Displays for tintable windows
A tintable window is described having a tintable coating, e.g., an electrochromic device coating, for regulating light transmitted through the window. In some embodiments, the window has a transparent display in the window's viewable region. Transparent displays may be substantially transparent when not in use, or when the window is viewed in a direction facing away from the transparent display. Windows may have sensors for receiving user commands and/or for monitoring environmental conditions. Transparent displays can display graphical user interfaces to, e.g., control window functions. Windows, as described herein, offer an alternative display to conventional projectors, TVs, and monitors. Windows may also be configured to receive, transmit, or block wireless communications from passing through the window. A window control system may share computational resources between controllers (e.g., at different windows). In some cases, the computational resources of the window control system are utilized by other building systems and devices.
1. A system comprising:
a transparent display configured to display information and/or images; and
a tintable window, wherein:
the tintable window comprises an electrochromic (EC) device including at least one layer of EC material that exhibits a change from one optical state to another as a result of reversible ion insertion into the EC material when an electric potential is applied across the EC device; and
the transparent display is laminated to the tintable window and is disposed fully or partially coextensively with the tintable window.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transparent display comprises a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) array.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the tintable window comprises an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising a first lite and a second lite.
4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the first lite includes the electrochromic device and the transparent display is laminated to the second lite.
5. The system of claim 4 , wherein the IGU is coupled with a framing system configured to support the IGU.
6. The system of claim 5 , wherein the framing system is configured to facilitate disconnection of the transparent display from an electrical connection.
7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the electrical connection includes a connection to a power source, a control system, a local controller, a controller of the tintable window, a controller of the transparent display, and/or a controller of the electrochromic device.
8. The system of claim 6 , wherein the electrical connection includes a connection to the controller of the tintable window and a controller of the transparent display.
9. The system of claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic device is all solid state and inorganic.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the electrochromic device comprises tungsten oxide and nickel oxide electrode materials.
11. A method comprising:
displaying information and/or images on a transparent display, the transparent display being laminated to a tintable window having an electrochromic device, wherein:
the tintable window comprises an electrochromic (EC) device that exhibits a change from one optical state to another as a result of reversible ion insertion into the EC material when an electric potential is applied across the EC device; and
the transparent display is disposed fully or partially coextensively with the tintable window.
12. The method of claim 11 , wherein the transparent display comprises a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) array.
13. The method of claim 11 , wherein the tintable window comprises an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising a first lite and a second lite.
14. The method of claim 13 , wherein the first lite includes the electrochromic device and the transparent display is laminated to the second lite.
15. The method of claim 14 , wherein the IGU is coupled with a framing system configured to support the IGU.
16. The method of claim 15 , wherein the framing system is configured to facilitate disconnection of the transparent display from an electrical connection.
17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the electrical connection includes a connection to a power source, a control system, a local controller, a controller of the tintable window, a controller of the transparent display, and/or a controller of the electrochromic device.
18. An apparatus comprising at least one controller configured to:
display information and/or images on a transparent display, the transparent display being laminated to a tintable window having an electrochromic device, wherein:
the tintable window comprises an electrochromic (EC) device including at least one layer of EC material that exhibits a change from one optical state to another as a result of reversible ion insertion into the EC material when an electric potential is applied across the EC device; and
the transparent display is disposed fully or partially coextensively with the tintable window.
19. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the transparent display comprises a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) array.
20. The apparatus of claim 18 , wherein the tintable window comprises an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising a first lite and a second lite.
21. The apparatus of claim 20 , wherein the first lite includes the electrochromic device and the transparent display is laminated to the second lite.
22. A building comprising:
a tintable window having an electrochromic device; and
a transparent display configured to display information and/or images, wherein:
the tintable window comprises an electrochromic (EC) device including at least one layer of EC material that exhibits a change from one optical state to another as a result of reversible ion insertion into the EC material when an electric potential is applied across the EC device; and
the transparent display is laminated to the tintable window and is disposed fully or partially coextensively with the tintable window.
23. The building of claim 22 , wherein the transparent display comprises a transparent organic light emitting diode (TOLED) array.
24. The building of claim 22 , wherein the tintable window comprises an insulated glass unit (IGU), the IGU comprising a first lite and a second lite.
25. The building of claim 24 , wherein the first lite includes the electrochromic device and the transparent display is laminated to the second lite.
26. The building of claim 25 , wherein the IGU is coupled with a framing system configured to support the IGU.
27. The building of claim 26 , wherein the framing system is configured to facilitate disconnection of the transparent display from an electrical connection.
28. The building of claim 27 , wherein the electrical connection includes a connection to a power source, a control system, a local controller, a controller of the tintable window, a controller of the transparent display, and/or a controller of the electrochromic device.
29. The building of claim 27 , wherein the electrical connection includes a connection to the controller of the tintable window and a controller of the transparent display.