other specific implementations, the spacer may be formed of a metal or other conductive material, for example, a metal tube or channel structure having at least 3 sides, two sides for sealing to each substrate in the substrate, and one side for supporting and separating the sheets and as a surface on which a sealant is applied. The sealant may include a polymer material, such as polyisobutylene (PIB). The polymer material may be waterproof (e.g., hydrophobic). The polymer material may increase the structural support of the IGU assembly. Examples of polymer materials may include silicone, polyurethane, or similar structural sealants that form a watertight and / or airtight seal.

[0085] In some embodiments, a window controller is associated with one or more tintable windows and is configured to control the optical state of the window, for example, by applying a stimulus to the window. For example, by applying a voltage and / or current to the tintable window (e.g., to the EC device coating). Window controllers may have many sizes, formats, and / or positions relative to the light-switchable windows they control. The controller may be attached to a sheet of an IGU or laminate, but the controller may also be in a frame that houses the IGU or laminate or in a separate position. As previously described, a tintable window may include one, two, three, or more separate electrochromic panes (electrochromic devices on transparent substrates). Individual panes of an electrochromic window may have an electrochromic coating having one or more independently tintable regions. The controller may control all electrochromic coatings associated with such windows, whether the electrochromic coatings are integral or partitioned.

[0086] In some embodiments, the window controller is located near the tintable window, if not directly attached to the tintable window, IGU, or frame. The frame may include a mullion or a transom. For example, the window controller may be disposed adjacent to the window, on the surface of one of the window sheets, in a wall next to the window, or in a frame of a self-contained window assembly (e.g., in a mullion or a transom). In some embodiments, the window controller is an in-situ controller. The in-situ window controller may be part of a window assembly, IGU, and / or laminate. The in-situ window may not necessarily match the electrochromic window and may be installed on-site (e.g., at the time of deployment). For example, the controller may be integrated with the window as part of the assembly (e.g., in a factory) and deployed as a unit.

[0087] In some embodiments, the controller may be separated from the window and deployed as two separate units. For example, the controller may be installed in a portion of the window frame of the window assembly. In some embodiments, the controller may be part of an IGU or a laminate assembly. For example, the controller may be installed on a pane of an IGU or between panes of an IGU or on a pane of a laminate. In the case where the controller is located on a visible portion of the IGU, at least a portion of the controller may be substantially transparent. Examples of glass controllers can be found in U.S. Patent No. 10,303,035B2, filed on November 14, 2015, published on May 28, 2019, and entitled "SELF CONTAINED ECIGU," and the entire text of the U.S. Patent is incorporated herein by reference.

[0088] In some embodiments, the localized controller can be provided as more than one part, wherein at least one part (e.g., a memory component containing information stored about an associated electrochromic window) is provided as part of a window assembly, and at least one other part is separate and configured to cooperate with at least one part of a part of a window assembly, an IGU, or a laminate. In certain embodiments, the controller can be an assembly of operably connected (e.g., interconnected) parts that are not provided in a single housing (e.g., provided in different housings). The separate controller parts can be spaced apart from each other (e.g., separated by a gap). At least one of the controller parts (e.g., or the entire window controller) can be provided in a seal of a window frame and / or an IGU. In some embodiments, the controller is a compact unit, such as enclosed in a single housing. In some embodiments, the controller part is divided into two or more parts that are operably connected at least by physical combination, such as a docking piece and a housing assembly. The controller (or at least a portion thereof) can be (i) close to the glass and / or not in the visible area of ​​the glass, or (ii) mounted on the glass in the visible area.

[0089] In some embodiments, at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of the window controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU and / or the window frame, for example, prior to installing the tintable windows. In some embodiments, at least a portion (e.g., the entirety) of the window controller is installed in the same building as the tintable windows, for example, prior to installing the tintable windows. In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU and / or the window frame, for example, prior to leaving the manufacturing facility. In one embodiment, the controller is incorporated into the IGU, (e.g., substantially) within the seal. In another embodiment, the controller is incorporated into or onto the IGU, for example, partially, substantially, or completely within the perimeter defined by the primary seal between the sealing divider and the substrate.

[0090] In the case where the characteristics of the electrochromic device change over time (e.g., due to degradation), the characterization function can be used. The characterization function can, for example, be used to update the control parameters. These control parameters can be used to drive the tint state transition. In another example, if already installed in an electrochromic window unit, the controller (e.g., the logic of the controller) can be used to calibrate the control parameters. For example, the control parameters can be calibrated to match the expected installation. In some embodiments, the control parameters can be recalibrated after installation to match the expected performance characteristics of the electrochromic pane.

[0091] In some embodiments, the controller includes a taskbar component. The docking component may have components that are common to any electrochromic window. The docking component may be associated with each window at the factory. After the window is installed, or otherwise on site, the second component of the controller may be combined with the docking component to complete the electrochromic window controller assembly. The docking component may include a chip programmed with physical features and / or parameters at the factory. The physical features and / or parameters may include features of the specific window to which the docking component is attached. These features may include, for example, a surface of the window that will face the interior of the building after installation, sometimes referred to as surface 4 or "S4". The second component (sometimes referred to as a "carrier", "housing", "housing" or "controller") may cooperate with the docking component. When powered, the second component may read the chip and, for example, configure itself to power the window according to specific features and / or parameters stored on the chip. In this way, the shipped window (e.g., only) needs to have its associated parameters stored on the chip. For example, the chip may be integrated with the window, and more complex circuits and / or components may be combined later (e.g., after installation). For example, more complex circuits and components may be shipped separately and installed after the window is installed (e.g., after the installer (e.g., glazier) has installed the window) (e.g., by the window manufacturer). In some embodiments, the chip is included in the wires (or in the wire connectors) attached to the window controller. Such wires (e.g., with connectors) may be referred to as "pigtails."

[0092] In some embodiments, "IGU" includes two or more (e.g., substantially) transparent substrates. According to some embodiments, the (e.g., substantially) transparent substrate includes two panes of a transparent material (e.g., glass), wherein at least one pane (e.g., acting as a substrate) includes an electrochromic device disposed thereon. The pane may have a separator disposed therebetween. The IGU may be airtightly sealed (e.g., humidity and / or gas-tight), with an internal area isolated from the surrounding environment. The window assembly may include an IGU or an independent laminate. The window assembly may include one or more electrical leads for connecting the IGU, laminate, and / or one or more electrochromic devices to a voltage source, a switch, etc. The window assembly may include a frame supporting the IGU and / or laminate. The window assembly may include a window controller (e.g., as described herein) and / or one or more components (e.g., docking pieces) of the window controller.

[0093] As used herein, the term "outside" means closer to the outside environment. The term "inside" means closer to the interior of a building. For example, in the case of an IGU having two panes, the pane that is positioned closer to the outside environment is referred to as the outside pane or the outer pane. The pane that is positioned closer to the interior of the building is referred to as the inside pane or the inner pane. Figure 1A and Figure 1BAs shown, the different surfaces of the IGU may be referred to as S1, S2, S3, and S4 (assuming a double-pane IGU). S1 refers to the surface of the outer pane facing the outside (i.e., the surface that can be physically touched by a person standing outside). S2 refers to the surface of the outer pane facing the inside. S3 refers to the surface of the inner pane facing the outside. S4 refers to the surface of the inner pane facing the inside (i.e., the surface that can be physically touched by a person standing inside the building). In other words, starting from the outermost surface of the IGU and counting inward, the surfaces are labeled S1-S4. In the case where the IGU includes three panes, this trend applies (S6 is a surface that can be physically touched by a person standing inside the building). In certain embodiments employing two panes, an optically switchable device (e.g., an electrochromic device) is disposed on surface S2. In certain embodiments, one or more surfaces have a structure for blocking the transmission of electromagnetic radiation. Figure 1B An example of an "IMI" (shield stack of multiple conductive layers) disposed on S2 is shown. Additional aspects of the shield stack structure can be found in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0090992, entitled "WINDOW ANTENNAS FOREMITTING RADIO FREQUENCY SIGNALS," published on March 29, 2018 and filed on September 19, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of window controllers and their features are presented in the following patent applications: U.S. patent application serial number 13 / 449,248, entitled “CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS,” filed on April 17, 2012; U.S. patent application serial number 13 / 449,251, entitled “CONTROLLER FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE WINDOWS,” filed on April 17, 2012; U.S. patent application serial number 15 / 334,835, entitled “CCONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES,” filed on October 26, 2016; and international patent application serial number PCT / US17 / 20805, entitled “METHOD OF COMMISSIONING ELECTROCHROMICWINDOWS,” filed on March 3, 2017, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0094] When a building is equipped with tintable windows, the window controllers may be connected to each other and / or to other entities (e.g., devices) via a communication network. The communication network may be referred to as a "window control network" or "window network". The network and various devices (e.g., controllers, IGUs, transmitters, antennas and / or sensors) connected via the network (e.g., wired or wireless power transmission and / or communication) are referred to herein as a "window control system" or "control system". The window control system may provide tint instructions to the window controller. The window control network may provide window information, etc. to a master controller or other network entities (e.g., devices). Examples of window information include the current tint state and / or other information collected by the window controller. In some cases, the window controller has one or more associated sensors. One or more associated sensors may include, for example, a photoelectric sensor, a temperature sensor, an occupancy sensor, a particulate matter sensor, a sound sensor, a pressure sensor, a speed sensor, a movement sensor and / or a gas sensor (measuring gas type, speed and / or concentration) that provides sensing information via a network. In some cases, the information transmitted through the window communication network does not affect the window control. For example, information received at a first window configured to receive a WiFi or LiFi signal can be transmitted over the communication network to a second window configured to wirelessly broadcast the information as, for example, a WiFi or LiFi signal. The window control network need not be limited to providing information for controlling tintable windows, but can communicate information for other devices that interface with the communication network, such as HVAC systems, lighting systems, security systems, personal computing devices, etc.

[0095] Figure 2A 200 is a schematic cross-section of an electrochromic device in a bleached state (or transitioning to a bleached state). According to a specific embodiment, electrochromic device 200 comprises a tungsten oxide electrochromic layer (EC) 206 and a nickel-tungsten oxide counter electrode layer (CE) 210. Electrochromic device 200 includes substrate 202, conductive layer (CL) 204, ion conductive layer (IC) 208, and conductive layer (CL) 214.

[0096] The power source 216 is configured to apply a potential and / or current to the electrochromic stack 220 through suitable connections (e.g., bus bars) to the conductive layers 204 and 214. In some embodiments, the voltage source is configured to apply a potential of about a few volts to drive the device from one optical state to another optical state. The polarity of the potential is such that the ions (lithium ions in this example) are primarily present in the nickel-tungsten oxide counter electrode layer 210 (as indicated by the dashed arrow).

[0097] Figure 2B yes Figure 2A Schematic cross section of electrochromic device 200 as shown in FIG. 1 but in a colored state (or transitioning to a colored state). Figure 2BIn the example, the polarity of the voltage source 216 is relative to Figure 2A Reverse. Figure 2B The electrochromic layer 206 of the nickel-tungsten oxide is more negative to accept additional lithium ions and thus transition to a colored state. As shown by the dotted arrows, the lithium ions are transferred across the ion conductive layer 208 to the tungsten oxide electrochromic layer 206. The tungsten oxide electrochromic layer 206 is shown in a colored state. The nickel-tungsten oxide counter electrode 210 is shown in a colored state. The nickel-tungsten oxide gradually becomes more opaque as it gives up (deintercalates) lithium ions. In this example, there is a synergistic effect, in which the transition to the colored state of both layers 206 and 210 helps to reduce the amount of light transmitted through the stack and substrate.

[0098] As described herein, an electrochromic device may include an electrochromic (EC) electrode layer and a counter electrode (CE) layer, the EC electrode layer and the CE layer being separated by an ion conductive (IC) layer having high conductivity to ions and high resistance to electrons. The ion conductive layer may prevent a short circuit between the electrochromic layer and the counter electrode layer. The ion conductive layer may promote the electrochromic pole and the counter electrode to maintain charge, and thereby maintain their bleached state or colored state. In some electrochromic devices (e.g., with different layers), these components form a stack, which includes an ion conductive layer sandwiched between the electrochromic electrode layer and the counter electrode layer. The boundaries between these three stacked components may be defined by abrupt changes in composition and / or microstructure. These devices may include three different layers with two abrupt interfaces.

[0099] According to certain embodiments, the counter electrode and the electrochromic electrode are formed in close proximity to each other, sometimes in direct contact, without a separate deposition of an ion-conducting layer therebetween. In some embodiments, an electrochromic device having an interface region (e.g., rather than a different IC layer) is employed. Electrochromic devices and methods of making the same can be found in the following patent applications: U.S. Patent No. 8,300,298 and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 772,075, filed on April 30, 2010, entitled "ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES"; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 814,277, filed on June 11, 2010, entitled "ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES"; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 12 / 814,279, filed on June 11, 2010, entitled "ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES". Each of the aforementioned three patent applications and the aforementioned patent name is "Electrochromic Devices", each names Zhongchun Wang et al. as inventors, and each of these patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0100] Figure 3AAn example of a current profile for an electrochromic window is shown that employs a simple voltage control algorithm to cause an optical state transition (e.g., coloration) of an electrochromic device. In the curve, the ion current density (I) is represented as a function of time. Different types of electrochromic devices may have the current profiles depicted. In one example, a cathode electrochromic material such as tungsten oxide is used with a nickel tungsten oxide counter electrode. In such a device, a negative current indicates coloration of the device, and a positive current indicates bleaching of the device. Figure 3A The depicted curve shown in is obtained by ramping the voltage to a set level and then holding the voltage to maintain the optical state.

[0101] Current peaks 301 are associated with changes in optical states such as staining and bleaching (e.g., decolorization). The current peaks represent the delivery of charge required to stain or bleach the device. The shaded area under the peaks represents the total charge required to stain or bleach (e.g., decolorize) the device. The portion of the curve after the initial current spike (portion 303) represents the leakage current when the device is in the new optical state. In some embodiments, the leakage current is at most about 0.1 milliamperes per square centimeter. In some embodiments, the leakage current corresponds to a leakage voltage of at most about 0.25 millivolts per square foot or at most about 50 volts per 200,000 square feet. In some embodiments, the leakage current is very slow and therefore appears to be Figure 3A It may take at least about 1, 3, 5, or 10 years for the voltage difference to disappear (eg, the ions migrate back spontaneously in the absence of the induced voltage).

[0102] exist Figure 3AIn the example shown in , the voltage distribution 305 is superimposed on the current curve. The voltage distribution follows the following sequence: negative ramp (307), negative hold (309), positive ramp (311) and positive hold (313). Note that the voltage remains constant after reaching its maximum value and during the time length of the device remaining in its defined optical state. The voltage ramp 307 drives the device to its new coloring state. The voltage ramp may or may not have the same absolute slope value. The voltage holding period may or may not have the same duration. The voltage ramp period may or may not have the same duration. The voltage hold 309 maintains the device in the coloring state until the voltage ramp 311 in the opposite direction drives the transition from the coloring state to the bleaching state. In some switching algorithms, current and / or voltage upper limits are applied. For example, current and / or voltage are not allowed to exceed the defined level, for example to prevent damage to the device. In some embodiments, when the electrochromic device is subjected to current and / or voltage within a time frame exceeding a time threshold, the electrochromic device is irreversibly damaged. In some switching algorithms, the current is allowed to exceed the applied current upper limit for a short amount of time shorter than a time threshold (during which the device is not damaged). In some switching algorithms, the voltage is allowed to exceed the applied voltage upper limit for a short amount of time shorter than a time threshold (during which the device is not damaged).

