Patents Assigned to Lutron Technology Company
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Patent number: 12143047Abstract: A motor drive unit for driving a motor of a motorized window treatment may comprise software-based and hardware-based implementations of a process for detecting and resolving a stall condition in the motor, where the hardware-based implementation is configured to reduce power delivered to the motor if the software-based implementation has not first reduced the power to the motor. A control circuit may detect a stall condition of the motor, and reduce the power delivered to the motor after a first period of time from first detecting the stall condition. The motor drive unit may comprise a stall prevention circuit configured to reduce the power delivered to the motor after a second period of time (e.g., longer than the first period of time) from determining that a rotational sensing circuit is not generating a sensor signal while the control circuit is generating a drive signal to rotate the motor.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Donald F. Hausman, Jr., Chen Ming Wu
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Patent number: 12144082Abstract: A load control device for controlling the power delivered from an AC power source to an electrical load is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between the source and the load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals directly from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2023Date of Patent: November 12, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Michael W. Pessina, Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240369198Abstract: An emitter assembly for a lighting device may comprise a substrate, one or more emitters mounted to a surface of the substrate, a first dome portion formed on the surface of the substrate and encapsulating the one or more emitters, and a second dome portion located above the first dome portion. The first and second dome portions may both be made of materials that are optically transmissive. The second dome portion may have a shape that may be configured to direct light from the emitters in a particular direction. The emitter assembly may comprise a barrier located on the surface of the substrate and surrounding the emitters. The barrier and the surface of the substrate may define a recess in which the first dome portion is located. The emitter assembly may further comprise an adhesive that may be located between and attach the first and second dome portions.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Peter W. Ogden, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240373529Abstract: A load control device coupled between an AC power source and an electrical load may operate in a three-wire mode or a two-wire mode based on whether the load control device is connected to a neutral side of the AC power source. The load control device may further comprise first and second zero-cross detect circuits to be respectively used in the two-wire mode or the three-wire mode, and a neutral wire detect circuit configured to generate a neutral-wire detect signal indicating whether the load control device is connected to the neutral side of the AC power source. A control circuit of the load control device may determine whether the load control device should operate in the two-wire mode or in the three-wire mode in response to the neutral-wire detect signal.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Mark A. Benning, Thomas W. Brenner, Quinn Brogan, Donald F. Hausman, JR., Peter MacLellan, Matthew Kyle Olsen, Matthew Pennock
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Publication number: 20240371257Abstract: Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a wallbox. The remote control device may include a base, a battery, a battery holder, and a control unit. The base may be configured to attach the remote control device to the mechanical switch. The control unit may be configured to be removably attached to the base. The battery holder may be configured to retain the battery therein. The battery holder may be configured to be installed within the void defined by the housing. The battery holder may be operable between a first position in a lower portion of the void and a second position in an upper portion of the void.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 18, 2024Publication date: November 7, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Chris Dimberg
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Publication number: 20240365459Abstract: A linear lighting fixture may comprise lighting control devices for controlling lighting loads in a load control system. Each linear lighting fixture may include a fixture controller configured to control lighting control devices. The fixture controller may receive messages from one or more devices in the load control system for controlling lighting control devices in the linear lighting fixture. The fixture controller may receive the message and communicate with the lighting control devices on a wired power/communication link Each linear lighting fixture may comprise one or more sensors. The sensors may be coupled to the fixture controller to send/receive messages on a wired power/communication link and/or a wireless communication link The lighting control devices in the fixtures may be zoned separately or together. Each of the sensors in a linear lighting fixture may be zoned with one or more of the lighting control devices in the linear lighting fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Devin O'Donnell, Daniel C. Raneri, Ratan Dominic Rego, Christopher G. Udall
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Publication number: 20240363295Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control an external electrical load may provide simple feedback regarding the operation of the control device. For example, the control device may comprise a base portion configured to be mounted to an electrical wallbox or over a mechanical switch, and a control unit connected to the base portion. The control unit may comprise a rotation portion rotatable with respect to the base portion, an actuation portion, and a light source. The control unit may be configured to control the light source to illuminate at least an illuminated portion of the actuation portion in response to actuations of the rotation portion and the actuation portion. In addition, the control unit may provide a limit indication on the illuminated portion by blinking the illuminated portion when the electrical load has reached a limit.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 8, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory S. Altonen, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Knauss, Michael W. Pessina, Daniel L. Twaddell
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Publication number: 20240365450Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Venkatesh Chitta, Jeffrey S. Hayes, Robert D. Stevens, Jr.
