Thin-film devices, for example, multi-zone electrochromic windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. In certain cases, a multi-zone electrochromic window comprises a monolithic EC device on a transparent substrate and two or more tinting zones, wherein the tinting zones are configured for independent operation.

Window controllers and methods for controlling tinting and other functions of tinting zones of multi-zone tintable windows and multiple tinting zones of a group of tintable windows.

There is disclosed curtain-blind system in which hangers are used to hang multiple sections of the overall curtain-blind. Each section of the curtain-blind has a first surface, a second surface, a first connector clamping the first surface, and a second connector clamping the second surface. The first connector is releasably hung on a first hanger and the second connector is releasably hung on a second hanger. The curtain-blind sections are arranged side-by-side on the respective hangers in use with the first connector of one curtain-blind section being independently releasable from an adjacent curtain-blind section whilst remaining clamped to the first surface. In this way individual sections can be hung and removed independently of other sections of the curtain-blind. There is also disclosed a hanger for the curtain blind system which has a head portion arranged to be received in a head-rail and a hanger portion depending below the head portion. The hanger portion is configured to releasably hold independent connectors of first and second curtain-blind sections such that said sections are hung adjacently on the hanger portion in a side-by-side arrangement.

Embodiments include modular wall systems, smart glass controllers and methods for operating such. In one scenario, a modular wall system is provided which includes a frame with a horizontal stringer. The modular wall system also includes first connectors positioned on the horizontal stringer, and a decorative smart glass pane which includes second connectors configured to attach to the first connectors on the horizontal stringer. The second connectors and the first connectors physically attach the decorative smart glass pane to the modular wall system. A power connector is also included. The power connector is configured to receive a direct current (DC) input voltage from a power source. A power inverter converts the DC input voltage to an alternating current (AC) voltage of less than a threshold maximum number of volts. Furthermore, a smart glass surface is included, which is in communication with an output of the inverter.

In one aspect, a covering for an architectural structure includes a multi-panel shade formed form a plurality of panel sections arranged relative to one another to form a continuous sheet, with at least one of the panel sections having different shade properties from the other panel section(s) forming the multi-panel shade. By adjusting the extent to which the panel sections are exposed along the drop length of the covering, the covering may be configured to provide various different shade configurations.

A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously adopts a gradient blocking mode for the optical state of the visor that includes a blocker and a transition gradient, which has the effect of making updates to optical state of the visor less distracting. Additionally, the transition gradient in the optical state of the visor makes the virtual visor system more robust against errors in positioning the blocker on the visor.

A window can comprise a first side and a second side substantially parallel to the first side. The window can comprise an optical grating operatively positioned with respect to one of the first side and the second side. The optical grating can be used to determine a temperature at or near the respective one of the first side and the second side.

A virtual visor system is disclosed that includes a visor having a plurality of independently operable pixels that are selectively operated with a variable opacity. A camera captures images of the face of a driver or other passenger and, based on the captured images, a controller operates the visor to automatically and selectively darken a limited portion thereof to block the sun or other illumination source from striking the eyes of the driver, while leaving the remainder of the visor transparent. The virtual visor system advantageously snaps projected eye positions on the visor to a grid, which helps to minimize rapid and distracting changes in the optical state of the visor.

A light attenuator that provides transparent light states and absorbing dark states for use in selectively controlling light, especially for smart glass applications. The light attenuator includes abutting areas of attenuation and transparency that form a repeat pattern or a quasi-repeat pattern. The attenuating areas are visible when the light attenuator is in the light state, but the repeat pattern is sufficiently large that a viewer looks through the attenuator and sees no haze.

A film, in which a phase transition material is not applied on an entire surface thereof and a pattern form is provided so that the aesthetically superior film of which a color is not cloudy but bright may be obtained and which has a high visible light transmittance as well as superior thermochromic properties, and a smart window including the same.