[0103] In some embodiments, coloring speed depends not only on the applied voltage, but also on temperature and voltage ramp rate. In some embodiments, both voltage and temperature can affect lithium diffusion, such as the amount of charge (and therefore the intensity of the current peak) passed through increases with the increase of voltage and temperature. Voltage and temperature can be related to each other. This mutual correlation can imply that a lower voltage can be used at a higher temperature to obtain the same switching speed as the higher voltage at a lower temperature. This temperature response can be used in a switching algorithm based on voltage. This algorithm may need to actively monitor the temperature to change the applied voltage. Temperature can be used to determine which voltage to apply to achieve fast switching without damaging the device.

[0104] Various embodiments herein utilize some form of feedback to actively control the transition in an optically switchable device. In some embodiments, the feedback is based at least in part on non-optical features. When certain electrical conditions are applied, it may be useful to consider electrical characteristics such as the voltage and / or current response of the optically switchable device.

[0105] In some embodiments, electrical feedback is used to ensure that the optically switchable device is maintained within a safe window of operating conditions. If the current or voltage supplied to the device is too large, the device may be damaged. The feedback methods presented herein may be referred to as damage prevention feedback methods. In some embodiments, damage prevention feedback may be the only feedback used. Alternatively, the damage prevention feedback method may be combined with other feedback methods described herein. In other embodiments, damage prevention feedback is not used, but different types of feedback described below are used.

[0106] Figure 3B Shown is an example of a graph depicting the total charge delivered over time and the voltage applied over time during the electrochromic coloring transition. The window in this illustrative example is about 24×24 inches. The total charge delivered is called the hue charge count, and is measured in coulombs (C). The total charge delivered is presented on the left-hand y-axis of the graph, and the applied voltage is presented on the right-hand y-axis of the graph. Line 302 corresponds to the total charge delivered, and line 304 corresponds to the applied voltage. In addition, line 306 corresponds to a threshold charge (threshold charge density multiplied by the area of ​​the window), and line 308 corresponds to a target open circuit voltage. Threshold charge and target open circuit voltage can be used for monitoring / controlling optical transitions.

[0107] Figure 3B The voltage curve 304 in FIG. 1 begins with a drive ramp component where the magnitude of the voltage ramps up to a drive voltage of approximately -2.5 volts (V). After an initial period of applying the drive voltage, the voltage begins to spike upward at regular intervals. These voltage spikes occur when probing the electrochromic device. Probing is performed by applying an open circuit condition to the device. The open circuit condition results in an open circuit voltage VoC (also referred to herein as "Voc"), which corresponds to the voltage spikes seen in the graph. This open circuit voltage VoC is a real-time measurement and is shown during the hold period. The voltage may be measured during the ramp period (not during the hold period). Figure 3B The VoC is measured by measuring the open circuit voltage (shown in the example of FIG. 3 ). Between each detection of the open circuit voltage, there is an additional period in which the applied voltage is the drive voltage. While the electrochromic device is transitioning, the EC is periodically probed to test the open circuit voltage (e.g., to monitor the transition). The target open circuit voltage represented by line 308 is selected to be approximately -1.4V for each case. The holding voltage in each case is approximately -1.2V. Therefore, the target open circuit voltage is offset from the holding voltage by approximately 0.2V.

[0108] exist Figure 3BIn the transition example shown in , the magnitude of the open circuit voltage exceeds the magnitude of the target open circuit voltage at approximately 1500 seconds. Because the relevant voltage in this example is negative, it is shown in the graph as the point where the open circuit voltage spike first drops below the target open circuit voltage. The total delivered charge count curve 302 starts at zero and rises monotonically. The delivered charge reaches the threshold charge at approximately 1500 seconds. This time is very close to the time when the target open circuit voltage is met. Once both conditions are met, the voltage switches from the drive voltage to the hold voltage, approximately 1500 seconds.

[0109] In another embodiment, the optical transition is monitored by a voltage sensing pad positioned directly on the transparent conductive layer (TCL). This allows direct measurement of V at the center of the device between the bus bars. eff , where V eff is at its minimum value. In this case, when V is measured at the center of the device eff When a target voltage such as a holding voltage is reached, the controller indicates that the optical transition is complete. In various embodiments, the use of a sensor can reduce (e.g., eliminate) the benefit of using a target voltage offset from the holding voltage. For example, an offset may not be required, and when a sensor is present, the target voltage may be (e.g., substantially) equal to the holding voltage. In the case of using a voltage sensor, at least one sensor may be present on each TCL. The voltage sensor may be placed at a distance in the middle between the bus bars, such as offset to one side of the device (near the edge), such that they do not affect (or minimally affect) the viewing area. For example, the voltage sensor may be placed near a spacer / divider and / or frame that blocks the view of the sensor from an observer, to hide the voltage sensor from view.

[0110] In some embodiments, the voltage sensing pad (eg, sensor) can be a conductive tape pad. The pad can be as small as up to about 1 mm 2 . (square millimeters). The pad can be about 10mm 2 In implementations utilizing voltage sensors (eg, sense pads), a four-wire system may be used.

[0111] In some embodiments, the method (e.g., as implemented by a control system) may specify the total duration of the transition. For example, the controller may be programmed to use a modified detection algorithm to monitor the progress of the transition from the start state to the end state. Progress may be monitored by periodically reading the current value in response to a decrease in the magnitude of the applied voltage, such as using the above-mentioned detection technique (e.g., VoC). The detection technique may be implemented using a decrease in the applied current (e.g., measuring the open circuit voltage). The current and / or voltage response indicates the extent to which the optical transition is close to completion. In some embodiments, the response is compared to a threshold current and / or voltage at a specific time (e.g., the time elapsed since the start of the optical transition). In some embodiments, the progress of the current and / or voltage response is compared, such as using sequential pulses and / or inspections. The slope (e.g., steepness) of the progress may indicate when the end state may be reached. The linear extension of this threshold current may be used to predict when the transition is complete, for example, when it is fully completed, it is appropriate to reduce the drive voltage to a holding voltage.

[0112] With respect to the algorithm for ensuring that the optical transition from the first state to the second state occurs within a defined time frame, the controller may be configured (or designed) to appropriately increase the drive voltage to accelerate the transition, for example, when the interpretation of the pulse response indicates that the transition is not progressing fast enough to meet the required transition speed. In certain embodiments, when it is determined that the transition is not proceeding fast enough, the transition switches to a mode in which it is driven by the applied current. The current is large enough to increase the transition speed, but not so large that it degrades or damages the electrochromic device (e.g., irreversibly). In some embodiments, the maximum appropriate safe current may be referred to as I safe I safe An example may be between about 5 μA / cm 2 and 250μA / cm 2 In the current controlled drive mode, the applied voltage is allowed to float during the optical transition. The controller can then periodically probe during this current controlled drive step, for example by dropping to a holding voltage, and check the integrity of the transition in the same way as when using a constant drive voltage.

[0113] In some embodiments, detection technology can determine whether the optical transition is as expected. A transition that is not as expected can be described as "non-characteristic". As understood herein, a non-characteristic hue transition is a deviation from the normal switching parameters for the object window. When the detection technology (e.g., VoC voltage detection) determines that the optical transition is too slow, steps can be taken to speed up the transition. For example, it can increase the drive voltage. The technology can determine that the optical transition is too fast and there is a risk of damaging the device. When such a determination is made, the detection technology can take steps to slow down the transition. As an example, the controller can reduce the drive voltage.

[0114] In some applications, the window group is set to match the transition rate. This matching can be performed by adjusting the voltage and / or drive current based at least in part on feedback obtained during the detection period (e.g., by pulse or open circuit measurement results). In an embodiment in which the transition is controlled by monitoring the current response, the magnitude of the current response can be compared between windows. The window can be controlled by a local controller. The local controller can be part of a (e.g., hierarchical) control system. A group of windows (e.g., at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 windows) can be controlled by the same local controller (e.g., a window controller). For example, a comparison can be performed for a window or for each window in a window group to determine how to scale the drive potential and / or drive current for a window (e.g., each window in the group). The comparison can be performed between a window at a first time and the past performance of the window at a time before the first time. The comparison can be performed between a first window and a second window. The comparison can be performed between a window and an average window performance (e.g., where the average window performance is the requested, optimal, and / or average window performance). The rate of change of the open circuit voltage may be used as an indicator of change (eg, degradation) in window performance.

[0115] In some embodiments, the window controller described herein is suitable for integration with a BMS. A BMS is a computer-based control system installed in a facility (e.g., a building) that controls (e.g., monitors) mechanical and / or electrical equipment such as ventilation, lighting, power systems, elevators, fire protection systems, and / or security systems of the building. A BMS consists of hardware and associated software including interconnection with one or more computers via a communication channel, which is used to maintain the conditions in the facility, for example, according to preferences set by occupants and / or building managers. For example, a BMS can be implemented using a local area network such as Ethernet. The software can be based, at least in part, on, for example, Internet protocols and / or open standards. An example of software is software from Tridium Corporation (Richmond, Virginia). A communication protocol commonly used with a BMS is BACnet (Building Automation and Control Network).

[0116] BMS is common in larger buildings and can be used at least to control the environment in the building. For example, the BMS can control the temperature, carbon dioxide level and / or humidity in the building. There are various mechanical devices controlled by the BMS, such as heaters, air conditioners, blowers, vents, etc. In order to control the building environment, the BMS can, for example, open and close any and all of these various devices under defined conditions. In some embodiments, the core function of the BMS is to maintain a comfortable, safe and / or healthy environment for the occupants of the building, for example, while minimizing energy requirements (for example, heating and / or cooling costs and / or requirements). The BMS can be used to optimize the synergy between various systems (for example, in terms of power consumption and / or cost). This synergy can be used, for example, to save energy and reduce building operating costs.

[0117] In some embodiments, the control system (e.g., its components such as window controllers) is integrated with the BMS. The window controller can be configured to control one or more tintable windows. In some embodiments, one or more tintable windows include at least one all-solid-state and inorganic electrochromic device. In some embodiments, the tintable windows include organic EC devices. In some embodiments, one or more electrochromic windows include only all-solid-state and inorganic windows. In some embodiments, the electrochromic windows are multi-state electrochromic windows as described in U.S. patent application serial number 12 / 851,514, entitled “MULTIPANE ELECTROCHROMIC WINDOWS,” filed on August 5, 2010, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0118] Figure 4 An example of a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a BMS 400 is shown, which is configured to manage multiple systems of a building 401, including a security system, heating / ventilation / air conditioning (HVAC), lighting of the building, a power system, elevators, a fire protection system, and the like. The security system may include a magnetic card access, a turnstile, an electromagnetically driven door lock, a surveillance camera, a burglar alarm, a metal detector, and the like. The fire protection system may include a fire alarm and a fire extinguishing system, the fire extinguishing system including a water pipe control. The lighting system may include interior lighting, exterior lighting, emergency warning lights, emergency exit signs, and emergency floor exit lighting. The power system may include a main power supply, a backup generator, and an uninterruptible power supply (UPS) grid.

[0119] BMS 400 manages control system 402. In this example, control system 402 is depicted as a distributed network of window controllers, including master controller 403, intermediate network controllers 405a and 405b, and terminal or leaf controller 410 as a local controller. Terminal or leaf controller 410 can be similar to the previously described Figure 1A and Figure 1B 4. The window controller described herein. For example, a master controller 403 may be near the BMS 400, and each floor of the building 401 may have one or more intermediate network controllers 405a and 405b, while each window of the building has its own terminal controller 410. The controller 410 may directly control one or more electrochromic windows of the building 401. Direct control means that there is no intermediate controller between the window controller and the window. For example, the window controller may be coupled to one or more tintable windows via wiring that is not interrupted by another controller.

[0120] At least one of the controllers 410 may be located at a location separate from the electrochromic window it controls. At least one of the controllers 410 may be integrated into the electrochromic window. For simplicity, ten electrochromic windows of building 401 are depicted as being controlled by control system 402. There may be a large number of electrochromic windows in a building controlled by control system 402. Control system 402 need not be a distributed network of window controllers. For example, a single terminal controller that controls the functions of a single electrochromic window falls within the scope of the embodiments disclosed herein.

[0121] One aspect of the disclosed embodiments is a BMS that includes, for example, a multi-purpose control system as described herein. By incorporating feedback from the control system, since tintable windows can be automatically controlled, the BMS can provide, for example, enhanced: (1) environmental control, (2) energy savings, (3) safety, (4) flexibility in control options, (5) improved reliability and usable life of other systems (e.g., due to less reliance thereon and therefore less maintenance thereon), (6) information availability and diagnostics, (7) efficient use of personnel, and various combinations thereof.

[0122] In some embodiments, the BMS may not be present or the BMS may be present but may not communicate with the control system or may communicate with the control system at a high level. In some embodiments, because the tintable windows can be automatically controlled, the control system can provide, for example, enhanced: (1) environmental control, (2) energy savings, (3) safety, (4) flexibility in control options, (5) improved reliability and usable life of other systems (e.g., due to less reliance thereon and therefore less maintenance thereon), (6) information availability and diagnostics, (7) efficient use of personnel, and various combinations thereof. In some embodiments, maintenance of the BMS does not interrupt control and / or operation of the tintable windows.

[0123] In some cases, the BMS 400 system may be operated according to a daily, monthly, quarterly, and / or annual schedule. Figure 4The lighting system 402, HVAC system, control system 403, and security system 404 may be operated based on a 24-hour schedule that takes into account when people are in the building during the workday. At night, the building may enter an energy-saving mode, and during the day, the system may operate in a manner that minimizes the building's energy consumption while providing occupant comfort. As another example, the system may be shut down or enter an energy-saving mode during vacations.

[0124] Scheduling information can be combined with geographic information. Geographic information can include the latitude and / or longitude of the building. Geographic information can include information about the direction each side (e.g., facade) of the building faces. Using this information, different rooms on different sides of the building can be controlled in different ways. For example, for an east-facing room of a building in winter, a window controller can indicate that the window has no tint in the morning. Without tint, the room may get hot due to sunlight shining into the room. A lighting control panel can indicate that the indicator light is dimmed due to illumination from the sunlight. A west-facing window can be controlled by the occupant of the room in the morning, for example because the tint of the west-facing window may have no effect on energy savings. However, the operating modes of the east-facing window and the west-facing window can be switched at night (e.g., when the sun sets, the west-facing window is not tinted to allow sunlight to enter for heating and lighting).

