Apparatus for operating a non-light-emitting variable transmission device and a method of using the same

Abstract

A method can be used to control the operation of one or more non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices. In an embodiment, a method of operating a plurality of non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices can include receiving requests for requested visible transmittance for the non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices; determining operating parameters for the non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices; and operating the non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices at the operating parameters, wherein the operating parameters for the non-light-emitting, variable transmission devices are different. In another aspect, the method can include operating the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device at a first operating parameter for a time period, wherein the operating parameter corresponds to an intermediate visible transmittance; generating a characterization parameter based at least part on the voltage and current measurements that are obtained during the time period; and controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device period based at least in part on the characterization parameter.

1 . An apparatus for operating a non-light-emitting, variable transmission device, the apparatus comprising a processor that executes instructions to:
 operate the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device at a first operating parameter for a first time period, wherein the first operating parameter corresponds to a first intermediate visible transmittance where a steady state for ion migration occurs during the first time period;   generate a characterization parameter based at least part on voltage and leakage current measurements that are obtained during the first time period; and   control the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device for a second time period based at least in part on the characterization parameter.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 measure an applied voltage and a current for the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device during the first time period.   
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 filter the characterization parameter before using the characterization parameter to control the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 store the characterization parameter after generating the characterization parameter.   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 change the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device from the intermediate visible transmittance to a different visible transmittance.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 determine a temperature of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device using an impedance of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device,   wherein a voltage used to change the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device from the intermediate visible transmittance to a different visible transmittance is based at least in part on the temperature.   
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein control of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device comprises apply an overshoot voltage to the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein control the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device comprises compensate for hysteresis in the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the apparatus is further configured to:
 determine a visible transmittance of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device using a charge that includes an ionic current integrated over time;   update the characterization parameter based at least part on the voltage and current measurements that are obtained during the second time period;   control the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device for a third time period based at least in part on the updated characterization parameter;   obtain data corresponding to an ambient condition at least during the first time period; and   adjusting the characterization parameter based at least in part on the data.   
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein:
 the ambient condition includes a temperature, a humidity, a physical stress, an electrical stress, or any combination thereof; and   the data corresponds to a time period of at least a week, a month, three months, or a year.   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising filtering the characterization parameter, wherein filtering reduces or eliminates an outlier value. 
     
     
         12 . A method of operating a non-light-emitting, variable transmission device, the method comprising:
 operating the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device at a first operating parameter for a first time period, wherein the first operating parameter corresponds to an intermediate visible transmittance, wherein a steady state for ion migration occurs during the first time period;   generating a characterization parameter corresponding to a leakage current and based at least part on the voltage and current measurements that are obtained during the first time period;   controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device for a second time period based at least in part on the characterization parameter.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 measuring an applied voltage and a current for the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device during the first time period.   
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 filtering the characterization parameter before using the characterization parameter when controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 storing the characterization parameter after generating the characterization parameter; and   changing the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device from the intermediate visible transmittance to a different visible transmittance.   
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein further comprising:
 determining a temperature of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device using an impedance of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device,   wherein a voltage used to change the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device from the intermediate visible transmittance to a different visible transmittance is based at least in part on the temperature.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device comprises applying an overshoot voltage to the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device comprises compensating for hysteresis in the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising:
 determining a visible transmittance of the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device using a charge that includes an ionic current integrated over time;   updating the characterization parameter based at least part on voltage and current measurements that are obtained during the second time period;   controlling the non-light-emitting, variable transmission device for a third time period based at least in part on the characterization parameter after updating the characterization parameter;   obtaining data corresponding to an ambient condition at least during the first time period;   and   adjust the characterization parameter based at least in part on the data.