Dynamic façade system consisting of controllable windows, automated shades and dimmable electric lights

Abstract

The disclosure of the present invention provides for a process for controlling the environmental settings of a building, including: providing a building management system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic devices at least one of (a) one or more automated window shades, and (b) one or more dimmable electric lights; receiving, at the building management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building; and controlling, at the building management system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic devices based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.

1 . A process for controlling the environmental settings of a building having one or more windows, said process comprising:
 providing a building management system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic devices associated with the one or more windows and at least one of (a) one or more automated window shades associated with the one or more windows, and (b) one or more dimmable electric lights;   receiving, at the building management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building; and   controlling, at the building management system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.   
     
     
         2 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein controlling the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device based on at least one of the inputs relating to an occupancy status of the building, a presence of a glare condition and an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building is at least partially influenced by the determination of the time of day input. 
     
     
         3 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device is not controlled based on the input relating to the presence of a glare condition when the building management system determines that the time of day is nighttime. 
     
     
         4 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device is not controlled based on the input relating to the presence of a glare condition when the building management system determines that the occupancy status is vacant. 
     
     
         5 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device based on the input relating to an operating mode of an HVAC system of the building is at least partially influenced by the determination of the input relating to occupancy status of the building only when the time of day input indicates that the time of day is daytime. 
     
     
         6 . The process of  claim 2 , wherein controlling the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device based on the input relating to an occupancy status of the building is not influenced by the determination of the input relating to HVAC system of the building only when the time of day input indicates that the time of day is nighttime. 
     
     
         7 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the building management system comprises at least one of a lighting control system, a window shade control system, and a dynamic glazing control system. 
     
     
         8 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the time of day input is selected from one of a day input and a night input. 
     
     
         9 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the time of day input is selected from one of a morning input, an afternoon input, and a night input. 
     
     
         10 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the glare condition input is selected from one of a present input or an absent input. 
     
     
         11 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the HVAC operating mode input is selected from one of a heating input and a cooling input. 
     
     
         12 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the occupancy status input is selected from one of an occupied input and a vacant input. 
     
     
         13 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the building management system further receives information relating to at least one of a geographic location of the building, weather forecasts, and historical weather data. 
     
     
         14 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the building management system further receives information relating to at least one of an orientation of the one or more windows in relation to sunlight at a particular time of day, a presence or absence of neighboring buildings, and shadows cast by nearby obstructions. 
     
     
         15 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the building management system further receives information from one or more photosensors. 
     
     
         16 . The process of  claim 1 , wherein the building management system further receives information from one or more temperature sensors. 
     
     
         17 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein the temperature sensors are in an external environment. 
     
     
         18 . The process of  claim 16 , wherein the temperature sensors are in a room in which at least one window is located. 
     
     
         19 . A process for controlling the environmental settings of a controlled space, said process comprising:
 providing a management system capable of controlling one or more electrochromic devices and least one of (a) one or more automated window shades and (b) one or more dimmable electric lights;   receiving, at the management system, a plurality of inputs related to (a) a time of day, (b) an occupancy status of the building, (c) a presence of a glare condition, and (d) an operating mode of an HVAC system of the controlled space; and   controlling, at the management system, the status of at least one of the window shades, the lights and the electrochromic device based on at least one of the plurality of inputs.   
     
     
         20 . The process of  claim 19 , wherein the controlled space is one of a building, automobile, watercraft, or aircraft.