Patent Abstract:
An electrochromic insert adapted to be fitted into an existing window frame allowing an existing window to be retrofit to have the benefits of electrochromics. The insert may have a scaffold that fits into a window frame. Securing the insert to the frame may occur through a variety of ways including a bracket, a flexible tab, a brace, a screw, a bolt, a projection, a detent, and an adhesive. The technology allows for the electrochromic insert to include an electrochromic device, energy collection device, an energy storage device, and an electrochromic device controller. Such a configuration may be considered autonoumous such that it need not draw power from another source.

Full Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/877,425, filed Sep. 13, 2013, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     INTRODUCTION 
     Electrochromic devices may be used in a variety of applications where it is desired to control the opacity of an object. For example, an electrochromic device may be used in conjunction with a window to create a so-called “smart window.” Some smart windows may be constructed by first depositing the electrochromic device on a flexible original superstrate. Additionally, the electrochromic device may then be oriented such that light traveling through the window pane passes through the electrochromic device. A voltage applied to the electrochromic device changes the opacity of the electrochromic device. Controlling this voltage results in controlling the amount of light that passes through the window. 
     Smart windows may be used for privacy purposes or for energy efficiency purposes. Energy efficiency may be realized by controlling the amount of light entering a building through the window. For example, when it is desired to heat a space, such as an office building, the smart window may be controlled to allow more light to pass through the window. This light may heat the interior space and reduce the amount of additional energy required to heat the space to a desired temperature. Alternatively, the smart window may be used to allow less light to pass through a window, thus keeping the space cool. 
     It is with respect to these and other considerations that embodiments have been made. Also, although relatively specific problems have been discussed, it should be understood that the embodiments should not be limited to solving the specific problems identified herein. 
     Electrochromic Window Insert Assembly and Methods of Manufacture 
     An electrochromic insert adapted to be fitted into an existing window frame allowing an existing window to be retrofit to have the benefits of electrochromics. The insert may have a scaffold that fits into a window frame. Securing the insert to the frame may occur through a variety of ways including a bracket, a flexible tab, a brace, a screw, a bolt, a projection, a detent, and an adhesive. The technology allows for the electrochromic insert to include an electrochromic device, energy collection device, an energy storage device, and an electrochromic device controller. Such a configuration may be considered autonoumous such that it need not draw power from another source. 
     In one aspect, the technology relates to a system including a rigid scaffolding adapted to be fixed to a pre-existing window. The system also includes an electrochromic device spanning the rigid scaffolding. 
     In an additional aspect, the technology relates to a system including a superstrate, an electrochomic device fixed to the superstrate, and a securement system connected to the superstrate for securing the superstrate to a window frame. 
     Additionally, one aspect of the technology relates to a method including affixing an electrochromic device to a superstrate to form a sheet comprising a plurality of edges and a plurality of outer corners joining adjacent edges of the plurality of edges. The method also includes removing each of the plurality of outer corners so as to form a plurality of inner corners. Additionally, the method includes folding each of the plurality of edges such that adjacent inner corners contact each other, so as to form a box structure. 
     This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The same number represents the same element or same type of element in all drawings. 
         FIG. 1  depicts a side sectional view of one embodiment of an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIG. 2  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIG. 3  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIG. 4  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIGS. 5A-5H  depict views of embodiments of securement systems for an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIG. 6  depicts a method of installing a electrochromic insert into a window frame. 
         FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a system for manufacturing an electrochromic assembly. 
         FIG. 8  depicts a method of manufacturing an electrochromic assembly utilizing the system of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . 
         FIG. 9  depicts one example of a suitable operating environment in which one or more of the present examples may be implemented. 
