Patents by Inventor Benjamin F. Bard

Benjamin F. Bard 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: 10106292
    Abstract: A system of packaging and displaying a set of products is disclosed. The system may include a first and second container, together forming a hinged box, each container including a first display face, and a first back positioned on a side of the container opposite the first display face. A first magnetic element and a second element magnetically responsive to the first magnetic element may be positioned in the containers to assist in closing the box. At least one of the containers includes a transparent cover that secures, even in the open position of the box, displayed products, the displayed product visible through the cover when the box is hinged open. The cover has perforations that can be torn to access the products without tools. The products are arranged in the order of use and installation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Ghosoub Al-Khal, Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20180270063
    Abstract: A load control system may be configured using a graphical user interface (GUI) software. The GUI software may be implemented to collect control devices and add the control devices to the load control system for configuration. Programming data may be automatically determined for the added control devices based on the type of control device, the location of the control device, and/or the load type controlled by the control device. The programming data may include control settings for a scene, a schedule, or an automated control feature. The programming data may be displayed for being viewed and/or adjusted by a user. The programming data may be transmitted to the control devices and/or a system controller for being implemented in performing load control.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2018
    Publication date: September 20, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Craig Alan Casey, Erica L. Clymer, Christina Evans, Christopher Matthew Jones, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Neil R. Orchowski, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 10009988
    Abstract: A wearable wireless device may be configured for control of a parameter of a load control device. The load control device may be responsive to a network device, for example, to provide fine tune adjustment of the parameter. The wearable wireless device may include a touch-responsive visual display for displaying feedback of the parameter of the load control device. The visual display may be configured to be actuated to receive a user input to adjust the parameter of the load control device. An actuation of the visual display of the wearable wireless device may adjust the parameter by a greater percentage than the fine tune adjustment provided by the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Erica L. Clymer, Jason C. Killo, Jeremy B. Kleinberg
  • Publication number: 20180120885
    Abstract: A wireless load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads comprises a wireless control device (e.g., a gateway device) able to obtain a present time from a server via a network (e.g., the Internet), control the electrical loads according to a timeclock schedule, and disable the timeclock schedule if the present time is not able to be obtained from the server via the network. The wireless control device may also be able to obtain the present time from a digital message received from an external device (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) via the network. The wireless control device may be configured to receive a control signal indicating a power outage (e.g., from a battery backup device), and to operate in a low-power mode in response to receiving the control signal indicating the power outage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2017
    Publication date: May 3, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David J. Dolan, Timothy Mann, Christopher M. Riedl
  • Publication number: 20180109107
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of energy controllers. Each energy controller is operable to control at least one of the electrical loads. The load control system also includes a first broadcast controller that has a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is arranged in a first position and the second antenna is arranged in a second position that is orthogonal to the first position. The broadcast controller is operable to transmit a first wireless signal via the first antenna and a second wireless signal via the second antenna. Each of the energy controllers is operable to receive at least one of the first and second wireless signals, and to control the respective load in response to the received wireless signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Publication date: April 19, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald F. Mosebrook, Timothy S. Majewski, Gregory S. Altonen, Benjamin F. Bard
  • Publication number: 20180092194
    Abstract: A wearable wireless device may be configured for control of a parameter of a load control device. The load control device may be responsive to a network device, for example, to provide fine tune adjustment of the parameter. The wearable wireless device may include a touch-responsive visual display for displaying feedback of the parameter of the load control device. The visual display may be configured to be actuated to receive a user input to adjust the parameter of the load control device. An actuation of the visual display of the wearable wireless device may adjust the parameter by a greater percentage than the fine tune adjustment provided by the network device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2017
    Publication date: March 29, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Erica L. Clymer, Jason C. Killo, Jeremy B. Kleinberg
  • Publication number: 20180014387
    Abstract: A load control system may include control devices for controlling electrical loads. The control devices may include load control devices, such as a lighting device for controlling an amount of power provided to a lighting load, and input devices, such as a remote control device configured to transmit digital messages comprising lighting control instructions for controlling the lighting load via the lighting device. The remote control device may communicate with the lighting device via an intermediary device, such as a hub device. The remote control device may detect a user interface event, such as a button press or a rotation of the remote control device. The remote control device or the hub device may determine whether to transmit digital messages to as unicast messages or multicast messages based on the type of user interface event detected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 5, 2017
