Patents by Inventor Brent Protzman
Brent Protzman 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).
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Patent number: 12656750Abstract: A load control system may control an electrical load in a space of a building based on one or more parameters regarding the physical condition of an occupant. The parameters may be gathered by one or more sensing devices. The sensing devices may be included in a mobile device. A system controller may receive the parameters and may automatically control the electrical loads in response to the parameters. The system controller may control the electrical load to attempt to adjust the physical condition of the occupant in response to the sensed parameters. The system controller may control the electrical load to provide an alert, an alarm, and/or a warning in response to the sensed parameters.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2024Date of Patent: June 16, 2026Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Jason C. Killo, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Brent Protzman, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Greg Edward Sloan
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Patent number: 12641691Abstract: Methods and systems may be used to control the output parameters of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.Type: GrantFiled: January 7, 2025Date of Patent: May 26, 2026Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
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Publication number: 20260092488Abstract: A method of configuring a shade automation show for controlling a motorized window treatment installed on a façade of a building may be disclosed herein. The method may comprise determining to adjust at least one of a first façade limit angle or a second façade limit angle of a direct-sun range for the façade. The method may further comprise determining an adjustment amount for adjusting the first or second façade limit angle; determining a time direction for adjusting the first or second façade limit angle; and adjusting the first or second façade limit angle based on the determined adjustment amount and the determined time direction. The motorized window treatment may be controlled to a direct-sun state when a solar azimuth angle of the sun is within the first and second façade limit angles direct-sun range.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2025Publication date: April 2, 2026Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventor: Brent Protzman
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Publication number: 20260062995Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include first and second mounting brackets and a window treatment assembly that includes a covering material and a bottom bar attached to the bottom end of the covering material. The bottom bar may include at least one solar cell attached to the bottom bar and a first energy storage element electrically coupled to the solar cell. The motorized window treatment may include a dock configured to be electrically coupled to a motor drive unit of the window treatment assembly, and the dock may be supported by the first mounting bracket. The bottom bar may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the dock when the covering material is in a raised position, such that the first energy storage element of the bottom bar is configured to discharge through the dock into a second energy storage element of the motor drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2025Publication date: March 5, 2026Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, John H. Bull, Stuart W. DeJonge, Jeremy M. Fallis, JR., Charles Fiebig, David A. Kirby, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, William Taylor Shivell
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Publication number: 20260062994Abstract: A motorized window treatment may include one or more mounting brackets and a window treatment assembly supported by the one or more mounting brackets. The window treatment assembly may include a covering material that is operable between a raised position and a lowered position. The window treatment assembly may include a bottom bar comprising an energy storage element. The motorized window treatment may include a motor drive unit comprising a motor configured to rotate to adjust the covering material between the raised position and the lowered position. The motorized window treatment may include a dock configured to be electrically coupled to the motor drive unit. The bottom bar may be configured to be positioned adjacent to the dock when the covering material is in the raised position, such that the energy storage element is configured to charge through the dock and the motor drive unit.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2025Publication date: March 5, 2026Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Edward J. Blair, John H. Bull, Stuart W. DeJonge, Jeremy M. Fallis, Jr., Charles Fiebig, David A. Kirby, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman
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Publication number: 20260002410Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to the autonomous positioning of motorized window coverings to provide a desired level of illumination in the interior space of a structure. Control circuitry determines a base position and/or a base angle of rotation/tilt using data representative of the geolocation and compass heading of the motorized window covering, the calendar date, and the time of day. Using a weather data API, the control circuitry receives data representative of current local weather and/or current predicted short-term local weather. The control circuitry determines a final position and/or a final angle of rotation/tilt to provide the desired level of illumination in the interior space of the structure using the geolocation and compass heading of the motorized window covering, the calendar date, the time of day, and the received weather data.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2025Publication date: January 1, 2026Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Brent Protzman, Craig Alan Casey, Yogesh Venkata Gopalan
