Electrochromic Window Commissioning With Wireless Location Mapping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing electrochromic windows face challenges in commissioning and user interface issues, including correct assignment of network addresses and manual control of tint states in buildings with multiple windows, which hinder their widespread adoption.
Innovation Solution
A computer program product and system for controlling a user interface that provides information about optically switchable windows, utilizing wireless communication and automated commissioning to associate network IDs with window locations, allowing for easy installation and user-friendly control of electrochromic devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If manual commissioning methods are used for electrochromic windows, then installation processes become time-consuming and error-prone, but automated commissioning requires complex network address assignment and location association systems
Solution Approach 1:
The commissioning system enables windows to self-identify and self-register by automatically broadcasting their network addresses and receiving location associations from the user interface device, eliminating the need for manual configuration and reducing commissioning time while maintaining system simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary network address assignment and location association during the commissioning phase before normal operation begins, allowing the windows to be pre-configured and registered in the building management system, thereby streamlining subsequent operational control
2Ease of operation
If traditional user interfaces are used for controlling multiple electrochromic windows, then user interaction becomes complex and difficult, but simplified interfaces require automated location detection and window identification systems
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces manual mechanical commissioning processes with automated electronic communication protocols, where the user interface device automatically detects windows on the network, retrieves their locations from building data, and establishes control associations without physical configuration steps
Solution Approach 2:
The user interface device serves as an intermediary that bridges the window control system and the end user, automatically managing the complex tasks of window discovery, location mapping, and control configuration while presenting a simplified interface to the user
3Loss of time
If network addresses are manually assigned to electrochromic windows, then installation becomes tedious and error-prone, but automated assignment requires complex network configuration and location mapping systems
Solution Approach 1:
Windows automatically obtain and register their network addresses through the commissioning system, which retrieves address information from the windows themselves and associates them with location data, eliminating manual address assignment and reducing configuration time
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary network configuration and location mapping during the initial commissioning phase, establishing all necessary associations between window addresses, locations, and control parameters before operational use, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual configuration steps
Data Source
AI summary
A method, system, and/or computer program product are 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 placed within views of the graphical user interface in a manner corresponding to their physical location. A method, system, and/or computer program product are 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 eh window transmissions, is associated with the appropriate window location on the representation of the building.