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Title:
ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEM USING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2023/026135
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
A method of operating an electrochromic (EC) device, for example a 'smart window' (108), includes storing electrical energy generated from wireless power transmissions (110) received by a wireless power receiver (106), and controlling an optical state of the EC device, for example between substantially transparent and substantially opaque, using the stored electrical energy.

Inventors:
GARCIA GUILLERMO (ES)
SCHUMANN THOMAS (ES)
ENGLAND DAVID (ES)
SKELTON TIMOTHY (ES)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2022/057677
Publication Date:
March 02, 2023
Filing Date:
August 16, 2022
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
HIVISQ TECH S L (ES)
International Classes:
E06B9/24; G02F1/163; H02J50/00; H02J50/10
Domestic Patent References:
WO2018063919A12018-04-05
WO2018128906A12018-07-12
WO2017007841A12017-01-12
Foreign References:
US20190346733A12019-11-14
US10698287B22020-06-30
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Claims:
CLAIMS: 1. A system, comprising: one or more smart windows, each of the one or more smart windows comprising: an electrochromic (EC) device having a bright optical state and a dark optical state; a charging element configured to store electrical energy; a wireless power receiver configured to generate electrical energy from wireless power transmissions; and power driving electronics electrically connecting at least the EC device to the charging element and the charging element to the wireless power receiver, wherein the power driving electronics are configured to provide at least a portion of the generated electrical energy to the charging element. 2. The system of claim 1, wherein in at least one of the one or more smart windows: the power driving electronics are configured to provide electrical energy from the charging element to the EC device. 3. The system of claim 2, wherein in the at least one of the one or more smart windows: the power driving electronics are configured to provide electrical energy from the EC device to the charging element. 4. The system of claim 2, wherein in the at least one of the one or more smart windows the charging element comprises one or more batteries. 5. The system of claim 2, wherein in the at least one of the one or more smart windows the charging element comprises one or more capacitors. 6. The system of claim 5, wherein in the at least one of the one or more smart windows the charging element further comprises one or more batteries. 7. The system of claim 1, wherein each of the one or more smart windows further comprises a first antenna connected to the wireless power receiver, the first antenna configured to receive the wireless power transmissions. 8. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more smart windows further comprises a wireless communication receiver connected to the wireless power receiver and/or the first antenna, the wireless communication receiver configured to receive wireless communications via the wireless power transmissions. 9. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more smart windows further comprises: a second antenna configured to receive wireless communication transmissions; a wireless communication receiver connected to the second antenna, the wireless communication receiver configured to receive wireless communications via the wireless communication transmissions. 10. The system of claim 7, wherein each of the one or more smart windows further comprises: a frame supporting at least a portion of the EC device, wherein the first antenna, the charging element, the wireless power receiver, and the power driving electronics are disposed between the portion of the EC device and the frame. 11. The system of claim 7, wherein in at least one of the one or more smart windows the first antenna is printed on a portion of the EC device. 12. The system of claim 7, wherein in at least one of the one or more smart windows the first antenna is a dipole antenna. 13. The system of claim 1, wherein in the at least one of the one or more smart windows the EC device comprises: a first transparent conductor layer; a working electrode comprising a nanostructured electrochemically active material; a solid state electrolyte layer; a counter electrode layer; and a second transparent conductor layer. 14. The system of claim 1, further comprising: one or more wireless power transmitters configured to transmit the wireless power transmissions. 15. The system of claim 14, wherein: the one or more wireless power transmitters comprise one wireless power transmitter; and the one or more smart windows comprise at least two or more smart windows. 16. The system of claim 14, wherein a number of the one or more wireless power transmitters is the same as a number of the one or more smart windows. 17. The system of claim 14, wherein the one or more smart windows are windows of a building or windows of a vehicle. 18. A method of operating an electrochromic (EC) device, comprising: storing electrical energy generated from wireless power transmissions received by a wireless power receiver; and controlling an optical state of the EC device using the stored electrical energy. 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the stored electrical energy is stored in a charging element of a smart window including the EC device, and wherein the charging element comprises one or more batteries, one or more capacitors, or a combination thereof. 20. The method of claim 18, wherein the wireless power transmissions include commands indicating a user selection of the optical state or wherein the commands indicating the user selection of the optical state comprise separate wireless transmission from the wireless power transmission. 21. The method of claim 18, further comprising storing electrical energy generated from the EC device, wherein the EC device is installed in a charged state.
