Patent classifications
H04N9/16
Electrochromic window fabrication methods
Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. Insulated glass units (IGU's) are protected, e.g. during handling and shipping, by a protective bumper. The bumper can be custom made using IGU dimension data received from the IGU fabrication tool. The bumper may be made of environmentally friendly materials. Laser isolation configurations and related methods of patterning and/or configuring an electrochromic device on a substrate are described. Edge deletion is used to ensure a good seal between spacer and glass in an IGU and thus better protection of an electrochromic device sealed in the IGU. Configurations for protecting the electrochromic device edge in the primary seal and maximizing viewable area in an electrochromic pane of an IGU are also described.
Onboard controller for multistate windows
Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations.
Electrochromic window fabrication methods
Methods of manufacturing electrochromic windows are described. An electrochromic device is fabricated to substantially cover a glass sheet, for example float glass, and a cutting pattern is defined based on one or more low-defectivity areas in the device from which one or more electrochromic panes are cut. Laser scribes and/or bus bars may be added prior to cutting the panes or after. Edge deletion can also be performed prior to or after cutting the electrochromic panes from the glass sheet. Insulated glass units (IGUs) are fabricated from the electrochromic panes and optionally one or more of the panes of the IGU are strengthened.
Faster switching electrochromic devices
Electrochromic device (550) having at least one multi-layer conductor (560,580) with a metal layer (564,584) between a first transparent conductive oxide layer (562,566,582,586) and a second transparent conductive oxide layer (562,566,582,586) and optionally having one or more tuning layers adjacent the metal layer.
Faster switching low-defect electrochromic windows
Electrochromic devices with multi-layer conductors including one or more of a defect mitigation insulating layer, a color tuning layer and metal layer pair, and a transparent conductive oxide layer.
Display apparatus
A display apparatus comprises an image output module for outputting an image, a projection module for generating an image through a light source and projecting the generated image to the image output module, and a case having an opaque inside. The projection module and the image output module are connected to two opposite ends, respectively, of the case. The projection module includes a light source, a driving circuit for driving the projection module, a scan line forming module for forming a scan line according to a particular pattern previously defined, a short focal-length lens, and an inverting circuit for left-to-right inverting the generated image, wherein the scan line is formed by switching on or off a pixel according to the particular pattern for an image signal generated through the light source, and wherein the generated image is projected to the image output module through a rear projection scheme.
Display apparatus
A display apparatus comprises an image output module for outputting an image, a projection module for generating an image through a light source and projecting the generated image to the image output module, and a case having an opaque inside. The projection module and the image output module are connected to two opposite ends, respectively, of the case. The projection module includes a light source, a driving circuit for driving the projection module, a scan line forming module for forming a scan line according to a particular pattern previously defined, a short focal-length lens, and an inverting circuit for left-to-right inverting the generated image, wherein the scan line is formed by switching on or off a pixel according to the particular pattern for an image signal generated through the light source, and wherein the generated image is projected to the image output module through a rear projection scheme.
Self-contained EC IGU
Onboard EC window controllers are described. The controllers are configured in close proximity to the EC window, for example, within the IGU. The controller may be part of a window assembly, which includes an IGU having one or more EC panes, and thus does not have to be matched with the EC window, and installed, in the field. The window controllers described herein have a number of advantages because they are matched to the IGU containing one or more EC devices and their proximity to the EC panes of the window overcomes a number of problems associated with conventional controller configurations. Also described are self-meshing networks for electrochromic windows.
Commissioning window networks
Methods are described for the commissioning of optically switchable window networks. During commissioning, network addresses are paired with the locations of installed devices for components on a window network. Commissioning may also involve steps of testing and validating the network devices. By correctly pairing the location of a device with its network address, a window network is configured to function such that controls sent over the network reach their targeted device(s) which in turn respond accordingly. The methods described herein may reduce frustrations that result from mispairing and installation issues that are common to conventional commissioning practices. Commissioning may involve recording a response to a manually or automatically initiated trigger. Commissioning methods described herein may rely on user input, or be automatic, not requiring user input.
Controllable aperture with index-matched central region for a portable electronic device imaging system
An imaging system for a portable electronic device includes a variable aperture between a lens group and an image sensor. The variable aperture is defined by an electrochromic stack that defines a switching region and a central non-switching region. The non-switching region can be etched through the same material or set of materials defining the switching region and is backfilled with a dielectric transparent material having an index of refraction substantially equal to an average index of refraction of the layer(s) of the switching region of the electrochromic stack. This construction substantially reduces visible light absorption of the variable aperture.