Smart Window Gateway Control for Multi-System Building Integration
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing smart window systems lack sophisticated control and monitoring capabilities, requiring improved techniques for managing interactions between various building systems such as lighting, HVAC, security, and home appliances, especially as they become more widely deployed.
Innovation Solution
A window control system configured to communicate via an application programming interface (API) with other systems, allowing for data exchange and control of optically switchable windows, enabling integrated management of building infrastructure through a network of window controllers and sensors.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If smart window systems are widely deployed, then building energy efficiency and user comfort are improved, but system complexity and difficulty of managing interactions between multiple building systems increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a gateway device as an intermediary that mediates communications between the window control system and other building systems (HVAC, lighting, security). The gateway translates messages between different protocols and formats, enabling seamless integration without direct complex point-to-point connections between all systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway device serves multiple functions: it acts as a protocol translator, a message router, a data formatter, and a coordination hub. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require multiple separate components, reducing overall system complexity while maintaining comprehensive inter-system communication capabilities.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple building systems interact with smart windows, then functionality and user comfort are enhanced, but control and monitoring sophistication requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway serves as a centralized intermediary that handles all coordination logic between multiple building systems and the window control system. This centralization of control sophistication in the gateway protects individual systems from needing to implement complex interaction logic, allowing each to remain relatively simple while achieving sophisticated overall behavior.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements feedback mechanisms where the gateway monitors communications and system states, translating and routing information back to appropriate systems. This feedback loop enables sophisticated coordinated control while maintaining simple individual system designs, as each system responds to standardized feedback from the gateway rather than managing complex multi-system state.
3Loss of information
If window control system communicates with multiple other systems via API, then data exchange and integrated management are improved, but communication protocol compatibility challenges increase
Solution Approach 1:
The gateway acts as a protocol translation intermediary, receiving messages from the window control system in one format and translating them into appropriate formats for target systems (HVAC, lighting, security). This eliminates the need for direct protocol compatibility between all systems, as the gateway handles format conversion centrally.
Solution Approach 2:
The gateway dynamically changes message parameters including protocol type, data format, address structure, and communication timing based on the target system. This parameter transformation capability enables universal communication across diverse systems without requiring each system to support multiple protocols natively.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables advanced control and monitoring of smart windows, optimizing energy use, enhancing user comfort, and improving the reliability and efficiency of building systems by allowing seamless interaction and data sharing between window control systems and other building management systems.
Implementation Method 1
a window controller configured to control transitions of at least one optically switchable window
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed are platforms for communicating among one or more otherwise independent systems involved in controlling functions of buildings or other sites having switchable optical devices deployed therein. Such independent systems include a window control system and one or more other independent systems such as systems that control residential home products (e.g., thermostats, smoke alarms, etc.), HVAC systems, security systems, lighting control systems, and the like. Together the systems control and/or monitor multiple features and/or products, including switchable windows and other infrastructure of a site, which may be a commercial, residential, or public site.