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Publication number: 20240365097Abstract: A load control device is able to receive radio-frequency (RF) signals from a Wi-Fi-enabled device, such as a smart phone, via a wireless local area network. The load control device comprises a controllably conductive device adapted to be coupled in series between an AC power source and an electrical load, a controller for rendering the controllably conductive device conductive and non-conductive, and a Wi-Fi module operable to receive the RF signals from the wireless network. The controller controls the controllably conductive device to adjust the power delivered to the load in response to the wireless signals received from the wireless network. The load control device may further comprise an optical module operable to receive an optical signal, such that the controller may obtain an IP address from the received optical signal and control the power delivered to the load in response to a wireless signal that includes the IP address.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 11, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Theodore F. Economy, John C. Browne, JR., William Bryce Fricke, Galen Edgar Knode, Ryan S. Bedell, Christopher J. Salvestrini
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Patent number: 12129710Abstract: A low-deflection roller tube of a motorized roller shade may include a first tube and a second tube that is attached to the first tube. The first tube may be configured to operably couple to the motor drive unit of the roller shade. The second tube may comprise a plurality of carbon fiber layers additively constructed on the first tube, and may be fabricated such that first and second longitudinal portions of the roller tube exhibit different material stiffness characteristics from each other. The first and second portions of the roller tube may be made of carbon fiber material having different tensile moduli. Layers of carbon fiber material in the first portion may be staggered with layers of carbon fiber material in the second portion at an interface between the first and second portions.Type: GrantFiled: November 23, 2021Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Peter W. Ogden, Jr., Robert C. Newman, Jr.
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Patent number: 12133307Abstract: A load control system may comprise an electrical load control device and/or a computing device. The electrical load control device may control, for example, motorized window treatments (e.g., shades), lighting controls, and/or sensors (e.g., occupancy, radio window, daylight, etc.). For example, a load control device comprising a motorized window treatment may control the position of a covering material in the window treatment. The computing device may comprise a processor and/or a graphical user interface (GUI). The computing device may be a server and/or a user device, such as a wireless user device (e.g., a cellular phone, tablet, or laptop computer). The computing device may be configured to provide graphical representations that may be displayed on a GUI based on load control information.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, John H. Bull
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Patent number: 12131628Abstract: A remote control device may be configured to be mounted over the toggle actuator of a light switch and to control a load control device. The remote control device may include a mounting assembly and a control unit that is removably attachable to the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a release tab that is configured to be operated from a locking position in which the control unit is secured to the mounting assembly, to a release position in which the control unit may be detached from the mounting assembly. The mounting assembly may include a clamp that is configured to engage with the toggle actuator of a mechanical switch to which the remote control device is mounted.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Chris Dimberg, Matthew Philip McDonald, William Taylor Shivell
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Patent number: 12132638Abstract: A load control system may include a network of devices configured to communicate with one another. The load control system may include control devices configured to operate as a leader device or another router device on the network. The control device may process advertisement messages from other router devices in the network. The control device may receive advertisement messages from non-leader router devices and compare the device identifier and the sequence number in the advertisement messages with the device identifier and the sequence number in previously-received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices. The control device may process each advertisement message received with a different sequence identifier or a different device identifier than previously received advertisement messages from the non-leader router devices.Type: GrantFiled: August 11, 2023Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Jeffrey S. Hayes
