Patents by Inventor Jeremy Nearhoof
Jeremy Nearhoof 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: 8173920Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. The base module has a controllably conductive device and a controller for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the controller is operatively coupled to the actuation member and the visual display.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: May 8, 2012Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof
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Patent number: 8098029Abstract: A load control device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising a semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input for controlling the semiconductor switch between a non-conductive state and a conductive state; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the semiconductor switch between the non-conductive state and the conductive state; a touch sensitive front surface; a touch sensitive device responsive to a point actuation on the touch sensitive front surface, the point actuation characterized by a position and a force, the touch sensitive device comprising a resistive divider and an output operatively coupled to the controller for providing a control signal to the controller; and a capacitor coupled to the output of the touch sensitive device for stabilizing the cType: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: January 17, 2012Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
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Patent number: 8040080Abstract: A user interface for a lighting control has a touch sensitive front surface; a four-wire resistive touch pad responsive to a point actuation on the front surface, the touch pad having a longitudinal resistive element for providing a first control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the longitudinal axis, and a lateral resistive element for providing a second control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the lateral axis; a controller receiving the first and second control signals; a first capacitor coupled between the lateral resistive element and a circuit common that charges and discharges through the longitudinal resistive element of the resistive touch pad to stabilize the first control signal; and first, second, and third switches controlled by the controller to provide a DC supply voltage to the resistive elements and to couple a respective resistive element to the controller.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2010Date of Patent: October 18, 2011Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
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Patent number: 7948393Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load; an actuator operatively coupled to the controller such that the controller is operable to determine a desired amount of power to be delivered to the load in response to actuations of the actuator; and a visual display responsive to the controller; wherein the controller is operable to illuminate the visual display to a first intensity upon actuation of the actuator and to subsequently illuminate the visual display to a second intensity less than the first intensity after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the actuation of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: August 14, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
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Patent number: 7896674Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the base module and the user interface module are electrically connected. The connector of the base module is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the dimmer, such that the actuation member is easily aligned within an opening of a faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2009Date of Patent: March 1, 2011Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, John M. DiMaggio, Bradley T. Hibshman
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Publication number: 20110018611Abstract: A user interface for a lighting control, the user interface comprising a touch sensitive front surface having a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis; a four-wire resistive touch pad responsive to a point actuation on the touch sensitive front surface, the resistive touch pad having a longitudinal resistive element for providing a first control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the longitudinal axis, and a lateral resistive element for providing a second control signal representative of the position of the point actuation along the lateral axis; a controller operable to receive the first and second control signals; a first capacitor adapted to be coupled between the lateral resistive element and a circuit common, the first capacitor operable to charge and discharge through the longitudinal resistive element of the resistive touch pad to stabilize the first control signal; and first, second, and third switches responsive to the controller, each of the switches comprising first,Type: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
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Publication number: 20110018610Abstract: A load control device for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source, the load control device comprising a semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input for controlling the semiconductor switch between a non-conductive state and a conductive state; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the semiconductor switch between the non-conductive state and the conductive state; a touch sensitive front surface; a touch sensitive device responsive to a point actuation on the touch sensitive front surface, the point actuation characterized by a position and a force, the touch sensitive device comprising a resistive divider and an output operatively coupled to the controller for providing a control signal to the controller; and a capacitor coupled to the output of the touch sensitive device for stabilizing the cType: ApplicationFiled: October 4, 2010Publication date: January 27, 2011Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Robert C. Newman, JR., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
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Patent number: 7855543Abstract: A load control device, such as a dimmer switch, has a touch sensitive actuator, such as a three-wire touch sensitive screen, that produces an output voltage representing the position of a manual pressure touch along a longitudinal axis of the actuator. A stabilizing circuit receives the output voltage of the actuator and comprises, for example, a capacitor. The stabilizing circuit operates to prevent the detection of transient touches and touches having less than a certain actuation force, such that the output voltage is responsive only to the position of the touch. In addition, a usage detection circuit may also be coupled to the output voltage of the actuator for determining whether the touch is presently occurring. Alternatively, the actuator may comprise a four-wire touch sensitive screen that produces a first output voltage received by the stabilizing circuit and a second output voltage received by the usage detection circuit.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: December 21, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Robert C. Newman, Jr., Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Daniel F. Carmen
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Patent number: 7791595Abstract: A user interface for a load control device comprises a bezel, a touch sensitive device, and a touch sensitive actuator. The touch sensitive actuator is received in an opening of the bezel and comprises a plurality of force concentrator for actuating the touch sensitive device. A front surface of the touch sensitive actuator is operable to be actuated by a user of the load control device such that the touch sensitive actuator transmits the force from the front surface of the touch sensitive actuator to the touch sensitive device. Preferably, the touch sensitive actuator is provided in an opening of a faceplate of the load control device along a linear axis. The load control device is operable to control a connected electrical load in response to an actuation of the touch sensitive actuator. The load control device further comprises a plurality of status indicators mounted immediately behind the touch sensitive actuator and above the touch sensitive device.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 7, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof
