Sensing and communications unit for optically switchable window systems

Abstract

A high-speed data communications network in or on a building includes a plurality of trunk line segments serially coupled to each other by a plurality of passive circuits configured to deliver signals to, and to receive signals from, one or more devices on, in, or outside the building, wherein the signals comprise data having a greater than 1Gpbs transmission rate.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The embodiments disclosed herein are generally related to systems with optically switchable windows, and more specifically, to communication and sensing technologies associated with optically switchable windows. [Previous Technology]

[0002] Optical switchable windows, sometimes referred to as "smart windows," exhibit controllable and reversible changes in their optical properties when appropriately stimulated, for example, by a change in voltage. These optical properties are typically color, transmittance, absorptivity, and / or reflectivity. Electrochromic (EC) devices are sometimes used in optical switchable windows. For example, a well-known electrochromic material is tungsten oxide (WO3). Tungsten oxide is a cathodic electrochromic material in which a color change to blue transparency occurs through electrochemical reduction.

[0003] Sometimes referred to as “smart windows” (whether electrochromic or otherwise), electro-switching windows can be used in buildings to control the transmission of solar energy. The switchable windows can be manually or automatically tinted and cleared by heating, air conditioning and / or lighting systems to reduce energy consumption while maintaining the comfort of the occupants.

[0004] Electrochromic materials can be incorporated into windows for residential, commercial, and other uses as a thin-film coating on the window glass. A small voltage applied to the electrochromic device of the window will darken it; reversing the voltage will brighten it. This capability allows for control of the amount of light passing through the window and presents opportunities for electrochromic windows to be used as energy-saving devices.

[0005] Although electrochromic devices, especially electrochromic windows, have been recognized in building design and construction, they have not yet begun to fully realize their commercial potential. [Summary of the Invention]

[0006] According to some embodiments, a high-speed data communication network in or on a building includes: a plurality of trunk line segments connected in series to each other by a plurality of passive circuits, the plurality of passive circuits being configured to deliver signals to one or more devices on, in or outside the building and to receive signals from one or more devices, wherein the signals include data having a transmission rate greater than 1 Gbps.

[0007] In some instances, the trunk section may contain coaxial cable. In some instances, the trunk section may contain twisted-pair conductors.

[0008] In some instances, the passive circuit may be configured as a bias T-shaped element. In some instances, the bias T-shaped element may include an inductor and a capacitor.

[0009] In some instances, passive circuits can be configured as directional couplers.

[0010] In some instances, each passive circuit may include a first conductor having two ends, each end configured to be coupled to one of the trunk line segments. In some instances, the passive circuit may include a second conductor disposed adjacent to and spaced apart from the first conductor. In some instances, the first and second conductors may be spaced apart in a parallel relationship.

[0011] In some instances, at least one of the passive circuits can be configured to deliver signals via inductive coupling.

[0012] According to some embodiments, a method for installing a high-speed data communication network in or on a building includes: providing a plurality of trunk segments; providing one or more circuits; and forming a network by coupling the trunk segments to one or more circuits to form a daisy-chain trunk topology, wherein the plurality of trunk segments include coaxial cables, and wherein one or more circuits are configured to deliver signals to one or more devices on, in or outside the building and to receive signals from one or more devices.

[0013] In some instances, one or more devices may include windows. In some instances, one or more devices may include a controller configured to control the function of at least one of the windows.

[0014] In some instances, one or more devices may include devices selected from the group consisting of: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wireless devices, sensors, antennas, 5G devices, mmWave devices, microphones, speakers, and microprocessors. In some instances, the method may further include mounting one or more devices in or on structural elements of a building.

[0015] In some instances, one or more circuits may include inductors and capacitors.

[0016] In some instances, one or more circuits may include an antenna. In some instances, the antenna may include a 5G antenna.

[0017] In some instances, one or more circuits may include one or more connectors. In some instances, the connectors may include RF connectors.

[0018] In some instances, one or more circuits may contain two or more connectors.

[0019] In some instances, the signal may contain data with a transmission rate greater than 1 Gbps.

[0020] In some instances, the signal may include a power signal. In some instances, the power signal may include two types of power signals.

[0021] In some instances, the signal may include TCP / IP data and power signals.

[0022] In some instances, the daisy-chain topology can be coupled to a building management control panel.

[0023] In some instances, the signal may contain wireless data.

[0024] In some instances, the method may further include the step of installing at least one window in a building. In some instances, the at least one window may include an optically switchable window.

[0025] In some instances, at least one window may include an electrochromic window. In some instances, the step of installing at least one window p may be performed after the network is formed.

[0026] In some instances, at least a portion of the trunk line may be installed in or on the exterior wall of the building. In some instances, one or more devices may include an antenna and / or a repeater. In some instances, at least one of one or more devices may be installed in or on a window of the building. In some instances, the window may include a digital display screen.

[0027] In some instances, one or more circuits may contain directional couplers.

[0028] In some instances, one or more circuits may include bias T-shaped circuits.

[0029] In some instances, network formation may be performed during the construction of the building. In some instances, network formation may include coupling circuitry to windows of the building.

[0030] According to some embodiments, a high-speed data communication network in or on a building includes: a plurality of trunk segments; and one or more circuits, wherein the trunk segments are coupled by one or more circuits to form a daisy-chain trunk configuration, wherein the plurality of segments include coaxial cables, and wherein one or more circuits are configured to deliver signals to one or more devices on, in or outside the building and to receive signals from one or more devices.

[0031] In some instances, one or more devices may include a window. In some instances, one or more devices may include a controller configured to control the functionality of the window.

[0032] In some instances, one or more devices may include devices selected from the group consisting of: Internet of Things (IoT) devices, wireless devices, sensors, antennas, 5G devices, microphones, microprocessors, and speakers. In some instances, one or more devices may be in or on the structure of a building.

[0033] In some instances, one or more circuits may include inductors and capacitors.

[0034] In some instances, one or more circuits may include an antenna. In some instances, the antenna may be a 5G antenna.

[0035] In some instances, one or more circuits may include two or more connectors. In some instances, two or more connectors may be configured to secure to a coaxial cable and a pair of conductors. In some instances, the connector may include an RF connector. In some instances, the connector may include a terminal block.

[0036] In some instances, the signal may contain data with a transmission rate greater than 1 Gbps.

[0037] In some instances, the signal may include a power signal. In some instances, the power signal includes two types of power signals.

[0038] In some instances, the signal may include TCP / IP data and power signals.

[0039] In some instances, the signal may include 5G signals.

[0040] In some instances, the signal may contain wireless data.

[0041] In some instances, one or more devices may include an optically switchable window. In some instances, the optically switchable window may include an electrochromic window. In some instances, the optically switchable window may include digital display technology.

[0042] In some instances, at least a portion of the trunk line may be installed in or on the exterior wall of the building.

[0043] In some instances, one or more devices may include transceivers, antennas, and / or repeaters, and one or more of these devices may be installed in or on the external structure of a building. In some instances, the external structure may include an exterior wall.

[0044] In some instances, the external structure may include a roof.

[0045] In some instances, one or more devices may include an antenna.

[0046] In some instances, one or more devices may be installed in or on a window of a building.

[0047] In some instances, one or more circuits may include transceivers, antennas and / or repeaters.

[0048] In some instances, one or more circuits may include directional coupler circuits.

[0049] In some instances, one or more circuits may include bias T-shaped circuits.

[0050] These and other features and embodiments will be described in more detail below with reference to the drawings.

Implementation Method

[0068] For the purpose of describing the disclosed embodiments, the following description relates to certain embodiments or implementations. However, the teachings herein can be applied and implemented in many different ways. In the following detailed description, refer to the accompanying drawings. Although the disclosed embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice them, it should be understood that such examples are not limiting; other embodiments can be used and changes can be made to the disclosed embodiments without departing from their spirit and scope. Furthermore, while the disclosed embodiments focus on electrochromic windows (also known as optically switchable windows, color-changing and smart windows), the concepts disclosed herein can be applied to other types of switchable optical devices, including, for example, liquid crystal devices and suspended particle devices, among others. For example, liquid crystal devices or suspended particle devices, rather than electrochromic devices, can be incorporated into some or all of the disclosed embodiments. Additionally, unless otherwise indicated, the conjunction "or" is intended to be understood in an inclusive sense where appropriate; for example, the phrase "A, B, or C" is intended to include the possibilities of "A," "B," "C," "A and B," "B and C," "A and C," and "A, B, and C." Enterprise Communications / Network Connectivity Components

[0069] The window system and associated components disclosed in these embodiments facilitate high-bandwidth (e.g., gigabbit) communication and associated data processing. Such communication and data processing can utilize the optically switchable window system components and facilitate various windowed and non-windowed functions, as described herein and in PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US18 / 29476, filed April 25, 2018; U.S. Patent Application No. 62 / 666,033, filed May 2, 2018; and PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US18 / 29406, filed April 25, 2018. Some components of the optically switchable window system components include communication networks and power distribution systems for switching power to the windows, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 365,685, filed November 30, 2016.

[0070] Example components for enhancing the functionality of a communication network for a servo optical switchable window may include: (1) a control panel having high-bandwidth switching and / or routing capabilities (e.g., a gigabit or faster Ethernet switch); (2) a backbone containing the control panel and a high-bandwidth link between the control panels (e.g., 10 gigabit or faster Ethernet capabilities); (3) digital elements having sensors, display drivers, and logic for various functions using high data rate processing, the digital elements being configured as, for example, digital wall interfaces or digital architecture elements, such as digital frames; (4) an enhanced functionality window controller containing access points for wireless communication, such as Wi-Fi access points; and (5) a high-bandwidth data communication link between the control panel and the digital elements and / or the enhanced functionality window controller, the data communication link being configured as, for example, a trunk line or configured to follow a path that at least partially overlaps with the path of a trunk line.

[0071] Figures 1A to 1D illustrate various link technologies and topologies suitable for powering and controlling electrochromic (EC) windows or other types of optically switchable windows. Figure 1A presents a highly simplified top-level view of a system 100 comprising a building 101 containing several EC windows. A subset of the EC windows is connected to a "control panel" (CP) 103 via EC window power and communication lines. The control panel will be described in more detail below. In the illustrated example, three building windows are divided into three subsets, each connected to a separate CP 103; however, it should be understood that for any given building, there may be fewer or more than three CPs. In the illustrated example, the three CPs 103 are communicatively coupled to an external network 105 via a 10 Gbps bandwidth backbone.

[0072] Figure 1B illustrates a more detailed block diagram of a control panel 103 that interfaces with a plurality of EC windows 112. In the illustrated example, the control panel 103 includes a main control and power module 104 and a network controller (NC) 110. It should be understood that the control panel 103 may include fewer or more NCs 110 than illustrated. Each NC 110 is competitively coupled to two or more window controllers (WCs) 111, and each window controller 111 is associated with a particular EC window 112.

[0073] Referring now to Figures 1C and 1D, in some embodiments, the communication coupling between control panels 103 in window controller 111 can be implemented in a trunk format. Implementations of the Unshielded Twisted Pair (UTP) and / or Coaxial Multimedia Alliance (MoCA) data transmission protocol can be integrated into the trunk system, or operated in parallel or independently of the trunk. As indicated in Figure 1C, for example, coaxial cables capable of transmitting data using MoCA are provided within the trunk; that is, the coaxial cables operate within the trunk architecture. In Figure 1D, the UTP system is implemented independently and in parallel with the trunk system. In some embodiments, UTP cables are incorporated into the trunk path.

[0074] Although Figures 1A through 1D only show conventional window controllers, links can also be provided to other elements such as digital wall interfaces, enhanced functionality window controllers, digital architecture elements, and the like. Figure 1E illustrates an example of a data communication system that can provide data for interaction with optically switchable windows and for non-window purposes. As depicted, the building's communication system has multiple control panels (CPs) 103, at least one of which is connected to an external network 105 such as the Internet, which allows access to a variety of services and / or content, such as cloud-based services and / or content. Each control panel 103 may contain components for delivering power to one or more window controllers and / or other devices in the building, as well as a master controller or network controller, as described elsewhere herein. Instance features of control panels and their components are provided in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 365,685, filed November 30, 2016, which is previously incorporated by reference. In the depicted embodiment, each control panel 103 also has a high-bandwidth data communication switch, such as a 10-gigabit-per-second (Gbps) Ethernet switch.

[0075] Each control panel 103 is linked to one or more other control panels via suitable cables 107 to establish a data network backbone. In some embodiments, the cable 107 comprises a biaxial cable, which may use copper conductors in the insulating shield. Biaxial cables are suitable for communication distances of several hundred feet. In some embodiments, high-bandwidth coaxial cables, such as 2.5 Gbps and above, are used. Current and evolving implementations of the MoCA data transmission protocol support this high-bandwidth coaxial cable. Additionally, in some situations, particularly where only relatively short links are required, unshielded twisted-pair cables may be used. Some embodiments use high-bandwidth (e.g., 10 Gbps or greater) wireless connections. These embodiments may use a combination of parabolic antennas and parabolic receivers.

