System of networked controllers, and method of operating a system of networked controllers

Abstract

A system of networked controllers includes one or more switchable optical filters, and the switchable optical filters are photochromic and electrochromic. The system also includes a master controller, and one or more slave controllers operably connected to the one or more switchable optical filters. At least one of the one or more slave controllers is communicatively coupled to the master controller. The master controller is configured to transmit a switching command to the at least one of the one or more slave controllers. Each slave controller is operable, in response to receiving the switching command, to cause a corresponding switchable optical filter to transition from a first state to a second state.

1 . A system of networked controllers, comprising:
 a plurality of electrochromic switchable optical filters;   a plurality of controllers, communicatively coupled with each other, each operable to cause a corresponding one of the switchable optical filters to transition from a first state to a second state; and   one or more sensors, communicatively coupled with at least one of the controllers, and configured to output one or more sensor readings,   wherein each controller is configured, based on the one or more sensor readings, to determine whether to cause the corresponding electrochromic switchable optical filter to transition from the first state to the second state.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first state comprises a first colour and the second state comprises a second colour, or wherein the first state comprises a first amount of light transmittance and the second state comprises a second amount of light transmittance. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic switchable optical filters are configured to transition from a first state of relatively lower light transmittance to a second state of relatively higher light transmittance in response to application of a potential difference across the switchable optical filters. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the electrochromic switchable optical filters are configured to transition from a first state of relatively higher light transmittance to a second state of relatively lower light transmittance in response to application of a potential difference across the switchable optical filters. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the switchable optical filters are configured to transition from a first state of relatively higher light transmittance to a second state of relatively lower light transmittance in response to light incident on the switchable optical filters. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising one or more of the following communicatively coupled to at least one of the plurality of controllers: a GPS receiver operable to generate a GPS signal; a gyroscope operable to generate an orientation signal; a clock operable to generate a clock signal; and a wireless receiver operable to generate a wireless signal, wherein the master controller is further configured to determine whether to transmit the switching command based on one or more of the GPS signal, the orientation signal, the clock signal, and the wireless signal. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more sensors comprise light sensors operable to generate one or more light readings. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the system is comprised in: a residence, a train, an aircraft, a gondola, or an automotive vehicle; and   the switchable optical filters are provided in one or more windows of the residence, the train, the aircraft, the gondola, or the automotive vehicle.