         FIG. 10  is an embodiment of a network in which the various systems and methods disclosed herein may operate. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     It should be noted that this application uses the terms “transparent,” “translucent,” “opaque,” and “opacity.” As used in this application, the word “transparent” describes the property of allowing substantially all light, or a large portion thereof, of a given electromagnetic range (e.g., the visible range or a portion thereof) to pass through the material. As such, it is possible that a material may be “transparent” with respect to a certain portion of the electromagnetic spectrum, but be opaque or translucent with respect to other portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. Additionally, a device may be considered transparent even if some small amount of light within the given electromagnetic range is scattered or reflected. As used, “transparent” is best understood as a relative term to distinguish a state of an electrochromic device from an “opaque” state in which less light passes through the device. Translucent describes the property of scattering light as the light passes through an object. Translucent and transparent are not exclusive terms; that is, it is possible for a material to be both highly translucent and highly transparent or, alternatively, highly translucent but not very transparent. Opacity describes the degree to which a material prevents light or a portion of the electromagnetic spectrum from passing through the material, such degree ranging from highly transparent to perfectly opaque. A material may have multiple opacity states and may change between these opacity states. Unless explicitly stated, these terms refer at least to the visible spectrum, although one of skill in the art will understand that the affected spectrum may be expanded or changed depending on the end goal (e.g., if the goal is to manage temperature in the interior space, then increasing the opacity of non-visible portions of the electromagnetic spectrum may be beneficial). 
     As discussed above, in an embodiment, an autonomous electrochromic assembly may include an electrochromic device, an energy collection device, an energy storage unit, and an electrochromic device controller. This autonomous electrochromic assembly may be used in conjunction with or incorporated into a window to control the amount of light passing through the window. Because the autonomous electrochromic assembly is autonomous in the sense that it receives its power from ambient light (i.e., it may be considered self-powered or passively powered), it may be easily retrofitted into existing construction without the need to provide wired or active wireless power to the window. Thus, by simply replacing traditional windows or exterior (or interior) panels with the windows described herein, a structure may be upgraded to allow active control of the light energy passing into the structure. Alternatively, the electrochromic assembly need not be autonomous, but may be powered and/or controlled from a central building location. 
       FIG. 1  depicts a side sectional view of one embodiment of an electrochromic assembly  100 . In embodiments, an autonomous electrochromic assembly  100  includes an electrochromic device  102 , a superstrate  104 , an energy collection device  106 , an energy storage device  108 , and an electrochromic device controller  110 . 
     In embodiments presented herein, the electrochromic device  102  is described as a thin film electrochromic device, although other types of electrochromic devices may be used. The electrochromic device  102  may have multiple layers including a substrate layer, a counter electrode layer, an electrolyte layer, and an electrochromic layer. The substrate layer may be flexible or rigid. The substrate layer may be indium tin oxide (“ITO”) coated polyethylene terephthalate (“PET”). Alternatively, the substrate layer may be glass, or another substantially transparent or translucent material. Additionally, the counter electrode layer may be a lithiated metal oxide or a lithiated mixed metal oxide. For example, lithium vanadium oxide, lithium nickel oxide, and lithium nickel tungsten oxide (where the ratio of W to Ni is less than 1 to 1) may be used. The electrochromic layer may be a similarly mixed oxide, such as molybdenum tungsten oxide (where the Mo to W ratio is less than 1 to 1). These layers may be formed using a variety of processes such as physical vapor deposition, chemical vapor deposition, thermal evaporation, pulsed laser deposition, sputter deposition, and sol-gel processes. A roll-to-roll manufacturing process may be used for flexible electrochromic film. This process may achieve cost reduction with high-yield manufacturing, and is described in more detail herein. 
     A voltage may be applied to an electrochromic device  102  to cause the electrochromic device  102  to change its opacity state. For example, the electrochromic device  102  may change from substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range to an opacity state that reflects or otherwise prevents blue light from passing through the device. Other opacity changes are possible and may be selected by the manufacturer to achieve desired performance criteria. The electrochromic device  102  may become more or less reflective or opaque when voltage is applied. 
     Additionally, the electrochromic device  102  may be temperature controlled. A cooling device may be used to remove excess heat from the electrochromic device  102 . Cooling the electrochromic device  102  may reduce heat transfer into a confined space, such as an interior of a building. Alternatively, heating the electrochromic device  102  may allow for a faster conversion of the electrochromic device  102  from one opacity state to another opacity state. The device used to control temperature may be a thermoelectric device that may provide either an active heating or cooling solution by reversing the polarity of the applied voltage. Depending on the embodiment, the power supplied to the thermoelectric device may be supplied by either or both of the energy collection device  106  or the energy storage device  108 . 