[0076] Various types of data transmission lines can be used to provide data communication between control panel 103 and destination devices in the building, such as optical switchable windows and / or non-window devices in the building. In the depicted embodiment, data transmission line 109 and associated interfaces support controller networking protocols, such as the Controller Area Network (CAN) protocol CAN 2.0. In the depicted embodiment, transmission line 109 and associated interfaces provide data communication between the conventional window controller 111 and other types of controllers in control panel 103. Examples of such other controllers include network controllers and master controllers. Data transmission line 109 can be used to provide communication to other devices (not shown) that can function using information provided regarding the bandwidth limitations of the controller area network.

[0077] Another type of data transmission line is a high-bandwidth line 113, such as a gigabit Ethernet (GbE) line, which can be a UTP line (as described) or a twinax line, etc. The high-bandwidth line 113 provides a data link between the control panel 103 and devices that may require high data rates for one or more of their functions. In the depicted embodiments, such devices include a digital wall interface 115 and an enhanced functionality window controller 117, both described elsewhere herein. In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller 117 is connected to both the controller network (e.g., the controller network line / CAN bus 109) and the high-bandwidth line 113.

[0078] In the depicted embodiments, high-bandwidth data transmission may be provided by any or both of unshielded twisted-pair cable supporting gigabit Ethernet and one or more coaxial cables 119. In some embodiments, data transmission via coaxial cable 119 may be performed according to a protocol such as that issued by the Coaxial Cable Multimedia Alliance (MoCA), which functionally combines channels in the coaxial cable into a single combined line having a high bandwidth of, for example, about 1 Gbps or greater, each channel carrying a different frequency band. The MoCA protocol is described elsewhere herein. Other link technologies, such as wireless, may be used to replace or supplement UTP or coaxial cable.

[0079] As depicted, the top control panel 103 serves three digital architecture components (in this case, digital frames 121, one of which is connected to the video display device 122). Either or both of the GbE UTP cable 113 and the coaxial cable 119 can be used to provide high-bandwidth data communication between the control panel and the digital architecture components.

[0080] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a high-bandwidth communication network for a building according to some embodiments. In both figures, a control panel having functionality similar to CP 103 described in conjunction with Figures 1A through 1E is identified as a module designated CP2 or CP3. In the illustrated examples, each control panel includes a main controller and / or network controller (MC / NC), a control panel monitor (CPM), and a communication network switch 225a or 225b. In some embodiments, the control panel monitor has one or more features presented in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 365,685, filed November 30, 2016, which is previously incorporated by reference. In some embodiments, the CP2 network switch 225a includes a plurality of (e.g., two) Small Pluggable (SFP) transceiver ports and a plurality of (e.g., four) 100 Mb Ethernet ports. One example of a suitable network switch is the Cisco IE 2000 switch, available from Cisco Systems in San Jose, CA. SFP ports are plug-ins for fiber optic connections. In some embodiments, one or more of the SFP ports support 850 nm, 1310 nm, or 1550 nm optical communication.

[0081] In the CP3 control panel, network switch 225b can accommodate data rates exceeding those required by an optically switchable window system. Therefore, the CP3 switch 225b may require more bandwidth than is provided in components dedicated solely to window systems (e.g., CP2). In some embodiments, the high-bandwidth switch of the high-bandwidth control panel (e.g., CP3) contains multiple (e.g., four) SFPs, multiple (e.g., eight) Gb Ethernet ports, and multiple (e.g., eight) Power over Ethernet (PoE) Gb Ethernet ports. In some embodiments, each port may support at least 10 Gb lines. In some embodiments, the switch can be configured to aggregate ports as needed to generate up to 40 Gb Ethernet ports. An example of a suitable network switch is the Cisco IE 4000 switch, available from Cisco Systems in San Jose, California.

[0082] The trunk for the high-frequency broadband cable can be guided upwards via vertical conduits in a multi-story building. If high-frequency broadband communication needs to be supported by all communication components throughout the building (e.g., including all digital architecture components and all wall interfaces), the high-frequency broadband cable can be guided horizontally on one or more floors of the building. For example, in a core and shell building, the initial construction may include vertical conduits but not horizontal conduits, which will be installed later when the building has tenants.

[0083] In some embodiments, control panels with specific bandwidth capabilities and associated links are used together as the network backbone. In other words, each component in the backbone has high bandwidth transmission capabilities. As used herein, unless otherwise specified, "high bandwidth" describes a network component having data transmission and / or data processing capabilities of at least about 0.5 gigabits per second or faster. In some embodiments, the data transmission network includes a 10 Gbps backbone.

[0084] In some embodiments, the network backbone provides connectivity to another network located outside the building having the backbone. In one instance, the other network is a wide area network or simply the Internet. Components of the backbone may be designed or configured for cloud connectivity; for example, a control panel may include components for connecting to Comcast Business, Level 3 Communications, or the like.

[0085] As indicated above, some network configurations include controller network components, such as window controllers and CAN interfaces in control panels. Additionally, some network configurations include high-bandwidth network components, such as Ethernet switches and Ethernet cables from control panels.

[0086] As described above in conjunction with Figures 1A to 1E, the controller network can provide data transmission for a standard window controller (WC2) dedicated to controlling optically switchable windows. Additionally, the controller network can provide data transmission for an enhanced window controller (WC3) that can have Wi-Fi access points, cellular capabilities, etc. In some embodiments, the enhanced window controller is connected to the controller network bus to send and receive data related to controlling the optically switchable windows assigned to the window controller. Furthermore, the enhanced window controller can be connected to a high-frequency broadband line, such as a gigabit Ethernet line, to send and receive data related to non-window functions such as Wi-Fi and / or cellular communication.

[0087] In some embodiments, enhanced functional window controllers are deployed at locations within a building where wireless communication services are required. As an example, one enhanced functional window controller may be deployed for every 2500 square feet of building space; this corresponds to approximately one enhanced functional window controller per 50 linear feet. More generally, enhanced functional window controllers may be deployed in a building such that adjacent controllers are spaced approximately 30 to 100 feet apart. In some embodiments, adjacent enhanced functional window controllers are spaced approximately four to ten IGUs along a trunk line, for example, approximately every six IGUs.

[0088] In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller receives data from a trunk line via a drop wire, as illustrated in the examples depicted in Figures 1, 2A, and 2B and discussed in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 365,685, filed November 30, 2016, which is previously incorporated by reference. The trunk line can be used to carry data transmission cables. Drop wires from the trunk line can be used to provide data (and power) from the trunk line to individual enhanced functionality window controllers. In alternative embodiments, the network topology includes separate data lines extending to each of one or more enhanced functionality window controllers.

[0089] In some embodiments, the line providing data from the control panel to the enhanced window controller WC3 (and in some embodiments, the conventional window controller WC2) is a gigabit Ethernet line, which may be embodied in unshielded twisted pair (UTP), twinax cable, etc. In some cases, data to all or most enhanced window controllers is provided entirely via gigabit Ethernet UTP lines.

[0090] In some embodiments, some or all of the data provided to one or more of the Enhanced Functionality Window Controllers (WC3) is provided via high-bandwidth coaxial cable. In one instance, the coaxial cable and associated network controller are designed or configured to transmit data using one of the Internet Protocol suites provided in the MoCA standard, which is at least partially conceived by the cable TV industry. As mentioned, in some implementations, MoCA provides gigabit Ethernet bandwidth via coaxial cable.

[0091] The MoCA protocol includes a technique called bonding to provide multiple channels, each with limited bandwidth, so that the channels together provide much higher bandwidth. In some implementations, each of the bonded channels uses a unique frequency band, each approximately 155 kB. In some implementations, to provide gigabit bandwidth, sixteen coaxial channels are aggregated to become a gigabit channel. If less than a gigabit bandwidth is required, fewer channels need to be bonded. In some cases, different channels are coupled to different endpoints, thus allowing different frequency bands. Networks can split traffic to different endpoints, thereby allowing the implementation of, for example, virtual networks. Cable caps can be deployed on coaxial cables to connect to additional enhanced window controllers. In some embodiments, MoCA or similar bandwidth-adjustable methods allow building infrastructure to add and remove window controllers, including enhanced window controllers, relatively seamlessly.

[0092] In some embodiments, the trunk line from the control panel to one or more window controllers and / or digital components (e.g., digital wall interfaces or digital architecture components) uses both coaxial and non-coaxial cables. For example, the first portion of the line from the control panel is a twinax or UTP cable, and the second portion of the line connecting to the first portion is a coaxial cable configured to transmit data using, for example, a MoCA protocol. Both the first and second portions of the trunk line may be designed or configured to support gigabit rate transmission. In some embodiments, a T-connector is used to connect the first and second portions of the trunk line. For example, the twinax or UTP cable extends from the control panel and then connects to a coaxial cable (for the MoCA protocol), and then extends to the terminal where the final window controller (conventional or enhanced) is located.

[0093] In some embodiments, coaxial cables are configured as trunks or incorporated into trunks. In this way, cable leads to window controllers and / or other devices can be made along the length of the trunk as needed. In some cases, no additional wiring is required; only one coaxial cable is needed per trunk. In some embodiments, high-bandwidth data communication lines (coaxial, UTP, twinax, etc.) may follow trunk paths as defined for, for example, power delivery. Such high-bandwidth lines may be installed during construction if necessary, but assuming they are installed later rather than during the construction of the building, they are only used later when installing digital components.

[0094] In some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG2B, a high-bandwidth communication network for a building is provided, and a digital frame 221 or other enhanced digital architecture elements are included. Multi-component digital elements on building components.

[0095] As indicated above, the high-frequency broadband network described herein may include a plurality of digital components having robust sensing and data processing capabilities and / or one or more additional features such as data storage and / or user interface capabilities. Components that implement these capabilities are described below and may generally be referred to herein as "sensors and other peripheral" components or elements. The use and function of the digital components are also described below.

[0096] As explained below, digital components can be provided in various formats and housings, which, as specified for the purpose, allow mounting on building structural elements and / or building walls, floors, ceilings, or roofs that are typically permanent components. In various embodiments, the base or housing of the digital component does not exceed about 5 meters in any dimension, or does not exceed about 3 meters in any dimension. In various embodiments, the housing is rigid or semi-rigid and covers some or all of the components of the component. In some cases, the housing provides a frame or bracket for attaching one or more components such as a speaker, display, antenna, or sensor. In some embodiments, the housing provides external access to one or more ports or cables such as those for attaching to network links, video displays, mobile electronic devices, battery chargers, etc.

[0097] Window controller networks and associated digital components can be installed relatively early in the construction of office buildings and other types of buildings. Typically, window controller networks are installed before any other networks, such as those used for other building functions such as building management systems (BMS), security systems, tenant information technology (IT) systems, etc.

[0098] In the absence of the teachings of this invention, sensors and other peripheral components are designed around the walls and ceilings of a building after construction, resulting in potentially high installation, operation, and maintenance costs. In some embodiments of this disclosure, high-bandwidth window networks and associated digital components are installed earlier and the associated sensors and peripheral devices are provided in the outer layer or structure of a building (e.g., structural building components, particularly those components around the perimeter of a building or room, such as walls, partitions, frames, crossbars, vertical frames, beams, and the like). Installation can be carried out during building construction. The installed network can utilize the remote operation capabilities of the window network (e.g., sensing, data transmission, processing) to reduce the installation and operation costs of current silo-ed sensors and edge network technologies.

[0099] Regarding operating costs, managing and operating siloed sensor networks is extremely expensive. In some embodiments, high-bandwidth building networks and associated digital components facilitate centralized monitoring and operation of sensors and other peripheral devices, thereby significantly reducing the operating costs of sensor networks.

[0100] In some embodiments, sensors on the window network are positioned close to areas where building occupants spend time, thereby improving the effectiveness of the sensors in providing occupant comfort. As discussed below, digital components connected to high-frequency broadband networks, as described herein, can be deployed in various locations throughout the building. Examples of such locations include building structural elements such as offices, lobbies, mezzanines, bathrooms, stairwells, terraces, and the like. In any of these locations, digital components can be positioned and / or oriented close to the occupant's location to collect environmental data that is best suited to triggering building systems to function in a manner that maintains or enhances occupant comfort.

[0101] In some embodiments, the sensing, data processing, and data storage capabilities of a high-frequency broadband network provide the infrastructure for building interaction applications or personal digital assistants such as Microsoft's Cortana, Apple's Siri, Amazon's Alexa, and Google's Google Home. The usefulness of such applications and personal digital assistants is extended through direct interaction between a range of sensors and building occupants. As described more fully below, such interactions include computer vision, analytics, machine learning, and the like. Digital Architecture Elements

[0102] A digital architecture element (DAE) may contain various sensors, processors (e.g., microcontrollers), network interfaces, and one or more peripheral interfaces. Examples of DAE sensors include light sensors, and where applicable, image capture sensors such as those for cameras, audio sensors such as voice coils or microphones, air quality sensors, and proximity sensors (e.g., certain IR and / or RF sensors). Network interfaces may be high-bandwidth interfaces, such as gigabit (or faster) Ethernet interfaces. Examples of DAE peripherals include video display monitors, additional speakers, mobile devices, battery chargers, and the like. Examples of peripheral interfaces include standard Bluetooth modules, ports such as USB ports and network ports. Additionally or alternatively, ports may include any of a variety of proprietary ports for third-party devices.