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Thomas Lee Olson, David t. Saveri, Jaykrishna A. Shukia
  • Patent number: 9851735
    Abstract: A wireless load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads comprises a wireless control device (e.g., a gateway device) able to obtain a present time from a server via a network (e.g., the Internet), control the electrical loads according to a timeclock schedule, and disable the timeclock schedule if the present time is not able to be obtained from the server via the network. The wireless control device may also be able to obtain the present time from a digital message received from an external device (e.g., a smart phone or a tablet device) via the network. The wireless control device may be configured to receive a control signal indicating a power outage (e.g., from a battery backup device), and to operate in a low-power mode in response to receiving the control signal indicating the power outage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David J. Dolan, Timothy Mann, Christopher M. Riedl
  • Patent number: 9847638
    Abstract: A load control system for controlling the amount of power delivered from an AC power source to a plurality of electrical load includes a plurality of energy controllers. Each energy controller is operable to control at least one of the electrical loads. The load control system also includes a first broadcast controller that has a first antenna and a second antenna. The first antenna is arranged in a first position and the second antenna is arranged in a second position that is orthogonal to the first position. The broadcast controller is operable to transmit a first wireless signal via the first antenna and a second wireless signal via the second antenna. Each of the energy controllers is operable to receive at least one of the first and second wireless signals, and to control the respective load in response to the received wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 19, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Mosebrook, Timothy S. Majewski, Gregory Altonen, Benjamin F. Bard
  • Publication number: 20170354012
    Abstract: A battery-powered control device may be configured to control an amount of power delivered to one or more electrical loads and provide various feedback associated with the control device and/or the electrical loads. The feedback may indicate a low battery condition and/or the amount of power delivered to the one or more electrical loads. The control device may include a light bar and/or one or more indicator lights for providing the feedback. The control device may operate in different modes including a normal mode and a low battery mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2017
    Publication date: December 7, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Chris Dimberg, Jason C. Killo, Matthew Philip McDonald, Thomas M. Shearer, Daniel L. Twaddell
  • Patent number: 9839101
    Abstract: A wearable wireless device may be configured for control of a parameter of a load control device. The load control device may be responsive to a network device, for example, to provide fine tune adjustment of the parameter. The wearable wireless device may include a touch-responsive visual display for displaying feedback of the parameter of the load control device. The visual display may be configured to be actuated to receive a user input to adjust the parameter of the load control device. An actuation of the visual display of the wearable wireless device may adjust the parameter by a greater percentage than the fine tune adjustment provided by the network device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Jason C. Killo, Jeremy B. Kleinberg, Benjamin F. Bard
  • Publication number: 20170341805
    Abstract: A system of packaging and displaying a set of products is disclosed. The system may include a first and second container, together forming a hinged box, each container including a first display face, and a first back positioned on a side of the container opposite the first display face. A first magnetic element and a second element magnetically responsive to the first magnetic element may be positioned in the containers to assist in closing the box. At least one of the containers includes a transparent cover that secures, even in the open position of the box, displayed products, the displayed product visible through the cover when the box is hinged open. The cover has perforations that can be torn to access the products without tools. The products are arranged in the order of use and installation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Publication date: November 30, 2017
    Inventors: Adam Ghosoub Al-Khal, Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Publication number: 20170125884
    Abstract: A wireless communication device for use in a load control system for controlling one or more electrical loads may comprise a counterpoise, a first and second antennas, a RF communication circuit and a control circuit. The two antennas may be oriented differently and spaced apart from each other. For example, the first antenna may extend perpendicularly from the counterpoise while the second antenna extends in a plane substantially parallel to the counterpoise. The first antenna may extend from the counterpoise at a point substantially central to the counterpoise while the second antenna may extend along a perimeter of the counterpoise. The RF communication circuit may transmit wireless signals via the first and second antennas. The control circuit may cause the RF communication circuit to transmit a first wireless signal in a first time slot and a second wireless signal in a second time slot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2016
    Publication date: May 4, 2017
    Applicant: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Robert Bollinger, Donald R. Mosebrook, Walter S. Zaharchuk
  • Patent number: D772910
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Erica L. Clymer, Benjamin F. Bard
  • Patent number: D780569
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Patent number: D780570
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 7, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Patent number: D791827
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Erica L. Clymer, Benjamin F. Bard, Jennifer Wong, Joel Hnatow
  • Patent number: D805891
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Patent number: D805892
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, David S. Bennett, Jason C. Killo
  • Patent number: D830409
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Lutron Electronics Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Rhythm Agarwal, Benjamin F. Bard, Erica L. Clymer, Shenchi Tian