The Smart Cabin Automated Dimming System (SCADS™) is the evolution of a smart window product that now transforms windows into “smart” cabin environmental control systems. The evolution began with the development of electronic window shade products enjoyed by passengers and operators today, and recent breakthroughs led to new system products introduced by InspecTech.
The first product development focus was to employ new technology for use in a revolutionary electronic helicopter window shade branded E-Shade Smart Window System™ by InspecTech. E-Shades give passengers and crew the ability to instantly and precisely regulate light, glare and heat entering the cabin – from fully clear to dark, and to any level of view-preserving tint in between. Sophisticated in design and powerful in function, with the simple push of a button the tint of the E-Shades can be electrically tuned – from each window individually or cabin-wide with a master control. Over 99.9% of harmful UV is blocked whether in the fully clear or dark state, and cabin heat build-up is minimized when the helicopter is on the ground because E-Shades automatically switch to their energy-efficient, heat-blocking dark state when the helicopter is unpowered.
These “smart windows” are the first – and only – electrically dimmable window shades currently flying on helicopters. They are in use today on helicopters and commercial, corporate, and military aircraft. They are the industry’s only dynamic switchable window shades that are now available for any helicopter as an aftermarket install at service centers worldwide, or for new production.
E-Shades utilize an advanced light-control “switchable” substrate technology enclosed between thin plastic layers. This substrate,  is variable and can go from light to dark and any setting in between (e.g. from >99.6% light blockage to clear) and light transmission can be rapidly varied to any degree desired. E-Shades switch light-transmission states almost instantly, thus when intense solar energy strikes windows, passengers can experience immediate gratification as they adjust their E-Shade precisely to the desired level of transmissivity.
In 2008, InspecTech launched a product development program springboarding off of the unique performance characteristics of E-Shades and its cabin-wide electrical interface system. The successful result of this effort is the Smart Cabin Automated Dimming System (SCADS). This groundbreaking system delivers a new level of never-before-available benefits to the industry. The network architecture enables cabin-wide execution of software program commands to E-Shades, all done automatically. SCADS software programs can now be executed automatically or on-demand for comfort, safety, energy-savings and much more. Here are some examples of features unveiled by InspecTech:
Automated and continuous window dimming system: This feature maintains a specified ideal, fixed level of light entering the cabin at any given altitude or direction. Passengers will never suffer from glaring sun entering from the opposing side of the cabin, as each E-Shade continuously and automatically adjusts to the amount of light striking it. All of this is done smoothly and in real-time, and passengers do not notice the changes because as windows lighten and darken, the same amount of light is always allowed through each and every window.
Master control overrides: Crews are provided control of all E-shades cabin-wide. Examples of common master settings include all dark, all clear, or full passenger control.
Cabin temperature control system: This program continuously monitors cabin temperature and executes a control feature command whenever necessary. For example, if the helicopter is on the ramp and a specified high temperature is reached, all E-Shades automatically go fully dark, thus maximizing heat rejection and cooling the cabin. Once the temperature stabilizes, the E-Shades return to their most recent light transmission state.
Automated adjustment for customer requirements: For window shade positions during take-off and landing, a logic circuit is incorporated to sense when landing gear is down. With this feature, all E-Shades automatically switch to the fully clear state in response to landing gear down. Also, should a power loss ever occur, all emergency exit E-Shades instantly default to a clear state for maximum light transmittance for 45 minutes.
In-flight movie feature: This automated feature dims all of the E-Shades to a 15% light transmission level with a single button press by the crew, perfect for viewing movies. 
During the product development phase of SCADS, InspecTech also recognized that the system’s network architecture could be capable of interfacing with other systems such as In-Flight Entertainment and Cabin Management Systems. This integration is a more complete solution to the challenges of on-board work and activities. SCADS has already been integrated with a major CMS product on aircraft. There are also opportunities to use SCADS with other on-board products. For example, lighting systems, including “mood lighting” equipment and programs, can interface with E-Shades to utilize the use of natural daylighting in the system. By interfacing with SCADS, any type of mood lighting management system is dramatically enhanced.

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