[0103] In some embodiments, the digital architecture element works in conjunction with other hardware and software provided for an optically switchable window system (e.g., a display on a window). In some embodiments, the digital architecture element includes a window controller or other controller, such as a main controller, a network controller, etc.

[0104] In some embodiments, the digital architecture element includes one or more signal generating devices, such as speakers, light sources (e.g., LEDs), beacons, antennas (e.g., Wi-Fi or cellular communication antennas), and the like. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element includes energy storage components and / or power capture components. For example, the element may contain one or more battery packs or capacitors as energy storage devices. Such elements may additionally include photovoltaic cells. In one instance, the digital architecture element has one or more user interface components (e.g., microphones or speakers) and one or more sensors (e.g., proximity sensors), as well as a network interface for high-frequency broadband communications.

[0105] In various embodiments, digital architecture elements are designed or configured to attach to or otherwise coexist with structural elements of a building. In some cases, the digital architecture element has an appearance that blends into its associated structural element. For example, the digital architecture element may have a shape, size, and color that blends into the associated structural element. In some cases, the digital architecture element is not easily visible to occupants of the building; for example, the element is completely or partially hidden. However, this element may interface with other components that are not integrated into such video display monitors, touch screens, projectors, and the like.

[0106] Building structural elements to which digital architecture elements can be attached include any of a variety of building structures. In some embodiments, the building structure to which digital architecture elements are attached is a structure installed during building construction, or in some cases, early in the building construction. In some embodiments, the building structural elements for digital architecture elements are elements that function as building structures. Such elements may be permanent, i.e., not easily removed from the building. Examples include walls, partitions (e.g., office space partitions), doors, crossbeams, stairs, facades, moldings, vertical frames, and beams. In various examples, building structural elements are located on the perimeter of a building or room. In some cases, digital architecture elements are provided as separate modular units or boxes attached to building structural elements. In some cases, digital architecture elements are provided as facades of building structural elements. For example, digital architecture elements may be provided as covers as part of a vertical frame, beam, or door. In one example, digital architecture elements are configured as vertical frames or mounted on or within vertical frames. If a digital architecture element is attached to a vertical frame, it may be fastened to or otherwise attached to a rigid portion of the vertical frame. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element may clip onto a building structural element. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element acts as a molded component, such as a crown-shaped molded component. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element is modular; that is, it acts as a module for a portion of a large system such as a communication network, a power distribution network, and / or a computing system using external video displays and / or other user interface components.

[0107] In some embodiments, the digital architecture elements are digital frames designed to be deployed on some, but not all, frames in a room, floor, or building. In some cases, digital frames are deployed in a regular or periodic manner. For example, digital frames may be deployed on every sixth frame.

[0108] In some embodiments, in addition to high-bandwidth network connectivity (ports, switches, routers, etc.) and housings, digital architecture elements also include a plurality of the following digital and / or analog components: cameras, proximity or motion sensors, occupancy sensors, color temperature sensors, biometric sensors, speakers, microphones, air quality sensors, hubs for power and / or data connectivity, display video drivers, Wi-Fi access points, antennas, location services via beacons or other mechanisms, power supplies, light sources, processors and / or auxiliary processing devices.

[0109] One or more cameras may include sensors and processing logic for imaging features in the visible light, IR (see below for use with thermal imagers) or other wavelength ranges; various resolutions including HD and higher are possible.

[0110] One or more proximity or motion sensors may include infrared sensors, such as IR sensors. In some embodiments, the proximity sensor is a radar or radar-like device that uses ranging functionality to detect distances to and between objects. Radar sensors can also be used to distinguish closely spaced occupants by detecting their biometric functions, such as detecting different respiratory movements. When using radar or similar radar sensors, better operation can be facilitated when they are placed unobstructed or behind the plastic housing of the digital architecture element.

[0111] One or more occupancy sensors may include a multi-pixel thermal imager, which, when configured with an algorithm implemented by a suitable computer, can be used to detect and / or count occupants in a room. In one embodiment, data from the thermal imager or thermal camera is correlated with data from a radar sensor to provide a better level of confidence when making specific decisions. In an embodiment, thermal imager measurements can be used to assess other thermal events in a particular location, such as changes in airflow caused by open windows and doors, the presence of an intruder, and / or a fire.

[0112] One or more color temperature sensors can be used to analyze the illumination spectrum present in a specific location and provide lighting changes that can be implemented as needed or as required, for example to improve the health or mood of the occupants.

[0113] One or more biometric sensors (e.g., for fingerprint, retinal or facial recognition) may be provided as a single sensor or integrated with another sensor such as a camera.

[0114] It may include one or more loudspeakers and associated power amplifiers as part of or separate from the digital architecture elements. In some embodiments, two or more loudspeakers and amplifiers may be configured together as a sound bar; that is, a long strip device containing multiple loudspeakers. The device may be designed or configured to provide high-fidelity sound.

[0115] One or more microphones and logic for detecting and processing sound may be provided as part of or separate from a digital architecture element. The microphones may be configured to detect one or both of internally or externally generated sounds. In one embodiment, sound processing and analysis are performed by logic embodied in software, firmware, or hardware within one or more digital architecture elements and / or by logic in one or more other devices coupled to a network (e.g., coupled to one or more controllers to a network). In one embodiment, based on analysis, logic is configured to automatically adjust the sound output of one or more speakers to mask and / or eliminate sound, frequency variations, echoes, and other factors detected by one or more microphones that adversely affect (or potentially adversely affect) occupants in specific areas of a building. In one embodiment, sound includes, but is not limited to, sounds generated by: indoor machinery, indoor office equipment, outdoor structures, outdoor traffic, and / or aircraft.

[0116] In an embodiment, one or more microphones are positioned on or near the following: windows of a building; ceilings of a building; and / or other internal structures of a building. The logic can be configured singly or in an array to analyze and determine the type, intensity, spectrum, location, and / or direction of internal sounds present within the building. In one embodiment, the logic is functionally connected to other fixed or mobile network connectivity devices that can be used within the building, such as devices like computers, smartphones, tablets, and the like, and is configured to receive and analyze sound or related signals from such devices.

[0117] In one embodiment, logic is configured to measure and analyze real-time delays in signals from a microphone to predict the amount and type of sound required to mask or eliminate unwanted external and / or internal sounds present at specific locations within a building. In one embodiment, logic is configured to detect changes in the level and / or location of unwanted external and / or internal sounds, where such changes may be caused by the movement of objects and people inside and outside the building, and to dynamically adjust the amount of masking and / or eliminating sound based on these changes. In one embodiment, logic is configured to use signals from tracking sensors within the building and, based on these signals, to increase or decrease the masking and / or eliminating sound at specific locations within the building based on the presence and / or location of one or more occupants. In one embodiment, one or more loudspeakers are positioned to produce masking and / or eliminating sound that substantially propagates in the plane of travel of the unwanted sound (including horizontal planes, vertical planes, and / or combinations of both).

[0118] In one embodiment, the logic includes an algorithm designed to acoustically map the interior of a building, locate noise sources within an office, and improve voice privacy. In one embodiment, after an array of speakers and microphones is installed in the building, the logic can be used to perform an acoustic scan so that each speaker produces sound that is detected by each microphone. In one embodiment, time delays, volume reductions, and spectral differences in the detected sound are used to calculate and map the effective acoustic distances between and between speakers and microphones. In one embodiment, acoustic transfer functions of the interior of the building map can be obtained from the acoustic scan. Using this acoustic map and set of transfer functions of one or more spaces within the building, the logic can perform appropriate masking and / or elimination level determinations when there are sources of unwanted sound generated in the space. If necessary, the logic can adjust the sound produced by the speakers to correct for absorption by certain absorptive surfaces, for example, readjusting sound that would otherwise be muffled by bouncing off a soft partition to a crisp sound. Acoustic maps of a space can also be used to determine what constitutes direct sound versus indirect sound, and to adjust masking and / or eliminate the time delay of sound so that they arrive at the desired location simultaneously.

[0119] One or more air quality sensors (which may be able to measure one or more of the following air components, such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, temperature, and humidity) can be used in conjunction with HVAC to improve air circulation control.

[0120] One or more hubs may be provided for power and / or data connectivity to sensors, speakers, microphones, and the like. The hub may be a USB hub, a Bluetooth hub, etc. The hub may include one or more ports, such as USB ports, high-definition multimedia interface (HDMI) ports, etc. Alternatively or additionally, the component may include connectors for external sensors, lighting fixtures, peripheral devices (e.g., cameras, microphones, speakers), network connectivity, power supplies, etc.

[0121] One or more video drivers may be provided for a display (e.g., a transparent OLED device) on or near an integrated glass unit (IGU) associated with an architectural element. The driver may be wired or optically coupled; for example, transmitting optical signals into a window via optical transmission; see, for example, a switchable Bragg grating comprising a display having a light engine and a lens, the lens focusing onto a glass waveguide that transmits through the glass and travels perpendicular to the line of sight.

[0122] One or more Wi-Fi access points and antennas may be part of a Wi-Fi access point or used for different purposes. In some embodiments, the architectural element itself or a panel covering all or part of the architectural element acts as an antenna. Various methods can be used to insulate the architectural element and to make it transmit or receive in a directional manner. Alternatively, prefabricated antennas or window antennas may be used, as described in PCT patent application No. PCT / US17 / 31106, filed May 4, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0123] One or more power sources may be provided, such as energy storage devices (e.g., rechargeable battery packs or capacitors) and the like. In some embodiments, a power capture device is included; for example, a photovoltaic cell or a battery panel. This allows the device to be standalone or partially standalone. The light capture device may be transparent or opaque, depending on where it is attached. For example, a photovoltaic cell may be attached to and partially or completely cover the exterior of a digital frame, while a transparent photovoltaic cell may cover a display or user interface (e.g., a dial, button, etc.) on a digital architecture element.

[0124] One or more light sources (e.g., light-emitting diodes) are configured with a processor to emit light under certain conditions, and this transmission is performed when the device is in operation.

[0125] One or more processors can be configured to provide a variety of embedded or non-embedded applications. The processor may be a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the processor is a low-power mobile computing unit (MCU) with memory, configured to run a lightweight, secure operating system that manages applications and data. In some embodiments, the processor is an embedded system, a system-on-a-chip, or an extension.

[0126] One or more auxiliary processing devices, such as a graphics processing unit or equalizer or other audio processing devices, are configured to decode audio signals.

[0127] A digital architecture element or a building structure element associated with a digital architecture element may have one or more antennas. These antennas may be pre-constructed and attached to or embedded in the element on its surface or within the element. Alternatively or additionally, the antennas may be configured such that the structure of the digital architecture element or building structure element functions as an antenna assembly. For example, a conductive metal sheet of a frame may function as an antenna element or a ground plane. In some embodiments, a portion of the digital architecture element or building structure element is removed (or added) such that the remaining portion functions as a tuning antenna element. For example, a portion of the frame may be stamped to provide a tuning antenna element. By attaching coaxial cables or other cables to the element and an RF transmitter or receiver, the building structure element and / or associated digital architecture element may function as an antenna element. For example, the antenna assembly may be designed to have an impedance matching the impedance of the RF transmitter (e.g., approximately 50 ohms).

[0128] Depending on the construction, the antenna element may be a Wi-Fi antenna, a Bluetooth antenna, a cellular communication antenna, etc. In some embodiments, the antenna transmits and / or receives in the radio frequency portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. The antenna may be a flat antenna, a monopole antenna, a dipole antenna, etc. It can be configured to transmit or receive electromagnetic signals within any suitable wavelength range. Examples of antenna components that can be used in optically switchable window systems are described in PCT patent application No. PCT / US17 / 31106, filed May 4, 2017, which is previously incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0129] In various embodiments, the camera of the digital architecture element is configured to capture images in the visible light portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. In some cases, the camera provides images at a high resolution (e.g., high definition) of at least about 720p or at least about 1080p. In some cases, the camera may also capture images having information about the intensity of wavelengths outside the visible light range. For example, the camera may be able to capture infrared signals. In some embodiments, the digital architecture element includes a near-infrared device, such as a forward-looking infrared (FLIR) camera or a near-infrared (NIR) camera. Examples of suitable infrared cameras include Boson™ or Lepton™ from FLIR Systems, Wilsonville, OR. Such infrared cameras can be used to augment visible light cameras in digital architecture elements.

[0130] In some embodiments, the camera can be configured to map the thermal characteristics of a room so that it can act as a temperature sensor with three-dimensional perception. In some implementations, such cameras in digital architecture elements implement occupancy detection, augment visible light cameras to facilitate the detection of humans rather than hot walls, provide quantitative measurements of solar heating (e.g., image a floor or table and see what the sun is actually illuminating), and so on.

[0131] In some embodiments, the loudspeaker, microphone, and associated logic are configured to use acoustic information to characterize air quality or air conditions. As an example, the algorithm may emit ultrasonic pulses and detect transmitted and / or reflected pulses returning to the microphone. The algorithm may be configured to sometimes use transmitted versus received differential audio signals to analyze the detected acoustic signals to determine air density, particle deflection, and similar parameters, thereby characterizing air quality.