     In rigid embodiments, the superstrate  104  may be a rigid plastic such as acrylic or PLEXIGLASS. The superstrate  104  may be affixed to the electrochromic device  102  by lamination or by any other suitable method. By adhering the material directly to the rigid superstrate  104  immediately after the manufacturing of the electrochromic device  102 , wrinkling and creasing of the electrochromic device  102  may be mitigated. Alternatively the electrochromic device  102  may be mechanically attached to the superstrate  104 . Additionally, direct deposition of the electrochromic device  102  onto the superstrate  104  may be utilized. This may also prevent wrinkling of the electrochromic device  102 . The superstrate  104  may be substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range or translucent with respect to the visible light range. 
     The superstrate  104  may have additional integrated functionality. For example, resistive heaters may be used to heat the superstrate. This may be accomplished by running current through a slightly conductive superstrate. Electrical connections may be fed to a controller to control the power to a superstrate  104 . This controller may be integrated within a device controller  110 . Alternatively, the controller may be a separate controller. Heating a superstrate  104  may cause an electrochromic device  102  to be heated. This may reduce the time it takes an electrochromic device  102  to switch from one opacity state to another opacity state. This may occur because ion conductivities are poor at low temperatures, and heating the superstrate may heat an electrochromic device  102 . 
     An energy collection device  106  may be used in the autonomous electrochromic assembly  100 , and may be used to capture energy. The energy collection device  106  may be a thin film photovoltaic device or any other suitable construction. In embodiments, the energy collection device  106  may be a thin film photovoltaic and have a surface area such that the device need only collect a small portion of the light incident on the surface of the energy collection device  106 . This may result in the energy collection device  106  being substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range. In an embodiment, the energy collection device  106  is substantially or entirely co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102  such that all or nearly all light passing through the assembly  100  passes through both the energy collection device  106  and the electrochromic device  102 . 
     In other embodiments, the energy collection device  106  may be a wireless power beam devices (such as radio frequency, e.g., ZIGBEE or IR), a magnetic induction device, or a thermoelectric device. Any combination of energy collection devices may be used. 
     In alternative embodiments, the energy collection device  106  need not be substantially transparent, but may instead be substantially opaque. In one embodiment, the opaque energy collection device  106  may be integrated into an edge of the assembly  100 , such as in the location of the window frame, or inside the window spacer. The energy collection device  106  may be oriented with respect to the window pane area such that it does not significantly reduce the line of sight. Thus, in this embodiment, the energy collection device  106  is not co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102 . 
     The energy collection device  106  may be laminated or otherwise adhered to the superstrate  104 . Alternatively, the energy collection device  106  may be deposited using similar or the same methods described with reference to depositing the electrochromic device  102 . Deposition of the energy collection device  106  may occur concurrently with the electrochromic device  102  as part of a continuous manufacturing process. 
     The energy storage device  108  may be used in the electrochromic assembly  100 . In embodiments, very thin metals and dielectrics may be used to form a thin film capacitor to store energy generated from the energy collection device  106 . In embodiments, the capacitor may be a part of an infrared filter that rejects some infrared light or, alternatively, some other portion of the electromagnetic spectrum. This may reduce the need for other layers or coatings that perform similar infrared filter functions. In an embodiment, the energy storage device  108  may be substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range and may be substantially or entirely co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102  such that all or nearly all light passing through the assembly  100  passes through both the energy storage device  108  and the electrochromic device  102 . In yet another embodiment, both the energy storage device  108  and the energy collection device  106  may be substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range and both may be substantially or entirely co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102  such that all or nearly all light passing through the assembly  100  passes through all three components of the assembly  100 . Additionally, a capacitor or battery may be located at the edge of the window pane area outside of the sightline. 
