Security focused system for smart windows

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-11066872-B2
Application number	US-202016820380-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 16, 2020
Priority date	Jan 12, 2015
Publication date	Jul 20, 2021
Grant date	Jul 20, 2021

Abstract

A smart window-based security system is provided. The system includes a plurality of smart windows, each smart window of the plurality of smart windows having at least one electrochromic window and at least one sensor integrated into the smart window. The plurality of smart windows are coupled together in a system having at least one processor configured to detect a personal or property security threat, such as an intruder or fire based, on information from sensors of the plurality of smart windows.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A security system with smart windows, comprising:
a plurality of smart windows in communication with each other to form a system having at least one processor;
the plurality of smart windows each integrating therein one or more sensors into a frame of at least one electrochromic window; and
the at least one processor configured to sense a security event, responsive to information from the plurality of smart windows, wherein the at least one processor is configured to increase and decrease transmissivity responsive to input received from the at least one sensor.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the at least one electrochromic window includes a self-break module for breaking the at least one electrochromic window responsive to sensing the security event.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor integrated into the smart window includes at least one of: a microphone, a camera, a glass breakage sensor, a temperature sensor, a smoke detection sensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, or a motion sensor.

4. The system of claim 1 , wherein the system is in communication with a building monitoring system and wherein glass breakage is detected by interruption of electrical connectivity within the smart window.

5. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the system having the at least one processor, configured to couple to a lighting controller and configured to direct the lighting controller to flash lights or turn on lights, responsive to detecting the security event.

6. The system of claim 1 , further comprising:
the system having the at least one processor, configured to couple to an external network, and configured to send an alert via the network, responsive to detecting the security event.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one sensor integrated into the smart window includes a camera, and wherein the at least one processor is configured to control transmissivity of the plurality of smart windows based on at least one image the camera.

8. A security system with smart windows, comprising:
a plurality of electrochromic windows networked together;
at least one of the plurality of electrochromic windows integrating one or more sensors into a frame of the at least one electrochromic window; and
a controller configured to increase and decrease transmissivity of the at least one electrochromic window, based on information from the one or more sensors.

9. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , further comprising:
the controller configured to decrease transmissivity of the at least one electrochromic window in a nighttime mode; and
the controller configured to direct a light controller to turn on at least one light in an area of a building, responsive to sensing an intrusion in the area of the building, based on the information from the one or more sensors.

10. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , wherein the at least one electrochromic window includes a self-break module for breaking the at least one electrochromic window responsive to sensing the security event.

11. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , wherein the system is in communication with a building monitoring system and wherein glass breakage is detected by interruption of electrical connectivity within the smart window.

12. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , further comprising:
the controller configured to direct decreased transmissivity of one or more of the plurality of electrochromic windows of a designated room, responsive to sensing an intrusion in a differing room, based on information from the one or more sensors.

13. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , further comprising:
the plurality of electrochromic windows networked together includes a distributed device network architecture in which a plurality of controllers and the plurality of electrochromic windows are distributed.

14. The security system with smart windows of claim 8 , further comprising:
the controller is configured to couple to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning system and configured to direct the heating, ventilation and air conditioning system to adjust a fan speed, responsive to sensing a fire.

15. A method, comprising:
receiving sensor information from at least one sensor integrated into a frame of an electrochromic window, wherein transmissivity of the electrochromic window is increased and decreased in accordance with the at least one sensor; and
detecting a security event, based on sensor information, wherein the transmissivity is increased and decreased responsive to the detecting.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the electrochromic window includes a self-break module for breaking the electrochromic window responsive to the detecting.

17. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
sending an alert to one or more predetermined contacts, responsive to the detecting and wherein the security event is glass breakage of the electrochromic window detected by sensing interruption of electrical connectivity within the electrochromic window.

18. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
setting transmissivity of each of a plurality of electrochromic windows coupled to the electrochromic window to a predetermined level, responsive to the detecting.

19. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
cycling transmissivity of the electrochromic window, responsive to the detecting.

20. The method of claim 15 , further comprising:
coupling to a lighting controller;
coupling to a heating, ventilation and air conditioning controller; and
directing the lighting controller to adjust lights, the heating, ventilation and air conditioning controller to adjust a fan, and the electrochromic window to increase transmissivity, responsive to detecting the security event.

Assignees

• Kinestral Tech Inc

Inventors

• Nagel Paul
• Barnum Wally
• Coffin Stephen
• Nichols Brandon
• Dubois Antoine

Classifications

• G02F1/163 Primary

  Operation of electrochromic cells, e.g. electrodeposition cells; Circuit arrangements therefor · CPC title

• E06B2009/6818

  using sensors · CPC title

• E06B9/68

  Operating devices or mechanisms, e.g. with electric drive · CPC title

• E06B2009/2464

  featuring transparency control by applying voltage, e.g. LCD, electrochromic panels · CPC title

• E06B2009/2405

  Areas of differing opacity for light transmission control · CPC title