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Publication number: 20250393111Abstract: A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2025Publication date: December 25, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman, James P. Steiner
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Publication number: 20250391149Abstract: A sensor and/or system controller may process an image multiple times at multiple resolutions to detect glare conditions. A glare condition threshold used to determine whether a glare condition exists may be based on the resolution of the image. When the resolution of the image is higher, the glare condition threshold may be higher. The sensor and/or system controller may organize one or more adjacent pixels having similar intensities into pixel groups. The pixel groups may vary in size and/or shape. The sensor and/or system controller may determine a representative group luminance for the pixel group (e.g., an average luminance of the pixels in the group). The sensor and/or system controller may determine a group glare condition threshold, which may be used to determine whether a glare condition exists for the group of pixels and/or may be based on the size of the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2025Publication date: December 25, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman
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Patent number: 12439494Abstract: A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2023Date of Patent: October 7, 2025Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman, James P. Steiner
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Publication number: 20250309643Abstract: A load control environment may be controlled by adjusting load control devices, such as a lighting intensity level, a level of the covering material for a motorized window treatment, and/or a temperature level to reduce and/or optimize the consumption of power. The optimization of power may include reducing the total cost and consumption of power, while maintaining a target or minimum level of comfort for occupants and/or a net monetary gain. The optimization of power consumption may be performed by adaptively controlling the load control devices to reduce the total power consumption of the load control environment, while maintaining a minimum level for comfort metrics indicating a level of occupant comfort and/or the net monetary gain associated with the comfort metrics.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 16, 2025Publication date: October 2, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Brent Protzman, Rangasayee Sapthasayee, Craig A. Casey
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Patent number: 12423943Abstract: A sensor and/or system controller may process an image multiple times at multiple resolutions to detect glare conditions. A glare condition threshold used to determine whether a glare condition exists may be based on the resolution of the image. When the resolution of the image is higher, the glare condition threshold may be higher. The sensor and/or system controller may organize one or more adjacent pixels having similar intensities into pixel groups. The pixel groups may vary in size and/or shape. The sensor and/or system controller may determine a representative group luminance for the pixel group (e.g., an average luminance of the pixels in the group). The sensor and/or system controller may determine a group glare condition threshold, which may be used to determine whether a glare condition exists for the group of pixels and/or may be based on the size of the group.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2024Date of Patent: September 23, 2025Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman
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Patent number: 12334729Abstract: A load control environment may be controlled by adjusting load control devices, such as a lighting intensity level, a level of the covering material for a motorized window treatment, and/or a temperature level to reduce and/or optimize the consumption of power. The optimization of power may include reducing the total cost and consumption of power, while maintaining a target or minimum level of comfort for occupants and/or a net monetary gain. The optimization of power consumption may be performed by adaptively controlling the load control devices to reduce the total power consumption of the load control environment, while maintaining a minimum level for comfort metrics indicating a level of occupant comfort and/or the net monetary gain associated with the comfort metrics.Type: GrantFiled: December 18, 2020Date of Patent: June 17, 2025Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Brent Protzman, Rangasayee Sapthasayee, Craig A. Casey
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Publication number: 20250181042Abstract: Motorized window treatments may each adjust a position of a covering material to allow light into a space in a building. The control information for controlling the motorized window treatments may be stored and/or accessed to understand how the motorized window treatments are operating. The control information may indicate a control state and/or a position of the covering material when an identified daylight intensity is being received at the space. The control information may inform a user of the operation of the motorized window treatments and allow the user to adjust various control parameters by which the motorized window treatments may be controlled. Recommended adjustments may also be provided to the user based on a user-identified problem with the operation of the motorized window treatments. The recommended adjustments to the control parameters may be accepted by the user and may be stored for being accessed and/or edited.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 4, 2024Publication date: June 5, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman
