Electrochromic Window ID Mapping for Automated Network Commissioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electrochromic windows and associated controllers face challenges with commissioning and user interfaces, limiting their commercial potential due to issues with assigning network addresses, controlling tint states, and accessing information about individual windows in large installations.

Innovation Solution

A computer program product and method for controlling a user interface to monitor, control, and provide information about optically switchable windows, using smart objects that represent windows graphically on a computing device, allowing user input for monitoring and controlling window states, with features like geo-positioning for accurate location determination and wireless communication for network ID association.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual commissioning methods are used for electrochromic windows, then network address assignment and window-location association can be achieved, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex for large installations

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommissioning speedVSAvoidcommissioning process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The commissioning system performs automatic network address assignment and window-location association without requiring manual intervention. The system self-configures by detecting windows on the network and automatically associating them with locations based on architectural drawings, eliminating the need for manual commissioning processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Architectural drawings and location information are prepared in advance before the actual commissioning process. The system uses these pre-prepared drawings to automatically associate detected windows with their correct locations, streamlining the commissioning process and enabling rapid deployment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Loss of information

If detailed information about each window is provided in traditional interfaces, then users can access window data, but the interface becomes cluttered and difficult to navigate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvewindow information accessibilityVSAvoidinterface usability

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The user interface is segmented into multiple interactive views including floor plan view, building exterior view, and window detail view. Users can navigate between these views to access different levels of information about windows, allowing comprehensive information access without cluttering any single view.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The interface transitions from two-dimensional representations to three-dimensional building models, allowing users to view window information in spatial context. This dimensional enhancement provides intuitive navigation and information access without overwhelming the user with data in a single plane.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Adaptability or versatility

If traditional user interfaces are used for controlling windows, then basic control functions are available, but user interaction becomes cumbersome and information access is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontrol functionalityVSAvoiduser interaction ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The graphical user interface serves multiple functions including window control, information display, location visualization, and system configuration within a single unified interface. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate interfaces for different operations, improving ease of use while maintaining versatility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system introduces a graphical interface as an intermediary between the user and the window control system. This intermediary provides intuitive visual representation and interaction mechanisms, making complex control operations simpler while maintaining full access to control functions.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Data Source

PatentUS11137659B2Automated commissioning of controllers in a window network

Publication Date: 2021.10.05 VIEW OPERATING CORP

AI summary

In one aspect, a method, system, and/or computer program product is described for generating a graphical user interface for providing information and controlling optically switchable windows connected by a network. Windows are graphically represented using interactive smart objects that are placed within views of the graphical user interface in a manner corresponding to their physical location. In another aspect, a method, system, and/or computer program product is described for associating network IDs of optically switchable windows with the locations at which the windows are installed. Window locations are determined by analyzing received wireless transmissions that are sent from transmitters associated with each of the optically switchable windows. The determined locations are then compared with a representation of the building that provides the window locations. Upon comparison, the network ID of each window, which is communicated through the window transmissions, is associated with the appropriate window location on the representation of the building.