Transmission-type (e.g., Windows) Patents (Class 359/275)
  • Patent number: 10324317
    Abstract: A light control device 10 includes a pair of electrodes 611 and 612 and a stacked structure body 613? of a plurality of light control layers 613 sandwiched by the pair of electrodes 611 and 612; and each light control layer 613 has a stacked structure of a first insulating layer 614, a first nanocarbon film 615 doped with an n-type impurity or not doped with an impurity, a second insulating layer 617, and a second nanocarbon film 616 doped with a p-type impurity or not doped with an impurity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: SONY SEMICONDUCTOR SOLUTIONS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kouichi Harada, Kyoko Izuha, Koji Kadono
  • Patent number: 10323455
    Abstract: A window control device includes a window regulator and a light control device. The window regulator controls movement of a light control glass that is installed in a vehicle door and a light transmittance of which can be adjusted. The light control device controls the light transmittance of the light control glass. The light control device is attached to one of the components constituting the window regulator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Aisin Seiki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tiago Lacerda Campagnolo, Tomoki Mitsuya
  • Patent number: 10253558
    Abstract: Various embodiments herein relate to power distribution networks for optically switchable windows. A number of different topologies are provided. In many embodiments, a control panel may be connected with a trunk line, which is connected to a plurality of optically switchable windows. The plurality of optically switchable windows may be powered by the shared trunk line. This topology provides substantial improvements over topologies in which each optically switchable window is connected to the control panel via separate, individual lines. Further, certain embodiments herein relate to installation kits for installing power distribution networks for optically switchable windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Jose Vigano, Stephen C. Brown, Dhairya Shrivastava, Kevin Kazuo Kaneshiro
  • Patent number: 10243381
    Abstract: An electrochromic vehicle window is disclosed. The electrochromic vehicle window comprises a plurality of electrochromic layers, each electrochromic layer having a different color or different visual properties. Each electrochromic layer independently oscillates between varying degrees of transparency to indicate the status of a vehicle, such as that the vehicle is charging.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2019
    Assignee: NIO USA, Inc.
    Inventors: Austin Newman, Christopher Eckert
  • Patent number: 10237538
    Abstract: A display panel, a driving method thereof, a manufacturing method thereof and a display device. The display panel includes a first emission layer (EML) and a second EML. The first EML includes a plurality of first display pixel, the first display pixels each include at least one first luminescent unit; the second EML is disposed at a light-emitting side of the first display pixels and includes a plurality of second display pixels, the second display pixels each include at least one second luminescent unit, the second EML includes light-transmitting regions and light-shielding regions alternately arranged in a row direction; the first display pixels and orthographic projections of the second display pixels on the first EML are partially overlapped and the first display pixels are partially exposed from corresponding light-transmitting regions; and the first and second display pixels have a same light-emitting direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yanfeng Wang, Xiaoling Xu, Yuanxin Du, Zhenhua Lv, Xiao Sun, Yun Qiu
  • Patent number: 10226182
    Abstract: Provided is a photoacoustic probe. The photoacoustic probe is configured to control light emitted from an optical unit by using a shutter that is switched between a state in which the shutter is opened to allow light to pass therethrough and a state in which the shutter blocks the light according to whether an inspection starts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignees: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD., SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jung-Ho Kim, Dal-kwon Koh, Jong-kyu Jung, Jung-taek Oh, Jae-kwang Lee
  • Patent number: 10210368
    Abstract: A smart driver system for electrochromic devices is provided. The system includes at least one smart driver having one or more processors, memory and a communication module. The at least one smart driver is configurable to couple to or integrate with one or more smart windows having electrochromic devices. The at least one smart driver is configurable to input identification information from a plurality of self-identifying components of a smart window system, including the one or more smart windows, and to self-initialize or self-adjust a plurality of operating parameters for operation of the self-identifying components in accordance with the identification information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Wally Barnum, Doug Brainard, Steve Coffin, Paul Nagel
  • Patent number: 10180606
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Mullins, Trevor Frank, Jason Satern, Travis D. Wilbur, Mark Sawyer
  • Patent number: 10156374