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Publication number: 20250154826Abstract: A motorized window treatment system controls a plurality of motorized window treatments to maximize daylight autonomy, while minimizing cognitive dissonance. The system may include motorized window treatments, window sensors, and a system controller. Each motorized window treatment may be operable to adjust a respective covering material to control the amount of light entering a space. Each sensor may be mounted adjacent to at least one of the motorized window treatments, and may be configured to measure an amount of daylight shining on the sensor. The system controller may receive sensor readings from the sensors and may control the motorized window treatments in response to the sensors to keep the covering materials aligned when the sensor readings are within a predetermined amount. The system controller may dynamically group and re-group the sensors into subgroups based upon the sensor readings and may control the motorized window treatments based upon the subgroups.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Timothy Gill, Michael J. Zizza
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Publication number: 20250159775Abstract: A sensor and/or system controller may process an image multiple times at multiple resolutions to detect glare conditions. A glare condition threshold used to determine whether a glare condition exists may be based on the resolution of the image. When the resolution of the image is higher, the glare condition threshold may be higher. The sensor and/or system controller may organize one or more adjacent pixels having similar intensities into pixel groups. The pixel groups may vary in size and/or shape. The sensor and/or system controller may determine a representative group luminance for the pixel group (e.g., an average luminance of the pixels in the group). The sensor and/or system controller may determine a group glare condition threshold, which may be used to determine whether a glare condition exists for the group of pixels and/or may be based on the size of the group.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Yogesh Venkata Gopalan, Brent Protzman
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Publication number: 20250159778Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2025Publication date: May 15, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Craig Alan Casey, Erica L. Clymer, Christina Evans, Christoper Matthew Jones, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Neil R. Orchowski, Brent Protzman
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Publication number: 20250151182Abstract: Methods and systems may be used to control the output parameters of one or more light sources (e.g., discrete-spectrum light sources) based on fixture capability information. Fixture capability information may be obtained using a configuration tool. The fixture capability information may be determined by the configuration tool, and the fixture capability information determined by the configuration tool may be stored and/or processed. The fixture may have a memory for storing the fixture capability information. The fixture capability information may also be stored in a remote network device. A system controller may obtain the fixture capability information from the fixture or the remote control device. The system controller may generate control instructions based on the fixture capability information and send the control instructions to the fixtures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 7, 2025Publication date: May 8, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
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Publication number: 20250142704Abstract: A visible light sensor (VLS) may be configured to sense environmental characteristics using images of a space. The VLS may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to decrease or eliminate glares. In the daylighting sensor mode and/or color sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the VLS may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2024Publication date: May 1, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
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Publication number: 20250126691Abstract: A visible light sensor may be configured to sense environmental characteristics of a space using an image of the space. The visible light sensor may be controlled in one or more modes, including a daylight glare sensor mode, a daylighting sensor mode, a color sensor mode, and/or an occupancy/vacancy sensor mode. In the daylight glare sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to decrease or eliminate glare within a space. In the daylighting sensor mode and the color sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to provide a preferred amount of light and color temperature, respectively, within the space. In the occupancy/vacancy sensor mode, the visible light sensor may be configured to detect an occupancy/vacancy condition within the space and adjust one or more control devices according to the occupation or vacancy of the space. The visible light sensor may be configured to protect the privacy of users within the space via software, a removable module, and/or a special sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 23, 2024Publication date: April 17, 2025Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman, James P. Steiner
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Patent number: 12270251Abstract: A motorized window treatment system controls a plurality of motorized window treatments to maximize daylight autonomy, while minimizing cognitive dissonance. The system may include motorized window treatments, window sensors, and a system controller. Each motorized window treatment may be operable to adjust a respective covering material to control the amount of light entering a space. Each sensor may be mounted adjacent to at least one of the motorized window treatments, and may be configured to measure an amount of daylight shining on the sensor. The system controller may receive sensor readings from the sensors and may control the motorized window treatments in response to the sensors to keep the covering materials aligned when the sensor readings are within a predetermined amount. The system controller may dynamically group and re-group the sensors into subgroups based upon the sensor readings and may control the motorized window treatments based upon the subgroups.Type: GrantFiled: September 1, 2023Date of Patent: April 8, 2025Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLCInventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Timothy Gill, Michael J. Zizza