[0125] exist Figure 4 In the example of , building 401 includes a building network, a BMS, and tintable windows of exterior windows of the building. The network is operably (e.g., communicatively) coupled to one or more sensors. For example, an exterior window of a building may be a window that separates the interior of a building from the exterior of the building. Light from an exterior window of a building may have an impact on interior lighting in the building that is about 20 feet or about 30 feet away from the window. Spaces in a building that are more than about 20 feet or about 30 feet away from an exterior window may receive very little light from the exterior window. Such spaces that are far from exterior windows in a building may be illuminated by the building's lighting system. The temperature within a building may be affected by external light and / or external temperature. For example, in cold weather and when the building is heated by a heating system, rooms that are closer to doors and / or windows may lose heat faster than interior areas of the building and be colder than the interior areas.

[0126] In some embodiments, the network is operably coupled to external sensors. A building may include external sensors on the roof of the building. A building may include external sensors associated with at least one (e.g., each) external window. A building may include external sensors on one or more (e.g., each) sides of the building. For example, as the sun changes position during the day, an external sensor (e.g., on each side of the building) may track the irradiance on the side of the building on which it is located.

[0127] When the window controller is integrated into a building network (e.g., including a BMS 400), the output from the external sensor can be input to the network of the BMS 400 and provided as an input to the local terminal controller 410. For example, in some embodiments, output signals from two or more sensors are received. In some embodiments, (e.g., only) one output signal is received, and in some other embodiments, three, four, five or more outputs are received. These output signals can be received through the building network (e.g., and / or the BMS).

[0128] In some embodiments, the received output signal includes a signal indicating energy and / or power consumption by, for example, a heating system, cooling system, and / or lighting within a facility (e.g., including at least one building). For example, the energy or power consumption of the heating system, cooling system, and / or lighting of the facility can be monitored to provide a signal indicating the energy or power consumption. The device can interface with or be attached to the circuits and / or wiring of the building to enable such monitoring. Alternatively, the power system in the building can be installed so that the power consumed by the heating system, cooling system, and / or lighting of individual rooms within the facility or a group of rooms within the facility can be monitored.

[0129] Tint instructions may be provided to change the existing tint of a tintable window to a determined level of tint (e.g., a target tint level). Figure 4 , which may include the master controller 403 issuing commands to one or more intermediate network controllers 405a and / or 405b, which in turn issue commands to one or more terminal controllers 410 that control the windows of the building. The terminal controllers 410 may apply voltage and / or current to the windows to drive the change in the tint according to the command.

[0130] In some embodiments, a building including an electrochromic window and a BMS may join and / or participate in a demand response program run by a utility that provides power to the facility. The program may be a program that reduces the energy consumption of the facility when a peak load is expected to occur. The utility may send a warning signal before the peak load is expected to occur. For example, the warning may be sent the day before the expected peak load occurs, the morning of the expected peak load occurs, or about an hour before the expected peak load occurs. For example, a peak load may be expected to occur on a hot summer day when the cooling system / air conditioning draws a large amount of power from the utility. The warning signal may be received by the control system (e.g., and / or BMS) of the facility. The control system and / or BMS may then instruct the window controller to convert the appropriate electrochromic device in the electrochromic window to a darker or lighter tint level to assist in reducing the power draw of the cooling system and / or heating system in the building when a peak load is expected (e.g., to alleviate weather conditions).

[0131] In some embodiments, the tintable windows of the exterior windows of a building may be grouped into zones, wherein the tintable windows in the zones are indicated in a similar manner. For example, groups of electrochromic windows on different floors of a building or on different sides of a building may be in different zones. For example, on the first floor of a building, all electrochromic windows facing east may be in zone 1, all electrochromic windows facing south may be in zone 2, all electrochromic windows facing west may be in zone 3, and all electrochromic windows facing north may be in zone 4. As another example, all electrochromic windows on the first floor of a building may be in zone 1, all electrochromic windows on the second floor may be in zone 2, and all electrochromic windows on the third floor may be in zone 3. As yet another example, all electrochromic windows facing east may be in zone 1, all electrochromic windows facing south may be in zone 2, all electrochromic windows facing west may be in zone 3, and all electrochromic windows facing north may be in zone 4. As yet another example, east-facing electrochromic windows on one floor may be divided into different zones. Any number of tintable windows on the same side and / or different sides and / or different floors of a building may be assigned to zones. Zones of windows may be separated, at least in part, by: (i) the function of the room in which the window is located (e.g., a window of a conference room, a window of an office, a window of a cafeteria); (ii) the floor on which the window is located; (iii) the facade on which the window is located; (iv) the owner or tenant of the portion of the facility in which the window is located; or (v) any combination thereof.

[0132] In some embodiments, the tintable windows in a zone may be controlled by the same window controller or by different window controllers (e.g., window controllers that receive the same direction). In some other embodiments, the window controllers that control the windows in a zone may receive the same output signal from the sensor. The window controllers that control the windows in a zone may use the same function or lookup table to determine the tint level for the windows in the zone.

[0133] In some embodiments, tintable (e.g., electrochromic) windows in a zone may be controlled by a window controller that receives output signals from a (e.g., transmittance) sensor. In some embodiments, a (e.g., transmittance) sensor may be mounted proximate to a window in a zone. For example, a (e.g., transmittance) sensor may be mounted in or on a frame containing an IGU (e.g., in or on a mullion, i.e., a horizontal or vertical window frame of a frame) that is included in the zone. In some embodiments, tintable windows in zones (such as those that include windows on a single side of a building) may be controlled by a window controller that receives output signals from a (e.g., transmittance) sensor.

[0134] In some embodiments, a sensor (e.g., a photoelectric sensor and / or an IR sensor) can provide an output signal to a window controller to control a tintable (e.g., electrochromic) window of a first zone (e.g., a master control zone). The window controller can control the tintable windows in a second zone (e.g., a slave control zone) in the same manner as the first zone. In some other embodiments, another window controller can control the tintable windows in the second zone in the same manner as the first zone.

[0135] In some embodiments, a user (e.g., a building manager, an occupant of a room in a second zone, or other person) may manually instruct a tintable window in a second zone (e.g., a slave control zone) to enter a tint level, such as a tinted (e.g., tinted) state (level) or a bleached state. The manual instruction may include the use of, for example, a tint or bleach command, or a command from a user console (e.g., of a BMS). In some embodiments, when the tint level of the windows in the second zone is overridden using such a manual command, the tintable windows in the first zone (e.g., the master control zone) remain under the control of a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance) sensor. The second zone may remain in the manual command mode for a period of time, for example, and then revert back to being controlled by a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance) sensor. For example, the second zone may remain in the manual mode for one hour after receiving the override command, for example, and then revert back to being controlled by a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance) sensor. The sensor may be any sensor disclosed herein.

[0136] In some embodiments, a user (e.g., a building manager, an occupant of a room in a second zone, or other person) may manually instruct windows in a first zone (e.g., a master control zone) to enter a tint level, such as a tinted (e.g., tinted) state or a bleached state. The manual instruction may include the use of, for example, a tint command or a command from a user console (e.g., of a BMS). In some embodiments, when the tint level of the windows in the first zone is overridden using such a manual command, the tintable windows in the second zone (e.g., a slave control zone) remain under the control of a window controller receiving output from an external sensor. The first zone may remain in the manual command mode for a period of time, and then revert back to being controlled by a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance and / or external) sensor. For example, the first zone may remain in the manual mode for a period of time (e.g., one hour) after receiving an override command, and then may revert back to being controlled by a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance and / or external) sensor. In some other embodiments, when a manual override is received for a first zone, the tintable windows in a second zone may remain in the tint level they are in. The first zone may remain in the manual command mode for a period of time, and then both the first zone and the second zone may be restored back to being under the control of a window controller receiving output from a (e.g., transmittance and / or exterior) sensor. The windows may be divided into zones (e.g., based at least in part on the location of the surrounding structure (e.g., room) in which the windows are located, facade, floor, ownership, utilization, any other specified metric, random assignment, or any combination thereof.) The assignment of windows to zones may be static or dynamic (e.g., based on a heuristic). There may be at least about 2, 5, 10, 12, 15, 30, 40, or 46 windows per zone.

[0137] In some embodiments, at least one device operates in conjunction with at least one other device coupled to a network. The device may be a tintable window. Control of the at least one device may be via Ethernet. For example, the tint level of the tintable window may be adjusted simultaneously. When the device is in use, zones of the device may have at least one identical feature. For example, when a tintable window is in a zone, a zone of tintable windows may have its tint level (automatically) changed (e.g., darkened or lightened) to the same level. The device may be a sensor. For example, when sound sensors are in a zone, they may sample sound at the same frequency and / or in the same time window. A zone of devices may include multiple (e.g., of the same type) devices. The zone may include (i) tintable windows facing a particular direction of a surrounding structure (e.g., a facility), (ii) a plurality of devices disposed on a particular face (e.g., a facade) of a surrounding structure, (iii) devices on a particular floor of a facility, (iv) devices in a particular type of room and / or activity (e.g., an open space, an office, a conference room, a lecture hall, a corridor, a reception hall, or a cafeteria), (v) devices disposed on the same fixture (e.g., an interior wall or an exterior wall), and / or (vi) a user-defined plurality of tintable windows (e.g., a group of tintable windows in a room or on a facade is a subset of a larger group of tintable windows). The (automatic) adjustment of the devices may be done automatically and / or by the user. The automatic change of device properties and / or states in a zone may be overridden by the user (e.g., by manually adjusting the tint level). The user may override the automatic adjustment of the devices in a zone using mobile circuitry (e.g., a remote control, a virtual reality controller, a cell phone, an electronic notepad, a laptop computer, and / or by a similar mobile device).

[0138] In some embodiments, various devices (e.g., IGUs) are grouped into zones of targets (e.g., EC windows). At least one zone (e.g., each of the zones) may include a subset of devices. For example, at least one (e.g., each) zone of devices may be controlled by one or more corresponding floor controllers and one or more corresponding local controllers (e.g., window controllers), which are controlled by these floor controllers. In some examples, at least one (e.g., each) zone may be controlled by a single floor controller and two or more local (e.g., window) controllers, which are controlled by the single floor controller. For example, a zone may represent a logical grouping of devices. Each zone may correspond to a group of devices (e.g., of the same type) in a specific location or area of ​​a facility, which are driven together based at least in part on their location. For example, a facility (e.g., a building) may have four faces or sides (north, south, east, and west) and ten floors. In this teaching example, each zone may correspond to a collection of smart windows (e.g., tintable windows) on a specific floor and on a specific face of the four faces. At least one (e.g., each) zone may correspond to a group of devices that share one or more physical characteristics (e.g., device parameters such as size or age). In some embodiments, zones of devices may be grouped based at least in part on one or more non-physical characteristics such as, for example, security designations or business hierarchies (e.g., IGUs defining administrator offices may be grouped in one or more zones, while IGUs defining non-administrator offices may be grouped in one or more different zones).

[0139] In some embodiments, at least one (e.g., each) floor controller is capable of addressing all devices (e.g., of the same type or different types) in at least one (e.g., each) zone of one or more corresponding zones. For example, a master controller may issue a primary hue command to a floor controller that controls a target zone. The primary hue command may include a (e.g., abstract) identifier of the target zone (hereinafter also referred to as a "zone ID"). For example, the zone ID may be a first protocol ID, such as the protocol ID just described in the above example. In such a case, the floor controller receives a primary hue command including a hue value and a zone ID, and maps the zone ID to a second protocol ID associated with a local controller within the zone. In some embodiments, the zone ID is a higher level of abstraction than the first protocol ID. In such a case, the floor controller may first map the zone ID to one or more first protocol IDs, and then map the first protocol ID to the second protocol ID.

[0140] In some embodiments, the facility may be divided into one or more zones. These zones may be defined at least in part by a customer or facility manager. These zones may be defined at least in part automatically. For example, the zone of the device (e.g., including a tinted window, a sensor, or a transmitter) may be associated with the following: (i) the facade of the building facing the device, (ii) the floor where the device is set, (iii) the building in the facility where the device is set, (iv) the functionality of the peripheral structure of the device (e.g., a conference room, a gymnasium, an office, or a cafeteria), (iv) the provisions and / or actual occupancy (e.g., organizational functions) of the peripheral structure of the device, (v) the provisions and / or actual activities in the peripheral structure of the device, (vi) the tenants, owners, and / or managers of the peripheral structure of the facility (e.g., for facilities with various tenants, owners, and / or managers), and / or (vii) the geographical location of the device. These zones may be changeable (e.g., using a software application), for example, visually. The state of the zone (e.g., in conjunction with the state of the device in the zone) may be displayed by the application (e.g., updated in real time or substantially in real time). One or more zones may be grouped. For example, all zones in a certain floor can be grouped. There may be a zone hierarchy structure associated with any one of the zone associations (i) to (vii). These zones may be created by providers of devices, control systems, and / or networks. These zones may be generated by users (e.g., customers, tenants, or facility owners). Zones may be created at the level of a digital model (e.g., Revit file) of a facility. Digital models and / or other similar files may be associated with facilities and devices. For example, a building information model (BIM) schematic diagram as a Revit file, Microdesk (e.g., ModelStream), IMAGINiT, ATG in the United States, or similar facility-related digital files. In some embodiments, BIM is a computer-aided design (CAD) paradigm that allows design based on intelligence, 3D, and / or parametric objects.

[0141] Regardless of whether the window controller is a stand-alone window controller, part of a control system, or is interfaced with a building network (e.g., through itself being part of a control system), any of the methods of controlling a tintable window described herein may be used to control the tint of a tintable window.

[0142] In some embodiments, the window controller described herein includes components for wired and / or wireless communication between the window controller, the sensor, and / or the individual communication nodes. Wireless and / or wired communication can be implemented using a communication interface that interfaces directly with the window controller. Such an interface can be local to the microprocessor. Such an interface can be provided via additional circuitry that implements these functions.

[0143] The separate communication node for wireless communication can be, for example, another wireless window controller, a local (e.g., terminal), an intermediate or master window controller, a remote control device, or a BMS. Wireless communication can be used in the window controller for at least one of the following operations: programming and / or operating a tintable window; collecting data from a tintable window from various sensors and protocols (e.g., as described herein); and / or using a tintable (e.g., electrochromic) window as a relay point for wireless communication. The data collected from the tintable window can include count data, such as the number of times the EC device has been activated, the efficiency of the EC device delivered over time, and the like.

[0144] In one embodiment, wireless communication is used to operate the associated tintable window, for example, via infrared (IR) and / or radio frequency (RF) signals. In certain embodiments, the controller will include a wireless protocol chip, such as Bluetooth, EnOcean, WiFi, Zigbee, Global Positioning System (GPS), Ultra-Wideband (UWB), etc. The window controller may have wireless communication via a network. Input to the window controller may be input directly by an end user (e.g., at a wall switch) or manually via wireless communication. Input to the window controller may come from a BMS of the building of which the tintable window is a component.

[0145] In some embodiments, when the window controller is part of a distributed network of controllers (e.g., a control system), wireless communication is used to transmit at least a portion of the data to and from each of the plurality of tintable windows via the distributed network of controllers. At least one (e.g., each) controller in the network of controllers may have a wireless communication component. For example, see again Figure 4 , master control 403 may wirelessly communicate with each of intermediate network controllers 405a and 405b, which in turn may wirelessly communicate with terminal controllers 410, each of which may be associated with an electrochromic window. Master control 403 may communicate wirelessly with BMS 400. In one embodiment, at least one level of communication among the window controllers is performed wirelessly. In one embodiment, at least one level of communication among the window controllers is performed using wires.