Description:
TITLE ELECTROCHROMIC SYSTEM USING WIRELESS POWER TRANSMISSION FIELD [0001] The present invention is generally directed to electrochromic systems, and more particularly to electrochromic systems including wireless power transmission systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Residential and commercial buildings represent a prime opportunity to improve energy efficiency and sustainability in the United States. The buildings sector alone accounts for 40% of the United States' yearly energy consumption (40 quadrillion BTUs, or “quads”, out of 100 total), and 8% of the world's energy use. Lighting and thermal management each represent about 30% of the energy used within a typical building, which corresponds to around twelve quads each of yearly energy consumption in the US. Windows cover an estimated area of about 2,500 square kilometers (km 2 ) in the US and are a critical component of building energy efficiency as they strongly affect the amount of natural light and solar gain that enters a building. Recent progress has been made toward improving window energy efficiency through the use of inexpensive static coatings that either retain heat in cold climates (low emissive films) or reject solar heat gain in warm climates (near-infrared rejection films). [0003] Currently, static window coatings can be manufactured at relatively low cost. However, these window coatings are static and not well suited for locations with varying climates. An electrochromic (EC) window coating overcomes these limitations by enhancing the window performance in all climates. Electrochromic window coatings undergo a reversible change in optical properties when driven by an applied potential. SUMMARY [0004] Various embodiments include systems and methods for providing wireless power to an electrochromic (EC) device. [0005] According to various embodiments, a system may include: one or more smart windows, each of the one or more smart windows including: an electrochromic (EC) device having a bright optical state and a dark optical state; a charging element configured to store electrical energy; a wireless power receiver configured to generate electrical energy from wireless power transmissions; and power driving electronics electrically connecting at least the EC device to the charging element and the charging element to the wireless power receiver, wherein the power driving electronics are configured to provide at least a portion of the generated electrical energy to the charging element. [0006] According to various embodiments, a method of operating an electrochromic (EC) device, includes storing electrical energy generated from wireless power transmissions received by a wireless power receiver; and controlling an optical state of the EC device using the stored electrical energy. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an electrochromic (EC) window system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0008] FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of an EC window system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0009] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an EC device according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0010] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0011] FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0012] FIG. 4 is a cut-away schematic representation of a portion of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0013] FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0014] FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0015] FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0016] FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of a smart window according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0017] FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of a window adjustment unit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. [0018] FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of a window adjustment unit according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS [0019] The invention is described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the size and relative sizes of layers and regions may be exaggerated for clarity. Like reference numerals in the drawings denote like elements. [0020] It will be understood that when an element or layer is referred to as being disposed "on" or "connected to" another element or layer, it can be directly on or directly connected to the other element or layer, or intervening elements or layers may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being disposed "directly on" or "directly connected to" another element or layer, there are no intervening elements or layers present. It will be understood that for the purposes of this disclosure, “at least one of X, Y, and Z” can be construed as X only, Y only, Z only, or any combination of two or more items X, Y, and Z (e.g., XYZ, XYY, YZ, ZZ). [0021] Electrochromic devices may be incorporated into, for example, windows for commercial and/or residential buildings. Such electrochromic windows may be operated independently, or as part of an integrated building management system. In various embodiments, a building or other facility may have at least one window that contains one or more electrochromic device. In various embodiments, the optical state of an electrochromic device within a building window may be controlled by a system that receives voltage generated by one or more wireless power systems that is integrated in or attached to the electrochromic window. As discussed herein, the wireless power systems (e.g., wireless power transmitters, wireless power receivers, combinations of wireless power transmitters and wireless power receivers operating together, etc.) may be any type wireless power systems configured to operate in any manner to transmit and/or receive wireless power. As one example, the wireless power systems of the various embodiments may be near field wireless power systems (also sometimes referred to as inductive wireless power systems) in which a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver may be in relatively close proximity to one another such that electromagnetic field coupling may provide the wireless power transmission between the wireless power transmitter and the wireless power receiver. As another example, the wireless power systems of the various embodiments may be across room wireless power systems in which a wireless power transmitter and a wireless power receiver may be located across a room from one another such that radio frequency (RF) transmissions from the wireless power transmitter may provide the wireless power transfer to the wireless power receiver. Such near field or RF power based wireless power systems are provided merely as examples and are not intended to limit the various embodiments. [0022] The terms “smart window,” “electrochromic window,” and “EC window” are used interchangeably herein to refer to a window unit that contains at least one glass pane, such as two or more glass panes, and one or more electrochromic device. In some embodiments, the electrochromic device(s) may include one or more layers deposited on a transparent substrate, such as a glass pane. In various embodiments, the current or voltage may be produced in response to external conditions. The term “smart window system” refers to one or more smart window and associated components (e.g., a controller, wiring/connectors, a frame, etc.). Electrochromic windows are discussed herein in relation to various example applications and/or installations, such as in buildings, in vehicles, etc. The various applications and/or installations of electrochromic windows are used merely as examples, and are not intended to limit the various embodiments. [0023] Wireless power for electrochromic window systems may remove barriers to commercial adoption of electrochromic window systems. Wireless power for electrochromic window systems may support the use of electrochromic window systems in window retrofits (e.g., replacing a window that did not previously require power to operate with an electrochromic window, etc.) as wireless power may enable the electrochromic window systems to be installed without needing new electrical wires to be run to the electrochromic windows being installed. Wireless power for electrochromic window systems may support the use of electrochromic window systems in new window installations (e.g., windows installed in new building construction, etc.) as wireless power may enable