    Abstract: There is provided a paned window or door structure in which a plurality of Peltier cells are present. The paned elements have a frame with a fixed portion (2?) and a mobile portion (2?) in which at least one double glazing unit (3) is present, it being provided that in the interspace present in the double glazing unit, at an edge that is arranged in the mobile portion (2?) of the frame, a plurality of Peltier cells (11) are present. The Peltier cells are in contact with an element for dissipating heat towards the outside (12), made of optimal heat conduction material, which has a portion thereof (12?) arranged at the external surface of the door or window. On each of the cells (11), a sheet is superimposed made of material with high heat conductivity, acting as a heat sink (13) for dissipating towards the interior of the double glazing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Inventors: Giampaolo Berto, Silvano Vignaga, Silvano Munaretto
  • Patent number: 10146059
    Abstract: The embodiments of the present invention disclose a parallax bather and a fabricating method thereof. The parallax barrier comprises a first transparent conducting layer (35), a second transparent conducting layer (36), and an insulating layer (37) between the first transparent conducting layer (35) and the second transparent conducting layer (36). The first transparent conductive layer (35) is formed into a plurality of signal electrode lines (350), and the second transparent conductive layer (36) is formed into a plurality of common electrode lines (360). The signal electrode lines (350) and the common electrode lines (360) are arranged alternately, and the common electrode lines (360) are located in a gap between adjacent signal electrode lines (350) with the insulating layer (37) in between.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD., BEIJING BOE DISPLAY TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Huibin Guo, Zhenyu Zhang, Shoukun Wang, Liangliang Li, Yuchun Feng
  • Patent number: 10139696
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Mark A. Collins, Travis D. Wilbur, Alexander Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Patent number: 10139697
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Patent number: 10118995
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an organic/heterometallic hybrid polymer including a plurality of organometal complexes and a plurality of transition metals, the organic/heterometallic hybrid polymer, wherein the plurality of organometal complexes are linked in a linear manner by sandwiching each of the plurality of transition metals therebetween, the organometal complexes include two ligands each having a terpyridyl group and one connector having Ru(dppe)2 and two ethynylene groups, and the two ligands are linked by the connector, so that a nitrogen atom at position 1? of the terpyridyl group is directed toward the terminal side of the molecule of the organometal complex, and the terpyridyl groups of at least two different organometal complexes of the plurality of organometal complexes are bound to one of the transition metals through a coordinate bond, thereby linking the plurality of organometal complexes while sandwiching the plurality of transition metals alternately therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: National Institute of Materials Science
    Inventors: Masayoshi Higuchi, Takashi Sato
  • Patent number: 10108067
    Abstract: In an aspect of the present invention, a gasochromic dimming mechanism is provided which includes a gasochromic dimming component provided with a pair of transparent substrates, the transparent substrates being arranged to face each other, and a dimming part formed on one or both facing surfaces of the pair of the transparent substrates, wherein an optical property of the dimming part is reversibly changed by hydrogenation and dehydrogenation; and a hydrogen-air mixture gas supply unit that supplies a hydrogen-air mixture gas between the pair of the transparent substrates. The hydrogen-air mixture gas supply unit includes an electrolysis cell including a mixer for mixing hydrogen and air, a polymer electrolyte membrane, a porous electrode formed in the polymer electrolyte membrane as an anode, and an air supply unit that supplies the air to the mixer, the porous electrode being arranged on a flow channel of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
    Inventor: Kazuki Yoshimura
  • Patent number: 10078252
    Abstract: A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate, a first electrically conductive layer and a first current modulating structure on a surface thereof, the first current modulating structure comprising a composite of a resistive material and a patterned insulating material, the first current modulating structure having a cross-layer resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first current modulating structure that varies as a function of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: KINESTRAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Howard S. Bergh, Jonathan Ziebarth, Nicolas Timmerman
  • Patent number: 10071689
