Patents Assigned to The Watt Stopper, Inc.
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Publication number: 20240103136Abstract: A side looking occupancy sensor is incorporated in a conventional wall switch mounted into a switch box adjacent to a door. The side-looking proximity sensor preferably is mountable to either side of the doorjamb to make the side-looking proximity sensor face the door opening. During operation, the side-looking sensor monitors the door movement or senses the passage of a person for indication that a person is entering or leaving the space. Entry and exit determination is made based on activation of the side-looking sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventor: Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20240090105Abstract: The present invention is directed to a lighting control system with a motion sensor unit that electrically couples to a load circuit through a latching relay or load controller for turning on and off lights. The motion sensor unit is configured to power down to draw zero power after a time delay, when motion is longer detected within the work space by the motion sensor unit. The lighting control system further includes a control circuit that reinitiates or turns the motion sensor back on through a switch device.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 20, 2023Publication date: March 14, 2024Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Steven Mix, Tho Phan, Thomas L. Grey, Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20240077629Abstract: The adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage in the range of 5 to 9 VDC to the sensor transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to reduce environmental noise-induced false triggering and to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2023Publication date: March 7, 2024Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Aizhong Chen, Chenghao Fan
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Publication number: 20240074015Abstract: A scalable DC power distribution and control system suitable for commercial buildings includes one or more power and control hubs. Each DC power and control power hub provides power and control for any suitable distributed DC loads such as light-fixtures. AC power from the electric utility is applied to the power and control hub and is converted to DC power for distribution to DC loads within the space using low-voltage cables.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 1, 2023Publication date: February 29, 2024Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Davis, Jonathan P. Cartrette
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Publication number: 20240047967Abstract: The methods and apparatus described enable automatic configuration, or commissioning, of controller devices and load control devices through a low voltage communication network controlled by one or more controller devices. These methods and apparatus further enable expansion of the load control system by connection of additional loads and or load control devices and or controller devices which will reinitialize the low voltage communication network and automatically reconfigure the controller devices and load control devices connected to the network.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 5, 2023Publication date: February 8, 2024Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Peter John Horton, Jason H. Joyce, Eric J. Fournier
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Patent number: 11860306Abstract: A side looking occupancy sensor is incorporated in a conventional wall switch mounted into a switch box adjacent to a door. The side-looking proximity sensor preferably is mountable to either side of the doorjamb to make the side-looking proximity sensor face the door opening. During operation, the side-looking sensor monitors the door movement or senses the passage of a person for indication that a person is entering or leaving the space. Entry and exit determination is made based on activation of the side-looking sensor.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: January 2, 2024Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventor: Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20230354496Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 11796697Abstract: The adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage in the range of 5 to 9VDC to the sensor transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to reduce environmental noise-induced false triggering and to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2022Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Aizhong Chen, Chenghao Fan
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Patent number: 11778708Abstract: A scalable DC power distribution and control system suitable for commercial buildings includes one or more power and control hubs. Each DC power and control power hub provides power and control for any suitable distributed DC loads such as light-fixtures. AC power from the electric utility is applied to the power and control hub and is converted to DC power for distribution to DC loads within the space using low-voltage cables.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: October 3, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jeffrey T. Davis, Jonathan P. Cartrette
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Publication number: 20230284362Abstract: A DC power supply for lighting includes low voltage driver electronics for any suitable load such as lighting along with a supervisory controller that communicates to the driver electronics via any suitable digital communication protocol. Each driver's output ports include a 3rd wire that communicates to the low voltage load fixture for the purpose of auto-negotiating the appropriate power level without first having to energize the fixture.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 15, 2023Publication date: September 7, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Jeffrey T. Davis
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Patent number: 11735918Abstract: The methods and apparatus described enable automatic configuration, or commissioning, of controller devices and load control devices through a low voltage communication network controlled by one or more controller devices. These methods and apparatus further enable expansion of the load control system by connection of additional loads and or load control devices and or controller devices which will reinitialize the low voltage communication network and automatically reconfigure the controller devices and load control devices connected to the network.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2021Date of Patent: August 22, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Peter John Horton, Jason H. Joyce, Eric J. Fournier
