Patents by Inventor William H. Howe
William H. Howe 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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Publication number: 20230288890Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2023Publication date: September 14, 2023Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 11693377Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2022Date of Patent: July 4, 2023Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Publication number: 20220276623Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 16, 2022Publication date: September 1, 2022Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 11334041Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: February 22, 2021Date of Patent: May 17, 2022Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Publication number: 20210176846Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 22, 2021Publication date: June 10, 2021Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 10932346Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: December 9, 2019Date of Patent: February 23, 2021Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Publication number: 20200120781Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 9, 2019Publication date: April 16, 2020Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 10506688Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: GrantFiled: August 24, 2017Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Arya Abraham, Nicholas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Publication number: 20180063927Abstract: Control-source devices may be associated with control-target devices of a load control system during a configuration procedure, such that the control-target devices are responsive to the associated control-source devices during normal operation. The configuration procedure may be executed using a network device having a visual display for associating the control-source devices and control-target devices. The control-source devices may be associated with the control-target devices on an area-by-area basis using an area configuration procedure. The control-target devices may be configured to flash a controlled lighting load according to a flashing profile during the configuration procedure. The flashing profile may be characterized by at least one abrupt transition between off and on, and at least one gradual transition between off and on, where the abrupt and gradual transitions are repeated on a periodic basis.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 24, 2017Publication date: March 1, 2018Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Arya Abraham, Nicolas J. Braskey, Brian M. Courtney, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 8786236Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.Type: GrantFiled: July 12, 2013Date of Patent: July 22, 2014Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20130306246Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 12, 2013Publication date: November 21, 2013Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 8536984Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-automatic method of replacing a ballast within a lighting control system, such that the new replacement ballast can operate in the same manner as the ballast that was replaced. If multiple ballasts in a lighting control system are removed from the system and multiple new ballasts are installed to replace those ballasts, any operational configurations such as group configurations or area information associated with each removed (missing) ballast must be assigned to the proper new replacement ballast. The semi-automatic replacement method relies upon the operational configurations of the removed ballast to help a user identify which new ballast should replace each missing ballast.Type: GrantFiled: March 9, 2010Date of Patent: September 17, 2013Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Frank H. Benetz, John H. Bull, Thomas Richard Hinds, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 8508169Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2012Date of Patent: August 13, 2013Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20130049664Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 31, 2012Publication date: February 28, 2013Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Patent number: 8288981Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.Type: GrantFiled: September 21, 2009Date of Patent: October 16, 2012Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20100241255Abstract: The present invention relates to a semi-automatic method of replacing a ballast within a lighting control system, such that the new replacement ballast can operate in the same manner as the ballast that was replaced. If multiple ballasts in a lighting control system are removed from the system and multiple new ballasts are installed to replace those ballasts, any operational configurations such as group configurations or area information associated with each removed (missing) ballast must be assigned to the proper new replacement ballast. The semi-automatic replacement method relies upon the operational configurations of the removed ballast to help a user identify which new ballast should replace each missing ballast.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 9, 2010Publication date: September 23, 2010Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.Inventors: Frank H. Benetz, John H. Bull, Thomas Richard Hinds, William H. Howe
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Patent number: 7787485Abstract: A lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link operates with a communication protocol that allows the system to expeditiously process high-priority events while operating communicate at a low enough baud rate to allow for a free-wiring topology of the communication link. The transmission of regular-priority messages is suspended if any of the control devices has a high-priority message to transmit. To signal that a control device has a high-priority message to transmit, each control device is operable to transmit a break character in a predetermined time period after the transmission of one of the digital messages. After the transmission of the break character, the transmission of the regular-priority messages on the communication link is suspended to allow the high-priority message to be transmitted quickly.Type: GrantFiled: February 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 31, 2010Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Arya Abraham, R. Paul Stocker
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Publication number: 20100071856Abstract: A load control system provides for automatically controlling a position of a motorized window treatment to control the amount of sunlight entering a space of a building through a window located in a façade of the building in order to control a sunlight penetration distance within the space and minimize occupant distractions. The load control system automatically generates a timeclock schedule having a number of timeclock events for controlling the position of the motorized window treatment during the present day. A user is able to select a desired maximum sunlight penetration distance for the space and a minimum time period that may occur between any two consecutive timeclock events. In addition, a maximum number of movements that may occur during the timeclock schedule may also be entered. The load control system uses these inputs to determine event times and corresponding positions of the motorized window treatment for each timeclock event of the timeclock schedule.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 21, 2009Publication date: March 25, 2010Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.Inventors: Walter S. Zaharchuk, Brian Michael Courtney, William Bryce Fricke, William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Joel S. Spira
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Publication number: 20080192767Abstract: A lighting control system having a plurality of control devices coupled to a communication link operates with a communication protocol that allows the system to expeditiously process high-priority events while operating communicate at a low enough baud rate to allow for a free-wiring topology of the communication link. The transmission of regular-priority messages is suspended if any of the control devices has a high-priority message to transmit. To signal that a control device has a high-priority message to transmit, each control device is operable to transmit a break character in a predetermined time period after the transmission of one of the digital messages. After the transmission of the break character, the transmission of the regular-priority messages on the communication link is suspended to allow the high-priority message to be transmitted quickly.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 8, 2007Publication date: August 14, 2008Inventors: William H. Howe, Timothy S. Majewski, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Arya Abraham, R. Paul Stocker
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Publication number: 20080088180Abstract: A lighting control system is operable to control the amount of power delivered to a plurality of electrical loads. The lighting control system includes load control devices (such as digital electronic dimming ballasts), motorized window treatments, controllers, processors, and personal computers. The personal computer is preferably executing a graphical user interface (GUI) software, which allows a user to configure and monitor the operation of the lighting control system. The lighting control system offers a load shedding functionality without using power meters. Each load control device transmits its current intensity level to the personal computer, which is operable to determine a total power consumption of the lighting control system. If the total power consumption exceeds a predetermined power threshold, the personal computer causes the load control devices to shed loads.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2007Publication date: April 17, 2008Inventors: Audwin W. Cash, William H. Howe, Joe Suresh Jacob, Timothy S. Majewski, Christopher J. Rigatti, Dragan Veskovic