SPD Control
Systems Corporation provides building and automotive control systems
that optimize energy efficiency. Our systems are flexible
platforms easily customized to customer requirements for controlling
building and automotive systems with energy efficiency as a primary
goal.
Our Building Energy Management
Control System, using wireless technology, enables all
of the windows in a residence or commercial building to have
"building intelligence." This will optimize energy
utilization of buildings, improve occupant comfort and productivity,
enhance aesthetics, and support sustainable building design. The
building's windows are controlled manually and automatically.
Automatic mode
allows for presets, sensor and advanced algorithm control. Presets
provide the times in the day when tint settings change to a
designated value. Light and occupancy sensors automatically control the
tint levels based on sensor detected events. Advanced solar heat
gain algorithms are targeted at reducing the energy usage of a
building. See below: Building
Energy Management Control System. Our RoadRunner Automotive
Controllers provides an unprecedented level of
sophistication for driving Smart Glass windows and taking input from
vehicles subsystems to control the tint level of the windows.
RoadRunner optimizes glass tinting to reduce heating and
air-conditioning requirements, and thus fuel consumption and its carbon
footprint. See below: Automotive Controllers.
Our Building
Energy Management Control System (BEMCS) allows building administrators
to control and manage their buildings' automation systems with optimum
energy efficiency.Our initial building control system supports variable tint
SPD Smart Glass. Our system optimizes the energy saving qualities
of Smart Glass.
The
software intensive system provides a framework for easy customization to
satisfy customer requirements.
Scalable
The
system supports small buildings to skyscrapers.
Devices
The
BEMCS supports control modules, sensors and switches. The
control devices may be intelligent or dumb. Our intelligent
controller provides local control of multiple sensors, controls and
switches allowing immediate control.
Wireless
and LAN-based Network
The
system supports wireless and LAN-based network nodes. The wireless system
is a ZigBee (IEEE 802.15.4) redundant node mesh network.
Our
BEMCS is designed to allow it to be customized to meet the exacting requirements
of our customers and to easily configure additional switches, sensors,
and controllers.
The
system is accessed using a standard web browser allowing a wide range of
devices to be used locally and remotely. Devices include PC, Mac,
iPhone, Blackberry, PDA's and any other device with a standard web
browser. The smaller screens of mobile phones and PDA's are
accommodated.
Automatic
modes and manual switch/sensor/network administrator overrides.
Automatic
Energy Efficiency Algorithms
Multiple
automatic energy efficiency algorithms are provided and additional
customer specific algorithms may be included. Automatic mode allows
for presets, sensor and advanced algorithm control. Presets provide
the times in the day when tint settings change to a designated
value. Photo and occupancy sensors automatically control the tint levels
based on sensor detected events.
Windows
are grouped into Control Zones that are controlled as a unit using
sensors, switches and automatic algorithms. Control Zones include
windows, rooms, floors, facades and tenant windows.
Graphic
displays with multiple views including network, building, façade, and
tenant views.
Legacy
Networks
Interfaces
to legacy building networks are supported using gateways.
External
Control
The
system provides an XML interface to a central building control system to
allow all SPD windows to be controlled externally. This allows
all building systems (HVAC, lighting, fans, ...) to be
coordinated. For example, if natural light is available from
the windows then the rooms lights can be adjusted.
The SCSC RoadRunner Automotive Controller is initially
targeted for the automotive industry and is designed to be adapted for
avionic and marine environments for the control of SPD window glass or
polycarbonate. This flexible, highly configurable, customizable, feature
rich series of electronic controllers brings SPD windows to life.
The
control of the glass tinting will reduce heating and air-conditioning
requirements, and thus fuel consumption and its carbon footprint.
In manual mode, a driver may block solar heat gain from the windows
during the day, while enjoying a clearer view of the road in the evening
or when it is cloudy. When the car is parked the tint can be adjusted
based upon geographic location and the time / date, so as to maintain the
interior temperature at a level that will optimize energy efficiency.
The
controller can easily integrate with other onboard control
systems used in vehicles, aircraft, and boats to make tinting change
decisions (example: when the automobile is turned off -- after 20
seconds the windows are set to maximum tint).
The
RRC8, our 8-window automotive controller, is a very flexible firmware
controlled device that is easily customized for new features and
functions to suit any specific model automotive vehicle. It can also
be adapted to utilize any type of control switch and sensor to change
window tinting.
The
RRC8 is part of a family of SPD Control products manufactured by SCSC.
This unit was designed to be installed in a trunk, under a seat or under
the hood with wires connected to the side and rear windows, sun roof and
any other areas using SPD glass or polycarbonate. Other wires are
connected to as many as 16 control switches and sensors and back to the
RRC8.
The
RRC8 is the foundation of our automotive, aerospace, marine and
architectural controllers. The RRC1 controller (our 1-window auto
controller) is designed to be co-located with one Smart Glass window and
is networked across the vehicle via a LIN, CAN or other busses. The
RRC1 hardware and firmware is based on the RRC8. Also based on our
RRC8 is our wireless architectural controller that is designed to operate
across residential and commercial buildings of any size.
Over
30 RRC8 units were sent to key customers for evaluation and for use in
pilot projects. We received excellent feedback that we are using to
enhance the RRC8 and our next controller developments. An updated unit is
expected to be available in 2 months.
SPD Control
Systems Corporation (SCSC) and Control4 are collaborating to have
Control4® Wireless Switches, Control4® Wireless Dimmers, and it family of
touch screens integrated into SCSC's Architectural controller product
line. In addition, a specialized interface will be established between
Control4® Home Controller line and SCSC controllers to enable Control4
Home Automation products to control Smart-Glass windows. Control4 is the
platform for today's digital home and hotels. The company makes
everyday life easier by providing one-touch control of both new and
existing electronic systems. By allowing leading consumer electronics
products and systems to easily work together, Control4 provides
effortless entertainment, comfort, convenience and peace of mind to
owners everywhere. Control4's affordable and easy-to-use software and
hardware products enable home theater and television control, multi-room
music, smart lighting, temperature control, security integration and soon
- automated window tint control, through a range of on-site and
over-the-web remote control technology. The company delivers both wired
and wireless solutions that can be installed in existing properties as
well as new construction. The SCSC Wireless
Building Control System (WBCS) will allow for the installation of
Control4 wireless 2-button, 3-button and 6-button wall switches to be
placed throughout a home or commercial property, to manually control the
tinting of any windows designated. When not under manual control, the
WBCS uses sophisticated algorithms to control solar heat gain in a
structure throughout the year in order to minimize energy consumption. Control4's web
site is
