Patents by Inventor Mark VanWagoner
Mark VanWagoner 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: 8686665Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, LED-luminaire drivers, sensors, and other devices.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Virticus CorporationInventors: Joseph E. Horbst, Mark VanWagoner
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Patent number: 8686664Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, associated ballasts, sensors, and other devices.Type: GrantFiled: March 8, 2010Date of Patent: April 1, 2014Assignee: Virticus CorporationInventors: Joseph E. Herbst, Mark VanWagoner
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Publication number: 20130257289Abstract: A light control system including a light source and a light management unit (LMU) operative to receive a light output control signal and to control a light output emitted from the light source, wherein the LMU controls the light output from the light source based on the light output control signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Applicant: LSI Saco Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark VanWagoner, Tim Frodsham, Kenneth Perez, Joseph E. Herbst
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Publication number: 20130257284Abstract: Radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management systems, apparatus, and methods are described. One implementation includes a wireless communication component and a controller that is integrated into the radio frequency-enabled lighting-fixture management unit. The controller is configured to obtain operational values of a luminaire driver or a luminaire. The controller is further configured to provide the obtained operational values to the wireless communication component for transmission.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: October 3, 2013Inventors: Mark VanWagoner, Tim Frodsham, John D. Boyer, Jesse Wade Fannon, Kevin A. Kelly
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Publication number: 20130253713Abstract: Irrigation control systems and method of operating an irrigation system are described for irrigation systems including one or more orifices, e.g., sprinkler heads, arranged in one or more irrigation lines. The control system can include one or more sensors such as moisture meters and flow meters that measure water output associate with the irrigation system. The irrigation control system can be linked to one or more networks for access, e.g., through the Internet. The control systems and methods can utilize moisture calibration to avoid or reduce a need for continuous use of moisture sensors.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: LSI Saco Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark VanWagoner, Tim Frodsham, Joseph E. Herbst
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Publication number: 20130249409Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the control of lighting systems at individual light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels that also distribute electrical power to consumers. One implementation comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, drivers, sensors, and other devices. Systems and methods of using synthetic events for calibration and control of lighting systems are also described.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: September 26, 2013Applicant: LSI Saco Technologies, Inc.Inventors: Mark VanWagoner, Tim Frodsham, Joseph E. Herbst
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Publication number: 20130187552Abstract: The current application is directed to control of lighting systems and utilization of ambient light levels for such control. One implementation comprises one or more lighting fixtures installed in a structure, at least one ambient light information source configured to provide brightness information of ambient light of the structure, and a controller configured to maintain a brightness level of an interior portion of the structure substantially the same as a brightness level of an exterior portion of the structure by controlling outputs of the lighting fixtures in response to the brightness information of the ambient light. The interior portion of the structure may include an entrance portion of the structure. The controller may be further configured to gradually reduce brightness levels of the outputs of the lighting fixtures from the entrance portion towards a center of the structure.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2013Publication date: July 25, 2013Inventors: Tim Frodsham, Mark VanWagoner, Joseph E. Herbst
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Publication number: 20110215736Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements. LED-luminaire drivers, sensors, and other devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 19, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Joseph E. Horbst, Mark VanWagoner
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Publication number: 20110215735Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to automated control of lighting systems at individual-light-fixture, local, regional, and larger-geographical-area levels. One embodiment of the present invention comprises a hierarchical lighting-control system including an automated network-control center that may control up to many millions of individual lighting fixtures and lighting elements, regional routers interconnected to the network-control center or network-control centers by public communications networks, each of which controls hundreds to thousands of individual light fixtures, and light-management units, interconnected to regional routers by radio-frequency communications and/or power-line communications, each of which controls components within a lighting fixture, including lighting elements, associated ballasts, sensors, and other devices.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2010Publication date: September 8, 2011Inventors: Joseph E. Herbst, Mark VanWagoner