     Alternatively, in an embodiment of the assembly  100 , a battery could be employed as the energy storage device  108  to store energy. Such a battery could be a thin film lithium ion battery or similar construction. In an embodiment, the battery could be solid state or have a liquid or semiliquid electrolyte. The energy storage device  108  may be substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range. In an embodiment, the energy storage device  108  is substantially or entirely co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102  such that all or nearly all light passing through the assembly  100  passes through both the energy storage device  108  and the electrochromic device  102 . Because the assembly  100  may be confined in a controlled and protected environment within a window or panel structure, some battery designs which would not be suitable for use under exposed conditions may be suitable in applications described herein. For example, the gas environment within the window volume (e.g., the selection of gas between the panes of the window) may be selected to allow the use of specific device designs that would not be suitable for use in an ambient environment. 
     The electrochromic device  102  may be controlled by the electrochromic device controller  110 . In an embodiment, the electrochromic controller  110  may be a microchip controller. The electrochromic device controller  110  may be hidden from view, and may communicate wirelessly to a central control system or user interface using various communication protocols such as but not limited to BLUETOOTH, ZIGBEE, IR, and RF telemetry. Additionally, the electrochromic controller  110  may be integrated in the frame of the window. Power to the electrochromic device controller  110  may be supplied directly by the energy collection device  106 , or it may be supplied by the energy storage device  108  which, in turn, may be supplied by the energy collection device  106 . In an alternative embodiment, the electrochromic device controller  110  may be substantially transparent with respect to the visible light range. In an embodiment, the electrochromic device controller  110  is substantially or entirely co-extensive with the electrochromic device  102  such that all or nearly all light passing through the assembly  100  passes through both the electrochromic device controller  110  and the electrochromic device  102 . 
     Although the autonomous electrochromic assembly  100  is illustrated as a series of layered, transparent thin film devices (which may be referred to as a unitary electrochromic insert assembly) with an attached electrochromic device controller  110 , it need not be. In other embodiments, certain devices may be physically separated from the other devices of the assembly. For example, the electrochromic device  102  may be attached to a flexible superstrate  104 . An electrochromic device  102  and a flexible superstrate  104  may then be attached to a transparent or translucent area of an object such as a window pane. An energy collection device  106  may be affixed to a different area that is exposed to a light source disposed outside of the window frame. The electrochromic device  102  may then be electrically coupled to the energy collection device  106 . The energy storage device  108  may be electrically coupled to the energy collection device  106  and the electrochromic device  102 . The electrochromic controller  110  may then be electrically coupled to the electrochromic device  102 . The configuration may be such that the electrochromic device controller  110  controls the voltage and current delivered to the electrochromic device  102 . 
     Additionally, although  FIG. 1  illustrates the use of only one each of the electrochromic device  102 , the superstrate  104 , an energy collection device  106 , the energy storage device  108 , and the electrochromic device controller  110 , multiple devices may be used in other embodiments. 
     The electrochomic assembly  100  can also include an adhesive layer  112  disposed on, for example the electrochromic device  102 . By including the adhesive layer  112 , which may be covered by a contact paper after manufacturing and during transit, the electrochromic assembly  100  can be applied to an existing window glass pane, either at a window manufacturer facility or at a site where an existing window is installed. Thus, the autonomous electrochromic assembly  100  can be utilized in retrofit installations so as to change functionality of a standard pane of glass. 
       FIG. 2  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly  200 . Components common with the electrochromic assembly of  FIG. 1  are numbered similarly and are generally not described further. In this embodiment, the electrochromic assembly  200  can be applied directly to a pane of window glass  214  during manufacture of a window. In such an embodiment, the superstrate  204  need not be utilized. However, utilization of the superstrate  204  may provide a robust base upon which to apply the energy collection device  206  and energy storage device  208 . 
