Patents by Inventor Venkatesh Chitta

Venkatesh Chitta 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).

  • Publication number: 20200337132
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2020
    Publication date: October 22, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Patent number: 10736193
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Publication number: 20200154542
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2019
    Publication date: May 14, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 10652980
    Abstract: Circuits and methods are provided for controlling an intensity of a light-emitting diode (LED) light source. The control is applied through at least an LED drive circuit, a current sense circuit and a control circuit. The control circuit is configured to operate in a first state and a second state on a periodic basis, and to control the LED drive circuit in the first and second states during respective time periods based on a load current feedback signal provided by the current sense circuit. The control circuit is configured to generate at least one drive signal for controlling the LED drive circuit and to adjust an operational characteristic of the at least one drive signal or a length of the time periods to adjust an average magnitude of the load current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2020
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20200045786
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20190335555
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 12, 2019
    Publication date: October 31, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Patent number: 10455674
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Patent number: 10420187
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 10420185
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 10375781
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load includes controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode includes at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method includes regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10231319
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Publication number: 20190075629
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2018
    Publication date: March 7, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, JR.
  • Publication number: 20190069382
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2018
    Publication date: February 28, 2019
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Publication number: 20180359832
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2018
    Publication date: December 13, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 10136484
    Abstract: A method for controlling an amount of power delivered to an electrical load may include controlling an average magnitude of a load current towards a target load current that ranges from a maximum rated current to a minimum rated current in a normal mode, and controlling the average magnitude of the load current below the minimum rated current in a burst mode. The burst mode may include at least one burst mode period that comprises a first time period associated with an active state and a second time period associated with an inactive state. During the burst mode, the method may include regulating a peak magnitude of the load current towards the minimum rated current during the active state, and stopping the generation of at least one drive signal during the inactive state to control the average magnitude of the load current to be less than the minimum rated current.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
  • Publication number: 20180255629
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2018
    Publication date: September 6, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Patent number: 10057958
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham
  • Patent number: 10004131
    Abstract: An electronic dimming ballast or light emitting diode (LED) driver for driving a gas discharge lamp or LED lamp may be operable to control the lamp to avoid flickering and flashing of the lamp during low temperature or low mercury conditions. Such a ballast or driver may include a control circuit that is operable to adjust the intensity of the lamp. Adjusting the intensity of the lamp may include decreasing the intensity of the lamp. The control circuit may be operable to stop adjustment of the intensity of the lamp if a magnitude of the lamp voltage across the lamp is greater than an upper threshold, and subsequently begin to adjust the intensity of the lamp when the lamp voltage across the lamp is less than a lower threshold. Subsequently beginning to adjust the intensity of the lamp may include subsequently decreasing the intensity of the lamp.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Russell L. MacAdam, Matthew R. Zartman
  • Publication number: 20180160491
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2017
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20180139820
    Abstract: A lighting control system for controlling a cumulative light emitted by a lighting fixture having a plurality of LED light sources may comprise a plurality of LED drivers adapted to be coupled to a respective one of the LED light sources and configured to control an intensity of the respective LED light source, and a controller configured to transmit a single digital message for controlling the cumulative light emitted by the lighting fixture. Each of the plurality of LED drivers is configured to adjust the intensity of the respective LED light source to a preset intensity in response to the single digital message transmitted by the controller.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Publication date: May 17, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Arya Abraham