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Publication number: 20240357724Abstract: A method of automatically programming a new load control device that replaces an old load control device takes advantage of a remote identification tag (e.g., an RFID tag) located in the vicinity of the old device. The remote identification tag stores an identifier that is representative of a location in which the old device is installed. The method includes the steps of: (1) storing a setting of an old device in a memory of a controller; (2) associating the setting with the identifier of the old device in the memory of the controller; (3) the new device retrieving the identifier from the remote identification tag after the new device is installed in the location of the old device; (4) the new device transmitting the identifier to the controller; and (5) the controller transmitting the setting of the old device to the new device in response to receiving the identifier.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 2, 2024Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Dragan Veskovic
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Publication number: 20240355559Abstract: A control device configured for use in a load control system to control one or more electrical loads external to the control device may include a first switch member and a second switch member. The control device may include an actuation member having an upper portion and a lower portion. The actuation member may be configured to actuate the first switch member and the second switch member in response to tactile actuations of the upper portion and the lower portion. The actuation member may include first and second pivot arms that enable the actuation member to pivot about a pivot axis in response to the tactile actuations. The first pivot arm may define a notch. The control device may comprise a light pipe configured to conduct light emitted by a light source through the notch to a light indicator located on the bezel.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2024Publication date: October 24, 2024Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rebecca Michalski, Aaron J. Wilz
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Patent number: 12127320Abstract: Remote control devices may control electrical loads and/or load control devices of a load control system without accessing electrical wiring. The remote control device may be mounted over a mechanical switch that is installed in a wallbox. The remote control device may include a control unit and a faceplate assembly. The faceplate assembly may include a mounting frame, an adapter plate, and a faceplate. The mounting frame may be configured to abut a bezel of the mechanical switch such that that the faceplate is spaced away from the bezel of the mechanical switch to enable the mounting ring to extend through respective openings in the adapter plate and the faceplate.Type: GrantFiled: September 25, 2023Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: William Taylor Shivell
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Patent number: 12127352Abstract: A mounting bracket for coupling a control device to a wall box is disclosed. The mounting bracket may include a body having an inner perimeter defining an opening. A plurality of flanges may extend into the opening. Each flange of the plurality of flanges may be configured to be engaged by an arm of a faceplate for coupling the faceplate to the mounting bracket.Type: GrantFiled: May 20, 2022Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Matthew P. McDonald
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Patent number: 12123258Abstract: A manual drive assembly for a manually-operated window treatment based on a drive chain formed as a loop, may incorporate one or more intermediate tensioners disposed between two ends of the loop. The loop may be formed between a manual clutch mechanism coupled to the window treatment and an end tensioner. The one or more intermediate tensioners may serve to limit slack in the loop such that sides of the loop cannot be pulled to create a large loop, for example, having a gap of four inches or greater, between the hanging sides of the cord.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2023Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Evan T. Graham, David A. Kirby, Robert T. Nachtrieb
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Patent number: 12127317Abstract: A load control system may comprise load control devices for controlling respective electrical loads, and a system controller operable to transmit digital messages including different commands to the load control devices in response to a selection of a preset. The different commands may include a preset command configured to identify preset data in a device database stored at the load control device and/or a multi-output command configured to define the preset data for being stored in the device database. The system controller may decide which of the commands to transmit to the load control devices in response to the selection of the preset.Type: GrantFiled: March 27, 2023Date of Patent: October 22, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Brian Michael Courtney, Timothy Gill, Sriram Gopalakrishnan, Roshni Ashwin Shah, Vidya Sukumar, Mark S. Taipale, Mark Yorgey
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Patent number: D1049130Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2022Date of Patent: October 29, 2024Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Gregory Altonen, Brad Michael Kreschollek, Karelys Alfonzo, Nayda Aponte, Xiangzhu Chen, Bryan Robert Barnes