[0146] In some embodiments, more than one mode of wireless communication protocol is used in the window controller distributed network. For example, the master window controller can communicate wirelessly with the intermediate controller via WiFi or Zigbee, while the intermediate controller communicates with the terminal controller via Bluetooth, Zigbee, EnOcean or other protocols. In another example, the window controller has a redundant wireless communication system for the flexibility of the end user's choice of wireless communication.

[0147] In some embodiments, wireless communication between the master window controller and / or the intermediate window controller and the terminal window controller provides the advantage of avoiding the installation of hard communication lines. For example, for wireless communication between the window controller and the BMS. In some embodiments, wireless communication in these roles can be used to transmit data to and from the tintable window for operating the window and providing data to, for example, the BMS to optimize the environment and energy savings in the building. Window position data and feedback from sensors can be used in conjunction for such optimization. For example, granular level (window by window) microclimate information is fed to the BMS to optimize one or more environments of the building.

[0148] In some embodiments, the sensor is operatively coupled to at least one controller and / or processor. The sensor reading can be obtained by one or more processors and / or controllers. The controller may include a processing unit (e.g., including a CPU or GPU). The controller may receive input (e.g., from at least one sensor). The controller may include a circuit system, electrical wiring, optical wiring, sockets and / or power sockets. The controller may transmit outputs. The controller may include multiple (e.g., sub) controllers. The controller may be part of a control system. The control system may include a main controller, a group of floor controllers (e.g., including a network controller) and a group of local controllers. The group of local controllers may include a window controller (e.g., controlling an optically switchable window), a peripheral structure controller and / or a component controller. For example, a controller may be part of a hierarchical control system (e.g., including a main controller that guides one or more controllers, such as a floor controller, a local controller (e.g., a window controller), a peripheral structure controller and / or a component controller).

[0149] The physical location of controller types in a hierarchical control system may change over time. For example, at a first time: the first processor may assume the role of the master controller, the second processor may assume the role of the floor controller, and the third processor may assume the role of the local controller. At a second time, the second processor may assume the role of the master controller, the first processor may assume the role of the floor controller, and the third processor may remain in the role of the local controller. At a third time, the third processor may assume the role of the master controller, the second processor may assume the role of the floor controller, and the first processor may assume the role of the local controller.

[0150] A controller may control one or more devices (e.g., and be directly coupled to these devices). A controller may be disposed in proximity to one or more devices that it controls. For example, a controller may control an optically switchable device (e.g., an IGU), an antenna, a sensor, and / or an output device (e.g., a light source, an acoustic source, an odor source, a gas source, an HVAC power outlet, or a heater). An output device may be a "transmitter."

[0151] In one embodiment, the floor controller may indicate one or more lower hierarchical controllers (e.g., local controllers). The lower hierarchical controller may include one or more window controllers, one or more peripheral structure controllers, one or more component controllers, or any combination thereof. For example, a floor (e.g., including a network) controller may control multiple local (e.g., including window) controllers. Multiple local controllers may be arranged in a part of a facility (e.g., in a part of a building). A part of a facility may be a floor of a facility. For example, a floor controller may be assigned to a floor. In some embodiments, for example, depending on the size of the floor and / or the number of local controllers coupled to the floor controller, a floor may include multiple floor controllers. For example, a floor controller may be assigned to a part of a floor. For example, a floor controller may be assigned to a part of a local controller arranged in a facility. For example, a floor controller may be assigned to a part of a floor of a facility.

[0152] The master controller may be coupled to one or more lower hierarchical (e.g., floor) controllers. The floor controllers may be located in the facility. The master controller may be located within the facility, or outside the facility. The master controller may be located in the cloud. The controller may be part of a building management system or operatively coupled to a building management system. The controller may receive one or more inputs. The controller may generate one or more outputs. The controller may be a single-input single-output controller (SISO) or a multiple-input multiple-output controller (MIMO). The controller may interpret the received input signal. The controller may acquire data from one or more components (e.g., sensors). Acquisition may include receiving or extracting. The data may include measuring, estimating, determining, generating, or any combination thereof. The controller may include feedback control.

[0153] The controller may include a feedforward control. The control may include an on-off control, a proportional control, a proportional integral (PI) control, or a proportional integral differential (PID) control. The control may include an open loop control or a closed loop control. The controller may include a closed loop control. The controller may include an open loop control. The controller may include a user interface. The user interface may include (or be operatively coupled to) a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, a microphone, a speech recognition package, a camera, an imaging system, or any combination thereof. The output may include a display (e.g., a screen), a speaker, or a printer.

[0154] Figure 5An example of a control system architecture 500 including a controller hierarchy is shown. The controller hierarchy includes a master controller 508 that controls a floor controller 506. The floor controller 506 in turn controls a local controller 504. In some embodiments, the local controllers of the local controllers 504 control one or more IGUs, one or more sensors, one or more output devices (e.g., one or more transmitters), or any combination thereof. Figure 5 In the illustrative configuration of , the master controller 508 is operatively coupled (eg, wirelessly and / or wiredly) to a building management system (BMS) 524 and a database 520 . Figure 5 The arrows in represent communication paths. The controller may be operatively coupled to an external source 510 (e.g., directly / indirectly and / or wired and / or wirelessly). The external source 510 may include a network. The external source 510 may include one or more sensors or output devices. The external source 510 may include a cloud-based application and / or database. Communication may be wired and / or wireless. The external source 510 may be located outside the facility. For example, the external source 510 may include one or more sensors and / or antennas located, for example, on a wall or ceiling of the facility. Communication may be unidirectional or bidirectional. Figure 5 In the example shown, all communication arrows may be bidirectional.

[0155] A controller may monitor and / or direct (e.g., physical) changes in operating conditions of the devices, software, and / or methods described herein. Control may include regulating, manipulating, limiting, directing, monitoring, adjusting, modulating, changing, altering, inhibiting, checking, directing, or managing. Being controlled (e.g., by a controller) may include attenuating, modulating, changing, managing, inhibiting, regulating, regulating, constraining, supervising, manipulating, and / or directing. Control may include controlling a control variable (e.g., temperature, power, voltage, and / or distribution). Control may include real-time or offline control. The calculations utilized by the controller may be performed in real-time and / or offline. The controller may be a manual or non-manual controller. The controller may be an automatic controller. The controller may operate on request. The controller may be a programmable controller. The controller may be programmed. The controller may include a processing unit (e.g., a CPU or GPU). The controller may receive input (e.g., from at least one sensor). The controller may transmit output. The controller may include multiple (e.g., sub) controllers. The controller may be part of a control system. The control system may include a master controller, a floor controller, a local controller (e.g., a peripheral structure controller, or a window controller). The controller may receive one or more inputs. A controller may generate one or more outputs. A controller may be a single-input single-output controller (SISO) or a multiple-input multiple-output controller (MIMO). A controller may interpret received input signals.

[0156] The controller may acquire data from one or more sensors. Acquisition may include receiving or extracting. Data may include measuring, estimating, determining, generating, or any combination thereof. The controller may include feedback control. The controller may include feedforward control. Control may include on-off control, proportional control, proportional integral (PI) control, or proportional integral differential (PID) control. Control may include open-loop control or closed-loop control. The controller may include closed-loop control. The controller may include open-loop control. The controller may include a user interface. The user interface may include (or be operatively coupled to) a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, a microphone, a voice recognition package, a camera, an imaging system, or any combination thereof. The output may include a display (e.g., a screen), a speaker, or a printer.

[0157] The methods, systems, software and / or devices described herein may include and / or utilize a control system. The control system may communicate with any of the devices (e.g., sensors) described herein. At least two of the sensors may be of the same type or of different types, for example as described herein. For example, the control system may communicate with a first sensor and / or a second sensor. The control system may control (e.g., guide) one or more sensors. The control system may control one or more components of a building management system (e.g., lighting, security and / or air conditioning system). The controller may adjust at least one (e.g., environmental) characteristic of the peripheral structure. The control system may use any component of the building management system to adjust the peripheral structure environment. For example, the control system may adjust the energy supplied by the heating element and / or by the cooling element. For example, the control system may adjust the speed of the air flowing into and / or out of the peripheral structure through the vent.

[0158] The control system may include a processor. The processor may be a processing unit. The controller may include a processing unit. The processing unit may be central. The processing unit may include a central processing unit (abbreviated herein as "CPU"). The processing unit may be a graphics processing unit (abbreviated herein as "GPU"). The controller or control mechanism (e.g., including a computer system) may be programmed to implement one or more methods of the present disclosure. The processor may be programmed to implement the methods of the present disclosure. The controller may control at least one component of the system and / or device disclosed herein.

[0159] In some embodiments, the building network infrastructure has a vertical data plane (between building floors) and a horizontal data plane (in a single floor or multiple adjacent floors). In some cases, the horizontal data plane and the vertical data plane have the same or similar data carrying capacity and components. In other cases, the two data planes have different data carrying capacities. For example, the vertical data plane may include components for faster data transmission rates and / or bandwidths. In one example, the vertical data plane includes components that support at least about 10, 20 or 50 gigabits per second or faster Ethernet transmission (e.g., using UTP wires and / or fiber optic cables), while the horizontal data plane includes components that support up to about 1, 3, 5 or 8 gigabits per second Ethernet transmission via coaxial cables. In some cases, the horizontal data plane supports data transmission via the Multimedia over Coaxial Cable Alliance (MoCA) 2.5 standard or the MoCA 3.0 standard. In some embodiments, the connection between floors on the vertical data plane uses a control panel with a high-speed Ethernet switch. These control panels can communicate with nodes on a given floor, for example, via the associated coaxial cables on the MoCA interface and the horizontal data plane.

[0160] Data transmission and in some embodiments voice services can be provided in facilities (e.g., buildings), for example, via wireless communications to and / or from occupants of the building. In the United States, current third generation (3G), fourth generation (4G), and fifth generation (5G) cellular communication standard deployments use spectrum allocations in the 600MHz-850MHz and 1700-2300MHz frequency ranges. For example, these deployments may become a problem due to radio frequency (RF) attenuation caused by some common building materials used in walls, floors, ceilings, and windows. Although 5G systems currently operate in the 600-MHz and 850-MHz bands, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has allocated several additional bands for 5G, including 24-GHz and 39-GHz millimeter wave (mmW) bands. At mmWave frequencies, building attenuation may become much more severe than the situation at 600-2300MHz.

[0161] In some embodiments (e.g., to address challenges with RF attenuation), a building may be equipped with components that serve as a gateway or port to cellular signals. Such a gateway may be coupled to infrastructure that provides wireless services in the interior of the building via internal antennas and other infrastructure that implements Wi-Fi, small cell services (e.g., via microcell or femtocell devices), CBRS, etc. The gateway (e.g., point of entry) for such services may include a high-speed fiber optic cable (e.g., located underground) from a carrier central office, a point-to-point microwave link between the central office and the facility, and / or wireless signals received at an antenna located on the exterior of the building (e.g., a donor antenna or sky sensor located on the roof of the building). This high-speed fiber optic cable or point-to-point microwave link is sometimes referred to as a "backhaul."

[0162] In some embodiments, one or more sensors are included in the peripheral structure. For example, the peripheral structure may include at least 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 50 or 500 sensors. The peripheral structure may include a plurality of sensors in a range between any of the above values ​​(e.g., from about 1 to about 1000, from about 1 to about 500, or from about 500 to about 1000). The sensor may be of any type. For example, the sensor may be configured (e.g., and / or designed) to measure the concentration of a gas (e.g., carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulfide, volatile organic chemicals or radon). For example, the sensor may be configured to measure current. For example, the sensor may be configured to measure voltage. For example, the sensor may be configured to measure current. For example, the sensor may be configured (e.g., and / or designed) to measure ambient noise. For example, the sensor may be configured (e.g., and / or designed) to measure electromagnetic radiation (e.g., RF, microwave, infrared, visible light and / or ultraviolet radiation). For example, the sensor may be configured (e.g., and / or designed) to measure security-related parameters such as (e.g., glass) breakage and / or unauthorized presence of a person in a restricted area. The sensor may be coupled with one or more (e.g., active) devices such as radar or lidar. The device may be operable to detect the physical size of the peripheral structure, the presence of a person in the peripheral structure, a fixed object in the peripheral structure, and / or a moving object in the peripheral structure.

[0163] In some embodiments, the sensor can facilitate controlling the environment of the peripheral structure so that the residents of the peripheral structure can have an environment that is more comfortable, pleasant, beautiful, healthy, productive (e.g., in terms of resident performance), easier to live in (e.g., work), or any combination thereof. The sensor can be configured as a low-resolution sensor or a high-resolution sensor. The sensor can provide an on / off indication of the occurrence and / or existence of a specific environmental event (e.g., a pixel sensor). In some embodiments, the accuracy and / or resolution of the sensor can be improved via artificial intelligence analysis of its measurement results. Examples of artificial intelligence techniques that can be used include: reactive, limited memory, theory of mind, and / or self-awareness techniques known to those skilled in the art. The sensor can be configured to process, measure, analyze, detect, and / or react to one or more of the following: data, temperature, humidity, sound, force, pressure, electromagnetic waves, position, distance, motion, flow, acceleration, speed, vibration, dust, light, glare, color, gas, and / or other aspects (e.g., features) of the environment (e.g., of the peripheral structure). The gas can include volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The gas may include carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, water vapor (e.g., moisture), oxygen, radon, and / or hydrogen sulfide. One or more sensors may be calibrated in a factory scene. The sensor may be optimized to be able to perform accurate measurements of one or more environmental characteristics present in a factory scene.

[0164] In some cases, a factory-calibrated sensor may be less optimized for operation in a target environment. For example, a factory scene may include an environment that is different from a target environment. The target environment may be an environment in which a sensor is deployed. The target environment may be an environment in which a sensor is expected and / or intended to operate. The target environment may be different from a factory environment. The factory environment corresponds to a location where the sensor is assembled and / or constructed. The target environment may include a factory in which the sensor is not assembled and / or constructed. In some cases, the factory scene may be different from the target environment to the extent that the sensor readings captured in the target environment are wrong (e.g., to a measurable degree). In this context, "error" may refer to sensor readings that deviate from a specified accuracy (e.g., specified by the manufacturer of the sensor). In some cases, a factory-calibrated sensor may provide a reading that does not meet the accuracy specification (e.g., specified by the manufacturer) when operating in the target environment.

[0165] In some embodiments, the sensor is operatively coupled to at least one controller. The coupling may include a communication link. The communication link may include any suitable communication medium (e.g., wired and / or wireless). The communication link may include a conductor, such as one or more conductors arranged as a twisted pair, a coaxial cable, and / or an optical fiber. The communication link may include a wireless communication link, such as Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, ZigBee, cellular, or optical fiber. One or more segments of the communication link may include a conductive (e.g., wired) medium, and one or more other segments of the communication link may include a wireless link.

