Patent ID: 8292228

Claim:
A dimmable aircraft window system, comprising: at least one window having electrically controllable opacity; an electrical power storage device for supplying electrical power used to control the opacity of the window; and, a control circuit coupled with the window and the storage device for controlling a level of opacity of the window; said control circuit further comprises a first wireless transceiver onboard said aircraft, said first wireless transceiver adapted for two-way communication with a central controller onboard said aircraft, said central controller comprising a second wireless transceiver, said central controller operable to produce wireless control signals to remotely control the level of opacity of the window, said control circuit operable to transmit operational status and location information comprising an associated window to said central controller; said control circuit further includes a programmable processor responsive to the wireless control signals for controlling the opacity of the window, said programmable processor programmed to temporarily power up said first transceiver to periodically check for said wireless control signals broadcast from said central controller, said programming comprising instructions stored in processor-readable memory.