The present application discloses a switchable device, comprising a switching layer and a first conductive layer and a second conductive layer, where the switching layer is positioned between the first and the second conductive layer, and where at least one of the first and the second conductive layers comprises a plurality of isolating sections and a plurality of conductive sections, where the isolating sections and the conductive sections alternate over the area of the conductive layer, and where the switching state of the switchable device is controlled by touch motions.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

Certain example embodiments relate to electric, potentially-driven shades usable with insulating glass (IG) units, IG units including such shades, and/or associated methods. In such a unit, a dynamic shade is located between the substrates defining the IG unit, and is movable between retracted and extended positions. The dynamic shade includes on-glass layers including a transparent conductor and an insulator or dielectric film, as well as a shutter. The shutter includes a resilient polymer, a conductor, and optional ink. Holes, invisible to the naked eye, may be formed in the polymer. Those holes may be sized, shaped, and arranged to promote summertime solar energy reflection and wintertime solar energy transmission. The conductor may be transparent or opaque. When the conductor is reflective, overcoat layers may be provided to help reduce internal reflection. The polymer may be capable of surviving high-temperature environments and may be colored in some instances.

A panel unit includes an interconnected first and second pair of juxtaposed panels, a spacer joining together opposing inner faces of the pairs of panels about a periphery of the interconnected pair to define common air space therebetween, first and second blind assemblies positioned in the air space between the first and second pair of panels respectively, a first drive shaft coupled to a first set of louvers of the first blind assembly and a second drive shaft coupled to a second set of louvers of the second blind assembly, an actuator connected to the first drive shaft, and an interface structure rotationally fixing together opposing ends the first and second drive shafts, wherein the first drive shaft is responsive to actuation of the actuator to axially rotate and thereby cause simultaneous rotation of the first and second sets of louvers between the open and closed positions thereof.

A kit for sealing an architectural opening, such as a window or a door, is provided. The kit includes a clear vinyl sheet having a thickness of at least 1 millimeter and a magnetic strip. An adhesive backing extends along one side of the magnetic strip such that the magnetic strip is adhesively mountable to the vinyl sheet. The kit enables a consumer to easily seal the architectural opening by adhering the magnetic strip to the vinyl sheet, and then magnetically attaching the sheet over the architectural opening, thereby sealing the opening. The thickness and material of the sheet provides enhanced ease of use and durability.

A variable light transmittance sheet comprises a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and between the electrodes an electrophoretic cell containing an electrophoretic ink and one or more non-planar solid polymer elements. In an embodiment, the electrophoretic ink includes charged particles in a suspending fluid, and 75% or more by mass of the suspending fluid is an organosilicone or an aliphatic hydrocarbon and the solid polymer is a fluorinated elastomeric polymer.

A variable light transmittance sheet comprises a first transparent electrode and a second transparent electrode spaced apart from the first electrode, and between the electrodes an electrophoretic cell containing an electrophoretic ink and one or more non-planar solid polymer elements. In an embodiment, the electrophoretic ink includes charged particles in a suspending fluid, and 75% or more by mass of the suspending fluid is an organosilicone or an aliphatic hydrocarbon and the solid polymer is a fluorinated elastomeric polymer.

Provided is a black partition wall pattern film that comprises: a transparent substrate; an electrode layer provided on the transparent substrate; a black partition wall pattern provided on the electrode layer; and a black UV-curable resin layer provided in a region of the electrode layer where no black partition wall pattern is provided.

This disclosure relates generally to optically-switchable devices, and more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling optically-switchable devices. In some implementations, an apparatus for controlling one or more optically-switchable devices includes a processing unit, a voltage regulator and a polarity switch. The processing unit can generate: a command voltage signal based on a target optical state of an optically-switchable device, and a polarity control signal. The voltage regulator can receive power at a first voltage and increase or decrease a magnitude of the first voltage based on the command voltage signal to provide a DC voltage signal at a regulated voltage. A polarity switch can receive the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage to maintain or reverse a polarity of the DC voltage signal based on the polarity control signal. The polarity switch can output the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage and at the polarity based on the polarity control signal to power the optically-switchable device. In some other implementations, the apparatus includes a processing unit, an energy storage device, and first and second voltage regulators.

This disclosure relates generally to optically-switchable devices, and more particularly, to systems, apparatus, and methods for controlling optically-switchable devices. In some implementations, an apparatus for controlling one or more optically-switchable devices includes a processing unit, a voltage regulator and a polarity switch. The processing unit can generate: a command voltage signal based on a target optical state of an optically-switchable device, and a polarity control signal. The voltage regulator can receive power at a first voltage and increase or decrease a magnitude of the first voltage based on the command voltage signal to provide a DC voltage signal at a regulated voltage. A polarity switch can receive the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage to maintain or reverse a polarity of the DC voltage signal based on the polarity control signal. The polarity switch can output the DC voltage signal at the regulated voltage and at the polarity based on the polarity control signal to power the optically-switchable device. In some other implementations, the apparatus includes a processing unit, an energy storage device, and first and second voltage regulators.