       FIG. 3  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly  300 . Components common with the electrochromic assembly of  FIG. 1  are numbered similarly and are generally not described further. In this embodiment, the electrochromic assembly  300  includes a rigid scaffolding system  316  between which the various layers of the electrochromic assembly  300  are stretched or spanned. The rigid scaffolding system  316  is generally disposed about two or more edges of the electrochromic assembly  300  and can be used to secure the electrochomic assembly  300  into an in situ window frame, without removal of the pane of glass of the window. Thus, the electrochromic system  300  is well-suited for retrofit applications without requiring removal of a window pane. The scaffold may be secured directly to the window frame, as described in more detail below. In certain embodiments, the controller  310  may be secured to the scaffolding system  316 , which can conceal or integrate additional wiring, buses, electrical connections, etc. 
       FIG. 4  depicts a side sectional view of another embodiment of an electrochromic assembly  400 . Components common with the electrochromic assembly of  FIG. 1  are numbered similarly and are generally not described further. In the depicted embodiment, after assembly of the electrochromic assembly  400 , the finished assembly  400  can be folded to as to form a framed structure having at least a first leg  418  and a second leg  420 . Indeed, similar to the embodiment of  FIG. 3  that utilizes a scaffold, the first leg  418  and the second leg  420  can be used to secure the electrochromic assembly  400  into an existing window frame. Of course, all edges of the electrochromic assembly  400  can be folded to form a full-perimeter frame. In another embodiment, the frame may be formed of a discrete metal or plastic structure, and the edges of the electrochromic assembly  400  can be folded over the frame structure to provide additional rigidity at the edges. 
       FIGS. 5A-5H  depict views of embodiments of securement systems for an electrochromic assembly  500 . In each figure, an electrochromic assembly  500  is depicted, which assembly may be the same as or similar to the embodiments of the electrochromic assembly depicted above in  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIG. 5A , the securement system is a bracket  502  secured to one or more edges of the electrochromic assembly  500  having a frame structure, as depicted in  FIG. 4 . The bracket  502  may define one or more openings  504  for receiving a screw, bolt, or other fastener. In  FIG. 5B , the electrochromic assembly  500  includes a frame or U-shaped scaffolding  506  that protects the edges of the assembly  500 . The frame  506  can include a flexible tab  508  that deflects during installation of the electrochromic assembly  500  into an existing window frame, so as to hold the assembly  500  in place.  FIG. 5C  depicts an electrochromic assembly  500  that may be held in place with a discrete brace  510 . Once the assembly  500  is placed against a pane of glass in an existing window, the brace  510  may be placed in contact with the assembly  500  and secured in place with, e.g., a fastener installed through an opening  512  defined by the brace  510 .  FIG. 5D  depicts an embodiment where the electrochromic assembly  500  is directly secured to a window frame via a screw installed through the assembly  500  itself. A cover plate  516  may cover the screw head for aesthetic or security purposes (e.g., to prevent tampering with the screws). 
     Another embodiment of a securement system is depicted in  FIG. 5E . Here, an electrochromic assembly  500 , such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 4  defines an opening configured to receive a bolt  518  that may be secured directly to a window frame.  FIG. 5F  depicts a securement system in the form of a projection having a rigid base  520  secured about the outer perimeter of the electrochromic assembly  500 . A resilient element  522  (e.g., a rubber or silicone strip) is secured to the rigid base  520  and helps secure, via friction-fit engagement, with a window frame. The securement system of  FIG. 5G  also includes a projection  524  that includes a detent  526  configured to mate with a matching projection  528  on a window frame  530 .  FIG. 5H  depicts an electrochromic assembly  500  having an adhesive  532  disposed about the outer edge surface thereof. The adhesive  532  may be any factory- or field-applied adhesive that may be used to secure the assembly  500  to the window frame. Of course, other securement systems are contemplated. Additionally, various securement systems may be used with various configurations of electrochromic assembly (e.g., in the securement system depicted in  FIG. 5E , a screw may be utilized instead of a bolt as depicted). Modifications to various securement systems will be apparent to a person of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 6  depicts a method of installing an electrochromic assembly  600  into a window frame  602 . The assembly  600  can include a frame  604  and flexible or resilient tabs  606 , as described in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5B . The tabs  606  are electrically conductive and may be aligned with corresponding contacts  608  on the outer frame structure  602 . In this embodiment, the frame  604  is configured to protect the edges of the electrochromic assembly  600 , while the outer frame structure  602  is configured to be secured to a building structure once installed. One or more of the contacts  608  in the outer frame structure  602  are connected to wiring  610  which can be used to power, control operation of, deliver power from, etc., the electrochromic assembly  600 . Such functionality is described below. Once the electrochromic assembly  600  is installed in the outer frame structure  602 , an interface between these two components may be sealed with silicone or rubber sealant. 