    Abstract: A rearview device system includes a partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display module in optical communication with the partially reflective, partially transmissive element, a display element, an optic block in optical communication with the display element, a first circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the optic block and edge light the display element, an optic holder operably connected to the optic block, defining at least one aperture, a second circuit board comprising at least one light source configured to emit illumination that propagates through the at least one aperture and the optic block to back light at least one of a portion of the display element and an icon, and wherein light emitted by the light source of the first circuit board and the light source of the second circuit board is visible through the partially reflective, partially transmissive element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: John A. VanderPloeg, Eric S. Sloterbeek, Andrew D. Weller, David A. Blaker
  • Patent number: 10054836
    Abstract: An electro-optic assembly for use in a vehicle having a windshield is provided and includes a first arcuate substrate having a first surface with an anti-reflective coating and a second surface. A second arcuate substrate includes a third surface and a fourth surface with an anti-reflective coating. The first and second substrates are positioned such that the second and third surfaces are at least 0.1 mm apart. A seal is disposed between the first and second substrates and located substantially about a periphery of the electro-optic assembly. An electro-optic medium is positioned in a cavity defined by the first substrate, the second substrate, and the seal, the electro-optic medium including a refractive index greater than 1.2. The second surface is configured to receive and reflect incident light projected from a projector, thereby displaying information that appears to be displayed forward of the windshield.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David J. Cammenga, Christopher M. Derry, Bradley A. Bosma, George A. Neuman, Mario F. Saenger Nayver
  • Patent number: 10001689
    Abstract: A multi-layer device comprising a first substrate and a first electrically conductive layer on a surface thereof, the first electrically conductive layer having a sheet resistance to the flow of electrical current through the first electrically conductive layer that varies as a function of position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Howard S. Bergh, Jonathan Ziebarth, Nicolas Timmerman
  • Patent number: 9958750
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Robert T. Rozbicki, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9939662
    Abstract: The present invention provides an electrochromic nanocomposite film. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film, includes (1) a solid matrix of oxide based material and (2) transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures embedded in the matrix. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic nanocomposite film farther includes a substrate upon which the matrix is deposited. The present invention also provides a method of preparing an electrochromic nanocomposite film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Delia Milliron, Anna Llordes, Raffaella Buonsanti, Guillermo Garcia
  • Patent number: 9921450
    Abstract: Controllers and control methods apply a drive voltage to bus bars of a thin film optically switchable device. The applied drive voltage is provided at a level that drives a transition over the entire surface of the optically switchable device but does not damage or degrade the device. This applied voltage produces an effective voltage at all locations on the face of the device that is within a bracketed range. The upper bound of this range is associated with a voltage safely below the level at which the device may experience damage or degradation impacting its performance in the short term or the long term. At the lower boundary of this range is an effective voltage at which the transition between optical states of the device occurs relatively rapidly. The level of voltage applied between the bus bars is significantly greater than the maximum value of the effective voltage within the bracketed range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Anshu A. Pradhan, Disha Mehtani, Gordon Jack
  • Patent number: 9885935
    Abstract: Aspects of this disclosure concern controllers and control methods for applying a drive voltage to bus bars of optically switchable devices such as electrochromic devices. Such devices are often provided on windows such as architectural glass. In certain embodiments, the applied drive voltage is controlled in a manner that efficiently drives an optical transition over the entire surface of the electrochromic device. The drive voltage is controlled to account for differences in effective voltage experienced in regions between the bus bars and regions proximate the bus bars. Regions near the bus bars experience the highest effective voltage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Gordon Jack, Sridhar K. Kailasam, Stephen C. Brown, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9869886
    Abstract: Adaptive glasses for drivers or passengers of a motor vehicle, the glasses comprising lenses having a screen whose coefficient of transmission is variable between a maximum value (CTMAX) and a minimum value (CTmin). According to one embodiment of the invention, the coefficient of transmission (CT) of the glasses lenses (28) is controlled according to a wireless communication protocol.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2018
    Assignee: VALEO VISION
    Inventor: Benoist Fleury
  • Patent number: 9855827