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Publication number: 20100041263Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the base module and the user interface module are electrically connected. The connector of the base module is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the dimmer, such that the actuation member is easily aligned within an opening of a faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 23, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, John M. DiMaggio, Bradley T. Hibshman
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Publication number: 20100007508Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load, the load control device comprising a bidirectional semiconductor switch operable to be coupled in series electrical connection between the source and the load, the semiconductor switch having a control input; a controller operatively coupled to the control input of the semiconductor switch for controlling the amount of power delivered to the load; an actuator operatively coupled to the controller such that the controller is operable to determine a desired amount of power to be delivered to the load in response to actuations of the actuator; and a visual display responsive to the controller; wherein the controller is operable to illuminate the visual display to a first intensity upon actuation of the actuator and to subsequently illuminate the visual display to a second intensity less than the first intensity after a predetermined amount of time has elapsed since the actuation of the actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 14, 2009Publication date: January 14, 2010Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
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Publication number: 20100001877Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides improved sensory feedback to a user of the load control device. The load control device comprises a touch screen actuator having a touch sensitive front surface responsive to a plurality of point actuations, each characterized by a position and a force. The touch screen actuator has an output operatively coupled to a controller for providing a control signal representative of the position of the point actuation. The load control device further comprises a visual display and an audible sound generator, both responsive to the controller. The controller is operable to cause the visual display to illuminate and the audible sound generator to generate an audible sound in response to the control signal of the touch screen actuator.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 15, 2009Publication date: January 7, 2010Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 7641491Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the base module and the user interface module are electrically connected. The connector of the base module is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the dimmer, such that the actuation member is easily aligned within an opening of a faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2008Date of Patent: January 5, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, John M. DiMaggio, Bradley T. Hibshman
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Patent number: 7608948Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source provides improved sensory feedback to a user of the load control device. The load control device comprises a touch screen actuator having a touch sensitive front surface responsive to a plurality of point actuations, each characterized by a position and a force. The touch screen actuator has an output operatively coupled to a controller for providing a control signal representative of the position of the point actuation. The load control device further comprises a visual display and an audible sound generator, both responsive to the controller. The controller is operable to cause the visual display to illuminate and the audible sound generator to generate an audible sound in response to the control signal of the touch screen actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: October 27, 2009Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 7592925Abstract: A load control device comprises an actuator for controlling a connected lighting load and a plurality of status indicators for displaying the intensity of the lighting load as feedback to a user. One or more of the status indicators are illuminated to a bright active level when the actuator is actuated. After a predetermined amount of time, the intensity of the status indicators is faded one of two dim levels depending upon whether the lighting load is on or off. Accordingly, the load control device will “wake up”, i.e., the status indicators will illuminate to the bright active level, upon another actuation of the actuator.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: September 22, 2009Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen, Christopher Buck
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Patent number: 7566995Abstract: A load control device for controlling the amount of power delivered to an electrical load from an AC power source comprises a touch sensitive device having a touch sensitive front surface responsive to a point actuation. The front surface is adapted to be provided in an opening of a faceplate such that the front surface of the touch sensitive actuator extends through the opening at a distance equal to or greater than the depth of the faceplate. According to the present invention, the operational area of the front surface is maximized to substantially the entire area of the front surface. Further, a minimum magnitude of a force of each of the point actuations is substantially equal at each of the respective positions on the front surface of the touch sensitive actuator, such that the front surface provides a substantially uniform force profile.Type: GrantFiled: June 20, 2006Date of Patent: July 28, 2009Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20090184652Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic, the color, and the functionality of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input, a visual display for providing feedback to the user, and an antenna for transmitting and receiving radio-frequency signals. The base module has a controllably conductive device and a controller for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the controller is operatively coupled to the actuation member, the visual display, and the antenna.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: July 23, 2009Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Robert Bollinger, JR., Daniel F. Carmen, Donald R. Mosebrook, Jeremy Nearhoof, Gregory Altonen
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Publication number: 20080258644Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. The base module has a controllably conductive device and a controller for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the controller is operatively coupled to the actuation member and the visual display.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof
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Publication number: 20080258859Abstract: A load control device has a modular assembly to allow for easy adjustment of the aesthetic and the color of the load control device after installation. The load control device comprises a user interface module and a base module. The user interface module includes an actuation member for receiving a user input and a visual display for providing feedback to the user. A connector of the base module is adapted to be coupled to a connector of the user interface module, such that the base module and the user interface module are electrically connected. The connector of the base module is adapted to move along a longitudinal axis and a lateral axis of the dimmer, such that the actuation member is easily aligned within an opening of a faceplate.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2008Publication date: October 23, 2008Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, John M. DiMaggio, Bradley T. Hibshman
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Patent number: D572202Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2006Date of Patent: July 1, 2008Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Elliot G. Jacoby, Gregory Altonen, Jeremy Nearhoof, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira