Patents by Inventor Andrew Peter Schmalz

Andrew Peter Schmalz 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).

  • Patent number: 9743489
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2017
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Publication number: 20160205745
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2016
    Publication date: July 14, 2016
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 9313859
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 9277629
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and a first occupancy sensor mounted to a movable structure (e.g., a door) and a second occupancy sensor mounted to a fixed surface (e.g., a wall or a ceiling). The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. The first occupancy sensor transmits an occupied wireless control signal to the load control device in response to detecting the movement of the movable structure. The second occupancy sensor transmits an occupied wireless control signal to the load control device in response to detecting the occupancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from the first occupancy sensor, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2016
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 9265128
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 9148937
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20150230323
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 17, 2015
    Publication date: August 13, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20150223310
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors. The load control device is operable to determine that no wireless control signals have been received from the occupancy sensors for the length of a predetermined timeout period and to subsequently turn off the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2015
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 9035769
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors. The load control device is operable to determine that no wireless control signals have been received from the occupancy sensors for the length of a predetermined timeout period and to subsequently turn off the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20140333210
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load may include a sensor, a remote control, and a load control device. The remote control may comprise a button and may be configured to wirelessly transmit a digital message in response to an actuation of the button. The load control device may be configured to control the electrical load, be responsive to the sensor, and/or be configured to be associated with the remote control. The load control device may be responsive to the digital message transmitted by the remote control if the remote control is associated with the load control device. The load control device may be configured to automatically operate in a first mode of operation if the remote control is not associated with the load control device, and automatically operate in a second mode of operation if the remote control is associated with the load control device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 8823268
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load includes multiple wireless transmitters and a load control device that is able to automatically adjust how the load control device operates in response to type of wireless transmitters that are associated with the load control device. The load control device automatically operates in a first mode of operation if only the first transmitter is associated with the load control device, and automatically operates in a second mode of operation if both the first and second transmitters are associated with the load control device. The first transmitter may comprise a daylight sensor, and the load control device may only turn on the electrical load in one of the two modes in response to the daylight sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Publication number: 20120286676
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling an electrical load includes multiple wireless transmitters and a load control device that is able to automatically adjust how the load control device operates in response to type of wireless transmitters that are associated with the load control device. The load control device automatically operates in a first mode of operation if only the first transmitter is associated with the load control device, and automatically operates in a second mode of operation if both the first and second transmitters are associated with the load control device. The first transmitter may comprise a daylight sensor, and the load control device may only turn on the electrical load in one of the two modes in response to the daylight sensor.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Publication date: November 15, 2012
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: David T. Saveri, III, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Akshay Bhat
  • Patent number: 8199010
    Abstract: A wireless sensor for a load control system is adapted to be releasably mounted to a surface, such as a drop ceiling panel, to allow the optimum location of the sensor to be determined. A releasable mounting means of the sensor comprises two posts extending perpendicularly from a rear surface of the sensor. Each post has a small diameter and is rigid enough to pierce the panel without creating a large aesthetically-displeasing hole. The sensor may be permanently affixed to the panel by bending the posts at a rear surface of the panel without the use of a tool, such that the panel is captured between the mounting plate and the deformed posts. The sensor further comprises multiple test buttons provided on an outwardly-facing surface of the sensor for separately testing the communications of the load control system and the operation of the sensor. Alternatively, the releasable mounting means may comprise one or more magnets for magnetically coupling the sensor to a grid structure of the ceiling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Greg Edward Sloan, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Jon M. Keagy, Jason C. Killo, Joel S. Spira
  • Publication number: 20120068686
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and a first occupancy sensor mounted to a moving structure (e.g., a door) and a second occupancy sensor mounted to a fixed surface (e.g., a wall or a ceiling). The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. The first occupancy sensor transmits an occupied wireless control signal to the load control device in response to detecting the movement of the moving structure. The second occupancy sensor transmits an occupied wireless control signal to the load control device in response to detecting the occupancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from the first occupancy sensor, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20120068611
    Abstract: A load control system controls a lighting load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device adjusts the intensity of the load to a first intensity in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and adjusts the intensity of the load to a second intensity less than the first intensity (e.g., a non-off intensity) in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Publication number: 20110257808
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors. The load control device is operable to determine that no wireless control signals have been received from the occupancy sensors for the length of a predetermined timeout period and to subsequently turn off the load.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 20, 2011
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 8009042
    Abstract: A load control system controls an electrical load provided in a space and comprises a load control device and one or more occupancy sensors. The load control device controls the load in response to the wireless control signals received from the occupancy sensors. Each occupancy sensor transmits an occupied control signal to the load control device in response to detecting an occupancy condition in the space and a vacant control signal to the load control device in response to detecting a vacancy condition. The load control device turns on the load in response to receiving the occupied control signal from at least one of the occupancy sensors, and turns off the load in response to receiving vacant control signals from both of the occupancy sensors. The load control device is operable to determine that no wireless control signals have been received from the occupancy sensors for the length of a predetermined timeout period and to subsequently turn off the load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Andrew Ryan Offenbacher, Adam J. Schrems, Brian Raymond Valenta
  • Patent number: 7940167
    Abstract: A battery-powered occupancy sensor for detecting an occupancy condition in a space comprises first and second batteries, an occupancy detector circuit, a controller, and a wireless transmitter for transmitting a first wireless signal in response to the occupancy detector circuit detecting the occupancy condition in the space. The controller and the wireless transmitter are powered by the first battery, while only the occupancy detector circuit is powered by the second battery, such that the occupancy detector circuit is isolated from noise generated by the controller and the wireless transmitter. The occupancy detector circuit draws a current having a magnitude of approximately 5 microamps or less from the second battery. The occupancy sensor transmits a second wireless signal is response to determining that the voltage of one of the batteries has dropped too low.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 10, 2011
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: James P. Steiner, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Greg Edward Sloan
  • Publication number: 20100207759
    Abstract: A wireless sensor for a load control system is adapted to be releasably mounted to a surface, such as a drop ceiling panel, to allow the optimum location of the sensor to be determined. A releasable mounting means of the sensor comprises two posts extending perpendicularly from a rear surface of the sensor. Each post has a small diameter and is rigid enough to pierce the panel without creating a large aesthetically-displeasing hole. The sensor may be permanently affixed to the panel by bending the posts at a rear surface of the panel without the use of a tool, such that the panel is captured between the mounting plate and the deformed posts. The sensor further comprises multiple test buttons provided on an outwardly-facing surface of the sensor for separately testing the communications of the load control system and the operation of the sensor. Alternatively, the releasable mounting means may comprise one or more magnets for magnetically coupling the sensor to a grid structure of the ceiling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2009
    Publication date: August 19, 2010
    Applicant: LUTRON ELECTRONICS CO., INC.
    Inventors: Greg Edward Sloan, Andrew Peter Schmalz, Jon M. Keagy, Jason C. Killo, Joel S. Spira
  • Patent number: D628103
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Andrew Peter Schmalz, Matthew Robert Blakeley, Jason C. Killo, Elliot G. Jacoby, Noel Mayo, Joel S. Spira