Patents Assigned to Express Imaging Systems, LLC
  • Patent number: 11765805
    Abstract: A system to control solid state light sources, including a photosensor responsive primarily to wavelengths of light outside the emitted light band of wavelengths that the solid state light sources emit when the solid state light sources are in the ON state, and which produces a light level signal representative of a level of sensed light primarily for wavelengths outside of the emitted light band of wavelengths. A set of circuitry receives the light level signal representative of the sensed level of light from the photosensor, determines a contribution by the solid state light sources to the sensed level of light, and uses a compensated light level or a compensated threshold in assessing a dusk condition or a dawn condition when the solid state light sources are in the ON state to compensate for the contribution by the solid state light sources to the sensed level of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 11653436
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 16, 2023
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, William G. Reed, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 11375599
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, William G. Reed, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 11317497
    Abstract: A system to control solid state light sources, including a photosensor responsive primarily to wavelengths of light outside the emitted light band of wavelengths that the solid state light sources emit when the solid state light sources are in the ON state, and which produces a light level signal representative of a level of sensed light primarily for wavelengths outside of the emitted light band of wavelengths. A set of circuitry receives the light level signal representative of the sensed level of light from the photosensor, determines a contribution by the solid state light sources to the sensed level of light, and uses a compensated light level or a compensated threshold in assessing a dusk condition or a dawn condition when the solid state light sources are in the ON state to compensate for the contribution by the solid state light sources to the sensed level of light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Richard Dolf
  • Patent number: 11234304
    Abstract: A photocontrol circuit includes a set of light level detection circuitry which is powered by a 0 to 10V dimming input. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is at or below the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches a 0 to 10V dimming input line to approximately 10V, controlling a luminaire to emit maximum light. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is above the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches the 0 to 10V dimming input line to less than approximately 1 Volt, thereby controlling the luminaire to emit minimum or no light. The photocontrols embodiments described herein advantageously employ the 0 to 10V dimming line as the luminaire control line, and photocontrol power source, unlike previous photocontrols which typically switch the power input to the luminaire. The photocontrol circuit may be housed in a photocontrol module comprising a base and a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 11212887
    Abstract: A light having a first set of electrically coupled solid state light sources having a first forward voltage drop and a second set of electrically coupled solid state light sources having a second forward voltage at least approximately matching the first forward voltage drop. The first set and second sets of solid state light sources are electrically coupled in parallel to a constant current source. A resistor is electrically coupled to at least one of the first and second sets of solid state light sources. Control circuitry is operably coupled to control a resistance electrically coupled in series with said at least one of the first set and the second set of solid state light sources to adjust a respective current therethrough and thereby dim said at least one of the first set and the second set of solid state light sources while maintaining the respective forward voltage drops.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 11019703
    Abstract: A shorting cap apparatus is provided for enabling remote application of power, by an external system, to a load connected to the shorting cap apparatus while protecting components of the external system from potential damage due to high inrush current to the load. The shorting cap apparatus comprises a housing, a connector, and inrush current protection circuitry. The connector of the shorting cap apparatus may be connected to a corresponding connector associated with the load. Once the external system applies power, the protection circuitry provides a time delay to allow the load to sufficiently charge via a first set of resistors of the protection circuitry over a period of time before a set of switches of the protection circuitry are transitioned to a conducting state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10932343
    Abstract: A protection system and operating method thereof promotes the longevity of components of a control subsystem. The protection apparatus may include a first connector for connecting to the control system and a second connector for connecting to a target system. The protection apparatus detects states of a component of the control subsystem over time and causes a state transition of a switching circuit of the protection apparatus based on the detected states of the control subsystem. The state transition of the switching circuit of the protection system may be initiated after a defined period of time has elapsed after detecting states of the control subsystem component. The state transition of the switching circuit may be a transition between an open state in which power is not provided to a node of the second connector and a closed state in which power is provided to the node of the second connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: William G. Reed, Dale H. DeGraff, Richard Dolf, Donald Arthur Vendetti
  • Patent number: 10904992
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2021
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, Richard Dolf, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10568191
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, Richard Dolf, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10544917
    Abstract: Shades and/or reflectors for luminaires. The luminaires may be retrofitted with the shades and/or reflectors to selectively control the direction and/or spectrum of light emitted by the luminaires. In particular, the efficiency and/or color contrast of a luminaire may be improved by using wavelength shifting material, such as a phosphor, to absorb less desired wavelengths and transmit more desired wavelengths. The shade may provide a transmissive filter which reflects desired wavelengths such as red and green, while passing less desired wavelengths (e.g., blue) toward the wavelength shifting material which emits such as light of more desirable wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: John O. Renn, Clare Joyce Robinson, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10531537