[0166] In some embodiments, the peripheral structure is a facility (e.g., a building). The peripheral structure may include a wall, a door, or a window. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of peripheral structures are arranged in a facility. In some embodiments, at least two of the plurality of peripheral structures are arranged in different facilities. Different facilities may be campuses (e.g., belonging to the same entity). At least two of the plurality of peripheral structures may reside in the same floor of a facility. At least two of the plurality of peripheral structures may reside in different floors of a facility.

[0167] In some embodiments, after the first sensor is installed, the sensor performs self-calibration to establish an operating baseline. The execution of the self-calibration operation can be initiated by a single sensor, a nearby second sensor, or by one or more controllers. For example, at the time of installation and / or after installation, the sensor deployed in the peripheral structure can perform a self-calibration procedure. The baseline can correspond to a lower threshold, from which the sensor readings collected can be expected to include values ​​higher than the lower threshold. The baseline can correspond to a higher threshold, from which the sensor readings collected can be expected to include values ​​lower than the higher threshold. The self-calibration procedure can be performed from the sensor search time window, during which fluctuations or disturbances of related parameters are normal. In some embodiments, the time window is sufficient to collect sensing data (e.g., sensor readings), which allows separation and / or identification of signals and noise from the sensing data. The time window can be predetermined. The time window can be undefined. The time window can remain open (e.g., continuously) until a calibration value is obtained.

[0168] In some embodiments, the sensor can search for the best time to measure the baseline (e.g., in a time window). The best time (e.g., in a time window) can be the time span during which (i) the measured signal is most stable and / or (ii) the signal-to-noise ratio is the highest. The measured signal may contain a certain degree of noise. The complete absence of noise may indicate that the sensor is faulty or the environment is not suitable. The sensing signal (e.g., sensor data) may include a timestamp of the measurement result of the data. A time window may be assigned to the sensor during which the sensor can sense the environment. The time window may be predetermined (e.g., using third-party information and / or historical data on the characteristics measured by the sensor). The signal may be analyzed during the time window, and the best time span may be found in the time window, in which the measured signal is most stable and / or the signal-to-noise ratio is the highest. The time span may be equal to or shorter than the time window. The time span may occur during the entire time window, or during a portion of the time window.

[0169] In some embodiments, the sensor assembly includes at least two sensors of the same type. A sensor assembly may refer to a collection of various different sensors. In some embodiments, at least two of the sensors in the assembly cooperate to determine, for example, environmental parameters of the peripheral structure in which they are arranged. For example, the sensor assembly may include a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a volatile organic chemical sensor, an ambient noise sensor, a visible light sensor, a temperature sensor, and / or a humidity sensor. The sensor assembly may include other types of sensors, and the subject matter claimed for protection is not limited in this regard. The peripheral structure may include one or more sensors that are not part of the sensor assembly. The peripheral structure may include multiple assemblies. At least two of the multiple assemblies may be different in at least one of their sensors. At least two of the multiple assemblies may have at least one sensor that is similar (e.g., of the same type) in their sensors. For example, an assembly may have two motion sensors and a temperature sensor. For example, an assembly may have a carbon dioxide sensor and an IR sensor. The assembly may include one or more devices that are not sensors. One or more other devices that are not sensors may include a sound transmitter (e.g., a buzzer) and / or an electromagnetic radiation transmitter (e.g., a light emitting diode). In some embodiments, a single sensor (eg, not in an aggregate) can be positioned adjacent to (eg, in close proximity such as in contact with) another device that is not a sensor.

[0170] In some embodiments, a plurality of sensors are assembled into a sensor kit (e.g., a sensor assembly). At least two of the plurality of sensors may be of different types (e.g., configured to measure different characteristics). Various sensor types may be assembled together (e.g., bundled) and form a sensor kit. The plurality of sensors may be coupled to an electronic board. The electrical connection of at least two of the plurality of sensors in the sensor kit may be controlled (e.g., manually and / or automatically). For example, the sensor kit may be operably coupled to or include a controller (e.g., a microcontroller). The controller may control the on / off connection of the sensor to a power source. Thus, the controller may control the time (e.g., cycle) that the sensor will operate.

[0171] In certain embodiments, one or more sensors of the sensor assembly provide readings. In some embodiments, the sensor is configured to sense parameters. Parameters may include temperature, particulate matter, volatile organic compounds, electromagnetic energy, pressure, acceleration, time, radar, lidar, glass breakage, movement, or gas. The gas may include an inert gas. The gas may be inert. The gas may be a gas that is harmful to ordinary people. The gas may be a gas present in the ambient atmosphere (e.g., oxygen, carbon dioxide, ozone, chlorinated carbon compounds, or nitrogen). The gas may include radon, carbon monoxide, hydrogen sulfide, hydrogen, oxygen, water (e.g., moisture). The electromagnetic sensor may include infrared, visible light, ultraviolet sensors. Infrared radiation may be passive infrared radiation (e.g., blackbody radiation). The electromagnetic sensor may sense radio waves. Radio waves may include narrowband, broadband, or ultra-wideband radio signals. Radio waves may include pulsed radio waves. Radio waves may include radio waves used in communications. Gas sensors may sense gas type, flow (e.g., velocity and / or acceleration), pressure, and / or concentration. The reading may have an amplitude range. The reading may have a parameter range. For example, the parameter may be electromagnetic wavelength and the range may be the range of wavelengths detected.

[0172] In some embodiments, the sensor data is responsive to the environment in the peripheral structure and / or any inducing factors that change in the environment (e.g., any environmental disturbance factors). The sensor data may be responsive to a transmitter (e.g., an occupant, an appliance (e.g., a heater, a cooler, a ventilator, and / or a vacuum device), an opening) that is operatively coupled to (e.g., in) the peripheral structure. For example, the sensor data may be responsive to an air conditioning duct or to an open window. The sensor data may be responsive to activities occurring in the room. Activities may include human activities and / or non-human activities. Activities may include electronic activities, gas activities, and / or chemical activities. Activities may include sensory activities (e.g., visual, tactile, olfactory, auditory, and / or taste). Activities may include electronic and / or magnetic activities. Activities may be perceived by a person. Activities may not be perceived by a person. The sensor data may be responsive to occupants, material (e.g., gas) flows, material (e.g., gas) pressures, and / or temperatures in the peripheral structure.

[0173] In some embodiments, data from sensors in a peripheral structure (e.g., and in a sensor assembly) is collected and / or processed (e.g., analyzed). Data processing can be performed by a processor of the sensor, by a processor of the sensor assembly, by another sensor, by another assembly, in the cloud, by a processor of a controller, by a processor in the peripheral structure, by a processor outside the peripheral structure, by a remote processor (e.g., in a different facility), by a manufacturer (e.g., of a sensor, window, and / or building network). The data of the sensor can have a time indication (e.g., can be time-stamped). The data of the sensor can have a sensor location indication (e.g., location-stamped). The sensor can be identifiably coupled to one or more controllers.

[0174] In some embodiments, the processing data derived from the sensor includes applying one or more models. The model may include a mathematical model. The processing may include fitting of the model (e.g., curve fitting). The model may be multidimensional (e.g., two-dimensional or three-dimensional). The model may be represented as a graph (e.g., a 2-dimensional graph or a 3-dimensional graph). For example, the model may be represented as a contour map. Modeling may include one or more matrices. The model may include a topological model. The model may involve the topology of the sensing parameters in the peripheral structure. The model may involve the time variation of the topology of the sensing parameters in the peripheral structure. The model may be specific to the environment and / or the peripheral structure. The model may take into account one or more characteristics of the peripheral structure (e.g., size, opening and / or environmental interference factors (e.g., transmitters)). The processing of sensor data may utilize historical sensor data and / or current (e.g., real-time) sensor data. Data processing (e.g., using a model) may be used to predict environmental changes in the peripheral structure, and / or recommend actions to mitigate, adjust, or otherwise react to the change.

[0175] The location and / or fixed features of the peripheral structure (e.g., the placement of walls and / or windows) can be used to measure the characteristics of a given environment. The location and / or fixed features of the peripheral structure can be derived independently (e.g., from 3rd party data and / or non-sensor data). The location and / or fixed features of the peripheral structure can be derived using data from one or more sensors set in the environment. When the environment is minimally disturbed relative to the measured environmental characteristics (e.g., when no one is present in the environment, and / or when the environment is quiet), some sensor data can be used to sense the location of (e.g., fixed and / or non-fixed) objects to determine the environment. Determining the location of the object includes determining (e.g., human) occupancy in the environment. Distance and / or location-related measurements can be derived from sensors that are not traditionally associated with location and / or distance.

[0176] The sensors of the sensor assembly can be organized into a sensor module. The sensor assembly can include a circuit board (such as a printed circuit board) to which a plurality of sensors are adhered or attached. The sensors can be removed from the sensor module. For example, the sensors can be inserted into and / or unplugged from the circuit board. The sensors can be activated and / or deactivated individually (e.g., using a switch). The circuit board can include a polymer. The circuit board can be transparent or non-transparent. The circuit board can include a metal (e.g., an elemental metal and / or a metal alloy). The circuit board can include a conductor. The circuit board can include an insulator. The circuit board can include any geometric shape (e.g., a rectangle or an ellipse). The circuit board can be configured (e.g., can have a certain shape) to allow the assembly to be set in a mullion (e.g., of a window). The circuit board can be configured (e.g., can have a certain shape) to allow the assembly to be set in a frame (e.g., a door frame and / or a window frame). The mullion and / or the frame can include one or more holes to allow the sensor to obtain (e.g., accurate) readings. The circuit board can include an electrical connection port (e.g., a socket). The circuit board can be connected to a power source (e.g., electricity). The power source can include a renewable power source or a non-renewable power source.

[0177] Figure 6An example of a system 600 including a sensor assembly organized into sensor modules is shown. Sensors 610A, 610B, 610C, and 610D are shown as being included in sensor assembly 605. Sensor assemblies organized into sensor modules (including sensor assembly 605) may include at least 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 10, 20, 50, or 500 sensors. A sensor module may include a number of sensors in a range between any of the above values ​​(e.g., from about 1 to about 1000, from about 1 to about 500, or from about 500 to about 1000). The sensors of the sensor module may include sensors configured or designed to sense parameters including temperature, humidity, carbon dioxide, particulate matter (e.g., between 2.5 μm and 10 (μm) microns), total volatile organic compounds (e.g., changes in voltage potential caused by surface adsorption of volatile organic compounds), ambient light, audio noise level, pressure (e.g., gas and / or liquid), acceleration, time, radar, lidar, radio signals (e.g., ultra-wideband radio signals), passive infrared, glass break or movement detectors. The sensor assembly (e.g., 605) may include non-sensor devices such as buzzers and light emitting diodes. Examples of sensor assemblies and their use can be found in U.S. patent application serial number 16 / 447,169, entitled "SENSING AND COMMUNICATIONS UNIT FOR OPTICALLY SWITCHABLE WINDOW SYSTEMS", filed on June 20, 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0178] In some embodiments, the increase in the number and / or type of sensors can be used to increase the probability that one or more measurement characteristics are accurate and / or a specific event measured by one or more sensors has occurred. In some embodiments, the sensors of the sensor assembly can cooperate with each other. In one example, the radar sensor of the sensor assembly can determine the presence of multiple individuals in the peripheral structure. The processor (e.g., processor 615) can determine that the detection of the presence of multiple individuals in the peripheral structure is positively correlated with the increase in carbon dioxide concentration. In one example, the memory accessible to the processor can determine that the increase in infrared energy detected is positively correlated with the increase in temperature detected by the temperature sensor. In some embodiments, the network interface (e.g., 650) can communicate with other sensor assemblies similar to the sensor assembly. The network interface can also communicate with the controller.

[0179] The individual sensors of the sensor complex (e.g., sensor 610A, sensor 610D, etc.) may include and / or utilize at least one dedicated processor. The sensor complex may utilize a remote processor (e.g., 654) using a wireless and / or wired communication link. The sensor complex may utilize at least one processor (e.g., processor 652), which may represent a cloud-based processor coupled to the sensor complex via a cloud (e.g., 651). The processors (e.g., 652 and / or 654) may be located in the same building, in different buildings, in buildings owned by the same entity or different entities, in a facility owned by the manufacturer of the window / controller / sensor complex, or at any other location. In various embodiments, as Figure 6 As indicated by the dashed lines, the sensor complex 605 need not include a separate processor and network interface. These entities can be separate entities and operatively coupled to the complex 605. Figure 6 Dashed lines in indicate optional features. In some embodiments, onboard processing and / or memory of one or more ensembles of sensors may be used to support other functions (eg, via distribution of ensemble memory and / or processing power to the building's network infrastructure).

[0180] In some embodiments, multiple sensors of the same type may be distributed in the peripheral structure. At least one sensor of the multiple sensors of the same type may be part of an aggregate. For example, at least two sensors of the multiple sensors of the same type may be part of at least two aggregates. The sensor aggregate may be distributed in the peripheral structure. The peripheral structure may include a conference room. For example, multiple sensors of the same type may measure environmental parameters in a conference room. In response to measuring the environmental parameters of the peripheral structure, a parameter topology of the peripheral structure may be generated. The parameter topology may be generated using output signals of any type of sensor from the sensor aggregate, for example, as disclosed herein. The parameter topology may be generated for any peripheral structure of a facility, such as a conference room, a corridor, a bathroom, a cafeteria, a garage, an auditorium, a utility room, a storage facility, an equipment room, and / or an elevator.

[0181] In some embodiments, the sensor assembly is distributed throughout the peripheral structure. The same type of sensors can be dispersed in the peripheral structure, for example, to allow environmental parameters to be measured at various locations of the peripheral structure. The same type of sensors can measure gradients along one or more dimensions of the peripheral structure. The gradient can include a temperature gradient, an ambient noise gradient, or any other change (e.g., increase or decrease) in a measurement parameter as a function of the location of the distance point. The gradient can be used to determine that the sensor is providing erroneous measurements (e.g., sensor failure). Figure 8 An example of a diagram 890 showing the arrangement of sensor assemblies in a peripheral structure is shown. Figure 8 In the example of , assembly 892A is positioned at a distance D1 from vent 896. Sensor assembly 892B is positioned at a distance D2 from vent 896. Sensor assembly 892C is positioned at a distance D3 from vent 896. Vent 896 may correspond to an air conditioning vent, which represents a relatively constant source of cooling air and a relatively constant source of white noise. Therefore, temperature and noise measurements may be made by sensor assembly 892A.

[0182] Alternatively or additionally, sensor assembly 892A may perform current and / or voltage measurements on one or more IGUs. These current measurements and / or voltage measurements may be associated with the hue transition of one or more IGUs. These current measurements and / or voltage measurements may be compared with the failure flags of one or more IGUs to identify existing IGU failures and / or predict future IGU failures. The current and voltage measurements performed by sensor 892A are shown by output reading distribution 894A. Output reading distribution 894A indicates a relatively low current and a relatively medium voltage. The current and voltage measurements performed by sensor assembly 892B are shown by output reading distribution 894B. Output reading distribution 894B indicates a slightly higher current and a slightly reduced voltage. The current and voltage measurements performed by sensor assembly 892C are shown by output reading distribution 894C. Output reading distribution 894C indicates a slightly higher current than the current measured by sensor assembly 892B and 892A. The voltage measured by sensor assembly 892C indicates a lower level than the voltages measured by sensor assembly 892A and 892B. In an example, if the current measured by sensor assembly 892C indicates a much higher current than the current measured by sensor assembly 892A, one or more processors and / or controllers may interpret the current measured by sensor assembly 892C as indicating an existing or future IGU failure.