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Publication number: 20230243491Abstract: An automated dimming load controller automatically measures the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting for each light or group of lights connected to the load controller. Once measured, the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting can be used to enable the dimmer controller to adjust the lights between their minimum and maximum effective illumination. This automatic setting of the dimmer controller may be performed regularly to accommodate changes in performance or replacement of any of the connected lights, drivers or ballasts.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 6, 2023Publication date: August 3, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Peter J. Horton
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Patent number: 11690156Abstract: A DC power supply for lighting includes low voltage driver electronics for any suitable load such as lighting along with a supervisory controller that communicates to the driver electronics via any suitable digital communication protocol. Each driver's output ports include a 3rd wire that communicates to the low voltage load fixture for the purpose of auto-negotiating the appropriate power level without first having to energize the fixture.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Jeffrey T. Davis
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Patent number: 11627651Abstract: An occupancy sensor with integral light level sensors is configured to turn off or disable peripheral circuits and go into a periodic deep sleep mode to reduce phantom loading. Peripheral circuits include occupancy sensor circuits and relay drive circuits, but may include other circuits such as communication circuits. The sensor may be configured to periodically wake itself up, check ambient light conditions to see if lighting is below the set threshold. If it is not, the sensor goes back to sleep. If it is, then the sensor can power up the occupancy sensor circuit to see if the space is occupied; if not, it can go back to sleep. If the space is occupied, it can turn on other peripheral circuits necessary to control the load.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2021Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jason Joyce, Thomas L. Grey
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Patent number: 11624498Abstract: An automated dimming load controller automatically measures the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting for each light or group of lights connected to the load controller. Once measured, the relationship between the current draw and the dimmer setting can be used to enable the dimmer controller to adjust the lights between their minimum and maximum effective illumination. This automatic setting of the dimmer controller may be performed regularly to accommodate changes in performance or replacement of any of the connected lights, drivers or ballasts.Type: GrantFiled: January 21, 2022Date of Patent: April 11, 2023Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Peter J. Horton
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Publication number: 20230070092Abstract: A side looking occupancy sensor is incorporated in a conventional wall switch mounted into a switch box adjacent to a door. The side-looking proximity sensor preferably is mountable to either side of the doorjamb to make the side-looking proximity sensor face the door opening. During operation, the side-looking sensor monitors the door movement or senses the passage of a person for indication that a person is entering or leaving the space. Entry and exit determination is made based on activation of the side-looking sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventor: Louia Weidman
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Publication number: 20230003911Abstract: The adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage in the range of 5 to 9VDC to the sensor transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to reduce environmental noise-induced false triggering and to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Aizhong Chen, Chenghao Fan
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Publication number: 20230007756Abstract: A hybrid dimming controller for a lighting control system providing isolated class 1 and class 2 dimming outputs. The controller has two NEC class 1 outputs for providing independent low-voltage dimming-control signals for two lighting loads and two NEC class 2 outputs for providing the same two independent dimming control-signals for the lighting loads. Thus, the controller has both a class 1 and a class 2 outputs for delivering the same dimming-control signal for each of the two lighting loads while maintaining within the controller the isolation that is required between class 1 and class 2 circuits.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2022Publication date: January 5, 2023Applicant: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Erick E. Betancourt-Ochoa
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Patent number: 11445591Abstract: A hybrid dimming controller for a lighting control system providing isolated class 1 and class 2 dimming outputs. The controller has two NEC class 1 outputs for providing independent low-voltage dimming-control signals for two lighting loads and two NEC class 2 outputs for providing the same two independent dimming control-signals for the lighting loads. Thus, the controller has both a class 1 and a class 2 outputs for delivering the same dimming-control signal for each of the two lighting loads while maintaining within the controller the isolation that is required between class 1 and class 2 circuits.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2020Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Jonathan P. Cartrette, Erick E. Betancourt-Ochoa
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Patent number: 11442185Abstract: The adjustable voltage regulator under control of a microcontroller applies controlled amplitude voltage in the range of 5 to 9 VDC to the sensor transmitter to adjust the output amplitude of the transmitter. The adjustable amplitude transmitter allows an occupancy sensor to have its total output energy adjusted to reduce environmental noise-induced false triggering and to conform to the area to be covered. Lowering the total ultrasonic energy in the monitored space lowers the sensitivity of the receiver to inappropriate activations. Lowering the input power to the transmitter also lowers the total internal system noise and provides an improved signal to noise ratio in the receiver.Type: GrantFiled: May 6, 2021Date of Patent: September 13, 2022Assignee: The Watt Stopper, Inc.Inventors: Louia Weidman, Aizhong Chen, Chenghao Fan