    Abstract: An improved motor vehicle window visibility system that increases visibility and provides low-glare for a windshield and windows of a motor vehicle, improves temperature control, improves visual contrast and reduces glare in bright sunlight, rain, sleet, snow, fog, and night conditions. The system includes a thin polymeric film, yellow-tinted, that sandwiches and seals between layers of clear laminated glass of the motor vehicle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2018
    Inventor: Joseph Zambito
  • Patent number: 9789751
    Abstract: An aspect of the present disclosure is a thermal barrier that includes a core layer having a first surface, a second surface, and a first edge, and a first outer layer that includes a third surface and a second edge, where the third surface substantially contacts the first surface, the core layer is configured to minimize conductive heat transfer through the barrier, and the first outer layer is configured to maximize reflection of light away from the barrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 17, 2017
    Assignee: Alliance for Sustainable Energy, LLC
    Inventors: Cory J. Kreutzer, Jason A. Lustbader
  • Patent number: 9778532
    Abstract: The embodiments herein relate to methods for controlling an optical transition in an optically switchable device, and optically switchable devices configured to perform such methods. In various embodiments, non-optical (e.g., electrical) feedback is used to help control an optical transition. The feedback may be used for a number of different purposes. In many implementations, the feedback is used to control an ongoing optical transition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 3, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventor: Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9728920
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen Clark Brown, Mark A. Collins, Travis D. Wilbur, Alexander Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Patent number: 9726795
    Abstract: A multilayer structure comprising a base layer comprising at least one transparent thermoplastic and a specific inorganic infra-red absorber as well as an IR-reflecting multi-ply layer, the production of such a multilayer structure and the use thereof for the production of glazing made of plastic in buildings, automobiles, rail vehicles and aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2017
    Assignee: Covestro Deutschland AG
    Inventors: Heinz Pudleiner, Timo Kuhlmann, Alexander Meyer
  • Patent number: 9703167
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Robert T. Rozbicki, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Anshu A. Pradhan
  • Patent number: 9690162
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Travis Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Patent number: 9684219
    Abstract: An electrochromic device and method, the device including: a first transparent conductor layer; a working electrode disposed on the first transparent conductor layer and including nanostructures; a counter electrode; a solid state electrolyte layer disposed between the counter electrode and the working electrode; and a second transparent conductor layer disposed on the counter electrode. The nanostructures may include transition metal oxide nanoparticles and/or nanocrystals configured to tune the color of the device by selectively modulating the transmittance of near-infrared (NIR) and visible radiation as a function of an applied voltage to the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: HELIOTROPE TECHNOLOGIES
    Inventors: Guillermo Garcia, Jason Holt, Scott Thomsen
  • Patent number: 9677327
    Abstract: A smart window-based security system is provided. The system includes a plurality of smart windows, each smart window of the plurality of smart windows having at least one electrochromic window and at least one sensor integrated into the smart window. The plurality of smart windows are coupled together in a system having at least one processor configured to detect a personal or property security threat, such as an intruder or fire based, on information from sensors of the plurality of smart windows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Kinestral Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Nagel, Wally Barnum, Stephen Coffin, Brandon Nichols, Antoine Dubois
  • Patent number: 9671665
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity. Pre-wired spacers improve fabrication efficiency and seal integrity of insulated glass units. Electrical connection systems include those embedded in the secondary seal of the insulated glass unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2017
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Mark A. Collins, Travis D. Wilbur
  • Patent number: 9586461
    Abstract: In a light-adjusting-panel structure, a light-adjusting sheet is bonded, using a first adhesive, to the back surface of a first transparent panel. In this light-adjusting-panel structure, the end section of the light-adjusting sheet is drawn out to a position closer to the end section of the first transparent panel than the end surface of the first adhesive, in a direction along the panel surface of the first transparent panel. Further, the light-adjusting-panel structure covers the drawn-out end section and the end surface of the first adhesive, the light-adjusting-panel structure being provided with a seal material having lower moisture permeability than the first adhesive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: HONDA MOTOR CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Yuichiro Okuda
  • Patent number: 9578686
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for managing heating of a window system. The apparatus comprises a dimmable window panel and a heating system. The dimmable window panel has an inner portion and an outer portion around the inner portion. The heating system is thermally connected to the outer portion of the dimmable window panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2017
    Assignee: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Sahrudine Apdalhaliem, Kimberly D. Meredith, Morteza Safai
  • Patent number: 9535293
    Abstract: A sealed, transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly is disclosed. The assembly preferably contains a front and a rear glass panel. The assembly also preferably has a spacer element that is positioned around a perimeter of, and sandwiched between, the front and rear glass panels, thereby providing a gaseous seal. The LCD panel is positioned between the front and rear glass panels. In an exemplary embodiment, a two way light guide would be used within the assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: William Dunn
  • Patent number: 9526352
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide a sealed transparent LCD assembly having a front and rear glass panel with a spacer positioned between the two panels to provide a sealed cavity containing a liquid crystal display (LCD). A wireless transmitter/receiver may be placed within the sealed cavity to receive image or video data wirelessly. The sealed transparent LCD assembly may be used with a display case which defines a cavity housing a second wireless transmitter/receiver which can push the image or video data to the wireless transmitter/receiver contained within the sealed cavity between the two glass panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2016
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Marcos Diaz
  • Patent number: 9500896
    Abstract: The exemplary embodiments herein provide a transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly having a glass panel with an LCD panel placed in front of the glass panel. A light guide may be positioned between the LCD panel and the glass panel and the light guide may have an edge. A substrate containing a plurality of LEDs is preferably positioned adjacent to the edge of the light guide and a thermal plate is preferably attached to both the substrate and the glass panel. The thermal plate may contain two portions which are substantially perpendicular to each other, where one of the portions is substantially parallel to the glass panel. In some embodiments, the LCD may be sandwiched in between a pair of glass panels, held opposite one another by a spacer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventors: William Dunn, Marcos Diaz
  • Patent number: 9500801
    Abstract: A transparent liquid crystal display (LCD) assembly is disclosed. The assembly has an LCD panel and a light guide placed behind the LCD panel. The light guide ideally contains a front and rear surface. The assembly preferably has a front bracket that contacts the front surface of the light guide and a rear bracket that contacts the rear surface of the light guide. While the light guide is constrained from movement towards or away from the LCD panel by the front and rear brackets, the light guide is generally permitted to move parallel to the LCD panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2016
    Assignee: MANUFACTURING RESOURCES INTERNATIONAL, INC.
    Inventor: William Dunn
  • Patent number: 9454053
    Abstract: Thin-film devices, for example electrochromic devices for windows, and methods of manufacturing are described. Particular focus is given to methods of patterning optical devices. Various edge deletion and isolation scribes are performed, for example, to ensure the optical device has appropriate isolation from any edge defects. Methods described herein apply to any thin-film device having one or more material layers sandwiched between two thin film electrical conductor layers. The described methods create novel optical device configurations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Fabian Strong, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Abhishek Anant Dixit, Todd Martin, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9442339
    Abstract: This disclosure describes insulated glass units (IGUs) that incorporate electrochromic devices. More specifically, this disclosure focuses on different configurations available for providing an electrical connection to the interior region of an IGU. In many cases, an IGU includes two panes separated by a spacer. The spacer defines an interior region of the IGU and an exterior region of the IGU. Often, the electrochromic device positioned on the pane does not extend past the spacer, and some electrical connection must be provided to supply power from the exterior of the IGU to the electrochromic device on the interior of the IGU. In some embodiments, the spacer includes one or more holes (e.g, channels, mouse holes, other holes, etc.) through which an electrical connection (e.g., wires, busbar leads, etc.) may pass to provide power to the electrochromic device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald M. Parker, Yashraj Bhatnagar, Trevor Frank, Travis D. Wilbur, Stephen C. Brown
  • Patent number: 9442341
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Anshu A. Pradhan, Stephen C. Brown, David Walter Groechel, Robert T. Rozbicki
  • Patent number: 9436054