the electrochromic window systems to be installed without concern as to running electrical wires to the electrochromic windows being installed. [0024] In various embodiments, a wireless power transmitter may wireless transmit power to an electrochromic window system to thereby provide power to a charging element (e.g., one or more capacitor, one or more battery, a combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, etc.) of the electrochromic window system. In various embodiments, the charging element (e.g., one or more capacitor, one or more battery, a combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, etc.) may be incorporated with power driving electronics (e.g., a widow driver, a controller, a switch, etc.) into an electrochromic window system. The power driving electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, the switch, etc.) may be configured to control an electrochromic device (e.g., an electrochromic window, etc.) transmission state (i.e., transparency state or optical state, such as bright and dark states). In various embodiments, the power driving electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, the switch, etc.) may be controlled to apply electrical energy to an electrochromic device (e.g., an electrochromic window, etc.) from the charging element (e.g., the one or more capacitor, the one or more battery, the combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, etc.) to control a transmission state (or transparency state or optical state) of the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.). In various embodiments, the power driving electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, the switch, etc.) may be controlled to remove electrical energy from the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.) to control a transmission state (or transparency state or optical state) of the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.). As an example, the power driving electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, the switch, etc.) may be controlled to transfer electrical energy from the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.) to the charging element (e.g., the one or more capacitor, the one or more battery, the combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, etc.) to control a transmission state (or transparency state or optical state) of the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.). In various embodiments, the wireless power transmitter may provide continuous or near-continuous charging for the charging element (e.g., the one or more capacitor, the one or more battery, the combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, etc.) of the electrochromic window system. [0025] In various embodiments, a user may communicate commands to the power driving electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, the switch, etc.) of the electrochromic window system to cause the power electronics (e.g., the window driver, the controller, etc.) to execute operations to control a transmission state (or transparency state or optical state) of the electrochromic device (e.g., the electrochromic window, etc.). In some embodiments, the commands from the user may be communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions themselves received by the wireless power receiver. In some embodiments, the commands from the user may be communicated as part of separate wireless communications received by a wireless communication receiver of the electrochromic window system. [0026] FIG. 1A is a schematic representation of an EC window system 100 according to various embodiments. The EC window system 100 may include at least one smart window 108 (also referred to as EC window) and at least one wireless power transmitter 104. The at least one smart window 108 and at least one wireless power transmitter 104 may be installed in an enclosure 102, such as a building (e.g., a room of a residential home, a room of a commercial building, etc.), a vehicle (e.g., a plane, a car, a boat, etc.), etc. [0027] In various embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 104 may be configured to transmit wireless power transmissions 110 to the at least one smart window 108. The at least one smart window 108 may include one or more antennas 111 connected to a wireless power receiver 106. The one or more antennas 111 may be configured to receive the wireless power transmissions 110 and the wireless power receiver 106 may be configured to generate electrical energy from the wireless power transmissions 110 received by the one or more antennas 111. The electrical energy generated by the wireless power receiver 106 may be used by a window control unit 105 of the smart window 108. The window control unit 105 of the smart window 108 may utilize the generated electrical energy to change an optical state of the smart window 108. In various embodiments, the transmission of wireless power from the wireless power transmitter 104 to the smart window 108 may enable the smart window 108 to be installed without any wires physically connecting the smart window 108 to an external power source located outside the smart window 108. The ability to provide power to the smart window 108 wirelessly may support the smart window 108 being used as a window retrofit or as a new window installation without the need to provide electrical wires to the installed smart window 108. [0028] In some embodiments, the at least one smart window 108 may be installed in a charged state such that an EC device of the at least one smart window 108 is charged at installation. The charging may be conducted during manufacture of the smart window 108 prior to delivery of the smart window to the installation site. In some alternative embodiments, the at least one smart window 108 may be charged at the installation site such that an EC device of the at least one smart window 108 is charged before, during or after installation by applying a temporary external power source, such as a charging battery, charging generator, power from the electrical grid, etc., to the at least one smart window 108 after installation but prior to normal operation of the smart window 108. The pre-charging and/or post install charging may provide initial power to the smart window 108 to enable operation without waiting for wireless power transmission to full charge the smart window 108. Such pre-charging and/or post install charging may be optional as wireless power transmission may enable charging of the smart window 108. [0029] In various embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 104 may be any type wireless power transmitter configured to enable wireless power transmission in which electrical energy is transferred to the wireless power receiver 106 from the wireless power transmitter 104 via the wireless power transmissions 110. As an example, the wireless power transmissions 110 may be radio frequency (RF) transmissions sent from the wireless power transmitter 104. As one example, the wireless power transmissions 110 may be a few milliwatt (mW) or lower power RF transmissions. As another example, the wireless power transmissions 110 may be an electromagnetic field generated by the wireless power transmitter 104. The wireless power transmitter 104 may be connected to one or more antennas 118 configured to output the wireless power transmissions 110. As examples, the one or more antennas 118 may be dipole antennas, antenna arrays, inductive coils, etc. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 118 may be one or more directional antennas configured to output the wireless power transmissions 110 along a selected transmission path. The wireless power transmissions 110 emanating from the wireless power transmitter 104 and its radiating one or more antennas 118 may beam power to the one or more smart windows 108. [0030] In various embodiments, the wireless power receiver 106 may be any type wireless power receiver configured to enable wireless power transmission in which electrical energy is received from the wireless power transmitter 104 via the wireless power transmissions 110. The one or more antennas 111 connected to the wireless power receiver 106 may be configured to receive the wireless power transmissions 110. As examples, the one or more antennas 111 may be dipole antennas, antenna arrays, inductive coils, etc. As a specific example, the one or more antennas 111 may be one or more inductive coil configured to support near field wireless power reception when the wireless power transmissions are an electromagnetic field generated by the wireless power transmitter 104. As another specific example, the one or more antennas 111 may be RF antennas configured to support RF wireless power reception when the wireless power transmissions are RF transmissions generated by the wireless power transmitter 104. