Patents by Inventor Steven J. Kober
Steven J. Kober 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: 11950336Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: May 2, 2023Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Publication number: 20240030806Abstract: A load control device may be configured to turn on lighting loads to obtain a fast turn-on time that may be substantially consistent across lighting loads that have different load voltages. The load control device may comprise a power converter circuit configured to produce a voltage across a capacitor, and a control circuit configured to control the power converter circuit to generate the voltage across the capacitor. The control circuit may determine a learned voltage from the magnitude of the voltage across the capacitor. For example, the control circuit may measure the magnitude of the voltage and store the measured voltage as the learned voltage. The control circuit may determine an operating parameter for the power converter circuit as a function of the learned voltage, and control the power converter circuit according to the operating parameter to charge the capacitor until the magnitude of the voltage exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2023Publication date: January 25, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Steven J. Kober, Soma Sekhara Rao Konijeti, Rajesh Krishna Thottumkara, Keertana Veeranki
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Patent number: 11811305Abstract: A load control device may be configured to turn on lighting loads to obtain a fast turn-on time that may be substantially consistent across lighting loads that have different load voltages. The load control device may comprise a power converter circuit configured to produce a voltage across a capacitor, and a control circuit configured to control the power converter circuit to generate the voltage across the capacitor. The control circuit may determine a learned voltage from the magnitude of the voltage across the capacitor. For example, the control circuit may measure the magnitude of the voltage and store the measured voltage as the learned voltage. The control circuit may determine an operating parameter for the power converter circuit as a function of the learned voltage, and control the power converter circuit according to the operating parameter to charge the capacitor until the magnitude of the voltage exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2022Date of Patent: November 7, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Steven J. Kober, Soma Sekhara Rao Konijeti, Rajesh Krishna Thottumkara, Keertana Veeranki
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Publication number: 20230337347Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 23, 2023Publication date: October 19, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Publication number: 20230328861Abstract: A load control device (e.g., an LED driver) for controlling the intensity of a lighting load (e.g., an LED light source) may provide a wide output range and flicker-free adjustment of the intensity of the lighting load. The load control device may comprise a load regulation circuit, a control circuit, and a filter circuit (e.g., a boxcar filter circuit) that operates in a different manner in dependence upon a target current. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a low-end intensity, the control circuit may adjust an operating frequency of the load regulation circuit in response to the target current, and may control the filter circuit to filter a current feedback signal during a filter window that repeats on periodic basis. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a high-end intensity, the control circuit may control the filter circuit to constantly filter the current feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 12, 2023Publication date: October 12, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Steven J. Kober, Mark S. Taipale
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Publication number: 20230269846Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Patent number: 11729887Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 31, 2022Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Patent number: 11716802Abstract: A load control device (e.g., an LED driver) for controlling the intensity of a lighting load (e.g., an LED light source) may provide a wide output range and flicker-free adjustment of the intensity of the lighting load. The load control device may comprise a load regulation circuit, a control circuit, and a filter circuit (e.g., a boxcar filter circuit) that operates in a different manner in dependence upon a target current. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a low-end intensity, the control circuit may adjust an operating frequency of the load regulation circuit in response to the target current, and may control the filter circuit to filter a current feedback signal during a filter window that repeats on periodic basis. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a high-end intensity, the control circuit may control the filter circuit to constantly filter the current feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: June 6, 2022Date of Patent: August 1, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Steven J. Kober, Mark S. Taipale
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Patent number: 11678416Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2022Date of Patent: June 13, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Publication number: 20220337151Abstract: A load control device may be configured to turn on lighting loads to obtain a fast turn-on time that may be substantially consistent across lighting loads that have different load voltages. The load control device may comprise a power converter circuit configured to produce a voltage across a capacitor, and a control circuit configured to control the power converter circuit to generate the voltage across the capacitor. The control circuit may determine a learned voltage from the magnitude of the voltage across the capacitor. For example, the control circuit may measure the magnitude of the voltage and store the measured voltage as the learned voltage. The control circuit may determine an operating parameter for the power converter circuit as a function of the learned voltage, and control the power converter circuit according to the operating parameter to charge the capacitor until the magnitude of the voltage exceeds a threshold.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 1, 2022Publication date: October 20, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Steven J. Kober, Soma Sekhara Rao Konijeti, Rajesh Krishna Thottumkara, Keertana Veeranki