[0132] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram showing examples of components that may exist in certain implementations of a Digital Architecture Element (DAE). In the illustrated example, configuration 300 includes a DAE 330 and a computer or processor 340. The computer processor 340 is connected to an external network such as the Internet and, where applicable, to a cloud-based content and / or service provider. The connection may include a suitable modem, router, or switch, and may include a high-bandwidth backbone such as the 10G backbone described above. In this example, the computer or processor 340 is also connected to a video display 309 via an HDMI link. Additionally, the computer 340 is connected to port 311 (USB, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or others) to make additional internal or external resources available to the DAE 330. As indicated above, the DAE may include various sensors and peripheral components. In the example illustrated in Figure 3, the DAE 330 includes a speaker 317, a microphone 319, and various sensors 321. Any one or more of these components may be coupled to a computer or processor 340 via port 311.

[0133] In the illustrated example, equalizer 313 can be configured to provide tone control to adjust the acoustics of a room. In some cases, equalizer 313 facilitates the use of, for example, real-time time-delay reflection measurements to adjust the room's acoustics. The equalizer and associated components can thereby compensate for unwanted audio artifacts caused by the interaction of sound waves with objects in the room or otherwise closely adjacent to the occupant. In some embodiments, signal pulses are generated by a speaker associated with digital architecture elements, and one or more microphones pick up pulses that are direct and attenuated as reflected by objects in the room. Based on the time delay between the transmitted and detected pulses and the tone quality of the detected pulses, the system can infer room boundaries, etc. In some embodiments, the user's smartphone further enables optimization of speaker output for the acoustic environment of various locations in the room. During setup mode, with the phone enabled, the user can move around the room and use the phone to detect acoustic responses. Based on location and detected acoustic response, digital architecture components can determine how to optimize speaker output. After mapping the acoustic profile of the room, the digital architecture components are programmed to tune their speaker output based on various factors such as where the user is located in the room. In some embodiments, the components may use any of several proximity technologies to detect user location, such as those described in PCT Patent Application No. PCT / US17 / 31106, filed May 4, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Digital Wall Interface

[0134] Certain aspects of this disclosure relate to digital wall interfaces comprising some or all of the components used in a digital architecture element, and the digital wall interfaces are configured to include a base or housing designed for mounting on a wall or door of a partially or fully constructed building. The wall interface may be configured to provide a user interface that is easily visible to the user. It may have a relatively small footprint (e.g., at most about 500 square inches of user-facing surface area) and be circular or polygonal. In some embodiments, the digital wall interface is generally tablet-shaped and sized.

[0135] In some embodiments, the digital wall interface has the same or similar features as the digital architecture element, but it is a wall-mounted device. For example, the digital wall interface may include sensors and peripheral elements as described for the digital architecture element. In addition, these elements may be included in a strip or similar frame.

[0136] In various embodiments, digital architecture elements are provided along with the building during its construction, and digital wall interfaces are installed in the building after construction is completed or nearly completed. In one method of building construction, a plurality of digital architecture elements are installed during the construction of the basic building structure (walls, partitions, doors, frames, and beams, etc.), while one or more digital wall interfaces are installed, for example, shortly before or after occupancy by a tenant. Of course, once installed, the digital wall interfaces and digital architecture elements can work together by sharing sensed results, sharing analysis and control logic, etc., for example, as part of a mesh network.

[0137] In many embodiments, the digital wall interface includes a built-in display configured to provide a user interface and, where appropriate, a touch-sensitive interface. In some, but not all, embodiments, the digital architecture element does not include a display or a touch interface. It should be noted that in some embodiments, the digital architecture element does not include a built-in display but has an associated display, such as a display connected to the element via an HDMI cable or a projector configured to project video controlled by the element. Similarly, the digital wall interface may be configured to work with separate displays such as window displays or projection displays.

[0138] While many of the discussions in this document regarding the use, components, and functions of digital devices use digital architecture elements as examples, digital wall interfaces can be used for similar or identical purposes in most cases. Therefore, unless the discussion focuses on building structural elements to which digital devices are attached or associated, the discussion also applies to digital wall interfaces and digital architecture elements. Enhanced Functionality Window Controller (WC3)

[0139] As described above, in some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller (WC3) may include a Wi-Fi access point and, where appropriate, cellular communication capabilities. It is typically configured to connect to multiple networks (e.g., CAN bus and Ethernet).

[0140] In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller may have the basic architecture and functionality as described above, but with an additional gigabit Ethernet interface and a processor with enhanced computing power. Like more conventional window controllers, the enhanced functionality window controller may have a CAN bus interface or similar controller networking. In some embodiments, the controller has video capabilities and / or may include features described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 287,646, filed October 6, 2016, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0141] In some embodiments, the enhanced functionality window controller is implemented as a module having: (i) a processor with sufficiently high processing power to handle video and other functions requiring significant processing power; (ii) an Ethernet connection; (iii) video processing capabilities, depending on the situation; and (iv) Wi-Fi access points or other wireless communication capabilities, depending on the situation. This module may be attached to a baseboard having other, more conventional window controller functionalities such as a power amplifier, or to another baseboard used in conjunction with a ring sensor. The resulting device can be used to control an optically switchable window, or simply to provide wireless communication, video, and / or other functions that are not necessarily associated with controlling the state of the optically switchable window.

[0142] In some embodiments, as with the conventional window controllers described herein, the enhanced functionality window controller is deployed, controlled, alarmed, etc. via a CAN bus or similar controller network protocol, but it also provides video, Wi-Fi and / or other additional functions.

[0143] Figure 4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of WC2 (detail A) and a block diagram of WC3 according to some embodiments (detail B). The WC2 block diagram is an example of a conventional window controller, such as a window controller available from View Inc. of Milpitas, CA. Some of the components depicted include at least one voltage regulator 441, a controller network interface, a CAN bus 442, a processing unit (microcontroller) 443, and various ports and connectors. Some of these components and example architectures are described in U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 449,251, filed April 17, 2012, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 334,835, filed October 26, 2016, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0144] Detail B depicts an example of an enhanced functionality window controller WC3. In the depicted embodiment, the conventional window controller (WC2) and the enhanced functionality window controller (WC3) have a similar architecture and some common components. The enhanced functionality window controller WC3 has a more powerful microcontroller 453, a gigabit Ethernet interface 454, a wireless (e.g., Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or cellular) interface 455, and an optional MoCA interface 456. The gigabit Ethernet interface may be a conventional unshielded twisted pair (e.g., UTP / CAT5-6) interface and / or a MoCA (coaxial cable GbE) interface. In some embodiments, the connection to the enhanced functionality window controller is achieved via a conventional RJ45 modular connector (jack). In some embodiments supporting MoCA, the controller includes a separate adapter for the feed jack. As an example, this adapter could be an Actiontec adapter (Actiontec Electronics, Inc. of Sunnyvale, CA), such as the ECB6250 MoCA 2.5 network adapter, which offers data communication speeds up to 2.5 Gbps. Applications and Uses

[0145] Figures 5A to 5D illustrate several examples of the applications and uses of the digital architecture elements and related elements covered by this disclosure. It should be understood that the network and high-bandwidth backbone described herein can be used for various functions, some of which are unrelated to the control window. One such function is to provide internet, local area network, and / or computing services to tenants or other building occupants, on-site construction personnel during building construction, and the like. During construction, the network and computing resources provided by the backbone and digital elements can be used for more than just the commissioning window. For example, they can be used to provide architecture information, construction instructions, and the like. In this way, construction personnel can access the construction information they need via a high-bandwidth field network.

[0146] In some situations, network, communication, and / or computing services provided by network and computing infrastructure as described herein are used in multi-tenant buildings or shared workspaces such as those provided by WeWork.com. For example, shared workspace buildings may only require temporary connectivity and processing power as needed. Building networks, such as those described herein, provide centralized control and flexible allocation of computing resources for specific building locations. This flexibility allows different resources to be assigned to different tenants.

[0147] Readings from sensors in digital components (e.g., digital wall interfaces or digital architecture components) can provide information about the environment near the digital architecture components. Examples of such sensors include sensors for one or more of temperature, humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), carbon dioxide, dust, light level, glare, and color temperature. In some embodiments, readings from one or more of such sensors are input to an algorithm that determines what actions other building systems should take to offset deviations in the measured readings so that these readings reach target values ​​for occupant comfort or building efficiency, depending on the contextual index of the occupant's presence and other signals.

[0148] In some embodiments, the digital element may be located on the roof of a building, co-located with a sky sensor or a ring sensor, as described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2017 / 0122802, published May 4, 2017. This element may be equipped with some or all of the features presented elsewhere herein for digital architecture elements. Examples include sensors, antennas, radios, radars, air quality detectors, etc. In some embodiments, the digital element on the roof or other exterior parts of a building provides information about air quality; in this way, the digital element can provide information about both internal and external air quality. This allows the use of the full set of information to make decisions about window tint status and other environmental conditions (e.g., when conditions outside the building are unhealthy (or at least worse than inside), it can be decided to prohibit external air venting).

[0149] In some situations, the ambient or artificial light level, glare, color temperature, and / or other characteristics of a building's surroundings or area are used to determine whether to change the hue state of the electrochromic device. In some embodiments, such decisions use one or more algorithms or analyses, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 347,677, filed November 9, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 742,015 (National Phase Application), filed January 4, 2018, which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. In one example, a hue decision is made using a solar calculator and / or a reflection model, incorporating an algorithm for interpreting light information from sensors of a digital architecture element. In some situations, the algorithm may use information about the presence of occupants; the number of occupants; and / or their location (data available from the digital architecture element). In some situations, digital architecture elements, such as those described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 287,646, filed October 6, 2016, and previously incorporated herein by reference in their entirety, are used in place of or in combination with a sky sensor for the purpose of determining an appropriate hue state.

[0150] As an example of hue and glare control, sensors in digital components can provide feedback on local light, temperature, color, glare, etc., in a room or other part of a building. Logic associated with the digital component can then determine that the light intensity, direction, color, etc., in a room or part of the building should be changed, and can also determine how to achieve this change. The change may be necessary for user comfort (e.g., reducing glare in a user's workspace, increasing contrast, or correcting color profiles for sensitive users) or privacy or security. Assuming the logic determines that the change is necessary, the logic can then send instructions to change one or more lighting or solar energy components, such as the hue state of an optically switchable window, display device output, switching particle device film state (e.g., transparent, translucent, opaque), light projection onto a surface, artificial light output (color, intensity, direction, etc.), and the like. All such decisions can be made with or without the aid of a building-wide color scheme processing logic, as described in U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 347,677, filed November 9, 2016, and U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 742,015 (National Phase Application), filed January 4, 2018, which are previously incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0151] An array of digital architecture elements within a building can form a mesh edge access network, enabling interaction between building occupants and the building or machines within it. When equipped with appropriate network interfaces, digital architecture elements and / or digital wall interfaces and / or enhanced functionality window controllers can serve as nodes in a digital computing mesh network, providing connectivity, communication, application execution, etc., within building structural elements (e.g., frames) for surrounding computing processing. They can be powered, monitored, and controlled in a similar or identical manner to edge sensor nodes in a mesh network setup within a building. They can also serve as gateways for other sensor nodes.

[0152] A non-exhaustive list of functions or uses of the high-bandwidth network and associated digital components covered by this disclosure includes: (a) speakerphones—digital wall interfaces or digital architecture components can be configured to provide all the functions of a speakerphone; (b) space personalization—resident preferences and / or roles can be stored and then implemented at a specific location where the resident is located. In some cases, preferences and / or roles are implemented only temporarily when the user is at a specific location. In some situations, preferences and / or roles remain valid as long as the resident is assigned a workspace or living space; (c) security—tracking assets, identifying unauthorized presence of individuals in defined areas, locking doors, tinted windows, untinted windows, sound alarms, etc.; (d) controlling HVAC and air quality; (e) communicating with resident, including public broadcast notifications to resident during emergencies; messages can be delivered via speakers in digital devices; (f) collaboration among resident using live video; (g) noise cancellation—for example, microphones detect white noise and soundbars cancel white noise; (h) connecting to, streaming, or otherwise delivering video or other media content, such as television; (i) enhancing personal digital assistants, such as Amazon's Alexa, Microsoft's Cortana, and Google's Google Assistant. Home, Apple's Siri and / or other personal digital assistants; (j) facial or other biometric recognition via, for example, a camera and associated image analysis logic—identifying people in a room, rather than simply counting them; (k) color detection—color balance with room lighting and window tint; (l) detecting and / or adjusting local environmental conditions. Conditions may be determined using one or more of the following types of sensing conditions: temperature and humidity, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), CO2, dust, smoke, and lighting (light level, glare, color temperature). Computing systems and memory devices.

[0153] The logic and computing resources disclosed in this invention can be provided in digital components such as digital wall interfaces or digital architecture components (as described herein), and / or can be provided via network connection to remote locations, such as another building using the same or similar resources and services, servers on the Internet, cloud-based resources, etc.