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 118 of the wireless power transmitter 104 may be one or more directional antennas configured to receive the wireless power transmissions 110 along a selected reception direction. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 118 and the one or more antennas 111 may be aligned with one another when the smart window 108 and wireless power transmitter 104 are installed such that a transmission path of the one or more antennas 118 aligns with a reception direction of the one or more antennas 111. [0031] In some embodiments, the wireless power transmitter 104 and one or more antennas 118 may be components of a window adjustment unit 103, such as a control panel, control switch, master control unit, building control unit, vehicle control system, etc., that may enable a user to control the one or more smart windows 108. For example, the window adjustment unit 103 may include a user interface configured to enable a user to interact with the window adjustment unit 103 to control an optical state of a smart window 108, such as to brighten, darken, etc. the smart window 108. In some embodiments, the commands from the user may be communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions 110 themselves sent from the wireless power transmitter 104 to the wireless power receiver 106. For example, the commands may be encoded into the wireless power transmissions 110 to support wireless communication between the window adjustment unit 103 and the window control unit 105. As a further example, the wireless power transmissions 110 may be multi- channel transmissions with power transmitted in a first subset of one or more RF channels and communications transmitted in a second subset of one or more RF channels. Via the communications sent in the wireless power transmission 110 the window adjustment unit 103 may communicate with the window control unit 105 to send commands to the window control unit to control an optical state of a smart window 108. A window adjustment unit 103 may be optional in various embodiments, as in some scenarios the smart window 108 may be controlled without a window adjustment unit 103. While FIG. 1A illustrates the wireless power transmitter 104 as part of the optional window adjustment unit 103, the window adjustment unit 103 and wireless power transmitter 104 may be separate devices. [0032] In various embodiments, the EC window system 100 may include at least one wireless power transmitter 104 and at least one smart window 108. In some embodiments, multiple smart windows 108 and/or multiple wireless power transmitters 104 (and optionally multiple window adjustment units 103) may be present in the EC system 100, such as more than one smart window 108 and more than one wireless power transmitter 104 (and optionally more than one multiple window adjustment unit 103) in the enclosure 102. While FIG.1A illustrates at least two smart windows 108, one smart window 108 may be present in the EC window system 100, two smart windows 108 may be present in the EC window system 100, or more than two (e.g., three, four, five, or more) smart windows 108 may be present in the EC window system 100. While FIG. 1A illustrates a single wireless power transmitter 104 (and a single optional window adjustment unit 103) more than one (e.g., two, three, four, five, or more) wireless power transmitters 104 (and optional window adjustment units 103) may be present in the EC window system 100. In some embodiments, there may be a one-to-one correspondence between wireless power transmitters 104 in the EC window system 100 and smart windows 108 in the EC window system 100 such that two or more smart windows 108 are powered by the same single wireless power transmitter 104. [0033] FIG. 1B is a schematic representation of an EC window system 150 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS.1A and 1B, the EC window system 150 of FIG.1B is similar to the EC window system of FIG. 1A, except that in the EC window system 150 wireless communication transmissions 160 are separate from wireless power transmissions 110. [0034] The window control unit 105 of the smart window 108 may include a separate wireless communication receiver 156 and one or more antennas 158. The window adjustment unit 103 may include a separate wireless communication transmitter 154 and one or more antennas 159. The wireless communication transmitter 154 and one or more antennas 159 may output wireless communication transmissions 160 to the one or more antennas 158 and wireless communication receiver 156 of the window control unit 105 of the smart window 108. In some embodiments, the wireless communication transmissions 160 may include commands indicated by a user to control an optical state of a smart window 108, such as to brighten, darken, etc. the smart window 108. Via the communications sent in the wireless communication transmissions 160 the window adjustment unit 103 may communicate with the window control unit 105 to send commands to the window control unit to control an optical state of a smart window 108. [0035] While FIG. 1B illustrates the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless communication transmitter 154 as part of the optional window adjustment unit 103, in other configurations the window adjustment unit 103 and the wireless communication transmitter 154 may be components of one device and the wireless power transmitter 104 may be a separate device. While FIG. 1B illustrates a wireless communication transmitter 154 and wireless communication receiver 156, alternatively the wireless communication transmitter 154 and wireless communication receiver 156 may not be dedicated transmit and receiver devices, but may be transceivers. In this manner, two- way communication between a smart window 108 and window adjustment unit 103 may be established. [0036] In various embodiments, a window control unit 105 may receive output signals from one or more window adjustment unit 103, and determine an amount of voltage or current to apply across one or more electrochromic device using a predetermined relationship between the received output signals and the desired optical properties of the smart window. [0037] While FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106 a relative distance from one another, that relative distance is not intended to be limiting and the wireless power transmitter 104 may vary in distance from the wireless power receiver 106 in the various embodiments. For example, the effective range of the wireless power transmissions 110 based on the type of wireless power system may govern a maximum distance between the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106. As one example, when the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106 are part of a near field wireless power system, the wireless power transmitter 104 may be close to the wireless power receiver 106, such as in the window frame supporting an EC device. As another example, when the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106 are part of a RF beaming wireless power system, the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106 may be located across a room from one another (e.g., on opposite sides of the room, on different walls of the room, etc.). [0038] FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary electrochromic device. It should be noted that such electrochromic devices may be oriented upside down or sideways from the orientation illustrated in FIG.2. Furthermore, the thickness of the layers and/or size of the components of the device in FIG. 2 are not drawn to scale or in actual proportion to one another other, but rather are shown as representations. With reference to FIGS. 1A-2, the electrochromic device illustrated in FIG. 2 may be an example EC device included in the smart windows 108 described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 1B. [0039] In FIG.2, an exemplary electrochromic device 200 may include a first transparent conductor layer 202a, a working electrode 204, a solid state electrolyte 206, a counter electrode 208, and a second transparent conductor layer 202b. Some embodiment electrochromic devices may also include