[0183] In some embodiments, the control system is configured to change the tint of the tintable window to a plurality of different tint states, such as at least 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or 10 tint states. In some embodiments, the control system is configured to continuously change the tint of the tintable window. In some examples, the different tint states include a bleached state (tint 1), a darker tint state (tint 2), an even darker tint state (tint 3), and a darkest tint state (tint 4). For a given tint transition of the size of the IGU, (i) the amount of charge that needs to be transferred and (ii) the voltage required to transfer the charge to complete the transition should remain constant over time. When a larger (or increasing) voltage difference and / or charge transfer is required to achieve a tint transition, failure of the IGU may be imminent or occur.

[0184] Fig.9AAn example of a graph depicting charge versus time for an IGU transitioning from a bleached state (T1) to a darkest tone (T4) is shown which began to deviate from normal operation on May 22, 2020 by migrating less variation when the same voltage difference was applied, and therefore received a failure prediction. Fig. 9B An example of a graph depicting leakage current versus time for an IGU transitioning from T1 to T4 is shown, the IGU consuming an increasing amount of current at and after time 900, and receiving a failure prediction. The hue transition from T1 to T4 may, but need not, involve one or more intermediate hues between T1 and T4. For example, these intermediate hues may include a second hue T2 and a third hue T3. Fig.9A In , the charge is shown in coulombs (C). Fig. 9B In FIG. 1 , the leakage current is shown in milliamperes (mA). Fig.9A and Fig. 9B The horizontal axis representing time is scaled and automatically generated based on available data from a window controller (WC) coupled to the tintable window. The tintable window has a unique identifier (e.g., a compact identifier (ID)), and the window controller has a unique identifier. Each point on the graph represents a complete hue transition of a specified type, which in this example is a hue transition from T1 to T4. For a window controller-tintable window pair, such as Fig.9A and Fig. 9B As shown in the graph of , there were complete transitions from T1 to T4 in the database for about a year and a half (from December 1, 2018 to June 10, 2020). Depending on the IGU, there may be one or several complete transitions of a given type (such as T1 to T4) per day. Transitions that do not proceed as expected may be described as 'non-characteristic'. Non-characteristic tint transitions are deviations from the normal switching parameters for the tintable window in question (deviations from the normal switching parameters within a margin of error).

[0185] In some embodiments, the sensor system is used in conjunction with artificial intelligence (AI) to predict and pinpoint tintable window failures. Over time, a large amount of data may be accumulated from a tintable window controller. Such data may be associated with current measurements and / or voltage measurements applied to facilitate the tint transition of one or more windows. The measurements may be stored in a database. In addition to the measurement value, the measurement may also include: (i) a timestamp, (ii) a date stamp, (iii) a controller ID, (iv) a tintable window ID, and / or (v) a measurement type. The framework may be configured to retrieve window controller data from one or more databases, aggregate the data, and use the data to evaluate and / or predictively repair windows that, for example, exhibit signs of failure. Statistical measurements of current and / or voltage may be used to identify signs of failure. The ID may include a serial identifier for the device, and the ID may be alphanumeric. The ID may be hashed (e.g., subsequently). For example, the ID may be converted using a hexadecimal or base 64 character set.

[0186] Currently, static rules (e.g., exclusion learning systems) are sometimes used to warn of tintable window failures (e.g., using thresholds and / or functions) in an attempt to minimize false readings. Such static rules and thresholds can provide a rigid framework that sometimes fails to adequately predict tintable window failures before they are clearly visible.

[0187] In some embodiments, at least one controller and / or software is used to implement a method for early warning of a failure of a tintable window. Tintable windows may include IGUs, electrochromic glass, and / or mechanically controlled shielding. Current, voltage, and / or sensor measurements may be obtained, which are related to the tintable window that transforms the peripheral structure. The facility may include several buildings. The building may include one or more rooms. The peripheral structure may include a facility, a building, or a portion thereof (e.g., a hallway or a room). The sensors may include acoustic, motion, vibration, temperature, and / or electromagnetic sensors (e.g., photoelectric sensors). These sensors may include transmittance sensors. The sensors may be sensitive to visible light, IR, and / or UV radiation. Tintable glass may act as a sensor. These sensors may be any sensor disclosed herein. Integration (e.g., integration) and / or derivation (e.g., derivative) of measurements (e.g., voltage and / or current) may be utilized. Relevant data may be accessed from various sensors disposed in and / or on the facility. Data may be organized (e.g., assigned, classified, and / or reorganized). Using (e.g., based at least in part on) the relevant data, the reliability of the measurement results (e.g., current and / or voltage, and / or other sensor measurements) can be determined. For example, during normal operation of sensors and / or devices (e.g., tintable windows) in a facility, the measurements can be accumulated in at least one database. Using the determined reliability, the obtained current, voltage, and / or other sensor measurements can be adjusted. Reliability values ​​can be assigned and / or updated for one or more sensors, for example, using the adjusted sensor measurements.

[0188] In some embodiments, sensor measurements are processed by taking into account the peripheral structure (or any portion thereof), historical readings, benchmarks, and / or modeling to generate results. Current, voltage, and / or other sensor measurements can be applied as inputs (e.g., learning set inputs) to a learning module that is trained to identify signs when there is a failure in the tintable window and / or to identify signs when there is other failure. These inputs can be used to fine-tune the learning module calculation scheme. For example, the inputs can be used to optimize the parameters of various functions used in the calculation scheme (e.g., function weights and / or function thresholds).

[0189] Data analysis (e.g., analysis of sensor measurements) can be performed by a machine-based system (e.g., a circuit system). The circuit system can be a processor. Sensor data analysis can utilize artificial intelligence. Sensor data analysis can rely on one or more models (e.g., mathematical models). In some embodiments, sensor data analysis includes linear regression, least squares fitting, Gaussian process regression, kernel regression, nonparametric multiplicative regression (NPMR), regression tree, local regression, semiparametric regression, rank-preserving regression, multivariate adaptive regression splines (MARS), logistic regression, robust regression, polynomial regression, stepwise regression, ridge regression, lasso regression, elastic network regression, principal component analysis (PCA), singular value decomposition, fuzzy measurement theory, Borel measure, Han measure, risk neutral measure, Lebesgue measure, data processing grouping method (GMDH), naive Bayes classifier, k nearest neighbor algorithm (k-NN), support vector machine (SVM), neural network, support vector machine, classification and regression tree (CART), random forest method, gradient boosting or generalized linear model (GLM) technology.

[0190] In some embodiments, the learning module includes machine learning. The learning module may include a multi-layer neural network (e.g., a deep learning algorithm). The learning module may include an unlimited number of layers of a finite size, for example, to gradually extract higher-level features based on raw (e.g., sensor) input measurements. The layers in the multi-layer neural network may be hierarchical (e.g., the output of each layer may be a higher-level abstraction based on the input of the previous layer). The learning module may utilize heuristic techniques (e.g., a total model and sensor data) that will accelerate the output of reliable predictions as a result. The learning module may optimize prediction accuracy and / or computational speed. The learning module may consider the size of the neural network (the number of layers and the number of units per layer), the learning rate, and / or the initial weights (e.g., the initial weights of the artificial neurons and / or the algorithm (when several algorithms are used to generate results)). The learning module may learn from the measurements of the failure of the tintable window using sensor measurements (e.g., real-time, historical, or synthetic sensor measurements).

[0191] In some embodiments, the learning module includes an algorithm and / or calculation. The learning model may include machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and / or statistical validation layers. The learning module may be trained to identify a threshold value (e.g., a value or function) of failure. Alternatively, the learning module may not be trained to identify a failure threshold value.

[0192] In some embodiments, a filter (e.g., a convolution filter) is applied to teach the learning module one or more failure modes of the tintable window. The filter can be applied in the time domain. The loss of data can be minimized. The loss of data may be due to misclassification and / or labeling errors (e.g., through data tracking). The learning module can be trained using historical, real-time, and / or synthetic data used as a training set. The time frame of the learning module can be adjusted using a close time frame during which the failure of the tintable window can be observed. The learning module can be implemented using a machine learning (ML) ensemble. The machine learning ensemble can include multiple models (e.g., at least about 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, or 10 models) working together, for example, using a voting scheme. At least two of the multiple models can be given different weights. At least two of the multiple models can be given the same weight. The ML ensemble can include at least one model. The use of the ML ensemble can be automatic, scheduled, and / or controlled.

[0193] In some embodiments, the learning module includes a validation mechanism configured to perform data management. The learning module may utilize one or more models. One model (or combination of models) may be more appropriate than another model in one case. For example, rare cases may require the use of a specific model. The model may use adaptive synthetic oversampling. The model may use deep learning techniques (e.g., convolutional neural networks). The model may use AI techniques that exclude deep learning algorithms and / or new AI techniques that include deep learning algorithms. The learning set may include real data. The learning set may include synthetic data. Synthetic data may be synthesized using real data. For example, synthetic data may use a real data backbone to which different types of non-substantial information (e.g., noise) have been added. Non-substantial information (e.g., noise) may be a feature of a sensor measurement result (e.g., a feature of a colorable window that fails, fails, and / or functions properly). The learning model may use a temporal convolutional neural network. The learning model may be combined with a computational scheme that is also used to analyze visual images. The learning model may use data related to a hue transition of a first window in a first peripheral structure (e.g., a first facility) or from another second peripheral structure (e.g., from the same first facility or from another second facility). The second facility may be geographically separated from (e.g., remote from) the first facility in which the first tintable window is disposed. The tintable window is oriented outwardly toward a first direction. The data associated with the second window of the second peripheral structure may be oriented toward the same first direction or toward a different second direction. The learning model may use data from tintable windows of the same type (e.g., electrochromic glass having the same type of layer construction, the same surface area, and / or the same basic length scale). In this example, the data should have the same transition type (e.g., first tint T1 to second tint T2). The basic length scale (abbreviated herein as "FLS") may include a length, a width, a height, a radius, or a radius of a bounding circle.

[0194] In some embodiments, the results and / or reliability values ​​are used to predict subsequent tintable window failures. Tintable window failures may be predicted for a second set of tintable windows (including at least one tintable window). Outlier data may be detected. Future readings of sensor measurements may be predicted.

[0195] Fig.10 An example of a flowchart 1000 is shown, which illustrates an example of obtaining measurements related to the transition tint of one or more tintable windows and applying these measurements to a learning module to predict an approaching time frame during which tinting failures can be observed. In box 1002, current measurements and / or voltage measurements related to the transition of the tintable windows are obtained. In box 1004, the current measurements and / or voltage measurements are applied as input to a learning module trained to identify signs of tinting failures. The learning module may include a computational scheme (e.g., an algorithm). The learning model may include machine learning, artificial intelligence (AI), and / or statistical validation. Next, in box 1006, a filter (e.g., a mathematical filter) is applied in the time domain to teach the learning module one or more failure modes of the tintable windows. In box 1008, the learning module is trained using historical, real-time, and / or synthetic data. Next, in box 1010, the data is applied to the learning module to predict the failure of a second group of tintable windows. In box 1012, the time frame of the learning module is adjusted using the approaching time frame during which tinting failures can be observed.

[0196] In some embodiments, the acquired data is merged into a repository and / or into multiple repositories that are communicatively coupled. All data metrics may be maintained in a repository (or multiple repositories). For example, analytical queries may be performed based on controller area network identifiers (abbreviated herein as "CAN IDs", which are a form of network IDs), tintable window IDs (e.g., compact IDs), IGU and / or tintable glass sizes (e.g., FLS), transition types, and time frames. Analytical queries may be performed in the same facility or across facilities (e.g., across sites). Scheduling may be performed for automatic extraction. Data extraction may be performed according to a schedule, or may be performed occasionally. Automatically generated reports of tintable window performance may be performed per facility or across facilities. Learning modules may be applied to the data to generate failure warnings and / or reports, for example, using acquired current, voltage, and / or other sensor data. The learning module may learn failure signatures specific to (i) the facility, (ii) the type of layer construction of the electrochromic glass, (iii) the type of tintable window, (iv) the surface area of ​​the window, (v) the FLS of the window, (vi) the type of tint transition, (vii) the directionality of the facade on which the tintable window is provided, (viii) the geographic location of the facility, (ix) external weather conditions, (x) temperature, pressure, and / or noise (inside or outside) to which the window is exposed. Pressure includes pressure gradients, such as those experienced in explosions, earthquakes, and / or winds (e.g., tornadoes). Noise may include loud noises, such as thunder, gunshots, and / or explosions. The learning module may utilize historical and / or real-time measurements from / to other sites. The learning module may add noise to the data.

[0197] In some embodiments, the learning module goes through several stages. For example, a low-fidelity stage and a higher-fidelity stage. The higher-fidelity stage can achieve better failure predictions than the lower-fidelity stage. The higher-fidelity stage can have a larger, more diverse, and / or more accurate training set than the lower-fidelity stage.

[0198] Fig.11An example of a flowchart 1100 is shown, which shows an example of a method for predicting failure and learning failure signs for tintable window failures with a lower fidelity stage 1130 and a higher fidelity stage 1140. In box 1110, voltage, current, and / or other sensor data are merged into at least one repository. These data may be related to tintable windows (e.g., voltage and / or current are used to achieve tint transitions of tintable windows). Next, in box 1112, data metrics are maintained in the repository. In box 1114, at least one learning module is applied to the data to predict failures and optionally generate one or more failure warnings and / or reports. In box 1116, a validation mechanism is incorporated into the learning module for data management. Then, in box 1118, historical, real-time, and / or synthetic measurements from the site and / or other sites with tintable windows are used to learn failure signs. These failure signs can be specific (e.g., as disclosed herein, for example, they can be site-specific). The ML module can search for specificity (e.g., FLS, site, and / or weather specificity). For example, at optional block 1120, the specificity and nature of the failure signature may be learned. At optional block 1122, noise is added to the data to generate synthetic data. In block 1124, the data is compared to the learned failure signature to predict failure and optionally generate a failure warning and / or report.

[0199] In some embodiments, event data is synthesized for use in a learning set to be used by a learning module. This synthetic data may cover rare, unusual, and / or infrequently observed situations, for example to allow the ML module to accurately discern an uncommon event when it occurs in a subsequent occurrence. The synthetic data may use historical, real-time, and / or synthetic event data from the site and / or other sites with tintable windows to learn failure signatures. Event data may be compared to the learned failure signatures to predict failures. The ML module may perform calculations in real time and / or during periods of low construction activity (e.g., at night and / or on holidays). For example, a baseline (e.g., a threshold) may change over time, and therefore, the baseline (e.g., a threshold function) applied in the ML module may be dynamic over time.

