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).

  • Publication number: 20250151182
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2025
    Publication date: May 8, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Publication number: 20250142704
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2024
    Publication date: May 1, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20250126691
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2024
    Publication date: April 17, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman, James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 12270251
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Timothy Gill, Michael J. Zizza
  • Patent number: 12238839
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 25, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Yogesh Venkata Gopalan, Brent Protzman
  • Publication number: 20250059828
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2024
    Publication date: February 20, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Yogesh Venkata Gopalan, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 12232233
    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: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Benjamin F. Bard, Craig Alan Casey, Erica L. Clymer, Christina Evans, Christoper Matthew Jones, Sanjeev Kumar, John Nill, Neil R. Orchowski, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 12225646
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Craig Alan Casey, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, James P. Steiner
  • Publication number: 20250043629
    Abstract: A system includes a window treatment adjacent to a window of a room. At least one motor drive unit is associated with the window treatment, for varying the position of the window treatment. A sensor measures a light level (e.g., an outdoor light level) at the window. A controller provides signals to the motor drive unit to automatically adjust the position of the window treatment so as to control a penetration distance of sunlight into the room when the window treatment is partially opened. The controller is configured to position the window treatment in a bright override position if the measured light level is at least a bright threshold value. The controller is configured to select the bright threshold value from among at least two predetermined values. The selection depends on an angle of incidence between light rays from the sun and a surface normal of the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2024
    Publication date: February 6, 2025
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Brian M. Courtney
  • Patent number: 12219676
    Abstract: Methods and systems may be used for controlling the color temperature 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: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Ethan Charles Biery, Craig Alan Casey, Venkatesh Chitta, Brent Protzman, Thomas M. Shearer, Mark S. Taipale
  • Patent number: 12213226
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2025
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman, James P. Steiner
  • Patent number: 12163377
    Abstract: A system includes a window treatment adjacent to a window of a room. At least one motor drive unit is associated with the window treatment, for varying the position of the window treatment. A sensor measures a light level (e.g., an outdoor light level) at the window. A controller provides signals to the motor drive unit to automatically adjust the position of the window treatment so as to control a penetration distance of sunlight into the room when the window treatment is partially opened. The controller is configured to position the window treatment in a bright override position if the measured light level is at least a bright threshold value. The controller is configured to select the bright threshold value from among at least two predetermined values. The selection depends on an angle of incidence between light rays from the sun and a surface normal of the window.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Brian M. Courtney
  • Patent number: 12163376
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Yogesh Venkata Gopalan, Brent Protzman
  • Publication number: 20240318500
    Abstract: A motorized window treatment may be powered (e.g., entirely powered) from solar energy. The motorized window treatment may comprise a roller tube, a covering material extending from the roller tube to a bottom bar, and a motor drive unit configured to rotate the roller tube for adjusting a position of the covering material. The bottom bar may comprise at least one solar cell and an energy storage element electrically coupled to the solar cell. The motorized window treatment may comprise a dock, which may have a base portion electrically coupled the energy storage element of the motor drive unit. The bottom bar may be positioned adjacent to the base portion when the covering material is in a raised position, such that the energy storage element of the bottom bar may discharge through the base portion into an energy storage element of the motor drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Edward J. Blair, John H. Bull, Stuart W. DeJonge, Jeremy M. Fallis, JR., Charles Fiebig, David A. Kirby, Galen Edgar Knode, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 12085906
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2023
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman
  • Publication number: 20240219880
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Jason C. Killo, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Brent Protzman, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Greg Edward Sloan
  • Publication number: 20240167334
    Abstract: A sensor may detect glare from a recorded image and a shade position of a motorized window treatment may be controlled based on the position of the detected glare in the image. A luminance of a pixel may be calculated in an image and a glare condition may be detected based on the luminance of the pixel. For example, the sensor may start at a first pixel in a bottom row of pixels and step through each of the pixels on the bottom row before moving to a next row of pixels. When the sensor detects a glare condition, the sensor may cease processing the remaining pixels of the image. The sensor may calculate a background luminance of the image by reordering the pixels of the image from darkest to lightest and calculating the luminance of a pixel that is a predetermined percentage from the darkest pixel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2024
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig A. Casey, Brent Protzman
  • Publication number: 20240167335
    Abstract: A system includes a window treatment adjacent to a window of a room. At least one motor drive unit is associated with the window treatment, for varying the position of the window treatment. A sensor measures a light level (e.g., an outdoor light level) at the window. A controller provides signals to the motor drive unit to automatically adjust the position of the window treatment so as to control a penetration distance of sunlight into the room when the window treatment is partially opened. The controller is configured to position the window treatment in a bright override position if the measured light level is at least a bright threshold value. The controller is configured to select the bright threshold value from among at least two predetermined values. The selection depends on an angle of incidence between light rays from the sun and a surface normal of the window.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: May 23, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Stephen Lundy, Brent Protzman, Brian M. Courtney
  • Publication number: 20240153234
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2024
    Publication date: May 9, 2024
    Applicant: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Craig Alan Casey, Brent Protzman
  • Patent number: 11960264
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2024
    Assignee: Lutron Technology Company LLC
    Inventors: Rhodes B. Baker, Jason C. Killo, Galen Edgar Knode, Sanjeev Kumar, Brent Protzman, Daniel Curtis Raneri, Greg Edward Sloan