first and second light transmissive substrates 210a, 210b respectively positioned in front of the first transparent conductor layer 202a and/or positioned behind the second transparent conductor layer 202b. The first and second substrates 210a, 210b may be formed of a transparent material such as glass or plastic. [0040] The first and second transparent conductor layers 202a, 202b may be formed from transparent conducting films fabricated using inorganic and/or organic materials. For example, the transparent conductor layers 202a, 202b may include inorganic films of transparent conducting oxide (TCO) materials, such as indium tin oxide (ITO) or fluorine doped tin oxide (FTO). In other examples, organic films in transparent conductor layers 202a, 202b may include graphene and/or various polymers. [0041] In the various embodiments, the working electrode 204 may include a nanostructured electrochemically-active material, such as nanostructures 212 of a doped or undoped transition metal oxide bronze, as well as optional nanostructures 213 of a transparent conducting oxide (TCO) composition shown schematically as circles and hexagons for illustration purposes only. As discussed above, the thickness of the layers of the device 200, including and the shape, size and scale of nanostructures is not drawn to scale or in actual proportion to each other, but is represented for clarity. In the various embodiments, nanostructures 212, 213 may be embedded in an optically transparent matrix material or provided as a packed or loose layer of nanostructures exposed to the electrolyte. [0042] In the various embodiments, the doped transition metal oxide bronze of nanostructures 212 may be a ternary composition of the type AxMzOy, where M represents a transition metal ion species in at least one transition metal oxide, and A represents at least one dopant. Transition metal oxides that may be used in the various embodiments include, but are not limited to any transition metal oxide which can be reduced and has multiple oxidation states, such as niobium oxide, tungsten oxide, molybdenum oxide, vanadium oxide, titanium oxide and mixtures of two or more thereof. In one example, the nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze may include a plurality of tungsten oxide (WO3–x) nanoparticles, where 0 ^ x ^ 1, such as 0 ^ x ^ 0.8, or lithium tungsten oxide nanoparticles. [0043] In various embodiments, nanostructures 213 may optionally be mixed with the doped transition metal oxide bronze nanostructures 212 in the working electrode 204. In the various embodiments, the nanostructures 213 may include at least one TCO composition, which prevents UV radiation from reaching the electrolyte and generating electrons. In an example embodiment, the nanostructures 213 may include an indium tin oxide (ITO) composition, which may be a solid solution of around 60– 95 wt% (e.g., 85–90 wt%) indium(III) oxide (In2O3) and around 5–40 wt% (e.g., 10– 15 wt%) tin(IV) oxide (SnO 2 ). In another example embodiment, the nanostructures 213 may include an aluminum-doped zinc oxide (AZO) composition, which may be a solid solution of around 99 wt% zinc oxide (ZnO) and around 2 wt% aluminum(III) oxide (Al2O3). Additional or alternative TCO compositions that may be used to form nanostructures 213 in the various embodiments include, but are not limited to, indium oxide, zinc oxide and other doped zinc oxides such as gallium-doped zinc oxide and indium-doped zinc oxide. [0044] The nanostructures 212 and optional nanostructure 213 of the working electrode may modulate transmittance of visible radiation as a function of applied voltage and/or current by operating in two different modes. For example, a first mode may be a highly solar transparent (“bright”) mode in which the working electrode 204 is transparent to NIR radiation and visible light radiation. A second mode may be a visible blocking (“dark”) mode in which the working electrode 204 absorbs radiation in the visible spectral region and at least a portion of the NIR spectral region. In an example, application of a first voltage having a negative bias may cause the electrochromic device to operate in the dark mode, blocking transmittance of visible and NIR radiation at wavelengths of around 780–2500 nm. In another example, application of a second voltage having a positive bias may cause the electrochromic device to operate in the bright mode, allowing transmittance of radiation in both the visible and NIR spectral regions. In various embodiments, the applied voltage may be between -2V and 2V. For example, the first voltage may be -2V, and the second voltage may be 2V. [0045] Optionally, the nanostructures 212 and/or 213 may be embedded in a matrix and/or capped by a capping layer. For example, the capping layer may comprise a metal oxide material, such as niobium oxide or lithium niobate, and the matrix may comprise an ionically conductive and electrically insulating lithium rich antiperovskite (LiRAP) material, as described in U.S. Patent Number 10,698,287 B2, incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The LiRAP material may have a formula Li 3 OX, where X is F, Cl, Br, I, or any combination thereof. For example, the LiRAP material may comprise Li 3 OI. [0046] In various embodiments, the solid state electrolyte 206 may include at least a polymer material and an optional plasticizer material. The term “solid state,” as used herein with respect to the electrolyte 206, refers to a polymer-gel and/or any other non-liquid material. In some embodiments, the solid state electrolyte 206 may further include a salt containing, for example, an ion species selected from the group of lanthanides (e.g., cerium, lanthanum, praseodymium, neodymium, promethium, samarium, europium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, holmium, erbium, thulium, ytterbium, and lutetium), alkali metals (e.g., lithium, sodium, potassium, rubidium, and cesium), and alkali earth metals (e.g., beryllium, magnesium, calcium, strontium, and barium). In an example embodiment, such salt in the solid state electrolyte 206 may contain a lithium and/or sodium ions. Polymers that may be part of the electrolyte 206 may include, but are not limited to, poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), poly(vinyl butyral-co-vinyl alcohol-co-vinyl acetate) (PVB), poly(ethylene oxide) (PEO), polyurethane acrylate, fluorinated co-polymers such as poly(vinylidene fluoride-co-hexafluoropropylene), poly(acrylonitrile) (PAN), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA), etc. Plasticizers that may be part of the polymer electrolyte formulation include, but are not limited to, glymes (tetraglyme, triglyme, diglyme etc.), propylene carbonate, ethylene carbonate, ionic liquids (1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium tetrafluoroborate, 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate, 1-butyl-3- methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl) imide, 1-butyl-1-methyl- pyrrolidinium bis(trifluoromethane sulfonyl)imide, etc.), N,N-dimethylacetamide, and mixtures thereof. [0047] The counter electrode 208 of the various embodiments should be capable of storing enough charge to sufficiently balance the charge needed to cause visible tinting to the nanostructured transition metal oxide bronze in the working electrode 204. In various embodiments, the counter electrode 208 may be formed as a conventional, single component film, a nanostructured film, or a nanocomposite layer. [0048] In some embodiments, the counter electrode 208 may be formed from at least one passive material that is optically transparent to both visible and NIR radiation during the applied biases. Examples of such passive counter electrode materials may include CeO 2 , CeVO 2 , TiO 2 , indium tin oxide, indium oxide, tin oxide, manganese or antimony doped tin oxide, aluminum doped zinc oxide, zinc oxide, gallium zinc oxide, indium gallium zinc oxide, molybdenum doped indium oxide, Fe 2 O 3 , and/or V 2 O 5. In other embodiments the counter electrode 208 may be formed from at least one complementary material, which may be transparent to NIR radiation but which may be oxidized in response to application of a bias, thereby causing absorption of visible light radiation. Examples of such complementary counter electrode materials may include Cr 2 O3, MnO 2 , FeO 2 , CoO 2 , NiO 2 , RhO 2 , or IrO 2 . The counter electrode materials may include a mixture or discrete sublayers of one or more passive materials and/or one or more complementary materials described