     In an embodiment, the outer frame structure houses a window pane  612 . Accordingly, installation of electrochromic window assembly  600  may be done such that the U-Factor is improved. For example, the electrochromic insert window assembly  600  may form a gap between window pane  612  and the electrochromic window assembly  600 . This gap may be filled with air and provide an additional layer of insulation that minimizes heat transfer. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  depict a partial view of a system  700  for manufacturing an electrochromic assembly  702 . A conveyor  704  can be utilized to move the components from one station to another on the system  700 , as required. Here, a rolled sheet  708  of a thin film electrochromic device  710  unrolls and is applied to a superstrate  706  with a laminating film, pressure-sensitive adhesive, or other adhesion element  712 , which may also be unrolled or otherwise applied to the superstrate  706 . Other film layers (energy collection devices, energy storage devices, and/or controller, as described above) may be similarly applied. After each film application, the applied film may be cut and the superstrate  706  may be passed through one or more curing stations  714 . The curing stations  714  may apply pressure and heat to the assembly  702  so as to adhere each film to the superstrate  706 , while avoiding bubbles, tears, or other manufacturing defects. The completed assembly  702  may then be finished by integrating control wiring or bus bars, correcting lithium loading, applying frame systems, etc. In another embodiment, the assembly  702  may be further processed as depicted in  FIG. 7B , so as to form an electrochromic assembly  702  such as the type depicted in  FIG. 4 . Here, the system  700  cuts or removes corners  716  from the electrochromic assembly  702 . Edges  718  of the assembly  702  are then folded so as to form the “box-like” configuration as depicted in  FIG. 7B . Seams  720  at the intersection of each adjacent edge  718  may then be sealed so as to prevent water infiltration after installation. Other folds may be contemplated such as a “Z” fold or an “I” shaped fold. 
       FIG. 8  depicts a method  800  of manufacturing an electrochromic assembly utilizing the system of  FIGS. 7A and 7B . The method  800  begins by affixing an electrochromic device (e.g., in the form of a thin-film layer) to a superstrate so as to form a subassembly, operation  802 . If desired, one or more of an energy storage device and an energy collection device can be affixed to the subassembly, operation  804 . Once the required or desired elements are affixed, a portion of the subassembly may be removed if it is desired to produce the electrochromic assembly having the configuration depicted in  FIG. 4 , operation  806 . Typically, the removed portions are disposed proximate corners of the assembly. The edges disposed proximate the corners may then be folded, operation  808 . A controller, such as the type described herein can be attached to the subassembly, operation  810 , along with any control or power wiring, buses, etc. Additionally, a securement system can be attached to the subassembly, operation  812 . 
       FIG. 9  illustrates one example of a suitable operating environment  900  in which one or more of the present embodiments may be implemented. This is only one example of a suitable operating environment and is not intended to suggest any limitation as to the scope of use or functionality. Other well-known computing systems, environments, and/or configurations that may be suitable for use include, but are not limited to, personal computers, server computers, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based systems, programmable consumer electronics such as smart phones, network PCs, minicomputers, mainframe computers, smartphones, tablets, distributed computing environments that include any of the above systems or devices, and the like. 
     In its most basic configuration, operating environment  900  typically includes at least one processing unit  902  and memory  904 . Depending on the exact configuration and type of computing device, memory  904  (storing, among other things, instructions to control an electrochromic device assembly) may be volatile (such as RAM), non-volatile (such as ROM, flash memory, etc.), or some combination of the two. This most basic configuration is illustrated in  FIG. 9  by line  906 . Further, environment  900  may also include storage devices (removable,  908 , and/or non-removable,  910 ) including, but not limited to, magnetic or optical disks or tape. Similarly, environment  900  may also have input device(s)  914  such as touch screens, keyboard, mouse, pen, voice input, etc., and/or output device(s)  916  such as a display, speakers, printer, etc. Also included in the environment may be one or more communication connections,  912 , such as LAN, WAN, point to point, Bluetooth, RF, etc. 