[0200] In some embodiments, leakage current (e.g., open circuit voltage Voc) can be used as an indication of a problematic tintable window (e.g., including an electrochromic device). The voting ensemble can be communicatively coupled to a statistical validation layer to implement a current leakage degradation test. In some embodiments, voting is an overall method that can be used for classification. The first operation can be to create multiple classification and / or regression models using a training data set. At least one of the multiple base models can be created using different splits of the same training data set and the same calculation scheme (e.g., algorithm) or using the same data set with different calculation schemes. In a majority vote (sometimes referred to as majority voting), each model predicts (votes) each test instance. The final output prediction is the prediction that receives more than half of the votes. If no prediction receives more than half of the votes, the ensemble method cannot make a stable prediction for the instance. In this case, the prediction with the most votes (even if the prediction receives less than half of the votes) can be used as the final prediction. Unlike majority voting, where each model has the same authority (e.g., has the same weight in the entire scheme), the importance of one or more models can be increased (e.g., increase their relative weight). In weighted voting, the predictions of better models are multiplied by their corresponding higher weights relative to worse models (e.g., are counted multiple times).

[0201] In simple averaging, for each instance in the test dataset, the average prediction is calculated. This approach can reduce overfitting and / or create a smoother regression model.

[0202] In some embodiments, changes in leakage current over time indicate potential failure of a tintable window. The AI ​​and / or statistical validation layers may look for degradation of leakage current over time. The AI ​​and / or statistical validation layers may look for degradation of leakage current and / or other failure characteristics (e.g., hue transition time and hue transition peak current may depend on the size of the window. Leakage current may not depend on the size of the window).

[0203] In some embodiments, the controller selects (or directs the selection of) a facility to extract metrics for a given time period (e.g., the last nine (9) months). The controller may maintain (or direct the maintenance of) an operation history (e.g., historical data). The controller data may be used to estimate the health of a tintable window. The controller may estimate or direct the estimation of the health of a tintable window. For example, by tracking unreplaced field failures (% of all uniquely identifiable reduced IDs) using a learning module to track failures. For example, by tracking any issues identified by an ML, AI, and / or statistical validation layer. The controller may identify (or direct the identification of) one or more tintable windows at risk of failure. The controller estimates (or directs the estimation of) the severity of the risk (at a model aggregate confidence level). The controller may identify (or direct the identification of) a predicted date of failure and / or a predicted length of time before failure occurs. The controller is capable of enabling or directing the detection of any tintable window (e.g., an integrated glass unit - IGU) that exhibits current and / or voltage signs of degradation. When the ML module identifies a failure event, the controller may automatically generate (or direct the automatic generation of) an alert and / or report. If deployed in real-time at the edge, the controller may send (or direct sending) an alert, report, and / or any other action message. The controller may schedule (or direct scheduling) inspection, repair, manufacturing, and / or storage of the type of tintable window at risk (e.g., once the risk is realized and / or when maintenance is scheduled to facilitate this). The controller may include a processor.

[0204] In some embodiments, failures manifest themselves on different time scales. Failures may manifest themselves differently over time. (e.g., gradual decline vs. rapid decline). Corrective control calibration may be used to manage some failures (e.g., a window may require a different (e.g., more) current and / or voltage to achieve the same tinting level as previously required. The controller may tag and / or classify failure types and / or severity (e.g., estimate failure risk). Examples of failure types are corrosion-type failures and irreversible tinting. The controller may provide visualization of one or more (e.g., all) metrics for all window controllers, one or more (e.g., all) conversion types over time. Early warnings and / or reports may be associated with failure events so that problems are reported in an automated manner to resolve cases. The controller may perform the operations disclosed herein, or direct the execution of the operations disclosed herein.

[0205] In some embodiments, one or more tintable window metrics are measured. The metrics may include transition time. The transition time may be the complete transition time (e.g., in minutes) required to implement a change from a first tint state to a second tint state, e.g., from T1 to T4. The tint state may be characterized by color, chromaticity, transparency level, and / or absorbance. The first tint state may be the least tinted state of the window. The second tint state may be the most tinted state of the window. The first tint state may be an intermediate state between the least tinted state and the most tinted state of the window, wherein the first tint state is less tinted than the second tint state. The second tint state may be an intermediate state between the least tinted state and the most tinted state of the window, wherein the first tint state is less tinted than the second tint state. In some examples, only data from a complete transition (e.g., an uninterrupted transition from a first tint state to a second tint state) may be considered.

[0206] Fig.12 1 is a flow chart showing an example of a method for generating an alert and / or report in response to identifying a tintable window at risk of failure. In box 1210, an event related to a rare situation is simulated using a learning module to facilitate subsequent identification of similar events at a future time. In box 1220, calculations are performed using the learning module in real time and / or during periods of low activity in the peripheral structure. In box 1240, leakage current, voltage and / or current changes are identified using the learning module (e.g., looking for IGU leakage current degradation). At optional box 1250, a site (e.g., a facility) is selected to extract metrics for a given time period. At box 1260, the health of at least one tintable window is estimated by tracking failures using the learning module. In box 1270, any tintable window at risk of failure is identified. Failure risk, failure timing and / or failure severity can be estimated. In box 1280, a report and / or alert is generated in response to identifying the failure risk and / or failure timing. The report and / or alert may be sent by sending an alert or action message, and / or by providing a visualization of the IGU metrics over time for all conversion types. Next, at box 1290, the report and / or alert is associated with the failure event. This association may be used for the purpose of automating failure detection, quickly resolving failures, and / or preventing larger and / or more noticeable failures in tintable windows. This association may alert inventory of tintable windows similar to the tintable window predicted to fail. This association may facilitate coordinated replacement of a window predicted to fail, for example, before it completely and / or visibly fails.

[0207] Fig.13An example of a flow chart is shown that illustrates an example of a method for processing sensor (e.g., other than current, voltage, and / or Voc) readings to generate results. At box 1310, sensor readings are obtained from one or more sensors. These sensor readings may be obtained from one or more sensor assemblies, or from one or more independent sensors. At box 1320, the sensor readings are processed (e.g., by considering surrounding structures, historical readings, benchmarks, and / or modeling) to generate results. In box 1330, the results are used to detect outlier data, predict subsequent tinted glass failures, and / or predict future readings of one or more sensors. Any of the sensor results (e.g., including current, voltage, and / or Voc) can be used to extract (e.g., characteristic) noise data, which can be used, for example, to synthesize data for a learning set.

[0208] Fig.14 An example of a flow chart is shown that illustrates an example of a method for determining the reliability of a sensor reading. At box 1455, a sensor reading is obtained from one or more sensors (e.g., disposed in a peripheral structure). The sensor reading may be obtained from a sensor assembly and / or from an independent sensor. At box 1460, correlation data from other sensors (e.g., disposed in a peripheral structure) is accessed. At box 1465, the reliability of the obtained sensor reading is determined based at least in part on the accessed correlation data. At box 1470, the obtained sensor reading is adjusted based at least in part on the determined reliability of the obtained sensor reading. At box 1475, a reliability value for one or more sensors is assigned or updated based at least in part on the adjusted obtained sensor reading. Next, at box 1477, the reliability value is used to adjust a prediction of a subsequent tintable window failure.

[0209] Examples of sensors, their calibration, operation, and control can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 62 / 967,204, filed on January 29, 2020, entitled “TANDEM SENSOR WINDOW AND MEDIA DISPLAY,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Examples of sensors, their coexistence, operation, and control can be found in U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 63 / 079,851, filed on September 17, 2020, entitled “DEVICE ENSEMBLES AND COEXISTENCE MANAGEMENT OF DEVICES,” which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0210] Fig.15An example of a controller 1505 for controlling one or more sensors is shown. The controller 1505 includes a sensor correlator 1510, a model generator 1515, an event detector 1520, a processor 1525, and a network interface 1550. The sensor correlator 1510 operates to detect correlations between various sensor types. For example, an infrared radiation sensor that measures an increase in infrared energy may be positively correlated with an increase in measured temperature. The sensor correlator 1510 may establish a correlation coefficient, such as a coefficient for negatively correlated sensor readings (e.g., a correlation coefficient between -1 and 0). For example, the sensor correlator 1510 may establish a coefficient for positively correlated sensor readings (e.g., a correlation coefficient between 0 and 1).

[0211] In some embodiments, multiple devices (e.g., sensors, emitters, actuators, transmitters, and / or receivers) are integrated into a common assembly (such as onto a common circuit board). The assembly may have a single housing (e.g., a cover). One or more circuit boards may be arranged in a single housing to form a device assembly. The circuit boards in the housing may be physically coupled or may not be physically coupled (e.g., using wiring). The boards in the housing may be communicatively coupled. The communicatively coupling may be performed, for example, directly or indirectly using a network (e.g., wired or wireless communication). The common assembly may be referred to as an "assembly" herein.

[0212] In some embodiments, multiple components (e.g., assemblies) containing such elements may be deployed in close proximity to each other. The close proximity of at least two devices in the same assembly or in different assemblies may cause one or more shortcomings in their operation. These one or more shortcomings may occur during their normal (e.g., designed and / or expected) operation. The one or more shortcomings may be caused by the following items: (i) mutual interference between devices in the assembly (e.g., intra-assembly interference); and / or (ii) mutual interference between devices in different assemblies (e.g., inter-assembly interference). The assembly may include or be operably coupled to at least one controller. At least one controller may include a digital architecture system controller. At least one controller may be arranged in a component housing (referred to herein as a "housing" or "encapsulation"). The encapsulation may be adapted to be mounted to any other structure and / or fixture in a window, wall, ceiling, or peripheral structure (e.g., a building, facility, or room) to perform various functions. Various functions may include tinted window control, environmental monitoring, building management, video communication, audio communication, lighting (e.g., optical communication) and / or wireless networking. For example, interference may occur during simultaneous operation of the elements. Interference can cause reduced sensor accuracy, erroneous readings, sensor saturation, loss of consistency, signal transmission failures, power imbalance, and any combination thereof.

[0213] In some embodiments, multiple devices (e.g., modules) are combined into a collection in a common housing to, for example, provide a useful suite of functions to be provided to a specific user. These functions can improve building efficiency (e.g., energy and / or money), improve occupant hygiene, improve occupant health, provide a networking platform, and / or provide a communication platform. Examples of various devices (e.g., modules) included in the combined component include temperature sensors, humidity sensors, carbon dioxide sensors, particulate (e.g., dust) sensors, volatile organic compound sensors, ambient light sensors, glass break sensors, microphones, speakers / buzzers, digital amplifiers, cameras, video displays, LED indicators, Bluetooth transceivers, ultra-wideband transceivers, passive infrared motion sensors, radar sensors, accelerometers, and pressure sensors. The combined component may include a power conditioning component, a processing unit, a memory, and / or a network interface. In some embodiments, the component has a form factor suitable for installation in various locations in the peripheral structure. For example, a corresponding mounting adapter may be provided for mounting the component to at least a portion of a fixture (such as a window mullion, a building wall, or a ceiling).

[0214] A controller may monitor and / or direct (e.g., physical) changes in operating conditions of the devices, software, and / or methods described herein. Control may include regulating, manipulating, limiting, directing, monitoring, adjusting, modulating, changing, altering, inhibiting, checking, directing, or managing. Being controlled (e.g., by a controller) may include attenuating, modulating, changing, managing, inhibiting, regulating, regulating, constraining, supervising, manipulating, and / or directing. Control may include controlling a control variable (e.g., temperature, power, voltage, and / or distribution). Control may include real-time or offline control. The calculations utilized by the controller may be performed in real-time and / or offline. The controller may be a manual or non-manual controller. The controller may be an automatic controller. The controller may operate on request. The controller may be a programmable controller. The controller may be programmed. The controller may include a processing unit (e.g., a CPU or GPU). The controller may receive input (e.g., from at least one sensor). The controller may transmit output. The controller may include multiple (e.g., sub) controllers. The controller may be part of a control system. The control system may include a master controller, a floor controller, a local controller (e.g., a peripheral structure controller, or a window controller). The controller may receive one or more inputs. The controller may generate one or more outputs. The controller may be a single-input single-output controller (SISO) or a multiple-input multiple-output controller (MIMO). The controller may interpret received input signals. The controller may acquire data from one or more sensors. Acquisition may include receiving or extracting. The data may include measuring, estimating, determining, generating, or any combination thereof. The controller may include feedback control. The controller may include feedforward control. The control may include on-off control, proportional control, proportional integral (PI) control, or proportional integral derivative (PID) control. The control may include open-loop control or closed-loop control. The controller may include closed-loop control. The controller may include open-loop control. The controller may include a user interface. The user interface may include (or be operatively coupled to) a keyboard, a keypad, a mouse, a touch screen, a microphone, a speech recognition package, a camera, an imaging system, or any combination thereof. The output may include a display (e.g., a screen), a speaker, or a printer.

[0215] The methods, systems and / or devices described herein may include a control system. The control system may communicate with any of the devices described herein (e.g., sensors). The sensors may be of the same type or of different types, such as described herein. For example, the control system may communicate with a first sensor and / or a second sensor. The control system may control one or more sensors. The control system may control one or more components of a building management system (e.g., lighting, security and / or air conditioning system). The controller may adjust at least one (e.g., environmental) characteristic of the peripheral structure. The control system may use any component of the building management system to adjust the peripheral structure environment. For example, the control system may adjust the energy supplied by the heating element and / or by the cooling element. For example, the control system may adjust the speed of air flowing into and / or out of the peripheral structure through the vent. The control system may include a processor. The processor may be a processing unit. The controller may include a processing unit. The processing unit may be central. The processing unit may include a central processing unit (abbreviated herein as "CPU"). The processing unit may be a graphics processing unit (abbreviated herein as "GPU"). The controller or control mechanism (e.g., including a computer system) may be programmed to implement one or more methods of the present disclosure. The processor may be programmed to implement the method of the present disclosure. The controller may control at least one component of the forming systems and / or apparatus disclosed herein.The output may include a display (eg, a screen), a speaker, or a printer.

[0216] Figure 7 A schematic example of a computer system 700 is shown, which is programmed or otherwise configured to perform one or more operations of any of the methods provided herein. The computer system can control (e.g., guide, monitor and / or adjust) various features of the method, device and system disclosed herein, such as controlling the heating, cooling, lighting and / or ventilation of a peripheral structure or any combination thereof. The computer system can be a part of or communicate with any sensor or sensor assembly disclosed herein. The computer can be coupled to one or more mechanisms disclosed herein and / or any part thereof. For example, the computer can be coupled to one or more sensors, valves, switches, lights, windows (e.g., IGU), motors, pumps, optical components or any combination thereof.