[0154] Certain embodiments disclosed herein relate to systems for generating and / or functionalizing a building, such as those described in the preceding “Applications and Uses” section. A programmed or configured system for performing functions and uses can be configured to (i) receive input, such as sensor data characterizing conditions within the building, occupancy details, and / or external environmental conditions; and (ii) execute instructions that determine the impact of such conditions or details on the building environment and, as appropriate, take action to maintain or alter the building environment.

[0155] Many types of computing systems having any of a variety of computer architectures can be used as the disclosed systems for implementing the functions and uses described herein. For example, a system may contain software components that execute on one or more general-purpose processors or specially designed processors such as programmable logic devices (e.g., field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)). Alternatively, a system may be implemented on a single device or distributed across multiple devices. The functionality of computing elements may be combined with each other or further divided into multiple sub-modules. In some embodiments, the computing system contains a microcontroller. In some embodiments, the computing system contains a general-purpose microprocessor. Typically, the computing system is configured to run an operating system and one or more applications.

[0156] In some embodiments, the code used to perform the functions or uses described herein may be embodied as a software element that can be stored in a non-volatile storage medium (such as an optical disc, flash storage device, portable hard disk, etc.). At one level, the software element is implemented as a set of instructions prepared by a programmer / developer. However, module software executable by computer hardware is executable code submitted to memory using "machine code" selected from a specific machine language instruction set or "native instructions" designed into the hardware processor. The machine language instruction set or native instruction set is known to the hardware processor and is essentially built into the hardware processor. This is the "language" by which system and application software communicate with the hardware processor. Each native instruction is discrete code that is identified by the processing architecture and can specify a specific register for arithmetic, addressing, or control functions; a specific memory location or offset; and a specific addressing mode for interpreting operands. More complex operations can be built by combining simple native instructions that are executed sequentially or guided by other control flow instructions.

[0157] The relationship between executable software instructions and the hardware processor is structured. In other words, the instruction itself is a series of symbols or values. It does not inherently convey any information. The processor, pre-configured according to the design to interpret the symbols / values, assigns meaning to the instructions.

[0158] The algorithms used herein can be configured to execute at a single location on a single machine, at a single location on multiple machines, or at multiple locations on multiple machines. When using multiple machines, each machine can be customized for its specific task. For example, operations requiring large blocks of code and / or significant processing power can be implemented on large and / or stationary machines.

[0159] Additionally, some embodiments relate to tangible and / or non-transitory computer-readable media or computer program products, which include program instructions and / or data (including data structures) for performing various computer-implemented operations. Examples of computer-readable media include, but are not limited to, semiconductor memory devices, phase-change devices, magnetic media such as disk drives and magnetic tapes, optical media such as CDs, magneto-optical media, and hardware devices specifically configured to store and execute program instructions, such as read-only memory (ROM) and random access memory (RAM). Computer-readable media may be directly controlled by an end user, or the media may be indirectly controlled by an end user. Examples of directly controlled media include media located at the user's facility and / or media not shared with other entities. Examples of indirectly controlled media include media indirectly accessed by the user via an external network and / or via services providing shared resources such as the "cloud." Examples of program instructions include both machine code generated by a compiler and files containing higher-level program code that can be executed by a computer using an interpreter.

[0160] Data or information used in the disclosed methods and apparatus is provided in a digital format. This data or information may include sensor data, building structure information, floor plans, operating or environmental conditions, schedules, and the like. As used herein, data or other information provided in a digital format may be stored on a machine and used for transmission between machines. It is conventionally known that data may be stored as bits and / or bytes in various data structures, lists, databases, etc. Data may be represented electronically, optically, etc.

[0161] In some embodiments, algorithms used to implement the functions and uses described herein may be considered as application software that interfaces with user and system software. System software typically interfaces with computer hardware and associated memory. In some embodiments, system software includes operating system software and / or firmware, as well as any intermediate software and drivers installed in the system. System software provides basic non-task-specific functions of the computer. In contrast, modules and other application software are used to perform specific tasks. Each native instruction for a module is stored in a memory device and represented numerically. Integrated environmental monitoring and control.

[0162] As described above, the technology disclosed in this invention covers a network of digital architecture elements (DAEs) capable of collecting a rich dataset related to the environment, occupancy, and security conditions inside and / or outside a building. The digital architecture elements may include optically switchable windows and / or frames or other architectural features associated with optically switchable windows. Advantageously, the digital architecture elements may be widely distributed throughout at least all or most of the building's perimeter. As a result, the collected data can provide a highly detailed and precise representation of the environment, occupancy, and security conditions associated with most or all of the building's interior and / or exterior. For example, most or all of a building's windows may contain or be associated with digital architecture elements, which include a series of sensors, such as light sensors and / or cameras (visible light and / or IR); acoustic sensors, such as microphone arrays; temperature and humidity sensors; and air quality sensors that detect VOCs, CO2, carbon monoxide (CO), and / or dust.

[0163] In some implementations, automated or semi-automated technologies incorporating machine learning are included, in which the building's environmental control, communication, and / or security systems intelligently respond to changes in collected data. For example, the occupancy of rooms in a building can be determined by light sensor cameras and / or acoustic sensors, and a correlation can be established between specific changes in occupancy and desired changes in HVAC functions. For instance, an increase in occupancy may be associated with the need to increase airflow and / or lower the temperature setting. As another example, data from air quality sensors that detect dust levels can be associated with the need to perform building maintenance or to introduce or remove outside air from interior spaces. For example, in one use case scenario, the dust level in a room is observed to increase as the occupant moves around and decrease when the occupant sits down. In this scenario, it can be determined that floor coverings require servicing (washing, vacuuming). In another use case scenario, when a window is open, the measured indoor air quality can be observed to (i) improve or (ii) degrade. In situation (i), it can be determined that the air circulation ducts or filters of the HVAC system should be serviced. In situation (ii), it can be determined that the outside air quality is poor, and the building's windows should preferably be kept closed. In another use case scenario, a correlation can be established between the number of occupants in a meeting room and whether the doors and / or windows are open or closed by using the CO2 content and / or the rate of change of CO2 content.

[0164] More generally, the present invention encompasses the measurement of a plurality of "building conditions" and "building operating parameters" that control a plurality of "building systems" in response to the measured building conditions, as illustrated in FIG6. As used herein, "building conditions" may refer to physically measurable conditions in a building or a portion thereof. Examples include temperature, air velocity, luminous flux and color, occupancy, air quality and composition (particle count, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide concentration, water (i.e., humidity)). As used herein, "building system" may refer to a system that controls or adjusts building operating parameters. Examples include HVAC systems, lighting systems, security systems, and window optical condition control systems. Building operating parameters may refer to parameters that can be controlled by one or more building systems to adjust or control building conditions. Examples include heat flux from or to heaters or air conditioners, heat flux from lighting systems in windows or rooms, airflow through rooms, and luminous flux from artificial or natural light through optically switchable windows.

[0165] Referring again to Figure 6, method 600 may include collecting inputs from multiple sensors (block 610). Some or all of the sensors may be mounted on or associated with individual windows, and / or individual digital architecture elements associated with windows, and / or digital wall interfaces. For example, the sensors may include visible light and / or IR light sensors or cameras, acoustic sensors, temperature and humidity sensors, and air quality sensors. It should be understood that the collected inputs may represent a variety of environmental condition measurements distributed in time and space. In some embodiments, at least some of the inputs may include combinations of sensors. For example, separate sensors may be included specifically for the measurement of CO2, CO, dust, and / or smoke, and the combination of inputs from the separate sensors may be analyzed (block 620) to determine air quality control. As another example, (block 620) the analysis can be performed on the input related to the determination of occupancy in a room, collected from separate sensors that separately measure optical and acoustic signals. As yet another example, input can be received almost simultaneously from sensors distributed in space. For example, the sensors can be spatially distributed relative to a given room or distributed across multiple rooms and / or floors of a building.

[0166] In some implementations, the analysis of the measured data at block 620 may take into account certain "content background information" that may not be obtained by the sensors themselves. As used herein, content background information may include the time of day and the time of year, local weather and / or climate information, information about the building layout, and usage parameters for various parts of the building. Content background information may initially be entered by a user (e.g., a building manager) and updated manually and / or automatically from time to time. Examples of usage parameters may include the building's operating schedule and the identification of the expected and / or permitted / authorized use of individual rooms or larger portions of the building (e.g., floors). For example, certain parts of the billing area may be identified as lobby spaces, restaurant / café / restaurant spaces, meeting rooms, open-plan areas, private office spaces, etc. Content background information can be used to determine whether or how to modify building operating parameters (block 630) and for calibrating and adjusting sensors as needed. For example, based on content background information, certain sensors in certain parts of the building may be deactivated to meet the privacy expectations of residents. As another example, sensors designed for rooms expected to have a large number of people (e.g., assembly halls) can be advantageously calibrated or adjusted differently than sensors designed for rooms expected to have fewer occupants (e.g., private offices).

[0167] The objective of the analysis at block 620 may be to determine whether a particular building condition exists or can be predicted to exist. As a simple example, the analysis may include comparing sensor readings, such as luminous flux or temperature measurements, to threshold values. As a more complex example, when the occupancy load in a room undergoes a change (e.g., due to the commencement or adjournment of a meeting in a conference room), the analysis at block 620 may first directly identify changes in input from acoustic and / or optical sensors associated with the room; secondly, the analysis may predict environmental parameters that can be expected to change due to the change in occupancy load. For example, an increase in occupancy load can be expected to lead to an increase in ambient temperature and CO2 levels. Advantageously, the analysis at block 620 may be performed automatically, periodically or continuously, using models or other algorithms, which may be improved over time using techniques such as machine learning. In some implementations, the analysis may not explicitly identify specific building conditions (or combinations of conditions) to determine when building operating parameters should be adjusted.

[0168] Referring again to block 630, it can be determined whether and how to modify the building operating parameters based on the results of analysis block 620. Depending on the determination, the building conditions may or may not be changed. When it is determined that the building operating parameters should not be modified, the method can return to block 610. When it is determined that the billing of operating parameters should be modified, one or more building conditions can be adjusted at block 640 for purposes such as improving occupant comfort or safety and / or reducing operating costs and energy consumption. For example, lighting and / or HVAC services can be set to low power conditions in rooms determined to be unoccupied. As another example, it can be determined that a fault or problem has occurred that requires the attention of building management, maintenance, or security personnel.

[0169] Decisions can be made reactively and / or proactively. For example, a decision can react to changes in measured parameters; for instance, it can be determined to increase HVAC flow rate when an increase in ambient CO2 is measured. Alternatively or additionally, decisions can be made proactively, i.e., adjusting building operating parameters in anticipation of environmental changes before a change is actually measured. For example, an observed change in occupancy load can lead to a decision to increase HVAC flow rate, regardless of whether a corresponding increase in ambient CO2 or temperature is measured.

[0170] In some embodiments, the determination may pertain to building operating parameters associated with HVAC (e.g., airflow rate and temperature settings), which may be controlled in one or more locations based on measured temperature, CO2 levels, humidity, and / or local occupancy. In some embodiments, the determination may pertain to building operating parameters associated with building safety. For example, in response to abnormal sensor readings, a security system alarm may be triggered, selected doors and windows may be locked or unlocked, and / or the tint state of all or some windows may be changed. Examples of safety-related building conditions include the detection of broken windows, the detection of unauthorized personnel in controlled areas, and the detection of unauthorized movement of equipment, tools, electronic devices, or other assets from one location to another.

[0171] Other types of security-related building condition information may include information related to the occurrence of detection of sounds outside and / or inside the building. In one embodiment, the sound type of the detected sound is analyzed. In some embodiments, the analysis is initiated via hardware, firmware, or software onboard to one or more digital structural elements or elsewhere in or even outside the building. In some embodiments, sounds outside or inside the building cause a conductive layer deposited on the window glass of an electrochromic window to vibrate, and such vibration causes a change in capacitance between the conductive layers, and such capacitance change is converted into a signal indicating sound. Therefore, some windows of the present invention may inherently provide the functionality of sound and / or vibration sensors; however, in other embodiments, the sound and / or vibration sensor functionality may be provided by sensors added to windows with or without conductive layers and / or by one or more sensors implemented in digital structural elements.

[0172] In one embodiment, the source of a sound can be determined by analyzing differences in sound amplitude and / or sound time delay experienced by different individuals in the sound and / or vibration sensors. The types of sounds detected and subsequently analyzed include, but are not limited to: sounds of broken windows, speech (e.g., the speech of authorized or unauthorized personnel in certain areas), sounds caused by movement (of people, machines, or airflow), and sounds caused by gunfire. In one embodiment, depending on the type of sound detected, one or more appropriate security or other actions are initiated by one or more systems within the building. For example, when it is determined that a shooting has occurred at a location outside or inside the building, the building management system makes an automated 911 call to summon emergency responders to that location.