     Operating environment  900  typically includes at least some form of computer readable media. Computer readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by processing unit  902  or other devices comprising the operating environment. By way of example, and not limitation, computer readable media may comprise computer storage media and communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and nonvolatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules or other data. Computer storage media includes, RAM, ROM, EEPROM, flash memory or other memory technology, CD-ROM, digital versatile disks (DVD) or other optical storage, magnetic cassettes, magnetic tape, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, solid state storage, or any other medium which can be used to store the desired information. Communication media embodies computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in a modulated data signal such as a carrier wave or other transport mechanism and includes any information delivery media. The term “modulated data signal” means a signal that has one or more of its characteristics set or changed in such a manner as to encode information in the signal. By way of example, and not limitation, communication media includes wired media such as a wired network or direct-wired connection, and wireless media such as acoustic, RF, infrared and other wireless media. Combinations of the any of the above should also be included within the scope of computer readable media. 
     The operating environment  900  may be a single computer operating in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers. The remote computer may be a personal computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above as well as others not so mentioned. The logical connections may include any method supported by available communications media. Such networking environments are commonplace in offices, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet. 
     In some embodiments, the components described herein comprise such modules or instructions executable by computer system  900  that may be stored on computer storage medium and other tangible mediums and transmitted in communication media. Computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technology for storage of information such as computer readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data. Combinations of any of the above should also be included within the scope of readable media. In some embodiments, computer system  900  is part of a network that stores data in remote storage media for use by the computer system  900 . 
       FIG. 10  is an embodiment of a network  1000  in which the various systems and methods disclosed herein may operate. In embodiments, portable device, such as client device  1002 , may communicate with one or more electrochromic assemblies, such as electrochromic assemblies  1004  and  1006 , via a network  1008 . In embodiments, a client device may be a laptop, a tablet, a personal computer, a smart phone, a PDA, a netbook, or any other type of computing device, such as the computing device in  FIG. 9 . 
     The electrochromic assemblies  1004  and  1006  may have a device housing an operating environment depicted in  FIG. 9 . For example, a controller on an electrochromic assembly may be include the operating environment depicted in  FIG. 9 . The controller could then receive instructions from a client device, such as client device  1002  to control the opacity state of an electrochromic device. Additionally, the controller may receive instructions from a client device  1002  to decrease or increase the temperature of the assembly. This may occur when a superstrate is thermally controlled as described above. 
     Network  1008  may be any type of network capable of facilitating communications between the client device and one or more electrochromic assemblies  1004  and  1006 . Examples of such networks include, but are not limited to, LANs, WANs, cellular networks, and/or the Internet. 
     Portable device  1002  may interact with electrochromic assembly  1004  via network  1008  to send and receive information, such as status checks and instructions to change opacity states. 
     The embodiments described herein may be employed using software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware to implement and perform the systems and methods disclosed herein. Although specific devices have been recited throughout the disclosure as performing specific functions, one of skill in the art will appreciate that these devices are provided for illustrative purposes, and other devices may be employed to perform the functionality disclosed herein without departing from the scope of the disclosure. 
     This disclosure described some embodiments of the present technology with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only some of the possible embodiments were shown. Other aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments were provided so that this disclosure was thorough and complete and fully conveyed the scope of the possible embodiments to those skilled in the art. 
     Although specific embodiments were described herein, the scope of the technology is not limited to those specific embodiments. One skilled in the art will recognize other embodiments or improvements that are within the scope and spirit of the present technology. Therefore, the specific structure, acts, or media are disclosed only as illustrative embodiments. The scope of the technology is defined by the following claims and any equivalents therein.

Technology Classification (CPC): 8