    Abstract: A photocontrol circuit includes a set of light level detection circuitry and a low power consumption power supply that powers the set of light level detection circuitry. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is at or below the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches a 0 to 10V dimming input line to approximately 10V, controlling a luminaire to emit maximum light. In response to a determination that light sensed in ambient environment is above the light level threshold, the light level detection circuitry switches the 0 to 10V dimming input line to less than approximately 0.5 Volts, thereby controlling the luminaire to emit minimum or no light. The photocontrols embodiments described herein advantageously employ the 0 to 10V dimming line as the luminaire control line, unlike previous photocontrols which typically switch the power input to the luminaire. The photocontrol circuit may be housed in a photocontrol module comprising a base and a cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10390414
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, Richard Dolf, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10230296
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing low frequency (e.g., 100 Hz, 120 Hz) output ripple of a power converter which receives input power from an AC power source (e.g., AC mains). An output ripple reduction circuit is provided which is electrically coupled between an output of a power converter and a load (e.g., one or more LEDs). The output ripple reduction circuit comprises a transformer having a first winding and a second winding each wrapped around a core. The first winding has a first terminal electrically coupled to an output of the power converter and a second terminal coupled to a capacitor to form a first LC circuit. The second winding has a first terminal electrically coupled to a load and a second terminal coupled to the capacitor to form a second LC circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10219360
    Abstract: Systems and methods which leverage the wireless communication capability present in wireless-enabled luminaires where the lamps include a short-range wireless transceiver and can be controlled by a smart appliance. The wireless capability of a luminaire may be paired with a compatible wireless interface system (e.g., adapter system) that allows for control of the luminaire via plug-in or hard-wired photocontrols and wireless network lamp control nodes. An adapter system may be provided that replaces a standard wired receptacle of a luminaire. The adapter system may include a wired interface to the luminaire which provides power to the wireless adapter system. The wireless adapter system may include a receptacle interface that receives a plug of a control node, such as photocontrol or a networked control node. The wireless adapter system may also include a wireless interface circuit that communicates control, status or other data between the connected control device and the luminaire.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, Richard Dolf, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10164374
    Abstract: A twist-lock connector that includes a printed circuit board component with one or more flexible portions is disclosed. The flexible portions may be formed within an interior portion of the printed circuit board by routing or otherwise removing a portion of the printed circuit board to create one or a plurality of side for each flexible portion. One or more electrical contacts may be positioned on each flexible portion and arranged to be electrically coupled with male electrical contacts that are part of a corresponding twist-lock plug, thereby deflecting the flexible portions. When deflected, the flexible portions exert an opposing, biasing force in the direction of the male electrical contacts to maintain contact there between. One or more of a mounting base and a support base may be clamped to either or both sides of the printed circuit board to provide further stability for the flexible portions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 10098212
    Abstract: Systems and methods which utilize luminaires that include wireless communication capabilities that allow the luminaires to be controlled by a wireless-enabled mobile system disposed proximate the luminaires. Control of a network of wireless-enabled luminaires is provided via a single mobile system utilizing wireless communication through at least one gateway luminaire without requiring connection between the luminaires and a central management system (CMS). Information sent to or collected from the luminaires through the mobile system may be transferred via a mobile network interface from or to a CMS. The luminaires may use their wireless communication ability to obtain data from nearby wireless sensors, which data may be collected by the mobile system from luminaires in the network of luminaires when the mobile system is positioned proximate at least one of the luminaires. The sensor data and/or other data may be uploaded to the central management system in a non-real-time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventors: Donald Arthur Vendetti, William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9985429
    Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing inrush current into a component, such as a power converter (e.g., LED driver), which receives alternating current (AC) power from an AC power source (e.g., AC mains). The method may include pre-charging the input capacitance of a component or circuit for a determined period of time after closing of a control switch (e.g., photocontrol, contactor) using a capacitive load pre-charge circuit (e.g., resistor), and then shorting the capacitive load pre-charge circuit using a bidirectional AC switch coupled in parallel with the capacitive load pre-charge circuit after the determined period of time to selectively bypass the capacitive load pre-charge circuit. The bidirectional AC switch may include two source-connected metal oxide semiconductor field-effect transistors (MOSFETs) which have a very low “on resistance,” such that during steady-state operation, the protection circuit wastes very little power compared to conventional inrush protection circuits.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9967933
    Abstract: Apparatus and methods to regulate an input power applied to a plurality of light emitters are provided. A regulator device includes a plurality of switches and a control circuit that controls the plurality of switches. The plurality of switches selectively couple respective strings of the light emitters in series to the input power to emit light when deactivated. The control circuit may deactivate a number of the switches to couple the respective light emitters to the input power in response to a sensed operational parameter of the input power. The control circuit may adjust the number of the switches deactivated in response to a change in the sensed operational parameter of the input power. A number of the light emitters may be coupled to the input power regardless of the sensed operational parameter of the input power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Express Imaging Systems, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed
  • Patent number: 9961731
    Abstract: Illumination systems with selectively adjustable illumination patterns which reduce the need for a utility or luminaire distributer to stock luminaires with different illumination patterns and reduce the need for pre-planning installations. Implementations may allow scheduled dimming of luminaires, dimming in defined physical directions and scheduled adjustment of light patterns. The efficiency and/or color contrast of a luminaire may be improved by using wavelength shifting material, such as a phosphor, to absorb less desired wavelengths and transmit more desired wavelengths. A transmissive filter may reflect desired wavelengths such as red and green, while passing less desired wavelengths (e.g., blue) toward the wavelength shifting material which emits such as light of more desirable wavelengths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: EXPRESS IMAGING SYSTEMS, LLC
    Inventor: William G. Reed