above. [0049] Optionally, the counter electrode 208 may include nanostructures of one or more passive materials and/or one or more complementary materials described above embedded in a matrix and/or capped by a capping layer. For example, the capping layer may comprise a metal oxide material, such as niobium oxide or lithium niobate, and the matrix may comprise the LiRAP material. [0050] FIG. 3A is a schematic representation of a smart window 300 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-3A, the smart window 300 may be an example of the smart window 108. The smart window 108 may include an electrochromic device 302, which may be similar to the electrochromic device 200 discussed above. For simplicity, only a counter electrode 304, solid state electrolyte 306, working electrode 308, and first and second TCO layers 309a, 309b of the electrochromic device 302 are shown. [0051] Optionally, the smart window 300 may include a frame 319. A frame 319 may provide support to components of the smart window 300, but may not be required and may therefore be optional. The frame 319 may support the electrochromic device 302 and/or the window control unit 105. The window control unit 105 may be partially and/or fully disposed within the frame 319. The frame 319 may maintain the gap between the electrochromic device 302 and an inner pane (not shown). The gap may be maintained at below atmospheric pressure, may be filled with air, or may be filled with an inert gas, such as argon. In some configurations, the gap may include a portion of the window control unit 105 therein. In some configurations, the window control unit 105 may be supported at least in part between a portion of the electrochromic device 302 and the frame 319. The inner pane may be formed of glass or plastic and may be coated with a low-emissivity coating. The inner pane may be disposed inside of an enclosure, such as enclosure 102102, in which the smart window 300 is mounted, with the electrochromic device 302 disposed toward the outside of the enclosure, such as enclosure 102. [0052] A glass pane 316 may form the outermost layer of the smart window 300. The glass pane 316 may be supported by the frame 319. In some embodiments, the glass substrate of the electrochromic device 302 may form the glass pane 316 (or part thereof). For example, the substrate may be a glass pane 316 that is sized for residential or commercial window applications. In other embodiments, the glass pane 316 may be an additional glass layer overlaying the glass substrate of the electrochromic device 302. In various embodiments, the glass pane 316 may be made of any of a number of suitable materials, for example, clear or tinted soda lime glass, including soda lime float glass. Such glass may be tempered or untempered. In some embodiments, the glass pane 316 may be made of architectural glass or a mirror material. [0053] The window control unit 105 of the smart window 300 may be electrically connected to the electrochromic device 302 by one or more wires, such as a connector 330 (e.g., a pigtail connector, etc.). As an example, the connector 330 may connect the power driving electronics of the window control unit 105 to the electrochromic device 302. The power driving electronics 318 of the window control unit 105 may be various devices and/or circuitry configured to electrically connect the wireless power receiver 106 to a charging element 321. The power driving electronics 318 of the window control unit 105 may be various devices and/or circuitry configured to electrically connect the charging element 321 to the electrochromic device 302 via the connector 330. The power driving electronics 318 may include various devices and/or circuitry, such as one or more controllers, switches, resistors, inductors, wires, drivers, etc., singularly or in various combinations. As a specific example, the power driving electronics 318 may include a controller 325 (e.g., a microcontroller, etc.), a switch 322 (e.g., a three-position switch, etc.), and a window driver (e.g., a direct current (DC) to DC converter, etc.). The controller 325 may be configured with various algorithms, conditions, and/or settings to control the operation of the switch 322 and/or window driver 326. The controller 325 may be connected to the wireless power receiver 106, switch 322, window driver 326, and/or other components of the window control unit 105 by various wires or other type connections to thereby exchange information and/or control signals with the wireless power receiver 106, switch 322, window driver 326, and/or other components of the window control unit 105. [0054] In various embodiments, the charging element 321 may one or more capacitor (e.g., an ultracapacitor, etc.), one or more battery, a combination of one or more capacitor and one or more battery, or any other type electrical storage device configured to store an electrical charge and dissipate an electrical charge. The power driving electronics 318 may be configured to receive electrical energy from the wireless power receiver 106 and output the electrical energy to the charging element 321. For example, the controller 325 may be configured with various algorithms, conditions, and/or settings to control the switch 322 to provide electrical energy from the window driver 326 to the charging element 321 to thereby charge the charging element 312. The power driving electronics 318 may be configured to provide electrical energy from the charging element 321 to the electrochromic device 302. For example, the controller 325 may be configured with various algorithms, conditions, and/or settings to control the switch 322 to provide electrical energy from the charging element 321 to the window driver 326 to thereby cause the window driver 326 to apply a bias voltage to the electrochromic device 302. The power driving electronics 318 may be configured to provide electrical energy from the electrochromic device 302 to the charging element 321. For example, the controller 325 may be configured with various algorithms, conditions, and/or settings to control the switch 322 dissipate a charge from the electrochromic device 302 through the window driver 326 to the charging element 312 to thereby charge the charging element 312. [0055] As discussed above, in some embodiments, commands from a user may be communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions 110 themselves sent to the wireless power receiver 106. In such embodiments, optionally, the wireless communication receiver 156 may be included in the window control unit 105 and connected to the wireless power receiver 106 and/or one or more antennas 111. The wireless communication receiver 156 may be connected to the power driving electronics 318, for example connected to the controller 325, to receive commands from a user may be communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions 110. [0056] Wiring 330 may include various components (e.g., leads, bus bars, etc.) that connect the TCO layers 309a, 309b to provide the electric potential and a circuit across the electrochromic device 302, to affect changes in the transmissivity of the smart window 300. Specifically, wiring 330 may connect the electrochromic device 302 to the window driver 326, which allows for the polarity of the charge across the electrochromic device 302 to be reversed as part of the change in optical state. [0057] In some embodiments, the controller 325 may be configured with various algorithms, conditions, and/or settings to direct the switch 322 and the window driver 326. For example, the controller 328 may calculate a magnitude and polarity of a bias voltage that should be applied to achieve a desired optical state. Based on comparing the magnitude of the bias voltage and/or other information (e.g., state charging element 321, etc.), the controller 325 may send control signals controlling the switch 322 to change the optical state of the electrochromic device 302. [0058] To apply the bias voltage, the controller 325 may control the switch 322 and/or window driver 326, and if applicable, an amount of power drawn from the charging element 321. As discussed above, the bias voltage may drive a transition of the electrochromic device 302 from one optical state to another. In this manner, the controller 325 may control the electrochromic device 302 to make the smart window 300 more or less transmissive to light, thereby dynamically changing the amount of light that passes into the enclosure, such as enclosure 102, from outside. [0059] According to various