Patents by Inventor Horace C. Ho

Horace C. Ho 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).

  • Patent number: 10847026
    Abstract: A system, remote control device and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a visible light communication system comprising a remote control device and a plurality of controlled devices. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the visible light communication system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10767835
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 8, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20200281058
    Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: September 3, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10621836
    Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10624171
    Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10605652
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10595372
    Abstract: An illumination device and method is provided herein for calibrating individual LEDs in the illumination device, so as to obtain a desired luminous flux and a desired chromaticity of the device over changes in drive current, temperature, and over time as the LEDs age. The calibration method may include subjecting the illumination device to a first ambient temperature, successively applying at least three different drive currents to a first LED to produce illumination at three or more different levels of brightness, obtaining a plurality of optical measurements from the illumination produced by the first LED at each of the at least three different drive currents, obtaining a plurality of electrical measurements from the photodetector and storing results of the obtaining steps within the illumination device to calibrate the first LED at the first ambient temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 17, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Jason E. Lewis, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 10582596
    Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Publication number: 20190277477
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Publication date: September 12, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Patent number: 10405397
    Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Publication number: 20190215927
    Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2019
    Publication date: July 11, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Publication number: 20190170571
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2018
    Publication date: June 6, 2019
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10302276
    Abstract: Illumination devices with improved color mixing optics are disclosed herein for mixing the colors produced by a multi-colored LED emitter module to produce uniform color throughout the entire beam angle of the output light beam, along with smoother edges and improved center beam intensity. Embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of multi-color LEDs within an emitter module, a unique exit lens with different patterns of lenslets on opposing sides of the lens, and other associated optical features that thoroughly mix the different color components, and as such, provide uniform color across the output beam exiting the illumination device. Additional embodiments disclosed herein include a unique arrangement of photodetectors within the primary optics structure of the LED emitter module that ensure the optical feedback system properly measures the light produced by all similarly colored emission LEDs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Fangxu Dong, Horace C. Ho, David J. Knapp
  • Publication number: 20190124743
    Abstract: An illumination system and method is provided for readily mapping a plurality of scenes along a dimcurve form a natural show for one or more groups of LED illumination devices. Mapping can be performed using a graphical user interface on a remote controller wirelessly linked to the illumination devices. A keypad is preferably configured for button control of changes to color temperature as a function of brightness along each of the various dimcurves for each of the various groups of illumination devices controlled by a corresponding keypad to allow momentary or persistent override and reprogram of the natural show. Modification to a scene further comprises modifications to scenes before and after the currently modified scene to provide a smoothing dimcurve modification. Global keypad can be used to control multiple zones arranged throughout a structure to switch between a natural show that emulates outdoor sunlight conditions to a panic show when an intruder is detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10257905
    Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10237945
    Abstract: An illumination device, system and method are provided herein for emulating sunlight along a daytime or nighttime locus. Sunlight is emulated depending on the path length of the sun relative to a structure containing the illumination device and system. One or more illumination devices can be grouped together and perform the sunlight emulation along the locus by producing different color temperatures throughout the day by all illumination devices within that group producing the same color temperature changes throughout the day. Moreover, a particular advantage of the preferred embodiments is the ability to manually change at any time the emulated natural sunlight output from the one or more groups of illumination devices and advantageously change the color output more so at certain times than at other times by simply actuating a trigger on a dimmer associated with a virtual or physical keypad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Nav Sooch, Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank, Jason E. Lewis, Ryan Matthew Bocock
  • Patent number: 10210750
    Abstract: A system, remote control device and method are provided herein for communicating with and controlling various devices using visible light communication (VLC). According to one embodiment, a method is provided for extending a communication range of a visible light communication system comprising a remote control device and a plurality of controlled devices. Such a method may include, for example, transmitting a communication message from a remote control device to a first controlled device located within range of the remote control device, wherein the communication message is transmitted through free space using visible light, and extending the communication range of the visible light communication system to a second controlled device, which is located outside of the range of the remote control device, by using the first controlled device to retransmit the communication message through free space using visible light to the second controlled device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Knapp, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: 10161786
    Abstract: An illumination device comprises one or more emitter modules having improved thermal and electrical characteristics. According to one embodiment, each emitter module comprises a plurality of light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured for producing illumination for the illumination device, one or more photodetectors configured for detecting the illumination produced by the plurality of LEDs, a substrate upon which the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors are mounted, wherein the substrate is configured to provide a relatively high thermal impedance in the lateral direction, and a relatively low thermal impedance in the vertical direction, and a primary optics structure coupled to the substrate for encapsulating the plurality of LEDs and the one or more photodetectors within the primary optics structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Kuo-Lih Chang, Mickey Malone, Horace C. Ho
  • Patent number: RE48297
    Abstract: A method and light emitting diode (LED) illumination device comprising multiple emitter modules are provided. In one embodiment, the method includes bringing to a level insufficient to produce illumination the respective drive currents of all except one of multiple emission LED elements within respective first and second emitter modules for the duration of a measurement interval within respective first and second series of measurement intervals. The measurement intervals are interspersed with periods of illumination, and the first and second series of measurement intervals are separated by respective first and second offsets from a timing reference. An embodiment of an illumination device includes multiple emitter modules, where each emitter module includes multiple emission LED elements and one or more photodetectors. The illumination device further includes a lamp control circuit adapted to perform steps of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank
  • Patent number: RE48298
    Abstract: A method and illumination device are provided for interference-resistant compensation in light emitting diode (LED) illumination devices. In one embodiment, the method includes bringing to a level insufficient to produce illumination the respective drive current of all except one of multiple emission LED elements for the duration of a first measurement interval and a later-occurring second measurement interval. The first and second measurement intervals are within respective first and second series of measurement intervals interspersed with periods of illumination, and the first and second series of measurement intervals are separated by respective first and second offsets from a timing reference. An embodiment of an illumination device includes multiple emission LED elements, one or more photodetectors, and a lamp control circuit, where the lamp control circuit is adapted to perform steps of the method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Ketra, LLC
    Inventors: Horace C. Ho, Rebecca Frank