Multipurpose controller for multistate windows
“Smart” controllers for windows having controllable optical transitions are described. Controllers with multiple features can sense and adapt to local environmental conditions. Controllers described herein can be integrated with a building management system (BMS) to greatly enhance the BMS's effectiveness at managing local environments in a building. The controllers may have one, two, three or more functions such as powering a smart window, determining the percent transmittance, size, and/or temperature of a smart window, providing wireless communication between the controller and a separate communication node, etc.
1. A building management system (BMS) for a building, the BMS comprising:
a computer-based control system that includes one or more electrochromic (EC) windows and at least one EC window controller configured to adjust a transmissivity of the one or more of the EC windows, the computer-based control system configured to monitor and control the building's mechanical and electrical equipment including three or more of ventilation, lighting, power systems, elevators, fire systems, and security systems, wherein:
the computer-based control system receives data feedback, including window transmissivity data of the one or more EC windows, from the at least one EC window controller and, based at least in part on the window transmissivity data, manages two or more local environmental conditions of temperature, carbon dioxide levels and humidity within the building and one or both of heating energy costs and cooling energy costs for the building.
2. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is further configured to control an amount of light transmitted through a one or more windows.
3. The BMS of claim 2 , wherein the BMS further comprises the at least one EC window controller.
4. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured to manage one or more local environments and the heating energy costs and/or the cooling energy costs based on feedback received from an interior and/or exterior sensor.
5. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured for wireless communication.
6. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the BMS is further configured to receive user preferences for managing at least one of the one or more local environmental conditions.
7. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the BMS is further configured to communicate with one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems in the building to manage one or both of the local environmental conditions and the heating energy costs and/or the cooling energy costs.
8. The BMS of claim 7 , wherein the one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems in the building further comprises a ventilation system, a heating system, and/or a cooling system.
9. The BMS of claim 8 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured to manage one or both of the local environmental conditions and the heating energy costs and/or the cooling energy costs at least in part by controlling temperature, controlling carbon dioxide levels, and/or controlling humidity within the building.
10. The BMS of claim 7 , wherein the one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems in the building further comprise a power system.
11. The BMS of claim 10 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured to manage the heating energy costs and/or the cooling energy costs at least in part by control of the main power supply for the building, a backup generator, and/or an uninterrupted power source.
12. The BMS of claim 7 , wherein the one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems in the building further comprise a lighting system.
13. The BMS of claim 12 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured to manage the local environmental conditions and the heating energy costs and/or the cooling energy costs at least based in part by controlling interior lighting or exterior lighting.
14. The BMS of claim 12 , wherein the computer-based control system is further configured to control emergency warning lights, emergency exit signs, and/or emergency floor egress lighting.
15. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is further configured to monitor and/or control an elevator system.
16. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is further configured to monitor and/or control a fire system.
17. The BMS of claim 16 , wherein the monitor and/or control of the fire system comprises control of a fire suppression system or control of a fire alarm.
18. The BMS of claim 1 , wherein the computer-based control system is further configured to monitor and/or control a security system.
19. The BMS of claim 18 , wherein the monitor and/or control of the security system comprises monitor and/or control of a magnetic card access, a turnstile, a solenoid driven door lock, a surveillance camera, a burglar alarm, and/or a metal detector.
20. The BMS of claim 18 , wherein the computer-based control system is configured alert repair personnel and/or security personnel responsive to a determination that one of the one or more EC windows is damaged.
21. The BMS of claim 20 , wherein the at least one multipurpose controller is configured to determine that one of the one or more windows is damaged by comparing a voltage and current profile to a historic voltage and current profile.
22. A building management system (BMS) for a building, the BMS comprising:
a computer-based control system that includes electrochromic (EC) windows, the control system being configured to monitor and control the building's mechanical and electrical equipment including three or more of ventilation, lighting, power systems, elevators, fire systems, and security systems; and
at least one EC window controller configured to adjust a transmissivity of one or more of the EC windows; wherein:
the computer-based control system receives data feedback, including window transmissivity data of the one or more of the EC windows, from the at least one EC window controller and, based at least in part on the window transmissivity data, manages two or more local environmental conditions of temperature, carbon dioxide levels and humidity within the building, and one or both of heating and cooling energy for the building.
23. The BMS of claim 22 , wherein the BMS is further configured to communicate with one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems in the building to manage the two or more local environmental conditions and one or both of heating and cooling energy for the building.
24. The BMS of claim 23 , wherein the one or more mechanical and/or electrical systems comprise a ventilation system, a heating system, and/or a cooling system, a power system, or a power system.
25. The BMS of claim 22 , wherein the BMS is further configured to monitor and/or control an elevator system, a fire system, or a security system.