Site monitoring system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2022011729-A1
Application number	US-202117486716-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Sep 27, 2021
Priority date	Mar 5, 2014
Publication date	Jan 13, 2022
Grant date	—

Abstract

A site monitoring system (SMS) may analyze information from one or more sites to determine when a device, a sensor, a controller, or other structure or component associated with a network of optically switchable devices has a problem. The system may, if appropriate, act on the problem. In certain embodiments, the system learns customer/user preferences and adapts its control logic to meet the customer's goals. In various embodiments, the system updates a memory component associated with one or more optically switchable windows and/or controllers. The memory component may be updated to reflect an updated control algorithm and/or associated parameters in some cases.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A site monitoring system (SMS) comprising:
one or more processors for controlling a network of optically switchable windows located at a plurality of remote sites, each site including a respective sub-network of switchable optical windows and associated controllers and sensors, wherein the one or more processors are configured to: communicate with a plurality of components of the network of optically switchable windows to receive information associated with the plurality of components, cause a first set of voltage and/or current parameters to be measured at the plurality of components, store the information received and the first set of measured parameters as a baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows, wherein the plurality of components comprise at least one of the optically switchable windows, associated controllers and sensors, use the baseline characterization for comparison to subsequently measured parameters to identify variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization, and, when the variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization exceeds a threshold value, identify a malfunctioning or degrading component of the plurality of components.

2 . The SMS of claim 1 , further comprising:
a parameter update module comprising instructions configured to execute operations on the one or more processors, wherein the instructions comprise: determining that the SMS requires updated parameters for controlling one or more optical transitions of one or more of the optically switchable windows, and sending one or more communications comprising the updated parameters and instructions to update the SMS with the updated parameters.

3 . The SMS of claim 2 , wherein the parameter update module is configured to detect a malfunctioning or degrading component of the plurality of components based on the variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization.

4 . The SMS of claim 2 , wherein the SMS is configured to notify a user and/or an operator of the SMS when the malfunctioning or degrading component is detected.

5 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein a change in the network relates to removal or replacement of at least one of the plurality of components of the network of optically switchable windows.

6 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the SMS is configured to monitor two or more networks of optically switchable windows, the two or more networks of optically switchable windows being provided at different sites.

7 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows includes a combination of component fingerprints of all or a subset of the plurality of components.

8 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows comprises data indicating a frequency of errors over time related to one or more of the plurality of components.

9 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows comprises data related to the associated sensors, the data including one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: (i) sensor readings vs time, (ii) sensor readings vs. external weather events, (iii) information comparing an output of the one or more sensors vs. a tint state on at least one optically switchable window affected by the one or more sensors, and (iv) information regarding changes in external lighting conditions since the network of optically switchable windows was installed.

10 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of components further comprises one or more control panels.

11 . The SMS of claim 10 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows comprises at least one parameter associated with a control panel of the one or more control panels, selected from the group consisting of: (i) an input power to the control panel, (ii) an output power from the control panel, (iii) an input voltage to the control panel, (iv) an output voltage from the control panel, (v) an input current to the control panel, and (vi) an output current from the control panel.

12 . The SMS of claim 1 , wherein the network is located at a site, and wherein the one or more processors are located remote from the site at which the network is located.

13 . A method comprising:
communicating with a plurality of components of a network of optically switchable windows to receive information associated with the plurality of components, the network of optically switchable windows being located at a plurality of remote sites, each site including a respective sub-network of switchable optical windows and associated controllers and sensors; causing a first set of voltage and/or current parameters to be measured at the plurality of components, storing the information received and the first set of measured parameters as a baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows, wherein the plurality of components comprise at least one of the optically switchable windows, associated controllers and sensors, using the baseline characterization for comparison to subsequently measured parameters to identify variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization, and, when the variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization exceeds a threshold value, identifying a malfunctioning or degrading component of the plurality of components.

14 . The method of claim 13 , further comprising:
determining that a site management system (SMS) requires updated parameters for controlling one or more optical transitions of one or more of the optically switchable windows, and sending one or more communications comprising the updated parameters and instructions to update the SMS with the updated parameters.

15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising detecting a malfunctioning or degrading component of the plurality of components based on the variation in the measured parameters from the baseline characterization.

16 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising notifying a user and/or an operator of the SMS when the malfunctioning or degrading component is detected.

17 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising monitoring two or more networks of optically switchable windows, the two or more networks of optically switchable windows being provided at different sites.

18 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows includes a combination of component fingerprints of all or a subset of the plurality of components.

19 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows comprises data indicating a frequency of errors over time related to one or more of the plurality of components.

20 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the baseline characterization of the network of optically switchable windows comprises data related to the associated sensors, the data including one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of: (i) sensor readings vs time, (ii) sensor readings vs. external weather events, (iii) information comparing an output of the one or more sensors vs. a tint state on at least one optically switchable window affected by the one or more sensors, and (iv) information regarding changes in external lighting conditions since the network of o

Assignees

• View Inc

Inventors

• Shrivastava Dhairya
• Brown Stephen Clark
• Rumer Alexander

Classifications

• E06B9/24 Primary

  Screens or other constructions affording protection against light, especially against sunshine; Similar screens for privacy or appearance; {Slat blinds}(operating, guiding or securing devices or arrangements for roll-type closures E06B9/56; free-hanging flexible screens A47H23/00) · CPC title

• E06B2009/2464

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

• F24F11/30

  for purposes related to the operation of the system, e.g. for safety or monitoring · CPC title

• G05B15/02 Primary

  electric · CPC title

• G02F1/163

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