    Abstract: This disclosure provides connectors for smart windows. A smart window may incorporate an optically switchable pane. In one aspect, a window unit includes an insulated glass unit including an optically switchable pane. A wire assembly may be attached to the edge of the insulated glass unit and may include wires in electrical communication with electrodes of the optically switchable pane. A floating connector may be attached to a distal end of the wire assembly. The floating connector may include a flange and a nose, with two holes in the flange for affixing the floating connector to a first frame. The nose may include a terminal face that present two exposed contacts of opposite polarity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen C. Brown, Alexander Rumer, Dennis Mullins
  • Patent number: 9411209
    Abstract: An electrochromic cell includes a minimally color changing polymer (MCCP) and a non-color changing polymer (NCCP), where the neutral state or the oxidized state is highly transmissive in the NIR and the oxidized state or the neutral state, respectively, is significantly less transmissive in the NIR. An electrochromic device (ECD) can include the electrochromic cell, or a combination of electrochromic cells. The ECD can be part of a window or a laminate for a window to permit the control of IR transmittance through the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA RESEARCH FOUNDATION, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Reynolds, Aubrey Lynn Dyer
  • Patent number: 9403590
    Abstract: An aircraft window foam mounting assembly having an exterior pressure pane frame including an inner surface and an outer surface. A pressure pane is in abutting contact with the inner surface of the exterior pressure pane frame. A foam bezel is proximate a periphery of the pressure pane and defines an inner opening. The foam bezel includes an inner wall and an outer wall. The inner wall includes a channel. An electrochromic element is disposed in the opening and is configured for reception in the channel of the inner wall. An electrically conductive member is operably coupled to the foam bezel and extends from the inner wall to the outer wall.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: GENTEX CORPORATION
    Inventors: David I. Driscoll, Bradley L. Busscher, Kevin L. Ash, Andrew J. LeVesque, James E. Teune, Christian M. Kemperman, David A. Theiste, Andrew T. Mitchell
  • Patent number: 9341912
    Abstract: 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: View, Inc.
    Inventors: Dhairya Shrivastava, Robin Friedman, Vinod Khosla, Rao Mulpuri
  • Patent number: 9341913
    Abstract: The embodiments described herein provide an electrochromic device. In an exemplary embodiment, the electrochromic device includes (1) a substrate and (2) a film supported by the substrate, where the film includes transparent conducting oxide (TCO) nanostructures. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes (a) an electrolyte, where the nanostructures are embedded in the electrolyte, resulting in an electrolyte, nanostructure mixture positioned above the substrate and (b) a counter electrode positioned above the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a conductive coating deposited on the substrate between the substrate and the mixture. In a further embodiment, the electrochromic device further includes a second substrate positioned above the mixture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: The Regents of the University of California
    Inventors: Delia Milliron, Ravisubhash Tangirala, Anna Llordes, Raffaella Buonsanti, Guillermo Garcia
  • Patent number: 9307158
    Abstract: An electro-optic aperture has a stack that includes a front transparent conductor medium, an active electro-chromic medium, and a rear transparent conductor medium. The front and rear transparent conductor mediums are directly connected to each other by a conductive section located within the imaging path. Other embodiments are also described and claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2016
    Assignee: Apple Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffrey Nathan Gleason, Henry H. Yang
  • Patent number: 9287612
    Abstract: Transparent antennas are described. An antenna apparatus for a radio transceiver of a wireless communication terminal having a housing includes a transparent antenna coupled to the housing around a perimeter of the housing and electrically connected to the transceiver. The transparent antenna has a conductive mesh acting as one or more radiating elements. Light and images may pass through the transparent antenna. The transparent antenna may have a ring shape around the housing of the terminal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: Sony Mobile Communications AB
    Inventors: Thomas Bolin, Henrik Jensfelt, Zhinong Ying
  • Patent number: 9212272
    Abstract: The present invention relates to organic coloring agents with a high color stability to weathering for thermoplastics. The invention furthermore relates to a polymer composition containing at least one thermoplastic and at least one organic coloring agent, preferably a combination of at least two organic coloring agents, of a specific structure. The invention moreover relates to the use of the coloring agents according to the invention for coloring polymer compositions, in particular for transparent formulations such as are required for the production of panes for use in buildings, motor vehicles and track vehicles or aircraft.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Bayer MaterialScience AG
    Inventors: Alexander Meyer, Michael Wagner, Jörg Reichenauer