[0173] In situations where the sound is generated by a firearm within a building, knowing the precise location of the sound (e.g., room, floor, and building information) and the shooter who generated the sound is essential for an appropriate emergency response. However, in buildings with large open floor plans and / or corridors, requiring reference to textual location information of a specific building's floor plan can delay the response. In one embodiment, visual location information is also provided instead of just textual location information. The visual location information of the sound can be provided by an installed camera system (if so), but in one embodiment, it is provided by changing the hue state of one or more windows determined to be closest to the sound generated by a firearm or shooter to a unique hue state. For example, in one embodiment, upon sensing a sound of interest, the hue of the colorable window closest to the sound of interest is changed to a darker hue than the hue of windows farther from the sound, or vice versa. In this way, if a respondent cannot quickly locate a specific room on a specific floor of a specific building, they may be able to locate it by visually looking for windows that are uniquely tinted darker or brighter than other windows.

[0174] In one embodiment, the current location of a person associated with a particular sound may differ from their initial location. In this case, the change in location can be updated by detecting other sounds or changes in the environment caused by the person. For example, in the case of active shooting, gas sensors in digital architecture elements or other predetermined locations can be used to monitor changes in air quality due to the presence of explosives, thereby providing the responder with an update on the shooter's location. Sound and other sensors can also be used to obtain the locations of personnel attempting to hide and active shooters (e.g., via infrared detection of their locations). In one embodiment, to confuse the active shooter, sound can be generated by speakers in digital architecture elements or other speakers in the shooter's location to distract the shooter or mask noise generated by hostages attempting to hide from being seen by the shooter. In one embodiment, speakers and / or microphones in digital architecture elements or other devices can be selectively activated to communicate with personnel attempting to hide from being seen by the active shooter. In addition to making the hue of one or more windows unique to help identify the location of the sound, in some embodiments it may be necessary to change the unique hue of the window to another hue, for example, to provide more light to facilitate one or more people entering or leaving a particular location, or to provide less light to obstruct visibility in a particular location.

[0175] Referring again to Figure 6, at block 640, one or more building parameters can be modified in response to the determination made at block 630. In some embodiments, the modification of building parameters can be implemented under the control of a building management system and can be implemented through one or more building systems such as HVAC, lighting systems, security systems, and window controller networks. It should be understood that building parameter modifications can be made globally (the entire building) or selectively in local areas (e.g., individual rooms, suites, floors, etc.).

[0176] As mentioned, a building system that determines how to modify building operating parameters can use machine learning. This means using training data to train a machine learning model. In some embodiments, the procedure begins by training an initial model via supervised or semi-supervised learning. The model can be improved through continuous training / learning provided by use in the field (e.g., when operating in an operating building). Examples of training data (building conditions interacting with each other and / or with building operating parameters) include the following combinations of sensed data or content background data (X or input) and building operating parameters or labels (Y or output): (a) [X = occupancy (e.g., measured by IR or camera / video), content background, luminous flux (internal + solar); Y = ΔT / time (without cooling)]; (b) [X = occupancy (e.g., measured by IR or camera / video), content background; Y = ΔCO2 / time (with nominal exhaust)]; and (c) [X = occupancy (e.g., measured by IR or camera / video), content background, temperature, external relative humidity (RH); Y = ΔRH / time (with nominal exhaust)]. Part of the purpose of machine learning is to identify unknown or hidden patterns or relationships; therefore, learning typically uses a large number of inputs (X) for each possible output (Y).

[0177] In some embodiments, the execution of the program flow illustrated in FIG6 can be facilitated by deploying digital architecture elements having a series of functional modules for collecting and analyzing environmental data, communication, and control. FIG7 illustrates examples of a series of such functional modules according to an embodiment. In the illustrated embodiment, digital architecture element 700 includes a power and communication module 710, an audio-visual (A / V) module 720, an environmental module 730, a computing / learning module 740, and a controller module 750.

[0178] The power and communication module 710 may include one or more wired or wireless interfaces for transmitting and receiving communication signals and / or power. Examples of wireless power transmission techniques suitable for use in conjunction with the techniques disclosed in this invention are described in the following: U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62 / 642,478, filed March 13, 2018, entitled "Wireless Powered and Powering Electrochromic Windows"; International Patent Application No. PCT / US17 / 52798, filed September 21, 2017, entitled "Wireless Powered and Powering Electrochromic Windows"; and Wireless Powered Electrochromic Windows, filed December 8, 2015. The contents of U.S. Patent Application No. 14 / 962,975 (WINDOWS) are hereby assigned, in their entirety, to the owners of any of the claims in this application. A power and communication module 710 may communicatively couple to and distribute power to each of the following: an audiovisual (A / V) module 720, an environmental module 730, a computing / learning module 740, and a controller module 750. The power and communication module 710 may also communicatively couple to one or more other digital architecture elements (not described) and / or interface with a building's power and / or control distribution nodes.

[0179] The A / V module 720 may include one or more of the A / V components described above, including a camera or other visual and / or IR light sensor, a visual display, a touch interface, a microphone or microphone array, and a speaker or speaker array. In some embodiments, the "touch" interface may additionally include gesture recognition capabilities for detecting, recognizing, and responding to non-touch movements of a person's appendages or handheld objects.

[0180] The environmental module 730 may include one or more of the environmental sensing components described above, including temperature and humidity sensors, acoustic light sensors, IR sensors, particle sensors (e.g., for detecting dust, smoke, pollen, etc.), VOC, CO, and / or CO2 sensors. The environmental module 730 may functionally include a series of audio and / or electromagnetic sensors that may partially or completely overlap with the sensors described above in conjunction with the A / V module 720 (e.g., microphones, vision, and / or IR light sensors). In some embodiments, the term "sensor" as used herein may include some processing capabilities to, for example, make a determination such as the occupancy rate (or number of residents) in an area. Cameras, especially those that detect IR radiation, may be used to directly identify the number of people in an area. Alternatively, the sensors may provide raw (unprocessed) signals to the computing / learning module 740 and / or the controller module 750.

[0181] The computing / learning module 740 may include processing components (including general-purpose or special-purpose processors and memory) as described above for digital architecture elements, digital wall interfaces, and / or enhanced functionality window controllers. Alternatively or additionally, it may include specially designed ASICs, digital signal processors, or other types of hardware, including processors designed or optimized to implement models such as machine learning models (e.g., neural networks). Examples include Google's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). Such processors are designed to efficiently compute activation functions, matrix operations, and / or other mathematical operations required for neural networks or other machine learning computations. For some applications, other special-purpose processors such as graphics processing units (GPUs) may be used. In some cases, the processor may be located within a system within a chip architecture.

[0182] The controller module 750 may be or may include a window control module, which has one or more features described in one of the following: U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 882,719, filed January 29, 2019, entitled "Controller for Optical-Switched Windows"; U.S. Patent Application No. 13 / 449,251, filed April 17, 2012, entitled "Controller for Optical-Switched Windows"; and U.S. Patent Application No. 18 / 449,251, filed August 18, 2017, entitled "Electromagnetic-Shielded Electrochromic Window". International Patent Application No. PCT / US17 / 47664 entitled "WINDOWS"; U.S. Patent Application No. 15 / 334,835 entitled "CONTROLLERS FOR OPTICALLY-SWITCHABLE DEVICES" filed on October 26, 2016; and International Patent Application No. PCT / US17 / 61054 entitled "POWER DISTRIBUTION NETWORKS FOR ELECTROCHROMIC DEVICES" filed on November 10, 2017, are each assigned to the assignee of this application and are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

[0183] For clarity, Figure 7 presents digital architecture elements as separate and distinct modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750. However, it should be understood that two or more modules may be structurally combined with each other and / or combined with features of the digital wall interface described above. Furthermore, it is anticipated that in a building facility containing several digital architecture elements, not every digital architecture element will necessarily include all of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750. For example, in some embodiments, one or more of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 may be shared by a plurality of digital architecture elements.

[0184] Figure 8 illustrates an example physical package of a digital architecture element according to some implementation schemes. As can be observed in Figure 8, the functionality of the described modules 710, 720, 730, 740, and 750 is configurable within the physical package, which has a size and appearance that can be easily adapted by architectural features such as a typical window frame. (Relays used in high-speed network infrastructure)

[0185] The increasing use and implementation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices necessitates communication networks capable of supporting their data transmission volumes. In previous building construction debates, it has become increasingly clear that existing installed network infrastructure cannot support this data transmission volume. Compared to previous possibilities, the implementation or modification of the building network infrastructure according to the present invention enables higher-speed communication between more devices.

[0186] Figures 9A to 9C illustrate representations of trunk lines for high-speed network infrastructure according to some embodiments. Referring first to Figure 9A, in one embodiment, a high-speed network infrastructure 900a is implemented by at least one trunk line 901 comprising at least one trunk line segment 902 and at least one or more circuits 903. As described in more detail below, one or more of the circuits 903 may be located in or otherwise associated with individual digital architecture elements. In some embodiments, network 900a is configured to transmit signals to and / or from devices at transmission rates of, for example, 500 Mbps, 1 Gbps, 2.5 Gbps, and 10 Gbps as envisioned by MoCA 2.0, bundled MoCA 2.0, MoCA 2.5, and MoCA 3.0, respectively.

[0187] Referring now to FIG. 9B, in one embodiment, network infrastructure 900b includes a series connection of trunk segments 902 daisy-chained together, wherein one end of a first segment 902(1) is coupled to a control panel (CP) 920 and a second end of the first segment 902(1) is coupled to a second segment 902(i) via a trunk circuit 903. In one embodiment, the second segment 902(i) includes two or more conductors (902(2) and 902(3) in the illustrated example). In one embodiment, some or all of the trunk segments 902 include conductors twisted pairs configured to transmit power signals. In one embodiment, the DC power signals include Type 2 power signals. In one embodiment, at least one end of a segment 902 includes an RF connector 905. In one embodiment, the RF connector 905 includes an F-type connector.

[0188] In one embodiment, each trunk circuit 903 is configured to transmit signals between two trunk segments 902 and is further configured to couple signals between the segment and connector 908. In one embodiment, at least one trunk circuit 903 includes connector 908, at least one connector 906 configured to mate with connector 905 at the end of segment 902, and at least one connector 907 configured to mate with power signals carried by conductors 902 (2,3). In one embodiment, connector 906 is or includes an F-type connector configured to mate with connector 905 of segment 902; and connector 907 includes at least one fastener, such as, but not limited to, a terminal block type fastener configured to secure the conductive end of a conductor.

[0189] In one embodiment, the relay circuit 903 includes one or more passive circuits. Referring now to FIG9C, in the illustrated embodiment, the relay circuit 903 includes a directional coupler circuit 909 coupled to a bias T-shaped circuit 940. In one embodiment, the directional coupler 909 is close to a first conductor 911 and includes a second conductor 912. When the first conductor 911 is configured to conduct signals between segments 902, the signal on the first conductor 911 is inductively coupled to the second conductor 912. In one embodiment, the bias T-shaped circuit 940 includes an inductor 941 and a capacitor 942, wherein a first end of the inductor 941 is coupled to a connector 907 and a second end of the inductor 941 is coupled to the capacitor 942 and the connector 908. In one embodiment, the bias T-shaped circuit 940 combines a power signal at connector 207 with a signal provided by the directional coupler circuit 909, and the bias T-shaped circuit 940 couples the combined signal to connector 908. In one embodiment, connector 908 is or includes an RF connector. In one embodiment, connector 908 is or includes an F-type connector. In one embodiment, connector 908 is coupled to a drop wire 913, which can be configured to transmit both power and high-speed / high-bandwidth data signals to one or more devices 914. In one embodiment, drop wire 913 is or includes a coaxial cable conductor.

[0190] In one embodiment, a high-speed network is installed on or in a building under construction. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the network is installed on or in structural elements of the building, such as unfinished or exposed interior and exterior-facing walls, ceilings, and / or floors, before the building is opened for occupancy. In some embodiments, at least a portion of the network is installed during or after the installation of the electrical infrastructure of the building under construction. In other embodiments, one or more portions of the network are installed before or during the installation of windows in the building under construction. The early installation of network 900 before the completion of final finishing work makes previously unavailable functionality available during building construction. In one embodiment where windows are installed simultaneously with or after the installation of the network, some or all of the processing capacity of the network and / or windows may be made available to contractors and other site personnel. For example, in one embodiment where a window made of digital display technology is installed simultaneously with or after the network is installed, an electronic version of the construction blueprint can be used to display it to on-site architects and contractors on the display screen.

