Patents by Inventor Daniel L. Twaddell
Daniel L. Twaddell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 11765800Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230284363Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11729873Abstract: A control device may comprise a plurality of buttons, a plurality of light sources located behind the respective buttons and configured to illuminate the buttons, a light detector circuit configured to measure an ambient light level around the control device, and/or a control circuit configured to control the light sources to adjust surface illumination intensities of the respective buttons in response to the measured ambient light level. Each button may comprise indicia indicating a function of the button. The control circuit set the first button as active and the second button as inactive in response to an actuation of the first button. The control circuit may, based on the measured ambient light level, control the light sources to illuminate the first button to an active surface illumination intensity, and to illuminate the second button to an inactive surface illumination intensity that is less than the active surface illumination intensity.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Daniel L. Twaddell, Matthew Philip McDonald, Jason C. Killo, Jonathan Robert Quayle
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Publication number: 20230238194Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 30, 2023Publication date: July 27, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230207237Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 6, 2023Publication date: June 29, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11690157Abstract: A load control system may include control devices capable of being associated with each other at one or more locations for performing load control. Control devices may include control-source devices and/or control-target devices. A location beacon may be discovered and a unique identifier in the location beacon may be associated with a unique identifier of one or more control devices. Upon subsequent discovery of the location beacon, the associated load control devices may be controlled. The beacons may be communicated via radio frequency signals, visible light communication, and/or audio signals. The visible light communication may be used to communicate other types of information to devices in the load control system. The visible light communication may be used to identify link addresses for communicating with load control devices, load control instructions, load control configuration instructions, network communication information, and/or the like.Type: GrantFiled: August 19, 2021Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Kyle Thomas Barco, Bryan Robert Barnes, John H. Bull, Richard S. Camden, Jordan H. Crafts, David J. Dolan, Jason Groller, Sanjeev Kumar, Jonathan T. Lenz, Miguel Aguado Pelaez, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230189412Abstract: A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 3, 2023Publication date: June 15, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11646166Abstract: A remote control device is provided that is configured for use in a load control system that includes one or more electrical loads. The remote control device includes a mounting structure and a control unit, and the control unit is configured to be attached to the mounting structure in a plurality of different orientations. The control unit includes a user interface, an orientation sensing circuit, and a communication circuit. The control unit is configured to determine an orientation of the control unit via the orientation sensing circuit. The control unit is also configured to translate a user input from the user interface into control data to control an electrical load of the load control system based on the orientation of the control unit and/or provide a visual indication of an amount of power delivered to the electrical load based on the orientation of the control unit.Type: GrantFiled: January 26, 2022Date of Patent: May 9, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Alexander Wade Gage, Matthew V. Harte, Jason C. Killo, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230133984Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 27, 2022Publication date: May 4, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Graham L. Christensen, Chris Dimberg, Jonathan H. Ference, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Dinesh Sundara Moorthy, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, James P. Steiner, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11621133Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: April 4, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230092156Abstract: A control device may be configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device may be a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device may include a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control may include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback may be provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 23, 2022Publication date: March 23, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11602024Abstract: A control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The control device may be a wall-mounted device or a battery-powered remote control device. The feedback may indicate the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The feedback may also indicate a low battery condition. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20230036482Abstract: A control device for controlling an electrical load may include a slider knob, a plurality of light sources, a diffuser, and a control circuit. The slider knob may be configured to move in a vertical direction along an elongated slot located in a bezel of the control device. The diffuser may be located along the elongated slot and be configured to be illuminated by the plurality of light sources to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control circuit may be configured to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load in response movement of the slider knob along the elongated slot, and to illuminate at least a portion of the diffuser to indicate the amount of power delivered to the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 30, 2022Publication date: February 2, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Edward J. Blair, Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Jaime L. Ingram, Jason C. Killo, Matthew K. Olsen, Adam Rosenberg, William Taylor Shivell, Matthew J. Swatsky, Daniel L. Twaddell, Aaron J. Wilz, Noah Zinn
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Patent number: 11569818Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an electrical load external to the control device may comprise an actuation member having a front surface defining a capacitive touch surface configured to detect a touch actuation along at least a portion of the front surface. The control device includes a main printed circuit board (PCB) comprising a control circuit, a tactile switch, a controllably conductive device, and a drive circuit operatively coupled to a control input of the controllably conductive device for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive or non-conductive to control the amount of power delivered to the electrical load. The control device also includes a capacitive touch PCB that comprises a touch sensitive circuit comprising one or more receiving capacitive touch pads located on the capacitive touch PCB and arranged in a linear array adjacent to the capacitive touch surface.Type: GrantFiled: May 29, 2020Date of Patent: January 31, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Quinn Brogan, Graham L. Christensen, Chris Dimberg, Jonathan H. Ference, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Dinesh Sundara Moorthy, Matthew W. Nuhfer, Michael W. Pessina, James P. Steiner, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: 11538643Abstract: A control device may be configured to control one or more electrical loads in a load control system. The control device may be a wall-mounted device such as dimmer switch, a remote control device, or a retrofit remote control device. The control device may include a gesture-based user interface for applying advanced control over the one or more electrical loads. The types of control may include absolute and relative control, intensity and color control, preset, zone, or operational mode selection, etc. Feedback may be provided on the control device regarding a status of the one or more electrical loads or the control device.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: December 27, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew V. Harte, Matthew Philip McDonald, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D969754Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2022Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Gregory M. Snyder, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D969759Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2021Date of Patent: November 15, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D975663Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2022Date of Patent: January 17, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D986187Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Patent number: D986838Type: GrantFiled: July 30, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Daniel L. Twaddell