Patents Assigned to Control4 Corporation
  • Patent number: 10473699
    Abstract: An electronic device is described. The electronic device includes line voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a line voltage to produce a line voltage measurement. The electronic device also includes load voltage measuring circuitry configured to measure a load voltage to produce a load voltage measurement. The electronic device further includes a processor coupled to the line voltage measuring circuitry and the load voltage measuring circuitry. The processor is configured to adjust a voltage ramp waveform for a transition of a first metal-oxide-semiconductor field-effect transistor (MOSFET) and a second MOSFET based on the line voltage measurement and the load voltage measurement to minimize heat generation and electromagnetic interference creation by the MOSFETs. The first MOSFET and the second MOSFET control a current to a load in an alternating current configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Smith, Sidney Lyle King, Robert Don Bruhn, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10181988
    Abstract: A method for monitoring a network device is described. The method includes analyzing a traffic log that records network activity between the network device and a cloud server. The method also includes determining that the network device is offline based on the traffic log analysis. The method further includes sending an alert to a user device indicating that the network device is offline.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2019
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Mina Farah
  • Patent number: 10162095
    Abstract: A button assembly is described. The button assembly includes a button that includes a translucent interior material and an opaque front surface with at least one aperture through which light can pass. The button assembly also includes a light guide that includes a light transmitting material and a reflector. The light guide is a molded part where the light transmitting material is molded with the reflector as an integral part of the light guide. The light guide provides illumination to a back surface of the button.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Brent Delbert Madsen
  • Patent number: 10121622
    Abstract: Circuitry for controlling relay activation timing is described. The circuitry includes voltage zero cross detection circuitry configured to produce a zero cross detection signal indicating a zero cross time of an alternating current (AC) signal. The circuitry also includes current measuring circuitry coupled to voltage zero cross detection circuitry. The current measuring circuitry is configured to produce a current flow detection signal indicating a current flow start time of the AC signal. The circuitry further includes relay circuitry coupled to the current measuring circuitry. The circuitry additionally includes a processor coupled to the voltage zero cross detection circuitry, to the current measuring circuitry, and to the relay circuitry. The processor is configured to determine a relay time error based on the zero cross time and the current flow start time. The processor is also configured to control relay activation signal timing to reduce the relay time error.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory Scott Smith, Sidney Lyle King
  • Patent number: 9882989
    Abstract: A method for providing remote assistance for controlling a site is disclosed. A remote assistance request may be received from a control device. The remote assistance request may be sent from the control device to a remote server. Communication between the remote server and the control device may be established.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2018
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Howard
  • Patent number: 9876778
    Abstract: A method for providing secure remote access by a controller is described. The method includes establishing a link through a security service to a client device via a cloud server based on a security token from the client device. The method also includes receiving a command message from the client device for an application program interface (API) located within the controller. The command message is forwarded by the cloud server. The method further includes producing an automation command based on the command message. The API interprets the command message.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Wallace Eric Smith, David Paul Fay, Erik Frederick, William Richard Clark
  • Patent number: 9854286
    Abstract: A method for optimizing the broadcast of multimedia is described. Multimedia is broadcast to at least one multimedia user device. User information is received from the at least one multimedia user device. The user information relates to user behavior from the at least one multimedia user device. The user information is processed to select future multimedia to broadcast. The future multimedia is broadcast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Michael L. Howard
  • Patent number: 9813383
    Abstract: Systems and methods for preparing and re-commissioning a controlled device in a home area network are described. A utility meter is communicated with. An authentication key and encryption data for communicating with the utility meter may be determined. The authentication key and encryption data are sent to a controlled device. A set of translation rules for a message are determined. The translation rules are sent to the controlled device. The controlled device establishes a secure communication link with the utility meter using the authentication key and the encryption data. The controlled device receives a request to change power usage from the utility meter over the secure communication link. The controlled device translates the request to change power usage into control instructions using the translation rules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Nagel, William B. West
  • Patent number: 9806712
    Abstract: An electronic device for gesture-based lighting control is described. The electronic device includes a touch sensor that detects a gesture input. The electronic device also includes a lighting operation determination module that determines a lighting operation based on the gesture input. The electronic device further includes a lighting operation execution module that executes the lighting operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Wallace Eric Smith
  • Patent number: 9786452
    Abstract: A switching system may include a body and a set of key elements. The body may be electrically connectable to a first electrical device and a second electrical device, and may have a keypad with key element attachment features to which the key elements can be attached. The key elements may be attachable in various positions and/or combinations on the keypad. The key elements may include one or more buttons of various sizes and/or a rocker. The keypad may have multiple positions to which key elements can be attached, with larger key elements requiring multiple positions. The key element attachment features may be domes, which may be inserted into holes in tabs extending from the key elements to pivotably attach the key elements to the keypad. Each key element may be retained on the keypad independently of any other component aside from the keypad and the key element.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Delbert Madsen, Scott Edward Stephenson