[0191] Additionally, during or after construction, it is known that certain materials in a building can interfere with or block the transmission of certain frequencies, which can interfere with the operation of devices that rely on such frequencies. For example, it is known that metal structures (e.g., but not limited to metal beams and metal window glass coatings) that may be present in the interior and / or exterior walls of a building can interfere with the operation of certain wireless devices. Such devices include, but are not limited to, cellular phones, IoT devices, 5G, and millimeter-wave-enabled devices. In one embodiment, trunk line 901 is configured to include or be connected to one or more devices such as transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters to avoid this blockage. Appropriate placement of one or more transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters in or on the structure of the building can facilitate communication across and around such structures. In one embodiment, during or after the construction of the building, one or more transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters are coupled to trunk line 901 to facilitate communication between devices within the building. In one embodiment, one or more transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters are located within a building according to their connection to trunk 901 and / or the routing of the trunk line. For example, in one embodiment, trunk 901 is installed on or within the exterior wall of the building during or after construction, and the transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters are either part of or separate from one or more trunk circuits 903. In one embodiment, the routing of trunk 901 along the exterior of the building can be used to improve wireless connectivity to devices located outside the building. In one embodiment, one or more architectural elements may include transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters. In one embodiment, transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters may be located in or on a window or window frame. In one embodiment, transceivers, antennas, and / or signal repeaters may be coupled to trunk 901 via a down conductor 913 or via a connection to trunk 901 at some other point along the trunk line. In one embodiment, one or more of the transceiver, antenna, and / or signal repeater are located on an exterior wall, roof, or building, and trunk line 901 is coupled to the transceiver, antenna, and / or signal repeater. Trunk Line - Downlead Interface

[0192] Figure 10 illustrates an example power and data distribution system according to some embodiments, which includes a control panel, trunk lines, down conductors, and digital architecture elements. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 10, the control panel 1020 provides power and data to a plurality of digital architecture elements 1030.

[0193] A conductor (power insertion line) 1002(2), a power injector 1070, and a power section 1090 are provided to carry power from a control panel 1020 to a digital architecture element 1030. A power distribution system including a trunk line, a power insertion device, and a power injector is discussed in PCT Application Publication No. 2018 / 102103 (P085X1WO) filed on November 10, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0194] In some embodiments, the power plug and power section comprise one or more twisted-pair conductors, such as 12 or 14 AWG conductor pairs. In one instance, one or both of these types of current-carrying cables contain two pairs of 2×14 AWG conductors. In some embodiments, one or both of these types of current-carrying cables are designed for Category 2 power supplies (e.g., <4 amps and <30 volts DC).

[0195] In the depicted embodiment, power from the control panel 1020 is delivered first via power insertion line 1002 (2) and then from power injector 1070 and finally via power segment 1090 to bias T-shaped member 1040. Bias T-shaped member 1040 couples power and data to lead-down lines 1013 connected to a plurality of digital architecture elements 1030.

[0196] In the depicted embodiment, data is provided between the control panel 1020 (or more specifically, a main controller or network controller disposed in the control panel) and a plurality of digital architecture components 1030. Data is carried from the cable 1002(1) connected to the control panel 1020 to the directional coupler 1009, the bias T-joint 1040 and finally to the drop wire 1013.

[0197] In some embodiments, the data carrier cable 1002(1) and the downlead 1013 are coaxial cables. In some embodiments, one or both of these coaxial cables are RG6 coaxial cables. As explained elsewhere herein, the system may include hardware and / or software logic for delivering high-bandwidth data via coaxial cables. In some embodiments, the system uses components configured to deliver data using one or more of the MoCA standards.

[0198] In various embodiments, data from the control panel is delivered to individual digital architecture elements 1030 by tapping some of the carrier signals from the data carrier cable 1002(1) using a directional coupler 1009. As an example, the directional coupler can guide a small portion of the data signal from the data carrier cable 1002(1) and guide the extracted signal toward the bias T-shaped element. As an example, the data signal received at the directional coupler has a first signal strength, and the digital coupler extracts a small portion of the signal for biasing the T-shaped element and allows the signal with slightly reduced strength to continue downstream toward the next directional coupler.

[0199] Upstream data from digital architecture element 1030 is transmitted via drop-out line 1013 to bias T-joint 1040 and directional coupler 1009, and ultimately to data carrier cable 1002(1) for delivery to control panel 1020 (or, more often more precisely, to network controller or master controller within the control panel). The directional coupler 1009 of such directional couplers depicted in this example system guides some data in only one direction. For example, upstream data from digital architecture element 1030 transmitted via directional coupler 1009 is guided upstream only towards control panel 1020 on data carrier cable 1002(1).

[0200] In the example of FIG. 10, any one or more of the digital architecture elements 1030 may include any one or more of the modules or provide one or more of the functions described elsewhere herein. For example, although the directional coupler 1009 and the bias T-shaped member 1040 are shown outside the respective digital architecture elements 1030 for clarity, it is contemplated that in some embodiments, at least some digital architecture elements 1030 will include the respective directional coupler 1009 and / or the respective bias T-shaped member 1040. In some embodiments, at least one of the digital architecture elements 1030 lacks sensor, audio, and / or video capabilities. For example, the digital architecture element 1030 may only include communication capabilities such as Wi-Fi, cellular, and / or wired networking capabilities.

[0201] In some cases, one or more of the digital architecture elements contain modules or other components for controlling one or more electrically colorable windows. In some cases, the digital architecture element contains or communicates with one or more window controllers. For this purpose, one or more of the digital architecture elements may include components such as gateways for implementing controller area network (e.g., CANbus) functionality. In some such cases, the system depicted in Figure 10 may have CANbus cables provided via trunk lines or other components.

[0202] In Figure 10 and other figures depicting a system containing digital architecture elements, it should be understood that other digital elements providing one or more functions (providing control, processing, communication, and / or sensing) can be used instead of the digital architecture elements. For example, any digital architecture element can be replaced by a digital wall controller, an enhanced functionality window controller, or the like.

[0203] Figure 11 illustrates a schematic example of a trunk circuit similar to the trunk circuit described above in conjunction with Figure 9C. In the illustrated example, the trunk circuit contains a combination of features of both a directional coupler 1109 and a bias T-shaped circuit 1140, which may be referred to as a multi-port coupler or a trunk T-shaped element. In the depicted example, the directional coupler 1109 is close to a first conductor 1111 containing an upstream section (inlet) 1111(i) and a downstream section (outlet) 1111(o). Conductor 1111 may be coupled to a segment of a relay line (e.g., segment 902 in FIG. 9c and 1002(i) in FIG. 10). The directional coupler 1109 includes a second conductor 1112 inductively coupled to the first conductor 1111. In the illustrated example, the directional coupler provides a tap 1150 for data signals extracted from the first conductor 1111. In some embodiments, the directional coupler includes two parallel conductive elements (e.g., two copper traces). These are depicted as (i) the first conductor 1111 connecting two portions of a coaxial or other data carrier line (not shown), and (ii) the second conductor 1112 as directional fingers. Signals from the main data carrier line are tapped or extracted for other purposes via inductive coupling; in this case, they are provided to a bias T-circuit 1140. Among other parameters, the relative length of the directional fingers along the path of the continuous conductive elements and the separation distance between the two conductive elements define the strength of the data carrier signal tapped.

[0204] As an example, a data signal arrives at the directional coupler from the control panel, and the arriving signal (at 1111(i)) has a signal strength of 25 dB. The directional coupler is configured to extract a portion of the signal (e.g., 2 dB) and allow the remaining 23 dB signal (at 1111(o)) to continue its journey downstream (away from the control panel (not described)) and toward, for example, the next directional coupler (not described).

[0205] Tap 1150 can deliver data to bias T-circuit 1140 with a relatively low signal strength (compared to the signal on the first conductor 1111). As shown, bias T-circuit 1140 has a structure including: an inductor 1141 coupled to a power source (e.g., a power segment, such as segment 1090); and a capacitor 1142 on the link between directional coupler 1109 and the node connected to inductor 1141.

[0206] In operation, the bias T-shaped circuit system 1140 can receive data as an RF signal from the directional coupler 1109 via a coaxial cable and combine the data with DC power from a separate power source. The bias T-shaped circuit system transmits the combined signal on the downlead 1113 for downstream transmission to a device 1114, which may be a digital architecture element (e.g., digital architecture element 1030 of FIG. 10) or other digital element, and / or a window controller and / or an electrically colorable window (e.g., in an IGU). The power supplied to the bias T-shaped element 1140 (and specifically, the inductor element 1141) can come from any of a variety of sources. In some embodiments, it is provided via a cable originating from a control panel (e.g., a power plug line such as line 1002(2) or a cable such as a power section of segment 1090). In some embodiments, it is provided via a storage battery pack, storage capacitor, or other form of energy trap (not shown). In some embodiments, the combined trunk T-circuit includes both a power cable and an energy sink. Operating collaboratively under appropriate control logic, these two power sources can provide load balancing, backup power, and the like in a power distribution system.

[0207] In an alternative embodiment depicted in FIG11, device 1114 is configured as a digital architecture element including a bias T-circuit 1160 for receiving data and power supplied via lead-down 1113. AC power from lead-down 113 is directed at a first circuit pin to a power supply for the digital architecture element, and data is directed to different pins for processing at block 1161.

[0208] In some embodiments, the combined trunk T-circuit includes at least five ports: (i) an input data port for receiving data from an upstream source (e.g., a control panel); (ii) an output data port for transmitting data to a downstream trunk T-circuit (and ultimately to a downstream processing unit such as other digital architecture components); (iii) an input power port for receiving power from a power source (e.g., a control panel); (iv) an output power port for transmitting unused power downstream to other power-consuming devices; and (iv) a drop-off port for transmitting tapped data and power on the drop-off to devices such as digital architecture components. In some embodiments, ports (i), (ii), and (iv) include connectors for coaxial cables, while ports (iii) and (iv) include connectors for twisted-pair cables.

[0209] In some embodiments, the directional coupler, such as the directional coupler 1109 within the relay T-shaped member 1103, includes control or adjustment features for controlling or adjusting the coupling between traces or other conductive elements contained in the directional coupler, such as mechanically or electrically controllable knobs or dials. For example, the control or adjustment features can provide control over the relative position and / or overlap length of the traces, thereby allowing different degrees of signal coupling.

[0210] Depending on where the directional coupler is deployed in the communication network (near the control panel or terminal, or somewhere in between), the directional coupler may require different levels of signal coupling. The adjustable mechanism allows for different levels of signal coupling suitable for different locations on the communication network.

[0211] In some embodiments, the trunk line is connected to the control panel and carries both data lines and power lines. For example, the trunk line may carry the power insertion line 1002(2) and the data carrying cable 1002(1) from the control panel 1020 in the system of FIG10.

[0212] Figure 12 depicts a cross-section of an example trunk 1200 configured to carry a combination of power and data from a control panel and / or to a control panel. The trunk 1200 has conductors and shielding for carrying power and data for both general networking protocols (e.g., Ethernet) and control area networks (e.g., CANbus protocol). As shown in Figure 12, the trunk 1200 includes an outer sheath 1210, which may be or include an insulator. In the depicted example, the outer sheath encloses an internal coaxial cable 1220 (e.g., RG6 coaxial) for high-bandwidth data communication, two large-gauge twisted-pair cables 1230 (e.g., 14 AWG unshielded twisted-pair cable) for high-wattage power delivery, and a CANbus shielded multi-conductor cable 1240 for interaction with, for example, window controllers, sensors, and the like. Of course, many of these features can be generalized, such as the number of twisted-pair conductors, conductor specifications, and even the type of data-carrying cable (e.g., non-coaxial, such as optical fiber). In some embodiments, the CANbus cable includes: two data conductors, which are twisted pairs, having an integral shield (e.g., foil shield) on the pairs; and two power conductors. The two power conductors may simply be a single wire and a shield wire electrically connected to the integral shield (bare wire, uninsulated).

[0213] Figure 13 illustrates an example of a data and power distribution system having digital architecture components (such as a "smart frame" or similar communication / processing module) 1330, which are coupled to a combined module 1380 including a directional coupler 1389 and a bias T-shaped circuit 1384 via a drop line 1313. The drop line 1313 carries both power and data downstream to the DAE 1330 and carries data upstream from the DAE 1330 to a control panel (not shown). Data from the control panel (or other upstream source) can be provided via a coaxial cable input port 1381. This data is provided to the directional coupler 1389 of the combined module 1380. Depending on the design of the combined module 1380, the directional coupler 1389 extracts some of the data and transmits the data on a line 1382, which may be a cable, a trace on a circuit board, etc. Data from the control panel that is not branched off by the combined relay T-shaped component leaves via coaxial cable output port 1383.

[0214] Line 1382 is connected to the bias T-circuit 1384 in the combination module 1380. Two twisted-pair conductors (or other power-carrying lines) 1385(1) and 1385(2) are also connected to the bias T-circuit 1384. Through these connections, the bias T-circuit couples power and data to a drop-out line 1313, which may be a coaxial cable. As depicted, the digital architecture element or other communication / processing element 1330 includes and / or connects to components for cellular communication (e.g., the illustrated antenna) and cellular or CBRS processing logic 1335. In some embodiments, the processing logic 1335 may be 5G compatible. In some embodiments, as depicted, the digital architecture element or other communication / processing element 1330 provides a CANbus gateway that provides data and power to one or more CAN bus nodes, such as window controllers, which control the hue state of associated optically controllable windows.

