Systems and methods for controlling electrochromic devices using integrated power source

Abstract

An electrochromic device comprising: an active electrochromic layer having optical properties that vary based on an electrical voltage applied to the active electrochromic layer; an integrated energy source integrated within the electrochromic device for generating or storing electrical energy; and a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and the active electrochromic layer for applying the electrical energy generated or stored by the integrated energy source to the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user. The described electrochromic device is entirely self-contained and internally produces all the electrical energy necessary for its operation and specifically for the operation of the controller and for controlling the optical properties of the electrochromic layer. In other words, there no external wiring or any kind is required for supplying electric energy to the electrochromic device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An electrochromic device comprising:
 a. an active electrochromic layer having optical properties that vary based on an electrical voltage applied to the active electrochromic layer;   b. an integrated energy source integrated within the electrochromic device for generating or storing electrical energy; and   c. a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and the active electrochromic layer for applying the electrical energy generated or stored by the integrated energy source to the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user.   
     
     
         2 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the optical properties comprise transparency, color or opacity. 
     
     
         3 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the integrated energy source comprises a solar cell. 
     
     
         4 . The electrochromic device of  claim 3 , wherein the solar cell is disposed to face outside of a building. 
     
     
         5 . The electrochromic device of  claim 3 , wherein the solar cell is separate and distinct from the active electrochromic layer and not directly mechanically attached to the active electrochromic layer. 
     
     
         6 . The electrochromic device of  claim 3 , further comprising an enclosure for housing the controller, wherein the solar cell is disposed on a side of the enclosure. 
     
     
         7 . The electrochromic device of  claim 6 , wherein the side of the enclosure is outwardly facing side. 
     
     
         8 . The electrochromic device of  claim 3 , wherein the solar cell is substantially transparent. 
     
     
         9 . The electrochromic device of  claim 8 , wherein the solar cell is disposed directly on the active electrochromic layer. 
     
     
         10 . The electrochromic device of  claim 9 , wherein the solar cell is directly mechanically attached to the active electrochromic layer using glue. 
     
     
         11 . The electrochromic device of  claim 8 , further comprising a substantially rigid substrate, wherein the solar cell is disposed directly on the substantially rigid substrate. 
     
     
         12 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , containing no wiring to an external power source. 
     
     
         13 . The electrochromic device of  claim 1 , wherein the controller comprises a voltage converter for converting the voltage of the integrated energy source to a voltage for controlling the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user. 
     
     
         14 . A method for controlling an electrochromic device comprising:
 a. providing an active electrochromic layer having optical properties that vary based on an electrical voltage applied to the active electrochromic layer;   b. using an integrated energy source integrated within the electrochromic device to generate or store electrical energy; and   c. using a controller operatively coupled to the energy source and the active electrochromic layer to apply the electrical energy generated or stored by the integrated energy source to the active electrochromic layer to achieve the optical properties desired by a user.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the optical properties comprise transparency, color or opacity. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the integrated energy source comprises a solar cell. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the solar cell is disposed to face outside of a building. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the solar cell is separate and distinct from the active electrochromic layer and not directly mechanically attached to the active electrochromic layer. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising providing an enclosure for housing the controller, wherein the solar cell is disposed on a side of the enclosure. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the side of the enclosure is outwardly facing side.