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Publication number: 20220304125Abstract: A load control device (e.g., an LED driver) for controlling the intensity of a lighting load (e.g., an LED light source) may provide a wide output range and flicker-free adjustment of the intensity of the lighting load. The load control device may comprise a load regulation circuit, a control circuit, and a filter circuit (e.g., a boxcar filter circuit) that operates in a different manner in dependence upon a target current. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a low-end intensity, the control circuit may adjust an operating frequency of the load regulation circuit in response to the target current, and may control the filter circuit to filter a current feedback signal during a filter window that repeats on periodic basis. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a high-end intensity, the control circuit may control the filter circuit to constantly filter the current feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 6, 2022Publication date: September 22, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Steven J. Kober, Mark S. Taipale
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Publication number: 20220295620Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 31, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Publication number: 20220217822Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Patent number: 11381156Abstract: A load control device may be configured to turn on lighting loads to obtain a fast turn-on time that may be substantially consistent across lighting loads that have different load voltages. The load control device may comprise a power converter circuit configured to produce a voltage across a capacitor, and a control circuit configured to control the power converter circuit to generate the voltage across the capacitor. The control circuit may determine a learned voltage from the magnitude of the voltage across the capacitor. For example, the control circuit may measure the magnitude of the voltage and store the measured voltage as the learned voltage. The control circuit may determine an operating parameter for the power converter circuit as a function of the learned voltage, and control the power converter circuit according to the operating parameter to charge the capacitor until the magnitude of the voltage exceeds a threshold.Type: GrantFiled: April 10, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Steven J. Kober, Soma Sekhara Rao Konijeti, Rajesh Krishna Thottumkara, Keertana Veeranki
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Patent number: 11357082Abstract: A load control device (e.g., an LED driver) for controlling the intensity of a lighting load (e.g., an LED light source) may provide a wide output range and flicker-free adjustment of the intensity of the lighting load. The load control device may comprise a load regulation circuit, a control circuit, and a filter circuit (e.g., a boxcar filter circuit) that operates in a different manner in dependence upon a target current. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a low-end intensity, the control circuit may adjust an operating frequency of the load regulation circuit in response to the target current, and may control the filter circuit to filter a current feedback signal during a filter window that repeats on periodic basis. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a high-end intensity, the control circuit may control the filter circuit to constantly filter the current feedback signal.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2020Date of Patent: June 7, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Steven J. Kober, Mark S. Taipale
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Patent number: 11291093Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2021Date of Patent: March 29, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Patent number: 11240896Abstract: A control module is able to be installed with electrical devices, such as, for example electrical loads (e.g., lighting loads) and/or load regulation devices. The control module may determine whether an LED driver for an LED light source is responsive to one or more of a plurality of control techniques. The control module may be able to automatically determine an appropriate control technique to use to control the connected LED driver and/or LED light source. The control module may sequentially attempt to control the LED driver and/or LED light source using each of the plurality of control techniques and determine if the LED driver and/or LED light source is responsive to the present control technique. The plurality of control techniques may include one or more analog control techniques and one or more digital control techniques.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Galen Edgar Knode, Steven J. Kober, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Richard M. Walsh, III
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Publication number: 20210227660Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 7, 2021Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Patent number: 10986709Abstract: A load control device for regulating an average magnitude of a load current conducted through an electrical load may operate in different modes. The load control device may comprise a control circuit configured to activate an inverter circuit during an active state period and deactivate the inverter circuit during an inactive state period. In one mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the inactive state period while keeping the active state period constant. In another mode, the control circuit may adjust the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting the active state period while keeping the inactive state period constant. In yet another mode, the control circuit may keep a duty cycle of the inverter circuit constant and regulate the average magnitude of the load current by adjusting a target load current conducted through the electrical load.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2020Date of Patent: April 20, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Steven J. Kober
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Publication number: 20210076464Abstract: A load control device (e.g., an LED driver) for controlling the intensity of a lighting load (e.g., an LED light source) may provide a wide output range and flicker-free adjustment of the intensity of the lighting load. The load control device may comprise a load regulation circuit, a control circuit, and a filter circuit (e.g., a boxcar filter circuit) that operates in a different manner in dependence upon a target current. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a low-end intensity, the control circuit may adjust an operating frequency of the load regulation circuit in response to the target current, and may control the filter circuit to filter a current feedback signal during a filter window that repeats on periodic basis. When the intensity of the lighting load is near a high-end intensity, the control circuit may control the filter circuit to constantly filter the current feedback signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stuart W. DeJonge, Steven J. Kober, Mark S. Taipale