[0215] In some embodiments, during the construction of a building, modules such as the combined module 1380 illustrated in FIG. 13 can be freely installed throughout the building, including in locations where they are not initially connected to digital architecture elements or other processing / communication modules. In such embodiments, after construction, combined relay T-shaped units can be used to install digital processing devices as needed by the building and / or tenants or other residents. Digital architecture elements

[0216] Figures 14, 15, and 16 present block diagrams of versions of a digital architecture element, digital wall interface, or similar device. For convenience, the following discussion will refer to a digital architecture element (DAE). Figure 14 illustrates a DAE 1430, which can support multiple communication types, including, for example, Wi-Fi communication with its own antenna 1437. Alternatively or additionally, the DAE 1430 may include or be coupled to a cellular communication infrastructure, such as a baseband radio, amplifier, and antenna in the illustrated embodiment. Similarly, although not explicitly shown herein, the digital architecture element 1430 may support a Civil Radio System (CBRS) using a similar baseband radio. From a communication and data processing perspective, the digital architecture element in this figure has the same general architecture as a full-featured digital architecture element. However, it does not include sensors and may not include auxiliary components such as a display, microphone, and speaker.

[0217] In some embodiments, the digital architecture element supports modular sensor configuration, which allows for individual upgrades and replacements of sensors via plug-and-play insertion into a backbone circuit board having a set of slots or sockets. In one embodiment, sensors for use in the digital architecture element may be mounted orthogonally to the backbone in one of a standardized set of slots / sockets to achieve maximum flexibility and functionality. In some embodiments, sensors are modular and can be replaced via plug-and-play removal and insertion through openings in the housing of the digital architecture element. Failed sensors can be replaced or functionality / capabilities can be modified as needed. In one embodiment where the digital architecture element is installed during the construction phase of an engineering project / building, the use of plug-and-play sensors allows for customization of the digital architecture element with one or more sensors that may not be needed when the engineering project / building becomes available for occupancy. For example, during construction, sensors can be installed to track construction assets on site or monitor unsafe (OSHA+) noise or air quality levels, and / or night cameras can be installed to monitor movement on the construction site when it is typically not occupied by workers. These or other sensors can be removed after construction, as needed, and can be quickly and easily replaced or supplemented during the occupancy phase or at a later stage when upgrades or new-capacity sensors are required or become available.

[0218] Figure 15 illustrates a system 1500 that can be incorporated into or associated with a DAE. The system 1500 can be configured to receive and transmit data wirelessly (e.g., Wi-Fi communication, cellular communication, civilian band radio system communication, etc.), and transmit data upstream and receive data downstream via, for example, a coaxial drop cable. In Figure 15, the components of the system 1500 are presented at a relatively high level. The embodiment illustrated in Figure 15 includes circuitry at the interface between the repeater and the drop cable that functions similarly to the combined module 1380 (described above in conjunction with Figure 13). Specifically, module 1580, including a bias T-shaped circuit 1584, draws power and data from separate conductors (repeater) and places them on a single cable (drop cable 1513). Therefore, for downstream transmission, the coaxial drop cable can deliver both power and data to the MoCA interface 1590 of the digital architecture component on the same conductor.

[0219] As described, system 1500 includes a bias T-shaped circuit 1584 coupled to MoCA interface 1590 via drop wire 1513. MoCA interface 1590 is configured to convert downstream data signals provided in MoCA format on the coaxial cable (in this case, the drop wire) into data in a known format that can be processed. Similarly, MoCA interface 1590 can be configured to format upstream data for transmission over the coaxial cable (drop wire 1513). For example, packetized Ethernet data can be formatted with MoCA for upstream transmission over the coaxial cable.

[0220] In the illustrated example, the DC-DC power supply 1501 receives DC power from the bias T-circuit 1584 and converts this relatively high voltage power into a lower voltage power suitable for powering the processing components and other components of the digital architecture element 1430. In some embodiments, the power supply 1501 includes a buck converter. The power supply may have various outputs, each with a power or voltage level suitable for the components it powers. For example, one component may require a 12-volt power supply, and different components may require a 3.3-volt power supply.

[0221] In some methods, the bias T-shaped circuit 1584, the MoCA interface 1590, and the power supply 1501 are disposed in a module (or other combined unit) of multiple designs for a digital architecture element or similar networking device. This module can provide data and power to one or more downstream data processing, communication, and / or sensing devices in the digital architecture element. In the depicted embodiment, the processing block 1503 provides processing logic for cellular (e.g., 5G) or other wireless communication functionality enabled by a transmit (Tx) antenna and associated RF power amplifier and a receive (Rx) antenna and associated analog / digital converter. In some embodiments, the antenna and associated transceiver logic are configured for broadband communication (e.g., about 800 MHz to 5.8 GHz). The processing block 1503 may be implemented as one or more distinct physical processors. Although the block is shown with the microcontroller and digital signal processor separate, both may be combined in a single physical circuit such as an ASIC.

[0222] While the embodiment depicted in Figure 15 provides separate transmit and receive antennas, other embodiments use a single antenna for both transmission and reception. Furthermore, if the digital architecture element supports multiple wireless communication protocols, such as one or more cellular formats (e.g., 5G for Sprint, 5G for T-Mobile, 4G / LTE for AT&T, etc.), then for each format, the digital architecture element may include separate hardware, such as antennas, amplifiers, and analog-to-digital converters. Additionally, if the digital architecture element supports non-cellular wireless communication protocols, such as Wi-Fi, civilian band radio systems, etc., then for each of these protocols, the digital architecture element may require separate antennas and / or other hardware. However, in some embodiments, a single power amplifier may be shared by the antenna and / or other hardware for multiple wireless communication formats.

[0223] In the depicted embodiments, processing block 1503 may implement communication-related functionality, such as baseband radios for cellular or civilian band radio communications. In some cases, different physical processors are used for each supported wireless communication protocol. In some cases, a single physical processor is configured to implement multiple baseband radios, which may share certain additional hardware such as power amplifiers and / or antennas. In such cases, the different baseband radios may be defined in software or other configurable logic.

[0224] Figure 16 illustrates an example of a system 1600 that may be incorporated into or associated with a digital architecture element. As shown, system 1600 includes a bias T-circuit 1684 (e.g., similar to bias T-circuit 1584 in Figure 15) that operates as described above. Data from bias T-circuit 1684 is provided to MoCA front-end module 1690, which operates in conjunction with at least a portion of processing block 1640 (e.g., an on-chip coaxial network controller system, such as the MxL3710 available from MaxLinear, Inc., Carlsbad, California) to provide high-speed data to one or more components of system 1600.

[0225] Power (e.g., 24 V DC) from the bias T-circuit 1584 is supplied to one or more voltage regulators in the power supply 1601, at least some of which collectively provide the functionality of the power supply 1501 in FIG. 15 and supply power to various components of the processing block 1640. As generally indicated at block 1642, the processing block 1640 may include a general-purpose microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, and integrated circuitry, some or all of which may contain multiple core or embedded processors with various processing capabilities. In some embodiments, the processing block 1640 provides the functionality of the processing block 1503 in FIG. 15. As an example, the processing block 1640 may provide CANbus functionality for one or more window controllers.

[0226] In the illustrated example, processing block 1640 includes network switch 1643, which may be, for example, a five-port Ethernet switch (such as the SJA1105 available from NXP Semiconductors in the Netherlands). It can decode MoCA-encoded data from the MoCA front end to provide data in a known Ethernet format. This data can then be provided to the network switch, where it can be distributed to various data processing components of system 1600.

[0227] In embodiments, the modular electrical connector 1604, such as the illustrated RJ45 connector, can provide data for any purpose that an occupant or building owner may have, such as user laptop or data center connectivity. In one example, connector 1604 provides connectivity for gigabit Ethernet via twisted-pair copper wire.

[0228] Block 1610 of FIG16 includes instances of additional components not shown in the embodiment of FIG15. In some embodiments, these components are housed together in a single chassis or housing or configured as modules. In other embodiments, these components are configured separately, and each component may be integrated into a digital architecture element. As shown, block 1605 includes sensor module 1611, video module 1612, audio module 1613, and window controller elements, including window controller logic 1614 and window controller power circuitry 1615. In some embodiments, some or all of the functionality of window controller 1614 may be implemented in processing block 1640, thereby minimizing or eliminating the requirement for separate logic elements such as window controller logic 1614.

[0229] In some embodiments, 5G infrastructure can replace both Wi-Fi and 4G via a single service protocol and associated infrastructure. For example, one or more 5G antennas and associated components in a building area can provide wireless communication functionality to meet all needs, effectively replacing the need for Wi-Fi. In some embodiments, digital architecture elements use Civil Band Radio Systems (CBRS), which do not require separate licenses from the FCC or other regulatory agencies. Conclusion

[0230] Numerous specific details are set forth in the description to provide a thorough understanding of the presented embodiments. The disclosed embodiments may be practiced without some or all of these specific details. In other instances, well-known procedural operations have not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the disclosed embodiments. Although the disclosed embodiments have been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, it should be understood that the specific embodiments are not intended to limit the disclosed embodiments. [Simplified Explanation of the Diagram]

[0051] Figures 1A to 1D illustrate various link technologies and topologies that can be used with this disclosure.

[0052] Figure 1E shows an example of a data communication system that can provide data for interaction with optical switchable windows and for non-window purposes.

[0053] Figures 2A and 2B illustrate a high-bandwidth communication network for a building according to some embodiments.

[0054] Figure 3 is a block diagram illustrating instances of components that may exist in certain implementations of digital architecture elements.

[0055] Figure 4 illustrates a comparison between a block diagram of a conventional window controller and a block diagram of a window controller according to some embodiments.

[0056] Figures 5A to 5D illustrate several examples of the applications and uses of the digital architecture elements and related elements covered by this disclosure.

[0057] Figure 6 illustrates a procedure flow according to some embodiments for measuring the conditions of a plurality of buildings and controlling the building operating parameters of a plurality of building systems in response to the measured building conditions.

[0058] Figure 7 illustrates an example of a series of functional modules configured according to the implementation scheme to execute the program flow described in Figure 6.

[0059] Figure 8 illustrates an instance entity package of a digital architecture element according to some implementation schemes.

[0060] Figures 9A to 9C illustrate the representation of a trunk line used in a high-speed network infrastructure according to some implementation schemes.

[0061] Figure 10 illustrates an example power and data distribution system according to some embodiments, which includes a control panel, trunk lines, drop lines and digital architecture elements.

[0062] Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of an example of a relay circuit.

[0063] Figure 12 depicts a cross-section of an example trunk line configured to carry power and data from the control panel and / or carry data to the control panel.

[0064] Figure 13 shows an example of a part of a data and power distribution system, which has a digital architecture element (DAE) coupled to a combined module containing a directional coupler and a bias T-shaped circuit by means of a down conductor.

[0065] Figure 14 illustrates a DAE that can support multiple communication types according to some embodiments.

[0066] Figure 15 illustrates a system of components that can be incorporated into or associated with a DAE according to some embodiments.

[0067] Figure 16 illustrates an example of a system that can be incorporated into or associated with a digital architecture element according to some embodiments.

Claims

1. A system for high-frequency broadband communication, the system comprising: A plurality of control panels, each control panel configured to control at least one downstream device, and each control panel including: at least one controller; and a plurality of data ports, wherein each of the plurality of data ports is configured to support data transmission at a speed of at least one 0.5 gigabits per second, and a high-bandwidth data backbone operatively coupled to the plurality of control panels.

2. The system of claim 1 further includes a network switch, wherein the network switch is configured to be coupled to each data port to support the data transmission.

3. The system of request item 1, wherein the high-bandwidth data backbone is configured to transmit data at a rate of at least one billion bits per second.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein at least two of the plurality of control panels are configured to control devices on different floors of a building.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one downstream device is a window controller configured to control at least one optically switchable device.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the high-bandwidth data backbone is communicatively coupled to a communication network outside a building on which one of the plurality of control panels is installed.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein one control panel of the plurality of control panels is operatively coupled to the at least one downstream device via a coaxial cable.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the plurality of data ports includes at least one of the following: a Gb speed Ethernet port, a Power over Ethernet port, or any combination thereof.

9. A system comprising: One control panel; Multiple window controllers, which are operatively coupled to the control panel; A plurality of optically switchable devices, each operatively coupled to a window controller of the plurality of window controllers; a trunk line that couples the control panel to each window controller of the plurality of window controllers, wherein the trunk line transmits data and power to each window controller; and a plurality of sensor systems, each sensor system comprising a plurality of sensors housed in a housing of the sensor system, and each sensor system being mounted on a structural element of a building on which the plurality of optically switchable devices are mounted, or on a frame assembly of one of the optically switchable devices of the plurality of optically switchable devices.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein each sensor system is removably mounted to a structural element of the building or to a frame assembly.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the trunk line is configured to transmit sensor data from each of the plurality of sensor systems to the control panel.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the sensor data is used by a controller to determine modifications to one or more building operating parameters.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the modification of the one or more building parameters includes a modification of the hue state of at least one of the plurality of optical switchable devices.

14. The system of request item 12, wherein the controller is housed in the control panel.

15. The system of claim 12, wherein the controller is located outside the building.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the system includes at least one additional control panel, wherein the at least one additional control panel is operatively coupled to a second plurality of window controllers.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the control panel and the at least one additional control panel are located on different floors of a building.

18. The system of request item 16, wherein the control panel and the at least one additional control panel are communicatively coupled.

19. The system of request item 9, wherein the control panel includes a network switch.

20. The system as requested in item 9, wherein the control panel includes an Ethernet switch.

21. The system of request item 9, wherein the control panel is configured to communicate with a communication network outside the building.

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