  • Patent number: 9686165
    Abstract: A method for indicating communication link quality by an electronic device is described. The method includes tracking local link quality information corresponding to a local receive link between the electronic device and a neighboring device. The method also includes receiving a request to indicate a link quality. The method further includes indicating the link quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2017
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Paul Eugene Nagel, Timothy Paul Spens
  • Patent number: 9407094
    Abstract: A method for adaptive load control by an electronic device is described. The method includes determining a wiring mode. The method also includes determining a frequency of a power source. The method further includes capturing a voltage waveform. The method additionally includes capturing a current waveform. The method also includes determining a load type of a load based on the voltage waveform and the current waveform. The method further includes determining a power factor based on the voltage waveform, the current waveform and the wiring mode. The method additionally includes operating the load based on the load type, the power factor and the frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Russell, Luis F. Gomez, Michael Stephenson, William Richard Schonle
  • Patent number: 9391966
    Abstract: A method for providing secure remote access by a controller is described. The method includes sending one or more endpoint requests. The method also includes receiving authentication service endpoint information and connection service endpoint information. The method further includes requesting authentication based on the authentication service endpoint information. Requesting authentication includes requesting license validation. The method also includes sending one or more registration messages based on the connection service endpoint information. The method further includes receiving a session request. The method additionally includes determining controller candidate link information. The method also includes sending the controller candidate link information. The method further includes receiving an automation message based on the controller candidate link information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2016
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: William Richard Clark, Wallace Eric Smith, John Mar, Andrew Van Uitert, Charles Alexander Hudson, Clinton Perry
  • Patent number: 9357103
    Abstract: A method for controlling media devices by an electronic device is described. The method includes receiving a first control signal from a first media device in a first media device control network. The method also includes generating a second control signal based on the first control signal and a second media device in a second media device control network. The method further includes sending the second control signal to the second media device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2016
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventor: Wallace Eric Smith
  • Patent number: 9293919
    Abstract: An electronic device for inductive load switching is described. The electronic device includes a voltage sensor module that monitors a voltage waveform. The electronic device also includes a current sensor module that monitors a current waveform. The electronic device additionally includes a computing module coupled to the voltage sensor module and to the current sensor module that determines a power factor based on the voltage waveform and the current waveform. The electronic device further includes a controller module coupled to the computing module that switches off an inductive load based on the power factor. The electronic device has dimensions for fitting within a wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2016
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Russell, David Lynn Bytheway, William Richard Schonle
  • Patent number: 9279835
    Abstract: A method for detecting a load type is described. The method includes placing an electronic device in a forward phase mode. The method also includes operating a load at a maximum allowable level. The method additionally includes capturing a voltage waveform. The method further includes capturing a current waveform. The method also includes obtaining a voltage zero-cross based on the voltage waveform. The method additionally includes obtaining a current zero-cross based on the current waveform. The method further includes determining the load type based on the voltage zero-cross and the current zero-cross.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Russell, David Lynn Bytheway, William Richard Schonle
  • Patent number: 9152139
    Abstract: A system is provided for remote control of electronic devices. An automation controller can be used to control electronic devices via a network. A communication port for the automation controller is used to provide control signals for at least one electronic device via the network. An analog receiver module receives analog video signals from analog sources. A digital display module can receive a digital control interface from the automation controller. The digital control interface can include automation graphical interface controls. A display module, coupled to the automation controller, is used to composite the digital control interface received from the digital display module into a composite image with analog video signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2015
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: W. Eric Smith, James R. Gist
  • Patent number: 9142962
    Abstract: An electronic device for managing energy is described. The electronic device includes a voltage sensor module that monitors a voltage waveform. The voltage sensor module includes discrete components. The electronic device includes a current sensor module that monitors a current waveform. The current sensor module includes discrete components. The electronic device is coupled to the voltage sensor module and to the current sensor module. The computing module determines a phase margin based on the voltage waveform and the current waveform. The electronic device includes a control module coupled to the computing module. The control module controls a load based on the voltage waveform, current waveform and phase margin. The control module includes discrete components. The voltage sensor module, the current sensor module, the computing module and the control module are housed within a wall box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: James K. Russell, David Lynn Bytheway, William Richard Schonle
  • Patent number: D740767
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Delbert Madsen, Scott Edward Stephenson
  • Patent number: D741820
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: Control4 Corporation
    Inventors: Brent Delbert Madsen, Scott Edward Stephenson