[0217] A computer system may include a processing unit (e.g., 706) (also referred to herein as a "processor," "computer," and "computer processor"). A computer system may include memory or memory locations (e.g., 702) (e.g., random access memory, read-only memory, flash memory), electronic storage units (e.g., 704) (e.g., a hard disk), a communication interface (e.g., 703) for communicating with one or more other systems (e.g., a network adapter), and peripheral devices (e.g., 705) such as cache, other memory, data storage, and / or an electronic display adapter. Figure 7 In the example shown, memory 702, storage unit 704, interface 703 and peripheral device 705 communicate with processing unit 706 via a communication bus (solid line) such as a motherboard. The storage unit can be a data storage unit (or data repository) for storing data. With the help of the communication interface, the computer system is operably coupled to a computer network ("network") (e.g., 701). The network can be the Internet, the Internet and / or an extranet, or an intranet and / or an extranet that communicates with the Internet. In some cases, the network is a telecommunications and / or data network. The network may include one or more computer servers that can implement distributed computing such as cloud computing. In some cases, with the help of the computer system, the network can implement a peer-to-peer network, which can enable the device coupled to the computer system to act as a client or server.

[0218] The processing unit can execute a series of machine-readable instructions that can be embodied in a program or software. The instructions can be stored in a memory location such as memory 702. The instructions can be directed to the processing unit, which can then be programmed or otherwise configured to implement the method of the present disclosure. Examples of operations performed by the processing unit can include acquisition, decoding, execution, and writeback. The processing unit can interpret and / or execute instructions. The processor can include a microprocessor, a data processor, a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a system on a chip (SOC), a coprocessor, a network processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), an application-specific instruction set processor (ASIP), a controller, a programmable logic device (PLD), a chipset, a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any combination thereof. The processing unit can be a part of a circuit such as an integrated circuit. One or more other components of the system 700 may be included in the circuit.

[0219] The storage unit may store files, such as drivers, libraries, and saved programs. The storage unit may store user data (e.g., user preferences and user programs). In some cases, the computer system may include one or more additional data storage units that are located external to the computer system, such as on a remote server that communicates with the computer system via an intranet or the Internet.

[0220] The computer system can communicate with one or more remote computer systems via a network. For example, the computer system can communicate with a remote computer system of a user (e.g., an operator). Examples of remote computer systems include a personal computer (e.g., a portable PC), a tablet personal computer or a tablet computer (e.g., iPad, GalaxyTab), phones, smartphones (e.g. iPhone, Android-supported devices, ) or a personal digital assistant. A user (eg, a client) can access the computer system via a network.

[0221] The methods described herein may be implemented by machine (e.g., computer processor) executable code stored in an electronic storage location of a computer system such as, for example, memory 702 or electronic storage unit 704. Machine executable or machine readable code may be provided in the form of software. During use, processor 706 may execute the code. In some cases, the code may be retrieved from the storage unit and stored on the memory for ready access by the processor. In some cases, the electronic storage unit may be excluded and the machine executable instructions may be stored on the memory.

[0222] The code may be precompiled and configured for use with a machine having a processor adapted to execute the code, or may be compiled at run time. The code may be provided in a programming language, which may be selected to enable the code to be executed in a precompiled or compiled manner.

[0223] In some embodiments, the processor includes code. The code may be a program instruction. The program instruction may cause at least one processor (e.g., a computer) to guide a feedforward and / or feedback control loop. In some embodiments, the program instruction causes at least one processor to guide a closed-loop and / or open-loop control scheme. The control may be based at least in part on one or more sensor readings (e.g., sensor data). A controller may guide multiple operations. At least two operations may be guided by different controllers. In some embodiments, different controllers may guide at least two of operations (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, different controllers may guide at least two of operations (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable medium causes each different computer to guide at least two of operations (a), (b), and (c). In some embodiments, different non-transitory computer-readable media cause each different computer to guide at least two of operations (a), (b), and (c). The controller and / or computer-readable medium may guide any device or component thereof disclosed herein. The controller and / or computer-readable medium may guide any operation of the method disclosed herein.

[0224] In some embodiments, the at least one sensor is operatively coupled to a control system (e.g., a computer control system). The sensor may include an optical sensor, an acoustic sensor, a vibration sensor, a chemical sensor, an electrical sensor, a magnetic sensor, a fluidity sensor, a movement sensor, a speed sensor, a position sensor, a pressure sensor, a force sensor, a density sensor, a distance sensor, or a proximity sensor. The sensor may include a temperature sensor, a weight sensor, a material (e.g., powder) level sensor, a metering sensor, a gas sensor, or a humidity sensor. The metering sensor may include a measuring sensor (e.g., height, length, width, angle, and / or volume). The metering sensor may include a magnetic sensor, an acceleration sensor, an orientation sensor, or an optical sensor. The sensor may send and / or receive a sound (e.g., echo) signal, a magnetic signal, an electronic signal, or an electromagnetic signal. The electromagnetic signal may include a visible light signal, an infrared signal, an ultraviolet signal, an ultrasonic signal, a radio wave signal, or a microwave signal. The gas sensor may sense any gas described herein. The distance sensor may be a type of metering sensor. The distance sensor may include an optical sensor or a capacitive sensor. The temperature sensor may include a bolometer, a bimetallic strip, a calorimeter, an exhaust temperature meter, a flame detector, a Gardon meter, a Golay detector, a heat flux sensor, an infrared thermometer, a microbolometer, a microwave radiometer, a net radiometer, a quartz thermometer, a resistance temperature detector, a resistance thermometer, a silicon bandgap temperature sensor, a special sensor microwave / imager, a thermometer, a thermistor, a thermocouple, a thermometer (e.g., a resistance thermometer), or a pyrometer. The temperature sensor may include an optical sensor. The temperature sensor may include image processing. The temperature sensor may include a camera (e.g., an IR camera, a CCD camera). The pressure sensor may include a self-recording barometer, a barometer, a boost gauge, a Bourdon tube pressure gauge, a hot filament ion vacuum gauge, an ionization vacuum gauge, a McLeod vacuum gauge, an oscillating U-tube, a permanent downhole pressure gauge, a pressure gauge, a Pirani vacuum gauge, a pressure sensor, a pressure gauge, a tactile sensor, or a time pressure gauge. The position sensor may include an auxiliary meter, a capacitive displacement sensor, a capacitive sensing device, a free fall sensor, a gravimeter, a gyroscope sensor, a shock sensor, an inclinometer, an integrated circuit piezoelectric sensor, a laser rangefinder, a laser surface velocimeter, a lidar, a linear encoder, a linear variable differential transformer (LVDT), a liquid capacitive inclinometer, an odometer, a photoelectric sensor, a piezoelectric accelerometer, a rate sensor, a rotary encoder, a rotary variable differential transformer, an automatic synchronizer, a shock detector, a shock data logger, a tilt sensor, a tachometer, an ultrasonic thickness gauge, a variable reluctance sensor or a speed receiver.The optical sensor may include a charge coupled device, a colorimeter, a contact image sensor, an electro-optical sensor, an infrared sensor, a dynamic inductance detector, a light emitting diode (e.g., a light sensor), a light addressable potentiometric sensor, a Nichols radiometer, a fiber optic sensor, an optical position sensor, a photodetector, a photodiode, a photomultiplier tube, a phototransistor, a photoelectric sensor, a photoionization detector, a photomultiplier tube, a photoresistor, a photosensitive switch, a phototube, a scintillometer, a Shack-Hartmann, a single photon avalanche diode, a superconducting nanowire single photon detector, a transition edge sensor, a visible light photon counter, or a wavefront sensor. The one or more sensors may be connected to a control system (e.g., to a processor, a computer).

[0225] Although preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. It is not intended that the present invention be limited by the specific examples provided in the specification. Although the present invention has been described with reference to the foregoing description, the description and illustration of the embodiments herein are not meant to be interpreted in a limiting sense. Without departing from the present invention, a variety of changes, modifications and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art. In addition, it should be understood that all aspects of the present invention are not limited to the specific depictions, configurations or relative proportions set forth herein, which depend on various conditions and variables. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the present invention described herein may be adopted when implementing the present invention. It is therefore conceivable that the present invention should encompass any such alternatives, modifications, variants or equivalents. The following claims are intended to define the scope of the present invention, and therefore methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents may be encompassed.

Claims

1. A method for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the method comprising: (a) obtaining one or more measurements related to a tint transition of a tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyzing the one or more measurements obtained by considering data that: (i) relates to the type of the one or more measurements, (ii) relates to the hue transition from the first hue to the second hue, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete transition and / or a non-characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue; as well as (c) using the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window. 2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the hue transition comprises a complete hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. The method of claim 2 , wherein the complete hue transition is without any detectable interruption.

4. The method according to claim 2, further comprising: Consider data characterized by the complete hue transition and / or a characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue. 5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more measurements include voltage measurements and / or current measurements. The method of claim 5 , wherein the current measurements are taken in real time during the tone transition. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more measurements include an open circuit voltage measurement.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the one or more measurements include one or more measurements from at least one sensor.

9. The method according to claim 8, further comprising: The analysis is used to determine a reliability value for the at least one sensor.

10. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: The one or more measurements of the at least one sensor are adjusted using the reliability value to form one or more adjusted sensor measurements.

11. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The reliability value is updated using the one or more adjusted sensor measurements.

12. The method according to claim 10, further comprising: The one or more adjusted sensor measurements are processed to produce a result by considering (A) the facility, (B) historical sensor measurements, (C) sensor measurement benchmarks, and / or (D) modeling.

13. The method according to claim 12, further comprising: The results and / or the reliability values ​​are used to generate a prediction of a subsequent tintable window failure for the facility.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the incomplete transition and / or the non-characteristic hue transition is of a type having at least one identifiable data signature.

15. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises data acquired from a facility different from the facility.

16. The method of claim 1, wherein the tintable window is disposed in a building of the facility, and wherein the data comprises data acquired from a building different from the building.

17. The method of claim 1, wherein the tintable window has a size, and wherein the data relates to one or more measurements taken from one or more different windows having the size or substantially the size.

18. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises data acquired during at least about 10, 50, 100, or 1,000 occurrences of the hue transition.

19. The method of claim 1, wherein the data comprises data acquired over at least about 12, 25, 52, 104, or 156 weeks.

20. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the one or more measurements comprises comparing to a threshold value. The method of claim 20 , wherein the threshold comprises a value or a function.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein the function is a time-dependent function.

23. The method of claim 1, wherein analyzing the one or more measurements includes any data indicia specific to: the facility, the window type of the tintable window, weather conditions, time of day, time of year, the relative geographic location of the tintable window in the facility, and / or the geographic location of the facility.

24. The method of claim 1, wherein using the analysis includes providing an early warning and / or reporting of a failure of the tintable window.

25. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the warning and / or the reporting comprises predicting a time of visible failure that can be seen by an average person.

26. The method of claim 24, wherein providing the warning and / or the reporting comprises scheduling maintenance.

27. The method of claim 24, wherein the tintable window is a first tintable window, and wherein providing the warning and / or the reporting comprises: Inventory of another tintable window is scheduled and / or production of the another tintable window is scheduled to replace the first tintable window.

28. The method of claim 1, wherein the prediction of the failure is before any defective hue transitions are visible to an average person.

29. The method of claim 1, wherein the analyzing predicts tinting failure of the tintable window, and wherein the method further comprises: A control scheme is adjusted to facilitate the tint transition by the tintable window.

30. Non-transitory computer readable program instructions for predicting failure of tintable windows in a facility, which, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform or direct the performance of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

31. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 30, wherein at least one of the one or more processors is part of a hierarchical control system.

32. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 30, wherein at least one of the one or more processors is, includes, or is included in at least one controller.

33. The non-transitory computer readable program instructions of claim 30, wherein at least one of the one or more processors is disposed in a cloud device.

34. Non-transitory computer readable program instructions for predicting failure of tintable windows in a facility, the non-transitory computer readable program instructions, when executed by one or more processors, cause the one or more processors to perform operations comprising: (a) acquiring or directing acquisition of one or more measurements related to a tint transition of a tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyzing or directing the analysis of the one or more measurements obtained by taking into account data that: (i) relates to the type of the one or more measurements, (ii) relates to the hue transition from the first hue to the second hue, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete hue transition and / or a non-characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue; as well as (c) using or directing the use of the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window.

35. An apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to perform or direct the performance of a method according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

36. An apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to: (a) acquiring or directing acquisition of one or more measurements related to a tint transition of a tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) analyzing or directing the analysis of the one or more measurements obtained by taking into account data that: (i) relates to the type of the one or more measurements, (ii) relates to the hue transition from the first hue to the second hue, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete hue transition and / or a non-characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue; as well as (c) using or directing the use of the analysis to predict tinting failure of the tintable window.

37. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the one or more measurements comprise one or more measurements from at least one sensor.

38. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the at least one controller is configured to use or direct the use of the analysis to determine a reliability value for the at least one sensor.

39. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to use or direct the use of the reliability value to adjust the one or more measurements of the at least one sensor to form one or more adjusted sensor measurements.

40. The apparatus of claim 38, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to update or direct updating of the reliability value using the one or more adjusted sensor measurements.

41. An apparatus according to claim 39, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to: process or direct processing of the one or more adjusted sensor measurements to produce a result by considering (A) the facility, (B) historical sensor measurements, (C) sensor measurement benchmarks and / or (D) modeling.

42. The apparatus of claim 40, wherein the at least one controller is further configured to use or direct the use of the result and / or the reliability value to generate a prediction of a subsequent tintable window failure of the facility.

43. The apparatus of claim 36, wherein the at least one controller is configured to use or direct the use of the analysis by providing an early warning and / or reporting of a failure of the tintable window.

44. A system for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the system comprising: A network, the network being configured as: (a) transmitting one or more measurements related to a tint transition of a tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint; (b) transmitting an analysis of the one or more measurement results, wherein data is taken into account, the data: (i) relating to the type of the one or more measurement results, (ii) relating to the hue transition from the first hue to the second hue, and (iii) being characterized by an incomplete hue transition and / or a non-characteristic hue transition from the first hue to the second hue; as well as (c) transmitting an indication of a predicted tinting failure of the tintable window, wherein the prediction is made using the analysis.

45. An apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the apparatus comprising: The facility comprises a device assembly, the device assembly comprising one or more devices arranged in a housing, the one or more devices comprising a sensor, the sensor being configured to (A) measure the environment of the facility and (B) output sensor measurement results, the sensor measurement results being configured for use in the method according to any one of claims 1 to 29.

46. ​​An apparatus for predicting failure of a tintable window in a facility, the apparatus comprising: The facility comprises an assembly of devices, the assembly of devices comprising a sensor disposed in a housing, the sensor being configured to (A) measure an environment of the facility and (B) output sensor measurements, the sensor measurements being configured to determine one or more outputs, including: (a) an analysis of one or more measurement results associated with a tint transition of a tintable window disposed in the facility, wherein the tint transition is from a first tint to a second tint, wherein the analysis is performed by considering data that: (i) is associated with a type of the one or more measurement results, (ii) is associated with the tint transition from the first tint to the second tint, and (iii) is characterized by an incomplete tint transition and / or a non-characteristic tint transition from the first tint to the second tint; and (b) a prediction of tinting failure of the tintable window, wherein the prediction is performed using the analysis.

47. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the sensors of the device assembly include sensors of different types.

48. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the sensor comprises: a carbon dioxide sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, a volatile organic chemical sensor, an ambient noise sensor, a visible light sensor, a temperature sensor, a motion sensor, and / or a humidity sensor.

49. The apparatus of claim 46, wherein the device assembly comprises a transmitter or a transceiver.

Images