embodiments, power (e.g., a bias voltage) may be supplied the EC device 302 to change the optical state thereof. For example, energy by be applied to charge the EC device 302, such that the EC device 302 is switched from a thermodynamically low energy state to a thermodynamically high energy state, as measured by the open circuit voltage of the EC device 302. Typically, the high energy state corresponds to a dark (i.e., substantially opaque) optical state, and the low energy state corresponds to a bright optical state (e.g., a bleached or substantially transparent optical state). [0060] Thermodynamically, there is driving force to equalize the electrochemical potentials of the working electrode 308 (Eworking_electrode) and the counter electrode 304 (Ecounter_electrode), such that (Eworking_electrode = Ecounter_electrode). The open circuit voltage (Eoc) of the EC device 302 may be equal to Eworking_electrode - Ecounter_electrode. Therefore, energy can be captured from the EC device 302 and stored in a battery or capacitor, when the EC device 302 transitions from the dark optical state (Eoc < 0) until Eoc = 0 in the bright optical state. Further, energy can be captured from the EC device 302, when the EC device 302 transitions from the bright optical state (Eoc > 0) until Eoc = 0. Going from Eoc = 0 to any state generally requires energy, which can come from a power source, and will likely exceed that which was captured from transition from dark/bright State to the Eoc = 0 condition, due to inefficiencies in energy transfer. [0061] The power driving electronics 318 may be configured to store energy released from the EC device 302, when the EC device 302 changes optical state. For example, the power driving electronics 318 may be configured to store energy released from the EC device 302 in the charging element 321. [0062] In some embodiments, the EC device 302 may experience photochromic darkening, due to photochromic charge (e.g., photoelectrochemically generated charge) accumulation in the EC device 302. For example, exposure to UV light from the Sun may result in photochromic charge accumulation in the working electrode 308. The EC device 302 may experience unwanted darkening and reduction of light and unintentional onset of the dark optical state. [0063] Accordingly, the smart window 300 may also be configured to store the photochromic charge accumulated in the working electrode 308. For example, window driver 326 and switch 322 may be configured to discharge the photochromic charge from the EC device 302 and store the same in the charging element 321, as disclosed above. Thus, energy from the EC device 302 may be provided for storage in the charging element 321 when the EC device 302 is intentionally switched from one state to another (e.g., from the dark optical state to the bright optical state) and/or to remove photogenerated charge that accumulates in the EC device due to photochromic darkening. [0064] Thus, in order to brighten an unintentionally photochromically darkened EC device, the controller 325 may determine if the EC device 302 has been intentionally set into the dark or the bright state. If it is determined that the EC device 302 was set into the dark state, then no action is taken. If it is determined that the EC device 302 was set into the bright state, but accumulated charge in excess of that expected in the bright state is detected in the EC device 302, then controller 325 may release the excess charge to the charging element 321 to brighten the EC device 302. Thus, the photogenerated charge accumulated in the EC device 302 due to photochromic darkening is removed for storage and the EC device 302 is brightened to the bright state. As the photogenerated charge associated with this process is implicated in the loss of optical modulation in EC devices 302, the embodiment method has a two-fold benefit of mitigating UV degradation and capturing energy. Similarly, in some scenarios, the EC device 302 may be installed in dark state (i.e., having accumulated charge), or similarly charged to a dark state by a temporary external power source applied to the EC device 302 upon installation (i.e., charged by the temporary power source), and then controller 325 may release the excess charge to the charging element 321 to brighten the EC device 302. This installation in the charged stated, or post installation initial temporary charging, of the EC device 302 may reduce the amount of wireless power needing to be provided to the window control unit 105 as the charging element 321 may be charged initially by the EC device 302 itself as compared to having to wireless provide the same charge to the charging element 321. This installation in the charged stated, or post installation initial temporary charging, may also reduce the time required to provide wireless power transmission to the window control unit 105 to support full normal operation of the window 300. [0065] As described above, energy generated by the EC device 302 during a change in optical state of the EC device 302 is stored in a charging element 321. The change of optical state of the EC device 302 may comprise an intentional change from a dark optical state to a bright optical state of the EC device 302 and/or may comprise photochromic darkening which results in accumulation of photochromic charge in the EC device 302. The method further includes removing the photochromic charge from the EC device 302 to brighten the EC device 302 and to provide a current to the charging element 321 to store the energy. The method may include determining if the EC device 302 is set into a bright optical state and then only removing the photochromic charge from the EC device 302 if the EC device 302 is set into the bright optical state. [0066] FIG. 3A illustrates an example configuration of the window control unit 105 in which the one or more antennas 111 may be disposed within the window control unit 105 itself. [0067] FIG. 3B is a schematic representation of a smart window 350 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-3B, the smart window 350 may be an example of the smart window 108. The smart window 350 may be similar to smart window 300 described with reference to FIG. 3A, except the smart window 350 may include the one or more antennas 158 and wireless communication receiver 156 to support embodiments in which wireless communication transmissions 160 are separate from wireless power transmissions 110. The wireless one or more antenna 158 may be connected to the wireless communication receiver 156. The wireless communication receiver 156 may be connected to the power driving electronics 318, for example connected to the controller 325, to receive commands from a user may be communicated as part of the wireless communication transmissions 160. FIG. 3B illustrates an example configuration of the window control unit 105 in which the one or more antennas 158 may be disposed within the window control unit 105 itself. [0068] FIG. 4 is a cut-away schematic representation of a portion of a smart window 400 according to various embodiments. With refence to FIGS. 1A-4, the smart window 400 may be a specific example of a portion of the smart windows 108, 300, 350 described above. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the smart window 400 may include a frame 319 supporting the window control unit 105 and the EC device 302. The window control unit 105 may be connected to the EC device 302 by the connector 330. The window control unit 105 (and the one or more antennas 111, charging element 321, wireless power receiver 106, and/or power driving electronics 318 therein) may be disposed between the EC device 302 and the frame 319. In this manner, the window control unit 105 may be hidden from view when the smart window 400 is installed. In various embodiments, the window control unit 105 may be formed in a variety of configurations in order to avoid impeding the appearance and/or function of the smart window 400. [0069] FIG. 5A is a schematic representation of a smart window 500 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-5A, the smart window 500 is similar to the smart window 300 described above, except that the one or more antennas 111 may extend outside the window control unit 105 and into the frame 319 of the smart window 500. The one or more antennas 111 may be integrated with the smart window 500 by being attached to, or incorporated, in the window frame 319. [0070] FIG. 5B is a schematic representation of a smart window 550 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-5B, the smart window 550 is similar to the smart windows 350 and 500 described above, except that in addition to the one or more antennas 111 extending outside the window control unit 105 and into the frame 319 of the smart window 550, the one or more antennas 158 also extend outside the window control unit 105 and into the frame 319 of the smart window 550. The one or more antennas 158 may be integrated with the smart window 550 by being attached to, or incorporated, in the window frame 319. [0071] FIG. 6A is a schematic representation of a smart window 600 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-6A, the smart window 600 is similar to the smart window 300 described above, except that the one or more antennas 111 may extend outside the window control unit 105 and be incorporated in, or positioned adjacent to, the glass pane 316. While shown as adjacent to the glass pane 316, such position is merely representative, as the one or more antennas 111 may be provided in a number of different locations in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the one or more antennas 111 may be coated on the glass pane 316 or embedded in the glass pane 316. [0072] In various embodiments, the one or more antennas 111 may be formed in a variety of configurations in order to avoid impeding the appearance and/or function of the smart window 600. For example, one or more antennas 111 may be a specialized coating layered (e.g., printed, deposited, etc.) on the glass pane 316. As a specific example, the one or more antennas 111 may be printed on the glass plane 316 when the wireless power transmitter 104 and wireless power receiver 106 are part of a RF beaming wireless power system. In another example, one or more antennas 111 may be one or more antennas 111 that are embedded in one or more layer of the glass pane 316. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 111 may be positioned at the edge of the glass pane 316 as strips located at the intersection with the window frame 319 or on the edge of the glass pane 316. [0073] FIG. 6B is a schematic representation of a smart window 650 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-6B, the smart window 650 is similar to the smart windows 350, 500, 550, and 600 described above, except that in addition to the one or more antennas 111 extending outside the window control unit 105 and being incorporated in, or positioned adjacent to, the glass pane 316, the one or more antennas 158 also may extend outside the window control unit 105 and be incorporated in, or positioned adjacent to, the glass pane 316. While shown as adjacent to the glass pane 316, such position is merely representative, as the one or more antennas 158 may be provided in a number of different locations in various embodiments. In various embodiments, the one or more antennas 158 may be coated on the glass pane 316 or embedded in the glass pane 316. [0074] In various embodiments, the one or more antennas 158 may be formed in a variety of configurations in order to avoid impeding the appearance and/or function of the smart window 650. For example, one or more antennas 158 may be a specialized coating layered (e.g., printed, deposited, etc.) on the glass pane 316. In another example, one or more antennas 158 may be one or more antennas 158 that are embedded in one or more layer of the glass pane 316. In some embodiments, the one or more antennas 158 may be positioned at the edge of the glass pane 316 as strips located at the intersection with the window frame 319 or on the edge of the glass pane 316. [0075] FIG. 7A is a schematic representation of a window adjustment unit 103 according to various embodiments. With reference to FIGS. 1A-7A, the window adjustment unit 103 may include a user interface 704, such as one or more buttons, one or more toggle switches, one or more touch screen displays, etc., and a controller 706 connected to the user interface 704. The controller 706 may be connected to the wireless power transmitter 104. The wireless power transmitter 104 may be connected by one or more wires 710 to a power source 702, such as a building power source, vehicle battery, vehicle alternator, generator, renewable energy source, power grid, etc. For example, the wires 710 may be wires in a wall or ceiling when an enclosure, such as the enclosure 102, in which a smart window (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650) is installed is a building. Via the wires 710, the power source 702 may provide electrical power to the wireless power transmitter 104. As discussed above, the wireless transmitter 104 may output wireless power transmissions 110 to beam power to a smart window (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650). [0076] In some optional embodiments, the window adjustment unit 103 may include the wireless communication transmitter 154. As discussed above, in some embodiments, commands from a user may be communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions 110 themselves sent by the wireless power transmitter 104. In such embodiments, optionally, the wireless communication transmitter 154 may be included in the window adjustment unit 103 and connected to the wireless power transmitter 104, controller 706, and/or one or more antennas 118. The wireless communication transmitter 154 may be controlled to output commands from a user received via the user interface 704 to a smart window (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650) communicated as part of the wireless power transmissions 110. For example, in various embodiments, the method of operation of an EC window system (e.g., 100 and/or 150) may include receiving user inputs selecting an optical state (e.g., bright state, dark state, etc.) for one or more smart windows (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650) via the user interface 704, and controlling the operations of the wireless power transmitter 104 and/or wireless communication transmitter 154 via the controller 706 to send commands corresponding to the user’s selected optical state as part of the wireless power transmissions 110 themselves sent by the wireless power transmitter 104 to power the one or more smart windows wireless. [0077] FIG. 7B is a schematic representation of a window adjustment unit 103 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. With reference to FIGS. 1A-7B, the window adjustment unit 103 of FIG. 7B may differ from that of FIG.7A in that the wireless communication transmitter 154 may be connected to its own one or more antennas 159. In this manner, the wireless communication transmitter 154 may send its own wireless communication transmissions 160. [0078] As discussed above, in some embodiments, commands from a user may be communicated separately from the wireless power transmissions 110 as separate wireless communication transmissions 160. In such embodiments, the wireless communication transmitter 154 may be included in the window adjustment unit 103 and connected to the controller 706 and the one or more antennas 159. The wireless communication transmitter 154 may be controlled to output commands from a user received via the user interface 704 to a smart window (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650) communicated as separate wireless communication transmissions 160 distinct from the wireless power transmissions 110. For example, in various embodiments, the method of operation of an EC window system (e.g., 100 and/or 150) may include receiving user inputs selecting an optical state (e.g., bright state, dark state, etc.) for one or more smart windows (e.g., 108, 300, 350, 400, 500, 550, 600, and/or 650) via the user interface 704, and controlling the operations of the wireless communication transmitter 154 via the controller 706 to send commands corresponding to the user’s selected optical state as part of the wireless communication transmissions 160. The wireless communication transmissions 160 may be sent separate from the wireless power transmissions 110 sent by the wireless power transmitter 104 to power the one or more smart windows wireless. [0079] The foregoing description of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed, and modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings or may be acquired from practice of the invention. The description was chosen in order to explain the principles of the invention and its practical application. It is intended that the scope of the invention be defined by the claims appended hereto, and their equivalents.